A large shadow eclipsed the cart. The merchant stared up , paralyzed with fear. The boulder seem to hang in midair above the cart.

*Crash*

The huge rock sent shards of wood, flesh, bone, and ceramic wares flying. The cloaked guard incanted a spell, and a shield deflect most of the debris from herself and her riding dog. The other guard raised his shield, a piece of wood ripped his leg, but he didn't seemed hinder by it.

"They got the second cart. ", said Frank while firing his heavy crossbow. The bolt sang with fury, slamming heavily into a hobgoblin. It tore into the creature but its force was unabated as the hobgoblin behind him met a similar fate. It path finally stopped as it struck a Frost giant's shield. "I didn't know those guys lived down here.", observed Frank calmly as he was reloading his crossbow. "Glad I bought these bolts last time I was in Leeha. Gotta hand it to those halflings, they make good shit."

Tyris fired her bow while reciting northern war poetry , her aim and speed were a match for Franks power. Fetched prefer her singing better then her poetry but it worked either way. Fetch figured they both brought down 5 a piece since they were ambushed.

Fetch fired his crossbow as well, it struck a hobgoblins shield . The hobgoblin roared in defiance and continued its charge. Fetch frowned ...he needed a bigger crossbow like Frank or more practice.

The normally passive Goldanna was crouched hiding in the bed of the cart. Her face was still blank, but it seemed she recognized the danger of the violence and yelling around her. She was a bit more responsive then when they first met her, but she was still basically a blank slate.

A monstrous horn blew in the distance. It appeared to be a fall back signal to the attackers , they had not expected as much resistance. Fetch looked at the other side of the river, the lead elements of the caravan fared much worse then they did. He could see the outline of humanoids beheading merchants and stabbing downed guards. Several carts that were already looted were set on fire. The lead ambushers seemed not to react to the signal, instead they waved their red banner, with what appeared to be a black stylized lake or river on it.

Fetch recalled how it all began. It wasn't that bad at the start. The caravan was heavily armed. There were 12 carts, and 2 guards per cart. The caravan master Ivan , was a mage of some sorts, and rode a magically summoned bear . The guards seemed fairly hardened too. Fetch didn't get a chance to see all of them, but the 2 assigned to their carts were former men at arms for the order of the Lion. He tried to talk to them, but they didn't seem to keen on talking. They were focused on their job. The guards in the cart in front of them, seemed competent too, a cloaked woman with a bow riding a large dog, and a large dark skin gladiator of some sorts. Fetch felt uneasy in their presence, he had the feeling they were watching him closely whenever his attention wasn't focused on them.

One of the guards assigned to them, Bruno, told them that there were rumors that the monster tribes from the north had moved south since the mists broke. Apparently the confusing qualities of the mists kept most of the monsters in check for several hundred years, and now they were free to rampage in the south. Fetch in return, told them his group could fight, but they just smiled and nodded.

The first 2 days after they reached the "borderlands" were tense but uneventful , they passed a few more totems and some more burnt carts but the scouts up front reported no signs of an ambush. On the third day, they arrived at an old bridge. Ivan and his scouts checked for monsters hidden underneath the bridge but saw no signs. However when the caravan began crossing it one by one. A shriek filled the air, and a large fiery red draconic creature soared through the sky. It streaked from the clouds towards them and ignited the bridge. Fetch wondered how long it waited up there. War drums were then heard from the distance. A large group of raiders engaged the caravan up front. A smaller group engaged Fetch's half. Fetch figured they were just meant to pin them, while the larger group took care of the lead group . When they were done they would move to them.

"North! move north!", cried Ivan. The caravan master was at the front of the caravan but was unable to save it. He intoned his magic as his attackers surrounded him, and he switched places with an unsuspecting guard in the rear section. The guard yelled in surprise and anger, but was swiftly cut down by the victorious raiders.

Fetch hadn't really studied their map, but their ultimate destination was south. He wondered if Ivan knew a ford or something they could cross. Their carts driver obeyed the order and their cart rolled with the remaining carts to the north. There were only 5 left. The rest were cut off or smashed by boulders. Several of the hobgoblins from the other side of the river followed their group. Frank cursed as the moving cart spoiled his aim, his piercing bolt imbedded in the ground in front of the lead hobgoblin. Tyris's arrows found there mark however , as three arrows landed in rabid succession into a hobgoblins chest. The remaining hobgoblins took notice with the deadly archery skilled displayed by their prey and broke off pursuit.

Fetch had already blessed his group with fire protection in case the dragon returned. Tyris looked up at the clouds, and stared into the empty sky.

"Move!", she said while jumping nimbly off. Frank and Fetch looked at each other and knew not to question her instincts. Frank grabbed Goldanna roughly over his shoulder and jumped heroically off the rear of the wagon. Fetch scrambled off, almost tripping, but managed to scramble to the next cart. Their driver was confused for a moment. The last thing he saw was a dragon appearing from thin air diving at him. It spewed white hot flames engulfing the cart then the poor driver.

Bruno threw a javelin at the beast but it clattered against its scales. His partner fired a crossbow that struck the beasts tail , but it didn't seem to slow it down. The cloaked woman uttered an elvish incantation and streaks of energy flew at the dragon but they dispersed harmlessly as it struck an invisible shield.

Fetch hopped onto the cart in front of him, helped by one of the merchants. He looked for Frank and Tyris but the smoke obstructed his view. He saw one of the merchants and the cloaked woman was wounded ,so he released some of his divine energy to heal them. The large gladiator had long perished. His size and dangerous appearance singled him out to the ambushers at the start of the attack.

A roar echoed through the smoke. Fetch could feel the air pressure change as the beast flew at him through the smoke. He intoned the barrier of blades between the incoming beast and the cart, hoping the creature's vision was blocked as well. His gambit paid off, as a surprised dragon flew through the smoke and painfully into the wall of swords . The creature lost control of its flight and it crashed heavily into the cart. The cart spun like a ball, and then lurched on the edge of the river . After a few unpredictable seconds the cart fell with a mighty splash. Fetch was immersed in the freezing waters, and his nose and lung rapidly filled with fluid. He thrashed wildly in the water. The cold wasn't a problem for him, but the swift current and the fact he didn't know how to swim were. The last thing he saw before being pulled under , was Frank leaping at the slain beast and chopping at its long serpentine neck, and Tyris running towards the water at him.

All Fetch could think of before black out , wasn't the fact they killed a dragon , or that he was about to die, it was " Tyris ".

Fetch felt soft lips meet his, a steady flow of air, and then water came sputtering out of his lungs.

*Cough..Cough..hack *, was Fetch's only response for the the next minute. He was alive, but he didn't recognize his surroundings. He was in a grove of trees and brambles, and it was dark. Fetch cursed the south. Everything was alien to him here. The trees had things called leaves...the water flowed and it could kill a man. Tax collectors were as dangerous as any demon, Insects the size of his thumb would bite and feast on unprotected flesh. His head spun, but he finally got his bearings. He was in a camp away from the caravan, he remembered falling into the water, he must have washed away. The camp was most likely hidden from their pursuers. He looked at the woman above him, his head was on her lap, it was the cloaked woman with the dog. His rescuer unexpectedly touched his face softly , and she smiled. Fetch then noticed her green serene eyes.

"Nara?" , asked Fetch unsure if he was dreaming.

The elf smiled softly,"You remembered me. "

Nara continued" Its been so many years, yet you still look like a youth. Do you have elven blood? Or dabble in forbidden preservation magics? "

Fetch sat up and took off her cowl. She was exactly the way he remembered. Light brown hair, delicate elven features, a warm smile, and wide light green eyes. "You haven't changed either."

She gave a light laugh, Fetch noticed her large dog's ears perk up at her mirth. "Of course not, I'm an elf we live for centuries. Its been 40 years since I last saw you. When you joined the caravan , I wasn't sure if it was you at first , I didn't recall you being blonde,...I was going to ask, but you seemed quite busy talking to your companions.", she said eyes staring at the darkness. "I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me, I figured you should be 60 by now, an old white haired man."

Fetch shook his head,"Its only been 3. The north plays tricks on the passage of time, or at least it use to.",he paused...,"Why didn't you say anything when you left the second time."

"You were young , you seemed happy..and more importantly safe. I didn't want you to follow my life. You wouldn't have been ready for it. I didn't want you hurt ", she said quietly .

Bbut it seems I was wrong!", her voice seemed to fill with new enthusiasm," It appears I was wrong about many things, you stopped that dragon, your magic is strong. I didn't think such power was with in you, but then that plateau seemed to have a talent for hiding ones power."

Fetch considered her last statement. She was pretty much exactly as he remembered her, but on the plateau she seemed weak and vulnerable, not much of an adventurer. Here she not only rescued him, but seemed quite competent and skilled, even dangerous.

"Does she treat you right? Are you happy?", Nara asked suddenly.

Fetch nodded,"We have our problems, but nothing we can't face together.", replied Fetch , knowing instinctively that Nara was inquiring about Tyris.

She nodded, Fetch noticed a slight regret in her expression. Its been 40 years it was probably just the light playing tricks on his eyes he thought. "Cushi had to swim a mile to get you, and then we spent another 4 evading our pursuers. In the morning we'll find the caravan. Or decide our course of action if we can't find them."

Fetch agreed, he was positive Frank and Tyris would be alright. They fought through worse and lived.

They sat around their small fire, talking at each other for a long time. Fetch remembered the last time they met, they talked , they shared, they made love. This time an uneasy tenseness filled the air, but oddly enough he felt a link to her even after all this time time. He still felt a connection between them.

Nara asked, "I heard tales of a great General in the last demon war, Warmaster Fetch. When I first heard that name, I Imagined an old general who left the plateau and fought for 40 years to free his people. Was that you?"

Fetch considered her question, if it was anyone else he would deny it . Mainly for Tyris's safety. But he simply nodded his head . He showed her the mallet of Rawk he took from the old high cleric.

"That must have been quite a story how a 21 year old boy , was able to lead an army of 100,000 knights against half a million gnolls and demons ", she said with genuine admiration.

"It wasn't that big a deal. I was just a figure head, General Olive did most of the planning and decision making.", he shrugged.

"Modest as always,", she giggled. Fetch was amazed how easy they could talk to each other. Fetch loved Tyris but it wasn't the easiest to talk to her, despite their new found connection with Thieves Cant. . He found himself drawn to Nara's eyes and her confidence and magnetism. He couldn't help himself and he kissed her on the lips.

They kissed like lovers for a few moments, then she turned away, but he didn't regret it. They sat for a few minutes in silence , unsure what to say next.

"Yourself, what have you been up to the last 40 years? Surely your tale dwarfs mine.", he finally questioned.

"Well...I quested a few more years , but my companions died or left one by one till I was the only one left. I spent a decade wandering from town to town , selling my services. After that I went to Grom City..", she paused considering her next words ," I met a wonderful man, but we parted ways...and I returned to the north. Now I'm trying to raise funds for advanced sorcery training in Barkwark. Despite the 40 years I'm still young for an elf. I want to master the ancient secrets of Blade Singing. However , this is Grom, and my people are not as numerous as they use to be. Everything costs money."

"How much money?", asked Fetch.

Nara considered his statement and read his face ," No..no.. don't even think of giving me any. I can get it myself."

She sat in silence for awhile ,"10,000 ", she said with her head lowered.

Fetch pulled out his money pouch, 10,000 was a lot, he only had 15,000 left after passage on the northern bandit, taxes, and caravan fees. He was going to use this to start a new life with Tyris. However, Nara inspired him to leave the plateau, she saved his life, he wondered to himself how things would have turned out if they each chose slightly different paths. If he never met Tyris...His mind began to drift down a train of thought that he didn't think he would ever venture to. He stopped his inflection.

He handed her 10,000 gp . "Keep this between us ok? If we get out of here I expect to hear how great a blade singer you've become. "

She smiled at his generosity, "I will keep you updated", she smiled.

Neither of them were particularity cold, but hey huddled next to each for the rest of the night.

Cushi, proved to be an adept tracker. Fetch didn't think it would be that hard to track a caravan, but there were many confusing tracks in the snow. At about noon they found the spot where Fetch's wagon fell in the water. Fetch looked around, and didn't see anything indicating this was the place but Cushi growled something that the cleric had trouble understanding. Fetch wasn't surprised he couldn't talk to Cushi, he wasn't good at animal languages.

They continued a few more miles to the north and saw a wrecked wagon stuck on the rocks. Cushi examined the water, and then waded across the ford. When they got to the other side, he stopped and growled angrily.

Nara uttered a phrase of protection and she was briefly outlined by a green shield. Fetch intoned a prayer of protection for his small group. A band of hobgoblins led by a large 2 headed giant burst out of their hiding spot. The humanoids most likely didn't know about this ford till after Ivan crossed it, and set up an ambush for future crossings. The ettin released a brace of white wolves that bolted toward the pair.

Fetch doubted they could retreat back the way they came, it was too slow to cross, they would be easy pickings. Nara drew her bow and fired arrows at the wolves. The arrows bursted into flames as they found their marks, burning the wolves horribly, but they kept coming. Cushi met the first wolf head on, and savagely knocked it to the ground. It grabbed its neck and shook it violently. The other wolf breathed an icy cone of frost at the struggling pair. The elven dog's hide formed frost crystals, biting into his skin. Nara covered herself with her heavy cloak and seemed to be protected from the frost. Fetch took it on the side but it didn't slow him , he's taken this and worse before.

Fetch gave a prayer of ice warding next, Cushi barked happily as it snapped the wolves neck. Nara uttered a spell at the remaining wolf, it glowed green briefly as tendrils of force held it in place. The cleric seized the opportunity and drove his heavy hammer into the held creatures head. His blow caused it to dangled lifelessly from the tendrils holding it.

The humanoids led by the 2 headed giant finally reached them. There was around 30 of them, and Fetch heard more wolves in the distance. The cleric intoned the ring of blades around him, and charged at their center. Most of the hobgoblins fell back, but a few were too slow and were chopped mercilessly by the blades. Nara uttered a spell of haste , and Fetch felt faster and more mobile. She followed up with a few arrows into the ettin, she hit it square in the chest but seemed to anger it more then hurt it.

"I'll lead them off, make your way south!", she yelled in Elvish as Cushi broke through their ranks and headed north.

"WAIT! Don't GO!", Fetch yelled as she bounded away with most of their attackers in pursuit.

Fetch felt they could have fought these together, he worried more for her then himself. There were still 10 hobgoblins and an ogre around him. They had backed up now. A few brought out long spears to jab him through his ring others were backing up and readying crossbows.

Fetch fought defensively with his shield , as crossbow bolts and spears were directed at him. At first he caught a few within his ring, but when the haste faded his attack was easily avoided. The bolts weren't able to penetrate his breast plate, but a spear caught his leg, and his leg buckled.

He gave a prayer of healing, but the ogre seized the opportunity and smashed through his ring and shield and sent Fetch rolling onto the riverbed. Fetch threw his hammer angrily at the ogre, and it collapsed in a shower of sparks, the hammer returned to his hand like as if it were a trained falcon. Fetch smiled at discovering his weapons new power, and thew it again at a hobgoblin. The hammer landed meatily on his head, both liquifying its skull with its impact , and disorienting its nerves with electricity, causing it to comically twitch while standing up before collapsing. The hobgoblins thought about running, but that last blow insulted their warriors pride. A few more crossbow bolts were fired along with a few charging in with spears. The cleric avoided or blocked the spears this time. But a crossbow bolt landed in his shoulder. His injured leg and the pain in his shoulder caused him to tumble forwards. He struggled to his feet but a hobgoblin stabbed him deeply in the back.

Fetch couldn't believe he was losing, but then he found himself fighting better in groups then by himself. As he laid dieing , he hoped Nara got away. Tyris should be safe with Frank, or the other way around. He tried to chuckle but just coughed up blood instead.

Fetch braced for the final blow, but the battle seem to stop as an elven war melody was loudly heard over the battlefield . A swift shadow darted between the two hobgoblin spear men. Within seconds they both fell to the ground. In the distance, Fetch could see Frank dispatching a crossbowman up close. He held his heavy crossbow awkwardly in one hand, and a light crossbow in the other. He fired both at the hobgoblin before dropping them and drawing his sword and shield.

Fetch turned away from the fight , and looked at Tyris, she flipped through his blades, nimbly twisting and avoiding them. Fetch never saw that before. She landed at his side then crouched close to him to avoid the deadly ring. She then applied an ointment to the wound on his back, before leaping and twisting again out of the blades. Fetch felt better from the ointment but was in no position to fight. He struggled up to attempt to help his friends dispatch the last hobgoblins. Not that they needed to help. Frank seemed to be toying with them before dispatching them.

"I expected to find you washed along shore , half drowned, didn't expect to see you fight 10 by yourself. We got here just in time too, we saw the elf abandon you and flee for her life. Good bye to trash," , Frank said while supporting his friend.

Fetch tried to defend her actions but he was too weak. The tactical part of his mind agreed with Frank, but his heart knew it wasn't true. Tyris returned after doing a brief scout of the area, the way she was flicking the blood off her blades told Fetch she found stragglers. She took over supporting Fetch from Frank.

"Hey Fetch, check this out. " Frank said with a big grin as he motioned Goldanna from her hiding spot in the trees. "Look I taught her some tricks. Wait! ", she stopped, "Come!", she walked towards them , "HEAL!", she placed her hands on Fetch's wounds and they healed.

Fetch was surprised that Goldanna could do anything useful at all. Her healing magic was nowhere as strong as Fetch's but it was still a nice surprise and handy addition. Fetch looked for Nara, but knew it was useless to attempt to follow her, Cushi was much faster then any of them, it was more likely she would find them.

"Lets get back to the rest of the caravan. I'm gonna try to teach her some new tricks ! ",he changed his voice to a deep comical seductive tone..." Bed...tricks...".

Tyris threw a pebble casually behind her, and it hit Frank squarely on the forehead.

"OWW,...I was just joking."

Nara didn't return. Fetch wondered if she didn't make it and was dead,if she assumed he didn't make it and went back to town, or she just didn't care and left. Ivan seemed less concerned about scouting now, he was more interested in speed. Those attackers were interested in their deaths not their cargo. They seemed more likely to be scouts for an invasion then raiders.

There were only 4 wagons left, 8 merchants , 5 guards , and Fetch's companions. The merchants seemed more concerned for their lost cargo than their slain guards and comrades. Such an attitude surprised Fetch, but it seemed common place in Grom.

After Frank "cracked" Goldanna's shell, she became more receptive to commands and even showed a bit more emotion. Things like the occasional smile or frown, made her seem more human , less automaton. Tyris kept a close eye on his teachings. She developed a fondness for her when she discovered that Goldanna seemed to be entranced by her singing, which made her Tyris's number one fan.

Fetch wondered if he would ever see Nara again. He looked at Tyris singing at Goldanna who seemed genuinely pleased. He went over and sat with them, enjoying her voice and song.