Travels of The Norseman

[miltonyorkcastle]

Well, after leaving Blackford's castle and my shortlived military career, I have not managed to make it much further than Hlint.  Krumk traveled with me, and continues to be as loyal a friend as ever.  If you know him as I do, you know he has a subtle cunning that escapes the notice of those who cannot look past his hide and stilted speech.  Together we have managed to procure a minor amount of notoriety in and around Hlint, as well as garner a little wealth.  I must admit, while some of it went to good use, the rest I have squandered on booze and the wiles of women.  But it all cam at a cost.  Both Krumk and I have fresh scars, and I only narrowly escaped death, thanks to some honorable comrades who, at risk to their own lives, dragged my dying carcass to a priestess, who was able to revive me.  However, I have gained more than wealth and wounds.  I have continued to train with my blade, and I can feel my body and the claymoor uniting.  My strength and skill with it is impressive to those who watch me fight, but I cannot somehow help but feel that there is more, that I am not yet a master.  And I will master the sword, as I have mastered my body.  My blade will lead me in the exploration of my world, Layonara.

[miltonyorkcastle]

It seems I have become a familiar face around Hlint, for many people recognize and cheerfully greet me.  And there are many honorable souls that abide there.  I feel I have a stake in Hlint's livelihood, although I am not sure just how much longer I am going to stay there.  I feel the urge to visit my hometown, not to mention there is always the itch in my feet to travel.

Among the people I have met in Hlint, one in particular stands out.  Alayna Redwaters, pirate hunter and freelancer extraordinair.  I call her Trouble....  But she has proven to be a worthy comrade and, most notably, shares my itch for discovery and adventure.  Our relationship began when I joined a band of adventurers at the behest of my friend Willy (another worthy comrade, but a quiet fellow).  She was a part of it and preceeded to berate the new set of armor I had just procured.  I replied in my usual frankness, that if she didn't like it, that she should "fix" it.  It was all in good fun, but as it turned out, she did "fix" it, and I wear the armor to this day.  As it stands now, we have rescued each other's hide from our respective follies on so many occasions, we have become quite accustomed to traveling with each other.  

On another note, I should mention a strange situation I probably foolishly became involved in, but you may understand my reasoning when I remind you that I have begun to take stake in the town of Hlint.  The young boy Tom, who is never short on mischief (reminds me of myself as a lad, actually, and, it turns out, he is an orphan as well... or was, but has since become adopted), got himself involved with a woman who we (myself and some other sturdy adventurers concerned about the boy and/or the town) first believed to be a drow.  We confronted her, but our lack of working knowledge of the drow became painfully evident as we discovered she was not a drow and was in fact a healer of some sort.  The whole ordeal went down hill as our lack of subtlety and obvious intrusion on private matters proved only to annoy the black clad, hooded woman.  She was completely uncooperative, which of course leads me to believe that what is going on between her and Tom is very likely of poor character.  But I have no evidence, and no real reason why I should continue to pursue the matter...
Still... something bothers me about that woman.  I could sense in her a great power, but I could not discern its nature.  If we meet again, I shall be more civil and subtle, in hopes to discover who she really is and what her intent is.  If not for my own curiosity, then for my own safety.

[miltonyorkcastle]

Stupid me.  Blood soaked my hands.... my blood... I could barely see through the crimson streams flowing from splits in my skull...  yet I barreled in to attack the giant anyways.  I didn't even get close enough to put my blade in him before he reached out and layed a tree stump into my already battered skull.  I crumpled to the ground and found myself struggling to breath....  Through the red I could make out Alayna's face above mine.  She was saying something, but I couldn't quite make it out.  I tried to respond, but everything was getting so dark.  The darkness seemed to swallow everything up, even sound.  And to think, before we left Fort Hope I told Alayna to stay close, so I could rescue her from the trouble she gets herself into... but it was me who needed the rescuing.  The next thing I remember is the priestess in Hlind.  I ached all over, but my wounds had been carefully tended.  I could breathe.  I was alive.  I learned that Alayna and Dane risked their own lives to get me out. I don't know how I will ever pay them back.  And I can't help but think, if I were only a little stronger, if I were only a little better with my sword, I would not have fallen, and I would not have put my comrades lives in danger.  I must increase my training.  I must become the best.  And I will not, again, lead my friends into a fight I don't know for certain that I can win, lest it cost them more than what I can pay back.

[miltonyorkcastle]

I had just returned to Hlind to resupply after a venture into the Sielwood, when I came across a sturdy old dwarf sporting a sword that was sheathed in an unceasing flame.  It was magnificent, and I told him so.  He agreed and commented that it was his pride and joy.  He introduced himself as Oholibama, a Member of the High Council.  I knew that name sounded familiar, like I had overheard it in a tavern conversation, and now I knew why.  I still can't believe I was actually talking to a Member of the High Council.  But I kept my wits about me, and told the kindly dwarf to remember my name, for he would hear of it's renown in the years to come.  He smiled and agreed.  He agreed!  And to show his support he empowered me with a blaze of magic, the likes of which I have never seen.  I was stronger, tougher, and best of all, he wrapped my sword in a fiery sheath.  The effects were not permanent, but they did not need to be to prove to me their power, for when I returned to the Sielwood, not a creature could harm me.  A pack of gnolls surrounded me and I tore them apart only to find that I hadn't one scratch on my body, even though I knew that arrow and axe had both hit me.  Being an apprentice to the old bookkeeper in Leilon, I spent some time reading about the Arcane Art.  But mere words can never describe the power I saw and felt today.  By chance I have kept a few arcane scrolls.  I will study them, and in time I too will wield this power they call Magic, that the ferocity of my Fencing and the might of my Art will make my enemies tremble.

[miltonyorkcastle]

I don't know how many drow we killed, but they just kept coming and coming....  Spellgard has fallen...  we are planning how to keep the castle Haven from also falling, but it seems the drow are content with Spellgard for the moment.  These dark elves have committed atrocities I have never seen before in my life, mutilating and crucifying their prisoners for all to see.  When the time comes that Her Majesty rallies an army to take back Spellgard, I will be among the ranks.

[miltonyorkcastle]

I have studied, practiced, sweated, and blead with my sword, yet still there is something missing.  There is something I have not yet grasped.  I don't know what it is, or how to obtain it, but I know there's is more to the art of swordplay.  I can feel it.  It feels as if there's a barrier, keeping me slower, blurring my battle insight, curbing my reflexes.  I thought it would just come to me with intimate practice and meditation, but I remain inferior and my sword a stranger.  Maybe I should seek out a master teacher.  Maybe..... maybe....  this is driving me insane!  I must become the best!  I will master the sword!

[miltonyorkcastle]

Outside of my obsession with my sword, I have spent some time studying the magical writings of spell scrolls and books of lore.  I think I am beginning to understand a few things.  Soon I will try a few of the less complicated magical tricks I have deciphered. Maybe in time I can use the working of magic to open up the secrets of swordplay.

[miltonyorkcastle]

It started with a hunt for the lizard folk chieftan (a hunt which itself went completely sour).  I met up with Dane, Amendar, And Rothnor, and shortly after Gre caught up with us, but by the time I got there, the trouble had already started.  It seems Dane killed an elven ranger.  Both Dane and Amendar claim the elf attacked first, and that they defended themselves.  I know the both of them quite well, and they are noble Assimar and Dwarf, so I do not doubt them.  

However, upon the death of the ranger, another elf strode forward, demanding why the ranger was killed.  This elf claimed the ranger did not provoke the attack and was killed in cold blood, and he could not be convinced otherwise.  I suspect that if the elf was telling the truth, and I am not sure he was, that Rothnor was the one who initiated the attack on the now dead ranger, and Dane and Amendar did not see it.  But Rothnor was silent about the whole thing, other than to call the new elf a pest.  

This elf demanded a 'dual of honor' with Dane, who gave the final death blow.  Naturally, I told the elf he was nuts, that if he attacked my friend Dane, I would cut him in half.  He didn't listen very well.  He commenced to fighting with Dane, so I commenced to smashing his head in.  Even his magic could not protect him.  I sliced right through his protections, eventually causing him to run, although both Dane and I sustained heavy injuries.  But, ahh, there was Faithful Amendar right there to tend to Dane and I, and we felt his healing hand in no time.  But the elf was not satisfied.  

My interference had angered him all the more.  After more rounds of battle, the elf somehow ended up fighting Rothnor, who he mortally wounded.  At this point, Gre had taken to attacking the assailant with her bow.  I increased my attack, as did Dane, until the elf yelled stop.  We obliged, however reluctantly.  Then we began going around in circles arguing a series of events that obviously no one would see in the same light.  

Since Gre and I weren't there, all we could offer was protection to our known friends, and try to reason with the elf.  But that was to no avail, for the elf's mind was made up.  A death for a death.  We even asked if we could perform an act of atonement or in some other way clear the name of Dane for his death-dealing blow.  But he would not listen.  

I pointed out that he had already mortally wounded our friend, and were it not for the kindness and skill of Amendar, Rothnor would be no more.  What more did he want?  He sent one of ours into death throws, so now we were even.  Apparently the elf had other things in mind.  By this time our party had sheathed our weapons in good faith, trying to end the fighting.  

The elf, after more banter and name calling, backed away, as though he were fianlly leaving.  But it was a trick, once out of range of my blade, the elf unleashed a furious ball of flame that neary burnt all of us to death in a single blow.  In a single moment we all simultaneously roared in defiance and charged the fool.  The fighting was intense, and fianlly, when the smoke cleared, three had fallen.  The elf, who recieved his death blow from Rothnor (Who I suspect started the whole business, however unintentionally), Amendar, kind Amendar, and the mighty Dane.  

I was stricken, and still harbor a solid amount of anguish over that hour.  Two of my closest friends had been slain because of a young elf's foolish pride.  But what is worse, is that I could not save them.  I laid blow after blow upon the elf, but I was not fast enough, did not strike well enough, and once again, my inability with my blade resulted in my inability to protect those who have protected me.  

I fell to my knees, knowing that I had to pray.  I was not willing to give up these dear friends yet.  But even my prayers were hindered.  I went to the shrine in Hlind to pray, only to be attacked by the Captain and his Quartermaster.  And for what?  That's when I realized that something strange was happening.  Something beyond pride and honor.   I escaped the guards and slipped into the shrine, where I prayed fervently.  Ilsare listened, but I know she was not the only one who saw my plight.  I felt a presence, and knew there was a darker work at hand, a magic bent on detroying people from the inside out.  To this day I do not know of its source, only that I still seek the source, whatever or whoever it is, that I may put an end to it, if I am able.  

To my relief, the gods would not let the souls of Dane and Amendar depart this world, and both recovered.  The elf, I fear, did not.  We made one more failed attempt at the lizard tribe, after which I went straight away to the tavern, to drown in Ale and then sleep the events of the day into oblivion.

[miltonyorkcastle]

In my depression over my failings with the blade, I have turned back to that which I have never found failure: the workings of the mind.  I have always been a fast learner, and it has been no different in my newly acquired taste for the Arcane.  The scrolls I have been studying are slowly beginning to make sense.  I have even been able decipher the exact nature of many of the lesser ones, and have begun experimenting with the spells.  I was surprised, however, at how much concentration and physical effort casting even a simple spell would be.  As such, I have found it immensly difficult to use my tiny repretoire of spells during any sort of battle, but I am growing more familiar with the tug of magical energies each day, and the time will come when I am no longer restrained by my limited knowledge of magic.

[miltonyorkcastle]

It has been a long time since I have seen the likes of Alayna Redwaters.  Once a steady companion, the swarthy pirate hunter has disappeared, likely taken back to her beloved sea.  I admit, I had become fond of her in the time we spent together.  I had hoped the feeling was mutual, although it is too well known to me how my luck with women goes.  No, she has disappeared, without so much as a goodbye letter, and I am left to ponder over her whereabouts and condition.  Only the gods know if we shall meet again.  May the Lord of Knowledge reveal her path to me.

[miltonyorkcastle]

On a few of my more recent travels, I ran into a pair of elves (or so they appeared to be), one a sneaky character, but, like most of elven kind, also familiar with the Art.  The other is a druid, crafty as she is adept in battle.  We had set camp after a small bout with some overgrown insects, and the sneaky one, Kelis Witchblade, if I recall her name correctly, crept into the night in search of pecans trees that grow in the swamps near Port Hampshire.  This left the druid and I alone, so, despite how pathetic I am at maintaining interesting conversation, I attempted to become more familiar with the wild magic user.  She laughed at my obvious observation that she followed the druidic order, and asked what it is that I pursue.  I thought my abilities obvious as well, but it seemed she was looking further, deeper, at something else that I myself was not yet aware of.  Confused, I stated bluntly that I was a swordsman, pursueing masterhood, but that I had learned a small bit of magic.  

"Yes, a fighting wizard," she said, as if making a final assessment of my person.  "By that time you will be mighty indeed, Cole Norseman, and I will be by your side."  My confusion was plainly obvious on my face.  By what time?  And what does she mean, "I will be by your side" ?  I cannot even recall the druid's elaborate name, yet she looks into my future?  My chance to ask questions, however, was cut short by the return of Kelis, who had managed to harvest a few of the pecans she was after.

I had no other opportunity to discuss what the druid said that day, and have not run into the pair since, but I have spent many hours contemplating her words.  There seems no end to the strange companions I keep.

[miltonyorkcastle]

Bah!  That crazy woman returned from her sea voyages only to leave again before I knew she was gone.  I am speaking of Trouble, formally known as Alayna Redwaters.  However, she did manage to find the time to do some tweaking to my platemail.  As usual, she has done an excellent job, and my armor is flat out impressive.  I myself have been learning a bit about her design techniques from watching her, and managed to complete the ensemble with a helm of my own design.

[miltonyorkcastle]

My desire to travel, to see this world in it's entirety, is coming to pass.  I have crossed my own continent of Mistone a hundred times, and have traversed at least half of Rilara.  As I suspected, my time in Hlint has waned as I spend more time on the road than near any one town.  However, I did recently make the trip back home, to Leilon.  Not much has changed there.  I walked the boulevards and examined the fine houses and gambled with the sailors as they pulled into the docks.  It is still home to me, and I think always will be.  It was from Leilon that I made my journey to the most exotic place I have yet been: the Barbarian Isles.  It is there that I am told my ancestors migrated from.  Being an orphan, I can only assume that my sources are correct.  Nonetheless, I went there with a group of treasure seekers who were looking for the expensive gems that can be found in the caves on some of the larger islands.  I went simply as a mercenary, as usual, my hefty sword being an ever welcome sight to the rest of my traveling companions.  And my sword was not left dry.  I discovered that the fiercest tribes of goblins survive in that freezing north, barreling down on their prey from the backs of hideous dog-like beasts called Worgs.  But it's not the creatures of the place you have to worry about.  It's the place itself.  It is so cold that during midday you can spit, and your spiddle will freeze before it hits the ground.  You don't want to be there at night.  We did find the caves, and a horde of goblins waiting for us inside.  We were a strong group, but the fighting was the fiercest I have seen since the battle with the drow when they took Spellgard.  The goblins and their Worgs used their knowledge of the caves to ambush us time and again.  One by one my companions fell around me, until I too felt the stinging bite of death reaching for my soul.  But we were not undone.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a slight fellow, hooded and armed with a bow, step out of the shadows and launch a volley of arrows into the goblin raiders.  Not a single arrow missed it's mark;  at least not any of the ones I saw, for it was about then that my eyes were drowned in my own blood.  When I awoke, the figure was standing over me chanting softly, and all of my companions, even those I thought to be dead, were sitting around a fire not two feet away from me.  Needless to say, we left those caves not long after.  I must admit, I have little intention of returning to the Babarian Isles any time soon, although my experiences there, of which my writing can only offer a taste of, has strengthened me considerably.  Strangely, I did feel a connection to the place, even if I am not fond of it.

[miltonyorkcastle]

I have spent a good deal more time studying than I ever thought I would, scouring the libraries of Mistone and Rilara for books and scrolls on the subject of fencing, and occasionally discovering a new book discussing the nature of the Art.  And I have drilled with my greatsword until I could not stand and my shoulders ached so that I thought my arms would fall clean off.  I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor only just now, as I have begun to hire out my skills once more.  No single giant can stand against me, nor even two, no, only when I am outnumbered by three or more must I retreat.  I am so much stronger, I can feel the power filter through me into my blade.  But it is still only my power wielding my blade;  we are not one yet.  In all my studies, that is the one thing I am sure of.  I must learn to make the blade an extension of myself, and vice-versa.  As to how to bring that to pass, I can only hope it will come with experience, for I have stressed and strained in study, in thought, for so long now without an answer as to how I might close the gap between the animate and the inanimate.  At least, no answer other than Magic, and Magic is a whole other thing entirely...

[miltonyorkcastle]

Note:  I purchased a new sword today, although I will never give up my old copper blade that has served me so well.  It is a magical sword, I'm told, and, indeed, I can sense its own power radiate through the iron hilt into my palms.  It was costly, but I believe well worth it, the proof of which lies in the giant's blood still frozen to it.  Yes, frozen.  I had its magic enhanced, and the property rendered for the gold I offered made the blade cold to the touch.  Immensly cold, as only Magic can do.  It's going to take a lot of scrubbin with a piece of a volcanic rock to get it clean, as best I can tell, since even boiling water cools and turns to ice before I can get any real cleaning done.

I hope to see Alayna again soon.  She will be impressed with my new blade and my new skills.  That reminds me...  I need to start saving my gold as soon as I get some new armor...  She deserves to have a boat of her own, and I want to be the one to get it for her.  I still cling to the rings she has given me, and I have given little besides my company to her, and she deserves more.  At least I want to give her more...

[miltonyorkcastle]

I recall a time when a thousand gold pieces was to me a fortune.  Now I find I can make twice that in a day, assuming I can find the right buyers for my scavenged goods, a young weaver or asker to escort, or I get lucky with cards.  Speaking of cards, I met a man the other day who is the only person I have encountered that has managed to best me more times than I have him.  That is, I think he has five games on me to my three on him... and a thousand of my gold.  That man is Aleister... who introduced himself simply as Al.  I have learned he is a weaver of some renown.  I haven't seen much of his magics, but I have seen his strategies with cards... cards I didn't even know existed until I played him.  But I think I have the right set to best him, as well as continue clobbering my other opponents.  

To be honest, work was slow for a while.  Very slow.  So I started advertising myself as a freeblade to anyone and everyone.  My explorations have to be funded somehow, and with my skills, mercenary work suits me the best.  It's much more to my liking than working the forge all day, that's for sure.  And it is becoming very lucrative.  I just had to start yelling my name out to any passerby, and, by the gods, it makes sense that at least one of those people will have a need for my skills and strength.  All this mercenary work has been good for more practice with my blade, and has been excellent in establishing a ring of contacts.  Might I add, wealthy contacts.

[miltonyorkcastle]

I decided to post a notice for contracts across the lands of Mistone.  Once again, I am amazed at how successful advertising is.  I have so much work on my hands, I am wondering how I am going to keep up with it all.  However, I am rolling in gold coins.  

One of these clients, an elven woman by the name of Kali, I only just met, having corresponed solely through letters.  Upon meeting her, she and another elven lady- Lindariel, I think is her name- insisted that Kali do a card reading for me.  A look into my future, they said.  Naturally, I balked.  I'm too much of a schemer myself to trust anything else that appears shady.  And fortune telling is high on the list of shady operations, particularly at the hundred gold piece "donation" price.  However, Kali seemed a genuine customer, and moreover, I wasn't about to lose a buyer and a good reputation with buyers in general, so I gave in.  Besides, if things work out, I'll be taking much more of her gold than the hundred pieces I gave her that night.  

It turns out, she was very sincere.  Or I was very duped.  But nonetheless, I was impressed and set to thinking both as a result of her little card reading.  She drew three cards.  As I should have guessed, the first card was that of the "Fool."  She said it means I tend to be reckless, doing things without thinking about the consequences, sometimes to the point of my own detriment.  And that I have an incessant desire for change.  I had to agree with both.  I can't count how many times I have gotten myself into sticky situations that I could have easily avoided had I thought things through.  Also, I feel I constantly have to be on the move.  Staying in one place too long works on my depression until I get up and hit the road.  Yet I was not overly concerned by this card, only slightly disturbed at the accuracy of it.  

The second card was the "Hanged Man."  Even I knew this wasn't a good sign.  In fact, Kali herself looked a little worried when she turned the card over.  It was described to me that this card meant loss- either I would, in the future, lose something dear to me, or there is some part of my life that is missing, that I am not entirely whole do to this unknown loss.  It is the latter possibility that most bothers me.  I know very little of my history, my origins, which is ironic, in the fact that I have long had access to and consistently use, historical annals and records in libraries across the lands.  Moreover, I have, since I took up the sword, pursued a mastery that has been nothing but elusive to me.  What's worse, is that in recent months, I have noticed myself becoming sidetracked from this pursuit, due to my failure to complete the task I set for myself.  

The final card was the "Judgement of the World" card.  It too has a two-fold meaning.  I had a hard time understanding Kali's explanation of this one, as if she was holding back, afraid I truly might not like what I would hear.  In the end, she seemed to say that either all would be over soon, or all would change.  Vague, yet poignant in light of the other two cards.  The compiled reading, Kali emphasized, was that while my recklessness was pulling me down, keeping me from whatever is my "loss," there was coming a chance for change.  The key word in my mind being "chance."  Apparently there is a turning point, a crossroad, I am coming to.  I just hope I recognize it when I see it, because it seems obvious what the other outcome, the outcome of no change, will be, assuming all this has any actual relevance to my life.

Those cards touched too close to my life.  Too close.  I fear I will be contemplating Kali's words rather than sleeping for many nights to come.  The question is, what is it that fuels my desire to challenge the odds and to insist that I forever be on the move?  and when I discover the answer, will it break me?  Or make me stronger?

[miltonyorkcastle]

I'd heard I could buy passage to the continent of Dregar in a city near the Bloody Gate.  Having never been to Dregar, I decided to satisfy my wanderlust and explore it.  It wasn't long before I ran into the biggest city I have ever seen.  I was later told it is the largest city ever built.  I wouldn't be surprised.  I believe it is called Pranzis.

Despite the city's size, I managed to find a host of aquaintances and friends-  Lorio and Gloin to name a few.  It turns out they were on a hunt for a being responsible for a slew of strange were-creatures.  They let me tag along, which suited my desire to explore plus gave me more opportunity to work my fencing skills.  And there was plenty of practice to be had.  Those werebears, wereboars, werewolves, and whatever else were a tough fight, and I was glad of my able companions.  As far as exploration goes, I traveled some ways across Dregar, but we ended up chasing these things into another dimension.  Yeah...  I jumped into a portal to which I did't know the destination.  After as much as I've read on the subject of portals and extra-dimensional travel, you'd think I'd have balked at the idea of utlizing an untested portal.  Nope.  I followed the rest of my companions right on in.  Thankfully, we didn't get stuck there- wherever it was.  

We finally faced off against the insane demonic woman we'd been hunting (I still can't beleive I'd gotten involved in this), only to find we could do absoutely nothing to harm her, and barely managed to survive while she taunted us.  In the end it took another supernatural being to end the confronation.  I'm not sure what god sent the creature that forced the demon lady to submit, but I actually called on Aragen while others called on thier own dieties.  It's the first time I think I've ever called on a god for anything, but, then, it was the first time I'd ever been up against anything as powerful as her or in a place as foreign as that one.

I'm not sure how long I was off my home plane- I've read that time can pass faster or slower from plane to plane- but it couldn't have been too long, and I, with the rest of the people, were dropped back into Pranzis.  To my surprise, I ran into Gulnyr, and if I thought I'd experienced the incredible in the previous hours, I had no way of seeing what I was about to get into...

[miltonyorkcastle]

To pick up where I left off, I had just met Gulnyr in Pranzis after plane-hopping. As I was talking to Gulnyr, a man approached wearing a fine set of armor and hefting an even more impressive broadsword. Naturally, I had to compliment the sword. The man looked at me and smirked, so I showed off my blade and explained that he was looking at one of the best swordsman around. He proceeded to laugh at me... ahem... TO LAUGH AT ME. The man replied that he could easily best me and that if I wanted to even have a chance against the likes of him I would have to be trained by the same master that he had, a man called Swordsbane. For a moment I forgot the insult. This is what I had been searching for all these years- a master who could teach me what I could not teach myself. The path to becoming a master of the sword myself. I immediately asked where I could find this Swordsbane.

"If you think you can hack it," he said, "seek passage to the Desertforest island."

The name sounded a little fishy, but I had to see for myself, and thank Aragen Gulnyr came with me. I damn near got lost trying to find my way back to a port city. I can't recall the name of the town, but it had a harbor and plenty of boats. Someone had to know where this Desertforest island was. While we were walking along the docks, we over heard a ruckus from inside one of the ships. It sounded violent, so Gulnyr and I decided to take a peak. Out pops this swarthy captain downing a bottle of liquor. At least, he claimed to be the captain and demanded to know what we were doing on his ship. We explained and mentioned we were looking for a ride to the Desertforest island. The man burst with laughter and told us he could take us there. We asked how much the fair was, and he said there wasn't one if we were going to the Desertforest island. When I gave him a funny look, he said the expense was handled by some guy named Swordsbane. I began to wonder if this was all too good to be true, that in a single day, by complete chance, I might have found the answer to my life's quest to be the best to touch a greatsword.

[miltonyorkcastle]

When Gulnyr and I had finally finished emptying the contents of our stomachs over the side of the vessel, I began to take note of the crew of this boat.  They were as cut-throat a group as I'd ever seen, but they let us alone.  I had to wonder what this ship was actually used for.  I think Alayna might have known.  I do wish she had been with me.  

The captain dropped us on a sandy beach, and told us he wouldn't be back for at least a month.  Gulnyr and I looked a each other, then started walking.  We couldn't have been walking more than an hour when we ran into a fellow hunched over in the sand, beat and bruised all over and muttering to himself.  He went on and on about Swordsbane and impossible and discipline-something-or-another.  He was too crazed to let me help him much, and he wasn't very helpful in pointing us to this Swordsbane's residence.  We let him be and continued dwon the beach.  Presently we ran into another fellow similarly ranting about this Swordsbane, only he seemed less crazed and more angry.  Equally as beat-up.  He flat out told us that this Swordsbane was an impossible master, that all he ever talked about was "Discipline, Discipline, Discipline."  I wasn't sure whether I should be discouraged or more determined.  I decided to simply disregard the two men on the beach, with the exception of procurring the location of Swordsbane's house from the second one.  To our dismay, Gulnyr and I disovered we had to take a rowboat out to a smaller island.  We could see it in the distance; unfortunately, being that Gulnyr and I are anything but sailors, it took us half the trip to get the whole rowing thing down right.

We set foot on an island much different than the island we just launched from.  The former island was barren, with sand dunes for as far as you could see.  This island, while smaller, was somewhat sandy, but had a grove of trees and lush grasses surrounding a house set on a hill in the center of the island.  Desertforest.  Clever.  But the landscape wasn't what I had come for.  If our information was right, the house on that hill belonged to a human who was holding the secrets of the blademasters.