It is 11 o'clock past Midnight, on the Day of the Deception,
the 2nd Day of the Month of the Winter Wolf, Year 320.
GIDEON`S STORY - A DAY IN THE LIFE . . . .
Gideon glared down at the letter with poorly concealed irritation, before wadding it into a ball and thrusting it in his backpack with all the others. His intended response was simple, he would seek out all those who insisted on sending him this junk mail, and he would punch it down their throats.
The local postman, Hansen, threw the elven barbarian an amused look, then turned and moved through to the back room to sort through the recent mail.
"Problems?" inquired a familiar voice, with traces of the same amusement that Hansen had displayed only a moment before.
Turning, Gideon found himself facing an old acquaintance, and former barbarian guild member. Despite his deceptively slight appearance, standing at only a fraction over five feet tall, Salamander had an aura of confidence that made all but the truly ignorant think twice before trying anything. Bristling with weapons, most notably the twin swords crossed over his back, his height was clearly not a major issue.
"Junk mail." he replied with a derisive snort,
"If I catch up with that Coyote any time soon, I think I`ll wad him into a little elven ball, and then invent a new sport."
"Ah." Salamander nodded in understanding,
"Well, I think I saw him rooting around near the sewers just south of the village square, if that`s any help."
"I see." Gideon thought about that for a moment, then gave a short, ugly little laugh,
"It`s not really worth wasting my time, then. I suppose those wererats are still down there?"
Salamander just grinned wickedly, following his friend`s reasoning. Coyote was a thief, and a relatively inexperienced one. Although a capable adventurer, his combat skills were woefully inadequate as far as wererats were concerned - particularly the wererat king.
"So, how`ve you been doing lately?" inquired Salamander,
"Still obsessed with eliminating hobgoblins?"
"Not any more." Gideon shook his head,
"I think they`re sufficiently culled that it`ll take them at least twenty generations to repopulate their pitiful little settlements."
"Praise Iteki!"
"Praise Iteki indeed!" Gideon smiled,
"Without her blessing, I would not have had the strength to complete my quest for the elven wizard of Midgaard!"
"Mastique?" Gideon nodded,
"It was a long quest, and a frustrating one. Thank the goddess I was able to find the items he requested! It wasn`t easy."
"His quests never are." Salamander snorted,
"So what are your plans now?"
"I suppose I`d better go find Coyote." Gideon sighed,
"Can`t have those wererats killing him before I get a chance to make him eat some of this junkmail."
"I suppose not, no." Salamander grinned again.
"Oh, one more thing," said Gideon, turning in the doorway, just as he was about to leave.
"Yes?"
"Have you lost weight?"
"You`re a funny man." Salamander spat irritably.
The young elf just laughed as he sauntered out of the postoffice, in search of Coyote.