Her sails gleamed with the pulsing heat of the unforgiving flames. The polished wood that acted as the skeleton of the ship, fell to the might of fire. The crew of the Midnight, were incinerated by the fire's evil. But that doesn't explain how they are still alive.
"What happened? One moment I'm dieing in flames, and the next I'm here washed up on an island's beach!" said Graynar looking around.
"Larkus saved us Graynar." siad Hurokol. "The package he gave me is a magic shield which saved our lives as the fire cascaded around us. It's still a blur, but I remember, waking up, and feelling fire burn my flesh. I cut my ropes on a forgotten sword on the floor and I pulled out the package and I summoned it's magic. It saved us as the ship burned to cinder. The waves washed us on shore here on this island. We are safe for the moment. This shield is the greatest defense known to this planet. Sure it can only protect an area of five meters but it's worth tons."
"Nice little shield there and I'm glad we're safe but, where is Wolf and Renvale?" said Graynar.
"Gunfar is nursing Boldan over there, but Wolf and Renvale are no where to be seen!"
"Not true, look! I see Wolf's hip flask!" said Graynar pointing at the damp flask on the ground.
"He must be nearby!"
"That was Gunfar, he's in trouble!" said Hurokol drawing his sword. Graynar pulled out his sword, but failed to find it.
"Hurokol, my blade! It's gone!"
"Radak must have took it. But right now we'd better see what's wrong with that Dwarf!" said Hurokol running towards Gunfar.
"Damn you both!" yelled Hurokol, leaping into the air and knocking Bomire's sword from his hand.
"looky here, if it isn't the captain of the Midnight. I'm going to take you down old man." said Flog waving his katana around his head.
"Not today scum!" said Graynar hitting Flog over the head with Gunfar's battle axe.
Flog fell to the ground with a deep gash in his head.
"Big brother!" yelled Bomire, running towards his him, but Hurokol wasted no time, he cut the boy down with his sword.
"Ennnngggffff!"
"Speak boy! How'd you get here? Where's Wolf and Renvale?" asked Hurokol.
"The hip flask?" said Graynar looking at it, while examining Flog's sword.
"It must have been a potion that allowed them to take the form of Renvale and Wolf. Those two must still be out there somewhere." said Hurokol.
"Yeah, but these two foolish brothers might have killed them." said Boldan.
"Never the less, we've been tricked. Wolf and Renvale, were two deadly assasins in disguise. Renvale must have shot, Larkus, and Wolf must have released the prisoners." said Hurokol.
"Darn, now to a bigger problem; how do we get off this island?" said Graynar, worriedly.
"Sure everyone forgets about a dying dwarf! Humans! Hmpf." said Gunfar grumpily.
One day passed, but no ship passed by the island to pick up the shipwrecked men.. They ate fish that they caught, and slept under the trees at night.?
"Something still bothers me." said Boldan one day, "If Flog and Bomire work for Radak, why did he decide to kill them on the ship with us?"
"Hehe, probally because they failed their mission in killing you. And he decided to leave them aboard the ship as punishment." said Hurokol.
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help noticing you're stranded on this island as well."
Boldan and Hurokol spun around; A girl was standing there. From the look of her clothing she was from a rich family, and she couldn't be older than sixteen.
"My name is Gerral Vlax. I'm from Vazanay. My father is Vander Vlax. Have you seen him? I do hope he comes to rescue me."
"Wait a minute," said Graynar, "Why are you on this island?"
"Oh, the evil men who kidnapped me are here. They let me roam freely, because they know I can't escape."
"Well then, let's pay these men a visit." said Hurokol smiling.
Gerral led the four warriors to a small dock sporting a large ship.
"Hmm, I smell Red dragon Crosairs." said Gunfar, sniffing the air.
"The mercenary band you wanted to join Boldan. Remember?" said Graynar.
"Hehe, yeah. What did they want with Gerral anyway?"
"Ransom is my bet. Come on let's get that ship!" said Graynar unsheathing Flog's katana.
"Boldan, you're injured. Stay back and protect Gerral. We'll handle these knaves!"
"Yes sir." siad Boldan turning towards Gerral, she didn't look very worried. Usually women are frightened of battle, thought Boldan.
"Sikaron soldiers here? Destroy them mates!" yelled the Red dragon crosair captain.
The mercenaries charged towards Graynar, Hurokol, and Gunfar.
"Whoa!" gasped Graynar as a dragon crosair leaped at him from behind. A battle broke out, and there was no turning back now.
"Looks like we got ourselves a ship gentlemen." said Graynar smiling.
After preparing the ship for launch, Hurokol gave the group the details of the task ahead..
"First of all, we bring Gerral and the sheild back to Vazanay. But before trading the prince for the oh-so-precious sheild, we have to hunt down Radak and get Graynar's sword back."
"And my revenge." said Boldan waving his injured soldier around his head.
"What are we waitin' for? Next stop-Vablahshon." said Gunfar.
"Vazanay." Gerral corrected the dwarf. "I do hope I get to see my father again soon!"
"You will," said Hurokol, "I hope. For he is the king of Vazanay."
