Near the edge of the Ganeshi jungle, the Trees stretch high up more or less stagnant as no wind passes

though the weather is still cold. A man lay on the ground wearing a cloak which covered his entire
body, a small fire crackles as the cloaked man laid closer to the small flame, his face indescribable. The
fire was purposely minuscule as hiding was of utmost importance. Everything would end if he were
caught. He looked inside his cloak again to check if the item, which he had the opportunity to take was
still with him. It was a normal small pouch tied to his belt, just as he had wanted, to keep prying eyes
away as he would travel towards the coastline and head east to Norun. As he opened the pouch a strong
gust of wind blew from the west and knocked him down, dropping his quarry in the process. At that
point he already knew that the wind was not natural it was the work of magicks.

They must have been scrying for it… he thought to himself.

With out a second thought he searched for item. As sudden as the first gust of wind blew and second
one came but this time it came from the east. Swiftly he dodged the second blow and began to search
for the missing item.

"Aha!" he shouted with joy, "Found you." for he found the item hidden near the fire place. The item
was a rigid gem glittering in its purple glow.

He examined it hastily for scrapes then placed it directly into the pouch.

No sooner did he start to leave, he heard the horse's hooves coming from behind him. This time he had
no way of escape. The sounds of the horses' hooves kept coming closer and closer. Desperate he went
to hide in one of the bushes away from the clearing. Steadying himself as the oncoming unknown
approached the campsite.

He sees it, though not the hooves of a horse as he first thought. It was a dark creature with long sharp
mandibles sticking out of its mouth. Large claws protrude out of its feet as it breaths deeply. Shocked
by the site of such a creature, he did not notice that there was no rider. It was too late for him to react,
the illusion of the large creature vanished and the horse became visible, the rider already appeared
behind him, ready to strike.

Making sure that the thief did not die so that he would face trial Norlen hit his bounty, by the name of
Morad, with his staff to knock him down. Though to Norlen, he was just like any normal thief, a
disgrace to the gods. Now riding his horse with his expressionless face towards Kran Outpost, while
dragging his quarry. By midday Morad, who was gagged and bound, was thrown to the ground since
Norlen had wanted to stop to rest his horse and himself from the long chase. The sun was setting as
Norlen had finished setting up, soon enough night had arrived. Fâles, the pale moon shining above
the sky, was partially covered by the thick clouds. The campfire Norlen made, suitable enough for
cooking his meal.

The crackle of the fire and the smell of food was what awoke Morad from his unconscious state. "Is
that what I think it is?" Norlen who saw the thief waken stood and placed the plate near Morad. The
plate consisted of bread and dried meat. "You won't be getting any of this stew but I still need you to be
alive."
Morad grunted at the food he was given. But due to his hunger dove his face directly on the plate. After
a while he looked at Norlen; he saw that the one who had caught him was still young, about a 10 year
difference. Norlen had worn what most people wore in the humid climate of Methus a sleeveless
leather jacket and beneath was a simple bright colored tunic.

As both men finished eating, Norlen then stood and started his watch. Morad reminded himself of his
quarry. He tried to look for it quietly though with Norlen watching him, he would rather wish to do his
searching another time. Norlen spoke with a quiet tone.

“By any chance you were looking for this?” The small purple crystal twinkled as Noren raised it from
his hand to let Morad see. Noren wondered to himself as to the reason why his master wanted this puny
stone back so badly. Morad on the other hand new to well what it served but he did not wish to think
about its attributes, since he still needed to escape. In the end Noren began chanting strange phrases. As
quickly Noren finished, Morad then felt a heavy weight pulling on his eyes. In the end slumber came.
By morning Morad woke with a startled expression for he was already riding on the horse, still tied,
while Noren held the reigns. They were nearing Junting Pass which was named after a Northern man
who worked on the bridge but tragically fell due to his own clumsiness. Morad had thought this
moment to be the most opportunistic moment for him to get the crystal and escape. Though he had
forgotten about Noren being a producer of magicks. Noren sat down and chanted unfamiliar words
which Morad had known to be incantations, but for what he thought, suddenly streams of light flashed
below him as a circle with strange patterns formed below them. The light covered them and they
instantly vanished.

●●●●

Lord Arelon had already seen them vanish through his scrying which he knew would lead them directly
owards Kran Outpost. Noren was still a child, he thought, he still needed much more to learn. But being
able to do so much for a student was very impressive indeed. He then strode away from the scrying
chambers, Muntreth was a tall lean man wearing a simple robe though he did have a small mark on his
left shoulder which bore a symbol, but it had been too long and too old for it to be clearly described.
"He shows good promise, doesn't he Arelon?" a voice echoed around the hallway.
Arelon turned too see who spoke, "Who goes there?", he said.
"Ahh Arelon, you still cannot tell where I am after this long a time?"
Arelon shocked at who he was speaking to fell to his knees, "No! This cannot be, you perished, how is
it...." He was cut of by the voice
"You do not need to know how,but remember only that I will return, my apprentice." The voice by then
had faded away. The room then became silent as if death had just passed through.
"This is truly a grave matter, I must have the crystal at once." still on his knees though he was also
breathing harder than usual, he stood and gained his balanced.
he quickly walked towards another room. When he entered, the room was filled with rows of bookcases
as well as books littered across the desks and floors. It was his library but not quite a common one at
that, for he was the head of the magus guild within the Isle of Muli-tan. He crossed several rows of
bookcases before arriving at another door which was made of old oak wood and creaked loudly when
he opened it. Inside was a chair and table and a large crescent window to his side which overlooked the
streets of Rilgard. while he sat down he opened one of the drawers in front of him and procured a sheet
of parchment, quill and an ink bottle. He then began writing.

●●●●
In the middle of Kran Outpost's inner sanctum a bright white circle with etched markings forms on top
of a platform. Noren was the first to step out followed by his horse and Morad. They had walked
outside the outpost and on to a path that led towards two massive wooden gates each marked with a
crescent moon facing each other and high stone walls which sheltered the interior from left to right. It
had been long since Morad had entered a city and now being led out of the outpost into Kran City itself
made him a bit joyful. though he still had matters to attend to which was his focus ever since they had
passed through the large gates towards the City of Kran. After passing the gates they were confronted
by a soldier. The man wore a chainmail with a tunic which also had the crescent symbol. He looked at
Noren and the thief with disbelief.
"Welcome back sir Noren Farcatcher!" he said gleefully.
"Good to see that you are well Josh", Noren cordially said, "how has the city been these days, It's
nearly the Vaxith cycle and I have not heard much news."
"Well everything hasn't change much since you left, though there have been more people coming in
these days." Josh said "Also whenever I question them from where they hailed from they would only
say they came south of the region."
"But never mind bout that, who's he?" Josh had asked as they continued towards the city jail.
"He's a thief Josh, just a thief." Noren said blatantly.
"A good one at that," Morad said proudly, "And you think a simple jail can hold me." saying so as he
spat on the ground.
"Well well it seems this one is quite a catch for you isn't he" the guard then grabbed Morad by the wrist
hoisting him up.
"ha! then why don't we place you in the K're-drin!"
the thief grew pale as quickly as the words came out.