"You shouldn't be surprised," Gavin replied.  "Cinnaess couldn't have chosen a better emissary.  Although it is late, you can still make use of our temple's prayer area.  And our libraries as well," he said, looking to Elena.<br/><br/>The monastery's shrine was was expansive yet humble.  The expensive refinery and marble columns common to the Cathedral of Sun and Sky in Pelluria's capital was not present here; the temple of Dyne instead had alcoves to shrines of deities and spirits with forms diligently carved from wood and stone.  A likeness of Cinneass was present, along with Khlor the God of Rain, Elsafa of the Four Seasons, and many others.<br/><br/>Gavin allowed the two of them to stay in a room reserved for travelers.  Elena remained up well into the night, hunched over a table of books and papers with only candlelight to guide her.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, outside in the dead of night, a figure standing in the darkness watched the monastery from atop a hill.  A crow flew up to him and perched on his shoulder, cawing into his ear as though whispering secrets.<br/><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/ULFbFI5.jpg)<br/><br/>"Ah, so she wears the guise of another?" the man inquired.  "Are you certain that it's Princess Aelwen?"<br/><br/>The crow gave a short, affirming caw, and a smile crept across the man's face.<br/><br/>"Fortunate she came to occupy this monastery, then.  The slaughter of monks by demons in Pelluria's heartland will stir fear in the hearts of commoner and noble alike,<em>and</em>serve as ample fodder for our Prince to gain Parliament's goodwill with promises of safety and security."<br/><br/>Five gray-skinned human-like entities shambled out from behind the trees.  Their eyes glowed with an unholy light.<br/><br/>"Go forth, chosen of Orcus.  Kill the Princess, and all witnesses in the monastery.  Desecrate and destroy the relics and shrines, if you can."<br/><br/>The demons rushed down the hill to the monastery as the man chuckled to himself.<br/><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Onset of Darkness</span></span></div><br/>Eventually the pangs of sleep called to Elena, and she retired from her studies.  "At least...I'll have a new spell by the morrow..." she murmured to Aelwen in the adjoining bed before closing her eyes.<br/><br/>Their sleep did not last long, for the ear-piercing shriek of someone crying "HELP! DEMONS!" roused them from their slumber.<br/><br/>"Did you hear that, Eleniel?" Elena asked.  "Did he really say...d-d-demons?"<br/><br/>Their conversation was cut short as the footsteps of two people came from down the corridor, closer and closer to their room.  A ghoulish growl could be heard accompanying the noise.<br/><br/><em>What does Aelwen do?</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Ask Elena what to do</div><div class="spoiler_body">"I have but a single spell prepared.  After that I'm no more powerful than a simple villager.  Eleniel, Orlox told me how you fought off those goblins single-handedly.  Why don't you try holding them back so that I can get a clear shot?"</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Peek through the keyhole</div><div class="spoiler_body">Aelwen notices through her darkvision two gray-skinned humanoid creatures whose eyes glow in the dark.  Their heads dart about the place, kicking open doors and snarling.  She doesn't see any of the monks.  It won't be long before they come to her room.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">The demons are quite thorough in their search, but on a successful 1 on a 1d6 roll, Aelwen is able to position herself comfortably enough in the wardrobe so that she can spring out and hit one of them from behind; or she can beckon Elena inside instead.  If successful she and Elena automatically win initiative, and they both gain a +2 bonus on all attack rolls to hit in the first round of combat as they take advantage of the confusion.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Windows</div><div class="spoiler_body">The windows are gated and too small for a human to squeeze through.  Looking through she merely sees the outside of the monastery's central area.</div></div><br/><em>Or maybe something else?</em><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/GZ9Nsqk.jpg?1)</div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Demons and otherworldly monsters</div><div class="spoiler_body">There are many planes of existence beside the mortal realm.  The Abyss, the domain of Faerie, and the four Elemental planes are but a few such places home to creatures that are commonly summoned by mages.<br/><br/>Aelwen's Protection from Evil spell lasts for 2 hours, and is particularly effective against fell entities from other worlds.  In addition to -1 penalties on attacks and +1 bonus on saving throws vs. evil enemies, creatures such as demons become physically unable to hit Aelwen as they get pushed back by the magic barrier covering her.<br/><br/>However, the demons will not just be trying to attack Aelwen, but Elena and the monks.</div></div>