Erasmus was lying on a straw pallet in a musty old room, reserved for the sick and wounded. *Slowly, he stirred and woke up, groggily staring into the ceiling, watching the flicker of lamplight. He did not remember exactly how he got there, so no need to get it into it. The point is, he was lying there all bandaged and shit.

He flexed his hand. His gear was nowhere to be seen. He was still feeling too weak to move, but still Erasmus wished his sword was at his side. This was enemy territory. What was Pike playing at?

The door creaked on its hinges. Erasmus turned his gaze towards the sound of soft footsteps approaching cautiously.

“Myra…? What are you…”

“Oh god…” she breathed, tears welling in her eyes. “I thought… I thought…” Without another word, Myra fell at the bedside, wrapping her arms around Erasmus’ neck. Erasmus hugged her back, and the two just held each other close as Myra choked back sobs.

“Myra…” Erasmus said after a while. “I need you to tell me… what’s going on here. I was told… Pike said you disappeared. And Ruadh…”

Myra looked away and bit her lip. What could she say? Lies maybe? “We got separated, in the mountain. Pike… changed into something… but there was another man… and some kind of creature…”

Erasmus nodded his head, remembering.

“I just ran away… I somehow found a way out, and some dwarves chased me into the valley below. But I was saved… by a man called Talon.”

The man that Pike called brother? Erasmus thought to himself.

“I didn’t know his group were on their way to fight for the goblin-folk. But… I thought you were dead. I was alone, there was nowhere else to go.”

“I know, Myra,” Erasmus said. “I’m glad to see you again. I was worried that… you’re not hurt, are you?”

Myra shook her head, then smiled wryly. “You should be more concerned about yourself. You’re the one with a hole in your stomach.”

“Not worth fussing over. I feel better already, that’s all I need to know. Once I find where they put my sword, I’ll feel good as new.”

Myra’s gaze fell to the floor, her smile fading. “Erasmus… stay here…”

“What?”

“We’ve got no choice but to give up one the rangers. I’m sorry, but I’ve seen what they’re up against. They’ve hired sell-swords, thousands of them, and they know where the rangers are holed up. A whole, proper army is ready to set out. We can’t fight them, we can’t stop them. They won’t stop until they’ve killed every ranger they get their hands on. I know you swore an oath…but…”

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“Myra, it’s not just about my oath. I led my own companions into this. If we truly cannot win this battle, then all the more reason to get back to them. Even if they cannot be saved, I will not turn my back on them.”

“So you’ll just go and die, is that it? Will that make everything better?”

“No. But… I had already made peace with that possibility. I did not set out on this journey because I knew the chances were in my favour.”

“Then why did you do it?”

“Because… well… I don’t know. I suppose that if the there was even the off chance that I could be the big damn hero and save the day, it’d be worth the risk.”

Myra turned away. “It’s foolish…”

“I never said otherwise.”

“Erasmus… did you never think that… maybe you could do more good by just living. I know you're a good man… you don’t have to prove that to anyone. The world would be a lesser place without you in it.” Gingerly, he reached out and took his hand in hers.

“I’ve already seen everything that was good and beautiful in my life die before my eyes… I don’t want to lose you again…”

“Excuse me, am I interrupting something?”

Myra whiled on the spot. “Talon,” she gasped.

The man smirked, “I see I have a rival for your affections, Myra my dear. Honestly I’m heart broken.”

“You. Your… Pike’s brother.” Erasmus force himself to sit up.

“So you are my brother’s companion,” Talon grinned. “Glad to meet you.”

“Where is he?”

Talon shrugged. “Gone. On some errand for the client. He asked me to watch out for you while he’s gone. Well, how are you faring?”

Erasmus hauled his feet out of bed with great effort, sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning heavily on his arms. “Been better, but I think I’ll be bed-rested enough to be back on my own two feet.”

“Enough to hold a sword?”

“Aye…”

“Very good. You see, I came to bring you this.” Talon revealed the fancy sword that he held behind his back. “This is yours, right? Very fine weapon. Better not take your eyes off it in a place like this. The scoundrels’ll rob you blind.”

Erasmus took back his sword. “Many thanks…”

“You recover well, and carry such a fine blade to boot. I assume you are quite the warrior. I hope you don’t mind marching with my lot when you are up to it.”

Erasmus shrugged. “I don’t see why not…”

“I suppose I should let you think it over while you’re still recovering. I’d love to chat, but better to let you rest for now, and don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be happy to oblige if you need anything.”

Erasmus nodded. “Thanks again buddy.”

“Come along Myra,” Talon took hold of her wrist. “You’ll see him again, soon enough. Don’t worry, he’s in good care.”

Talon led Myra out of the room. She was terribly aware of Erasmus’ cold stare aimed at Talon’s back. Talon closed the door, and, still holding Myra’s wrist, walked down the hallway with echoing footfalls. He stopped suddenly.

“What are you going to do him, Talon,” Myra said in a voice no more than a whisper.

“I know he’s a paladin…” Talon chuckled. “Not particularly thrilled about that.”

“He’s already your prisoner, he’s not a threat to you.”

“Is that a fact? It seems to me like he’s ready to show his colours and make a run for it as soon he get’s the chance. Of course, you know why we don’t want that now. He’ll most likely get cut down for his efforts. Don’t think you can tie this one down Myra. I can tell from his eyes alone, man’s a foolish dreamer.”

“It might still be worth keeping him alive.”

“I think you're clutching at straws Myra. But we don’t need to dance around the point. What you need of me is to keep this paladin from running off and doing something stupid. Am I right?”

Myra took a step back. “What do you want from me?”

Talon lashed out, clutching Myra’s jaw as he loomed over her, grinning sardonically. “Let’s begin with you telling me… what you know about Pike.”