Mayhap it is Larani’s sense of humour, or it is just that Kelestia itself is one huge joke on

us all, but even now I still wonder what it was about our little squad that attracted strange

events.

A case in point was our first posting after we had completed our training, a small village

on the Rethem/Kanday/Tharda border, nestled in the vee formed by the Thard and one of

her tributaries…

I believe Sitarny was its name, such a peaceful moniker, despite the fact it was there to

monitor the border traffic that frequented the bridge crossing.

Even though the threat of political upheaval was always present, the days themselves

were quite pleasant, days spent in patrol through the woodlands and fields that

surrounded the various hamlets of which Sitarny was the hub.

Even the days spent in garrison at the fort were more memorable for their lack of furore

than for any form of martial excitement.

I remember that tedium was the more insidious enemy, and we had to keep our guard up

against its' subtle attrition.

Noting the proliferation of Agrikan influence in the area, I had taken it upon myself to

work upon the deserted watchtower, whenever possible using what little engineering

knowledge I had gleaned from my army training to attempt repairs.

Who could blame me if the lower room of said tower was to take on some of the

overtures of a Laranian shrine?

But I digress, for my architectural endeavours were to come to a halt when we were called

forth by the Captain and assigned the task of locating and apprehending a troublesome

trickster in a nearby hamlet.

We should have known better…

Our first few nights were spent in fruitless patrol, trying to catch the malicious prankster

in the act, but to no avail.

Eggs were still being stolen and smashed, clothing despoiled and misleading voices heard

by all.

It was to culminate with a nightlong ordeal, hearing the culprit attacking the village

poultry, and the following days complaints of naked birds and piles of feathers to contend

with.

Tired of what was rapidly becoming an exercise in futility, I finally decided to take the

engagement to our opponent, resolving to rest for the day and then to sneak out into the

surrounding darkness.

Sylud volunteered to accompany me on my attempt, and so the two of us sought out our

foe while Grunth and Nico provided the façade of our continued patrols.

We did not quite get what we expected.

Instead of some clumsy itinerant or spiteful, jealous neighbour, what we saw was one of

the ugliest little critters I have ever had the misfortune to lay my eyes on.

This thing made even a Gargun into a paragon of aesthetic virtue, a failing that was

thankfully disguised by its extraordinary ability to make itself difficult to see.

I must admit to a passing fascination with the thing, and it wasn't until Sylud had

launched his javelin that I found myself reacting in similar fashion, my weapon trailing

his by a second as it raced toward the spot on the roof occupied by our target.

Imagine our surprise when we were to see it's small frame leaping over the spine of the

roof, its furious gaze turned on us for a fraction of a second before it disappeared.

Drawing my sword I moved to cut off it's escape while Sylud prevented its' retracing of

it's steps, both of us trying to catch a glimpse of our quarry in the sooty black of the night.

It was at that time I was to see a somewhat white-faced Grunth step out from the eaves of

the shack we were encircling, to where a pair of light throwing spears stuck up from the

dark, loamy soil.

I can remember it clearly even now, the deathly silence as we all strained our senses to the

utmost in an attempt to find our foe, the sweat on the grips of our swords as we held our

breaths in anticipation, but it remained as yet elusive.

Finally, carefully placing my shield upon the ground, I moved forward and climbed up

onto the roof itself, drawing my second blade even as I hefted the weight of the other

sword in my left hand.

Somewhat suspicious of what may have already happened, it was not long before I

spotted the area where our friend had torn a hole through the thatch and gained entry to

the room below.

We didn't have long to wait before the screaming started…

Electing to stay on the roof in case 'it' made a break for it's point of entry, I could but

speculate as to what happened down below as the squad entered and began it's search.

Suffice to say the confusing melee of livestock, panicked citizens and the nocturnal

conditions not only attracted the attentions of every able bodied resident, but also made

for ideal escape conditions for the creature.

If it were not for Grunths bellowed warning, I would not even have been aware that it had

bypassed the cordon below and was now in full flight for the shadows.

Once again our squad found itself pursuing that which had once hunted us, and though

this lacked the formidable demeanour of the Bruin that had almost been our end, we were

to discover it was not without surprises of it's own.

Loping along the roof spine in a parallel course to that of the fugitive, I leapt from the end

of the house with both swords swinging in an attempt to cut short our little friends' dash

for freedom.

I shudder to think of it now.

What can I say save 'The folly of youth takes us all at some time or another", and it is

fortunate that I survived at least this appearance of it.

Landing at the run, I side-stepped a little and sent both swords scything through the little

fiends abdomen, and no, I do not mean in the viscerally tearing, meaty gore sort of way…

Instead I found my blades passing through it as if it were air, not even a shred of

resistance was to be felt to the impetus of my attack.

Obviously it was feeling somewhat put out, for it took a moment to lunge at me, teeth

bared and claws raised, before turning and continuing it's flight for freedom.

I can but assume that it was the excitement of the chase that kept my attention focused to

the point of my ignoring it's warning hiss, but I promptly set off in pursuit yet again,

unfortunately it was only to find that a moment later, as we rounded the corner of one of

the houses in the centre of the hamlet, that our quarry had made good it's escape, with

nary a trace to be found anywhere.

Finally I was to take stock of my situation, and it was at that point that I realised the rest

of the squad were standing around me, looks of perplexity plain to be seen on their faces

as well.

No longer were we under the impression that this was some simple prankster we sought,

and it did not take us long to decide that the Captain needed to be updated on recent

developments.

All we knew was that we were going to be tested to the limit of our abilities, and likely

well beyond.

The Hunt was on!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Written By: Shane Saunders (a.k.a Lothar of Barkus)