Nirael found himself walking along a dark path.  He looked down to see bare feet and not a stitch of clothing on his pale white form.  His true form.  The dirt beneath his feet was soft and all about him was darkness.  Dark trees looming in the starless night, though no details could be seen.  He didn't know where he was, but knew he had to keep walking.  The silence was complete and full, and he found himself standing at a cross roads.  But which path was the one he needed?  Did he continue along the straight path or did he turn and take one of the other roads?<br/><br/>A voice behind him spoke,<strong>"You can't run forever wanderer, I will find you, I will reclaim the key.  I only need time."</strong><br/><br/>He turned and saw that the road behind him was being swallowed by darkness, but saw no source of the voice.  Then there was a different sound from in front of him.  Turning back he found a man, hooded, his features completely concealed by his hooded robes.  They were covered in trail dust, as if this stranger had been walking for a long time.  The stranger's voice was different, but somehow soothing, soft silk and aged wine.<strong> "The demon will find you.  You can not run forever.  No matter how long you wander, eventually you return home.  Even if the home is one you never knew, and one you only visit before wandering again.  But you've got a hunter after you, a danger, and you'll need to face down your demons before you can find your way home."</strong><br/><br/>Nirael heard himself speaking, even though he didn't know what was going on, his voice was strange in this form, higher pitched, less like the human form he usually wore,<em>"Who are you, what are you talking about?"</em><br/><br/><strong>"No one, just a wanderer.  But do not delay much longer, or a choice will be made for you.  If you are going to run, then you must make haste.  Your hunter will not be slowed by the oceans."</strong><br/><br/><hr/><br/>Nirael woke from the strange dream just slightly, just enough to hear a soft gasp and moan from next to him.  A soft quiet gasp of pleasure.  The bed moving slightly as if the other occupants were not sleeping soundly.  A second moan joined the first, but Nirael could not turn, and sleep reclaimed him.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The hooded figure stood before him again, and again no features could be made out.  "I can hear you, I can speak to you, but it is a weak connection.  My key is broken.  The link is weak, and the demon holds the other part.  You must rejoin the key, it must be in your hands.  If your hunter gets a hold of it, all will be lost."<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Nirael awoke again, and this time in the bed of the inn.  The bedding around him was tussled and morning light streamed in through the windows.  He'd slept through the night.  He remembered going to bed, Mara between he and Lunari.  Her soft body pressed against his and then sleep.<br/><br/>But now, he'd slept the whole night through and felt refreshed, though somewhat horny.  What an odd dream.  He sat up and looked around, and heard sounds.  Through the door to the bathing room he heard the obvious sounds of water as someone washed.  Though the suite was empty, and the bathing tub wasn't big enough for two, he guessed that one of his companions had already left.  Though there was only one way to find out for sure.... and the door WAS open.