Valerik flew atop the mighty ash dragon, Akor, high above the Squaldor Grasslands. The night sky gave the sea of jade below the vampire an even more placid feel. Valerik pressed tightly against Akor's back. The enlarged saddle across the dragon's back hugged his legs tightly, keeping him firmly on the speeding dragon's back. Already, stars were popping through the cloak of darkness, small gems glaring onto the earth below.

Over the horizon, several trees poked over, their foliage darker that the night, hard set against the sky. As Akor flew on, the trees came closer and closer, until finally they were beneath the two. Over the horizon, more trees came, an endless flow of grass and foliage. The trees were scarce though, only one tree every hundred of feet. Valerik stared towards the horizon, paying close attention to each tree. It was obvious that the vampire had a goal in mind.

The mercenary squinted, straining his eyes. One shaft pierced the night sky, similar to a tree. But it was different, lacking certain attributes of a tree. The object was much taller than a tree, even from a distance. The shaft was also a single, straight, upward column. It wasn't adorned by branches, leaves, or twigs. It merely stood tall. The object came closer and closer as Akor flew towards it. After several more seconds of flying, Valerik was able to tell that this shaft was not anything similar to a tree. It was a tower, exactly what the vampire was looking for.

Valerik was stalking one of the dark allies of Lomedor, his dark eyes scanning every pedestrian coming near. Every single nightime walker merely glared at Valerik, walking away. But after an hour or so of wandering, one of the pedestrians stopped, standing in front of Valerik. "So you came," said the dark figure. "Alex," he said, outstretching his hand. The vampire took it, shaking the cold hand. "I need you for a job," explained Alex. Valerik nodded, "I need details," demanded the mercenary. "I need you to travel to the grasslands, and seek out a tower. There you must ascend the tower to the top, and open the chest at the top," said the scholarly man.

Valerik nodded, "Any other details I need to know?" asked Valerik. "Yes," said Alex unwillingly. "You have competition. My colleague," he said with disgust, "His mercenary will be powerful. Use any amount of force necessary," Alex uncaringly told Valerik. The vampire nodded, turning his back to Alex. "Meet me here in five days," demanded Valerik.

Valerik commanded Akor to land. The dragon slowed, halting directly next to the tower. The ancient structure was made of stone, crumbling slightly. The base of the building was huge, more than two hundred feet radius. It was almost three hundred feet in height, rivaling the altitude of Akor. Valerik approached the wooden door, feeling to the door knob.