Chapter 2:

Path of the Rogue

2 Years before the present day, 10 Years Since the Gnoll Attack.

The Kingdom of Nentir, Borderlands, Nentir Vale, Southern Winterbole Forest.

Approx. 100 miles east of Lake Wintermist,

The Tigerclaw Barbarian Village of Ashendir, 2nd Month of Summer, Noon.

"I wish I was allowed to go to the city with you, Wulf." Briana said as she lifted another bale of hay into the hayloft.

"You should just come with us, Bri. Your parents can't control you forever." Wulfgrimm replied as he lay back sleepily against the stable wall. Lazing around as usual while Briana worked.

"That's exactly what my mother said you would say. She told me that you are nothing but a bad influence. And you will get me in serious trouble some day. She said I should find more considerate friends that will not try to get me involved in their infernal schemes at every opportunity they get." Briana said with more than a hint of irritation in her voice.

"Me. A bad influence. That's a laugh. Really funny. You should join a circus or become a jester with jokes like that. All I've ever tried to do is get you to think for yourself more often. Your mother wants to control everything you do. I mean do you really want to marry that overgrown oaf Thorgar? If your mother and father have their way you'll be married before next summer and supplying them with an endless supply of grandchildren for the next twenty years." Wulfgrimm said with a wicked grin as he imagined Briana with half a dozen kids before she reached thirty summers old.

"They just want what's best for me, Wulf. Are you going to do any work today? This was supposed to be shared between us and you haven't done anything yet." Briana complained loudly as a trickle of sweat ran down her forehead.

"It's too hot for work. Besides which I don't see why I should have to work on my name day. Eighteen summers old and they all forgot about that and now my name day today and not even so much as a small present from my family, not any of them.

Father's too busy to take me hunting, even though we normally do it every year. My brothers are in Stormhaven trading with city folk. My sisters are only concerned with my sister Freya's wedding next month." Wulf replied with frustration.

"You're not a boy anymore, Wulf. The world doesn't revolve around you. You should be preparing for your future. Soon will be your marriage to Olga. And then you will have little time to idle away the days angering your parents."

"You're starting to sound just like them. For the last time I have no intention of marrying Olga."

"Why, what's wrong with her?"

"Nothing. She's very attractive and friendly enough. But I've spoken to her. She's promised herself to another. I'm not going to be responsible for splitting up the happy little love birds."

"You will have to if your parents tell you to."

"They have no say in what I do. I wasn't going to tell anyone yet but now is as good a time as any. I'm not coming back from Stormhaven."

"What do you mean you're not coming back? This is serious, Wulf. Stop saying things that will get you in trouble."

"I mean it. I'm old enough to make my own way now. I want a different life to the one we have here, Bri. There's a whole world to explore. There are places to visit, and people to meet. There are riches to be made and …."

"You are a soft headed fool, Wulfgrimm. A simpleton, an idiot, a mindless …."

"Bri, I'm going no matter what you say."

"You're a selfish bastard, Wulfgrimm. You would leave your whole life behind for these childish whims you've been thinking up since we were little children. And what about when I marry Thorgar? I want you to be there. You're supposed to be my best friend. And you say you would miss my wedding day."

"I thought you didn't want to get married?"

"I've had the chance to spend some time with him. I like him, Wulf. He may be big and a little oafish, but he's kind and considerate. He would make a good father and some say he could be village chieftain one day."

"He's the biggest, dumbest ox in the whole village. Probably the whole of the Forest. But if you want to settle down and marry him who am I to argue. I'll make an effort to come back for the wedding. Besides which it will be another year before you're married. That's plenty of time for me to do some exploring and get some work."

"You, work? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You're the most lazy, idle, work-shy layabout in the whole village. Whenever your parents ask you to do something you always find ways of getting out of it."

"That's because I use my head. Which is more than I can say for half of the knuckle-dragging barbarian Neanderthals around this place."

"That's your people you are insulting, Wulf. Your father and brothers. My father and brothers and every other warrior you try so hard to not become like. I'm starting to wonder how we managed to stay friends for so long when we are obviously so different in every way."

"Because I'm the only one who tells you the whole truth, Bri. Whether you want to hear it or not. And there are enough warriors around this place without me adding to there numbers. I want something different from this life, Bri. I won't be talked out of it. I'm not coming back. I'll help with the caravan to Stormhaven and then I'll see what happens from there."

"I bet this is all Alessia's doing. Ever since that little trouble causing bitch came to this village she's had you wrapped around her little finger."

"There's no need to get personal, Bri. As it happens, I suggested it to her."

"A likely story. Is she going with you?"

"She said she'll think about it."

"If you're leaving. The village won't put up with her for long anyway. I don't mean to sound wicked, Wulf. But maybe it would be better if she had not come here after her people were slaughtered."

"And where else would she go. Aneska and Thomar are here, her only living relatives. You could always come with us, Bri."

"I wanted to go to the city, that's all. Not wandering around the countryside looking to get myself in trouble at every opportunity that presents itself. We can't all be as irresponsible as you, Wulf."

"Bri, just come with us in a few weeks time when the caravan leaves. You'll change your mind."

"We'll see, Wulf. I don't think I'll be allowed to go. Unless father comes too and he said he wasn't going this time."

"Just use all of that charm and innocence. They fall for it every time. And besides which, your brother Brandor and his pet oaf Thorgar will be along for the ride. It will give you some time to get to know him, although I can't imagine why you'd want to."

"If I go, and I'm not saying I will. You had better keep that two faced harpy away from me. Or I swear I'll scratch her eyes out."

"And Alessia has nothing but good things to say about you too, Bri."

"I'll bet. She hates me just as much as I hate her. It's always been the same ever since she arrived and tried to split up our friendship. You should watch out for that one, Wulf. One day she'll betray you."

"And so speaks the young priestess of Melora. I don't suppose you want to leave the village shrine unattended."

"I'm not the only priestess in the village, Wulf. Others will tend the shrine in my absence."

"Then it's decided. You'll come along?"

"How did you do that, Wulf? I was all for telling you to go and forget we were ever friends. And suddenly I'm agreeing to go with you and I am quite excited by the thought of travelling to the city. But they will never let me go."

"Of course they will. You just have to know how to ask. Here's what you should tell them ….."

Wulf said his goodbyes, guilty with the knowledge that he wouldn't be returning anytime soon. Alessia rode beside him on her pure white mare. She looked pleased with herself. Having begged her elder sister Aneska to be allowed to accompany the caravan to Stormhaven.

The hundred mile journey through the depths of the Winterbole Forest didn't scare her at all. Even though this was the first time since arriving in the village at eight years old that she had been allowed to leave the village.

Wulf's family stood waving goodbye. As were many of the other villagers seeing off their own loved ones. The caravan numbered some fifty wagons. All bore the fruits of the village's labor. There was wood cut to order. Many different types that could only be found within the deep woods and far beyond where the city folks weren't willing to venture forth.

There were hides from dozens of different types of animals. There was clothing fashioned from hides of all manner and purpose. From winter boots to riding cloaks. There were wagons laden with the notoriously deadly Tigerclaw Longbows. There were wagons full of newly forged steel weapons. Fletched arrows and leather armors of all types.

Wulfgrimm's father led from the front. He was now only second to the village chieftain Arndulf in importance in the village. He was best known for his leadership during the grim and determined defense of the village ten years previously when the gnoll hordes poured from the Underdark to assault hundreds of Tigerclaw villages.

Briana rode just behind Wulf. She was still surprised that her parents had allowed her to come along. She smiled as Wulf looked back to check on her. Beside her was her elder brother Brandor, a huge young warrior much like Wulf's father and many of the other warriors of the village. Unlike them Wulf still stood a respectable six foot tall. Although he was a head shorter than his father.

But he was built more for agility and stamina rather than strength and endurance. He favored bows and the short sword and dagger. Rather than the heavy two handed weapons his kinsfolk used in battle. Brandor on the other hand carried two single handed battle axes and a massive double bladed war axe. He shared his sister's long wild blonde hair and that chiseled attractive look to his features.

Riding beside Brandor was his best friend Thorgar. The young bald headed and heavily tattooed warrior stood over seven feet tall and was the largest man in the village. His muscular form sat steady above the equally impressive Stromgard, his powerful horse bought from a wandering knight who couldn't handle the beast's wild temperament.

He constantly smiled his toothless dim-witted smile at Briana. His soon to be bride if her parents had their way. He favoured a long sword and shield as well as a two handed great sword.

The winding path through the forest was kept cleared by the Tigerclaw Rangers. The Rangers were once a favorite of Wulf as a child. Until he realized how much work they all had to do.

The path was seven metres wide. There was enough for two wagons to pass by each other. It was a well traveled and maintained path that served the hundreds of Tigerclaw villages in the region and led straight to the gates of the city on the Lake Nen, Stormhaven.

Stormhaven was a relatively new city, built over the past hundred years as a place of trade and commerce between the quickly growing clans of Tigerclaw Barbarians and the more civilized folk to the south of the Winterbole Forest. The city was located where the Nentir River joins Lake Nen. North West of the ruins of Fastormel.

It was a shining gem of a city that showed off the best of the men and women who settled the land. Stormhaven was a city of twenty thousand humans and several thousand halflings and dwarves. At any one time there might be a further ten thousand to twenty thousand visitors to the city, mostly the barbarians but also traders from the south looking to trade for Tigerclaw goods.

The city was ruled by surprisingly capable and fair minded nobility. With all decisions needing the approval of Count Dravius Tharrinmore and the City Council. Tharrinmore County covered the lands from the Lake Nen to The Old Hills in the east and to The Old Forest in the south and to the eastern edge of The Gray Downs in the west.

The city council was made up of high ranking barons from the nearby countryside and exceptionally wealthy traders and merchants. The city traded in copper, silver and gold, as well as gems mined from The Old Hills. Also wood from cutting back the Winterbole Forest. Although not so much that it would cause conflicts with the Tigerclaw Clans.

The abundant fish supplies. Carefully protected from over fishing by the City Council provided much needed food for the city and for the barbarians. The fertile lands to the south supplied all manner of vegetables and livestock.

The city was second only to Nentir City in size and importance in the Border Kingdom. Although it didn't match the massive size and splendour of the grand cities of The Sarthel Empire or the Dwarven Fortress Cities to the east in Mithralfast and the Dawnforge Mountains.

It was still an important and much needed beacon of life and light in the uncivilized lands of the north.

The churches and temples of Stormhaven were numerous with Avandra taking the prominent position as the Goddess of Trade and Good Fortune. There were also temples to Bahamut, Erathis, Ioun, Moradin, Pelor, The Raven Queen, as well as other lesser known deities.

The massive temple of Avandra took pride of place in the center of the city next to the Royal Council City Halls.

Wulf took one look back at the village. Although it was more like a large town these past ten years since the surrounding clans all joined the village to provide protection from further attacks. He was sorry that he couldn't say goodbye properly. But it was probably for the best. His parents would have never have allowed him to leave the village if they knew what he and Alessia had planned.

The journey would probably take three to four days. Covering twenty five miles or more a day. That meant they would have to stop at one of the many fortified forest inns. Wulf had never seen one but had heard they were an impressive sight. With room for over five hundred people in the largest inns and enough stable space for horses and solid walls to guard the goods that travelers carried with them.

Along with the fifty wagons of the caravan were two guards for each wagon and two hundred mounted warriors as escort. Since the gnoll attacks. The trail was well guarded and all caravans were heavily protected. As they carried the whole village's trade goods for the year.

The word from Stormhaven was that a traveling circus was in the city plying its trade to all curious onlookers. Wulf could only imagine at the bizarre sights that the circus would hold. He had heard word of many strange animals from all across the Kingdom of Nentir and beyond.

It would be one of the first places he visited when they reached the city. Not far from his thoughts was always how he and Alessia would sneak away. Luckily nobody was watching his partner in crime or at least he didn't think they were.

He imagined what it would be like to be free of the village and to live how he wanted to live. Soon he would have his chance.