While scouting near the "beloved" tavern *spits*, the seasoned warrior caught sight of a young elf through the trees. "Boy would i love to have some fun!", he thought to himself. So he crept closer. Still adjusting to the surface world, the warrior inadvertantly stepped on a twig, and the chase was on!

It was a familiar game of "cat and mouse". One that he had played many times. How he hoped to get the opportunity, no , the pleasure of sticking his spear in the elf's side. Unfortunately, the elf was wary enough to stay near Tel' Ruid, never venturing too far into the wood.

A curious thing happened though as the sargtlin aimed his spear at the elf. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. "What's this?, he thought. Interrupting his attack to get a closer look at the new 'victim', the sargtlin heard the whistle of an arrow and felt a sharp pain in his tricep. An arrow had grazed his arm! As he turned to his attacker, he noticed the familiar colors of a house he was hoping to forget. Red and Black! The new threat was a member of House Maerdyn!

"Impossible!" "Are the elves and Maerdyn working together?", he thought quickly as he dogged another arrow and ducked behind a large Yew tree. "It sure seems like it." "Maybe they formed some sort of alliance."

Knowing he was out-numbered, and more importantly, that he was there only to gather information, he decided to end this confrontation and slip off into the trees. It was at this point that another dark skinned elf had entered the area. She was a mage and started preparation to cast. Then he felt the burining sear of an energy bolt.

He knew this mage. How he loathed her. Crimson, was the name he had heard on a previous scouting mission. Now, he was out-numbered three to one, but he had to take the chance. He knew he probably wouldn't be able to kill her, and he regretted that, but he'd surely like to cause her pain. He decided to take the risk. So instead of continuing to flee the three, he quickly changed direction and sent his spear flying toward the mage in a quick thrust.

Oh, the pleasure! His thrust rang true. She felt that one! How he wished she would not recover, but unfortunately, the other 2 attackers were quickly closing in. He didn't have time to finish the job. "How unfortunate."

So the sargtlin fled. Luckily the other 2 attackers were distracted enough by the vicious attack on the mage that he was able to get away. His mission done for the night. But he did have a nice morsel of information for his master. "Maerdyn and the elves working together?" It was something to ponder...