AUTHOR'S NOTE: Chapter nine... enjoy. For reference: currency in Cormyr are Silver Falcons, Gold Lions (1 Lion10 Falcons), and Tricrown are platinum coins (1 Tricrown10 Lions or 100 Falcons).

Chapter 8 – A Tale of Terror --------------------------------- -

The quaint little village of Dren came into view as the cloudy sky began to darken. Nearly a score of mostly wooden buildings were visible, behind a short, four-foot wall encircling the town. A rusted, iron gate lurched to one side, leaving open access to the town from the road. Inside the gate a small, maroon colored tent was setup and two men dressed in worn tabards, and leather armor aligned with metal studs, sat at table playing cards.

One of the guards looked up with mild interest at the travelers, but continued his game of cards.

Gedor looked slightly annoyed as he neared the tent. "What is this? No greeting?"

"We're busy cutter. Go on." The younger guard replied without even a casual glance.

"Ye can't just let anyone walk through town unchallenged." Gedor shook his head in disbelief.

The guard shrugged, giving the rogue only a casual glance. "But, we know ya, Gedor."

Velarus stepped up to the table the two men were playing on. "Be wary! A beast that travels amongst the trees is about. It tore two men to shreds a few miles down the road."

The older guard put down his cards. "What's this? Where were these men found?"

"Down the road, a few miles back. Just past the fork in the road, leading back to Suzail. It was a bloody mess." The ranger pointed his thumb in the direction the group arrived.

"Well go on... get inside quickly. We must close the gate." The guard rose to his feet.

Velarus continued, inwardly glad to have caught the interest of these two men and their blasé attempt at guard duty. "The beast attacked us as well, but we were able to drive it off... for now. It could hop from tree to tree." He inspected the short, stone wall, then faced the guards. "Thy wall and gate won't even slow this creature."

The slightly younger, dark-haired guard sighed as he stood. "We have heard stories of this beast."

The two guards caught Aliana's interest. "What sort of stories?" she asked.

The older, graying guard looked sullen. "Just a few days ago a town to the north was attacked... four dozen skeletons and vampires marched upon the town slaughtered everything in sight. 'Twas a regular blood bath."

"That doesn't sound like a good story." Aliana frowned, still feeling a bit sick from the images of the bodies they found on the road.

The younger guard piped up. "I heard it was more like six dozen skeletons." He shook his head as if agreeing with himself, then added, "and zombies!"

"This is foul news indeed. Someone needs to inform Suzail that undead are moving more frequently. This does not bode well." The ranger scrutinized the two, but wondered, silently, how much of their story was exaggerated, and how much was truth.

The lady mage became concerned. "How many were...how many died in the attack?"

"The whole town, nearly four score of people. With the bad snowstorms, we haven't been able to get to the town. There was a survivor who made it from Garetton, the lone survivor. He's in the tavern right now."

Gedor looked at the two guards with contempt. "Bah. Exaggerations. I doubt there was more than half a dozen."

The guard scowled back at the rogue. "Go see for thyself."

Velarus rubbed his chin. "I have heard of attacks near the mountain pass, but nothing this close to the capital city." The ranger turned and stared at Gedor. "I thought the undead traveling by trees was an exaggeration as well..."

Gedor seemed to start to argue, but exhaled deeply and spoke softly, "I'll take ye both to the Inn."

Aliana straightened out her backpack. "That sounds like a good idea."

The two companions followed Gedor and the quiet waitress, Malli, as they passed through the small town. They came to a large, log structure, much larger than the other buildings in town. The building was two stories tall and had an attached stable. None of the second story windows were lit and there were no horses evident.

Velarus read the small, wooden sign next to the door. "Quiet Dragon Inn. It looks fairly empty."

The rogue bowed his head slightly to his two rescuers. "I shall take my leave now... I will be in town. Probably in the tavern." He turned to leave and then looked back. "If I can do anything for thee don't hesitate to ask... perhaps my weapon will be of more use in the future." The female rogue, Malli followed Gedor and they walked down the snow covered path.

"Farewell to ye both. I'm sure we will meet again." The ranger watched the rogue as he left, trying to decide whether this rogue was as honorable as he claimed, or if all of his noble tendencies were merely a facade.

Aliana just smiled to Gedor and Malli as they headed away, seemingly oblivious to the thoughts of the woodsman. As the two rogues disappeared behind the wood buildings, the ranger and mage entered the common room of the Inn. A small fireplace crackled and popped, sending a comfortable warm glow throughout the small, rectangular room. A china cabinet with some fine porcelain dishes sat to the right of the front desk, where a gray-haired man wearing an aged, dark blue surcoat, stood talking with a larger, fair- skinned gentleman. He noticed the two newcomers and hobbled from behind the desk counter.

The lady mage looked up to the approaching man. "Umm. Hello."

The gray-haired man smiled and addressed them. "Perhaps I will have some brave travelers stay at my inn, yes?

Velarus looked to the elder gentlemen. "Hail and well met. Yes, we are looking for a place to rest, and to enjoy a nice hot meal."

Aliana thought about the old man's statement. "Well... my friend here is brave. I'm not... certain... about myself, sometimes. But we are travelers." She nodded to Velarus comments. "That does sound nice."

The old man smiled. "Rooms are two falcons for an evenin' or a Lion for the week. Ye need to head to the tavern for a meal. Don't serve any food here."

Aliana fumbled with a few silver coins from her belt pouch.

Velarus looked to the innkeeper. "We'll take a room... for the night." He looked to Aliana. "We should stay together, in the event of an attack. I don't want to leave ye alone, dear lady, beside I prefer to sleep on the floor anyway, no need for a second room."

Aliana was a little tentative, but responded in kind, "I guess that would be safer, probably."

The innkeeper interjected, "Well. Fine. Dost thou need stabling for the night as well?"

"No sir. We travel by foot." The ranger began to remove his long, composite bow and his leather backpack from his shoulders.

"My, my. Ye are indeed brave souls, or a bit foolish to walk around in this weather we've been having," the old man surmised.

Velarus shrugged at the comment. "Necessity, more than bravery or foolishness, good sir."

Aliana chimed in, "It wasn't that bad of a trip, other than the creature that attacked us." She shook her head as if trying to remove it from her memory. "That was rather frightening."

"We fared better than the other two we found, though." Velarus smiled half-heartedly as he stretched his shoulders, attempting to alleviate some of the stress of several days of rough travel.

The innkeeper raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A creature ye say? Tell me more, if ye would be so kind." The old man appeared genuinely interested in the topic.

Aliana thought back, picturing the strange creatures in her mind. "He had red eyes, I think."

"It was a wicked beast. It leapt from tree to tree. I hit it with two arrows and they passed right through the creature. Luckily my sword had more of an effect and it retreated," Velarus noted.

The Innkeeper became a little worried. "Curses. It's back."

"Thou hast heard of this creature? What kind of beast is it?" asked the ranger.

The Innkeeper let out a deep sign and sat on a wooden stool next to his desk. "Well... yes... I don't know if it has a name, but we call it a 'Hopper'."

The lady mage stared at the old man. "Hopper? That doesn't sound like a fitting name for such a frightening beast."

The old man smiled half-heartedly. "Well. We call it that so the children aren't scared."

Aliana shrugged. "Oh, well. I guess ye don't want the children to have nightmares. This 'Hopper' has bothered ye before?"

"We also call it a 'Bloodhopper'. It has only been seen twice, with the exception of your encounter. They say that the beast can drain one's strength with some foul magic. It also doesn't affect it, to lose its flesh."

Velarus felt a little on edge. "Where is thy mayor... Mayhaps he can send a squad to quell this beast. I shall gladly lend my sword and bow to the endeavor."

The old man's eyes widened. "Oh, I'm sorry. I am the mayor. Hullor Puklon. At thy service." His face again grew serious. "We have none to send, I'm afraid."

Aliana curtsied to the man. "Oh. Pleased to meet thee... again, then."

"Forgive us, mayor, I am Velarus of Birchwood, a Ranger of the Storm Horns."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I am Aliana of Asbravn."

The mayor bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the notions of respect from the two travelers. "Pleasure to meet ye both, I'm sure. Now tell me about the two men that were killed. It usually doesn't leave the corpses."

Velarus gazed at the ceiling, as he recalled the details. "Two men with longswords. They were torn up beyond recognition though. Gedor mentioned that he believed them to be thieves from their possessions and attire."

The mayor's face became red as anger boiled the blood under his fair skin. "Gedor? Has that man showed his face again in this town!"

Velarus was shocked by the outburst and changed the subject quickly. "Did anyone try to stop the creature?"

The mayors stopped and thought about the ranger's question. His complexion began to subside more toward his natural color. "Oh... well, a Purple Dragon knight stationed here went in search of the 'Hopper' at the cemetery a few days ago."

"Alone?" Velarus grew more concerned now.

Aliana also shared the sentiment. "A few days ago, and he hasn't returned? How long does the journey take to the graveyard?"

"He went to look for the beast. He believed that it repaired itself with the corpses from the graves or some such notion." The old man leaned on the counter as he conversed with the white robed mage. "Nobody would join his quest. I would've gone, but I can barely walk anymore. And I'm far too old for such endeavors."

The ranger stood proud, but weary as he spoke. "I will head out in the morning, and I pray that the Lady of the Forest has watched over the knight. Daylight has passed and we are in need of rest."

Aliana stated firmly. "We'll... head out in the morning." The young woman crossed her hands over her chest and glared at the woodsman.

Velarus smiled to the lady mage. "Yes. The two of us, and perchance Gedor or one of his cohorts could lend a hand as well."

The lady mage seemed to be somewhat relieved that the ranger didn't mean to leave her out of his plans. "Dost thou think a spark show will intimidate these creatures." Aliana smiled sheepishly.

The mayor looked scornful at the mention of the rogue's name. "Ye can tell that... thief... to stay well away from my daughter. If I see him near my Inn, these old bones will show him a thing or two."

Aliana stared quizzically at the old man. "Daughter?"

The ranger looked sympathetically at the mayor. "We've just met this Gedor fellow. What's his story?"

Hullor's face was still slightly red as he replied. "He's a good for nothing, cheating, bastard is what he is."

Aliana commented somewhat timidly. "He seemed like a nice enough fellow."

"We were asked by a waitress to help save him... Maybe that was a bad idea?" A tinge of doubt crept into the ranger's usually steady voice.

The old man pointed to himself. "I'd say so. He's the worst kind of thief there is. Gets ye to liking him, then will cheat ye blind."

Aliana was a bit flustered and replied, "well, no matter what, he didn't deserve to be ambushed and cut down in public. We really can't support that sort of thing. Can we?"

"He set up his damned guild in my town..." The old man pointed his aged finger around like a sword to nobody in particular.

"Yes. Well. We have the Suzailian guild after us now, thanks to him, but still.." Velarus noted.

The old man paced in front of the counter, favoring his good right leg as he walked. "I don't need a den to thieves operating out of my town."

"It seems there are far worse bandits in Suzail at the moment..." Velarus attempted to reason with the flustered innkeeper. "Dost thou know about the chief of the guild that has returned there? Gedor says he tried to have a war wizard killed."

The mayor paused from his pacing, raised his hands and shrugged. "I don't pay attention to the thieves and their quarrels. I have more pressing concerns." The mayor gnashed his teeth. "I say. Let the scum kill themselves off."

Aliana crossed her arms and glowered at the mayor. "Umm...that seems a somewhat...cynical...view."

Velarus nodded to the innkeeper. "Yes. I have no love of thieves either. But..."

Hullor appeared indignant, and interrupted the ranger's comment, "Gedor is the kind of thief that believes he is so smart, and smooth. He thinks he's untouchable."

Aliana frowned as the mayor continued his ranting. "I don't really like thievery either, but they're still people, aren't they?"

"It's a matter of opinion," Hullor stated, scornfully.

"Well... good mayor... We are famished..." The young ranger began to leave, not wanting to stir up any more hatred in the bitter mayor, and risk losing his favor.

"If they want to cheat people, that's their decision. But they shouldn't come running to us when they get in over their heads." Hullor noticed the two preparing to depart, and sighed heavily. "Oh, fairwell then." He returned to chatting with the younger, heavy-set man behind the front desk, who has been sitting silently during the entire affair.

The ranger threw his backpack over his shoulder again and leaned on his thick wooden bow. "Shall we go, Lady Aliana?"

Aliana seemed a little ruffled at the ranger's designation of 'lady'. "I'm a simple apprentice wizard, so perhaps we're good enough friends now that ye could just call me Aliana?

"As thee wish. La... Aliana." The ranger smiled, though somewhat abashed.

Aliana smiled softly at Velarus as she noticed his change in expression.

Velarus looked to the door, as if clairvoyant. "I am starving."

The young lady cleared her throat, and turned back to the innkeeper. "Umm...which way is the tavern?"

Hullor looked up from his talk with the other man behind the counter. "It's up the street about a block. Can't miss it, follow the smell of food and pipe smoke."

"And... ummm... don't we need a room key or something? Or something to know which room we're in?" she said.

The old innkeeper turned away from the silent man in the corner and faced the counter. "All the rooms are empty... if ye really want a key I could give thee one... but they are unlocked."

The ranger's displayed a touch of concern on his weathered face. "Do the doors lock?"

"Aye. But we don't have enough people to need to lock them... Besides we lock the outer door at night." Hullor grabbed a random key from under the desk counter.

Aliana was slightly relieved. "Still, a key might be nice."

"That's to room...four it looks like." The innkeeper squinted at the tiny writing on the side of the brass key, and then handed it to the mage.

The ranger muttered in barely audible words. "With a den of thieves.. ye think they'd be a little more careful."

The mayor looked to the couple as they turned to leave. "If ye are caught out late, knock thrice and if I am up, I will let thee in."

"We'll try to eat quickly." Aliana straightened her cloak and turned toward the door. "Thank thee and good evening"

"I will be up a while," Hullor informed them as they headed out.

Velarus held the door open for the lady mage and then followed her in the drifts of snow covering the streets.

The sun slowly set upon the quiet town as the temperature dropped below freezing. The gates were closed and the town and its wooded surroundings became eerily quiet. Velarus and Aliana followed the well traveled path away from the Quiet Dragon Inn. The two travelers noticed the tavern sat only block from the inn and the smell of hot food guided them to their destination. They approached the small tavern and read the tiny wooden sign perched above the worn, wooden door; 'The Drunken Boar.'

Velarus sniffed the air with a pleasant look returning to his hardened features. "Ah, a nice, warm tavern with some hot food." The ranger smiled to Aliana, who seemed to have relaxed as well. "And some hot tea." He stepped ahead and opened up the wooden door of the Drunken Boar for his lady friend.

They entered the establishment and searched for a table. The ranger scanned the room for the man the guard mentioned as being the lone survivor from the undead attack on the village north of here. The tavern was fairly quiet. A few people sat at the bar and a few more people at table and ate their evening meals. The place seemed in decent condition, somewhat plain and simple, but clean. The ranger seated himself at an empty table near the bar. The lady mage sat in a chair across the small wooden table.

Velarus set his backpack on the floor between his legs and rested his bow across his lap. He looked up into the mage's ocean blue eyes. "Aliana, please tell me more about thy home town of Asbravn. Where is it located? Is it in the Western Heartlands?"

The lady mage glanced around the tavern, taking in the sights, then looked back at the ranger's deep blue orbs. "Well...umm...yes, it's in the Western Heartlands. It's a fairly small, compared to Suzail anyway, under ten thousand people or so. And I think I spent maybe an hour in it total on the way to Suzail." A slight flush came to the girl's cheeks. "Our tower was about a half-day's walk from the town, but I never got that far away from it. So ye couldn't really say it was home. It was just the nearest thing to the tower that anyone would have heard of. When we first met..." She pulled her flask from her cloak and took a sip of tea. "You'd said that you were from somewhere, and so I thought maybe I should be from somewhere. Just 'Aliana' seemed kind of plain and... I don't know... and me not really being from anywhere. So I picked Asbravn. I'm sure that seems very silly to thee." She cast her eyes down, and away from the warrior's stare. She raised her container and consumed another sip of tea.

Velarus grinned, content in the fact that the young woman was not a stuffy noble, whose only concern was their appearance and gossip. That was his first thought when he noticed her back at the Nightengale Inn. "No, tis not silly at all. I think it is quite charming. Birchwood is no city. It isn't even a town. It consists of a few modest cottages and not much more than that. The forest I live in doesn't even show up on most maps, only about a mile or two in breadth and width. It is north of the King's Forest and East of the Storm Horns. When my father died, I stayed there with Gremmedar, Uncle Gremmie, as I call him. He raised me, cared for my mother, and taught me how to be a protector of the forest." Velarus' face fell somber as he remembered past events. Realizing his mood changed, the shook his head as if to clear away the memories so he could enjoy the evening. "So, we are both from very modest homelands, but I did travel to Arabel on occasion, and one time to Suzail itself. Though, I daresay, I am far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life."

A young barmaid with curly locks of flaxen hair approached their table. She appeared far less occupied, and a bit friendlier, than the waitresses at the previous establishment. "Well, ye folks new in town then? Were ye the ones attacked by the..." She leaned in closer to the table and spoke in a lower tone, "BloodHoppers? I hear there were five of them, I ain't seen one myself, but I hear stories. I'll get ye a free ale if you care to indulge me as to your encounter."

Velarus smiled warmly to the thin, fair-skinned waitress. "Yes, we encountered the 'Bloodhopper' as thy people have named it. A tale you want? Well I'm not one for elaborate stories, but I shall tell ye what transpired." The ranger raised his hands and gestured as he spoke. "We traveled from the Horn Gate of Suzail down to the fork in the road toward Dren. Shortly after taking east road, we ran into a terrible scene. Two corpses, ripped to shreds, lay there in a pool of fresh blood. We knew whatever caused it must be near, so we quickly removed our peace ribbons from our weapons. As we searched around we noticed something in the trees... the beast stood there... grinning. There was only one that we saw, but maybe more were out there, we cannot know for sure. Their skin was purplish and putrid, their red eyes filled with anger, hate and death. He moved around from tree to tree, with an unnatural stealth. I let loose an arrow, that flew straight and true and met the creature square in the chest. But, somehow, it passed through it with no effect. Another arrow again hit the target, but caused no damage... It dropped down several times to attack, but Aliana, here..." Velarus gestured toward his female companion, "and Gedor dodged their razor sharp claws. But, they also failed to injure the Bloodhopper. I grabbed for my sword, enchanted by Elderron, a prominent wizard of Arabel, and a friend of my uncle Gremmedar."

The ranger stood up and put his hand firmly on the hilt of the sword at his side and continued the story standing. "I closed in and sliced at the creature, who tried to spring to another branch, but did not escape my magic blade. My sword bit through its corpse-like skin and severed its hideous foot. The creature hopped back into a tree and out of site, back to wherever it resides. After that, we decided to get to this humble town, and rest before taking on the beast again."

The ranger sat down again hoping his oratory would land him a few free drinks. Being a ranger left him light on coins as it was. "And here we are... Not a great story, but 'tis the truth." Velarus smiled pleasantly. "Now, please we need to eat to regain our strength for the coming battle in the morn. What dost thee have to eat?"

The young waitress gazed at the woodsman, amazed and captivated by his intriguing tale. "What do ye want? I'm sure we could fix it up for thee, on the house. Who knows, if you hadn't fought that thing off it may be here in town, as we speak." The young woman shuddered at the thought, but smiled proudly at the two travelers.

Aliana returned the gesture, "Umm...perhaps a salad? And a bit of chicken or some other type of fowl, if ye have it?"

The waitress regarded the fair woman in white robes. "In the dead of winter, making a salad would be no small feat but I could fix ye some chicken."

"Oh, I guess that would be difficult, wouldn't it? How silly of me. Chicken will be just fine, then." She turned to Velarus. "Ye told that tale well. Much better than I could have. Do ye return to Birchwood often? It sounds like a nice, quiet place. I should like to see it sometime." She took another sip of her tea and continued, "I don't know what I would consider home now, really. There's not much for me at... at the tower." The thoughts of that place crept into her memory and tried to suppress them. She continued on her original thought, "Without anyone around, it was unbearably lonely during the day or two I took to prepare for the trip to Suzail."

The ranger replied to the waitress, "Well, thank thee very much. I would like to have a stew with some meat and vegetables if thou dost have it, and an ale would be divine." He met the blue-eyed mage's gaze as he spoke. "Birchwood is a beautiful place. It has lush, evergreen trees surrounding the town, and the majestic Storm Horns in the background. I would be honored for thee to visit my humble home, and one day, I would like to see a wizard's tower as well. That is probably a lot more fascinating than a few cabins surrounded by a grove of trees." Velarus eyes widened nearly forgetting in their relaxation that he wanted to find out about the survivor. He cleared his throat. "Waitress! Could ye tell me which gentleman is the survivor from Garetton?"

She pointed Velarus to the bar at a man in filthy attire, sitting silently, hunched over a mug of ale.

Aliana looked over the man the waitress indicated, and then shifted her eyes toward her companion. "Should we interview him together, or dost thee want to do it while I wait here?"

The young woodsman slowly stood and extended his hand toward Aliana, to help her up, wordlessly answering her question. He strolled toward the bar, next to the survivor. "Hail and well met! This is Lady Aliana of Asbravn and I am Velarus of Birchwood. We've heard thou hast encountered dire events of late. We can help, if ye let us know the details." The ranger stood proud, displaying an air of confidence.

The man at the bar spun himself around on the wooden stool slowly, revealing the eyeless side of his face. The skin around his face was scarred and burned black. The injured side looked like the skin of the beast they met earlier. He struggled to open his mouth, and spoke in a broken voice. "I'm... in no mood... for cheerful greetings." As he talked his cracked face started to ooze dark blood in several places. "No help... could come my way... they are all already gone, only I... got away."

Velarus watched the gloomy response. His proud visage became one of compassion. "I am sorry about what has happened to thy family and neighbors. We have all lost loved ones to evil that has penetrated our kingdom. I lost my father, as many others have during the Orc and Gnoll Wars. It is tragic, but we must carry on. I have a blessed potion that may help with those wounds, but ye should get to a temple. The attacks of certain undead could cause an undesirable transformation, and we have no such magical aid to prevent such an event. Ye might be grave danger, still, from this heinous attack." The looked over at Aliana, concern evident on his rough, unshaven face.

Aliana tried hard not to recoil from the man's shattered ruin of a face and managed only to flinch a little. She regained a bit of her composure as she listened to Velarus. "Umm...he's right. That sort of wound...ye really need aid and of a sort that we can't provide. Though...umm... I too have healing potions." Her voice softened and she asked, "Could you tell us what happened to thee?"

The man ran his hand down the scarred side of his face. "This ain't no natural wound... I fear... that ye may be right, I begin to resemble... the creatures that attacked me. But I would save... thy sympathy... for those who deserve it. Those... who were not so lucky as I." He paused to gain some semblance of composure, though he spoke very slowly. "I am still... unsure of that nights events, but it is still... in my mind. I remember... being in a wagon, surrounded by the corpses... of my friends and neighbors. I got out... and ran into the woods... it had just started snowing... when I made it here. I didn't stick around to find out more." He breathed heavily. "I just ran."

Aliana looked at the man compassionately. "Of course we have sympathy for those who have perished. Yet, really..." she looked as though she's deciding something inside her own mind. "We can do nothing for those who have died, while the living might yet be saved." She studied the man's face with concern again. "Do ye know if there is a temple around here which might be able to tend to your wounds? If there's a cost for the aid, we'll gladly pay it." She looked to Velarus for a moment, in case he objected, then back to the injured man. "Can you tell us more of the attack? Or of the wagon? Have you any idea where it might have been going or who might have been driving it?"

The man took a deep, wheezing breath before he answered. It was obvious that he was ailing, and every second he seemed to grow weaker. "The only temple in town... has long been abandoned... the only priest who even lived near town... died a few weeks ago. In this weather... I could never make it to Suzail."

Despite the struggle, the scarred man continued speaking barely audible, "I'm still not sure what happened, that afternoon... my neighbor's said he saw a strange man... wandering around in the woods. We all took him for one of the bandits... that have been around, but never... had they bothered us before. We set up a watch... and that was the last we heard of it." The man struggled to keep his one good eye open as he drew another difficult breath. "The last I heard of it at least. Next thing I remember... I was lying in a wagon in the dead of night, cold and shiverin'."

Velarus glanced anxiously around the room. He motioned to the man behind the bar, "We must get some help. Is there a cleric or temple near here, that can treat this man?"

The bartender gave the two travelers a look of helplessness as he shook his head. "Aye, we have a temple, but no priest; it has been abandoned since the war. We had a priest who looked after the cemetery, but he died a few weeks ago." Another man at the bar added a comment, "Nearest clergy is in Suzail. We didn't know what to do when this man came to us... so we filled him with ale 'til he stopped scream'n"

Aliana removed one of her healing potions from inside her pack and tried to push it into the man's hands. "Here. Please drink that. It may help with the weakness you're feeling."

The majority of the patrons now surrounded the two and the survivor. An elderly woman spoke up at the sight of the potion. She wore an array of charms around her wrinkled neck. She began slowly in a cryptic tone, "That won't help him girl, this man is beyond the realm of physical redemption. He has been cast upon... I have enough charity in my old heart to have tried such a cure. He is waiting for undeath. He has been the target of the darkest magic. The evil hand of Velsharoom has passed over him. Dark times have come to our land that the sight of this man can be seen."

"Oh. Umm...well, alright then. If you're sure." Aliana put the potion back in her belt and faced the old, well spoken woman. "Umm...who's Velsharoom? And...umm...who are thee? I'm Aliana...of Asbravn." Her eyes darted to the woodsman as she stated the last part.

The woman moved closer to Aliana and inspected carefully, squinting her aged eyes. A feeling of serenity passed over the two companions. Even though the old woman was somewhat peculiar, she had a kind face and seemed unnaturally beautiful. She was not beautiful like an alluring woman, but more like a sunset or a cloudless night. "Yes girl... I know well who ye are... Velsharoom is the lord of the forsaken crypts, the Vaunted, that which makes the dead to fiend, the lord of necromancy, that foul art that is scourging our land. I am Renel, many years have I feared these events. And many years have I waited to quash them. When the time has finally arrived, I am old and tired."

Aliana relaxed as the woman approached. When she finished her speech, the mage smiled openly. "I'm very pleased to meet thee, Renel, even under these trying circumstances. But ye say that ye know who I am? We've just arrived in town, so that seems...unless by mystical means..." Aliana seemed rather confused for a moment and then hurried on with what she was saying. "Maybe my friend and I...oh, my...this is Velarus of Birchwood, I've been terribly rude in not introducing him...can help with the problem? If ye could perhaps tell us more of what the problem is and how it may be stopped?"

The woman gave Velarus a quick glance and returned her attention to Aliana. "I know thee as ye know I. Ye know who I am as well as I know thee, ye just may not be fully aware of it." The woman stared into the mageling's eyes and shook her head. "No, ye are not aware, are ye? Thy mind is foggy. I see memory within memory, but none are true... Thou art trying to hide from me girl, aren't ye? Thou art afraid."

The old woman broke her stare and turned her attention to the survivor. She placed her hand upon the scarred part of his face and it slowly regained some of its normal color. She took a deep breath and removed her hand. "That will not last, mind ye... thou art still under the dark power." She faced the ranger and mage again. "I do not know the fate of his neighbors but I would wager that they are in a worse way than he. He will last the night. Ye two should rest and eat, for ye may not have such luxuries in the morn."

Aliana's feeling of serenity quickly dissipated as the woman continued speaking. She spoke harshly, "I don't know thee! I feel like maybe I should, but I don't! What are thee...?" She can feel the woman invaded her mind. Her voice was now tinged with a touch of hysteria. "What dost thou mean 'none are true'? I'm not trying to hide! I'm not afraid!" The mage's voice gave doubt to that statement, despite her denial. "I don't know what ye want from me!" The young mage seemed on the verge of bolting for the door, until the old woman finally turned her attention away. Aliana took a large gulp of hot tea to try to sooth her frayed nerves.

The ranger broke the ensuing silence to question the mysterious woman. "Will he pass into undeath before the morn? If not we should return him at once... I know there is a temple of Tymora in Suzail that could restore this man." Velarus seemed to be in deep thought for a few moments. "If these undead can spawn, then we may face an entire village of undead soon, and then Dren could be next. The two men we founded killed on the road may be under the same fate. We must return this man to the temple and warn Suzail."

The woman shook her head, "He will last long enough, but it would be a risk to get him to Suzail. If ye didn't notice, that creature patrols the road. Chances are that this man was the victim of a living creature's death magic rather than a dead creature's touch. I know the ways of magic well, Velarus of Birchwood, and I can say with all confidence that this man is victim to a magical oddity. What ye see before thine eyes is the effect undeath has upon a living man. Nay, friend of the forest, no undead would be capable of mistaking this living man for a corpse. Ye two must rest, and then see me in the morning." Without even telling the group where to find her, she departed the tavern.

The barkeeper noticed the confused look on the two travelers, and leaned across the bar. "That there was Renelleanis. We just call her Renel. She has been in this town since anyone can remember. She is about the wisest woman in the country; even Vangerdahast asked her for advice a few times. She can tell thy life story before ye even tell her thy name. Some say that she has been here since the town's founding. She lives in a shop that opens into the alley across the street. She sells potions and remedies, and a few trinkets. We took this man to her as soon as we saw him but she said that she couldn't help him. She gave him a healing drink and told us to fill him with ale, and wait."

Velarus viewed the bartender with a half-dazed expression on his face. "Yes. Hmm... Well... I guess that we should wait, but to sit around and do nothing while one falls into darkness... That is difficult. But, we do need rest, and I am famished." The woodsman, still in a dazed state, walked back to his table, nearly tripping over a chair.

The waitress followed the ranger to the table and set down the warm plate of food, which was piping hot before the long winded exchange of words. "Don't be worried, she knows more than all of us combined. If she told us to stuff him with ale and sit him on his arse, I'm sure it's for the best."

The ranger came out of his trance as the waitress voiced her opinion. "Ah, I'm sorry. Yes, I suppose she is a very wise woman if Vangerdahast has sought her wisdom. Thank thee for the food, it looks very good, and thank the barkeep for me as well." The woodsmen turned to Aliana and touched her hand softly to bring her back from her deep thought. "Not to worry is folly while undead are destroying entire villages, unfortunately Renel's wisdom has been unable to stop these events. It will be very difficult to rest, seeing what dark magic is brewing so close at hand, and..." the ranger peeked back at the survivor as the waitress returned to the kitchen, "It is a sad sight to see the results of this foul magic. I pray that Mielikki will give us the strength and courage to face this evil." The ranger realized his food was getting cold and began to gulp it down. After several minutes the plate was empty and he was satiated. The ranger rose and offered his hand, respectfully, to Aliana. "We should return to the inn."

Aliana stared out into space, lost in her thoughts. She continued her slow consumption of the chicken and mulling over her own thoughts until she finally ran out of chicken. Only then did she notice Velarus, hand outstretched, saying something about returning to the inn. Aliana blinked and wondered how long she'd been lost in her own thoughts. She muttered quietly and mostly to herself. "I'm not certain I like her very much. She could have asked before she went poking around in my mind. And what did she mean by those things she said to me?" Aliana got to her feet and accepted Velarus' callous hand. "Perhaps we should return. I'm feeling rather weary now."

The two companions walked back silently to the Inn and knocked on the door, thrice, for the mayor to allow entrance. Velarus turned from the door. "Dost thee still have the key to the room, or should I gather wood for a campfire..." he jested. He hoped to alleviate some of the tension evident on the mage's supple features.

A small smile crept across Aliana's face and she seemed a little less introspective. She fished around in her belt pouch and held up the key for his inspection.

Aliana's smile faded and she asked the ranger in a soft voice: "So...when she was talking to thee, was she busy poking around inside your mind too, or was that reserved just for me?"

The clicking sound of a series of locks from the other side of the door interrupted the conversation. The innkeeper opened the portal. After the two companions walked through, he locked the door behind them and returned to his room.

The leather-clad warrior looked to the mage with a confused look evident on his face. "Poking around in my head? What... No. Not that I was aware of... but would I notice if she was? Oh, well. My thoughts reveal nothing that isn't in my speech, so I worry not, if she did." He paused at the thought, then continued, hoping she didn't think he inferred she was hiding something. "If Vangerdahast trusts this elderly lady, then despite her action, there is no cause for worry. The walking dead are more of a concern at the moment. But let us get a good night's rest." As the two opened the unlocked room, Velarus removed a bedroll and unrolled it on the floor at the foot of the bed, then proceeded to unclasp his gray cloak. He laid on his makeshift bed and used his cloak for a blanket.

The white robed woman shook her head, solemnly. "Well, it's not so much that I've anything to hide, but it's kind of rude, especially considering that we were offering our assistance. And I'd have answered any questions that she wanted to ask without the need to resort to that."

Velarus looked perplexed, hoping she didn't think he was accusatory. "I didn't mean thou were dishonest... I only meant I wasn't worried if she did probe my mind, although as I said, it was rude of her." He didn't notice any ill will on her face so he dropped the subject altogether. "Well, good night Aliana, rest well."

Aliana walked over to an empty corner of the room and slid her backpack and crossbow to the floor. Nudging them out of the way with her slipper, she removed her grayish green cloak and whispers a single word in Draconic. The cloak contorted and folded itself into a small tent-shaped structure. Aliana crawled into the tent and closed the flap behind her. After a moment, the flap opened again and the girl popped her head out. "Goodnight, Velarus," she whispered. The flap closed again, and the tent rustled a bit as she arranged her remaining gear and clothing for slumber, and then all was still.

The ranger walked over to the nightstand and blew out the small lantern, then returned to his spot on the hardwood floor, wondering what fate awaits them in the morning.