Rand and Bigby wake up in a dark room. Both tightly tied to chairs, the room is softly lit by a fire. A figure is sitting in the chair facing the fire, with a fire pokers head within it. The figure is making the fire dance on the walls as the poker moves around the hot logs. Rand awakes first and looks around the room, Bigby is unconscious next to him tied in a similar chair in the same fashion. "psst.. Bigby.." Rand whispers as quietly as he could. "So... You are awake." The figure in the chair said. The voice strong, yet old. It sounded like a make human. Rand looked over at the unmoving figure in the chair, all that moved was the fire amongst the logs. Just as a log shifted, Bigbys head snapped up and his body tensed up. Struggling to break free Bigby hollers at the figure "How DARE you! We are of the Ro-" the figure moved so quickly, neither Rand nor Bigby could have anticipated the move. The poker that was in the fire was now pointed at Bigbys neck, not centimeters from the skin. The pokers tip was glowing a hot orange. The figure was indeed human, a decently old one at that. The man had a shaved head, a black beard that was laced with silver hairs, he donned a pure black cloak, with a black hammer over the heart. And his build was very sturdy, he's been taking very good care of himself over the years. A very original scar crossed over from the mans right eye, to the back of his skull, and he wore a shoulder pad on his left side. "I'll be doing the talking BOY! What have you thieves done with my hammer?" The man said cooly, yet his composure scared both Rand and Bigby. Finally Rand spoke "We are of the Rotek, what gain would we have to steal from you?" The man turned the poker over to Rand. "Anybody can steal a cloak! I trained Rotek warriors, and you are not of the Rotek." The man said sharply. "What is this hammer you speak of, old man?" Bigby asked in anger as his ropes knot started to slip loose. "That hammer and I were your legacy! It stood for the Rotek! What the old Rotek stood for..." The man said nostalgically. There was a pause, "It and I were the DARK HAMMER!" He finished as he looked over at his weapon stand. The stand was meant for a large hammer, its outline was eminent, indeed a legendary weapon was to rest there. "ENOUGH!!" Bigby yelled as the rope finally fell to the floor, he rushed the man and threw a punch. The punch connected with the mans chin and he dropped the hot poker. "The Dark Hammer is a myth old man!" Bigby hollered as he squared up to the mysterious man. "Hahahah.. You think me a myth?! Well unluckily for you, old Cornac is not a child's tale, I am very, very much real. You pilferers steal from me then tell me I'm a falsehood! The Verunian guards had you removed from the city by FORCE! You both must be criminals!"The man who's name is Cornac said, as he too squared up to Bigby. Sparks to fly from the hot poker on the straw ground causing a small flame, Bigby made an attempt to punch at Cornac. The punch was caught in Cornacs large hand and he carried Bigbys momentum over Cornacs padded shoulder, Bigby landed on his back hard. "Fighting only proves your guilt" Carnac said menacingly as he grabbed Bigbys throat, squeezing tightly. The small flame from the fire now spread to the walls and curtains. Rand finally was able to escape his bonds as well, standing to his feet he noticed they didn't have time, the fire spread to the walls and was climbing upward. "Verunians laws are corrupt! Their people are planning to overthrow Starrok palace!" Rand yelled at Cornac, who's grip around Bigbys neck tightened. "LIES!" Cornac yelled, throwing Bigby at Rands feet, he coughed up blood and the entire room was filled with smoke and fire. Cornac made no attempt to leave, yet every attempt to make sure the Rotek men would not escape alive. "We have proof!" Rand yelled over the roaring fire that consumed the walls and ceiling of the room. "Rand.. What are you doing..?" Bigby coughed at Rand. "You should know that maps of Starrok palace are not aloud to leave its walls! We found this in a merchants cargo on his way to Verunian! He was going to sell our secrets, YOUR secrets!" Rand yelled holding up the map from the merchant. The fire started to roar and singe the cloaks of all men. "You could be the very threat you speak of." Cornac said as the fire rose into a dangerously hot temperature. Cornac stared at Rand and Bigby. "If the Verunian Guards agreed they would have done more than stripped us of our weapons, they would have BURNED our cloaks and killed us for treason! Our only GUILT is knowing too much! If you are who say you are.. Then let the Dark Hammer rise with us! Else the Rotek will perish!" Rand screamed at the top of his lungs before coughing up black smoke. Bigby ran out the nearest door coughing blood and smoke, yet Rand stood facing Cornac. If Cornac were to join Rand and Bigby, they could turn the tide of this battle. But if he was to turn away, the Rotek would have a furious enemy. The fire was too intense, the edges of each cloak caught a bit of fire. At that point, Cornac had made his decision.
