Bacohl Winford let the wind pass through his hair as the wind blew across the Barrens.<br/>(http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4646/normalarcherht9.jpg)<br/>(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac168/KrogdorRendinate/200986-miles_edgeworth_1_super.jpg?t=1277514425)<br/>He looked out across the land from his room in one of Ratchet's inns.  The Barrens did indeed live up to its name.  Much of the land was indeed undeveloped dirt and rock, but there was also much beauty here.  Small groves of hardy trees and rolling hills broke the horizon.  The sight of the wind blowing through the fronds of grass was unforgettable to him.  They also provided him with many potential places to ambush...or be ambushed.<br/><br/>Bachol was on a mission.  He was a bounty hunter employed by the Alliance's SI:7 on a long term contract.  SI:7 would find profitable bounties for him to collect on with a bonus from them.  In return, he was to spend time in his quarries' locales gathering intelligence and attacking key targets of opportunity.  It was extremely dangerous work, but the pay was worth it.  He was used to living on the edge.<br/><br/>He left his room and went down to the tavern itself.  It was crowded and noisy tonight and the SI:7 operative was nowhere to be seen.  That was the usual thing.  Even in a neutral city like Ratchet, SI:7 did everything it could to keep its presence undetected.  Not a few yards away was Horde territory, so that was understandable.  He ordered his meal and ale and was quickly served.  Goblins tended to want to get business done quickly unless they could haggle.<br/><br/>A small, cloaked figure appeared.  Judging by his stature, it was probably a gnome.  This was not so unusual.  Lowlifes of all races tended to flee to goblin towns.  The small gnome got into a chair behind Bachol and ordered an ale.  He leaned back and said, "Nice night."<br/><br/>"I've seen way better," Bacohl answered.<br/><br/>He let the silence hang for a bit as he chewed.  "So did you confirm the mark?"<br/>"Yeah, he's here," answered the gnome, "Confirmed sighting inside the Horde's Crossroad Outpost."<br/><br/>"That's less than a day's journey from here," Bacohl answered.<br/>"Right," the gnome answered, "You know the target, right?"<br/>"Yeah, yeah," Bachol answered with some not so veiled annoyance.<br/>"Tell me again," the gnome insisted.<br/>Bacohl sighed and said, "Richard Mayfair.  Senior member of the Royal Apothecary Society's council, pre and post death.  Has come out to Horde stronghold to research the indigenous flora and fauna for powerful alchemical components for use in poisons, plagues, and other horrors."<br/><br/>Bachol was almost started to regret getting that lead almost a month ago.  Back in Southshore, he was offered a bounty to find Richard by an Elena Mayfair who was (or thought she was) his widow until receiving a letter from him instructing her to move on.  He was offered a good sum to go north into Forsaken territory to confirm whether he was alive or undead.  She was hoping for a miracle, but Bachol knew better.  Either way, the money was good.<br/><br/>He had spent a week in Silverpine Forest looking for his quarry to confirm his status.  He had spent the time dodging the many horrifying creatures that had made the Forest their home.  Mutated spiders, worgen, worgs, and very many undead were all dangerous obstacles to be fought.  Indeed, the master mage and alchemist was active, though not surprisingly, had risen as a Forsaken.  He had been given a small crystal that would take the undead's image.  Unfortunately,  the widow had not told him of the flash and pop it made when activated.  Richard was taken by surprise and attacked with his magic.  Bacohl had to spend another 3 days carefully moving to dodge the Forsaken's elite Shadowstalkers, their answer to SI: 7.<br/><br/>Then, it got worse.  He was intercepted at Mrs. Mayfair's door by a black clad gnome who had an offer he couldn't refuse.  Bacohl had brushed too close with death to want to hunt Mayfair again, but the bounty offered was too good to pass.  Also, he was one of the few humans to identify the target.  He was allowed to collect Mrs. Mayfair's reward, but was given an elaborate fake crystal that pictured a dead man who looked as Mayfair had in life.  However, only Bacohl and the gnome knew the truth.<br/><br/>"So what's the target up to?" Bacohl asked in the present.<br/>"...still gathering reagents for poisons and plagues it seems.  He's been paying a few Orcs to watch his back, but each day there are less of them.  He's getting overconfident.  He think he's safe."<br/>"We'll see about that...is my fee ready?"<br/>"It will be.  Remember.  Take his Royal Apothecary Sigil and any Research he has on him.  That's the deal."<br/>"I got it."<br/>"Just remember, Bachol.  Our offer is still good."<br/>"I'll think it over, but I tend to do things my way."<br/>"Okay, see ya later," the gnome finished his ale and waddled away.<br/><br/>The next day arrived.<br/><br/>"Let's do this," he muttered to himself and set out northwest.  He had gotten the note under his door early that morning.  The target was supposed to be inspecting to The Forgotten Pools northwest of the Crossroads.  The Kolkar Centaur had been driven back by local Horde forces for now, so he would have one less thing to worry about.  This was going to be some hunt.