It was a dark and frigid night.

A forest of towering pine stretched out for miles and miles, drenched in the shade of a looming mountain. The world was silent and the darkness complete. Then, through stalking trees and shadowed branches a warm orange glow appeared— the herald flame of traveler's quarry.

This new light belonged to a weathered caravan, wandering in secret through the mountain roads and headed by its longtime driver. Hanging beside the driver was a rusted oil lamp, which swung side to side with every bend or turn of the path. Mister Weiss had been traveling these roads for well over a decade before the War of Blood and Iron, and he had resumed his business immediately after the war had ended. It was his responsibility to provide passage to many a traveler from the mountain city of Malendar's Edge to the southern border of Omnirius proper.

Yet on this night, there was but one passenger in Mister Weiss' company...

"So, you're from the south you say?" Mister Weiss asked cheerfully. "Quite a long ways to come."

The traveler sat quietly next to Mister Weiss; he had his hood drawn down, so that only the lower half of his face was visible. Around his neck glistened a dark metal chain embellished with a red gemstone. A plain dark green cloak was draped over his body and the pommel of a sword poked out from behind the cloth.

"Not as far as you'd guess."

The travelers tone was surprisingly light, despite his dower appearance.

"That's quite the fancy necklace you 'ave," Mister Weiss remarked. "Bit odd for a ranger to 'ave such a trinket."

At this, the man gave no response.

Mister Weiss winced at the awkward silence between them and tried to change the subject.

"Are you visiting someone?"

The cloaked figure shook his head.

"First time in Omnirius, then?"

The man nodded.

"Mhm-hmm. Then I suppose you 'aven't heard of Rhoden's Decree?"

"I have not."

Mister Weiss pulled the reins a little to the left to avoid a dip in the road.

"Before that ol' war monger King Rhoden went and died, he laid out some crazy new law. Whoever get's a hold of that sword they call Glabrius gets to be king!?" Mister Weiss laughed mockingly at the thought. "What bollocks!"

"Well," the traveler said with a small grin, "That is rather interesting. Does anyone know where this sword is?"

Mister Weiss shook his head.

"No one's got a clue. The old king went and died before he could tell anybody where he hid it. People say they've searched...but no one's found it yet."

"That must have people quite excited."

"You're telling me! I've transported over forty bastards thanks to that ol' King. He's good for business! There's a lot of people out there who would like to get their hands on that sword. Come to Omnirius from all around, they do. Of course, those highway robbers don't help much."

"Are there that many along these roads?" the figure asked.

"Unfortunately," Mister Weiss said with a sour expression. "Truth be told, I'd rather not make these night trips but...well, you seemed like you needed the help."

The man folded his arms and exhaled sharply.

"Is that so."

Mister Weiss reached for the oil lamp and fiddled with the knob to adjust the flame, flaring it brightly for a few moments before setting it back to a soft glow.

"Say, fella, if you ain't here for Rhoden's Decree, then what brought you all this way?"

"I heard they were building something very special up north."

"Ahhh," the coachman smiled, "You're here for Gate City."

"So that's what they call it?"

"Oh, sure! Gate City! Course, I ain't never seen it— probably won't live long enough if they don't pick up the pace. They say its going to be grander n' even Eadenfros, if you can believe that."

A silver glow then washed over the road as the cloud cover began to thin. The carriage had crested the top of a hillock and from their vantage they could see another several miles of forest. Beyond that, a large town was silhouetted by moonlight against the placid landscape.

Then the carriage stopped.

The man in the cloak turned in surprise to Mister Weiss who sat staring at his hands.

"That's Viemen down there," Mister Weiss said. "Marks the beginning of Omnirius proper. This is far as I can take you."

The cloaked figure leaned forward and began to climb down from the caravan seat.

"Hey, fella!"

The man stopped and turned toward Mister Weiss.

"My fare."

"Ah. Of course."

The cloaked figure reached into his pocket, pulled out several coins and handed them to the driver.

Suddenly, the sound of a snapping branch caught the traveler's attention and he turned his head toward the forest. The man listened carefully, focusing beyond the rustling of the leaves and wind.

"Mister Weiss, I believe those bandits you mentioned have found us. You should take your leave while you still can."

The traveler then felt something in the small of his back— the unmistakable pressure of the tip of a blade.

"Sorry, fella. But I can't leave just yet."

The sound of approaching boots grew louder as five men crossed from the dark cover of the forest and into the clearing. They were all of them armed with a weapon of some kind; they bore scars on their faces and a greedy look in their eyes.

"Just one, Weiss? Haven't we taught you better n' that?"

"Now, now. Take a good look," a crooked-nosed man said as he pointed the tip of his stiletto at the traveler's chest, "This one's got a pretty necklace."

"How much you think a stone like that is worth, anyway?" another asked.

"At least a noble? Maybe more."

"Only one way to find out..." the largest man said with a smirk. "Bring him here, Weiss!"

Weiss hesitated a moment then urged the man forward by pressing his dagger harder against his back.

"Go on, now. Do as they say."

The cloaked figure turned to look at Weiss in the eyes.

Weiss felt his body go cold; he caught his breath and backed away.

"Come on, Weiss! No more delays! We've been waiting on you all day! It's cold out here you know?"

The cloaked figure turned from Weiss and walked toward the men of his own volition.

In response, the large central figure held out his broadsword toward the hooded man.

"Let's have it then," he commanded.

But the traveler did not move.

The men began to sneer; they loved it when the prey had spunk.

"I won't ask again. Give us the necklace. Now!"

"Why should I?" the cloaked man asked. "You will kill me either way...right?"

A couple of the men snickered and gestured between each other mockingly.

"If you do as we say, then we'll make it quick," one man answered.

"And if not..." added another as he drew a crooked blade from its sheath and held it up to catch the moonlight, "Then we make you wish you'd never been born."

The cloaked figure stood still, facing off against the five bandits. Each now had a weapon drawn and they began to prepare themselves for an attack— gripping tight to their weapons and tensing their bodies.

"As you wish..."

The cloaked figure lifted his hand and drew back his hood. He then lifted the necklace over his head and held it out toward the men. It hung from its blackened chain, still and beckoning— devouring the moonlight like an endless crimson abyss.

"Go get it," one of the men said as he shoved another man forward.

The chosen bandit moved forward slowly, taking only a few paces at a time. Once close enough, he reached out for the necklaced stone.

"Take it," the cloaked figured offered with the faintest hint of a smile.

The man gritted his teeth and swiped the necklace out of the air; then, he let out a gasp.

"Hah...."

He then looked down at his hand.

"Good, Lenny. Now gut him and let's go home."

Lenny drew his stiletto dagger and held it out toward the cloaked figure.

But before striking, he took one last look at the gemstone.

One final look.

Just one...