A small fire was lit in the depths of Chetwood North, five men and a young woman were sitting around it, all quiet, looking into the fire and waiting for the meat to be ready. They heard that one of their companions killed himself when some people were after him and they were silently mourning him. That didn't last for long.
From out of the trees a man approached them and all of them got up and drew their swords, the man grinned and extended his right arm, his hand reach the furthest spot of the light of the fire and the five saw a golden coin with the letters "CB" carved on them. They lowered their heads and put their weapons down. The man nodded and stepped forward allowing the fire to cast its light upon him.
It should be fourty three winters that he had seen, the grey hair here and there and the wrinkles around his eyes would show it, his clothes were all black, as well as his boots and belt, his hair were shoulder height and his black beard was tidy and reached down his neck. His left palm motioned them to sit and they did so.
-Just today another one was killed. Those bastards hunted him down and he had no choice but to kill himself. They found the coin though... They might know about us and if they don't, they will soon. It's time for action.
His tone was quiet and slow, letting them hear and grasp everything, which they did, they seem determined to not have the same fate as their companion that they just learned that died. One of them drew a deep breath and released it as a sigh, making the man look at him almost angrily, yet his voice was calm.
-Are you afraid?
-No sir. I feel no fear, not for death, not for anything.
-Good.
His eyes traveled on the others too and stopped on the young woman, he looked at her up and down and narrowed his eyes slightly, Measuring her.
-How old are you?
-Twenty one.
-Good, at the best age to fight and gain glory! I hope your not afraid.
The woman shook her head and grinned, her hands suddenly pulled the daggers from her sides, showing one or two inches of the blades. The man nodded with a smile and pointed at the second from the left.
-You! Go find her and tell her to prepare it. It's time.
The man stood up and ran into the dark, disappearing from sight, the one clad in black didn't turn around, he waited and when the running sounds stopped he grinned once more and disappeared as well, leaving the others with their now burnt meat.
