The air in the room is hot and oppressive but it beats the alternative of going out into the unforgiving cold outside, as a result the bar is packed to capacity and the waitresses are scurrying keep up with all the business. A cold gust of air blows in and everyone groans as the stranger walks in out of the cold. The stranger looks around the bar and finds an empty Table to sit at. As he walks through the crowd he draws some looks to the finely crafted sword at his waist and the well-worn hands of someone who knows how to use it. The stranger sits at the table and removes his hood. A tall man with dark brown hair and a clean- face. The waitress comes to the table and looks admiringly at his strong arms and well muscles chest. "What can I do you for stranger" the barmaid asked shyly. The man answers in a deep tenor voice, " A mug of ale and if it isn't to much trouble could I get some more chairs I'm expecting some friends." "Sure thing I'll be right back with your ale." The man looks at the barmaid and realizes the way she's looking at him he growls deep in his throat and sends the Maid off on her task. After another look around the bar he pulls a long hunting knife off his hip and begins to sharpen it with his stone. The normal background noise of the bar picks up again as the crowd seems to except the stranger into they're midst. Before long the stranger is forgotten as he seems to blend into the shadows of his table, and the people go about there merry making. The Barmaid after what seemed like an eternity brought his ale and two more chairs. As the man sipped his ale he looked at the barmaid deep in thought. This did nothing but send the young woman into a blushing frenzy witch brought the man back out of his reverie and scowled at the young woman. Just then the door flies open and a man stands in the door looking around. "Where is that old dog Brad at?" the man looks around the room and see the stranger sitting in the both. "Brad! Long time no see!" The man walks through the crowd and glances from side to side as he walks through. Brad stands up and begins to grin. "Marty, my good friend!" Marty moves up to Brad and stops in front of him. He looks at him as if appraising him. "You've grown, I see your travels have not been easy. Come let us not stand here and be a spectacle let us sit and talk. Waitress Two more mugs of ale!" The two men sit at the table and stare at each other in silence then Brad breaks the silence. "How have your travels been? Have you met with any danger?" "I hate to spoil this, when we have just got back but I bring bad news" "What? What has happened." Brad asks some what nervously. "On my adventures I met up with Lance and." Marty try's to say but is interrupted by Brad. "What of Lance? I thought he went east towards the domain of Delliger. He was answering a call for warriors there." "Yes, he was and at the last minute I got word that I wasn't needed for the wars in the north so I decided to go with him to keep the balance in line and see what was happening." Marty looks away from Brad and seems to age past his 20 years. "Tell me what has become of Lance is he all right" Brad asked with hope. "Let me tell you. After we got to the castle and met with the king, he told us that there we a series of goblin raids in the southern corner of his domain and he wanted them to be gotten rid of. Well we decided they might have some good treasure so we went there alone and snuck in. We killed a couple guards and saw a human in the camp talking to the goblin king. He was a cleric Brad. The church is up to something." Brad's expressions darken as he considers the consequences. Marty continues, "After the Cleric left we were ready to follow him when we were seen by a guard and were stormed by all directions. I'll tell you I thought I was gonna die right there, but by god I was gonna take some goblin bastards with me. Lance and I fought like the devil himself and took out 10 goblins in the first 3 minutes, but they just kept comin and I could feel Lance fighting at my back, and I could tell we were both getting tired. It was then I heard Lance start saying all these strange words and to late I recognized them as a spell, then the next thing I knew I was standing outside the camp and saw the goblins swarm around Lance," Marty's voice breaks but he coughs and continues. "Lance stood there and I could hear him yell "RUN!" right before I heard his screams of death. I turned and ran. I ran and ran till I thought my lungs would burst but all I could thing of was Lance and how he risked himself for me." Marty sits in silence for a couple minutes then abruptly clears his throat and continues. "So, Where are the others? I thought they were meeting us here." "So did I. I don't understand why there not here by now. They could have been slowed down on the road, this weather is hellish." Brad replies. "Yes. You are right. I am deathly tired from my hard march cross the plains, you know its death to camp there during the night, if the raiders don't get you the orcs will." "You are right. I already got a room for you, its upstairs room 1. Go ahead and sleep I will stay longer and see if the others don't show up yet tonight." Marty gets up from the table and smiles wearily at Brad. "Its starting to feel like old times again, isn't it?" Marty says as he slowly walks toward the stairs. "Yes. Yes, just like old times." Brad replies and smiles wearily. "Sleep well old friend." Marty waves over his shoulder as he climbs the stairs to his room and rest upstairs. Brad watches Marty go and takes another look around the room. He notices a man sitting off in the corner glance away when he looked in his direction. Deciding its nothing he notices his hunting knife lying on the table and resumes sharpening it. The waitress comes and goes and the Inn begins to slowly empty as the citizens begin to stagger back to their houses to get what sleep they can. Brad finally resheathes his knife and drops a couple coins on the table and walks the stairs to his room. As he climbs he fails to notice the man in the corner watch him all the way up the stairs till he disappears around the corner. The man gets up from the table, throws his cape around him and steps into the cold unforgiving weather outside. Chapter 2 The pounding at the door wakes Marty to the alertness a well experience traveler needs to survive in the wilderness. He Silently picks up his scimitar and walks to the door. "Who goes there?" Marty yelled through the door. "Its me." came Brads muffled Reply through the door. Marty opens the door a crack then opens it wide and steps aside as Brad walks in. "You know how long its been since I slept in a Inn?" Marty asks as he sheaths his scimitar and puts his shirt on. "I imagine its been a while nature boy. Why don't you come into civilization for awhile? What can you do out there, besides talk to yourself?" Marty smiles and puts on his belt and scimitar, "I belong in the wilderness. It is were I feel most comfortable, and most of all this little nature boy could take you anyday, you big oaf." He puts on his boots and walks out the door with Brad chuckling behind him. They walk down the stairs to eat breakfast. As the two walks down the stairs Marty notices the Inn is empty and not even a waitress is walking around sweeping or tending like normal. He feels Brad tense behind him and whispers, "They're something not right here. Where are the people?" Brad growls, "I don't like this either I think you better go back and get your armor and we'll move out right away." Marty looks at Brad then nodding quickly running up the stairs and into his room. "Great just what we need!" He grumbles as he quickly puts on his leather armor and grabs a small pouch. Just as he walks out the door he hears Brad yell out a warning from below then there is a clash of swords. "Great!" He exclaims as he takes off down the hall. He runs down the stairs to see Brad being surrounded by five men dressed in all black and wearing black hoods. Brad holds his huge sword out in front of him daring anyone to step within its range. He slowly walks around a table putting some room in-between him and the assailants. He looks over his shoulder and sees Marty at the top of the stairs just as he ducks back behind the wall. Brad looks back and sees one of the men Dodge around the table a take a swing at him with his short sword. He steps back sending the swing short then quickly swings down using the extra reach of his sword to bite deep into the mans shoulder. The Man yells and falls to the ground, just as another jumps over the table and stabs at him. Brad pushes the blow to the side and kicks the table sending the hooded man flailing to the side. He takes advantage off the situation to charge into the middle of the hooded men and immediately takes out two with one giant swing off his sword. The assailants press the attack on Brad and quickly press him against a wall. "Where in the hell did you go you yellow Weasel!" Brad begins to yell when behind the hooded men a medium sized swirling cloud forms behind the men and hits one slamming him into the wall, where he slides to the floor out cold. The second turns and slashes at the cloud but his sword passes through it and he slumps over as Brads sword is shoved through his back. Brad pulls his sword out and looks at Marty walking down the stairs. "You could have showed up sooner you know" "Well it took time to cast that little cloud that just saved you." Marty responds calmly as he begins to look through pockets of the men. "You mean you made that cloud just a minute ago?" Brad looks somewhat dubiously at him. Marty smiles, "Yes, its what this little nature boys faith can help him do, and your lucky I even used that because usually I use them only for the defense of the wilderness." Marty stands up and wipes his hands off. We better get going, there could be more of them around." "But what of the others, they never showed. Shouldn't we wait around and see if they come? Maybe there just behind." Marty turns away and looks at the Empty bar then turns around, "We can leave a note with the Bar tender and get to the road so we can head to the kingdom of Delarth." He turns around and walks into the kitchen were he finds the cowering bartender. "Come now old man, get up here. We're gonna leave a note with you to give to or friends if they come here. We'll leave descriptions for you to, alright?" He looks at the bartender till with a weak nod he agrees and takes the note Marty quickly scribbles down. "But why the Kingdom of Delarth? Brad suddenly asks. "This is why." And Marty drops a couple coins in Brad's Hand. "These men were paid a nice little sum, and I want to know why." Marty looks around the room till his gaze catches the bandit that was thrown against the wall groan and begins to stir. He walks over followed by Brad and begins slapping the man's face. "Come on, wake up!" Marty grabs a glass of ale of a nearby table and splashes the man's face making his eyes flicker as he begins to cough. The man opens his eyes and sees Marty standing over him with Brad holding his large sword and a wicked grin on face staring at him. "No! Please don't kill me! Please!" The Man begins to blubber and sob begging for his life. Marty looks to Brad in disgust then turns back just in time to see a hand flying at his face. He quickly ducks to one side and shoves his free hand into the man's stomach, doubling him over. Now, I will ask you a question and you will answer it. If not Brad here will enjoy the job of slowly killing." The man looks up at Brad again and shudders. "Why were you sent here to try to kill us?" After a brief pause the man answers, "I don't know why, we were just given your descriptions and a purse full of gold, full enough that I didn't ask any questions." "Well who sent you then?" Marty asks. "I don't know the man but he wore a little pendant with the sign of the Church on it." This statement makes Marty look over his shoulder to Brad, Who merely shrugs and scowls. Marty looks back to the man who begins to say something but is interrupted as he is struck across the face and knocked out again. "I guess this settles it. We have no choice but to travel to Delarth and see what is happening. I do not take a death mark as a light thing and believe it is time to exact some time of revenge." Marty says as he stands up and begins to walk to the door. "Wait, wait!" the Innkeeper comes running out of the kitchen. "What are you going to do about this mess?" Marty walks over to one of the dead assailants and grabs a purse of his belt. "Here. That should cover and expenses and damage." Marty throws the pouch over to the bartender who opens it and stares in amazement at all the gold. Brad walks over to the other bodies and removes each of their money pouches and follows Marty out the door. The Bartender looks up and sees the Barmaid staring out the window at the retreating form and begins to boss and order her around. "Come now enough of your fantasies! You have work to do, get this place cleaned up before customers begin to show up! The Bartender walks into the back room counting the coins in the pouch leaving the young woman to slave away at her work. With a final sigh she looks away and begins her chores. Chapter 3 The Road stretches on in front of the two heavily cloaked travelers. One rides a large horse but is seemingly normal when compared to the large rider that sits on it. The other jogs along beside, head turning side to side looking into the woods that are on creeping up on either side of the road. The man on the horse leans down and says something to his companion who shakes his head and continues looking from side to side. The two travel on in silence for many miles. Neither seems to mind, but yet they are aware of each other and what the other wants. So, it is no surprise to the big man on the horse when suddenly his companion tenses and freezes. With the swiftness of a well- trained warrior, the tall man has a large sword drawn and held at ready as he watches the man stare into the trees. The man gives a brief gesture then runs swiftly and silently into the woods witch seems to open up then close behind him. The man sits on his horse for several minutes not moving till suddenly there is a crashing and a yell "Brad! He's coming your way!" Brad quickly charges at a man who suddenly breaks from the cover of the trees and sticks the point of his sword to the man's throat. "I got him." Brad calls to Marty, who walks out of the woods right behind the man. "What are you doing in there trying to sneak up on us?" Marty put his scimitar back in his belt and walks back into the woods. He is gone for several minutes, then returns carrying a bag and short sword in his hands. "What exactly are your intentions with these?" Marty removes several wickedly curved daggers and a small vile. The man stares at the daggers looking like a trapped animal and begins to mumble out an excuse, "I am a seller of fine weaponry�" is all the man gets out till the flat of Brad's sword comes down on the man's head knocking him out cold. "Look to his purse. It is rather large for a trader to carry with him." Brad point to the purse ad he resheathes his sword and climbs down from his horse. "I'd wager we recognize the coins." Marty bends over and removes the man's purse. He tips it over and dumps a couple coins into his hand. "Delarth" is all he says and places the coins back into purse then putting it in the saddlebag. Marty's gaze falls down to the man then to Brad, "What with him? If we leave him surely worse men will claim his life." "And if they do? It is no lose to this world. This man is no good and probably never will be." Brad climbs on to his horse and begins a slow trot. Marty turns and watches then quickly turns towards the man and utters few words before jogging after Brad. The Plants behind him seem to slowly crawl and creep over the man making him all but invisible. Farther ahead on the trail Brad turns to Marty and asks, "Why didn't ye get a horse in town? This is a long trek, ye can jog forever." "I didn't get one because none of those horses were for me." Marty simply says making Brad sigh, giving them both a chuckle. "My last horse I had since it was a colt and that animal and spirit none of those old farm plow horses ever had." He scowls as he thinks about the lousy horses the farmer had tried to pawn off on them. Besides I could use the exercise, these old bones ain't what they used to be." Brad looks to Marty, notices the easy stride, the steady breathing, and the calm look on his friend's face. "Your just lucky you got me around to keep you out of trouble." Marty shakes his head and picks up the pace a little, hoping to reach the next town before nightfall. CHAPTER 4 Twilight The last crest of the Sun slips below the mountains and slowly the noises of darkness begin to creep all around. Small fires and lanterns can be seen in the windows of the small town the two companions wearily head into. Shutters close and doors locked as they walk through the town. The villagers know that travelers at this time can be no good. The two walk on till they come across a sign that reads: Lazy Dragon Inn. "Brad, I'll take the horse to the stable and you go get a room." Marty says to brad has he takes the horses reins. "I'll be in shortly." "Don't go roaming around this town and stir up trouble. These are simple farmers who are likely to jump to many conculsions with very little evidence." Brad jumps down from the saddle and moans a little. "It's been too long a day" He turns and walks into the Inn the door sqeeking shut behind him. Marty turns back to the horse and leads it into the stables waking the stable boy who was dozing on a nearby stole. "Feed her and bed her down good, she's had a long day riding." Marty explains as he hands the reins over to the boy. The lad gives a yawn and a nod then begins lazily doing the appointed round till Marty removes from his pouch a couple coins and tips the boy. "She'll be raring and ready to go by morning, Sir." The boy stares at the shiny coin and leads the horse to a stall. Marty gives a small chuckle and walks out into the street. With a quick gaze up and the street he heads off towards the woods till he is engluffed in the fullness of vegitation and growth. After several minutes he comes into a clearing, looks around utters a few words, making a small fire spring up in the middle of the clearing. After staring at the fire for several minutes he sits down removes a small sprig of mistletoe from a pouch on his belt. Marty relaxes, closes his eyes, and begins a quiet chant. After several minutes the fire turns color and begins to flicker. It wavers momentarily then flares up. Marty opens his eyes and watches the fire as it shows him images of place far away. He sees a dark haired woman firing a bow at unknown figures. Then a man fighting off more unknown figures with a shortsword, till he suddenly circles around and backstabs the man. It flashes back to the woman just as she is hit from behind and knocked out cold. Another flash and the man is stabbed in the side and goes down to be fallin on by more assailants. The fire flares even brighter momentarily before returning to a normal looking fire. Marty stands and wiped sweat from his brow before returning into the woods and walking back to the inn. Marty opens the door to the inn and sees Brad sitting at a table sharpening a knife. The empty plate in front of him tells him he may have been gone to long. Brad glances up from his work sees Marty enter the Inn, gives a small, then scowls. "By the Gods, your lucky I don't skin you were you stand!" Brad grimaces up at his friend. "You've been gone almost 2 hrs with no word. I though perhaps this rabble had sent you to the prison." Marty gives a small chuckles but its falls away into a sigh. "I have bad news old boy. I have news of our friends, Graves news." He puts his head into his hands and his shoulders visibly slump. "I have reason to believe they have met with treachery. At the hands of those who tried to do us in." "How do you know this?" Brad says has his hand clenches on the hilt of the dagger. "I have a source� A reliable one." Marty looks up into Brad eyes and finishes, "Look, if you doubt me then you can stay here while I scout ahead." Though he knew Brad would never except this he did know that Brad would now, never refuse to go. "Bah!" Brad snorted. "And who would keep you out of trouble?" "Good, its settled then first thing tomorrow morning we continue to Delarth." Marty reaches down to his belt, pulls out his purse, and throws it to Brad. "You better go and buy some supplies, and I will be needing a horse." This comment gets a smile from the big warrior. "We will need to move with all haste of course. Now I need sleep. I feel as if I have carried a great load on my shoulders this day." The two get up from the table to depart when Brad reaches over to his friends shoulder. "I trust you old friend." He nods once then turns and continues up the stairs to the room. Brad gazes at him for several seconds then picks up his sword and walks out door. By now the Sun in almost completely set and lamps are light in the small houses to stave of the invasion of night. Brad walks down the street to where he saw a small shop on their way into town. Chapter 5 Brad leaves the Inn, looks to his left and right, then heads down a large road to the small shop he spotted on his way in. He walks slowly, not in any big hurry, casually glancing at his surroundings. He notices several small scroungy looking dogs but nothing out of the ordinary. The casual surroundings and cool night breeze helped calm his mind and set his body at ease. Eventually he rounds the last corner and sees the small shop and an equally small woman leaving the shop and preparing to lock the door. "Wait." Brad calls as he breaks into a trot. "Please don't lock up yet man." The woman turns to watch this stranger approach her and impatiently stamps her foot. "What can I do for you Sir? We closed." "Please ma'am, my friend and I have traveled hard all day and are in desperate need of supplies." He pulls his money purse from his belt and displays its bulge to the woman. "I can make it worth your trouble to open for just several minutes." The woman looks to the coins, then to the man. "Aye, what's 5 more minutes." She turns her back and pushed the large, sturdy looking, oak door open and steps swiftly in. Brad waits several paces then follows into the store shutting the door behind him. The store is surprisingly large for the size of the town. Looking around Brad sees numerous kinds of breads, smoked meats, traveling gear, and even a weapon or two. The woman walks around the counter, places her hands on it, and stares at her customer. "Well sir, what do ye need?" Brad glances at her then back to the shelves. "We'll be needing about 2 weeks of iron rations, a loaf of that bread, 4 torches, and that backpack." He again glances around the shelves looking for something of interest they may need on the trip. Looking clear to the top of the shelf his gaze stops on a