A slow, hesitant step.

Dry brush crackled underneath, like a dragon roaring in a quiet forest, as if to announce the rookie ranger attempting to stalk his prey. Fifty paces away, the large deer's head popped up fast enough to make a sound of wind rushing thru the antlers. Instantly recognizing the human nearby, the deer raced off, faster than anyone could follow.

"Let noone say being a ranger is a simple matter", Rainman muttered to himself.

The sun had long since vanished over the expanse of tall treetops, and night was coming quickly. Along with the dissapearance of the sunshine, a group of large clouds had moved into the sky, now beaming a fantastic display of red and orange color over the forest as the sun moved below the horizon. In the distance, away from the sunset, thunder could be heard. However, being so near to a dungeon, it was impossible to tell if the thunder was from the clouds, or from the mage poplace battling with monsters and murderers.

It had been a good day. Today, he had managed to successfully cast his first spell of the 6th circle of common wizardry, the spell of invisibility. His reagent bag had taken quite a beating while attempting to cast the spell, but it had produced results. It was not easy training in magery, each successive circle seemed to require more and more finely tuned mental control. By comparison to most Britannians, it was coming to Rainman much more easily, but still required quite a bit of effort, and seemingly, a huge sacrifice of life.

More than once, he had asked himself for the reason he felt compelled to even dabble in the arts of magic. The expense was great, especially for an orphan with no family trade or inheritance to aid his cause. It seemed that most of the time he spent was in town, fashioning weapons to sell to the masses. Now that he had sucessfully cast a 6th, however, it felt as though he had turned a corner. Somehow, it was a deep feeling of contentment to cast magic. It was as if it would help with discovering his childhood, and purpose.

The cold wind of the oncoming storm bit at this exposed hands.

It was time to recall home.

He unloaded the bolt from his Heavy Crossbow and placed both in his pack. He cursed his lack of organization in packing while searching for his rune. Digging thru sections of hides, reagents, gold, loot and equipment, he finally had to admit defeat. It brought an uneasy feeling to realize that he simply didn't have the rune he'd left town with. Questions swirled in his mind, and explanations of its dissapearance fought back and forth for acceptance.

In the midst of this internal debate, the forest became quiet, hauntingly so. It was only when he noticed that his breathing was all he heard that Rainman dropped his preoccupation and took stock of his surroundings.

Darkness had come quickly, seeing much more than 10 paces off was difficult. He grabbed a torch from inside the pack, and gathered a tid bit of energy at his hands to light it. It lit with a loud "Fwoosh" and the forest was illuminated, if only nearby. Thru the shadows, he could see nothing nearby. That in itself was reason to flee the area, for no area of the forest was completely devoid of life. Indeed, many animals were attracted to light, the confusing wisps even give it out. Yet, somehow, this area was devoid of sound or sight of breathing beings.

He cautiously brought his pack up to his back, and strapped it on. He still would not allow his eyes to leave the scene around him. He set off slowly in the direction he remembered leading to Britain.

A slow, cold wind began to brush through the forest. Every few steps the wind seemed to come from a different direction, gnawing at his extremities, and reminding him to bring an extra rune the next time out.

"Rainman"

In heart-stopping terror, the teen-mage nearly fled for his life, completely spooked by the voice that spoke out in the stillness.

"Rainman, 'tis me, Magnus."

"Ah, so it is!" He turned around and relaxed at seeing his friend, "What keeps thou in the forest at such an hour, sneaking around the brush?"

"Evil takes no holiday, my friend", he said with a grin, "In truth, should I not be asking the same question of thou?"

"Ah, I was sharpening my skill in archery and magery. tis an endless task to attempt to learn both magery and archery. Perhaps it would be better if I focused on one skill, but Xander insists on pushing myself to my limits. What kills can you boast to gain in the night?"

"Ah, the city is not far let us walk to Britain together, and I shall tell you all of todays hunt."

The two made their way thru the brush, snagging on many a foul bush and grass. The forests of Britannia were dense growths, hardly easy to fight in. Along the way, Magnus related todays story of how he was forced to flee the presence of a particularly powerful gargoyle...

"Are our worlds still at war? Can we not allow the gargoyles to live in peace with us?"

"Alas, British has declared all Gargoyles on the surface of Britannia to be agents of evil. If they wish not war, they would not attempt to live among us." Magnus hastily replied.

A new orc encampment was also the target of Magnus' hunt. His skill at slaughtering their fearful threat were amazing. Oft his stories consisted of how he had outsmarted, or just plain out-fought three or four orcs at once.

It was about the time that Rainman began treating each new sentence of the stories with boredom that they came upon the north part of the lake surrounding Blackthorn's castle. It was now quite dark, and the moonlight lit across the lake and castle with a solemn beauty. A light could be seen from Blackthorn's study. As they approached, a figure was seen to move from the balcony, to inside the building.

"He is a private man, is he not? I often fear that, despite his incredible insight into how best to rule the land, he keeps himself in hypocritical isolation from those that believe his words." Rainman mused.

"I do not give it much thought. If the people are happy, why waste time disagreeing on which of our two leaders has the best interpretation. Certainly, both faults and genius can be found on either side of the disagreement." Magnus replied matter-of-factly. "Of what consequence is his isolation so long as the people he helps to lead are happy?"

They discussed the matter at length. One believing that active leadership, and open and honest acceptance of everyone would triumph over any negative evils of the land, the other believing that such talk was simply too much pondering of a matter that is already laid to rest.

A few more minutes and they'd at last reached a place to relax after the days adventures.

"Wayfarers, It has been a great long time since we've frequented this area, has it not my friend?" Magnus queried.

"Aye, it has", Rainman smiled, remembering many of the times he watched his friend drink himself merry with the rampant wench population of the area.

"Well, then, lets make some new memories. I shall see thee in an hour at the head table of the bar, Do not be late, or thou shalt be forced to explain to the ladies what you've been doing." They both laughed.

"Aye, I'll not be long, I merely wish to check the local hostel bulletin board." Rainman explained.

"Bah, none of good sense post on those things, methinks thou wasteth thy time."

They parted, and Rainman entered into the lobby of the grand Wayfarer's inn. Coming up to the bulletin board, he began to sort thru the madness for anything of interest.

The typical chatter of the masses of ill education was common all over it. Yet one message did crop up that seemed to be written with great care and concern.

Researcher needed.
I beg of anyone to help me, I am a poor man, and the last descendant of a powerful mage named Lathern. My father dissapeared along with my mother many years ago. I was left in our house for weeks, while their return was expected. Eventually, a stranger discovered me, and raised me near to where I was found. I visited the abandoned house often, and I pieced together the story of my parents lives. However, I wish to renew my aquaintence with them. Please, if you be noble, and of cunning, respond to my post here, or call on me, I am an apprentice at yonder mage guild across the river. My name is Stephenn.

"A sorrowful tale, I shall make his acquaintence on the morrow.", Rainman yawned.