Corrections:

	In chapter 2, I wrote Blackwood castle. What I really meant was 
Blackwood forest.

Nikholas "goo" F. Toledo

	The formation of a new hunting ground enticed many people to pack 
up their bags and relocate. 

	Included are artisans, merchants and even different kinds of 
bandits. Most of these bandits are those who hate the thieves' guild in 
Nisus and wants to get as far away from them as possible. In this new 
place, they can form their own association and be the master and not a 
footstool. They could be king. As years passed their numbers grew as 
thieves from the mainland either got tired of the corrupt nature of their 
guild, or to escape the prisons of Nisus. In Hungenford, they are not 
that known. 

	As their numbers grew, they broke out into factions, each one 
wanting to get the lion's share of the profits. They began to draw 
territories and wage a clandestine war amongst themselves. One man sought 
to end these petty squabbles and unite everybody under a single 
regulating body. That man, Theobald the Cunning, employed all his 
resources to iron out most of the problem. He became the first king of 
thieves in the region. 

	News of this reached the guild at the mainland. Not wanting to lose 
ground, they allied themselves with the corrupt government of Nisus (for 
they want the same things and do the same things in different manners). 
They sent spies to the new guild to try to break them up. A few lucky 
ones switched back, for their punishment was death. 

	Due to necessity, an uneasy alliance was forged between the thieves 
and Hungenford. They were unprepared by the sudden onslaught of the Nisus 
juggernaut. When Haven was taken, the thieves went out of their way to 
help the wounded. With the royal forces depleted, the thieves became 
makeshift soldiers. They employed a hit-and-run tactic to confuse the 
enemy and to employ their abilities. 

	After the liberation of Haven, the treaty was officially over. They 
settled deep within Blackwood Forest. The relation between the ruling 
body and the thieves slowly disintegrated, except for some friendships 
that could never be broken. 

	Only those who they trust know where the exact location of the camp 
is, for the punishment of blurting it out is death in the cruelest manner 
possible. The forest is bordered by the Amlmch River, which forks out and 
widens and also separates the two kingdoms.

Chapter 4
Fire and Ice

Noon.
	
	"Okay. It'll take us roughly a day to get to the edge of the forest 
and another day to get through the forest. That is, if we don't bump in 
into unexpected company. Add to the that the fact that we are not sure if 
that old man actually exists, or did exist and has now gone to rest."

	"Ryouga, we don't have a choice, this is the best thing that we can 
do under the present circumstances. Besides, Kalten has a plan, he always 
does. You have no idea how many 'friends' he has. By the way, how did you 
convince them to let you tag along?"

	"Most of the others are either too old or too inexperienced and 
weak for a trip such as this. I'm still not a hundred percent but I can 
do better than them, and besides I'm directly involved - I saw what 
happened and failed to stop it. Where shall we stop for the night?"

	For the first time since daybreak, Kalten spoke. It was very 
unusual for him to be this silent.

	"By sundown, we should have reached Hastings. I know a place there 
called 'The Rose and Sword'. The owner is a good friend of mine and there 
we could get our pass through the forest. Trust me. Before I forget, we 
must get out of these ridiculous armors - we don't want people to get 
suspicious. They get very edgy when they see people in armor."

			***			***			***			

	"My liege, they are currently on their way to the old mage. I'll 
send one of my men to accompany them and I'll go back to Haven. I'll 
report to you as soon as there is something important happening."

	"Good work, old man. You'll be rewarded in time. Now begone!"

	"As you wish, milord."

	In a grayish puff of smoke, the old man's outline vanished. 

	A loud pounding echoed across the room.

	"Enter!"

	The two huge doors swung open to reveal the source of the noise. 
There stood at the middle of the room a huge man with grayish hair clad 
in full armor. He wore a jet-black armor typical for a soldier of Nisus. 
What separated him from normal soldiers was the family crest being 
clutched by the dragon on his breastplate. This signified that he was an 
officer and not a regular enlisted man.

	"Sire, the troops are now fully mobilized and awaiting your 
orders."

	"We shall conquer and eradicate Hungenford. Lead them and set up 
camp along the Amlmch River: you'll probably reach it within two days. I 
have some thing to finish here, so I'll arrive there two days after.

	"There we will start a new era. An era in which I am the only 
leader of this world."

	"Your wish is my command."

			***			***			***

	The whole day was uneventful. The closest thing to something 
exciting happening was a herd of cows gone berserk. It was what they 
wanted for they don't want any delays. The trio finally reached The Rose 
and Sword at sundown. 

	The establishment was a three-floor building, the top two levels 
comprising the inn and the ground level the bar. A sign of a crossed 
sword and rose marked the entrance. Since it was getting dark, most of 
the bar's patrons began filling the room. 

	Instead of trying to find a seat, Kalten led the group to the 
second floor, which led them to the registry table. Present at the time 
was a very good looking woman. She didn't look like a day over twenty. 
She wore a dress that really wasn't doing a good job of covering her. 
Kalten approached her and said:

	"A fine evening we're having, milady, me and my companions are in 
need of a roof to sleep under, a nice warm bath to cleanse our weary 
bodies and a delicious meal to strengthen us. Did I go to the correct 
place or was I just brought here to meet you? And, if I'm in the right 
place, can the proprietor of this fine establishment find time to speak 
to a humble customer? And why is such a beauty like yours crammed up here 
where the natural beams from the moon and the stars can't reach you?"

	The woman couldn't quite control giggling.
	
	"Stop fooling around, Kalten. Here are the keys to your rooms. Tyr 
is not available as of the moment, business."

	"Ah, he is always like this, business, business, business. Where 
does he find time to sleep?"

	"He'll be back in an hour, that should be enough time for you boys 
to take a bath and eat dinner. I'll send someone to pick you up when he 
arrives."

	"Why not you?"

			***			***			***

	As the sun slowly gives way to the moon, another day passes. The 
princess slowly paces back and fort across the chamber. She slowly 
ponders on how to get away from all of this. She doesn't have time - she 
knows that she has to do something as soon as possible. When darkness 
covers the land, she will attempt to escape. Tonight is a good night. She 
must now rest, for tonight will be a very long and tiring night.

			***			***			***

	After finishing their dinner the trio were escorted to a room 
behind the bar. Candles evenly spaced along two opposite walls 
illuminated the room. Directly facing them was a table behind it was a 
man who looked like he was in his forties. What he wore did not indicate 
that he was the owner of such a huge establishment. Clad in leather armor 
and sporting an eyepatch, he looked like a thief.

	"Good evening, Tyr," greeted Kalten. "Me and my friends here thank 
you for the room, the bath and the food. The food is great. By the way, 
this is Sir Bevier and this is Ryouga, a blacksmith. "

	"Kalten, I mean Sir Kalten the Magnificent, please take a seat, and 
you two, also. A person of your stature does not visit places like this 
without an agenda, and especially without armor. If I weren't a good 
friend, random thugs could have attacked you."

	"Let them try."

	"Let's cut to the chase. Why are you here? The night is young and 
you know how busy I am especially at night. As you well know, I'm a 
creature of the night."

	Tyr gave a sly smile. Kalten looked amused. Bevier remained 
emotionless. Ryouga looked confused as to what was happening.

	"As I think you know, something happened at the castle and we need 
your help. We need to get past the forest unhindered and I know that you 
can help us."

	"To get rid of King Archibald and his loyal donkeys, I'll help you. 
It has been a long time since I have seen a decent battle. At dawn, your 
additional supplies and a very good guide will be waiting."

  

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I think that most of you will not reach this part.
For those who reached this part and liked it so far, Thank you.
C & C, please.
The story is getting out of hand and boring so far.

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