After almost nine hours of riding, we came upon a rather well orchestrated trap.

It seems that there were a fair number of people that had heard about our quest to kill the dragon and wanted our treasure. A rather large group of orcs, with what apparently was a lot of preparation, ambushed us and demanded our treasure.

Figuring they were only orcs and not much of a threat, I charged ahead and attempted to best the leader in hand to hand combat.

I very nearly lost my life for that arrogance. I saw one orc and figured there were three or four waiting in the bushes somewhere. I reasoned that if I could kill the leader quickly the rest would run.

However, they had a small army at their disposal. From a full 30 orcs wielding spears to another 10 with longbows with the five or six wizards and clerics that were invisible and waiting, I got myself in over my head very quickly. I quite possibly would've died if it hadn't been for Dante.

Unfortunately, the rest of my companions couldn't help. Falahara quickly got herself surrounded by orcs. Annu and Molistead were targeted by the archers and had their own problems. But I was talking about Dante.

Dante appeared in a flash of light over the battlefield. Normally, that would be a problem, but somehow he had grown wings.

I guess he could do that.

Anyway, he charged the orc leader I was currently in combat with. Between the two of us we managed to take him down, but it was a very near thing. You see, apparently the orcs had cast a number of spells on the leader, to increase his health, quickness, and so on.

He was pretty bloody hard to hit, I can tell you that.

Come to think of it, we never actually did kill the leader, I don't think. The leader finally ran, and Dante chased after it. We didn't see him again for nearly a week.

Which brings me to... Binian.

Self-righteous little pest.

Binian was a rather short fellow with a big nose. We met him at nearly the same time we met the orcs. I thought he was in league with the orcs for a while.

He stopped us and asked about me. He consulted a scroll a lot-

Well... When I say "a lot" I really mean "constantly".

In any case, he was apparently looking for me. Something partly to do with some staff he had found and mostly because that damned scroll said I'd be there.

I didn't really see what he did during the battle. He was with Molistead and Annu, and most of the battle they were obscured by some cloud. Besides, I had my hands quite full during the battle trying to keep myself alive.

Anyway, he consulted that scroll again-

Why do I keep bringing it up? Well, this scroll of his apparently had the ability to show the future. I am a firm believer that everyone makes their own fate, and no higher power, no deity, and certainly no damned SCROLL is going to tell me what to do.

I was about to tell him in no uncertain terms to go stuff himself when he happened to mention he was a cleric of the Wandering God.

The same cleric of the Wandering God that was going to destroy that sword. The same one that was going to save my soul.

Figures.

So I told him that he could have my sword if he never mentioned the scroll in my presence again.

Should've known I'd regret that.