This section is dedicated to all of my past and present fellow dungeoneers for teaching and adventuring alongside me. I enjoyed walking through different worlds and bringing evil to it's knees.The road was never easy but as many people have stated...somebody had to do it. I hope you enjoy these upcoming chapters.



   The young rider made his way through the mist-covered forest on his horse. A small trail veered it's way through the many types of trees and shrubs, a trail that only a few knew about. Late fall foliage lined the path and in the distance the faint sound of running water from the brook could be made out. The air was brisk this morning and the ride was slow going. It wasn't often that he took this ride so he enjoyed every step his mount took. He wore leather armor with riding boots, except for an un-ornamental sword and a tunic with a coat of arms on it, one would never guess his status. Derek Loneblade was a lower ranking fighter in the tutelage of the Knights of Paladine. His master and mentor was Lord Thordar Silverhelm, a veteren Paladin who had taken him in at a young age and taught him the ways of the knighthood. Derek was one of the Lord's favorite students who stood a great chance at being raised soon to the rank of knight. During these walks Derek had chance to think back on his life and his teachings. It was not too often that he would get these chances to reflect on things by himself, but when the time was available he never hesitated.

On this morning he woke up very early to go on his walk, he knew today would be the last chance to get away from things for quite sometime.  His training he knew would keep him preoccupied for many days to come so he took his last moments to enjoy himself, last moments of leisure before the madness began again.  His horse made his way along the tiny path with no cares , Derek never pushed him forward opting for his steed to decide the pace and course.  The horse knew the path as well as it's rider, he needed no guiding through this part of the forest.  The sound of the brook's running water was on right flank and styeadily started to fade, the young man knew that he was turning now towards the east and would be entering a clearing soon.  This was where he would usually stop and rest his horse and take some time to pray.  His life had been so exciting up until this point and with Paladine's blessings it would only got better.

As the clearing came closer he noted something different, the normal quiet was gone and in its place were sounds of grunts and movement, then a loud blood-curling scream.  With no second thought the young man clicked his heels at the horse's flanks and charged forward.  The two entered the clearing in time to see a caravan with a woman and child huddled atop on the driver's seat.  The scream he assumed belonged to the man on the ground in front of the wagon.  The man slid off his murderer's blade and slumped to the ground with sightless eyes still fixed upon the beast.  A large goblin by thier standards held the bloody sword and laughed at his fallen victim as the remaining two creatures walked toward the wagon.

   Derek knew the odds were certainly not favorable, he knew he would have to seperate the trio to stand a chance, he also knew that this man's life would be avenged.  With little though he again forced his horse forward and let out a chrage cry that instatnly got the attention of the preying monsters.  The gap between them was closed quickly, so quick that before the three had time to discern what was happening, Derek had lopped off the head of the nearest goblin while racing past it.  Before the monster's body hit the dirt he had dismounted and turned at the ready towards the remaining two.  Now he was in his element, ground warfare with his sword in hand.  Moments later he saw the two goblins turn to him and slowly approached.  He gave a quick silent prayer to his god and then ran to meet his foes.  Meanwhile from the corner of his eyes he saw the woman and her child climb down from the wagon and run to thier fallen provider.  He made a mental note to attend to them afterwards, provided of course he make it out of it this alive.  The goblins cautiously approached the human swordsman side by side at an arms length distance between them.  Derek saw his chance in this march towards him,  it was a big risk but if he did it right it would set the odds even.  The goblin to his right carried a crude mace made probably by the goblin himself.  It was a chunk of wooden limb that had metal spikes driven through the top end with the points coming out.  Any weaponsmaster would be ashamed of the tool but it served it's weilder fine.  His companion handled a large hand made sword that had caked on blood over the length of the blade, both weapons were made of shawdy quality but both could bring a man down.  He decided to go for the sword bearer first.

   Derek quickened his pace a bit, he knew in his mind what he was going to do and had no reservations about them.  This was why he was in training after all, to protect the weak was a code of the Knights and it would be his today.  He rushed in until he guessed he was within the range he needed and dove forward into a roll.  The dive sent him between the goblins and again startled them, just what Derek had hoped for.  As the young man rolled past he propped up onto his knees facing thier backs, the swordsman was now on his right and he swung his sword out and across the lower legs of the beast.  His well-kept razor sharp blade sliced easily through skin, muscle, and tendon.  The cut was precise and caused the monster to fall to the ground writhing in pain, the sword was fast to drop as he used both hands to try and keep it's foul blood inside.  The other goblin stopped his runnig to look back at his companion screaming on the dirt floor, he looked up at Derek for a few seconds then quickly turned around and ran towards the cover of the shrubs.  For a moment Derek thought of letting it go and forgetting all about it, but a vision of the foul beast living to attack and kill more innocent lives overcame him.  He aimed and threw his longsword at the beast and it found its mark into the back of the goblin.  The force from the throw had been so strong that it sent the goblin forward onto its face.  Derek walked calmly to the creature and stood above him watching it take its last breaths.  When he was satisfied of its demise he placed his boot onto his back and grabbed his sword, with a quick jerk he released the sword.  Green blood covered the blade and the stench was almost unbearable, he had never brought down any goblin and understood first handed why the knights hated fighting them.

   He gathered his thoughts and forced the bile back down his throat, as he bent down to wipe the blade off he heard another yell.  Expecting the other goblin,  he was amazed to find the boy ontop of the other goblin and furiously stabbing at him.  The goblin had no chance and soon felt his life slipping away as the many small cuts from the boy's pocket knife did its job.  The boy kept stabbing at the lifeless form until exhaustion took its toll.  Derek walked to the young boy and placed his hand on his shoulder, the boy looked up at him with a mixture of blood and tears smeared on his face, he drooped the blade and hugged his rescuer.   The woman soon joined her son in the emotional outburst.  Derek felt such pain and sorrow in his heart, e hadnt felt this way in years.  Derek was orphaned as a child and knew what it felt like to have no parents, but this boy would have it so much worse.  To know and love your father and then to suddenly loose him was as sad as it could ever be.  After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Derek spoke.  "My lady...young sir, I truly mourn your loss and wish that I had gotten to your aid sooner, I am but a knight in training and do not have much in condolences, but if you need either shelter or food then it would be my honor to accomodate those needs.  I will see that your brave husband recieve a proper burial."  The woman looked deeply into his eyes, she knew his words were true.  "My family was coming into this region to begin a new life, the everyday battles took a toll on our lives and finally our home burning cast us out.  All that was salvageable we have in this wagon.  My name is Miranda Merth and this is my son Marcus, we thank you for saving our lives sir knight..."  "My lady..." Derek began.  She knew he was about to correct her as to his stature, but a soft hand placed on his lips kept him from doing so.  She continued, "Know that in my son's and in my heart you are a true knight, as much as I want to graciously deny the offer I fear I cannot.  For the second time this morning you have saved us, Thank you again."

   It was almost 4 months to the day that the incident in the clearing happened, Miranda was still a welcome guest as was her son.  She had stayed under the condition that she allow him to cook and care for his home.  The boy was eager also to help out, the skills of animal husbandry passed down by his father came in handy as Marcus tended to Mistress, Derek's horse, and the stables.  Derek sat in bed for a while thinking of the morning in the clearing when a soft knock brought his mind back to the present time.  "Derek are you awake...you do not want to be late for your own knighting now do you?"  A smile stretched across his face as he beckened her in, she was also smiling and probably thinking of the same thing but they left it as that.  "No Miranda" he said. "I certainly do not, where is Marcus?"  "He is in the stables grooming Mistress, that boy has been up since the sun rose.  He is so proud of you."  Again he smiled and told Miranda he would finish getting ready and then come downstairs.  Breakfast will be ready for you then Sir Knight", again throwing in the emphasis at the end.  Derek waited till she exited the room and finished getting ready.  He made his way over to his dresser in the corner of his room where his ceremonial armor was laid out.  The suit was made of soft metal and it had a brilliance to it that he had only seen before in the meeting rooms of the Knights.  One article at a time he strapped them on, for all intents and purposes the armor was as good as wearing leather but no strength was needed today.  Today was for show, his full suit of armor was waiting at the castle as a gift from the Knighthood.  He finished tightening the straps and straightening all the shined up buckles, then finally attaching his sword to his hip.  He withdrew his sword a final time to make sure that it was polished well.  A final look at himself in the mirror, and he was satisfied that he looked his best, He started downstairs for his morning's meal.

   He entered the common room to a rounding sound of applause.  To his suprise not only was Miranda there, but so was Marcus and his friend Micheal.  Micheal's parents Joel and Amanda, and his closest friend the dwarf Barak Stoneforge.  It took a few moments for the redness to disappear from his face, when it did the well wishes and congratulations began.