A group of children stand around, near the docks of Fort Velensk, passing a brightly colored ball between them that has been bestowed with a minor light enchantment. They all look to be having a good time and the red haired boy gets all wide eyed for a moment.
"You guys'll never guess what I saw!"
A flurry of "What?!", groans and "Sid??!!!" follows the boy's announcement.
He looks to the petite little girl next to him who seemed to be the loudest one protesting, "It's TRUE! I saw it! It was right outside the dragon's temple. Honest!! This big Ogre came outta nowhere I tell yas! He was wearin shiny chain armor and had this HUUUUUUGE sword on his back."
"Yeah, " the tiny girl with blue eyes replied, " And the Lord Protector prolly flew down and picked him up in his claws, riiiiiiiiiight???"
All the children laugh but the little red headed boy, now with a face to match, responds, "NO, the temple guards chase im off you see! But the whole time he was sayin stuff.. in common! He wanted to see 'is frend! Meh.. Laaa Naaaah... That was the names.. " He nods resolutely and then continues, "I never heard of an ogre what can talk.. and he did! Kept sayin he jus' wanted ta see his frend, not hurt nobuddy."
All the children laugh and shake their heads. In response the red headed boy starts to walk off but his attention is called back for a moment as the others are yelling at him to leave the ball. He stomps his feet and tosses it with all his might, knocking the smallest girl over.
"Sid Medelson, I'm gonna get you, " she screams as she hops up. Both of them break into a run, followed by the rest. They disappear in and among the houses and buildings of Fort Velensk though their shouts can still be heard for quite some time.
