Aliec inhaled crisp late afternoon air. The last rays of the sun threatened to blind him as he stepped agilely aside of the wooden training blade of his opponent. He felt a rush of air sweep past his ear. The gravel crunched beneath his boots. He dodged again to the right. The sun would soon work to his advantage. He saw the silhouette of the blade burst through the haze of light. His parry was weak, almost ineffective, he was punished for his distraction with a shot of pain that ran through his palms and into his forearms. He stumbled backwards off balance. Another blow followed the first which he parried again, this time his grip on his blade was so ineffective his wrists twisted. The training sword fell to the ground. The pain was immediate and intense. Before he knew it, he felt sharp gravel beneath his back. A strong hand reached down and grabbed his arm and pulled him up.

Alexander's boisterous voice greeted Aliec as he was pulled to his feet.

"You parry like a weak-kneed barmaid brother!"

Aliec dusted himself off and bent down to pick up his sword with a muted groan.

"You cheated and shoved me into the sun."

Alexander pulled his tunic on to ward off the chilly fall afternoon.

"Your real opponents will fight even less fairly, little brother."

Aliec scowled and flicked his long brown hair behind his back.

"Whatever, I'm not buying the ale tonight."

Alexander laughed.

"Sore loser!"

Aliec punched him in the ribs. He'd landed a very vicious blow there earlier.

"You're the one who's going to be sore tomorrow."

Alexander rubbed his left side gently, the ache had already set in.

"Ow! Hey now."

Alexander and Aliec were brothers, but they couldn't look more different. Alexander stood six feet tall, he had shoulder length blonde hair, a full beard and his muscular build was much loved by the women of their village. Aliec was shorter, and he looked younger. In reality he was the eldest by a full decade. His ears were delicate and pointed, as were his build and the rest of his features. His hair was flowing and brown, he bore no facial hair, nor could he if he wished. They both shared the sapphire eyes, of their mother. She was an elf. The children of a union between a human and an elf would go one of two ways, a full blooded elf, or a full blooded human. Rarely small things like eyes gave away heritage.

Aliec wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of the silk fabric and coolness of the platinum overlays. The sword was light, viciously sharp, and perfectly balanced. The blade was crafted from a silvery Elven metal. The humans had no name for it. The elves called it "Arithal". Aliec looked over the silvery blade, tracing the dance of the demonic dark ones, and the angelic light ones as they battled the length of the blade. His grandfather had given it to him on his twenty-fifth birthday. The blade was an heirloom of his Elven family. This particular blade bore the name: Light's Wrath. Only five were known to exist, each had its own name and history. No elf remembered the workings of the mystical metal, Arithal, the secret had long passed from their memories. The blade never dulled and had never let Aliec down.

Alexander laughed and slapped Aliec on the back.

"You're not that handsome."

Aliec smiled and slide his blade into its sheath.

"Say's you."

Alexander patted his massive great sword. It was also an heirloom, from the boy's father. He slung it over his shoulder.

"Why do you use that letter opener anyway? You should get a real sword."

Aliec shook his head, then he picked at the hilt of his sword absently while looking firmly at the ground.

"In case you hadn't noticed that sword is almost twice my height, can you imagine me trying to wield it?"

Alexander pulled his cloak around his shoulders and they started to walk towards the tavern.

"Spit it out, I can tell by the look on your face you have a question."

Aliec walked with a silent tread beside his brother. His cloak hung open, while he could feel it the night's chill set in, but his Elven heritage protected him from all but the most severe weather, hot or cold.

"Have you heard from father? I sense the snow will come early this year."

Alexander scratched at his beard.

"No, he hasn't deemed it fit to tell us of his campaign."

"We should send a messenger to the dwarfs, and then on to father, warn him of the early snow."

Alexander laughed.

"I will not send a message telling father to return home based on your feeling that it's going to snow early. What are you a nature speaker now? Talking to clouds?"

The smaller of the two shrugged.

"It's more than that, something seems wrong."

Alexander halted and grabbed Aliec's shoulder, forcing him to a stop.

"What is wrong?"

"It's a feeling, just something amiss. I just think if we do not recall father and the troops it will end badly for them... and... well maybe us."

Aliec sighed, he could tell what Alexander's answer would be, it was written all over the disbelief in his eyes.

"If you want me to tell father to end his campaign against the Gilthi you better have a damn reason then, 'It's a feeling', By Halvar you sound like a Priestess of Madb!"

Alexander let go of Aliec and started his walk towards the Tavern again.

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"Why do you treat me like a child, Alexander? You know I'm older than you!"

Aliec stalked after Alexander.

"That's Elven years, human years you're barely twelve or thirteen. That's why father left me in charge. And you'll do well to remember that."

Alexander stomped off, Aliec sighed and followed quietly.

The pair reached their destination; the building wasn't much to look at. The granite stone and mortar base lead up to old wooden planks. The building looked weathered, much like the rest of the village and the keep. A sign creaked on its post, the loops holding in place long rusted. The sign declared this, the Rusty Wench. Through the stained windows the orange glow of a fire welcomed the pair. Alexander pushed the door open, the hinge made noise enough to warn the inhabitants someone else had arrived.

The inside of the inn was well cared for, several tables were filled with the men of the village. Come to ward off the cold with a stiff drink. The tables were oak, solid, but marked with many a knife, and well stained with ale, wine, and more than a bit of blood. Alexander and Aliec nodded to the assembled villagers and took their seat by the fire.

"Alex!"

A boisterous girl's voice echoed through the tavern. Alexander stood up as the buxom and muscular girl approached their table. Alexander scooped her up in his arms easily, though she was a match for him in size and strength. He kissed her full on the mouth. She wiped his slobber away.

"Quit that, I've work to do you scoundrel!"

Alexander put her down and slapped her behind gently. Aliec made gagging sounds beside the pair.

"Aye, get me an ale wench, and make it quick!"

Miranda, the fiery red head, was the serving girl at the tavern, and the owner's only daughter. They were barbarians from the Northern Coast, why they settled here, no one had asked. Miranda walked towards the bar.

"Keep that up and you'll be wearing it!"

Alexander shouted after her. The tavern erupted into a round of laughter.

“More's the pity if some of that watered down piss you call ale were to be wasted!"

Alexander settled back into his seat. Alexander rubbed his hands together. Aliec unstrapped his sword, and placed it on the table, then leaned back into his chair. He played with the hem of his tunic.

Miranda returned shortly, placing two mugs of ale on the table before the brothers. She kissed Alexander on the cheek and walked off to serve other patrons. Aliec stared at his ale and played with the mug absently. Alexander gulped his down rapidly and waved for more.

Alexander leaned close and asked, his voice hushed.

"What's got you so quiet?"

Aliec poked at his mug.

"Just have a bad feeling, Aunt Aryia felt it too, she went out into the forest before we started our sword practice."

"That superstitious old hag? And you believed her?"

Alexander gave a hearty laugh and drank down another ale. Aliec scowled.

"She looks no older than Miranda."

Alexander waved for ale.

"Yes but she's like five hundred or something, that makes her an old hag, that and her stupid classes."

"We should feel honored she took time out to come teach us, grandfather says she is the best Shadow he has. That her skill with the blade is unparalleled in all the world."

Aliec sighed, Aryia was a bone of contention between the pair. Aliec respected her, and understood her ways, they were both elves. Alexander grew impatient and frustrated, while Aliec excelled. There were also the special classes they shared.

"She said we should stay close to the keep tonight, not dally here."

"Why didn't you say so!"

Alexander looked serious. Then shouted

"Miranda, bring us a keg!"

"I'm serious, she knows what she's talking about, you should trust her. Trouble's coming, maybe tonight."

Aliec's voice trailed off.

"You think I'm going to give up an evening in Miranda's tender embrace because the old wind bag has a bad feeling? You'll understand when you're older."

Alexander took a pull from his mug.

"Bring Miranda back to the keep, she'll be safer there. I won't say anything to father, or Aunt Aryia"

Aliec said quietly. Alexander paused, then looked down at Aliec.

"You're serious about this aren't you, you hate Miranda."

Aliec just nodded in response. Alexander scratched his beard.

"And I don't hate her, father says she's peasant trash and anything you plant there will be a weed that needs to be snuffed out. Never quite understood that, but if father thinks it's bad, then it must be bad."

Aliec shrugged.

"If you ever call her that again, I will personally kick your ass."

Alexander pounded the table with his fist.

"She is a peasant, isn't she? And don't pick fights you can't win."

Aliec stood up. Alexander stood up and shoved the table aside.

"Is that so, you're going to eat those words little brother. The only question is will it be before or after I make you lick my spit off the tavern floor?"

Aliec spit between Alexander's feet. Alexander lunged at Aliec, who deftly dodged to the side. Alexander collided with the stone of the fireplace with his face.

"You, get that wall!"

Aliec laughed. Alexander turned, his face streaked with blood, rage in his eyes.

"Oh, you still want to fight me?"

Aliec took a defensive stance. Alexander swung his massive fist towards Aliec's face. But Aliec wasn't there any longer. His quick hand reached up, grabbed his brother's wrist. He used his brothers strength and momentum to propel him into the wooden steps down to the cozy seats by the fireplace. Alexander slammed into them and groaned.

"Done then?"

Aliec quipped. The bar patrons stood back and watched the fight. It wasn't uncommon for things to get a bit heated here.

"I'm gonna rip your head off that scrawny little neck!"

Alexander pushed himself off the stairs and shook his head, rubbing blood from his eyes.

"Stop it you're embarrassing yourself, you know you can't beat me in a fair fight."

Aliec danced to the side as Alexander lunged at him again. Aliec swept his foot up in a kick, catching Alexander under the chin as he passed. Alexander flipped up and landed on his back after the clothesline.

"You got blood on my boot!"

Aliec complained as he took a defensive stance again and circled to the left.

"I'm going to stuff that boot down your throat!"

Alexander grabbed for Aliec's leg, Aliec jumped away from him. At the same moment Alexander kicked a chair behind Aliec. Aliec was taken by surprise and tripped over the chair, hitting the back of his head against a railing. Aliec stood up in time to meet Alexander's wild punch. Aliec's lip split, shooting pain through his face.

"Cheap trick."

Aliec complained through his hand.

"Give up yet?"

Alexander limped as he stepped to the left, matching Aliec's defensive circle.

"And let you win, she's a serving wench, and you're slumming. Deal with it."

Aliec mocked Alexander. The pair continued their slow movement.

Their focus was broken with the door opened, causing a frigid wind to blow through the tavern. Taking advantage of the distraction Alexander prepared to take a final swing. Before he realized what had happened he found the sleeve of his tunic pinned to the fireplace by a well-placed arrow. Aliec himself had decided to take one final swing but found himself on his face on the ground as an arrow pinned his boot to the floor. The shots were simultaneous, only one person in the village was capable of that shot.

“Would you two stop it! You act like you’re five.”

A female voice accused the pair. It belonged to a slight girl, she pulled her hood down showing flowing brown hair and keen elven eyes. It was their younger sister, Cerianna.

“Now any has anyone seen my handmaiden Samantha? Her father came begging to the keep for help finding her.”

A shadow behind her was a defeated looking Tom Willow, Samantha’s father.

"Nay, Tom, I ner seen Samantha today."

Terry Bladesworth called out. This was followed by several negative responses from the gathered villagers. Alexander moved to stand up, he found the hand of Miranda's mother waiting to assist him.

"Tom, when did you last see her?"

Alexander offered his hand to Aliec, who took it and pulled himself up.

"Just an hour before dusk milord, she went into the north wood collect duskworms. She ner' came back. I called into the woods, and looked for her, but it is two hours past dark and she still isn't home. And Hunter Arthur said he saw Darkling tracks in the north wood!"

Tom was pale, his eyes wide.

"She's my sister’s handmaiden, and not even twelve seasons, how could you let her go out into the north wood alone!"

Alexander shouted angrily, he remembered Samantha well, a kind innocent girl.

"Please Milord she's all I have left."

Tom cringed away from Alexander's looming form. Aliec touched his arm. Aliec whispered in elvish.

"The girl isn't at fault here; We should go after her first then deal with him."

"You are right brother, but don't think you won't face punishment for your lack of judgment, a girl that age has no business in that forest alone. No business at all, there are wolves and bears, not to mention other manner of unnatural beasts in that wood."

Alexander forced Tom into a seat.

"Get him an ale, Aliec get my things and call up the militia, we need to start a search immediately. Tell everyone to meet me at Old Man Rock."

Aliec nodded. Shortly thereafter the bell at the burnt out church rang the alarm.