*opens the door a crack and peeps in* It's been some time since we elves have frequented the tavern. That needs to be remedied! *takes a quick look around for orcs and vampires* Hmm... all seems safe except perhaps for that new arrival--human? *helps herself to wine leaving coin on the bar and joins Snowy at a table* "Snowy, you seem sad. Why so?"

As Shryke stares blankly into the fire his thought turn to his childhood. Galloping bareback on his horse, sword lessons with his father, winning contests among his friends, as his mother watches.

Rushing into his head are the images of his wife Nena with her stunning beauty, and the innocence of his daughter Meagan. Then the sound of the screams overwhelm his mind of when he found their lifeless bodies contorted as they lay in a pool of blood on the floor. His grip tightens on the tankard and his forehead begins to wrinkle as the images come again like the crak of a whip, forever burned into his memory. In a quite voice he breaks the silence “I must continue this journey until I can exact my vengeance on the One that I seek” after a moment of silence he shakes off the bad memories and looks around, “Alas it may be destiny that I have come to this tavern, it is good to gain new friends, and allies”.

I could deny my feelings and say 'Tis but a play of the light', but my that would dishonor the memory. Eowyna Rohanna, I shed a tear to family that will nevermore share the same sky, or stars. For family who have never seen or even dreamed of these lands, this sky.. these seas. It is a long tale, but I will make it brief lest my heartwounds dwell too long on the details.

My parents and sisters and I set sail on morning for a festival across the channel from our home. My grandparents and other family were booked on another ship which was to sail on the night tide. As we reached the horizon just passing from our view of the shore, a dense cloud enveloped our ship, followed by heavy sea. The ship rolled. I was holding my little sister, Graianne's hand and our older sister Ayleta was standing near the door to our cabin. Our parents were at the end of the corridor coming toward us when the ship turned on its side then shuddered. Ayleta grabbed my hand and dragged me up the corridor toward the stairs. I could hear little but the screams of other passengers. Ayleta lifted me, then Graianne into a barrel nearby, then as she held fast to the ropes anchoring it to the deck, a wave hit us full force, completely overturning the ship. Somehow, she loosened the ropes... we bobbed violently about with her still clinging to the ropes.

Somehow, we came to the surface.... We never saw a single other person from the ship again. When the storm subsided, a small fishing boat found us. The language was similar to our own, so we were able to ask questions. No one had ever heard of our country.... and we had never heard of the names they gave for the towns and lands where we had come to shore.

We know now, we were cast through some sort of hole in time and worlds. We are strangers in this land and can never return to our own... nor find our kin.

*raises Silver Flask* May I offer you a drink of my wine in honor to my lost family?

*accepts the wine, takes a drink and returns the flask to Snowy* "To lost family and friends! It makes us value all the more those who remain with us. I am sure the Valar are watching over your family and that you will come to them again in the West when the time is right. Aa i' suor en' Tel'Quessir shan faer llie, melonamin."

Thank you for your offering. I see the sincerity in your eyes, ev'n though I lack the skill to understand your language. May the roads be to your liking and your enemies fall justly before you. *puts away flask and leans back against the wall.*

After the images were pushed from his mind Shryke looks over at Prizm. “Thank you for the meal and kindness” Rising from the table he realizes that he is sore from the days activities and tries not to make it obvious to the other tenants of the room. “I shall be off in the morning, and ask any of you to join me in this quest that I have set upon” he looks around the room making sure to look into the eyes of each one there. “I would be grateful for the company at the least”. “You all seem to have above adequate abilities to help rid this land of the one that I seek”.

Adri cocked her eyebrow, and watched the man stand stiffly out of the corner of her eye.

"And who is this one you speak of, M'Lord? There is a varied clientle here, perhaps one of us knows where he may be."

" I do not know his name but I know he is pure evil. He is the one that sacked my home and others on his way to these lands. He may be the one you call Blackthorn". As he speaks his face begins to tighten and the relaxation leaves his body. Taking out a parchment from beneath his shirt he continues " I was given this message from lord Britain saying that he may be the same man". Observing the looks on the people around him he tries to see if there is a reaction at the name blackthorn. "His minions have fought me at every turn to keep me from him, but I will not be deterred” Gathering his breastplate Shryke observes a movement in the corner of the inn, quickly donning his armor. “ Someone who stays hidden must be that way for a reason”. “Show yourself”. Closing his eyes he quietly says the words “Wis Quas” even before he opens his eyes he hears shuffling about the room. “My name is the Glorious Lord Shryke of Mersaria, Knight of Honor and Slayer of Evil", he says with a booming voice "and if ye are loyal to this evil man speak now and prepare thyself.

You'll find no sympathies for that black spawn within these walls, Sir, and while I wish you Godspeed and Good Companions in your quest, I fear I must attend to a matter which presses me even now to complete. I ride to the East... if it be the path you follow, I will accompany you for a space of time. As to your quest itself, unless it overlaps my own, I must part with you within a two days travel on the road East from here.