From a past voice to those who would that preserve and keep the wither from devouring their spirit.

Beyond the Dragonlords

Warm winds blew dust over the stark landscape of the valley. Scavengers picked the bones of ancient dragons and small rodents ran past our feet with trophy bone fragments of the once mighty beasts. The winds was harsh to our skin and armor. Dehydration had become a factor in our trek - exhaustion our norm.

Arey sprang forth from his perch onto a small knoll and shouted to the group,
"Hurry! There's a city ahead! Come quick!"
Ophelia, Yetz, Stalker, Logan, Rebecca and other members of the ASH Guild gathered themselves running towards Arey's voice.
Serpents of the poisonous variety were everywhere but did not concern the battle-hardened veterans. They needed food, drink and rest, nothing was going to stop them from the sanctuary of that city.

As they approached the gates, a small Elfish peddler tried to sell Stalker his own halberd after he disarming him.
Stalker, "I should kill you elf!"
Elf, "Noooo! Jest I make to take your halberd and to back you sell. I need not. Kill no me, go I to the back and whence you see me more no!"
Stalker picked up his halberd pondering what sort of backward language the Elf was speaking to him. He noticed that the Elf also had his leather on inside out and that the Elf's boots were on the wrong feet.
Ophelia giggled, "New friend Stalker?"
Stalker, "Bah! New victim almost!"
Logan, "Did you notice everything he said and wore was backwards?"
Stalker, "Aye, it was. That was most odd."
Yetz, "Come on in! they have a tavern just past the gate!"

The ASH Guild ventured into the city. On both sides of them were fine walls of natural rock quarried from the surrounding lands. Their footsteps echoed like large raindrops in a long tube. Inside the tavern, many races were gathered, imbibing the local ale and eating heartily of the platters placed on the long, wooden planked tables.
"Hail!", said the Tavern keeper. "Welcome, enjoy the food and drink, it's free! Courtesy of the Last Knight of Spadnorshire!"
"Last Knight?" queried Ophelia.
"Aye! But never ye mind! Eat! Drink! Time is short be it comes! Enjoy life while you can!"
Normally the adventurous guild who question what the "It" was, but they were so thirsty and hungry, they dove into the feast with barbaric ferocity and gorged themselves on the local culinary delights.

On the tavern walls were many Emblems and Shields emblazoned with the Family Crests of Fallen Knights. Most were decorated with colorful feathers on leather shields with silver buttons holding them in place. Bronzed figurines of small dragons sat on the mantle. On the floor of the tavern was a faded painting of a huge grey dragon. It's face has been rubbed out from many feet dancing upon its head.

A small bat flew into the tavern and was quickly shot by Arey with his bow. The bat now pinned to wall of the tavern became the topic of conversation while the feast continued.
Stalker noticed the Elf that had rudely tried to con him at the gate and asked of the Tavern Keeper, "What's up with that Elf?"
"Ah! That would be Elric, Page to the last Knight of Spadnorshire!"
Stalker, "Not much of a Page, he does everything backwards."
"Aye!" torted the Tavern Keeper, "he is all of that and more! He was scared back beyond himself by the beast of no name. But mind ye, he was destined to become a grand knight if not for his unfortunate run with the minions of the beast with no name that claimed his master!"
Stalker, "Poor kid, had no idea."
Upon closer examination of the Elf, the ASH members determined that Elric still had the makings of a fine warrior. Perhaps with some guidance and tender supervision they could make him what he was once. Yetz brought a tankard of ale to Elric and they started to play a game of Standards, a board game much like chess but with knowledge of feudal law and weaponry required before one could advance their pieces to the next level. Yetz patiently coached Elric on each of his moves. The Elf straightened his back and looked at Yetz, a small tear tear flowly down his face,
"Yetz, friend. taught me I can to learn grow much the time after. thank thee I your patience."
Yetz nodded and they continued with their game of Standards. The crowd was thinning and Ophelia made arrangements for sleeping quarters. The sound of rolling thunder could be heard in the distance, a stormed loomed beyond the valley.

cont'd.