A beginning...

         “It seemed strange being in a guild with some of those goody-two shoes, stuffed shirts from Qeynos,” Kailyn thought as she returned to her pathetic apartment in Temple Street; but then, Kailyn’s life had been nothing but strange for the past couple of months. It had all started when she met that crazy monk in Lavastorm.

         She taken a contract to collect some ashen roots for a merchant in North Freeport and had just started to wonder how she was going to sneak past those friggin’ Sootfoot Gatherers when that oaf of an Ogre came barreling around a boulder pulling a train of about 12 of them. He was going so fast he almost stepped on her. When he stopped to avoid crushing her little Gnomish body beneath his massive boot, he turned to fight the group of them.

         Kailyn laughed at her self when she thought how funny her face must have looked when he came around that corner, but her expression changed when she remembered the awe she felt watching him fight. “By the Gods”, she thought, he killed all twelve of them and lived.

         When it was over, he turned to look down on her as she began to heal his few wounds and said, “My thanks, little sister.”

         “You should be thanking me, you big oaf,” Kailyn snapped back as she finished her weaves. “You nearly killed me coming around that boulder there. I must admit though, I have never seen an Ogre Bruiser before, and I have definitely never seen a Bruiser fight like you just did. Where, by all the Gods, did you get your training?”

         “Ah, that is not such a big mystery,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes. “You see, I am not a bruiser.”

         It took a moment for Kailyn to register what he had said. “Well…. If you’re not a bruiser, then… By the Gods! Did you betray?!? It’s not possible! No Ogre would…” Kailyn stopped when he started laughing, her face turning red in embarrassment and anger.

         He stopped and regarded her with interest. ”Hmm, feisty little bugger, aren’t you,” he said as he looked around to make sure none of the Goblins were sneaking up on them. ”What are you doing here in such a dangerous place?”

         “I took an order to gather some ashen roots, if it’s any of your business,” Kailyn replied tartly, “and if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Traitor, I will get on with it.”

         Kailyn hated to be patronized. Many a fool had made the mistake of confusing her size with her abilities, but she doubted she could come close to matching this brute. A massive hand came down in front of her as she tried to walk around him. She pushed and struggled to get around the mighty digits to no avail. “What, by all that’s Holy, do you want now? Just who do you think you are? Let me be and let me past. I have a job to do and I mean to do it!”

         “Calm down and slow down little sister,” he replied with a smile. He again held out the massive hand, but with its palm up this time. “My name is Edmonk,” he said with a gravelly rumble, “and you are...?”

         “Kailyn… Kailyn Greenbranch,” she said as she tentatively put out her own hand and then quickly withdrew it. Her face reddened again when he laughed.

         “No offense little sister, and if you don’t mind, I will accompany you as you work. This place is a mean one. I feel I owe you for the healing, as well. So, how about it? Will you accept my company? Besides, I have a proposition for you.”

         She had to admit she had been grateful for the company. She and Ed had become fast friends on the journey through Lavastorm; but as she pulled on her nightshirt, she wondered at her acceptance to join his guild. He had told her they were the truest of adventurers. That is why they accepted pledges form both sides of the sea. But then again, who would have ever thought an Ogre would choose to serve that tramp Antonia? Go figure.

         As Kailyn lay in her bed, her thoughts slowing and her eyelids getting heavy, she hoped she did not have that odd dream again; but as it had seemed many times lately, her hopes were rarely fulfilled…