Chapter One: Blindsided

Dillon watched anxiously as the world, his world, awoke around him. The city of Silverymoon, thought of as the pinnacle of Good, was best seen at dawn. The sun slowly beginning its ascent into the sky; it's brilliant light touching the highest spires of the city, reflecting an almost mirror-like glow upon its surroundings. Oh how Dillon loved this city. Some would say it bordered on obsessive, though the people that actually knew Dillon would disagree.

Dillon, being one of the Knights of Silverymoon, knew that his love for the city came from his duty to protect it. He knew what lay beyond its gates: the brutal, cut-throat reality of the realms. The dangers that everyday risk to destroy the city's innocence. And that is what compels him to fight; to lay his life on the line to keep that innocence safe. He had heard of such heroes before: their legends great and most likely altered and fabricated to hold, and captivate, the young minds intently listening.

Dillon often wondered if he would ever be put into song or tale, if he would ever be remembered for his bravery, courage, and devotion. "Dillon the Vigilant," he said to himself, the word and title working perfectly next to his job as watcher and protector. Though this did bring a disturbing case to mind; his insomnia was growing worse. It had been the fifth day in a row that he could not sleep. Every time he had, it seemed his mind would fill with horrific images of wars long past and unnerving sights of genocide.

He had often been told by wise men and sages that his mind was trying to tell him something. That through dreams, the mind speaks. But what could his mind possibly be trying to tell him? He wondered. The thought suddenly diminished as a large explosion could be heard from the main gates. Dillon froze in place, who would attack at this hour? He then tried to comprehend who or what could possibly make such a sound. The answer came and went just as fast as the questions, accompanied by a cry from a fellow Knight.

"ORCS!"

The midday sun slowly rose to its highest position in the sky, its warm rays shining down on the trees and leaves of Cedarleaf, making their orange and brown base more exuberant then ever. A large breeze rustled through the gigantic forms, the breeze itself carrying the soft song of birds chirping happily through the day. Elrandir, lying sheepishly in his bed, slowly opened his eyes to the beauty of the Wood Elves. His hazel eyes gazed at the trees next to his room, wondering how such a beautiful sight could be made, and thanked the gods for letting him wake up to it.

He slowly rose from his comfortable cotton bed, his long deep auburn hair sticking out in all directions, indicating the elf's long slumber. Stretching and yawning the elf welcomed another beautiful autumn day. He was greeted by his pup, Jasper, the dog's black fur and tail wagging furiously at the sight of his master. It had been a gift from a nearby human village, Elrandir's bow and sword helping the village to rid them of a nasty goblin problem. The dog, Elrandir knew, was up with the sun, vigorously awaiting his master to follow.

After getting his hair into order and dressing himself properly, the green tunic a welcome distraction from the constant white he wore during his travels, the wood elf traversed the town of Cedarleaf, his home. With Jasper close behind he stopped to speak with the locals, old time friends, and certain female "interests". He was well-known in the town, his deeds making a fine story to tell around a tavern's fireplace. The townsfolk often wondered why he had returned so soon, the elf had left just a week before. When confronted, the elf merely shrugged and replied with an excuse, the most common of them being that he was in need of supplies.

Though, in truth, Elrandir was slowly starting to find boredom in such a life. It was not the traveling itself, but the tedious tasks that followed such travels. He yearned for variety, silently he wished for a giant attack, or a horde of bugbears that needed dealing with, something that would truly tests his skills as a warrior. Yet all he found were goblins. Oh how he despised goblins, the little creatures only fueling his boredom. Slowly the elf found his way back to his room, the few hours he spent in amongst the trees quenching his hunger for fresh air.

Elrandir slowly plopped onto his wooden chair, Jasper following the notion and jumping into the elf's lap. Elrandir replied with a loving smile, the elf gladly accepting his company. The wood elf stared off into the distance, his mind wandering to his past adventures, and then slowly drifted into a deep, carefree sleep. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours. No dreams came to Elrandir then, no comforting vision of a wife or children, just a door slamming open.

"Elrandir!" The wood elf cried, waking the elf instantaneously. A look of desperation was on his face, accompanied by beads of sweat.

Jasper and Elrandir both jumped at the elf's sudden and unexpected entry. "What is it!" Elrandir said with more than a bit of concern.

"We are under attack! Hurry we need your assistance!" The elf said quickly, waiting for Elrandir to burst into action.

"What, how! What are they?" Elrandir replied, his anxiety building.

"Orcs," the elf answered, "Two scores, three at most."

Elrandir grabbed his sword and armor, trying desperately to hide his smile. Finally his wish was coming true.

"Luskan", Lorana said to herself, "The breeding ground for every assassin, rogue and warlord north of the Sword Coast." Her cloak was about her, her hood hiding her blonde locks and beautiful features. Her dark blue eyes locked on the City of Sails, the dark night making the city look alive with fire, either from fireplaces in taverns or candles set on the windowsill. She looked around to the crew of the ship, the Phyxsius, a well-trained group by her standards. She was glad the captain, a man by the name of Finn, allowed her to accompany the crew without pay. Though, she did offer her services as a sorceress, which, Lorana knew, was one of the real reasons why Finn let her "tag" along the captain called it. The venture itself went smoothly, the ship slipping past any pirate bands waiting to raid and burn with reckless abandon.

Finn stood beside Lorana and broke her silence, "We're set to port for a few days if you choose to travel with us again, ma'am. Free of charge of course."

Lorana looked to the captain and smiled. She liked Finn, a man of realistic principles, and honorable to the end. She softly replied while shifting her staff to her left side. "Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. My path leads to Luskan and Silverymoon from there."

Finn nodded and looked back out towards Luskan, now only minutes away. Lorana looked behind her to see the crew smiling and waving like school children. "Though I must admit," she continued, looking back to Finn, "the crew was well-mannered."

The captain took the hint and looked to the crew, the majority of them walking off in a hurry to resume what they were doing. He let out a hearty laugh, thinking nothing of it. The captain let out a large sigh that usually accompanied an outburst of laughter. He then patted Lorana on the back as they approached Luskan's harbor, and walked away yelling, "Prepare for docking!"

Lorana accepted the pat with a smile and continued her quiet contemplations. She had to keep her mind focused and her eyes opened if she was to survive this city's brutality. The ship slowly settled into a comfortable docking position and seemed to make a large creaking noise that made the ship itself sound as if it was glad to have a four day rest. One of the crew, a large round man with a gray beard, carried what looked like a plank. He set it across an opening in the hull and connected it with the dock adjacent from it. Lorana, not wanting to waste any time, began to walk for the docks.

"And Miss Lorana," Finn called out to her, "you will always have a place on this ship."

Lorana glanced back one final time to the Phyxsius, hoping that Luskan would at least have one man as honorable and as kind as Captain Finn.