The World Divider

Chapter Five

      The journey to the start of the path wasn't long at all, it was just a few paces from where they were standing. The camp that the rest of the party was staying at was set at the edge of the forest, with dense bushes on one side and clear grassland on the other. The tents were on either side of a path that led down the center. The path wasn't greatly defined, not well traveled, but the way the bushes gave way on the sides towards the path showed that it was so.

      The wood elf, Kliom, led them to a campfire that was surrounded by an unusual party. A male high elf with a long, flowing white robe was seated at the biggest log there, showing he was the leader. On either side of him were humans, the one who sat to the high elf's right was a male who wore steel armor and had a large steel greatsword at his feet. This sword was huge, especially for being a greatsword. The man was of normal proportions, so either the sword was decorative for him or he can't deal a lot of damage in a short time. The other was a woman who wore common clothes, but had an iron dagger at her waist and a pouch behind the dagger. The pouch was completely filled, but with what was impossible to determine. Next to the male human was a female dark elf who wore a light chainmail cuirass and common trousers. She was clearly a cleric due to the holy symbol of her god, a scythe. Death's symbol. Next to the female human was an orc who wore a great green shining metal suit of armor and carried a steel warhammer on his back. He was a truly menacing sight, one look at him was enough to scare you away. Finally, opposite the high elf was a dwarf. This dwarf wore a grey doublet and wielded a twisting oak wood staff. He wasn't seated, and was having a good laugh with his fellow companions over some ale.

      This was the party they were going to follow. A batch of misfits. Beln figured he could find a way to get everyone to kill each other due to their great differences. As Kliom walked up to the group and talked a bit, Bee couldn't help but explain his plan to Beln. "This Kliom guy said he hasn't been caught since his master taught him. I wonder if he could teach me any of his skills."

      Beln was not absorbed in thought at this moment, which is uncommon for a solitary warrior. "I wouldn't want to trust Kliom, but I have a suspicion he isn't a bad person. Maybe taking lessons from him will be a good thing for you. But if you wait to long, the opportunity might pass." Beln said very solemnly, looking Bee in the eye.

      Bee had never felt so thrilled in his life. Someone actually agrees with him! This proved to him the Beln isn't just going to stand by and let Bee fall, but he will encourage him to go on. Bee raced to Kliom, disregarding Beln's shouts for him to wait. As soon as Bee made it to Kliom he shouted "Could you teach me to be as stealthy as you!"

      At this the campfire was quiet, even the flames grew still. They all looked at Bee, filling Bee up with embarrassment. But once they realized how sincere, and embarrassed, Bee was, they looked at Kliom. Kliom felt all the eyes upon him as he turned around to the campfire and announced to everyone "Let it be known that today I take on an apprentice! This young halfling will be the continuation of my father's legacy, for I have no children to bear this burden!" He then turned to Bee, red with embarrassment and frustration and said "Great start, prent." At that the whole campfire burst into laughter and the flames gained their movement again.

      Bee wasn't sure what they were laughing at, so he kept quiet, but soon  enough Kliom was in an uproar. "I don't want anyone making fun of little prent here. If I catch you mocking him, I won't hesitate to teach him how to slit someone's throat in their sleep. Quietly." At that, Kliom marched towards a tent and wasn't seen for the rest of the day.

      Once Beln finally joined the group at the beckons of everyone, everyone was introduced to one another. The leader of the group, Maddock, was the dwarf who was the most powerful out of all them. He had lived one hundred years past his death date due to magic and a deal with Death. The high elf was Ellorend, a wizard who is Maddock's apprentice. He has yet to see much action due to Maddock's commands, but will see action soon enough. The humans were Peter and Penelope. Peter was a warrior and Penelope was Kliom's assistant. The orc was Orris, a great warrior from his tribe that was sent to collect their pay from this adventure. The dark elf never spoke and no one knew why. She seemed like she was deaf too, but she could be faking.