Art For Chapter 1 Of Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong

Here’s the Original Art For Chapter One of Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong, Commissioned by My Player, who is Writing/Retelling our Current Dungeons & Dragons Campaign.

Art Commissioned by Living Silver

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If You Have A Young Girl In Your Life (13 to 19), I Truly Believe They Should Read This Book

Though this book/novella wasn’t written deliberately for young woman, I do believe they should read this book.

Mady is a 15 year old girl struggling with her life

Prologue

Mady was a Dark Child…

She often sat alone in her bedroom, on the floor, sorting through this or that. Generally some sort of pharmaceuticals.

It’s good that she was never allowed to own a cat… or a fish… or any other sort of domestic animal, as they would have likely ended up at the end of some sort of experimentation… with drastic results.

It’s not that she’s “mean” per-se… No.

It’s more that she’s disjointed, an outcast really, from her own home…

From her mother’s heart.

Yes, Mady is a dark one, but what else was she to be in a world devoid of light.

If you have a young girl in your life who means something to you, I truly believe she’ll benefit/love this book.

Available on Amazon @ I DIED ONCE

Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong (Chapter XII) – Rivers And Races

Chapter XII Of My Current Campaign, Which Began A Year Ago, As Written/Retold By My Player Who Plays Vilven

Chapter I: Ouroboros

Chapter II: Pact Magic

Chapter III: Choice And Notice

Chapter IV: Meeting Wiendle

Chapter V – Catlike

Chapter VI – Encountering A Wizard

Chapter VII – A Charge And A Flame

Chapter VIII – Followed By A Lion

Chapter IX – Acquiescence

Chapter X – A Dialogue Of Friends

Chapter XI – Ineffective Planning

CHAPTER XII

“Are you sure you’re doing alright, Jaren?” Vilven asked behind her, her exotic voice clear as she walked in front of him in the dark forest.

“I’m fine.” Jaren said in a slightly irritated tone, since he had been asked that question almost non-stop since they were forced to leave their camp in the middle of the night.

They were all quite tired, their sleep having been cut short by two intruding Rangers. Cho and Beaden, they called themselves.

Grid offered to carry Jaren, as he had done earlier that day, but Jaren refused. Jaren was considerably embarrassed when he heard about his unconscious body being carried around, so he simply said he could just lean on Wiendle if he needed. Which he did.

But to his credit, he did seem much stronger, and was walking, close to normal, most of the time. So Vilven figured it might be best to fight the urge to check on him too much. A man’s pride did count for something. Though, at times, it did count for too much. As was the case of her father and many water elemental she had met throughout her upbringing. Memories of the Water Plane filled her mind. But she quickly brushed it off. It wasn’t the time to ponder such things.

So she looked ahead.

“What do you think those men wanted from us anyway, Grid?” Vilven inquired quietly to him.

The tall Tigron looked back at her from the head of the party, his frame actually quite frightening in the darkness, the many weapons they had taken from the Rangers hanging over on his back. Her night vision dulled the golden of his fur so that he looked like some untamed, nocturnal beast.

“Difficult to say.” He said after a short pause. Then he looked forward again. “They are no thieves, I know that. But they definitely got that gold from somewhere.”

Vilven’s large, black eyes furrowed with pensiveness at his response.

***

They walked on, through the night, the sun slowly rose creating heavenly golden streaks through the breaks of the branches, the many varieties of small birds chirped happily to meet the morning.

They were all very relieved to be out of the dangerous veil of the night. Especially Wiendle and Jaren who did not benefit from the night vision Grid and Vilven had. But the vibrancy of the day did reveal to them how tired they were. It seemed the more gleeful the environment, the more exhausted they all became.

Vilven was very silent, even still, staring at the ground, forcing her legs to take step after step. Her tiredness was perhaps moving her into delirium, and perhaps it was an unfounded confidence she was feeling, but she was stricken by the quick growth she had gone through. She could feel how tired her legs were from travelling, but she could also feel her muscles adjusting and adapting, her physical strength catching up with her needs.

She also felt strength from trust in her magic, though she didn’t know much about it yet, and understood it even less, it was there for her in the moments she needed it most. It was something, she knew, she would soon rely on everyday. It was scary, but it was also becoming a part of her identity and what she thought of in moments of deep, self-reflection.

In a quick burst of energy, that threw her out of her thoughts, she could feel Areiden. She could feel her elemental blood. She could feel the water. The feeling made her shiver in excitement.

“There’s water. There’s a body of water somewhere.” She announced to them as she stopped, Weindle and Jaren nearly walking into her. Her head shot to the left and the right, then the left again.

“It’s that way!” Vilven said with delight, pointing to the left of her. “Grid, let’s check it out.”

Grid sighed heavily with tiredness, but then responded, “We could use some water anyway.”

Without thought, Vilven shot toward the direction of the water. Her stomach tight with anticipation, her smile broad as she headed for it.

Then she saw it.

The trees of the forest halted to reveal a large, fierce river. The sound of the water was loud and turbulent, but was somehow still very soothing and bright. The water was clear, almost painfully so, which made everything around her look like some sort of hyper-reality. She never spent much time in rivers, as there were only a few on some of the islands scattered in the Water Plane, but she admitted to herself that she loved them.

They always seemed so busy to her, like they had to overcompensate in strength and quickness what they lacked in space compared to lakes and oceans. But it made them exciting to her, and the fish that lived in them were so unique.

She happily dived in with limber and grace, meeting the water with gratitude. Her muscles eased instantly. She couldn’t believe that it had been almost a week since she had swam last.

She held on to a rock against the harsh current as she peered over to see Grid, Wiendle, and Jaren arriving. She waved her arm over her head at them.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it!” Vilven shouted to them as the fish hustled around her.

Grid dropped the multitude of weapons to the ground, then walked over to the edge of the river to splash water on his face. He then stood tall, looking around to assess the safety of the area.

Jaren slowly sat down, a hand to his side, while Wiendle girlishly laughed with exhilaration.

“Isn’t it just beautiful, Jaren! We would have never been able to see this if we had stayed!” Wiendle said to him. Jaren smiled and nodded, but he was only looking at her.

After about half an hours rest, Grid stood up authoritatively, picking up the discarded weapons.

“Vilven. Come. Let’s get on our way.” Grid called out to her in the water.

“Already?” Vilven called back to him. “Aren’t we heading in the same direction of the river?”

“For now, but at some point it will turn north again.” Grid replied.

“Well, until then…” Vilven said as she began to swim in the direction of Warden.

Grid sighed again with tiredness,  then turned to the princess and Jaren.

“Princess, Jaren, Come.”

They traveled this way for the rest of the day, Vilven swam while Grid, Wiendle, and Jaren walked on the river’s edge. When night came, they stopped, had a quick dinner, then all rested. Vilven offered to take watch for most of the night, which Grid agreed happily to. He was a very strong being, but even he knew he had physical limits, especially with such little sleep.

And though Vilven was still tired the next morning, the rest of them seemed remarkably refreshed and alert. Vilven thought, without regrets, that it was a fair price to pay to be able to swim all day.

And that is what she did, for the next two days before the river finally did start to make it’s way North. She helped them cross the water, then left it behind. Her heart renewed as she made her way forward.

All of their spirits were high, as the traveled the final days to reach the long awaited village of Warden.

The four of them walked through the edge of the trees to meet the small village.

“Warden, at last.” Grid said with a flourish

Vilven’s eyes grew wide with surprise at how beautiful the structures were. The wood was sanded down with careful precision, and there were intricate carvings adorning them, which must have taken many years to complete.

She also felt the deep, penetrating depths of the ocean call to her, as Warden was on the west coast of Varamore. She smiled as she saw a few ships in the docks, floating and swaying in the water.

And as they made their way closer, she took note of the people which resided there.

They were surprisingly tall. Not all as tall as her, but much taller than Jaren and Wiendle. All of them seemed to be lean and slender, which made them seem even taller. They had fair skin, sharp, long features, elongated with lengthy, pointed ears. Their dress was simple and elegant. Vilven thought they were quite an attractive race.

She watched fascinated as two of the males, who appeared to be some sort of guard, approached them in a nearly meditative, beautiful gait. They stopped solidly in front of them to halt their progress.

Both had rich, brown hair with alluring grey eyes, though their features didn’t strike Vilven that they were related.

One of them spoke, his voice clear and musical, though somewhat harsh.

“You there,” He said to Grid. “What business do you have in Warden?”

“Nearly passing through, supplies and passage South” Grid responded automatically.

“What about those two?” The other said in a denigrating tone, his eyes narrowing as his arm motioned disrespectfully toward Jaren and Wiendle.

Grid looked apologetic, though Vilven knew Grid well enough by now to know it was a ploy. “We’re putting them on the first boat out of here.” He responded with mock disdain.

“See that it’s done.” The first guard said sharply, then moved aside to let them pass.

As they walked by the guards, though Vilven was purposefully silent, she did glance at them. They noted her look, slight smiles coming to their faces as they took in her beauty.

“My Lady” One of them said with an approving nod.

When they were some distance away, Vilven looked at Wiendle and Jaren, who both seemed a bit offended.

“What was that all about?” Vilven whispered to Grid.

He shot a quick glance at her, then responded matter-of-factly.

“High Elves.”

 

Mady Unlocked (Chapter II) – Caged

If you’re interested in Reading the First Two Parts of this Novella Series, you can grab em on Amazon @ I Died Once (Book 1) in Print Or Digital, & Mady’s Storm (Book 2) in Print.

This is the Third Novella of the Series, all of which have been written within this Blog (Non Edited)

Enjoy Mady Unlocked

MADY UNLOCKED

by DarkJade

CHAPTER I 

“I Can’t Say For Sure What Happened That Night… I Know I Had A Nightmare… Followed By… A Nightmare.”

“First It Was My Father… Then Mack… Now I Am Alone Again.”

“And What Became Of Billy?”

“Am I Awake?”

“I Don’t Think I’m Awake Yet…”

CHAPTER II – Caged

Sitting at the poker table in the room were six men, but the table held eight.

Samuel Coinyard, oil tycoon. Long white hair, large mustache, tall tan cowboy hat, dark brown long coat.

Dustin Dodge, dark hair, brown forgiving eyes, non trustworthy smile, maybe in his mid thirties.

Rim McKenick. A man from Ireland, squinty eyes, non trusting demeanor.

Long Jones. A colored man in a grey tuxedo. Full of smiles, he ordered drinks for everyone at the table, and tipped too much.

Milford Collins, a young businessman from New Jersey.

And Cliff Engels, a shady looking, large grey hat wearing mystery.

Mady approached the table, leaving Spilwell behind, “May I sit?” she spoke.

“Well of course little lady,” jovially replied Long Jones, as he pulled out a chair for her.

Some of the men looked at one another, some paid it no mind.

“Texas Holdem… I’d Seen My Father Play With The Help From Time To Time… But Never Played Myself,” thought Mady.

“So tell me fine lady, what is a beautiful young woman like yourself doing in such a place as this?” spoke Dustin Dodge, laying on the charm., which of course with Mady, did not work.

“I think I may have killed a man in New York City,” she replied in almost a daze.

This grabbed Milford Collins attention, as he was from New Jersey.

“Did he owe you money?” he asked.

Samuel Coinyard laughed a bit, while Milford Collins began to sweat.

“World be mad, deal me in!” suddenly came boisterously from behind Mady.

When she looked to see who it was, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

A tall, light color haired man, with a mustache and cowboy hat sat down directly across from Mady, “Well, well, well…” the man spoke, “If it ain’t little Mady Monroe.”

“Rex Tayor… I Can’t Believe It… The Man Whose Father Bought My Family Estate After My Mother, and Step Father’s Passing.”

“Rex Talor… How do you do…” spoke Mady non too friendly.

Rex pulled out a cigar, bit off the end, spit it out, and lit it, “Better by the moment I recon… Better by the moment,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“You two in? Or are you not done with this little ‘reunion’,” spoke Cliff Engels, none to friendly.

“Deal er up!” replied Rex.

Cliff looked at Mady who looked back blankly, “Uh…”

Suddenly the server brought Mady an envelope, which she calmly opened.

Dear Mady Monroe

Welcome To Louisiana

You Have Received A Credit Of $100,000 Aboard This Ship

Enjoy The Ride

Sincerely, Troy

“Troy?” Mady thought to herself.

“Mam?” suddenly interjected Rim McKenick, the Irishman.

“Yes… Well… I’m not sure I remember how to play… But I’ll give it a shot,” she replied.

And so the card game continued. And within a few hands, and several hundred dollars lost, Mady began to get the general gist of the game.

PICTURE CREDIT – Dark Haired Girl

Mady Unlocked

Mady Unlocked

by DarkJade

SPOILER ALERT, if you’re interested in Reading the First Two Parts of this Novella Series, you can grab em on Amazon @ I Died Once (Book 1) in Print Or Digital, & Mady’s Storm (Book 2) in Print.

“Maybe None Of It Was Real…”

“God Knows I Wouldn’t Likely Be Alive Right Now If It Was.”

Chapter I – Friction

A young girl, just 24 years of age, finds herself in a large black trunk, which appears to be left slightly open…

Once she is awake enough to move, she lifts the lid, and steps out onto what appears to be a River Boat, heading down a Louisiana river.

A gamblers riverboat.

The girl is 5’9″ tall, with long black wavy hair, a lean figure, and vibrant blue eyes.

She’s wearing a dark blue dress, that doesn’t appear to have been wrinkled from her confinement.

“Somehow I ended up on a gamblers riverboat in Louisiana.” she thought to herself, noting the name of the boat, “Little Miss Louisiana”, which is painted on the side wall.

She also noted the gambling tables through the windows near by.

“Sounds about right, right?” She thought.

Her name, Miss Mady Monroe.

A millionaire’s daughter, originally from Virginia.

Relocated to Africa at 15 years old, where she united with her absentee father…

…Sam Monroe.

The Murder of her Mother? Well, that’s another story.

And her relocation which lead her to New York City? That’s another story too.

Mady straightened her dress, and stumbled a bit as she made her way into the bar and casino in the middle of the boat.

She pulled up a bar stool next to a thin man, with a thin, pointy beard in his early thirties, wearing a tall black top hat.

“Evening,” he spoke.

Mady smiled, and that’s when it hit her…

FLASHBACK

I come around the corner to see Mack tied up to a chair, facing toward me, his face bloodied…

Two black suited mobsters stand near him, one rubbing his fist, as he has obviously used it repeatedly…

My eyes go black…

I step toward Mack, and reach out to him, touch his face, “Mack… I’m so sorry.”

The mobsters look at one another…

The other four mobsters have now entered the room as well, and line its entrance

Mack looks at me through the eye that isn’t swollen shut, “Mady… You shouldn’t have come.”

“I’m getting you out of here,” I say, as I step toward one of the tables, and remove a knife from a rolled napkin…

With this, one of the mobster’s steps toward me, “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that—” he starts to say when…

I turn towards him, my black purse dropping to the floor, and I aim my silver revolver right at his forehead…

And pull the trigger

BAM!

THE PRESENT

Mady suddenly jumps with a jolt, knocking over the man’s whisky.

“Oh, I am so sorry… Mr.–” she spoke apologetically.

“Spilwell,” he replied as he waved for the bartender to come clean the whisky from the counter.

“Edward Spilwell.”

Here you are sir. spoke the bartender as he handed Spinwell another cup of whisky, and wiped away the other.

Suddenly Mady’s eyes go dark from the memory, “What have I done…”

“It’s no big deal little lady…” replied the man, thinking she’s referring to knocking his drink over.

“What would you like to drink? It’s on me,” he spoke kindly.

PICTURE CREDIT – RR Project

What Is ‘Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong’?

What Is ‘Adventures Of Vilven Ledson’?

Just over a year ago, I began Running a One Person Dungeons & Dragons Campaign, with a Single Player.

A year plus later, the Campaign continues, and has Created & Left behind an immense amount of Story and Content.

My Player has fallen in love with her Character, a Water Genasi Warlock named ‘Vilven Ledsong’…

…so much so that last October she began Writing a Blog Retelling our Campaign’s Story from Day 1.

After Posting 10 Chapters/Posts, she decided she wanted to start Commissioning some Art for the Posts.

But first she needed to find an Artist, which she did in @living_silver

This First Piece of Art (Above) is of Vilven about midway through the Campaign (Maybe Level 8, she’s now Level 16), with her Patron behind her, ‘Areiden’, a Water Elemental (Water Lord with an Immense amount of Power).

My Player is Writing the Blogs, based on the Stories we’ve formed together as Dungeon Master & Player, and I’m contributing towards the Dialog of many of the NPC’s (Non Player Characters) I’ve created along the way.

But Vilven is all her.

I encourage you to check it out, she is a Gifted Writer, who I approached several years back to help me with a ReWrite of a Fantasy Novel I wrote, and have yet to Self Publish.

Enjoy!

Chapter I: Ouroboros

Chapter II: Pact Magic

Chapter III: Choice And Notice

Chapter IV: Meeting Wiendle

Chapter V – Catlike

Chapter VI – Encountering A Wizard

Chapter VII – A Charge And A Flame

Chapter VIII – Followed By A Lion

Chapter IX – Acquiescence

Chapter X – A Dialogue Of Friends

Chapter XI – Ineffective Planning

Adventures Of Vilven Ledsong (Chapter XI) – Ineffective Planning

Chapter XI Of My Current Campaign, Which Began A Year Ago, As Written/Retold By My Player Who Plays Vilven

Chapter I: Ouroboros

Chapter II: Pact Magic

Chapter III: Choice And Notice

Chapter IV: Meeting Wiendle

Chapter V – Catlike

Chapter VI – Encountering A Wizard

Chapter VII – A Charge And A Flame

Chapter VIII – Followed By A Lion

Chapter IX – Acquiescence

Chapter X – A Dialogue Of Friends

The next morning Jaren came to consciousness, but in agony from him aching injuries, passed out again within minutes. Wiendle was very worried about him, but Vilven, silently, was relieved he was still even alive, as the cuts and bruises on his body looked dire. The Goblins seemed to have fanatically jabbed and slashed all over, with little finesse, but with efficiency nonetheless.

After their intimate talk the previous night, Grid revealing the tragic history of Beaumont by the Dragon Sabot and Vilven revealing her choice to make a Pact with Areiden, they took turns on watch. They were both a little jumpy at the prospect of more Goblins, or worse, coming into the camp. It was Grid who made the official decision that they needed to leave, as he determined the location was too dangerous to dwell in for another night. They all agreed, especially Wiendle, but that forced them to figure out what to do about the hurt guard that lay before them. After a quick conversation, they determined that the best thing to do was for Grid to carry Jaren over his shoulder, as Jaren was rather lean and wouldn’t be too difficult for a large Tigron to handle. However, this would leave Grid without the reach and the inability to use his bow, so he would not be able to protect any of them in the case of another attack. This left only Vilven to protect them all.

Vilven hesitantly agreed, knowing that there was no other way.

So they moved forward, Vilven leading the group, grasping her sickles like an anchor. Having only little experience with tracking, the forest, and where Warden was, Grid had to give her direction from the back. At first it was a bit awkward to understand what he wanted from her, but she quickly gained the skill of accurately responding to his guidance. Wiendle, her head low, was very silent and hardly moved without permission. Vilven knew the guilt of running off and putting the party in danger was still fresh in Wiendle’s mind, so she didn’t do much to try to change the princess’ mood. Some emotions only lessen with time, Vilven had come to understand.

They were able to make it through a full day, a little slower than they might have if all had been normal, but they thought it successful nonetheless. The preparations for camp were completed with relative ease, even Wiendle helped to set everything up.

When the princess did decided to retire, and go to her and Jaren’s tent, Grid glanced at Vilven with a pained look, and began to roll his large, lion shoulders.

“Are you alright?” Vilven asked, concerned, peering at him from across the fire.

“Muscles are a bit fatigued.” He said, sharing with her easily. He stretched his arms over his head, his bones seeming to elongate with the motion. Vilven stared, unable to stop herself from thinking how much the movement made him look like a satisfied cat.

“Can’t say I’ve ever carried another being such a long distance before” Grid continued. “Fortunately, I keep in pretty good shape.”

Vilven smiled with amusement tilting her head, then she stretched her legs out in return. “Not to compare, but I am quite sore myself. I just cant seem to get used to walking this much. It’s just so entirely different than swimming.”

“That it is, My Lady, that it is” Grid said, commiserating.

Vilven sighed, then stood. “If it’s alright, I’ll take the second watch. Unless you want to rest first.”

“Sounds good to me.” Grid responded as he took out his pipe. “Rest well.”

Vilven waved to him, with a big yawn, and walked to her bedroll, falling asleep almost as soon as she laid down.

***

Vilven woke to the sound of Grid talking with someone.

“Nice night, friend.” An unfamiliar male voice spoke. “Care if me and my comrade share your camp, safety in numbers, after all.”

“Well, that all sounds grand, friend.” Grid’s voice responded. “Other than just one thing, we have absolutely no idea who either of you are.”

Vilven sat up hastily, looking toward where she had heard the stranger’s voice.

She saw Grid sitting, cleaning his pipe, glancing up at two men. One of the men, she assumed the one who had spoken, stood at the opposite end of the fire, facing Grid, his head tilted to one side and his arms lifted in a friendly, inquiring manner. The other stood a few feet behind the first, though his expression, unlike his companion, was not so calm. The second was quite obviously nervous about something, his eyes shifting in all different directions.

Vilven quickly noted that they wore similar clothes to Grid, inexpensive blousey shirts, soft armour, and durable, inelegant pants in different shades of brown, except for vibrant cloaks. The first man wore a deep, forest green and the second man, a bright red. The first had dark brown hair, adored with a surprisingly well groomed mustache and beard, while the second was a dirty blonde. They both were armed with long bows on their backs and swords at their sides.

In something close to offense, Vilven shot up to her feet, pulling out one of her sickles and clenched it tightly in her hand. She walked dominantly next to Grid, and narrowed her eyes at the two strangers that had entered their camp.

“What’s going on here?” Vilven asked Grid, but did not stop looking at the men.

“Nothing to fear,” Grid began, his tone slightly sarcastic. “Just a couple of friendly Rangers passing through.”

Vilven looked at them dubiously, her eyes squinting even more than before. She saw the faint twitch of impatience in the eyes of the brunette man, failing to maintain his friendly demeanor, while the blonde continued his nervous glances.

She shook her head, and took a fighting stance. “They are not to be trusted.”

“My lady, by the God’s, I swear we mean you no harm.” The brunette started as he took a few steps around the fire, toward her.

“Liar.” Vilven spoke harshly,  instinctively lifted her hand in front of her, shielding herself from the man that approached. Before she knew what was happening she felt the magic spring from her, and a watery, blue orb blasted from her palm striking the man in his chest, knocking him to the ground. She gasped and her eyes widened in surprise.

The blonde man looked completely stunned as well, his eyes stared with shock at his prone companion, as he fumbled to unsheathe his sword. When he was finally able to wield the weapon correctly, Grid was already upon him. Grid leaped over the fire, with cat-like agility, and tackled him, pinning him to the ground.

The brunette man, however, jumped to his feet quickly. And with a sneer toward Vilven, he grabbed his sword and pointed it in her direction. “You’re mine.” He spat angrily.

But before he was able to make a move toward her, a frying pan smacked him squarely over the head. He stood there for a moment, but then his eyes rolled back and he fell unconscious to the floor.

Behind him stood the princess, her cheeks pink and her chest heaving quickly with adrenaline and fear, holding the pan over her head with both hands.

Vilven chuckled slightly, warmly looking at the princess. “Thank you, Wiendle.”

Then she turned toward Grid who was still on top of the blonde man.

“Let’s tie them up?” She suggested.

About ten minutes later, Vilven and Grid had taken all their weapons, their bows, swords, and daggers, and had them piled on the opposite side of the camp. The blonde man responded to their requests while the brunette was still passed out, so they just maneuvered and dragged him around. Vilven and Grid had the two men sitting on the ground. Grid, kneeling next to them, was tying them back to back.  The rope was taunt, but not overly tight. And just as Grid finished tying the last knot, the brunette man came to consciousness.

“Ow.” He said with a whine, responding to his aching head.

“Quit your moaning, you’re lucky to be alive.” Grid asserted as he rose to his feet.

While her Tigron friend was finishing with them, Vilven was on the other side of the camp, crouched near the weapons they had taken, inspecting them. “Do you think we can sell these?” She called out to Grid.

“In a heartbeat.” Grid responded.

“You’re gonna leave us in the middle of the forest without weapons?” The brunette said, exacerbated.

Vilven looked at the brunette man, then thought back to the terrible encounter they had with the Goblins. She looked thoughtfully down at the daggers they had taken. She picked them up and walked toward the tied rangers, dropping the blades about ten feet away from them.

“These should suffice.” Vilven said to them, sincerely.

“I’ve tied the ropes  loose enough, you’ll be out in about an hour.” Grid told them. “Next time you enter our camp, we won’t be so nice.”

“This is all your fault, Beaden” The blonde man said to his companion.

“You gave them my name, you idiot” Beaden responded back.

“Please excuse Beaden.  I’m Cho. Thank you for not killing us.” Cho said to them, with a friendly smile. Vilven smiled flirtatiously in return, noting how handsome this Cho was for the first time.

Just then, Grid’s eyes glanced sharply down at the two men, now revealed to be Beaden and Cho, noting small pouches at their sides.

“Well, well, what do we have here” Grid said, crouching down, cutting the bags loose with his knife, then tossing them to Vilven.

Vilven successfully caught them, then smiled mischievously.

“No, not the gold!” Beaden cried out at them. “I didn’t take you for common thieves.”

“Beaden, will you please stop insulting our captures.” Cho pleaded with him.

Vilven managed to open one of the pouches, it was, indeed, filled with beautiful, immaculate gold. It nearly overflowed with it. Vilven’s eye’s shined with excitement.

“This is a lot of money.” Vilven said dreamily, almost to herself.

“Vilven! Grid! Look!” They all turned to Wiendle as she emerged from the tent, with Jaren leaning on her. All of them stared silently at the young man. He was holding his side, but the slight smile on his lips showed how far he had come from his near death.

Vilven winked, then flicked a gold to him. “About time you showed up. you’re missing all the fun.” She told him with affection.

She sighed and smiled satisfied at Grid, “Tonight has been good.”

“Yeah, it’s been great.” Beaden said dryly.