The Warrior had no money but he was determined to ‘learn something’. The only place he was aware of that might hold any knowledge was the near by village.

He made his way there and, after some enquiring about, was directed to small hovel which was home to a man of mixed reputation. He was said to be very knowledgeable by some, a crack pot by others. When the Warrior first arrived at the old man’s home the blustery old lady that had attached herself to him started right in on the condition of the house. The old, gentle, man looked her in the eyes and she started to object to that but she could not utter a word, she looked at her feet, the walls, everywhere but the old man’s eyes. After a short time she walked out silently and was never seen again.

“Who was she?” the Warrior inquired.

“Some demons have a distinctly cruel sense of humor, she was sent to vex you.” That was all he said for some time.

They sat in silence for a long while; the old man would say nothing in response to his repeated questions. The mysterious old man just rocked in his chair, at one point he lit a pipe and smoked a bit.

The Warrior was dozing off as the sun set when the elder began to speak. He spoke of many things, slowly and with absolute assurance. When challenged on a point by the Warrior he always had a response that was correct, good and would work. There was a point of frustration when the young man was about to storm out never to return but the elder never wavered nor insisted that he stay. The youth looked back at this now as a turning point. To leave would have sent him on a dark path that he could never return from. As it was he stayed and then the real lesson began.

The Mystic’s words had pulled a veil from the youths eyes; he now saw a world of delight and joy. He also saw things of terror and majesty that he could never have imagined. It was humbling, enlightening and horrifying.

When the dawn broke the warrior left in silence, the Rune Sword was no longer at his side; a new vision had set itself in front of him.

After a time he heard singing. The warrior had been aware of singing in his life but he actually heard it this time. It was amazing, a young woman was singing in a joyful voice larger than her size would indicate. When she saw him she did not stop or miss a beat, but her tempo and demeanor changed when their eyes met.

He was compelled to sit and let her finish.

“Good morning.” She piped.

“Good morning to you fair Maiden.”

She laughed, it was like music. “Where would you be heading looking so brave and heroic?”

“I am headed to the Valley of Fire to claim the Crown of Command and keep it from the hands of those that would use it to do harm.” Why had he said that? Surely it was the truth but he did not know this woman in the least.

“You do not fear to tell me this, am I so meek that you think you can trust to your strength to keep me silent? Mightn’t I go about and tell those that would be enemies of your quest?” She was still smiling as she asked this.

“You would not do that. I speak the truth is all; if there are those that would thwart me I will deal with them, it wouldn’t be the first time.”

“And now you brag about your might!” she laughed.

“Again, the truth. Of course you would not tell others if you became my companion. You are a person that seems wise and there is no secret that I lack wisdom.” He smiled and looked down at an insect scurrying across his boot.

“Very well then, I will trust to your protection and aid you if I can.” She looked a bit more somber.

He blinked and looked at her for a long time.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“Hmmm, something a friend told me.” He hesitated as if to go further would wake him from a dream, her beaming eyes were insistent. “He said that some angels had a distinctly generous nature.”

They spoke very little until they came to a tavern. Oddbottle’s was its name. They needed refreshing so there was no need to debate the issue. As they ate the small amount his few pennies provided they were caught up in rousing song lead by a boat man and his small crew. It was a bawdy tune and he feared that his new companion would take offence but she saw it as a pleasant diversion, or was it the warrior’s ill concealed concern for her that made her giggle?

After the second shanty the captain or such they presumed him to be, sat near them.

“You seem a strong lad; I need an extra back to unload some grain and sundries at the port across the Storm. It’ll leave ye near the Temple and unless I miss me guess you need be headin’ thar.”

Yes, some angels were generous indeed.