CHAPTER #1Quintella's Story of love, hope, and the future of the Realm By Quintella

Being transported to a time of chivalrous knights, the enchanting magic of wizards, and the deadly monsters, has my mind entranced by this Realm. Many knights, wizards, dwarfs, and giants have helped me gain the knowledge of killing these creatures and provided me with many fond memories of my many deaths and resurrections.....I have made many friends and a special love.
While I wandered the realm and the towns one fine day, a gentleman approached me and began conversing with me, a wizard with deep dark haunting eyes. As I gazed into those eyes, I was smitten by the sparkle hidden within them. He invited me to join him for great adventures in the lands of the realm. He offered me his arm and I took hold tightly. He transported us into the dark depths of the realm, the caves with hideous poisonous creatures.
We had many great adventures and faced many deaths. We made many friends. We fell in love. He protected me well against the creatures. He always offered his hand, his arm, and even his body when I needed to hide from the very scary deadly ones. But, sigh, there was something missing. He always spoke of the love he had for me. He gave me many gifts, and flowers.
One day, he came to me, looking into my eyes, gently taking my hands with his,placing them on his chest near his heart as he spoke, "Quintella, I love thee very much. But my heart yearns for the hidden treasures that I have not yet found. I must go on a crusade alone without thee. It is too dangerous for thee to even think of accompanying me. I must go alone. You will always be in my heart. Please keep my amulet near your heart, for your love will always be with me on my journey." With his hands, he softly held my face, bringing me closer to his. I look into the haunting eyes for the little hidden sparkle. I could not find it. I closed my eyes as I felt his soft lips touch mine. My arms held tightly around his neck, not wanting to let him go. His strong arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. I felt his lips press harder against mine. He gently pulled away. He spoke softly while holding my hands, gazing into my eyes, "But you must go on living and find another...I may not return. I love thee very much."
I pleaded with him not to go, not to forsake our future for the unknown, to let his heart keep him here with me. But, he knew his mind and the force of the unknown was just too strong. He asked me to forget him since he would be gone many years. I pleaded and cried for him to stay but he walked away, leaving me weeping and alone. I could not find comfort in any of the treasures he had bestowed upon me. Many days had past....I began to grieve that something terrible had happened....I had a sense that something was not right. But I could not venture on that crusade he had taken upon himself. I cried many times feeling the void in my heart and my life, as if he had plunged the sword of death deep into my heart.
I wander the realm alone again in search of new friends and companions. My heart is still bleeding from the wound left by my lost love. I hope the healing will not be slow and that I may once again find the happiness that blessed my soul. This is my heart's deepest desire.



CHAPTER #2Story for QuintellaAs told by Hakkiem

Her dress was as blue as the sky at noon or like the eyes that blazed behind her mythril helmet. The sword she carried was as red as the blood that boiled up in her veins as she approached the Mage Ogre. Striking a mighty blow to its midsection she thought to herself, "This is for the man who broke my heart and left my tears to stain the pillow where I rest my head." The Ogre Mage should have fled, then and there, or had the good sense to fall down dead. But being an Ogre, he struck out with his mighty club against the fearless Lady Quintella. Quickly she countered the attack with one of her own and struck the beast in the neck with the point of her sword this time. It was truly a sight to see the Lady weave her magic with the sword. In two or three more heartbeats, the Mage lay melting in the noonday sun.
The old man clapped his hands as he stepped from behind a near by tree and spoke, "Well done m'lady, well done indeed." "You mock me storyteller?" she asked with a gleam in her beautiful blue eyes. "Nay, m'lady, I would do no such thing." he replied to her. "As well you should not, Hakkiem, or I may take my blade and remove what little hair you have left on top of your handsome head." she smiled at him wickedly. "Ah, m'lady, you make me wish that I was half a century younger, then I'd wash away your sadness with gentle kisses, sweet wine and the sounds one hears when love is new." Hakkiem spoke softly as he gently hugged Quintella. Quintella with a mischievous grin replied,"I'll not hear you keep saying you are too old…and if you say so again, I will remove what little hair remains atop your head." They both laughed together and their laughter echoed in the valley. With a loving smile he spoke, "You do make me feel young m'lady. Shall we continue down through the wood and see what the next bend in the river brings?" Quintella gazes into the sparkling eyes of the storyteller and replied, "Yes, M'lord. My blade hungers for more adventure."
As the river snaked its way deeper into the Wild Beyond the two separated many monsters from their meager possessions. As the noon sun began to sink behind the tops of the pines, Hakkiem suddenly stopped and listened. "Problem m'lord?" Quintella asked. "The birds and small animals have stopped their afternoon talking. Something is definitely amiss." The lady Quintella moved behind the storyteller as he made his way quietly around the rocky outcrop they had come upon. She had come to trust his wise judgment and now she too noticed things where not right with this part of the woods. He stopped to look at the marks in the red clay. "This is not good at all." He remarked to her as he pointed to the ground, " Many Daemon and Imps grouped and moving south. Looks like a war party m'lady." Hakkiem cast some protective shield spells and once again began to move silently in a southern direction. Quintella thought about her lost love as she moved softly behind the storyteller. She could still hear his parting words "I am sorry Quint, but you can not come with me. This crusade is a dangerous one. I must find that which I seek alone. Please forgive me." Oh the anger that dwelled within her, Quintella fought back the urge to scream or kill or both.
Deep in thought, she almost ran over Hakkiem as he came up short in front of her. As her vision cleared and her thoughts once again came back to the real world, her breath caught in her throat at the sight that lay before the them. Scattered on the ground in front of them was a mass of body parts of both man and load animal. The caravan from Wen had not fared well at all when it was waylaid by the war party of Daemons and Imps. Quintella ran past the soulful storyteller. She recognized the colors on the overturned wagon ahead. The colors of her once beloved. She threw caution to the wind and she could hear Hakkiem behind her muttering spells of invisibility to protect them from any still lingering monsters. She found his head in the rut where the first wagon had bogged down. His torso was on a lance atop of the grave of an Imp warrior. Written upon it in probably his own blood were the words 'He Died Good. But He Died.'
Quintella didn't know if she should cry. The death had gripped her heart. She thought back on his last words. Why did he have to go on this crusade alone? Why? Even the Goddess in all her goodness could not resurrect a soul torn apart in such a fashion. The tears she has been crying alone every night had returned. Hakkiem slowly came up behind her and took her in his arms. He held her tight as she wept for the man she still held in her heart. Hakkiem cast the spell that took them back to Hakkiem's Square in the town of Wen. He wanted to keep her safe. He knew he would return later with help to bury the remains of her lost love.Fini…….



CHAPTER 3Story of a brief meeting, but is there hope for a new love for Quintella?Written by Quintella

A deep cloud of sadness still lingers around Quintella's heart. I visit the Town Square in Wen frequently looking for the company of my new companions and friends of new and old. Among them, a special friend, Hakkiem, is always there sharing stories and helping others. While I was listening one day to one of his tales, a warrior came and sat near me.
He was cautious to not interrupt the old storyteller...he leaned over to whisper to me in private,"Good day, M'lady. I hope thee are fairing well this fine day." His voice had a special charm; his words were like notes being played on a lyre. I could feel my heart miss a beat. Who is this man, I wondered to myself? I stole a quick glance looking him over. I could tell he was not from this land. I did not know his colors. I asked some others about him that were in the square. None knew of him. I decided I would take a chance to discover the person next to me.
"Thine beauty is like the wild spring flower blooming in the field, standing out in color amongst the green field. I wish you to accept this humble rose as a pale tribute to your beauty." As he spoke, I was transported to a place where it was only us. He invited me to go on an adventure with him. But sigh, he could not protect me from the evil jumpers that were about. He worried for my safety. The days of his danger were numbered....he asked me to wait. I accepted his gift of promise. My gift to him was a ring of strength. To help him have the strength to stay out of harms way for those numbered days.
The days began to pass. We would speak briefly each day. My heart began to thirst for his words of enchantment. Those words I found to be quenching my thirst of my lonely search and healing the wounds of my heart. We decided to meet and take a chance in the land. My heart was filling with excitement. Could Quintella's search be over? Who is this warrior that can make my heart miss a beat? What does fate hold for Quintella in the future?



CHAPTER 4The Brightest StarWritten by Quintella

The meeting day came. I went to sit with Hakkiem while I waited for the warrior who was making my heart skip a beat. The time went by. The warrior did not come. My heart became more sadden again. I hoped he had stayed safe and had not been murdered by those who find joy in the killing of others.
Hakkiem noticed the change in my eyes. He turned his attentions towards me. The old man could feel my grief deepen and grasp my heart again. As a tear slowly glided down my cheek, he took his weathered but soft hand and with his magical touch grasped my tear. While he threw my tear into the heavens, he muttered an incantation. A star was born from that tear. The night twinkled brighter.
"Tear no more, M'lady...or the night will become day. We need the night to renew our world and bring hope. The darkness is only to remind us that hope will come and the day coming is ours to make the world a glorious place. Please do not tear anymore tonight." Hakkiem spoke in such a soft voice. I could feel my pain in his words. He was absorbing my grief with his powerful magic. I smiled at him and spoke, "I promise thee, my dear friend, that tonight while I am with thee, I will not tear anymore. I too like the night to bring a day of glorious hopes."
My sadness once again went back into my wound. The wound is healing slowly, but I am once again filled with the hopes of tomorrow's and new companions and friends of new and old. Is this sadness the fate the Gods have placed upon me? Will it always dwell in my heart? Is Quintella's fate to always seek which I cannot have?



CHAPTER 5The Perfect RoseWritten by Quintella and Hakkiem

"Willst thou join me for a hunt, my dearest?" Hakkiem spoke with a gleam appearing in his eyes. I kindly accepted his invitation. We went together to the place where Daemons dwell. As true to the storyteller he is, he began to tell me of the treasures that the Daemons hoard. I was enthralled by his tales. "I hope we are able to find some of these treasures, M'lord."
He began to have a deeper voice...almost haunting...as he spoke of the symbol of Enid. I was entranced by his tale.
The God Enid was angry….nothing new. He was angry most of the time and the only time he was not shouting was when he lay with a fair human maiden or one of the lesser Goddess. But today was different, what he was angry about was the fact that his temple in Devon Forest had been violated. Several priestesses had been slain and a number of temple prostitutes had been taken captives. The latter made him very angry indeed. And of all things that Daemon Lord Ezelberoth had stolen the holy temple symbol also. "A QUEST" he bellowed. "And a prize of the perfect rose for the Symbol's safe return." So the decree went down to the Temple Priestess and so the Warriors and Adventures and Wizards came to try for the prize of the perfect rose. Many died, many ran home in fear, and a few told the secrets of the Dungeon known as Daemon Home in taverns across the land. And so the Quest continues for the Holy Symbol of Enid and the Perfect Rose.
"The Perfect Rose is such a rare item that when held in battle and a prayer is said over it to the God Enid your entire battle party is immediately restored to full health." Hakkiem whispered. "And so m'lady we seek the symbol and the prize at the end of the adventure."
Hakkiem and Quintella made their way into the Sarcophagus that led down into the bowels of the dungeon Daemon Home. Taking out an old wrinkled map Hakkiem pointed to the east and said "This way m'lady. It states the Eastside first, then the West, and then either North or South. In the South is the Lair of the Lord Daemon Ezelberoth and his five henchmen."
And now the adventure begins…….



CHAPTER 6A Walk with my Lost LoveWritten by Quintella
After hearing the story of the Perfect Rose, the wound in my heart once again reopened. I could feel my wound whispering to my mind, "Take the challenge of the quest. Take your love the perfect rose. Go talk to him once more."
Upon entering the dungeon, my mind was taken to another time....his dark enchanting eyes were looking into my eyes...my love was once again in front of me. The sparkle in his eyes and his smile entranced me. I was in his powers. "Quintella, my love, are you ready to flirt with the death that lies behind these doors?" my love questioned me.
My lips parted to speak, but no sound could be heard. He smiled at me. I could feel his aura taking over my soul. My head motioned yes as my eyes could not wander from his. He led us into the soul of the realm to face the monsters of death. It was a dark place. The smell of hideous sulfur could be smelled. I could hear the rats scampering through the dark tunnels of the cave. He was holding my hand, leading me into the deep darkness. I could hear the flying of bats above our heads. I took hold of his arm with my other hand. I tried to whisper to him....but still I had no sound coming from my lips. I squeezed his arm tighter, bringing myself closer to his body. I could smell his sweat, sense his fear. His arms were firm and muscular. Strange, I thought, for a wizard such as he, to be so strong............
We were attacked. The squealing of a monster in a beautiful gown attacked us. She was a creature of great beauty. Her hair flowing wildly in the air. Her scream was a piercing screech. My body trembled with the sound. My love pushed me behind him. He cast his first spell. You could feel her wrath as she quickly swarmed upon us. I could not let my love take all the punishment. He did not have the proper armor. I told myself, I am a warrior. I must defend him. I came from out behind him and found a courage I never knew existed within me. My sword attacked her and sliced through her. His spells prohibited her from attacking us both with great force. As I stood before her, she changed...the beautiful creature became a hideous monster..the screech piercing our ears..we knew we had to be quick...we both attacked. I could see that he wielded his knife with great precision. I understood where his strength was from.
We were both approaching our own deaths. He knew I was in trouble. I knew he was in trouble. I could feel his powers engulf me, giving me more strength, improving my health. All I could do was attack. He was also taking control of my soul. I could feel the rage in me double and I struck with such force, the monster vanished back into the lower earth where it had tried to escape.
I could feel his arms wrap around me. I could feel the warmth of his body near mine. I could smell the sweat on his body as he held me closer. He took my face into his hands, and gently kissed my forehead. He looked into my eyes, his lips approached mine. I could feel them slowly coming into contact with my lips. His lips were soft and gentle. I pressed my lips more into his. I wanted to be a part of him. He stopped and pulled back. My hands were holding his arms. " I love you, M'lady, Quintella. Thee art the sunshine of my soul. Thee bring the heavens to me when thou art near. Stay near me always. Let me protect thee." He spoke these words so softly to me.
There was a strange echo in the dungeon. "We must be on our way. Take my arm, M'lady, we will go and heal our wounds and repair our gear." Hakkiem had spoken these to me. I had awakened from my trance. He noticed the startled look on my face. "Quin, we must be on our way. M'lady, dost thou hear me?" "Yes, M'lord. I hear thee." I replied with sadness that my old friend the storyteller recognized. "Come back to me, M'lady. He is gone from the earth, as we now know it. You must find a way to let go. He would want you to live. We must move on, before death encompasses us." Hakkiem felt the dangers that lurked in the darkness.....
The Adventure Continues





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