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It was the afternoon. The Lhaam Council just finished another session in the forest. As a group, they got up and started to go. Suddenly, a root sprouted from the ground and wound itself around the leader's leg. Try as she might, Shawna couldn't loosen the grip that literally held her rooted in place. The others tried to offer their help but nothing worked. In the meanwhile, a mist came up beside her and took the shape of a man. The atmosphere had turned cold and all present knew that Nica was here. The man locked gazes with everyone, ending with Shawna. Fear entered her body as she gazed into his eyes. The man muttered something under his breath and in the next instant, disappeared in a puff of smoke with Shawna. Shawna found herself being led to a room and was ordered to put her hands in front of her. The guy locked chains around her wrists and left. Shawna looked around. The room was dark and empty. Other than herself, the only other thing in the room was a pillar in front of her. Numerous chains like her own linked to it. What caught her attention though, was the glass ball hovering above the pillar. In it, she watched as images of the other Council members continued with their lives. Again, fear touched her when she realized that all of them had been watched through this object. There must be something I can do to warn them, she thought to herself, but came up at a loss. She couldn't even create the mind link to anyone else. It was as if the place had a strong field that prevented Lhaam from knowing where this place was.
Soon, it was evening and the same guy came in, giving her some food. He introduced himself as Dale and watched her eat from a respectable distance. When she was through, he took her plate and left.
In the morning, Dale came in, and after letting her eat breakfast, led her out to the field to work with the other slaves he had. While she worked, she once again tried to connect to her friends but even outside, the force was still too strong. She worked all through lunch hour until early afternoon when she was allowed back into the room. Exhausted, she started dozing. Not too long afterward however, Shawna woke up to a sound at the door. The door opened and in came Nicholas, her husband and another member of Lhaam, being led by Dale. They looked at each other longingly, but didn't speak afraid of what Dale may hear. Even with the closeness however, the mind connection could not be made. And so, they sat across each other connected only by the pillar. They silently ate that evening as Dale watched on.
It became a custom for her. After dinner, she would watch the crystal ball or try to communicate until it was too late to do anything else. After breakfast, she alone would be taken to work in the fields with the other slaves. In the afternoon, she would take a short nap and be awaken to find another Lhaam member coming in. No one dared talk fearing someone was spying, so they spent those numerous hours watching the crystal ball to see what was happening to their friends.
The members of Lhaam came in this order: Shawna, Nicholas, Kristine, and Penny. Soon, there was only one empty spot left and nobody came to fill it. The only other Council member there was left outside was William, a very good friend of Nicholas. They looked at the crystal ball closely, but it was blank and no one knew what happened to him. One morning, she ate breakfast as normal, but afterwards, refused to help out in the fields. Every day, all the members were freed twice a day to walk around the room. The only one who didn't have to stay in there was Shawna. So that same day, she took Nicholas by the hand and started to leave. They went outside the door but before they made it far, Dale came up and grabbed her free wrist. "And where do you think you two are going?"
"Outside for a walk in the garden."
"Liar!" Just then, he started trying to pull her away from Nicholas. William showed up and helped Dale. Nicholas became confused and almost let go of Shawna. Shawna however, turned to him, giving him a look that told him she had just figured everything out. Nicholas therefore, let go, but still couldn't figure out why William was there or even if it was him at all. "William," he asked. "Is that you?" He got his answer when he saw William turn and look at him straight in the eye.
With Nicholas confused, Dale and William quickly led Shawna to another room and tied her to one of two pillars connecting the ceiling to the floor. Shawna trembled under William's scornful gaze as Dale walked slowly around the room, chanting something quietly under his breath. Unknowingly, Shawna fell asleep listening to his peaceful voice lull on. A Dream filled her senses, but it was unlike any she'd ever received before. Something was wrong with this dream, something false. In the dream, all Lhaam members around the world had come to mock her and disgrace her. They stripped her of her clothes as well as her title. A few beat her and did other awful things to her.
Meanwhile, feeling that something was wrong, Nicholas, who had returned to the chamber, finally was able to enter his wife's mind. He saw the images as clearly as she did and was horrified. In the Dream, he watched as Lhaam members from all over tied her to a stake. He watched as one member stood apart from the group and was shocked to see that it was himself. In his hand burned a torch and he slowly made his way to the stake, the intent clear on his face.
Nicholas could feel Shawna's fear and attempted to step in. "Shawna. It's me, Nicholas. Don't be frightened. This isn't a Dream! I'm really here! Don't make anything out of it, please! It's another of their tricks! Please hold on, love. We're trying to work something out down here. Please don't give up!" With that, the connection was broken and Nicholas found himself back in the chamber with the other Council members.
The Dream continued and they set fire to the pole, jeering at her. The Dream ended.
William and Dale were furious. The dream took longer than they'd made it to be. Something had gone wrong. They sent somebody down and brought Nicholas up. Now, Nicholas got a good look at how Shawna was really doing. Just like in the false Dream, she was now tied to the pillar, body covered with scratches and blood. Their gazes locked and Nicholas saw the intense misery in them.
Dale untied Shawna and she went straight to Nicholas, hugging him with all her might. It took both Dale and William to get them separated. Afraid that she would do it again, Dale tied her back to the pillar, even tighter.
Nicholas finally lost it. He turned to William. "What in the world is going on William?" He charged and the two scuffled on the ground.
Dale once again, broke up the fight and held Nicholas back. William took out a knife and waved it in front of Nicholas's face. "You want to know what's going on?" he screamed out. "I'll tell you what's going on! I'm sick and tired of being second or third or whatever place I hold! I'm sick and tired of being pushed aside in Council and I'm tired of this whole nonsense with Tanek! Balance is long gone and there's no way of getting it back! We were fighting a hopeless battle! But, oh, Nicholas!" William grinned a satisfied grin. "Life on this side of the war? It's so much better! You can actually make a name for yourself! You don't have to be concerned with petty things like a people or Balance. It's all a hoax! You hear me? It's all a lie!" Nicholas looked as if he'd been hit in the stomach. His face was twisted in denial and he found himself at a loss for words. William went on. "Dale? He's the one who introduced me to this side. You should thank me, man! Let's get out of this while we can."
Shawna had had enough. "Stop it!" Her voice cried out but she had not spoken. Her head still hung in despair and her eyes were closed. She projected her voice and it echoed around the small room, chilling everyone's bones. "I've heard enough! Traitor!" Shawna looked up and pierced William with a look to kill. "When we first met, I could already see your downfall ahead but I waited, hoping to prevent it somehow. Now I realize what a failed cause that was." Shawna slowly shook her head, a slow grin spreading across her face before the ends turned down to a sour frown. "You make me sick, William. Or shall I say, Tien!"
Nicholas looked up at his friend, shocked. No! Not William! He cannot be of Nica! But his heart knew, had always felt something wrong. In front of him stood an ambassador of Nica.
Tien gave a slight bow. "You've figured it out. But it's too late Quinn. The game's over."
Again, Shawna smiled, shaking her head. "No, Tien. You're the one who's wrong. This is far from over. It's just beginning."
Only then, did everyone in the room notice that Shawna had freed herself from the pillar. Her eyes blazed in anger and she gave a horrible shriek. The very walls of the room shook at its Power and Dale crouched low, afraid.
Tien gave his servant a disgusted look. "Dale! Go!" He indicated that he should go after Shawna and he hesitantly followed his master's orders.
Amused, Shawna watched as Dale came toward her. Easily, she shot an Energy beam at him, knocking him back into the wall. She turned to Tien, indicating that it was his move.
Tien snarled at her. "No. Not this time. I'm outnumbered here. It would be a hopeless battle." He started to vaporize, his voice continuing. "But watch it Quinn. I'll be back." His presence left the room.
Nicholas and Shawna smiled at each other a moment, locked in their happiness. Then they felt the walls begin to tremble once more. With realization that the place was going to crumble, Shawna took Nicholas's hand and transported them outside. Once in safety, she formed the mind link to her friends and told them to get out. They warned her however, that they were too weak. While they had been upstairs, some of the servants had gone and beat them. Shawna gathered her Energy to find her friends. Once they were located, she teleported them outside as well. Not long after, the building collapsed. A second later, Quinn fell as well.
The next thing Shawna knew, she was in bed with Nicholas looking over her. "Thank you," he said. And with that, she went peacefully back to sleep knowing that everything would be all right.