The Luna Bridge fell from the Moon to Arbythea somewhere ahead of the Jak. It was romantic in the Luna light. Moonrock had this property of emanating only that light that is of the moon but drains light of any other. The Surroundings were inevitably black and cold leaving only the Bridge offering some hope in the shadow.
The Night was silent. All Ssrth could hear were his footsteps and breath. The Moon filled the nightsky, holding and pervading it. It bids ill will thought Ssrth. His surroundings had given way to the Darkness and the Darkness was not safe tonight. Ssrth pushed on taking longer strides, eager to be on the bridge into some light. The life around him became quieter. The Presence of the forest also vanished into thin empty Shadow. He felt hollow and cold.
Ssrth then stopped dead in his tracks. What he saw ahead made his blood go cold . In the depths of the darkness a white womanly form was floating – It had large menacing eyes that were smiling right at him. What hit Ssrth, penetrating his chest was that this white-gray spirit floating in nothingness right in front of him was not supposed to be. It shouldn’t be. Just looking at it his, eyes welled up in horror and his lungs screamed itself out.



Meanwhile on the slopes of the Western Mukhs , Sir Valkleigh tucked himself in. He put on his reading light and opened his favorite book -“The Monk who sold his Lungi”. He smiled at himself and began to read.And then - Knock Knock followed by BANG BANG.



Sir Jorg and Yjinns were at the door.

Jorg: “Haha..Greetings Beermate..How dost time goeth?”

Valkleigh: “It goeth fine till you knocked.Whats the problem now? You want more toothpaste?”

Yjinns: “No Valkeigh. We are here on serious matters. My Harp is missing Valkleigh. Do you know anything about it?”

Tuvok: “Why..Yes yes..I have it right here.”

And he left the room..

Jorg: “ Yjinns, assuming those Fasches were being directed by a..a...Blood sucking creature of the night. What does your Harp have anything to do with all this?”

Yjinns: “Hmmm...Let me tell you the Story of Lennon .”

“What I say is legend, I do not even know if any of this has come to pass..hmmm..A long time ago - before Arbythea, before any of us chose to become the Luna, before the Bridge was built, before anyone knew about the Lost amongst us - There was a young man called Lennon.
He was a King born to the people. He had great powers and he served his followers well. Legend has it that he might have been one of the founders of the Bridge. During his early life he felt great unrest. His only respite was in the pleasures. His following believed that you are never lost if you have no home. They roamed the world spreading their word of peace and pleasure, but the folks who toiled through life could not tolerate the Sloth of the Lennonists. Most Lennonists would discard their family and all possessions and live a free life. There was a secret place in the middle of the forest right here in Arbythea where Lennonists would come and meet. They called it Hedon. In Hedon, Lennonists escaped the prying eyes and unwanton remarks of the hostile world. They began to settle there and live as a community. Things were fine until the stories of their lives of sensual enjoyment spread to the Elders. Factions of Lennonists began to worship the Devil. Lennonists had begun to be hated. Many were hunted, tortured and killed. The community had to run for their lives. Hedon itself was razed to the ground.
Lennon was hunted and had to go into hiding. While in Hiding he learnt the Dark Magic from devious sources. He used his skills to fly to the Moon and hide there. There he used his Dark Arts on the creatures. Soon he had control over them. He directed them to build the bridge. It took years and when it was done he came back for his revenge."

Sir Jorg: “Brilliant! I never thought Lennon was so big, but wait a second - from what I heard he sang well.”

Yjinns:”Why, yes. That was his greatest power. Legend has it that he managed to seduce Devil herself with his singing prowess .and it was she who taught him the Dark Magic. Look at the time. Hey where is Valkleigh?”


The “Borrowed” boots of Thom the Silent were running as they had never ran before. Ssrth didn’t know where his feet were taking him. His heart was an engine running on pure thoughtless fright. Everytime he looked back she or it was catching upon him. It wasn’t running, instead it crawled fast like a spider. With four limbs grasping the ground and the body aimed at Ssrth. It crawled on the trees the branches, and the floor. Ssrth used the only weapon he had - His Slime. The Jaks could slime all they wanted from where they wanted.He puked it, sweated it and released it trying to slow down the thing chasing him.
He saw the Bridge and sped for it .but things started to change around him during the chase. The Trees were different. The Moon started to spin and change colour. The Bridge thinned out and vanished. He couldn’t believe any of it. He burst through the foliage and landed at the clearing where the Bridge should have been.
To his horror, he saw hundreds maybe thousands of corpses on the ground writhing and twisting amongst each other. Their eyes were filled with lust and hunger as they consumed themselves. Desire was thick in the air. Many of the bodies were mutilated but that didn’t stop them in their ardent doings. Abruptly Ssrth froze because something frosty stabbed him in the neck. The pain soon turned to intoxication as She sucked out his soul.
Ssrth saw many lives pass before him while She fed on his blood. Whole eternities passed by, some of his and then there were others; then through the clouds of intoxication a staff broke through and there was that same frosty pain again as the fangs left his body. He saw his dear friend Omnus shining in the light of the Bridge fighting fiercely with the Vampiress. The corpses and the orgy were gone. He just saw Thom swinging his staff against the Undead.
Meanstwhile in the Second Peak of the Western Mukhs
Maldost was doing what he does best - he was sleeping. But he was not as alone and safe as he thought. In his living room the
Bodies lay. One by one the Fasches awoke from the Dead. They looked at their New World around them and their changed selves. The Night was fascinating and they felt great strength and youtfulness. A new hunger gripped them and their tongues licked their fangs. The scent of fresh blood called out to them from Maldosts bed. They stood by his door and observed him sleep. Fear from their previous lives beckoned to them to not ever disturb the slumber of Maldost of the Ungred but the Hunger took over and one Fasch stepped in. Maldost’s eyes opened and he awoke to see a band of newbie Vampires standing in Queue to drink his blood. One good thing about being disturbed in your sleep is that it gives you an inexhaustible supply of rage enough to allow you to change Form instantly. The Sword of Ungred popped out of Nothingness and the roof exploded as the Balrog formed itself. The Fasch standing in the room was beheaded instantly. The Others screamed and ran for their lives.



Meanwhile on the Slopes of the Western Mukhs Sir Valkleigh was doing the same three things again. He would search through his underwear, then decide to tell Yjinns and then turn back and search through his underwear again. Yjinns and Sir Jorg stood in his bedroom and watched him go through the same sequence of events over and over again.

Sir Jorg: “ Its kinda freaky isn’t it??”

Yjinns: “ Yeah...Its like he knows we are here but he cant help himself.”

Sir Jorg: “Valkleigh...Can you hear me?”

Valkleigh stopped going through his underwear and turned around walked towards them and then went back to his perpetual search through his underwear.

Yjinns: “I think he is hypnotized.”

Sir Jorg: “Well..Do you know how to unhypnotise him?”

Yjinns: “Well if I don’t , only the Gods of Google would know.”

An electric spike hit Valkleigh and he flew into his bed.

Thom’s staff was broken. Ssrth had regained some of his strength. The Devil herself was throwing Thom around like a ragged doll. Thoms power was that he was made of the same stuff as the hardest most durable rock. He could choose to stone himself as he pleased. She tried to bite into him but her fangs just stabbed back into her mouth. In the end all she could do was fling him around. Ssrth pushed himself to stand up to help Thom. Thom came crashing down in front of him. Ssrth picked him up but Thom held Ssrth’s face such that their eyes locked, “You know I will survive this..Ssrth..Run...Save your soul.” The Vampiress advanced. Ssrth let go of Thom and ran back into the forest. She screamed and lunged after Ssrth but Thom was as impenetrable as a boulder.
Ssrth ran with new vigour. He knew he should hide his prize with someone, mebbe the Iron Hand could protect it. He looked into the sky and he saw a great winged creature wreathed in fire dropping bodies from the sky. On any other day it would have been horrible to see but today Maldosts antics brought great relief to Ssrth. He screamed into the sky calling Maldost and Maldost came.

On the Slopes of the Western Mukhs, Sir Valkleigh woke up to an interrogation and - Later.

Yjinns: “I knew it was Ssrth..that slime ball.”

Sir Jorg: “If I had a cup of tea I d spill it down his head..”

Valkleigh: “Enough with your fantasies. You say there are dead Fasches...and you left them with Maldost??”

And he wacked Sir Jorg on the head

“What kinda Knight are you? If the King heard about this ”

KNOCK BANG KNOCK BANG.

Sir Valkleigh: “HEAVENS ABOVE!! WILL I HAVE NO PEACE???”

He drew his sword and opened his door with a fierce swing and charged outside.

Sir Jorg and Yjinns followed him quickly not wanting to miss the action. In the open, they first saw from the back Sir Valkleigh kneeling with his sword dug into the ground and in the moonlight saw many more intimidating people on horses staring down at them.

Valkleigh turned his head to the side and whispered through the side of his mouth: “Kneel before your King, fools!!”

King Verg II sat on his horse amongst his Aides.It included The Iron Hand of Kylarre, her right hand man Murmurlark (whose pen was ten times mightier than any sword in Arbythea) and her left hand man Ragputin and many other illustrious aides too many to account for. The King was wearing his Monkey King Armour .

King Verg II: “ It took help from The Omnipotent One Ragputin
for me to know about dark happenings in my own Kingdom. What use are Knights such as you to the Order of Belved?”

Ragputin beamed while Sir Valkleigh looked down :”I m sorry your Highness.I didn’t know anything until a few moments ago.”



Sir Jorg: “Well, Yjinns and I have been investigating the crime and I think we have some idea about who did this.”

Yjinns started to weep.

King Verg II: “Why do you weep Yjinns??”

Yjinns: “I hate letting ppl down, you know and I have no idea who did this.”

Sir Jorg looked down sheepishly.

King Verg II: “Hmph! Allow me to inform you who is behind this then. Our foe is much greater than you think. Many years ago before the moon turned Red. A man who was the sworn enemy to our people built that bridge (points to the Luna Bridge) and with it he unleashed an Evil that our kingdom couldn’t survive so We gave in to his wishes. The Lost children were to go up the Bridge and serve in his Kingdom - The Luna and as long as we sent them. We would be fine. For some reason that truce has been broken today but I am going to right the evil that should have died a long time ago.”

Yjinns: “Are you saying that Lennon is alive today??”

King Verg:“Yes he is..but he hides from us and even from his ppl. Even the Luna haven’t seen him for centuries.”

Jorg: “What is this evil you say he unleashed and why are the Luna a threat to us??”

King Verg II: “The threat isn’t from the Luna, its from Lennon himself. The Bridge he built lands in Arbythea in the same place as was his Hedon. My forefathers destroyed Hedon and his people. When Lennon returned he awoke the dead and began his war on us till we surrendered. The same shouldn’t happen this time. We should kill him before he awakens them.”

Sir Valkleigh: “And if I may ask how do you awaken the Dead?”

King Verg II:”Yes..Tuvok always ready with the punchline. You awaken the dead by using Dark Magic and playing the Harp of Lenon.”

At that moment spine chilling musical notes sounded from the Bridge..

Back at what was Hedon a long time ago, Maldost was flying above the forest trying to spot Thom and this “She Devil” as The Jak hanging on to his neck put it. The Balrog saw uprooted trees, dug up mud and then he saw them. Thom was lying limp and the ghastly creature standing above him was trying to crack him. Corrosive acidic goo was flowing down from her mouth on to Thoms head. White fumes were forming as it burned up his magic. Maldost felt the Dark magic was strong with this foe much older than him. He positioned himself behind it in the sky and swooped down behind it as silently as he could but at the last moment it turned and beheld the Balrog. Maldost quickly grabbed Thom and beat his wings hard to gain altitud, but then he heard Ssrth scream as the creature scratched his face off, grabbed the Harp and jumped off the Balrog. “She” landed on to the clearing around the Bridge and screamed in pleasure. She drew the Harp into the Sky and used all her nails and her strength pulling the strings into an ugly contortion. Maldost thought The Harp would break but then “she” released it and the eeriest musical notes reverberated through the forest all the way into the horizon. Trees began to shake. The Earth started to quake, fists of the dead broke through from the soil. Bodies started to dig themselves out. There were hundreds...thousands of them. They began to take flight and a swarm of beating wings swirled over and around the Bridge. Maldost carrying Thom and the Jak fled to the Western Mukhs.

Sir Valkleigh wondered how the Harp got there. He had opened his cupboard to look for his dirty underwear and there it was, looking old no more, shining amongst the briefs. "oh, Uhm...I ll return this to Yjinns first thing tomorrow" thought Valkleigh and returned to his laundry work.


Meanwhile on the Second peak of the Western Mukhs, Sir Jorg had downed two barrels of Maldosts Doityphrey beer and then promptly conked out. Maldost waited for the giant servings of Sir Jorgs regurgitated dinner but none hurled themselves. The Knight shrank to his normal harmless self and slept peacefully.
The corpses lay there in his house with all there unearthiness. Ssrth of the Jak was busy cooking up stories (of how and why) all of which were in turn subsequently shot down by Yjinns. Maldost got tired of all this. He clapped his hands and a trusted Fasch appeared.

"Yes Sir?"

Maldost pointed to the bodies,"Which are these ?"
The Fasch looked at them and made as if he was going to puke but handled himself...

Fasch:"They seem to be the ones who went missing a few days ago..Sir"
"Why didnt anyone look for em?"
"Well...because they were taken away by a trusted Arbythean..Sir"
All three looked at the Fasch..."WHO was this??"
The Fasch pointed at sleeping Jorg.."Why Sir Jorg himself sent them on an errand..."

Sir Valkleigh squinted at the sun with his basket of damp clothes. He started hanging his clean laundry to dry when a clear-accented and tiled voice said, “You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are .”



Sir Valkleigh shocked stood there on his backyard motionless and confused.He was alone.

At the Palace of Ivyha,in the heart of Kylarre the Iron hand held up a glass of wine.She looked around at her guests seated at the High table.The Opulence and Grandeur of the evening enamoured her.


Murmurlark sitting at her right raised his eyebrows to her toast.

Murmurlark: "My lady, if you must. Let us toast to the Oneness of us all and hope that both....ahem
...sorry...all of us come closer with the passage of time. yes..."

Anyas eyes twinkled at this and looked into the distance.

Her nephew Maxxiah interjected:" Ooooh yes Aunt! If only I could have a pony to ride on for my holidays it would be wonderful..."

The whole table let go of an "Awwww" and "soo cute" except for devious old Murmurlark. He frowned and said, "We dont even have stables or a stable hand... where would we keep this pony of yours??"

Maxxiahs eyes filled up. He looked for comfort and reprieve from Aunt Anya but Help decided to give it to Murmurlark in the face. It was but a moment but time slowed down for Murmurlark. From the corner of his eye he saw a great voluptuous object swinging towards him. He tried to move out of its way but it was impossible. The Breast hit him square on the face and he flew into the air. BEFORE Murmurlark hit the floor OR the Iron hand raised itself there was an apologetic shriek.

Anne :"Ooooh!I am so sorry Murmurlark.I was just trying to grab the salt."

Anne Terrah was the mother of Maxxiah and sister to Lady Anya.

Murmurlark hit the floor and Maxxiah started bawling. Anne promptly shoved Maxxiahs head into her chest in a gesture of motherly compassion.
In this commotion the fifth guest sensed his presence and direction were needed. Cherrian Ackshei stood up like a true leaders instructor and said:" At this juncture our company is facing adverse conditions."

He looked at Murmurlark. His face flattened, nose broken and his eye swollen.

"To you Murmurlark I offer consultation and strategy on how to stay ahead and be a better manager in such situations."

He then bowed down waiting for Murmurlarks reply.

If Murmurlark had been conscious Anya was sure he would have been quick with his retort with something like "up your wazoo" or "rhyme your peanuts” but he wasnt. She looked at Cherrian Ackshei and a breath of contempt escaped her as she walked over to Murmurlark.



Meanwhile at the darkest hours of the night, two Arbytheans were trying to bring Sir Jorg back to wakefulness (Ssrrth of the Jak had slimed off). In the end Yjinns had to take out his wand and Maldost had to lock Sir Jorgs hands from behind his back. An electric spike hit Sir Jorg and he woke up struggling and yelping trying to punch whoever it was he was carrying on his back.

Sir Valkleigh on the other hand was washing his dishes while the disembodied accented voice bombarded him with lines.




“You either get tired fighting for peace, or you die.”

“Uhm…I don’t want to die”,replied Valkleigh.

“You have to be a bastard to make it, and that's a fact. And the Beatles are the biggest bastards on earth.”

“uh..I agree..I hate mosquitoes tooo”,said Valkleigh.

“You're just left with yourself all the time, whatever you do anyway. You've got to get down to your own God in your own temple. It's all down to you, mate ”

Valkleighs looked up,“Ok...I give up”

Knock Knock...and the Voice stopped. Valkleigh opened the door to find Ssrth standing gesturing hypnotically...“Where is the Harp??”

Back in Kylarre, Ayna drew her Iron hand to Murmurlarks face.
The Iron Hand had many qualities. It could hypnotise, scratch, slap, punch, point, dig, levitate, draw attention, invoke spells (without a wand too->Yjinns fav)and anhilate. On this occasion though the Iron Hand took on different properties. Anyas eyes looked on with tenderness as she touched Murmurlarks face. The Iron melted into a softness that glowed. Her fingers ran over his skin, touched his eyes, pulled up his nose and ran through his hair. Murmurlarks face reformed itself to its original creative brilliance. He was once again beautiful to Anya. And when he opened his eyes, he saw her loving face smiling back at him.
The Sixth Guest smiled in silence looking at them. Thom the Silent then got the feeling it was time to leave.He bid everyone goodbye while putting on his robe and left . The Pipe was lit, Ether started to flow and the pace picked up.The Moon was bright and close by.It was that time again when the Luna bridge would be open.



Thom the Silent was a lost child of Arbythea. He had gone up the bridge to the Moon but decided not to join the Luna. He decided his time hadn’t come yet and there was more to do for his beloved Arbythea.

His climbing boots were missing. Uff....he would have to have another pair made but the night air was sweet and nice...aaah... Arbythea...another drag was pulled and the beauty of the night blew in the wind.

Meanwhile back in Maldosts Lair, Sir Jorg achieved some coherence in his demeanour and sat down to the interrogation.

Yjinss:"Do you remember sending any Fasches on any errands two days ago?"

Sir Jorg:"Why..yes..I got my armour shined...why what happened?"

Maldost:"Did you get your armour back?"

Sir Jorg:"Yes, they left it at my place"

Yjinns:"Did you notice anything about those Fasches...anything out of the ordinary"

Sir Jorg:"No...they were Fasches...ummmm..they were kinda thin...and pale"

Yjinss pointing at the bodies:"Do you recognize these Fasches..."

Sir Jorg:"No...nO..they cant be.."

Maldost:"You have to remember Jorg...what did they tell you...did they ask you about anything?"

Sir Jorg:"Well they were Fasches...they kinda suck up to you...you know...ummmmm...they did ask abt Yjinns...about his Harp"

Yjinss was taken back:"My Harp...The Harp of Lenon??"

Sir Jorg:"Yeah, I wondered why...but thought of it as over-enthusiasm on the Fasches part...didn’t give it a second thought..."

Yjinns:"hmmm....I need to think"

Meanwhile the “Borrowed” boots of Thom the Silent were heading towards the the Luna Bridge.Ssrth clutched the Harp and smiled gleefully.He "Mmmed" to himself and "Aahed" to the Bridge.

"Yesss...yesss...twill help us yesss yesss..."