The little girl watches the stranger's plight from above. Personally, she didn't understand why people chose to fight over little things such as gemstones. There are plenty in the ground, all you had to do was find one. Apparently some people didn't much care for the thrill of the search, and just chose to take the shortcut, by taking another's.

The stranger's horse bolted, and the little girl tilts her head. That's a bit silly She thought Now the horse needs a good wash, the poor thing.
Descending and flying rapidly, faster than even the running horse, the little girl flies alongside it, and gently reaches an invisible hand over to stroke it. The horse, confused, slows down, the girl slowing as well all the while murmuring softly to it. The words aren't important, even though they are calming as well, but the girl's tone is gentle and warm, and gradually, the horse relaxes.

"Stay here." The girl murmurs softly to the horse, "but run if you must; I'll come find you."

With that, the girl flies straight up in the air, just in time to see the second or third blows by the stranger and his opponent.

The burly man made his plunge towards Erihsehc his dagger narrowly missing his torso. Straight away Erihsehc was on the defensive as the man franticly cut through the air from side to side one swipe slicing through Erihsehc arm clothing though missing the flesh.

Erihsehc was waiting for the right moment, he only needed one strike and it would be over as his years of training the one weapon his skills was finally tuned with was the dagger and no matter how big his opponent might be Erihsehc was always confident in winning a duel with his weapon of choice.

He could tell his opponent was getting agitated due to the lack on contact and fight from Erihsehc. Not taking his eye of the man his assault was starting to weaken as the combination of the sun on his back and his hot-headed start would soon become his downfall. It was never a pleasant moment to take a life but at times in the world in order to survive you had to simple as that. Using his mind’s eye to visualise his move he focused and struck. His dagger punctured and twisted straight through the burly man’s throat and the desired effect was instantaneous. Blood showered Erihsehc as he stepped back to witness the shocked expression of the burly man gurgling as he collapsed to the floor. What life was in the man soon ebbed away and all that was left was just another corpse lying in a pool on their own blood. Bending down to pull out the dagger Erihsehc heard noises coming from the woods. Not being wise to hang around he quickly grabbing his warhammer and turned to his horse. The ordeal had not scared the horse away as it calmly grazed on the side of the road. Hastily mounting his horse he gave a firm kick and the horse responded by a sudden swift of speed. Now at a gallop it was enough as glancing around he saw four figures come scurrying out of the forest. They did not follow but shouts of death did. He turned to face the road and did not look back; he only hoped that the horses gallop would be reliable for a good period and away from any pursuers.

They did not stop again until they were off the trail and then he covered his tracks just in case. A stream gave time for a momentary rest, clean and refreshments for both man and horse. He sat by the tree watching his horse drink from the stream and giving a quiet thanks that it did not run during the fight. That saved him for sure and for the first time he looked not just at the horse but a four-legged travel companion. He got to his feet and started to stroke the mane, "Come on boy, we still have a way to go before we get to this Von Vliess." It was then as Erihsehc looked up he swore he saw something watching him. It was a split second vision but he was sure that something beyond the trees was looking down on him. With no time to investigate Erihsehc and his travel companion set off again and trouble-free they could be at the home of Von Vliess by nightfall.

The little girl looks down approvingly as the horse is washed. There, that looks so much better, and I'd bet the horse feels much much better too! She thinks.

Suddenly, the stranger's eyes meet her own, and something seems to alert them. Did she drop her invisibility? No, that wasn't possible; she does so not only out of instinct but out of habit.

The stranger, apparently on some sort of internal schedule, quickly sets back on his path. Perhaps not as unbeknownst as she would have it, the girl continues to follow, curiousity outweighing anything else she could do right now.

The weather had turned for the worse as darkened clouds gathered above followed by pelting rain. Erihsehc was use to the elements but found shelter at an inn in a nearby village. The locals were friendly enough and even though it was getting late once he had a brief rest and gathered his thoughts after an eventful and stressful day he moved on. On his way out he asked the stable boy he knew the location of the home of Von Vliess. The boy looked at him with a vague expression on his face ”Just follow the road east of here, you will not miss it.”
The rain had since ceased and the clouds were starting to break up giving way to brief glimpses of the moon. Travelling at a relaxed pace the stable boy was right; the home of Von Vliess would have been hard to miss. It was quiet grand for these parts and very much deserted. It was not a sight Erihsehc had envisaged half expecting a brightly lit up colourful abode instead he got an overgrown dark and miserable looking dwelling. It seemed nobody was home but as he had come all this way and no other leads for his quest he decided to take a look around. As he sauntered down the path leading up to the home he looked at it in more detail. It was a two floor building, a large entrance was in the middle and the front was symmetrical and he estimated at least twenty or so rooms on each floor. Tying up his horse and gathering his weapons he moved towards the entrance.

The front door was already ajar. Slowly Erihsehc pushed it open. He allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness before moving in. Standing in the entrance he noticed a wide staircase directly in front of him and four doors leading of the room. Two on the left of which one was open and two on the right. The stairs themselves led directly up with no turns. A large stained glass window dominated the second floor and offered some light to the room when the moon shone in. He stepped in into the silence pausing while he chose which route to take. It was then he heard a noise. It came from above so taking hold of his warhammer he moved towards the foot of the staircase listening. Nothing came. He was sure if came from a room on the left side of the staircase and though visibility was poor he ascended keeping his ears tuned for any further sound.

At the top he could make out the wonderful stain glass window in its glory which pictured a knight slaying a red dragon. From what he could make out the corridor was straight down with doors on the left though he could not make out any on the right. Moving quietly he came to the first door he took hold the handle he was about to open when he heard what sounded like footsteps coming from the next room. Abandoning the door he moved to the next room pressed his ear to the door and listened. Nothing came. He slowly turned the handle and opened the door. He caught site of his reflection in a mirror on the wall and used it to see the rest of the room. He could not see any movement but upon entering standing by a large bed was a dark figure. He could not make it out nor did it move, it just stood there looking at him.

”I have been waiting for you Erihsehc, though I thought you would come alone. No matter we shall await your accomplice before we deal with the matters in hand”
“What accomplice, I came alone, who are you?”

The dark figure reassuringly spoke ”All in good time, all in good time”.

The two of them just stood there Erihsehc unsure what to do or what was going on. Accomplice he thought what accomplice?

There was rain, but the little girl didn't mind at all. Even as the stranger hides from the droplets of water, the girl dashes around, catching raindrop after raindrop, and letting them fall, never staying in one place for very long. She is still young for a sylph, and so often times she is easily entranced by the world around her.

The rain lets up, and the girl waves the sad clouds goodbye. Oh, what is this? The stranger is back on the move. That's interesting, the girl thought he'd be resting since it is late.

Eventually the stranger comes up to a seemingly deserted mansion. I wonder if this is his destination. The girl wonders, flying around the mansion for a better look. Eventually, the stranger enters, and is lost from her view. The girl sits on the rooftop patiently, her light form hardly disturbing even the old wood.

A few moments pass, and her curiousity perks up. What is going on inside? She just has to find out. She flies off the rooftop, and flies around the mansion, finding a window that looks in with the stranger, to find another stranger too. Oooh, this is getting mysterious. The girl hovers just outside the window, watching intently.

The atmosphere in the room was very tense, well to Erihsehc anyway. The figure just stood there, motionless, soundless and slightly intimidating.

"Ah, it seems your friend has decided to wait outside. No matter my business is with you though you both share the same path." The figure moved forwards into the light caste by the moon. It revealed a middle-aged gentleman with a steely look in his eyes who by his dark attire was very affluent. He stood in front of Erihsehc, a walking cane by his side and lying at the foot of the bed not noticed before a panther, black, large and eyes of deepest yellow glaring right at him.

"Do not mind Lebreknit, she will not attack as long as you stay calm and listen to what I have to say. Now please make yourself comfortable and I shall begin." He pointed towards a chair to which Erihsehc moved over to and sat.

"My name is Arturo Von Vliess and no before you interrupt I am not the Von Vliess you are seeking. That would be my older brother Bernartro whom this home belongs to and whom is missing. My brother is dear too me as are my other five brothers and we look out for each other which is why I am in need of someone to track down the person who has my brother and to bring him back to me. I know you are looking for him but I can reassure you my friend he has no answers to your quest, he is a simple jewellery trader who stupidly got involved with....well issues not of his affair, lets say."
"What do you know of my quest and if Bernartro can not help me then why should I help you?"

"Fair point, fair point. What I can say Erihsehc is that I have information that can help with that tormented mind of yours. Though Lennier may have some information that can help you I know the name you are seeking and I also can help you seek VileRune, Ariel, Eamonn and the others. Plus you and your friend will be rewarded with the usual gold and jewels whatever really takes your fancy. My brother has quite a collection that I am sure he will no doubt lavish you with upon his freedom. Now do we have agreement, Bernartro’s safe return for a name?"
Erihsehc was left shocked with what he heard, how did he know about his mind, the names he mentioned he has never spoke to anyone before about. Rage was building up but he knew threatening his man would be futile. There was power in this man a lot of power. "What can you tell me about your brother’s disappearance?"

"Good I am glad. I am not sure what the beggar told you in the alleyway but my brother got caught up in some work Lennier Greycloud was working on. This work by accident created something far greater than it intended to be. I shall not bore you with the details but the information got out to a man by the name of Zenb, an opponent of mine. I can give you information any wares you may need and names of people who may be able to help you on your way."
The gentleman then carried on explaining the details. When he was done he put on his hat and with his panther walking his side started to leave. "Wait, you mentioned an accomplice?" Erihsehc questioned

"Why the girl at the window, is she not with you?" With that he turned and left.

Erihsehc looked out the window but sore nothing just the darkness. He stayed in the room for a while thinking about his encounter. It was time to rest for the night so he made his way out to stable his horse. In the morning he would need to visit a town ten miles from the house where he could gather supplies for his quest. In the stable he sat with his horse deciding to stay the night there than Arturo suggestion of the house. As he started to drift into unconsciousness his mind wandered not about the quest but the mysterious girl Arturo spoke of.

The girl follows the chit-chat, and although the voices are muffled by the window pane, she can still hear quite well. Oooh, this is exciting. Mysteries, mistakes... she definitely picked the right time to visit this world.

Then, suddenly, her heart goes cold and she nearly falls out of the air. How could that she have been seen? That just wasn't possible by normal means.

This is dangerous. Half of her wanted to world-shift right then and there. There would be no doubt many creatures and people would try to take advantage of her abilities if she were to be caught. Panicking, the girl flies quickly from the house.

I should just finish that tiara, and wander to a different world; I've been here far too long. She thinks. Or maybe the other way around... I can always make jewellery at my house...
However, her curiousity wouldn't let it go. This world just could possibly have that one flower somewhere... It is said that the flower enhances healing capabilities, which would be a wonderful thing to have.

Ohhh, decisions, decisions... the girl stops and hovers in the air. She had gone very far, and was over the road where the fight earlier that day had taken place. The little sylph considers it. Even if the man saw her, and knew what she was, the man seemed to be one to keep to their own business. Well, if things go badly, I can always fly away and world-shift. The girl reasons between her fear and curiousity, Either way, I won't know how this plays out until they do play out, and I've taken risks before.
Reaching a compromise, although she is still feeling very insecure, the girl slowly heads back to the house. She is so nervous that she doesn't even try sleeping. Thankfully, she doesn't need to sleep.

"ARIEL...EAMONN..." the dwarf stands alone in the dark tunnel his eyesight only taking in the few flickers of light. It was the screams that made him freeze to the spot. His companions vanished and no understanding to what had just happened. Trembling he just stands there as water begins to run from his eyes. Still the screams come piercing the damp air and laughter, sinister laughter bouncing of the tunnel walls. Water starts to rise and soon his boots are covered and still the dwarf does not move, then suddenly...
"NOOOOOO..." Erihsehc screams and wakes from his nightmare. His body is covered in sweat and in his mind the remnants of the last image of his nightmare that of a hand coming out of the darkness of the tunnel.

It was not the worse nightmare Erihsehc had had and though it had been a few nights with out having one he should have half expected it coming tonight. Still is was never pleasant and trying to understand the meaning was bewildering. The one thing this nightmare had in common with all the others was that it felt real, so very real as if this was the dream and the nightmare the reality.

The perspiring body of Erihsehc sits alone in the dark. Playing with his dagger part of him wants to end this once and for all. Every nightmare brings him closer, as every nightmare a part of him gives up.

Haunted by the past? The little girl thinks to herself, Seems that way... but how do you heal that? You can't... at least I can't.
She flies over towards the stable. It appeared the stranger is a very interesting person, with an unknown history. However, he would not be able to see the resolution if he chose a premature end. The girl draws out her silver scimitar from her enchanted bag. With a few mystical words, she sends it to hover into the air, and into view. Remember, you aren't alone. The girl thinks as she sends it down towards the stable door, angling itself to shine direct moonlight upon the stranger and catch his eye.

With a vacant look upon his face, Erihsehc allowed his dagger to tease the veins in his right wrist. He did this often and many a time he scratched the flesh deeper than anticipated but never enough to cause serious harm. Still the thought was there and as long as the nightmares continued the closer he would come to ending it. It would not be tonight though.

A light dazzled his eyes and it brought him out of his daze. Putting his hand to cover the intensity of the glare he thought he heard something but did not quite catch it. It was not the moon that shone in his eyes but something far more unnatural. He got to his feet and waited for his eyes to adjust.

"Who’s there?" he called, holding his dagger though he felt this was not an attack. As he waited for a reply he was surprised to see in mid air a weapon, silver which he had witnessed the previous night after his battle with the hound. Coincidence no, for the first time he felt...no he knew he was being followed!

Weaving with her hands, the girl makes the blade slide into the dirt, writing. It is elegant calligraphy, and this is what it says: "Know that I am here, even if you cannot see me. I will stay hidden, because I probably must. I am a spirit of the air, and my name is Sen."

Sen draws her blade back up to her, and closes her hand about the hilt. Instead of letting her invisibility rush down the blade, she lets it seep down, from the hilt to the tip of the blade, fading into nothingness.

The moonlight from the weapon faded as it moved down towards the dirt. With a smooth graceful movement the tip of the blade began to etch into the dirt. From where he stood Erihsehc could not make out what was being written so he waited for it to finish. When it did he witnessed the slow and peaceful disappearance of the weapon.

He put away his dagger and moved over towards the writing. With the moonlight shining down he read the words that had been so elegantly scored. He allowed himself a smile and for the first time in a long while he did not feel so much alone anymore. Sen he thought, she must be the one Arturo was on about by the window, his so called accomplice. It now made sense that he did not see anything when he looked out but how did Von Vliess know?

He looked out from the entrance of the stable and then glanced the night sky. She was there somewhere and it made him feel more at ease. She was the one who saved his from the hound and it would not surprise him if she had a hand in stopping his horse from running during his fight earlier in the day and now....well he did not want to think about the event after the nightmare instead he just knelt down and with his finger he wrote his name in the dirt followed by a thank you.

Whatever her reasons for staying hidden were he accepted as in time maybe they would meet and he would see the person who was looking over him. Until then he still had a quest to do. His horse was still resting and being too early to set off he settled down but this time he was not afraid to sleep. With the word Sen in his mind he drifted off once again. The morning will bring about a new day and fresh importance to solve his tormented and problematic life.

Sen looks down and watches the stranger write a response. She smiles. He knew her name, and now she would do a bit more than just watch. She was now linked to this world. Before it was tentative, brief coincidences or happenings, but now... now she would be involved. Still, this did not mean she could let down her guard. Many could try to exploit her if they found out about her, and so she still had to be careful.

Sen sits atop the stable, her mind wandering as she looks onwards towards the coming dawn.

The morning brought about fresh and crisp start to the day. The air smelt clean and the previous night’s rain gave way to a morning sky which was already a rich blue. Erihsehc readied his horse and as he left the stable he glanced down and with a warm feeling read the message Sen had left in the dirt.

The town Arturo wanted him to visit, Kint took just over two hours to reach. He had never visited the town previously so was apprehensive of going into the place. Strange people and places made him feel uneasy but the contact Arturo gave was reliable, well by name at least. Belnox was another of the Von Vliess clan, third eldest if he remembered right.

His establishment was not hard to find as a big Belnox Mart sign hung colourfully outside the store. Before he entered he ensured his horse was stabled the young boy seemingly very please with the payment Erihsehc handed over and reassuring him that his horse would be well cared for until he returned. As he left the boy was already brushing his horse down as it drank from a bucket of water he had provided.

Looking around it was your typical smallish town. Few inns, stores, weaponsmith, it was not too busy. The people were mainly human though he did notice a dwarf looking at him rather oddly. He just put it down to the fact he still carried his warhammer though he never saw the dwarves eyes actually look at the weapon he just seemed to look Erihsehc in the eye until he passed. The dwarf scratching his beard and mistrust in his eye, grunted and walked away.

"Oh do not mind Nasur he dislikes everyone." Erihsehc turned to were the voice came from and stood in front of him was Belnox von Vliess.

"You must be Erihsehc, Arturo said you would be passing by today. It is a pleasure to meet you; I am Belnox younger brother of Bernartro. I hope Arturo was pleasant to you I know he can be a little mysterious but he is harmless....I think! Anyway please come inside we have much to sort out before you leave." With that Belnox chortling to himself disappeared inside. Erihsehc looked around and wondered if Sen was nearby and whether she enters buildings or just stays outside. Wherever she was at least there was a pair of eyes watching his back and with that thought followed Belnox into his store.

What Erihsehc did not see was Nasur watching his every move before speaking to two very suspicious looking characters and pointing towards Belnox’s store.

Sen drifted along, following after Erihsehc, although still keeping a high altitude. Soon enough the town of Kint was in view. Quickly Erihsec went indoors, and although Sen was tempted to follow, she had something else bothering her. Her intuition told her that people who tend to be overly nosy, if they don't offer aid, generally will try to sell that information for their own profit. Soon enough, that peculiar dwarf Nasur was in a conversation with a few others. Sen easily eavesdrops on them, even from this distance, by Belnox's window; her hearing is far more acute than many people would like, all she has to do is concentrate on what she desires to hear. She could even hear Erihsehc and Belnox talking, although that wasn't as high of a priority for her to listen to at the moment.