A chilly wind blew across the land, as Ethari stood on top of a mound, looking out into the distance. A robed man, Tarkin, stood behind him, a dove, Cataraza, and newt, Rahu, perched on his shoulder. Strange mounds could be seen, obviously not natural. 'This must be it' Ethari thought to himself. He had reached his destination. The Barrows. He could still remember what the villagers had to say about The Barrows.

Ethari had been sitting at the Kamia inn, examining a map he had loaned from the bartender, and he had asked how to get to Yomenïampa, and the bartender had only shook his head. "It's a deadly path to the city of the elves, and should be tread with caution. If you wish to risk it, you can take the most direct route, but that leads through the Barrows." The room seemed to become quite at the word.

"What's wrong with The Barrows?" Ethari questioned. The bartender laughed, amused. "Whats wrong with The Barrows! Every thing's wrong! It's location isn't even certain, 'cause no one has every come back alive!" The bartender slammed a glass on the table, the whole room silencing.

" The Barrows is an evil place. It's rumored that it used to be an ancient civilization, that is so old that no current being on Arda knows about it, except the gods themselves. But there is one thing known about them. Dead roam freely, and feast on souls. They are vulnerable to light, so traveling in the dark is a death sentence. But it is also rumored that the strongest of the dead can venture into the light. And if any get there hands on you, they will pull you into the burial mounds, and do things so horrible...., well lets just leave it at that."

Ethari laughed quietly, and said "why would any one even go there? I think it would be worth the extra day or two to go around it." The bartender laughed again, even louder. "You want to know why?" He pulled his face close to Ethari's ,and whispered " nothing other than the treasure filling their mounds."

Ethari shook his head, and focused on the mounds. 'The bartender was right' he thought, catching a glance of a wight guarding one of the mounds. "Let Cataraza and Rahu go, I don't won't them to get hurt," Ethari said, turning to Tarkin. He raised his hand, and the dove flew off, and the newt skittered down his back, and to a stream in the distance. "Lets go.." Ethari muttered, heading towards the wight.

It was quite the wild chase for him, the past few days. The mark he was aiming for was an elder werewolf, one whose age has granted him control over his transformations from humanoid to lupine. It was a dangerous enemy, because even under the light of the full moon he could blend in normal society and move from city to city, not raising any suspicions from the local militia or the private security. It leapt from city to city, occasionally taking a few livestock for its replenishment. Sanzen had picked up the trail from Estolad, with faint and obscure tracks leading south. Whatever road the beast took Sanzen would follow, but this time he was unsure where it would go.

It was the stroke of noon then, when the sun shone brightly across the lands. Shadows were not cast during the day, and a gently breeze accompanied another part of the land, leaving him with the mid day heat and the dirt roads. He sat up, patting the back of Shinsou as the great beast let out a loose growl. Behind him the plain-faced look of his ally stared back at him, a face of frustration and boredom as similar to his. It was a long travel ahead, but still uneventful.

That's when it loomed towards him, several mounds. The sun was setting then, casting an eerie glow and further adding mystery and fear to the aura of the mounds. This area was new to the hunter, as shown in the look of his face. In all his travels around the land this was new to him, a place that at first sight made the steel hydra uncomfortable and his companion weary. It seemed to be the best place where his mark would be, and he decided to investigate.

On top of one of the mounds s figure was seen, with a man behind him. The figure was blurry in the distance, but the man behind him wore something almost similar to the plain-faced companion of Sanzen, giving him the impression of a common ground. He then jumped down the great beast, stroking the tough skin before setting out alone. It might have been quite the mistake to leave a colossus of an ally behind, but with its massive size it would surely be easy to call and request aid. He watched carefully as the man headed down with his companion, eager to see what would happen next.

((OOC: All my information is off of the Arda Bestiary))

Ethari walked gently down the soft slope, heading towards were the champion wight stood, in front of a stone doorway which lead into a tunnel underneath a mound. He stood proudly, swaying gently with the chilly breeze that swept the landscape. He seemed to be wearing a tattered and dirty brown robe, with a piece of plate armor covering his chest. He held a large sword in his hand, and it was covered in blood, and dirt.

Ethari drew his diamond blade as he headed down the hill, and reached a complete stop. Tarkin bumped slightly into him, and asked "whats wrong?" Ethari pulled his sword in front of him, and said "some light might be useful for killing some of the lesser wights." Tarkin nodded in agreement and remained still, as Ethari cast the spell. Ethari pulled both hands on opposite sides of the sword, and pulled them down gently across the sword, while muttering inaudible words. As soon as he was finished, the sword began to emit a faint glow with the Light spell.

Just as he finished the spell, something caught his ear. It was footsteps, heading down the hill from above. Ethari and Tarkin quickly turned around, weapons at the ready, to cut down any wight that was willing to attack them. It wasn't a wight approaching, but rather, two men. Ethari and Tarkin lessened there stances, but still did not sheath there weapons. "Hello fellow travelers, it is a surprise to see any human here in The Barrows. The only semi humans here I have seen are the wights, like that one over there," Ethari gestured over to were the wight stood, with his sword in hand.

Ethari looked over them both, trying to find any signs that could prove them to be a threat. They all stood around the same height, and the same build. The man in front had grey hair, which was similar to Ethari's own silver like hair. Ethari regained himself quickly and continued, saying "I am Ethari Xilophent, and my ally over there is Tarkin, a Balance priest." Tarkin waved as Ethari mentioned his name. "To spare the time of you asking, I will say it now. I am in The Barrows for treasure, and to get across, and its as simple as that. And what would your reason of travel be," Ethari questioned.

Sanzen closely followed the two figures heading down, followed closely by his priest. He has not been properly introduced to the priest which stood by him, but it was not by choice. He had been used to traveling alone for a while, only the company of the colossus of a hydra for him. The hydra was not one for intelligent talk, and he himself could not understand a single roar or growl the hydra let out. But they understood each other enough to watch each other's backs, and this he greatly appreciated. The priest however, was different. It was silent most of the time, asking occasionally about Sanzen's health and well being. He answered politely of course, but did not go further about that.

His incoming presence has alerted the figures before him, one of which was in the process of casting a spell, or finishing one. He could not tell exactly what the figure was doing, but it was irrelevant at the moment. What called to his attention was the ragged figure ahead of them, whose presence somehow brought him discomfort. It was something he had never seen before, and judging from the reaction of his body, it was something he would not look forward to seeing again.

The figure who was involved in casting quickly regained himself, and spoke to Sanzen."I am Ethari Xilophent, and my ally over there is Tarkin, a Balance priest." The man referred to as Tarkin waved at him, as the figure mentioned his name. "To spare the time of you asking, I will say it now. I am in The Barrows for treasure, and to get across, and its as simple as that. And what would your reason of travel be,"

Sanzen was surprised at the 'honesty' of the figure called Ethari, who paid no caution in giving away his name. In response to the man's introduction, Sanzen replied with his own. "My travels here involve hunting down an elder lycanthrope, which I assumed you to be. My suspicions were lifted when I saw you alongside that man, who seems not to be bothered around you. I suppose we could help each other out, eh?" He raised an eyebrow to appear cautious, yet this was a refreshing experience for him. He continued,"My name is Sanzen, by the way. And This is my partner, whose name still eludes me." The follower behind him also waved back at the two, although with a mixed expression.

Ethari listened carefully what the newcomer had to say, making sure not to miss a word. "My travels here involve hunting down an elder lycanthrope, which I assumed you to be. My suspicions were lifted when I saw you alongside that man, who seems not to be bothered around you. I suppose we could help each other out, eh?," he said. He raised an eyebrow, seeming weary about the situation, but said "My name is Sanzen, by the way. And this is my partner, whose name still eludes me." The man behind him raised his hand, similarly to what Tarkin had done, but he seemed to have mixed emotions.

"An elder lyncratpath you say? What would be your reason to hunt such a powerful creature?" Ethari questioned. He shook his head gently, and said "I'm sorry, your reasons can be your own. You do not need to answer that question, I know that people do things for there own reasons, whether just or unjust."

Ethari smiled, and continued, quickly changing the subject. "Why, I do find it strange you do not know that mans name. Do you talk while you travel? I do find that rather confusing. Well I'm sorry, I must go for just a moment. I am going to attempt to kill that Wight over there. There is no need for you to come and help, I think I can take this one on alone. May be after, if you would like, and your travels permit, we can venture inside one of the barrows."

With that, Ethari turned, diamond blade still in hand, and quickly proceeded down the hill, Tarkin following quickly. The Wight quickly noticed Ethari and Tarkin's presence, and he readied his blade for combat, emitting a loud groan. It soon began to charge Ethari, and when it reached him, performed an overhead slash. Ethari quickly sidestepped, and then placed his hand on the Wight, muttering Arcane words for the Blind spell, sending mana towards the Wight’s eyes. He quickly removed his hand, and used his wings to push himself backwards, to avoid any counter attack.

The Wight slashed at the air near Ethari, missing by a lot, due to his blindness. Ethari lunged forward, sword aimed for the Wight's chest, while the Wight’s sword was still low from his attempted slash at Ethari. His sword easily pierced the Wight’s old armor, and sunk into his undead flesh. Ethari quickly pulled his sword out, using the same tactic to push himself backwards.

The Wight slashed randomly again, and seemed unaffected by the stab wound. My piercing attacks will be worthless Ethari thought, readying another attack. He quickly saw an opening, as the Wight’s sword fell low to the ground. Ethari lunged again, but instead, slashed at the Wight’s neck. His sword easily cut through his neck, and his head landed on the ground with a thump! , his body following suit.

Sanzen listened to the replies of Ethari, followed by the questions which he raised. How was it that he came to hunt such a powerful creature? Why was it that he did not know the name of the priest who accompanied him recently? It was these that he thought about, while Ethari headed towards the wight. He watched attentively as Ethari fought the wight, watching his movements and reactions to the attacks of the undead warrior. It brought quite a shock when he saw the wight move still after a solid thrust in the chest, but slightly relieved when its head was severed from the body. Both fell to the ground before Ethari, which was somehow comforting to Sanzen.

He proceeded to compose himself once more, looking back at the priest whose name he still did not know. It was more of embarrassment now that he felt, and to let it out he talked with the figure he was with for quite some time now. "What IS your name? I haven't asked in quite a while, and I feel the question to be long overdue." The man simply smiled at the question, then replied in the most direct of tones. "Kadj" he said, before letting out a small sign of affirmation. Sanzen sighed, that obstacle finally overcome. He then looked back towards Ethari, then realized something bad was about to happen.

Another wight rose from one of the mounds, somewhere to the east of both of them. It had its gazed fixed at Ethari, before calmly making its way towards the man. Taking quick measures, Sanzen closed his eyes and quickly focused his mind on a location, somewhere between Ethari and the wight. His mind went blank for a moment, then when he opened his eyes he was right before the new wight, whose cold aura was uncomforting. Glaive in hand Sanzen raised at to block the diagonal slashes of the wight, whose strikes were methodical yet applied with much force.

Sanzen retaliated by avoiding the attacks completely, or blocking them with his glaive. He was not that experienced with fighting undead of this sort, so all his efforts were focused on defense and evasion, no offensive attacks. His experience had led him to know how to deal with living beings, and those whose weapons were claws or teeth. Nothing like the sort which he was dealing with right now. It was not difficult to deflect the blows of the wight, but it was his inexperience in dealing with such enemies that prevented him from taking any action. He had hoped that Ethari would soon notice the steel clashing from their blades, and hopefully provide assistance.

Ethari rested his blade at his side, at ease for the fight was over. He turned to look to were Sanzen stood, but saw him only for a moment, and then he disappeared. Ethari scanned around, to see were he might have disappeared to, and saw him in combat with a wight. He was on the defensive with red glaive, using it to deflect the blows from the wight, or completely dodging them.

Ethari pulled his diamond blade back at an offensive stance, running towards the direction the wight was standing. As he neared there location, he shouted ", Don't bother with piercing attacks, they'll do little to no damage. Try to use slashing instead, that will do more damage!" Tarkin followed quickly behind Ethari, but decided to stay behind the action.

As Ethari near, the wight turned, slashing with his blood stained blade. Ethari barely had time to jump backwards, but was to late. The blade cut smoothly across his chest, leaving a tear in his shirt, and blood seeping from the wound. Ethari didn't have anytime to focus on the wound, and slashed with his own sword at the wight.

The wight easily parried the blow. Of course, Ethari thought, only there champions can stay in the sunlight. Its not going to be as easy as killing these things as an average wight. The wight pushed his blade forward, while Ethari's blade was still pressed on his, making Ethari lose his balance, and then slashed at Ethari. As Ethari stumbled backwards, he managed to fling his blade forward, clanging with the Wights, causing its course to miss Ethari.

As Ethari regained his balance, he slashed as the wights head, hoping it would be as effective as the one before him. Thankfully, it was, and his sword cut easily across the wights neck. The body collapsed to the ground, and the head followed quickly. "Thanks for catching that wight for me, I was completely off guard," Ethari said gratefully to Sanzen.

Ethari smiled at him and said ", would you like accompany inside this ruin. You seem like a excellent fighter, and that glaive seems to be a vicious weapon?" Ethari shot a quick glance to the entrance to the ruins, the dead wight body lying nearby. It had a stone entry way, with intricate designs all around. The door had a picture etched on it, of that of a dragon breathing fire on a group of small humanoid figures. Ethari turned back to Sanzen, and questioned ", So will you join me?"

Luckily his companion gave aid quickly, shouting at him and telling him his weapon of choice was weak against his opponents. Sanzen gave a quick glance at his glaive, and realized the value of the argument posed by Ethari. These creatures he was doing battle with seemed to not stand with the living, and making thrusts and jabs would be the most inefficient way to deal with them. Sanzen was hoping that Ethari would tell him how best to deal with the wight, but instead took his place as the wight's opponent. A mixed expression of relief and amazement filled his face, as he stood there while another fought in his stead.

The second battle was brief, ending in the wight's head falling down alongside the rest of his body. Ethari was slightly wounded from the attack, a lucky slash from the wight creating a tear in his clothing. An odd sense of compassion for his companion filled the hunter, the need to repay the assistance filling his thoughts. Though unable to perform any healing spells or abilities for Ethari, he had someone who can. He thought for a moment as to how to approach the situation, glaive in hand as he used it as a support.

Before he could voice out his concern, Ethari smiled at him and said, "Would you like accompany inside this ruin. You seem like a excellent fighter, and that glaive seems to be a vicious weapon?" Ethari turned to the destination he had in mind, and then asked Sanzen again. It indeed was a rare opportunity to come across such adventures, and fight creatures that he knew not much about. This would be a good experience for him, and it would do well for him if he learned more about the other creatures of the land which he might very well face. It would also be a good opportunity for him if the mark he was hunting to this place would be in the same area as the one Ethari suggested, it would be a real help if both of them took down the beast.

Sanzen rubbed his chin for a moment, as if in thought. Then he gave a small nod in agreement. Immediately after showing his approval to Ethari, he raised a hand as if in question and asked him beforehand, "Wouldn't it be best if someone got a look at your wound, first? It wouldn't do good for both of us if you're wounded, and a lot of creatures are attracted to the scent of blood."