Some nights ago a stranger strolled into Estolad under the cover of darkness. None had spoken to him, save for the innkeeper of the Kiama in, and even he had not said anything concerning the man. He was familiar to them, perhaps because of his previous visit to the Inn which had ended in quite a bit of unusual drama, and some unpaid for damage. However, according to the inn keeper the man had more than made up for his last encounter with a hefty bag of coins. It was not a large bit of money the stranger had paid with, but it was more than they typically charged for rent. Obviously the man meant to stay for a while, but only the gods new why. The innkeeper had said little else, but his wife was not above gossip, and she told many of the ladies of the town of the last time the man had come to the Inn.

Last time the man had broken her husband’s nose, and his two other companions at the time had made quite a bloody mess all over the downstairs tavern. Of course, despite these daunting tales, or perhaps because of them, no one had it in them to go and find out the truth. None wanted to confront the man if he was dangerous, which was probably for the best. He came down occasionally to have a bit to eat, but he usually went right back up into his room to rest. He said nothing, but she had said his appearance was well kept, and his clothes were clean. Also, this time she hadn’t noticed a weapon on the man, which did more for his credibility that anything. However, they really didn’t understand who he was or why he was there, and he was making it his business so that they wouldn’t.

Annihilate was tired – he was on the verge of collapsing on the way here, and with no food or water to sustain himself on he had resorted to more primitive methods. He drank from rivers and streams, had caught rabbits and snakes, but he had stayed alive nonetheless. When he arrived he’d hid his weapons, and when he got a room at the Inn he had stuff them under his mattress, though they were within reach. Throughout the trip from Ondolond to Estolad he had begun to grow a rather scraggly beard, so when he arrived he’d taken the time to trim it into a nice goatee. Still, he was sure the inn keeper had recognized his fiery eyes.

In truth, though, Anni was sure that he had no place left to go. The academy in Ondolond was burned to the ground, and he was almost positive that someone was following him. He’d come along way was actually bound for Lomedor, but there was nothing he could do when fatigue and dehydration hit him like a brick. He had to stop and compose himself before coming into the village, and he had done so at night to keep his coming a secret, but he was sure that there was no way to do so. In little tight-knit communities like these it was hard to sneak in unnoticed and infiltrate the group, so he had finally just let his anger go. He could have turned it into something destructive and brought hell down upon the Inn, but he knew it really was not that much of an issue. If someone was following him they would have little trouble tracking him to the Village – he had made certain of that.

In a manner Anni was waiting for someone to follow him into the town, just so that he could go find out more of who had destroyed his University and had taken his stepson. After finally coming to terms with his emotions, Anni had decided that the boy meant more to him than just a student. In a way the shade had found a bit of balance in his chaotic life, but he wondered just how long it would last. For now, though, he merely slept on his thoughts. In one of the small rooms at the Inn Anni rested, and slept hardy on the bed. However, noon was soon approaching, and it would be time to find nourishment, and the shade could already smell the roasted duck being prepared down in the kitchen.

Amora slightly crept into the town square trying hard to not wake any sleeping souls. For the past few days she has been trying to run away from her past and present life. Life had been hard for her, she had been repeatedly abused and used by her family, until finally she couldn’t take and left for good running away from her old life into a new life where nothing made sense. She touched the pocket of her dark black trousers, feeling what was inside as if everyone around her knew what the pocket contained, of course no one could actually know for sure. Nothing she did could make her forget the horrors that where laid upon her only a couple of months ago. Nothing she did could make her forget the horrors that were laid upon her only a short time ago, such as being severely punished for no reason.

As she moved, she swept from shadow to shadow. Concealing her body was easy, she was thin enough to fit easily through knacks and crannies in dire need and her dark green cloak and hood concealed her purple clothing. Not the ideal clothing for running through the dark night , but she was stealthy and knew how to hide her body and presence from unwanted predators. Her hair which was no longer in its long French braid fell into her face as she crouched and peaked around the corner making sure she could approach the inn without much disturbance. Her soft leather shoes made absolutely no sound as she walked fast towards the inn, Her eyes gleamed of light silver as the moons rays fell onto them.

Opening the heavy wooden door she peaked inside to see how busy it was. The place was busier than the last time she came but not at all different in appearance, the place contained not only humans but an assortment of creatures, many of whom would try to kill her if they knew what she was, but she tried not to let it cross her mind. She approached the bar asking for some beer and then a clean glass of water, she knew this was the key to feeling less pain but she still had her doubts about drinking away her pain. This was not a habit but oddly enough it worked when things got really out of control in her life. To her left sat a short little stubby dwarf who was not in this world. His head lay on the bar counter and he snored loudly. To her left sat a man who was young and appeared to be human but she had life lessons that looks can be deceiving. The place was extremely busy now since it was very late at night and the moon was just getting ripe with its body swollen from the everlasting silver glow that fell upon the faces that concealed lies that would forever change the beholders carrier. The bar itself was swarming with creatures who wanted nothing more than drink me hardies up and harass the nearest person.

She turned her head away from a foul mouth man with a long beard who was trying to feel her up, frowning her eyes crinkled and she tightened her cloak around her and made her way towards a empty table way in the corner of the packed inn. It had a clear view of the street and all that tread its dirt. Tilting her face up towards the enemy and mother of her life, she embraced its caressing fingers that calmed and stirred feelings so alive in her blood. Smiling out of peace and contentment she muttered a scared prayer that her grandmother would have wanted to say at this minute that seemed to stop all of time and focus, on her and how much she was hurting and how alone she felt. Pressing her pale skin to the window she felt dazed and sleepy. Opening her eyes one more time to adore the moon with her now light violet eyes and smiled this time not only with her mouth but her eyes to. Making tinny creases in the corners that lifted her cheek bones to give her the appearance of a young girl.

Lost in a reverie, a place between sleep and awake, Annihilate was lost. He did not fall into a deep slumber like humans, but instead he found a place of solace much like the elves. It was a place of vivid colors and lights, and it did not require him to sleep throughout a full night like most humans. So, it was not surprising when the weekend’s large crowd awoke the sleeping shade. His eyes opened groggily, for he was still very tired. Anni had slept for almost three days, and the fatigue of all of his life’s endeavors came crashing down upon him. Despite his ability to be rejuvenated with only a four hour nap he rarely slept, and it came back to haunt him whenever he fell into his dream-world. Therefore, when he began to rise from bed he grew very, very grumpy.

Below, Anni could hear singing and drinking, and there was quite a bit of noise for the sleepy town. If he had known how loud it was going to be the shade would have continued to Lomedor, for he considered the only redeeming purpose of this little village was its peaceful nature. Now, however, it was ruined, and he just knew he would not be sleeping until the crowd died away.

So, the Prince of Chaos slowly climbed out of the bed he had been given, and he walk across the room. The moonlight came in illuminating his pale white frame, and as he glanced in the mirror he just shook his head. His dark hair was cast all asunder, and his eyes were only half open. So, slowly he pulled back his hair into an unkempt knot on the back of his head, and let it hang down to his shoulder blades. He pulled on a loose-fitting shirt, and buttoned it to his mind chest. He then pulled o a pair of loose tight black pants, and held them to his waist with his sword belt. He adjusted both scabbards, and pulled on his leather boots just a few moments later, then he looked around. Anni could still hear the noise downstairs, and so he turned and moved to his bed and drew a pair of different blades from beneath the mattress.

In his left hand Anni held Elythinn, his blade of destruction, and in his right he held a blood-stained longsword. Both weapons went into their opposite sheathes, and he might not have carried them, but the shade was sure he would have to take several heads when he made his way downstairs, especially if the bar was as crowded as he anticipated. So, there was no harm in being prepared, and he just sighed before pulling a heavy, beaten cloak around his body. It was a cover and nothing more, and he was glad to have it. It took a few moments of mental preparation, but soon Anni appeared from one of the few rooms in the Kiama inn, and began downstairs.

On his way the shade passed several couples, who seemed to be heading to their rooms. The very notion that there were people around who were making love in the building made him slightly nauseous, so he pushed the thought aside and stepped into the crowded bar. He gave a resigned sigh, and just shook his head. The bartender and his wife were having trouble keeping up with the many orders of the various patrons, and Anni could tell it was time to get them out of here, but for now the shade did nothing. He owed the people nothing, but he couldn’t help but feeling bad for them. If this kept up he was sure the different people were bound to get violent, and in a way Anni could wait until that happened. However, instead of starting up a bit of mayhem he began to make a round around the edge of the bar. He needed a look at what was going on.

Throughout the sweep of the bar, the shade came upon a young woman looking out the window. He considered her appearance out of place – she did not belong in place full of creatures, alcohol and mullets, but he wasn’t going to say anything – not yet. He gave her a glance, and then he sat himself down two tables away. It was a good vantage point if anything were to happen.

She had not been there but an hour or two and already the place was beginning to become a little violent. She didn’t much care for violence, especially when she was in danger herself. This inn was suppose to shelter her for the night, help her think important things over in her head, but instead this place was causing anger that she had hidden for so long to come and simmer inside her blood. Having enough of the noise she got up and made way for the bar. Handing over 8 coins for the beer she hadn’t touched she leaned over the bar to get the inns wife to hear her over the noise. “Can you get me a room please?” The lady looked at her in confusion and motioned with her hands that she would be right back, she went to help another costumer.


Leaving her cloak back at the table she felt oddly exposed. Reaching back to grasp her hair in her hands she made a quick job of twisting and pulling it into a French braid. The room had gotten quit warm form all the moving bodies and the proximity of it all. She was not used to be so close to people. She started getting dizzy and claustrophobic, lifting her right hand she tipped it back to put the back against her forehead and felt it burning and slightly damp from perspiration. Sliding down from her forehead to her cheek she felt them all flushed and knew they were no longer the delicate paleness that they were when she had first arrived.

It was like a never ending stampede of feet that insisted that they move towards the bar at the same time she wanted no she needed to leave or she was going to pass out. As she made her way to the front door the people passing by kept bumping her and making her loose her footing and stumble into yet another throng of people. Hands grabbed her clothing as they passed and she only had the strength to slap them away and mumble a threat which she knew they would not hear. One guy in particular grabbed her above the torso and when she tried to knock him away he did not let go. She glanced up with feverish eyes to see who had grabbed her and met gazes with a young man who did not have forgiving eyes. She knew he was drunk she could smell the foul rotten scent in her nose. She narrowed her eyes and reached back and punched him in the face and nearly growled even though she was weak. “Get off me now” She dragged on her words to make it clear she was not playing games with him. She hated being treated like she was some play thing and thought of as weak.

As she swung to hit him again he caught her thin wrist and grinned. “You didn’t really want to pay for a room now did you? I have a room that is paid for, you should come and stay there free of money charge but you can pay me back in another way” her eyes opened and she started breathing more heavily, she was stuck and didn’t know what to do.

There were many people around but no one would take her serious if she tried to scream, they would only think she was an uncooperative wife of this man. She did all she could from blacking out or cry. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the stairs looking back at her every 5 seconds, or so it seemed. His eyes showed nothing but lust and accomplishment at catching her as his prey. She dug her heels into the floor right before the climbed the first step and yanked out of his hand and turned to run but couldn’t get far because of the crowd. He was right behind her and this time instead of grabbing her wrist her yanked her by the waist and carried her towards the stairs. Her eyes were getting darker and darker each second her anger was boiling in her veins, she was so close to changing and she knew that if she didn’t she would be raped and she could not let that happen.

Closing her eyes she let the hum of power whisper through her body and skin. After a minute she felt her claws that replaced her. Eyes shooting open, gleaming pure white with hate. She yanked out of his gripped and scratched him across the cheep leaving five raw marks that would scar forever. His eyes now shone hatred and held no lust that had taken up all other thoughts in his head, now there was only anger. She turned on her heels and head for the door trying not to let other people see her, on her way out she snatched her cloak and out the door stopping for a second and looked up at the windows of the inn. One was open and she leapt up holding on the wall and jumped inside to see that it was empty. Locking the door she undressed stiffly and fell upon the bed staring out the widow at the moon letting the tears finally come and take over her


Nothing was the way It was suppose to be anymore, her life was such a confusion she no longer knew who she was or what she was doing or should be doing, she was lost.

The shade found his niche - a place to belong amidst the ruckus of the inn. His table was partially secluded from the rest of the place. There were people all around him, but for whatever reason the occupants steered clear of the shade. Sitting there with his hood drawn low, Annihilate was a daunting figure – mysterious and terrifying all at once, and exuded a morbid aura of death and decay. There was a certain sense of macabre surrounding him to be sure, and perhaps it was that very sense that made everyone steer clear of him and give him a better vantage point to see the rest of the room.

His attention was drawn to the starry-eyed woman who had occupied a table just a few feet away. He watched her stand and go to the barkeepers wife, and just as the man grabbed her Anni began to stand, but then something crashed into him and sent him sprawling onto the floor.

A burley dwarf had been thrown across the room, and slammed into the shade’s table with a crash. In a rage Annihilate crushed his face with horrendously powerful strike, and he rolled away clenching his blood-stained face. He rolled around screaming, and that brought some looks, but as Anni stood it drew many looks of awe and screams. He recognized a few of them – low grade thieves and crooks with no ambition or drive. Pulling his hood back he was recognized by many, but the dwarves companions did not care who he was or know who he was. Before anyone could do anything however, he screamed tearing down the wall of noise and confusion:

“I want everyone out this minute, or so help me I will kill you all!”

His voice was deafening and mad, and the rage in his soul echoed in his voice. He was an intimidating specimen, full of hate and anger, and just his voice made some turn and leave. The dwarves though were a stubborn sort, and a volley of mugs and bottles came flying towards him, but he did not stand there and take them.

Ducking low Annihilate ripped both of his blades from their sheathes and he came up quickly after avoiding the projectiles. One of the dwarves companions, a fiery red-bearded brute, came on quickly. With an axe in one hand and a foaming tankard in the other he swung wildly – too drunk to control his movements. Anni’s reflexes were lightning-fast, and he easily dodged the first two blows before sticking the short little man in the back of the leg by the shade’s blade of destruction as he toppled forward because of his momentum. Elythinn bit deep into the flesh, searing the flesh shut, and it dropped the man to the floor.

Turning quickly, he intercepted a second weapon with the very same blade, and sparks shot everywhere. Anni’s blade of destruction erupted in anger, and the shade’s blood-stained sword swept out and took two of the fingers on the dwarves weapon hand. He dropped low, howling painfully before Annihilate kicked him in the sides. He quieted down very fast.

However, as prepared as the shade was he turned about, but no one else came onto attack him. He looked around suspiciously, but none of the remaining occupants were up to the daunting task of fighting the swordsman. So, again, he shouted loudly so everyone could hear him:

“Now, didn’t I say to get out!?!”

His voice was like thunder, and when he spoke everyone listened. Within five minutes everyone except the three dwarves, the shade and the innkeeper were gone, but after another five minutes Anni had sent the three dwarves sprawling out the door into the dirt. The older couple approached him as he stood looking out the door, and they hesitated to say anything. The couple didn’t owe the shade anything – he had caused trouble at their establishment twice now, but this time they nodded. All of those people had made them quite a lot of money, and he had done the dirty work of getting everyone out, so in a way they were grateful, but they still had to do something about the mess.

Annihilate, however, didn’t stay too long. He took a bottle of wine, and began upstairs quietly, but as he rounded the corner and came upon his room he heard something. It was the sound of someone sobbing, and he sighed. Even in the hall he could hear it, and he knew he could hear it in his room. So he began looking for the source, and as he came upon the room he stopped, and he knocked. It was the girl’s room, he just didn’t know it yet.

After what seemed like hours of pouring out her soul she stopped and just sat in the bed that was foreign to her. This was not what she was brought up to do; or - she was bred to be strong and unwavering she was not suppose to crack under pressure and despair, but she was no longer that person. She was someone different all together. She felt different, not this cold hearted stone figure that obeyed everything she was told. She was now this soft person who had a understanding of other people, and most importantly herself, but as she lay here she felt her body tense as she thought of the things she once did and to the people actions went towards.

Slow Tears once more fell down her dampened cheeks but at a slow leisure pace. Sitting up in bed she noticed to the right of the bed there was a dresser with a big mirror attached to it. Getting out of bed, feeling all her muscles sore and stiff, shemoved towards the dresser almost afraid of who or what she might see or who she might see. Peering into the mirror she saw a white ghost like face that looked solemnly out at her. Her eyes had gone a very dim purple, a smoky like violet that held none of the courage they had once held. Her hair was all disheveled and was full of knots, so she tenderly touched her hair which was now a messand become a knotted mess. Reaching behind her back she untied the yarn that had held her hair back and let it fall in a chocolate cascade around her shoulders.

Suddenly, a soft breeze swept through the room from the open window, and caressed her soft skin. She looked around at the open window and spotted the moon, mind going slightly hazy, but she looked away and then down puzzled that she felt the breeze on her skin in the first place. Squeaking she realized she wore nothing and jumped across the bed and to her cloths. She pulled them on fast and brushed her hair with her right hand.

After she and brushed her hair She sat on the edge of the bed thinking over the night events and felt her throat close up again. She did not appreciate the actions of the drunken men whom all tried to get a piece of her, acting as if she had no dignity. The man; those eyes and mouth that had tried to hypnotize her and weave a spell through her mind to control her actions caused her anger to suddenly rise anger leapt form within her resulting, and so she grabbed the first thing that came in reach and chuck it at the wall. Just as quickly as the anger had come it vanished causing her to sob uncontrollably once more.let the chocked sob that she held in come out in a gasp that sounded more like she was suffocating.

After a minute or two she realized that there was a dull knocking at the door, and she was instantly alert and on her guarda dull knocking had come form the door directly from her, she was alert all of a sudden. She guessed that she was probably in someone’s room, and they most likely heard her crying and went to go get the owner and his wife. She got up most slowly and made her way towards the door, resting her right hand on it not turning afraid of who might be on the other side of the solid oak door. Looking over her shoulder she surveyed the chances of her making it through the window before they barged in, and do this without them seeing her face. The chances were not good.

She opened the door slowly and looked up meeting the gaze of a pair of red eyes that still held some sort of anger that she shielded and put under control. Maybe he was a drunk that would hit her if she tried to run, or maybe he wasn’t. Glancing nervously down at her feet then back up she stumbled on her words trying to make them sound strong and self assured., tisnot end well the words sound feeble and weak. “Um…did you want something…sir?” She was not used to being confronted people and after tonight she no longer wished to either. She only hoped he was not drunk or if he was, to be too drunk to do anything to her. She was beginning to think coming here was a very bad idea after all; there was no one here that remotely cared for her, or if so they had not shown themselves yet.

The shade took a deep breath, and waited patiently until the woman came and opened the door. He really didn’t feel like associating with anyone else tonight except for the bottle of wine in his grasp, but he gave a resigned sigh knowing that the night was still young, and his desire to sleep would likely wait. Annihilate did not like that proposition very much, but he knew that if he was swept away into a conversation he wouldn’t resist. It was not as if he simply could not, it was just that he wouldn’t. He did not have the drive, for he was stuck in a very emotional slump. Even the short line of events that transpired downstairs had fatigued him, and he simply did not have the energy despite how long he had already slept.

So, when the door opened the girl could find Anni standing there looking at his feet. His clothing was messy, more his cloak than anything, and he seemed at a daze. With naturally pale skin he looked somewhat sick looking, but when he became aware of the young woman he quickly looked up. He wore a clean cut black goatee, but a line of black was coming up on his chin line – he simply had no motivation to trim it yet. All in all he was a salty sort, and obviously in the mood to drink, and when he looked at her he was angry. It was not a horrible anger, a seething hatred, but more of an annoyance. His red eyes were intense, and led deep into his being where names were etched into his soul – those whom he had killed and those that had yet to die by his blade. However, hers was not that. It was clear that he was not here with any mal intent; he was just a bit annoyed.

“Perhaps. Was that you I heard crying?” he asked softly. His voice was not loud, but it was powerful It was something like a storm mounting on the horizon – a deep and thunderous applause. But, despite how his voice sounded the shade was not there to see what was wrong or why she was crying. He knew what had happened – he recognized her from the bar below, and he had seen what the man tried to do to her. In the first few moments he was going to use that as an excuse to throw everyone out, but then he found a better one. The three dwarves gave him even more of a reason to, and he took it.

Stepping back away from the door frame the shade crossed both of his arms over his chest. He held the bottle of wine under his left arm, and the cloak he wore did nothing to hide it or anything else. It fell over his shoulders and revealed most everything beneath the black shroud. His shirt was hanging open at his mid chest, but his arms were covering that for the most part. The only other interesting notion were his blades. They hanged at his hips, and while they didn’t even cross Anni’s mind as he stood there. He didn’t think how they would affect her attitude towards him, but in honesty things like that didn’t matter to him nor did either of their appearances. He just wanted a good answer.

She had been asleep for some time now and when she had awoken she had been surprised to find knocking at the door. She was not usually this much of a mess but well being through what she had been through might turn someone insane if they are not very willed at the time. This is what exactly what happened to Amora. She was not all that sure how she ended up at the inn in the first place but she was there and now she was in someone’s room in someone’s bed. She did have drive but not enough or so it seemed.

She looked into the mirror and just shook her head in mock disappointment. Hair messed up and eyes dull, she was not the electric vibrant girl she once was, and she was ashamed of this she wanted to be this fiery girl who always knew what she wanted out of life but she was no longer that girl. Once when people looked at her they saw this confident girl eyes shining bright as the moon lips always pulled back in a secretive smile body vibrating with happiness and loving. What she looked at now was nothing more than an afraid girl who was about to run away and not look back.

Everything in the in was quiet in the inn was quiet and calm, so unlike the way it was before the turn of events was unbelievable. The knock came from the door again, she made her way afraid that the person behind the door was the owner coming to check on all the rooms to make sure all the appropriate people where within. She slowly and quietly approached the door and opened it slowly. She was immediately hit with a wall of uneasiness and tried not to wince. For there in the door way stood a shade looking sallow and gaunt like he hadn’t slept for a very long time. His aura was astonishing, the way he could make you feel frightened and uneasy without opening his mouth at all. His eyes scanned her and he grinned in a way that made her fell like she had a secret she was keeping, from him and herself.

She was not used to feeling this particular way and didn’t like it at all. She did however remember feeling his presence in the inn when the chaotic was playing out down stairs, she had not bothered to seek him out. But here he was in her door way seeking her out, this was not the normal procedure for a shade, normally he just came and whisked you away not bothering to ask if you were crying or not. She looked straight into his trying not to seem afraid. “Yes it was I who was crying, but why would one like you want to know if someone like me was crying or not?” she knew that it was a bold movement indeed but she was in need to fell that she was brave even though at this moment, she was nowhere near being the bold girl buried within.

With a nod the shade confirmed his thoughts, but only partially. He had new questions without answers, but he did not vocalize them yet. He didn’t really have a reason not to, but he assumed it was for the better that he did not. She appeared sure of herself to a point, but it was easy to see the scare she had survived earlier in her stance and her walk. He understood that the events earlier had shaken her, and rightly so, but behind that façade of innocence, womanhood and seemingly helplessness there was something more. There was something else in her eyes that made Annihilate wary of the girl. There was a sense of untapped strength – a well of potential for growth that he had not seen in since he had departed Ondolond before the Marauders had been destroyed. He had personally invited many with that very same look to his ranks, and had opened them up to their inner power.

Alas, he no longer held the entirety of the group in his hand. No, they had been ripped from his grasp and torn asunder, countless were dead and even more were scattered and in hiding. Fire and blood still covered the university, their headquarters, and looking at her filled him with sorrow and regret. However, it also made his chest burn with anger. Since that day he had felt unsure of himself, but seeing such potential greatness behind silver eyes made him want to recall the masses, and openly wage war on the threat against them. Suddenly the shade was infused with a sense of purpose. He wanted to destroy his enemies, those hiding in the shadows, but he knew he could not do it openly. She had given him an idea, perhaps an edge. He had to find new contacts to reveal as much information from him as possible, and he had to find some who were not his usual stops. The shade needed new allies to wage his war.

But as he thought on it he began to wonder something. What was it about this woman that sparked such wild emotions and ideas in the warriors mind?

He gazed at her curiously as she confirmed that it was her that had been crying, and before he said anything else Anni asked, “What are you?” His voice was rough and thunderous, but noncritical all the same. He was not making any harsh accusations that would have her drawn to the stakes and crucified. He merely wanted to know what kind of creature he was dealing with. Below in the tavern he had seen many different distinct types of people and creatures, and before he had crossed blades with the three stumbling dwarves he took note of her encounter with the man. As his own fight unfolded he had lost track of them, but when it was over he noticed, as everyone began filing out, that there was blood on the floor, and her attacker had several wounds covering his face. As he recalled there were no other skirmishes within the bar, so that left only one conclusion – she had to be responsible.

The shade’s expression was illusive and unrevealing, and he stepped forward and put his hand on the door in such a way that it seemed as if it would not be closed, but he had also place the tip of his boot right against the frame of the door, which would stop it from being shut just in case. It also gave him a way in, and if he played his hand right he would have scared her to a point that she would not be willing to run. Annihilate wondered if she was some kind of rare creature, some beast that could not be replicated, or whether she was just one of an entire group located somewhere in the area. In the case of the latter he would surely seek them out, for he had little time.

In fact, he had less time than he realized, for in the hearts of the dwarves who had been beaten there was anger and revenge, and as they hobbled drunkenly along the roads away from the Kaima Inn they came upon a small group of riders in black. They were searching for the shade, and they questioned the diminutive little men in the most violent of ways. True to their nature of saving their own lives the dwarves gave all the information they had of the warrior who had defeated them in combat and of his last known location. Then, they were promptly executed for their vile sins – gluttony and wrath – and then these black-clad men road off towards Estolad – a short ride where their target awaited unknowingly.