Prologue

[Jenara]

"Why, then that is where I go too!" She smiles widely, her white teeth flashing in the fading light. She flicks back her Honey Blonde Hair, revealing her Elven Ears.

She places her hand on her sword hilt and proudly strides down the path, catching up easily with the Young Mage.

[JadedDM]

Before Riverwind can answer, the man in armor looks over his shoulder and notices the pair. Whether he heard them, reacted on some kind of warrior's instinct that he was being watched, or was just casting looks behind him now and again out of safety, is not clear.

The man has brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a long drooping mustache. Looking to them both, he nods politely and calls out, "Greetings!" in the Common language, although he has a bit of a strange accent Goldmoon cannot place.

[Talyn]

Rastlin keeps his head down and walks on in his slight shuffle towards Solace, not acknowledging either of his two fellow travelers. He coughs slightly occasionally but is otherwise focused on the path in front of him it seems.

[JadedDM]

"So, uh, Miss Lara," Caramon says, as he hastens to catch up with her and his brother, "Why are you heading to Solace? We don't see many elves around these parts."

[Jenara]

"Why are my travel plans any business of yours? Do I ask you why you are going there?" She huffs haughtily,
Hand still on her weapon. "I go to seek an old friend, one I have not seen in many years. Is that suitable?"

Huffing once again she walks forwards, yet at the same time turns back, offering the Big Warrior a big smile. Humans, such funny creatures, she could see him watching her. He had obviously never seen a Woman more beautiful than her, was there one? Her Father didn't think so.

Flashing her smile once more she strode on to the Town.

[SightblinderX]

"Possible, just like its possible that we are not alone out here." Tanis says with the air of someone hinting at something and he nods at the grove.

[JadedDM]

Caramon stumbles over his words, blushing. "Oh, I...uh, I didn't mean any offense, I...I was just asking. It's none of my business, though, sorry." He looks to his brother with a pleading look, hoping the wizard will come to his rescue. "We're meeting with some old friends, too, actually. We haven't seen them in five years."

When the elf smiles, this only confuses the warrior further. First she chews him out, then she smiles at him? It's hard enough for Caramon to understand how women think, but this elf was just making things worse.

He has to admit she is very pretty, though. But generally, Caramon prefers his women with a little more meat on their bones. He imagines that this elf maiden would snap like a twig in his embrace.

[JadedDM]

Flint halts his movement and peers toward the trees, at the same time reaching for the battle-axe strapped to his back.

"Who goes there?" he calls out, eying the grove wearily.

The only answer for long moments is an eerie sound that makes the hair rise on the half-elf's neck. It is a hollow, whirring sound that starts out low, then grows higher and higher and eventually attaining a high-pitched, screaming whine. Soaring with it, comes a voice.

"Elven wanderer, turn from your course and leave the dwarf behind. We are the spirits of those poor souls Flint Fireforge left on the barroom floor. Did we die in combat?"

The spirit voice soars to new heights, as does the whining, whirring sound accompanying it.

"No! We died of shame, cursed by the ghost of the grape for not being able to outdrink a hall dwarf."

Flint's beard quivers with rage and he looks about ready to charge headlong into the brush.

"Damn the eyes of the elves!" The spectral voice turns merry. "And damn the beards of the dwarves!"

[Talyn]

Rastlin gives his brother an amused look at his lack of words. "My brother means to say, that we are traveling the same way and merely wish to know about you while we travel together." he tells Laura as he avoids looking at her face.

He nudges his brother. "Come brother, our companions are waiting. If the Elf wishes to tell us about herself, she will in her own time." he says to his brother, but also to Laura.

[Jenara]

Lara gives Rastlin a knowing look, she nods and bites her lip.

"Me? I am from Qualinesti, My father is rather important, and I am looking for an old friend." She gives her sweetest little girl smile, bats her long lashes and strides on to the inn.

[SightblinderX]

"...and damn the fingers of the kender!" Tanis laughs, half with mirth half slightly angered that he was briefly spooked. "Tas, come on out!"

[Talyn]

Rastlin has a smirk on his lips as he listens to Laura explain herself. "You have a title then?" he asks with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I am sure others will be impressed by it."

Rastlin looks away from Laura for a moment to cough again. "Tell me, who is this friend you are looking for?" he asks her casually, his golden eyes flashing.

[JadedDM]

There is a faint rustle in the underbrush, then a small figure stands on the path. It is a kender, one of a race of people considered by many on Krynn to be as much a nuisance as mosquitoes. Small-boned, the kender rarely grew over four feet tall. This particular kender is about Flint's height, but his slight build and perpetually childlike face make him seem smaller. He wears bright blue leggings that stood out in sharp contrast to his furred vest and plain, homespun tunic. His brown eyes glint with mischief and fun; his smile seems to reach to the tips of his pointed ears. He dips his head in a mock bow, allowing a long tassel of brown hair--his pride and joy--to flip forward over his nose. Then he straightens up, laughing. The metallic gleam Tanis' quick eyes had spotted comes from the buckle of one of the numerous packs strapped around his shoulders and waist.

Tas grins up at them leaning on his hoopak staff. It was this staff that had created the eerie noise. Tanis should have recognized it at once, having seen the kender scare off many would-be attackers by whirling his staff in the air, producing that screaming whine.

Tasslehoff suddenly runs forward, his arms open wide.

"Flint!" The kender throws his arms around the dwarf and hugs him. Flint, embarrassed, returns the embrace reluctantly, then quickly steps back. Tasslehoff grins, then looks up at the half-elf.

"Who's this?" He gasps. "Tanis! I didn't recognize you with a beard!" He holds out his short arms.

[Jenara]

"You would not know him, I am sure, he is my Lover, we are due to be married." She huffs haugtliy, and turns away, Humans, why were they so much work?

Walking on she tries to ignore the Mage, those Golden eyes looked straight into her soul, it creeped her out. Making her feel like a small child.

[JadedDM]

As the three continue down the road, they spot two men standing on guard. Both are fairly young, in their early to mid twenties, armed with long swords and chain mail. They both also wear a green tabard bearing an emblem of an unblinking yellow eye. Their blades remain sheathed, but they stand at attention. When the party gets close, one of them holds out his hand and says, "Hold there, strangers. We are the Seekers, guardians of Solace. What is your purpose here?"