Journey for the Einlanser
	Luck wasn't with Rueben, and Matthias won yet another hand.
	"I'm done for the night, boys.  I do have schooling with the wizard tomorrow," said Kendra, standing from the table.  "Good night, you two, and don't get into any trouble."  She started off, turning abruptly.  "And Mattie.  Don't waste my gold, I'll get it back next game." With that, Kendra left the tavern.  With her went Rueben's smile.
	"Now Rueb, looks like the game is over.  You played well tonight," Matthias said, trying to cheer him up.  "Look now, Ruby, one of these days you'll have to tell her."
	"Are you going to offer to buy me a drink or not, Matt.  Otherwise, I'm going home."
	"Aren't we just the sour one.  All right then, a drink for you and a tale from the bard, eh?"  Matthias bargained.
	"Deal."
	Moments later, the Morning Star Inn was busy with the midnight crowd.  The bard had been tuning his lute in the corner before hand, and, as he prepared to tell the tale he had been paid for, Matthias returned to the table with two mugs.
	"There!  Drinks and a tale, just as I said," Matthias spoke as he sat down.
	"Aye, and a fine job you've done, my friend," Rueben said with a smile before taking a drink.  The bard plucked at his lute, gathering the attention of the room.
	"Good friends, a tale I have for you upon this night, and many a song to sing," the bard began.  He lifted his mug high.  "A toast to you all, as you will surely be my greatest crowd!"  The crowd cried back a 'Here, Here!' and drank with the bard.  This was the common way of the bard, pleasing the crowd with complements and toasts before the tale itself, just in case they told the wrong tale.
	"My friends, I tell you now this story is true, as real as me or you.  I shall tell you the tale of the Einlanser unless now you rise to say nay."  He paused here, waiting for the crowd.  Not one man stood or said nay.  "Excellent!  I shall begin!"  With a pluck on his lute and the beginning of his song, he did as he said.

	Twas long ago in days of old
	Back when the world was new.
	Dragonlands and Elven kings,
	In the time of Illinu.

	The gods created two great blades,
	Sharp as their creators' wit.
	One of the dark, one of the light,
	One of the accursed pit.

	The other from the heavens.
	Shining with a holy light
	It was called the Einlanser,
	The sword of all that's right.

	The second was of pure blackness,
	They called it Masamune,
	Created only for evil,
	At least that's what they say.

	And under the possession
	The Masamune came
	Of the demon lord Aratuul.
	With it, many lives he claimed.

	The Einlanser was taken
	By a courageous young Elf
	Who sought to stop Aratuul
	If he must do so himself.

	So it came to be that both
	Met on the field of battle
	To decide the fate of all.
	The fight raged until one fell.

	The battle was quite mighty
	And the Elven boy had won.
	Aratuul had been fallen,
	But the day was not won.

	He took the Masamune,
	As a great victorious prize,
	But the sword overcame him,
	The evil sword was his demise.

	No one knows what happened then
	Whether he lived or died,
	But somehow the tale was told
	Somehow the tale survived.

	The swords are said to be true,
	Hidden after that day
	The holy sword, Einlanser,
	And the dark Masamune.

	The inn erupted in applause.  After the cheers died down the bard went on.
	"Now, my friends, upon my travels I have been told that the swords do exist!  To the west in the Mountains of Terra lives a hermit who, as all hermits, is wise and knowledgeable about such legends as the Einlanser.  He is said to know the location of the holy sword, as well as the dark."
	Rueben took a final swig from his mug.  It had been a good tale.  It had been a good drink.  Now, overall, he concluded that it had been a good night.  He stood from his seat, thanked Matthias for the tale and drink, and bade farewell to the bard.  Finally, he headed for his home.
	The next day was as all days seemed to be.  Rueben had recently been allowed to his own anvil and hammer at the smith.  Orders had come in for swords worthy of the Knights of the Capricorn, a valiant group that willed the good of all people.  He worked throughout the day, crafting the blades to a smooth, shining point with the sharpness of a dragon's claw.   Corben, the master smith, passed by, eyeing Rueben's work.
	"Good lad, keep up the good work, my boy," he said, glad the boy worked so hard.  He began out of the area when the gate squeaked opened.  "Ah, good time of day, Lady Frost."  Since Corben feared wizards mightily, he quickly made his way out of the area
	"Hello, Rueben.  How are the swords coming?"  Kendra called as he slammed his hammer onto the fourth blade of the day.
	"Good day Kendra!"  He slammed the hammer down with a loud clang.  "Pretty well, actually.  Forth one today."  Another clang.
	"Matthias said you needed to talk to me."
	"He did?  I don't remember telling him that."  Rueben set down the hammer with a confused look.
	"Really?  Why would he tell me to come to you if you didn't tell him yourself?"  Rueben knew the answer, but didn't want to tell her the truth.  He had to come up with something.
	"I remember now.  I'm going on an adventure," he bluffed, licking his teeth.  He had always wanted to go on an adventure, but had never had the heart.  "I'm going to the Mountains of Terra."
	"What adventure could you find there?"  She asked.  She had a point.
	"I seek the hermit who knows where the Einlanser lies."  She was never going to believe him.
	"Matthias told me about that.  So, you going alone?"
	"Unless you or Matthias go with me, yes."  He would have to get out of this, somehow.
	"Sure, why not.  I'll go," Kendra said.  She must have thought that Rueben meant to invite her.
	"You will?"  He noticed his voice and posture and quickly corrected them.  "That's excellent."  No getting out of it now.  "Would you check if Matthias would like to while I finish here?"
	"Sure.  I'll begin gathering equipment for our journey.  Field training, right?  That'll get Tobias off my back."  Kendra grinned as she turned away.  "I'll see you later, Rueben."
	"Farewell for now, Kendra."  Rueben retrieved his hammer and returned to his work.  A fine mess he made.  Corben wasn't going to take this news well.

	Three days passed in preparation for the adventure.  Rueben was unable to help, as Corben demanded that he finished at least fifteen more swords.  Matthias was able to go, since he only earned coin from his wit at the Morning Star Inn.  They headed out in the early morning, before they were even greeted by the sun.  The sun would not shine on their faces until the late afternoon, as the group marched westward, toward the misty figure of the Mountains of Terra.  They sang a few songs, told a few tales, and spoke of many things happening in the world over the day, but they did not stop until nightfall.  At that time, they made camp for the night.
	Rueben set up the bedrolls as Kendra and Matthias worked on the fire and dinner.  They were still in the peaceful lands, and their chosen path would keep them out of most dangers.  They only had to fear bandits and the like, perhaps the occasional starved creature.  With the wood Matthias gathered and a quick spell from Kendra, a fire burned comfortably.
	Rueben had always dreamed of adventuring, taking up one of the many swords he crafted and battling the most fearsome beasts in the land.  Now that he was out on an adventure, he knew not what to do.  He had imagined all his life of himself seeking great treasures in unknown dungeons, caverns, and tombs.  He thought he was ready at anytime to break out of life and rush off to find the great thrills that life could hold.  He had seen in his mind his return to his homeland, people chanting his name.  Rueben.  Rueben.  Rueben.
	"Rueben!  Would you stop staring at the stars and sup with us," Matthias said.  Rueben was not ready for this, but he was ready for supper.
	"Sorry, Matt," he said as he moved toward the fire.  Kendra had cooked a fine meal, considering what was available.  They had caught three rabbits earlier, and they were not to go to waste.
	"What do you say to a bit of card playing after this?"  Matthias was always one to keep his cards about.
	"Sure, but not for money.  We may need our share if this journey last much longer than our supplies," Kendra said, taking a bite.
	"I'm in, and there are leaves enough to gamble with, since we both know how much you hate just playing," Rueben said to Matthias.  They soon finished with the rabbits and began playing.  Matthias easily beat the other two out of their leaves, and soon they found themselves settling in for the night.  Kendra quickly dozed into a deep slumber.  Rueben was about to follow suit when Matthias interrupted his plan.
	"When are you going to tell her?" he asked softly, careful not to awake the sleeping wizardess.  One thing more fearsome than any beast or bandit is a wizard disturbed from rest.
	"Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?"  Rueben said groggily.  Matthias was really starting to get annoying about this.
	"You can sleep after I'm done talking with you.  You need to at least let her know how you feel, Rueben."
	"And if she turns me down, I'll feel even worse, I'm sure."
	"When you tell her, you'll feel like an anvil has been removed from your chest.  I promise you that."  Rueben thought for a moment on this.  How did Matthias know of anything about women?  He never once seemed capable of loving one.
	"I'm going to sleep now, Matthias.  Get some rest."  Rueben put in before rolling to his side and shutting his eyes, letting sleep overtake him.
	"You will tell her before this journey is over," Matthias said just before Rueben completely blacked out.

	"Get up, Rueben.  It's time to head out," Kendra's soothing voice sang, breaking Rueben's sleep.  He sat up to find that she had gathered her bit of the camp before waking the others.  Matthias was just rolling up his bedroll.
	"Morning, Ruby," Matthias said, "Glad to see I'm not the only sleepy one around here."  Rueben was now gathering his equipment in the predawn light.
	"Same here, Mattie," Rueben said with a yawn.  "We've got a good way to go yet, don't we?  Let's breakfast on the walk, shall we?"
	"Aye, Rueb, let us go," said Kendra with a grin as she started off.  The other two soon gave chase.
	Kendra lead the march all day, Rueben and Matthias stayed far enough back for most of the day to hold their own conference, which consisted heavily of the previous night's conversation.  Rueben, no matter how he tried, could not convince Matthias to mind his own self and leave Rueben to himself.
	"You're going to tell her before we get back, Rueben, no matter what it takes," Matthias said as seriously as he ever said anything.  There was silence among the adventurers during the last hour of travel.  They had reached the mountains well before dusk, but the simple part of the journey was now over.  The hermit had to be found.
	"How exactly are we supposed to find a single man in a mountain, Ruby?" asked Matthias as he looked about.  "I don't even see a cave nearby."
	"That's easy, Matt," Kendra said with a wicked grin, "just don't interrupt me."  The wizardess closed here eyes and placed her hand in a mystic position.  Bowing her head, she began chanting softly.  The chant continued, gradually, yet very slowly, becoming louder.  She chanted for hours.  It was not until after the sun set behind the dark horizon was her chanting ceased, but only after she had been screaming at the top of her lungs for an hour.  Finally, she opened her eyes wearily.
	"That should do it," Kendra coughed out, her voice raspy from the screaming of the chant.  She pointed one hand toward what was once solid rock but was now a cave while, with her other hand, she drank desperately from her water skin.  "There lies your hermit."
	"Good job, Kendra," said Rueben in awe.  "I'm glad you decided to come."
	"Quit chattering.  We should get moving," Matthias said as his eyes darted back and forth, his hand on the hilt of his sword.  "Every living thing, and some non-living, I'm sure, heard that chant."
	"He's right," Kendra said, her voice still extremely raspy, as she lead the way.  She picked up a suitable stick and cast a fire spell, igniting her torch.
	Inside the cave, all three were struck with awe and surprise.  They found the walls of this cavern covered in a silvery substance.  Rueben stepped over and examined it carefully.
	"This is Moon Silver!"  He called in delight.
	"Moon Silver?" Kendra questioned.
	"It's a very rare metal worth more than a goldmine per pound," Rueben explained.  "It's also one of the strongest metals know to the civilized peoples.  Just think of a sword made from this-"
	"Let's keep moving, Ruby," Matthias urged.  "We can snatch some on the way out."  Rueben nodded, but delayed a moment longer.  They continued into the hermit's lair, which consisted of practically nothing.  The hermit was sitting in the middle of this room.
	"What be it ye want with me," the foul man said looking at the three.  They all paused a minute, staring at the empty eye sockets.  Rueben spoke at a great length.
	"Wise hermit, we have come in search of knowledge of the Einlanser," he said, trying to remain calm.  A moment passed, then the odd fellow let out a horrific cackle.
	"Fools ye be, but I grant ye," the hermit said.  Hermits were always wise, but they answer in riddles.

	Far behind the setting sun
	There be a curse that be done.
	Undo the curse and be won
	The sword of the holy one.

	The hermit cackled again, and the three turned away to leave.
	"Stay ye that be called Rueben!"  snapped the hermit.  "Ye others be gone!"  Afraid that the wise man hid great power, they listened.  The hermit riddled yet again:

	Frost must be conquered
	Before ye uncursed
	Otherwise terror
	And fear shall come first.

	Yet again, the hermit cackled and Rueben turned to go.  The riddle made perfect sense, as riddling was a favorite of his things to do as a child.  All his life, he thought he had been ready.  So wrong he was.  He joined the other two, explaining what the hermit had said.
	"Easy," said Kendra, "We conquer the ice goblins to the north."
	"I think not, Kendra," Matthias said, nodding to Rueben.  Now was his chance, and now he had to.
	"Kendra, he meant you," Rueben said carefully.  "That's why he only had myself listen to that final riddle.   You are the frost he spoke of, Kendra Frost.  This whole adventure...  Everything sprang from a lie.  You have Matthias to thank for that, but you must also thank him for this."  Rueben sighed heavily.  No turning back.  He took her hand and kneeled, looking into her soft blue eyes, shining more brightly than the Moon Silver around them.  "Kendra, I have loved you everyday since the first time I saw you.  I never found the courage to say anything through the sixteen years I've known you.  I would be honored to court you, if you give me the one thing my heart truly desires."  Kendra looked down into his eyes, which began to water, just as her eyes.  She smiled that beautiful smile once again.
	"It's about damn time, Rueben Mikhail Fondoraron!"  Kendra said as she pulled him to his feet.  "Matthias has been telling me for the past sixteen years, and I was just about to give up on you."  With that said she pulled him closer, kissing him passionately.  "Does that answer your question?"
	"Matthias, we need to talk," Rueben called quickly as he put his arms around Kendra.
	"Might I remind you of the Moon Silver," Matthias said.  The two stopped kissing and looked at him.
	"Might I remind you of the Einlanser?" Rueben said with a grin.  "We should rest, so that we may be far by dawn."  The others soundly agreed.
They began as the first morning light began to come over the horizon.  As the party hiked over the first hill, they paused, gazing at the lands laying before them.  Rueben took Kendra's hand and smiled.  The three looked toward the sunrise, seeking the adventure promised to them.