"That would make you sixteen. My, how we have grown." She adjusted her hold on her child. "So, what work are you doing anyway?"

"I’m just a mercenary. A hired sword. It may not sound like much, but it pays well."

"I see… I remember when I was just a year older than you. I went out on my first adventure. It was some fun. But those days are over now. After I met Antarlas and…" She looked at her child.

"Yes, you’re a mother now."

"Nork, this is Azzen Draxel. Azzen, this is Nork Mc Colin."

"Lily, why did you call me ‘Nork Mc Colin’?" I asked, I had always wondered this.

"Well, ‘Nork’ is the name of a famous halfling who hold more political power than some gods. And I chose Mc Colin because I always liked that last name and I thought you should have it."

"You chose well, Lily." I looked at Azzen, "He is a one in a million. Antarlas is a lucky dark elf to have you and a son like that."

She blushed, "Aww… Nork, that’s so sweet."

"It’s the truth. And you should always be told the truth." I looked to the floor, knowing what I should tell her.

She saw that and asked, "You’re not just here to talk about old times, are you?"

"Well… that’s only part of it. I’ve come to warn you, Antarlas, and Azzen about an assassination plan."

"What? Kill Azzen?" She asked worriedly.

"No, they’re going to kill you and Antarlas, then they’ll kidnap Azzen and raise him for they’re own purposes."

By now Antarlas had noticed Lily and I talking and swiftly walked over. I glanced over and I noticed his grace as he walked. It was like no one else I’ve seen before. I bet he could jump down thirty feet and still land silently. I also noticed his scimitar. It was rumored to be of great power, and even now after thousands of years after it’s creation all its powers were not unlocked. As he came over I noticed that he was wearing a fine suit of elven chain mail.

"Hello, my love." He said to Lily as he kissed her. Then he looked to me, "Who might you be?"

"Antarlas," Lily said, "this is Nork Mc Colin. He is one of the children I took care of when I was a street urchin."

"You were never a urchin, my dearest. You were a ‘diamond in the rough’." He said with a smile and all dramatic-like. I really don’t like people like that.

Lily put a hand to his cheek and said, "Honey, that’s sweet, but now is not the time." She looked back at me, "Nork, this is Antarlas, my husband. Tell Antarlas what you told me."

Antarlas took the child out of Lily’s arms and said, "What do you have to tell me, Nork?"

I took a deep breath and said, "I didn’t tell you, but… The three of you may be a danger. You and Lily could be killed and Azzen could be kidnapped."

"What?" Antarlas said in disbelief, "That can’t be true. There’s just no way. Why would anyone what to harm us?"

Not believing what I just heard I said, "First, you are a dark elf. No matter what you have done in the past there will still be those who don’t like you. Second, you and Lily are royalty. There is always some anarchist out there wanting to cause confusion in a nation. Third, Azzen is a prodigy, half human, half dark elf. Also, I remember what I heard, Azzen is supposed to be something special. Extraordinary, if you will. The only thing harder to comprehend is half dwarf, half elf. There are plenty of people out there, good and bad that would love to see that come to an end.