As he listened to the man explain the basics of the game, not missing the sudden excitement in Robert's voice which surprised Dexter a little because the old tinkerer had spoken in a rather casual and disinterested manner [color=crimson]"Guess you don't get a chance to play very often?"[/color] seeing as he seemed to live awhile from the village Dexter assumed that Robert didn't get very many visitors [color=crimson]"Sounds interesting, teach away mister."[/color]

Dexter set the crossbow slung across his back down on the floor, making sure it wasn't loaded in the process before pulling up a chair across from Robert and sitting looking at the old man expectantly as he waited for Robert to begin.

[center][h3]* * *[/h3][/center]

[center][i]Meanwhile In the village...[/i][/center]

Makeshift tents and campfires were erected over the course of an hour, refugees huddled together mourning the loss of their homes and the lives lost on this fateful night. It was a woeful sight to see soldiers weeping and children silent with haunted expressions on their youthful faces, so many people displaced on this most horrific of nights. On this night the cold wind carried the voices of the despaired, a symposium of melancholy that reached the ears of all within miles as it was a grim reminder of this most tragic of nights. Jared watched the people as they wandered aimlessly, fury and guilt in his heart [color=808080][i]'These people never deserved this,'[/i][/color] the knight slumped against the wall of a building overlooking the impromptu refugee camp, Jared put his head in the palms of his hands [color=808080][i]'They had lives, families and homes to return to but now...'[/i][/color] lifting his face from his hands Jared once again looked down at the people in the camp, his eyes were full of tears [color=808080][i]'These people have nothing, no hope in this cursed world.'[/i][/color]

[color=red][i]'Jared.'[/i][/color]

Jared was startled by the sudden return of the Revenant's voice, it had gone silent since the confrontation with that goblin Chatak. He wanted to respond but his voice was lost as the other's filled his mind for all but a moment [color=red][i]'Jared can give hope, Jared give people hope.'[/i][/color] hearing these words from the voice of a monster was strange, to him there was a suspicion welling up within his heart yet even if the monster had a motive nothing about the words were false. Jared would lay down his life to protect those who are unable to protect themselves, and something told him maybe that was his reason for being here.

A burning determination filled his heart that replaced the despair clouding his mind, a flame of hope to beat back the darkness. Jared was that fire, a white hot flame that would never die as long as the knight still breathed. 

It was on this most fateful of nights the huddled masses would mourn no longer, the winds would no longer carry the cold touch of hopelessness and despair, no this night was not the end of hope but the beginning of it. [color=808080]"Listen to my words, and listen well."[/color] the knight stepped from the shadows his voice silencing the cries of the crestfallen [color=808080]"Look at me and see who I am!"[/color] his glowing eyes flashed in the flickering firelight [color=808080]"Am I still standing?"[/color] now Jared's voice boomed echoing off the small cottages that dotted the village [color=808080]"Do I look like I have given up?"[/color] some voices cried back from the darkness [i]"NO"[/i]  [color=808080]"Do I look like I'm ready to lie down defeated?"[/color] then more voices arose in answer [i]"NO"[/i]

Jared pulled his broadsword from it's sheathe with a metallic hiss and a flash of light, his jaw was hard set and his eyes burning with a fiery rage fuelled by a determination to do justice for these victims of a conflict much larger than them. [color=808080]"THIS BLADE I WIELD IS IT TO FIGHT WITH?"[/color] now the cries became a symphony that rolled across the hills thundering a reply.

[i]"YES"[/i]

[color=808080]"THIS SHIELD IS IT TO PROTECT WITH?"[/color] he banged his sword against the old faded steel of the antiquated shield

[i]"YES"[/i]

[color=808080]"I WILL NOT GIVE UP, I WILL END THIS SUFFERING"[/color] Jared's voice was getting hoarse but he continued and raised his blade high [color=808080]"I WILL RISE UP TO FIGHT, NOW WILL YOU?"[/color] the question hung in the air.