The low murmuring of whispers filled the silent tavern and all eyes were focused on the black hooded stranger that sat in the dark corner. The wind howled outside as though it were angered that its cold embrace could not reach the many locals of Fairshore Crags, who had taken refuge inside. Children played by the warmth of the fireplace, while parents sat in hushed conversation. How long would this storm last? Though they had seen many winter storms, as is expected in the frozen tundra of Atacia the northern most continent of Solare, this blizzard had been relentless for the past couple of weeks and showed no signs of waning.

At first, everyone's mind lingered on the storm that raged outside, but now they were focused on the stranger who had walked in from the icy clutches of the blizzard, and silently kept isolated and covered in shadows. Each and everyone in the tavern could feel the strangers gaze set on them. "You gonna go see what he wants, " Odie asked Big Ort, owner of The Green Inn and Tavern. Big Ort stood behind the bar wiping down mugs as Odie, the old local drunk, leaned in.

            "Ani got him, just soon as she's done in the back." Big Ort said, paying no mind to the stranger.

            "Looks like trouble if you ask me, you gonna throw him out if he starts trouble. I mean, we don't want fellas around here looking for trouble..."

            "Just looking for a warm place and something to eat is all, leave him be." Big Ort countered.  Big Ort wasn't one to be easily un-nerved. The many scares on his arms and face let one know the bear of a man had seen a fair share of battles.  

            Odie wasn't convinced and kept his eye on the stranger. Ani soon came out the back yelling something to Tuk the cook and carrying plates of food on each hand. The red haired waitress was in her mid twenties and the alluring girl was reason besides ale, that husbands would find themselves in Big Ort's tavern.

            "Got a customer at the corner Ani." Big Ort said.

            "Ye havin’ hands don't ye? Can't ye be seein’ both mine be full?"

            Big Ort groaned as he laid down the mug and cloth. Just then the door blew open and slammed against the wall. Everyone jumped from the thunderous bang and the wind blasted in with its icy clinch. The children screamed and ran toward their parents. Ani quickly set down the plates and ran for the door to shut it. A humanoid silhouette suddenly appeared within the blizzard's snowy cover and Ani stopped.

A large man stepped in, a patch covered his left eye and two short swords hung from his waist. His look was unsettling and his eyes roved over Ani. Behind him six more men followed, all just as sinister as the first. 

            "Lovely. Days roaming in the freezing winds and we find such a beautiful creature to bequest our eyes." The one eyed man said.

            "Um, thank ye. If ye be wanting shelter from ta storm come in before ta wind be stealing ta warmth."

            "Come on boys, let’s warm our blood with some ale." All seven of the strangers walked around Ani brushing up against and eyeing her like wolves. Everyone seemed to forget the lone stranger at the corner and now focused on the new visitors.  Ani closed the door as the strangers sat at the bar.

            "What can I get you fellas?" Big Ort asked.

            "The strongest ale you got." The one eyed man replied.

            "I can getcha that just soon as you hand over your weapons."

            "What for?"

            "Nothin’ personal, just the tavern rules. If you drink we hold on to your weapons . . ."

            "I'm not for liking those rules and think I'll be holding on to my blades if you don't mind."

            "Sure, just can't sell you any ale. Don't mix well with weapons and all, you understand."

            The one eyed man looked over at his companions with a hideous smirk then turned back to Big Ort. "I think we be having that ale and we be keeping our blades."

            Everyone in the tavern glanced around nervously. Ani quietly picked up the two plates of food she had set down and hastily brought them to a mother and father who were now looking on anxiously at the strangers.

            "We not wanting trouble here fellas, but we have rules for a . . ." Big Ort was cut off by the one eyed man's fist slamming down on the bar top.

            "Trouble what you be having if you don't get us some ale!"

            Tuk the cook and his two brawny sons stepped out to check on the commotion. "There a problem out here?"

            "I'll have to ask you to leave if you can't follow the tavern rules" Big Ort didn't back down from the cold gaze of the one-eyed man. Ort had fought and seen more intimidating things in the world than a few traveling ruffians.

            "You gonna send us back out in the freezing storm are ya?"

            "Don't wanna, but you force me to, sure as the abyss is black I will."

            The one eyed man looked at his companions with a shrug. "What you boys think about that? Not very hospitable you think? In fact, I think these people could use a bit o lesson in manners."

            Big Ort was suddenly pummeled across the side of his face with a backhand quicker than lighting from the one eyed man. Ort crashed against shelves of ale and fell. The strangers pulled out their weapons.  Tuk and his two sons pulled out their blades and rushed at the seven assailants. The rest of the taverns patrons rushed for cover and protection of their children.

            Tuk and his sons clashed swords against swords, but it was quickly evident that these strangers were no mere thugs. Their skill with the sword was precise and efficient. Tuk's sons were soon on the defensive and pushed against the wall. Tuk was experienced in battles and was able to hold his own against two attackers. His attention was turned to one of his sons who was pierced through by two of the assailants. "NO!"

            Big Ort grabbed his mace that was under the bar and heard Tuk's cry. The one eyed man was ready for Ort as he stood.

            "Comon big boy, let's see whatcha got."

            Ort swung his heavy mace but only caught air. The one eyed man's blades were wiping with blurred speed and all Big Ort could do was backpedal in defense. Then a vicious swing sliced his right hand off and Big Ort let out a scream and fell clutching at the pain and pouring blood.

            "O tisk, won't be able to serve ale." The one eyed man said with a grin.

            Big Ort looked over at Tuk who had been taken down with a slit throat. Tuk's youngest son had been subdued with a large slice down his left leg.

            "Whoa! That'll warm the blood, nothing like a bit of exercise to really get the heart pumping, eh boys?" The one eyed man grinned and focused on Ani who was in shock and tears.

            "Now for that ale, wench! And be quick about it."

            Ani stood in disbelief for a moment lost in the horror of what she witnessed.

            "I said, now."

            She jumped into awareness and made her way to the bar. One of the thugs slapped her on the rump as she walked by. Ani turned to slap him but was met with a sword to her throat.

            "Hey, that one's mine, I'm gonna have me some fun with her tonight. You boys can have your pick of the others, plenty of lively looking girls." The one-eyed man ordered, "everyone empty your pockets on the tables. Ladies, that includes personals."

            One of the thugs grabbed and pushed an older lady into the table and ripped off a necklace. Everyone quickly started pulling out coins and placing valuables on the tables. The thugs went around to the prettiest females grabbing and pulling them over to the bar. Ani filled mugs of ale and passed them to the men. She then rushed over to Ort to wrap his arm and stop the bleeding.

            "I don't believe I got your name, let me introduce myself. I am Borrlos Thantes. What is your name my pretty little red head?" Borrlos looked over Ani with his one eye.

            Ani ignored him and kept tending to Ort.

            "It's rude not answer a question." Borrlos rushed over and clutched Ani by her red hair and pulled her over to his bar stool. "You're going to be an enjoyable one to tame tonight. I love the feisty ones. So much more fun to play with."

            "To ta nine hells with ye" Ani spit in Borrlos’ eye. Borrlos causally wiped the spit off and unleashed a hard slap across Ani's face knocking her to the floor. It wasn't until then that he noticed the hooded stranger sitting in the corner of the tavern.

            "Who the hell is that?"

            "Don't know boss, didn't see him." One of the larger thugs answered.

            "I think you should go over and see why he hasn't emptied his pockets, don't you?"

The large thug shook his head and walked over to the quite stranger.

            "Didn't you hear the boss say everyone empty their pockets?"

            The stranger remained silent, paying no mind to the big man. The thug pulled out his sword and pointed it at the traveler.

            "What are you, hard of hearing?"

            The stranger suddenly stood up startling the burly man who held harder to his sword, ready to strike. The stranger put up his hands showing surrender and slowly pulled back the black hood that covered the face. Everyone was surprised when they saw a beautiful female visage uncovered. She was in her early twenties with dark brown hair framing the smooth skin of her countenance. Her piercing gray eyes were focused on the large man who was now entranced by the girl’s beauty.

            "Empty pockets didn't you say?" The girl reached inside her cloak and pulled out a large pouch of coins which she placed on the table. Turning she moved toward the door.

            Borrlos dispatched two of his men to stop her.

            "Where do you think you are going?"

            "You have my coin and I have business to attend to." The girl replied as Borrlos' men moved in her path.

            "You're staying the night." Borrlos said.

            "If you want to live past the night, I would tell your men to move."

            Borrlos and his men burst with laughter. The girl started for the door but two men blocked her.

            "I'll only ask you once more."

            "What will you do if I don't?"

            The girl suddenly pulled her cloak off revealing two scimitars at her side with a couple dozen throwing daggers strapped across her chest. Her legs glimmered from sharp throwing knives and darts strapped to them. In a blur the swords were in her hands as if they had suddenly appeared there.

            "By the gods," was the only thing one of the thugs could say.

            As the two men that blocked the girl’s path went for their swords, it was already too late as a blade sliced across each of their mid sections. With shocked awe, both men tried to hold in their entrails.

            "Kill the wench." Borrlos shouted.

            Borrlos and the five remaining men rushed at the grey eyed girl. She threw one of her swords through the air into one of the coming attackers who fell flat on his back with a loud thud. This made the rushing men pause for a quick second.

            "You killed my brotha. You whore." One of them screamed.

            The girl rushed them with a dagger now in one hand and sword in the other. Blade met against blade as she parried and twirled around each attack from the men. She landed a hard kick to ones groin finishing off the thug with a slice to the throat for a gurgling death. 

            Borrlos went in with a low thrust from his left hand blade, followed quickly by his right, both attacks easily deflected by the girl’s dagger, while she held off the other two men with her sword. Her blade soon pierced the chest of another thug, joining him with his dead brother.

            The girl tumbled backward and stood ready now with two daggers in each hand. Borrlos and his last remaining man rushed her, but even with only daggers for her weapons, she was able to twirl and disarm the burly thug with a deep slice across his wrist. Borrlos came in hard and fast and the reverberation of steel against steel rang through the tavern walls. The girl hunched down low and tumbled forward to the disarmed man and stabbed both daggers into his chest.

            Borrlos stood looking around at his dead men with clenched jaw then stared into the steely eyes of the girl. She pulled out two more daggers and stood ready.

            "I warned you. You would not live past the night."

            "I'll send you to the abyss." Borrlos charged blades swinging.

            The girl effortlessly dodged each attack and with every parry, she landed a cut on Borrlos. He realized that the girl was toying with him. It sent him into a rage and he went in for an attack that left him open. Her dagger punctured deep into his midsection and forced him to his knees.  As he tried to stand, the girl moved behind and sliced his throat from ear to ear.

            The people were still in a state of terror by the time they realized the threat was over. Big Ort made it to his feet with Ani's help.

            "Thank you stranger." Ort said.

            "Who are ye?" Ani asked.

            "Shadow."

Shadow squatted down by Borrlos' body and rummaged through his pockets until she found what she was looking for. A large golden necklace entwined of silver and the royal symbol representing the Kingdom of Kelenthie etched into it.

            Ani helped Big Ort to a chair with the help of Odie who had come out of hiding. Tuk's youngest son crouched over his dead father and brother morning the loss as tavern patrons offered their words of comfort.

            "The royal crest of Kelenthie." A perceptive Ort noticed the amulet. "Far from the lands of South Angoria. I take it is your homeland?"

            "No." Shadow replied as she dropped the amulet into one of her own pouches and walked over to her sack of coins.

            Ort groaned as Ani tightened the bandages around the stump of his severed hand. Ani stood and regarded the stranger "We be in your debt fer yer help. If ye be needin' a place ta stay..."

            Ani's words were cut short as she caught a flying sack of coins Shadow threw at her. "Take the coins for damages."

            Ani opened the sack and both her and Ort looked confused. All gold coins inside, enough to buy a new Tavern all together. Both turned to the stranger who was already at the door. The icy chill of the winds once more blasted in as the stranger opened the door and disappeared into the raging storm that howled outside.

            Shadow wrapped a thick cloth over her mouth a nose and pulled her hood over to cover the remaining exposed skin from the freezing sting of the winds.

            "A bit reckless to be testing such might of a storm. I would think you to be wiser." came an older man's voice from the white cover of snow that swirled wildly.

            Shadow was not at all surprised. Though Eldran the Ancient was regarded as most powerful mage that walked Solare, Shadow's awareness was unmatched and to many it was uncanny. Many times mages thinking themselves safe with spells of stealth and invisibility would find themselves staring at the sharp points of Shadow's blades.

            "Eldran. Awfully far from Singfray. Has the dealings of politics finally made you weary that you seek escape in Atacia’s cold embrace?"

            Shadow was suddenly enclosed in the middle of a large shimmering glob of magical energy shielding her from the roaring storm. Eldran stood a few feet to her side with a warm smile that gleamed through the long beard hanging to his mid section. The point of his wizards hat dangled to the left and a belt of many pouches, for magical spell casting, coiled around the faded blue mages robe of runes and symbols.

            "Can't an old man simply travel for the sheer want of visiting a friend?" Eldran walked over and embraced Shadow in a hug. Shadow pulled down her hood and un-wrapped herself.

            "Beautiful as ever."

            Shadow smirked, "now I know you want something."

            "I'm hurt. You should learn to except compliments from your elders for when your my age, they are a rarity."

            Both friends walked deeper into the abyss of white that blasted against the magical wall that incased them.

            "So, you've used such a spell to teleport you this far not to mention casting a spell of location to find me, just to greet an old friend?"

            "Bah, your mind is quick as ever." Eldran knew his ruse was discovered, and in actually he expected as much from the famed Ranger. Besides Shadow's mastery of the sword, which Eldran had found none that could match except for maybe Qualar the elf ranger from the company of the sliver sword, she had a swift mind to compliment such expertise. "The spheres of influence have been disturbed."

            Shadow stopped upon hearing this. "The cause?"

            "I do not know, but it was such a disturbance that was felt by even divine magic."

            Shadow turned regarding Eldran." Different realms of power."

            "In the mortal world yes, but not the realm of gods. For such a power to be able to affect both disciplines..."

            "A power could be a great threat."

            "Indeed." Eldran agreed.

            "So what would you ask of me?"

            "Along with the disturbance, a vision came to me while I slumbered. The path to solve this mystery will lead to places were magic will be of no use. I require your skill."

            "You have my interest. Just one problem remains." Shadow said.

            "That would be?"

            "Least three months travel to return to South Angoria."

            Eldran smiled and pulled out a scroll from under his cloak. "I came prepared."

            Shadow shook her head with a grin. "I think you know me to well."

            Eldran was already unrolling the scroll that would teleport them back to South Angoria and the Kingdom of Kalanthie.