"So, you found us a job?" Devanand's reflection looked at me and smiled brightly before trying to focus on his face paint. I always found it hard to talk with Devanand as he got ready for performances, but the mock jester was a great act and it gave him an opportunity to lift some purses. "I think we'll all be happy to stop doing these menial jobs day in and day out. It's getting harder and harder to pickpocket these people, but they'll still through me some coins if my work is good."

I shrugged and leaned back in my chair, snagging one of the brushes Devanand used to apply his makeup. "The elf who wants to hire us is disturbing, to say the least. The only thing he said was that he'd be willing to pay for anything we need and that there isn't a map so he'll be joining us."

Devanand turned around in his chair, staring at me with wide, half painted eyes. A smile crossed his face as his mind seemed to go to work with the very idea of a man willing to pay for anything. "I already like this guy! So, he's willing to spring us out of jail if it comes to it?"

"I don't want to depend on the guy, Devanand." I hissed. I unconsciously touched my neck, my fingers trailing the spot that Glandriss had touched me. "All we'll have him do is pay for room and board, weapons, and maybe to pay off a guy or two. That's it, okay?"

"Kill joy." With a frown Devanand seized the brush from my hand and turned back to the mirror. "Besides, it's a good question; who know what will happen to Dusan, that little spitfire of a cleric gets himself in trouble all the time." As I opened my mouth to respond there was a soft knock at the door. Devanand gave the door an irritated look through the mirror, "What is it?"

The door opened slowly and a familiar head poked through. Dusan smiled at the two of us, his dark brown eyes shining with a joy that he never seemed to lose. "Kanaloa, there is someone in the common room asking for you."

I nodded and followed Dusan out of the room, ignoring Devanand's annoyed muttering as I slammed the door. My cleric friend loomed over me by a foot, an opposing figure to whom ever was our enemies, which seemed to bother him. He was a follower of a peaceful deity and preferred to help others and leave any fighting to myself and Devanand. We both suggested that he cut his long black hair and possibly wear something other than his cleric's robes, but Dusan said he couldn't; it was how he showed his faith in simple ways.

"So, who's looking for me?"

Dusan shrugged. "Some elf; he's asking a bunch of questions but it doesn't seem like many people really paid much attention to us." Dusan paused, his eyes shifting as he ran through his thoughts. "I don't think he's talked to the inn keeper; I think he'll remember you."

"An elf?" I grabbed Dusan's hand which caused him to blush profusely. "What did he look like?"

"Um, uh, well." he struggled with his words as I stared at him angrily. "He's a grey elf with long black hair. The guy is wearing some type of silk robe, something that I've never seen before."

"Did you get a look at his face?"

"No; he had his back to me the whole time. Why? Is there something wrong with him finding you?" Dusan's expression changed drastically, his eyes narrowing and looking at me intently. "Did he try and do something to you?"

I let go of Dusan's hand and tried to hide the fact that his question flustered me. "No. I just want you to do something for me. Go to Devanand and ask him about the job we got-"

"We got a job?"

"Don't interrupt me, okay? Devanand will tell you all that I know. Than I want the both of you to try and find out about someone named Glandriss. He seems a little off to me and I want to make sure that he's nothing to worry about."

Dusan nodded and turned around without another question, leaving me with a mind full of uncertainty. I slowly walked to the staircase and peered down into the common room. I could hear soft conversations and loud laughter from various groups but I couldn't see a single person. Silently I debated going back to my room and grabbing my swords, but I decided against it.

As I descended the stairs I felt a pair of hidden eyes watching my every step. I felt nervous but tried to mask that feeling as I approached the inn keeper's desk. Much to my surprise it was empty; a small sign sat on the desk to inform people where he was and when he would return. I cursed beneath my breath and tried to figure out what to do next.

"It seems like you're a little anxious."

I felt a shudder rise up my spine and I turned around quickly. Glandriss stood before me, his body only inches away from my own and his eyes studying me intently. A sly smile crossed his mouth and he took a step back; he looked different from the night before. It had to be the light.

"I heard that you were looking for me." I regained my composure and crossed my arms over my chest. "How was it that you found me?"

Glandriss' smile never left him. "You ask the right person the right question, and anything is possible. Besides, a half-breed like yourself is very rare; someone is bound to remember you."

"Well, you found me. What do you want?"

"To offer you a meal." Glandriss clasped his hands together and that sly smile turned sincere. "I'm offering this as an apology and to inform you about what, exactly, I'm hiring you for."

I looked Glandriss over, our eyes locking for a brief moment. In that moment, though, it felt like he was trying to pry into my mind; I could almost feel his hand crawling over my mind, his hot breath covering me as he seemed to whisper something. I shook off that feeling and noticed a slight look of irritation cross his face. I tried to ignore the idea that he may have actually tried to read my mind, but it seemed to linger there. Despite my better judgement I had the urge to find out more about him.

Glandriss led me to a small restaurant in the town's square. I had noticed the restaurant before but I rarely ate at such places, preferring to make my own meal or ordering from the inn. We were greeted by an overly cheerful woman who whisked us to a small table next to one of the restaurant's many windows. Glandriss ordered wine for the both us and told the water to bring us what ever meal was good that day.

I felt awkward to say the least. I was dressed in my traveling clothes, which held blood stains and rips that had been re-stitched time and time again. Glandriss, on the other hand, seemed to be at home in such a place. The way he carried himself, and despite the piercings, told me that he was well bred and knew about the finer things in life. He was the type of person that my father worked for, as did I for a brief time.

"Shall we get down to business?" I muttered.

Glandriss gave a short nod and slowly began to tell me an old legend. "It was a tale of an elder god, long forgotten by time. Like most other deities, this elder god made magical artifacts that would bless his followers when taken in to their possessions.

"Time went by and the elder god's followers were becoming demanding, fighting over the old artifacts and spilling blood in the god's name. Anger filled the elder god and that anger took the form a stone. The elder god sent that stone to his people and watched as those who found the stone slowly seemed to flicker out of existence.

"A few of the deity's clerics began to notice the pattern and grew worried. They tracked down the stone and used their magic to fasten the stone to a necklace before hiding it away in the earth. Time went by and the people forgot about the stone and soon forgot about the elder god."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Let me guess; you want me to track down a stone that can make people disappear?"

"It's not that." Glandriss hissed. "Because it was hidden in the earth for so long the stone's power has changed. It's starting to make whole towns disappear. I'm being sent to find it and try to destroy it."

"So, that's why there isn't a map?"

"Yes. We think someone has found the necklace and is trying to use it to wipe out every living creature."

"We?"

"My mentor and a group of clerics have sent me to look for the stone. They were the ones that told me to come here in search of help." Glandriss seized my hands, "Will you help me with this?"
My heart was racing and a mixture of anger and confusion rushed through me as Glandriss held my hands. I bit my lower lip and looked at the grey elf; he was pleading with me. A sigh escaped me and I lowered my head. "Yes."