Sparks could not stop running. He had to deliver this medicine to the king, or it would be his head on a silver platter. Splash, splash! He ran through puddles, through the rain. Nothing would stop him—except his own stupidity at getting himself in this mess in the first place.

It was such a silly bet he had made. A running race he had thought, just a silly game that he could easily win against those young elfin men. He had been tricked into signing a contract with them to be their "delivery boy" and now the had to deliver their king his daily medicine. If he failed to do so, he would be tortured and killed, or worse.

I though elves were friendly, but these elves make the Drow look like angels. Sparks thought as he continued his daily run.

The path began to feel harder and harder every step. Sparks knew his feet were bleeding ; the rocks stabbed at his toes and he slowed down. Damn, I gotta get better shoes. He paused to bandage his feet in vain because it would only delay the bleeding for another block or two. Maybe I could run though the grass instead. He changed his course and tried to run though the grass.

The grass was medium height and thick. It wasn't as bad as the trail but it was still bad enough. Needles of green threatened him every other step. The snakes didn't help either.

"Hah!" Sparks slashed through the tall grass with his broadsword. He ran a little faster down this new path. Today he will make it on time just like the day before, and the day before that. He shivered and sneezed, another cold developing again. That will only slow him down tomorrow.

Clop, clop, clop. A horse drawn carriage pulled along side him. Parn waved. "Hey Sparks! I haven't seen you in a while, what have you been doing these last few days?" Sparks looked to his right and sighed.

"I've gotten myself in a mess. I have to deliver medicine daily to the red eyed elfin king Drake. I gotten tricked into signing a contract over a silly bet. Could you give me a ride?"

"Sure," Parn stopped the carriage so Sparks could climb inside. " I will tell our king of your predicament . The red eyed elves are a mean bunch, they will be hard to persuade. It will be even harder to try to convince them to dissolve your contract."

Sparks dried himself with an old rag. " I know that, Parn. I didn't tell you of my—predicament because I didn't want to get you involved."

" That is what gets you into these situations, your big mouth Sparks" Parn frowned and shook his head in disappointment. " I'll take you to the king today."

Sparks smiled. "Thank you Parn. You're a real friend."

Suddenly, he felt dizzy and tired. "I don't feel so well." He forgot that his feet were poorly bandaged and he was bleeding the whole time on Parn's red carped carriage.

"Sparks! You're bleeding!" Parn gasped.

"I forgot to tell you-" Sparks fainted unto the floor.

"Sparks, Sparks!" Parn shook him. "Sparks!"