Chapter 1

Shadows in the Night

The moon slowly set over Banadar Peak. Morning was but a few hours away. It was time to be on my way Lonestar thought. Slowly, reluctantly, Lonestar got up and started to pack up the few things he had to pack. He did not want to leave such a beautiful spot. The trees were dark green; the grass was crisp and fresh with the smell of springtime about it. The waterfall and the stream gave the place a touch of serenity. He sighed in frustration. He really did not want to leave such a peaceful place, but he had to be in Northwall by no later than late afternoon. He still couldn't quite shake the feeling hat the letter he had got from this guy in northwall asking his presence was going to get him into trouble. He packed up his bedroll, his canteen, and slung his crossbow on his back. He left with the air still crisp with the chill of the night on the wind. The sun would crest over the western horizon in a matter of a few hours, and he wanted to be well on his way before that.

The terrain rolled by as Lonestar walked along the path, thinking of what the letter could possibly mean, or lead too, and if it was going to get him into trouble. His eyes casually checked out the land around him. His ears attuned to the slightest hint of something out of place. So far since he had broke camp three hours earlier he had seen no signs of trouble. However, he still could not shake the feeling of being watched. The hair on his neck refused to lie down. That was really starting to bug him too. His eyes rolled over the scenery, the day was turning out to be a peaceful one. Then his ears heard a branch snap off to his right. The sound was crisp and very clearly out of place. He reacted faster than most people could even think or dream about. He turned on his heel, his crossbow seeming to fly into his hand. He aimed, but all that was there to aim at was a blur of motion that was gone almost before it was there. He carefully scanned the area with his rune vision, but could find nothing.

'Damn what in lunas' name moves that fast' Lonestar wondered.

He continued to look around for the source of the blur, but he could find nothing. What ever had been the source wasn't there anymore, he hoped. And that really bugged him. Now the hair on his neck was sticking straight up.

'Guess I'll have to be on my guard from here on out until I get to town and straighten this all out. I wonder if that blur has to do with that damn letter. Well no reason to worry about it now.'

Finally after about two more hours of walking some relief came to Lonestar. The sun crested over the mountains. The first rays sent the morning dew into sparkling displays of color. Blues, reds, oranges, yellows, and even purple erupted from the rays of sunlight shining threw the dewdrops.

"Finally" Lonestar whispered to the wind.

· · · · · · · · · ·

A lone figure stood at the far side of a dimly light room. The only source of illumination was a few low burning candles. The room was lightly furnished with a small desk and a chair facing away from the wall where north met east. The desk had papers scattered all over it, and was carved in elfish style from solid oak. The chair was carved from a large piece of ironwood, and was carved in typical elfish fashion. On the north wall were stone cubbies built into the wall itself. The floor was decorated with a circular diagram and decorated with various runes, pictograms, and symbols, most of which were lost to the known world.

The figure stood in front of a crystal mirror whose surface was clear as glass. It was tall, but skinny. The figure was surrounded by an aura that told of ancient evil, power, doom, and destruction. The figure was dressed in a flowing black robe that came to his ankles, with the cowl of the robe pulled up over his head, casting its face in deep shadow.

He spoke in a tone that felt like claws raking up your spine, and give pause to even the strongest dragon. "Soon my pet. You will be finished and my lifetime of work will bear the fruits of all these years of work. Soon, you will be ready to help me to rule this miserable planet, and not even the gods themselves will be able to stop me." The figure then waved his hand, turned, and walked out of the room.

The mirror remained focus on one clear image. A small town that was torn to shreds. Then the image blurred and then the mirror returned too its plain reflective surface.

· · · · · · · · · ·

Lonestar walked at a steady pace. He wasn't to far from the outskirts of Northwall now. He estimated about only another two hours of walking before he arrived in Northwall. He was still puzzled about the letter that requested his presence as soon as possible. Oh well I'll find out when I get their. I wonder if this letter has anything to do with that shadow from earlier. He wondered to himself. The hair on the back of his neck started to rise. Lonestar decided to worry about whom was following him first.

He glanced casually to his left, and at the edge of his vision, he saw a shadow dart across the road. The shadow was trying hard not to be noticed. At least this time it resembled something human. His instincts were right; he had been followed for the past couple of hours. Now he knew that he was being observed, but what he wanted to know was why. Again, his mind wandered to the letter and the blur from earlier.

Damn I knew this was going to be a difficult day. Lonestar thought. Now to find out who is following me. Let's see what how they like this.

Lonestar whipped around starting his rune, in mid-turn. As he completed the turn around his rune was done. Lonestar flicked his wrist, then there was an eye searing flash of blinding bright white light. Quickly Lonestar wove two more runes. The first created a perfect image of him running along the path. The second camouflaged him to look like a large oak tree. Now the hard part, the waiting.

He only had to wait about ten minutes. The sound of a branch being swept out of the way caught Lonestars attention. He waited for only a few more seconds then leapt into action. He turned to his right and leapt at his pursuer in mid leap he saw who had been following him. An elf!!!

Lonestar caught the elf by the collar of its tunic. Unfortunately, the elf had a surprise for me. He grabbed my wrist, turned, and flung me a few feet away from him. Lonestar twisted in midair and landed on his feet. "Alright elf. No more playing around." Lonestar's voice boomed.

The elf just grinned and started to whistle. The sound was barely audible at first, then it grew in pitch. The vines around lonestar started to writhe and twist towards him.

"What the." Lonestar didn't get to finish his sentence as the vines snapped at him. The wrapped around his wrists, legs, ankles, waist, chest, arms, and neck, binding him firmly to the spot. Damn I forgot about elves ability to manipulate plants. Lonestar thought. Well I guess I'll have to show him what I'm capable of doing.

Lonestar closed his eyes and concentrated on his surrounds. Then focused on the ground beneath him. At first the sound wasn't loud enough to be heard the n it gradually grew in tempo. The earth started to shake, along with a rumbling sound emanating from the ground between lonestar and the elf. The elf looked around confused and a little bit worried. The ground shook and then the ground erupted. Large blades of solid crystal erupted from the ground around severing the vines like they were made of paper.

"Anymore tricks? Elf." Lonestar asked with a mischievous grin on his face. The elf just turned very pale. "My turn then."

Lonestar moved his hand up, and the elf bolted. "Not so fast, elf." Lonestar bellowed. Lonestar snapped his hand forward, pinkie, and index finger curled, leaving his thumb, pointer, and middle finger pointing at the elf. The ground in front of the elf exploded. Seconds later a rope of solid granite formed. The elf skidded to a stop, tried to change his direction, but failed. The second he tried to change his direction, the rope flew through the air and securely binding the elf where it stood. Lonestar noticed the elf was male and wore the clothes of a ranger. The typical green vest and the tanned hide shirt, along with the tanned pants. The elf wore a sword strapped to his side and a bow and quiver of arrows on his back. He didn't recognize the elf though.

"Now then, elf. Perhaps you can tell me why you were tailing me for the past couple of hours." Lonestar asked in a non-expectant tone. I know this elf isn't going to tell me what I want to know, but it can't hurt to try Thought lonestar.

"I don't have to tell you anything."

"Your right on that account elf, but the way I see it you either tell me what I want to know or I leave you here the way you are until my spell wears off." Lonestar paused a few seconds to let the situation sink into the elf's thoughts. "And that could be anywhere from an hour to three weeks."

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to his method. But seeing that this is the only way I'll get anything out of you…." "by the way have you ever seen a forest burn to the ground?"

The elf turned even paler then he already was and his eyes grew round with genuine fear.. "Y.. you wou.. wouldn't.You c..c.. couldn't."

"I can." Was lonestars' only response

Lonestar again closed his eyes in concentration. Lonestar raised his hand, aiming his pointer and middle finger at the nearest tree. A flame shot from his finger engulfing the tree.

"NO!!!! Please stop. Please" the elf was almost in tears now."

"Will you tell me why you're following me?"

"I can't. I just can't." the elf cried.

This is pointless. Lonestar thought. "Illusion vanish." Lonestar dropped his arm to his side.

The elf's face turned a deep crimson with anger. "You tricked me. You sticking tricked me. You…. You …"furious with rage the elf could only sputter and curse.

"Now,, once you calm down, perhaps you can at least tell me your name, so I can stop calling you elf." Lonestar replied in a respectful, polite, conversational tone. The elf continued to glare at him.

"Well then, if you aren't going to tell me anything, I'll bid you good day elf and take my leave of you." Lonestar turned around towards the path and started walking, then stopped, and turned his head.

"I hope you will be okay elf. There are some nasty things that call these woods home. Good day elf."

· · · · · · · · · ·

Four hours later, around late midday, lonestar finally reached his destination. Right away lonestar noticed that something wasn't right. The city was unusually quite for this time of the year, or for that matter anytime of the year. The hair on the back of his neck started to raise. There was no sounds of birds singing, the hustle of the people moving about the town, or the any signs of anyone at all. He knew something wasn't right, but what. He scanned the area, but all he could find was the lingering acidic smell of smoke in the air. Then the breeze shifted and a new scent assaulted his nostrils. Blood!

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