I was meaning to have this chapter up Sunday like I said but I have no excuse. As for the rest of the week I was working on this chapter and kept getting stuck in some parts and rewrote them several times until I got something that I liked. But here we are and I hope you enjoy it.

Four days passed since Li-Ming and Kormac had brought the stranger into town and nothing had changed since then. Leah spent most of her time with Kormac, they had become fast friends since their walk across town, they joked and they teased as friends would. Haedrig had finished grieving for his wife and immediately began work on a new set of armor for Kormac, free of charge. Deckard Cain spent his time by the stranger's side, observing his state along with keeping himself busy with his books. Li-Ming on other hand was growing impatient and had taken to practicing her magic in Old Tristram to pass the time.

During the night Leah would go into her room and talk with Li-Ming and Kormac before everyone turned in for the night. It was almost routine, they had done this every night since they brought the stranger back, and they all found it enjoyable. Leah would sit on her bed and Li-Ming would sit cross legged on the chair next to her desk while Kormac took to sitting on the floor next to the fire place. Tonight they were all enjoying a meal as they talked and shared a bottle of wine, each of them taking their time as they ate.

"Did you notice that Haedrig was back to working at his forge again?" Leah asked Li-Ming. Other than when she would leave to practice her magic, Li-Ming locked herself in the room most of the time which made Leah wonder about how much Li-Ming knew and how much she ignored.

"Of course I have. I am not blind you know. It is wonderful to see him doing well." Li-Ming replied.

Leah shrugged her shoulders and said, "Sorry. With you being shut in all of the time I didn't know if you knew."

"I take a short time to talk to him every time I leave to practice my spells to see how well he's doing." She said assuring them. "That reminds me! Haedrig told me he's building you a new set of equipment Kormac."

"Leah's uncle was nice enough to put a good word in for me when he started working again."

"I guarantee he will not disappoint your standards. He is a fine craftsman and his work is quality."

"I've heard. Leah told me about the sword he made you and how you reacted. She said it was heartwarming."

"It was!" Leah exclaimed. "You should have seen her! She looked like she was on the brink of tears and the look on her face was almost priceless. It was like she had never seen a sword before." Li-Ming placed stalk of broccoli on her fork and flicked it at Leah, striking her head. For Leah, this marked the most subtle reaction she's seen come from Li-Ming yet. "It was one of the most precious things I have ever seen."

Kormac laughed and said, "If what you say is true then I have no doubts that I will like it once he is finished."

"Trust me. You will." Li-Ming said.

"Hey! You remember our talk? The one we had a few days ago, the night you left to fight the Skeleton King?" Leah inquired. She still had plenty of questions for Li-Ming. There was so much that she wanted to know and since they have gained a better understanding of one another since then, she hoped that Li-Ming would be more open to answer some more questions.

"Of course." Li-Ming replied.

"You said you had a friend. What was her name?" Leah figured that specific wording was required when asking the more personal questions. She wasn't going to be too nosy, she just wanted to know some of the general things.

Li-Ming sighed and stared at the floor, contemplating if she really felt like talking about her past. In the time she has been in Tristram Leah has been fair as well as persistent. She took her in, let her stay in the room she rented for free and has been kind and generous with her the entire way. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to answer some of her questions this time. "Isendra. Her name was Isendra.

"Was she powerful like you?" Kormac sat there and kept his mouth shut. This was more of topic between Li-Ming and Leah and he felt like he didn't have anything important to add to the conversation.

"Yes she was. Isendra was a powerful sorceress and unlike the mages at the Yshari Sanctum she didn't fear her power. She believed in what I believe and that's that our power could be used for great things that can help better the lives of everyone. Something I feel she proved twenty years ago when she helped stop the forces of hell. But sadly not everyone agrees."

"Why is that?" Kormac asked.

A name came into Li-Ming's mind, one that she felt irritated with having to remember let alone having to verbalize. She remembered he once called himself the high councilor of the Vizjerei and master of the mage clans in the Yshari Sanctum, yet to her, he was no leader. He was a cowardly and weak minded fool who hid behind the walls of the Sanctum.

Clearing her throat, Li-Ming said, "Some people," she stressed her words because she was still thinking of a certain someone, "refuse to be convinced of the good that magic can do. A man I once knew told me that we can use our magic to aid others every once in a while, but what he failed to realize is that people don't suffer every 'once in a while'. There are always people in need."

"You know Li-Ming, I think you would make a fine Templar." Kormac complemented. It was a true statement though. Kormac believed she was more than qualified. She was strong, brave, and powerful and her moral ethics were more than honorable.

"Wait, I thought women weren't allowed to join the Templars." Leah exclaimed.

"They aren't." Li-Ming affirmed.

'Sadly that is true. I never understood why. I think it's all rubbish if you ask me. If I had my way I would change it but people can't seem to separate from tradition."

"I understand what you mean." Li-Ming said confidently. "Tradition is such a…" She spun her hand around to help her come up with the right word. "Archaic thing. It serves only to hold people back and blind them from the benefits of progress."

"Some do, but not all traditions remain the same." Leah said.

"That is true." Kormac said looking at Li-Ming who was taking a bite of her food, giving her an excuse to not have to say anything because now, Leah was the one doing the enlightening. She knew to, Leah sat there with her plate in her lap with a smug grin on her face. Li-Ming was willing to bet that Leah was dancing with joy inside of her own head.

"So guys." Leah started. "What are you two going to do once that man wakes up?" She made it sound as casual as she could. She didn't want either of the two warriors sitting in front of her to since her anxiety at the prospect of them leaving. They were they only people she had made connections with and the idea of them leaving didn't make her feel any better. Maybe she could ask to accompany them on their journey. But wait, she couldn't, she didn't want to leave he uncle behind. He was the main reason why she chose to stay in Tristram, she didn't want to leave him by himself. So much for that idea.

"I will continue to pursue my destiny. Whatever information that stranger has will lead me to my next goal." Li-Ming answered.

"And, I will go return to my order. The information I have gathered here will prove invaluable."

"I see." She sounded a little more disappointed than she intended too and if either of them picked up on it they didn't say anything. "Don't you guys have any desire to settle down, fall in love and maybe one day start a family? Most people start as soon as they can." Leah remembered when she was a kid the amount of times she entertained the idea of being married. Finding the perfect man of her dreams and having kids of her own.

Leah wondered what the idea seemed like from Kormac's and Li-Ming's point of view. They were both so dedicated to their causes she wagered that the idea was a more complicated matter for them than what it really was to ordinary people.

"I hope to one day have a family." Kormac said. "But I have yet to meet someone who I can fall in love with. Don't let that imply that I am a picky man. I'm not. I just haven't found the one yet."

"Oh Kormac, I have no doubt that you will find the right person." Leah said warmly.

"Thank you Leah." He responded.

"What about you Leah? Do you wish to someday settle down?" Li-Ming asked. She did not wish to answer the question herself. It's not that she felt uncomfortable with the subject matter. She knew, that Leah at the very least would continue to ask questions regarding her position, something she didn't want to bother with at the moment. Leah was a nice person, but she for some reason was very interested in her life.

"I've thought about it ever since I was little. I still wish to someday. But right now I have my uncle to take care of."

"From that alone I think you demonstrate how good of a partner you'd make." Kormac said. "You're dedicated to the ones you care about and you think about their needs." Leah nodded, showing he was right and a connection was formed in Li-Ming's mind.

Before she could think about it, one of the guards who were ordered to guard Deckard Cains house came rushing into the room. "Guys!" The guard said and all three of them stood up quickly. "The stranger! He's awake! Come on!" They all ran out of the building and Li-Ming took the lead. She was waiting for this for days now and it was no wonder she would run as fast as she could to Deckard Cain's house. It was a chilly that night and in her haste, Li-Ming forgot to grab her robes from the chair she placed them on but that didn't matter now. She could grab them once her business with the stranger was over.

At the door, the other guard was waiting for them and already had the door open for them and Li-Ming marched in. The stranger was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor. Deckard Cain was about to hand him a cup of water but Li-Ming grabbed the cup. Deckard Cain looked at her and saw what she was meaning to do and let go of the cup. She kneeled in front of the stranger and placed the cup in his hand and he took a drink from it.

"Who are you? What's your name?" Li-Ming asked in a soft and polite manner.

"My name…my name…I, I don't know." The stranger replied.

"You do not remember?" Li-Ming asked.

The man grunted and said, "I am…I was…I-I remember falling."

"You remember falling but you don't remember who you are?" Li-Ming asked with a hint of suspicion. She may not have seen him as a threat and it was partially her idea to keep him out of the jail but she had no reason to believe that everything this man was saying was the truth.

"I am not you're enemy," The man said with a bit of sneer. "I think…Yes, I-I believe… I have come with a warning. The darkness… the darkness… is coming. I must… I don't remember…"

"What's going on? What has happened?" Rumford asked as he came running in with his sword drawn. Li-Ming, Leah and Kormac all shushed him in unison and he quickly stopped talking and waited to see what would happen.

"Just tell us what you do remember, stranger. Every detail." Cain advised.

"Falling… Fire… A sword of great power. It was… part of me, but it shattered into three pieces as I fell."

"It is vital we find those three pieces." Cain said looking at everyone in the room. "I believe the sword made whole will restore his memory."

"We've received word that the goatmen are rampaging through the fields." Rumford informed. "Could the sword have anything to do with that?"

"Of course, of course! Just as the dead rose around the stranger, the sword pieces could be driving the goatmen into madness."

"The goatmen won't stand in my way! I'll get the sword." Li-Ming declared.

"Wait! Wouldn't it be better to wait until morning?" Leah asked.

"Why wait! I could get the piece and be back by morning."

"I know you could Li-Ming but these aren't the undead. Goatmen move a lot faster than they do and you're sure to be outnumbered. I think it would be wise for you to wait until morning so that way the goatmen won't be able to get the upper hand on you."

Kormac stepped behind Leah, placed a hand on her shoulder and said. "I'm going to have to agree with Leah on this one. She makes a good point."

"Me too." Rumford said.

Li-Ming looked around at them all, none of them offering an alternate opinion. Some part of her told her just to ignore them and go on anyway. She was just as effective at night as she was during the day. They're petty concerns were childish at best. But the rational part of her brain told her that they were only looking out for her safety, even if they did not understand that she will come back victorious regardless, they were only doing what they felt was right. And, there was Leah to consider. She out of everyone has done nothing but be supportive so Li-Ming figured she could at least return the favor.

Clenching her fist, Li-Ming faced Leah and said, "Fine! Have it your way. But as soon as the first light breaks over the horizon I'm going out to look for the sword!"

"That's all were asking for." Leah replied.

Saying nothing further, Li-Ming stomped out of the house and returned to the inn.

Everyone stood in silence and they all looked at the front door that Li-Ming had left open when she walked out. "I think someone should go talk to her." Kormac suggested.

"I'll go and talk to her." Leah offered in a sigh and left the house to follow Li-Ming.

Shadows flickered on the wall, the fire in the fireplace danced as the wood crackled and charred. A very strong sense of calm came over her, it almost felt like meditation to Li-Ming. On her journey to Tristram, when it got late and camp was set, Li-Ming would sit in front a fire she had made and listen to it burn. Her legs would be propped against her chest with her arms around them as she would rest her chin on her knees and she would listen to fire, allowing the peaceful sounds to help her mind wonder in solemn contemplation. Here in Leah's room she did the same thing, she looked at the fire, only now, she was looking at it upside down. She was laying her back with her head dangling off the edge of the mattress. She almost fell into a sort of trance until she heard someone walk into the room.

"What are you doing?" Leah said chuckling.

"I was thinking. Come to inflict more of your opinions on me?" Li-Ming asked. She sounded bored of the conversation before it even started.

"No, I just came by to see how you're doing." She grabbed a chair and dragged across the room so she may sit and face Li-Ming, even if hers was upside down at the moment.

"Quite obviously I am fine."

"Mmm…One might think otherwise." Leah said with an amused voice as she titled her head sideways in a kind of mocking gesture and Li-Ming replied with an unamused glare. Leah sat up straight again and said, "I wanted to apologize for making you upset."

"You have nothing to apologize for Leah. You made your concerns clear and everyone agreed and in the end so did I."

"It makes sense though. Goatmen can be dangerous. Especially when they're in packs."

"I am well aware what they are capable of. They're strong, fast and sometimes ferocious and possess magic known only to their shamans who lead them."

"And you still wanted to go alone?"

"Ugh, Leah!" Li-Ming shot up and turned to look at Leah. "Whether I go alone or not is not my concern."

"Right-right. It's your destiny." And, she was just down right obsessive, but Leah didn't say that out loud. Why did so many people look too much into what they read? Sure things can happen that are beyond explanation and finding the answer can be very tempting and to be the one to figure it all out and make something of themselves is a dream people shared. All of that sounds nice, but those people never think about what if there is no answer to be found, that they are simply chasing a ghost. Leah wondered if Li-Ming or her uncle ever considered that. Their constant talks about destinies and prophecies of the end times was becoming old. Come one day maybe they'll both realize that things may not be what they think and everything they thought was wrong, that nothing will happen. Coincidences do happen, Leah gave them that much and unfortunately that's all they could be, coincidences.

"Exactly! So what do I have to fear? I am a powerful wizard whose power has yet to meet a worthy advisory." Leah crossed one leg over the other and tried to grasp how big Li-Ming's ego was; she couldn't, it was impossible to be sure. "So I was chosen to carry on a task that no one else could accomplish."

Leah was now resting her head on her palm with her elbow propped on her knee. She looked at the floor then back to Li-Ming and said, "Humility must be a foreign concept to you."

"You sound like my old master." Li-Ming replied plopping back down on the bed, correctly this time and faced the wall.

"Who, Isendra?"

"No. Someone else, and no, I don't want to talk about it." Thoughts about that man came with negative emotions and really, who would blame her? Time and time again he held her back, treated her like a misbehaving child and tried to tell her what was right and what was wrong. It was all too often that he would prohibit her from being able to do something. He failed, but it was so aggravating to be treated like that. As far as she was concerned, the man she once called master was nothing but a gutless coward. He feared her and the very magic that they practiced. How he was able to climb to the very top of the ranks of the Yshari Sanctum she'll never know. What was the point of having all that power if you weren't going to bother using it?

Behind Li-Ming, Leah sat there and stared at her. She felt sorry for the wizard. Day by day it turned out she had another grudge towards someone. For what however, was anyone's guess. Trying to figure Li-Ming out was like reading a book that changed its sentences before you could finish reading them and left you riddles to go along with it. Li-Ming was like a riddle; she could be civil until you say the wrong thing that you didn't know was bad, then next thing you know she's upset and you have to figure out what it was you said that angered her in the first place.

Heavy footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs and Kormac came into the room, ready to turn in for the night. He looked at Li-Ming then looked at Leah with a raised eyebrow that asked why and Leah shrugged her shoulders in reply.

"Alright, it's late. I'm going back to my uncles to get some rest." Leah said getting up from the chair and putting it back where she got it from. She picked up the plates they were eating off of earlier then said, "Have a good night Li-Ming and safe traveling to you tomorrow." She looked at Kormac and followed up by saying, "To you both." She hoped that would alleviate some of Li-Ming's sour mood.

"Thank you Leah." Li-Ming replied. "And, a good night to you as well."

"Good night Leah." Kormac said with a smile as she walked by and nodded to Kormac before leaving the room.

"How you holding up?" Kormac asked.

"Better once morning comes."

"It'll be here before you know it." He replied getting his blankets and spreading them on the floor so he could sleep. "Sleep well, friend."

"Goodnight Kormac." She replied.

A part of her felt bad for being upset about waiting, but she was tired of having her answers dangled in front of her. She was sure that when she found the stranger in the crater that it wouldn't have been too long before he woke up and was able to provide her the information she needed to continue. What she got instead was a man who couldn't remember anything and was absolutely useless. More and more there was something keeping her from her next step and she swore that this sword the stranger talked about better do the trick in getting the man's memory back and the goatmen that roamed the fields weren't going to keep her from it.

Little did Li-Ming know though that she wasn't the only one looking for the sword. An evil force was already on the move and on the hunt for the fragments. An evil force that will prove problematic for her.

I would like to thank Chrosis for your review. I very much appreciate it.

I would also like to thank TheLastSonOfPluto for adding this to your favorites. It means a lot to me.

I hope you guys liked this chapter and I will get to work on the next one starting this weekend. Peace!