Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Fellowship, the majority of the demons they're fighting (I'm running out of places to look for pictures, so I may be improvising for some of them from here on in), or Malcolm; he's someone from fiction going around under an alias. The plot is mine, and that's it.

Feedback: Is Skinner slightly annoying? Of COURSE I want some!

Funky in Fishnet: Thanks for your compliment about the Prince's dreams; I wasn't sure if they'd work out or not, so I'm glad to see they're paying off. And regarding the Malcolm thing, nice guess, but don't be TOO eager to suspect him; remember, not all demons are human size... Plus, what about shapeshifters? Who's to say one of the other members of the Fellowship isn't what they appear to be?

Sean Malloy-1: I can't tell you that. Sorry; you'll find out when the time comes.

The Fellowship of Extraordinary Men

"Ouch..." Marcus winced, his hand flinching away from a bleeding shoulder where Ivanhoe had struck him. He looked up at the knight with a new respect in his eyes. "You're good. I haven't taken a blow like that from a human in centuries."

Ivanhoe smiled. "Thanks for the compliment," he replied. "I do the best I- wait, did you say centuries?!" he asked, his ears finally processing what he'd just been told. "How old are you?"

Marcus smiled. "About five or six centuries old," he explained. "I was born a vampire, rather than being turned, and aged fairly normally up until I reached my current physical appearance. I've been training for combat situations ever since, which is the reason I was so surprised at your managing to strike me; after almost five centuries, it's rare that I meet an opponent who knows a trick I don't."

Ivanhoe grinned. "Well, good to know I can still surprise someone with your experience," he said, as he put his sword back into its scabbard and shook Marcus's hand. He glanced around at the others. "I just wish we could be sure of everyone's abilities when it comes to fighting demons..."

Marcus nodded as he looked around at the other Fellowship members. They were doing a good job in practicing with their own talents, but there was always a nagging doubt that they would manage to hold their own when it came down to the final showdown between them and the forces of the Demon Master.

However, they weren't letting any nagging doubts stop them from trying their best. Robin and the Black Arrow were working on their archery together, and managing to match each other for distance and force of impact so far, while the Prince was exchanging sword blows with Malcolm in a test fight, in a similar situation to Robin and the Black Arrow in that, so far, neither one was proving to be the other's superior in any definite way.

Marcus shook his head and smiled as he and Ivanhoe watched their fellow four members struggle to outdo each other in some way.

Ivanhoe glanced over at the vampire. "What's the joke?" he asked casually.

"Nothing, really," Marcus replied. He then sighed. "It's just... I've missed moments like this."

"Like what?" Ivanhoe asked.

"Being able to just... go around with some acquaintances," Marcus said, looking back at the knight he was already starting to think of as a friend. "As an Elder of the vampires of the world, I rarely get the opportunity to go out on my own; I'm normally surrounding by bodyguards, being constantly bothered by affairs of state or something similar. I think this is possibly the first time I've been the only vampire within several miles in... well, ages." He smiled at Ivanhoe. "It's nice to have some time away from all that."

"I know what you mean," Ivanhoe commented. "As a knight, I'm not exactly regularly bothered by bodyguards myself, but I occasionally have to work in armies to help carry out my tasks. It may be unusual in a knight, but I've never been one for getting involved in large-scale conflicts; I prefer something where I have few people to keep an eye on while I'm fighting." He chuckled briefly. "And half the time I'm not even in charge of the mission we're on; I'm just one of many." He looked over at Marcus. "Does that even make sense?"

"Yes," Marcus nodded, turning to face Ivanhoe as he finally slid his sword back into its scabbard. "You have a great sense of responsibility, Ivanhoe. It is one of the many commendable things that makes you remarkable enough to be included on this team. There is nothing wrong with that."

Ivanhoe smiled briefly at the vampire. "Thank you," he said, nodding at the vampire. Then he drew out his sword and raised it in a combat position in front of him. "On guard?"

Marcus smiled. "Indubitably," he said, as he pulled out his own blade.

A slight nod was exchanged between the two, and then the duel was on again.

Far away, in his vast fortress, the Demon Master cackled as he watched the Fellowship struggle through the eyes of his mole.

This is fun, he thought to himself, as he watched the Black Arrow and Robin shake hands to congratulate each other on a couple of well-aimed shots, while the other Fellowship members traded sword blows. Whatever they practice, I will know, and they have no idea of the danger in their midst.

Chuckling, he lay back in his seat, and stared ahead of himself at his glowing crystal ball. When they arrive tomorrow, I shall be ready for them...

AN: I'm AWARE that this is short; think of it as a scene filler for the rest of the stuff. Anyway, enjoy; in the next chapter, things really start to get interesting, as the Fellowship arrive at the mysterious fortress, to face the wrath of the Demon Master...