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By sunset you are back on the road, a little worse for wear, but nothing that couldn't be healed up over time. After travelling for several miles they made camp for the night beside a lake, Lorna heading out with her bow to see what she could find in the woods, while you and Gorrack worked on building a campfire.

Normally you wouldn't even consider building a fire considering the news you'd heard back in town, but the cold here had a way of getting into your bones. There was also the added danger of running across Silver wolves, who loved this type of woody terrain with plenty of places to hide and stalk their prey. But there were other things out there you feared even more.

Coroleya was a land full of strange beasts, but the strangest of them all were The Desiccated. Creatures that took to haunting places that had once seen some of the bloodiest and most gruesome battles in history. And the Land of Dreams was full of them. Formed from the mud of the land and flesh of the dead, these creatures that had once been alive, blindly roamed through the darkness killing all in their path, their bodies infused with a strange kind of magic that imbued all that they touched.

Hungry for these magical artifacts, hundreds of adventurers would comb the lands searching for these places, but few ever managed to return from them alive. The Desiccated could not be killed, they could be slowed and weakened, but the creatures could never die. Even the First of the Honor Blades in his crusade to cleanse the land from creatures such as these had failed to rid the world of them. And while these creatures rarely ventured from their resting places, there were stories that told of people crossing paths with these undead beings within the dead of night.

Nervously licking your lips, you eye the forest, when Lorna comes sauntering back into camp, a self satisfied smile on her lips, letting you know her hunt had gone well.

Moving towards you, she tosses a pair of baby hobs by your feet. "Skin them."

Grunting in annoyance, you squat down to pick up the dead beasts by their tiny feet, both of them smelling of freshly dug up earth and blood. Not much to look at, hobs appeared much the same as oversized rats with no fur and slate grey skin,their small pug ugly faces and razor sharp teeth always glowering with malice. While some preferred the taste of basilisk, you had become used to eating hob meat in the army with it becoming a staple diet for most warriors. Served in a broth, hob meat was quite delicious and filling.

With no hunting knife to hand, you draw your blade and begin slicing off any parts filled with bone, before working the blade beneath the skin. Since they were baby hobs that had yet to reach maturity, the work went quickly enough and soon you had them slowly roasting above the campfire. The flames licking at their exposed red flesh as they rotated on the spit you'd created from some thick branches.

The sweet tangy smell of cooked meat soon filled the air and the suns gradually sunk below the horizon, Lorna taking up sentry duty up high in the tree, while Gorrack relaxed by a tree trunk, his flame colored eyes never leaving the spit.

Carving out portions from their joints, you hand over a piece to Gorrack and Lorna, before settling yourself down beside a tree to watch the bright orange flames dance and bite into the thick juicy meat, it's hot juices flowing down your chin. (+15 Health Points for each character including yourself.)

Night comes and you switch places with Lorna to take first watch, the darkness closing in around you and the twinkle of stars gradually appearing in the sky. Blanketed by silence, you stare out into the darkness, careful to not look down towards the flames. Too many fools had fallen prey to the idea that the fire would keep them safe, but it was only there for show and offered no real protection besides comfort.

Taking note of every branch, hill and gully that you could make out dimly in the starlight, you watched and waited, careful to not make a sound. Better an enemy only see what was below you and not look above them, where you waited like a panther ready to pounce on anyone that dared disturb their rest.

As time flitted by, your mind begins to drifts off, thinking of your lengthy journey here and the lengthy road ahead. And what then?What would happen once they reached their destination? Would the demoness release her control over them? That seemed unlikely ending. If they succeeded she would use them again, and if they failed they would all be dead. Perhaps distance would weaken the hold she had over them, but you could not rely on that. They would need to find a way to free themselves.

You feel a sharp stab of pain at the back of your mind, the demon's slick voice whispering in a hurt yet playful tone. "Oh my dear champion, why would you want to be rid of me so soon? Have I not allowed you to do as you wished? And rewarded you with power? We could be so good together."

You open your mouth to argue with her, when you catch a glimmer of light that increasingly grows in size, several blazing fires appearing one after the after to light up the night.

Swiftly clambering back down the tree, you begin kicking dirt into flames. Lorna and Gorrack waking up instantly with worried expressions. "What is it?"

"Three or four campfires just over the next hill to the west of us."

"Bandits?"She asked.

"Not sure."You stare back towards the hilltop and wonder if whoever it was had seen their campfire? You'd put out the flames quickly enough, and yet this may be a trap to lull them into thinking their safe, or perhaps they wished to lure them towards their camp. And as these thoughts flooded through your mind, you knew you had made your first mistake.

Steel shone in the starlight all around you, shadowy figures emerging like ghosts in their ancient armor to surround you on all sides, the darkness hiding their features from your eyes, yet showing enough to know you had been outmaneuvered.

Hands reflexively shifting towards your blade, you hear a voice call out to you in a gruff, hard voice, cool as the rain and harder than any stone. The voice brooking no hint of disobedience. "I would not do that. Fight and you will die. No amount of skill with the blade will save your life. However I will offer you a chance at life, if you agree to speak with me."

Gorrack's eyes blazed red with hunger, his hands tightening around the haft of his battleaxe, the huge orc all but ready to break off his leash and leap forward into the darkness like a savage wolf.

The voice sounding much closer now, appeared again. "You would do well to calm that beast of yours. Otherwise I will be forced to put it down. I know his kind well, as do my men. They have killed many of his ilk and would not hesitate to do so again."

Heart racing so fast at the thought of losing your friend, you exchange a pleading look with Lorna, who nodded her head and laid a hand upon Gorrack's shoulder. The dangerous gleam in his eyes slowly draining away, until he fell to his knee breathing hard. The orc sweating heavily as though he had run a thousand miles.

You begin wonder if you had just made another blunder and taken away your one opportunity to escape this trap, when hundreds of torches light up the night revealing a small army of minotaur warriors in dented plate armor that had seen much use. The warriors who wore them, standing still as statues in solid practiced ranks with crossbows aimed at their chests, reminding you of your greeting in Shadow's Bay.

There you see a warrior unlike the rest, head and shoulders above them wearing the silver plate armor of the Honor Blades, his single golden eye gleaming in the starlight, and in his arms a blade of jet black steel that shimmered with each movement.

'Bone Eye', you breathe underneath your breath.

Bone Eye's lips half curled into a hungry smile, the scar across his left cheek folding inward to give him a ferocious demeanor. "It is good that you know me warrior. I am Bone Eye, an amusing title given to me by my enemies, but my true name is Alston Fireheart, Second Blade to the Honor Blades, though they have stripped me of that title."

Bone Eye strode closer towards them, his single golden eye searching their faces, the torches revealing a crude round object in what used to be his left eye, the bone rattling from side to side with each movement. "And I know who you are. I have traveled a long way to meet you. Your exploits to the west have not gone unnoticed."

(Click here if you have the gained the title Cold Blooded)

Spoiler: Spoiler

"I did not think to see anyone alive who would willing tangle with the shadows and yet you have, and come away unscathed at that. You are a son of shadow, just as I am. However, I cannot greet you as a brother."

(Click here if you have gained the title of Champion)

Spoiler: Spoiler

"Your battle against the feral dwarves has spread like wildfire even as far as here. I did not believe there existed anymore warriors of Honor such as Ice Eyes and yet here you are. Darkness and Light meeting together here beside the Lake of Knowledge. "

"Tell me warrior, do you believe in fate? Well I do, I've known for a long time that this world followed a straight path with many roads leading to it and me crossing paths with you only confirms it. The two greatest fighters in the land meeting face to face, who would have thought? Fortunately for you, I do not wish blood to spilled this day, but that all still depends on you. Prove to me you are a warrior of fate and I shall let you live."

Stunned by his words, you stand there staring at the minotaur, your head spinning in circles as you try to grasp back onto reality. The minotaur knew who you were and came looking for you? Why? Why come searching for you? And what did he mean by warrior of fate?

Bone eye seeing your confusion grinned again and pointed his blade at your chest, the shimmering piece of black steel glowing with a unusual aura. "What do all warriors of fate fear? Answer me true and you may pass unharmed. However if you are wrong..."His words trailed off as his smile broadened.

For a minute you wrack your brain trying to think of answer, your eyes wildly looking over your shoulder to Gorrack and Lorna for help, but they remain silent, their faces tight with worry.

(Click here if you choose to answer."There is nothing in the world that they fear.")

Spoiler: Spoiler

The instant you give your answer, Bone eye's blade stabs forward with incredible speed to lightly jab you in the chest. Then all is darkness...

Hours later you wake up, feeling extremely groggy with Lorna and Gorrack lying unconsciousness beside you. Shaking them awake, you try to find out what happened, but they too seem uncertain. All they know for certain is that Bone Eye was gone, his warriors melting back into the darkness.

Shaken by the encounter, you quickly pack up camp and set off again.

(If you are Gnome, Redling, Goblin or Dark Mage permanently remove 5 Resilience Points. If you are any other race permanently remove 10 Resilience Points)

(Click here if you choose to answer."They fear everything in the world!")

Spoiler: Spoiler

The instant you give your answer, Bone eye's blade stabs forward with incredible speed to lightly jab you in the chest. Then all is darkness...

Hours later you wake up, feeling extremely groggy with Lorna and Gorrack lying unconsciousness beside you. Shaking them awake, you try to find out what happened, but they too seem uncertain. All they know for certain is that Bone Eye was gone, his warriors melting back into the darkness.

Shaken by the encounter, you quickly pack up camp and set off again.

(If you are Gnome, Redling, Goblin or Dark Mage permanently remove 5 Resilience Points. If you are any other race permanently remove 10 Resilience Points)

(Click here if you choose to answer."They fear having no destiny.")

Spoiler: Spoiler

Bone eye's mouth dipped into a sad smile. "The cruelest of all fates, is to have no fate at all, to know there is nothing in this world for you. The big warrior sheathed his blade, and turned his back on you, his words floating over his shoulder. "We shall meet again warrior." And just like that the minotaurs melted back into the darkness leaving them alone once again.

Shaken by the encounter, you quickly pack up camp and set off again.

(Click here if you choose to answer:"They fear death like all creatures of Coroleya.")

Spoiler: Spoiler

The instant you give your answer, Bone eye's blade stabs forward with incredible speed to lightly jab you in the chest. Then all is darkness...

Hours later you wake up, feeling extremely groggy with Lorna and Gorrack lying unconsciousness beside you. Shaking them awake, you try to find out what happened, but they too seem uncertain. All they know for certain is that Bone Eye was gone, his warriors melting back into the darkness.

Shaken by the encounter, you quickly pack up camp and set off again.

(If you are Gnome, Redling, Goblin or Dark Mage permanently remove 5 Resilience Points. If you are any other race permanently remove 10 Resilience Points)

Wary of danger, they pressed on hard towards the city taking no rest or break, until at last they reached the golden road, a long winding path that linked all the major cities together. There they began to pass other travelers, their bedraggled clothing telling of the dangers they too had faced on the road.

Questioning a few of them, you learn that the war between Salwin and Colmar has drawn in more minotaur Lords, who have begun to choose sides with war sweeping across the land. It was like the minotaurs had become blind to the dangers posed by the Trolls Kings that continued to encroach upon their land, but the worst news came from the far north where the Honor Blades had been dealt a stinging defeat with thousands dead. Word was Bastion's End had fallen along with all the high ranking Honor Blades dead as well. Everything it seemed had gone from bad to worse with the people flocking to the cities for protection,only for the war to come to them.

Morose over this bit of news, you remain silent for the rest of the journey, your head bowed in thought and hand never far from your blade.

Around dusk you begin to see the first patrols of minotaur warriors armored in plain grey steel, wearing steel helms that leave opening for their horns to curl out from either side, giving them quite a menacing aspect. Engraved into the metal on their chests was emblem of their city a ship breasting a wave.

Careful to avoid attracting their attention, you pick your way forward along the road and can't help but smile in delight at the wondrous sight waiting below you. Spread out before you like a gorgeous maiden, was the port City of Minos, it's pale white walls rising up high into the air, blue pennants floating from every turret, tower and keep. And to the east, the bright blue waters of the great eastern ocean sparkling with light and life as hundreds of ships of all kinds made port. The most impressive of which was a golden war galley with at least 300 hundred oars, it's prow decorated with the head of a monstrous giant. It was enough to make you cry, if not for the fact that Lorna would have laughed at you.

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Grinning like a boy, you lift your head up into the sky and let out a cry so loud and long that it aches the lungs, but it feels so good to have finally made it here. The ocean breeze gently blowing against your chest feels so welcoming that you have to resist the urge to throw yourself forward into it's loving embrace.

Exchanging smiles with your companions, you hurriedly begin making your way downward towards the busy streets below, the noise of the city quickly overtaking you. Careful to keep an eye on your purse, you pass dozens of merchants hawking their wares from lands as far as Vanclar and the Isles of Neeven. The elves in their modest white robes acting much like the priests you had seen in the Temple of the Lightbearer, their bearing so dignified and full of wisdom. While not far from them stand werewolves in ornate plate armor that was clearly of elven design, their famous metal claws easily seen at their sides.

But the most exotic of the all the races that you see are the vampires from Vanclar, skin a translucent white, eyes the color of gold, they looked much like the redlings, but for the graceful movements that made them appear so fragile.

Filled with a sense of adventure, you eagerly stride towards the looming gates ahead, impatient to explore the sights, sounds and wonders of the city, before a hand grabs you and drags you into a fairly secluded spot beside the city walls.

Annoyed, you give Lorna a dark look and brush aside her arm. "What is it?"

Rolling her eyes at you, she crosses her arms across her chest. "Listen fool, we can't afford to waste any more time. The bloodstorm could be unleashed upon us any day now. We need to be on board a ship and heading for Vanclar as soon as possible."

Raising your eyebrow up you ask, "What exactly is a bloodstorm?"

Sadness flashes across Lorna's face, before her lips harden into a thin red line. "It's a spell my people created long ago to harness the power of the elements in order to protect our island from would be invaders. The demons however have twisted the spell so that it can extend their demonic influence. With the power of the bloodstorm they could force millions into their service and create an army large enough to wage a bloody war across the entire world."

Brows furrowed, you ask, "Why then has no other demon attempted to use this bloodstorm?"

Lorna gave a dark laugh. "Who says they haven't. Almost every large scale war in this world has been ignited by some demon or other lurking in the shadows. The war between Orkeylium and Kahloon being the latest in the long cycle. But so far it has been only ever been used by weak minor demons casting the spell in the hopes of defeating a Celestial Demon and taking their place."

Her mouth purses into a frown."Their knowledge of the spell however is quite perplexing. My people have taken great care to lay many protective spells upon our creations, all of them blessed with power from the Lightbearer. And yet to have lowly demons be able to access such power, makes no sense at all, unless they are using some type of conduit to harness that power. It could be that they're using the Book Of Maglencloid, a powerful spell book created by the Celestial Demons to tap into their true demonic powers."

(Click here if this is the first time you are hearing about the Book of Maglencloid or are simply curious to learn more.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Seeing the questioning look in your eyes, Lorna bit her lips pensively and gazed over towards Gorrack who shot her a re-approving stare. Eventually she turns to face you. "There is something I have not told you, something I should have told you long ago."

Head slightly bowed she takes a deep breath and continues, "Gorrack and I are part of an old order of Demon Hunters called The Pact of Fire, we travel the world in search of Celestial demons. Higher beings of incredible power who influence the lives of all those around them to become gods. Sarsonell is one such demon, and so is her brother Tazrael. Our aim to destroy all the demons that run rampant across our world, but in order to do this we need the Book of Maglencloid, a tome made from the blood of the ten Celestial Demons that enhances their demonic energies on the mortal plane. A spellbook of such power that it is not only able to give a demon access to dark magic, but also humans. If we could get our hands upon the book, we could use it to destroy them all!"

By the time she is done speaking, Lorna's eyes have become feverish with an intensity that has you backing away. A part of you had suspected they were only here to slay the demon. But to find out they were demon hunters, and had not told you. It did sting a little, but what was far more interesting were the details concerning the Book of Maglencloid. A book able to give anyone incredible power. A book such as that would be worth a mountain of gold.

You open your mouth to ask her more about the book, when you see something strange flutter past your view. A shadow that did not act like a shadow, moving from wall to wall, before vanishing up it's side.

Stunned, you gawp openly at the spot where the shadow had been, when Gorrack grabs you by both shoulders and shakes you roughly. Shaking your head, you mutter quickly, "I'm fine, I'm fine, just a little tired."Gorrack's flame colored eyes stare hard at you for a moment, before releasing you abruptly, your feet almost slipping out from under you.

Righting yourself, your thoughts quickly re-circle back to the shadow you'd seen. You must have imagined it, there was no other way a shadow would act like that and yet the way it had moved had made it appear like it had been shimmying up the walls. Climbing upwards rapidly.

Shaking your head again, you wave your arm for Lorna to lead the way, the elf giving you a quizzical look, wanting to get some answers herself,no doubt wondering what your thoughts were on their revelations, but you refuse to say anything. You must of imagined it. You must have.

With a last backward glance at the spot where the shadow had been, you trail after Gorrack and Lorna who had moved to join the crowd lined up in front the gate. The city guards sending people through in drips and drabs, when finally you reach the gates the suns have sunken halfway into the sky. A bored minotaur takes down your name and that of your companions, before waving your through the huge steel gates.

Stunned by a wave of sound that washes over you, you gape openly at the hundreds of stalls that line the docks, races of all kinds mixing together like a huge melting pot. Orcs, elves, gnomes, minotaurs, vampires, redlings, and even a few centaurs striding through the packed streets and boardwalks.

Able to finally speak again after seeing the shadow you tap Lorna on the shoulder. "Listen it could be some time before we ever get an opportunity like this to rest up and re-supply. The sea voyage to Vanclar is thousands of miles away with only port in Orkeylium. We should make sure we are well supplied and prepared for such a voyage."

Lorna's face darkens into a frown. "Very well, but you'll need to be quick about it. Me and Gorrack will book passage aboard a ship, while you gather the necessary supplies. We will wait for you by that large golden obscenity they call a ship."

Smiling broadly, you give Lorna a short bow as if to thank her for her generosity, before ducking away into the thick crowds of the streets to peruse the wares you see for sale.

At one stall, you see a tent setup and the words. "Hear your fortunes for 50 Gold pieces."

(Click here if you wish to enter the tent to hear your fortune.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Unable to help yourself, you slip inside the tent and see a wizened old redling sitting behind a bare wooden desk, his eyes shining white with a strange aura that sends prickles up your arms.

Silently the redling points to a seat in front of him, and as soon as you sit down he speaks. "The ill winds of fate have guided your steps thus far, but your course is no longer set in stone. Shadows gather along the edges of the world, clouds darken and the storm comes. The blood of a few will save thousands, and yet there can be no victory without defeat. Beware the shadows warrior, beware of them, for they know who you are and will come for you. Light shatters the darkness, darkness consumes the Light and fire, fire will not save you."

Exhausted, the man holds out his hand for the gold pieces, before slumping in his chair to rest. Leaving you alone to decipher his words.

At another stall, you find a portly gnome selling all kinds of inventions and supplies for long trips across the sea.

Gnomish Inventions

Telescope: Discovered in the ruins of a building deep within the red lands, the gnomes have re-built the device in order to scout ahead.(Can only be purchased once)Quest Item Cost 20 Gold Pieces

Ration Packs: Long sea voyages require plenty of food to be stored onboard, food that will not spoil quickly. Can be used like healing potions. Each Ration pack restores 15 Health Points(Limited to 5 ration packs per person) Cost: 50 Gold Pieces each

Barrels of pitch: A useful weapon against enemy ships, tossed using a catapult they can do serious damage to opposing masts when set alight. (Can only be purchased once) Quest Item Cost: 500 Gold Pieces

Portable Shield: A device created by gnomes to guard their most prized possessions, the portable shield is able withstand a great deal of damage before being breached. (Can only be purchased once)Quest Item Cost: 1,500 Gold Pieces

After a good long look at the nearby stalls, you're about to head towards to the docks to meet up with your companions, when you notice a hooded figure in raven black robes selling potions that glow with incredible energy. The magic you sense within them, pulsing with life.

New Potions & Elixirs for Sale (You may only purchase 1 of each item)

Hard Skin: Permanently increase your resilience by 2.(Can only be used once)Cost 1,500 Gold Pieces

Elemental Guard: Permanently increase your resistance to all magical elements by 5%. (Can only be used once) Cost: 1,500 Gold

Power: Permanently increase your damage by - 2 for all weapons. (Can only be used once) Cost: 1,500 Gold Pieces

Your business concluded, you scan the docks for signs of your friends, before walking along the pier of the busy sea port, the place somehow louder here with sailors balling out their lungs as they got drunk or worked on unloading cargo.

Chest constricting with a strong sense of foreboding that for the life you, you can't say why. You hurry your footsteps till you find Lorna and Gorrack speaking to a bare chested orc, covered in sweat and grime. Striding over to join them, Gorrack gives you an angry growl. "What took you so long?"

You shrug your shoulders in reply. "You find us a ship?"

Lorna stares up into the heavens as if asking the Lightbearer for strength, before glowering down at you. "Yes, now enough questions. You've wasted enough of our time with your gawping. The Sea-Dragon is about to set sail for the port of Kasan soon. Luckily for us the Captain has agreed to hire us on us guards, but he might just leave without us if we don't hurry."

Taking her own advice, Lorna spun around and galloped across the harbor. Gorrack and you trying to keep pace with the surprisingly fast elf.

Nearing the end of the quay, you spot the Sea-Dragon easily enough, a decent sized ship with the head of a dragon mounted on it's prow. Climbing up the swaying gangway, you board the ship and are met by six bare chested redlings with dark scowls, their curved blades held up towards your chest.

Pushing past them is a bald headed dwarf with a flaming red beard, piercings in his ears, wearing a colorful yellow shirt, his skin tanned the color of dark leather. "Yer late?"

Lorna pressed her hands together. "Apologies Captain, my companion here was just taking in the sights of the city."

The dwarf grunted back in reply, his eyes studying every inch of you. "Well ye don't look like much, but ye'll do for now. Get yerselves below deck, it's past time we cast off."

Nodding your head, you head towards the cabin, when the dwarf holds up a hand up to stop you with a hard look that could sheer off steel. "This 'ere is my ship, and you will do watever I ask of ye. Ye'd best remember that. Now go!"

Ship bobbing side to side, you cautiously make your way down below deck, where you're met by a young redling with close cropped black hair, his complexion a much paler color than his kindred above deck. Silently the boy gestures for you to follow him and leads you deeper into the bowels of the ship, taking you down a series of stairs and ladders, and past dozens of quarters. He eventually leads you to wide open space in the pit of the ship. Pallets and blankets lying sprawled out to either side, along with wooden chests strapped to the floorboards. "You'll sleep here."

"Wait, where are my friends?"

"They have been given quarters in the upper levels, where the mages sleep."

So that's the way of it was it? A lowly swordsmen was sent to sleep in this bellow's puke, while your friends relaxed in luxury for the entire journey. That would not do. That would not do at all.

Spinning around to face the boy, you demand, "I need to speak with your Captain!"

The boy's face become sullen, no doubt he too felt he was being unappreciated by being sent to take care of some foreigner. "Captain Steelbrow's orders were for you to remain below deck until you were needed. Until such a time as that, you will remain here where you can't get in the way, if you wish to get some fresh air, you come up during the night, when it's much quieter."

Judging by the dismissive tone in his voice, you know instinctively you would get no where with the boy, so thrust him aside and fumble your way back up the ladder.

Hands grasping the sides of the wall for balance as the ship begins to sway beneath you, you continue on to next set of stairs, when you bump into something solid, that knocks you back a step.

Looking up, you see Gorrack grinning wryly down at you, the big orc clearly amused by something. "Come, Lorna wants to talk to you."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Take me to her?"You snap angrily, annoyed by the situation you were in.

Stomach swirling it's contents from side to side, Gorrack's shows you the way to the upper quarters and immediately you feel a wave of envy slap across your face at the sight of the spacious rooms, each of them furnished with a bed, a basin, table and some other necessities for a long journey.

At the end of the corridor, Gorrack stops and waves you into the room. Lorna dressed in clean blue robes sits upon her bed, reading a book titled "Adventures Below".

"I see you've made yourself quite comfortable,"you spit out angrily, unable to hide your fury at being tossed below decks.

Lorna closed her book carefully, placing her hands atop each other and pursed her lips thoughtfully, her steady brown eyes gazing into yours. "Have no fear, I've not forgotten you, I've convinced Captain Steelbrow to allow you into the servants quarters, which is a good deal better than the crew's quarters. Unless of course you'd rather stay down there." Her left eyebrow lifting up into a questioning look.

Half grinding your teeth in irritation, you mumble out, "Thank you."

Smiling at your discomfort, she points to the empty basin. "Good, now be a good servant and fetch me some water."

Biting your lips to still your tongue from lashing out, you snatch up the large metal bowl and slam shut the door behind you.

~*~

The next few days, proved to be equally as miserable as the first with you spending most of your time below decks, fetching things for Lady Lorna of House Oaken-Leaf as she liked to style herself. You'd learned later that the cunning elf had convinced the Captain that she was a Guardian Mage with considerable magical abilities and that Gorrack was her personal protector, while you were some lowly born mercenary they had hired as a guide. Almost every day aboard the ship, you'd considered exposing the elf's lies to the Captain, but eventually decided it would all be pointless. They would all suffer the same fate, and no matter how much that made you smile, it was better to have Lorna in a position of authority.

Speaking with a few of the friendlier sailors on board the Sea-Dragon, you discover that the ship you were on was classed as a Lightning Class Ship able to glide through the water at speeds most ships could never match, it's large sails filled with a magical enchantment to keep it at a constant speed. For the most part a trading vessel, the ship was protected by several mages who you'd seen speaking with Lorna on several occasion. Two were novices newly come from the Black Tower, both wearing black robes that covered them up completely to give no hint as to their race. The only way to identify them being their height, Forlock was tall and lanky, while Crale was a head shorter with a deep throaty voice that sounded like stones grating against each other.

There was also Kadwin, an ancient looking elf with deep set wrinkles and ragged brown robes that looked just about ready to fall off his frail body. The forgetful, somewhat eccentric elf, mostly kept to his quarters, although you did see him once have an argument with his door about the parameters of magic.

Along with a small compliment of thirty trained fighters, the sailors numbered around fifty and second in command was a meaty orc going by the name of Black Tooth, named for the single rotten tooth he had in his mouth, his tusks removed at an early age to give him a smooth jaw.

Having made a final round to make sure Lady Lorna had everything she needed, you head above deck to get some fresh. The smell of your own puke from last night clinging to your clothing. Having yet to get your sea legs, you march awkwardly to bow of the ship, the water splashing up to spray across your cheeks.

Taking deep lungfuls of fresh air, you watch the waves ripple and move like a writhing mass, the grey clouds above scudding across the sky. The heat of the suns warming your bare shoulders and back as you lean across the bow of the ship. All of your gear stowed away in a chest below deck for safekeeping.

Eyes scanning the horizon, you wonder how many days it would take to reach the port of Kasan in Orkeylium, when you see something strange that piques your interest.

(Click here if you have telescope)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Flicking open the telescope you carry in your pocket, you search ocean for the glimmer of light you'd seen and let out a gasp of surprise. Six war galleys, bearing black flags come into view, the ships closing in on the Sea-Dragon.

(Click here if you have no telescope)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Squinting into the distance, you search ocean for the glimmer of light you'd seen and let out a gasp of surprise at the sight of six dots rapidly growing in size, which could only be ships.

You open your mouth to call out to the nearest sailor to alert them to the danger, when a bell rings loudly across the deck. Sailors frantically begin working the sails as the Captain barks out fresh commands. Steelbrow pacing up and down the deck to bellow loudly at anyone slacking off.

The Sea-Dragon veers quickly to the left and speeds up as more canvas is poured on. The wind for now blowing with them to give them the added speed.

Warriors stream onto the deck armed with bows and curved blades, their leather armor glistening in the sunlight, while Lorna and her fellow mages make their way to the foredeck of the ship to begin firing a barrage of fireballs and lightning bolts. But the distance is simply to great and they ease off their attack.

Gorrack joins you by the bow. "Pirates?"

You nod your head in assent as you watch the enemy ships come about as well and change course to give chase, their much larger ships somehow able to close the distance between them rapidly.

Fireballs blast across the bows of the pirate ships as the mages upon the opposing decks release volley after volley of magic that slams just short of the Sea-Dragon, throwing up water and creating a hissing steam. Their black flags displaying the white skull of a minotaur with balls of fire for eyes.

Grabbing hold of an wizened old sailor passing by, you ask, "Whose flag is that?"

"That be the flag of The Grey Death, black hearted pirates from deep north seas." The sailor replied, before spitting on the deck and quickly wheeling away.

Familiar with the name, you watch the sleek war galleys pick up even more speed, their black sails unfurling to reveal burning red eyes watching them. Born on a small island ravaged by a horrible disease called the Grey Death, they had begged the Minotaur Lords for aid, but were refused. The Lords fearing that they would spread the disease to their people.

With so many dead and dying, the people had chosen to flee their island and in time gradually became pirates as they were forced to live off the ocean, the islanders never forgetting the treatment at the hands of the minotaur Lords.

More fireballs crashed into the water beside them, this time much closer, it wouldn't be long now before the enemy were in range. You needed to do something, but what? You were no sailor or mage, this was their fight and yet you had to find someway to help, else they were all doomed. The enemy battlemages would blast them out of the water with sheer numbers.

1. Do you activate the portable shield, and drop the barrels of pitch behind them?(Quest Items Required)

2. Do you drop the barrels of pitch behind them?(Quest Item Required)

3. Do you take cover below deck and wait till you can use your fighting skills?

4. Do you join the archers lining the deck and ready yourself for battle?

5. Do you hide below decks, waiting for the battle to end?