Defenders of Draulath

Chapter 3: The Town of Merchants

After the long expedition from Everwinter, Norlamin and Eldak arrive at Shadowfen. The town is enormous, people are roaming up and down the street all yelling back and forth at trading posts or other townsfolk. Hoping to be welcome with open arms, Norlamin and Eldak enter the great trading center.

However, people are too busy with their own bartering and purchases to even notice our heroes step foot in their town. Norlamin looks at Eldak with surprise and says in a loud voice, so that way he can be heard over the towns hollering, "It appears as though we may have to do some serious asking around if we want to find Martiln." As the two continue on, they take a look at every trading outpost to see what all is available in case they need anything for the next trip.

"Spare a gold piece for an old sorcerer?" A small feeble old man in beaten up and tattered robes asks as Norlamin passes by, Norlamin simply ignores the man and continues walking. The man gets up, slowly for it seems that there is a pain in his back and feet. He walks over to our two heroes his backed hunched over and every step appearing as hard labor. When the man finally reachers Norlamin and Eldak he taps Norlamin on the shoulder.

Norlamin turns around and sees the old man, "I'm sorry sir but I really do not have any gold on me." Norlamin says quickly for he is still trying to look for Martiln. "Oh... oh yes that is okay good sir." The old man says in a weak and tired voice, "I suppose that blade is worth something, I'll just take that instead." The old mans voice becomes calmer, deeper, and even younger, the man whims to stand up straight and he takes off his robes to reveal that he is actually a young roguish trickster. The young thief grabs Norlamin's sword that was strapped to his back and runs off into the crowd.

"Hey! Come back here!" Norlamin screams as he dashes after the young man. Eldak hastily follows behind, pulling a small dagger out of his messanger bag in hopes that he will catch up. The two continue to run through the town for minutes, but this young man is too fast. The trickster turns around to laugh at Norlamin, but when he turns back around to continue running, he is greeted by a large steel shield bashing him in the face.

The young mans feet fly forward from underneath him but the top half of his body toppled to the floor. Before Eldak takes note of what happens, he throws the dagger and it lands right in the center of the mans sheild. Eldak sees what he just did and laughs nervously "Ohhhh no." Eldak says with fear in his voice, as he runs behind Norlamin to hide. The man behind the shield simply looks down at the dagger and doesn't acknowledge it, he then kneels down to the young man and puts and ebony war axe to his neck, "You should know better than to take things that aren't yours, there are consequences for people like you." Says the man, with somewhat of a sadistic smile on his face. "Yes yes I'm sorry I'll never do it again!" The trickster says, The man carves a small cut in the thief's  face. He lifts the axe from his face and the young man gets up and runs off in fear. The man picks up Norlamin's sword and hands it over to Norlamin, "Here you are sir, you must be new to Shadowfen. Otherwise you would know to keep all weapons close to you... closer than you'd like." The man says with a slight laugh in his statement because he is tickled at this newcomers common mistake.

Norlamin looks at the man and gets a good look at him in the light. The man is of average height, with long blonde hair and a full beard making him appear years older than he probably is. He has red war paint, or possibly blood it is hard to tell, covering his eyes in a blotted pattern. His axe is strapped to his thigh and his shield equipped on his arm, he also wears steel plated armor to protect against blades and arrows.

"Well... don't you want your sword back?" The man says somewhat confused and yet still happy to provide a service of heroism. "Yes yes of course my bad. Thank you good sir, and you are?" Norlamin says grabbing his sword from the man and straps it to his back with a makeshift sheath made of leather straps from Eldaks bag. "My name is Martiln Shieldheart, and welcome to Shadowfen." Martiln extends his arm to shake hands with Norlamin.

Eldak looks at Norlamin excited as ever "That's him my liege! That's him!" Says Eldak somewhat quietly but still louder than he wants to be. Norlamin hits Eldak on the head with his palm "I know it is calm down Eldak." Norlamin says under his breath hoping Martiln can't hear him. Norlamin extends his hand arm back and greets Martiln. As Eldak reaches his arm out, Martiln simply looks down and yanks the dagger out of his shield. "I believe this is yours little one." Martiln hands Eldak the dagger and Eldak says "Little one?! I'm 27 years old" with a grumpy attitude he folds his arm like a child throwing a tantrum.

"If I might ask, what brings you two into Shadowfen? We don't get many strangers through here." Martiln says, Norlamin looks around at all the people in the town in awe, "You mean ALL of the people live in this town?" Norlamin says dumbfounded. "Yes of course, I know we look busy but I guarantee it is not always like this, you came on a day where everyone gets their trading done at the same time." Martiln says with ease. Norlamin closes his agape mouth and recollects himself "Ah I see, well, um, how do I put this?" Norlamin begins to explain why he and Eldak traveled to Shadowfen without sounding crazy. "My name is Norlamin and this is my partner Eldak, and you see we have traveled from Everwinter to find.... well.... you Mr. Shieldheart."

Martiln looks at the two of them in confusion "Me? Why are you looking for me?" He says smiling yet there is slight worry in his eyes "Are you mercenaries?! I have done nothing wrong!" Martiln exclaims with a tremble in his voice while readying his axe for battle. "No no no! It's not that, we were told to meet you by a friend of ours, Mifirth Agraborne?" Norlamin says slowly pushing Martilns arm down away from his axe. 

"Mifirth Agraborne? Never heard the name in my life." Martiln says annoyed. "What? But he told us you were a great fighter who could help us on our quest." Norlamin's words sounded defeated and sad after hearing what Martiln said. "Well sorry to disappoint, but I don't know who you're talking about." Martiln turns to walk away but is stopped by Norlamin running in front of him.

"Please Martiln, you have to believe us." Martiln looks at the two, thinks for a few second and asks "Well, you have traveled some distance, and you seem like two honest people." Martiln continues to dwell on what they said. "What is this quest that you two need help on?" Norlamin and Eldak look at each other with glee after hearing Martiln say this. "So you'll help us?!" Eldak exclaimed. "I never said that!" Martiln scolded Eldak with a harsh voice "Just... tell me what you two need and I'll consider it." So Norlamin walks with Martiln close by his side and he begins to explain what Mifirth said to he and Eldak.

It was happening, the journey was finally about to begin and Norlamin couldn't be happier. He is beginning to feel complete again.