1

“I want to make one thing clear,” Rith said to his brother after their animated debate the next morning. “I’m not doing this because you want me to. Eldest or not, I’m not following your orders! I’m doing this because it was mother’s wish and for no other reason!”

Sure, Elwin laughed inside at the thought it. Whatever Rith needed to tell himself to feel better about it was fine by him. What was Rith going to do here on the farm alone? He could barely look after himself! Without him, Rith would not make it past a month here alone.

In the end it did not matter to Elwin one way or the other. He only cared that Rith was joining them. With three of them, they had more strength in their numbers than just two people. In the stories, adventuring parties were anywhere from five to seven people working together. Elwin kept this fact in mind. They would need a few more warriors to join their ranks before they could take on something as ambitious as a goblin horde.

They discussed what should be done with the farm. Elwin did not want to just abandon it, but he did not want to sell it to someone outside of the family either. The brothers decided that the best thing was to go to their aunt’s farm in Lola Hills and see if they could sell it to her. At least that way the farm would stay within the extended family. Their cousins would most likely end up running the farm, but that was fine with Elwin. He never wanted to return to this place anyway. Too much death, too many haunted memories. He was going to miss Uskker though and that was unfortunate.

Lola Hills was not far away either. It was only seven miles or so up the road, but it would take most of the afternoon to get to the farm. Elwin figured if they left after lunch they might arrive in time for dinner if they were lucky. However, they had one other thing they had to take care of before leaving Salome Hollow for good.

Emerson had to talk to his father. He had to ask for permission to leave their farm estate before he could go off adventuring with his friends. It was the Verantian way of life. The family was centered on the father, and he held all the household rights and privileges.

Of course, outside of Salome Hollow Elwin was unaware that times were changing rapidly. Long held traditions were quickly becoming things of the past. Arranged marriages were becoming rarer in the current age. Among the poor, it was now more fashionable to marry out of love, but the middle class and ruling class still relied heavily on arranged marriages. They were tighter communities that did not like the poor wedging their way in. But there were other changes. Women could own property now and control estates if they had no father or husband. Women were working more and breaking into profession that traditionally were only held by men. A few female soldiers had a chance fight in the recent civil war for the first time ever. Newly restored Coliseum occasionally held female gladiatorial combat. All these social changes had happened just in Elwin’s time, yet he was blissfully unaware of them due to his isolated upbringing.

2

“Adventurers you say?” Emery said absently to his son Emerson. The foal was born yesterday, and Emery cleaned out of the stall. Mother and foal already strolled in the pasture.

Elwin and his friend followed Emery around the stable as they talked to him. Emery filled the feeding trough with fresh grain and encouraged the other horses to eat. Emery grabbed a shove and began cleaning out another empty horse stall.

“Grab another shovel and clean out the next one,” Emery commanded. Emerson did as he was told not wanting to jeopardize his chances. He had just asked his father if he could leave the farm and take up this new profession. “Elwin, could you use that bucket and put some fresh water in the troughs for me?”

Elwin never came to the Emery Estate without being asked to help in some way. He always obliged. Emery had away about him. He did not issue orders like a general or drill sergeant. He did not have to. His tone and manner made you know he was in charge and a mere suggestion is enough to make someone obey him. It was obvious to Elwin that Emery was a man of great stature and yet he always made Elwin feel like he was part of the family.

The resemblance between father and son was apparent. Even though Emery was a tough harden warrior who was nearly fifty years old now, his blonde hair had not turned grey yet and he looked a bit younger than he actually was. He had broad shoulders with strong corded muscles that flexed as he moved about shovelling out the muck in the stable. He had a strong severe looking face, scarred from years of hard times and war.

Emerson was of course, named after his father. There had been another older brother who had been named Emery Jr., but he died years ago from some unknown illness. Emerson was given a slightly different name so as his father put it, the Gods would recognise them as different people when they got to the heavens to face judgement.

Emery had eight children in all. He had four with his first wife, who died giving birth to their fourth child. He then had four more with his second wife, Lena, who was Emerson and Gloria’s mother. Emerson’s three older sisters were all married and living elsewhere. His next eldest half-brother, Sultanna, was killed during the civil war at the Battle of Vistilla Hill three years ago. Emery had been in the battle with his son, narrowly escaping death and capture himself. The only other brother that Emerson had left was his older brother Fabian, who had only just return from the civil war a few days ago. Emerson, Fabian and Gloria were the only children left living at the Emery Estate.

Emery was the second wealthiest man in Salome Hollow, which Elwin felt was not saying much. The ruling class families and even middle-class merchant were far richer, but in these parts only the tavern keeper had more gold than Emery. Still, Emery was a self-made man who inherited little from his own family. All his wealth came from his own sweat and he made a good living farming his large estate, raising horses and brewing rye whiskey.

Emerson told Elwin everything, as if they were brothers themselves. He even told him how his father had made the bulk of his gold selling slaves that he had collected during the Great War. He had been stationed in Nashalon at the time as an occupying force. He used it as a base to set up a slave trading business which he ran for nearly two years. The war ended in 1077, but it was obvious that the war was not going well long before that. Emery knew this and had left the war the year before, abandoning the army and Nashalon. He returned home having made enough money to expand his family farm in Salome Hollow. He used that new land to grow the barley and rye that he needed to make the whiskey.

Elwin had never seen a slave before although they were always talked about in books and fireside stories. Emerson told him that his father brought no slaves back with him. They were expensive to keep and maintain just as any livestock only more so because they must be clothed and housed by law. It was the kind of thing only an elite ruling class family could afford. Owning a slave was a symbol of great wealth and power. When Emery returned home, he decided to leave that ugly business behind him. Satisfied that he had enough money to support his family, he took up the original family tradition of farming and raising livestock after so many years in the military.

Emery was proud of his military record and the service of his sons. He had served in two wars himself and had two sons that served in the civil war. They were a family that felt deep patriotism for the Verant Empire and they supported the new emperor.

3

Emery mulled over what his son was asking him long and hard before finally giving an answer a half an hour later.

“Well, I don’t know if adventuring is quite as prestigious as joining the army,” Emery said to his son. He gave Elwin a sly side-long glance. “But I suppose it’s still a noble profession. Alright son, I don’t see why not.”

“Really father? Do you mean it?” Emerson exclaimed.

“Your mother won’t be very happy about it, but I say seize the day son!” Emery characterized a typical Verantian phrase with brilliants. “You may leave the farm and take up this new profession of yours. I suppose you’re in a hurry to leave, aren’t you?”

“Yes sir!” Emerson said snapping to attention.

“Well, always remember son,” Emery said as he began pitching fresh hay into newly cleaned out stalls. “You’re a little on the dim side, but if you keep in mind everything that I have taught you over the years, you’ll do well enough. Your fists, your sword and Elwin are your best friends. Don’t ever forget that.”

That was Emery, Elwin thought, blunt and to the point. He was not the kind of person that you argued with if you knew what was good for you.

Emery finished up his work in the stable. They walked back across the yard to the house where lunch was almost ready to be served.

“Can I show you men something?” He leaned heavily on the word men. It was not really a question, but the boys did not mind. They knew it would be good.

They both nodded in excitement.

There was a shed next to the house. Emery went inside a he came out with two wrapped bundles. One was long and one was shorter. He unwrapped the long one and showed the boys one of the fines long swords that they had ever seen in their lives. It was finely crafted.

To his son he said. “I keep this stuff hidden because I know how your mother feels about it,” he rolled his eyes. “Sometimes its better to just keep the peace at home. You’ll understand when you’re married.” Then he added “This was my main weapon that I carried into battle.” He let Emerson swing it about. “It has served me better that you will ever understand.”

“By the Gods father, this is so well balanced,” Emerson said going through a routine his father taught him with it.

“I’m sure it has magical properties,” Emery replied. “But I have something better for you.”

“Really?” Emerson questioned. The shimmer in his eyes said it all.

Emery took back the long sword and wrapped it back up. From the other bundle he unwrapped a short sword that was so thin it almost looked like a needle. “When I went into battle, I always had this sword in my off hand. I know it doesn’t look like much, but here is the thing about it. This sword is razor sharp, seriously don’t touch the blade. And what’s more, I never used a wet stone on it, ever. It’s got to be magic. Who crafted it and why I don’t know. It’s always razor sharp, and you don’t have to do anything to keep it that way. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Emerson handled the blade. “It’s so light!” He exclaimed.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Emery said. “Son, this is my gift to you. You need a blade that you can trust and this is it.”

“What? For real?” Emerson replied in awe.

“Yes, of course,” Emery said. “You think I’m going to send you out on your own with a blade you can’t trust? Never!”

“Thank you, father,” Emerson said and they embraced. A rare thing for Elwin to witness.

“Elwin, what do you have?” Emery questioned him.

Elwin showed him the blade that Uskker had given him.

“Ah, a mighty fine blade indeed,” Emery replied looking it over. “It looks Military issue, but it is finely crafted. Most men I saw in war didn’t carry anything this fine. May it serve you well.”

“Thank you, sir,” Elwin replied respectfully.

“Alright,” Emery said as they approached the backdoor to the large farmhouse. “I recommend the Adventurer’s Guild in Verant City. It’s run by the crown and from what Fabian tells me, this Xander fellow seems a decent enough leader. He won a war after all, so that counts for something! A real man of the people! Or so Fabian says at least. Now son you go on in. I have something to talk about with Elwin.”

Elwin was shocked and worried. What did Emery want with him? Emery was someone he deeply respected, but he could be harsh and blunt. They walked a few paces away from the house. What ever it was, it was for Elwin to hear alone.

“Listen Elwin,” Emery started off. “I’ve known you most of your life and I respect you. I want to give you the most important advice you will ever hear.”

They stood and faced each other. Emery put his hand on his shoulder and leaned in close. “There is going to come a point in your life and your travels when you are going to have to make a choice. You’ll have to decide to step up and be that hero that I know you are or run and save yourself and hopefully your friends. You won’t understand what I mean now, but you will when you are in that moment. Elwin don’t be weak. When you need to step up and lead, embrace it. You could be facing certain death, but don’t run. Be the man I know you are. Don’t let the fear and danger make you second guess yourself. I don’t know what it is, but you are special, it’s in you somehow. Look, let me put it to you like this, if Emerson were going out there with anyone else, I would have said no. But it’s you Elwin. I trust you. My son has your back, make sure you have his.”

Elwin was left completely speechless. He just let Emery’s word wash over him. He nodded in agreement. “I will,” he replied in a small humble voice.

“Good, destiny is coming for you. Don’t want you to fear it or run from it. Grab a hold of it, control it. Mold that destiny to suit your needs,” Emery said. “Now let go in and eat. I’m not sending you boys off on an empty stomach.”

4

They walked into the house. It was filled with the pleasant smells of cooked food. A large meal had been made that day. Wiping their muddy boots off, they enter the kitchen. Emery continued to go on about the guild as if the conversation with Elwin had never happened. “Anyway, as I was saying, at the Guild you might be noticed by the right people, imperial people, understand? The Guild adventures may be on the soft side mind you, but the pay will be very good.”

The kitchen was a large and inviting room, decorated with herbs, pots and pans hung on the walls. All the places at the great pine table were being set by Gloria.

“I suppose your son has told you of his plans?” Lena said. There was an icy edge to her voice. She had been working over the stove and only gave a side-long glance over to see them when she heard their voices.

“Of course,” Emery said with a broad smile. He gave Emerson a wink that said do not worry; I will handle this personally.

“And I suppose you agreed with this crazy plan of his?” She said in a voice that raised another octave. It was bordering on anger. She mashed a pot of potatoes with far more vigour than was needed.

“Lena our son is a man now. At some point you knew that he would want to leave the nest. Well, that time has come. I think he can make his own decisions at his age,” Emery replied coolly in an agreeable tone.

Gloria snorted as she laid out the last of the plates. She tried to suppress a smug smile as Emerson gave her a dirty look.

“What’s with the men in this family?” Lena said as she started bringing the food to the table. Everyone took a place. She slammed down the pots but kept her voice civil as possible. Not a hint of emotion crept in. To her son she asked. “Why do you insist on risking your lives so foolishly?” To Emery she asked. “How many more sons are you willing to lose?”

“Thanks mother!” Elwin heard Emerson mutter under his breath.

“Where is your faith, Lena?” Emery asked in a very serious tone. “Do you think our son can’t handle himself out in the real world? I have taught the boy everything I know. I can have faith in his abilities, why can’t you?”

Elwin marvelled at his smoothness of voice and demeanour. Was this the same man that killed men in battle and watched his son die on the field? It did not seem possible.

Lena on the other hand had seen this kind of charisma before. She softened to a worried pleading voice and spoke. “It’s a very dangerous profession Emery. What’s wrong with farming for a living? You can’t get your skull crushed by an ogre if you work on the farm. We have a comfortable life here, don’t we?”

“My dear Lena, a comfortable life is not a glorious one,” Emery replied in a caressing voice. Elwin recognized the saying from a long held Verantian belief.

Elwin saw Gloria roll her eyes. She knew that her mother was not getting anywhere with this debate. Lena shook her head almost defeated, as she brought over the last bowls of food and took a seat.

5

They were deep into the meal and the conversation. Elwin understood most of what Emery was relating. In Verant, the army was everything for hundreds of years. Verantians are warriors at heart and indeed it was considered the greatest death to be killed in battle, fighting for a cause you truly believed in. A man without a cause worth dying for was not considered much of a man in the Empire of Verant.

Just then, Fabian emerged from elsewhere in the house. He quickly took the remaining seat.

“Fabian!” Emery said to him. “Tell you mother she’s being foolish.”

“Sorry mother, but you’re being foolish,” he said with a wicked grin. He began filling his plate. To his father he asked. “What is she being foolish about?”

“Your brother wishes to leave home and become an adventurer. I gave him permission, but your mother thinks it’s a dangerous profession,” Emery gave him the conversation in a nutshell. “She fails to understand that the fruit of my loins do not cringe from danger. We embrace it!”

“I’m sure there’s some danger, but compared to the army, I would say it’s much safer,” Fabian said with a shrug. He gave his bother a wink before filling his place with steamed vegetables and potatoes. “Besides isn’t it mostly exploring old ruins and caves? I mean how dangerous can a couple of goblins be anyway?”

“Exactly! See Lena, I don’t think these boys will be challenged by a few goblins or kobolds,” Emery said triumphantly.

Orcs and ogre on the other hand… Elwin thought, completely the statement in his own mind. Still, he remained silent and smirked to himself.

Lena rolled her eyes at her husband.

“I don’t doubt in his ability Emery, but you already lost one son to war, do you want to risk losing your youngest son as well? My son!?” She emphasised.

“It always comes back to Sultanna,” Gloria whispered darkly to Elwin. He sat next to her as they ate silently and listened to the discussion.

6

Elwin never had such animated conversation like this in his house. He was intrigued by it. It was like this every time he was over for dinner. They always quarrel about one thing or another. The whole dynamic of this family was always of interest to him. He really enjoyed the animated feasts they had at the Emery household.

Sultanna had never been Lena’s son, but she had always treated him as if he was her own. It affected her deeply when he was killed. Elwin knew that Emery and Sultanna had been soldiers who fought for Consul Valen Minanix during the civil war. They had joined his army, the sixteenth legion, three years ago. They both took part in the battle of Imperial River Valley. It was a great victory for the rebel army and a rare defeat for the Red Dragon Army which had fled to the south. Later that year, at the Battle of Vistilla Hill, their army was beaten and forced to retreat to the east. Sultanna was killed in the battle and it had caused Emery great distress. Despite the tough exterior that he put up. Elwin knew it affected him just as deeply as his wife. But Emery lived by the warrior philosophy. He could have abandoned Consul Valen then, but loyalty was a trait highly revered in Verantian society, so he stayed on, despite sacrificing a son to the cause. Sultanna’s ashes were entombed in the family crypt, once Emery finally returned.

Elwin had been to the Emery estate often enough that he had heard some of Emery’s stories. He knew that Emery was at the Second Battle of Verant Fields which was a great success for Consul Valen’s forces. A month later, once mob rule had overthrown the despotic Emperor Getta V, Emery was one of the soldiers who walked into Verant City unopposed. They were considered heroes by the general public and the city threw a huge celebration. The defeat of Getta’s forces, not to mention his swift execution at the hands of the people, was supposed to bring about a new era. It was a short lived one. All through the summer of 1093, Emery was a city guard. He enforced Verantian law and order, while also helping root out sedition, usually in the form of the supporters of former Empress Evangeline and her son Pero Frey. Pero was held up by the opponents as the true Emperor and in a legal sense, they were right. But the law was not everything. There were other forces at play in the Empire.

According to Emery’s tale, that autumn it all fell apart. The Red Dragon Army and the regular army of the Verant Empire joined forces under Pero’s banner. They swept into Verant City and defeated Consul Valen who was killed in the combat. Titus Frey was captured and executed in the city square by impalement. His body rotted there for two weeks before people loyal to Xander were able to recover his older brother’s body. So, Emery was forced to flee the city. He abandoned the legion considering the cause lost and came home that winter. The following spring, his son Fabian left to join Rubico Aquitaine’s legion, an ally of Xander Frey.

7

“I suppose you’re becoming an adventurer too?” Lena said to Elwin sourly. It snapped Elwin out of his thoughts of war and grand adventure.

“Yes ma’am,” Elwin manager to say beneath her burning eyes and intimidating poise.

“Very good Elwin! You have a sharp wit and I think you’ll do very well in life if you put your mind to it!” Emery told him with a broad smile.

His attitude clearly irked Lena.

“Thank you, sir,” Elwin replied. He had learned over the years that when dealing with Emery, it was always best to give quick military type answers. For his own good, Elwin resisted the urge to salute him.

“And you too Rith!?” Lena questioned.

“Yes,” Rith squeaked.

“Foolishness!” She muttered to herself. To Emery she said. “Rith is far too young for such things!” She rounded on Rith. “What are you boy? Fifteen?”

“Sixteen,” He managed to mumble.

“He’s a man now as well,” Emery retorted. Elwin knew he was right. Anyone over the age of sixteen was considered an adult under Verantian law. Emery added. “The three of them will be stronger together!”

“Here, here!” Fabian said raising his glass in a mock toast. His mother gave him a withering glance.

“This is entirely your fault you realize!” She said to Fabian coldly. “You come back home with all your stories about the glory of battle! You’re just like your father!”

Emery and Fabian grinned wickedly at each other, but they knew enough not to provoke her further.

Elwin thought Lena was right. Fabian really was just like his father.

“Now this one wants to run off!” Lena said pointing a thumb at Emerson. “If he gets hurt it will be on your conscience!”

“I’ve every confidence that my little brother will do just fine!” Fabian replied with a smarmy smile.

“Elwin and Rith haven’t heard any of your stories yet,” Emerson commented to his brother. It was the first thing Emerson had said since they had sat down to eat, even though the entire conversation had been about him. He had been sitting in silence watching everyone else around him argue over his fate. Now he was desperate to take the pressure off his own character.

“Ah yes, the news from the Empire! Everyone in Salome Hollow will be anxious to hear it I suppose!” Fabian exclaimed.

Lena gave a snort, but said nothing else, only glared at all of them as if she was sitting at a table with a bunch of insane people.

8

Fabian ignored his mother’s bemoaning and began his story. “I arrived to join the Rubico Aquitaine’s nineteenth legion just in time! They were preparing for another battle, later known as the Third Battle of Verant Fields which took place last spring. It was a tough battle, but we forced Pero and his legions to retreat. We could’ve marched on Verant City again, as Consul Valen had done the year before, but Xander is far smarter than that. He didn’t want a repeat of what happened to Valen or his own brother, so instead we marched the army down south of the city. That summer we engaged in another fight, the Battle of the Old War Line. The soldiers were scared to death. We were out number five to one. We had three legions of fifteen thousand men, up against a force of fifty thousand which included the elite Red Dragon Army. The Generals thought that Xander was crazy to even attempt such a battle. People were seriously talking about abandoning the legion, but the night before the battle Xander’s closest advisor, Cinnamon Snap, got up and gave a speech so inspiring that changed everyone’s mind about the possibility of victory!”

“Cinnamon Snap? What kind of name is that?” Rith questioned with a snicker.

“It was her slave name,” Fabian said annoyed.

“She was a slave?” Elwin asked.

“Among other things,” Gloria added quickly.

“What do you know of her?” Fabian questioned.

“The same rumours everyone else has heard,” Gloria said. Her eyes shifted and she squirmed awkwardly now that the attention was focus on her. Fabian waited for her to elaborate. Gloria sighed and spoke to Elwin since he and his brother were the only ones at the table who had not heard this before. “They say that she was a prostitute after she escaped from slavery. She owned a brothel in Verant City during the war.”

“Former prostitute,” Fabian corrected as if it made all the difference in the world. “She was part of the Public House Conspiracy that brought down Getta.”

“A whore supporting an army! Whoever heard of such nonsense!” Lena scoffed.

“If you had heard her speak, you wouldn’t be so quick to judge,” Fabian replied. He continued with his story. “Anyway, we were up against a force three times our size. But Xander and Rubico are both military geniuses. And they had wizards on their side. They did the unthinkable and sent the entire cavalry straight for the center line. The war wizards used magic to hide them. They caught the enemy completely unaware and smashed their front line to bits. The enemy was stunned! They didn’t know what to do! The musketeers flanked the Red Dragon Army before they could regroup and torn them to pieces. The battlefield was chaos, but Xander had newly minted eighteen-pound cannons. Instead of using cannon balls, they packed them with musket shots, gravel and metal scraps. They aimed against the frontline as it advanced toward them. The effect was incredible! They destroyed Pero’s forces and sent them into retreat. We dogged their forces all the way down to Golden Meadows. It was a Thaine stronghold at the time and a walled city, so they thought they were safe. But it was too late. The rest of the ruling class had joined Xander’s side. Pero and the Thaine family were hung out to dry. So last autumn we began the siege of Golden Meadows. It took a month, but once the walls of the town fell, it was over. Golden Meadows fell to Xander and Rubico. Pero and Evangeline were both arrested along with other members of the Thaine family.”

“What happened to Boniface? Would he not have been next in line?” Emerson questioned.

“He abdicated his right,” Fabian replied. “After swearing to Xander that he wanted no claim to the thrown, Boniface was spared as was his wife and children. They were forgiven and allowed to retire to the countryside.”

“He forgave them?” Elwin asked stunned at this move. It was very unusual in such a situation for the victor to do something like that. Forgiveness was an honourable trait, but it was still rarely used in politics of the state.

Fabian shrugged. “That’s Xander for you. That’s the kind of person he is. After so many years of bloody civil war, people were tired of fighting. He was willing forgive some people, but not everyone. Pero and Evangeline were both executed. Xander Frey became Xander II, Emperor of Verant. I stayed long enough to see the coronation. After that I left Verant City and came home.”

“That’s story amazing isn’t it!” Emerson said to Elwin.

Elwin could see Emery beaming smugly. He was filled with pride for his great warrior of a son, Fabian.

“Why wasn’t there a coronation celebration here in Salome Hollow?” Elwin said. He still longed for some sort of celebration.

“Because this village has no fucking respect!” Fabian said pounding the table with his finger.

“Fabian, watch your language!” His mother scolded him. Her eyes were wide with shock.

“Oh Lena, give the boy a break. He just came back from the army. That’s how they talk in the legions,” Emery said dismissively.

“Well, he’s not in the legion anymore. He’s at home and I don’t want that kind of language at the kitchen table!” Lena complained. “By the Gods, your sister is sitting at this table that isn’t the language that you use around a young maiden!”

“Oh, I don’t mind!” Gloria piped up.

Lena gave her a look that meant she should have kept her mouth shut.

“Sorry mother,” Fabian said half-heartedly.

After that, the conversation degraded into an angry shouting match. The boys quickly got out of the room and retreated to the fresh air outside. Before he left, Emerson let his family know that they were going to Lola Hills over night and that he would be back the next day to pack up his things before they left for good.

9

“Sorry Emerson,” Elwin said once they were on the road and walking towards Lola Hills. “They seemed pretty mad at each other.”

“What? That back there?” Emerson scoffed. “That was nothing. I mean, I don’t even consider it a real fight until mother starts throwing things!”

“Really?” Elwin said dumbfounded.

“Don’t get me wrong, mother was mad, but I’ve seen much worse,” Emerson said shrugging the whole experience off. “She’ll calm down enough that she’ll be crying when I come back tomorrow to say good-bye!”

They walked down the old country lane passing a sign that read Lola Hills, five miles. Lola Hills was the most common place that people from Salome Hollow went to when traveling. It was close by and about the same in size.

“Elwin, the other day you mentioned that you and Uskker were out hunting a couple of goblins. What happened?” Emerson asked.

Elwin told Emerson and his brother Rith about the two goblins that he and Uskker had tracked. He told them both the gruesome details concerning a certain wooded place.

“Did they have anything of value on them?” Rith questioned.

“As a matter of fact, they did. Two gold coins, which I gave to the priest for the service, and five silver ones that I still have. I only killed the one goblin, but there were a few knives that Uskker took, and something else I want to show you guys,” Elwin said.

He stopped and dug around in the small backpack he had brought with him. He took out the map and handed it to Rith. “The goblin had this tucked into the back of his belt.”

Rith unfolded the map and examined it. Emerson eagerly hung over his shoulder for a closer look. The once white cloth was dirty and faded, but the stitching was clear and showed a map with some mountains and rivers and a red trail ending in a large red X.

“Is it a map?” Emerson questioned.

Elwin looked at him knowingly. He knew that none of them had a formal education. They were all taught the basics at home. Basic math, reading and writing, books were expensive and hard to find in Salome Hollow. Elwin and Rith had read everything they could find and afford. Emerson read very little. For what it was worth he could sign his name and understood enough math to not get ripped off by a merchant.

“Yeah, but a map to what?” Rith wondered aloud.

“That’s the problem. I can’t read this script,” Elwin pointed out the strange letters that were stitched into the margins of the map. Elwin was pretty sure that it formed some sort of code. The language was beyond their basic skills. Rith was a good reader, but this writing was clearly in another language that was not found in sleepy little hamlets on the great western plains of the Verant Empire.

“You think it’s a treasure map?” Emerson asked his friend.

Elwin nodded to him. “It’s only a guess at the moment, but I think it’s a very good one.”

“This is exactly the kind of thing that happens in those adventure tales!” Emerson exclaimed.

Elwin loved Emerson’s excitement for adventuring. They were going to do it! They were really going to do. Elwin finally had a chance to shake of the dust from his village and set out on the grandest adventure of their lives. Even Rith seemed to be getting into the spirit, Elwin thought. He was asking important questions about what to do and where to go and Elwin was glad to see his brother engaged in the discussion.

“This writing looks magical,” Rith commented. “Maybe a wizard created it? It could be a common language of theirs?”

“Well, whatever it is, no one around here knows the language,” Elwin said. There was no one in their village that used magic, at least none that they knew of. Wizards were a sneaky and a reclusive lot. They tended to avoid civilization, apart from the wizard towers, at least as far as Elwin knew.

“They might know in a place like Verant City?” Emerson reasoned.

They all agreed that Verant City would have someone who could read the map.

“Is that the plan than? To go to Verant City and see if we can get it translated?” Rith enquired.

“Well, we didn’t have a real plan yet,” Elwin admitted. To Emerson he said. “Your father told us that we should join the Adventurers Guild which is in Verant City. If we can get the map translated as well, then we could kill two birds with one stone!”

“This just seems totally crazy,” Rith said. He still had some lingering doubts. “I mean, guys seriously, we’ve never been out of this hamlet and now were going to travel all the way to Verant City? Think about it, we have no money and no real adventuring equipment…”

“That’s why we have to sell the farm to aunt Thessa,” Elwin explained. “We can use the money when we get to Ardyn’s Keep. We’ll buy good and proper adventuring equipment!”