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©1998 by Matthew Strumpf and Mark Christopher

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Evening Tales

Evening Tales is an ongoing story about two characters in one of our gaming groups. The stories of the group can be found in the series When Last We Left Our Heroes.... The two characters in this story are Ryork Dradei and Christopher Nole. Ryork is a Dark Elf of sorts and is one of the stronger leaders of the party. Christopher is a local child who has joined the group. Christopher's interest in the history of this group has lead him to talk to Ryork. These tales are about their discussions.

You can just start reading or you can jump to the issue number of the story you want to read.

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• Volume 1, Number 5
  
• Volume 1, Number 7
  
• Volume 1, Number 8
  
• Volume 2, Number 2
  
• Volume 2, Number 3
  
• Volume 2, Number 4
  

Evening Tales

After the party had left the manor house, Christopher was left alone wondering why everyone had run off. In his mind, the house was everything. What else could hold such excitement? On his walk back to town, he decided to find some answers.

His first thought was to ask Kaz, the Minotaur or Were-cow as he thought. Kaz did not fit in here and Christopher had already shown him that he was not afraid to take him on. Kaz was not allowed in the town and many people feared him. These can all be good bargaining chips for information. But, the minotaur was large, and not the brightest of the party. "Perhaps it would be best to go to the group leader," thought Christopher. "Ryork Dradei would be able to tell me what I want to know."

When Christopher got to Ryork's room, he did not bother to knock. He wanted information and he wanted it now. Christopher saw Ryork sitting behind a table reading a book. Ryork was an elf. Christopher knew this, but he also knew that Ryork was not an ordinary elf. Something was different about him, aside from his darker skin.

"Ryork?" Christopher said in a soft voice. There was no response.

"Ryork, answer me. I want to know what is going on." There was still no response.

"Mister Dradei," continuing with or without him, "I want some answers. Why did everyone take off like that? What is going on here? Who are you?"

"Thump!" as the book slammed closed. That silenced Christopher.

"Well, seeing as you've broken my concentration, I suppose my eyes need a rest. You might as well get your answers.

"Before we came here there was another mission consisting of a King who had been kidnapped by some Magic-user. One of those save the day and get a King's ransom standard adventure."

Christopher was suitably impressed. This could make the Manor house seem small.

Ryork continued, "But, the powers that be decided we weren't ready and that we needed some `extra training', that average bureaucratic crap, so they sent us here. So when we ran across this `princess' that had been abducted by some powerful magic, this struck a cord that maybe this tied in with the other job and maybe this place wasn't all for naught. And, Following Monster Squad logic and tradition, we dropped everything and went groveling to Oswald for the answer to it all."

"Monster Squad? What is this Monster Squad I've heard about? Are you the Monster Squad?"

"No. The squad has officially been disbanded, seeing that only three members are left and we're not interested in returning to our `dimension'."

Ryork's answers did not seem to help satisfy Christopher's curiosity. Now he had more questions then he started. "Dimensions? If you're not from here then where are you from and how did you get here? How did you met Oswald and why were you not ready for the other mission?"

Ryork just answered, "I think that this is enough for tonight. I need to get back to my reading."

With that Ryork went back to his book. Christopher had a sense that this was enough for now. He would speak more with Ryork at a later time.

Evening Tales

The next morning, before the others even woke up, Christopher was at the manor house waiting for the day's adventure to begin. Since the party arrived in the town Christopher had been sleeping little in anticipation of exploring the manor. Christopher sat on the front step for some time before realizing that no one was going to show up. He had seen this group do this before. Christopher was young and did not need as much time to recover after a day's adventure, but the rest of the party was not as vibrant.

With nothing else to do, Christopher thought he might try to visit Ryork again for another story. When he arrived at Ryork's door he once again let himself in. Ryork was sitting reading, just like Christopher had left him last night. It was as if he never moved.

"Mister Dradei, you were going to tell me more," Christopher asked.

"Thump!!" as the book slammed shut, maybe even loader than last time, Christopher thought.

"You are a persistent child!" Ryork said loudly, but it wasn't a yell. It was just a little louder than his usual tone, but it was loud for him.

"You were going to tell me more?" Christopher asked unsure of himself.

"Very well, I suppose I'll never get any studying done until your curiosity is sated. Well, sit down, don't stand there fidgeting. Where did we leave off?"

"You were going to tell me about how you got here and where you were from and the Monster Squad and ..." Christopher went on.

"Oh, yes. The Monster Squad. I guess I'll start with Kaz Cronhad." Christopher quieted down as Ryork started his tale. "The owners of an arena somewhere captured the beast and tossed him into their pit for the pleasure of all, except of course those in the arena. Have you ever been to an arena?"

"Arena, no I've never even been out of town," he replied.

"Pity, it is rather amusing, although it does cater to ones barbaric side. There are so many more things one could do but for what it is, I recommend it.

"Anyway, it turns out that the minotaur was a great money maker for the owners. They had an event every weekend with the minotaur on the bill as the main event. Kaz would go out there and bludgeon the gladiators, rend the criminals and gore those foolish enough to try their hand at him. Afterwards, they would give Kaz one or two of the bodies to finish off plus any other food he might request, because of the money he was making them, nothing was too extravagant. Well after some time, a year maybe two Kaz became bored of this and decided he would move on.

"You see he was doing the arena because he enjoyed it. He never realized he was a prisoner. So, after his show one night, he thanked the crowd and owners for their support and told them he would be moving on. Well, as anyone could guess, the owners didn't take that too lightly and ordered the guards in to throw the beast back in his cave. Kaz dispatched these guards with very little trouble, for this is what he had been doing for so long. When he was finished he headed for the gates, but archers where ordered to bring him down. Just then someone in the crowd screamed for the archers to hold there arrows.

"It turned out that this person was the captain of what would become the Monster Squad and he would like to have Kaz for his unit. Knowing better than to argue, the arena owners agreed. Kaz protested this turn of events, but the captain said that he could either join the unit or have his head mounted on a wall outside the arena. Well, Kaz showed amazing intelligence in taking the offer instead of using his muscle and getting himself killed. That is how Kaz joined our group of misadventures."

Christopher liked the story. "What about the other members of the squad? How did they join? Where they also forced? Is that why you left the squad?"

"Enough questions for now, I have much work to do. Come again later if you must. So, leave this place for your presence here is beginning to irritate me."

"Thank you Ryork. I look forward to hearing more." But, Ryork was not listen anymore so Christopher left.

Evening Tales

When Christopher woke up, he was still a bit dazed and confused. After a few seconds he realized that he was in Rassalon's room. Now he remembered what had happened earlier that day, with the kid's room and the snake. When he got up he was weak, but could walk now. He felt that something was missing. Ryork was missing. When Christopher passed out, Ryork was next to him, and now Ryork was gone.

Christopher was not going to let Ryork get off that easily. So, he went to find him. When he got to Ryork's room, he let himself in.

"Thump!" This was becoming a familiar sound to Christopher. He knew he had found the right place.

"Don't you ever knock?" said Ryork with a quivering voice.

"I wanted to hear another story, but you wandered off," replied Christopher.

"Very well, very well. Have a seat." A comment that Christopher liked since his legs were still not all that steady.

"Let us discuss Rassalon tonight. He is a hobbit as you well know, albeit a peculiar one. How much do you know about hobbits, child?"

Christopher answered, "Not very much."

"Oh well, allow me to explain. hobbits are very mundane creatures. They tend to live in hollowed out sides of hills where they spend their days eating and in-between they clean. They usually don't travel much farther than their town commons where every evening they gather for a feast and to discuss the intricacies of dusting bookshelves. Which makes out Rassalon a definite odd one. He has a wander lust and the curiosity of a cat which makes him a curiosity to me.

"He set off at an early age to discover the world. At some point, I don't know when, he ran across a wizard's hut in some forest. Now I still maintain that it wasn't a very good wizard or at least not a completely sane one, if a hobbit could stumble across his home. Anyway, the fellow took Rassalon in and apprenticed him. The circumstances are very unclear to me. Another odd bit of information is that Rassalon did not learn magic for any of the contemporary reasons like power or knowledge, but because, and I quote, `It seemed interesting and kind of neat.'" Ryork paused and sighed, "definitely an odd fellow.

"About the time he was finishing his apprenticeship, he decided he was bored again so he set off to wandering again. He ended up entering my division's compound. The hobbit marched right up to the lieutenant, whom I was holding a conversation with and said to him, once again I quote, `Hi! I think it would be great to learn to fight the King's enemies and travel to neat and exotic places.' To which the officer smiled, brought Rassalon into the office and signed him up. He attached the fellow to us.

"I have a feeling he won't get bored to soon because the Monster Squad doesn't stay in one place to long. We have a hell of a time staying in one dimension."

At this point Ryork took a look at Christopher. He had fallen asleep right in the chair. The snake poison had not quite worn off yet.

Ryork did not have the strength either and just left him. "Good night," Ryork ended the story with and soon he too was asleep.

Evening Tales

Christopher was about to enter the room in his usual fashion, but when he reached up to push the door, it swung open unaided. Confused, he moved to enter the room but stopped short as a shiver ran down his spine. Ryork wasn't in his usual position by the desk, he was seated in a padded chair by the fire staring at Christopher.

"Don't just stand there. Enter." Christopher walked the short distance from the hall to the fireplace.

"Sit." With that Ryork motioned with his hand; a chair slid across the room and came to rest right behind the boy. "I have quite a story to tell this evening." Christopher looked at the elf then hesitantly sat in the chair. "I have decided to take this night from study and tell you about the rest of the squad. Our sergeant was a ..."

"Stop!" Christopher cried, leaping from his chair. Ryork sprang from his chair and spun about, his blade flashing to his hand, ready to take on the danger that the boy assuredly screamed about, but nothing was there.

Ryork whispered "What was it? What's the matter?"

"You can't start it like that!" answered the boy.

Ryork lowered his blade, turned towards the boy, and with one eyebrow raised said "Start what like what?"

"The story. You can't start like that."

Sheathing his blade, now knowing the only danger in the room was his chance of going insane and replied "Like what?" He was slowly losing patience with Christopher.

"You didn't slam the book." With that, Christopher folded his arms, sat down, and pouted.

For a few moments Ryork could do nothing but stare at the youth in shook and utter disbelief, but then he sighed and wandered over to his desk, wondering which demon he had angered and vowing to promptly apologize if he ever found out. At his desk he reached out to his book and swung it closed, "Thump." Returning to his seat and the smiling child, he began the story.

"Our sergeant was what you would call a Weretiger, but the proper name is Czinti. There is very little I know of him except that he was unlucky enough to pull our command. I do know that he was a fierce fighter and a strong leader. I thought him to be loyal, as most Czin are, but as soon as we made open air in this world, he left, only mentioning something about colonizing a new world. Best of luck to him; although, he may find it a tad difficult without a mate."

"What ever happened to the, umm, other Weretiger that was here with you, and what about that human that got into a fight with it?" Christopher asked.

"I like to think that she ate him and died of indigestion, but I don't really know."

"Were there any others?"

"Well, there were quite a few random humans, but I lost count long ago. They were mostly fighters; although, there might have been a couple that used magic, but I don't recall. They never really did much, so I barely took note of them at all. You see, the humans that were thrust upon us were at the end of their military rope, so to speak. They were trouble-makers, bumblers and others not quite cut out for soldiering. They were here to make it or break it, and most of them definitely broke and ran. Good riddance to them I say; although, there was one that did amuse me for a time. He fancied himself a scout, but he was more like an advance alarm for us. He would head out in front and obliviously walk right into the trouble laid out for the rest of us. While the attention was drawn to him, we would sneak in to attack from the rear or sneak by to accomplish the mission then return to save him later. Good cannon-fodder is hard to find."

"What happened to him?"

"The last area he stumbled into was a training hall for the archers at the tower, which we'll discuss later. The bowmen decided he was a more interesting target for their practice. There was very little we could do. Rassalon's healing abilities were meager at best then, so he died from his wounds. Such is the lot of the expendable.

"So, I think this answers the question of who the monster squad was. Next, I will tell you what we did until you joined our happy crew, but for tonight, it is enough." At that, Ryork turned and studied the fire in the hearth.

Christopher got out of his chair and walked across the room. He stopped in the doorway and said "Ryork, do I amuse you like that scout?"

Ryork smiled to the boy and replied "Have no fear, child. You definitely do not amuse me."

"Good! ... I think," as he left the room.

"Goodnight, young Nole," and the door slowly closed behind Christopher.

Evening Tales

Dark. It was never this dark in the hall. Quiet. He couldn't even here the patrons at the bar down stairs. Still, this was the hall that led to Ryork's room in the inn. There was something odd about the corridor that Christopher just couldn't figure out. So, he shrugged and headed down to the elf's room. Remembering the last time he was here, Chris cautiously reached out to the door handle and pushed open the door. Christopher thought he was ready for any of Ryork's twists after the last few encounters with him. He now knew he was dreadfully wrong. There standing just inside the room was the elf, arms folded across his chest and grinning so that it his fangs were well exposed, standing amidst pillars of flame and plumes of smoke. Christopher could do nothing but stand in abject terror.

"Welcome child. Do come in."

"No, I see that I came at a bad time. I'll come back later." Chris tried to read the situation with his mind but could not get any information. This made him even more terrified and he began to back away but froze in his tracks. Ryork began to melt away and transform into the demon they had encountered last night. The creature reached for him and it was all Christopher could do to stay out of the beasts reach. Although, he tried to scream for help, he could not form the words because the fear was gripping him by the throat.

"You cannot escape now, boy. It is already far too late," said Ryork's voice from the demon and then he began to laugh hysterically.

Christopher started to run but the floor gave way beneath him. He grabbed hold of some boards on the edge of the hole to keep from plunging down. He looked down into a sea of flame with fire seeming to reach up for him, then recede. He also saw most of the party floating in the flames; Rassalon rising up towards him, calling his name, motioning for him to join them. Chris, frantic, tried to claw his way up into the hallway, and saw Kollos approach him. Kollos stopped at the edge, regarding him with one eyebrow raised. With just a hint of a smile, he said, "We can't all live forever, young Nole." Then he kicked him off the edge. Christopher fell screaming into the pit and wakes up in a cold sweat.

Chris leapt from his bed and grabbed his sword. Charging down stairs and he headed out into the night. He ran across town to the inn that Ryork stayed in. He headed up the stairs and down the hall at a full sprint too the elf's door. Taking a deep breath, Christopher kicked in the door and brought up his blade defensively. Ryork swung around and pointed his blade at Christopher's heart. They stood there for a few moments staring blades at the ready,then Ryork broke the silence.

"Are you mad, boy?!?"

"I thought you might be a demon but I can see that it's you."

"What ever gave you that idea? Child , why are you shaking."

"I had a nightmare and you turned into a demon."

"Well, lets put down these blades and you can tell me about it. Unless you fell more comfortable like this."

Chris shrugged and put down his sword, then he took a seat on Ryorks bed. He then told him about his dream. "I was so afraid."

"As well you should have," replied Ryork.

"You're never afraid and you always seem so brave. So why is it that I have to be afraid."

"Let me tell you something about that. You must learn to controll those emotions so that they don't control you. It can be done, just look at Kollos. Although I know little about him, he is proof that humans can do it. As far as me being brave and fearless...."

"I know. I've heard this before. Even though you act brave on the outside your really terrified on the inside. Right."

"No." Ryork paused a moment then said, "I do not have that emotion. None of my people do. Fear is the greatest weakness of you humans. If you can come to control it in yourself and in others you will also appear brave even to yourself. Consider these things tonight and for the next few days and if this is what you want I will teach you in these things. As for tonight, it is late and as per usual you have interupted my studies so I will just go to bed. You should go home and get some rest for tomorrow should be a busy day."

Christopher turned to leave but decided to ask one last question, "So, your not a demon? Right?"

Ryork broke into hysterical laughter and shut the door. Christopher ran down the stairs and out the front door of the inn. Leaving the patrons of the inn to quietly ponder the laughter coming from upstairs.

December 27, 1994

Evening Tales

Christopher entered the room in the usual fashion and sat in what was becoming his chair. He sat in silence, for quite some time, watching Ryork study his books. The elf seemed completely oblivious to Christopher's presence. Fearfully, Christopher did not want to speak. Recently, Ryork had been saying many things that had confused and scared Christopher and he did not want to give the elf more cause to frighten him.

"Thump." It had been a while, but Christopher still knew what that sound meant.

"Well, obviously you're not going to leave. Let's continue the story of the monster squad.

"We were gathered together one morning and our commander informed us that he had a mission that was perfect for us. We were to go to a tower that a wizard resided in and inform him that he was to pay his taxes or leave. If he chose to do neither then we were to force him out. My interpretation of this was that we, being spear fodder, were to be killed by this wizard so that the army would have just cause to attack. Our primary goal in this was to make sure that the messenger, Flance, delivered the ultimatum."

"Wait, who is Flance you never mentioned him before," asked Christopher.

"I had almost forgotten him. He abandoned us just before we arrived in town. We can discuss him next time.

"It was an uneventful trip to the tower. Flance pounded on the door but there was no reply. So, he tested the door and found it open. We found this rather suspicious but not knowing what other course of action to take, we entered. Inside was a round room with three doors two of them being locked. The third door led to a small study with a old man sitting at a desk studying; much like you see me trying to do every evening. He turned to us and asked, in an irritated tone, what we wanted.

"Does any of this sound familiar to you?"

Christopher shook his head.

"I didn't think so. Anyway, Flance handed the wizard the letter that informed him that he was to pay or leave. The wizard tore up the letter and told us too not bother him with such trifles. At this point Kaz told Flance to give the verbal message. So Flance told the wizard that we would be forced to remove him if he did not comply. At that the wizard turned to us and waved his hand and said `Be gone!' and he vanished. The more correct term I believe is that we disappeared to a similar place on this world."

"That young Nole is how we came to be in this dimension." Ryork turned back to his book and began to study once more, "Goodnight."

Christopher remained in his seat, still staring at Ryork. Ryork turned back to the child and asked, "Was there something else you needed to discuss with me?"

"No, not really. It's just that I realized that I had seen your kind before."

"Are you sure that you are not confusing me with the dark elves that we ran into at the manor."

"No, I'm sure; I can tell these things. There were actually two of them, one was hunting the other. They were part of another group that explored the manor."

"When? Why have you not mentioned this before?" Christopher noted a tone of what might be anger from Ryork.

"You never asked. It was awhile ago. They had this cool troll with them. I think her name was Lug. She used to play with us all the time."

"Yes, well that's all very nice but what about the other elves like me." At this point Christopher was too far gone off the subject.

"She only had this problem with this other troll that kept on appearing every night. The group had to go and kill it every night. He's still out there, somewhere."

Ryork was beginning to lose control and decided that he would get the necessary information later. "I think that there have been enough tales tonight and the time has come for you to take your leave."

"Okay, but they were just like you," said Christopher as he closed the door. Ryork sat by the fire and contemplated the drastic changes that just occurred in his life.

Evening Tales

As he headed up the hall, for his nightly rendezvous Christopher was quietly humming to himself. He was feeling quite proud of himself for actually catching Ryork off guard the night before and was all prepared to rub it in tonight. He was so excited that he skipped the last few steps to the door and pranced into the room.

"Hi, Ryork!" Christopher paused and looked around the room. "Ryork?"

The room was all in order. There was a fire going in the hearth and the chairs where arranged by it in readiness for a story. Even Ryork's book laid open, next to the lit candle, on his desk. All that was missing was the Elf. So, the child resigned himself to waiting for Ryork's return. He sat at the desk and flipped through the pages of the book. That was when he noticed the sealed piece of paper under the candle holder marked "Christopher". Seeing that Ryork hadn't completely neglected him this evening, Christopher opened the letter.

The recent events demand that I take this trip alone. I do not know the exact time of my return but tell the others that I have not abandoned them. I don't know why I feel the need to do this, maybe to avoid your complaining later, but I have left you a story here contained in this letter. I believe that in our last meeting you wanted to learn who Flance was, so I have written his tale for you.

First you must slam the book(be gentle). Now settle down by the fire. A thought has just occurred to me and I now wonder if you are literate but I trust that you are.

Flance was an illegitimate son of a human nobleman. It seems his father was seduced by an elven maiden, which seems to be a common problem among human males. This is something for you to watch out for.

Although the nobleman refused to acknowledge Flance as his offspring, he still took some responsibility for his upbringing. First, he hired his mother as a maid. Then as Flance grew older, he was hired as a stablehand. Once Flance came of age, his father secured him a position in the military.

Now Flance was not much of a warrior as all of his fighting skills were lacking, but he had incredible stamina and foot-speed and so was assigned to the messenger branch. There he excelled by becoming the fastest and most successful messenger ever.

He was now becoming quite well known much to the discomfort of his father. You see his father had sent him into the military in the hopes that he would either die in glory or at least disappear into the ranks. The nobleman was beginning to elevate in his standing in the court and if news that he had an illegitimate son was found out it could jeopardize his nobility. Flance's new found fame could prove to be a problem to the both of them.

The nobleman feared that he had to act then and so he had Flance assigned to the doomed mission of the Monster Squad.

I liked him and do miss his company.

There is one other message for you contained in this letter but it is hidden. You must hold this parchment before the candle on my desk to understand.

As he was closing the door Christopher looked back at the pile of ashes on the floor and said, "Yes, Ryork, I do understand."

Evening Tales

Christopher sat in his room feeling depressed. It was time for his evening story but Ryork hadn't returned yet. It was dark and getting late so he blew out his lamp and climbed into his bed with a sigh.

"Why so down, young Nole?"

Christopher sat bolt upright and looked around the room. Although he could not see the shape, he knew the voice. Reclined in the window backlit by the moon was the outline of his dark companion.

"Where have you been?" asked Christopher.

"Investigating."

"What?"

"Things you should not yet concern yourself with, child."

"Then, why did you come here?" Christopher asked.

"I have come to inform you that it is time for you and I to be moving on from this town."

"But this is my home. This is where my family has been for generations. It's safe here, and there are dangers out there," replied Christopher.

Ryork sighed and said, "Very well, if that's how you feel. Then, allow me to tell you one last story."

"This is the tale of an individual I once knew. He was young, much younger than you. He lived in a small town and although it had its problems there was never any underlying mystery involved. That is until the murder."

"Murder?" Christopher asked in a shaky voice.

"Murder, but I'm getting ahead of myself. This boy was one of five children. The father was a well known smith in the community and the boy being the oldest son was expected to carry on the family tradition. Not being old enough yet to concern himself with these matters, he spent most of his time playing with the other children. Once a week it was his responsibility to collect fruit for his family in the town orchard.

"One day, on his way home from the orchard an older boy tried to steal his basket of fruit. This older boy was the town bully and had troubled other children before. When this bully reached for the basket some unseen force threw him to the side. The younger boy was frightened because the bully's body wasn't moving and so he ran all the way home. Never telling what had happened to him that day.

"Later that night, the body was found with blood draining from it's ears. It was never determined exactly how the boy had died or who had murdered him. It remains a mystery to this day. Though it is obvious to me, that the younger boy had killed him with just a thought. So if you should ever run across this child you should be very careful."

Christopher sat huddled on his bed in a cold sweat and said, "I think that I will join you in the morning."

"I thought you might," Ryork said and motioned toward the door, "I believe there is someone there." There came a knock upon the door. Christopher rose out of bed and opened the door to find an empty hallway. Confused, Christopher turned back to the window but Ryork was gone.

Evening Tales

Christopher huddled down close to the campfire with his cloak drawn tightly about him. The woods around blocked out most of the wind but could do nothing to stop the evening chill. There was no moon and the light of the fire did not extend out very far. He had not been camping very often and on the occasions that he had there had been a large group of friends with him. The noises of the forest at night were unsettling and the fact that he was alone did nothing to ease his nerves. He had been charged with building a fire while Ryork went out hunting. Ryork had said that he would be back shortly, but it seemed to the boy that he had been gone a very long time. Christopher was beginning to wonder if the elf was ever coming back at all and that maybe the dream that he had was just a premonition of things to come. The child shivered but not from the cold.

Ryork stepped into the glow of the fire, and it appeared as though the darkness parted to allow his passage. He held in his hand the limp body of a rabbit, and without a word set about preparing it for cooking.

"You were gone an awful long time!"

"Fear has a way of slowing down time," replied Ryork coolly.

"I wasn't scared! I was just worried about you."

Ryork placed the carcass on the spit and began to slowly rotate it. "Of course you were, how silly of me to think otherwise."

"Ryork, you haven't finished telling me about you're old group. You forgot someone. You."

"Oh? Are you quite sure I forgot?"

"Well, no... but seeing that you have taken me as a traveling companion, I believe that I deserve to know."

"That, young Nole, is a false assumption. On the matter of deserving to know my past, I believe that I have the exclusive rights to that."

"I don't understand." The fire flared from the fat dripping down and the smell of rabbit filled the air. "Please."

Ryork sat quietly for a moment then, "Very well, I did say that I would tell you how my old company got together. Seeing that I was a member, then that includes me as well. Maybe you will understand when I am done.

"I was found near death by a human border patrol. Around me were the dead bodies of three Phraint soldiers. Which are large, vile insectoids. Apparently, I had killed them before succumbing to my wounds. I was taken back to the hospital at the fort and treated. The healers tell me that my injuries were almost beyond their abilities. Although my body healed, my memory beyond waking in the hospital was gone. All that I remembered was my name.

"Months later I was released and called into the commanders office. He said that he was sorry to hear about my memory and offered me a position as a scout in his division. Seeing that I had no money and no idea of where I was or for that matter who I was, I felt it prudent to accept."

Christopher looked at him for a moment then said, "I'm sorry to hear that. Have you ever gotten anything back?"

"Over the years small bits of information have returned to me, but I am sure that there is much more and now I have my own theories on getting them back."

Ryork slowly removed the meat from the spit and laid it before the boy, "Here. You should eat now. We have a long journey ahead of us and you will need your strength." Then Ryork got up and headed towards the woods.

"Wait, where are you going? Aren't you going to eat?"

"I already have, and remember something else. I am your keeper, you are not mine."

Christopher watched Ryork fade into the darkness and then remembered how hungry he was. When he was done, Christopher tossed the bones into the fire and went to sleep.