It's just the beginning. I haven't really established a plot yet, I'm just collecting characters so far. It'll come together.

The riddle sucks, I know.

She was on a bridge.
She had been disarmed; Shale lay only a short distance away, on the edge of the bridge. Arath stood over her, sneering at her.
She dove for Shale, but her injured leg gave out and she fell short with a gasp, outstretched hand not grasping the sword but knocking it over the edge. Arath's shriek of fury echoed eerily; he raised his blade for the final strike as he promised her death. And then he gasped as Shinyso cut him down, whispering his defiance.
Arath grew taller, shifted into the menacing form of Beren Deathwreaker, his ceaseless thread of insanity insinuating itself into her very soul. He loomed over her, and there was no Sharrakamov or Pirelann to save her now. His dark, hidden gaze touched her, froze her in place.
Coppertop woke with a gasp to the familiarity of the Phantom Eclipse's controls. Claw glanced over at her from where he was sprawled in the gunner's seat, concerned and understanding.
"Nightmares again?"
She nodded slowly. "Arath and Beren again. No big deal."
Claw looked at her skeptically, but said nothing.
The light on the communit was flashing. Copper activated the device. A ruffled-looking Kaz appeared on the screen.
"Copper? Where are you?" he demanded crossly.
"Hi, Kaz. Nice to see you too. How's it going?"
"What? Oh, fine. Where are you guys?"
"Somewhere between Xahra and Firen, I should think. Why?"
"Do you know how hard it is to get ahold of you?" Kaz complained, ignoring her query. Copper smirked.
"Mm. I do indeed."
"You don't need to be so obviously pleased about it ..."
"What is it, Kaz? I'm pretty certain you didn't call me up to chat."
"Actually, you're right. I've a message for you."
"Who's it from?" Copper asked sharply.
"A shapeshifter named Mehr. It's a dreadfully cryptic being, loves riddles. It said that this one would be extremely important to you."
"Shoot."
"Here goes nothing then:
They seek to cut the golden thread
tenuous spidersilk, strength beyond time.
No thread bind them thus to this plane
and that which they cannot have shall be destroyed.
They seek to cut the golden thread
it laces each soul round in silence
not a single strand alone, but a tapestry
woven of golden light
so hard to unravel in its entirety.
They seek to cut the golden thread
each a small part of the whole.
They cannot understand what they seek to destroy
this: the golden thread."
"... What?"
"I said don't ask me."
"You did not."
"Well, that's what Mehr said."
Copper sighed. "It's nonsense."
"It's a riddle," Kaz corrected. "There's a difference."
"Oh, really?" She sighed. "If your friend expects me to know the answer, he's mistaken."
Kaz shrugged. "It sure didn't tell me the answer. Mehr likes making people find out on their own."
"Yeah."
"Look, uh, I gotta go. Lemme know next time you're on Carrotus."
"Sure. Later, then."
"Later." Kaz's image vanished.
Copper shook her head and glanced at Claw questioningly.
"Mehr?"
Claw only nodded.
"I think we'd better pay Carrotus a visit."