"Wrongs will always be repaid…"

I mean what sort pathetic attempt at a party is this anyway? This isn't how I pictured my the start of my sixteenth year, fathers Hero friends' stumbling around drunk on the strongest ale Albion has to offer like ogres who have gorged on too much shameroot. Whats more I am surrounded by this dimly lit, foul smelling, run down hell hole of an inn.

"We're gonna av it in the Adventurers Inn! Are you excited love?" The echoes of her father's words bounced around her head giving rise to a more than irritating head ache. It was like a ball of thorns were lose, rolling and rattling around in her skull. She could feel every spike as it dug into her flesh from within. She took a long deep breath, she wasn't sure if a deep lung full of stagnant air would do her any good to lighten her mood. Her thoughts returned to her father.

Did he seriously think that I would enjoy this? There isn't even a cake! Sure, there is plenty of food. Those chicken legs were most pleasant. Still, a party without cake is like a river without water.

Barren.

Kim took to crossing her arms tightly with frustration; she noticed that her gesture was probably reminiscent of a spoilt infant to most. With that in mind she quickly placed her hands on her lap and tried to appear at though she was enjoying her self. Her mask of fake joy was beginning to crack though. There were many eyes in this house tonight and she would be devastated to think that any soul thought her anything other then a perfect picture.

The inn was rank with the smell of stale wine and body odour, the very air felt solid, like it was smothering and seeping into the skin saturating the pores with its grim fragrance. There wasn't much that pleased the eyes either, a dingy run down bar, filthy dirt covered stone floors, a fireplace that had seen better days and a variety of drunken heroes in different shapes and sizes.

At least I get to gaze upon the old Cobblers son Roger and feast in his manly handsomeness. He does have the most amazing jaw line and wonderfully gigantic legs…

Suddenly her trance was broken, like a top heavy vase gently tapped enough for it to lose its balance and shatter into a million pieces on a hard stone floor. Her father's characteristic abrupt manner was known by all in Brightlodge, it was renowned. He didn't hold anything back ever, Kim sometimes mused that it might of actually being some sort of medical affliction of some sort, a disorder which caused him to be that way, like a man who suffered from Archon leg. He was the very epitome of the saying "say what you think."

"STOP day dreaming Kim you miserable little bugger! It's your birthday. Come and have a dance. Have a drink. Your face looks like it would trip you up! It looks like yer mothers when I've been questing too long! Or I don't have any gold for her."

Kim tried to command the muscles in her face to form a less then genuine smile. However, her commands fell upon dead ears; for some sub-conscious reason, her facial muscles didn't seem eager to obey. At best the contorted, almost imp like smile that came out would have being enough to scare the crows on the High Road Farms fields.

Perhaps I am spoilt. I can't even bring my self to smile at this tattered event that is supposed to be for me.

Her father was a Hero; He had to her knowledge always being a hero all the way back to when she could remember. Those days were simpler, like a painting. There was no need for fake smiles or phoney appearances. Back then, she would sit atop the broad shoulders of this hero and be proud to call him her dad without a care. She was invincible back then. Now though, all she seemed to do is argue constantly with the man and dwell on her own self insecurities.

It was a shame.

The bearded man hopped close to Kim with a burst of speed showing his heroic ability. In one blanket move he had picked her up and flung her over his shoulders. Kim's dress flew over her head showing her undergarments. She could feel the flush of blood tainted with embarrassment reaching the surface of her skin making her as fire red as the sun at dusk.

"Put me DOWN! Rook! Or I will hit you with one of your trademark upper cuts! Do not think I won't!" Rook immediately placed his daughter back down gently on the seat she had been occupying in a darkened corner of the inn. He knew better the to test the young woman when she started calling him by his birth name.

"Rook? Oh no dear. Its father to you girl you better remember that" He said with a hint of sternness in his voice.

Kim couldn't hold back a childish outburst stomping the cold stone floor with an angry foot as she did.

"Really? Well would a father bring his eldest daughter here of all places, in this cretin filled hovel for her birthday? Hmm?" She was shocked herself that her foot had stomped the floor as she said it and now her arms had returned to the tightly bound spoilt bundle like a tightly knotted rope mooring the fishing boats at Brightlodge Docks.

I am a spoilt brat and I know it. I hope nobody caught a glimpse of that.

The large man lightened up, he gave her a warm smile that started with the eyes, the same one he used to give when she was a girl, when he had less Hero duties to care about. It was comforting to Kim like a warm bear hide on a chilling winter's night.

"Come on Kimmy, you know it's dangerous to go anywhere else. Brightlodge is a small place is it not? Where else would you have had me have it? A boat in Emerald Bay? The Sacrificial Alter at the Great Temple in Rosewood, or maybe atop the Crying Rocks with a Red Cap to serve you Fruity wine? Come on! I did the best I could. As I always do."

He placed a palm the size of a plate on her shoulder. The weight of it on her skin was strangely comforting. The sort of comfort you get from a tight hug. He continued his little speech. These speeches often lasted a whole evening. However, on this occasion she could sense he had decided to spare her of it just this once on her birthday.

"Since you were just the size of my hand here, I have given you everything, and I will continue to do so, just as long as I draw breath and this heart still beats. Come now girl, don't be spoilt. Enjoy the party, your father commands you!"

The last part of his speech was entwined with a thread of humour. The best part about this great hero of skill was although he was probably the most formidable Hero in Albion with a crossbow, and he liked to "go on a bit", he could still find time to laugh and to love. She did love him so dearly. She just wished that she could show it to the big man more often. It was hard for a teenage girl, especially a spoilt one.

Kim remained quiet and stared off into the distance vacantly, words did not come. Her father's shoulders dipped with defeat and as he slumped his way back towards the heart of the party Kim immediately felt guilty and found some.

"Dad…I'm sorry. I was being selfish. It's as just as much about our friends and family as it is me. I will try harder." She smiled slightly embarrassed at the fuss she had made. It was like lifting a weight off her chest. The smile was probably the first genuine smile she had let out for days.

I should probably do this more often. It's nice.

He embraced her in one of his fatherly Bear hugs and squeezed her tight. She felt the air in her lungs escape due to the pressure which made feel dizzy. The bearded man whispered in her ear. The scratching of his beard tickled her cheek, while the smell of sweet wine on his breath reminded her that she needed to start a bottle herself.

"You know, you should go and speak to Jim's son Rodger. He's about your age…and you know what? He fancies you."

She pulled away from her dads hug with enthusiasm and held him back at an arms length. She suddenly felt like she needed that wine immediately, lots of it. She was taking short shallow breaths after the hug to regain her breath, which coupled with what her father had just dropped on her, made the prospect of fainting at her birthday party a very real issue.

"Who told you that? He did? You guessed? How do you know?" she could feel her heart beat in her skull worsening the tension head ache she had from before.

The hero laughed. "I was told by his dad Jim. Good friend of mine. Makes good boots he does. You should go speak to him rather then just stare." He winked at the young girl as he backed away.

That was when Kim's face blushed redder then the hat of a red cap. Rook wandered off back towards the folly chuckling to himself. He was well suited to the celebrations the other heroes were having which on mass seemed rather boisterous to say the least. There was a huge man drinking ale from a guards helmet and a beautiful lady using will to chill the ale as he drank it. The handsome man that all the ladies seemed to lust after was doing some sort of dance on a table with a crowd of ladies around him doing anything for a second glance from him. As her father reached the rowdy heroes he was handed a beer by a stocky woman covered in moulded metallic armour. Kim had never seen her before, but she certainly appeared to be friendly with her father at least. She had a shield the size of her that looked like it was twice as tall as Kim.

Thank the skies the heroes' blood didn't pass to me. Even if it did I don't think I could have done half the feats these people do. I'm just not brave enough.

As she pondered the thought she looked about the room. She caught a glimpse of an old woman sitting perfectly still at the back of the room playing with what looked like playing cards. She looked out of place, like she was a spring flower in an Auroran dessert. She wore a dark brown hooded robe, Kim couldn't tell if it was heavily soiled or if it was meant to appear that way. From where Kim was sat she couldn't make out the woman's face underneath the cowl. She was mysterious and interesting. She got a feeling in the pit of her stomach like a pulling sensation, almost like a calling to investigate this old woman further, to go to her.

Is she playing cards by herself? How peculiar.

Kim's inquisitive nature got the better of her; she decided that she was going to keep the old woman company. After all, she wouldn't want to see an old woman being sat alone in an inn. It also helped that Kim was nosey and wanted to find out what she was doing with those cards.

As she continued to glare at the woman she caught a glance from Roger who was standing near to the fireplace, leaning against the whitewashed wall. The realisation that he was looking at her hit her like she had been struck by that huge shield the iron clad woman was holding.

He is actually staring at me! What should I do? I hope I don't have chicken grease on my dress! Should I look back? Should I go over?

Kim hardly had time to think about her next move. She had come to realise then just in that very moment of his glare that she was smitten with him. She had always liked the look of the boy for years but now as man he was a beautiful thing to look upon. He was tall for sixteen, with stubble on his strong wide chin. She quickly glanced back towards where he was stood and made eye contact. For a split second she thought she could have passed out. His sea grey eyes seemed to shine, reflecting the fire light. They had caught her and she couldn't escape their grasp.

He was wearing simple baggy clothes that looked too big for him. He looked like his muscles hadn't caught up to his height. That didn't matter to the girl though. She broke eye contact and stared at the table in front of her trying to compose her self, palms sweating.

I bet in a few years he will be a massive muscular man, probably the one of the biggest in Brightlodge.

The thought was enough to keep her in a trance like state.

"Happy Birthday Kim." A voice cut through her day dream like a warm knife in butter, firm and sure.

It was him. He had come to speak with her. She felt her mouth going dry. A surge of adrenaline flooding her blood stream left her hands feeling shaky, as though if she had tried to pick up a cup of wine her hands would've failed her and the wine would crash to the floor. Just like she felt like she was going to do now.

What do I say next? Just say something anything! You stupid girl!

"Ahh…Thank you…Roger" she said after what felt like a three hour hesitation. He smiled showing his perfect white teeth. There was always something very attractive about good teeth to her. She once thought that it was only her who liked nice clean teeth however, later decided that no soul would like a yellowed decaying mouth.

I am thinking too much. I need to relax.

"Just Rog. All my friends call me that." He sat opposite her; she felt his knees touch hers below the table.

"Okay..Roger…I mean. Rog" she suddenly became aware of the heat from her embarrassment radiating from every pore on her skin. She must have looked ridiculous. The feel of his knees against hers was all she could think about at present. Like her mental capacity for thought had reached its limit with "knee touching."

"You look beautiful tonight Kim." He said with confidence and a cheeky grin.

It was like the wind had been kicked out of her by his words, she couldn't bring her self to respond. She imagined she looked like a porcelain doll pretty as a picture but as still as a statue.

"Would you like to dance?" he reached out with a soft hand.

"I very much would with you." She let that slip out of her lips. It felt good, a response she usually wouldn't never have given. She didn't usually have the confidence. However, when she was with Roger it seemed like she tapped into his confidence and fed off it, almost like she was leeching his ability, like one of fathers friends who can do the same.

She took his hand in hers and they took to the middle of the tavern and danced like they had no restrictions, no insecurities. She knew then that she was enjoying herself and to her surprise this party was the best she had ever had. Her Hero father watched from afar with a strange smile that looked like contentment. Kim and Roger then drank wine and ale with the heroes. They told each other stories of their childhoods, laughed and joked, Kim talked about all her fathers' adventures, Rog told her all about his dreams for the future.

As night drew to a close and the inhabitants started to filter out of the Inn wobbling and singing as they went, Kim was curious to see if she could see him again on the morrow.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Kim said to the lad, at that point she had let go of all her inhibitions her hair had flopped down and strands covered her face hanging free, like how she felt now.

"I think you know the answer." Rog replied with his characteristic confidence with just a dash of arrogance.

"Ah. Don't be so sure Roger!" Kim said pushing his shoulder playfully.

"Oh! We are like a married couple already. I can see this as the beginning to a very eventful relationship." He laughed jokingly swilling the dregs of his last amber filled tankard.

Kim smiled and stared off into the distance, it had been a great birthday after all. She couldn't shake off the thought.

I would marry him now if he asked me.

The old woman Kim noticed from before suddenly appeared in front of the couple, She had her cards at hand. She must have snuck up on them quite stealthy. There didn't realise she was there until she stood in front of them. She shuffled her cards with great skill and speed, Kim could see that she was blind and so very old. Her face must have seen at least five and seventy years. The deep set lines of her brow looked like they told tales, Like she had seen more in her years then generations of people before her. She smiled showing rank yellow teeth and a few black ones that had died years previous.

"Ah Yesh, You's two will be appy. I cans see that clearly. Oh Yesh. For a times yesh" She said with a fat tongue and a strange accent unfamiliar to Kim.

"I cans see. I am a Seer, I sees the futures through my cards I do. This ish my gifts to yous. Here looks at thish." She shuffled the cards and presented three seemingly at random in front of the happy couple on the table.

The first card showed a baby cradled in a mothers arms lovingly, the second a mighty oak high on a hill standing tall and the third a single rose deep red and beautiful. Kim was relived. "Oh those cards look great! No evil cards at least! Thanks Madam"

The woman didn't look as light hearted as the cards seemed to suggest. She simply stayed quiet and closed her eyes and placed her hands on the cards.

She hung there for a few seconds. It felt more like minutes. Kim could feel the patience slipping away from Roger.

"What do you see kind Seer?" Rog said quietly with respect with an ounce of impatience.

The old woman took a deep breath, placed her withered hands on the table and spoke.

"I shee red the colour of loves. Brights and radiant like an autumn sun. Oh Yesh. The very sames colour appears at the ends, darks and congealed making its way across skins towards the grounds... and from the grounds does come life, just as in death they return to the to it. Wrongs will always be repaid in flesh and tears. Remembers that yesh?"

Kim looked at Roger and he returned her glance, as if in some sort of new mental connection they both now shared they knew exactly how to react to the woman's words.

"The rose, beautiful and sweet, stills carries the thorns yesh? I am rights Yesh?"

The young couple burst into an eruption of laughter, showing their ages and immaturity. The old woman stood up quietly, without event, and simply uttered the words again.

"Wrongs will always be repaid in flesh…and…tears."