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faceplate removed, the crackling from his voice faded. “Does he live?” he demanded.  Dreathous towered above the two beings kneeling before him. “Ansheth, rise,” he said calmly.
    The cloaked being stood quickly, clutching his skeletal staff tightly. “Yes my lord,” said Ansheth.
    Dreathous gazed upon him sternly. “How long will it take you to find out how this world has changed?  How much time has passed and, most importantly, if that bastard lives?” asked Dreathous.
    Ansheth remained silent for a moment. “My Lord Commander Dreathous, it shall only take me a few moments.  It shall be done.”
    He bowed before Dreathous and began to walk towards the forest.  Ansheth stopped at the tree line and brought his staff forward.  He released his grip on the bony staff, and it began to rise into the air.  Reaching an altitude just higher than the treetops of the valley, the staff began to hum.   A flash of light, almost undetectable to the eye emitted from the staff.  It sent a pulse throughout the world of Zaneen at the speed of light.  A few seconds later, with another flash of light the staff’s humming quieted and it began to float back toward its master.  Ansheth reached out and gripped his staff.  He let out an agonized scream and dropped to one knee.  He gasped, struggling to catch his breath and struggling to process the information the staff had just transferred into his mind.
    Finally, Ansheth stood and turned to face Dreathous. “It is done my lord,” said Ansheth, still panting slightly. “Forgive me, my lord. The process is overwhelmingly painful, but I am ready to report.”  Ansheth walked closer to Dreathous. “Just more than one thousand years has passed my lord.  These mountains, this valley, are all constructed with powerful magic.  Some kingdoms and borders have shifted, but that is to be expected after so long a time.”
    Dreathous gritted his teeth. “And?” he spoke with an impatient tone to Ansheth.
    Ansheth’s eyes widened. “He… he does not live my lord… but--”
    Dreathous interrupted Ansheth with a growl and stepped toward him.  The Lord Commander reached forward and grasped Ansheth’s throat.  Dreathous’ grip tightened as he lifted Ansheth from the ground. “But what?  And the answer had better be a good one, the life in your body depends upon it,” said Dreathous calmly.
    Ansheth struggled to speak, feeling the powerful grip around his throat. “Yes… yes… he is long dead... but his blood line continues,” he muttered. “He is just a boy, but he could rise to challenge us if not eliminated.  He is close by, in this valley.”
    Dreathous flung Ansheth to the sand. “I suppose I’ll let you live, since the boy is near.  If he can rise to challenge us, does that mean that cursed blade still exists?”
    Ansheth rose to his knees, holding his throat as he coughed and gasped for air.  “Yes, my lord. It is in the valley as well,” Ansheth said slowly.  “There are two more matters that must also be brought to your attention, my lord.  The bitch is in the valley as well, and the Elves, though few in number, are still present in Zaneen.  They are well hidden in the far North, and they are believed to be extinct by the lesser humans.”
    Dreathous snarled. “I’m not surprised the bitch is nearby if the boy and the blade are as well.  But the elves, I thought we had exterminated that filth.  As for the lesser humans, we will give some of them a choice.” An evil smile crept across Dreathous’ face at that. “They shall ascend and join us, and if they refuse, along with those who are not worthy… we will dine on their flesh,” Dreathous said, chuckling.  “Now, tell me of this valley and the protective mountains that surround it.”
    Ansheth quickly stood, having finally caught his breath. “Yes, my lord.  These mountains were magically erected within one year after we were forced through the gate,” he said.  “Nothing but the