The halfling and the wizened man had materialized on the Isle of Illinthia, emerging from a magical portal atop a sheer hill that overlooked the sprawling harbor. Illinthia, the largest island in the realm of Aerkha, was nestled in the southeast.

  "Why you bring us to this place?" Pal inquired, striving to maintain his balance on the cliff's edge.

  "Observe the vessels below, my friend," the old sage answered.

  Paliborn surveyed the harbor: three ships lay anchored at the docks, with more than ten others moored in the open bay.

  "And?" Paliborn waited for an explanation.

  "Select one," said Sarcastic the Wise.

  "Why?" Paliborn queried.

  "Did you not say it was your destiny to locate this girl?" retorted the sage.

  "Aye, and I shall stop at nothing to find Allendra," Paliborn vowed.

  "Fate is often subject to chance, Pal. Luck can play a vital role," Sarcastic remarked.

  The wind's howling intensified, and the two conversed loudly to hear each other above its cacophony. Paliborn battled the thorny shrubs towering above him, whipped by the gale and piercing his clothes.

  Becoming impatient, the halfling extracted his collapsible binoculars from one of his pouches and scrutinized each ship in turn.

  "Very well, but as the God of Luck Zacharia oft reminded us, fortune only favors those who prepare thoroughly and scrutinize their options with care. I choose the vessel with blue oysters embossed on its hull and snarling pig effigies on its banner." he declared.

  The old man chuckled. Without warning, he shoved the halfling off the cliff's edge, passing a shimmering turquoise feather to him as he did so.

  "An impeccable choice," Sarcastic the Wise chortled, savoring Pal's unguarded and astonished expression.

  "My belongings?" Paliborn cried out, startled as he tumbled through the air.

  "Fret not, my dear halfling. They shall arrive before you depart tonight," the elder replied playfully.

  Paliborn barely caught the last words before Featherfall magic took hold, and the feather glowed brilliantly, abruptly arresting his plummet mere feet from the ground. Sarcastic had played a cruel prank once more. Paliborn inwardly cursed his mentor.

  In contrary to the amazement of bystanders, a diminutive Quanas elf woman with coal-black eyes and meticulously drawn brows grinned at Paliborn as the dexterous halfling somersaulted off the rooftop of a vast wooden storage warehouse and landed on his feet, as agile as a cat.

  The elf wore a traditional, one-piece light blue silk kimono, cinched with a belt, and adorned with raised white star motifs. Her soft ballet flats made no sound as they strode the cobblestoned harbor road, ignoring the gawks of passersby.

  "You must be Paliborn Quickhand," said the Quanas elf, her tone light and musical.

  Pal returned her smile with a nod. "I am indeed. And you must be the star mapper I have been searching for?"

  The elf's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Xian Lil Ala-Lanka, at your service. Shall we go meet the captain and the crew?"

  "Lead the way, Lady Ala-Lala-Lanka," Paliborn said hardly, while getting his tongue round.

  The elf chuckled, shaking her head. "Just Xian will do."

  "Then call me Pal in return, my lady." replied the halfing, offering a bow.

  They moved through the throngs of sailors, porters, and travelers, navigating the twisting road that wound down to the harbor, with Pal taking shortcuts by bounding off the retaining walls. Xian Lil Ala-Lanka followed his lead as best she could, keeping pace with the halfling's nimble strides. After a few minutes, they arrived at the port.

  "Another time, I would love to enjoy the view," Paliborn said, glancing north towards the Great Ports of Illinthia, with its maze of sections and dockyards. "But where to now, Xian?"

  "The Black Spot Inn," the elf replied, pointing westward towards a secluded, single-story establishment with dark gray briquette stone walls, stained with black. "The captain is waiting for us there."

  Together, they made their way towards the inn, their footsteps silent on the cobblestones.

  As they stepped inside the inn, all eyes fixated on the unusual pair. The halfling and Quanas elf were quite a striking duo, catching the attention of the regular patrons. The elf hailed from the Land of Reeds, adorned in an eye-catching traditional garb, complete with delicate embroidery and ethereal motifs, a stark contrast to the mundane clothing of the inn's occupants. Three strapping men clad in chain armor rose from their seats at a corner table, heading towards the pair with measured steps. Their muscular frames towered over the halfling and elf, each standing at a towering six feet.

  "Illinthia Knights," Xian whispered under her breath as the trio drew closer.

  "Snooty boys." joked Pal in a whisper.

  The halfling noticed the intricate heraldry emblazoned on the leader's breastplate, depicting seagulls in flight, circling around a fitchy sword. These men were also known as the Knights of Seagull, renowned for their formidable reputation.

  "Ah, Miss Xian, welcome back," greeted the leader with a nod, his eyes appraising the halfling with a hint of disdain. "I assume you are the reason for our meeting?"

  Paliborn simply offered a cordial nod in response.

  "Captain?" Xian queried.

  The trio gestured towards a solitary figure seated at a round table, wreathed in a cloud of smoke from an Illinthian cigar. The man sported a bushy black beard and curly salt-and-pepper hair, his physique brawny and imposing.

  Xian spoke up, a hint of formality in her tone. "Allow me to make introductions."

  But the man smoking a cigar cut her off with a brusque interruption. "No need. Unfortunately, the halfling and I have crossed paths before."

  Paliborn shrugged nonchalantly. "If I'd known the ship was yours, Barbarossa, I would have chosen another vessel."

  The captain raised an eyebrow, suspicion etched on his weathered face. "I wonder if it's because you sank my previous ship?"

  "Actually, it was the mad wizard Al Pharruk who brought about its demise," Paliborn replied. "But let's leave the past in the past, shall we?"

  The captain shifted his gaze on Xian, studying her with an intensity that bordered on suspicion. "I hear you're a cartographer," he said.

  "I am a star mapper," Xian corrected, her voice crisp with precision.

  The captain's disbelief was palpable. "You mean to tell me that you can interpret magical events simply by gazing upon the sky? That you can read the suns, the stars, even the rainbow belt?"

  "In a manner of speaking," Xian replied shortly, not eager to delve further into the intricacies of her craft.

  "Can you cast spells?" the captain inquired, his voice tinged with an air of menace.

  "I possess expertise in predictive spells," Xian replied, a hint of steel in her tone.

  The captain pressed on. "Can you conjure flames to set my ship ablaze?"

  Xian's eyes narrowed. "We Quanas elves do not resort to unnecessary violence, if that's what you're asking. Have no doubt about it, Captain. I am no threat to you or your vessel."

  The captain's gaze shifted to Pal, suspicion written on his face. "My suspicions lie not with you, Lady Xian, but with the halfling at your side. He's known to have a peculiar hold over sorcerers and drive them to madness."

  Paliborn scoffed. "You're dragging out this conversation, Captain Barb."

  "You caused my beloved ship to burn," the captain spat. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you, Pal. Out of respect for the master sage Sarcastic, I agreed to take you aboard the Blue Oyster. But know this, War Pigs shoud've been the name of my vessel, and it's because of you that I'm stuck with this foolish named ship."

  Paliborn shrugged again. "Then change the name of the ship, Barb."

  The captain's face contorted with anger. "It's bad luck to change a ship's name, you ignorant landlubber."

  "Then get a new ship, you stupid seaweed-bearded buffoon."

  The captain drew a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure. "If you don't set my ship ablaze this time around, I plan to do it myself, with the reward I'll receive at the end of our journey."

  "Suit yourself!" Paliborn cried with a shrug.

  "That's what I will!" the captain roared, his voice heavy with resolve. "Very well then. Let us proceed."

  "Fine!" Paliborn agreed by adding another unnecessary exclamation.

  The Quanas elf, the three knights, and the rest of the inn watched in concern as the two men faced off, their noses almost touching as they exchanged heated words.

  "Well, I suppose I can forgive you," Captain Barb said in a sudden show of camaraderie. "Let's sit down and have a drink while we wait for your things to arrive."

  Paliborn, surprised but willing to move past their earlier argument, took a seat across from the captain. "I forgive you too," he said.

  "Why would you forgive me?" asked Captain Barb.

  "You left us stranded in the middle of the wild woods. We were at the mercy of the great elephants and crazed monkeys," Paliborn reminded him.

  "That's what happens when you burn my ship, yo halfling," the captain retorted.

  Their argument continued, each new glass of beer served, helping their voices to replenish before ascending once more. As the day wore on, the six of them left the inn together, with Pal and Barb barely able to stand. The Knights, led by Dylan Branagh, had blond hair while the other two, Marter Corelson and Eric Dahle Windborn, had brown locks, they had to carry the two drunken men to the pier, where they boarded a moored boat and rowed to the exposed ship.

  After they boarded the ship, Paliborn and the captain continued to drink like crazy. The halfling's memories of the rest of the night were hazy, but he vaguely recalled meeting Humpter, one of the largest men he had ever seen. Humpter, a towering figure with fiery red hair and a long-curved mustache that hung down to his neck, drank like a sponge. Eventually, the captain and Paliborn, both got drunk as a skunk, made their way to their cabins with Humpter's assistance.

  At the stroke of noon on the following day, Paliborn was rudely awoken by a throbbing headache, caused by the unrelenting rays of the sun that pierced his eyelids. He groaned and struggled to his feet, feeling nauseated and unsteady. Without hesitation, he stumbled towards the bucket stationed beside his bunk, doubling over as he regurgitated the remnants of his breakfast. The bucket was already half-full, a testament to his previous bouts of sickness.

  With trembling hands, Paliborn reached for the nearby clean water bucket and splashed his face vigorously, trying to alleviate the pounding in his head. He repeated this action a few times before he felt somewhat better. Once he had dried himself, he emerged from his cramped cabin, blinking against the bright sunlight.

  On the deck, he espied a towering figure, standing a full two meters tall. The man wore only a dark brown leather weskit and light brown leather pants, his feet bare. Around his thick neck, which was covered in sparse red hair, hung a necklace of agate stones.

  "The giant must hail from the far north," Paliborn surmised to himself.

  The big man noticed the halfling's scrutiny and grinned, twirling his long, curly mustache. "Greetings to you, Comrade Pal. I trust your day is treating you well?"

  Paliborn recoiled, shielding his eyes with his left hand like a vampire exposed to the sun. "Do we know each other?"

  "We drank together last eve, did we not? I, Humpter, at your service."

  Paliborn winced at the memory, his stomach roiling once again. He lurched towards the railing and hurled over the side of the ship, towards the unforgiving sea.

  "I warned you about those blue oysters you picked up from the hull of our ship, comrade, didn't I?" Humpter chided, shaking his head. "They had been festering there for months. But you didn't listen, did you? You ate them raw."

  "That explains the scratching in my gut," Paliborn groaned.

  "Thanks to Demian's horns, you only ate one or two," Humpter I noted, chuckling.

  "Did I do anything else?" Paliborn asked, his voice shaky.

  "Not much, save for your altercation with the captain over the oysters."

  As if on cue, Captain Barb strode onto the deck, his eyes alight with fury. He glared at the halfling with contempt before taking the helm. Paliborn kept his distance, grateful for the respite from the captain's wrath, and focused instead on surveying his surroundings.

  The Blue Oyster, a three-masted caravel, spanned about sixty feet in length. In addition to the three knights he had met the day before, Paliborn counted nine crew members -some of them sported blue scarves knotted around their necks, while others wore pink bracelets on their wrists- a color Paliborn recognized as belonging to the notorious War Pigs. The fact that the crew clung to such superstitious beliefs was not lost on Pal, who knew all too well the fickle nature of seamen.

  What caught his attention the most, however, was a Galanadel Elf perched atop the foremast's lookout, cross-legged and with long golden locks billowing in the wind. Paliborn had not expected to see an elf from Galande, for they were even rarer than those of Quartre when it came to venturing far from their homeland.

  "Who is he?" Paliborn queried Humpter.

  "Arvedas Leff'Valle, our group's archer," Humpter responded. "He carries a bow nearly the size of mine. He only joined us yesterday, just like you. I reckon the big boss sent him."

  "Big boss?" Paliborn inquired.

  "I don't know him. Captain Barb keeps invoking his name. He's saying that the big boss sent us a bothersome halfling and some rare elves. I reckon he's referring to a wizard who's got everyone under his command."

  "Ah, now I understand," Paliborn said with a nod.

  The halfling then proceeded to his cabin with hushed steps. Although his and Xian's quarters were separated only by a flimsy screen, he still knocked on the door.

  "You may come in, Pal," Xian's voice called out.

  Paliborn slid the door open and walked into the other compartment.

  The female Quanas elf was already hard at work, surrounded by maps and scrolls that covered the walnut table. A few parchments were also pinned up on the blank walls. Paliborn studied the maps on the wall for a while. He observed the details of the stars' positions and phases, including information on their relatively complex positions. Although he detected a few inaccuracies, he chose to remain silent.

  "Pray tell, what do your sharp eyes discern?" the halfling inquired, hoping to engage the Quanas elf in conversation.

  "We find ourselves in the midst of early spring, and as for any forthcoming shifts, not until summer, or so it seems," Xian replied, her focus still unwavering.

  "Shifts? What manner of shifts might those be?" Paliborn asked, his curiosity piqued.

  The Quanas elf cast a brief glance at the halfling before nodding her head in understanding.

  "Let me attempt to simplify matters for you. Orion, the God of Light, Therion, the Dark God, and Demian, the Keeper of Equilibrium, are the great triumvirate of gods. Each of them possesses a unique constellation, which, depending on the lunar cycle, changes position. However, there is another theory I have accepted, one which posits that the moon itself shifts," Xian explained.

  "Shifts? The moon?" Paliborn echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion.

  "Aye, shifts indeed. Yet another supposition suggests that there are four moons in the sky, but we can only ever see one at a time. These moons, which we refer to as the Red Moon, Yellow Moon, Blue Moon, and Green Moon, correspond to the four elemental gods, and though they appear to be similar in size and shape, each boasts a unique surface. Perhaps we see only one moon at any given time due to their close proximity and complex rotational patterns around our world," Xian elaborated.

  "I see. It does seem plausible, and more accurate than attributing the stars' displacement to this phenomenon," Paliborn mused, his thoughts meandering.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  "But in truth, that theory is false. There is only one moon and seven shifts, Xian," he clarified.

  "The rainbow pattern, you mean?" Xian asked.

  "Yes, the rainbow, the divine shield of the Seven Gods" Paliborn responded firmly.

  "Indeed, that is also my belief. There is a rainbow belt encompassing our world, and the moon shifts originate from it. Seven moons, each representing one of the seven colors of the seven gods," Xian added.

  "Exactly so," Paliborn agreed.

  "Agreed thus far, we must now confront the truly complex matter: star forgers," Xian proclaimed.

  "Star forgers?" queried Paliborn, his eyebrow arching in curiosity.

  "Yes, Earth's indestructible constants, the monoliths," Xian confirmed.

  "Aye, I'm well acquainted with these monoliths. They stand resolute in various parts of the world," Paliborn replied.

  "In this realm, these monoliths, stalagmites, unterrestrials, or whatever you may call them, have the potential to activate through the alignment of stars and moons. Alas, despite many a wizard's attempts, the enigmatic magic of these structures remains indecipherable. But we do possess a few promising leads suggesting that these enigmatic edifices serve as portals to other planes."

  "To other planes, or even realms, you mean?" Paliborn interjected.

  "Your perceptiveness is impressive, Pal. Precisely so. Rumors abound that these portals may lead to the Realm of Purgatory and perhaps even to the Ethereal World," Xian explained.

  "I would not, however, deem such rumors too sturdy," Paliborn retorted.

  "And what, pray tell, is the basis of your skepticism, Pal?" Xian inquired.

  "I once traveled with a wizard whose obsession with these monoliths proved his undoing. I believe that the monoliths themselves are magical planes, much like pocket planes, or even like mindscapes of ancients" Paliborn responded.

  Xian was taken aback by the halfling's deduction. "You suggest that most wizards may be looking at these monoliths from the wrong perspective?"

  "Aye, I fear they may be, Xian," Paliborn answered.

  Xian nodded thoughtfully. "Your words may be deemed the ignorance of the courageous by some, Pal. But please, continue. I am most intrigued."

  "Once, Xian, I entered a world created by one of these monoliths. It was a world of perception, formed in the moment, shaped according to the person who activated it," Paliborn began.

  "Temporal and spatial laws governed this realm? And how did you enter?" Xian interjected.

  Paliborn shook his head. "No, Xian. And as for how I entered this magical plane, I cannot recall. One moment, I stood before the door, and the next, I was within that otherworldly realm. My memory of the experience is fleeting at best," he explained.

  "Right time, right place, perhaps?" Xian mused.

  "Aye, perhaps," Paliborn concurred.

  "Go on Pal. Tell me more about them."

  "If you'll excuse me for a moment." Paliborn slid open the door and sauntered over to his section, returning with a cylindrical leather box in tow. With nimble fingers, the halfling popped the lid off the box and extracted a large roll of lambskin parchment. He unfurled it with care, laying it out on the table before the Quanas elf.

  The Quanas elf's eyes widened as she surveyed the intricate map that sprawled before her. "Did you craft this cartography yourself?" she inquired in awe.

  "Aye, one of my favorite pastimes. I labor over it during my travels, honing its every detail," Paliborn boasted.

  "Your handiwork is exquisite, my friend. And these crosses, they mark the meriad towers, correct?"

  "Aye, they do. Those be the locations of the monoliths," Paliborn confirmed with a smirk. "Though, there may be a spot or two I've yet to lay my eyes upon."

  Leaning in closer to the map, tracing the intricate lines and symbols with her fingers. "Aside from your impressive cartography skills, Pal, your knowledge of these monoliths is fascinating," Xian said with a hint of admiration. "These Meriad Towers hold immense potential as gateways to other realms, and your map could prove invaluable in unlocking their secrets."

  Paliborn chuckled modestly. "I wouldn't go that far, but I'm glad you find it useful. The monoliths have always been a source of intrigue and danger for me on my travels."

  "You mentioned earlier that the monoliths could be activated with stars and moons. Do you have any further information on how this is done?" asked Paliborn curiously.

  Xian scratched her chin, deep in thought. "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. It's possible that certain astronomical alignments could trigger the monoliths, or maybe there's a specific ritual that needs to be performed. All I know is that these structures are far from ordinary."

  "Let me also provide you with some of the Mad Wizard Al Pharruk's notes that I was able to rescue," Paliborn stated.

  Xian nodded, her curiosity piqued. "That would be great. And with the help of those notes I can study this map further and see if there are any patterns or clues that could lead us closer to understanding the monoliths. Perhaps with your help, Pal, we could unlock their secrets once and for all."

  Paliborn grinned mischievously. "Count me in, Xian. Adventure and discovery are my specialties."

  And with that, the two, now becoming friends, continued their conversation long into the night, fueled by their mutual thirst for knowledge and excitement. Eventually, they were interrupted by the captain's dinner invitation, and they made their way to the dining hall, eager to share their findings with the rest of the crew.

  The captain's cabin was laden with a sumptuous feast - strips of succulent bacon and freshly wilted spinach laid out on the table, teasing the nostrils of those gathered. The Quanas elf sat perched at the end, eschewing the meat in favor of the leafy greens. Beside the captain sat the leader of the knights, Dylan Branagh, his steely gaze scanning the room. Through the meal, Paliborn couldn't help but notice the intensity of Dylan's silence.

  Captain Barb, in contrast, bubbled with cheer, and continued regaling them with tales of life on the sea. He eventually turned to Xian, beseeching her to reveal his fate. Though she insisted she was merely a star mapper, the captain's persistence eventually compelled Quanas to make a promise to read his fortune another time. As everyone knew, a Quanas elf never reneged on a vow, even if it cost them their life.

  With a glass of wine in hand, the halfling, could no longer contain his curiosity. "There is a worldwide war out there. Why did you not join Illuen D'Harven, one of the three kings, Knight Branagh?" he asked.

  Dylan leveled his gaze at the halfling, his blue eyes betraying nothing. "Commander-in-Chief D'Harven ordered us to remain on the island. Every assignment given to us is deemed crucial."

  "Of course," Paliborn replied, "but why then did you choose to accompany us on this mission? As far as I know, Sandman hasn't made any specific requests of you."

  "I made the request," interjected Captain Barbarossa.

  Paliborn grinned with full of sarcasm. "Don't mock me, Barb. I know you delight in the company of knights as much as you do in wizards."

  The captain sputtered and coughed. Dylan, however, remained unamused, his stern gaze unwavering. "Your lack of tact is quite palpable, master halfling," he said, taking a sip of wine.

  "Perhaps," Paliborn conceded. "But I prefer to tread the paths that lead to my objectives. If you're here for your own purpose, I'd appreciate it if you shared it with us now. I'm the one who spearheaded the formation of this team, and I'll make the final decisions on this voyage. Let there be no confusion on this matter."

  Then the halfling nodded thoughtfully, before turning to the captain with a steely determination in his gaze. "And mark my words, dear Barb, if they venture into the Sea of Death, we'll follow them. Wherever they go, we'll go." he said.

  With that, the group fell into a tense silence, the weight of Paliborn's words lingering in the air like a heavy fog. For they all knew, the Sea of Death was not a place for the faint of heart, and the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty. But one thing was certain - together, they would face it head-on.

  Paliborn fixed his gaze once again on the leader of the knights, his piercing eyes probing for the truth.

  "Let us steer our conversation back to the matter at hand, Knight Branagh. What brings you to this ship? I expect nothing less than total transparency."

  The knight took a long swig from his goblet, and his weathered skin grew even redder under the halfling's scrutiny.

  "Then let me explain, in all honesty. Our intelligence suggests that a mist elf or more was aboard a ship that set sail fifteen days ago. Our paths crossed with yours when we received reports of a black-haired woman and a young girl boarding the same vessel at the eleventh hour."

  "Why not send a fleet of war galleons after them? As knights of the sea, you have at least ten ships in port," Paliborn inquired, his curiosity piqued.

  "My father, Barrett Branagh, the leader of our order, did not deem the intel credible enough to warrant such action. But I, on the other hand, deemed it necessary to pursue," Dylan Branagh explained.

  "I see," Paliborn replied.

  "The Illinthia Knights have clashed with the mist elves in the past. These malevolent beings leave naught but death and destruction in their wake, Master Halfling. They are infernal creatures that must be purged from this realm." The young knight continued to explain his reasons.

  "I am well aware of the nature of the mist elves, Knight Branagh," Paliborn retorted. "I caution you to not blindly walk into your own demise in the name of your holy oath."

  "Enough, let's close this topic," interjected Captain Barbarossa, his cigar smoldering in his mouth as usual. The tense atmosphere needed relaxation. When no one spoke up, he puffed up his broad shoulders like a peacock and continued his speech, yawning backward.

  "The good news is that we know the ship we're looking for. The bad news is that its captain, Barthalomeu, is as experienced as I am. While I can't fathom how he got involved with these bastards, probably some gambling debts, the ship we were looking for is called The Blackened. Lady Ala-Lanka did some preliminary research. Here you go, my lady."

  The Quanas elf, who had been the quietest person during the meal, spoke in a melodious voice. "The locating spell I used worked somewhat. Thanks to Pal, we found some of Lena's personal belongings. The ship is sailing south through the Maze of Mists."

  "Damn," yelled the captain.

  "What happened, Barb?" asked the halfling.

  "The second worst has happened. If there's one thing Captain Barth is better at than me, it's navigating the Maze of Mists. This is madness. The mists constantly change direction. Being caught is death."

  "They can't stay there forever, can they?" remarked the knight.

  "Sir Branagh is right. They will make landfall eventually," Paliborn agreed.

  "But when? What if they have enough supplies?" the captain worried.

  Paliborn thought for a moment. "Then we will follow, but from a distance. So which port are they closest to, Xian?"

  "The nearest port is Wassel. It's like they're bowing in that vicinity. After some time, we will understand better. Ask me that question again then."

  "We can't follow too closely. Our advantage is that they don't know we're after them. This will be a long hunt, folks. We'll wait patiently until our prey takes the bait. If they test our patience, we'll lure them into another region. We'll keep at it until our fish takes the bait," Paliborn said and stood up, pointing to the port of Wassel on the wall map. The determined look in his eyes was met with nods of agreement from the team.

  The remote pursuit lasted over two months, until mid-spring. Occasionally, the Quanas elf continued to cast a locator spell until Lena's personal belongings were nearly depleted. Then one day, Paliborn told Xian to give up the close tracking spell. The halfling had made many friends on the ship but could not find a way to contact the Galanadel elf, who seemed to be constantly avoiding him. The halfling didn't understand why, but he respected the elf's decision.

  Eventually, the team made a quick decision. They dropped off the five knights at Port Wassel and replenished their stock because the other ship wasn't heading further west. It was as if the Blackened was waiting for someone near Wassel. The knights agreed to be the bait of their trap. They expected the ship to arrive at the beginning of summer. The Blue Oyster routed a wide circle around the Wasted Bay of Wassel.

  The Blackened headed for the port of Wassel. The Blue Oyster realized too late that their target had changed course. On the night they entered Wassel Bay, they didn't notice the ship anchored near the shore in a secret cove. They passed the Blackened at a distance.

  Captain Barth silently watched them pass. He could see his old friend Barbarossa smoking a cigar at the helm, the scent of heavy tobacco wafting into his nose every time old Barb inhaled. He smiled, damning his curse and cursing the man who caused it separately. Barth, the cursed, waited quietly for the day of reckoning.

  With great care, the Blue Oyster inched its way towards the perilous shallows of Wassel Harbor, the vessel's hull scraping against the submerged shoals as it navigated the treacherous bay. Finally, it came to rest a hundred fathoms from shore, its bow bobbing in the gentle waves. Paliborn, ever cautious, allowed only Xian, Humpter, and Arvedas to accompany him, and the four of them descended into a waiting rowboat, determined to reach the cove despite the danger. Captain Barb, desperate to join them but ultimately rebuffed by Paliborn, watched their progress with worried eyes from the safety of the deck.

  Their destination, the Wasted Inn, lay on an open hill to the west of the bay. But before venturing forth, Paliborn instructed Arvedas to find a vantage point on the rocky slope overlooking the hill and to conceal himself there with his trusty longbow at the ready. The elf nodded silently and, with his lithe form and deadly weapon at his side, melted into the craggy terrain.

  "Why did you send him?" Xian queried, her brow furrowed in confusion.

  "It's a precautionary measure," Paliborn replied. "The presence of two elves might attract unwanted attention in this lawless and perilous land. By sending Arvedas ahead, we've minimized the likelihood of trouble and secured a means of escape should the need arise."

  The trio resumed their journey, walking up the final hill toward the Wasted Inn. As they drew near, they heard raucous sounds emanating from the building - the clinking of glasses, the shouts of drunken revelers. Xian pricked up her ears, straining to catch any hint of danger.

  "What happened?" the halfling inquired innocently.

  But before he could receive a reply, the air was rent by the shattering of glass and the roar of flames. The Wasted Inn was ablaze. Without hesitation, the group sprinted toward the inferno, Humpter brandishing his massive sledgehammer, Paliborn checking the readiness of his daggers and pouches, and Xian unleashing her elven agility to propel herself forward.

  In the distance, they spotted two gray-hooded elves and a man cloaked in black. One of the elves swiftly vanished into the shadows while the other drew a dull scimitar.

  "Clear the way," commanded the man in black robes.

  "Head this way," another voice beckoned from the hillside below to their west.

  Then, a horde of ten orcs emerged from behind them, positioning themselves in front of the trio.

  Humpter, being the protective sort, stepped forward with urgency when he spotted the orcs.

  Just then, Dylan, wounded knight, charged out of The Wasted Inn with his sword in hand, shouting, "Mist elves and a Therion priest!" He collapsed to the ground.

  Regaining his senses, Paliborn made a quick decision and sprinted towards the slope on his left, where the black-robed priest headed to.

  "Xian, you two protect Dylan!" Paliborn instructed, "I'll go after them."

  Obeying the command given, Humpter charged towards the orcs with a furious battle cry.

  The sword-wielding mist elf hesitated, sensing another adversary approaching. However, his duty to protect the priest overrode his instinct to engage in combat. He ordered the orcs to stall the others.

  Xian cast a sleep spell, causing three orcs to collapse in a heap. Humpter launched two of them into the air with one swing of his sledgehammer. The remaining orcs took a few steps back, not knowing how to proceed. The real challenge was breaking the inn's door.

  Suddenly, a knight burst out of the inn, only to be knocked unconscious by the towering Ogre. Seeing this, Humpter charged towards the beast without hesitation, swinging his sledgehammer with all his might. The Ogre countered with a three-foot mace. The two behemoths clashed with deadly force, sending the orcs scrambling even further away.

  In the midst of the chaos, Xian frantically searched for a spell to help Humpter. Though he fought valiantly, the Quanas elf saw that Humpter's strength was waning.

  Just as Humpter narrowly dodged another blow, the Ogre landed a swift knee to his stomach. Humpter staggered, his vision fading. Then, with a powerful strike, the Ogre's mace smashed into Humpter's chest, shattering bones. Humpter fell to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, his sledgehammer flung aside. As a last resort, Xian muttered incantations to summon magic. The Ogre raised his mace, poised to deliver the killing blow. Humpter closed his eyes, muttering a final prayer to Demian, his fate seemingly sealed.

  Suddenly, the ogre erupted into a fit of laughter, unable to contain himself. Humpter, who had been resigned to his fate, was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. With his last bit of strength, the valiant warrior reached for his trusty sledgehammer, but his chest throbbed with agonizing pain. In that moment, one of the orcs seized the opportunity and charged towards Humpter, brandishing his spear. The hapless man let out a cry of agony as the sharp point punctured his back.

  Xian, quick-witted and agile, began muttering arcane incantations under her breath, conjuring a small but dazzling cloud of multicolored dust in her hand. She pointed the glittering cloud towards the orc, who had already pulled out his spear, poised to strike again. The sparkling dust erupted in the orc's face, blinding him instantly. The beastly creature writhed in pain and fury, but was unable to locate Humpter, who had been saved by Xian's timely intervention.

  Meanwhile, the ogre, who had only just stopped laughing, once again raised his massive mace, ready to crush the helpless warrior. But before he could strike the fatal blow, a hail of arrows rained down on him from above. The first arrow pierced his head, followed in quick succession by another arrow that impaled the orc who had attacked Humpter. The remaining four orcs, frightened out of their wits, turned tail and fled. But they were not quick enough. Each of them was struck by a deadly arrow that pierced their backs, leaving them lifeless in the mud.

  Arvedas, a tall and imposing figure, appeared at that moment, wielding a longbow with expert precision. He turned to Xian, his voice devoid of emotion, and asked, "Where is the halfling?"

  Still reeling from the chaos and violence around her, Xian pointed to a steep cliff across from the inn. "Pal went after a Therion priest and two mist elves," she replied, trying to regain her composure.

  Arvedas nodded stoically and vanished with the grace and silence of a ghost. Xian marveled at his supernatural abilities - his speech, movements, and gestures were all otherworldly.

  * * *

  Paliborn bounded from boulder to boulder, nimble as a mountain goat, across the steep, rocky terrain shrouded in thorny undergrowth. The blackened sky offered no illumination save for the occasional, faint crescent moon and a sprinkling of stars. Not even the ships in the bay could be seen. In the distance, he heard the terse voices of the elves issuing commands. The sword-wielding elf brought up the rear, with the black-robed priest and fleet-footed elf leading the way, slowed down by the priest. Paliborn was determined to catch up to them.

  As the lead elf disappeared for a moment, Paliborn watched the sword elf abruptly veer towards him. Though swift, the elf was no match for the nimble halfling who evaded him with a deft sideways flip. His sights set on the priest, Paliborn brandished his yoyo, poised to ensnare the man's feet.

  Suddenly, a string of incantations drifted from behind an ancient olive tree, bending to the sea's will with time. The ground beneath Pal's feet became slick as butter, causing him to slip and slide down the rocky slope, unable to gain purchase on the magically slick surface. He tumbled head over heels, his body jostled and slashed by the unforgiving thorny bushes.

  The ground beneath Paliborn's feet became slick as butter, causing him to slip and slide down the rocky slope, unable to gain purchase on the magically slick surface. He tumbled head over heels, his body jostled and slashed by the unforgiving thorny bushes.

  Paliborn pivoted his head, and his gaze landed on the priest flinging himself off the edge of the cliff that loomed a mere few meters ahead. A robed elf mimicked the holy man's leap, while the sword-wielding elf vanished from sight, disappearing onto another slope. The halfling crept closer to the precipice's brink and heard a sharp twang, followed by another.

  In a final burst of energy, Paliborn tried to hold the tree as the first arrow pierced through his leather vest, flapping furiously in the wind. His weight pressed him steadfastly to an ancient olive tree anchored to the cliff's edge, with the arrow still firmly lodged in the rough bark. Although the durable stitching of his leather vest had ruptured, fortune smiled upon him as the resilient linen material held together. He dangled mid-air, his feet swaying like a pendulum for a few fleeting seconds.

  The second arrow had narrowly missed the priest as he leaped over the cliff's edge. The halfling couldn't help but notice a faint crimson stain where the projectile had glanced the priest.

  Gasping for breath, Paliborn lay there in disbelief, his feet dangling in mid-air. Arvedas, with his alabaster face and inscrutable expression, hovered over him, searching the dense shrubbery with his keen eyes and bow at the ready. Paliborn was awed by the elf's ability to fire two arrows in rapid succession.

  "That elf's like a ghost," thought Paliborn as he clung to the tree, feeling the burn of thorns in his wounds.

  "Are you unscathed?" asked the elf icily.

  "I am among the living," Paliborn replied, his voice shaky. "It seems my would-be assassin had other intentions."

  The Galanadel elf regarded Paliborn with cold detachment. "Do not be fooled by fortune's fickle favor," he warned, his tone devoid of emotion, before striding away.

  "I know that voice," Paliborn muttered, his brow furrowed in thought. "Have we met before?" he asked, but the elf didn't spare him a backward glance. Undeterred, the halfling trailed after him in silence.

  When they finally returned to the plain where the inn stood, they found Xian crouched beside the overturned Humpter, her hands slick with blood. Following her instructions, they fashioned a makeshift stretcher and carried the wounded man inside. But what greeted them was a grisly sight: the inn was in shambles, strewn with the mangled bodies of orcs and humans alike. As they surveyed the carnage, they discovered ten orc and nine human corpses inside. Outside, the death toll was even higher, with a total of over thirty slain, including four knights.

  Dylan had been lucky to survive the attack, as the arrow that had hit him was poisoned. But with Xian's expertise in herbs and a small bottle of antidote liquid for hemlock poison, he had managed to hold on.

  The innkeeper, who had miraculously survived thanks to a hidden compartment, recounted the harrowing details of the battle in a shivering voice;

  "Seated at a table, a black-robed man was accompanied by three mercenaries. The peaceful air was shattered when five knights strode in, and a heated argument broke out. The robed figure, a Therion Priest, recited a dark prayer, filling the room with ominous shadows and ghostly apparitions that sent everyone into a panic. As if on cue, orcs burst through the back door, and thirteen enemies clashed with the knights in a frenzied brawl. In the blink of an eye, only three knights remained, valiantly holding their ground against overwhelming odds. Also my many patrons were slained by the orcs. Then a pale-skinned elf, wielding a deadly scimitar, appeared on the scene, his piercing gaze betraying a malevolent intent. He slayed a knight in a few seconds. Another elf, lurking in the shadows, moved with deadly silence to attack another knight from behind with a razor-sharp dagger. The hapless knight never stood a chance against such treacherous tactics. But the silent elf wasn't done yet. With lightning reflexes, he retrieved a tiny crossbow hidden in his robe's sleeve and fired an arrow with deadly precision, striking down the knight named Dylan. Then the other orcs and ogre came. You know the rest."

  Dylan confirmed the innkeeper's account once he had sobered up. He was deeply shaken by the loss of his companions.

  Paliborn glanced at the young knight who had survived the ordeal. "You should return to Illinthia," he advised gently. But the knight shook his head. "I have pledged my life to this quest," he said, his voice firm. "I will not turn back now." Dylan declined, determined to see this through until the bitter end.

  Paliborn and Arvedas assisted Xian, who worked with the precision of a skilled surgeon to mend the wound on Humpter's back. The operation took several hours, during which Xian tended to the man's injury with utmost care, cleansing the wound, deftly suturing it, and wrapping it with bandages. They had done all they could, but the rest was left to the fates and the gods.

  At dawn, Arvedas spotted The Blackened departing from the bay. Then he led Paliborn to a vantage point on the summit, where he pointed out the ship that was slowly slipping away. The halfling focused his binoculars on the deck and saw Allendra there, looking restless and unhappy. He longed to call out to her, to let her know that he was close, but she was miles away, out of his reach. At least she was still alive.

  Filled with anger, sadness, and disappointment, Paliborn Quickhand let out a high-pitched cry, even though he knew Allendra could not hear him. He blamed himself for his mistakes and cursed the outcome that had brought them to this point, yet held fast to his hope that they would one day be reunited.