The Coin Still Spins...

Greetings everyone,

    I just wanted to let everyone know TOC is still going strong and a new story is in the works. Their will also be some exciting changes coming as well as the future progresses. I was wrapped up in a storm over the past months that took me away from writing but I am back at it and if all goes well expect a new short story once a month that if the fates allow with some surprises to boot!

I just wanted to also take a second and say thank you for all of those who come here and read my stories! You guys give me that drive to create more and come up with new ideas all the time to keep TOC new and exciting!

Blessings to all my friends and be ready to finish the Road to Nordaka very soon!

-B

Road to Nordaka Part 2 - The Greatest Treasure

Morn awoke coughing sand out of his mouth while checking his surroundings. A creature in the shape of a man sat cross legged on a stone slab looking down at Morn. He was dressed in heavy brown robes and his skin was covered in ash colored bandages. The only feature of this creature that was not covered was a white eye in the center of his face.

As Morn started to stand up a voice pierced the oval stone room he was in. "Welcome Moringar Silvertyr to the forgotten city under the ash and sand. The voice echoed in the room coming from the creature but no mouth moved under the bandages. Morn shook the sand off his clothes "who are you and where are my companions?" Morn noticed his weapons were intact and left on him; he had his hand near his bow while waiting for an answer.

The creature continued to look at Morn with his one eye. "Relax hunter of darkness we only seek peace. They are here in the city, the dwarf and your lady friend are safe this I can assure you. With time names are forgotten as was with our race long ago and my name is not important as such. We are now just a memory lost to the time and sand. We do however need from you and your friends help that would free us from our bonds. For now however go and see to your friends. Tonight at dinner I shall explain our history and what we would seek of you all.

With that the creature vanished and left Morn to ponder his situation. He noticed an opening in the wall lit by some torches and made his way out. When he cleared the opening he was taken aback by what laid before him. Walking up to a balcony he found he was above a small city made of white stone and gold that was encased in various forms from the statues to the roofs of the city. Morn noticed others walking through the city were all similar to the creature he met in the oval room. He thought to himself they must be a form of monks or priests well at least seem peaceful.

In the center of the city was a round temple with no roof and a statue of a man dressed in robes with his hands to the sky. Morn looked above to find a shell of molten rock encased over the city that protected the ash and sand from falling in. Morn shook his head and looked quickly away as the thought of the rock above made him shudder. He made his way down into the city seeking his friends but something tugged at him in the back of his mind that something was very wrong in this city...

Ash studied the painting of an older man in red robes holding a book and a staff. While Forge was sitting on a bed where he slept last night to recover from the sand he had inhaled. "Now what I want to be knowin is two things lass. First where be Morn and second just where in the abyss are we?!" Ash turned to Forge and shrugged "well that creature said Morn was safe and should be meeting with us soon." A breath of relief passed her lips as she spoke those words. As of late a bond was forming between them that to Ash were starting to show of a love forming in her heart for Morn. "As to where we are Forge I'm going to guess we are under the desert though how that's possible is beyond you or me." They both looked at one another with a sense of dread at this outcome.

Morn asked the creatures as he passed the where about of his friends and though not one spoke they pointed the way for him. Soon he found the house they were in and heard the voices of his companions. As he entered the room without thinking Ash threw herself in Morns arms and held him tight. Forge smiled as Morn looked at him with confusion. "To say the least me friend she was worried about you." Ash realized what she was doing and backed away very fast. "Well you are the one leading us to Nordaka and yes I was a little worried if you must know." Morn laughed "It will take more then black ash and sand to finish me off my friends." He bowed as they smiled at him.

Morn paced back and forth while Forge and Ash looked at him with confusion. "Does anyone have the slightest idea how we even got here? The last thing I remember was that storm coming in and I thought we had found shelter for the night." Ash shook her head "I do remember the storm and all the black sand flying everywhere but beyond that nothing." Forge nodded his head to both accounts trying to remember something they may have forgotten but to no avail.

After trying to recount the events a robed creature walked in and motioned for them to follow him. The creature led them back to the same building Morn had left to enter the city. Passing a few halls and doors they came to a large square room with a large dining table. Seating themselves the robed creature that Morn first met walked into the room and sat himself at the head of the table. Two creatures that looked very identical to the main creature brought in food and drink. The creature at the head of the table did not eat but motioned them to help themselves.

He looked over the three them as they finished their meal. Though he did not speak his voice echoed in the room. "Do not mind me or my brothers my friends we do not require much sustenance except for a leaf from a plant we grow here in the city once a day."  Forge stopped to wipe the food off his beard "that's too bad your missing out especially when it comes to the ale." The others laughed feeling more like they did days ago and a little more comfortable in their situation now. Ash spoke up after placing her utensils on the plate "you mentioned you need help from us and you must have a name we can call you?”

The creature bowed his head "forgive me I forget that you prefer names where my people respond by telepathic thoughts as we are all one mind. Very well if you must call me a name then you may call me Maerd. Ash spoke again "thank you for all the hospitality Maerd do you know how we got here none of us can remember? The most we can think back to was finding shelter and then falling asleep to only find us waking here".

Maerd looked upon the three "why yes I can it was my people that found you. A raging storm had forced you to seek shelter but with a storm that strong the sands and ash had soon broke through. We could sense you from above and sent out to find you and to seek your help. When we found was burying you alive, so we worked fast and brought you here." Forge spoke up this time "we thank ye for saving us but I am curious of something, in this city we find pictures and statues of humans that look to be mages though we see none here."

Maerd nodded his head "ah yes I was awaiting this I believe it is time I told you about us and the help we are seeking. To understand us you must go back many years as once this city had lived above the sand in the sky. We were humans once and proud but yet arrogant mages. We used magic for the easiest of tasks and we always sought more and more power. We were foolish in our ways and delved too far into the abyss seeking that power. When the denizens of the abyss looked back to us they cursed and deformed us for looking to deep. They also sent a powerful daemon to destroy us all and this city. The fighting lasted years and in the end though we had overcame the daemon. We had sacrificed much in order to fall from the sky and sink deep into the sand.

In order to seal the daemon we used the magic of this city to bury us in the sand covered in a shell you see above us trapping the daemons power and banishing it. Now in order to rise again from this earthly grave we must undue the magic under the city. Only we can not do this and we come to you for help. The spells will only recognize a true human and we are too deformed and tapped of all our magic that we once had to be able to reverse what has been done. We would ask if you would help us restore our city and rise to the skies once again. Once we rise out of the sands we will welcome any who would come to this city and learn the follies of our ways. Of course we also have many treasures in the city and would reward you with the greatest of them if you succeed.

The three looked at one another and smiled while Ash spoke for the group. "Maerd we would be honored to help you, so what must we do?" Maerd as still as stone looked at the three of them and one could swear if it was possible for the creature to smile it would.

"Thank you my friends, if you succeed we shall owe you much. Under the grand temple in the center of the city is a sealed doorway that leads into a labyrinth and in the heart of this maze lies the globe of cities power. The maze itself is guarded by a construct that allows none near the the orb. However in order to access the center the construct must be destroyed and the key to the orb lies within its chest. I must make another note to the maze because it is ever changing or else we would give you a map straight to the center…

Hours later they had gathered some supplies and headed to the center of the city. As they passed the creatures Forge looked to them and stopped the group. "Is it me or do these poor creatures seem to show no emotion, I mean were setting off to save their city and they don’t wish us luck or show a sign of hope"? Morn turned to Forge "well the odds are not in our favor. An ever changing maze, a construct guardian, and the hope we can bring this orb back at all is pretty overwhelming." Forge smiled to them both "and let me guess the treasure is one of the reasons were doing this?" It was Ash who spoke up as she put an arm around Forge "come on where is your sense of adventure, plus think of all that treasure we can bring back to Nordaka to help the cause." Forge smiled up at Ash "you been spending to much time with the bard lass you’re starting to sound just like him, oh lucky me." Ash hit him off the back of his head as Morn laughed while they headed into the temple.

Maerd was awaiting them as well as two other creatures identical to Maerd. Forge studied the two creatures who acted as if the group was not even there. Maerd motioned to the others who were standing by a large black iron door and began to pull two chains next to the door. A creak resounded through the temple and the doors began to open as the chains clinked along the various holders along the wall. As the doors opened a red light bathed the temple room and a long corridor with red torches awaited the trio. Maerd stepped in front of the heroes "I shall pray for you as will we all will. You must continue on from here my friends as we can not enter the maze; you see these lights weaken us even now.

They bowed to Maerd and walked into the hallway. Forge turned and noticed as the doors were closing that one of the creatures shimmered like an illusion but he dismissed the thought as he turned back and walked with the trio further into the hallway.

The doors in the temple closed fully as Maerd backed away weakly from the entrance. The two creatures holding the chains shimmered away as the chains clattered to the floor. Maerd regained himself and a laugh could be heard in the entire city as he said to himself as he walked out of the temple "and now it begins, my time is almost here just a little more patience."

The glow of the hallway had casted eerie shadows while they continued down the path before them. The size of the hallway could handle the trio with enough room to move around comfortably and where a ceiling should be was only blackness above them. They soon came upon a door and Morn checked it for any traps in the lock or on the door itself. Morn gave the ok and Ash with her shield at the ready opened the door. They walked into another hallway and as they passed through the doorway an odd bell sounded throughout the maze. They counted three rings and the bell finished. Forge turned to Morn who shrugged "maybe a coincidence that it just happened to be three?" Forge just turned away while growling under his breath "this better be some good treasure."

They continued into the maze with various turns and some dead ends when Ash stopped for a moment all of a sudden. Morn and Forge stopped to ask what the matter was when she motioned for them not to make a sound. Along the halls behind them they all stared down the hallway as they began to hear what Ash had heard. A sound of metal slowly scraping against stone came from the hallway behind them. They awaited the source of the sound and were greeted with a site that made even Forge step back.

Taking up half of the hallway was a man made of pure metal. The metal was clean as a mirror as the red flames glowed off the metal like the man was bathed in blood. The face was elongated with no mouth or nose and only two slits for eyes that glowed with fire. The feature that made Forge step back and what was making the sound from before were two hammers headed on each side that replaced its hands. Scraping the hammers against the stone had produced a frightening sound that made the trio start to fear the metal man.

Morn fought back the terror and unleashed a few arrows that bounced off the armor. Ash ran in sliding under one of the hands that smashed into the stone wall above her sending small chunks everywhere. Her sword slashed across the abdomen of the metal man with out even producing a scratch to show on the armor. The other hand smashed against her lion headed shield with enough force to send her back tumbling down the hall into the group. Morn quickly rushed to her side and their eyes both met with a fear against this opponent and the outcome that may come. Forge jumped in front of them both and slammed his battle staff into the ground unleashing an electrical wave that washed down the hall. The electricity ran through the metal man as he continued down the hall arms swinging in a challenge while not stopping or showing any signs of being hurt.

The trio turned to one another and decided on the only option left. They soon were running through the maze searching for the center point. "Their must be way to stop that thing!" Ash said as they ran deeper into the maze. Behind them the scraping sound echoed through the halls as the metal man followed at a slow pace behind them. Morn kept looking back to figure out the distance of the metal man. "I am hoping the center will have a way to stop this thing or we will have a serious problem to contend with!"

Running on and starting to show strains of fatigue the trio found a crossroad in the maze with two choices. Though the metal man was distant the sounds still came as they had to make a choice very fast. Choosing a path they soon entered an oval room with a black stone in the center. On top of the stone was a hole that looked to be able to fit a three sided star within like a key. The rest of the oval room was smooth stone but the torches were green instead of red like the hallways. Forge looked around the room "what do you think?" Morn smiled to them both "I think we found our center but I see nothing to help against our new friend that will be here very soon." Ash put her hand on Morns shoulder "this room is large enough to make a stand and if we must at least we will do it together." Forge nodded his head in agreement.

The sound of scraping metal grew in the maze but nothing could be seen down the hallway. They looked in puzzlement and Forge turned to them in shock "Wait didn't Maerd say the maze was ever changing?" Ash looked to Forge in confusion "what does that have to do..." Morn pushed them both out of the way as to there left the wall exploded within sending stone at them.

As the dust cleared the metal man stood looking at them hitting both his hammer hands together in a mocking stance. The blast sent Forge the farthest away but he noticed something about the metal mans back. It was made of a smooth emerald gem and Forge could swear something moved under the gem.

Forge yelled to the others "Get around this thing and aim for the back I think I found how to stop it!" Morn nodded and rolled past the creature to see what Forge had found. He unleashed an arrow that cracked against the emerald that sent a small crack right through it. As he fired another the metal man turned with an insane speed and let the arrow bounce off his body.

Ash had regained herself and tried to swing around the man but it seemed to know the plan now and backhanded at Ash's shield sending her tumbling away again. Forge however took the opportunity to slam his staff into the ground and send an arc of lighting at the emerald gem cracking it a little more but not enough to break it. Morn yelled to them both "focus on its back I'm going to do what I do best... make myself a target!"

Ash yelled to Morn to stop but he had already put his bow on his back and grabbed his daggers. Dancing in into the battle he swiped at the metal man that just sent sparks off its armor but it was working as it kept its full attention on Morn. Swinging its hammers one way or the other it kept trying to collide with Morn unleashing hell but he was just a tad quicker as he danced and weaved from the hammers.

Ash and Forge bit back the fear for their friend as they went to work on the metal mans back. Ash dived in slamming the pommel of the sword at the emerald back smashing a small chip off. Forge yelled to Ash "slam your sword into its back and jump back I got a plan lass!" She looked to Morn and could see he was running out of time as soon one of the hammers would connect with a serious blow.

With all her might and love she had for Morn she slammed the sword into the metal mans back. The sword pierced right through the emerald into its center. Forge slammed his staff down and shot an arc of lightning at the sword. When it hit the sword the current slammed through the sword straight into its center sending an electrical current through the metal man.

The metal man shot its head to the sky as lighting burst from its eyes and it shook and shuttered as the emerald on its back exploded. The metal man dropped crumpling to the floor with a crash of metal and the fires in its eyes dimmed out. Morn walked over and kicked the metal man on its back while reaching his hand in to grab the three star metal orb that was the creatures heart that spun around.

They gathered themselves and Ash smacked Morn on the back of the head. "Could you stop playing the hero just once, you scared me half to death?!" He smiled as he rubbed his head "well it did work didn't it?" She gave him that look that said do not say another word. Forge came over and looked to them both "foolish but effective aye that was one monster I don't ever want to tangle with again if we could help it."

They walked over to the center and placed the orb in the stone pedestal. The orb locked in place as a green light shot to the outer wall. The rock exploded before the beam and revealed a gem that sparked to life. Two beams snaked from the gem to make a doorway as an entrance revealed itself. Looking inside was an orb the size of Forges head. It had energy that coiled around it over and over as it spun in the center of the room. Near the walls were two skeletons in tattered robes standing in a guarding stance. As Morn breathed in he grabbed the orb with both hands and the two skeletons collapsed in a heap. A ring rolled out from one of them that Forge picked up and pocketed.

"Do any of you notice something wrong here I thought Maerd said all of those mages became like him?" Forge said as he was studying the skeleton. Morn shrugged as Ash looked around "maybe being near the orb they didn't change and they trapped themselves in here away from that monster we fought, or created it." Forge nodded with unease and a feeling of something was not right about any of this.

They left the room and as they passed the metal man the torches began to turn purple. All along the room and the hall they changed color and instead of the multiple turns that brought them to the center the maze reformed into a straight line. As they made their way down the hall following the torches they soon found themselves in front on the large door they entered from. Sounds of rattling chains were heard on the other side as the door started to open revealing Maerd that was waiting for them.

"Well done heroes this is a glorious day now we must place the orb in the center and we shall rise once again. After that we shall reward you with the greatest treasure and can be given." With no emotion Maerd walked out of the temple with the two others behind him. As he passed the others like him they all followed Maerd and soon as they reached the center of the city hundreds like Maerd were soon entering the building. The trio entered the room with the others giving them a clear path and watching them with their one eye. Morn stepped to the statue of the mage holding his hands high and the orb flew into the sky and hovered just above the statue. Maerd made a gesture and a shell of protective magic covered the orb as it began to spin with an almost supernatural speed.

The trio turned and all the others as well as Maerd bowed there heads. The city began to shake as all around a shell of purple magic started to encase the city while above the earth began to crack wide open. Sand and ash exploded down on the city but as it hit the shell it just slid off in all directions. Rock smashed against the shell but only causing it to shimmer a little with no damage to the shield. Maerd waited for the trio as they watched in awe while the city slowly began to rise.

Maerd voice changed into a more calculating and daemonic sound. "Now enough of this cherade and on to that treasure I owe you." The trio turned to watch as the hundreds of others like Maerd walked and melded into him like they were a part of him. Around them the city changed into a spectacle of horror. Blood was splattered all over the walls and the humans that once lived here appeared nailed to the walls still alive but in utter agony as they screamed throughout the city.

The trio quickly grabbed there weapons to face Maerd. A laugh bellowed throughout the room and the city. "Oh don't look so mad I didn't lie completely. The mages here were very reliant on their power and when they looked for more they had found me instead. I am the daemon keeper of eternal nightmares that can be found deep in the abyss I am known as Dream the keeper of dreams and nightmares. I answered there calls and unleashed upon them a nightmare that they could never wake from. These mages however were smart and took the power that kept the city a float deep below the city crashing us below and trapping me within. They created the maze, the guardian, and the wards so I would be trapped here for eternity.

Then I sensed you on the sands above and when you found your shelter I came for you. I found in you a sense of heroics and justice and knew if I came to you in peace and deception you would help me escape from this prison. I am also a creature of honor though and for that your treasure will be the greatest one can I can bestow I shall allow you to live. Dream laughed that carried throughout the city intertwining with the screams of the mages in their suffering.

Morn looked to the others and they all nodded. Without a word he unleashed his arrows on Dream. With fluent movements Dream side stepped one of the arrows and snatched the other with his hand breaking it in half. Ash charged at him sword out and Dream stepped out of the way then with a spin kicked her in back. As she slammed into the wall she shattered into hundreds of pieces like glass.

Forge and Morn screamed out as they watched Ash shatter into nothing. Morn dropped to his knees as Forge charged at Dream with his staff. Dream deflected the attacks like a master as lighting clashed off each blow. Dream jumped into the sky and ended up behind Forge where he grabbed his neck and broke it instantly. He crumpled to the ground smashing into hundreds of pieces like Ash.

"You basterd!" Morn fired a few more arrows at Dream that he danced around as if they were nothing. After he fired the arrows however he dived at Dream with his daggers with a rage that he could not contain. Dream and Morn danced away in battle as Morn unleashed himself trying to hit him with one of his daggers. Dream didn't attack but just deflected each blow as if it bored him. "I grow tired of this game you can not win here this is my realm!." Morn’s rage just grew as he became determined to kill Dream "then let’s end this daemon!" Dream laughed "yes let us just do that maybe we shall meet again hunter and I will look forward to it". Dream danced in and with supernatural speeds unleashed himself on Morn. Before his fists and feet he knocked Morn around like he was a feather in the wind. When Dream was finished Morn looked up at him with blood in his mouth he spat up at Dream. Dream just blinked with his one eye almost as if he was smiling "goodbye hunter." Dream lifted his leg and with an axe like kick smashed Morn into a hundred pieces of glass.

Morn shot up screaming as Ash cradled him in her arms. Forge stood above them both as Morn started to regain himself. "Well at least we all made it to the other side together… wait were not dead are we?" Looking around him they were in the same cave they found when seeking shelter the night before. "It was a dream? We all shared the same dream?" Morn looked into Ash's eyes as Forge paced the cavern “I am still trying to figure it out maybe something in this cave or the desert but aye lad we all had the same dream or nightmare if you will."

They gathered there stuff and left the cavern. The trio stopped dead as they looked out into the black sands. Ash turned to Morn “It’s impossible; we dreamed it only we had to.” Morn looked back to Ash with a look of fear in his eyes.  The city from their dream hovered above a hole in the desert.  

They ran to city without a second finding a bridge that allowed them within. Finding the center room where the orb was still spinning protected by the protection magic Dream had casted on it. While instead of the living mages in their dreams now hung skeletons nailed into the walls with agony left on their faces. They looked at each other with a look of ultimate disbelief as a hideous laughter resounded in the city.

"I told you heroes you have earned the greatest treasure of them all but if you ever wish to return it come and find me and I will gladly take it back from you all" The laughter continued on as they left the city with looks of defeat. When they reached the other side of the desert they looked back to the city and to the road ahead.

Morn looked to them both with despair “for now the journey will continue on and this must be discussed at Nordaka. I swear though that we shall meet this Dream again and we will grant him a treasure as well” They both looked to Morn with confusion as he looked back to them “Will send him back to the abyss with an arrow in that eye of his!” The trio gained their stride back as they continued on into the mountains with another adventure awaiting them on the road to Nordaka....

The Journey to Nordaka Part 1 - The Sleeping Tree

The night was clear but a strange green hew held over the moon high above the water. Morn looked out of the window of the ship staring at the moon with concern. "It’s been like that for a month now lad and the color is getting stronger by the day. Not that I am one for bad omens but I don't think that color is going to be bringing gold or wenches to our laps anytime soon." Forge laughed hard but also kept his eye to the moon as well as Morn. Morn turned back to the table and picked up his cards. "Speaking of wenches I wonder where..."

The door flew open and the cool sea air hit them both at the table. Ash walked in with the look of death to her and a smell of sickness on her breath. "Finish that sentence and I'm tearing that tongue of yours out!" She sat down with the boys and took a long drink of her ale. Forge watched with a smile and nodded his approval to Morn. “Even the sea won’t keep this lass from a good ale ha-ha!”

Ash put her cup back down and smiled. "That's much better; see only three times today I had to run to the deck I'm getting better at this sea thing as I said I would." Morn and Forge laughed hard "well ill say its better then when we first met that's for sure." Forge chimed in "of course your attention was on that vampire captain so that must have helped in some ways." Laughing together they raised their glasses to all the past battles they have had.

"So tell me again how far this journey to this castle of yours is and how long do we have be on this blasted boat anyway?" Ash was getting irritated but that's when Morn had the most fun with her. "First off the Rapiers Edge is not a boat we have held this ship in our family for many generations my lady of the sea. Second we are going to the stronghold of Torith Nordaka past the black sands and nestled in the mountains of the Dragons Tail. A long journey one must endure to train among the Order of the Silent Hunters if the lady still wishes to follow this path of course."

Ash gave Morn that look again that she always gave him when he was passing the line with her as Forge stared at the moon smiling at their bantering. “So when is the wedding then?” Ash now gave Forge the look as he rumbled with laughter. "He only wishes, anyway Morn you know I do, how many times must you ask me that? Have I not proven my resolve with all we have been through so far?" Beyond the sickness Ash was getting very irritated with Morn at this point and her voice gave an edge to it.

"Take no offense my lady you need to understand the trials you face will be tough and you must have no doubts about this, because once you join us there is no turning back. I just never want you to have regrets, because if you do you will fail and people will die. We are sworn protectors and silent assassins against the darkness if we did not take these oaths and risk our lives many would suffer and die." Morn turned to look at the moon with Forge as a dread of the unknown filled him. As Ash sat and stared at them both silenced and running his words again and again in her head.

The journey was relatively quiet and by the time they docked Ash only threw up once more. They entered the small port town of Calem and made there way to the local tavern. As they entered it was fairly quiet except for a few men arguing in the corner about an evil creature that haunted the road. The glint in Morns eye was noticeable to Forge as he looked away and sighed. Ash heard Forge sigh and looked to the dwarf as he looked back and shook his head to her as he knew what was coming next.

Morn walked straight over to the men and presented himself. "Pardon me gentlemen I overheard your discussion and being a bard as am I am always looking for new tales to tell, if you would I would inquire of this evil you speak of." The men looked at each other and back to Morn both shouting at the same time in his face. "Sod off bard!” Morn turned around with a smile to Forge as his fists closed and as he was about to turn around Ash walked past Morn with a smile of her own, "Allow me my oh so famous bard."

Forge laughed till he almost fell to the ground as Ash batted her eyes at the men and soon enough they were singing like birds in a forest. Forge turned to Morn as he brought a round of ales over "seems we just needed a women's charm lad ha-ha!” Morn glowered at Forge "so it seems my old friend so it seems." The men explained how the road to the black sands was cursed as many travelers were disappearing from the open road. Morn listened to every detail trying to determine the source of the abductions. Finally the key was revealed as the men spoke of the large holes in the earth covered in gore and blood.

Morn waited till they got their own tablet and presented them with the conclusion to the missing people. "It’s a Cyclops were dealing with maybe two at that a male and a female. There known to take there victims back to their cave and then tear them apart to eat the organs. The large holes in the ground would be made by the cudgels they carry. Cyclops eyes fetch a mighty price and would help with the journey ahead." Forge looked to Morn, "you know me lad I didn't come all this way to turn around at a mere Cyclops or two." Morn patted Forge on the back and looked to Ash. "I fought a troll and survived what's a couple of Cyclops at that."

The next morning they made there way along the road looking for the holes that the men spoke of. All around the road was relatively clear except for a few bunches of trees here and there. Another hour into their journey they found what they were seeking. The holes were large indeed and covered with blood, gore, and dirt. It wasn't long till they found a trail along the road where the trees started to thin out leading into a small bog.

As the path started becoming tougher for the horses they tied them up before entering the bog. Morn started to look troubled while Forge and Ash took notice. Forge looked to Morn "Are you thinking what I'm thinking lad?” Forge’s eyes darted around, “but it can’t be they say there all supposed to be sleeping around this time." Morn nodded his head "Maybe my old friend that moon means more then we think. I hope you brought some of those alchemical fire bottles I got a feeling were going to need it."

Ash looked to them both with a confused look "are you boys going to clue me in here or keep me in the darkness?" Morn stopped and looked her dead in the eyes with his one eye "were not dealing with a Cyclops here Ash this is something far more dangerous and ancient, were dealing with a bog tree and an angry one at that." She looked very confused "what in the gods is a..."

Before Ash could finish her sentence a gnarled root burst out of the ground sending all three of them in different directions. Forge cursed as he grabbed his battle staff from his back with multiple gears built into the shaft and an electric current running through the middle while dodging a root looking to crush him. "For once lad why can’t we be wrong just once is all I ask?!" After hitting the ground Morn rolled to the side dodging another root while grabbing his bow "yeah but think of the tale will have to tell after this!" Ash was already up with her sword and shield fighting back another root. "That's if we even survive this, I suggest less words and more fighting!"

Morn rolled over to his other side dodging the root while firing one arrow after another at it. The magical arrows pierced through the root as a guttural roar could be heard in the distance. Ash was cutting at the root breaking wood off as it hit her lion headed shield forcing her back. Forge struck the root with his staff as an electrical bolt burst from the staff into the root and another roar was heard.

The roots shot back into the ground and the bog became as quiet as a tomb.

Morn turned to Ash and Forge, “I hate to say but now might be the time to start getting worried!" Morn had an arrow at the ready when the sound of a crashing tree as loud as thunder came from the distance. Ash looked to them waiting with her shield at the ready. Out in the distance a huge form shot into the sky and was plummeting straight for the trio.

The bog tree had used its three roots to vault to there location. Morn fired an arrow that sunk into the tree with little effect "Move now!" The tree crashed into the ground before them. It was an old grey tree that was at least the size of two large men, ranging at twelve feet high with no leaves and multiple branches. The three roots were thick and about twenty feet long writhing like serpents.

The trio formed a triangle with Ash in the front. "We need to circle it, magic and fire is its only weakness. Be careful of the roots and the branches don't get a hold of you. It’s a creature of brute force that is slow and that is our advantage to surviving this.” They broke off circling the tree weapons at the ready waiting for the time to strike.

Morn unleashed his arrows while dodging the roots and keeping far back from the branches. Forge slammed his battle staff into the roots sending lighting into the tree with a small effect. Ash moved in closer cutting off some of the decayed branches with her emerald sword that Forge had crafted for her.

The battle was tough but the trio seemed to be winning until the tree showed its true form. Within the trunk of the tree a wide gaping mouth appeared and roared in Morns direction. The force of the roar slammed him into one of the bare trees behind him almost knocking him out. The tree took this opportunity to crush him with its root. A large crash came as the root slammed into the ground. As the dirt settled Forge looked in fear to find his friend crushed. What he found however was Ash on top of Morn a few feet away from the root.

When she saw Morn fall without a second thought she dropped her sword and shield, ran and dived at Morn rolling the two them out of the way of the crashing root. Morn looked up into her eyes and found a new resolve for this woman as she had just saved his life. She looked back into his one eye and as if she was reading his mind she whispered to him. "Now do you doubt me?" He laughed and whispered back "never again, but were not out of this yet and we seem to be weaponless and that is not good."

Forge sighed with relief but also saw there dilemma and knew it would be now or never to use the fire bottles he had in his bag. Using words of the ancient language he summoned a dome of light blue energy over him as he dove into his bag seeking a small chest. The root crackled as it slammed into the dome. Another root crashed against the dome as Morn and Ash saw the roots crash against the dome. "We got to help him that shield will only last for so long." Morn said to Ash as they made there way up from the ground. Ash ran to her sword and shield as Morn found his bow a few feet away.

"Ash flank it with me and push forward as best you can, oh and now is good time to use your shield!" Morn ran to the trees side and unleashed a flurry of arrows where he saw the mouth open from before. Ash moved in chopping the branches as they attacked her, and dropped to a kneeling position in front of the tree behind her shield. The lion’s mouth on her shield roared at the tree as a magical fire shot out and burned the tree. The trees mouth opened again but this time Morn knew what to do as did Forge as they both fired their arrows and the bottled fire into its mouth.

Ash moved back as Morn and Forge came to her side. The trees mouth opened wide as the fire burned it out from the inside. Within seconds the tree became a burned out husk, and a new part of the landscape. Bruised and bloody they made there way back to their horses and then the road.

That night as they camped Forge watched as Morn and Ash would toss small flirting gestures at one another and make eye contact more then they ever did before. As he prepared healing salves for them he watched as he smiled and gave off a small laugh. They both turned to Forge asking what was funny. Forge smiled at them "you were right lad this will be some story to tell indeed, and you Ash are welcome at any battle this dwarf is ever in." They all laughed but Forge held back his true intentions for laughing.

As he watched them both and the new way they acted toward each other it would seem his young friend the once lone wolf had found his mate at last and she would be by his side till the stars no longer pierced the sky. He smiled to himself thinking the fates have strange ways indeed...

Hollow Eyes

Dawn appeared over the horizon as the young man lay against the tree. His clothes were torn and a look of insomnia was upon his face. After the events he witnessed at the Krakens Eye how could one ever sleep again. He stood up checking the short blade he had on his side ignoring the blood caked on the blade. He thought back to the nightmare he witnessed days before...

The two young soldiers stood upon the wall laughing about some jokes they were making about the younger women of the village. There names were Trevor and Simon and they joined the guards watch to impress some of the females back home while bringing honor to their fathers. They had been friends since they were children and found when it was time to become soldiers they joined together.

In the night air screams had erupted from the village as the soldiers looked out with wide eyes. They watched as a small army of undead soldiers came from the path of the ancient graveyard and descended on the village in a matter of minutes, slaughtering all in there path while burning the homes as they passed.

Simon snapped away and ran to the signal bell ringing it to alert the other soldiers. Trevor could not keep his eyes off from all that was happening. A moment later the commander was making his way to the wall yelling about. Trevor was memorized as magic was being cast from a ghost like woman. What they saw next terrified the men as the villagers rose from the dead and began to dance under the glow of the fires. This was enough for Trevor as he ran to the left of the wall making to jump off and save his skin. Simon yelled after him but as he turned to tell his friend to follow him a swarm of the undead had scaled the wall and were clawing and biting Simon as he screamed into the night.

Other screams came from his fellow soldiers as they were being torn apart and before he knew it a young boy from the village was upon Trevor. He was able to throw the boy off and produce his sword. Trembling he shouted for the boy to stop but the boy howled and charged into his sword. Trevor kicked the boy off his sword with tears of panic in his eyes as he didn't look back and jumped over the wall...

He began to focus on the day as he stood from the tree and still wondered how he was able to survive the fall. He needed to find someone to get the word out about what happened at the fort. With a goal in hand and tears of rage for his friend he continued on while the screams echoed back to him in his mind. His thoughts continued to find Simon and the childhood they shared. It was the one thing that would keep him going no matter how many more days this journey would continue to take.

As another day passed however tears had gripped Trevor and he screamed to the sky in anguish. His resolve was breaking but in the far distance he found salvation. The outline of an inn along a road was becoming visible and he began to thank all that would listen for this symbol of hope...

The inn was filled with a few people eating and drinking as a man that looked to be in his thirties sat in the back playing a fiddle. He wore dark leathers adorned by various belts that chained together. Over his eyes he wore a dark grey bandanna to cover his eyes. A raven sat on his shoulder looking all around the inn watching for the slightest of movements.

The door flew open as a young tattered soldier collapsed to the floor. The tavern keeper and his wife ran to Trevor with some water and tried to revive him. One of the older men looked to the symbol Trevor wore, "by the gods he is from the Krakens Eye! That's four days journey from here and look at his clothes do you think the fort has been attacked?!"

The tavern keeper shot a look of concern to the old man "we won’t know anything till this boy revives and when he does will know more but till then we wait. There is no need to bring alarm till we know why he is here, hell for all we know he could be a deserter." With that said they picked the boy up and brought him into one of the rooms to rest. The fiddle player just continued to play as he smiled to himself waiting for the events to unfold themselves in the days to come.

Night descended over the inn and brought a few more people in but no word yet of the soldier who collapsed through there door hours ago. Night had passed into the next day as Trevor began to stir. That evening as the same crowd listened to the fiddle player Trevor came out to tell his tale. The fiddler stopped and listened with the others as Trevor recounted his nightmare. The people of the tavern gasped with horror as he continued his story with every detail.

"Well that settles it!" One of the middle aged men in the inn stood up and placed a hand on Trevor's shoulder. "Tomorrow you and I lad will ride to the city of the north and bring this to King Ison himself, I will make sure you get an audience to tell of all you have told us. Will make sure the king sends back an ample amount of soldiers to retake the eye and slaughter the evils that brought this nightmare upon you! Do not feel a coward lad from what you told us you made the right choice who knows how stronger this evil could become if word is not sent your a brave and lucky lad to make the choice you did."

The others cheered and each of the patrons, eight including the inn keeper and his wife came to thank the soldier for his bravery and courage. In the excitement the raven on the fiddlers shoulder flew up in the rafters to watch over all those in the inn. The fiddler stood up and called the attention of everyone in the inn. "Tis troubling times indeed but this lad shows that with a stout heart one can overcome many horrors and make the most difficult of choices. For this lad’s courage and sacrifice to bring us such news I have a very special song I would play this night before your journey begins tomorrow my friends. Also allow me to buy each of you a round of ale to celebrate the victory that is to come over the nightmares that have not been heard of in these lands in years."

The patrons cheered and the inn keeper and his wife got everyone a mug of ale. The blind fiddler bowed to the small crowd and began to speak an ancient language of magic. The fiddle began to glow and rise as if there was an invisible ghost holding it while the fiddle began to play in mid air. The crowd cheered in awe as the fiddle player smiled the most evil of a grin.

The raven hawked in the rafters and the fiddler as quick as a spark had conjured three ethereal daggers that glowed with a white mist in between his fingers. The crowds cheers soon turned to screams as the fiddler threw the ghost daggers into the crowd each finding there mark with ease. The patrons fell over dead with the daggers thrust into there necks or eyes with a perfect precision. Trevor fell from his chair and ran to the door yelling for Simon and how this shouldn't be happening but the blind fiddler was quicker and cared not for his tears as Trevor fell over with three ethereal daggers sticking out of his back. The raven cawed from the rafters as it glided down to land on the fiddlers shoulder.

The fiddler walked around the bodies as the fiddle kept playing on by the invisible musician. No one made a sound as they all lay dead on the tavern floor. The fiddler checked each ones pocket and removed any valuables they held. Then the fiddler walked around the wooden bar and found a bag with potatoes of all things. As he smiled he dumped them out onto the floor and threw the bag over at Trevor.

Before he left the bar he poured himself a hard drink and started to hear the cries of a baby behind him. He found the door and entered into what he found to be the innkeeper and his wife's bedroom. In the far corner were a wooden cradle and a baby girl crying into the night. He walked up to the cradle and looked over the child sighing. "It tis a pity little one that you are part of this ordeal but you see I can not let word of this out just yet when there is much at stake for the future. I am however without a heart and will give you this gift." He placed his palm on the baby’s forehead and spoke words of an ancient language as a purple glow came from his palm. "If the fates allow you to come of age you will witness this night through my hollowed eyes. You may seek me out for revenge if you wish but train well because I will only grant you life this one time."

With that said he made his way back into the room of the dead bodies. He knelt besides Trevor and conjured a new blade that was longer but still made of mist. The raven cawed from his shoulder as the fiddler cut into Trevor's neck sawing his head off. He placed the head in the rucksack and grabbed his fiddle. Shutting the door behind him to the inn he made his way to the small stable where he grabbed the nearest horse and rode out into the night.

Four days later he came to the destroyed village and found the boys story to be true in every sense. Soldiers stood on the walls and along the gate to the Krakens Eye but there faces were rotted and aged. A voice came from the top wall as Vareloc looked upon the blind rider with curiosity. "You’re foolish to come here blind man all you will find is death though if that is what you seek we would be happy to oblige?" Vareloc held the order to have him slaughtered as he was very curious as to why this rider was here.

"No my lord actually I came seeking you to offer my services. My visions have shown me much and as such I bring a gift for my lord." The fiddler reached behind him and took the head out of the sack raising it high in the sky. "One of the soldiers of this keep escaped looking to bring the news of your conquest. I must report that all he spoke to have also perished and no word has passed since unless any others escaped."

At this point Kriska came behind Vareloc with a smile looking down at the blind man and the head he held. She whispered into Vareloc's ear "as I said my love one did escape but his word will not pass to any ears except for those of the dead. I know of this man he is of the order of blind assassins known as the Shadowed Eyes. They sacrifice their eyes for magical abilities and an animal that becomes their eyes. Our God favors there work I believe he would make a welcome ally with many talents you could use." Vareloc smiled at Kriska and looked back to the rider, "leave the head at the gates good sir and welcome to the Krakens Eye. I would most indeed be interested in your services, come through and let us speak"....

Dance of the Dead

The sun crested over the side of the cliff off in the distance as the three riders made their way along the road. To their sides grew farmland where a few men and women were making their way back to a village that was further up. The village was small but held a number of people to work the farms and the lake to the east that dropped into the ocean beyond the cliff. The homes were mostly built out of mud, rock, and thatch but this seemed to suit the people just fine that lived there.

Vareloc stopped his horse and looked over the village, further on was a pass that led up to a fort and tower that was built on the cliff overlooking the sea. The fort was known as the Krakens Eye and was a lookout for invading ships from the sea.

Kriska rode up close to Vareloc and brushed her hand over the armor on his shoulder. "It shall be the focal point of your reign my love, but remember your promise to me," Kriska said in a very alluring voice. Vareloc turned to her and smiled under his helm, "Of course my love how could I keep something as precious as your request from you on this night of all nights at that." 

The general sat on a horse behind them with his tattered blood red cloak fluttering from the wind. Vareloc turned to the general who nodded in return and turned his horse toward the north along another path. Vareloc and Kriska followed behind the general without another word as they made their way along the pathway.

As the sun dipped into the ocean the generals eyes took on a hellish green glow under his blood red hood that highlighted his greyish skin. Vareloc removed his helmet and let his long silver hair fall over his tattoo of the white skull that was drawn on his face that covered his coal black skin. Kriska looked to him with lust and desire, the power he held and his ruthlessness had brought her an ectasy she had never known before, and she liked it immensely.

The three travelled on till they came to a small stone wall. Beyond the wall was an ancient graveyard with at least a hundred graves. Some of the graves were shattered but most of those intact held a shield, helm, or weapon to signify they were soldiers of another time. In the middle of the graveyard stood a tattered flag its colors of green and orange. The symbol was that of a golden scaled fish though worn from the many years it stood there. The general just stared at the emblem from his horse with hatred from his glowing eyes that could topple a mountain. Vareloc jumped off and tied his horse to the nearest tree "well done general it must be a pleasure to know that soon you will command your enemies even after their death, stay and watch the pass my friend, come my love we have work to do...

The captain of the fort stood on its wall looking out to the sea and then turning to look out to the village below. Music and laughter could be heard from the village as the man smiled. He looked to the moon and started to realize a faint green was showing from its glow. Shrugging it off he continued to listen to the laughter and music of the people while leaving the wall.

He made his way to the back of the fort and entered a room where his men laughed, drank, and were playing cards. They yelled over to the captain who nodded to them and sat down drawing up some cards of his own. A man next to him patted him on the back and offered him a drink. "Not this night my friend something is in the air, as I feel a chill in my bones." The man next to him laughed, "Oh come now captain its been almost ten years since we had a skirmish of any kind, let alone we haven't seen any ships except for those of merchants and fishing vessels. Though the men could use a good battle I will be honest, even an old fashioned goblin raid would suffice. Hell we have some lads here who have never even shed blood, just noble boys sent to appease their fathers." The captain sighed, "this is true my old friend but is peace not something we have all fought for long ago, would we really want the chaos and death that comes from war?" The man took a sip of his ale "this is true captain peace is better than the alternate, I just miss the action is all, I'm not getting any younger that's for sure." The men laughed at this and continued to play cards.

An hour later bells rang throughout the fort, the men stared at each other in surprise. The captain rose, "if this is a prank or such someone will be scrubbing the outer walls for months!" The men laughed but as the bell continued to ring worry started to show in their faces. The captain ran out and noticed a dozen or more men watching from the walls looking out to the village. A few of the soldiers were barring the gates of the fort with utter panic in their eyes. "Who ordered that gate closed and why the hell is the bell being rung? I want answers dam it and I want them now!" He made his way up to the wall looking out to where the soldiers were looking and he found his answers. He thought back to their conversation at the table and realized the men had got what they wished for... may the gods help them all.

The soldiers watched from the walls as the village was burning and the people lay slaughtered under the glow of the fires. A small army of undead soldiers stood around the village blood and gore dripping from their ancient weapons. In the center a women with raven black hair and the palest skin was conjuring a green mist that engulfed the entire village. One of the soldiers screamed in horror as the villagers rose from the dead. Then the oddest of things happened... the dead began to dance! 

Their movements were as natural as if they were at a royal ball. Women found the nearest man or a soldier and pulled them into the dance while even the children drenched that were drenched in blood circled the adults spinning and twirling to a song only they could hear, it was the dance of the dead and one of the most nightmarish scenes the soldiers would ever witness. The laughter coming from the woman in the center sent chills through the soldiers as she grabbed on to a knight in black armor and pulled him into the dance both laughing with madness.

The captain and the soldiers couldn't look away as it felt like the spectacle before them lasted an eternity. The two in the center encased in the glow of the fire stopped dancing and looked to the fort with a malicious smile. The man in armor turned and bowed to the woman as she curtsied back to him as if they really were at a dance. Another man entered the circle whose eyes glowed in a green like the mist that was cast. He bellowed something in a forgotten language and the village erupted into madness. Screaming to the skies the men, women, and undead children charged the fort with blood lust on their minds.

Some of the soldiers started to flee to the back of the wall; one even threw himself off into the ocean below in terror. The captain shouted to his men to stand their ground as the walls would hold these monstrosities back. He would never in the few seconds left of his life ever be as wrong as he was now. The villagers reached the fifteen foot walls and instead of stopping like a nest of spiders they climbed the wall with an uncanny ease and were soon upon the soldiers.

Enjoying the sounds of the screaming soldiers that were being torn apart the trio and the undead soldiers behind them made their way to the gates. Sitting on his horse Vareloc spoke words of an ancient language and the gates exploded with an invisible force. The general signaled to his army of the dead and they charged into the fort killing any of the living that remained. Vareloc and Kriska sat on their horses and watched the slaughter before them with madness in their eyes while holding hands. The Krakens Eye was now their home and the starting point for one of the darkest wars the lands will ever see...

The City and the Forge

The two figures travelled on horseback through the forest at a mild gallop. The sun was shining beams of light through patches in the canopy of the trees above. The one leading was a female with short black curly hair and freckles known as Ashintina Hawkfeather. The man behind her has short cropped salt and pepper hair and a beard with a scar across his eye that was covered in a blue tattoo, and he is Morningar Silvertyr.

They rode on while Morn sang a travelling song and Ash sighed to him. "You do know Morn that goblins, orcs, and wolves keep to these forests where your singing can be heard... oh and not to mention the spiders in the deeper parts that drop out of the trees." Morn stopped and started to look up into the trees a little worried. Ash smiled she knew he didn't care about the others but spiders always gave him chills. Now it wasn't that she didn't like his voice. Actually without him knowing she loved when he sang but she found his confidence a little lacking at times, especially when danger could be a foot.

She kept constant watch as they continued on, "Morn? Why are we heading this way anyway?  You never said much except it's time you met my good friend the Forge." Morn smiled "trust me Ash you will find this much to your liking plus not to mention we are not far now, you see the clearing is just ahead." Turning around she saw the break in the forest and a clearing of grassy plains. As they broke through the trees the wind greeted them with a cold chill. They both drew there forest green cloaks closer to them; Morn even donned his hood as the cold was felt on his face. As the wind blew the grass on the plains were like waves in the sea, it made Morn smile, he always liked this journey to Aroch.

Further ahead smoke could be seen over a hill a little ways away. Morn smiled and pointed beyond where smoke could be seen over a hill, nodding to Ash as she kept watch around them. She was a soldier through and through always expecting the worse, while most times finding it. What Ash didn't realize though was that Morn may seem aloof at times but in reality if danger appeared an arrow would be waiting without hesitation from him. They rounded the hill and Ash's mouth was agape at the sight before her. She turned to Morn with amazement "my lady welcome to Aroch the city of steam and home to the dwarven smiths."

The city was an amazing site to behold as it broke out of the grey mountain to its back. Around an iron fence that towered over the city protecting all within. In the center stood a large tower made of wood and metals where a circle rotated over and over producing a sound like lightning, while rushing water from the mountain behind the village circled around the tower. Homes and shops dotted the city made of the same metals and wood and each seemed to have steam coming from there roofs.

As they approached Morn turned to Ash "my reaction was the same when I first encountered Aroch. The dwarves built this as a trading post allowing humans and elves to live and sell there wares, while they do the crafting in the mountains. Each home has a small forge that is powered by magic, metal and water to produce heat. Though deeper in the mountains they use this to burn the hottest forges creating some of the most magnificent creations you can only dream of. It is here we need to get you a true weapon worthy of any hunter of darkness that is if you are still so determined to follow the path I am on."

She nodded to Morn in agreement and looked back to the city with utter amazement. They reached the gates and two dwarves with crossbows awaited them. One stared laughing when he noticed the male rider. "As I live by the stone is it a year already Silvertyr or have you come back for a rematch early?" The dwarves lowered there crossbows and Ash relaxed her guard. "For the record gentlemen that dragon's ale was quite strong, especially when smashed over your head." Morn laughed as he jumped off his horse to embrace arm to arm with the dwarf. "Well ye did say anything goes and who be the lass with you ye didn't go get married now did ya? Ye know Oryll will be heartbroken if so the poor lassie." Ash jumped down from her horse "oh another girl awaits the bard how surprising." Morn sighed as the dwarves laughed "no Ash not as one may think. Ok where is he oh wait let me guess." The dwarf pointed to the building near the tower the picture above the doorway showed a dwarf running from stone boulders. "Yep I hope ye healed up from the last time, he is itching for another go and has been training since then, but I still be betting on you just so ye know." The dwarf laughed as he called a young boy to take the horses, Ash looked at them quizzically.

Morn shook his head as he made his way to the tavern as large group of yelling came from the windows. Ash looked to Morn with curiosity again "do I want to know and what’s this about betting on you?" He sighed "nope you do not want to know in the least, welcome to the Falling Boulders Tavern." They opened the door and the yelling was even louder as they entered. It was your typical tavern though with a few changes. First a forge dotted the center that was cooking various meat and was also surrounded by running water like outside. To the side was a set of railings and people hanging over it yelling down to something. Looking down was a circular pit where two men fought one another. Men, women, and dwarves yelled in unison as punches and kicks were thrown, while to the side some played drums to escalate the fight.

One dwarf in particular caught notice of Morn and threw his hands in the air. He was dressed in various leathers and very muscled, while his hair and beard was the color of a dark fire orange. "Morn? Morn you stone crawler haha I knew you wouldn’t miss our next dance, get yer arse in the pit!" The dwarf jumped into the pit grabbing both fighters by the head and slamming them against each other knocking them both out. The crowd roared with laughter and started yelling "Forge"over and over! Morn turned to Ash sighed and handed her some of his gear. "Do me a favor if he wins don't let him shave my beard the last time it took me forever to grow it back the way I wanted." With that he took a running jump and spun into the pit. The crowd roared even louder and more people came rushing in from outside to watch the battle. 

The drums intensified as the dwarf and human circled each other. “Same rules as before unless you need a mug to help again dwarf?” Morn said as he danced in fast to hit the dwarf in the face. "Aye lad and still quick I see, but I got some new tricks for you this time human and no mugs needed!" Forge scrambled around and feinted as he lashed out and hit Morn in the stomach.

Ash watched the two square off as a dwarf gave her a mug of ale and smiled revealing a few missing teeth. "You'll need this trust me if your with Silvertyr, I have been helping Forge train for this fight not of my choosing mind ye." She raised her mug watching the two fighters and admiring Morn's style and skill. "Yes I can see you have, who usually wins when they do this anyway?" The dwarf took a swig of his ale leaving foam in his beard, "well this has to be there tenth fight now and Silvertyr has won one match so far." Ash looked at the dwarf with a look of worry and surprise and then looked back to the fight while starting to drink faster.

They both showed signs of fatigue but neither was letting up in this fight. "By the way lad yer early this year did ya miss yer yearly beatings?” Morn side stepped a punch to his knee. "Not in the least dwarf I have a partner it seems now and she needs your skills of the fire when this contest is done, she is watching above as we speak." Forge looked up to catch Ash's smile and was captivated by her green eyes. "Thanks Ash, I knew that would work!" Morn yelled and caught Forge in the face with a kick from his boot. Forge stumbled back shaking his head and Morn didn't miss a second of this chance as he rolled into the dwarf with a forceful uppercut. The crowd roared as the dwarf slammed into the ground dust blasting up all around, this year belonged to Morn and put two wins now on his belt.

After a few drinks Ash, Morn, and Forge made there way into the mountain. The mountain was a honey comb of tunnels passing by multiple homes while some clanged with the sounds of banging from within. "Ye got lucky lad if it wasn't for yer lady friend I would have had ya!" Morn laughed hitting Forge on the back and making him cringe with pain "perhaps my friend perhaps, but lady luck was on my side this year." Ash turned to Morn and smiled "oh is that what I am now, and I see what the guardsman meant about Oryll she did seem jealous of me but she is cute I'll give her that." Forge laughed as they walked deeper in the hallway "well the Boulders had her since she was a pup, I think its his singing she likes most, you should hear when they do a duet she howls like the best of them."

They all laughed as they entered Forge's home, it was a sight to behold as a huge forge of fire took up most of the room with various circular gears turning water and making vast amounts of steam. "Very impressive Forge I have never seen anything like it!" Ash said as she couldn't keep her eyes off the room and the forge itself. "Thank ye lass and trust me you'll never see anything like it anywhere else, dwarven craftsman to its finest. Speaking of which I have just the idea for a sword for you so please get comfy and tell me how ye met this stone crawler here I call me friend. Oh and Morn just so ye know when we are done here I am going with you, no arguments I am bored of this place besides someone has to make sure you live for our next rematch!"....

A Crack in the Ice

The fire cracked and popped as the wild boar roasted over the spit. Ashintina cleaned her sword and shield as Moringar sang a song of the ancient days of old. Ashintina was a young girl in her late 20's with an average and yet curvy build. Her pale skin highlighted her emerald eyes and her curly raven black hair that was cut to her shoulders. Moringar was also of an average build while also looking to be in his early 30's with short cropped salt and pepper hair and a short cut beard. The fire glowed off his blue tattoo that covered the left side of his face and his eye that had a scar from his temple to his cheek. He stopped singing for a moment to rotate the boar and watch Ashintina under the light of the fire.

"Ash I have been meaning to ask this". She stopped polishing the shield and looked up "hmmm?  oh wait a moment here you best not have any ideas that mind of yours bard, because my sword is nice and sharp now!" Morn laughed as he sat back down "oh come now great warrior at least give me more credit then that, besides I'm not as fond of you as you wish I would be."

She eyed him with that look she always gave him when he came close to crossing the line with her. "Good keep it that way and continue to romance your tavern wenches that keep falling for your words and honeyed voice so easily, because it doesn't work on me bard." She stood up and started to mock one of the girls she was speaking about. "Oh my lord please sing to us about your adventures while we keep you warm at night tee hee."  She smiled and sat back down to polish her shield as Morn got up and bowed to her with a smile.

"A good impression I must say you should do that more often and oh and thank you for the compliment on my voice. No what I was going to ask was what got you into the line of a mercenary anyway?  I mean for one such as beautiful and strong of heart as yourself there must be a grand tale to tell? " Morn awaited her reply and noticed she stopped outright from cleaning her shield as she looked out into the sky. Again she mocked her voice "oh my lord you think I am beautiful?" She gave him that look again and sighed. "I would prefer to leave that tale for another day as you still have yet to tell me yourself about the ship you just so happened to own when we first met. Though I can tell your looking for some sort of story to pass the night with, and since there are no females about to woo I will grace you with one. Now not a word to that last comment and I will tell you of one of my toughest battles and how I got this shield I am cleaning here." Morn appeared pleased and gave all his attention to Ash as she began her tale...

I had travelled into the north by guarding various caravans when the chance arose. It was here in a small town I found myself waiting for my next job. The wait wasn't long as the town guard found me a little drunk and arm wrestling the locals in the tavern. Well after a few buckets of water later and one guards broken hand for thinking he could help dry me off, I ended up standing before the mayor. He had pardoned my actions because there was something much bigger plaguing his town. Word it seems was brought to the mayor about my deeds of fending off bandits and orcs while protecting the caravans and my talents could be used for just this situation. As it so happened an ice troll had taken up residence in the area and was capturing any traders that came through the northern pass.

Well what could I say the coin was good, I needed the reputation, and not to mention I was also young and a fool at that. I only ever heard tales of trolls before and figured this would be easy. It also didn't help that after what I did to that guards hand my fate could have been much worse if I had declined. So with an easy decision ahead of me I spent the morning fully sobering up and went on my way to find this troll.

I packed my gear that consisted of my armor, a spear, a few health potions and some climbing gear for the mountains. I then made my way up the pass through the icy mountains looking for signs of my adversary. It wasn't before long I came upon a cave that showed signs I had reached my destination. There were bones thrown all about the entrance and while some were only half eaten animals others resembled that of humans. I now knew why the troll was capturing them and what it was doing to these poor souls. As well as the blood and gore there were destroyed carts and trading supplies all around. It was afternoon when I found the trolls home and like any animal I figured it should be out hunting, but boy was I dead wrong.

As I made my way into the lair I heard the sounds of sobbing, without haste I rushed in looking to free who made those sounds and in my haste I set myself up for a nasty trap that was awaiting me. Now before I get into what was to happen next let me give you the layout of this lair. The troll had chosen a breath taking place for its home as the ice itself was made of blues and greens that reflected light all around. The cavern also held within it an interesting surprise but I will get to that soon. Now the sobbing noise was coming from a hole that was broken into the back of the cave in the floor that I believed was made by the troll itself.

Making my way to the hole I found a man and women holding on to one another awaiting there doom. They looked as if the troll had thrown them in to save for later. Looking up at me when I approached they had terror and joy in there eyes. They asked me if I saw another man the girl was calling her father, and as I was about to answer I heard a monstrous roar from the side of me. Turning around a large grey creature was standing on two feet before me, with spikes on its head and a club made of pure ice. Blood was dripping off its large fangs and behind I now saw the creature had waited in a hole till my attention was elsewhere. It must have caught my scent or heard me approach, because this was not the dumb creature I was thinking it would be, I was in deep trouble here.

I swore as the creature came charging at me, and realizing it's plan too late, it slammed me with its arm aiming my fall for the hole.  Fate was on my side though as I just missed it and slid even further away on the ice. The monster was furious and with its massive ice club came charging again ready to squash me. Swearing for the second time I realized my spear was laying on the ground near the opening as I had put it down when I was getting rope out to help the others. This time however I was ready and quickly dodged as the club came crashing down where I was once. It was then I noticed something that changed the tide of the battle and allowed me to be here this night to tell you this tale.

The ice started to crack like an intricate web around the troll. I looked below me and found there was a structure below us. This was the edge I needed and realized then what I had to do. The troll roared again at me echoing off the carvern and I'll tell you Morn that roar could scare the bravest of knights or kings no matter how fearless they boasted to be. It went to crush me again but while using my surroundings I quickly slid away as the club came crashing down cracking the ice even more. The thunder of the second smash echoed off the walls and I started to hear chunks of ice break off below us. I started praying to any god that would hear me that this plan doesn't back fire as I made my way to my spear just in case.

I quickly slid my way to my spear and as the troll advanced the ice gave way as I hoped it would. The hole itself luckily only broke where the troll did the most damage and I stood where I made my stand holding my spear and shaking for my life. I looked down to find that the drop was about six or seven feet give or take and the troll was laying in the ice barely breathing. The room below looked to be of some sort of armory in a fort that the ice must have covered all around the structure ages ago. Where the ice had broken it looked as if it smashed right through the roof dropping our furry friend to his doom.

Debating with myself I could now leave the creature and save the captives hoping it would die soon enough or I could jump down and kill the monster with my spear ending its torment. My stout heart as you call it got the best of me and I jumped. As my spear was about to pierce the trolls heart the creature surprised me yet again. When the troll hit the bottom it had only knocked the wind out of it and thinking it was dying it surprised the hell out of me as it roared at me as I was plummeting to it.

As I fell downward the troll moved to block my spear which pierced through its arm instead of it's heart as I intended. I tried to hold on to the spear but the troll had the strength of ten men. It flung me off and I crashed into the wall behind us. Now it was my time to have the wind knocked out of me. The troll roared as it broke the spear still embedded in its arm, and made its way to me while kicking the fallen ice in my direction.

I had to think quick and yet again the fates had decided to save me, because laying by my side was a magnificent shield made of a dark bronze in the shape of a lions head. I grabbed the shield and blocked the ice coming at me with a concussive force. 

Now I really don't know how to explain this next part it could be divine help or just something I activated on the shield but what it was I am here now to tell you of this. As the troll was coming toward me the lion in the shield had roared and shot fire out of it's mouth engulfing the troll in flames. I knew this was my final chance to end this here and now as the troll roared in agony. It all happened in a matter of moments as I dropped the shield, grabbed an axe which happened to be the closest weapon, and using a table I ran to, I jumped onto the troll while embedding the axe in it's skull.

My strike was true as the troll stumbled around and crashed to the ground. I panted heavily and dropped to my knees knowing I had nothing left to give in this battle. I was bloodied and battered but I was victorious and I had gained a very impressive artifact to boot. The troll laid there twitching and writhing in the flames as I moved about looking for a way out. Most of the weapons were rusted except for a few so I grabbed a sword and my new shield and made my way above through the opening. After helping the young couple out of the hole we found the father who was barely alive and missing an arm. I gave him one of my healing potions which had helped and we made our way out of the hellish den.

I was rewarded of course and given free drinks and a room at the tavern till I was fully healed and ready to leave. It wasn't long before word got around and I was called for yet another task further north, but alas that is a tale for another night. 


"Wow that must have really impressed you because by the way master bard I think the boar is burning", she laughed as Morn who was so intrigued by the tale quickly realized that Ash was right and worked fast to save there dinner while laughing with her at his foolishness...