<em>"That don't make any sense sir. How did they all just happen into the woods like that and then get along with one another instantly? I'm lost." piped a young half-elf. Other children seemed to be annoyed with this and started tossing whatever they could find towards him. The old man restored order with a few raps on his wooden chair and a stone glare. "The reason they got along right now, young one, is because its just the beginning of the book. But since that would sate your curiosity its because what other choice do they have? Fight with one another to the death and not join together? Not much of a story when its just about a bunch of fools killing one another without reason. Nah, these people are the keepers, though they don't know it yet." <br/><br/>"But they do know it." Said a human child. "They know a word Bernard. Not the meaning behind it." he replied. "What about the priestess and the dark beast? What happened to her?" whispered a female drow child. The old man turned at her and smiled. "Well Lily I don't think its proper for you to know what happened to her. The book and tales mention little of her outside of what Ayi'yan saw in the beginning. She was a catalyst to get Ayi'yan out of her order and with the current keepers. Nothing more or less. Now where was I?" The old man returned to his book and ran a finger along the words. "Ah the end of chapter one is in sight. Lets continue. So the woods were as quiet as the grave...."    </em><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Chapter 1: The Meeting of the Keepers<br/>Update</strong></span></div><br/>Everyone: Silence seems to cover the woods as each of you move uncomfortably in your seats. Rifts in the fabric of the air, vomiting elf women, unknown people flying out of the woods, Random guards trying to kill for petty criminals and other dangers on a simple trip from the local towns. If any of you could think of a stranger time this short period of time is starting to top it. Orchid hovers over Ayi'yan with a nearly glowing hand as Jareth rests upon Calamith ponder his next thought. Amusement and concern flicker across Dirks face as he continues to toy with his dagger. Fennel seems worried, but that seems a nearly constant thing as his horse remains unmoving, now under control. Wick feeds his hawk while speaking in low tones. Orchid, concern and caring replacing worry, heals Ayi'yan with the wave of her hand. As the bruises and cuts seal up and are replaced with healthy skin. Relief comes over Ayi'yan face as the magic does its work.<br/><br/>The rift within the air started to shrink by now and each of you see some kind of liquid dripping out of its maw. Some kind of dark fluid hits the earth before the rift closes and is replaced with empty air. A slight flicker of dread crosses Ayi'yan face but is overshadowed by a look of gratitude towards Orchid. Giving her thanks she looks around the area as the silence looms. The snap of a twig draws your attention to the woods again as a man seems to walk out. Standing out of the woods is a black robed man with crimson sewed into it's edges. Runes of some kind aline the interior of his robe while a single crudely wooden shaped staff rests upon his left hand. His head is bare of hair while small marks dot the edges of his eyes in shapes of black and red. He looks over each of you as a faint smile comes over his face. "Ah, you are all together now. Good. My travels were not for nothing then." As he is exiting the woods you feel fear creep into your nerves. Something about this person makes your skin crawl as your mounts start to fidget. "So, do you know why you are here?"