The Epic of Dalen Grey

I returned the next morning to the village outside of town. I went to nearly the same place as I had went before. I met up with the same house wives as I did before. I helped out with the same choirs as I did the day before. I helped the women fix their roofs, I helped them work the clay for use in pots and for repairing there homes. I tended a few gardens. By around mid day, I was ready to move on my search somewhere else. I felt I had helped these poor people out enough and I was getting distracted.

"I'm sorry to leave you, but I have other business I must attend to."

An older lady looked up to me. "You have been such a great help these two days, if there is anyway I can help you, I would be glad too."

"I am hunting a criminal named Brick, but I don't know if you can help or not."

"Criminal, aye that figures. I always knew he was no good."

"You know him?"

"Aye, we are a close here. We help eachother like a family. That Brick always took and never gave. He made a reputation for himself. A few months ago he came back around here and said he changed and started trading fancy things from inside the city for very little in return. They seem to forget what he use to be. I'm too old and been fooled too many times to fall for it again. The others may not want to help, but I will."

"I appreciate the help."

"Aye, your welcome."

she told me his recent where abouts. She couldn't give me a real location because she didn't know where he really lived. She did however told me where some of his friends had been thought to live. She gave me information about their group, Where they hung out to what they did with there day.

I checked the areas out. I didn't want to do anything Just yet. I would prefer to know what I'm getting into before a battle. It helps to not get noticed when I go out. I have a couple sets of clothes to disguise myself. They worked well most the time and they always hid my face in some way. When it comes to battle, I think its only fair they see the man who might ultimately be the last they see.

I went to the market district. I needed a few things that I might not find Just anywhere. My first stop was at the blacksmith. I needed a special piece of equipment made for me.

"You want what?"

"I need an iron sheild for my back, as light as you can make it. Can you make one or not?"

"Not so sure. Come back, say, one hour. I should have idea then."

I left in search of another shop. The first on I found that fit what I was looking for was a carpenter. He made furniture mostly. He must have done alot of business as the pile of logs was fairly high. It worked out well too it would seem.

"I need a large, round and flat board. I need it thick as well."

"You need a table top. I have a large selections of brand new tables. They are very affordable. This one here is one of my best selling..."

"No. I need Just the top, and i need it twice as thick."

"I assure you my tables are very stable and durable. This for example is very well built, its alittle extra but its well worth..."

I took out my dagger and slammed it into the table. The blade broke all the way through with little effort. He looked as much puzzled as he was scarred.

"Its not thick enough, now quit wasting my time."

"Tabletop...twice as thick...very strong...cost extra..."

I put down some gold in front of him.

"I'll take the table I damaged and the top. And want three circles drawn on it."

"I...start...now, if you like?"

"Thank you.

He started work right away, and I told him where to deliver. I returned to the blacksmith to find out what he could do. He had some plans made up already from the looks of it.

"I think I can help, I need to know what for, if plans will work."

"I need a light weight, yet flexible plate armor to protect my back. I need to be able to move freely or it won't help me any."

"Think I can."

"How much do you want for it"

"Good design, sell alot I think. Make it real cheap."

He showed me the plans he had. It was iron plate across vital areas and a thin layer of hard wood protecting the rest. There was a gap between wood and skin to counter arrow strikes being able to penetrate. The whole think was fitted in leather and boiled until hard in oil. It seemed exactly what I needed. I paid the man and he took measurements.

I went back to my new house and set up the target against one wall, I was gonna learn how to throw a dagger sooner or later. I got lucky once, next time its gonna be skill.