Role

Chapter 3

"The candle grows low Lohoq, the innkeeper is beginning to shutter his doors,
what shall it be?"

The boy played with the tassels on his cloak nervously, raising his gaze upon
the shadowy figure. "I... I... I'm not sure. What if I want to leave?"

The figure leaned in slowly across the table, pipeweed seeping out of his
cloak. "Then you shall leave, I will make sure no harm shall come to you." The
figure leaned back, resting his legs upon the table.

Lohoq nodded solemnly "I will do it, when I am ready". His face became
washed with confidence, the dimming light flickering off his pale green eyes.

The figure leapt from the seat and slammed his mug against the oak table
"Then it is settled! Your training begins tonight! Gather your things from
the orphanage and meet me beneath the tower gates." And with that the figure
dashed out of the inn, trails of smoke following him as he ran into the
night.

Lohoqs eyes shifted towards the stained window, the moons glow casting
shadows on the table. Ten years ago he found himself a famished, dirty
wretch in the heart of Hamsah Mutazz. One day a knight passed through the
City, calling upon all of the children that ran amongst the camels, docks and
deserts to follow him to an orphanage where they would be taught to read, and
receive three warm meals a day.

Lohoq had followed, in the hopes to end the pangs of hunger that gnawed on
his conscious.


It was within the orphanage Lohoq met his future. During his first week in
the orphanage, a group of adventurers came in, swords un-hilted, they began
to slaughter the children in their beds, as the old and decrepit Jaragh slept
in his office. Lohoq had hidden in a large cabinet, reserved for the coats
of the children for when they ventured about Balator.

As the sleeping rooms filled with the corpses and blood of the children, a
cold chill filled the room, the window beside a now empty bed had flung open
and a creature stalked the adventurers.Lohoq crept from the cabinet,
pinning himself close to the wall.

The adventurers laughs cascaded down the hall as the slaughter continued,
Lohoq crept forward, peering around into the next set of bedrooms, a shadow
flashed beside him and he could see the adventurers stagger back, one fell a
dagger placed in his throat, another soon landed in the doorway, his neck
snapped, the third began to flee but as he ran into the hall a sword launched
from the room, planting itself squarely in his back.

Terror gripped Lohoq, he staggered back, eyes filling with panic. The figure
emerged breathing heavily, blood dripping from his hands. The figure peered
at Lohoq, and then tossed him a small, heavy satchel.

"Do not be afraid little one, keep this, use it to feed yourself, I will be
watching." And with that the figure strode out fo the orphanage, Lohoq sat
there for some time, gripping the satchel, unable to sleep.