Setting: Town in Raidon

Characters:
Parn / Deedlit
Slayn / Shiris
Leylia / Orson
Etoh / Pirotess
Liara / Woodchuck

Parn and his friends arrive in the town of Aridan, Raidon to find a place to rest for the night. Parn and Deedlit's confrontation at Half Crest Mountain looms ever closer.

Inn Keeper: Sorry no room for you. (he slams the door in Parn's face)

Etoh: (annoyed) What is wrong with these people? You would thing one person would grant us a place to stay for a night.

Woodchuck: You people have no idea how to do things in Raidon. Why don't you go to the bar or someplace, and relax. I'll take care of the night arrangements.

Deedlit: Oh really? And how exactly do you plan on doing that, hmm?

Woodchuck: (smiling coyly) Don't you worry your pretty little head off about it, just leave it to me.

The group breaks up and heads to different areas of the town. Liara accompanies Shiris and Orson to the bar, while Etoh heads to a local shop with Slayn and Liara. Parn and Deedlit head to what appears to be a tavern but is better kept than the one Shiris, Orson and Liara went to. Pirotess sleeks off by herself, with out any particular destination in mind.

Shiris and Orson enter the bar with Liara. As Shiris opens the door a grin spreads across her face. The bar is a typical one of the times. A large man with a white mustache is behind the bar serving drinks. One man at the bar is passed out with glass in hand. At one of the circular tables in the back is a group of men and women laughing. Shiris sits with Orson at the bar, Liara looks uneasy.

Shiris: (waving over Liara) Come on, sit.

Bartender: What can I get ya? (Shiris holds up three fingers and points to a keg behind him) A'ight. (he turns and pours the three mugs, he places them before the three of them and Shiris pays him)

Liara: (looking at the mug) What is it?

Shiris: (taking a sip) Ale. Go ahead. (Liara hesitantly picks up the glass and sips it)

Liara: COUGH COUGH! Uhha.

Shiris: (laughing) You OK?

Liara: Uhh. Its bitter. And it burns my throat.

Shiris: Looks like our little lady is growing up a bit. Right Orson? (she pokes him in the ribs, his untouched mug in his hand as he smiles and nods)

Outside, Pirotess sits at the town well. She stares off into space, as a memory not her own sifts through her mind. She sees through another's eyes as she runs through a forest in the body of a small girl. The animals, plants and spirits gather round her and she is contented. A little further and she sees herself embraced in a mother's arms, no longer as a small child, but as a maturing young woman. A sadness grips her as she goes farther and, from a tree branch, looks at her home one last time before leaving. Pirotess's vision is disrupted as a ball knocks into her leg. She looks down at it and picks it up. She looks around and sees a small group of children starring at her. The children are unsure of what to do. They are too afraid of her to ask for the ball back. From the back of the group, a little girl comes forward. She walks up to Pirotess and stares at her, blank expression on her face.

Pirotess: (holding out the ball to her) Here, go play. (the girl looks at Pirotess, and with a quick smile takes the ball and returns to her friends) (mentally) 'Was I ever so innocent?'

Parn and Deedlit leave the tavern. Deedlit is quickly walking away with a scowl on her face. Parn runs up behind her with a quick glance to the bar.

Parn: What was that about?

Deedlit: (anger seeping in her voice) Stupid humans.

Parn: (shocked) What?

Deedlit: That bar hand, he refused to serve me because I am an elf.

Parn: That was no reason to punch him though.

Deedlit: Then he stated he would if I would serve him later. URR. I am sorry Parn but sometimes you humans can be so.. so.... uhhhh. (she tosses her head up in frustration)

Deedlit is suddenly shocked as Parn wraps his arms around her and turns her so that she is looking him in the eyes. No words are exchanged, none are needed. The anger leaves Deedlit's eyes and she pulls closer to him. Parn places a hand on her shoulder and a tear rises to Deedlit's eye.

Unknown

Arbin

Arbin stands in darkness, much like the darkness that had encased Pirotess during her vision. Arbin turns about looking for an exit or person. A red light appears over him. It is warm and seductive, and Arbin finds himself drawn to it. At the source of the light is Parn's sword.

Voice: (thunderous and commanding, with a touch of coldness) You want it? I know you do.

Arbin: Who are you?!

Voice: Ask for it.

Arbin: Wha?

Voice: Ask for the sword.

Arbin: I want it.

Voice: It is in the town of Aridan. Take your troops and set it a blaze.

Arbin's eyes flash with fire and a wicked smile crosses his lips.

Etoh: So it's agreed. Tomorrow we set out for Half Crest Mountain.

Parn: Very well.

Slayn: You still haven't told us why we are heading there. Deedlit?

Deedlit turns from the window. She had been staring at the forest, but at the mention of her name by Slayn she has come back to reality. She stares at Slayn not knowing if she was asked something or not.

Deedlit: What?

Slayn: You still have not told us why we are heading to Half Crest.

Deedlit: Well-- (she is interrupted as the door opens and Shiris and Orson walk in with a drunken Liara in Orson's arms)

Liara: (on the verge of unconsciousness) I don't want to go. Can't I stay.

Etoh: What happened to her?! (he goes over to inspect Liara)

Shiris: She's all right Etoh, just a little drunk.

Parn: How many did you give her.

Shiris: We only gave her one mug and she didn't even finish that!

Liara: (looking up and seeing Parn and Etoh over her) What's wrong. (she giggles) I am not drunk. (Orson puts her down) I am just fine. (at that last word Liara collapses into Parn's and Etoh's arm)

Etoh: Here lay her on the bed.

Liara: Uhhhh. (she looks up at Parn standing over her as he puts her in her bed, she lifts her head and kisses him, Deedlit looks shocked) Heh. (Liara collapses on the bed and falls asleep)

Deedlit: (disgusted) Argh! (she storms out and Pirotess merely watches her from her corner)

Parn: Deedlit! (he goes out after her)

The group looks in awe as the young couple exit, Slayn and Lelia exchange glances and turn to tend Liara. Pirotess stands up and exits the room as well. Shiris jerks her head at Woodchuck and motions him to follow her, Woodchuck nods.

Just outside of town Parn is trying to catch up to Deedlit, but she refuses to stop as she enters the forest. Parn is ready to grab her when she jumps strait up into the air and perches herself on an overhanging tree branch. Parn stares up at her as she sits and turns her eyes to the sky.

Parn: Deedlit. Deedlit look at me. (Deedllit still looks at the sky) I think you're over reacting. Deedlit would you come down here?

Deedlit: (in a voice imitating that of a small child) No.

Parn: (smiling) You're jealous.

Deedlit: (glaring down at him) I am not jealous. But I am upset.

Parn: Why?

Deedlit: I just am. (she turns her head back to the sky)

Parn groans and turns away from her. Deedlit opens her eyes to the sky line.

Pirotess: (not looking up) You people don't trust me at all, do you?

Woodchuck: Give us a reason to.

Pirotess: No, your right. You shouldn't trust me. I am here for my own reasons, and they only concern the princess and that knight. The rest of you are of no use to me.

Woodchuck: And what's to stop us from declaring your life forfeit? We could simply leave you somewhere or ever slay you in your sleep.

Pirotess: (turning to face him) You, are not like the other ones.

Woodchuck: (suspisiouly) What do you mean by that?

Pirotess: (turning away again) The priest and the wizards are wrapped up in their books and spells, the mercenaries are fool hearty and careless, then there is that girl, she is simply pathetic. The princess and the knight live in a fantasy world, neither wants to face reality because they are afraid. But you, you seem to have a good grip on the world.

Woodchuck: Being on your own does that to ya. (he spits)

Pirotess: Yes, yes it does.

[FADE OUT]

Liara sees nothing but black, but she starts to make out the sound of voices.

Shiris: Is she awake yet?

Etoh: Yes I think she is getting up.

Liara opens her eyes, and quickly shuts them in the rays of the setting sun. She tries to lift her head but a sharp pain echoes through her skull and she lays her head back down.

Liara: Ugg, where am I?

Lelia: (pressing a cool cloth to her head) It's all right, you will be fine.

Liara: Why does my head hurt so much?

Shiris: That would be the morning after headache.

Liara: Morning after? Wha?

Etoh: Shiris and Orson got you a little drunk. Now you know the effects that happen the day after.

Liara: (pointing to the corner) Get my bag, I have to have something that will stop this.

Orson: (handing her her bag) Here.

Liara: Thank you. (she opens it up and rummages through its contents) Nothing. Ugh.

Shiris: Just go back to sleep and you'll wake up feeling better.

Liara: All right.

Suddenly a large crash is heard outside. The group jumps and turn to the windows. Outside the town, Deedlit looks up at the sky and sees a large column of smoke rising up. Woodchuck and Pirotess see the same. They all run back to the village. Arbin's troops have gathered and are burning and looting the homes. Arbin sits atop a horse smiling at the destruction.

Arbin: Soon it will be mine. When the sword is mine, not even the elfin nobility will be able to stand before me. (he lets out a maniacal laugh)

Slayn and the rest of the group that were in the room run out onto the street. They are in shock over the amount of destruction plagued on the town. Liara is staggering out on Etoh's shoulder for support.

Slayn: Everyone spread out! Lelia, Liara, Etoh help as many of the people as you can. Shiris, Orson, try to drive back some of the forces while we wait for help.

Everyone goes off as per Slayn's direction. Lelia, Liara and Etoh work with the villagers to put out fires and treat the wounded. Orson and Shiris work with Slayn to push back some of the elf forces with the village men. The men are falling quickly, no match for the nimble elfin fighters.

Girl: Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! (one of Arbin's soldiers stands over the girl with sword in hand)

The elf swings down his sword to strike down the crying girl. The blow never connects as his attack is blocked by a rapier blade. He looks at the defender and is shocked to see Pirotess. Pirotess knocks his sword out of the way and plunges her own blade into his stomach. The elf soldier falls and Pirotess turns to face the girl. It is the same girl who Pirotess had seen at the well. The girl looks at Pirotess, her eyes filled with tears. Pirotess bends over to tell the girl to leave, and the girl wraps her arms around her neck and squeezes. Pirotess is shocked but after a moment returns the girl's hug. The girl lets go and looks at Pirotess once again. Then without a word she turns and runs down the road to a women Pirotess takes for her mother. She watches the two run till they are out of site and then rejoins the fight.

Woodchuck: We can't hold them!

Parn: We have to hold them until the people get out! (the elves start to advance and Deedlit runs up to join them)

Deedlit: Most of the women and children were evacuated! But the injured are just behind us, we can't move them.

Orson: Hey Parn! All of you drop back and get the injured out. (he raises his sword) I'll hold them here.

Shiris: Orson you can't! You'll be killed.

Woodchuck: Even if you are a berserker, there is no way you can beat all these soldiers.

Orson: I know. But I can hold them until you get the wounded out.

Shiris: But Orson-- (tears are coming to her eyes)

Orson: Shiris, go. Go now.

Shiris looks at him. She runs and hugs him and gives him a small kiss. She then looks at him one last time and joins the others as they go to help the wounded. Orson turns and a large group of Arbin's elves begin their approach. Orson grips his sword, and looks around him. The fire from the buildings reflects in his eyes. He turns to the oncoming elves and allows the rage to come.

Etoh: Parn!

Parn: Etoh.

Liara: Shiris. (she looks behind the group) Where is Orson? (she looks at Shiris who is unable to speak, she drops her head) No. (Liara begins to cry as does Lelia, Etoh and Slayn comfort them)

They look to the burning visage of the town of Aridan. The smoke is lifting into the dusk air, and begins to mix with the coming night.

Slayn: We can only hope that Orson has found the freedom he lacked in life, in death. Falis willing, he has found peace.

Shiris: (everyone is leaving, with just her and Liara still at the grave) Orson, goodbye my friend. (she stands and places Orson's gem on her shirt) I'll always remember what you did here. (she puts her hand on Liara's shoulder and the two walk slowly away)

An old friend dies. Parn and his friends continue to travel on their journey. But what lies in store for our heroes? What are these entities that call to Arbin and Pirotess?