Coren sat in the saddle, staring forward along the road as he made his way northwards towards the city of Freehold. Thankfully, he was nearing the city and would soon be back to the place he called home. Unfortunately, at least as far as Coren saw it, he'd had to pay for his transport back here. He patted the chestnut mare's side and smiled. Still, she was a worthy steed and full of vigor. Just a pity he hadn't managed to get the price down a little more.

It was dusk as he approached the woods that surrounded Freehold. Scanning the path ahead, Coren fancied he could almost smell the lamb stew and ale served at his favorite inn. Instead, the man known to some as the Great White Bear, spotted a wagon that had been forced off the road.

As he passed the ruined wagon, Coren spotted two dead men as well as strange scorch marks on a nearby tree. He spoke in a low voice to Gelda, his horse.

"Dolfanc, you think?" he muttered under the breeze. "So close to home? Do they get braver, you think, or more desperate? Or does something push them, a dreaded darkness perhaps?"

Coren reined his horse in and scanned the area. He could see some tracks leading off into the woods. Likely, whoever it was had stopped the wagon, killed the men driving it and taken whatever they had. Should he go after them, as the light began to fail, risking his life? Or leave the bandits to their spoils and head onwards to warmth and ale?

The scene troubled Coren, but he was unsure what to do. Suddenly, he heard a scream coming not far from within the woods. Loosening his axe, Coren had decided. He turned his horse away from the road and followed the tracks, seeking to aid the one who was in trouble.

…

Li-eira’s heart hammered even harder at the sound of her own scream. The dark force that she’d felt pursuing her for days had finally caught up with her. She was completely and utterly spent, her spells were depleted and the two mercenaries that she’d hired to protect her had been slain before her very eyes.

Her body was exhausted both physically and mentally, that scream was quite possibly the last sound her ears would ever hear. Li-eira was remorseful at that thought, so many lovely sounds in the world and instead it was the screaming gurgle of fear that would send her out of this world. Not even a sweet dream to remember, her last two nights had been sleepless, because it was when she slept that they could find her.

Li-eira was so entrenched in her miserable unsatisfying death that her keen senses didn’t hear the approach of yet another player in her fate.

...

There, in a small clearing within the woods, stood four ugly, hideous goblins. Three were what passed for normal for their kind but the fourth was a head taller with more defined muscles and a larger, sharper sword in his belt. Clearly the leader of this small group of evil creatures, the hobgoblin was arguing with the other three about something.

All four of the Dolfanc wore muddy browns and earthy greens leathers. However, occasionally, a splash of color could be seen. This color was from the garb of a young woman that the creatures passed from one to another like an object as they continued to argue. In fact, the four goblins were so engrossed in their discussions that they failed to notice the rustling coming from the bushes surrounding their makeshift camp.

Suddenly two 'thwips' were heard flying through the air. Abruptly, one of the foul creatures called out in pain, his cry cut short by a gurgling sound. A short arrow pierced his chest and another jutted from his neck. The injured goblin tried to take a step forward, but stumbled and fell to the ground. As he dropped slowly dying from his wounds, a roar erupted from the undergrowth.

Coren, clothed in the skin of a white bear with a mighty battle-axe raised above his head and a round, wooden shield at his side, thundered into the clearing. The Dolfanc reacted quickly. The remaining two smaller creatures drew their short swords and faced the warrior. The larger hobgoblin grabbed the struggling woman in one of his strong, callused hands and drew his broadsword in the other. He sneered and hissed as he pulled the woman back.

Li-eira blinked her eyes in confusion as she watched the battle wage around her. The man looked scary and formidable and left her wondering if she was trading one death for another. Hope soared within her despite the intimidating presence of the warrior. Maybe…just maybe she would live to see another day.

Coren slammed into the two defending goblins. Swinging his axe, he cut into the arm of the nearest creature whilst stopping the thrust of the other on his shield. As the first creature recovered, Coren kicked at it and then swung the axe around to catch the second goblin.

The powerful swing caught the creature in the side. It screamed and stumbled to the side. Turning back to the other, Coren wasn't quick enough to move his shield to block its sword swipe. Thankfully, his toughened leather armor took the brunt of the attack. The attack had bruised him but not cut his skin.

Concentrating on the first goblin, Coren feinted, blocked the follow-on thrust of the creature's sword and then swung his runic axe. In the dim light, the edge of the blade seemed to glow as it arched down and cut into the goblin's neck. The creature howled and fell to the ground.

Ripping his axe free from his dying enemy, Coren turned to face his second foe. It was badly wounded, Coren could see that. He expected the creature to turn and run but, after a barking command from the larger hobgoblin, the smaller creature clumsily rushed at Coren, holding its sword in front.

Coren easily batted the sword thrust aside with his shield and, with a quick but powerful smack of his blade, severed the head of his enemy from his body. The goblin fell to the ground dead.

Taking a deep breath, Coren turned to face the hobgoblin...

Now that his attention was focused on the hobgoblin and his hostage, he could see how fragile the situation was. The woman was as pale as death and her entire body sagged with fatigue, whatever fight she had in her was long gone. But, as he looked carefully at her face he saw a startling glimmer of hope shine to life in her clear blue eyes.

And with that faint light came the realization of how beautiful the woman was. Never had Coren seen someone as pretty as her. But there was something more, something familiar about her, something he had heard... Coren's eyes widened and the grip on his battle-axe tightened. He edged towards the hobgoblin.

Li-eira winced painfully as she saw the Bear Man come at her. She knew, at least for now, that it was her captor that he was set on. But had she any energy for her vivid imagination she would have worried about the warrior’s intentions once he dispatched the hobgoblin.

Taking his eyes away from the woman, Coren addressed her captor.

"Let the woman go and you will live to see another day", he ordered, his voice deep and powerful. Not knowing the tongue of the Dolfanc, he spoke in the common, tradespeak language.

The hobgoblin hissed and grabbed the woman tightly.

"Leave uss Bear Man", the creature muttered, also in the common tongue. "Thiss meat belongss to the Masster. You sshall not take it"

That surprised Coren. Goblins were not known to bargain and did not usually capture people for others. Though Coren wondered who this 'Master' was, it mattered little at the moment.

Coren studied the large goblin. It was strong but not, it appeared, very quick. Nor was it very intelligent. It held its broadsword to the side rather than against the woman's pale neck. It’s eyes kept looking from Coren to the forest, ensuring that it wouldn't be surprised by others but giving Coren a chance.

Coren looked at Li-eira and smiled. The smile, hidden somewhat by his plaited, white beard, was nonetheless filled with hope and kindness. He winked and then did something unexpected.

He dropped his battle-axe.

The hobgoblin grinned and hissed in triumph. Its grip on Li-eira loosened a little as it took a step away from the big bear man, its eyes still scanning the forest. And in that moment, Coren acted.

Quickly, Coren grabbed his hand-axe from his belt. In a blur, he raised the axe and threw it with all his might at the hobgoblin. As it sang through the air, Coren reached down, grabbed his dropped battle-axe and ran like the wind after it.

A look of surprise appeared on the hideous face of the hobgoblin as the throwing axe buried itself deep in its shoulder. It gasped and let go of Li-eira as it lifted its broadsword to face Coren's charge. The girl took the advantage that the warrior provided her and quickly scrambled away from the beast. Axe blade met sword edge as the creature narrowly managed to fend off Coren's initial blow.

Still, the hobgoblin was wounded and shocked. It was strong but not as powerful as Coren. And it's skill with the sword was no match for Coren's expertise with his axe. The outcome was not in doubt.

Coren blocked a hastily thrust sword blow with his shield and swung his axe. It bit deep into the creature's side. The hobgoblin cursed his white-haired enemy but feeble curses were not enough. Moments later, Coren's axe finished off his dark foe and the creature fell lifelessly to the floor of the clearing.

Panting a little, Coren retrieved his smaller axe from the body of the hobgoblin. He wiped the black blood from the blade and, seemingly satisfied, approached Li-eira. The girl had stumbled to the forest floor only a few paces from where the hobgoblin now lay and he could tell that her fear still ran deep.

With a look of worry and concern on his weathered and scarred face, he crouched near her and asked, "Are you injured, lass?"

Li-eira was thankful for the gentleness in the man’s tone, she had a firm sense after he spoke that he didn’t wish her any harm. Even so she couldn’t trust her senses right now because evil was pervading every pore in her body. This place stank of evil, felt of evil, her eyes ached from the evil, and even her tongue tasted the bitterness that was evil.

It took several moments before the girl replied to him. As the time slipped by he could tell that she was taking his inventory and doing what she could to calm herself down, including he was sure a silent prayer.

When she did reply her voice was soft and grateful. “I’m alive. Pushed beyond my physical limits, but I’m alive.” She looked down to the ground almost bashfully. “Thank you sir.” She pushed herself into a sitting position and swallowed hard to keep the well of tears that she felt from exploding forth.

Coren's smile wavered a little. The woman was obviously fearful of something. Perhaps it was still shock and horror from the attack? Maybe he needed to lighten the mood.

"Aye, I know you're alive, lass" Coren replied jokingly. "I wouldn't be talking to a corpse now, would I? I wanted to know if you were badly injured not dead".

Li-eira winced at the thought, he could not realize how close she’d come to death. It was different for Magi, just the exertion of wielding too much power could be fatal. If he hadn’t come when he did…the thought was too much to ponder on at the moment, so instead she shook her head in response to his question.

He shrugged and scratched his beard. "Still, you're not screaming now so I'll assume you've no open wounds or broken bones". In fact, a cursory glance of her body confirmed this.

“No Sir. As far as I can tell I’m still in one piece. My fatigue has overwhelmed me and all that I have witnessed has sickened my soul.” Her voice was sweet but sounded haunted. “My name is Li-eira and I am truly in debt to you for your kindness.”

Looking at her, Coren was struck by how beautiful she was even in this state. And there was something more about her, about her eyes. 'Perhaps it's just the tears' thought Coren. He moved closer to help her to stand.

"My name's Coren" he added, introducing himself. "I was on my way to Freehold. I've a horse tethered just outside this clearing. If you can ride, we can get you to Freehold and let a healer or priest to take a look at you".

He winced a little at this. Seeing a healer would cost a few gold and a priest would require a 'donation'. Still, he wanted to help her, especially if this was who he thought she was.

Li-eira did her best to summon a small smile as she gratefully took his proffered hand. “Your generosity and concern is appreciated…but there is nothing they can do for me that I can’t do for myself. My fatigue can only be cured by rest, magic can speed up my recovery but that is all.”

As Coren helped Li-eira out of the clearing, he asked her a few questions in the best comforting tone that he could manage. He could tell by the way she leaned on him that it would have been nearly impossible for her to have made her own way out of the wooded area. Even so, her weight did nothing to slow him down, everything about her seemed fragile.

"I assume you were heading to Freehold when these creatures attacked? Do you have family or friends there?"

It didn’t take long for Coren to feel the tension ease out of Li-eira’s body as she realized that he meant her no harm. Now that her worry about his motives subsided she felt it being replaced by a tenuous strand of trust. “I’m a silver path mage.” She shook her head pathetically before continuing. “I don’t have any family there or friends, I was on my way there to seek knowledge from a fellow pathmage.”

Coren's body stiffened a little when see mentioned she was a mage. He looked down at the fragile woman in his arms.

"You're a witch, lass?", he asked rhetorically, his voice even and controlled. He looked at her again, closer this time, and realized she was of no danger to him. Not at the moment. Anyway, she was a white witch, one of the supposed good ones. He relaxed a little. If she were the one, it made a certain kind of sense.

"Hrmm. Well, I don't dabble in the mystic arts myself", he added in explanation. "I assume yer headed to the tower?"

“My horse should be near the wagon… If you could help me to my horse I can be on my way. We should part ways here…it isn’t safe to be around me. It seems that I bring death with me wherever I go.” She looked up at him warmly and while her voice rang true, he could still feel that he was bearing most of her weight as they walked, and she didn’t seem as eager as she sounded to part ways.

"It isn't safe for anyone any more", replied Coren absently. "As for death, I've seen plenty of it, so that doesn't worry me".

Li-eira nodded her head slightly at his words, they were simple and true, it wasn't safe for anyone any more. A few months ago that would have alleviated her fears altogether, but in recent weeks there had been too many sleepless nights and unexplained occurrences for her to think that she was nothing more than an innocent bystander.

He turned to Li-eira.

"Look", he said earnestly. "You're in no state to continue on. You need help. And, one of my many jobs is a body guard. I'm a mercenary by trade, one of the best. Ask anyone in Freehold. I've fought the Great Beast Nodruuk and survived. I've faced dozens of orcs and defeated them all. And", he added with a wink, "my rates are very reasonable".

It took a significant amount of effort for Li-eira to tilt her head upwards to meet Coren's gaze. Her pale blue eyes were dim with hope when she spoke. "Coren, I would like nothing more than to take you up on your offer. I would give you every last copper in my ample pouch to lessen my troubled travels. Nothing sounds more enticing than a single night of uninterrupted sleep." Even though she stopped speaking for a moment there was an eminent 'BUT' ready to fall.

And as they rounded the last tree before the clearing it dropped. "...but...", her voice fell into a whisper as she looked once again upon the tragic scene by the wagon. "...I care too much to let anyone else die for my ill fated pouch." Li-eira took the final few painful steps to the wagon alone and knelt down next to the slain guards.

Though she'd only known them for a short time it pained her deeply to see their lifeless bodies. With great care and effort the delicate blond woman folded the arms of each warrior over their chest and with her soft caring caress closed their anger ridden death gaze. After both of their faces were etched forever into her memory she took each of their shields and covered their battle hardened bodies.

Coren watched her as she went to tend to the fallen warriors. Cursing to himself, he went over to help Li-eira.

"Do not fear for them now, lass" Coren said quietly, his head bowed. "Brythax has taken their spirits and guided them to the Grand Hall of Verengaard, where they shall feast and make merry forever more. Aye, and no doubt boast of their bravery to the gathered heroic souls".

Making a mental note of their location, Coren then added, "We should bury them or burn their bodies but the evening is late and it is getting dark. Also, there may be other Dolfanc nearby. Come. We should head on to Freehold so you can rest. I shall see to their bodies in the morning".

"As for caring too much", he added turning away from the bodies, "such a thing is not possible".

Worry shadowed Li-eira's face as she quickly stood and looked up at the invading darkness. The night had become her enemy of late and the last thing she wanted was to be here on the side of the road when it fell. The quick motion she made to stand was more than her spell drained body could bare and she stumbled forward into Coren's unsuspecting but ever prepared arms.

He guided Li-eira to his horse and then onwards towards the road. "You need some one to protect you and I, well, I'd be glad of the company, la... Li-eira". He helped her onto her horse and then climbed on his own. "And, who knows, maybe you'd consider going into business with me. A warrior and a witch working together could make a lot of money, eh?"

He had other reasons of course but, for now, he did not voice them. Instead, he inquired about this death that followed her.

A small genuine smile creased the young woman's face when he called her a witch for the second time, but it was more the absurdity of her being an adventuring mercenary than his slang term that brought her the faintest feelings of mirth. "You are right that I need someone to protect me." She allowed her gaze to meet his once more. "If you are truly up to the danger and the task I would happily pay you for your services. ...and if ever we came into danger I would fight by your side...that will be my promise to you." There was power in her words, her voice itself was soft and weak, but the resolve behind it was solid.

Coren smiled and nodded.

"Then it is agreed" announced Coren. "I am now in your service and shall do my utmost to protect you from the danger that follows you. And do not worry, I have faced danger many times before".

He thought back to his time with the Dragonlords and his enforced 'service' with them, as well as the many tasks he had had to perform for them. He also thought of his escape from his powerful masters. Working with this beautiful and caring woman would be easy compared to that, he thought.

"And your... mystical assistance". He waved his hand in the air in a vague gesture that might have been a mockery of a spell casting or something to ward off evil. "Well, if the need is there, then I would be, hrmm, glad of your assistance. But first you must rest".

"Why did you say that you bring death with you?" he asked as they got themselves ready. "A pretty lass like yerself surely only brings light and cheer? Is it anything to do with this Master the goblin was muttering about?"

"I don't know." Her eyes looked wearily ahead of her as her mount tread solidly towards town. The young dappled mare that Li-eira was riding seemed to sense her rider's mood and any spring that she might have had in her step was carefully reigned in. "I don't know who is after me or why. Until tonight I wasn't even sure if it was real or if I was going mad. ...but my nights have been plagued by powerful dreams and I have this overwhelming sense that someone or something is trying to capture me."

Coren glanced askance at Li-eira. "You have also been plagued by dreams? Hrmm, like a plague perhaps it is catching" Coren muttered. He gaze fell once more on the path ahead of them.

"I, too, have had dark nightmares" he spoke up a little more loudly though hesitantly. "A black serpent pursues me only to defeat me in the end. I went to see the Tomiak Oracle on the Spire and she was of little help. But she did say I was to find some people to help make the nightmare go away. One of those sounded like yerself, lass. Do you have some skills in bringing a restful nights sleep? Some witchcraft to cause nightmares to melt away?"

From the tone in his voice, it was obvious that Coren was not that hopeful of a positive answer to his question. These things were not so easily defeated.

Li-eira's voice was filled with empathy when she replied. "I'm sorry for your nightmares. I may be able to help you some. I have some skill at creating minor potions and remedies. Perhaps a gentle sleeping aid added to your tea will allow you a dreamless slumber. I couldn't imagine though that my mundane talents with herbs and spices would be enough to land in your prophecy." A gentle smile creased her face once again at the notion.

"I will do whatever I can to help. And in return I would like to hear more about this Oracle and her prophecies. Perhaps I could seek her out to help me understand the darkness that haunts me." Li-eira paused to allow a troublesome yawn to escape and then continued. "...after I rest. I'm afraid that I'll be of little use to anyone until I can recover some of my essence."

Coren nodded his agreement. “Perhaps the Oracle can help you, though I doubt it. Still, once we have rested and are comfortable, I shall tell you of the witch in the mountains. And if you still wish to see her, I will guide you there. In exchange for your herbal remedies, of course” he added.

They continued onwards, Coren helping to guide Li-eira's mare along the road through the woods and onwards towards Freehold. And as they headed towards the sunset Coren, ever wary, glanced behind them. All he could see was that darkness was coming.