WITHIN

AS HE ENTERD THE TAVERN (The Hippo’s Turn) he saw the barman, a tall burley man late in years with wise eyes a bold head platted beard and a seasoned belly.. Hey Jim come on in old friend.

Jim moved over to the bar leaning on it with one large arm, pint of mead please Cliff, “is she here?”

Sliding the drink across Cliff said, You don’t gotta do this Jim!

“Yeah I do, the farm is struggling, and me boy told me last night he’s courting some lass I’m to meet soon”

You know your mind old friend , just be careful !

“Always”

Jim downed his pint as if it were water and made his way to the rear booth.

“Hello Triska”

A women of unknown description in a deep purple hooded cloak looked in Jims direction, her yellow eye seemingly boring into his soul, in a husky yet firm voice she told Jim to sit. A moment later Jim was on his feet again and headed for the bar,” hand me GODS FINGER” (Jim’s war hammer)

Now outside Jim started to run ,bones cracking skin stretching fur growing Jim transformed into a hulking bear like creature of immense size and strength, now on all fours he would move at four times his running pace, he just wanted the job over with and get paid.(the job simple. Travel east to a cave at the base of the hill, kill the guardian retrieve the chest…simple. Suddenly Jim’s ears caught a stray sound , he skidded to a halt and listened, there it was again a scream! Transforming back and drawing his great hammer Jim silently moved forward, looking past a rock Jim saw a broken wagon two bodies on the floor and four bandits teasing a young woman on back of the wagon wielding a short sword, badly. Jim rushed forward sending the head of his hammer into the head of one bandit while charging the other two with a staff, runes on the staff started to glow fire bolts flew from the tips incinerating two more of the bodies and running his staff through the last. His hammer now complete he returned it to his back, with a warm smile he approached the girl “your safe now, what’s your name child?”

“I-i-its Emily sir”

“ my name is Jim, head back that way you’ll come to a tavern, say I sent you they’ll look after you “.

Jim watched her run out of site then turned back to the road, to the job… kill the troll in Bathaven cave bring back the chest made of copper..

It took but a few seconds to despatch the troll, it took longer to find the copper chest, even though it was the size of a small horse it was no trouble for Jim, he returned a day later to the tavern, got payed handsomely by Triska. The girl Emily had left safely in the early hours, so Jim headed home leaving his hammer behind the bar once more.

Upon arriving at the farm he was met by his boys and introduced to his sons girl…

Emily

Fin