It had been almost ten years since they had last met, and much had happened during this time. He thought back to their very first meeting, so many years before. There were more of them then of course - almost three dozen. But the years had not been kind to his companions and now only nine now remained. He wondered how many would be left after the latest crisis and the thought filled him with sadness.

"The Baron is close to the inner sanctum," began the bearded man on his left.
"How close?" asked the elegantly dressed lady on the opposite side of the table.
"Weeks… days… maybe even hours. It seems that the fifth tower has remained mostly intact, and the Baron seeks to gain access to one of the spokes."
"Has he met much resistance?"
"Yes, and it has taken a deadly toll on his men. But greed drives them on, he will not stop until he has plundered all that he can."
"I could put a stop to the Baron's activities…" began a dark-skinned young man next to the lady.
"No. That would not be a good idea," interrupted the old man, "the sleeper might sense your presence and you could trigger exactly that which we wish to avoid."

The room fell silent, each of the companions lost in his or her own thoughts.

The young man broke the silence. "What of the Lords? Can they stop the Baron?"
"They seem to be more concerned with the trolls - and with good reason" replied the elegant lady.
"And yet if the Baron does reach the inner sanctum, it might all be for naught…" mused the old man.
"Will you speak to them?" asked a tall, thin pale man who had remained silent until now.
"I will. I can only hope that they do not fall prey to the sleeper's traps. That would indeed be a grave day"
He turned to the bearded man on the left. "I will need your help."
"I understand. I will wait for them."

The elegantly dressed lady gave the two men a long look. Finally she spoke: "You both know what to do if there is even the slightest chance that they…" she trailed off.
"Yes" replied the old man, with a note of ages-old sadness in his voice, "we all know."

"Then, Old Friends, it remains only to wish you good luck."