Chapter Two
By Untwisted

Reprinted with permission.
Added 07/19/2002.

The sun was high over head when Palyn nudged Dajyrad awake. He had slept in a small hollow about a mile from Di-Jin's tower. The huge stone structure jutted through the forest canopy behind him. Stretching lazily his leather armor gave a low moan.

"Mornin Palyn." he said, still waking up. "Any particular reason you woke me?"

"Well, yes. There's two heavily armored men heading toward us, less then a farthing away. One wields a tachi of flame, the other a vaporous mace." replied Palyn, sidestepping to and fro.

"What shall we do?" questioned Dajyrad, while scanning the area.

"We will wait, we are still on Di-Jin's land. He would never let them harm us, so we might as well see where they're headed. Start a new adventure maybe!" said the ferret excitedly.

With that Dajyrad gathered some nearby wood and leaves, while Palyn hunted for rabbits. Soon enough Dajyrad was slowly rotating a makeshift spit while Palyn looked on hungrily.

After washing down their meal with water from a nearby stream Dajyrad reached deep into his pocket and withdrew a bone flute. Lazily the two sat in the sun as Dajyrad wove musical notes into vivid melodies.

When at last the two felt they could wait no longer two heavily armored fellows ambled slowly over the path, taking no notice to Dajyrad or Palyn. One fellow, the shorter of the two was wearing dark blood red plate, veined with a brighter more visible red. He brandished a flaming sword in his right hand as if it were a toy, sporadically feinting here or there. His friend, a taller fellow wore a lustrous silver plate, and wielded a mace of the same silver metal, flames spouting from the flanged head.

"Hail!" shouted Dajyrad. "Where are you fellows heading?"

The two men halted and turned as if Dajyrad appeared from nowhere.

"Hullo," said the stout fellow "we're on our way to a town rumored..."

The taller fellow shot the other with a swift glance which made him abruptly stop talking.

"Who are you, and why do you question us?" asked the taller fellow.

"My name is Dajyrad, and I would simply like to know. My friend Palyn and I are looking for adventure. Might you have a seat and share a cup of draught with me."

The two men sat down as Dajyrad began filling four tin cups with a pungent draught from a dark blue decanter.

"Might I ask yer names?" questioned Dajyrad.

"I am Padre-Adamo!" said the shorter of the two.

"And I Charon Soulseeker." added the taller.

After drinking the liquid and the men had exchanged stories Dajyrad began to clean up his camp with the aid of his newly made friends. He had learned much from the two during their drink. Padre-Adamo and Charon Soulseeker were brothers. The two were heading for a rumored town overrun by banderlings.

Padre suddenly spoke, "I've been looking for an apprentice. I could teach you the way of arms, and equip you with armor and weapon. I could teach you to fight, to survive in this... place."

Dajyrad opened his mouth to speak, but paused as Palyn nipped his leg.

"Don't be hasty now, think first!" she whispered.

Dajyrad nodded and spoke, "I must think about it. What if I were to accompany you on your journey to this town. There you will receive your answer."

"Fair enough." said Padre with a nod.

The party finished packing and began their journey toward the town.