Lore

Thorin and Leena left, after Leena reaffirmed Zaldir's statement of not knowing Lord Vantguard. The Drow sighed. He owed everything, his survival from any chasing enemy of his clan, even his mastery of the sword, to that one great man. He thought back on the day he made that promise to the King of the Northern Land. How they talked and spoke of the conditions, with one using the true name of the other.

That was the same time, he departed from Lord Vantguard's presence to forge his own path. "But where does my path take me now? Is it to the north, to visit my master's grave and become a servant to a tyrant? Or somehow, will I find the other twin on that journey? Could Leena be lying, and this isn't her only time going to the north? Could she be...? No, I'd have to have proof of confirmation that she is who I think." He thought silently. "But regardless, North is where people think is the cause of this resurgence of evil. But that's a long road, the need of supplies would be great."

Knowing this, Zaldir walked back towards the town, intent on joining the journey north to find out the truth of the events going on there. This seemed to please his deity, for during most of this time, The Seeker hasn't been pulling his threads of fate to get him where he was needed at that moment, possibly because he either found out his next path, or the Seeker was taking a nap for the while.

By the time he got back he spied Leena and Thorin discussing about the history of Lore and the King of the North. "For someone who doesn't know him, she certainly knows the history of Lord Vantguard. That proves nothing though. It'll have to take a paid assassin sent by Lady Aurora to convince me." he thought sarcastically. He then saw that they were about to ride on the horse and take off leaving him in the blue, so he had to run to follow them.

"Thorin, Son of Balder, Slayer of the Thunder Beast. You have room for one more?" He shouted in mild curiosity, "Because what I was thinking, since I was wanting to head north myself on a personal matter, I can be of some use. What do you say Balderson? Three is the magic number in a quest, or so I am told."

As he said this he knew he couldn't catch up with the horse. "This leather and mail armor chafes after running...."

[3 on one horse is a bit much and Scarlett's post has us well away from the town at this point. We'll just say you caught up with us before we left and are walking beside us ok?]

"Afraid we can't go much faster than this lady, not with our friend horse lacking a mount of his own."

Thorin said casually as he motioned to Zaldir walking beside them.

"He caught up with us while you were asleep. Did you know talk in your sleep? You kept muttering about someone. Never did catch a name. Should I be jealous Leena?"

Thorin teased playfully as kept his eyes on the dark road ahead of him. Morning was still a few hours away and in the failing light it would be too easy to miss a hole and walk the horse right into a ditch, snapping a leg and forcing them to walk.

"In any case we'll have to make a small stop before heading all the way north. It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. Read that in a book written by a warrior monk from the east."

The shocked look on Leena's face received a deep rolling chuckle from the son of Balder.

"Don't look so surprised there. I do read from time to time. Mostly on the beasts I hunt. I figured where better to read up on our enemies then the great library of Ebar?"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sir Guy watched from the darkness as the women entered the dimly lit distillery. Before her were nine men, four on either side of one in the center. The man standing in the center of the semi circle of muscle sported a thick handlebar mustache and a nasty looking cleaver hanging from his belt. He was adorned in worn finery as if stolen long ago from the back of a noble. A thief who fancied himself a gentleman it seemed.

"Yer early with yer payment there deary... If ya woulda told old Badger you were comin I would've pulled out a bottle of something."

He said, his accent thick and his diction speaking to his lack of education. The woman smiled coyly and strolled up to him unafraid.

"Oh dear badger I do fear you haven't a thing I would be willing to sample."

"Heh I've got plenty to taste pretty bird. Just you wait and see."

She paused and arched an eyebrow at the overly blunt innuendo.

"How quaint... I've come early to not only deliver your standard stipend as well as put to rest your claims for an increase."

Badger chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Ain't a claim love, you owe me more now."

"And why is that may I ask?"

Badger shrugged and pushed himself away from the desk he'd been leaning on.

"Dangerous times we live in deary. People going missing, talk of a mad man killer running about. Means the price of my silence just went up... Less o'course you was thinkin about paying me in another way?"

He asked as he leaned in and plucked one of the buttons on her jacket. She consequently slapped his hand away which received a round of chuckles from the men around them. The laughing of his men sparked a brutish aggression from the gang boss who shot out a hand to grip the arm of the woman roughly.

"You need to learn some manners deary, maybe old Badger teaches you some eh?"

"You will unhand her gentleman or I swear I will commend your souls to The Five this very night."

Sir Guy said boldly stepping out of the shadows as his hand went to his rune blade. In one fluid motion he drew his blade, the ringing of his sword filled the room much to the dismay of the men and the joy of the woman.

"Right then, get em lads!"

"Poor choice."

Guy said heroically as he stepped forward to engage the men.

At any other time, Areth would have accepted the warriors offer of adventure in a heartbeat. Now however, her mind was more focused on the other dragon girl then the monsters quickly approaching. With a small wave of her gauntlet, the flames dispersed, uncovering the bright silver dragon scales "I'll have to refuse. I'll help the others if some straggler beasts get the jump on us."She gave a sly smile, showing slightly pointed teeth. "Which, with me around, will never happen."

Once the duo had left and Zaldir ran after them, the redhead began to follow the scent of the Kael. It was hard to pick out under the rancid stench of the demons but her keen nose found the faintest traces of dragon. 'Maybe she knows something. Something that will turn me human. Even if she doesn't, she's the only Dragon I've seen in..well..forever!'

Upon arriving at the scene, Areth stared in awe at the fallen beast. It's pitch-black scales seemed to sparkle in the dim lighting. Although he was wounded in numerous places, the most noticeable thing was the hole in it's chest directly where the heart should be. "This is...this is unbelievable." she gasped. Kael stood at the head of the Dragon, her lips covered in the blood of their species. Anger welled up inside her. "You! What have you done! Killing a wounded dragon just for it's heart? Your a half-dragon! You already have a Dragon's heart! Like me!" With a furious swipe, Areth tore off her gauntlets, revealing her scaled forearms. The bright red was an almost instant contrast to the deep green of the forest.

"I once met a man with claws like mine and a large tail. I asked him how he had obtained them. He said side effects of eating a dragon's heart. Naturally, I was a bit confused because I WAS BORN WITH THESE!" The conversation went silent until Areth spoke. "Eating a Dragon's heart is supposed to make you live forever but why eat it if you already carry a heart inside you?"

Kael blinked at the furious Dragonkin.....she....suggested that she had eaten her friends heeart merely for power?! She was small but her eyes sparked bright red and she leapt to her feet, ignoring Malik and the blood running down her face and chest she stalked to the Dragonkin and slapped her across the face. Granted...it wasn't very hard at all, it barely even made an impact! Kael was still crying and her eyes were still an angry red, but she sniffed and started sobbing out words, have common tongue and have Dragon.

"He....was killed by demons..." She rubbed her eyes and tried not to wail at what she had done. "thurirl.... ankin... trothar" Friend, teacher, protector. "He wanted me to..........eat his heart," she choked and took a shuddery breath. "So I could......get power. To save the High Dragons." She could not stand any longer and fell to the ground in a heap. He had made her do a terrible thing, and so she could save the ones who cursed her. Her head went in her hands and she shook. "bivai.... si mi zyak bivai I'm sorry.... I'm so sorry....." She sat and cried. She hated Demons. They would pay for killing her friend.

" but are friends are in need of your help right now those demon have them completely surrounded right now. Please its time " Makil nelt beside her " astahii zklaen xikin ihk svabol astahii tepoha authot shafaer nomeno kear"'they must pay for what they have done on this day' he took his cloak and put it on Kael " I understand what your going through right now but there is a time to cry and there is a time to stand up and fight." malik was not sure if his words where helping her at all but he had to try and he needed to get her back with the others. " please get up they need you..... I.. I need your help to, I can't do this alone" Malik stood up and as slow as he could he begain to walk back to the others to help them distroy the other demons.

by the time he got back to the group nothing had attacked yet " Ren is there anything else that you could tell by looking at this demon, you say it was once humen but that means it would be one possessed, and if thats the case then where in alot of trouble, they hunt in huge packs and will kill all in sight"

Ren looked at Malik. "Let me see.....". He began moving his finger along the edge of whatever glasses he had, and they changed colors. From red, to blue, to green. "Well, that's strange. I have never seen anything quite like this...its a mark of some kind. But I have never seen anything like it before. It might be a curse mark. If that is the case, then these things.......they are victims. Under some type of control then maybe? But why have it running around killing?"

Ren looked up at Malik, and then told him "Unless this was a test. In which case, there would almost certainly be more of them. Or worse, they are trying to improve it. Trying to make these creatures more powerful...."

That's when Ren asked Malik "Do you know the symbol?", using the glasses to reveal it to him. He then added "And the third option is much worse. Whoever is making this army is both breeding them, and improving them. If that is the case...".

He stood up and looked at Malik "Then we have to stop it. Because these beasts are not good for anyone's future".

That's when Ren added "You think you can find a location for that symbol? Like, a temple or dungeon or something?"

(I wasn't sure if anyone else was still there)

Soaking wet I had entered the fishing village of Habrigdeen, most of its building were made of wood and only protected by a small timber wall. While she was walking to the nearest tavern a few of the townspeople gave me friendly glances as they yelled out things like, "What happened Valera? Fall in a pond?" I just put on a smile and yelled back yet still in her quiet tone, "I just tripped thats all!" Its depressing cause its true...

When she entered the tavern a handsome young human man came up to her and lifted her up in the air, "Valera! Its been to long, my my you have grown!" He spoke in a laughing tone. He is clearly drunk...

"Umm Jaxien... Can you put me down now?" I squeaked out. He put me down and still he gave me a smile and whispered in my ear "Are you still pure Valera?" Then he chuckled as I took a step back instantly blushing.

"Jaxien go home, your drunk!' I managed to yell out. Jaxien was still smiling then he opened the tavern door then looked back at me and laughed out, "Fine, Fine im going!" then he closed the door and I turned to find the whole tavern looking at me.

"Jaxiens and Valeras love fight" They called it..Geez these humans have no sense in imagination...

My clothes were finally dry and i managed to fix my hair aswell. I stood up and reached for the doorhandle and opened it, I wandered over to the bar then came to the sudden realisation. Father forgot to tell me who the questgiver was...


I sighed deeply and pondered on what I was going to do...

"Ebar?" Astra shouted looking up at Thorin. "You're taking to a city full of Whores and criminals and where the nobility and politicians are even more corrupt than the gangs they seek to control?!"

She looked down at Zaldir. Well, she supposed they would have to get another horse for him from somewhere if he indeed was coming all the way to the North, it was a long journey of many hundred thousands of leagues.

"Fine." She stated petulantly "But as soon as we get another horse we are leaving Ebar."

It was a city known for it's indulgence of sin. If you could pay the price you could have anything you want. It was a place she was never allowed to go when her father was alive . . . and what she had heard of it, she did not wish too either.

"And why ever should you be jealous?" She added aloofly "I do not consort with peasants."

The horse did a little flip forward causing Astra to almost fall off. She stared up furiously at Thorin and accused "You did that on purpose?!"

The first two men were wielding short swords long past their prime yet kept to a razor sharp edge by crude work on a grinding stone. They came at the knight like mad butchers to chop meat. No way to attack a well trained swordsmen. Sir Guy stepped forwards at the last moment, shifting his position up just enough to now be past their strike range. With both hands grasping the hilt of his rune blade the knight Justicar swung in a single clean arcing slice. The blade carved through flesh with terrifying ease. The two men cried out in pain and dropped as their insides began falling on their outsides. Sir Guyon had not a moment to lose as the next bandit was on him, hatchet in hand. The make shift weapon was actually a woodcutting implement, not a true tool of war. As such the wooden shaft was cut clean through by the knights parry to block the man's wild strike. The thug looked down at his now broken weapon dumbly before looking back at Sir Guy who merely gave him a look that told him to let the fight end here. The subtly was lost on the muscle for hire as he threw a sloppy punch at the knight. Sir Guy blocked with his armored forearm, causing the man to yelp in pain at punching the limb of steel only to be rendered unconscious as the Justicar smashed the pommel of his sword into the man's temple, flooring him. Before Sir Guy could truly survey his next opponent a club swung for his skull. The knight, acting on pure instinct, ducked and in the same motion lashed out with his sword. The blade hacked clean through the attacker's leg at the base of the knee causing the man to drop clutching the bloody stump. Sir Guy already had his sword up to parry the wild strike with the stolen short swords the next four had. They all converged on him at once, swinging and hacking at him madly like a pack of rabid dogs. Unfortunately for them all they succeeded in achieving was the constant sound of metal striking metal as the knight parried every blow with careful, timed ease. His movements were quick and precise, not an ounce of energy wasted in useless movements. The mark of a true swordsmen. Then the first fell as Sir Guy found his first opening as the men began to tire from their constant strikes slowed slightly. He stabbed forward and plunged his blade deep into one of the four men's guts only to tear his blade free, parry, then open the chest of a second with a downward strike. He quickly blocked a strike from the third man, locking his sword with the thugs before he shot out a kick to the ribs to the advancing man at his side. The blow sent the thief tumbling back and gave Guy all the time needed to push forward with his weapon, smacking the hilt of the sword into the man's teeth. The blow disoriented his foe long enough to allow for Guy to bring his blade down, cutting from shoulder to hip. The body dropped as Guy turned around and side stepped the clumsy stab of the last man. The blade went right past the Justicar who brought his blade down on the man's wrists. The hands came off cleanly and in the next instant so did his head.

Sir guy whipped around in a heartbeat, the tip of his blade touching the neck of Badger who cursed under his breath.

"You just took out eight of my best guys."

Badger growled.

"Death's that are on your hands. Your orders if I recall."

Sir Guy replied smartly. Badger grumbled as sweat beaded on his forehead.

"You gunna kill me?"

"That depends on you."

The knight answered back before his eyes flicked to the cleaver in Badger's hand. Badger groaned again but dropped the weapon with a clatter. In response Sir Guy removed his blade form Badger's throat and took a single step towards him.

"You're surrender has won you your life... but not your freedom. You are still under arrest."

"Wait wha?"

Before he could say another word Sir Guy smashed the pommel of his weapon into Badger's temple knocking him unconscious. The battle with the Crimson Spiders done, Sir Guy and the mysterious noble woman stood alone now in the distillery.

"Oh Lord Knight you have my utmost-"

Sir Guy raised his armored hand, palm facing towards the woman silencing her before he sheathed his blade.

"You might as well save it. You are in as much trouble as they are until you tell me what it is you're doing down here. A woman of your... stature has no business that should bring her to Omega unprotected...yet..."

Sir Guy's words slowed for the briefest of moments as his critical gaze began picking the most subtle of cues on the woman before him that told him everything about her and more. As his mind began to work it's craft his speech picked up tempo as he began analyzing the woman.

"...while you wear the jewels of a duchess you wear them with such disdain. You did not come from money, yet as you rose through the ranks your friends never let you forget it so you ran. A difficult thing to do for someone who seeks wealth yet has none. You turned to crime to grant yourself status. But power does not come with it, least you do not care for it save the power you get from the wealth. Your cloth, an interesting cut of a dress, not indicative of the standard fashions of the nobility in this region yet close enough not to get noticed. You could have purchased more traditional clothing yet you didn't, purposely. This decision speaks to your rebellious nature and your joy at fooling those around who believe themselves your better."

The woman's eye began to open wider in amazement as Sir Guys assumptions were right on the money. Sir Guy's hand reached out and grasped her hand, with an expert twist he turned her hand over, palm up to show the blade from earlier.

"Then here, you conceal a blade of high tensile steel. Odd for a noble woman yet not for a career criminal. A dip who uses her beauty to lower the guard of her target while her hands explore their pockets. Then there's your eyes."

"My eyes?"

She asked coyly.

"Yes, your eyes. When you heard me in the alley and consequently led me here to support you which accounts for your bravado when dealing with the gang, told by the surprise by Badger when you slapped him. Yet it was your eyes that told your past. You turned about looking for the source of the sound, knife in hand and then in the next instant your gaze flicked away. A soldier would do this looking for more targets yet you did this looking for escape exits. By my count you found four before looking back to where I was concealing myself."

The knight released her hand and took a step back, his analyses nearing completion.

"You are not a duchess at all yet swindled the duke out of his fortune and now sit with the title and everything that comes with it. Badger and his men aided you in the early days and know your true identity so you've been paying them a stipend for their silence. All was going well until he got greedy and forced you to come down to negotiate and now we're here."

The fake duchess stood there stunned as she breathe din a shuddering breath of astonishment before speaking.

"Well... I've heard of the detective prowess of the Justicar but that was... wow. Right on all counts. Did you come all this way to capture me?"

"No, I've come seeking a killer."

"Well in Omega there are a lot of those but I dare say if a Justicar is here you have come for the one that has been murdering those women. Perhaps we can help each other?

She asked as she moved slightly closer, her hand reaching for Guyon's forearm where she then slowly ran her fingers up to his biceps.

"I can be very helpful."

The knight grabbed her hand impassively and pulled it away from his arm.

"I have no doubt miss yet I have a duty to preform."

"The let me help you, I may know someone who has met your mysterious killer. Knows where he lives. I tell you his name, you let me go?"

"I cannot allow you, in good honor, to continue to live with the stolen wealth."

"Fair enough, this city was starting to bore me anyhow. All I ask in return is that you do not reveal me to the city guard until after you have apprehended your culprit. Your honor remains intact, I escape a cell and you have caught your killer."

Guyon eyed her discerningly as he weighed his options. He could not allow this simple case of theft deter him from his greater goal of catching a killer. Lesser of two evils was still evil yet, in order to achieve the greater good...

"Very well, give me the name."

For the first time Cruth has left his humble village but felt mixed emotions. He felt anger,sadness,and homesick. Although he lived in a humble unknown village. The village was inside a misty mysterious forest, a good target or adventurers. And so it was true, adventurers really did travel to the village but just for his mother, she was a psychic. Many adventurers got what they came for, except for one. That one adventurer was greedy and came to seek his future if he will be rich, the answer from his mother was "You seek for money and you will get that but there is a twist, your greed will take the best of you and lead to, Death" angered by the answer the adventurer stole Cruth's mother's money and murdered her. She was very rich her self, for adventurers had to pay her for there future. Thinking of this raised Cruth's anger causing him to kick a rock. Overtime as a child Cruth's mother trained him for psychic powers therefore making Cruth an apprentice Psion. His father however was a thief and met his mother when he tried to steal from the psychic's hut. But being caught by the psychic lead to love by first sight. His father also trained Cruth in theivery and rouge arts. But once his father had to leave to the hold of Vantguard but never returned. It was true Cruth was an orphan.

"What is that?" thinks Cruth. It is a village of humans. Cruth's stomach growled "Im quite peckish, they might have a tavern where i can eat!" thinks Cruth. He then gets close to the village and shape shifts into the closest resident. Cruth can not have this man taking his identity in the village. So he puts a message in the villager's head to get him out of the way for now. "Run! an assassin is hunting you down!" thinks Cruth. The innocent villager then looks around for anyone and runs away screaming like a mad man, Cruth then giggles a bit as some residents start talking about how odd that was.

" well my friend I not sure of what this means, but i know who will" malik looked at Ren " well I think I know who will ... We need to head to Ebar The city has just what we need I know of this" Malik smiled " how do you fell about flying" malik looked up the the sky and then let out a long loud whistle, with that a golden pegasus landed next to Malik " hello my friend, I was not sure if you would hear me or not" He then looked at Ren " this is Sycamore ,he will be your ride to the city of Ebar"

"How do I feel about flying? Well...." Ren began, having a series of Flashbacks.

Flashback

Ren picked up a pair of strange looking red crystal glasses. He walked next to a wall, putting them on, and noticed there seemed to be this hallway out of nowhere. He approached it, only it seemed to still have a physical barrier. He rubbed the glasses, and they changed green, and a magical symbol appeared next to it. He touched it, and the physical barrier disappeared. "Cool". That's when a small dragon flew out. Apparently it was trapped in there. Ren accidentally dropped the cup, but threw some rope with a loop and got it again, managing to get the rope to tighten around it. However, the dragon grabbed the rope with one of its arms and flew out of a window, dragging Ren, and the chalice he was sent to retrieve from the thief who stole it, out of a window.

Another Flashback

Ren holding onto some sort of giant moth/bug for his life.

Another Flashback

Ren was using a rug for a shield as he zip lined across a rope line and was shot at by skeleton archers.

Flashbacks Over

"Uhhh.....yeah, ill probably be fine......I have a bit of experience....sort of..." Ren stated. Couldn't be worse then the dragon ride. Though, it wasn't that bad. The Dragon seemed pretty grateful for freeing it. It dropped him off in town nicely. He attempted to get on Sycamore. "Names Ren, by the way..."

(Well, I think that was an interesting way to make the post a good length)

"You don't have to worry too much about my well being." Zaldir stated, "I'll find a horse for me, while you worry about finding out what that demon was Thorin. I actually agree with you on that strategy, I do not want to have any surprises along the way." He then chuckled at the way Thorin and Leena were messing with each other, his chuckle however faded into a rueful sigh.

"Have you ever been in love Thorin? Just a question, nothing more." Zaldir asked in a melancholy voice. "Does it feel at all like people say it is if so?" The reasons for his questions was a very simple matter. Zaldir never was in love in a day in his life. Although he wasn't familiar to the term love. His mother loved him, so did all of his relatives and friends within the Kestal Clan. But they are all gone, only he remains. He never found any reason to fall in love. At first he thought of doing it to find someone to restore his clan with, but that wasn't a very good reason to him.

No, his home was the road, and will always be until the right woman came along and make his eyes pop out of their sockets. "Anyway, I have a bad feeling there's going to be a few hectic things to hurdle through before both these objectives we've listed come to life. Ebar's a very dangerous place. I am quite unsure if Miss Leena should accompany us inside the city, if she does however, one or both of us need to be with her, to discourage any would be robbers or killers."

"Exuse me sir, but do you know of any taverns around here where i can eat?" asks Cruth.

"Oh yes there is one indeed over there!" answers a humble villager.

"Thank you kind sir! you deserve a hug!" Cruth then hugs him and leaves with a pouch of gold.
Cruth then enters the tavern and uses the gold to buy food and then eats at the nearest table. "Hey you! get out of my seat" yells a big,buff,and muscular (most likely dumb) warrior. ".....Nah i'm good......" says Cruth. The warrior makes a big growl and holds up a fist but then makes a straight face and stands stiff up right. Cruth has mind controlled the dumb man! "Dance around!" commands Cruth. The warrior then dances like a ballerina while everyone in the tavern laughs. "Now act like a chicken!" commands Cruth. The warrior then goes in the chicken posture and goes around making chicken noises in everyone's face. The tavern now laughs even louder and longer than before. The tavern is now bribing Cruth to make the warrior do more things, and he did just those things.

Your concern, although kind Zaldir is unnecessary, I am quite capable of looking after myself. I am not afraid of thieves or worse." Astra said stiffly as she straightened regally in her uncomfortable seat.

She had quite proven herself in that subject, having almost killed the other Drow in her fit of anger. Plus she didn't want to be left behind outside Ebar. Though it maybe a city of sin . . . she was experiencing a growing curiosity to view the vial city. Her life until now had been extremely shelter.

However, right now Astra was more interested in listening to what Thorin had to say to Zaldir's question to him . . .

Valera just decided to stay at the inn for a few more days to simply wait for the quests to come to her. It will come, hopefully..

Valera had awoken to an uproar of laughter, a few moments later she came to the conclusion that it won't be dying down anytime soon so she got up and got dressed and opened her door to all the people on the tavern on the main floor. As she walked over to the railing to get a better look she saw a muscular warrior in the center of the commotion. What is he doing? She saw him doing handstands, animal noises and many things before she knew it she screamed from the second floor, "Can you keep it down?!" She was now looked at by all the villagers, embarrassed she said quietly, "S-sorry, I was sleeping, continue what you were doing if you wish," Then the villagers went back to laughing at the man as if nothing happened.

She sighed and went down the stairs and approached the bar asking for breakfast, trying to shut our the noise behind her.

"Ah love..."

Thorin said with a knowing sigh as he leaned back in the saddle. His mind already beginning dive back into his memories of his experience with the emotion. The thrill of it and the warmth it gave. A simple chuckle, short and tender bubbled out of Thorin's throat as if he was remembering something that had amused him once years ago.

"Yes good Zaldir. I have loved, long ago in my youth.... I was barely a man and she was barely a woman but I loved her... in my fashion, and she loved me."

Thorin's eyes seem to stare off now, as if he was seeing sights visible only to him. His mind falling completely into his past as his voice gave word to the tale.

"I had just finished a hunt with a friend of mine, a wizard of some skill. He had suffered an injury that nearly crippled him so to ensure his safety I strapped him to my saddle and led the horse myself. He lived in a small village near the top of a mountain where the villagers made their living mining the precious ore and minerals from within the rock. Once we arrived the snow had already begun to fall, winter was coming. I had but one window to escape the village before being snowed in for the season yet something held me there..."

Thorin smiled as a serene smile etched it's way on his face as if he was looking at her again for the first time.

"Her name was Alaina and she was his cousin. I had dropped him off at her home, her father, his uncle was the town doctor. As he tended to my friend she approached me."

Again Thorin paused this time to laugh ever so slightly.

"She was so frightened of me, the big ugly brute dropping off what remained of her kin. She was meek, and innocent and beautiful. Like a perfect dove she was, Zaldir you should have met her. She spoke with me for a time, asking about my adventures. So curious she was, she had never left the village. My life must have seemed so astounding to her. We spoke for hours that day, and hours the next. She was tender, and caring, sweet, kind, loving, genuine and pure... and I loved her. For once in my life the fire had burned out in my veins and I was left with only warmth, blissful warmth and I was happy. So as the snow rose up around us we found warmth in each others arms. Then in the spring we were married."

The smile on Thorin's faced changed ever so slightly to one of pride as he recalled the ceremony.

"Ah you should have seen it Zaldir. Mountain flowers hung from the trees on long banners. Drink for all in massive kegs and the food, food as far as the eye could see. A wedding, a grand wedding for the two of us was held. Her friends and family all dressed in their best, the whole town turned out. Good folk mostly merchants and miners and their wives. While my party had little family for they all had died in battle my friends arrived, not a one looking respectable enough for the occasion."

Thorin said with a chuckle.

"Well there was one, a knight friend but that was it. Mostly ruffians and scoundrels but we enjoyed the company. We drank, and ate and were merry and all the while I counted my blessings for finding someone who loved me so. She was precious to me, something to cherish and protect. Yet..."

The joy in Thorin's voice began to fade and in it's place sorrow was heard. Full of pain and loss yet it was in his eyes that the void left behind could be seen in the single tear that began to form.

"...I failed. Fall had come and gone and she had fallen ill. Some sickness took her. Her strength gone, her vitality drained, her skin had become pale and cold to the touch."

Thorin's eyebrows furrowed with the memory as his latent anger rekindled at his helplessness to save her.

"I searched in vain, reached out to every source available yet none could save her. I would have killed a thousand dragons, suffered a thousand deaths to spare her her fate... But I could not."

Thorin grunted as the emotion threatened to stop his story, he sniffed and blinked away the moistness in his eyes before continuing.

"Three months after our wedding she died in my arms. She passed with a kiss on her lips from her husband... I mourned for many years, perhaps still. Never again has a woman touched my heart as she had. Perhaps I will not find love again... or perhaps I have just not found that one person to save me once more."

Thorin's warm smile slowly returned to his face as his mind did not dwell on the sorrow of his loss but the joys he shared with her, the happiness they had and it was in that way he wished to remember her.

"Love... Good Zaldir, is a wonderful thing. More powerful than the most ancient magic, more valuable than the rarest of gems. It warms you and gives you a home and you find happiness can be yours. For in the arms of the one you love no evil can touch you. If you find it friend protect it, at all costs."

The emotion was still raw in Thorin's voice and it was then he realized that both Leena and Zaldir were staring at him intently as they listened to his tale. A bit embarrassed at the show of emotion Thorin coughed roughly to clear his throat and rubbed his still moist eyes with his fingertips.

"Well would you look at that, suns gone down. We better make camp, don't wanna steer this horse into a ravine. Go and kill us all."

He said with a nervous chuckle as he trotted the horse into the grass off the road a ways before dismounting and helping Leena out of the saddle.

The mention of the steering into a ravine broke the spell Thorin had cast upon her with his words. Ravine's usually held some body of water and she avoided water at all costs. Even bathing in the clean pools of water in the Spa rooms back at home was an ordeal for her.

But as Thorin helped her dismount the word's of his sad tale haunted her. What a sad tale indeed. Astra had only truly loved one person in her whole entire life, heart and soul and that was her father . . . But that was a different love. She had never experienced the love the Thunder Beast Slayer spoke of . . . and after what Thorin had said she did not wish to . . . Ever.

The loss outweighed the positives for her. It was better she decided not to love at all, rather then to have loved and lost.

What a strange thing . . . this love business. She supposed it was for people who had the luxury of time to indulge in such trivialities. She had not the time nor the patience for it.

How silly.

Yet she had heard something strange in Thorin's voice as he spoke of his dead wife . . . How could he possibly wish to go through that again. What if his new wife suffered the same fate? It was not worth the trouble.

And why ever was she wasting her time thinking about it when she had more important matters to concern herself with. The Gods! She did not even have familial love right now! How could she think about any other sort?

Yet, this love Thorin spoke of would plagued her through the uncertain night . . .

Cruth got tired of messing with the warrior and made him run away making baby noises."Now run...run away like a little cry baby!" commanded Cruth. All the villagers at the inn made a disappointed sound like an 'aww' and returned to there business. Cruth noticed an elf sitting at the bar. Since Cruth did not go out of his village much he was curious of this race which he does not see often. He decided to read her mind a learn about her. The information he had received was that she was sent to this village for a quest by her father but she was unknown of who the quest giver was. "Apologies for the commotion, luckily i have made the warrior run away like a cry baby" Cruth thinks as he puts the message into the elf's mind.

"Well hop on and lets head to the little farming village toget are gold or what ever they will pay with and then to Ebar to find answers" Malik said with a smile as he flaped his wings and flew into the sky " lets go slow poke.. come on " he said waiting for Ren to meet him in the air. " dont worry your self about it.... he very knid 'I hope everyone is all right, we will meet again... some day' he thought to him self.

Flashback

Malik was a young boy at the time in the city of Ebar, his home away from home. In Ravencroft library where he spent his time with a certain young girl play in the halls and reading all that they could. the times they got into trouble, when they entered the the labyrinth and almost got them selves killed.

End Flashback

"You're right Thorin, I'll take first watch tonight." Zaldir stated, with an arm full of twigs and fallen bits of logs he gathered as the monster hunter's story was being told to him. The story the Son of Balder shared with the group almost touched the innermost parts of the Drow's desires, to find a feisty Drow woman, or a human or Fair one, what he called regular elves, and restore his clan to the world. But ultimately, the desire to no longer be alone in the world as the last of his clan touched him the most. Zaldir set up a nice pile of the wood and with his ebony handled sword belonging to his father, made a dirt circle by digging out the grass and several clumps of dirt.

Once that was done, he built the fire and with his golden handled blade and a bit of rock, started it up in a small blaze. "That'll last us till morning. By then, we'll be ready to head even further towards Ebar and a straight shot to the north." Zaldir said as he moved a bit further from the flames and sat down with his back towards the flame. He shifted one of his shoulders most uncomfortably as he removed his shoulder pads to give the skin of his shoulders some air.

However, that exposed a C-shaped scar on his left shoulder. That scar was a constant reminder to Zaldir of the destruction he witnessed a hundred and fifteen years ago, in the Kestal Massacre. He kept his eyes on the road, watching for any signs of danger from any demons or monsters on the prowl, to the bandits that waylay travelers by the road. But during that time, he held onto his amulet, and stared at it from time to time. He then hummed a tune familiar to Drow, a song of loss, of war, and ultimately, of hope and peace.

Outside of an unassuming apartment in Palaven stood a knight, bold and brave. He almost looked like a statue standing there in the rain looking up at the apartment the old man had told him about. The fake duchess had given him the name of an old man in Omega who was thought to know where the infamous killer lived. That is how Sir Guy ended up here, standing in the pouring rain. His quick surveillance of the area and the questioning of the local citizenry gave him the name of the person who owned the apartment. Gavin Burrows, a young man who'd recently joined the city watch. A young man who had already made Guy's acquaintance. The concept that his earlier suspicion had been right didn't make the news easier to swallow. Guy hoped, prayed the young man wasn't somehow involved. After a sweep of the apartment he would learn just how involved Gavin truly was.

Sir Guy made his way up the exterior stairway to the entrance to the second floor apartment. He did a quick scan of the surrounding area before crouching by the door and pressing his ear to the wood. He didn't hear any movement. That could either mean he was asleep or not in. Only one way to find out.

Guy stood up and took a step back before drawing his sword. He took a single deep breath to prepare himself for what could be on the other side of that door before bringing his foot up and delivering a massive kick to the door just under the knob. The locking mechanism and a good portion of the door jam that connected to it splintered and shattered as the door blew inward. Sir Guy entered quickly ready to engage whoever was inside yet found no one. His eyes quickly scanned the room for hostiles yet found none. Cautiously he began to investigate the room for clues. What he found unsettled him.

The walls of the tiny one room apartment were covered with unintelligible scribbles written in charcoal. The look of arcane symbols and runes lined most of the room, the few things Guy could read and decipher were not a good omen. Dark magic long thought lost to man was all over this room. Illegal by all laws of the order and holds, these writings spoke of a being from another realm. Guy tensed his jaw as his eyes lowered to the contents of the nearby desk. Several books stolen from the Library of Ravencroft on demonic Lore and arcane rituals. The Justicar turned to look down now where he stood. Though it had appeared to have been cleaned, faint markings could be seen on the ground that appeared to connect in some kind of diagram. Guy tilted his head as he looked at the floor, trying to get a better view of it. His inescapable gaze caught the distinct rings that were left only by candles set out to burn for too long. Five in total.

The knight stepped forward, stopping in the center of the five wax circles and put the tip of his sword on the wooden floor. He then slowly began to trace out the lines only he saw, his sword cutting into the wood making the symbols more visible. The blade carved through leaving behind it's mark until he was finished. His work complete Guy stepped out of the circle and breathed deeply as he realized he recognized the symbol before him. Sir Guy sheathed his sword and made for the exit as his mind screamed at him what he had found.

"He seeks to complete a summoning."

Quick footsteps echoed behind her bouncing off the cold stones and the even colder silence. She looked back quickly as she ran, her heavy cloak fluttering behind her as a cold wind swept through the damp air. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest.

A man in chain mail and gilded armour followed her through the torch lit secret hallways of Vantgaurd Castle. Why was she running from him? He was no match for her? But even as she thought this her feet carried her faster further forward through the stone gray curving passageways.

A door! At last! She yanked it open and gasped as a bone chilling breeze pushed her back and saved her from a drop into the indiscernible darkness below. The dark night sky thundered angrily and sheets of heavy rain emerged maddeningly to soak her through to the marrow.

How could this be happening to her? She whipped around. The dark Knight stood but a mere few feet away, his sword unsheathed and at the ready. She could not make out his face. She laughed like a madwoman throwing her head back.

“Foolish Knight! You think you can stop me?” She raised her hand to unleash her magic . . . Wait! What was this?

She turned her palm to face her and then turned it back on the Knight . . . Nothing! . . . She shook her hand violently . . .

“W-What's wrong with me?” She asked him dumbfounded.

“Judgement is upon you.” Spoke the Knight's gruff voice “Pray The Five have mercy upon your soul.”

. . . And then he raised his sword.


Aurora woke with a start as her scream filled her chamber and reverberated through the large room.

Her heart pounded viciously.

“What in the God's name was that?!”

The doors to her room burst open as Ser Sedrick and Aurora's Lady's in Waiting came rushing through clad in their nightgowns.

Sedrick scanned the room and went straight for the balconied window doors.

“Who was it my Queen?” He asked in his rough barely used voice.

“Out! All of you!” Aurora commanded taking the irritation she felt towards herself for being frightened by nothing but a silly dream, out on her servants. “Not you Sedrick.” She said calmly pinching the bridge of her nose as the guard bowed and was about to take his leave with the other servants.

Her brain was ticking away now that shock had subsided. She had been chased and almost killed by a Knight . . . Impossible in reality . . . Yet the dream . . .

“Tell me Sedrick whose God's be The Five?”

“The Five my Queen?” Sedrick asked perplexed at the random question.

“Yes,” Aurora said as she slipped on her thick fur robe and headed towards the open balcony and pulled the thin vial back to stare out at the bright moon lit night. “The Five.”

“There is only one place I know of and that is the Kingdom of Gallosor. Much further up North into the Ice Lands my Queen. We share borders with them and the safe keeping as well from Cattle Thieves and such.”

“Gallosor . . . ” Aurora mused as her mind put pieces together.

Her mother always said not to take dreams lightly. The woman maybe losing her mind but maybe she was onto something here.

Enemies came in all shapes and sizes . . . and if growing up and living at Court taught her anything then it was this Keep your enemies close but your friends closer because they were the ones who would stab you in the back first. Foe's one may see coming but friends they came with smiles and poison in your wine.

“Why the sudden interest in The Five?”

Aurora turned to the only man she trusted with her plans, her unearthly eyes settled on the dark bald figure before her.

“It is not the Five that which interest me Sedrick but those who worship the God's of the Ice Lands.” Aurora said with a calculating smile as she stroked her fingers over one of her silvery braids. “Tell me Sedrick, are many of the subjects of Gallosor Knights of the Holy Order?”

Sedrick brows scrunched into a V. He did not understand how his Queen's mind worked all he knew was not to question her motivations and do her bidding at her will.

“Many a Knight my Queen. I've heard rumours – this being a many a years ago – that even one of the Princes of the Royal Family of Gallosor is a Knight of the Holy Order.”

“The Prince?” Aurora reiterated with one raised brow. “How very uncouth. I suppose he is a younger son? So one can not blame him. What else is there for a younger son to do, except wait for his brother to die if there is no legitimate heir or wait for the nephew to die if there is . . . What is the name of our poor Prince?”

“I do not know my Queen but I can find out, if you so wish?”

Aurora waved his query away with the flicker of her wrist. This whole business was another inconvenience, yet she would rather nip this inconvenience in the bud right now before it became a man eating flower that would devour her.

How did that old saying go? Slay thy enemies before they slay you.

“He does not interest me, at least not solely. No, what I need you to do Sedrick is find every single Knight of the Holy Order that hails from the Ice Lands of Gallosor. I want a list of names, then I wish an interview with each and everyone. Not an easy feet I know, but let us start with the one's currently on duty in the North Lands. If I can not find the one I wish to seek here then I will have to branch out my search further.”

“Consider it done my Queen.” Sedrick bowed.

“Oh I do.” Aurora said with a wicked smile.

---

Quick footsteps echoed behind her bouncing off the cold stones and the even colder silence. She looked back quickly as she ran, her heavy cloak fluttering behind her as a cold wind swept through the damp air. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest.

A man in chain mail and gilded armour followed her through the torch lit secret hallways of Vantgaurd Castle. Why was she running from him? He was no match for her? But even as she thought this her feet carried her faster further forward through the stone gray curving passageways.

A door! At last! She yanked it open and gasped as a bone chilling breeze pushed her back and saved her from a drop into the indiscernible darkness below. The dark night sky thundered angrily and sheets of heavy rain emerged maddeningly to soak her through to the marrow.

How could this be happening to her? She whipped around. The dark Knight stood but a mere few feet away, his sword unsheathed and at the ready. She could not make out his face. She laughed like a madwoman throwing her head back.

“Foolish Knight! You think you can stop me?” She raised her hand to unleash her magic . . . Wait! What was this?

She turned her palm to face her and then turned it back on the Knight . . . Nothing! . . . She shook her hand violently . . .

“W-What's wrong with me?” She asked him dumbfounded.

“Judgement is upon you.” Spoke the Knight's gruff voice “Pray The Five have mercy upon your soul.”

. . . And then he raised his sword high above his head.

She screamed and put her hands up in defence above her face and waited for the striking blow . . . it did not come.

Breathing heavily, she lowered her arms slowly. What? What was this magic? She thought confused as she stood staring at the blurry image in front of her but then the Knights sword was coming down and she screamed “No!” from in front and behind him.


Sweat dripped down the curve of her spine as she shot up, dazed and confused. Astra rubbed her eyes as her heart beat unnaturally fast. The dying embers of the once great fire flickered in the night.

Astra looked around. Both Thorin and Zaldir seemed to be asleep. Zaldir was sat however. He must have fallen asleep keeping watch Astra guessed as she got to her feet. And dusted her pale silk dress. Her cloak lay on the ground, she had slept on it. However she did not feel the need to put it on. The nights in the South Lands were unbearably hot. She felt sticky and in need of a cool bath.

Although she avoided water at all costs at times like these she knew there was no avoiding it. Astra breathed in a shaky breath as she began towards the ravine she had sensed earlier. Her elemental magic allowed her the ability to make out the elements when she was near them. But the dream still haunted her thoughts.

She had to calm down and figure it all out . . . for it was no normal dream. She knew she had reached the ravine when the full Moon's ghostly reflection shimmered in the dark water.

Astra crouched on a large pebble and splashed her face with the cool liquid. The chilled water soothed her heated skin as it trickled and ran down her neck and into her fine dress.

Refreshed Astra folded her arms around her knees as she sat silently at the shallow waters edge. It was about time she faced her fears. Yet the pool of water did not dominate the thoughts in her mind.

The dream repeated itself. How strange, she thought with a frown. She was running through the secret passageways of Vantgaurd Castle, the same ones she and her sister used to play in as children . . . But then there was the Knight . . . of the Holy Order no doubt. She could not see his face, it was a dark blur.

Astra's frown grew deeper at the thought of the Knight's of the Holy Order. She did not trust them, not one bit. She did not like their Holier Than Thou attitude. The way they looked down on those above them. Astra had seen many a Knight of the Holy Order growing up in Vantgaurd Castle. They were constant visitors of her father.

Alas, what did it matter to her now except that the Knight chased her in the dream and tried to kill her, except . . . when he had lifted his sword, she suddenly found herself behind him . . . yet when she looked beyond him, she also stood there where she first was by the open door . . . except the whole image in front of her – the Knights back and the woman – her – stood in front of the open door – was a blur. She was in two places at once. It made no sense. She did not hold the ability of astral projection.

Nor had her magic worked in the dream, that frightened her most.

It confounded her. What could it possibly mean? Did actually mean anything at all? Or was it just that a dream and nothing more? Astra pondered all this and more as she sat there hugging her knee's as the water spirits danced lights across the surface of the ravine and the Moon hug high in the night Sky.

If it weren't for the weakness in her legs and tears on her cheeks, Areth would have struck down the young girl right then and there. Her features began to soften as Kael's hand touched her face and she broke into tears. "He....was killed by demons..." Areth reached out and held her for comfort, thoughts racing through her head. 'Killed by demons? It couldn't have been these things, they're way too weak. Something else must reside in this forest, something powerful.'

She could feel the excitement building up inside her.

The youngling is her arms continued. "He wanted me to..........eat his heart, so I could......get power. To save the High Dragons." Areth slid her hands through the girl's hair, making sure not to cut her with those dreaded claws. "Bivai igbal Curinth Gashe frind fjngton. Odmro wedgog sumirin posim vergmed. forinth fefmoh vergmed, yued xinxao. dirmig.". "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions but you must be strong now. The enemy still roams this forest, the same one that took down a full grown dragon. Even if you are of dragon blood, I must ask you to return to the others. This is much to dangerous for you."

"As for me.."She stood and sniffed the air, the smell of tainted flesh filling her nostrils from the east. "I've got some demon's to slaughter."

Valera had felt a sudden tingle as she heard a voice, she turned around but no one was talking to her. Who are you?

She had never experienced this before, was someone playing tricks with her? Or maybe a someone with telepathy? In an instant age stood up and headed back up the stairs. Making one final sweep of the inn with her eyes she saw no one looking suspicious. She decided to wait in her room and simply hope for the person who spoke to her ignore her. She said on her bed, thinking about the past events carefully. That big warrior, he surely did not do those things under his own will...

For moments she thought about who could of done this.