[alkore]

Thanks to Dragonman565 and his idea of postin that Eye of the World book Ive decided to post the book ive been writtin on here. If anyone has any thing to say (example no please dont) Lol i wont.

[alkore]

Ok its been a day and no one has said anything. Heres page one.

(*NOTE*) General Idea. Sketches of work and not organized at parts. Forgive me



 
May the Lord of dragons rise,
  May shadow quiver under him,
And the gods stand with him.

Door of Twilight
By James Jarrett


Chapter one: Cody, Jeff, and Josh
Legend is history that was forgotten. Some say that there never was a Lord of the Dragon. Some say that he was a fairy tail. The older people laughed whenever the story was brought up about Ishmail and the thousand Tamers. It took one man to change the path of the world. One man to show everyone that there was a Dragon Lord. One man to prove that he was that man and he would carry the world on one sholdure and fight a losing battle with one arm. This is that mans tale.
On the outskirts of the town of Hisdamail, the sound of swords caught the attention of everyone, save the older town folk. Jeff Alkore had his long sword drawn and was teaching Cody Narsa how to fight with his. Jeff had grown up in Hisdamail all his life, working in the Green Dragon Inn since the age of nine. Serving whisky or food to travelers that came from the bigger towns nearby. Cody had come in from a much bigger town with his father about four years ago. Jeff and Cody rarely was seen without the other.
Cody’s red hair shinned in the sun as Jeff’s brown hair seemed to deflect the suns ray. Jeff had brown hair that almost covered his blue eyes while Cody’s only went below the ears. Jeff, being fifteen, was older and taller than Cody, who was only fourteen. Jeff measured close to six feet while Cody was more to five foot something.
Cody’s hazel eyes shined as a smile broke out over his face.
“So what would you do if I did this?” Cody asked as he sent his blade toward Jeff’s feet. With a quick sidestep to the right he stuck the point of his blade to Cody’s neck where it staid.
“I would do that and part your small head from its body.” They grinned and both fell to the ground in a slump.
“I cant move my legs, Jeff.” Cody said, concentration showing on his face. The sweat clung to his clothes and the crowd that had gathered left muttering. They watched as they left and Jeff tossed a coin into the air. They were the only ones who could still use a sword and they showed it off for a coin every chance they got.


This isnt the entire chapter, just what I typed up.

[alkore]

Second part not chapter two still chapter one. Tell me if you like it or not.

"Four silver pieces and one bronze coin. More than yesterday.” Jeff grinned as he helped Cody up. They walked home in silence except for the rustling of leaves announcing that Winter was well on its way. Orange and red leaves covered most of the ground and the trees they passed had few leaves left on them. Soon they would have to start bringing the wood they had cut all summer into their homes.
As they stopped under one of the few trees with leaves, Jeff and Cody sat, admiring the pale sun. Dogs barked in the distance and squirrels hurried up trees. One dropped a nut in from the tree they were sitting under and it hit Cody on the head. Jeff laughed, and then another one fell. One after another nuts fell to the ground pelting them like hard rain.
“What is going on?” Cody yelped as a large acorn caught him above the eye. A howl made the two jump and a large black figure jumped from the tree and landed on Jeff and Cody, knocking them back on the hard ground.
When Jeff had finished hitting Josh Woven with acorns and nuts, he inspected his bruises. Josh was taller than even Jeff coming up to six foot four and had blond hair. He was sixteen and was a gambler. Any money Josh earned went t either the girls or with dice. Josh had spent his entire life like Jeff living in Hisdamail with only his father. That was the biggest common thing between the three next to them all being friends and the biggest trouble makers around; they didn’t know their mothers. Before Jeff could walk his mother had left and Josh’s mother had left when he was only three. Cody didn’t talk much about his parents though. The one time he did he mentioned something about wolves attacking his mother when he was five.

[alkore]

Anyone like it or should i quit postin?

[Bodom]

i like it, but dont worry about noone liking, this forum is pretty inactive (the book part) not many people look

[alkore]

Lol thanks. Heres the next part.


Lol like your sig btw.


As they walked by a pile of leaves someone had taken the time to rake.
“Well we were going to head over to the tavern and see if Tom had come in yet. If he hadn’t then we were going to go home and sleep.” Josh took a side look at the two of them.
“You’re serious?” They nodded as Josh shook his head and grinned.
“Obviously you don’t know what day it is.” Josh moved forward a little ways and peeked in the window of the Old Man Tavern.
“We haven’t forgotten.” Cody said grinning too.
About a year ago the three of them had raided the taverns kitchen for all the meat and water and made a run with it. They got fourteen feet and then they were stopped by the keeper of the Tavern. But he didn’t get any food back. The three had eaten literally everything in there. One reason why they couldn’t run as hard due to the amount of food. Jeff couldn’t remember another time his bottom was beaten so raw. It still aced today. That day was a holiday now for the three.
“Well, I’m not seeing Tom in there. Perhaps tomorrow.” Josh said. In fact it looked as if no one was in there. Just Michael, who ran the bar and a table of old men. The men looked as if they had been drinking for a while and was confirmed when one man stood on the table and began to dance.
“Well now what?” Cody asked shaking his head. They backed away from the Tavern and walked towards the hills. From Hisdamail to the east was mountains and to the west was Shavern, a smaller town than Hisdamail. To the east there was few houses until the World Ocean started. The World Ocean was a ocean that covered the all of Erowand. Then, to the north and the south lay cities and towns and who knew all what.
“Well, as I said im going home and sleep until I have to get the wood in.” Jeff said, rubbing at his eyes.

This post has been edited by alkore: 11 September 2004 - 04:42 PM

[alkore]

Entire story up to now. Havent been on lately.

Chapter one: Cody, Jeff, and Josh
Legend is history that was forgotten. Some say that there never was a Lord of the Dragon. Some say that he was a fairy tail. The older people laughed whenever the story was brought up about Ishmail and the thousand Tamers. It took one man to change the path of the world. One man to show everyone that there was a Dragon Lord. One man to prove that he was that man and he would carry the world on one shoulder and fight a losing battle with the other arm. This is that mans tale.

On the outskirts of the town of Hisdamail, on the world of Erowand, the sound of swords caught the attention of everyone, save the older town folk. Jeff Alkore had his long sword drawn and was teaching Cody Narsa how to fight with his. Jeff had grown up in Hisdamail all his life, working in the Green Dragon Inn since the age of nine. Serving whisky or food to travelers that came from the bigger towns nearby. Cody had come in from a much bigger town with his father about four years ago. Jeff and Cody rarely was seen without the other.
Cody’s red hair shinned in the sun as Jeff’s brown hair seemed to deflect the suns ray. Jeff had brown hair that almost covered his blue eyes while Cody’s only went below the ears. Jeff, being fifteen, was older and taller than Cody, who was only fourteen. Jeff measured close to six feet while Cody was more to five foot something.
Cody’s hazel eyes shined as a smile broke out over his face.
“So what would you do if I did this?” Cody asked as he sent his blade toward Jeff’s feet. With a quick sidestep to the right he stuck the point of his blade to Cody’s neck where it staid.
“I would do that and part your small head from its body.” They grinned and both fell to the ground in a slump.
“I can’t move my legs, Jeff.” Cody said, concentration showing on his face. The sweat clung to his clothes and the crowd that had gathered left muttering. They watched as they left and Jeff tossed a coin into the air. They were the only ones who could still use a sword and they showed it off for a coin every chance they got.
“Four silver pieces and one bronze coin. More than yesterday.” Jeff grinned as he helped Cody up. They walked home in silence except for the rustling of leaves announcing that Winter was well on its way. Orange and red leaves covered most of the ground and the trees they passed had few leaves left on them. Soon they would have to start bringing the wood they had cut all summer into their homes.
As they stopped under one of the few trees with leaves, Jeff and Cody sat, admiring the pale sun. Dogs barked in the distance and squirrels hurried up trees. One dropped a nut in from the tree they were sitting under and it hit Cody on the head. Jeff laughed, and then another one fell. One after another nuts fell to the ground pelting them like hard rain.
“What is going on?” Cody yelped as a large acorn caught him above the eye. A howl made the two jump and a large black figure jumped from the tree and landed on Jeff and Cody, knocking them back on the hard ground.
When Jeff had finished hitting Josh Woven with acorns and nuts, he inspected his bruises. Josh was taller than even Jeff coming up to six foot four and had blond hair. He was sixteen and was a gambler. Any money Josh earned went t either the girls or with dice. Josh had spent his entire life like Jeff living in Hisdamail with only his father. That was the biggest common thing between the three next to them all being friends and the biggest trouble makers around; they didn’t know their mothers. Before Jeff could walk his mother had left and Josh’s mother had left when he was only three. Cody didn’t talk much about his parents though. The one time he did he mentioned something about wolves attacking his mother when he was five.
“Where are you two heading?” Josh asked.
As they walked by a pile of leaves someone had taken the time to rake.
“Well we were going to head over to the tavern and see if Tom had come in yet. If he hadn’t then we were going to go home and sleep.” Josh took a side look at the two of them.
“You’re serious?” They nodded as Josh shook his head and grinned.
“Obviously you don’t know what day it is.” Josh moved forward a little ways and peeked in the window of the Old Man Tavern.
“We haven’t forgotten.” Cody said grinning too.
About a year ago the three of them had raided the taverns kitchen for all the meat and water and made a run with it. They got fourteen feet and then they were stopped by the keeper of the Tavern. But he didn’t get any food back. The three had eaten literally everything in there. One reason why they couldn’t run as hard due to the amount of food. Jeff couldn’t remember another time his bottom was beaten so raw. It still aced today. That day was a holiday now for the three.
“Well, I’m not seeing Tom in there. Perhaps tomorrow.” Josh said. In fact it looked as if no one was in there. Just Michael, who ran the bar and a table of old men. The men looked as if they had been drinking for a while and was confirmed when one man stood on the table and began to dance.
“Well now what?” Cody asked shaking his head. They backed away from the Tavern and walked towards the hills. From Hisdamail to the east were mountains and to the west was Shavern, a smaller town than Hisdamail. To the east there was few houses until the World Ocean started. The World Ocean was an ocean (Imagine that) that covered all of Erowand. Then, to the north and the south lay cities and towns and who knew all what.
“Well, as I said im going home and sleep until I have to get the wood in.” Jeff said, rubbing at his eyes. Josh snorted loudly. They walked up a small hill and turned a bend where houses stood side by side. Some were small some bigger. They passed house after house until they came to a green house with a blue roof. On the door read in large print: Family of Alkore. Farm and Poultry.
Behind the house five acres of farm land filled with cows and chicken were being killed for sale. It was another way how the family made money.
“Tomorrow Tom will be in.” Josh said. Cody nodded and Jeff said goodbye as he opened the door to his warm home.

[alkore]

Chapter Two: Tom
The night went by quickly and the knocking at the door woke Jeff. He threw some clothes on and ran to the door. Two faces stared up at him smiling. Before Jeff could say good morning, a bucket of cold ice water was thrown on him.
“Wake up! Tom just got in and the Green Dragon Inn is swarming with people!” Cody cried as Jeff ran after them. Soaked and cold, Jeff returned home and threw on a fresh pair of clothes. Outside, the weather quickly warmed Jeff’s hair and Jeff could have swore that Cody and Josh were somewhere near. They wouldn’t have seen Tom without him, they weren’t like that. Tom was like a grandfather to the three.
Tom was old now, somewhere in his sixties, but when he was young he would travel all over Erowand telling tall tales and everything under the sun. His stories were so realistic you would almost claim that Tom was there as it happened. Every year he would come in from the Lord knew where and tell a story or sell items from all around Erowand.
Jeff could see Tom was in by the people bustling about and moving here and there as if it was A holiday. Everyone loved Tom as a father, but the three were the only ones Tom truly could call family.
“Are you ready?” Josh asked, slapping Jeff on the back. Jeff stumbled forward one step.
“Where’s Cody gone to?” He coughed. People moved here and there quickly looking at what merchants had to sell. Normally they came weeks before winter, this year they were late.
“He’s probably gone and went to see Tom. Save us a spot hopefully.” Josh said, eyeing girl about his age. The father caught Josh looking and he quickly turned his gaze elsewhere. The green sign that said Green Dragon was looking cleaner than it had for sometime. The inn was full from the bar to the door. Josh and Jeff quickly pushed their ways through the line, getting stares from everyone. People out of town and from
Hisdamail were talking as they moved back and forth.
“Tom!” Jeff yelled as the mans face popped out of the crowd. The two of them ran to the man and pushed him back to the wall. He laughed and a smile broke out over his face.
“Wondering if you two were coming in or not. Now where’s Cody at?” Tom’s gentle voice brought back memories from the year before last and so on.
“We thought he was with you.” Josh said staring up into two gentle gray eyes.
Tom had leathery brown skin and most of his hair was gray or white now. A long thick mustache hung below his nose like a rat. His short nose reminded Jeff of a dogs sometimes on that grandfather face. In truth, Tom never spoke of a wife or kids and considered Jeff, Josh and Cody as sons.
“TOM!” Cody jumped on Toms’ back and hung on. Tom fell backwards, crushing Cody underneath him.
“There….You are.” Tom grunted as he moved over. Cody jumped up and the three hugged Tom tight.
“How’s life been Tom?” Josh asked after they had all sat down.
“Great. If the Lord wills it I may live to be eighty.” A smile broke out over his face. “I also managed to pick up some news in the south and west. People will talk for the right price I found.” Toms’ eyes flashed as he pulled a yellow notebook out of his coat pocket.

[Dragonman]

Lookin' good Alkore. I suggest you make a space bewteen each new paragraph (can look at my mine for an example). This is because you can't indent on the forums, so it's less confusing if you skip a line to show the starting of a new paragraph.

P.S. Pinned!

[alkore]

Ill try and remember that next time I post. I hardly have time to type now.

[alkore]

“Now all of you sit down and I will begin.” The room quieted and even the bar tender quit cleaning glasses to come and sit.

“Approximately seven thousand years ago, Erowand was completely different. Dragons roamed the world and elves were united with dwarves still. The Gods played no games with the lives of humans like today, no, instead they toyed with a force equal to their own. The dragons.

Men tried to tame these dragons to be, more or less, slaves. Many had failed, causing both man and dragon to die in a flash of light. No one had accomplished merging souls with both man and dragon. The process was simple. The man had to convince a dragon to willfully give its life, and the man would chop its head of. Some words of Power were spoken and the dragon would come back with a gold scar on the back of its neck. Men often failed, either not having the courage to ask before killing the dragon, or the wrong words were spoken.”

“One man named Thain Davern managed to accomplish this. The first man to tame a dragon, hence his name The Dragon Lord.” Tom turned the next page in his yellow book.

“No one called him Thain anymore. He went everywhere with his dragon searching for people like himself who could tame a dragons rage. People who could help him overthrow Baldure. In a years time Thain had gathered over one thousand men like him, but none as strong.

Now obviously Baldure knew of the resistance against him and he grew afraid. He forced men to ally with him. Refusal was not death, but they were turned into living, breathing stone to live for thousands of years. Thirteen men and women allied some eager to join against Thain. They had names before, but Baldure gave them new ones. The Firsts’ name was Bukuma, the Seconds was Yerdar, The Thirds’ Turan, Fourth Risas and so forth the line went.

Along with the Thirteen servants of Baldure, he had enlisted Eternal Forbidden Devourers. They are dog-like and human like. They can speak, but not our tongue. They are hunters, traveling in packs to kill whatever Baldure sent them out for. He forced these wretched beasts to follow him.

This post has been edited by alkore: 08 October 2004 - 03:16 PM

[Bashae]

Wow... A pinned story...

[alkore]

Lol. I was surprised too.

I almost forgot two things.

ONE: Dragonman ive tried and ive tried and ive tried, I cant get teh paragraph to work on here. I type it in word and paste in in here, but that doesnt ever seem to work. Ive edited it and put spaces, doesnt work.

I forgot the other thing.

[alkore]

OOO EDITED! I thought forbiden wutever were stupid. So I changed them to Spawns of Rar'clanth. Very neat guy might I add. Next book will feature him more no doubt.

Along with the Thirteen servants of Baldure, he had enlisted the Spawns of Rar'clanth. They are dog-like and human like. They can speak, but not our tongue. They are hunters, traveling in packs to kill whatever Baldure sent them out for. He forced these beasts to follow him.

A war broke out between the two forces. The Dragon Lord and his thousand Tamers, and Baldure and his servants. This time period was called The Time of the Demons. Baldure savaged the lands with his force, killing thousands of people. Searching for the Sanctuary of the Dragons. After all of Erowand had been ram shacked, the last standing force against Baldure was Thain and his Tamers. They were standing on the Last Battlefield of Erowand. The Asa’rio Mountain was the last place Baldure had thought they were. His full force was let out on the mountain and many died. Thain lost hundreds of friends and dragons, but in the end, he was left. Baldure himself fought Thain, thinking it to be an easy win. But Thains’ sword, Ilithian, or Sword of Light, was given to him by the High Elves of Cold Wood. The fight lasted several hours but with one final sweep of Ilithian, Thain emerged the victor. No sun shined that day. No stars shined that night. It remained dark for three days, marking the end of The Cycle of Final Darkening. After its end, Erowand became once again peaceful. No one saw the Thirteen Servants of Baldure again. Many thought since they were linked to him in power, they had died along with him. Some thought they had gone into hiding until their master returned. But whatever the case, they were not mentioned except in a whisper. The thousand Tamers were not seen either, along with Thain and the magical beasts he had Tamed. The Dragons.”
Tom eyed the three and the room filled with clapping and talking once more. The three grinned at Tom and he looked back with those gray eyes.

As they stepped outside of the Green Dragon, Tom talked to them about his journeys to other cities. Astai, his last journey, was by far the most interesting.

“The roads themselves are paved of gold and the city is absolutely huge. People from every part of the Southern Realm, including dwarves, live amongst themselves in harmony. Its truly amazing. One of these days I will have to take you boys.” Tom said. “But I’m afraid I must leave sooner than three days. I have business in the Northern Realm of Erowand. Business not worth retelling.” He smiled a sad sad smile.
“But I will return by summers first light.” The three moaned loud their disapproval of Tom leaving so soon. Tom lifted a hand to quiet them.

“Let us not worry about what lies ahead, instead let us enjoy the moment, savior the taste of old friends, and new begging’s.” Nothing more was said about Tom leaving, but they knew it would come with time. Instead they did as Tom had wished, and enjoyed the precious little time they spent with him.

“So you can’t or you won’t tell us about the “Last Journey” of yours, Tom?” Josh asked. Tom grinned.

“A little of both. Lets just say it has to do with gaining the perfect story. A follow up on the Dragon Lord if you will. But this will be my last journey. I promise you. My days of traveling Erowand, or just the Southern Realm as of now, are over. I will settle here in Hisdamail.” Tom walked over by a spring of water outside of Hisdamail. An old barn settled nicely in a field a little ways ahead.

The barn was where Jeff, Josh, and Cody had met since childhood. It aged with them, and since last year, it was Toms resting place. The barn was very old and it sagged to the ground. It was a wonder it still held up at all. Mold grew everywhere and its real owner had died years before Jeff, Cody, or Josh had been born.

“This barn is almost as old as I am now.” Tom said while taking an old pipe from his coat pocket.

“Now lets talk.”


Tok Damntracker and Dzem Foulpuke moved silently through the woods. Twelve years. Twelve years they had been searching nonstop for the boy or boys of Ryn’same. And twelve years they had failed to find any trace of the magicians boys. Until now.

“What was thisy towns called again, Tok? Ummmm?” Dzem asked. His goblin green skin and long nose made him easy to see in the light.

“Have youse not been listing to Master Glove? Hisdamoley he had says. Many time, many times.” Tok said, moving quickly through branches of trees.

“That’s not it. No no he had said something likes Hisdamaille. Yesss.” Dzem hissed, partly to himself partly to Tok.

“Yes, yes now I’s remember. Hisdamail. Hisdamail.” Tok looked up at the full moon for a moment before continuing on towards the south.

Gloved Hand at repeated three sentences to the two goblins for four days: Find the boys or girls of Ryn’same. Kill them in Hisdamail. Return home.” It was simple enough for anyone but a goblin. Glove Hand had had his reasons for choosing such a race to aid him: Easy to command and would not rebel. Unlike those Spawns of Rar’clanth, they would not rebel.

Thinking of the ghastly beasts sent chills down Tok’s back. The last encounter he had had with one it had left a long scar down his eye to his jaw. He hated them.

“Are we close yets?” Dzem asked. Tok shook his head. Dzem was truly not the smartest being on Erowand.

“Does it looks like we are close, to any village at all you slug. Of course were not close. Glove Hand said it would take several days to gets close to Hisdamail. From Glove Hands black Tower. Wherever in Gu’thors way we are now,” Tok made a motion with his hands, “It sure isn’t near Hisdamail.” Dzems’ eyes flashed for a moment before they continued through the trees. Three days if they hurried. A week tops. Tok knew how to kill the boy or boys if it came to that.

The legend went that Rar’clanth had a number of children. But only a certain number were induced with his power. Rar’clanth was a demi-god who had ruled on Erowand for centuries. His power ended when the Dragon Lord came into power and took the Throne. Rar’clanth had the ability to turn into a Wyvern, a dragon like beast produced from the ashes of a dragon. He also was a illusion and had deceived the world into making him think that he was the Lord of the Dragons. When Thain emerged he quickly sunk back into the shadows, never to be seen again.

CHAPTER 3: In the light of the alleyway


Tom had slept in the barn that night while Cody, Jeff, and Josh spent the night in their warm homes. They each had brought Tom either some sheep wool sweaters or a pillow to sleep on during the night. Nights were normally chilly but the winters brought a cold breeze and even colder nights. In the morning they all raced out to meet Tom, who wasn’t there. A piece of paper was attached to one of the boards that helped support the walls. It read:

“Dear boys,
I grew board during the night and got up and went fishing. Ill be back before lunch. There’s seven bronze and three gold coins to buy lunch and a little something for your selves. Meet you back at the barn.
Tom.”

They looked on the ground and sure enough there were the coins in a napkin. Jeff took the coins and put them in his coat pocket and with Cody and Josh close behind, he set out for the markets. This early in the morning shops would just be setting up and people would be waking up all over Hisdamail. The sun was just rising over the Asa’rio mountains to the East.
Today, Jeff felt, would be a good day.
As they neared the first set of markets, Jeff looked at the merchandise with wide eyes. Knives, swords, bows, arrows, axes, spears, fishing poles, books, (including one book called Era of New Begging’s that caught Jeff’s eye), and more stood on sale. All of it cost little more than what he had save a knife or a fishing pole and he still had to buy lunch. Josh and Cody had picked up two swords and were sword fighting right in the middle of the market. Jeff apologized and dragged the two away from the man, who was shaking his head, but with a grin.
One particular trader caught his eye. It took Jeff a moment to remember the face, but when he did he walked silently by him.

Synn Tellanson was a grumpy old man with patches of hair on his head including a bushy mustache. He reminded Jeff of a pig almost with that snout of a nose and his double chin. The man was heavy to and he held little respect for Jeff and his family. He was the meat seller in Hisdamail, but he always raised the price when Jeff came in to buy meat from his store.

Jeff quickly ducked into a alley way to avoid being seen by the man, who would probably chew him out or glare him to death. While looking behind him, he stumbled into another alley where more traders stood. An alligator-man stood selling newts and other swamp creatures. An elf was selling things made from Cold Wood like clothing and daggers.

“Psst. Hey, kid. Come here for a second.” A voice from the shadows called at him and a white hand came out. Jeff walked over and followed the man deep into an alley until they came to the end of the alley.

“The names Tabor Slickhands. I’m new to the area and twas a wonderin to muhself if you’d be so kinds as to show me arounds this place.” A small stand of jewelry, rubies, and other artifacts shined in the rising suns light.

“Umm, don’t mind you those. Picked em up in…in…in the One Hundred Seals kingdom I did.” A satisfied look crept into the mans face.

“They look stolen, sir.” Jeff said. Eyes bulging the man tossed him a coin.

“Say nothing. Just take me to the palace. I wouldn’t mind seeing it. Oh and by the way son, what's your name?” Jeff told him and the man laughed.

“Ah Jeff it tis then. Well Master Jeff, where is this palace of Hisdamail?” He asked. Jeff shook his head.

“This isn’t a kingdom, Tabor. No palace.” To himself Jeff muttered, “And no precious artifacts here for a rouge.”

“No palace? Hmm, that’s a shame. Well then my boy what's interesting around these parts?” Jeff thought for a moment.

“Nothing really, sir. This is a small city actually. Now if your out for something interesting, try Orothel to the South. I hear they have a lot of interesting artifacts in their museum.” Jeff said helpingly. Tabor nodded his agreement and looked back at his stuff.

“How many nights travel would you say it would take to get to this Orothel?” he asked. Jeff raised an eyebrow in thought.

“A day and nights walk. Good luck Tabor, hope you find what your looking for.” Jeff turned around and walked back the way he had come. Only, he hadn’t seen the club coming down on his head.

“Goodnight, master Alkore. Do sleep well.” Tabor whispered as he reached in Jeff’s pocket. Jeff blacked out as three other men showed up holding clubs and nasty looking daggers.

“Where has that fool gone off to?” Josh asked Cody. It had been three hours since Jeff had separated from them and they hadn’t seen a sign of the boy.

“I don’t know, but if he’s gone and spent all our money I will personally kill him.” Cody said with a smile. Josh nodded his agreement. Tom would be back shortly if not already.

“I say we split up. You head that way,” Josh pointed to the right, “And I will head this way.” He pointed to the left. Cody raced off towards the right, calling Jeff’s name. Josh took a more steady pace, but continued to be worried.

Rouges had been a problem in Erowand for centuries. But lately it had been getting worst. If they even smelled a whiff of money on Jeff, he could be dead. Or worst, made part of their thieves.

“Where in the bloody hell have you gone off to Jeff Alkore?” josh whispered to himself.
“Where.”

When Jeff woke, he felt his head swimming. He rolled over and threw up everything had had to eat that morning. Or was it night? In the light of the alleyway it was hard to see. Things came rushing back to him slowly. Tabor, clubbed, artifacts, rouge-

“Oh dear Gods of Erowand, tell me-“ Jeff swore loudly as he stood up, his head a wave. Things blurred in and out of sight. Dizziness crept in.

“The damn gold is gone!” Jeff ran in the way he thought he had come, tripped and scratched his leg on the rough ground.

“Take it slow Jeff. He wont leave the city. Not yet.” Jeff staid on the ground a few more moments before trying to get back up. He half limped half staggered out of the alleyway into light. Where he could see the back of one very dead man.

“Tabor!” Jeff yelled out over the thousands of other voices. The man glanced backwards and quickly ran the other way Jeff was approaching. Jeff reached for his knife, but the bandit had taken it as well!

Jeff ran as fast as he could without having to throw up or falling to the ground in a rushing whirlwind of dizziness. But Jeff not once let the man and his three friends escape his vision.

“There you are you fur brained dog! Me and Cody have been worried that-“ Jeff ran right by Josh, regaining his feet now. Things became less dizzy as Jeff continued to run, gaining on the thieves.

“Josh! Help me catch these thieves!” Jeff yelled at Josh who was running beside him. Josh ran ahead and took out his own knife.

“NO!” Jeff yelled out as Josh threw the blade towards the back of one man. The blade fell short.

“Don’t kill them, I want my gold and my knife back.” Josh nodded understanding and ran right behind one of the thieves. The man hit the ground in one quick motion with Josh’s foot under him. He had tripped him hard enough to knock the wind out of him.

Things were less dizzy now and Jeff could keep up with the two remaining thieves. Jeff looked ahead and smiled. No more running.

They had come to a dead end. A large wall stood in front of the thieves now, and they knew it. One drew his blade as soon as he got to the wall, Tabor, sweat pouring off of him, dropped two large packs probably filled with other stolen goods. Jeff’s knife could be seen under his coat.

“Go home you two! Don’t cause trouble with two thieves. We happen to be marksman. Now be on your way before we have to kill you both.” Jeff grinned at Josh who smiled right back. They may have been thieves, but they were not liars.

“Hand me my money and my knife Tabor. My friend here has a knife, and he doesn’t carry it just for the women. Josh tossed a knife to Jeff.

“And now I have one. So the two of you should be the ones returning to whatever whole you came from.” The man with the knife jumped forward, knife in front of him.

“Should I kill him, Jeff?” Jeff shook his head, not just at Josh but at how foolish adults could be.

“Wrong choice, Tabor.” Jeff, now completely recovered from the hit he had taken hours before, jumped forward and kicked the feet right out of the man. His jaw hit the ground and Josh sent a swift kick to the mans stomach. A satisfying “Crack” proved he wouldn’t be getting up now. Tabor looked at the two, not in fear but in wonder.

“Hmm. Skilful with a knife are you? Ah well, as a great, great man of Erowand once said, Don’t let a rattlesnake bite you if you can help it. You two are the rattlesnakes. Here’s your money boy and a little extra. Don’t suppose you’d be selling your knife would you?” Jeff held out his hand for his knife and it was placed gently in his palm.

“Next time we meet Tabor, I hope it doesn’t involve dark alleyways and clubs. Good day.” Jeff turned around and with Josh close behind they walked back into the market full of people.

“How long have I been gone, Josh?” He asked after they had returned to the crowd.

“Three hours or more. What happened?” Jeff explained and a look of disgust came across his face.

“And you let them go?! Without so much as a scratch?” Jeff smiled.

“I left a scratch in his pocket. He gave me fourteen gold coins and seven bronze. Me and Cody couldn’t make that much performing with our swords in a week!” Jeff jingled the coins in his pocket.

“Where is Cody?” Jeff looked around. Sometimes he was hard to see, but in a mass of thousands of people it was outrageous!

Lets find him and buy something for lunch and meet up with Tom. He’s bound to be back by now.” Josh said and they went searching.

[alkore]

They found Cody standing by a book merchant, selling a variety of books. The same once Jeff had seen earlier, Era of New Beginnings, was grasped in Cody’s hands. They explained what had happened earlier the day and Cody, eyes wide looked at the book.
“Jeff, since we have a little extra change, can I buy this book, please?” Jeff looked at Josh who smiled and shook his head.
“Go ahead and buy him the book. How often does Cody ask for something, other than food?” Jeff laughed heartily.
“Ok. How much is it?” Jeff asked and stood straight after hearing the answer come from a familiar voice.
“Four bronze coins, that’ll be.” Tabor said, without looking up from a ruby ring.
“T-T-Tabor! Where in blue blazes did you come from?!” Jeff stammered. Josh wrung his hands. A very confused Tabor stood up and looked around.
“Shut yer trap will you?” Tabor whispered to the three. Cody, not knowing who this was, looked questioning towards Jeff.
“Cody, meat Tabor Slickhands, Rouge and Thief.” Tabor shot him a dark gaze.
“That’s cruel, that is. I’ve come to make an apology.” Tabor shot out a hand inviting Jeff to shake. Jeff took it and eyed Tabor.
Tabor was a head shorter than Jeff and a little older. By the looks of him maybe twenty. If not older. He had lanky black, curly, hair that reached down to his ears and one gold earring in one ear. Which he probably stole, Jeff commented. One ruby ring shined in the light from the sun one his middle finger. He was wearing a black coat with dirt from their recent scuffle marking himself. Long, baggy, black breeches and blue eyes made him difficult to see. In fact he would be impossible to see if not for his blue eyes and white skin.

“So Tabor, are you going to take my advice and head South to Orothel?” Tabor shook his head and laughed. Well, that was just a joke. I would actually like to see this city though. No strings attached this time.” He laughed again, “And no clubs.” Jeff smiled, a shaky smile but still a smile.
“Well, Tabor, are you into stories at all?” Tabor looked at them each in turn.
“Well, I do like my fair share, I do. Why do you ask Master Alkore?” Jeff began walking away from the merchants and traders who called out into the streets trying to sell remarkable bread or a priceless cow.
“Have you ever heard of Tom-“ Tabor cut in excitedly, “Tom Hillsinger?” Jeff nodded. “You know Tom?” Tabor jumped in front of the three boys.
“No him! He happens to be a legend thank you kindly! Anyone who doesn’t know him in person knows of his great tales!” Jeff started off again as Tabor began retelling some of his favorite stories he had heard. Cody seemed the only one interested really, so Jeff let him go on. Josh seemed to be reading the new book they had just gotten, muttering to himself every so often.
“Wait a moment now. We return to Tom with a thief and a book, but no food!” Josh said looking up from his book.
“I suppose it’s back to the Green Dragon Inn?” Cody started off in the direction, Tabor close behind still talking. Jeff, now in the back with Josh, asked in a whisper so only they could hear, “So Josh, what do you think of Tabor so far? He seems nice enough for a day. Can we trust him near Tom?” Josh nodded his head, “Yea, yea sure. This book goes back to the beginning of Erowand even. You should read it lat-“
“Josh be serious for a moment! What do you think?” Josh sighed. “I wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him. And judging by how much stuff he is carrying in those pockets, probably not very far.” Jeff shook his in agreement. His thoughts exactly.

When they reached the Green Dragon Inn, they noticed hardly anyone was around. The bartender and the same three old men who had been their the time before Tom had come in. One girl had caught Josh’s eye, but he quickly looked away when he saw Jeff had noticed.
“We are here for food! Not to be making puppy eyes at some girl, Josh.” Josh grinned sheepishly.
“She looks yummy from, HEY that hurts!” Jeff grabbed his ear and pulled him outside while Cody ordered the food. Three loaves of bread, two roasted chickens, and a bottle of water, and one of beer for Tabor, was escorted out by Tabor and Cody. It smelled absolutely delicious from where they were standing, but they would wait until they got back to the barn with Tom to eat. They held some respect, still.