The Attack on Gulin's Forest

The noise in the tavern was above a roar but Tolwen and Luther made their way to the counter, there were no tables open and the bar itself was nearly full. The last few hours of walking had built a deep thirst in the two travelers. Tolwen the wizard considered using his many powers to clear the tavern but he had learned long ago that there was a time and place to use his powers and this was not one of them. While being bumped and jolted by other patrons Tolwen and Luther motioned for the bar maid and ordered two mugs of ale. Tolwen was used to being looked down on by other men due to his height but Luther didn’t like it much for he knew well since traveling with his five foot friend there was more to being a man then the height of a man or the way they dress, the way they talk or even the size of his sword in battle. Luther considered himself lucky to know Tolwen and to be considered his friend. So when a loud mouth soldier made a comment about Tolwen being too short to be in a man’s tavern Luther took offense to it and short of drawing a sword against a professional fighting man Luther was prepared to defend his friend.

One Evil Wizard

Step by step the two travelers pushed on against the wind and pounding rain.

Luther shouted to Tolwen, “Can’t you make this storm go away?”

“Nobody controls the weather not even a wizard.”

“How about some kind of shelter then?”

“That I can do”, with that Tolwen shouted an incantation and pointed to nearby clearing and steady tent appeared. The two made their way to the tent, once inside they shook their cloths to get rid of the rain and to get the cold from their bones. Tolwen pointed to a large rock just outside the tent and the rock reappeared in the center of the tent and it began to glow and give off much needed heat. The two sat on the ground cuddling about the glowing stone.

Luther said, “No that’s much better.”

“Yes, it sure is better, but I think we need some food to help warm us from the inside out.” With the wave of his hand two plates appeared with meat and fruits.

Luther smiled, “There are advantages to traveling with a wizard.”

“And there are advantages to being a wizard my friend.”

The two sat and enjoyed the bounty of food. After they finished Tolwen said an incantation and mattes and thick blankets appeared. They settled down for some sleep.

As the morning sun raise in the east the walls of the tent begin to bellow and the ground began to shake. Luther was the first to stir and see the tent walls. Luther reached over and shook Tolwen. Tolwen awoke with a start, looking about he ordered Luther out of the tent. Both men scrambled to their feet and headed out of the tent. Once outside with the ground still shaking Luther asked, “What is it?”

“I’m not sure but it feels like wizardry.”

“It must be a very powerful wizard to shake the ground.”

“Yes, very powerful.”

Gulin's Gift

The two travelers went on their way enjoying the light breeze and the sunshine where the trees parted enough to allow the light to shine through. The path was soft and free of stones. Luther watched his companion as Tolwen lead the way for a time, Tolwen was a contradiction within him self, Tolwen spoke of worldly travels yet he seemed more like a child. Luther displaced the thought for he felt it was the unfairness to judge a man he hardly knew.

Both travelers were startled by a sudden movement in the trees; three men appeared from the shadows. Each man had a sword drawn and pointed at the two travelers. Luther and Tolwen reached for their swords but were meant with points of swords inches from their faces.

One man said, “Steady gentlemen all we want is your gold and coin.”

Luther responded, “You’ll find neither here thief.”

Tolwen, said, “Be off we are just poor travelers.”

The man touched Luther’s robe, “These are fine garments for poor travelers.”

Luther said, “You heard my friend, you have picked the wrong travelers to rob. We have nothing of value to the likes of you. ”I’ll be the judge of that, empty your pockets and bags, but first draw your swords slowly and carefully and drop them to the ground.”

The Slasher

Drip! Drip! Blood dripped onto the ground below the fire escape, five flights up Ruby Thompson lay motionless, blood pouring from the deep cut across her throat, eyes staring wide open and dead as Ruby was. In the distance the first siren blasted through the night air, soon other sirens chimed in, all in route to East 63^rd Street the apartment of Ruby Thompson, 305 –E. Rudy had lived in a shady part of town, drug dealers, pimps and drive-bys were common place on East 63^rd. Ruby had lived in the area most of her 25 years, a waitress by trade, a good girl for the part of town she called home.

Detective Betty Martin was the first to reach the body, eleven years on the force and five in homicide. Betty was a hard girl from the same background Ruby was from, only difference was Betty had married a cop and got out of the dirt and filth of the street. Here she was right back in the seedy part of the city but this time she wore the badge and she asked the questions. Betty’s partner Tony Loomis was a new comer to Homicide, only three months as a detective. Tony learned quick and the first lesson was Detective Martin was all business, she wasn’t looking for a easy walk and she never, never took crap from anyone and the included the other officers.

Betty pulled back the neckline of Ruby’s blouse, the cut was deep, clear to the bone, one quick slash and Ruby was history.

Loomis looked at the cut but not too closely, “same as the others?”

“This cut is deeper and it was one quick cut, our man is getting bolder, more sure of himself.”

Taming of a Werewolf

A resounding knock on the heavy wooden door and a moment later the peephole opened then closed and the door opened. In the hallway outside stood a tall bulky figure of a man and with the bright light behind him, he made a dark ominous outline, even then is was clear the man wore a long cloak and hood covering his face. The doorman gestured for him to enter and awaited the strangers name to pass on to the other guests, instead the stranger spoke in a deep gravelly tone, “I am expected.” The doorman gave a slight nod of the head stepped aside just in time avoid being brushed aside by the stranger. In a voice of questionable authority the doorman offered to take the strangers wrap. Once inside the stranger undid a clasp under his chin and pulled the hood from his head and in one swoop pulled it from his shoulders and placed it across the doorman’s extended arm. Another nod of accepting the wrap and the doorman faded into the shadows of the corner.

The stranger face revealed cold gray eyes with gray eyebrows and matching long hair pulled back into a smart ponytail, the sharp edge of his chin and cheekbones suggested a hard demeanor. The stranger’s choice of clothing supported the adventurous look of the face. Dressed all in black with a couple of pouches tied to his wide black belt and a double layer of leather over one shoulder going to the belt but not attached. On his right hip a revolver all in black, on his left a dagger of length enough to bring down any man. His black boots with lacing down the front reached almost to his knees.

The stranger’s entrance had not gone unnoticed by the other guests. Men in bright colored jackets and white-ruffed shirts stared at him; some raised an eyebrow wondering who he was. Several women smiled at the stranger, the air of mystery that his presents suggested brought fear to some and wild fantasies to others. The ladies were dressed in their finest the stranger assumed. Bright gowns of every color, every conceivable design but all included the cinched waists and plunging neckline to show their heaving breasts.