I woke with a start and looked around anxiously. It was clearly still night, but apparently hours had passed. I could make out the rising sun in the distance. It must have been very early in the morning. I continued to look, trying to figure out what had woken me up. There didn’t seem to be anything. I shrugged and laid down again. A few minutes later, I heard a twig snap loudly. Hercules lifted his head, also awake, and scanned the horizon with his vertical black pupils. Sensing something that I could not, he bared his teeth and uttered a low snarl. The snarling awoke Yol, as well as Talon, who joined in on the noise making. The two Nairu grew increasingly tense, snarling louder and standing up. Talon clawed at the ground with his feet, raking his claws through it and throwing dirt behind him.

“What’s going on?!” Yol asked groggily, standing up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“I don’t know.” I said, pushing off the ground. “Something’s up.”

“Shhhh! Shhhh, calm down boy! Calm down!” Yol pleaded in a soothing voice. He approached Hercules and gently caressed his side. “It’s all right, calm down!”

Hercules ignored his master, continuing to snarl and growl at the darkness. He urged forward, pulling at the leash that restrained him from running off. He tugged and jerked away from it, trying to get loose and attack whatever was there. Likewise, Talon began to growl more savagely, stomping the ground and hissing angrily on the side.

“Something’s out there.” Yol said, pointing in the direction the Nairu were growling at.

“What do you think it is?” I asked, reaching for my hammer.

“I don’t know. Maybe more goblins?” Yol suggested, fumbling around in the dark for his weapons. I managed to grasp my hammer, and lifted it up.

“Only one way to find out.” I said.

“Right!” Yol agreed, rising up with something. He had a different weapon than I had seen before, something other than his bow, but I could not tell what. Through the veil of darkness I could only guess. I turned my attention to the woods ahead of us. I could now hear the footsteps of our intruder. They were being made by a two legged being, but sounded too heavy to be from a goblin.

“Who goes there?” I shouted. There was no answer, just the continuous snarls of Hercules and Talon.

“Who goes there?!” Yol echoed angrily. There was still no response, but the footsteps continued. Yol stepped back to Hercules again and raised his hand over his leash. Moonlight reflected from the metallic surface of whatever weapon it was he possessed. I assumed it was some kind of blade.

“Don’t come any closer, or I’ll let them loose!” Yol warned. Hercules roared, and the intruder stopped.

“Who goes there?” I repeated. “Speak or we will release our Nairu upon you!”

There was silence for a moment, then a loud snarl from Talon apparently urged out visitor to words.

“I mean you no harm!” Said a deep, human voice.

“Who are you? Speak!” Yol shouted.

“My name is Scott! I didn’t mean to scare you folks, honest!” Replied the distressed stranger.

“What are you doing, creeping around the woods in the middle of the night? Are you a thief? A murderer?” Yol inquired without trust or remorse.

“No, no! I’m an explorer, and nuthin’ more!” The voice answered. Hercules hissed.

“It is unwise to travel at night, stranger.” I said, still trying to make out where he was.

“Aye, but it isn’t quite night any more!” Answered the stranger, building up his courage. “It’s mornin’ now! Perfect time for hunting, it is! I’m after my breakfast, nothing more!”

“All right.” Yol said hesitantly, pulling his weapon away from the leash. “Calm down Hercules. There’s nothing wrong.”

“Here. Show yourself, stranger. Our Nairu must see you before they will calm down.” I said, folding my arms and still holding my hammer just in case.

“Very well…” The stranger said, advancing again. “I suppose that makes sense. Wouldn’t want ‘em scaring away the game!”

As the stranger, Scott, moved closer, I could begin to make out his form. He stepped into our little clearing, and I could begin to make out his features better. He appeared to be a young man, perhaps a few years younger than I. He was thick and heavily muscled, and held a pack on his back. Something shined, and I took it to be his weapon.

“There. See, Hercules?” Yol said, patting his steed comfortingly. “He’s just a man, like me. Nothing to worry about.” Hercules’ rage subsided, but he still seemed interested. He leaned forward, extending his neck and trying to get closer. Scott stepped closer, extending one powerful arm. Hercules sniffed Scott’s hand vigorously, snorted loudly, and turned away. Talon, also satisfied, laid back down and exhaled.

“I’m sorry for disturbing you fellas…” Scott started.

“It’s quite alright.” I said, shaking his hand. “And we’re sorry for nearly sicking Nairu on you!”

“Apology accepted!” Scott answered. “Now… might I ask who you two fellas are?”

“Certainly. I am Sir Christopher Drakesbane, and this is Yol Wurmsbane. We’re explorers of sorts too.” I said.

“Fellow adventurers? Haha, what a pleasant turn o’ events!” Scott bellowed, patting me on the back. I nearly fell over.

“Not just adventurers, dear sir!” Yol said, stepping forward and putting away his weapon. “We’re aspiring dragon slayers!” Scott sucked in air like a great storm cloud, shut his mouth, and grinned ear to ear.

“You don’t say!” Scott howled. “Dragons?! Woo-boy, what I’d give to hunt on o’ them!”

“Perhaps he could join our party?” I asked, turning to Yol.

“Now, now. We can’t just let anyone come along with us. If we’re going to be slaying dragons, we need warriors!” Yol said. He turned to Scott. “What can you bring to a fight?”

“Haha, what can I bring to a fight?” Scott chuckled. “I’ll have you know, my name around these parts if Scott the Strong! There aint a man in all of Hibradel stronger then me!”

“Prove it.” Yol sighed.

“Very well then.” Scott said, looking around curiously. He reached over and lifted up a large branch, perhaps five inches thick. He tossed it to Yol, who grabbed it and reeled back against it’s weight. He heaved it up in both arms and gave Scott a confused look.

“Break that in half.” Scott said, crossing his burly arms.

“Fine…” Yol said, dropping the branch to the ground and lifting his weapon in the air.

“Hey!” Scott shouted. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m breaking it, what else?” Yol protested.

“I meant with your hands.” Scott said.

“What?!” Yol growled. “It’s practically a log! I can‘t break that with my bare hands!”

“Aye, but I can!” Scott boasted, lifting up the five inch thick branch. He heaved it over his head and on top of his shoulders, and grasped both ends firmly. His muscles flexed and he pulled down with his arms, and with a thunderous crack, the lumber snapped in half and splinters flew. He extended his arms, and the two separate halves of wood hit the ground with a thud. Talon hissed at the display.

“You really are strong!” I said, taking a step back. “That was amazing! I can only imagine what you can do with a weapon! What do you use?”

“I have two scimitars,” Scott said. “As well as a bow. But that’s mostly for hunting.”

“What kind of experience have you got?” Yol asked warily, looking down at the broken halves of wood on the ground.

“Well…” Scott said, rubbing the back of his head. “I can’t say I’ve been in a lot o’ epic battles or anything… but I can hold my own in a fight, I promise you that! Oh, oh- and I know a bit of blacksmithing! I made these scimitars myself, you know! I could sharpen everyone’s weapons, and stuff like that!”

“Aha! Blacksmithing! Now that’s a useful skill to have!” Yol said with a grin.

“I fully agree. I think it would be most useful to have Mr. Scott on our side.” I answered, patting Scott on the shoulder. “That is if he’d be willing to join us?”

“Well, shoot! Of course I would! The more the merrier, I always say!” Scott exclaimed jubilantly. “But I tell you what, my friends. There’s still dawn left, and I still haven’t bagged any game. I’m gonna go hunt some more and let you fellas rest! I’ll be back by sunrise.”

“Ah… much appreciated, Scott! I could use a bit more shut-eye…” I said, setting down my hammer and heading back to the goblin blanket.

****

The next morning I woke up to the smell of something delicious. It felt warmer, and I thought I could hear the crackling of something burning. I opened my eyes and saw a lively fire burning, smoke rising high into the air. My comrades had taken the two halves of wood and were sitting on them by the fire, munching on some kind of meat.

“Mmmmm. What’s that?” I asked, sniffing the air.

“Scott here struck it lucky last night.” Yol said, pointing. “He downed a beauty of a buck on his way back, so now we’ve got venison for breakfast! Come here and get some Chris, it’s delicious!”

“Cooked it myself!” Scott said, waving a steaming piece of meat and stuffing it in his mouth.

“You cook too?” I said as I got up and headed towards the fire.

“Well, being a blacksmith, I’m around fire a lot… just sort of picked it up, I guess.” Scott said, shrugging.

“Yeah- when you get singed by some old dragon, he can clean you up!” Yol said, and the two of them burst into laughter.

“Ha-ha.” I muttered, grabbing a piece of venison. “Speaking of dragons… where are we going to go find some? Or anything, for that matter?”

“Well… I don’t know. I mean, there has to be one somewhere.” Yol said, shrugging. “I’d rather start with something small, though. Maybe we could gain a little fame along the way.”

“Aye, I agree with Wurmsbane! I’m chompin’ at the bit to face a dragon too, but they’re tough beasties! We ought to hone our skills first… get good and prepared for ‘em!”

“So what’ve you got in mind?” I asked, taking a bite out of the venison. It was juicy and flavorful, but a little tough. Still, it was good food, and I was hungry. I finished the venison with gusto.

“Whatever comes our way.” Yol said, yawning. He pulled out his weapons in the daylight, and I finally got a good look at them. They were thick, metal blades. They did not have a hilt or handle, but instead leather straps. They appeared to be arm mounted weapons. He pulled a cloth from his pocket and began to shine them.

“Maybe we could start with some Nairu?” Scott suggested. Yol shot him a look.

“Like Hercules? Are you kidding me?!” Yol growled.

“No, no! Wild ones! They’re a real problem with farmers. They eat their live stock.” Scott told Yol.

“I don’t know… still wouldn’t feel right. It’d be like killing Hercules’ brothers or something…” Yol answered.

“Nah- we’d be after a different species of Nairu. You know, there’s all the different kinds… I know! Vile Nairu! We can go after some of those!” Scott said in a determined tone. “Morgue Thieves, they call ‘em! They only come out at night, and they eat dead things. Sometimes they dig up bodies in the graveyard. I bet the groundskeepers would be thrilled to have us take some of them out.”

“We’d be doing good, Yol.” I said. “Besides, they’re wild. They aren’t domestic like ours.”

“Very well… but I won’t like it…” Yol sighed, putting away his blades.

“Do you know any places that have such a problem?” I asked Scott.

“MmmHmmm, that’s why I brought it up. Just last week I was hearing about a town not far from here… Greyburg. Their cemetery keeps getting defiled by Nairu in the night.”

“Did you hear which way it was?” I asked.

“Aye, I did. About two miles West of here. You’ll be able to get there easily on Nairu.” Scott said.

“Oh…” Yol spoke up. “That hadn’t struck me before. You don’t have a Nairu…”

“Well, it’s still early in the morning… we’ve got plenty of time to get there before nightfall. We can afford to walk.” I said.

“Sorry for the inconvenience, fellas.” Scott apologized.

“It’s all right. Perhaps the good people of Greyburg will be able to supply you with a mount.” I said with a smile.

“I’d like that,” Scott said, pulling off one of his shoes for a moment. “I’ve got corns on top of my corns from all this walkin! Haha!”

“Eugh!” Yol groaned, waving the air from his face. “Put that back on!”

“Hahahahaha! Certainly!” Scott laughed, sliding the shoe back on. “Wouldn’t want to knock you out!”

“I’ll say…” Yol grumbled, wrinkling his nose.

****

Yol and I rode down the dirt road on the backs of our Nairu mounts, with Scott walking along beside us. It was a nice, sunny day, and the storm clouds were now long gone. The sky was blue, and fluffy white clouds drifted by as birds flew around catching insects. It was a good day for a hike, and Scott didn’t seem to have any complaints about having to go on foot, except for his corns.

“What’s that?” I asked, hearing something. “It sounds like people.”

“Look!” Yol said, pointing as we turned around a wooded corner. There was a tall wooden gate, from which hung a tan flag with a picture of a lion on it. “This must be the place.”

Standing in front of the gate was a man with a halberd standing guard. We approached him cautiously.

“Good day, sir.” I said, halting Talon. “Might this be the town of Greyburg?”

“It is.” Said the guard stiffly. “What business would you have here?”

“We heard that you were having a problem with creatures eating corpses in your cemetery.” I said. “We would like to assist you in ridding your town of them.”

“Ah, yes… the Morgue Thieves. Infernal creatures…” The guard growled. “If you are here to slay the Morgue Thieves, then you have my full permission to enter.”

“We thank you, good sir!” I said, gesturing a bow from atop my mount.

The guard turned around and pulled the crank, slowly opening the doors to the gate. As they moved away, they revealed the town behind them. It was a quaint little village, with peasants and thatched roofs on every hut. Stray dogs wandered the streets, sniffing around old beggars as they munched on stale bread. Merchants and vendors shouted, waving around chickens and fine jewelry for sale.

“Looks like a nice enough place.” Yol said as we entered. The gates closed behind us.

“MmmHmmm. It’s a cozy little village, aint it? But these are troubled folk… we’ll be doing ‘em good by getting rid of these Nairu.” Scott said, taking in the scenery of the town.

“We’ve still got a while until sun down, though.” I said. “What do you say we have a little look around the place?”

“Certainly.” Yol said. “That market’s very tempting. How much money have we got left?”

“Not much.” I said. “Maybe ten or fifteen gold pieces.”

“You lads aren’t doing too well on cash, are ya?” Scott sighed. “Me neither. I’ve only got eight gold pieces myself. The adventurin’ business isn’t exactly a well payin’ occupation, is it?”

“Not yet.” Yol said, gathering up everyone’s gold into one bag. “But just you wait. Being a hero has it’s rewards.”

“No doubt.” I said, watching Yol tie up the bag. “We can tie up our Nairu over there, Yol.”

“Very good.” Yol replied, dismounting Hercules and tying him up to a post at the side of the street. I did the same and followed Yol and Scott into the busy throng ahead.

We looked around for several hours, checking all of the vendors at least once. There were many fabulous things for sale here, but with our measly sum of twenty three gold coins, we could not afford much. We only purchased two raw chickens, which we brought back to Talon and Hercules. They perked up at the sight of the dead foul, and started drooling excitedly. We tossed them the chicken, which they snatched up in their toothy jaws and swallowed whole. For ourselves, we had just enough gold left to get a mince meat pie to share. We ate it by the side of the street, licking every last bit of flavor off our fingers.

“Hmmm.” Yol said, rubbing his hands together. “It’s getting a little later. But still a lot of time before sun set…”

“Maybe we could go scout out the graveyard.” I suggested.

“A good idea!” Scott agreed merrily. “We can familiarize ourselves with the terrain, find a good hiding place. We could probably ambush them with our bows, Wurmsbane!”

“Then let’s go.” Yol said, standing up and casting the pie tin aside.

****

After wandering through the streets and asking for directions a few times, we came upon the Greyburg Cemetery. The gate, which was small and made of metal, was unlocked and open. A light fog was beginning to roll in. We crept around the graveyard, careful not to disrespect the dead by trampling on their graves. And graves were abundant here. Some had large, intricate headstones, and others were adorned with wilted flowers. Some of the graves were empty… they had headstones, but there were gapping holes in front of them. Some had shovels nearby… others did not.

“Diggin’ up coffins and eating the dead… eugh! Makes me sick!” Scott grunted.

“Yes… it is a vile act…” Yol said, rubbing his chin. “But I still don’t feel up to this. I mean, the Nairu don’t mean to do anything bad… they’re just doing what they can to survive.”

“Something tells me you’ll be singing a different tune when you have one at your throat.” Scott chuckled.

“How big are these beasts, anyway?” I asked.

“About the same size as your pal Hercules,” Scott said. “Maybe a little thicker, though.”

“You’ve seen one before, then?” Yol asked.

“Once.” Scott sighed. “I was traveling through a small village one night, and one ran into the street I was walkin’ through. It gave me a real mean look… it had something’ in it’s mouth, too. It must’ve thought I wanted whatever it had, cuz’ it started hissing at me and kept backin’ up. I pulled out my scimitars and started yelling at it, and it took off with the thing still in it’s mouth. I started lookin’ around, wondering what it had got…”

“And?” I asked with heavy anticipation.

“I walked over into the alley, where the Nairu had come from… laying there was a dead man. He looked like an old beggar, and by the looks of it, he had been dead for a while. The poor fella was missin’ his right hand…” Scott continued. “The Nairu had tore it clean off.”

“Revolting!” I said, grimacing.

“Yep.” Scott said. “And from what I hear, that’s all they eat. The dead.”

“Well, not for long…” I said, looking around. “Where should our hiding place be?”

“How about over here?” Yol suggested, walking over to a gnarled dead tree by the gate. “We could hide behind it, and when the Nairu come out, we’ll attack.”

“Looks good to me.” Scott said. The fog was beginning to get thicker, and the sky was darker.

“Looks like sun set is getting close fast.” I said. “I think we should start our stake out now.”

“Yeah.” Yol replied. “This fog will give us good cover, too. Just in case they decide to come early.”

We crouched behind the tree, watching the misty graveyard with hawk eyes. I held my hammer in both hands, ready to strike at a moments notice. Yol and Scott had their bows out, and kept one hand near their quivers. We were all ready to lash out into battle at any second… but inside we knew that this was going to be a long wait. The sun was just now lowering from the sky, and the moon was not yet out. If these creatures were nocturnal, as we had been led to believe, they would not show their faces until the sun was out of sight and the moon hovered high in the sky.

“How long do you think we’ll be sitting here?” I whispered.

“I’d guess an hour. What do you think Scott?” Yol whispered back.

“Maybe two.” Scott ventured. “Can’t be sure.”

I sighed, loosened my grip, and leaned back against the tree.