Prologue

'Made it through another day in the flatlands. Tracked and found a thief, with repeat offenses, this evening. Brought him to the chief officer, warm. Got paid 20 gold. Bought food and whiskey. A successful mission.'

Kieran carefully wrote in his journal, accompanied by a roaring fire, a dark bottle of whiskey by his side, and the sounds of nature that permeated the night. A cool breeze swept across the open terrain of the Highland Plains, and flowed through his minty blue fur; the fox grabbed a blanket he had lying around his campsite, and wrapped himself in it.

'It's gonna get cold tonight,' he judged.

Once done with his journal entry for the day, he placed his book down by his sleeping spot. He took his drink in his white hand and sipped for a while. The taste of the whiskey was strong and smoky, but that's just how he liked it. It was the perfect way for a hardened, lone bounty hunter to end his day; Kieran loved warmth and things that reminded him of good times. Whiskey was one of those things, and whenever he had the pleasure of enjoying it he always thought of the comradery he'd shared with temporary alliances in his past endeavors. When pairing it with a calm night under a starry sky it was sensational.

He was a loner, so did not have much in the way of friends. He did not stick around long enough to get that far with anyone, but he liked it that way. Besides, most folk just talked way too much, and that wasn't his cup of tea, as they say.

Soon Kieran's eyes became heavy. It had been a lot of work to catch that outlaw; he'd been a smart one, the hunter could give him that. With the moon growing ever older, the fox made his way crawling on the grass into his tent. It wasn't anything special, but it would shelter him from wind and rain, and that's all that mattered to him.

'Heh. Nothing fancy needed. This is good enough for me,' thought Kieran as he snuggled up in his blanket, smiling with his eyes closed. He nuzzled his pillow and savored the full-body heat he felt both from the campfire still blazing and from the alcohol. He grabbed his sharp dagger and kept it close to him.

It was absolutely a night of comfort for him, and he loved every bit of it. Yawning, he began to let sleep take him.

As sleep enveloped Kieran Dravenholm, his mind drifted into a realm of dreams and distant memories. Visions of his past adventures danced before his closed eyes, accompanied by the faint crackling of the dying campfire.

In his dreams, he relived the moments of triumph and danger that had shaped him into the skilled bounty hunter he was today. He saw himself traversing treacherous terrains, engaging in exhilarating chases, and facing off against formidable adversaries. Each encounter had been a test of his abilities, both physical and mental, pushing him to his limits and honing his skills with every passing day.

But amidst the memories of battles and victories, there were also fleeting glimpses of his old connections. The occasional nod of gratitude from a grateful villager whose town he had saved, or a shared meal with fellow travelers who had crossed paths with him during his journeys. Though these encounters were short-lived and rare, they held a special place in his heart, reminding him that even in his solitary path, he had made a difference in the lives of others.

As the night grew deeper, Kieran's dreams shifted towards a more tranquil landscape. He found himself walking through a serene forest bathed in moonlight, the gentle rustle of leaves accompanying his steps. The air was crisp, and a sense of peace settled within him. In this ethereal realm, he experienced a fleeting moment of contentment, free from the burdens of his bounty-hunting existence.

In the embrace of sleep, Kieran's mind briefly wandered to thoughts of what lay ahead. The challenges that awaited him, the targets he would pursue, and the unknown paths he would tread. But for now, he allowed himself to revel in the tranquility of the moment, finding solace in the simplicity of his campsite and the soothing whispers of the night.

And so, with a smile lingering on his lips, Kieran surrendered to the embrace of slumber. In the quiet darkness, he drifted into a world where his dreams intermingled with the reality of his journey, fueling his resolve, and fortifying his spirit for the trials that awaited him in the world of Arthos.