The Escape From Falan Port

The tavern was warm and well lit. The sounds of men and women laughing, drinking echoed throughout the trader city of Falan Port. The air smelled of hard ale and crisp ocean breeze. Most of the men were traders of the land or sea.

The city was part of Lower Labrin. It also remained a neutral city, unwilling to involve itself in the northern wars and battles of the eastern country of Cion. Northern Labrin, governed by the city of Klestin was at war with northern Cion governed by the city of Valenrock. The war had just begun and already many lives had been snuffed out.

The leader of Northern Labrin, Soreth Morendall, had obtained some form of dark magik. The leader of Northern Cion, Malakii, had caught wind of Morendalls discovery and wanted to possess it for his people. Men from both countries were more than willing to join the force to defend their countries. To escape being drafted to the northern armies men stayed to the south making their lives as traders and merchants. One such trader went by the name of Sean Huick.

Sean was a trader out of the island country of Dalynore who had moved north searching for better game. He was a tall broad shouldered man with sharp features as if carved from stone. He had hard eyes and dark hair that he wore loosely tied about the base of his neck. Gray wisps of hair dared to show themselves in his long mane. He wore traditional traders garb, consisting of a blue tunic and an almond color cloak. Hard leather boots encased his feet. Completing his outfit was a short sword strapped to his left thigh. His bold features that were combined with his rugged appearance an aura of strength and power.

As he sat drinking his Klestin ale, truly enjoying the din of the tavern, when he caught sight of a very scared looking women appearing from the shadows of the entrance. She was dressed in tattered and filthy robes. Her dark eyes searching frantically about the room. She seemed sickly in fear or desperation. Her eyes searched about the room until she met Sean's gaze. Instantaneously she made her way across the tavern toward him. She appeared to have some sort of bundle clutched against her chest. As she came closer he rose to meet her. She was pale and haggard looking obviously worn and weak. Their eyes locked for what seemed to be an eternity. Her eyes held him in the strangest way. He wasn't sure what was mirrored in her eyes. They showed no expression but her composure told him otherwise.

"Please...save him," She said in a weak voice.

With that breath she thrust a small bundle into his massive arms. Immediately, she turned and raced for the double cedar doors before he had a chance to speak to her. Momentarily stunned Sean watched her go before attempting to weave through the sea of people. Just as he reached the doors an ear piercing cry both human and beast silenced the noise of the tavern and surged up through the night sky. Sean placed the bundle down and drew his dagger along with several other men and rushed into the city street. But all was sound. Nothing stirred. The woman and whatever else vanished. Uneasily they retreated back into the tavern. Sean slowly went over to the bundle. Something stirred within its coverings.