_"A real Elven King?"_ 
_"No, no, no..they say he's exiled."_
_"They say he's from Dumir, too!"_

The rumors are quickly brushed off by Talto, as he sprints down the central walkway of the marketplace. In Talto's right hand he holds a coin purse, that is very intricate, and ornate, with designs of golden clams running across it. Behind Talto are two very dangerously looking men, with very heavy plate armor, and very long, sharp spears, behind them stands a fat, and rose cheeked man dressed in very fine, silk clothes that also happen to be embroidered in golden clams. _Get it back!_ The fat man screams, as he looks towards the armored men who appear to be his guards, and points towards Talto. The armored men give a approving grunt, and sprint towards Talto. _Shit._ Talto grasps the purse tighter, and sprints towards the one place he calls home, the only place he can call home. The guild hall of the mercenary company known as The Black Band.

The doors of the guild hall are blown open by a heavy breathing Talto. Talto surveys the hall, while grasping his knees, and wiping his sweat. As he looks around the hall, he notices figures that he hasn't seen in the hall before, the ones that stand out, are a heavy armored man, a white haired man, and even a Elf. _"Oi, barkeep! Here's last month's payment"._ With a heavy clank, and rattling of coins, Talto drops the purse in front of the Barkeep, and continues his way towards the new figures. _"My name is King Redswift, as we are not in Dumir, I wont expect you to bow, but state your names in the presence of foreign royalty if you have any class."_
A king eh? Dumir? What's a king doing here? This self proclaimed King has peeked Talto's interest.  Talto walks behind the self proclaimed King, and eventually makes his way to the front of Redswift. _"Hello there, your higne- your gra-, maje-."_ Talto stutters to the king. _"Ahem."_ Talto clears his throat. _"The name's Talto, nice to meet you, Mr. Redswift."_ As he walks by the King without a second look.


 _"I am the one known as Brooch Carmine, here to join the Black band and raise my shield and hammer in combat alongside you all, my new brothers and sisters!" _ Talto hears the loud roar, and turns towards the huge, and heavily armored man. Talto jumps on a table to reach this man's height, and he slaps the back of the large man's armor, with a surprising amount of force. _We'd be glad to fight alongside a man of your stature as well, Mr. Carmine!"_ Talto shouts in a childlike excitement.

While enjoying laughing, and the new members joining. A memory of before comes to his mind, the faces of comrades, the faces of those he left. Talto wonders if he'll ever see those faces again, he wonders if he'll ever be able to apologize for leaving them to die.