I was born a Vaegir, but in my heart I was a Nord. My foster parents were Rhodoks, I looked like a Swadian, but acted like a Khergit. One question: Who was I?

I was Aidan Haranson, and although I was a Haranson, Haran just adopted me. No one knew my true parents. But I still loved Hadan. Ever since his wife had died, I was there to keep him company. He taught me in the way of the merchant, the leader, the sword, and the horse. So when I finally came to be a man, I was well rounded on all sides of skill.

By a real test of my skill came when Haran was captured. I found out when I woke up, one Saturday morning. It was usually the day that we both slept in, so when I came downstairs I was not surprised to find that Haran was not waiting for me. However at eight o clock, when we really should have been starting breakfast, I went into his room to wake him. It was then that I found out that he was not there.

I went out into the street, calling him. Either he wasn't listening, or he din't hear me. Or he had gone.

Running back inside, I retrieved his great war axe. It was heavy, and had belonged to Haran's Great grandfather, but had to do. I snatched my hunting bow, a fresh pair of clothes, whatever meager coin was in the safe, and left. Left that old house which had been my home for near 18 years.

Then, lifting the axe to the sky and calling upon the gods that I would rescue Haran, I went down the street to my destiny.

Just outside Rivacheg...

The people who captured were just looters or another class of bandits that were roaming the city, I thought as I trudged out the gate of my hometown. But even so, looters were dangerous... they came in numbers of six or more. So how was I going to beat a force like that? Easy - Raise an army.

But then a thought suddenly occurred to me - they would be holding him at their hideout or base. There would be no way to defeat a hundred or so of them. But there was - a lord's army.

If I could but hire a lord's army, I could rescue Haran easily. A lord's army? No. I couldn't get one of those. But the King's? Yes. Haran had often dealt with King Ragnar, and had done him a few favours. The King would certainly sympathise if one of his friends was captured.

And so I traveled to Sargoth, to see the King. It would an easy trip - two days on horseback - nothing could go wrong. But although I did not know it, fate laughed in my face.

The next day, noon...

Although Haran had trained well in horsemanship, I found riding was hard work. I had been in the saddle most of the morning, and was tiring of it. I decided to stop, make camp, and rest for half an hour or so.

But I was highly mistaken. Unknown to me, a novice traveller, a group of sea raiders were silently creeping along behind me. Almost as soon as I made camp, they pounced upon the opportunity and ambushed me.

All eight of them came from different directions. Picking up the short bow, I nocked an arrow to the string, and fired at one of them. But it was a quick shot, and its aim went awry. However the man stopped and hesitated for a second. Not letting this chance get by me, I fired again. This time the shaft plunged into his right arm, making him drop his sword.

I drew Haran's axe from my sack but I was too late. As I had fired the shots, another raider had crept up behind me. I received a strong blow on the head which knocked me down.

But luck was still with me. A third raider had thrown a stone at me just before I was hit. As my chest crumpled to the ground, the stone whizzed over me and hit the second man just below his neck.

Ouch, I thought. That must have hurt. But I was not there to think. Picking up the axe once again, I struck the man full on the head with the sharp of the blade. I heard the resounding crack of his skull breaking and knew that that was the end of him. His brains spilled out on the dry ground. Two down, six to go.

Sadly, that was as far as it went. The rest of the sea raiders poured onto me, and collapsed under them.

A dark, musty, caravan, somewhere in the Kingdom of the Nords...

I found myself in a dark box, rattling along a road. The caravan was small, and smelt of human waste. There was hay spread out along the bottom of it, but it was certainly not for comfort.

They had captured me. They had taken me away from my journey to the King. They were taking me to their hideout, where I would meet Haran's remains and share his fate. I lay in this sad mood for a long time.

When I finally woke again, it was because of the light. It was creeping in through the caravan door. I snuck along my knees and hands to it. It was coming through a small crack the size of my thumb. As I went closer and put a hand on the door to take a better look, I nearly lost my balance. The door was unlatched!

The small hook at the bottom which had kept it closed my whole horrible journey had come undone! I was free!

But just as I was about to hop out into the sunshine to enjoy myself, I realised that I couldn't take this as easy as I liked. The guard could see me, and I could be annihilated on the spot. And so I listened.

Interestingly enough, the only sound I could hear was snoring. I crept out.

'Stealing' my money from the caravan, and taking back the weapons, I sneaked from camp. My horse would have to stay behind.

Two miles later...

I was weary, and sun was setting. I could not see in the darkness ahead, and so decided to stop and stay the night in a close field. I pitched camp ear an old oak tree.

When I woke, the sun was already up. I was late on my journey! I might not reach Sargoth by the end of the day. I lept on my horse.

Galloping across the grassy wastes, I made for the city at full speed

After a long journey, stretching across the rest of the day...

Sargoth, the capital city of the kingdom of Nords, glowed crimson in the sunset. Close though I was, and hard though I had ridden, I could not stay there, and so giving up all hopes of a comfortable bed and food, I made camp for the second time that day.

Curling into my sleeping bag, I wondered if I could ever rescue Haran. But I told myself not to doubt. It would be tough, but I would pull through. I smiled to myself. Determination always brings success. Especially with a man like King Ragnar at side.

My last memory was of hard ground beneath me and only one star in the sky.

A cold and frosty morning...

As I woke up, I wondered how it was that I came to be here. Then it all came flooding back to me like a raging river. Picking up my belongings, I moved on to the city gates.

They were crowded as I pushed my way in. It took me almost half an hour to get ten metres forward! But as I cleared myself of the rush hour traffic, the street got clearer, and I was free. I immediately made my way to the imperial palace and the lord's hall, where I knew I would find the king.

I was kept a long time before I could see the king. But when I finally did, It was not what I expected.

"Come in, O visitor," spoke he who I had come too see.

"I am no visitor," I said proudly. "I am Aidan Kereda, Haranson," I held my nose in the air.

"Aidan Haranson? I have not heard of you before." Said His Majesty.

"I will introduce myself. My true parents are unknown, but Haran Jelinnason adopted me and he was as a father to me."

"Was?"

"He was taken away by a band of cut-throats but four days gone."

"Oh, I am sorry to hear it." The King turned away, his face in sorrow. "He was a good friend of mine, and he had the best trading skills. Is there anything I can do for you?" He asked.

"Yes." I spoke up strongly, lifting my chest and raising my head, preparing for the shock the King was to get. "I want you to help me release him."

The King looked up. "That will be hard. You will need an army."

I nodded my head. "And that is I came to you. He has done many favours for you in the past, and has been a good friend. Can't you now do a favour for him, save his life? He needs your help."

The King turned toward his table, and sighed. "Come, Aidan."

I came. We sat down.

"I want you to understand that the life of a king is very hard and busy. I must manage my kingdom, my lords, my armies. I must reconsider the economy, I must engage in politics, I must please my wife. Even though Haran was my friend and did me some favours, I did some back to him. I consider that as a recompensation for what he has done."

I turned away in disgust. "But can't you help a friend? His life is in danger!" I replied angrily.

"No, Aidan. I am sorry, but I cannot."

With that I left the throne room.

Outside Sargoth...

I still could not believe what Ragnar had said to me. It was impossible. How could he turn away the life of a friend, one who he had known for many years? But I knew that the King had many other things on his mind, many other things that troubled him more than the fate of one merchant.

I sighed, jumped on my horse and rode off into the wilderness. I would have to take back Haran by myself.