You walk through a valley in silence. the grassy knolls to either side of you slope upwards for quite a ways. Neither really bears vegetation other then grass. Though there are a few sparse trees that stand out against the bleakness of the valley. As your eyes look up one of the knolls the simple cloudless blue sky makes you wonder if this serene path is not something you are dreaming of.

But the winds carry with them the scent of smoke. You know that this comes from a small outlying house that is on fire. You could see it from miles away before you entered the valley. Now you trudge onward inexorably toward it. Your not even really sure why anymore. Perhaps it is your desire to see if you can help someone. But then again, perhaps your motives are more dubious and you wish see if there is something for you to take from the burning building.

As you round a bend in the path the sharp contrast of the fiery building makes you pause. You take another look to make sure what you are seeing is true. For there seems to be someone just sitting and waiting at the base of the burning building. "Perhaps they are unconscious? But even as you think that he stirs.

Eyes of a blue as pure as the sky rise to meet yours. He stares at you for a few seconds. Then with a malicious if not bloodthirsty smile he rises. A few steps take him out of the flames. With his exit of the flames everything about what he was wearing changes. His clothes instantly go from a dark brown (the same color as the wood) to a deep dark navy blue. A cloak of the purest black seems to materialize from his shoulders.

A few more steps and you can see his eyes. Still that pure azure blue. But you can tell they hunger for something, and you have a tearing feeling that it is your blood. Slowly as to make his intent perfectly obvious, he draws a wicked looking ax from behind his back. It's jagged curves lend him the aura of a berserker. Though now that you can see his hands clearly the spiked gloves already do the trick.

He speaks, but the words make no sense to your ears. He waits a few seconds for your response. But since you didn't understand you don't have one yet. Your still puzzled as to what language he is speaking. Since you are quite well traveled and know the languages of all the surrounding areas.

Angered by your inaction he raises the ax threateningly. You know that without some sort of miracle this will not end without a fight. It is now that you have to make a decision. Slay the man? Try to understand him? Avoid him and look for something of value inside the building? Or perhaps just slay him for his impudence.