\--==Official Submission==-- FROM: General Debinani Rahl RE: Chapter Sixteen - The Shadow Rising The Shadows Rising Well, it's been several months since I've set a quill to these Annals, and I figured it was time to take a breather from the myriad of events that have unfolded of late. I can't say that there's been any driving force behind these events, but at the end of the long days I'm left with the feeling that something deeper is going on, just out of sight, just beyond my limited perceptions. I feel that we are being conspired against by some unseen force, and the events both odd and mundane that have been taking place are just ripples in the pond. But once again I digress and must begin my discussion of fact. As to the impending doom involved with bearing a mark of high treason, I have been quite surprised. A number of political upheavals, including the retirement of the High Commander of the Royal Army, have somehow made the whole issue go away. I'm sure I will still have to stand trial in one court or another, but for the time being it would seem that the Royals and the Emerald Empire are too preoccupied with their own problems to deal with me. This is fine by me, since I've been too preoccupied to be dealt with. I assume once things calm themselves, if ever, I'll be expected to present my evidence in a Britannian court. I'm not too concerned as to the outcome of that, and by the lack of interest in my capture I imagine everyone else knows what the outcome would be as well. Easily the most original event that has happened of late was a time some of the men have taken to calling "Lazarus Shade's Excellent Adventure". In some manner of strange occurrence, Shade and several others were vaulted to another one of Sosaria's shards. Their adventures there are a story for my esteemed Lieutenant to tell, but I will attempt to chronicle some of the happenings as they pertain to our current dilemma. During Shade's venture, he noticed that on this particular shard, The Society were servants to Lord Spirit and only a few freedom fighters remained. He was approached by the Ringwielder of Earth, one Ari Stonehand, and Stonehand, angry at Spirit's slaying of Marinetta, spilled the beans. It would seem that the Five never split during the shattering, and they can walk the shards apparently at will. Our little Society may be the last one remaining after Spirit's crusade to wipe out every last trace of us. One bit of good news though, with the aid of the Myca Vodyanoy of that shard, Shade was able to recover and return copies of the Annals left buried in Westergard. This was truly a find, as Westergard on our shard was destroyed several years later by Spirit's release from captivity. These writings contain not only the Sackcloth Rose's Great Tally, but also a message from Mengst himself, which I found to be truly inspiring. Shade has returned and aside from a few minor problems he's back to his old self. I have begun the translation of the writings in The Great Tally in the hopes that it might provide us with more information about our enemy. Next in our cavalcade of events is the emergence of The Society of the Iron Rose. Details concerning their origins are still forthcoming from Captain Anubis, but from what I understand, Lieutenant Thelonius from Bravo Company actually survived the sack at Cove and led some soldiers and refugees away. The survivors, being hunted by Daithomir, changed their names and went into hiding. Thelonius took over as Captain and carried on the tradition from there. Funny enough, they actually found the chapter of Captain Muerdetta's Annals that I had been reading just before the battle. Interesting coincidence. Apparently, when they found out the Black Rose was a live and well, they came out of hiding and are now adjusting to life in our hellish fastlane. Hope they adjust fast. A new band of villains has emerged recently. They call themselves the Children of the Light or "Whitecloaks" and actually contain a few former brothers. These zealots spend their time hunting down "DarkFriends" and killing them. Usually darkfriend is defined by anyone who looks at a Whitecloak funny. Problem is, they seem to have a serious weed in their arses concerning the Society. We're watching them carefully. And finally.... If I don't put this in the Annals, Shade's going to have my ass, so I suppose I should. Well, about fifteen years ago I overlooked mentioning in the Annals that I had a woman for a short period of time. Her name was Xaviera Alexander and we had a son. Well, we separated as most career soldiers and their women often do and I hadn't seen either of them for a decade. Well, it never rains but it pours. Several weeks ago, a panicked Xaviera contacted me and told me our son had run off to see the world and if I could look for him. I mentioned it to Veryn one night and within a week, here comes Alexander Rahl, hogtied and kicking and screaming. The events that transpired from there are inconsequential, but it does seem he may actually come around and join the Society. The entire ordeal really made me start to feel my age. It seems that some of my magical working have aged me prematurely and now I find myself fifteen years older than I should be. My father told me once that there comes a time in a soldier's life when every horrible act he's ever committed rolls in and takes its toll, and I think it happened to me. I have since retired my commission as Captain and promotes Shade to take my place. I've taken he rank of General so I can still retain some authority over the Society from behind a desk. I feel my soldiering days are about done however. Well, I think I've summed up most of the events of late. The reader will have to forgive my being brief, but I've had a lot on my mind. I'll endeavor to go into more detail next time.