Beyond Dust

CH 1

The yellow glow cast by the wizards lamp was barely visible after the heavy rain. There was no way to be quiet tramping through the forest when the mud clinging to his boots made them more than twice as heavy. He finally came upon the road he had been searching for and quickly left the forest. Had he been a ranger or been well accustomed to forests he'd have noticed the dark creature following him. Slowly it crept through the forest along side the road. Stalking it's prey silently and efficiently. Even though he had no idea what it was or where it was, he could feel the gaze of a killer intent on him. He loosened the sword from the sheethe upon his left hip.

Just ahead he could see an inn which meant at any moment his stalker would make a decision. To attack now or wait for a better chance. He had just a few more steps until he reached the door. The force of the gaze upon him was begining to madden him. He was just a few steps away when he stopped. In a rough and deep voice he spoke in a near whisper "Thats enough of this."

The warrior turned around and drew the sword from his hip. He shrugged off his pack. "Come out now!" He held the wizard lamp in his left hand high above his head to cast the light as far as it would go. He sighed lightly, "Well you're a boring one."

He took one careful step after another until his impatience got the best of him. He tossed the wizard's lamp to the side. "Just come out already!" His rage was building quickly and he didn't care for caution anymore.

The wizard's lamp and the light from the inn cast enough light to create a shadowy frame of the warrior. The beast stopped in it's tracks and stared for a moment sizing up it's prey better. Two huge pole-like items crisscrossed his back and stuck above his head. There were also some odd protrustions from his shoulders and arms.

The warrior felt the killing intent gaze slowly leave him. "Fine, run away coward!" In frustration the warrior grabbed his gear and stomped back to the inn. Just at that moment the inn door opened and a few drunk gaurds stumpled out with swords drawn.

"Too late boys. He's gone." The warrior walked past the gaurds and up to the inn keeper. "Room for the night." He took the key offered him and stalked off to his room. Once there he removed his weapons and cloak. Under it was a full plate armor set. The armor was fashioned in a way to bring fear into his enemies hearts and courage into his allies' hearts.

The color was a bold and deep blue. His helm covered his entire face and had blades in place of where his eyebrows and ears would be with short sharpened horns on the forehead. The spaulders were designed in the likeness of a demon's face with horns protruding from the sides that doubled as weapons should he do a shoulder charge. The chestplate had his family emblem of a chimera engraved upon it. His bracers, just like his shoulders, were fashioned after a demon but with fangs protruding rather than horns and could be used as weapons to slash and stab. His belt had tassets which interlocked from the top to down below his groin to ensure there was no weak point. The legplates covered from just above the tassets down to his greaves. His plate boots were also covered in spikes and blades. Near ever part of his armor could be used as a weapon all on its own. It was designed by a true orcish armorsmith.

If he hadn't been used to it and done it hundreds of times there would have been no way for him to remove all of his armor himself. As he removed the armor he revealed long golden red hair with a moderate length goatee and the deep blue eyes that pierced the very soul. He carefully placed all the armor next to his bed but he left his chain mail on and layed down. He kept his weapons next to him as he slowly let himself fall into a restful sleep.

He awoke just before dawn and redonned his gear and weapons. He walked back down stairs and tossed the key to the inn keeper. "Wheres a good place to get food?" He asked

The inn keeper looked at the warrior warrily and with a small amount of fear. His voice shook slightly when he spoke, "We have some fresh bread here, but if you're looking to stock up for a journey take a left out the door and go to the end of this street. You'll find a small market there where you can buy what you need."

"Thanks."

The inn keeper took a deep breath and braved a question, "Who... Who are you?"

The warrior stopped before the doorway and stepped back so that he could turn and face the inn keeper. "You want a name or an explaination? Either way, it doesn't much matter. Just call me Vyoltin. I'm merely a warrior wandering through."

Nodding to himself the inn keeper walked around the counter and up to Vyoltin. "If you're not in too much of a rush, please speak to our town governor. Theres been a problem lately and we have no one capable of handling it."

"Hmm. A problem. I may have an idea already." With that Vyoltin turned and ducked under the door to avoid the hilts from his swords from hitting.

He took a left and walked to the market. He browsed shortly and found what he needed. At the last vendor he stopped and asked for directions to the town governor. He thanked the woman and went to meet the governor. He approached the town hall and walked up the stairs to the governor's office.

Before he reached the door a small portly man stepped in front of him. "I heard you were looking for me. Tell me, are you willing to help us?"

"Yes I am. I was followed last night by someone dangerous, but he ran off before showing himself." Vyoltin looked down at the man. Though the governor looked as if he had never done a hard day's work in his life, he had a surety to him and an intelligence behind his eyes. He'd never be able to lead in war, but when it came to running a town he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Thats better than most can say. Most can't say anything at all afterwards. Seeing as they are dead." The governor's face darkened and his eyes became downcast. "Sorry, that wasn't proffesional of me. This thing has been killing off our people and livestock for a week now. We've lost too many already. I'm not sure if its man or beast. No one has seen it."

"Give me the information you have on it. I'll take care of it." After speaking with the governor and recieving the information he left. From what he learned the beast stayed on the northern side of the village, which is where he had entered from just last night. How long had it been watching him he wondered.

He headed back to the inn to try and rent a room, but the inn keeper gave it to him freely. "Take the room for as long as you need. So long as you are helping this town you'll have a place to stay." Nodding to the inn keeper Vyoltin headed to his room.