Chapter 1

Relda scampered across the beast-trimmed grass field. She clutched the black cloak around her shoulders. It was unusually cold, and she shivered under her cloak. She pulled the cloak around her more tightly with one hand, and with the other threw her hood over her head.

She paused to glance back at the cozy rounded cottage, and then up at the triplet moons and the specks of white lights that were scattered across the expanse. The night sky concealed her navy blue flesh well. She patted under her cloak. Blaster at her side? Check. Medallion from the tombs of the great Temple rulers? Check.

She gazed down the moonlit field. It made a gentle slope downward, and a warm light beamed from another cottage. The cottage was larger than hers. There were vertical bars over the windows. The door disappeared, and a stocky figure was thrust into the night.

“That’ll teach you to come around here again, Roan!” The tender, a heavyset female with orange skin and tan ram-like horns, yelled from inside. She wiped her hands together.

She spewed saliva in the doorway, and Relda cringed. The tender smeared her spit. Relda straightened, and the tender waved in exaggerated motions using her whole arm.

“Relda!” The tender exclaimed.

“Scy!” Relda said, picking up her pace.

“What are you doing out here this time of night?” Scy demanded.

Relda felt the smooth, metallic coolness of the medallion against her palm.

“I think you can help me,” Relda replied.

Scy cleared the doorway and made a sweeping motion toward the tavern interior.

“Come in, my dear. Perhaps I can.”