{\rtf1\mac\ansicpg10000\cocoartf102
{\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset77 Helvetica;}
{\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;}
\margl1440\margr1440\vieww16800\viewh13800\viewkind0
\pard\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ql\qnatural
\f0\fs24 \cf0
Author note : I am new here in fanfiction.net, and this is my first story, so I ask you, most gracefully, to be indulgent with my writing. I apologize for any mistakes, but I've been learning English for only four years in school, and even though I can read quite easily in the language of Shakespeare, it gets more difficult when it comes to writing.
I appreciate comments, and suggestions to improve my writing, though useless reviews which criticize without giving any suggestion on how to get better, will be met with the Flower Curse. You have been warned.
The Barbarian sat silently in a corner of the wagon which was leading him to the Rogue Encampment. He was a young man, called Welfor who had left his town in the northern lands to fight the Evil which was appearing everywhere in the world of Sanctuary. During his trip south, he had witnessed many ruins of what had once been towns. The awfully mutilated corpses of the villagers had only fueled his will to fight the Prime Evils, though the man couldn't help but worry about his village he had left some months ago, and fear what he could find if he ever came back. Horrible visions and nightmares tortured him every night. His homeland destroyed, corpses everywhere, blood turning the earth red were some of the sights he had to deal with. His family ? Slain by the demons he swore to fight, the Barbarian would only see them again in his dreams........ It was Warriv who woke him from his dark thoughts. Warriv was a kind and experienced merchant, who had travelled all around Sanctuary, even into the distant lands of Scosglen, or the deserts of Aranoch. Welfor had met him in the borderline between the Barbarian lands and the lands of Khanduras, and had accepted Warriv's offer to join his caravan on their trip to the Monastery. Warriv hoped to get to Lut gholein through the Mountain Pass, where the Rogue's Monastery was located, though the rumors of the disaster in Tristram were making him nervous to get quickly to the Pass. After all, if Tristram had fallen, who knew how long the Monastery would resist, before falling as well.
''We'll stop soon to camp. You should get ready to diner'' said the merchant. The man from the North simply nodded, as he slowly exited the wagon and sat near the fire with all sort of travelers and merchants who belonged to the caravan. He ate silently, as usual, and didn't talk to anyone. The other men were already used to him, and payed the Barbarian no attention, as the two axes the man carried didn't allow them to laugh at him. Most of the men were drinking, and laughing loudly, much to Weflor's displeasure. Finishing quickly his meal, he walked away from the fire, and prepared to have a walk before going to sleep. However, he heard the sound of voices arguing coming from near the caravan's leader tent. As he approached, he saw Warriv and the leader in a fierce verbal fight.
''Raziel, this is madness. We can't camp here tonight ! Our scouts have warned us that there are demon encampments just some miles from here ! What if they raid us tonight, while everyone is asleep ? '' said Warriv.
''Warriv, we can perfectly protect ourselves from any attack. Honestly, do you think that all those warriors we hired to defend the caravan aren't enough ? We are perfectly safe here. The men need rest, and I prefer staying here to traveling by night without seeing anything ahead ! '' yelled Raziel.
''There is a Rogue outpost just some miles from here. What if we....''
''Enough ! You are a very experienced merchant and traveler, but I am the leader here. I hope you didn't forget that.'' said Raziel in a harsh voice.
''I didn't. But you are the leader of your own caravan. And if you are going to stay here, I am leaving this caravan right now'' answered Warriv coolly.
''As you wish. Leave if that's what you want !''
Warriv turned away angrily and began walking back to his own wagon. Spotting the Barbarian he approached him.
''I suppose you heard our fight didn't you ?''
''I did. And I do believe that you are right. I can sense some demonic presence in this place. We should leave right now'' said Welfor
''Then may I invite you to join me ? I am leaving now, and the more people I get, the better. In case we are attacked...'' asked Warriv
''I will go with you. I'm in a hurry to get to Tristram and investigate the Evil which has arisen there''
''Then wait for me in my wagon. I am going to ask who wants to join us in our trip, and we'll be ready to go.''
Welfor went to Warriv's wagon with the few items which he had brought all the way from his homeland. His axes, some potions, and a few gold coins. Quickly Warriv was back, and brought with him two men. One was short and fat, and looked suspicious. the other was a black man, wearing an armor like Welfor and carrying a sword and a shield. The cross in his shield identified him as a Knight of Zakarum.
''My friend, those are the only two who accepted to come with us. This is Gheed, a merchant like me. And this is Arcadio, a warrior.''
''Nice to meet you'' said Welfor to them.
''You can discuss later. Now we have to move on, for I fear that the camp will be attacked soon''
And so Welfor and Arcadio now sat in silence inside Warriv's wagon, while Gheed followed them with his own wagon. Suddenly Arcadio broke the silence.
''I have heard that you are investigating the Evil which has befallen Tristram. Am I correct ?'' asked the Paladin.
''You are. Why ? Are you fighting the Prime Evils as well ?'' asked Welfor.
''I am. It seems as we are heading towards the same direction.'' said Arcadio.
''I am going to Tristram, to investigate the reappearance of the Prime Evils. I have heard that Diablo has once again been set loose upon the world, and I want to know what he is willing to do''
''Oh you don't need to go to Tristram to know that'' said the Paladin. Welfor sent him an inquisitor look. Arcadio proceeded : ''No my friend, Diablo's goal is clear. He seeks to free his Brothers who were imprisioned long ago by the Horadrim. If he succeeds, the world is doomed. It is quite simple actually''
''And what are you planning to do to stop him ?'' asked the Barbarian.
The Paladin kept silent for a moment, and then said
''I am trying to follow Diablo's steps and stop him before he frees his Brothers. Unfortunately I was in Westmarch, when I first heard about the disaster in Tristram. I suspected it to be Diablo's work, and since then I am trying to head East where Diablo is probably going. For his Brother, Baal of Destruction, awaits him in the desert. If the Lord of Destruction is set free, the world as we know it, will be no more''
Both men fell silent again. Welfor reflected on what he'd just heard. A few minutes later he said :
''Well, I guess that I have to change my plans now. I was wondering, if we both want to stop Diablo, we should fight together. I would like to join you in your quest, since it is mine as well. What do you say ?'' asked the northern man, waving his hand at Arcadio
The Paladin looked at the Barbarian curiously, and finally took it.
''Fine. But difficult battles await us.'' he warned.
''All rocks can be broken with the right hammer''
''What was that ?''
''A Barbarian saying. I guess it pretty accurately describes our current situation''
Suddenly the wagon stopped.
''We have arrived to the Rogue's outpost.'' said Warriv.
And so it began.
}
Author note : I am new here in fanfiction.net, and this is my first story, so I ask you, most gracefully, to be indulgent with my writing. I apologize for any mistakes, but I've been learning English for only four years in school, and even though I can read quite easily in the language of Shakespeare, it gets more difficult when it comes to writing.
I appreciate comments, and suggestions to improve my writing, though useless reviews which criticize without giving any suggestion on how to get better, will be met with the Flower Curse. You have been warned.
The Barbarian sat silently in a corner of the wagon which was leading him to the Rogue Encampment. He was a young man, called Welfor who had left his town in the northern lands to fight the Evil which was appearing everywhere in the world of Sanctuary. During his trip south, he had witnessed many ruins of what had once been towns. The awfully mutilated corpses of the villagers had only fueled his will to fight the Prime Evils, though the man couldn't help but worry about his village he had left some months ago, and fear what he could find if he ever came back. Horrible visions and nightmares tortured him every night. His homeland destroyed, corpses everywhere, blood turning the earth red were some of the sights he had to deal with. His family ? Slain by the demons he swore to fight, the Barbarian would only see them again in his dreams........ It was Warriv who woke him from his dark thoughts. Warriv was a kind and experienced merchant, who had travelled all around Sanctuary, even into the distant lands of Scosglen, or the deserts of Aranoch. Welfor had met him in the borderline between the Barbarian lands and the lands of Khanduras, and had accepted Warriv's offer to join his caravan on their trip to the Monastery. Warriv hoped to get to Lut gholein through the Mountain Pass, where the Rogue's Monastery was located, though the rumors of the disaster in Tristram were making him nervous to get quickly to the Pass. After all, if Tristram had fallen, who knew how long the Monastery would resist, before falling as well.
''We'll stop soon to camp. You should get ready to diner'' said the merchant. The man from the North simply nodded, as he slowly exited the wagon and sat near the fire with all sort of travelers and merchants who belonged to the caravan. He ate silently, as usual, and didn't talk to anyone. The other men were already used to him, and payed the Barbarian no attention, as the two axes the man carried didn't allow them to laugh at him. Most of the men were drinking, and laughing loudly, much to Weflor's displeasure. Finishing quickly his meal, he walked away from the fire, and prepared to have a walk before going to sleep. However, he heard the sound of voices arguing coming from near the caravan's leader tent. As he approached, he saw Warriv and the leader in a fierce verbal fight.
''Raziel, this is madness. We can't camp here tonight ! Our scouts have warned us that there are demon encampments just some miles from here ! What if they raid us tonight, while everyone is asleep ? '' said Warriv.
''Warriv, we can perfectly protect ourselves from any attack. Honestly, do you think that all those warriors we hired to defend the caravan aren't enough ? We are perfectly safe here. The men need rest, and I prefer staying here to traveling by night without seeing anything ahead ! '' yelled Raziel.
''There is a Rogue outpost just some miles from here. What if we....''
''Enough ! You are a very experienced merchant and traveler, but I am the leader here. I hope you didn't forget that.'' said Raziel in a harsh voice.
''I didn't. But you are the leader of your own caravan. And if you are going to stay here, I am leaving this caravan right now'' answered Warriv coolly.
''As you wish. Leave if that's what you want !''
Warriv turned away angrily and began walking back to his own wagon. Spotting the Barbarian he approached him.
''I suppose you heard our fight didn't you ?''
''I did. And I do believe that you are right. I can sense some demonic presence in this place. We should leave right now'' said Welfor
''Then may I invite you to join me ? I am leaving now, and the more people I get, the better. In case we are attacked...'' asked Warriv
''I will go with you. I'm in a hurry to get to Tristram and investigate the Evil which has arisen there''
''Then wait for me in my wagon. I am going to ask who wants to join us in our trip, and we'll be ready to go.''
Welfor went to Warriv's wagon with the few items which he had brought all the way from his homeland. His axes, some potions, and a few gold coins. Quickly Warriv was back, and brought with him two men. One was short and fat, and looked suspicious. the other was a black man, wearing an armor like Welfor and carrying a sword and a shield. The cross in his shield identified him as a Knight of Zakarum.
''My friend, those are the only two who accepted to come with us. This is Gheed, a merchant like me. And this is Arcadio, a warrior.''
''Nice to meet you'' said Welfor to them.
''You can discuss later. Now we have to move on, for I fear that the camp will be attacked soon''
And so Welfor and Arcadio now sat in silence inside Warriv's wagon, while Gheed followed them with his own wagon. Suddenly Arcadio broke the silence.
''I have heard that you are investigating the Evil which has befallen Tristram. Am I correct ?'' asked the Paladin.
''You are. Why ? Are you fighting the Prime Evils as well ?'' asked Welfor.
''I am. It seems as we are heading towards the same direction.'' said Arcadio.
''I am going to Tristram, to investigate the reappearance of the Prime Evils. I have heard that Diablo has once again been set loose upon the world, and I want to know what he is willing to do''
''Oh you don't need to go to Tristram to know that'' said the Paladin. Welfor sent him an inquisitor look. Arcadio proceeded : ''No my friend, Diablo's goal is clear. He seeks to free his Brothers who were imprisioned long ago by the Horadrim. If he succeeds, the world is doomed. It is quite simple actually''
''And what are you planning to do to stop him ?'' asked the Barbarian.
The Paladin kept silent for a moment, and then said
''I am trying to follow Diablo's steps and stop him before he frees his Brothers. Unfortunately I was in Westmarch, when I first heard about the disaster in Tristram. I suspected it to be Diablo's work, and since then I am trying to head East where Diablo is probably going. For his Brother, Baal of Destruction, awaits him in the desert. If the Lord of Destruction is set free, the world as we know it, will be no more''
Both men fell silent again. Welfor reflected on what he'd just heard. A few minutes later he said :
''Well, I guess that I have to change my plans now. I was wondering, if we both want to stop Diablo, we should fight together. I would like to join you in your quest, since it is mine as well. What do you say ?'' asked the northern man, waving his hand at Arcadio
The Paladin looked at the Barbarian curiously, and finally took it.
''Fine. But difficult battles await us.'' he warned.
''All rocks can be broken with the right hammer''
''What was that ?''
''A Barbarian saying. I guess it pretty accurately describes our current situation''
Suddenly the wagon stopped.
''We have arrived to the Rogue's outpost.'' said Warriv.
And so it began.
}