The Ghoul was out of his mind with anger. The fight had cost him his one necessary tool and the fall had taken him off of his intended path. He did not know how the idiot had managed to gain on him but he smelled magic behind it. His sword was near him, its point driven into the earth by the force of its impact. He jerked it free with a feeling of contempt. He cursed the idiot boy again for discarding the powerful Rune Sword. What would cause anyone in their right mind to throw aside such an item? It was truly beyond the Ghouls ability to comprehend.

He found himself amongst a circle of stones, each deeply carved with runes. These he recognized as real symbols of power. What they represented he did not have time to learn, there was still time and he had a few weapons yet to unleash.

There had been a conflict here, not too long ago either. He scanned the ground and surrounding landscape, he found an Amulet. He new its power would not aid him; indeed it would block his use of the forces he had gained from the book. It was true that it would act as protection from such forces but he needed the channels of the universe clear. There were signs of a conflict here but whatever had happened was long over and the participants had moved on.

He prepared to release a new ensorcellment for his rivals to deal with, another power that reached across the land and placed a hazard at the Portal that they all must pass through. He was bound to follow them now, he had need of a Talisman and his trap would weaken the first to attempt the mighty gate.