I know why they fear the dark

I was really getting tired of this mess.

We had traveled the wilderness for three and a half weeks without sighting a single soul. Even Tamar's Reach wasn't even a town as such, just a huddle of huts struggling for survival in the outback. Three endless, mind and body wearing weeks of back and forth, try one route and turn around and try again.

They weren't even good company. Rough, uncouth, rude mercs and bandits, we were fighting and cursing each other as much as the terrain. It was only the goal that kept us together.

I don't know why I signed up with them in the first place. Money was getting short but I wasn't desperate and trying for Hadrarese was nothing but desperate. I guess it was the boredom, I hadn't had a job for over a month, and even good wine in a well-lit tavern with clean bar-wenches loses its appeal after a time.

Ryandres was on another glory rant. I kind of liked the hulking barbarian. He had hacked his was from slavery to semi-heroic mercenary on the outer isles using fists, chairs, words, teeth and that great bloody axe with equal skill. We had fought together before, another pirate gig when I was out of cash. We didn't make much but with Rayandres around things were never dull. I don't do those kinds of jobs anymore so I don't know why I went this time. Well, maybe I do, but it wasn't of my choosing.

Now he was getting a group together to try for Hadrarese, again. It seems that every year someone gets it into his or her head that the glyph had to be there. Then a bunch of hardy adventurers would set off and none would ever come back.

Ryandres thought he had the answer. Most of the other groups had been lead by scholars or priests, thinkers and soft folk, with the fighters along to keep their sorry insides covered. This was going to be a different trip. Ryandres was going himself and he was only taking fighters, strong men who could keep up and take care of themselves. We weren't going with fancy magic or tricks; we were going to fight our way in and fight our way out and everyone rich for life on the booty. It was a good plan. I think most of those priests are cons anyway.

I know why he wanted me. I am the best sneak around. There is no one quieter or lighter footed than I am. People think this means I am a thief but I am not. I know, you are wondering about the stories. Everyone has heard the stories of the princess and her stolen scantlings. Not true, there was no theft, she gave them to me, of her own accord, but that is another story.

I was to be the scout. The eyes of the group, this is why I command the best prices and don't even need to fight. I make sure that no one is surprised. Besides that way I can be by myself and don't have to endure the idiots of the world.

You see, even though everyone else wanted me for my skill in finding the ambush or spotting the trap Rayandres had a different purpose in mind. He knew my story, the result of an unfortunate drunken evening some years back.

Most folk would think my choice of weapons was odd for a scout. I carry a bow but I also haul a huge Altar mace with me.