Hazy images, of consuming flames, and veiling smoke.

It was all she could make out when she managed to open her eyes. The heat too, when she remembered to feel . She coughed twice, and felt her body , aching all around. She looked around, to see something familiar perhaps, but the place where she once called home, was unrecognizable. burst into tears, if she had any left. She remembered then; what happened, that dark evening, and it added to her grief. She remembered the ugly beasts. When they killed everyone she knew. Everyone, but her, apparently. Somehow, they had left her for dead, yet she lived. She tried to get up to her feet, but it proved more challenging than usual. She could barely hold together, but she managed. She walked slowly towards the remains of her family on the ground. Her father, lying face-down, with his old sword still in hand, and her mother beside him. She gritted her teeth. She had lost all that she knew and held dear, in a lazy summer evening , and yet she couldnt bring herself to cry. She stopped as she stood near the bodies, and kneeled down. She noticed her mothers eyes; her deep blue orbs, gazing tirelessly to the sky. She had her mothers eyes, her father always told her. Her mothers eyes and his blackest hair. She leaned down on her mother, and closed her eyes with a gentle slide of her palm. And then she felt it. She felt her own eyes growing moist. Her stomach heavy. When they torched their house. The fire had almost completely destroyed the small house in front of her. She would have definitely

There she hugged her mother for one last time. And she cried, and sobbed. Quietly at first, but as the realization of the heavy truth came over her, she didnt care to be quiet no more. She cried, and she wailed, until her eyes dried out, and her consciousness slipped away.

Three more over here. Raneron reported grimly. Those bastards seem tove got everyone. If only we could make it here soo- Two. Added a slightly grumpy voice from behind. Huh? Two what? asked Raneron. Only two of em are dead, boy! One of them still glows warm, now move over and Ill see if its tbe stayin that way! ; Raneron, confused but eager to believe the dwarf, stepped aside. Gladrin leaned over the three bloodstained bodies on the ground, and easily noticed the girls faint aura. As he gently pulled the girl off the corpse, he could guess the childs way of thinking that lead to Ranerons mistake of assuming her dead. His thick brows went into a frown as he inspected her injuries. It didnt look lethal, but considering the emotional weight of the circumstance too, no one could blame the kid for collapsing when she did. Gladrin was the Paladin of the band. He wore his heavy armor to battle, and carried a stout shield and his trusty hammer. Like many of his order, he also had in his abilities to call upon the light to his aid. Sometimes to smite his foes, yet often to provide healing to his allies as well. He closed her eyes, and muttered a light prayer; then ran his hand over the girls stomach gently. A subtle glow lined his hand as he finished the spell, and the girl let out a tiny gasp in response. Gladrin smiled under his beard, and asked the girl Ye feel any better, lass? The girl, still dumbfounded at her state, only managed to open her eyes and stare at the dwarf. Cant have ye die on us now can we? he joked. Can ye stand? he added after a few moments. I..I think s.so.. was the girls big reply.

He offered his hand to the girl to help her up, and she didnt turn him down. Thank you kind ser she felt obliged to say. No need for thanks young lady. Added Raneron. For if we could have made it here earlier, there would have been more people alive than dead. She looked back over her shoulder to her familys lifeless bodies, and her burned down home. I was sure I was dead too... for a while. She stated quitely. Everything is gone. Mom and dad, and.. Were sorry for yer loss kid. But dwellin on yer losses wont bring none back. Added Gladrin, putting a hand over her shoulder. Yer a brave lass by the looks of it. Brave and hardy like a dwarf. Im Gladrin, and this is Raneron he shot a look at the young ranger. What are ye called? Zhera. She turned back again , to face the companions, and even in her battered, dirty state, one could easily say she was a beautiful young girl. With large deep blue eyes, and dark hair down to her chest, she promised to steal a lot of looks from the boys in a few years. She didnt look older than 16, but she would later insist that she was 17, and prove to be quite stubborn at it too. We gotta get back to the camp, let the others know Raneron put simply. Aye. Was the dwarfs reply. Come with us, girl. Theres nothing left to be done here, cept for a simple burial for your folks, if thats yer thinkin. Can we? I mean.. Id..like to be able to do that for them.. at least. Zhera stuttered. Decided then. You sit down and catch your breath lass. Ranny and I will see to your folks. Gladrin laid down the plan, to which Raneron aggreed with a nod.

Zhera woke up after a time which she guessed to be a few hours at first. For that split second, like a proper, usual day, she thought to get up to see her mother and father and ... then it all came back to her. She recalled everything, traced them back slowly and painfully in her mind. The day, the blackest of her short life, her rescue, and the journey she made together with her rescuers to the town of Nivar.

She was angry at herself, for how could she even forget what happened? Even for a moment? Then she felt guilty. Weak. As if all that happened was her fault, as if she could save them, save them all if she had been stronger. Tears which came hardly before, flew to her eyes; and with a lump on her throat, the image of herself on that day came to her mind, a pitiful girl lying helplessly on the ground, as her family got murdered before her eyes. Her lips curled to a forced smile to keep herself from sobbing. Oh how she detested herself. Then she felt something inside her. Something warm, powerful. Like a candle in the shade she was in. Through the visions of pain and despair, she clenched her fists as she made a silent promise to herself. To never again, be helpless and weak. To be strong, strong enough to protect all that she loved and valued. To never again , let her life be taken away from her . The biggest promise she would ever make. Mustering her newfound courage, she wiped her face clean and stepped down from the unfamiliar bed.

They had arrived at Nivar by the morning after a 3 days pace, and they had left her to the town inn while the companions would go to see an old friend, as raneron had put it. Zhera wondered who might that be, or would she get to meet yet another member of the little band. Nivar was a town on the outskirts of the nearby hill-ridge, called the Yellowridge a name earned by the pale-yellow coloured stones in the hill formation. Ranging from east to west, it marked a straight line, and served as a steady guide for travellers. Nivar was not a large town, not by any standards; but it served as a trade hub between the myriad small villages on the west, and the major cities of the east. What little farming and herding the villages could manage, they sold their goods at Nivar for a small profit, and the merchants turned their small spendings

there to bigger sums of coin when they traded with Yularis and Rebion in the east. Zhera walked around the room, trying to get her bearings back. She noticed some spare clothes on the chest, and then remembered how she must have looked like in her rags. Understanding that they were some kind of gift from her new friends, she thought she might as well get herself in proper looks too. Walking down the stairs curiously, hearing the wooden steps creak with her steps, easily distracted her from her own thoughts, and suddenly she wondered what sort of place she was in. She had never left her village before, not except for some visits with her late father to trade with other villages close by. Back then she never gave much thought what the rest of the world was like. Her life was busy and empty at the same time, same chores everyday, but it didnt take much to make her family happy, and with that she was content. But now that it all changed, she couldnt help but get a bit excited inside, to see what the world had in store for her. Downstairs, a familiar voice greeted her. Mornin to ye! She smiled at the gray bearded dwarf, Good morning ser. I have a name ye know! Gladrin jokingly frowned at her. Zhera, with an embarassed smile, reiteraded her words; Good morning Gladrin and followed it with a light bow, her hands on the edges of her new skirt, pulling them slightly. The dwarf was certainly not expecting that, and couldnt help but let out a chuckle to the girls performance. Come and sit lass he added. I bet youd like a good breakfast; I surely do !. Lightly nodding, Zhera sat near the dwarf as he waved at the innkeeper for their order. They were talking while they got on to their breakfast, Zhera asking, and Gladrin answering most of the time. So why are we here? she added another one. We thought you could use a proper rest lass, and also Ranny and I have a friend here that we needed to see. Shed like you, Im sure, hehe Gladrin smiled loudly. She? Who is she? Zheras eyes widened; Ill let her do the honors when you two meet Gladrin said before he helped himself to his flagon of ale, washing down his facial hair while drinking. Zhera silently thought for a moment, was Gladrins friend another warrior? A female warrior? She remembered her promise earlier, and wondered if this person was anywhere close to her ideals..

Alright then; Gladrin stood up from his chair (but didnt grow any taller doing that) Ill go pay the innkeep, and well set off for a stroll round town. Ok? Zhera nodded yes, while finishing up her last sausage. Raneron, walking through the town streets, on a cloudy summer day, looked up and concluded Things are not what they should be... somewhere. The ranger, stepping lightly as always, headed to the town market, to restock their rations and equipment. Things like torches were easily spent and had to be replaced whenever available. His mind was elsewhere though. He was curious what answers Gladrin would find. They had known the orcs were getting restless lately, but at a scale to murder entire towns? When did they grow that bold, he wondered. There had to be something, someone else behind their unusual aggression, something more evil and even more foul smelling than the orcs, he entertained a thought. Valyna Whisperstep, talented thief and a master scout. She was as silent as morning breeze, and as alert as a hungry owl. Few things escaped her keen sight, and long ears. For she was an elf, a moon elf to be precise. With a pale blue complexion, stark white hair, and eyes that glew dimly, she carried herself with pride, both to her race, and her chosen profession. Moon elves, unlike their lighter-skinned kin, prefer the shade of night, instead of the sun. With skin, coloured in shades of blue, and eyes glowing faintly, they certainly felt at home in the light shine of the moon. As all other races, they had spread among the land to be seen generally everywhere, though still rarer, since their numbers were fewer compared to those of dwarves and humans. Valyna, was a perfect example of a moon elf. Skills such as stealth, and awareness, are ones widely accepted and sought after in moon elf society, combined with their racial traits such as infravision, made them literally perfect for jobs as hers. She owned a shack in Nivar, where she called home whenever she had the luxury to setlle down. More often than not though, that was not the case. Between her contracted jobs every now and then, she kept herself busy poking her generally curious- nose to affairs that wouldnt really enjoy being revealed

to her. But information, was a valuable commodity. And one that sold quite well, if one used it wisely. She had received word from Gladrin recently, and she too was glad to hear from him. For they were friends of old indeed, and they saw each other far less than both of them really liked to. But they had their obligations and pursuits of their own, so reunions were fewer and far between. She would enjoy this one, even with the times growing dark.