Dreams of the Quill

[release notes]

���The world is in dire peril. Hordes of monsters plaguing the countryside, dragons large enough to eclipse the sun destroying cities and stealing gold, walking corpses feeding on the living and growing in number with each victim, and who knows what else! Don"t you see? This world needs you! We need you!���

The speaker was a woman armed to the teeth with an assortment of no-doubt magical contraptions, weapons, and protections. Though still attractive, her graying brown hair, various small scars, and aging face revealed a woman who had lived a long, difficult life. In the flickering candlelight her oaken eyes were revealed; beset with the dark circles of far too many sleepless nights, but still they burned with purpose, conviction, and strength. She stood as she spoke, animating every word with hands that never stood still. Tillandra Eastwise, preeminent giant hunter of Humanity"s Guard, knew full well the dangers of being still.

Opposite of her, sitting so still that one may wonder if he even lived, let alone was awake, was a young man clad in red and black finery, adorned with chain mail jewelry that did not seem to suit his regal bearing. His long black hair was in stark contrast to his pale, flawless skin, though it was difficult to tell as such; the candlelight itself seemed to be avoiding contact with him. His hands clasped neatly on the table between he and the woman, he sat silently with eyes closed as he considered what she had stated.

Only after what seemed like an eternity of silence to Tillandra did her guest speak. ���So that is what you want; for me to join your little organization.��� His words were slow and deliberate, as if he didn"t think she could quite understand him otherwise. He smiled slightly, ready to hear more.

���That is exactly what I want Evorik. You are a man of many skills, and you have unique�Ķ��� she hesitated for a moment, ���gifts that would prove very helpful in our efforts.��� Her gaze wavered momentarily as she wondered if he was offended.

Another small eternity of silence passed, and then Evorik opened his eyes. Tillandra marveled at them; deep and penetrating, she saw that the iris was a deep crimson. ���Fight in the name of humanity? Hunt down evil wizards and fire breathing dragons? Protect innocents from the raging hunger and greed of trolls and giants? Make war on the enigmatic societies of the walking dead? You ask me to join you in a life of unending adventure, to risk life and limb to support a just and perhaps even sacred cause. To become one among Humanity"s Guard.��� Evorik stood to match eyes with Tillandra, his face doing nothing to hide his feelings of amusement as he extended his hand. Tillandra grasped his hand and started to speak, but was interrupted as Evorik finished with, ���You cannot possibly be serious!���

Tillandra stiffened as though her body had turned to ice. Slowly her hand withdrew from Evorik"s as she sat down, utterly shocked. ���Wha-what do you mean?���, was all she managed to say.

Evorik laughed out loud, his every orifice oozing with contempt. ���You meet me alone in a hidden cellar to ask me to give up everything I enjoy in my life to join you and your little friends in a great and noble secret society where I would spend the rest of my days battling the forces of evil and chaos to protect a bunch of people I don"t even know. And besides,��� he added with a toothy grin, ���my life is a lot more fun and adventurous than anyone of your little club can handle.���

With that said, he left Tillandra to be alone in the cellar. Though they were the only ones in the cellar, they were not, however, the only ones listening to the conversation. From within her pocket Tillandra plucked a small blue glowing stone, and held it in her hand. ���He is gone���, she spoke seemingly to no one.

Flowing from the rock into her mind she heard a response, ���Since he did not agree with your proposal, can I assume we will be going through with the plan?��� Though soundless, the voice was nonetheless gruff and belonged to a man far older than she, though in turn it was tempered with a degree of common sense and wisdom that few could claim.

���We really have no choice. Since he will not join us, he remains a threat, and has the potential to become a much greater one if he is allowed to.��� Tillandra"s voice was void of emotion, fueled only by knowledge of what was to come and the conviction to see to it.

���Then we are in agreement,��� responded the old man through the stone, ���Evorik must be killed.���