Where Lies Adventure!

           “Or is that three?” the shorter man joked. “Damned right it’s three!” Van shouted as he hugged this small man. The small man hugged back with equal force.   Van was impressed.   Finnian Pell had gotten much stronger since the last time Van saw him.   They released each other and Van was suddenly struck by something. “Are you drinking two ales at once?   Why order three?” “It’s a day of celebration my friend.   Thrace has been made captain of his own militia.   He should be joining us at any moment to share in the festivities,” Pell said. “Thrace is a captain now?” Van asked.   “I’m not surprised.   He was always the most ambitious of us.   The most disciplined.” “It’s true.   But to be a captain at only twenty eight years old is no easy task, even for one who works so hard,” Finnian replied. “You gentlemen can sit,” Cecily said.   “I’ll bring your ales to the table.” “Thank you Cecily,” Pell said with his warm smile. “You’re welcome Finni

CHAPTER 1          The Vagrant                    The tavern was mostly empty.   Not unusual for the early afternoon.   Most men were working the fields, dreaming of a few short hours from now, when they would be able to end their day with a mug of the finest ale in all the town of Rookwood.   But Van was making his dream come true.   Sitting at the bar, he finished off his third mug.   There was no work for him today.   Truth be told, there had been no work for him for quite a few days.   “Another?” he heard Cecily ask.   Van looked up from his mug then.   He had been daydreaming; but no dream could be lovelier than Cecily.   He had known the young barmaid all his life, and she had never ceased to impress him with her beauty.   Her red hair always unkempt and loose, while her green eyes probed into him searching; always searching.   “Indeed, my lady,” Van replied with a smile. “Will you be able to pay for this one?” Cecily teased. “Have I not paid for th

         The knight quickly scanned his immediate surrounding area for the strongest vine he could find.   He found a beautifully thick one a few feet to the right of where he was standing.          He turned his head back to the giant just in time to see his massive arms coming down in another tremendous attack.   With sword in hand, he jumped out of the way just in time.   The reverberation from the blow caused him to lose his footing, but the warrior jumped up as quick as he could and sprinted toward the vine.          He grabbed it, and without missing a step, turned toward Alteus and began running toward the son of earth.   Alteus was readying his tentacles again, but just before they shot out the earth shook.          The knight was surprised.   He hadn’t expected this tactic, but almost instinctively he leapt into the air to avoid losing his balance.   When he landed, he took the thick vine and ran with the free end of it around Alteus, so that