The three men Faros, Reds Dull and Vagran have secured the equipment they need for the new academy in the Four Valleys in the Kulland Range. Still in Aldegaarde are Morik and his Morvelian shapechanger Remus who study in the academy of sorcery – the assassin brews a lethal ingestible poison overnight.

At the temple of Jarik in Aldegaarde Reds Dull inquires about the Asharoki race to the high priest Vorahan. "We need a demonologist," he tells the priest.

"Then you need the tavern they call the Black Cup."

The tavern is non-descript and ordinary-looking from the outside. The three companions notice the difference the second they break the threshold. All noise within ceases as every eye bores down on them as if they were a marauding army. They sense sorcery, demonic influence and evil but Reds addresses the barman despite the antagonism. He strokes the handle of the demonic mace Salamar for effect and the barman grins in appreciation.

"I want a demonologist – an Asharoki," Reds says.

The barman gestures them to a quiet table with a single candle and a strange black flame that illuminates the small booth. Each member of the party ignore the complimentary brews of dark, viscous liquid.

They meet a spokesman called Garras, an Asharoki sorcerer whose heritage is almost entirely human. He is pleasant enough and shows great respect for the party, particularly when it comes to Reds Dull. The relationship between the mace Salamar and the paladin is a curious one and it is for this reason that they are allowed to stay in the guild headquarters. Faros, a master of guild and social politics, is convinced that they are in the home of the great and good (bad?) of demonological society.

"You need to see Volgarian," Garras says, "he is the best Asharoki demonologist in the city – arguably on all of Grayhawk."

But Volgarian is anything but accommodating. This Asharoki is more demon than human and aside from his towering arrogance he is a demanding and authoritarian presence. He demands a meeting with Ariel and furthermore demands the mace Salamar as payment for his help. Faros and Vagran can barely contain their anger but Reds Dull is cooler; he merely smiles at the demonologist and shrugs. "Our business here is done then."

Garras apologises as they leave the Black Cup and gives them an open invite back any time.

Morik and Remus rejoin the party and together they fly north back to Malag where Ariel has spent the time with Ichan, the grandmaster. The aged Darklander climbs aboard Miko and the party head back to their new home.

Sklaran has – with the help of his dragon and a host of earth elementals – a fantastic structure in the centre of the Four Valleys. The academy sits at the fulcrum of all four of the dragon settlements in the Kulland Range and every dragon – young and old – is present to witness the birth of something profound. Reds Dull immediately invites Kiten – a Wyvernian dragon and high priest of Jarik – to the academy and the dragon begins the creation of a temple straight away.

In the first few days the academy takes shape. The spiritual energy and influence of the dragon masters fuels the place and acts as a pull to all the inquisitive spirits on Grayhawk. Build it and they will come – the mantra of all religions and this is certainly the case with the new academy of the dragon lords. Ichan sets about the mundane tasks of academy creation; regulating the day-to-day running of it as a place of learning.

Vael is the first student and is put to task by Ichan to help the dragons mould it into something resembling a place of training. The second student is more surprising. A dark demonic presence is felt at dawn one day – as Ichan goes through his morning ritual of practise. Faros is alert to the newcomer and casts dispel magic at an unseen foe. The cloak of magic that hides the newcomer is gone; before them is a dangerous humanoid demon with deep black eyes and a dark katana held loosely.

"I am Borja from the Plane of Death, sent by Volgarian who has bound me here to serve you, to learn your ways…to become a student of the dragons."

Initial the party are sceptical that this particular leopard can change its spots but give the demon a chance to prove itself. "You must find and ride a dragon," Faros tells it. Borja is struck at once by the presence of Ariel, her unearthly beauty draws the demon close. Ariel shuns it and Borja retreats to his studies in the shadows.

In the days that pass Faros and Borja become close, the young thief spots the demon’s potential and nurtures a difficult friendship, a mutual respect based on two opposing – yet equally dangerous – powers.

In the weeks that follow the party begin training of their own. Each masters in their own right they share skills such as flee, combination and long bow – whilst all around them the population grows.

The creation of a temple at the heart of the academy is a profound moment. Through this comes the greatest number of recruits and acolytes and workers – all potential students – and the academy begins to take on a sentience all of its own. As if life had been suddenly introduced to it. It soon becomes a vibrant centre of spiritual power – a haven for all dragons and a shelter for all those in need.

Hamroth visits later to congratulate them on the academy.

Faros becomes increasingly concerned by Borja’s attempts to augment any training with the introduction of his demonic blood into any training. "It is painless," Borja says to Faros, "it will augment your spiritual learning by the increased potential of the soul."

Faros ignores the demon, but their relationship comes to a head when he discovers Borja hiding a body in the shadows, the demon pushes a carcass into an unknown dimension. After a brief argument Faros persuades the demon that if the need to nourish himself is that great then he must go to Rosengrad and taste the souls of a Malakarian victim.

Borja agrees with a handshake. Unbeknown to Faros the demon’s hand is covered with a network of recently spilled blood, a demonic gloop that is absorbed into Faros’ flesh. Faros’ sharp senses feel the miniscule droplets find their way into his bloodstream, feel the raw power and energy of the demon’s blood. Rather than an attack he feels it is a strange augmentation of his abilities, as if Borja has signalled and cemented their friendship.

Sklaran sends word to Illeum Runesabre – via the temple – to have his armour sent back to him. Meanwhile the first visitors arrive who have not come in from the temple. A couple of elves are spotted on the highest ridge and make their way towards the impressive academy.

The party greet King Luthian Stormrider and his only son Vilimar Stormrider. The young Kal is no more than forty years old and is accepted into the academy without question. When the Kal king finally leaves (via theoportation) prince Vilimar seeks Faros and the young thief realises that Vilimar – like so many men before him – is obsessed with Ariel.

"She has a beauty like a goddess," Vilimar admits, "I cannot bare to be in her presence lest she admonishes me or shuns me. If that were to happen then I think my life would end."

Faros smiles at the young prince. "Concentrate on your training, prince Vilimar, remember that you are here to find your dragon. That above all things must take priority."

Vilimar sighs and loses himself in his thoughts, all the time aware at every moment where the object of his infatuation is located. Vilimar spends hours finding her and just watching, whether she spars or just walks his eyes are always on her.

The steady flow of students increases during the summer. The snow disappears and the weather improves, the humid southern heat rises from the deserts of the south and lifts the spirits of all in the academy. But one day the sun does not rise…

At dawn the dragonmasters gather in the main square with a host of students, priests and dragons – all concerned by the profound an unnatural event. The dragonmasters mount their dragons; Reds and Morik immediately understand the moment they share their spirit with the dragons.

"Time has stopped," Reds announces solemnly.

They all feel a presence within the academy but cannot see it. Borja leaps onto the back of Faros dragon Zandar and despite his mount’s protests Borja whispers into the thief’s ear; "I can help – trust me Faros."

"Ok Borja, what have you got in mind?"

Without warning Borja slips from one dimension to another; in the eyes of the rest of the academy Faros, Zandar and Borja vanish but they are on the Ethereal Plane. Immediately Faros spots a strange human (whose race he cannot determine) stood amongst the academy. When the human turns and realises he can be seen it is already too late.

Faros unleashes his katana upon the stranger, a rapid cut opens the man’s chest in a gush of blood and energy. Time wavers as the stranger spits blood through clenched teeth, unable to scream as he vomits energy. The next cut is lethal, crushing his skull the man lies dead in the centre of the academy, time snaps back and they examine the dead sorcerer.

Kiten, the dragon high priest casts speak with dead to no avail but his true sight spell gives them more to go on. "He is a Time Thief," Kiten tells them.

Reds Dull communes this information to Hamroth and the Glaennyn Lord considers this; "A Time Thief? That particular ability died out eons ago, not for thousands of universes have we seen that skill…"