A Quest Begins

Thane's figure passed strongly and powerfully through the main entryway of the manor. Winn followed him quickly with determination in his eyes.

"Sir," Winn's voice was musical and to the point. "Your guests are in the great hall waiting for you."

"Thank you Winn." Thane's appreciation was energetic and filled with assurance.

As the two entered the extravagant hall they were met with a scene of two rather short individuals. The first, closest to the door was fidgeting uncomfortably on the satin couch. He was a halfling, short in stature but with piercing eyes, his clothing was distinctive of a prisoner who had been released recently. The second individual was a dark dwarf with crystalline beard hair. This dwarf was sitting far enough back on the couch that he seemed to be enveloped by it.

"May I present Zach the Horrible, the halfling from Nargulind, and Norman the Well Endowed the Dark dwarf of Trynita." Winn introduced the characters with a flair. Thane's face lit up upon seeing his longtime friends.

"Ah my boys! Welcome to my home! I am so glad you came!" Thane's voice was clearly cheerful and he picked up and embraced each of his guests in turn. "Welcome Welcome! Winn! Would you please tell our guests why I have brought them, or," He laughed loudly, "bought them here." His last comment was directed squarely at Zach.

"Of course sir!" Winn waved his hand in a grand gesture. "You two have been summoned by the honorable Thane Thiccson to aide him in a quest to destroy a relic of the past." Winn's eyes glowed slightly with a purple light as an image of an amulet shimmered before their eyes. "This amulet is very dangerous and it must be destroyed immediately. All expenses, including your prison fines Zach, will be paid for in full. We will be entering the main town before we depart to ensure that you are all appropriately geared."

"What if we say no?" Zach's rough voice stopped Winn's explanation.

"If you say no then you will be sent back to prison Zach. The only reason you are free because I allow it." Thane responded with an icy humor.

"I see. Well what if I leave while we are away?" Zach seemed to grin broadly at the idea. It was very clear to everyone in the room that he was tired of spending his days in prison. Winn stared at him with an intensity that cleared away any thoughts of escape from Zach's mind.

"Well let me continue." Winn made a point of holding a hand up to stop Zach from asking any more questions. "We must bring this amulet to the place it was crafted by elves to destroy it. Or so my master says." Winn finished his explanation with a slight flair.

"So my friends, what do you way?" Thane looked at them all very expectantly.

"I'd love to help you mate." For the first time Norman spoke. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Alrighty but I had better be set free immediately after we are done." Zach's comment caused Winn to step behind him menacingly. "Or whenever really." Zach laughed quietly with evident nervousness.

"Well then! we will set out immediately after lunch!" Thane grinned broadly as his friends settled down for lunch.