[Mithadan]

Piosenniel looked in wonder at the small, seemingly innocent box which had caused so much grief. She reached down to pick it up. Suddenly, a great wind blew causing the tattered party banners to flutter. Before she could reach the device, a knife flew through the space between her hand and the REG and imbedded itself into the ground where it quivered menacingly.

"I shouldn't do that if I were you," came a voice from the shadows. Mithadan stepped forward from behind the nearly toppled refreshment pavilion. He was disheveled and his torn cloak was stained green. Leaves were in his hair and a feather protruded from his collar. He moved to stand over the REG and faced the group with a drawn sword.

"Its form has been destroyed and its energy is low, but think what happened when Rose picked it up after your little trip to the void," he said. "Look! Even now, it is not idle!"

A red light blinked on the REG and the air about it seemed to quiver. The group stepped back a pace from the malice of the device.

Child piped up nervously, "If we cannot touch it how can we destroy it?"

Mithadan smiled and knelt next to the box. He laid down his sword and reached into a pocket to bring out a shiny silver box which hummed quietly. From the side of the box which he held, a black cord uncoiled and reached for the REG. "REG," he said. "Meet REG 2.1 and its friend virus." Sparks emitted from the REG as it attempted to evade the black cord. A bolt of electicity shot out and burned a patch of Mithadan's mail shirt. The cord moved closer. The knife which had stayed Piosenniel's hand lifted from the ground and slashed Mith's arm. He held on grimly as Rose snatched the knife out of the air. The cord reached the REG and plugged into a port on its right side.

A green light blinked on REG 2.1. The REG lifted up and shook wildly seeking to disengage the cord. Napkins and cups rose into the air and swirled about. A keg of ale tipped and fell from a table. Gimli's mug was snatched from the dwarf's hand and flew across the field to crash against Mithadan's head. He fell, but the cord remained connected. With a last wriggle and a shower of sparks, the REG fell back to the ground. The cord detached from the REG and reeled itself in. Mithadan staggered up with blood dripping from a gash on his brow and lifted up his sword. With a single slice he cleaved the REG in two, then slumped to his knees.