“Hurry”, Seras hissed at Xzantor as she ran ahead of him through the trees. She knew she was being unfair, as a rogue she had developed the ability to run faster than most, but nightfall was coming and she did not want to be lurking in the woods when the night turned to an ocean of black ink and all manner of nocturnal creatures emerged from their slumber.

“We can’t be far now” Xzantor wheezed. He was healthy enough, but trying to keep up with his friend in the full plate needed to protect a Cleric during encounters was not as easy as she obviously thought it was.

The pair had been travelling for several days now and were running low on rations. A month or so ago they had decided, after spending many childhood years dreaming of this moment, that it was time to leave the caverns in which their tribe lived and head for the exciting town of Stormreach to seek out their future. The pair had founded their friendship on the fire that burned inside both of them, the fire that longed for bustling towns, prosperity and adventure.

And so after a month of careful planning and gathering of the material and belongings, they had left. Seras’ parents were unhappy with her leaving at such an age. At 97 she had only just entered into the years of adulthood. They eventually gave their blessings, on the provision that Xzantor, at a(very slightly) more mature age of 102, made a promise to watch over Seras until she found her feet in her new surroundings.

He had certainly watched over her in the last few days. As a rogue, her training had not been geared towards combat at all, save the absolute basics. His healing power had saved her from serious injury in several encounters with the giants that lived in the surrounding hills that they had stumbled across on their journey. He would not admit it, but after several days with minimal rest, Xzantor was tired and his healing powers were not as strong as they could be. This was the reason that she was hurrying him – she was eager to get him to safety as much as he was eager to protect her.

As they ran into a clearing, the bright lights of town life on the horizon caught their attention. Unfortunately the distraction of their goal was enough that Seras did not notice the giant club that was coming towards her until it landed square on the back of her head, knocking her unconscious. Xzantor, disorientated by the sudden onset of a fight, fumbled as he pulled out his healing wand, desperately trying to get to his Seras before the hill hunter did. Kneeling over her he could feel the rumble of the ground beneath him as the beast moved towards them, when the giant roared abruptly, falling to the ground but a few feet away.

Amazed, Xzantor turned and peered into the trees that they had themselves just emerged from, and for the first time noticed what appeared to be a makeshift camp, the fire having been extinguished by the rain that had started several hours earlier. As Xzantor moved cautiously towards the camp, his eyes were drawn to a gleam of metal caught in the moonlight in the trees above him. Looking up, he scowled as an elf dropped, cat like from the tree, lowering the bow that he had just used to slay the giant as it had approached them.

Seras awoke several hours later, noticing before she had even opened her eyes, that she was now somewhere warm and dry. She could hear the faint sound of music and laughter coming from somewhere below her and winced as she realised that noise even this faint was causing her head to pound. Opening her eyes, she looked up into the scarred face of a pale skinned elf. He looked to be several years older than her (in actual fact, he was 114, as Seras would find out later) and, despite the ancient dispute between the Elf and Drow races, he smiled kindly as he placed a cool hand on her forehead, explaining that after she had passed out, he, Harmen, had helped Xzantor carry her to his room in a tavern in the nearby town, to rest.

Seras sat up and turned her back to the elf, frowning. She was, of course, grateful to this man for saving her life and more than likely Xzantors’ as well. But the age long rift between Drow and Elves and the hatred felt between them ran in her blood.

“Thank you” she murmured, getting shakily to her feet. “Thank you but…but I think I should be going now”

Harmen sighed to himself as he watched Seras leave the room. She was tall and elegant, if a little unsteady on her feet. As she closed the door, she glanced back at him, quickly looking away again when she saw his eyes on her. Obviously, he realised, Seras would not be as easy to get to know as Xzantor.

In the hours that Seras had been sleeping, Harmen and Xzantor had gotten to know each other, even if the start had been a little shaky. The people of Harmen’s village had always been of the belief that, despite the history between Drow and Elves, there should be no ill feelings between the two races. As such, if ever a Drow came to the village in search of help or shelter, they were warmly welcomed and accepted into the community. And whilst Xzantor had grown up in Despval with Seras, the hatred that he had been taught to feel as a child disappeared when he had learnt total acceptance during his training to be a cleric.

An hour later, Harmen headed down to the bar, spotting Xzantor and Seras sitting at a table in the far corner. Seras appeared to be quite angry with something – she was slamming her fist on the table and the fire in her eyes was so much that even Xzantor, who stood a good few inches taller than her, seemed to be shrinking back in his seat a little.

Harmen chuckled to himself. Xzantor had obviously just told Seras the good news – that Harmen would be joining them on their adventures in Stormreach. The pair had discussed their reasons for being there whilst she had slept and agreed that it would be beneficial for all if the three of them partied up, so to speak, and tackle the jobs head on as a team. Harmen positioned himself at a table where he could watch Seras verbally tear Xzantor to pieces without them knowing he was watching. He felt it was best to let her calm down a bit before he went and introduced himself properly…