Charles Kirby
Down the long dirt path, a man walked looking around at it�s forestry surroundings. His deep brown eyes pierced deep into the woods, even for his enhanced sight he couldn�t tell what was inside the dark woods. The man was dressed in the most fearful of armor, silver and gray metal covered his body with the ancient tongues scribed upon it. On his back was a long, wide sword made from the strongest of metals found in Arthos. His long brown hair flew back from his face and there was a single scar running down his right eye.
A howl came from within the woods, a large gray wolf leaped from the blackness and towards the warrior�s back. But before the creature could do any damage, he was already turned and his sword driving into the heart of the beast. �So curious you are nature, to be able to create such things of beauty and at the same, create the deadliest creatures of the land.�
The warrior�s name is Kraig. How or when he was born is a mystery. He was found as a baby at the doorstep the palace of Hindor. King Hommely took him in and decided to make him the mightiest warrior in the land. He sent him to the greatest kingdoms to learn their crafts and weaponry. As he grew, they found he also was extraordinary in other ways. He had the appearance of a human, the strength of a dwarf, the agility and speed of an elf, the eyes of a halfling, and the instincts of a wolf. Eventually, he became the greatest the warrior of the kingdom, made the kings own guard. But then, his true purpose is found.
Kraig ran into the throne room, his armor glistening in the candle light. He kneeled and bowed his head to the king out of breath. �Your highness, I have had a dream. A dream of your death by the wizard Kail. I fear, if it comes to pass�.I, I will not be able to stop him.� The king laughed heartedly and looked down with a grin on his face.
�And why not? You are the strongest man in the land, you are skilled with weapons including your fist! Why?�
�I-I do not know.� Then he rose and walked from the throne room and into the halls of the palace. The truth was, he did know why. He had seen it in his dream. He saw himself killing the king, and the wizard using him as a mere puppet. He shook his nerves and reasoned it to be only a mackerel of bread in his stomach.
In the morning he rose, and at the foot of his bed was Kail himself. He was dressed in a long dark robe, his white hair and black eyes sickened the room and made his ancient evil face even paler and ghastly. �Now, you are mine to control. Inside of you, you want to obey me and only me!� Kraig reached under his bed and threw dagger through his heart. The old wizard shrieked and faded from the room.
�You created me to strong, master. My instinct taught to me still controlled me more than you.�
�Yes, but forever, you shall battle the evil I instilled in your heart, you shall always have a lust to kill, a lust for blood, and want for your kings death!� The wizards voice still echoed in the room followed by a laugh then it faded.
Kraig rose and placed on his armor and took his weapons with him and some supplies in a bag and left the kingdom on his horses back. He could not return, for he knew what the wizard had said was true, he felt the want for blood, the want for his kings death.