Morning birds could be heard and the light of a new day was just starting to fade the dark away. The smoke of the night fire was slowly stirring in its remains. A fog had rolled in and everything was hazed. The coolness of the morning had set in creating a chill in the air. The echo of an elk bugling could be heard throughout the forest. Overhead a crow called out soaring by. The air was still and heavy, and the wind was dead as not even a leaf was moving.
Kraygoss was already up hunting for his breakfast. The area was rich in rabbits and Kraygoss had his eyes on one shuffling around. Crouched behind a small clump of bushes Kraygoss waited patiently for that right moment to pounce. The rabbit was unaware of what was about to happen. Suddenly, Kraygoss jumped and was on top of him. Within minutes he tore the rabbit to pieces and ate what he desired. Once done he walked back over to the camp site and laid down. He proceeded to lick his paws and lips cleaning what blood was left over. Kraygoss was in good spirts and satisfied with his morning food though he could eat more.
Mathis was now squatting over the fire stirring the coals and stuffing out the fire. After that he grabbed a small amount of food to eat out of his pack. The food was some of the fruit he had picked a couple of days back. It filled him and helped in any weariness felt. He then started to roll up his mat he slept on. Mathis was quiet and focused. Quickly and proficiently gathering his belongings so that they could get on the move. He stopped once to reach over and pet the head of Kraygoss and feed him a snack as well as slipping in some of the fruit to help him to.
The path of the unknown is always a risky venture. Mathis knew this better than most as his history has always taught him to be prepared for the unknown. This situation was particularly risky as he had no back up to help out. This was going to be his venture and his alone. The road was going to be long and dangerous, but if he could pull it off then he might be able to warn the armies of light of an impending incursion. The time had come, so Kraygoss and Mathis set off first to home to get supplies and then west to the orc fortress.
The run back to his home didn’t take too long. By the time they arrived it still wasn’t time for lunch. Mathis first walked into his house and grabbed a larger pack to carry his belongings. He traded out his smaller camp role for a larger one so that when they did camp it would be more comfortable. He then grabbed assorted foods to take with him that were filling, but small and easy to cook if needed. He grabbed what special fruit he thought would help him on his journey making sure to put the newer gatherings away for storing, and grabbing the older storing’s before they ruined. He got enough that it satisfied him for his journey ahead.
He walked out set the pack and bed roll on the table outside, and then went over to his forge to gather some necessary armaments. In the forge Mathis had created a pack to which to attach to Kraygoss. This would allow Mathis to carry four times the amount of belongings. Grabbing some more arrows to carry and even some arrow heads and feathers to make arrows if needed. Mathis could find the wood necessary to make the shaft of the arrows easily enough, but the arrow heads and feathers would be a little harder to come by. He then proceeded to adorn himself in some light armor. Things were going to get a little bit more uncertain then attacking a light scouting orc party and so Mathis was coming prepared.
Mathis knew that the weight of the pack that Kraygoss was going to carry could hold a lot and that Kraygoss would barely feel it. He therefore packed some armor that was heavier in case things called for a more direct approach and protection was key. Mathis packed a few more things needed in case he needed to do a quick repair. The Kraygoss pack was very versatile and could even be expanded once taken off of Kraygoss and formed into a lean to for shelter against rain. This trip was going to take some time so it would prove to be a viable piece of gear for Mathis and Kraygoss. As the pack was able to carry things for Mathis is also forged a bit of armor for Kraygoss being able to take arrow hits.
Moving onto weapons Mathis already had his to swords he fought with and carried always. One was just long enough to be considered a two handed sword, but Mathis trained himself to be able to fight with it using only one hand. If needed he could pull out just this one and fight, but if things got a little hairy he then would pull out a second. His second was a short sword that was slightly thicker than most but still possessed a fine cutting ability. It primary purpose was to help aid in blocking incoming strikes, but it still capable of landing a striking blow if needed. Being lighter in size, Mathis could handle it more swiftly even throwing it with precision. Mathis was trained to use both swords together and when he did he turned them into a deadly combination. When using the blades Mathis fought as though he was an avalanche striking everything and leaving nothing. He was precise and quick. His motions were smooth, fluent, quick, and his hits deadly.
Mathis’ capabilities with a bow were just as dangerous, and from a distance enemies would not know what hit them. He had the innate ability to track a target and let his arrow fly catching them in stride in some cases. Mathis became well known through the great war. He was the one called when a high value target was needed for dispatching, and so he was called the Harbinger and he brought death to his enemies. He took it upon himself to take on missions requiring stealth, precision, and almost certain death. These missions were almost suicide for any other person taking them on, but Mathis always achieved his goal and returned to once again take on another. He astonished and became well respected among the armies of light. To some degree he even frightened some, as he seemed unstoppable. Mathis never wanted fame or fortune from his abilities. He sought only to destroy the evil in Nelbring and one day live a life of peace, but as long as The Dark One and his armies were alive he was not going to. Mathis’ mind again started to wonder about as he finished preparing. The Dark One was gone and Mathis did try to take on a normal life, but he first had a mission to complete and then, maybe then he could see what that felt like.
The orc that had wounded him was still at large and he had a mission to silence him forever. However, this mission felt different in many ways. This person, this girl, was in his thoughts. Her words rang in his head over and over again. For once in his life Mathis was unsure and confounded. What was this feeling that was coming over him? He had a longing to be with her, but why. He had never felt this way ever. He had to compose himself and place his mind back on the mission at hand. Could it be possible to have a normal life, “What is a normal life”, said Mathis to himself? He had been fighting for so long that he had forgotten what or how one went. Her face was in his mind and he saw her so clear and freely.
As Mathis was riding, this time not alone as some of the company wanted to ride along to get back at the orc who ambushed them in the town, he was touched on the shoulder.
“Mathis”, a voice called out. Mathis looked to his left. “Everything okay”, said a man on horseback. “I believe so Daradan”, Mathis said. “Are you sure you seem distracted, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you distracted”, Daradan said. Mathis did not reply. “Well, what is it then, speak up. I really don’t want to go in to battle, with the deadliest man alive and he’s distracted”, said Daradan. “When it comes to battle, I will not be distracted”, said Mathis. Daradan pulled up on his reins and moved to the right of Mathis. “I would say that is true, but this would say otherwise”, said Daradan nodding his head towards Mathis’ wound. Mathis Placed his hand on the wound then removed it, “It’s fine”, he said. “Yeah, but it wasn’t a wound made by fighting in a battle”, said Daradan. Mathis went to say something, but Daradan stopped him, “Oh, come on. That strike wouldn’t have caught you on any other day, and you know it. So, what is going on?”
Daradan was probably one of the only ones that could talk to Mathis this way, and was one of the few that even talked to Mathis a person talks to a friend. They had been in the same battles many of times, and Mathis had helped him out in many missions. Daradan was a company commander in the human army. His company specialized in more silent missions that dealt in behind enemy line movements. They gathered information on enemy movements and positions. They also dealt in assassination, and this is where Mathis came into being.
Mathis was called out on a mission by order of the highest ranking general when even Daradan’s men couldn’t get even close to a high valued target. Daradan and his men were not pleased to have some outsider coming in to do their job, but it was not their call. Mathis cared little for what they thought and was there to do the job that was ordered, and he did the job with ease. Daradan’s men were still bitter, but saw a man that was a freak to them. They feared him and the beast that walked with him, which on they feared more though, walked on two feet. However, Daradan did not fear Mathis. After he completed the mission he was impressed and grateful. He had already lost some men trying to get it done, and saw Mathis save his men’s life and probably his own as well. He respected the man and the beast. In fact Daradan is one of the only people in the world that could walk up to Kraygoss and pet him freely. Any other person would be one arm short. After that mission Mathis was called one more times for other hard targets, but it wasn’t a general that was doing the calling, Daradan was. He saw a man that had the will and tools to get the job done and save lives in the process. Even his men started to slowly come around to the point that they at least respected him. Through the years and even on this mission Daradan tried to keep Mathis close. Mathis even came to respect Daradan and enjoy his company as well. This mission was no different, but Mathis was different. A mystery as he was when he first came on to the scene. A mystery people knew nothing about.
Much is not known of Mathis’ back ground, as it is clouded in mystery. No one knew of what race he was created from. Mathis’ own mind was clouded to any of his history before The Dark One. Though speculation was all about as to what he was. The one whisper that surfaced the most was that he was of an ancient race from the Predorn Age, a time before The Dark One. Mathis did not care for the whispers nor give much thought to it. He had lived a long time and seen enough evil in the world to want to end it, and all that matter for him currently was what was ahead for him and Kraygoss. The past was behind him and he was determined to vanquish whatever evil was before him. Mathis looked to a time that he and Kraygoss would be able to have that peace he sought. Though apart of Mathis always enjoyed the thrill of the hunt.
Mathis refocused himself and finished packing then walked out to call upon Kraygoss. Giving out a whistle he called Kraygoss over and began to strap on the pack. Once the pack was on secure Kraygoss shook a little bit to adjust it and make it more comfortable. Mathis checked all the gear once more and the straps once again, looked at Kraygoss and said, “Let us be off my friend.” Mathis walked over to the table grabbed his pack and hooked one strap over his head sitting it on his right shoulder and letting the other ride under his left arm. With everything in hand Mathis and Kraygoss set out right before noon. They traveled swift and without haste. Time was of the essence and it was up to them to find out what darkness lay in the west, and if need be put an end to it. It was going to be no easy task, but if there was anyone capable it would be the Harbinger. Mathis and Kraygoss soon were on the path of the unknown. Their new adventure had begun.