Peering through the darkness, one could not tell that within this room lies the greatest warriors that the world has ever known. The Circle. A group of friends that time and time again will risk their life for each other. Their beginning was unclear and their end unknown. Haphazard adventures have brought them together and torn them apart. Many an ale have been drunk, and stories told. Their great feats have not gone completely unnoticed, they have gained friends across the land through their travels. As the sun rose giving birth to a new day, these Circle members sleeply awoke...

"Some one wake Apes up." Pace said grogily, knowing that he would sleep all day if he could.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Battledwarf replied as he ran and jumped on the only sleeping member left.

"I'm up." Apes said barely coherent.

Ciggs walked over to the window, opened the curtains and was temporarily blinded by the rising morning sun. "Another bright and sunny day."

Hood, from across the room, straigtening her attire, said whimsically "There's a storm brewing it'd be better if we simply stayed here the night."

"We shouldn't over stay our welcome. I'm suprised anyone would let all of us stay in their barn let alone there home. Besides we have to get to Thalas." Pace added. It was true after all, the Circle couldn't always count on a stranger's help. More often than not the members would spread out and find a house just they could stay in our just stay with the wagons.But for anyone taller than Battledwarf it was a tad uncomfortable. And on occasion Quido was able to set up a monastary for them to stay.

"Why are we going to Thalas, again?" Apes asked, proving exactly how much he did drink the night before.

"We need some supplies, we are low on everything except Ale." Arnold said casting a look in Apesin's direction.

"Oh yeah..." Apesin said lowering his gaze to the floor. "Sorry about that."

"I guess we're moving out then." Ciggs said streching.

"Yep" was all that was collectively said.

After many thanks for the use of the den of a humble farmer's house the gang was off. Pace, leading, with Ciggs, Apesin, Loona, Arnold, Battledwarf, Deel-Ler, Quido and Hood, in tow in that order. Once the group hopped into the wagons, the trek began. Quido drove the first wagon with Deel-Ler next to him. Pace and Ciggs sat in the back with the food and water. Arnold drove the weapons wagon with Hood sitting up with him, leaving Battledwarf, Apesin and his daughter in back. As the horses pulled the group closer to their destinations, conversations started between the sub-groups that had been made.


§§ Old friends, Quido and Deel-Ler... §§
Quido sighed as the mindnumbing silence started taking it's toll. Deciding to break the silence Quido spoke up, "I hope this little trip goes well."

"It never does." Deel-Ler reminded.

"True, but the way I figure it, we're due for a change."

"Why do you say that?"

"I just figure that life rarely just repeats itself, it's always changing."

"I guess so..." Deel-Ler trailed off.

Quido's eyes wondered to the sky seeing how calm the skies were. "Do you think it's going to storm?"

"Hood's never been wrong before."

"True...true."


§§ Within the supplies wagon, Ciggs and Pace reminisce... §§
Being true friends, they could find anything to talk about, but today their conversation visited days of old. Pace noticing how Ciggs cocked her head and pulled her hair back and tucked it behind her ears. Out of nowhere Pace absent-mindedly said, "You and I really do make a good couple." Pace realizing what he just said almost winced. Ciggs a little stunned but starving for conversation pushed the topic.

"Why do you say that?" she said smiling.

"Ummm, we are just so compatible." Pace said searching for an answer, wishing he wouldn't of said that.

"Really?" she said slyly.

"Yeah." Pace said. At that moment the wagon hit a rock, causing some stuff to fall over. Happy for the timing, Pace began to pick up the fallen supplies.


§§ Arnold and Hood, a strange duo... §§
Arnold wanting coversation looked over to Hood, Hood in turn, turned toward Arnold, both being at a loss for words. Hood simply said "Going to watch where we're going. I'd drive but I don't know how."

"Really, you don't know how to?"

"I never learned, never really needed to."

"I could teach you, if you wanted me to." Arnold said/asked.

"I suppose this is as good as any other time." Hood standing up and sitting infront of Arnold he handed her the reins, but held her wrists. And as the ride continued so did the lesson.


§§ Two guys and a Daughter???§§
Within the weapons wagon Apesin with Loona in his lap showed her how to sharpen a sword as good as he could. Apesin was renouned for his sharpening abilities. Battledwarf with his large axehead in his lap filed the knics from the blade. Not much conversation other than Apesin showing his daughter how to hold the sword, what angle to sharpen it at and what kind of stone and oil to use.


The day continued like that, until just as Hood predicted, the wind picked up and the clouds gathered, knowing the village of Meridian was not even an hour away the group rolled on. Hood and Deel-Ler retired into their respective wagons as the two drivers, Quido and Arnold endured the elements knowing a safe haven lie only minutes away. Without incident the wagons arrived in the lush town of Meridian. A town full of life and known for it's plant life. Upon reaching a tavern in the heart of Meridian, the passangers jumped out charging the bar. This left Quido and Arnold the task of securing the wagons. When Quido and Arnold finally returned to the tavern, the others were gathered around a table. The two driver's taking a seat and pulling their dripping hair from their sight, joined their friends. Quido looked at the mostly dry members and said, "Someone is buying me a drink or someone's going to be looking for a new driver."

"Yeah" Arnold added.

The bartender hearing the comotion approached the table. "What are you all doing here in fine Meridian today?"

Passing through." Pace answered.

"Where are you all headed?"

"Thalas." the group answered collectively.

"Well I imagine you all are going to need a place to spend the night. So I'll make you all a deal. You clean up the bar and you all can sleep here the night. How's that sound?"

"Really? We'll clean up." Pace answered for the group, but no one would challenge his decision, it was a dry place to spend the night after all. It was merely mid-afternoon yet the gloomy clouds overhead was so thick it was mistakably night. The rest of the day seem to drag along as the intrepid savior's of many an ally we're forced to sit around indoors. Business was scarce, just a few drunkards who wandered in and after spending all that they had or could bargain with we're thrown out. Hours passed and night was upon the Circle and the town of Meridian. After a speedy clean up of the bar, the group settled in for a deserved rest.