Shadow Keys and a hunt against time.

Another summons was announced for the Royal Guard to assemble in the Throneroom. The Guards and volunteers, upon arrival, were not greeted by their Commander nor Iyona Kondo. Morissa herself had called for the Royal Guard and if anyone was confused by that, what she was to ask of them would baffle them further. After giving a friendly greeting,

she got down to why she had usurped control of summoning the Royal Britannian Guard.

"Of course I summoned you! You all come running. Quite amusing really. You will all have seen my new structure in Ilshenar? Erected to my glory! But you cannot get through, I have seen your futile efforts.
I have a plan in motion. You all have approximately 60 minutes to find 10 parts of the key. Which I don't think you will, but anyhow if you fail, well then I win! I would suggest you talk to Hilliard, he's a lazy Guard just like you. He is somewhere around this Castle no doubt hiding from me. You have 59 minutes to meet me in Mistas!"
Throughout her little speech she was smirking and she laughed when she said she would win. To prevent that outcome, Guards rushed out of the Throneroom to search for Hilliard. He was easily found in the north west tower of the castle wall, ground floor. When asked of Morissa, he had this to say.

Tick tick tick tick...
When asked if he knew anyone who might know the location of a key he replied,

"Well yes, I have heard there are people who know about keys."
This was not a very helpful answer and it was clear he wasn't stationed to the rear wall of British Castle because of his samaritan attitude. "What sort of people?" an exasperated voice asked and Hilliard said,
"Well what about people from recent times? There's the Meer and the Juka comin' up all the time."
Tick tick tick tick...
Not knowing where Hilliard's mind could be and cautious about asking about anything recent, someone did. The sour looking Guard replied with,
"I heard tell of serpents too, aren't they at war with spiders? I'd try them too."
So it appeared he was giving subtle hints on where to look for these keys but nothing truly substantial. Perhaps that was the whole idea? Some Royal Guard's had already moved off to search Mistas and Lakeshire, others went to the Ophidian temple and Terathan Keep and a Guard went to the Spider Dungeon in Ilshenar. It was decided to ask for someone else who might be able to help.

Tick tick tick tick...
Hilliard was more forthcoming with useful information this time. Perhaps Mac would be more willing to assist with information. Thinking perhaps Hilliard might happen to have other mates, someone asked. Hilliard sighed dreamily saying,

"Ajinora is a lovely lass. Paints a mean picture too!"
Tick tick tick tick...
Hilliard's eyes glazed over but it was apparent that he would still have something to say if he was asked. It appeared Mac and Ajinora were two leads to follow and ask questions of. As the remaining Royal Guard were deciding whether the desert mentioned was where the Compassion shrine was or if it was somewhere in the Lost Lands the Guards following up the searches of the other places appeared and reported that there was a questionably friendly Terathan Nursemaind in the Spider dungeon in Ilshenar and dangerous yet withdrawn Juka Lord in Mistas. The search of Lakeshire discovered a Meer who was tight lipped regarding any information about Morissa's keys and questioning Mya would be a waste of energy but on separate issues she had some interesting thoughts.
It was a good start. Four people who possibly knew the locations of the 10 parts of the key. The Royal Guard split up, travelling to the ends of Sosaria and the clock was ticking.

Tick tick tick tick...
Some Volunteers were given a location to search by another Guard who was politely persistant in questioning Ourang the Juka Lord in Mistas. They recalled to outside the dungeon and ran inside grimly ready to cast a protective spell or swing swords against a possible draconic onslaught. When their eyes had adjusted and no immediate danger was recognised they made their way to the second level. Wary of an ambush from murderers the Volunteers were alert to any slight movement, making sure not to push past one another in the darkness. Some giant serpents were the only trouble before they slid down the rocky slope to the next level. Darker here still, the group risked lighting a lantern to be able to search the area. They all knew what lurked here and nerves were high strung. Someone pointed,
"There! Whats that?"
and all eyes focused on a small dark coloured crystal barely seen on the outer edge of the lantern light. The leader picked it up. It was obviously not very heavy and he turned it around to study it.
"It's a fake!" he exclaimed, "There is nothing magical about this at all. A red herring. Perhaps we should search this location in Trammel."

Tick tick tick tick...
"Can anyone see it? Quickly, before another wyrm comes this way. We haven't much time left!" shouted an urgent voice in the dimly lit cave. This group of Volunteers did not have so much luck this time trying to pass the Shadow Wyrms undetected, the battle had been fierce but mercifully quick.
"I have it!" came an excited feminine voice, "Bring the lantern over here. I almost tripped on it, the light from my candle seems not to reflect off its surface."
The group hurried to where she was and the leader bent to pick it up but it was stuck fast.
"Yes." he said,"This would be a key. I can feel the hatred from here. It's an alien force that keeps it bolted to the ground like that. It looks similar to this replica and the surface feels the same."

Tick ti...
Everyone felt it. The sudden sensation of having run out of time. Morissa made use of her new Guard summoning powers and summoned the Royal Britannia Guard to her construction in Mistas. Upon arrival they found her ranting at the crowd.

"So you are all as incompetent as your Commander? No shards of malice?"
There was silence from the those gathered. Some murmurs could be heard of those asking their neighbour if they had found one. It appeared some had tried to pass the fake keys, or shards, off as real ones. Morissa was not impressed. One of the successful volunteers spoke up.
"We found a piece." he said in a steady voice.
"Where is that piece?" Morissa asked, acid on her tongue.
"Shadow Wyrms in Destard, Trammel." he replied.
"That's one piece, where are the other nine?"
No response. His team had only discovered the one piece despite their rigorous searches.
"You have failed. Your nattering bores me. Shadows shall cover this land. Ex Ylem Ort Por"
At the last, Morissa spoke some strange runic sounds and spawned a hideous creature so evil a name could not be put to it. Fear quaked in the bones of the Guards who suffered it's infernal gaze but that did not stop those brave enough to combat it.

Morissa disappeared before she could see the demise of another of her pets. The Royal Guard are now renowned for their fighting balance against Morissa's pets. This one did not prove to be the hassle Vengeance was, thankfully. After the beast was slain the crowds dispersed. No sight or sound of Morissa. Some Royal Guard left to debrief in the Throneroom, some others left to pick up where they left off before the summons to await another and be ever ready to defend Britannia.

~Lair Spirit