The day had grown late as dusk began to seep across the village. Paul had discussed the price for their stay, and much to the village chief’s chagrin, was adamant about paying. Paul had made the deal to be a gold piece per person for dinner, a bed under some shelter, and breakfast. Of course the mule was to be taken care of as well, and a few villagers were already keeping it company.

The elder, named Kieth, protested further when Paul had paid the man a gem worth ten gold pieces, far more than offered. He certainly looked like a Kieth, for he was a man in his late sixties who had pale skin, white hair sprinkled with his natural ginger, and dark eyes. He was tall and thin, though no doubt in his hey day he had been a man with a much stronger physique with the way he carried himself, the swagger in his step and all.

“Honestly,” Kieth said. “Every time. Why can’t you listen? Is it because you’re a Vice-Master, is that it?”

“Partly,” Paul replied with a laugh as they were brought bowls of a stew and thick, colourful bread. “I have to make sure that the guild is in good standing with the surrounding area, so when you have an issue you will trust in us to deal with the matter.”

Keith brushed through his short hair and pat it down, his hair now thinned with the cruel curse of age. “That is it,” he whispered as he shook his head.

They were sitting around a fire now, Paul and Adam having stripped out of their armour, but keeping their weapons near. Adam had seen Paul take off his armour and so decided to do the same, not wanting to be awkward about it. It had taken him some time, but it had been worth it as the pair had cleaned their armour together and Paul had offered Adam some wax for his chain.

The stew was fresh and hot, heavily salted, filled with chunks of various vegetables that tasted similar to those of his old world, and yet different still. They certainly weren’t as delicious, but they seemed to be harder and bigger, certainly more filling. The stew was some kind of meat, but Adam hadn’t dared to ask.

Some of the villagers began to play some music, those that had yet to eat, tapping away at the drums and blowing through some flutes an inch from their lips.

“So,” Paul said, cutting through the music, “what brings the pair of you out this far?” Paul asked.

Alten threw a look towards Adam quickly before his eyes fell to Paul. “Just some business,” Alten said, far less confident now. It was as though he was being haunted by a spectre. In some way, he was, the spectre that was Adam. “Nothing too important.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to say something like that,” Paul replied with a small smile. “Isn’t everything you do important?”

“To me,” Alten replied.

“Aren’t you hot in that armour?” Paul asked Robert, who was still in his full plate mail, save for his helmet, which was off beside him to reveal his head.

Robert was a man that was powerfully built and tall, with short blonde-white hair, blue eyes, and a handsome enough face. “Not particularly,” he replied. “You get used to it when you’re out on the road so much.”

“Are you out on the road so often?” Paul asked. Robert did not reply. “Well, I guess I know what you mean. What about you Adam, have you been on the road long and often?”

“I have been, right before I joined the guild.” Adam didn’t really know, but that’s what his body told him.

“Must be easier as someone with so much feyblood,” Paul said. “You don’t sweat as much.”

“I don’t, but it doesn’t mean I don’t miss a nice hot bath all the same.”

Paul smiled. “Perhaps one day I’ll become proficient in magic and then I can summon forth a place to stay.”

“It’s on my itinerary,” Adam said. “I’m hoping one day I will gain that knowledge.”

“You’re a wizard?” Robert asked.

“Of sorts,” Adam replied.

Robert narrowed his eyes suspiciously, like a snake trying to figure out his prey’s abilities. “You had used magic against me, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Adam nodded.

“I didn’t expect elves to have much pride in themselves,” Robert said, “I’m not surprised.”

“I feel the same way, considering you laid your hands on me without warning. I thought it’d be fair, you get a free hit, I get to use magic.”

Robert narrowed his eyes further.

“Don’t worry,” Adam said. “I won’t mention the fact that you had better armour than I, nor the fact that it allowed you to use a weapon that was mightier than my own. I’m not the kind to call out cowards on everything they do, isn’t that right, he who is currently hiding in the shadow of a much larger man, Alten?”

Robert’s face twitched with anger, though Alten retreated further back. “It is unbecoming of you to speak in such a manner to one you have already defeated in a duel,” Robert said.

“You would know all about unbecoming. I’ll keep my eye out on you since I’m not wearing my armour, who knows how low cowards will stoop.”

“I shall tell you to be quiet, boy.”

“You speak much for a man that I allowed to live,” Adam said as he bit into the fluffy bread, “or perhaps you have forgotten that it was only thanks to the good graces of a hal-”

Robert reached for his blade, and Adam grabbed onto his wizard’s die, bringing out his hand. Paul had already drawn his blade, and had pointed it towards the champion.

“It is unbecoming of one who has lost to continue to whimper,” Paul said. “I would suggest that you drop your weapon, or I shall have to use my authority.”

“What authority do you have in the middle of a village?” Robert narrowed his eyes as he stood.

Paul stood, followed quickly by Adam, who kept a hand around the wizard’s die, ready to cast a spell if need be.

“Well,” Paul said with a small smile, “why don’t you swing and find out?”

Adam quickly checked his ability.

Omen

2

2

Robert kept his blade tightly held with both hands, though there was some movement from around them as the warriors of the village raised their weapons. The music had stopped.

“If I could ask the three of you to sit,” Kieth said politely. “If you continue, we will kick you out, and we will not return what gold you have paid.” The chief was still casually eating his food, seemingly paying them very little mind outwardly.

Paul sat down, sheathing his sword. Adam followed suit, not wanting to disrespect the elder any further, and not wanting to bring about any ill attention towards Paul by association with his stupidity.

Robert’s eyes darted between all of the warriors, judging himself between the five warriors who had now turned their attention to him. He was outnumbered, and even with his heavy armour, five against one would be a difficult fight. Plus if he were to fight them, Paul and Adam were to surely come to the village’s aid.

Robert sheathed his blade and then went back to eating. Alten had remained silent throughout.

“I shall need to write a letter to the Captain when we return,” Paul said as he sipped the last of his soup. “When we return you can challenge Adam to a duel if you wish.” Paul looked to Robert. “Then you can officially take revenge.”

“I will keep that in mind,” Robert said.

“Are they always like this?” Lazina whispered.

“Humans, or these two?”

“The pair.”

“Unfortunately so, it seems. I haven’t had much dealing with them, but they all go the same way.”

“Is it true you used magic in the duel?”

Adam shook his head. “It was no duel. He blindsided me and then we fought. There was nothing official about it, just a brawl.”

“You had faced the boy, Alten, as well?”

“I had, that was a duel, and I didn’t use magic.”

Lazina nodded her head and finished with her meal. Adam decided to turn in for the night, an open walled tent offering him protection from the night sky so he could sleep peacefully. He was accompanied by the melodies of the half-elven tones that eased the people asleep.

Though he had a level up available, he decided against it. He awoke after a dreamless night, ready and eager to adventure. He checked his Omen ability to see what he had to work with.

Omen

19

10

A pretty decent pair of rolls. He would have liked a good and a bad roll, rather than a mediocre roll. Mediocre rolls were most awkward to deal with, never quite a guaranteed success or failure.

He took a quick dip into the cold river nearby before he changed into his day’s clothing, drying off his night clothes over the back of his pack.

Paul and Lazina were already up and chatting with one another, though did greet Adam as he arrived.

“Had a nice sleep?” Paul asked.

“It was good, thanks.”

Lazina smiled at the exchange, though Adam couldn’t really tell why. Breakfast was served quickly after, though the trio did not the lack of a particular pair.

“Seems they’ve gone ahead of us,” Paul said.

“I’ll try and not sound so enthused,” Adam said, smiling to himself.

“A shame, I rather enjoyed their company,” Lazina said.

Breakfast was light, though the elder had also given each member some fruit and vegetables to take with them to eat throughout the day. Thanks and goodbyes were said, and they were off. Paul had made sure that the mule had eaten a decent breakfast, allowing the beast to snack. Paul had been given extra fruit and vegetables for the mule to eat.

Paul led the way, with Lazina just behind him. Adam brought out the rear, keeping an eye and ear out for anything, his ability to perceive things not that great. He wondered if perhaps he should have taken the Perception skill, it would have given him quite the decent bonus.

The day had gone by fairly uneventfully, and late afternoon soon welcomed them. They had taken a few rests now and again, but they had continued on with a great pace.

“The village is just up ahead,” Paul said. “We’re about half an hour out.”

It was a short while later that Paul stopped the group, and once more they were surrounded. The peoples looked similar to the group they had seen previous; pale skin, dark hair and dark eyes seemed to colour them all.

“Ah,” the woman said. “Paul, it has been some time.”

“It has been,” Paul said with a smile. “Is the village hankering for some coin?”

The woman laughed and then began to guide the group, a villager taking the coin off of each of them.

Currency

23 Gold

13 Silver

18 Copper

2x Obsidian Disks (10G each)

1x Black Onyx (50G)

Paul and the woman spoke, she had correctly surmised the reason for their visit. Adam wondered how many times Paul had made such a trip before.

“It’s Jurot?” the woman said, in utter surprise. “Oh… that is a shame.”

“I’m sorry,” Paul said. “We had tried to warn him about his recklessness, but it seems as though he was truly a man of the Iyr.”

The woman nodded. “I hadn’t seen him in so long when he last came, he had grown twice as big in the last five years. To think he would die, and so soon…”

“How long ago had he been here?” Paul asked.

“A month at most,” she replied, “it’s a surprise to see him back so soon.”

In the centre of the village were a pair of men once more. One heavily armoured, and one with a beautiful purple cloak.

“Adam,” Alten said, his face growing pale.

“It seems were are being followed everywhere we go,” Robert growled.

“Well, if Omir doesn’t come on the weekend thrice,” Paul said with a grin. “Fancy seeing you both here. So you’re headed to the Iyr as well?”

“So that’s your business?” Robert asked.

“That’s right.” Paul nodded.

“I should have guessed.” Robert rubbed his forehead. “Here I thought we were safe.”

“You’re safer now, what with the three of us. Why are you headed to the Iyr?” Paul asked.

Robert looked to Alten. “To form a party,” Alten said.

“Ah,” Paul said with a nod of his head. “That does make sense. Why don’t we travel together then? It would do us better to travel as a group until we reach the Iyr.”

Robert threw a look to Alten, who shrugged and then nodded.

“Wonderful,” Paul said as he then allowed the villagers to take care of the mule. He then went off to speak with the chief, or that’s what Adam assumed as he sat opposite the pair.

“Paul is no longer here,” Robert said.

“And I’m in my armour,” Adam replied. “We’ll be travelling for some time, why don’t we call a truce until we return back to the guild? Then we can have a proper duel, where we can wager something against one another.”

“Very well,” Robert replied and then remained silent.

Adam’s eyes fell to Alten. “Let’s hold it outside the town so Alten can watch too.”

Paul returned a short while later. “Oh, you haven’t killed one another, how nice.”

Adam smiled and just nodded his head. “We’ve come to an agreement for now.”

“Good, I didn’t want to stop you from being at each other’s throats for the entire journey. When we get to the Iyr, we can have the duel then.”

Adam’s eyebrows raised slightly. “That sounds good,” he said. He did wonder if he’d be able to beat the man. He had been rather unlucky in fights, and he had only levelled once since. If he could just reach fifth level in Warrior, this would be a non-issue.

“Very well, that sounds like a plan. Would you use your authority then to administer the duel, along with the leader of the Iyr?” Robert asked, though he had been a little snarky about it.

“I’ll have to ask Iromin when I see him,” Paul said, “though I’m sure he won’t mind.”

Robert narrowed his eyes, but left it at that.

The group kept to themselves, the trio between one another, and the pair with each other. The village elder appeared, a man who was far less tall and thin than Kieth, short and stout, with a potbelly and a long beard.

“Greetings,” he said to Adam and Lazina. “Welcome with the stars, blessed, heart,” he said as best as he could, though Adam could see where he failed in the language.

“Greetings elder,” Adam replied with a nod.

“Yes, greetings,” Lazina said.

“It seems my elven has really atrophied after all these years,” he shook his head. “I’m sure Zephair would be rather angry at me.”

“Zephair the Bold?” Lazina asked.

“Ah, yes, that’s his epithet, isn’t it?” The elder cocked his head to one side in thought. “I believe it is, though I’m not sure. He was quite the elf, not like one I’ve ever met before.”

“Even those of the high-elves speak kindly of the wild-elf.”

“Great praise indeed!” The elder laughed. “Ah, excuse me. I am Juhn,”

“Adam.”

“Lazina, it is a pleasure. May we speak more of Zephair?”

It was then the elder began to talk about Zephair with the half-elf woman. Adam listened for a moment before he zoned out, leaving the pair to speak by themselves.

It was then a horn was blown. Adam looked about to see where the horn had come from, though very quickly he had seen a lean warrior appear, spear in hand.

“Enemies approach!” she exclaimed, raising her spear.

Paul threw a look towards Adam and then stood up, hand at the hilt of his blade. “Enemies?”

“Bandits,” the woman said as an arrow whistled through the air and then landed nearby. The various peoples began to move as the warriors came rushing by, some of them remaining with the peoples, as other hopped onto the shacks to look out to see if the enemies were approaching from the other side.

From where the arrow had been shot there were about a dozen figures, all of whom wore thick furs and leathers, with one wearing a breastplate. The one with the breastplate motioned a hand for them to approach.

“It seems they wish to speak,” the elder said as he stood, flanked by about six guards as he approached the bandits.

Paul stepped forward, “come,” he whispered to Adam. Adam followed right behind as they approached the edge of the village. There were warriors all around, bows at the ready, arrows knocked but not yet drawn.

“How can I be of service,” the elder asked.

The bandit, the one in the breastplate, dropped down a sack. “Fill it up with coin and valuable and we’ll be out of your way. There doesn’t need to be any issues between us.”

“Indeed? What do you have to offer for our coin and valuables.”

The bandit looked at Paul and then to Adam, noting the iron rank before relaxing. “Your lives. You give us your stuff and we’ll leave you be.”

“Ah, yes, but what would you give us for your lives?” the elder asked, rubbing his fat belly.

“I don’t think you understa-”

“No,” Paul said. “I don’t think you understand.” He stepped forward towards the bandit with the breastplate.

Adam reached around and then donned his shield, a bandit whistling as he did, and the many bandits began to draw their hatchets and daggers. The breastplate bandit had a longsword at his side, though he did not draw it.

“Who the hell are you?” the bandit asked.

“Paul,” he said.

“Well, Paul, I’m sure the elder doesn’t appreciate you butting in to his conversation.”

“Oh, no, no, it’s fine.” The elder waved his hand. “Little Paul can speak on my behalf if he wants, I’m a little tired already.”

“Well,” the bandits said, “then I should have to warn you, that we are sixty men strong, and we work under Balrog the Bane.”

“Balrog the Bane,” Paul said. “Bounty of five hundred gold, isn’t that right?”

“So you’ve heard of him,” the bandit said.

“What of you? What is your name?”

“Mattias Moonblade,” the man said with a smirk on his face. He shifted slightly and revealed the hilt of his longsword, which had the shape of a crescent moon.

“Can’t say I’ve heard of you,” Paul replied.

Mattias’ smile fell from his lips. “You will have, if it’s the last thing you do.”

“How much is your head worth?” Paul asked.

“Two hundred gold,” Mattias’ smirked.

“A decent paycheck,” Paul said, “I could head to Appleton and buy a great number of their fine wine with that. What say you, Adam?”

Adam shrugged. “I’d rather save the money.”

Paul and the bandit both looked at Adam with queer expressions, before they returned to look at one another.

“He’s a half-elf,” Paul explained.

“A weird sort.” Mattias nodded. “Still, I’m not sure what a pair of iron ranked guild sheep can do against us.”

“You’ll have to wait and find out,” Paul replied.

“Is that your response?”

“It is.”

Mattias nodded and raised a hand, motioning with it before he whistled. The bandits then turned and left, leaving the village in peace.

“They left their sack,” Adam said.

“They did,” he said. “They will give us a final chance to fill it up before they arrive.” Paul turned and headed back into the village.

“Bandits, nasty business,” Robert said.

“Well… I suppose it’s time to make a deal,” Paul said to Juhn.

Juhn nodded, and the negotiations began.