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LIFE HAS A WAY OF FILLING EACH NEED...

Once we arrived in Elfwood we sought out the best armor and weapons smith. Not just any weapons smith, one that could make magic weapons and armor. Even where we hailed from, the elves in Elfwood were famous for their magic weapons and armor. It would take very powerful weapons and armor to keep us alive while we hunted dragons. There was no doubt about that. It was unheard of to hunt dragons, at least not to succeed at it. Many stories of failures were all that was left. If dragons came through, all anyone could do was take cover and hope they would go on their way.

Mostly dragons just slept they say. As long as no one bothers them, they wouldn’t bother you. At least that is what most said. Stories would rise now and then of one rampaging a town or settlement, but they never stayed long. I had never seen a dragon myself. I had met a few who told stories of having seen one, but my eyes were still virgin to it. I could only imagine the sight of it, the glorious idea of just seeing one. But we were planning on killing one. We didn’t have a choice. It was a law of the land. Anyone who brings the king a dragon heart will be pardoned for any crime. The logic of it is that anyone who is able to actually kill a dragon must be innocent of their crimes. How else could the gods actually allow them to be successful in slaying a dragon? So it was always taught. I just figured the law was a way to get rid of criminals, sending them to their death. I doubt that the heart of a dragon actually even gives eternal life as the priests say.

Like I said, I’m sure it was only a way to dispose of known criminals. It appeared to work well as none had ever returned to claim their reward.

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Her name was Mileka. She was a renowned smithy. She is rather beautiful for an elf. But elves never seemed to age so I couldn’t tell how old she was. When I looked in her eyes I could see wisdom. Wisdom comes with age so I would guess she’s a bit older as elves go. I explained our predicament, needing the best weapons and armor she could forge. She seemed very pleased with our payment. The creature’s parts were so rare and valuable that she was willing to do more than we needed. Luckily for us she already had been working on exactly what we needed. A few adjustments and a trip to the priest would accomplish our desire. The armor would protect us from dragon breath, their claws also, at least to an extent. Personally, I liked what she explained. It would be enough to help us in our quest.

The weapons, after the priest finished, would more than do the job. Their edge empowered to cut the toughest hide or scale. We felt confident now, confident that we stood a chance no matter how slim that chance was. At least now we had a chance. That meant a lot to us. The smithy told us to come back in three days. That would give her enough time to finish and give the priest time to place the blessing on our armor and weapons. We decided to hole up in the inn as we now had coins to spare not having to spend them on weapons and armor.

Everything was good again. Life had meaning anew, even if it was found in redemption. Life had been unfair to us. Yet we had not figured out who or what it was that had framed us. A local merchant had been murdered, a theft of a goblet with large gems had been placed in my bed chamber under my bed and Sir Bryan had suffered a similar lot as they found the twin goblet under his bed. Why did they even search our homes? It was as if someone wanted us dead or gone. It was a total mystery to us. The magistrate refused to hear our pleas. We were guilty because they had the proof in hand. It was an open and shut case. No trial, no jury, just the judgement of guilt. Hauled to the edge of town and ordered to leave the country or suffer death. With barely clothes on our backs and a few coins hidden in our belts, we fled the city.

We were both young, not having married yet. Barely finishing our training we were just preparing to settle into our keeps. Without even having time to build our numbers for protection, our households were empty. We had spent a bit of time together at the training halls so we knew each other well enough. Our families did not believe us when we were charged with the crimes. Instead they turned their backs on us to show their displeasure, dishonoring us. We had no choice, no support from family. It was a travesty. So life was unfair. No use wallowing in despair.

So we wiled our time away at the tavern in the inn. We sold the claws of the foul beast for many gold pieces, enough to furnish a keep with all its needs. So we lacked for nothing now. The next day we took a visit to the local Taylor, leaving with outfits to spare. After all, we were headed north. While the islands were called Fire Islands, it was still a hard trek through freezing lands. I wanted to make sure we were prepared. Thick fur lined blankets was not enough. Special blankets were needed. We made a detour to the back alleyways. I had heard many stories of the traders who frequented those places and the wares of exotic lands. And so we found what we sought, bed rolls from Banders of the Far East. The Banders were beasts that could withstand very high temperatures of the deserts. This was what made their skins so well suited for the north. While high temperatures had no effect on them, neither did cold. It had something to do with the way the skins processed temperatures. If you were on one side of the skin, then whatever temperature you released, hot or cold, the opposite temperature would be repelled from the other side and vice versa, really amazing actually. Some thought they were naturally magical creatures but it seemed just a normal part of their makeup. While the bed roles were a bit expensive, we still had plenty of coin to spare.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

On the final night at the inn we were having drinks in the tavern. As we sat and enjoyed the minstrel’s storytelling I noticed a hooded stranger sitting in the shadowed corner. It was if I could feel their gaze burning through me, yet every time I looked their way they would turn away. It was nothing out of the ordinary and it wasn’t noticeable but I could feel it, sense it. But we were light of spirit and in a joyous mood. Everything was coming together in perfection. Tomorrow our armor and weapons would be ready for us to pick up. We would be on our way to redeem our names.

I was keeping an eye on the stranger in the corner. I looked away for but a moment when I looked back the stranger was gone. That was strange. No one could move that quickly. The corner was way on the far side away from us. There was nowhere they could have gone so quickly. Sir Bryan noticed as I caught my breath and stiffened. Looking in the direction of my gaze he brushed my shoulder as he asks me.

“What’s wrong Sir James? You act like you have seen a spirit or a witch.”

I replied, “A stranger has been watching us from the corner. Suddenly they disappeared. It isn’t natural. Something is out of place Sir Bryan.”

Sir Bryan began to scan the room. I too looked all around. But the stranger was gone. It was as if they had not even been there at all. Not only that but I seemed to be the only one who noticed. Well, what can you do? Stranger things have happened and stories to share even stranger. Something to think on but it would have to be another day. We were in too pleasant of a mood to ruin it with the fears of things beyond our control. As the evening played out we found ourselves singing to the bard’s song. The entertainment in the tavern was very good. That was one of the major reasons we had chosen this place to begin with. We knew we would be here for three days and desired the entertainment in the evenings. Knowing we were headed into desolate areas and solitude away from others, we purposely sought out this place.

Our attention was on the bard to our side. As the song ended, we turned our attention back to our drinks. This was when I noticed the stranger was back in the corner. I nudged Sir Bryan, pointing to the cloaked stranger. Sir Bryan at first blinked in confusion; squinting into the shadows he spotted the cloaked figure in the corner. Nodding his head I could see he understood.

“They’re back.” I said.

Sir Bryan only nodded. While I generally would have thought it was a man, I could not be sure as they were wearing a hooded cloak. They did not make any defining motions or movements for me to determine their gender so I could not say for sure that they were a man or woman. Their garb did not give them away and while most women had defining curves of the upper body, this one sat in shadows, hiding their features well. We found ourselves staring into the shadows at a stranger. Sour looks painted our faces. It dawned on me just how we must appear. As I looked at Sir Bryan, that is when I noticed, I decided not to be concerned of this stranger any longer. I raised my cup of southern ale high and made a toast to Sir Bryan. Sir Bryan joined in with our clanging of cups together in fun. It was short lived as suddenly across the table from us appeared the cloaked stranger.

As we both gasped from the sudden arrival of our new guest. Another impossible task, moving from across the room to our table so quickly, yet no one seemed to notice but us. We froze in astonishment suddenly. I could see clearly now, it was a man beneath the cloak. His eyes appeared to glow or maybe I was imagining it. Yet I watched as a smile spread across his face. That was reassuring though. Yet caution still screamed at me. Nothing about this man was normal. It dawned on me that his smile was probably because of the obvious looks of astonishment on our faces. So I sat my cup down slowly as a solemn expression spread across my face.

I decided to find an answer to the mystery, “Who are you?”

It kind of came out before I could really think my question out properly. But I knew it had to be asked. I knew the stranger was expecting as much also. It was as if the stranger controlled my voice, knowing exactly what to do so that I would say those exact words to them. Their reaction proved exactly that. As the smile faded slightly, they pulled something from their belt, quietly sliding it onto the table as it clanked onto the wood I felt a silent hand tear deep into my chest as if something struck me there. It was only a feeling but one that actually hurt as if it was real. It made me jerk slightly as I felt it reverberate through me. That small sound it made as it pushed onto the table. How strange, I thought, that such a simple thing could touch me so strongly, a tiny sound but one of great force which shot through me unexpectedly.

Yet I could tell that the stranger knew exactly what transpired. As I flinched, a softness settled around his eyes. He then reached up and drew his hood down showing his full features.

Then he spoke, “I am Sorin. Where are you traveling to?”

As he pulled his hand back I could plainly see a pendant was staring back, just sitting there on the table as if it had meaning. A gold colored pendant shaped as a half circle with one side all jagged as if it had been torn into two pieces.

I didn’t want to tell this stranger where we were going so I lied, “We are only traveling. We have not chosen any particular destination yet.”

Sorin stood then. As if it was only normal for him to do so at this juncture in our conversation.

Then he asked us again, “Where are you going?”

Sir Bryan decided to answer this time, “What does it matter where we are going?”

Sorin replied, “You look like you are far from home on a dangerous journey of a Lord or King. You are seeking to return home but must finish your journey first.”

Sir Bryan stated, “You must be mistaking us for others.”

Then he only turned to walk out of the tavern leaving us staring after him with our mouths agape.

Sir Bryan picked up the pendant. As he turned it over I could clearly make out carvings and writings on the backside. Yet as he was turning it a glimmer of firelight reflected off the words carved on the back in just such a way as to send me spinning into darkness as I watched events play out in my mind. I’m not sure what was happening but it was like a vivid dream was playing out. Strangers were in it but then everything went black as I felt a solid surface hit me in the face.

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