It was the middle of the night and Tyler was jolted awake by the voice of the Guildmaster. However, he was not talking to Tyler—the Guildmaster was talking to Allison. "I'm sorry, my dear. Maze has just returned from…an altercation in Oakvale," he said in a hushed voice.

Allison looked up and asked, "What's wrong? What has happened in Oakvale?"

Tyler listened eagerly as the Guildmaster answered regretfully, "Bandits. Bandits have attacked Oakvale. I'm sorry, Allison. The town was destroyed. Maze managed to save one boy and brought him back here. Since you and he are from Oakvale, I thought that maybe you could comfort him."

The sounds of sobbing drifted their way to Tyler's ears. Allison is crying, he thought, trying to shift his body so that he could see her face.

"Was…was he the only survivor?" Allison asked in a trembling voice. The Guildmaster did not answer and she returned to her sobbing. After several minutes, she asked, "Why would bandits attack Oakvale? It's not a wealthy town."

"That is a good question. I am sorry for having to inform you about Oakvale. I know you have family that lived there. I wish that I could stay further but Maze needs me. Good night, Allison." The Guildmaster left the room. Tyler listened as the door shut.

"Allison? I didn't know that you were from Oakvale," he said, sitting up.

She looked over at him. Her eyes were puffy and red. Tears could still be seen flowing onto her cheeks. "You never asked," she answered.

Tyler nodded, "Fair enough. What exactly happened in Oakvale? Was there really a bandit attack?"

Allison sighed, "That's what the Guildmaster said. Apparently Maze arrived in Oakvale just in time to save a boy from being killed."

"And the boy was the only survivor?"

"I don't know! Ask Maze!"

Tyler shrugged, "I was just thinking that maybe a few people escaped into the forest. Perhaps your family saw the attack and ran away?"

She looked up at him and a faint smile crept across her face. "I never thought of that," she admitted. "Barrow Fields isn't too far away. They could have gone there, I suppose."

"See? Relax. We need to figure out a way to help this new boy." Tyler shifted back under the blanket and yawned. "But first, I think sleep is in order."

Allison nodded, "Yeah. I'll speak to the new boy tomorrow sometime. I wonder who is roommate is. I'm betting he was paired with Whisper."

"Possibly," Tyler answered sleepily. He shut his eyes and returned to dreaming. Although it felt as if he had only been asleep for a few seconds, he was woken by Allison. "What is it?" He asked.

She was fully dressed in her blue and white tunic. "It's morning. Get up! You start your training today. Good luck," Allison grinned.

"Aren't you training with me?" Tyler asked.

She laughed, "No. I've been here longer and have already been through the basic training. Today I'm in the library. I need to do some research for Maze."

"About what?" Tyler asked.

"About none of your business. Now get dressed. The Guildmaster is waiting for you," Allison answered and left the room.

Tyler got up and dressed in his own blue and white tunic. After he dressed, he made his way down the stairs and past the dining area. Once outside, he squinted, trying to find the Guildmaster. Tyler finally spotted him standing next to the melee training area. There was a boy inside, pummeling a dummy with a stick.

"Very good!" The Guildmaster nodded. "Well done! Now run along and explore. When you are ready to rest, just come back to me."

The boy nodded and exited the training area, tucking the stick behind his back. Tyler approached the Guildmaster. "Hello, sir. I am ready to begin my training," Tyler said.

"Oh, hello, Tyler. I want you to stay with the boy. Both you and he are new, so I think that you will make good company for each other," the Guildmaster replied.

Tyler nodded and walked up to the boy. "Well, hello. Who might you be?" He asked with a smile.

"Ranger. Although it seems that Whisper has given me a nickname. She calls me Farmboy. All because I was born and raised in Oakvale."

"Oh, don't worry about her. I've never met her yet. I wonder what nickname she'll give me."

Ranger shrugged and sighed, "I want to go home. But there is no home to go back to. Those bandits destroyed everything. I will make them pay."

"Easy there, killer. I don't think you'll avenge anyone with just a stick." Tyler pointed out. The duo walked into the garden, where a loud argument was taking place between Wedge and Brock.

"I tell you, no one is as fast as I am! I can run from here to the Demon Door in 50 seconds! Top that!" Brock boasted.

Wedge rolled his eyes, "You liar!"

"I did! And I bet that I am the fastest apprentice!"

Wedge shook his head, "I really hope that's not true. Otherwise you'll never shut up about it."

"Ask Raven! She timed me!" Brock insisted.

"Maybe I will. Or perhaps someone might be able to beat your time. 50 seconds, was it? Hey, Tyler! How fast of a runner are you?" Wedge asked.

Tyler hesitated, "Um…I can't beat 50 seconds. Sorry, Wedge."

"Damn. Okay, how about you?" Wedge looked at Ranger.

Ranger nodded, "I'm pretty fast. I could give it a go."

Brock grinned, "Okay. Hey, Raven! Come here!"

A pretty black haired girl approached them. Her voice was as sweet as honey. "Yes?" She replied.

"Do you still have that timing device?"

"Yes…"

Brock clapped his hands together and grinned, "Perfect! I want you to time the kid while he tries to beat me! 50 seconds to reach the Demon Door. And I want you to touch it. I had to. Are you ready?"

Ranger nodded, "I'm ready."

"You know, to make this more interesting…I'll give you 25 gold coins if you manage to beat my time. Not that you will. Ready? GO!" Brock yelled.

Tyler watched as Ranger bolted down the path and out of sight. Raven continued to count off the seconds. Wedge paced back and forth nervously. Raven announced, "40 seconds have passed."

Ranger appeared back into view and managed to reach Brock just as Raven said, "Time!"

"I can't believe it! You beat my time!" Brock gasped. He handed Ranger the 25 gold coins with a frown.

Wedge laughed, "Nice job, kid! What's your name?"

"Ranger," he said.

Brock shook his head, "Where are you from?"

"Oakvale."

"Ah, that explains a lot. It's farm country. Tell me, Ranger. Are there chickens in Oakvale?"

Ranger nodded, "Of course there are."

Brock sighed,"Huh. I never stood a chance against someone who chases chickens all day long. Huh, maybe I should start calling you Chicken Chaser."