I lay with my back against the solid, ragged surface of an oak's great black trunk. Blood seeped out of a chasm in my stomach. A cruel gash, jagged and deep formed by the blade of a sword etching into my flesh. An arrow pertruded from my right shoulder were a trickling river of crimson blood flowed.

My magic would not save me from my fate this time; the exhuastion would kill me before the healing was effective. Instead I allowed myself the prolonged torture of pain to retrace my memory, one wrought with sorrow, pain and lonliness.

I looked around slowly due to the great deal of anguish. My vision was dark and disorientated. I was on the verge of a forest, atop a small hillock. In the distance glinstining streams and lush green pastures lay. It was a very tranquil, serene land. It was unfortunate that shortly it would be ravaged by the sweet choas of war.

I sighed at my faliure, unable to wreak the vengence I had long sought, caught off-guard by my impulsiveness, my glee at the chance to finally kill and avenge. A swathe of dead carcasses rested about me, a rotting feast for the carrion. My blade, the weapon that sent them to the Underworld lay by my side. I hoped the looter of my body respects it; it was a worthy, powerful companion. My pack, stuffed with my tomes and spare clothes would be looted too, the tomes would fetch some money, very ancient and knowledgable as they were.

Resting my head upon the trunk, the bark stabbing into my skull I waited for my death to claim me.

Dryn walked down the long lonesome road not really caring where the path lead him.
He was always on the move, the city life was always dull. At least in adventuring there was always an air of excitement.

The path lead to a small grove where a beautiful stream trickled down joining other streams on its merry way.

Dryn paused and took a deep breath in, exhaling slowly he looked around, out of the corner of his eye he noticed something or someone.

Curiously he approached, warily he inhaled a quick breath to smell the decay of death.

Dryn frowned, "Such lovely scenery tainted by death."

Dryn quickly set about checking for survivors and removing anything of value from the dead.

I opened my eyes and rolled my head across to examine the source of the sound. A slither of hope rain down my spine. Groaning I began to heave myself up, despite the incrediable pain. A spurt of blood exited my mouth as I coughed roughly. In my harsh, thickly accented tone I growled,

"Help... me."

Lifting up my giant sword I leaned back, standing up against the trunk of the tree.

Looking towards the voice Dryn's eyes were met with a gruesome spectacle.
The man who had spoken looked near death, blood covered almost his entire body, and Dryn was sure a lot of it was from the body’s he had been looting, but the man seemed to be in great pain.

Drawing his dagger, Dryn slowly approached. “If you exert to much energy you will kill yourself sooner.”

I tried to examine the man but my vision was poor.

"I know... But just waiting here will... not do me any favours either."

I said grimacing, through gritted teeth. With a muted howl of pain I yanked the arrow from my shoulder and tossed it aside.

Dryn smiled slyly, "Well then sir, if you wish to live you must trust yourself into my care."

Dryn sheathed his dagger and came to stand beside him, "I'll help you, don't to worry, I'll take good care of you."

Reaching into his cloak Dryn started to pull something out.

I nodded and sheathed my sword. Hoobbling slightly I threw my arm around his shoulder to relieve some weight, believing that a lack of manners would be understandable in my situation.

"Where... are we? Last time I knew my... whereabouts... I was near Goruff."

That was several days ago. I had moved through the swathe of forests near the village of my birth and through the cold mountainous region. After that I lost track of myself. Chasing and tracked, hunting and hunted.

Dryn struggled under the mans weight for a few seconds before catching his balance. "To tell you the truth, I'm not entirely sure where we are."

Dryn pulled a small vile from inside his cloak, the substance was light blue in color.

Holding his breath Dryn pulled out the stopper, Dryn knew even smelling the pleasant fumes could put one to sleep in a heart beat, but it was also a powerful healing tonic. "Drink this."

I eyed him and the vial warily but wrapped my fingers around the neck and swigged it back being careful to hold my breath as I had noticed the man do. I had never before drank a healing tonic, I had relied on my magic and stitches more than potions and poultices. The powerful potion filled me with a soothing and strange senation.

"Thank you."

I said, before coughing painfully.

Dryn smiled, his cold eyes staring into the man, "It will take time for you to heal properly, the tonic functions best if you sleep. You may already feel the tonic working in you, making your body want to rest, don't fight it."

Dryn had noticed the man hold his breath before he drank the potion but it didn't matter, it was more potent if it was drunk then just inhaled.

I allowed myself to be washed in the tonic's ecstatic, calm. Soon I found myself tired and fatigued and as instructed I allowed myself to drift off. Rarley would I give into the commands of a stranger but in this situation I would have to, just in order to survive.

Dryn watched the man slowly submit to the potions effects. “You wont wake for a time friend, and when you do I may or may not be here.”

Slowly and cautiously, Dryn, lowered the man back to the ground, when he was sure the man was asleep he began cleaning his wounds to speed up the healing process.

When Dryn had finished he took one last look at the man who now was under the full power of the potion, sleeping soundly.
Dryn slipped a map next to the man, “When you awake, if you wish to thank me. This is where I will be.”

Gathering his looted possession, Dryn started to make his way down to the forest, when he reached the edge, Dryn glanced back and smiled before plunging into the darkening woods.

I awoke feeling slightly achy but otherwise pleasant. Although thier were still scars left over they were already white and dull. I was grateful that 'Thral' my sword had not been taken and too my pack, still left by the tree trunk. The other corpses though had been looted, possessions of value stripped from their dead carcasses.

A roll of tan, aged paper rested beside me, lifting up my arm to retrieve it caused some pain to trickle through my shoulder. Unfurling the roll, I saw upon it a map, detailed and precise of the surrounding area. A small cross shouted for my attention. Looking up into the burning, blue sky I saw the sun had moved far across towards the horizon. At least five, maybe six hours had disappeared.

Collecting my possesions I began the journey in the direction of the destination marked, sure it was of some signifigance.

The map brought Uthar to a small village protected by a palisade wall, the gate was guarded by two men in chain shirts with long swords strapped at their waists.

One man, a old battle wearied soldier with graying hair noticed Uthar first. “State your business.”
It was evident the man was somewhat intimidated by Uthars large sword, that made the younger soldier wary.

I retrieved the map from my pack and showed it to the veteran;

"I recieved this map; it drew me here. I almost died a few hours ago, somebody handed me a potion of some sort. When I woke up this was by my side. I'd appreciate it if you let me pass."

I said in my low tone. These men were not of my kin but the men of this land seemed fair and just although maybe a little suspicious.