SteveZakur
Dirk, a talented thief and scoundrel by profession, liked nothing better than a quiet corner of the Orc's Lair tavern with a full pint before him. His meager existence satisfied his low expectations. But when an associate gave him a tip on an opportunity for a bigger score, it tickled that portion of his brain that long ago aspired to something more.
A wealthy politician, whose home Dirk found himself prowling, turned out to be connected not only to the city's elite but also to powerful forces of evil. Fencing a trinket he picked up without appreciating its value, Dirk finds himself unwittingly drawn into a dwarf king's plan to restore his declining kingdom through the use of dark magic.
Dirk races to retrieve the artifact he stole so that he can return to his well-worn bar stool. What seemed like a relatively straightforward effort is anything but. Dirk's progress is foiled by raiding orcs, a meddling dark elf, and a dragon that seeks to maintain the balance of power amongst its kind.
Now Dirk is far from the comforts of the tavern. Wandering the wilds, he finds shared purpose with an elf ranger, her apprentice, and an aging warrior. Deep into the Grey Peaks they track orcs, renegade dwarves, and a devilish dark elf all vying for something they cannot attain. With a large dose of good fortune, Dirk may find his way back to his simple life. Or he may find something else entirely.