Champions Of Faylorne: Tower Of The Damned

Chapter One

Leather. The smell carried far in the small town of Amnel. The master leather worker sweated in the heat, yet was determined to finish his work. The smell travels along the roads of Amnel and through the market. During the off season, Krandga would work tirelessly to fill orders and his shelf's for the travelers. On the eve before the Season of Ripe, travelers would come from all of Faylorne for Amnel's goods, more or less, the wares of the legendary Kradga, master leather worker.

However the smell of leather had traveled to the last place Kradga would have wanted. As the leather worker began to relax and go back inside his shop a figure atop a nearby building slowly made its way down. Unseen by those in the marketplace, the small body ducked behind some crates and observed the leather worker. As he seemed to decide on resting inside he grabbed his latest project and left to nap.

The figure slowly crept from behind the crates and towards the shop. Rays of light flashed in the figures face and quickly revealing notably pointed ears. A red alarm for most of the residents that lived in Amnel. The people did not look to kindly to the elven folk, more of the fact that they were the ones to corrupt the Fay. They would normally treat the elves more as dogs rather than citizens.

This didn't bother Duwain however. He looked upon his status as more of a challenge to get by than punishment for ruining man's angelic protectors. He thought this as he slowly reached the door. The market place seemed to be empty momentarily and he had to work fast.

"Exactly 39 seconds to get in, grab the goods, and get out," Duwain muttered to himself as he fumbled with the lock. The familiar click rung in his ears and he quietly opened the door.

"34 seconds."

He quietly snuck in to the shop and moved to the familiar wardrobe he has longed to open.

"28 seconds."

The padlock caught his eye, a padlock that had never been there before.

"25 seconds," he muttered looking around. A key gleamed out of the corner of his eye. He quickly grabbed it and inserted it into the lock.

"To small," Duwain looked around."20 seconds." He quietly stepped into Kradga's bedroom and spotted the key on a stand next to his bed.

"Go figure," Duwain snuck hastily to the stand and grabbed the key. "11 seconds."

Duwain went to the wardrobe and unlocked it. The doors opened to reveal a beautiful set of leather armor, hand crafted with a gold lining. Kradga's most priced master piece. Duwain's greatest steal.

"5 seconds," he grabbed the armor and clumsily headed towards the back window. Opening it quietly and climbing out.

***********************************

Duwain leaned back on his cot, marveling on the armor displayed in front of him. He took in the beauty of it and how easy it was acquiring it. He chuckled at the image of Kradga finding out his prized possession had been stolen. He took the armor and placed it in the secret compartment he made in his floor. He moved aside the few gems and the book he kept in there until his hand passed over a locket.

The familiar onyx heart rested in Duwain's palm. He slowly brushed his thumb across the small trinket. His mother's soothing voice repeating in his head.

In every black heart, there's a spec of white.

Duwain opened the locket and gazed at the tear shaped pearl inside.

"If only you knew how wrong you were, mom."

***********************************

Duwain stepped out of the bath, allowing the dripping water to sooth his aching muscles. The cool air quickly met his naked body and he grabbed the towel he left besides the tub. He began to dry himself off, grabbing some garments from his cot.

Normally elves don't own such luxuries such as a bath, but a few flirtatious words to the right girl and a cunning man can get many things. Duwain finished drying off and ran a hand through his short blond hair. Abnormal for an elf but useful when you don't need to worry about someone trying to grab it when making an escape. Many elves in Amnel also don't have a toned body such as Duwain, but unlike most elves, Duwain doesn't like cowering to humans for scraps. He enjoys stealing from and making fools of the humans. Staying in shape gives him a large advantage against the larger humans.

Duwain put on the worn city garbs and examined himself in the broken mirror. He looked just like an average elf, just a bit more deadly. Especially since Duwain concealed his daggers in his boots. He turned towards the door and went to open it before hesitating. He turned his head and looked to the onyx locket on the desk. Duwain quickly grabbed it and left.

***********************************

Duwain enjoyed the back alleys. They always seemed to have something going on. He walked with his hands in his pockets turning the locket in his fingers. He began remembering small images of a life that seemed so far away. A small house, a pot filled with stew, a girl....

A cry interrupted Duwain's thoughts.

"Help! Please, help!" A girls voice cried from the alley next to Duwain. He pushed up against the wall and peek over the corner. An elven woman was being held against the wall, a large man smiling wickedly at her.

"Hush puppy," he put a hand over her mouth. "It's more fun if you just relax."

Duwain turned back, not his problem. He got up and began walking in the opposite direction.

"Please, someone!" She cried again.

"I said hush you b-" he couldn't finish his vulgar insult due to the blade protruding from his mouth.

Duwain pulled the blade back and cleaned in with the man's shirt.

"Thank you sir," the woman crawled at his feet. "Thank you so m-"

"Your not off the hook either. You know what happens when you walk the back alleys alone," Duwain said still cleaning the dagger.

"What are you going to do?" She shivered under the gaze of Duwain's cold blue eyes. He raised an eye brow.

***********************************

"38......39......40," Duwain chuckled putting the coins back in the small purse.

"What a profitable day!" He chuckled.