[hider=Prologue]
[i]Year of the EverGod 2189 A.D.[/i] (After Decimation)
[hr] 
[hr]
Kayden stepped, his arming sword in hand and his eyes scanning the forested area. He tried to control his breathing, knowing any noise that distracted him-
A small bit of moss green past the bushes signaled a Goblin. It’s cartoonish, croaky and high pitched voice muttering something in its native tongue. Another Goblin, and then a 3rd joined, speaking to one another.
When no other greenskins began to show, Kayden decided it was safe enough to inch closer, trying to keep his sword low so the light of the sun wouldn’t glint upon his blade. He lowered his head under a thin branch, the leaves lightly brushing his dark hair.
His foot caught on a tree root. “Oh sh-“ he breathed, and the chittering stopped, their pointed ears lifting as they froze. He saw the crude weapons they held, long green fingers gripping.
2 swords and a wicked spear, Kayden noted. Not a second had passed since his near fall, so he decided to take the situation head on. He leaped out of the bushes, sword leading as his feet hit the ground. A backhanded slash cut a Goblin in the face, sending him to the dirt and dropping the sword it wielded.
The other two Goblins only took a second to react before another sword was swiping at Kayden. He parried the clumsy attack, but as the center Goblin jabbed at him with his spear, he needed to backpedal.
It thrust the weapon at him again, and the Prince knocked the spear aside with his sword, taking the opportunity to boot the spear wielding Goblin in the face. It’s momentum leading forward, the small creature nearly flipped and hit the ground. Before Kayden could finish the greenskin, the remaining one with the sword slashed at him from the right side. It nicked his leg, but did not draw blood.
As it tried to reverse the momentum of its sword for another attack, it was left wide open. Kayden swiftly raised his sword and split the creature’s skull in two. Bone and blood caked his sword when he removed it.
He gave the blade a small look. He’d need to clean it.
Kayden turned, knowing the spear wielder wasn’t dead. As he turned, he was met with dirt in his face, flung by the Goblin.
“Ah!” he reacted. Damn it. He’d need to remember to only pause once he had finished off all of them.
The creature used this opportunity to sprint away, as fast as it’s stubby legs could carry it. Kayden wiped his face with his sleeve and growled, shooting off after it.
He knew he could catch it. His legs were as long as it’s body.
He gained on it easily, but before he could reach it, the greenskin dived into the bushes.
Kayden groaned, slowing down only slightly to see if he could get a better view of the thing.
Just as he realized how hard it would be to spot a green Goblin amongst green leaves, a massive…something moved the closest tree canopy with a rumble. He heard a Goblin’s pitiful squeak, and the Prince’s face went from concentration to shock when he saw an Ogre step out of the tree line. It held something in its meaty left fist, a small Goblin hand sticking out from within its fingers.
It squeezed, and blood began to pour out.
“Ugh.” Kayden said, feeling a bit sorry for the Goblin. Plus that would just feel gross, he thought to himself.
The 10 foot tall monstrosity dropped the broken creature onto the ground, and turned its head to regard Kayden as the man backed away.
He sheathed his sword and took out his short bow, shakily finding an arrow to knock.
No matter how experienced you were, an Ogre was an intimidating and dangerous adversary. He knew it was too risky to shoot for the head. His arm was shaking already.
Eyes not leaving the creature, Kayden yelled “MOREK!”
His voice broke the monsters stasis, having already determined it would be fun to eat the little human. It began to lumber towards Kayden.
He began to sweat, fear mounting. He didn’t let it show on his face, however.
He loosed an arrow, embedding it into the Ogre’s chest. The creature grunted as the wound bled. Kayden fired another, and he tried to fire a 3rd. They were hitting the thing’s chest but it wasn’t penetrating the chest cavity! All he was doing was wounding the thing!
“Fuck” he breathed. “MOREK!”
He cursed under his breath. He should have chosen a longbow, but one of those seemed so unwieldy in tight quarters like a forest. He had no idea how Elves managed it.
It was too close to shoot now, towering over him.
Kayden cried out and threw his bow to the side, before diving forward. This was insane but it was his only option. He hit the ground between the thing’s legs and scrambled away from under it. Confusion clouded the beast’s tiny brain as it looked around for its quarry.
As Kayden got to his feet, he glanced back and saw Morek the Dwarf roll out of the bushes, covered in gore. Probably from the rest of the Goblins.
Black bearded and heavier than Kayden even without the full plate armor, Morek stood tall (for a Dwarf) calmly gazing at the Ogre.
The creature raised its fist, and then brought it down. The Dwarf planted his Axe haft into the ground, the large fist falling atop the bladed head. Blood spurted from its fist getting poked by the curved edge, and the monster fell back a step and clutched its wounded hand, roaring. Kayden collected himself and drew his sword, trying to find an opening.
Morek’s Axe haft had now been pushed into the ground, but he yanked it out of the earth and rolled forward, before driving his Axe into the Ogre’s knee.
The monster fell onto its other knee from the pain and lack of balance, and as Morek cut open the monster’s stomach, he was hit by a clumsy backhand from the flailing Ogre.
A clumsy hit from an Ogre was still a hit from an Ogre, and it sent Morek sailing into the bushes.
Now that the Dwarf was gone, the Ogre tried to pitifully put its innards back into its body, grabbing at them and grunting.
Kayden rounded the left hip of the creature as it began to weaken, and he growled as he stabbed his arming sword as deep into its side as he could.
It roared in pain and toppled on its right side, and Kayden followed it, stabbing into the things neck and ending its pitiful life.
The Prince ripped his sword out of the thing’s jugular, blood spurting. It washed along his trousers.
“Ugh” he spat, echoing his earlier sentiment about the crushed Goblin.
The bushes shifted and Morek walked out. He looked bruised and had a few leaves in his hair, but no worse for wear. Kayden could not fathom how tough that Dwarf was. He imagined if he got hit by the Ogre his ribs would have been paste.
“I didn’t think we’d run into one of these.” Kayden said as Morek passed him, approaching the Ogre’s corpse.
Morek wasn’t much of a talker.
He lifted his Axe, and chopped down, severing the things head from its neck.
“Taking the head in for a bounty?”
Morek didn’t look back. He only lifted his arm, giving a thumbs up.
The Dwarf had never been much of a talker. Always chewing beef jerky, drinking Ale and giving thumbs up. Occasionally he would speak but it was uncommon.
Kayden chuckled and shook his head, hiding his grin as he turned to cut off the Goblin ears. Apparently the thumbs up gesture (invented by Dwarves) meant things like ‘yes’ or ‘ok’ or ‘awesome’. He kind of liked it.
Once they placed the huge head in a sack (it was bigger than Kayden’s chest!), the young Prince hefted the thing over his shoulder. It must have weighed over 3 stone weight. He was about to sheath his sword when a small whisp of air and a rustle in the bushes behind him caught his attention.
Both he and Morek spun, their weapons at the ready. Kayden’s sword pointed forward in a fair guard.
It was a coyote, standing there with ears erect and brown eyes regarding the two mercenaries. More of the canines began to appear out of the brush, and yelps along the opposite tree line gave Kayden a bit of a fright.
One beast was bold enough to nip at one of the dead Goblins.
“Let’s leave them to it.” Kayden said over his shoulder.
“Aye.” Was Morek’s gruff reply.
[hr]
“Swift as a sparrow, the man loosed the arrow!~ And he…”
His voice trailed off, having lost his train of thought. He frowned and let out a groan of disappointment.
He mouthed the words to himself, before taking out a parchment and examining it. The noises of the Common room a dull backdrop to the music he was trying to perfect. Cody had learned to play tunes well enough, but song writing was proving difficult.
A loud snapping drew his attention, and his eyes shot up.
“Oi, I’m paying you for music.” A strong voice called. Cody pinpointed where it originated from. Haytham sat leaning on a wooden chair, giving the straw haired bard a suspecting look. Cody couldn’t tell if he was mocking him or not.
“Sorry.” Cody said, roughly folding the parchment back up and then aligning his fingers. He strummed the violin, and a classic melody filled the room.
The ‘Maimed Boar’ held a fair crowd today, but it was thinning as the lunch hour passed. Haytham seemed to not care too much, merely leaning in and talking to his drinking friends after speaking to Sean.
Valarie Richardson let out a sigh as she passed Haytham, setting drinks down for him and his friends.
“You might want to try to be a bit nicer.” His wife whispered to him.
“I would if he got new vocal cords.” He said to her out of the corner of his mouth.
She forced a laugh and patted his shoulder as she passed him, making her way towards Cody.
The bard was focused upon his violin when she placed a fresh cup of mead on the desk beside him.
Cody had to admit Mrs. Richardson was nice, and he gave her a bright smile in thanks.
“You play grand.” She whispered, and then continued on her way. She wore a lovely green wool dress today, a leather belt snug around her waist.
The young bard briefly thought about buying himself a new pair of clothes. His linen shirt and trousers were wearing thin.
He played the violin as best he could, knowing he needed the money.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sky was overcast when the pair left the treetops of the forest behind. Kayden had volunteered to carry the Ogre head, the thing slung over his shoulder. It was an odd feeling, knowing the head was bumping into his back with each step.
The green grass they stepped on flowed upwards in a small hill that led to the main gate of the Borderland town.
Winghold was its name. Kayden had heard of it before, and it seemed the rumors were true. If being attacked by an Ogre wasn’t proof enough this place was infested with monsters, then the stone walls and sentries armed with crossbows surely gave some indication.
Kayden gave the defenders of the town a quick glance.
It looked adequate, but he saw a few places to improve it. The sentries walking across the walls were far less cautious and set too widespread for Kayden’s liking. Immediately his mind filled in the correct places the sentries should stand. He’d also add a few good longbowmen between each crossbow. He also saw no weapon cages set across the walls. Under siege they’d be hard pressed in close quarters…
He walked in silence though, both Kayden and Morek making their way onto the dirt road and into the open gateway. The large wooden doors wide open, looking like ominous guardians to the newcomer.
The town filled out before their eyes. Wide roads of dirt and houses made of stone and timber greeted his vision. It looked prosperous compared to what he expected. Most frontier towns were Spartan in nature but this had a few more stores.
As they made it to the other side of the wall, Kayden spun around and looked up to the closest sentry.
“Good sir!” he called.
A few of the men turned to regard him. One man in leather armor spoke out, resting his crossbow by his hip. “What troubles you?” he asked.
“Is there an Inn here? And we’re looking for the bounty office as well.”
The man gave a laugh. “This isn’t a city but you chose the two places that are farthest from one another.”
Kayden smiled in jest as the man explained the directions.
“Head forward and then follow the curve of the left road. The Inn’s the large building sticking out of the house line. The bounty office…move forward but don’t turn until you pass into the next street, then head right. It’s by the eastern gate.”
Morek gave a thumbs up, and then gestured to Kayden with his hand.
The Prince understood. They’d go by their strengths. Morek would handle bounty collecting and Kayden would get the rooms. He lifted the sack and handed it to Morek. The Dwarf held the thing as if it weighed nothing at all, not even tossing it over his shoulder.
“Thank you!” the young man called up.
“Good day to you lad.” The man replied, and then hefted his crossbow, resting it on his shoulder as he continued his patrol along the wall.
[hr]
The oak door creaked as she swung it open. Sunlight filled her vision. "Oh it's bright today." Valarie whispered to herself. It had been grey this morning.
Clearing her throat, she grabbed the broom that was resting along the wall to her right and she began to sweep the porch. A few twigs and leaves were all she had to deal with, but it paid to be thorough.
A few minutes into her chore she noticed a newcomer making his way to the Inn. Gazing into the sunlit dirt street, she parted her lips.
The new comer was an interesting sight. A slim but refined man with dark hair and eyes, with a navy blue tunic over chainmail (covering leather) and loose fitting dark brown trousers. With the sword strapped to his hip and the bow strung at his back, he must have been a mercenary. But his forearms were wrapped in cloth, connecting to golden rings along his middle fingers. On his left hand, his ring finger bore an expensive stone shining in the sunlight. She saw a glint and realized he wore a single earring.
He couldn't have been a Noble. There was no entourage of guards or servants. He didn't have the armor of a Knight either, but something about him spoke of a regal bearing.
As he stepped onto the porch, the word she would use to describe him was dashing. If she had been a bit younger under different circumstances, she'd be intrigued.
"Ah, welcome." she said to him, slipping her hand around the crown of her head to slip back a few loose hairs.
[hr]
Kayden placed a booted foot onto the porch, giving a polite nod to the woman out front. Her hair was dark brown enough that he'd consider it black without the bright sunlight, and tied into a loose bun to keep it out of her oval face. If he had to guess, she was in her mid thirties. The bags under her emerald eyes and her way of moving showed she had a servants life.
She was still a fine cut of a woman, he had to admit.
"Fine day ma'am." he said to her, stepping onto the porch. His smile was polite. "Would you know if there was a room or two available. I have a companion at the bounty office."
"Sellsword?" she asked. He couldn't help but notice her stolen glance at the jewelry he wore.
"Yes ma'am."
"Well we don't want any trouble here." she said to him, placing the broom to lean along the wall. She crossed her arms under her chest. "The 'Maimed Boar' is the finest Inn you'll find."
"Aren't they all?" he asked. His grin was boyish but nice, like his jawline.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unpleased. "I run this inn, good sir-" she began. He held his hands up and kept his lips curved in a smile.
"Meaning no offense." he said.
"But it was given." she said.
The reply surprised him.
He blinked, and placed a hand along his chest, giving a courtly bow. "Apologies, miss."
Her emerald eyes narrowed, before she sighed. She was a bit too tired to hold anything against the young man. His being dashing didn't help at all.
"Accepted." she said, and her arms uncrossed to place her hand along the curve of her hips. "Now, go inside and wait at the counter. I'll be in momentarily."
"Thank you." he said.
[hr]
Kayden tapped the brown counter top with his fingers as he awaited for the woman to attend to him. He was nearly lost in thought by the time she slipped behind the counter.
"Well then" she said breathlessly. "You've plenty of rooms to choose from. You beat the crowd."
She placed her hands along the edge of the counter top, leaning forward as she spoke. The woman seemed tired. He'd wait until later to query her about rumors circulating.
"The crowd?" he asked her, scratching his cheek.
"Yes, the Sellsword prize. They say the Count of Starkvale is offering a reward to anyone who brings him the biggest amount of bounties. But of course you know that. We've been getting all sorts going after the prize come through here."
Soon they were discussing business.
A silver each patron, each day, sounded like an honest deal, and he reached into his coin purse.
"Glad for your business sir..."
"Kayden." he said. "Is there a waitress? I'd love to buy a drink Miss..."
"Richardson, and you're talking to her." she said with a nod.
He gave a perplexed look, glancing past her. Did she not have anyone else working here? "I didn't know an Inn owner did all the work too."
He reached up absently to his left ear, just feeling his earring. It was a recurring habit, especially when talking to women.
"I run the Inn." she replied. "My husband owns it."
"Right." he said. He should have guessed it was like that but...well it wasn't his place to judge. Not his problem.
"Is he in the back cooking?"
Maybe his guess was wrong.
She looked passed him and gestured. "He's right there."
Kayden turned in his chair, resting his left arm along the back of it. It was just a table full of men laughing and drinking. He shrugged, not being able to pinpoint the man.
"I'd like mead please, Mrs. Richardson" he continued. "aaaand I don't see a ring on your finger." .
She smiled, amused. The golden liquid poured into his mug and it made his mouth water. "Not all of us can afford such expensive rings." she reminded him.
He chuckled and lifted his left hand in a fist, letting him get a good look at the emerald gem atop his 3rd ring. He then opened his fist, showing her the back of his hand and presenting the gem. "It would probably look better on you because of your eyes." he thought aloud.
"Don't try to flatter me." she replied. If he had to guess, she was feeling bashful but, women were hard to tell with that sometimes.
"Pardon Miss." he said, grinning to himself. "And what you say is true, but I guess with hard work you can do anything."
"I used to say that all the time." she told him, sliding the drink into his waiting hands. A sigh escaped her lips. "Now I'm not so sure anymore."
He took his drink and sipped smoothly, his eyes on hers. "How long have you worked here?"
"12 years about."
"That's a fair span of time. Guess it just slips by?" Kayden mused, sipping his mead again.
"It does." Mrs. Richardson said.
They were silent for a moment. He decided to use this opportunity to place 2 coins of silver on the table, sliding it over to the woman.
"Thank you." she breathed, slipping the coins off the counter into the palm of her hand. She looked positively tired.
"You been alright with all these other unsavory sellswords about?" he said, his voice low but curious.
"It's nothing I can't handle." she said, smoothing her wool dress.
"I don't doubt it." he said, chuckling. "You seem pretty tough."
She gave him a suspicious look. "Should I take that as a compliment?"
"It was meant as one..." he assured her, his voice trailing off when he noticed the door opening from the outside. Sunlight filled the room as Morek walked in, carrying the same Ogre head sack. The head looked like it was still in it.
"What happened?" The Prince asked him as the Dwarf hobbled over. "Why do you have the head still?"
Morek didn't answer immediately. He pulled up a stool next to Kayden and set the sack on the ground beside him, unstrapping his wicked Axe and resting it below his feet.
"They took the Goblin ears." he replied.
"And...?"
"Said the Ogre head was fake. Wouldn't take it."
Kayden's jaw dropped. The thing had nearly killed him!
"...Ogre?" Miss Richardson echoed.
As his mind caught up with him, he realized how Alien this must sound to the Inn keeper. Even though she made her home in a frontier town, it was still guarded with walls and an Ogre was an uncommon sight this far west.
"Ale please." Morek said, putting down 2 silver. The black bearded Dwarf shifted in his seat. Kayden was surprised the stool hadn't collapsed. "And beer. Keep it coming."
Kayden sighed and leaned back in his stool, putting his hands over his face. It was just typical. He'd never faced an Ogre before, and the day he did, it provided no bounty.
"Well..." Kayden began. "Guess we'll try not to run into any more Ogres. By the way-"
The man turned and gave Morek a look. "What did you do when they said it was fake?"
The Dwarf took the mug of Ale Mrs. Richardson had just given him, and he gulped down a fair amount of it in less than 3 seconds. He gave a satisfied sigh and wiped his mouth with his beard, dabbing it.
"Hit 'em in the dick"
Kayden groaned and then laughed in disbelief. "You can't keep doing that."
Morek raised his free hand, gesturing as he spoke. "I cannae help it if ye humans are that tall. I could hit him there or the stomach, and he looked like he'd just eaten. Didn't want his lunch on me armor."
Kayden ran his hands through his hair and looked up at Mrs. Richardson, placing his chin on the table in defeat. "You're lucky. This is the most he's ever spoken."
Morek gave a thumbs up. They finished their drinks, and without warning Morek hopped off the stool. He turned to Kayden and waved him out the door. 
"What is it?" Kayden asked. Morek simply kept waving him to follow. "What, did you go past your word count for the day?" 
Morek shrugged. Kayden thanked Mrs. Richardson and slid another silver her way, then hopped off his stool and followed the muscled Dwarf outside. 
[hr]
It was a Slave Auction Kayden discovered, but he hadn't the faintest clue on why Morek would show this to him. In fact the Dwarf told Kayden to wait awhile as the slaves were presented, so he decided to take his time when he spotted a lovely young honey haired woman who was standing before a small jewelry shop. He would have questioned the wisdom of presenting such rare items for all to see if it wasn't so close to the walls with patrolling guardsmen. It took him less than a minute to get her full, undivided attention.
"Are you a swordsman?" she asked.
"I am." Kayden told her, starting to smile. He placed his elbows atop her table and rested his head on his hands. "And, is this impressive shop yours?"
She blushed and shook her head. "No, it's my Uncles. I just help sell the wares."
"It's a beautiful collection." Kayden admitted, gazing a bit at the jewels and precious stones arrayed upon the table. "Does he purchase them or...?"
"He's a gemcutter and jewelsmith. People sell him stones and he makes jewelry out of them."
He nodded, impressed. The jewels arrayed on the table did look polished and well cut.
"Do you have a favorite?" Kayden asked with a grin.
"No." she breathed, placing a hand above her ample chest. "I...do have a few that I admire but, there's no 'one' above the others."
Kayden stood up higher, placing the palms of his hands on the edge of the shop's table. "Are there any...magical items?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
She grew a bit nervous looking at that, glancing below the table. "Perhaps...but only for special customers."
Kayden grinned again. "Do I qualify?" 
"Well..." she said, leaning forward. It was at that moment that her eyes widened, and Kayden turned to what she was looking at. She screamed as Kayden gave his most polite remark of "What the fuck." 
He was so close that Kayden could almost feel the strength and ferocity emanating off the creature. It was over 7 feet in height, with green armored scales and spiked fringes running down its spine. Orange diamond markings were framed between every spike, and the line of spikes ended at its whip-like tail. It was a reptilian monstrosity. But the most unsettling thing about it, even past its yellow eyes, were it's teeth. They looked to be made of steel. 
The girl he had been speaking to had begun gathering her things up to move spots, but Kayden was in dread fascination by the creature, and he walked up to stand beside Morek, standing before the chained beast. "I've never seen a Lizardman like this." 
"Drabarian." Morek corrected. It was shackled, but presented before them as if Morek had asked for such an arrangement specifically. He probably had. One slaver walked up, hands holding his vest proudly. "What do you think? A fine specimen." Kayden was going to answer before he was interrupted.
The Drabarian opened its maw, and began to speak in a language that Kayden had never heard before. Every word was accompanied by an otherwordly, alligator-like hiss, despite its deep and growling tone. Morek spoke back in Dwarvish, drawing attention from passersby, and the Slaver himself. This went on for a minute before the Drabarian gazed Kayden's way. 
"Human," it said. The Prince didn't cower. "I do not require freedom. Only to know that those whom have wronged me and sent me into this life of servitude be repaid in full. They betrayed me, and all I ask is that you take their heads."
"Bandits." Morek explained. "The Drabarian says he knows where a fort of them live, and he knows a way in from the flank. He's wondering if we're the right ones to tell." 
Kayden did not even look at the Slaver. His dark eyes remained fixed on the Drabarian as he reached into his pocket, and produced a pouch of gold coins. "Sir, I would like to purchase this slave. I expect this would be enough." he said. The man caught it eagerly and opened the pouch. "Y-yes. Right away. Gerald! Get a second pair of shackles!" 
"No need for that." Kayden replied, and the man turned back to him, confused. Kayden spoke to Morek. "You can vouche for this Drabarian?"
"They are an honorable race." the Dwarf assured him, biting into another piece of beef jerky. Kayden took a breath. "Very well. Release him." The Prince took a step forward, his nose now mere inches from the Draconic snout of the prisoner. "I want you to know that when I purchase you, I'm setting you free too. You are not bound to me. But I would like a helping hand on finding that entrance."  
[/hider]