"Qu'est-ce que--"

" Silence, Mortal! Hold your tongue for what I have to...say is of utmost significance! Hear my words, young bladesinger!" ,
boomed a thundering yet wavering female voice from the heavens...or somewhere really high up anyway.

"Stop looking at the sky elf...fool. I'm here! "

Feeling rather stupid, the human refocused his attention from the beautiful nighttime cloud formations to the apparition who standing merely five feet in front of him. Glowing a gentle violet, the apparition magically floated a foot above the ground. Still startled and stupid from his two-decade slumber, the human's unfocused eyes made out the form of a beautiful and tenderly young female elf. Drooling at her beauty, the human man then discerned that this woman was extremely intoxicated and did not seem to know what she was talking about. Me...an elf? Kewl! In fact, the violet apparition was holding a half-empty glass bottle the size of his backpack. It was labeled 'Lamb's' in large printed letters. She also seemed to be bracing herself against some invisible barrier with her other hand. Smiling a gentle yet lusty smile, she spoke.

" OK, Varathiel, let's get to the point here...I got some peop--uh, things to do here. So you, uh, died here...let's see...twenty-two yearsish ago here, eh? Fair enough...it would seem that this is your (or mine) lucky day, heh heh. WOOOOO!! STOP THAT!! HOLD ON BABE, I'M TALKING TO SOMEONE HERE!! HEE HEE! Anyway, sorry about that Varathiel. Like I was saying, it's your lucky day and do you know where you're going? No? Well, I'll tell you. Being a prominent, powerful, and committed elven bladesinger 'n 'all, I've got a final job for you to accomplish. Should you survive, I let you live. Should you perish, don't expect a third chance. I'm sending you to a place called .. uh .. snalskaidnasdjkfasl. OK, got that-good! Justtalktooneofmypriestsgottago"

The figure sways to one side, bends over, reaches to cover mouth, and turns to run. The strange apparition fades away and blend into the night, leaving both man and dog behind...totally speechless, especially the dog.

"Nipper, peut-tu expl--"

--POP!!!
--POP!!

"What the hell!!?! Whoa..."

Looking around, he found himself within a small clearing surrounded by forest. More noticeably, he had found himself in the middle of a major skirmish between a pair of elven warriors and a group of ten orcs. No, they were gnolls. Hell, he thought, let's call them gnorcs. And hey, why am I speaking English here anyway...weird. Apparently though, this battle had gone on for some time as close to two dozen bodies lay strewn about. One elven warrior lay moaning beside him with two crude arrows sticking out of his bloody chest.

Noticing that the elves had been knocked down and were doomed to die, the human and his dog pulled the dying warrior within the edge of the dark forest and beyond. Fortunately, the orcs were so enthralled by their disgusting performance of carnage that they did not notice the group slipping away.

"Hello, my name is Pavek, and this is Nipper."

He pats his faithful St. Bernard on head.

"Hold still for a moment and let me help your wounds. Nipper - Guard."

Slipping the elf's bloody coif off, Pavek allows him to take a drink of cool water and speak.

"It doesn't matter now...it is my time to go." The elf grimaces with pain.
"I die a proud death but you must listen to me. D-deliver this message to one of the Violet Elf's clergy. They MUST see it."

The elf digs inside his breastplate and takes a second, third poke within the obviously hidden storage pouch, coming up with an empty fist.

"No..."

He turned a very sickly shade of pale, even for an elf.

"Luck of the dead! It is lost..."

The warrior's eyes roll back and Pavek acts, laying his hands on the most grievous wounds, partially closing them but still knowing that all he has done is give the valiant elf more time to speak. The elf coughs up more blood.

"Th-thank you. I have little time -- you must listen to what I say and deliver it to V.E.'s clergy, as I said. There is a massive horde of gnorcs massing southwest of here, a day's travel off. They are planning to attack somewhere within this region...we did not discover the motive however."

He clenches his teeth again.

"Also, they made mention of a small group that they were charged to eliminate also...apparently from Bottomburn or somewhere. They, in particular, mentioned having to bring back a man and his granddaughter. Their plans were grisly at best"

The elf grimaces for the final time.

"Take care Pavek...do not fail us...do not fail VE."

Just as the brave elven warrior's eyes close, Nipper let's out a familiar double bark, letting Pavek know that something was about. With Nipper now at his side with fangs bared, Pavek himself stands up, drawing his precious Leantha (short sword). Both heads scan the area ahead looking towards the noises approaching.

"Nipper - Protect."