Zin crouched low in the thick undergrowth of the forest floor as he peered out into the torch lit village. The sun had long since taken its rest below the horizon and the village had settled into the early hours of sleep.  Zin was ready to make the move. He quickly signaled with two fingers to his right indicating he wanted two of his faction to maneuver around the back. The remaining three would know to follow directly behind him. He then pulled a single Kukri from its sheath on his belt, tested its weight in his hand, and went over each step of the plan in his mind. From behind him, he could vaguely make out the sounds of speech, but he paid no heed.
 
With the grace of a cat, Zin slipped out from his hiding place and headed towards the village center. Making sure to stay unseen, he stopped and peered around every hut to make sure the path was clear. His destination was the hut at the very heart of the village. That was where he had seen them take her.
 
He readjusted the dulled edge of kukri blade along his forearm and brought it up to shoulder height as he advanced to the last stop. He let out a steamy breath trying to slow his heartbeat. He found it curious that he had barely noticed the coldness of the night with all the adrenaline running through his veins. Quickly he peered around the last corner, expecting there to be at least two men keeping guard. However, there were none. He thought that even more curious. He pushed on anyway and quickly traversed the last steps to the Hut opening. Again he signaled for two to stay behind and guard the entrance. When Zin entered the Hut he felt a wash of warmth rush over him and he shivered at the sensation. Not letting down his guard, he peered over the entire room. Standing alone with her back towards him was the chieftain’s daughter.
 
 
“Enania,” Zin whispered as gently as his deep voice could manage. He let his kukri fall to his side.
 
She did not stir.
 
“Enania,” he whispered again taking the steps to reach her. Gently he reached out to touch her on the shoulder. That’s when she let out a blood-curdling scream and turned to face him.
 
Zin gasped and stumbled backward at the visage before him.
 
“You did this” she gurgled, as blood spilled from her mouth and nose leaving a trail down to where she grasped at the gaping hole in her abdomen.

*** 
 Zin’s eyes fluttered open and he groaned deeply. Again he dreamed of the night his life would take its present course. The image of Enania was so burned into his psyche that there were days upon days he could not find peaceful slumber. Only when his body could longer push forward would he succumb to exhaustion. He rubbed his face to push away the fatigue. That is when he noticed the Ironclad Dwarf standing in front of him.
 
Without a word, the Dwarf stretched out his hand to deliver a small sealed letter. Zin looked at the letter and then back to the Dwarf. Zin raised an eyebrow questioningly. The Dwarf only insisted by shaking the small letter. The sound of the crinkling paper was only apparent to those with keen hearing. Zin nodded in acceptance and took it. Before Zin could mutter a thank you, the Dwarf turned on his heels and stocked away.
 
 Dwarfs were strange creatures Zin had to admit. He could just not image living so far under the Earth that they barely ever felt the sun’s warmth or see the green of the forests. They chose to live in such dark and damp places. Though, most of those who lived outside the forests baffled him.
 
Zin had not been ignorant of the world outside the forests, but his exile had forced to him realize that he knew very little, if anything at all. What he did know came from stories told by human travelers who had frequently visited his village. One such visitor, a woman, had taught him the common tongue. He frowned at the thought of her. This was the first time he had thought of her since he had left. He could hardly imagine how she could fare in this hostile world. Though he supposed she had visited them often and usually at the same time every year. She must have had some way of protecting herself.
 
Zin reigned in his wondering mind and brought it back to the letter in his hand. He shifted his maroon pallium; throwing it back over his shoulder. Then he unfolded the delicate paper to reveal the ornate lettering inside. 

***
The ruin had not been that hard to find, even as the light began to fade. Zin knew he had the right place when he spotted the Ironclad Dwarf guarding what appeared to be the entrance to the ruin. Casually he walked up the path. He took a large inhale through his nose in the hopes that he could identify if there was an ambush nearby.  He smelled nothing too unusual. Except for maybe the strange smell of Iron ore that Dwarfs seemed to always smell of. Zin’s ears then twitched. There was conversation being made just inside. Zin only stopped long enough to nod to the Dwarf before pushing open the door with a single hand.