It wasn't long after my sister's death before I left the woods of Kanaan to escape the pain it caused me. I still see her phantom form running beside me as I left the wilderness. There was no reason for me to stay. The mage made sure of that on her second visit to the village. I never did see her face. She always was made sure the hood of her cloak kept her identity in darkness while her eyes blazed a red inferno from within. The innocents screaming still echoes in my head. However, I will never forget that cackle. It made me fill with rage remembering it. The horrendous laugh that woman had as she burned down the entire village would send even the awakened back to the graves they climbed out of.
It was a journey, but finally I ended up heading into the gigantic city of Alaspar. Every where I looked, the city was decorated with life. Structures larger and thicker than I could have imagined. Men wearing sheer brilliant armor that nearly blinded me as I walked into the main streets. On every other shady corner, I could see a halfling or human holding a cup looking for anything that could feed their addiction. Guards seemed to ignore them as long as they were not visible to visitors. It was not hard to see the balance of nature here, even though it was a bit rough on the eyes. Everything was a distraction to my goal.
"Keep focused," I muttered to myself. I had to find the monster that lead me here. At this point, it was beyond just a bounty. Dying would only be satisfying if her neck was between my hands. Her last breath would be my own. Even a mage leaves a trail, and I tracked it to this wonderful city.
"Mori...." I sighed. She always wanted me to run away with her to Alaspar. Start over, leave the past behind us. "I'm so sorry...."
Not too far from where I ended up stopping, there was a large structure. It held documents written in familiar and some unfamiliar languages. Around it, several people were looking at it. That's when I saw her at a distance. Dark colored hair, fair skin, standing strong.
"Mori?" I whispered.
She glanced at me as if she heard what I said. My eyes had deceived me. She was a beautiful halfling whom had emerald colored eyes. It was hard to get rid of the phantoms I had been seeing. This halfing did have similarities to my twin.
"Do you guys want an adventure?!" A bubble bellied dwarf said to a few by the board.
I ignored most of their responses until a mage spoke up, "Of course!"
My eyes focused on her. Is this it? The demon who destroyed my life? Could it be this simple? I could not tell if it was the same woman or not
"How about gold! Do you want that?" The dwarf bellowed to me.
My concentration dropped. All of a sudden he had my attention. What sort of dwarven silver tongue did he have? "Yes...." I stuttered like a mentally challenged field rat.
I had to be sure this was the mage. Joining this party would be the best way to keep an eye on her. And if she wasn't, maybe she knows who is. I could not make a mistake again.....
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