The next morning, Archer searches for Anear, and discovers an Assassin has attacked her. The group uses their various skills and spells to stabilize her, and her natural healing powers do the rest. The group learns of the Black Dragon Assassins and why they hunt the Talons.
The group go to Tygon�s camp to be tested by Tygon and his chief lieutenants (Elias the duellist and Carman the Mage.) The party preforms admirably, but it is Arabelle who truly impresses. Tygon accepts the group into his mercenary band.
The group begins their training among Tygon�s men. Dee and Archer have arrows fired at them from the shadows when visiting town. The symbol of the Black Dragons is found on the arrows. Dee leaves a note behind for the assassin, hoping to make contact.
The arrows are brought back to camp for study. Carmen discovers the arrows are magically enchanted, and can be tracked. Archer leaves camp to get rid of the arrows.
Archer returns with two dead assassins, which he killed with their own arrows. They are some type of snake men, unknown to those in the camp. Their corpses are burnt.
More training. Tygon is impressed by the skill of the Party.
Tygon orders the group to travel with Carmen to Ishter, to negotiate their next mission. On the way, they encounter a bandit with necromantic powers, and do battle with his zombie minions. Archer shows his brutal side against the necromancer. Dee is bitten, but recovers after a short bout of sickness.
The group arrive in Wahale, a small city just over the Ishter boarder. Carmen talks with an official and secures a mission to cull Orc numbers. She begins teaching the party the Ishter language. The group are fast learners.
Archer disappears during the night to chase a suspected assassin. He returns injured, and tells the party the other, while worse off than him, managed to escape. He seems bitter about this.
The group leave Ishter. Another snake man attacks them in a small village. Dee is badly wounded, but survives. Archer decapitates the assassin after it seemed to regenerate its wounds. Archer takes off with the creature's head, much to disapproval of Arabelle, while Helix and Dee bury its body. The rest of the trip is uneventful.
Winter passes. The party trains during this time, and get to know the rest of the mercenaries. Arabelle spends many a night in Tygon�s tent. Dee spends a lot of time with Carmen (Platonic.) Tygon and his lieutenants begin to show a new respect towards the party. This confuses most of the party.
Tygon�s Tuffs leave S�Hark and travel to Wahale to begin their assignment. Tygon and Carmen confirm details, and the Tuffs move on to the Orc Mountains.