A/N: The world was created by our DM, and for further information check out our wiki. The characters and situations belong to members of our DND group. This was collaborative work of myself, Duff, and Stuit. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Anderthal could have been any Village, if it had any other village to compare it's self to. No one in living memory could remember visiting another village, or someone visiting them. It had been well over a century since the fall of the Goddess into the earth. It had been since then that the Taint had spread across the land. The Taint was a great black mist that covered the land in madness. Those that traveled into it either went mad, or came back changed. It was this reason that the greatest punishment was not execution, but banishment. To be banished out of the village was a sentence to madness. The only protection from the Taint the Village had was the crystal of Light, and her guardians.

The crystal was a foot light crystal that sat in a basin of magical water called Life Water. It was the magic of the crystal that kept the Taint at bay. It was the life water that gave the crystal its power. Every year a party of 5 guardians would venture out into the Taint to bring back more life water. They could be gone a couple days, or even 6 months; regardless, they always returned with life water.

Sometimes not all of them would return, but they always had apprentices to take their place.

This past spring the current seven guardians had chosen their apprentices. Drell McCoy, the town brew master, and bard; chose his own 19 year old daughter, Alexis, as his apprentice. Rtherop AKA "Tubbs", the town guard captain chose Jenos Idanian as his apprentice. Jenos was a fine fighter; unfortunately he was also a skilled flirt, and prankster. As Jenos was the brains of the Idanian family, Bartras was the brawn. He was known for his fierce temper, and drinking habits, but he was good in a fight. What he lacked in brains he made up for in sheer damage to his opponents. Juffo was the town cooper, and locksmith. There wasn't a lock or door that he couldn't get past. He chose William "Mudge" Baker as his apprentice. Though known to be a trouble maker Mudge knew his trade well and could do well. That is if he could behave himself. Cema was the town's apothecary, and spell caster. People came to her to her to get potions and oils for their various ills. She chose Kyle and Thacomus ù Tetigistus as her apprentices. While Kyle had talent in magic, but it was only for damage. He also spent more time getting into trouble with Mudge and Jenos than his actual studies. In contrast Thacomus studied heavily, and spent all his waking time studying the crystal; never able to actually touch it. Bjorn Willis was the local ranger, and ferried. He helped the town's crops, grow and took care of the livestock. He knew the woods better than anyone. When the elder guardians went out into the taint he guided them. Bjorn chose Alec Osdarin to guide the younger ones. Though shy, and quiet Alec could hide in the smallest shadow, and was deadly with his bow. Gahona may not have been the Mayor of the village but she wielded the power of the village. She chose Cassandra Talgren to be the next priestess. Cassandra's mother, Koren, had been the chief priestess of the crystal before Gahona. Koren died giving birth to Cassandra. Her father, Gresham, devoted Cassandra's life to the church in honor of her mother. It was going to be her job to keep her new apprentices out of trouble. To help her Lina pledged her studious student Aleron to serve her, and be like a brother to her. Lina was the town weaver, and some said seerer. In truth she was just a devout follower of the Goddess who believed in protecting the priestess at all costs. She chose Aleron Osgree as her student. He may have been a holy man but he was also the butt of most of Jenos & Mudge's jokes.

This morning Jenos smirked as he leaned against the outside wall of the tavern; he nudged William. "Now, you see Mudge," he said casually as he squinted with one eye and pointed towards a barn over on the outskirts of town that sat near a small lake, "that right there is a worthy opponent."

"The goat?"

Sighing, Jenos continued, "No... Alec's sister, Tirai. She's attractive and she knows it; she's--"

"Absolutely not interested in someone like you," their friend Kyle interjected.

Jenos chuckled lightly. "Partially. She's the type that would be looking for a good husband. She's proper, she's fitting, she's calm and collected, and she knows her way around a home already... Goddesses rest her poor mother's soul. She's gorgeous and she knows it, so she thinks she can take her pick and then mold him into fitting marriage material."

Mudge raised an eyebrow. "...so you want her to try to change you?"

"No," Jenos responded, "I want to take her off her pedestal. Make her lose her cool, make her flustered, make her stumble."

"So," Kyle said while shaking his head, "You train with a sword, run out of opponents, and get bored. Then you train yourself by chasing the ladies, run out of opponents, and get bored. Now you intend to make them chase you?"

A quiet rustling was heard as Alexis came around the corner. "Hey Kyle, hey Mudge... and hello to you as well, swine."

"My dear," Jenos suavely responded as he reached for her hand, "I've already told you that you don't have to play hard to get. It's okay, I understand. Sometimes you have trouble expressing your love for me, and that's perfectly acceptable."

Alexis grinned and let Jenos raise her hand to his face - and then, smiling, slapped him with it. Not hard enough to leave a mark, but certainly enough to get a point across. "Love's not quite the word, darling. What sort of trouble are you out to cause this time?"

Mudge placed his hands in his pockets and hinted towards the barn with his eyes. "Jenos has tired of willing opponents and is now attempting to lure in women who have no interest in him."

"Nice try, Jenos," she retorted, "But you know I'm--"

"...the very worst of the 'hard to get' types, which is why I'm saving you for last."

"Keep dreaming," Alexis responded with a cheery, sing-song voice.

Kyle stepped in to veer the conversation back towards its original topic. "Jenos has decided that his next conquest will be a slightly more challenging adversary."

Alexis glanced over towards the barn, and then frowned. "Tirai? You might as well try to bed the Goddess herself, old boy. Won't happen."

"A week of sweeping the stables says he will," William chimed.

Alexis grinned. "You're on. I'd be more than happy to let you sweep the tavern for a few nights."

With a smile, Jenos directed his attention back to the barn. "All I have to do is throw her off her game, and then make my introduction. Which is where you, Kyle my friend, come into the picture. You see that full, flowing dress Tirai's wearing?"

Kyle craned his neck slightly to get a better view as Mudge began to take a steep drink from his water skin. "What about it?"

"I need you to set it on fire."

Mudge coughed and shot water out of his mouth and nose as he looked over at his friend. "What?"

"Just watch," Jenos stated quietly.

Alexis frowned. "You jest, am I correct?"

"How much fire?"

"Kyle! Don't encourage him," she responded, thumping the mage on the back of the head.

Jenos shrugged. "Nothing big - I wouldn't want to harm her - but enough to make her panic."

Alexis sighed and held her hands to her face. "I'm not watching this."

Kyle paused for a moment. As his friends watched, a tendril of flame appeared near Tirai's right leg. Jenos needed no invitation; he sprung into action, walking casually towards the barn. The young woman, feeling sudden warmth, looked down - and immediately ran for the end of the barn. As she neared the door, she tripped over a pitchfork, flying into a stack of hay. Tirai picked herself, up, screaming, and continued to run outside.

Jenos noticed her and began running in her direction, yelling for her to run for the lake as he did so. She looked over her shoulder, eyes wide with terror, and ran into the water with a flying leap. The flaming portion of her dress extinguished itself quickly. As Tirai started to find her footing to get out of the water, a sudden outstretched hand met hers. "Are you okay?" Jenos asked.
--

Mudge didn't bother attempting to stifle his laughter as he watched Jenos practice his game in the distance. His friend had pulled several stunts in his day to strike up conversation with the young ladies of their village, but even the self-proclaimed master of pranks and deception had to admit that Jenos was good at what he did. "I hope your broom is ready," he proclaimed to Alexis as he chuckled.

"Well," the barkeep's daughter admitted, "he does seem to be on top of things... for the moment at least." She shook her head as Jenos took off his overcoat and placed it around the soaked young woman near the lake. "She'll thank him, then be on her way. I doubt he'll even get his coat back."

"That's where you're mistaken," Mudge replied as Jenos walked the young woman away from the water, escorting her back to her home. "He'll likely head by her place this evening to retrieve it, and by then Tirai will have realized that she's missing her favorite necklace."

Alexis scowled at her friend. "That was her mother's. Don't tell me you..."

Mudge puffed his chest up. "I admit to nothing. She was wearing it this morning, but that's beside the point; it's safe, Jenos has it. She'll think she lost it running into the lake, and our good friend Jenos will be gentleman enough to help her look for it. Double or nothing on our chores says he'll win her over before the sun rises on the morrow." He looked over at his friend Kyle, who was staring straight ahead with a look of horror on his face. "What about you, Kyle? Do you want in?"

Kyle simply blinked, and then pointed towards the barn. "Problem."

As the word left the warmage's mouth, Mudge and Alexis turned away from their debate and looked over the hill - to see the barn rapidly becoming engulfed in flames.

"Big problem," responded Mudge.

--

Later that evening all of the apprentices were standing before the guardians on the carpet of the Guardian house. The guardians had a large house away from the center of town. Only the guardians and their apprentices were allowed to be there, and the apprentices were barred from certain areas of it. It was to be there place of training, and reflection; however, tonight it was the place of a dressing down.

"Do you have ANY idea what you could have done?" The high priestess shouted at Jenos, Mudge and Kyle. "Not only do we now have a barn to repair but we have lost a great deal of hay for this winter."

"We are sorry Priestess. It was only supposed to be a joke." Jenos tried to defend himself but it didn't help his case much.

"Some joke!" She shouted. Alexis and Aleron cringed at the dressing down. Yes the boys deserved the dressing down but that didn't mean it wasn't bad.

"If we hadn't already invested so much time and effort into training the lot of you, the three of you would be plow boys again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes priestess." Jenos, Mudge and Kyle replied.

"Very well, now that that is done with we did call you all here for another reason." At that all of their attention perked up. "We feel it is time for you to begin your next stage of training."

Jenos grinned, why the other's just showed curiosity.

One of the other guardians took over," To the east about two days travel is the remains of an old village. You are to journey there, and bring back the town's bell."

"Bring back a bell?" Kyle looked skeptical.

"This will be your first quest out into the Taint." The guardian eyed them in turn, "We want to make sure you can handle it before we send you out to find the life water."

"When do we leave?" Cassandra spoke up.

"Two hours after sunrise you need to be leaving the light of the crystal. We can not offer you any advice, but prepare yourselves for the trip. It may be difficult."

"Any other orders sir?" Jenos looked to his mentor.

"When you took the oath to be a guardian you swore to protect your priestess, Cassandra. Your duty is to the village. She must return to the village above all else. Her life must be above your own." He said in all seriousness.

A bit shaken the apprentices turned and left their elders. As they walked back towards town they tried to lighten the mood.

"I know what I'm going to do tonight." Jenos smirked and nudged Mudge with his elbow.

"Really Jenos we are leaving early tomorrow. You need to properly prepare."

"I can not leave with out making sure the lovely ladies remember me." He winked at Alexis. She rolled her eyes in disgust.

"What you going to do?" she turned to the rest of them.

"We have some studying to do." Kyle shrugged as he indicated Thacomus as well.

"I've got to prepare in my lab." He looked in Cassandra's face, but quickly looked away. "Come on Kyle." Thacomus and Kyle walked off toward Thacomus's laboratory.

Cassandra sighed, "I'm going to go pray at the crystal." She turned to walk off.

"I'll keep you company." Aleron followed her.

"Well I'm getting' drunk." Bartras shouted and made a beeline for the Pub.

Alexis rolled her eyes the remaining boys, and then followed Bartras "You do not drink a drop until you have paid for it!"

--

Alexis waved bye to her father as he left. He was heading off to do guardian business, what ever that was. She didn't ask, he didn't tell. Her mother was off with Old Lady Hathaway helping the butcher's wife deliver her first baby. She would be gone for hours. The coast was clear. Quietly she lit a lantern, and using a drape flashed a signal from the back door. With in seconds Mudge was sneaking past her. "If you get caught I'm going to be in deep trouble."

"If you are just blame it on me." He headed in to the common room. "Where does your dad keep the mugs?"

"Second shelf behind the bar, and you will pay for anything you drink Mudge." She called back to him, and then turned her attention to Bart who was just coming in the door. "Thought your brother was coming?"

"He is, but had to make a short stop." He headed in to be greeted by Mudge. Shaking her headed she started to close the door when she saw two figures running toward the door. She frowned as they came close.

"Hey Gorgeous, thanks for letting us in." Jenos walked past with his latest girl, Aleron's sister. She grabbed his arm, and whispered, "What is SHE doing here?"

"I like to spread myself around." He winked. "Besides I wanted some female company other than the present visage before me."

"Sod off Jenos, I don't fall for your smooth talk, but my poor misguided little sister does.

"Oh yeah." He leered

Alexis smacked his shoulder, "Not funny, she is 17 and thinks that all the attention you put on her is because you LOVE her."

"I wouldn't say that. She's a cute girl, not bad for a roll in the hay, but that? Naa?"

"I know that, you know that, but she doesn't. So help me if you do anything to burst her little bubble she is going to hurt you."

"A sweet meadow violet like her is no match for me." He pushed past her to join his date, and the boys in the common room. "Quit worrying Lexi. You said yourself that your dad would be busy all night, so stop worrying." He called from the other room.

"I know I'm going to regret this," She shut the door, and went to see what trouble the boys had gotten themselves into.

--

"Now since this liquor's all drunk up, Methinks to you I'll hand this cup, And when you've filled it up with sling, I'll drink your health all 'round again." Bart sang as he was on his latest tankard of liquor.

"How about that Dragon virgin's song next?" Mudge said from where he had been dancing on the table.

Alexis put her flute down, "No I don't want to hear any more of Jenos' comments about where virgins taste better than those that are not, nor how he wants to make sure that this village doesn't have to worry about any more dragons thanks to him." When she didn't get any comments, she began to look around, "Speaking of Jenos, where is he?"

"I don't know, either give me more ale or play me another tune!" Bart shouted. Shrugging her shoulders Alexis went back to her playing. She had gotten to the chorus of the tune when she heard a knock at the door.

"Crap! Everybody hide." The words were barely out of her mouth when Mudge had disappeared, "Bart get behind the bar, and stay there. And DON'T TOUCH anything."

Composing herself Alexis went to answer the door. When she opened it she found Aleron there. "Can I help you?"

"I need to see my sister." For him, he looked angry.

"She isn't here. I haven't seen her." Alexis played her bluff, but it was blown when a crash then some loud cursing came from the kitchen. Forgetting her ruse Alexis ran to the kitchen.

She found Jenos with Aileron's sister over by the wine casks, half clothed. Alexi's sister, Millie, was standing by the cooking fire holding a poker, obviously very angry.

"Everyone alright in here?" Alexis tried to defuse the situation while Aleron went to his sister.

"I am but he won't be." Millie gestured to a very drunk Jenos.

"Now sweetheart don't do anything stupid." Jenos slurred at Millie.

Aleron wrapped his sister in a borrowed blanket. "Sweetheart! I thought I was your sweetheart?" His sister drunkenly shouted at Jenos.

"Aleron I think you better take her home. I'll deal with these two." She glared at Jenos threateningly.

Soon as the two of them were out the door she turned on Jenos, "Put some cloths on Jenos, you are scaring people."

She turned her back on him so he could get dressed, and so she could distract her sister. "Millie what happened?"

"I heard some banging down stairs. I thought it might be Mudge getting into the Grog again."

"You wouldn't have heard Mudge if it was, but continue."

"I picked up the poker to protect myself, but when I came around the corner I saw him." She pointed at the now fully clothed Jenos.

"Putting the town dogs to shame?" Alexis commented.

"More like rabbits. You know small in size and only one thing on their mind." Millie sneered.

"Anyway", Alexis cleared her throat.

"He was going at it with that hussy."

"That's enough Millie." Alexis growled a warning.

"Harlot! Who can't keep her legs together!" Millie growled.

"Be that as it may, Millie back to bed we will finish this discussion in the morning."

"But?"

"No buts, Bed!" Alexis pointed up the stairs. Grumbling all the way Millie did as she was told.

When she was gone Alexis turned on Jenos. "Do you have any idea what you have done?"

"Made a lady very happy." He had a drunken smile on his face.

"No, broke a poor girl's heart, and possibly made an enemy of Aleron. You stupid idiot!"

"Ahh…come on. I bet I could still light your fire Lexi," he started to put the moves on her.

She kneed him in the groin, "Not bloody likely."

Leaving him groaning on the floor, she went back into the common room. She found Bart behind the bar curled up asleep with a whiskey bottle.

"Wake up!" she nudged him with her foot. When he didn't move she tried again. Finally she tried one last thing. Backing up a bit she shouted, "Bartras! What are you doing with that goat!"

Like a shot he jumped awake, "Nuthin' I didn't do, nutin' with that goat." He quickly realized he had been had as he saw Alexis trying to stifle her laughter.

"Bart take your brother home. He's had a bad night." Bart grumbled as he walked past her. "And you owe me 15 silvers for the drink and damages."

"Alexis?"

"You drank it, you broke it, and you pay for it. Now take your baggage and go." Reluctantly Bart gathered up his limping brother, and left.

Once every one was gone, "Mudge, you can come out now. Ahhh!" Mudge had 'appeared' behind Alexis. "Don't do that! Go on get. I've got to get this mess cleaned up before my dad get's home."

Quick as a flash he was out the door.

Sighing, Alexis began putting the kitchen back to rights. As she hung the stockpots back up she found a pair of red knickers. "If I have mine, Millie has her's, Aleron left with her's, then whose are those?"

--

Though a bit bleary the new guardians were awake and moving at the appointed hour the next morning. They were escorted to the edge by the Elder Guardians.

"Here is a map of the area that we know of. The town is on the map here." Drell indicated the place. "There is an old road on the other side, but be wary. Just as we use so may other creatures."

"Creatures?" Alexis looked at her father confused.

"Be on your way. The sooner you leave the sooner you will return." The high priestess shooed them ahead.

Taking a deep breath they all stepped into the blackness.

--