Verin woke to the sound of bags getting packed and the strange horses getting saddled and ready to go. These horses had lizard skin and sharp sword-like tails also made from scales. The four men from the previous day had already packed up most of their belongings. By the time they were done, the sun had been in the sky for no more than a few minutes. Once they had everything packed, they removed the rope keeping Verin stuck to the tree. He had tried to remove it throughout the night, however he was unsuccessful as he had nothing in his disposal. They had not even given him a blanket to cover himself, making his hands numb from the cold.

“Get up,” one of the men who Verin had learned was named Zeth, “We need to get moving, and you are going to slow us down. Because of you we have to leave earlier than we normally would.”

“Don’t talk to the prisoner,” the leader said to Verin, who had not learned his name, “At least if he wont tell us the truth. It will take half a day to make it to the closest town. There we can have others take him to the city for trial.”

“Can I get some clothes,” Verin had asked, “It will help me move faster if I could feel my hands or feet.”

“Fine, Calin got this man a pair of pants from the pack horse,” the leader had said. “We are already going to have to move slower today, and we still have to make it to the isles by Wednesday.”

Calin turned to walk to the pack horse and received some cloth pants and a spare shirt. Turns out the men did not have an extra pair of boots, making Verin have to walk barefoot on the forest floor. It was not too bad as there was lots of grass, and it appeared to be spring with semi cool weather and lots of green trees.

“Untie his hands so he can put the shirt on,” The leader told beck. “Make sure he does not try to run, and if he does put him down. He is not that important, however that necklace could be.”

As Beck untied Verian’s hands, the leader watched to be sure he did not run. Calin had already left to scout their path to the village, and Zeth untied the horses while Verin got dressed in his half decent clothing. They were a little big, dragging under his feet, and the shirt covering half his hands, but they would work until they made it to the village. Once Verin was dressed, Beck redid the bindings and used the rope from holding him to the tree to tether Verin to one of the horses.

After getting Verin attached to the horses, the group began walking. Verin was unsure as to what direction they were headed since he had no reference point. The leader had sent Calin ahead of the group to scout their path. Two hours into their journey, he had not returned to give a report.

“Where is that idiot,” the leader asked, Verin had learned his name was Gabriel from overhearing conversations between the three men. “He was supposed to be back thirty minutes ago.”

“Not sure, maybe he got himself lost again,” Beck said, which got a snort of laughter from Zeth.

“I did not get lost,” Calin said, coming up from behind the group and walking up to the leader. “There is an elf camp about twenty minutes in front of us.”

The whole group came to a stop to discuss what Calin had reported.

“Did you say Elves?” Zeth asked with a worried and disbelieving expression.

“They are not supposed to be near here,” Beck commented.

“Yes, Elves, about a dozen or so,” Calin said.

“What are Elves?” Verin asked, which got everyone to look at him like they only just realized he was there.

“They are these awful creatures, which look and act like people, but they are crazed and bloodthirsty with deformed bodies,” Beck said.

“They are the reason humans are not allowed into the magic forest” Zeth pitched in. “They have patrols, similar to what is in front of us, with orders to kill on sight”

“We have been at war with the Elves for more than a thousand years,” Gabriel Begun. “You know the stories. Who knows what is true or not.”

“I have heard of no such stories,” Verin said. “I don't even know where I am.”

“We are in the kingdom of Ementhril,” Calin said with a salute, both hands over his chest.

“I have not heard of this kingdom before,” Verin said. “Im from Tarvalis.”

“That is not a kingdom on any map I have seen.” Gabriel said.

“Gabriel we should turn east,” Calin said while pointing left of where the group had been heading. “It will add about an hour to the trip, but should keep us far enough to not alert the Elves.”

The Group turned to head east, still discussing the Elves and the reasoning behind why there was a war.

“One thousand years ago,” Gabriel Begun, “A human who goes by many names but most commonly known as Valerian, learned how to perform blood magic.”

“Blood magic is done by taking magic creatures and other ingredients, and mixing them together to perform spells.” Zeth clarified.

“Exactly,” Gabriel said, glaring at Zeth for the interruption. “Anyways, the Elves, Dracotaur, Dragons, and some of the other magical races got together and banished all us humans to this corner of the world. The elves, Dracotaur, and Dragons are the only ones who are close to our borders, but you can see some others occasionally.”

“Well if you guys know so much, could you explain something to me?” Verin asked.

“We are explaining something already,” Beck said with no expression on his face.

“Yes I know, but when you came chasing after me yesterday then, did you see a book on the floor?” Verin Asked.

“No,” Beck said.

“Well when I awoke in that field, there was a book, which only mentioned elves once,” Verin said. “It just appeared in front of me.”

“Appeared out of thin air. Huh.” Beck said.

“That reminds me of some old stories,” Zeth said. Fits more with a blood mage theme as well.”

“I'm not a blood mage,” Verin said with a disgusted look on his face.

“Sir we must bring the prisoner to Pursten before the Elves find us,” Calin said, changing the subject to the topic at hand. “They will not like that he is with us. They may try to take him. We would be safe in that town”

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“We do.” Gabriel said to Calin, before turning over to Verin.“I’ll keep telling the story if you will actually listen,”

“Sure, I can do that.” Verin said a little upset that they did not have the book.

“As I was saying,” Gabriel continued. “The war began when Valerian found out how strong blood magic was. He learned he could do almost anything. He kept learning more dangerous spells, and quickly succumbed to greed. In his hunt for more power, he began to hunt elves, Dracotaur, and even some of the dragons, just to use them in spells. They fought back however, and somehow Valerian managed to convince the human nations to fight alongside him. They did not win, instead we got pushed back to this corner, and the Elves, Dracotaur, and Dragons patrol the border to try and stop us from hunting for more magical creatures. There are a few here, but not many.”

Gabriel stopped suddenly and did not continue. Instead the group rode on their mounts in silence. Verin broke the silence after a time. He was getting hungry as he had not eaten since arriving in this strange place.

“Do you guys have any food?” He asked the four. “I have not eaten for 2 days now.”

“Go ahead and give him some food and water, Zeth,” Beck said.

Gabriel just rode. Something was bothering the man. Zeth however rode up to one of the pack horse creatures and retrieved some bread, cheese, and a water skin.

“I'm going to loosen your wrist binding, but if you try to escape, I will remove your head from your shoulders.” Zeth said in a flinty voice.

It was not like Verin could run away, his legs were still bound together and slung to one side of the strange pack horse creature. He still had not asked the name, and he did not really care. It was close enough to a horse. One from nightmares, but close enough.

Verin Rubbed at his freed wrists, they were sore from being bound for over a day. Zeth handed him the food and waterskin. Verin ate quickly, and drained the waterskin. He handed the skin back to Zeth, who took it, but did not rebind Verins hands. Instead, he returned to his spot in formation.

After a while, verin began to wonder about the book he had when he woke up the previous day. Suddenly the book appeared, giving him a start. The others looked over at him, but did not seem to notice the floating book in front of him. At least they did not show any emotion.

Verin grabbed the book and opened it. He wanted to see what was in it, but he would have to read it secretly so as not to raise suspicion. He opened it to his stats page.

Stats

Verin Aldem

Race: Outworlder Thirdling

Primary Speciality: Undecided

Secondary Speciality: Undecided

Level: Two

Health: 2

Mana Regeneration: 0

Stamina Regin: 1

Max Stamina: 50

Max Mana Capacity: 100

“The numbers were different last time,” Verin said quietly enough that no one heard him.

Racial Ability: Field Guide. This ability grants a book capable of storing information and items pertaining to the user. Others cannot read this book, but can be seen if allowed to. Will follow the user, not needing to be held, and can be controlled with the owner's mind.

Racial Ability: Language Adaptation. This ability grants the user with the capability to understand different languages after hearing them

Known Languages: English level 4, Venturian level 2.

Racial Ability: Quick learner. This ability grants the bearer the ability to quickly study surroundings, subjects, and techniques for variable needs

Racial Ability: Inventory: Gives the ability to store objects in a space which others cannot see or access.

Primary Speciality needs to be chosen. Please choose from the options below.

Novice: Mage

Novice: Brawler

Novice: Ranger

Novice: Assassin

Novice: Swordsman

Novice: Healer

After re-reading the skills page, he let go of the book. He wanted to try using it without holding it as the ability had said it would be able to. To his surprise, it did float there. This would be useful in being less suspicious, and getting caught. The others not being able to see it without his permission would also be very handy. He then began to experiment with the book using his mind.

After a while of messing around with the book, and rereading the different specialities, he thought the mage would be the best suit for him. He was mainly basing this off what the others had said, with having amazing power, which might help him escape. He did play the assassin role, as that would be helpful, but he figured mage would give him some credibility with other people. Just as he had decided, he thought as to how he became a mage. Suddenly, on the page text started to form in the middle.

You are about to select Novice: Mage.

Please confirm

Yes No

He gave a mental confirmation, and the whole page became a swirling black and white image. Verin leaned back at the sudden and sporadic movement of the page. Suddenly, Verin fell off his mount into the dust. He landed on his knees clutching his head screaming in pain. To him It felt like his head was covered in acid, while someone was stabbing him repeatedly. The pain felt like it lasted hours, but he could not tell how long it actually lasted. He never even noticed the group of men run over to him trying to figure out what was happening. Verin could not open his eyes, and did not notice the blue glow around him which made the others hesitant to get close.

When the pain finally subsided some time later, Verin was panting and sweating. His head was pounding, and his vision was blurring. He looked like he might have run for several hours without stopping with the amount of sweat on him. The others had covered his mouth to try and muffle the screams so the Elves could not hear, but he had not noticed until after the pain subsided. Staying on his knees, he tried to look up to see the worried looks from Beck and Zeth, while Gabriel and Calin looked towards where the Elves were supposed to be. He turned his attention to the book and saw words starting to form and take shape. Before he was able to read what it said, he passed out.

* * *

Vidya was not happy. She was given orders to head into the human lands. There had been rumors of a huge magic anomaly. She believed it since she had felt the surge of magic rush by her just the day before. She knew it meant the humans were trying to use blood magic once again. It was a foul practice, killing magic creatures to use what magic made them up to perform awful spells. She wanted to stop them, and was not unhappy about having to go, but it was because none of the others tougher her to be ready. She had been training to be part of the moonlight assassins since she was eight. The only reason she was going was because she managed to convince the leader of the group Ajal. He too was hesitant, but she was training with him, and he knew she had some useful skills.

When she had finally convinced him to let her go with the group to the human lands to track down this blood magic user, it was now night, having taken the whole day to convince him. She hurriedly ran to grab her bag and swords which were twin swords, but capable of having the blades fold into the long handles designed to allow her to switch to a two handed grip if needed. The sword's blades could also open up for a pick allowing her to claim trees. She had tried to climb a rock, but the blades were not strong enough to keep her moving up more than a pace or two.

Once she had grabbed her swords, she quickly debated whether or not to bring her bow. She knew she should since most of the group was swordsmen and assassins. She had gone a different route. She dedicated most of her time to learning sword skills as a backup to her magic. She knew a few spells with her elemental powers. She was a storm elf unlike most of the others she was going with. They were moonlit elves capable of blending into shadows and moving quietly. However, she was capable of using the power of storms for fighting and enhancing herself and others. This fact was why Ajal had agreed to bring her. She had decided to bring the bow, as she could enhance the arrows with magic if needed. Once she had what she needed, she ran to the fountain where the rest of the group was waiting for her.

“Are you ready?” Ajal asked her as she approached the fountain.

“I am,” she responded. The others just ignored her.

“Light the crucible,” he said.

The lighting of the crucible was important for every assassin that left the hamlet, as the crucible would remain lit until either the one who lit it extinguished the flame, or if they died. If the flame went out and they were not back, then those in the hamlet would know who was lost. She lit the crucible that was set out for her.

“Let us take leave then,” Ajal said when she was done.

The group then broke into a dead run, straight for the humans land. The human land lay just beyond the plains that separated the elven forest from the human forest. They were about a full day from the humans land for a human, but elves were faster and could run longer. They had left around midnight, when the moon was highest, since the group used the moon to gain extra energy. Except Vidya who, since she was a storm elf, so she could not. She instead used a little wind to help her keep pace. She could not hold it forever, she could at least keep it up until they made it into the human forest.

The group ran the whole way without stopping, and mostly in silence. It took them until about an hour after the sun rose to get to the human forest. There they slowed the pace, and began searching for any clues as to what had made the huge surge. They could all feel the residual magic in the air, meaning it did not come from a city. That was a good thing, because it meant there was less likely to have humans they would need to avoid.

“I felt the strongest residue in the plains,” one of the others said. “Near the human forest, whoever used that much magic must have returned.”

“Agreed,” Ajal said. “We should move into the forest. There is a human town not far. If we start heading that direction, we may catch up to the blood mage before they make it to the town.”

The group began to walk towards where they knew the town was.*One of the elves had brought a map with them. It was a little outdated, as the elves had not entered the human lands in about fifty years. And when they had, it was not to make a map. The one they did have was over a hundred years old. It would still show the town, but It was likely the town had more people now than it did. They would need to be careful.

Around mid-day, they decided to rest up. They found a small stream in the middle of a rock outcropping. There were two entrances, one to the north, and one to the east. It would be easy to stay hidden and protect should they need to fight. A few went to scout, leaving 10 in the main camp. Some decided to rest their eyes until ready to move, and the others either sparred or sharpened weapons.

Vidya decided to look over the magic creatures book she had stashed away in her pack. It discussed different magical creatures. She had finished the book already, but enjoyed some of the creatures which supposedly came from other worlds. She did not believe they existed since everyone she knew even in different lands had never seen any of the creatures mentioned. After about an hour, they heard a distant, but loud scream. It echoed throughout the forest, everything from birds, to the deer by the river. It sounded like someone was being tortured except it did not stop. When someone usually screamed, they would stop to take a breath between screams, but this one just continued for several minutes before it just stopped. No finishing echoes throughout the forest, just when the scream stopped, it went perfectly silent.

The group of assassins quickly grabbed their weapons, and Vidya stuffed the book back into the pack. Once everything was gathered, they broke into a run as fast as they could move. It was pretty fast, faster than almost anything. Some magic creatures such as dragons, drakes, or serpents were faster by ten fold, but they could catch most other animals. After about 10 minutes of running, they could see humans in the distance. Elves had better eyesight, but the humans were already moving fast on their Scaledins. The elves were able to catch up, but not likely before they made it to the next town. As they managed to get closer, they could see the human in the middle flipping pages of an invisible book. She knew most humans were mad, but just as she brushed off the idea, the man turned around and blue mana streams started swirling around him. Blue? I thought blood magic was read like the color blood. A moment later, a blue orb flew at an extreme speed straight at her. She dogged to her left, and the orb hit a tree only a couple paces to her right. The moment it hit and did nothing, she knew this was no blood mage, and that they would have to take the mage alive