Angelus Fletus

[OneoftheLost]

Hello. I am reposting a story I have started on the Blizzard forums. This is the first part, it is somewhat ironed out, but I still must have feedback! Why don't I do this on TDL? because I know damn well that I wouldnt stand a chance against such awesome stories. This is a Warcraft 3 Story. It is independent (For the most part.) of the actual campaigns of Warcraft 3 and its expansion. I also am working on a RPG map for this, but its just a side project and will probably never get released.

I have no name on these forums, I don't even know why I should post this, mainly because I promise there is better, I just feel like telling a story. Read if you want, this is the first chapter, the story itself is quite long, but not quite the epic that is the Oddysey. I hope you readers can point out any errors, or spelling mistakes, as i may have missed some. I would also gladly take feedback, of the negative or postive nature. As for the Warcraft world, you probably will read this and immediatly come up with questions, like who is this, and why is he fighting them, didnt Arthas do this? I ask only that you hold such questions until the next chapter. This is an intro.

Wow, ok now for the actual story.
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Capitulum Unas: Militus Bellum
(Chapter 1: The Militas' war.)

"I have destroyed men's lives, broken families, torn apart friendships, pushed men to their last wiles in an attempt to survive, I have watched these same men fail, yet I have also healed the sick, saved lives, and given aid to those who are poor. We do not walk the golden road and the path of good, yet we do not crawl down the black lane, or run down the path of evil, we do what we think is best, wether for us or for others. A killer does not think of himself as evil, he sees himself as a hero of his own story, albeit a different and more desperate one than ours. My child, good and evil are creations of mortal's minds, the gods do not make such petty differences between themselves and others." - Abrigand Dail.



"First rank, forward!"

He could see them - vile, disgusting creatures, they slobbered, they stank, they clutched swords with bleached bones....

"Shields up!"

Next to him, he could hear the jostle of metal on metal as armor pieces knocked against each other. He could almost taste the sweat, he could smell the stench of urine and body odor.

"Archers knock arrows!"

The large, barren, snow covered fields of Northrend set the stage. The generals sat at their desks and told captains what to do, and somewhere a woman was making love to her man.

"Sir, they have reinforcements coming from the south!"

The high-pitched, almost feminine voice, belonged to Lt. Hale, fourth in command of the forces of General Dumond.

"Damn, Lt. take the Knights of the Rose and see if you can't stop them while we wipe the filfth off of this continent."

Across the field he could see them - their eyeless sockets, the bone showing through tattered cloth and broken pieces of armor. Their "eyes" shone red in the mid-day sun, they were eager for the kill.

The alliance stood in rank, trying to stop the inevetible,Corwin gripped his shortsword, his shield felt like it wieghed as much as Galron.

Absently Corwin looked down at his chest, his helmet made such an action difficult, but it was worth it. He looked down at the locket.

Ailee.....

"HERE THEY COME!"

Corwin raised his shield, he felt his sword rise parralel to the forged metal. The thin sheet was the only thing keeping him safe from the damned's endless rage.

As one the hundreds of animated corpses let out a loud hiss, Corwin almost dropped his shield and ran in fear.

The soldier next to him actually did, running forward and then to the side, down the line of soldiers, screaming as he ran.

Corwin saw the creatures move, they were fast, and they seemed to move as one.

There were hundreds of them, and in a few seconds they would be upon the few dozen soldiers.

A few more men suddenly broke ranks, but not enough for the whole group to run.

Corwin felt a sword bite into his shield, he launched his arm into a overhead swing, aiming for the things' head.

If must have been a peasant at one time, for what little remained of its hair was cropped in the ever popular workers style. His sword fell true, killing the man, ending the pain and suffering of the soul, and then Corwin felt his instincts take over.

The soldier to his left fell, leaving yet another open hole in the ranks. Corwin found himself flanked by a woman and an older man as two soldiers stepped forward filling the gap. Corwin felt rather than heard a whistle as an arrow passed his ear. The archers were in their element, the unlucky footmen taking the brunt of the assault, while they fired their missles of death over the phalanx.

Corwin swung his sword, again and again. His arm piece's wieght was quickly started to fatigue him, everything seemed to be happening so fast.

The young footman could smell his next opponent before he saw it. "It" was a small child-size ghoul, wielding two daggers, and the rotting smile told the tale of a long dead bandit.

For several minutes Corwin parried the quick, precise blows with his shield, trying for an oppertunity to get a good solid strike in, or maybe a quick jab to one of his fellow soldiers' opponents.

Pain. A horrid, aching pain.

At first Corwin didn't even feel anything. Then he noticed the blood on his left arm,which was wielding his shield. He then felt his hand spasm and he dropped the kite shield to the ground. His opponnent made a rasping sound, and slashed at Corwins' chest plate.

Corwin stepped back, and expected to be pushed forward again by the soldier behind him, but nothing was there. In shock Corwin quickley turned his head.

The creatures had come from behind, the soldier guarding his back had turned and faced the new threat. Weren't the knights supposed to stop them?

Corwin felt another blow, and fell back another step. Blood trickled down his cheek and down onto his neck piece, then down his left arm plate.

Corwin knew it was almost over, he cursed. The old man fell, pierced by a spear. The woman screamed and suddenly leaped forward, using the surprise to cut her opponent down.

This was it. Corwin could see his uncle now. he could almost see his friends: Galeron, Ailee, Kyle, William. He had failed them all.

Corwin could hear a male voice rising above the din of the battle, it was surprisingly melodic, yet deep, its bass carried over all other sounds, it was shouting something, an old war-cry, from the first wars...

Corwin swung again and again, he was next to the woman soldier, swinging, he felt his voice go hoarse. He realized his voice was the one singing.

"In my heart, In my soul, I will not fall, for our families, for our king, we will make you crawl! In my heart, in my soul, I will not fall, for my family, for my king, I will send you to Sal!"
The woman next to him echoed it, and soon the entire alliance force was chanting and screaming in rage and pain. The defenders fought.

The scourge paid no heed, killing indiscriminantly.

Corwin felt his body go cold, he was tired.He losing vital bodily fluids.

The world was going blurry, he wished he was with her.....Ailee.....Kyle...Galeron......they had fought, they had killed the red dragon harrasing the town, they had rescued Lilly from the Gnolls, hell they had even saved Halgon and his tribe from the centaurs, four friends, living and trying to make the best of the worst situations.

A single tear slid down Corwin's cheek. His body had gone numb, but the freezing cold could not erase the real pain.

[OneoftheLost]

Nothing to say, here is the second part.

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!
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Capitulum Secundum: Conmemoratio
(Chapter 2: In remembrance)

"My love, I feel as if this world is a bitter and cold place, so many have died, so little has been gained, are the gods so cruel?" - Allice in "The Arthon." by Davie Locket



"Damn."

The single word expressed the thoughts and feelings of the entire scouting party. The group of orcs sat atop their mounts and just took in the gruesome scene.

The battlefield was covered in the dead, humans mostly. Body parts, weapons, armor pieces and even some siege engine parts all littered the small valley.

The orcish scouting party sat atop a ridge looking down into the valley. From their vantage point they could see what the humans had been trying to protect, a small settlement. A ring of buildings. Some outlaying farms. This was some sort of human outpost.

"Gorge, get back to the warchief and tell him we found some fresh bodies, we will need some wagons to carry all of this."

The orc in question turned on his wolf-steed and beckoned the powerful creature forward. After a few seconds the orc scout was lost on the horizon.

The others turned to their leader, they could hardly contain their smiles.

"Well boy's looks like them' damn human filfth got their backsides kicked....looks like we got us some fresh loot. Remember we have to save some for the warchief."

With a chuckle the captain ushered his mount down the hill. His troops quickley took up the race to see who could get to the site the fastest.

The orcs spent several hours looting the bodies. Galron Kolt, Seargent of the Orcish scouting party, and for the moment the most powerful creature in the valley, sighed with content as he spied what he had came for.

She was a beauty. a brand new Dwarven musket, from the look of the barrel she had never been used. Galron quickley added her to his collection.

The massive orc seargent studied the battlefield. If the captain wanted to know what happened, then Galron would be the one to tell. From the looks of the battle, and the placement of troops...Galron quickley surmised what happened.

The humans had been sent to protect this outpost, indeed such a force was much too big for a standing force. The outpost in question was housing two gold mines. The attackers were the scourge. The curse upon this fine land, they had already destroyed two orcish encampments and rumor was they were starting on that pathetic elven nation to the south, Q- something or other.

Galron walked among the dead, noting how the human general had placed his troops. Galron's experienced eye noted the strange formation, the general had left his right and back flanks completely undefended. He had been expecting reinforcements.

Galron was confused for only a second. He heard a cry from his squad.

"Sergeant, we found a live one!"

Galron rushed over, this was astounding. The undead masses were notorius for feasting on those who fell in battle.

Galron broke through the ring of orcish soldiers, they were laughing about something. In the middle lay two human footmen.

Galron studied the first one, a human woman. She had the dark skin of an islander of the south. The other human looked.......

The orcish soldiers stopped laughing, their leader stood curiously still....

Corwin opened his eyes and coughed. Noticing the silence he turned his head. Blood dribbled down his bottom lip.

"Yanca, what is it, where are we....."

His voice died in his chest as he looked the orcish leader in the eyes. Galron Kolt. Terror of the plains.

Galron gave a surprised grunt.

"Corwin Dugal!"

The great orc suddenly gave out a loud, deep laugh.

Corwin's eyes narrowed.

"Galron Kolt."

Galron stopped.

"Its been so long little peasant, I'm surprised you joined the military, you talked of your hatred for it! William would be so proud."

Corwin did not try to hide his disgust.

"To hell with you orc."

The female soldier broke her silence.

"Um, look pal, I wouldn't be throwing insults at a group of orc raiders."

It was Corwin's turn to laugh.

"Don't worry I know this one. Yanca meet Galron Kolt, terror of the plains of Azeroth."

Yanca turned, confusion written all over her fine features.

"THE Galron Kolt? Responsible for dozens of raids on human settlements? Killer of the the knights of the Seal?"

"Yup."

Corwin stared the orc in the eyes.

"Didn't a group of adventurers kill him and his raiders?"

Yanca was still confused.

Corwin laughed again.

"Kill? No, we didn't kill him, we got close though."

"Sh-Shouldn't you be-but.....we are gonna die arn't we?"

Corwin turned and looked at his companion, she was a talkative sort.

"Nope."

Yanca got to her feet, befuddled.

"What?"

Corwin slowly pulled himself to his feet. Galron watched, a bemused expression on his face.

Corwin took a second to take a breath, then he spoke.

"I saved his life."

The memories. Corwin could almost reach out and touch them, the past was devoloping a tangibility.....

Long ago, a peasant boy, a guard, and a noble woman searched for a missing girl.......

[OneoftheLost]

Hey all, Im assuming at least a couple of you have suffered through this, Im quite aware this next part has not been ironed out as well, so if you notice something let me know. Feedback is good too, but hey can't have everything right?


next part:



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Capitulum Triens: In Aurora
(Chapter 3: Into the Dawn)

The greatest warriors are nothing without their squires and fellow troops."
-Unknown, Sybalus Empire.


*Thwack!*

Sol. it's cold out here.

*Thwack!*

Wish father would hurry up already. How long can it take to buy some grain from town?

*Thwack!*

Corwin brought the axe head down on the log, splitting it cleany through the middle. Pushing the seperate halves off of the chopping stump, he proceeded to grab another. Setting it in place he hefted the large axe over his head.

Wish I was at the tavern.....

The young peasant punctuated the thought with a well-aimed blow to the log.

Corwin suddenly felt something wet hit his arm. Looking up, Corwin found it was snowing. Nothing big, just sprinkling, but it was enough for worry. Corwin chopped faster, renewed purpose giving strength too his tired muscles.

"Corwin! Quick get that wood inside! I don't want any of it wet!"

His father's booming voice pushed the young man into action. Gathering the wood pieces into a nearby basket, Corwin ran inside of the small farm house.

The two men were silent as the fire started up. Corwin layed each log carefully next to the fire.

Winter was coming, and soon they would have to start buying food from town, lest they break into the stockpile. Corwin noticed his father groping a bottle.

Sargon! He's gonna start drinking again.....I better find away to get-

"Corwin."

Corwin turned to face his father, who was staring into the fire.

"I talked to one of your friends in town, the guard, he wanted to meet you at the tavern, said it was important. Now before you say anything, get out there, but I don't want you back after morning break again, or Ill tan your skinny hide."

Corwin sighed with relief. Good 'ol William, saving him yet again.

Pulling on his coat and cloak, and grabbing his winter boots, Corwin prepared to leave. He saw his father had already started drinking....

Leaving through the front door, he only paused to latch it shut. Corwin felt the snow-flakes touch his face, he pulled his hood up. Corwin made his way down the road from the family farm. The path was well traveled and led to a small intersection leading north and east. Taking the eastern path Corwin passed several fields, he noticed the trees had given up all of their leaves, the snow was coming down harder now. The sky was dark, and soon Corwin would need a lantern.

Corwin saw one of the sentry towers up ahead. The town of Quill was a small town, consising of a town hall, a blacksmith, a lumber mill, a market, and a tavern and two inns, the town housed several hundred citizens.

Walking between the two guard towers, Corwin ignored the guards laughing. He overheard them talking about Ellisa, the mayors' daughter.

Corwin made his way through the surprisingly crowded streets, something must be going on...

The wind picked up just as the peasant pushed the tavern door open. He found the establishment was largley empty.He could here a few regulars laughing, and he guessed there was group of people in the next room, but that was it. The bartender was alone, wiping off a glass, the middle-aged man turned as Corwin shut the door.

"Ah, young Mr. Dugal, your father was just here. He mentioned that he was going home.."

" Oh, yes, he came home, told me William was-"

Corwin heard a shout from the next room, and then a familiar face poked his head around the open doorway.

"Oy! Its Corwin, glad you could make it, c'mon grab a chair, I got some news old boy!"

"Old?"

Corwin entered the room and saw Corwin had some guests, one was a man in leather armor armed with a bow. The other was a woman in luxerious clothing, she had no weapons that he could see.

"Mates, this is Corwin, good friend 'o mine, he's livin' on a farm south 'o here."

William waved Corwin into a seat at the table. The young man was a jovial individual, and seemed to always smile. Corwin had known William forever, they had both grown up on neighboring farms.

William had lost his parents when he was twelve to an ogre raid. Since that day he had swore he would join the military and become a great general to keep everyone safe. He had joined the local militia, and became a guard. His accent was something Corwin still could not place, his parents had come from an island south of the Azeroth mainland.

Corwin noticed the other two were quiet for a moment, then the woman sniffed.

William, my dear, why would you bring a peasant into this?"

The woman had blond hair, and sharp blue eyes, her high cheek bones belayed her rich blood. She was a noble, probably from a nearby town. The way she said 'Peasant' only reinforced this.

"Now, love, be nice, this peasant could very well lead us right to the girl!"

Corwin must have shown the confusion on his face.

"You, do know what is going on right?"

The man spoke, he was dark, a tan from spending alot of time outdoors. The outfit and bow suggested he was a soldier or a hunter. His dark eyes looked out from under locks light-brown hair.

"Er..."

William laughed.

"Sureley you must of seen 'em out there! The entire town is up in arms! you see..."

William leaned in close to the group, as if telling a prized tale.

"Seems the mayors daughter was caught, now you two already know this, but the mayor sent us, his pride and joy, to go find her."

The woman snorted at 'pride, but didn't interrupt.

"We searched for days! Went all the way up to Argroth! Finnally, after weeks we found signs of her at an abandoned orc encampment. Now before you say anything let me finish!"[b/]

The last was directed at Corwin who had been about to speak up.

[b]"You see, these wern't just any orcs! They were Galeron the Terror's group!"

The group went silent. Siezing the moment, William plowed on.

"Now that is why Ive gathered you lovlies here, the mayor is offereing a reward to whomever finds her. Nine-Hunn'rend gold! I say we can split it evenly-"

The woman suddenly spoke up.

"Ok, so you brought us here, Ive got my talents, and Kyle here is a good hunter and tracker, you are a guard and have your sword and armor, but what is 'he' here for?"

This was directed at Corwin, who couldn't answer that question any better than she could.

"Aww c'mon he can carry your stuff or something, you.....er...gifted types got alot of equipment to haul around, so I thought he could do that, plus he knows the land west of here extremely well."

The woman made a grunting sound as she stood.

"Whatever. Just don't forget you owe us for helping you."

With that the woman left, the hunter, Kyle in tow.

Corwin turned to his friend.

"Carry her stuff?"

William sighed.

"Sorry mate, she is one of them highborn types, friend of my nepehew, I asked her for help, that man, Kyle he's a renowned hunter from her town to the south. She can't see it, but you got alot of worth out there, plus Im trying to get you away from the drunk bloke of yours."

Corwin just nodded.

"I won't dissagree there, he's been drinking more, the anniversary is coming up."

"Oh, of the marriage?"

"Nah, of the day she left us."

William looked down at his boots.

"Oh."

"Its ok. I noticed you arn't wearing your armor, you get today off?"

"Yeah, damn captain was pissed when we failed, you shoulda' seen 'em he was all like what are you untrained dogs doing!"

Corwin heard his friend talking, but none of it was registering, he was trying to think of what to tell his father.

As the night continued the two friends talked, completely unaware of the scene unfolding in the next room.

[Foonyak]

I didn't see it at first, but I understand now. It's your subtle writing style... good, in a snowball-effect sort of way. Your story is growing on me, and I like it a lot.
Please continue.

[OneoftheLost]

Wow. Of two sites this is the first compliment I have gotten. Normally I wouldn't post another part so soon, but I got school off, and have been thinking about what should happen next. So here ya go.
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Capitulum Quatttuour : De Tabernae and Alienus
(Chapter 4: Of Taverns and Outsiders)

"A good man once told me that the harder you fight for it, the more it will be worth. Well I fought six damn years for this damnable empire, and I have yet to see what its worth."
-Footman of Azeroth, after the Second War.

The two friends heard a loud crash followed by a scream.

"BARFIGHT!"

Corwin and William looked through the doorway. It seemed all the people who had been outside earlier had come to the tavern, overall it was close to fifty people. Fifty, well-armed, drunk people.

"AR, YOU HIT MY -UH-"

With those words of wisdom cut short, chaos errupted. From what Corwin could see, there were two groups. Of the two the smaller were the bar regulars, common folk, peasants and villagers. The other group were the outsiders who had come for the bounty. Whatever had set the fight off had everybody riled up, no weapons yet, but given time.....

"We should probably stop them."

William surveyed the fight, painfully aware of the fact that he had no weapons.

"Righto. Lets put up a jolly good fight!"

Corwin laughed as he imitated his friend's lingo. Suddenly something smacked him in the face. Feeling an intense pain, Corwin looked at his feet. A goblet. Of all the low-down, dirty, under-handed-

Corwin dodged another, and saw it was a table of outsiders, they were cheering the others on, throwing goblets for fun.

Corwin suddenly bolted through the doorway, his lanky figure allowing him to sidestep most of the battle. He made his way for the table.

One of the outsiders at the table noticed the young peasant charging and turned to his buddy.

Too Late.

Corwin leaped.

The man turned again. His eyes widened as Corwin came down.

The whole room heard the shattering of glass and the explosion of wood as the chairs broke. The outsiders screamed curses as they tried to stand. Corwin was dazed, but managed to get to his feet.

Damn table, must of been old...

Corwin suddenly felt something slam into his shoulder. A poorley aimed punch by a local. Mr Fritz.

Mr. Fritz looked at Corwin's beleagured expression, shrugged, gave a sheepish smile, and threw a punch at one of the ousiders who was trying to get up.

Corwin dodged a punch by his first opponent. The man was a burly outsider, he wore a leather chest piece, but had no weapons.

Corwin aimed for his face, deftly dodging his punches while returning his own.

The bar was chaos, screaming, shouting, glass breaking, chairs being thrown. Corwin saw Old man Gestler take a punch to the nose from a female knight. He saw the bartender shouting profanities, and the bouncers approaching.

Dodging another punch, Corwin felt one connect with his left shoulder blade. Wincing, Corwin turned and saw a fist.

Corwin didn't know how the ground rushed up so fast, but he was certain that it was some horrific spell. Rolling over, he grabbed his opponents foot, the man fell. After a tense wrestling match Corwin found himself pinned, but he had one arm free.

"STOP THIS!"

Corwin turned his head and spotted William through his opponants armpit. In the middle of the chaos, he was shouting and waving his gaurdsman's badge.

The room went quiet for a second.

Then someone hurled a vase from behind and hit william square in the back of the head. With a loud crash William hit the ground.

Corwin bit furiousley at the mans arm, he squealed and moved it, just enough for Corwin to reach and grab a broken chair leg. Beating on the man until he let go, Corwin got to his feet.

Brandishing the wood in front of him, Corwin made his way to William who was groggily trying to sit up.

"Well, umm...your badge waving didn't work."

William stared at Corwin for a second as his eyes came into focus.

"Oh really? Where in the nine hells are the bouncer-"

William's eyes widened and he grabbed Corwin, leaping to his feet he dragged corwin forward.

A scene was unfolding. One of the bouncers had used an iron baton to beat down one of the outsiders. Suddenly as Corwin watched, a warrior drew a knife and stabbed the peace-keeper in the shoulder.

The room went dead silent. Everyone watched with horror as the bouncer fell to the ground.

The warrior smirked with triumph, then he noticed everyone's eyes on him.

"Hey, he attacked 'm brother!"

The brother in question rose to his feet, a huge bruise already devoloping on his face. They both drew their swords.

"William! Catch!"

Old man Gestler, black eye and all, threw a hatchet.

Catching it, William turned to face the two brothers.

Corwin turned grabbed a stone goblet off of the floor and stood back to back with his friend.

The brothers screamed and charged. Corwin turned and swung his goblet at the smaller one. The man mereley stepped to the right and brought his sword hilt over Corwin's hand, bringing it down on Corwin's bare chin.

Flailing backwards, Corwin felt someone hold him in place, as the battle between the brother and William continued.

The smaller brother had been subdued by the remaining bouncer. William fought the bigger one, trying to overpower him with the hatchet.

The man was experianced and fought like a madman against William's training. The battle raged for several minutes, then William made a feint, swinging the hatchet at the man's head. The brother sidestepped.......right into William's knee. He fell to the ground.

One of the outsiders suddenly rushed from the croud and drew a long-knife, a dirk.

Corwin acted quickley, grabbing the stone goblet again, this time he hurled it as hard as he could at the man's head.

The dirk fell to the ground as its owner slumped over.

Running forward Corwin grabbed the dirk, William grabbed one of the swords. The two of them stood back to back with the remaining bouncer and Old man Gestler. Somehow the latter had obtained a heavy warhammer.

"HEAR YE, HEAR YE!"

The bartender stepped into the circle.

"THIS IS MY ESTABLISHMENT, AND IF YOU WASN'T BORN HERE, BETTER GET THE HELL OUT!"

With that three heavily armed city guards walked in.

The bartender, face red, turned to William.

"Thanks me' boy, you did a good job."

William smiled wearily.

"No problem sah."

Corwin and William helped the locals clean up the mess and take the wounded to the chapel. Then they checked into the chapel themselves.

"Azuron, I didn't expect that, where'd ya get that butter knife?"

Corwin looked down at the dirk, its handle was oak, it had no handle guards. In fact if it wernt for the jewel in the oak center it could have been mistaken for a very, very long kitchen knife.

"Picked her up off of one of them outsiders."

William snorted.

"Well, keep it around, we are leaving tommarrow. Edgar's Trail."

Corwin looked up, surprised.

"North or South?"

"East."

William raised his hand, stopping his friends' protests.

"I know it goes through the Widow's Swamp, but it will take a good six to nine days off of the journey. I think some of the other search parties are on the right trail, they have been asking the guards. I want to get there first."

Corwin raised an eyebrow.

"Ok, well let me go inform my dad...gonna pack, I will see you in the morning."


"Okie, see ya' then."

William turned to leave.

A thought occured to Corwin.

"Is this about saving someones life, or is this for the glory?"

"Both."

[amazing barrel of nachos]

great story i think ill get started on one of my own right now

[OneoftheLost]

Capitulum Quinct : Recens Spiritus
(Chapter 5 : Fresh Air.)

" No matter how fast the light travels, No matter how hard it fights, it will always lose, because the darkness was there first. "
- The Parable of the Darkness


Corwin found himself looking down at the dusty trail as the group walked. He assumed it was sometime around mid-day. The peasant found himself behind the others, they were talking of subjects from back home. How such and such was doing, who was in charge of this, why somebody was cheating on somebody else. City stuff.

The group had left that morning after Corwin arrived late. His father had thrown a fit at his only child leaving on some "Worthless meandering around the countryside. " Corwin winced at the memory. The young peasant found himself studying the countryside as he walked. Vibrant greens mixed with the brilliant reds and violets of the trees. Fall was in full swing, and the trees were just putting on their beautiful coats of color in preperation for the coming winter.

The group was making good time, two more days following Edgar's trail and they would find themselves at the borders of Widow's Swamp.

Widow's Swamp. Corwin shuddered at the thought of it. The swamp was renowned around the area. Numerous farmers and travelers had been killed. The Witch Queen lived somewhere in there. Corwin really hoped that William knew what he was doing. The young peasant came to a halt as William called for a short rest from the road march.

Sitting down under an oak tree, Corwin started to check his equipment, he ignored the others, he had never really been a social one.

Corwin made sure his dirk was in it's homemade leather sheath at his side. He spent several minutes sharpening it before checking the rest of his gear.

Let's see, the axe is a bit old, but she can still cut through any tree out here. Torches, water, food, a sling shot with some metal shots, and lastly some rope.

The rope had recieved a laugh from William and a roll of the eyes from the noble woman. Megan.

"Honestly, Corwin when are we gonna use a rope, out in the middle of the plains while fighting orcs?"

Corwin had looked up, from his rolling up the said item.

"How about that time with the mayor's daughter? Or maybe you forgot about the milkman's wagon? Need I remind you abou-"

"Ok, Ok I get it, we bring the stupid rope, but you get to carry it mate."

Corwin now made sure the long black rope was taught and safely secured above his sleeping mat and tent poles. Lastly the peasant secured his two canteens to his side. He was all set.

"Ok lets get moving, we should be around Alf's Pass around nightfall."

The group got up and quickley made their way down the winding path. They walked for hours in silence, none of them were in the mood to talk, each left to his or her own thoughts. Suddenly Megan broke the uneasy silence.

"Kyle, what do you think of this countryside? Its beautiful, not like the city."

Megan was smiling as she twirled her bracelet around her wrist. Her long auburn hair hung in ripples about her face, framing her beauty.

The hunter, Kyle was walking ahead of the rest, scouting for potential danger with his bow and arrows. He was re-adjusting his leather chest piece and pauldrons as they walked, his bow slung across his back.

"It's quiet."

Megan laughed.

"Nothing like the city, all the sounds, the people, the gnomes and their-"

Kyle interrupted her.

"No, its quiet, William, where are the birds and animals? Its too early for the great migration."

Everyone fell to silence as William looked uneasy.

"I- I don't know, we arn't that close to Widow's Swamp are we?"

Corwin snorted. As the others stopped, he looked down the road.

"William, we are near George's Farm, maybe we should stop there and see how the trail has held up these last few years?"

Megan laughed.

"Why would we stop at a farm, William you said this path was perfectly safe, besides, you and Kyle are trained warriors, we have nothing to fear, right?"

William fidgeted uneasily.

"Well m'love, I didn't quite mention Widow's Swamp...... ya see....."

Megan narrowed her eyes dangerousley. Kyle raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Erhm.."

William coughed, he opened his mouth, then closed it again. It was obvious he had left certain parts of the journey out to the other two.

"Well you see, ah, Widow's Swamp has something of a.... ah, reputation around these parts. Yah, see, ah hell, Corwin you tell her."

"Me? She needs to hear this from an upstanding individual such as yourself, not just any field worker like me"

"Corwin, your not helping......"

"Hey, I-"

Kyle suddenly held up a hand, he crouched, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow. The others quickly crouched down as well. By now they could all hear it. Hoofbeats, somebody was coming.

Moving to the side of the road, the group crouched behind cover. Corwin found himself gripping his axe behind a large cottonwood.

The rider's could be seen clearly now. It looked to be a group of would-be-rescuer's much like themselves. It was a strange moment as they rode past, each of the riders seemed to take forever to ride by.

After they passed everyone emerged from the bushes.

"William, my love, why in the nine hells are we not on horseback?"

"I told you, this swamp is..... ah hell, lets take a break, I will have corwin tell you the story at Alf's pass, its just around that bend."

Sure enough, five minutes later they could make out a small clearing. The trail was used often enough that little campsites had been made, small low-cut stone walls and a stone firepit, even little holes for tent stakes.

It was beginning to get dark out as the group started setting up tents. Corwin would be sharing a tent with William and Kyle, while Megan got a tent to herself.

"You boys smell."

Was her only excuse.

Corwin was taking his boots off, and about to change his socks when he heard something aboutthe night watch, apparently Megan didn't need to take watch, she had to get her sleep for tommarrow.

"Fine, Corwin you have first watch, I will relieve you at midnight, then its Kyle waking me up."

Corwin sighed and put his boot back on.

As the others were sitting down, trying to get a fire going, Corwin went to get some firewood.

After several minutes of searching, Corwin found a perfect candidate, a fallen oak, she was a beauty, almost fully grown, lightning must have hit the base of the tree. Using his axe, Corwin cut several long branches off, and then the tip of the tree, perfect fuel for the fire.

Making his way back, Corwin found the others sitting around the fire. They had supper started and were boiling water in a pot. Taking a seat off near the tents, Corwin pulled out his dirk and sharpening block. He could hear the others talking.

"William, you really need to get organized. How are only the three of us going to take down someone as experianced as Galeron Kolt, not too mention his troops?"

William seemed to breathe in for a second. Then he spoke in a hushed tone, Corwin had to lean closer to hear what he was saying to the other two.

"Look mates, I got an idea, it ain't fool proof, and it may take us a little bit longer, but if we can make it through the swamp, Galeron has a daughter. She is four years old. We take her and use her as a bargaining chip."

The other two said nothing, then Megan spoke up.

"Are you implying that we go and steal the famous bandit Galron Kolt's daughter, then confront him and trade for the mayors daughter?"

"Erm...well yeah."

Megan made an audible screech and the sounds of a scuffle were heard.

Corwin quickly got to his feet. Making his way past the tents and too the fire, he found himself staring at quite a scene. Megan was being held back by Kyle, who was barley holding on to the angry woman. William was trying to sit up, but he was gasping for air. He locked eyes with Corwin. From the looks of it Megan had just used her boot to find his family jewels.

"....Hurts....."

Corwin couldnt help it, he burst out laughing.

"Oh, funny for you perhaps...."

Corwin got himself under control and turned to Kyle.

"Hey, why not tuck her in, I will take first watch, then we can go hunting down big-bad orcs on the 'marrow."

In a huff, Megan went to her tent, the other two crawled into the male's tent.

Corwin stood next to the fire, surveying the small walled-off campsite, two tents, one slightly larger then the other, and a small mound of hay where they had hid some of their equipment, namely Megan's ....devices. To be honest Corwin still had no idea what that woman did. She must have been a student of some university, but that didn't explain the dozens of vials of strange liquids. With a yawn Corwin sat down. Brushing a thin strand of black hair out of his eye, the peasant thought of his mother....

_____________________________________________________________
Much later that night....
_____________________________________________________________

Corwin shook himself awake. Something was happening. Dragging his groggy body out of his sleeping roll, the peasant emerged from his tent. It was dark out. Everything was quiet. Corwin crawled back in his tent. Looking over he went to wake his friend.

"William, c'mon some -"

William was gone. Searching frantically, he found William's sword and chest piece were missing as well. Rushing over, the youg man found Kyle gone as well. Running out of the tent he moved over to megan's tent. Or what was left of it. It looked as if the small tent had been burned to the ground, her belongings lay strewn about.

Corwin sat down heavily. He tried to remember what had happened. He had been relieved of watch, and gone to bed. What had he missed, what time was it? Corwin looked up. Judging by the moon and stars, Corwin guessed that it was about three A.M. What had happened?

Corwin got up and grabbed his axe, he then grabbed his travel vest and boots. Getting dressed quickly Corwin still couldn't remember what had gone on after he had fell asleep, where were the others? Why hadn't he woken up? Corwin strapped the dirk sheath on too his belt. Walking to the camp entrance the young man searched for tracks, or signs of them leaving. Bending down Corwin found himself staring at the strangest tracks he had ever seen. It was like.....long sticks had been pressed into the ground....Very thick sticks.... None of this made any sense........ Corwin surpressed his frustration, there was no sense in losing his temper now. Corwin got to his feet. Something was wrong, very wrong.

Corwin decided to go down the trail aways and see if he could spot any more signs of the mysterious abductee's passage. Walking for several minutes, Corwin could not find any more of the strange tracks. Corwin found something was in his eye. Stopping to rub it for a minute Corwin grunted, as he looked down at his hand, he could see a powder-

Corwin was only dimly aware of the ground rushing up to meet him.