Xuor was starting to feel uncomfortable with the crowd that was gathering around the table. He preferred solitude the forest and the company of Draug, his wolf companion. Large gaterings of people made him uneasy. He barely sipped his drink or touched his food. Since he was sure that his companion would be distracted by the food, Xuor went on high alert constantly scanning the room for signs of danger.

He still did not know why he way here and that was a question he needed answering.

“Logan, you talked of a tug of evil that called. That there was some premonition that pulled you here. What do you know of this call?” He asked this question previously and did not get an answer. Perhaps he was in the wrong place,

"My apologies Xuor," Logan began, "I hadn't forgoten your question, just simply got side tracked with greeting those who would be joining us." Logans face takes on a bit more serious look to it as he continues. "As to what exactly, I am unsure, but what I can tell you is that here is where our journey begins. There is an evil so strong it is almost as though it originates with the gods themselves. Since my journey began, this "tug" has gotten stronger. Your face says you are wondering why you are here? Am I really supposed to get involved? I can tell you this, you are important to this group that is gathering and you need not worry about danger either, atleast not on this night. Our journey together starts tommorrow, and where we are headed is a 4 week journey by foot without problems, but we ride by horse and there shall be problems along the way. And the boy the dwarf saw earlier, if it is the one I have seen, he is not a real child. He is a spy sent here to gather information. It is true that adventurers, hunters, trackers and bounty hunters come thru here, but I am afraid that just like me, the "boy" knows what he is looking for and may already be returning to his master with the news that most of us are here. No matter though, we sit tonight and enjoy ourselves, this shall be our last peaceful evening for awhile as the childs' master wont do anything until sometime tommorrow and it is the master we need alive if we can manage it. Now will you please enjoy yourself, drink and eat, please? I ensist that you relax and enjoy."

Suddenly there are no sounds coming from those around them, infact nothing outside their area dcan be heard and visa versa.

As the fact dawns on the newcomers, Lorae looks to each. You are here because of the Prophecy, each of you is named in it. The Golden One," she looks to the Dwarf. "The Walker of the Wilds." she looks to Xuor, "and the Scarred One, she looks to Logan."

"You are here to replace those that have fallen in battle in the quest to find the 'Sword of Truth', the weapon named in the Prochecy, that will, in the hands of the Warrioress, destroy the Dark Lord," she finally turns to Brianna.

"We have out Child of the Light," she looks to Flame who has his forelegs gripping the top of the bowl of stew and hs head and upper neck hidden from view inside it."

"I am not sure where our Th...Rogue has gotten to, and we have yet to replace our User of Magics."

"But they will come, for HE is here."

Brianna sits quietly through it all. She absently pulls one of the bowls of stew towards her and Flame immediately dives. SHe gives a brief laugh at him but it lacks much of humor.

Brianna lifts up her tankard , "I drink To those who have fallen and to those that have come to replaced them. "Here is to Jeril Golden Hands, my friend. Logan, the Aesir Dwarf and his brother whom he had just found. Honor their names, they strove mightly against the Foe." Brianna lifts her tankard and drinks. THen she looks about the new group. THe new Logan was human, Their ranger was an elf. THe Dwarf's name goldenblade, was it all just coincidence or something more. Only time will tell the truth of this.

Now Xuor was amused. These people assumed that he would along with a prophecy he had never heard. Still, they seemed sincere enough and it might be worth some effort to see if this was the reason his instincts had lead him here. Add to that, the odd thought that Logan had been waiting here for them and the thought crossed his mind that there might be something here. He took a sip of his drink and laughed.

Still scanning the room, he says, “Lle lakwenien (Are you joking)? I am not part of any prophecy! I am not the ‘Walker of the Wilds!’” Xuor exclaimed “I am simply a woodsman who has wandered to this table by chance. And Logan, you are wrong, danger is always present especially when you least expect it. It has been my practice to avoid danger. However, it will amuse me to travel with you for a while since it appears that you have need for someone who kinows to step lightly.”

"San' mankoi naa lle sinome?(then why are you here?)" Logan begins, "If you don't believe your are here for a greter purpose. The gods have thier hands in everything that goes on here on this plane. Regaurdless if you want to believe it or not, it is true. And as to how you regaurd yourself, A "Walker of the Wilds" is a fancy way of calling someone a ranger, a woodsman or if you prefer, a taur'ohtar.

"Lye n' lakwen,"(We don't Joke). She looks to Xuor, "The question is, are you ready?"

Lorae then takes out a set of rune stones and places them blank side up on the table. She sees their attention drawn to the stones. She places them in a line and there are 9 of them they are made of the same color of stone about 2 inched long and 1 1/2 inches wide.

"Each of you please choose a rune. then slide it in front of you, but do not turn it over, yet"

Logan looks at the rune stones, looking for something that might seperate one from the others. After a few seconds of studying them, he chooses as they appear to be all the same size, shape and color. Without saying a word, reaching out to take the closest one to him, but hesitates and then reaches for the 3rd one from the left. He slides it across the table to infront of him all without saying a word.

"Not that it matters much seeing as how I have already choosen mine, but why do this before the whole group is here?" Logan asks Lorae.

"Well this isnt the first time I have been called by The Golden One it was something my Grandfather used to call me. Well since you asked I will take the stone to the far right. I get to keep it right?"

Gunar takes the far right stone and slids it to infront of him.

"Logan didnt mean to ignore you but food and drink called as to that boy he tried to attack me with a bone of some animal I think. He surprised me and if I hadnt noticed he was half starved I might have hurt him but I just smacked him hard he seemed fine when I left him down the road with some of my iron rations I dont think he will try to rob anyone for a while. I told all this to the innkeeper and a couple other people he told me are captain of the local guards and the elders of the town. The innkeeper is going to go look for the boy in a bit he said."

With that he goes back to eating and drinking.

You will keep it for now, but it is part of a set and I will want it back.

"Thought I might have it dipped in gold and have it as a keepsake.

"Xuor, will you select one and Brianna and I will also."

Xour suddenly realized why he had been called here. This group thought that they had been brought them together by a prophecy and some sounded like religious zealots. Zealots tended to be on the reckless side. There might actually be a prophecy, but people tended to think prophecies dealt directly with them. He was called here because this group was walking into danger and needed a cautious person as an advisor.

He decided that he would say no more on the matter and would simply go along. He reached for a stone.

Brainna reaches in and takes what was the middle stone and slides it to her.

Lorae smiles at the directness of Brianna's choice and her hand goes out selecting the last stone in the line.

"Now set you stones with the short sides top and bottom andefore you turn them over consider this. Some runes can be reversed and will look the same, others will change their meaning when in reversed. There are two ways to turn your stones. If you accept it as it was laid out the turn your stone over from long side to side. If you wish otherwise then flip it top to bottom."

"Logan, will you please start?"