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Morning finally came and Earth was awaken by Skopje tugging her shoulder. The first thing Skopje asked was about the fairy. Earth hesitated and told him it was her friend she lost in the orc battle.

Skpoje looked at Earth suspiciously. Earth faked a smile.

"Where is Waalk?" she asked the hafling. He pointed to an upstairs window of the Inn.

"Thanks!" Earth said with an evil grin and ran into the Inn.

Scaype was sitting downstairs at the bar.  He was pondering the sight he had only seen the night before.  A faerie had apeared out of a sack for some gal he hadnt seen.  He wasnt even sure if it was even a faerie.  Then he reconsidered.  Faeries are only outside creatures.  Cute and dangerous to humans.  It makes him wonder who or why would anyone get involved with the cute monsters.

Scaype wondered of it was important enough to get envolved or should he go back to those clowns called orgres sitting and waiting outside of town waiting to owe him that favour. Coming in sure didnt look inviteing with the dead lying around.

Jym stumbled downstairs, bleary eyed and with a pounding headache. He slumps down in a chair next to the fire.

"If this happens everytime you get drunk, then last night was the first and last time."

Earth ran past him up the stairs of the Inn and bolted through Waalks door.

"Rise and shine WAALK!" she said as she jumped on his bed.

Like a child, Earth keeped jumping on the bed as if it where a huge spring.Waalk pulled the covers from his face and rubbed his eyes in disbelief.How could anyone be up this early and be so hyper.

Earth's romping was interrupted by a heavy knock on the door. A large man they recognised as Hal, the owner of the Inn, came in. He looked sad and uncomfortable.

"Listen Mr Waalk, Miss Earth. The whole village wants to thank you for what you done, saving us from those orcs and that and we're really pleased to give you a big feast last night and that. But..."

Here it comes, thought Earth.

"But... the thing is, see, up until the orcs came we were just a quiet peaceful village and now folk just want to get on with their lives and so on without orcs and magick and..."

He stopped at the look on Earth's face, then carried on, " a lot of people here, they feel a bit scared around your faeries, and your dragon and your green friend, and my wife is sure that that hafling has been in her best silverware, and we just felt it would be better for us all if you accepted our humble thanks and, er... left, with our blessings of course." With that he tossed a heavy bag onto the bed, it clinked with the sound of many coins, as Waalk stretched to pick it up, Hal slammed the door and fled.

Hal was half-way down the stairs before he had enough resolve to stop and think for a moment. Here he was the mayor of the town as well as being the inkeeper.

These people with no apparent thought to themselves had come in and done what they themselves could not do...they had removed the orcs completely.

Some of the villiagers were scared of the new comers, especially the glowing man who had been the cloud, not to mention the fact that some of them were starting to blame missing items on the halfling, when not hours before there had been Orcs in the town and most, if not all, of the missing items were probably because of the Orcs then and not the halfling now.

And they had tried to pay them off like a bunch of mercenaries. How could they even consider it. this is the great village of Burg. A place of beginnings, not endings.

He walked back upstairs and re-entered the room.

He walked over to a stunned Earth and stopped, "When the Orcs came many of us tried to fight them off, at that time I was too afraid to fight the army, but a young girl filled with fire and spirit led those willing to fight against the invaders. She was killed as an example to the others what would happen to any others who tried the same. The Shaman would not let her die a painless death. Her screams went on for hours. What tore me up even more inside was that the young girl was my daughter.

"The others want to get rid of you all because you are strangers, but I cannot allow it. I would be honored if you would become my daughter. This would not be for show. You would always have a home here with me and my wife.

"I don't mean that you would have to stay here, I just want to show you that not everyone here is ungratefull for what you have done."

Earth's expression stayed the same, stunned as ever. She looked at Waalk for aid but he was too busy counting the coins from the Inn keeper.She took a moment to collect her thoughts.

"Daughter is a large role for me too play. Though I have always wanted a family, I am afraid I would never see thee or may never come back to this beautiful Village." Earth paused.

By now Waalk had finnished counting and realized the situation the young girl was in.

Waalk took a long time counting the money because he wasn't very good at it. He now looked up and listened in to the conversation between Hal, the inkeeper and Earth.

He was slightly taken aback by Hals suggestion. That Earth should become his daughter...!. Waalk cleared his throat, gaining the inkeepers attention.

"I think what Earth is digging at is that though she's honoured to be asked, well, she has alot to. Waalk thought harder on how to phrase it "I don't think Earth can ever become your daughter. You've said yourself about how the other villagers are afraid of magic. She needs to develop her skill. Something that she'd find hard to do here. You see she'd only end feeling... trapped."

Waalk shook his head and shrugged. He knew his words harsh, but he also knew what life in a village was like. He'd spent 20 years in one and now he'd gotton out, he wasn't about to consign a friend of his to that!!

"Besides, what about the Dragon. Who knows how he'll fit into village life."

Earth nodded in agreement.

"Sorry," she said, "Its not you, or your wife, but my destiny which I must fulfill. I am afraid that its a destiny unchangable by man, created by gods and must be acomplished by a mortal...me," She turned to Waalk and smiled.

"We better get going, we have caused enough confusion in this village. I'll get Skopje to find Jym and we'll leave." She turned back to the Inn keeper.

"Thank you, for you offer. Maybe some day I will be able to be the daughter you never had. But I could never take her place...that is your daughters place. Adopting me is only a way of avoiding her death. As soon as you know it, you'd start calling me by her name..and I dont want to cause you pain." With that she gave the man a kiss on the check and waited for Waalk's approval to leave.

Before she could leave Hal told Earth that, daughter or not, she would always have a home in burg if she tired of the road.

Waalk smiled back at Earth. She certainly had a way with words. He was sure it wasn't what he'd said that had helped her out, but rather that he distracted Hal whilst Earth could find the proper words.

Ohh well, I helped out at least. I wonder what all that noise is downstairs?.

Waalk then picked up his sword and waited for Earth to finish saying her goodbyes. I'd wish they'd hurry up, he thought, I could me missing out on another adventure.

"We really should be going now Hal. Thankyou for the coins, though there was need to pay us."

Skopje was teaching Jym the benefits of a large fried breakfast following a bellyful of ale and generally amusing himself at Jym's queasiness.

Two ogres burst though the door of the bar.  They spoted Scaype.  "Hey priest, are we going to repay your debt or is this curse on us going to remain."

At first some of the towns folks who came for breakfast were scared.  Some even armed themselves quick, but some relaxed when the noted that the ogres were unarmed.  Others due to the day before only became more enraged.

Scaype turned to the first.  "Daybok, I told you to stay outside of town until I could figure out how you could repay me!"

The towns folk turned now to priest.  "Why did you bring this bad luck and misfortune here!  Get out!  Get out and we will spare your lives!"

Scaype wasnt about to take on a town so with the last bite of his sausage he left the Inn taking Daybok  and his companion with him.
 

Both Skopje and Jym watched the ogres discussion with the priest and the way the townspeople turned on him with anger. Skopje followed the preist outside.

A few minutes after everyone left Waalk came downstairs. "What was all that shouting about a few minutes ago?"

Earth followed caustiously behind Waalk.

"Something tells me we arent welcome here," Earth said as she grabbed Waalk's arm. She looked at all the villagers that had settled in for their morning meal. A tall man approached her. Waalk stopped at the edge of the stairs and Earth followed behind him.

"You the child with the fairy?" he asked angrily.

Earth swallowed hard and nodded. Waalk reached for his sword. Earth pulled it back into its holster.

"No need to fight," She whispered to Waalk. He obeyed her orders.

"Then I shall leave thee, and find the others," Waalk said as he began to walk away.

"NO!" she screamed as she grabbed his arm. "I mean..no. You can never be too sure.."

"We here in Burg don't like magic, fairies or dumb haflings!" he yelled.

"Yes, we have been told," she said rolling her eyes. The man laught.

"Dont ye think thee are a little to old to be having a relationship with such a young and vibrant girl." he said smiling at Earth. A chill ran down her spine.

"RELATIONSHIP!?" they both yelled.

Skopje caught up with Scaype and the Ogres at the edge of town.

"Greetings !" Skopje said cheerfully, "I heard you mention something about a curse. My friends and I are expert at that sort of thing and we would be only to happy to help you with it. We do all sorts of things like that for very reasonable rates."

Stumbling outside as queasy as ever, Jym ran into Daybok and then careened into Scaype.

Then using Scaype to hold himself up he took a good look at the two ogres.

Sobering immedeatly, "Aren't you two Ogres?"

He took an uneasy step forward for a better look.

Scaype stared at Jym a bit suprized.  You see me, the human?  Me??  Now thats odd even these nuckleheads dont see that.  You really see though this discuise, how ironic. Only a true seeker of magic could see me, intreging.." Scaype stood wondering.

"Or...perhaps Thor cursed me only to be seen by Dybok and his goofy brother as a ogre, or the entire ogre race!" Scaypes face flushed.  "This cant be good" he mumbled himself.  Dybok and his brother stood confused. "So who are you guys?"

Skopje's head went from Jym to Skaype then back again several times. He frowned hard in confusion, "Orcs, ogres?"

Scaype turned to Skopje.  "Tell me what you see," Scaype said, "If you see an ogre, then Thor cursed me so that only magic creatures like your friend here can see me in my true form.  If you see a man then it aplies only to these.." Scaype turned to the ogres who appeared still confused, "gentlemen".

Scaype turned to the ogres and spoke.  "Dybok, you and your brother Atha are still obligated to me and your debt is still not payed so I would not attempt any fancy moves otherwise you will experiance the same fate of Oxrit, your fearless leader, any questions."

Dybok slowly nodded.

Scaype turned to to Skopje and Jym.  "Thor be praised, its great to be a priest today.  Now what to do to earn the trust of these people..." Scaye trailed off...

"I don't think it'll be easy, they've been through a rough time over the last few days, I'd say they be wary of all folk, particularly anyone associating with Orcs."

Jym suddenly started moving toward the Inn.

"Skopje, Earth is in trouble!"

Scaype turned to Skopje.  He spoke. "Friend I think your buddy here has gone bonkers in the noggen if you get my meaning. You'd better help me before he gets this whole town riled up, otherwise it wont be very pretty."

He stepped into the door...and stopped dead in his tracks. How could he have not noticed it before, the room was half full of Orcs...and what were the villiagers doing. Some of them were even hand in hand with some of them.

A particularily Ugly looking one was standing in front of Earth and Waalk.

"Everybody run, the Inn is full of Orcs!"

When the orc in front of Earth and Waalk turned toward him, for a split second he saw a man, but then it was the Orc again.

"I think your freind has been hit one too many times on the noggin, you adventurors need to watch out for that sort of thing," the man/orc said.

All of the real humans started at his remark. If he had really been one of them then he would have known that Jym had only recently become human, and with that realization the illusion faded from their Eyes. And the fear filled them.

It seemed as though Earth and Waalk were still hidden from the truth of these beings by the lie of the illusion. they were still under the effects of the wizards first rule, "People tend to beleive what they want to beleive."

Earth quickly examined the tall man infront of her. A preminision came over her. She grabbed Waalks arm in fear.

"What is it," he asked her. She carefully looked at the man and then spotted Jym in the doorway.

"He can see them too. She carefully tryed to read Jym's mind an easier task now that he was human. "Can't you see..these people arent human, their orcs!" she whispered.

Waalk rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"You can't see them," she asked him, he shook his head.

"Only something extremely powerful and dangerous could do something like this..Only the eyes of one born with natural powers can see behind their disguises. Lets go!" she said firlmy as she grabbed Waalks arm and firmly pushed her way through the crowed and towards Jym.

"Jym, whats going on," Earth asked as her eyes lit up in fear.

Scaype roled his eyes.  "Dybok!  Atha!  You boneheads are to come with me.  We've done our damage."  Scaype turned to the Inn and its residents.  "Fine people of Burg, I and my... uh.. comrads extend our condolances if we have caused any.. um.. hardship."

Scaype thought of the two things that bugged him the most: one, all humans saw an ogre, three as a matter of fact, and two He didnt dare curse the name of his deity, the mighty Thor.

Scaye turned and took his two morons out of the Inn.  He was curseing under his breath.  Thor really has it in for me.
"Everyone sees three ogres and one of them is me.  ME!!  Im human Thor.. Human!"

Scaype felt a sudden tingle.  Suddenly Athas and Dyboks faces looked pale. "Your a Uman.." Scaypes tingle turned into a really bad chill!

Waalk allowed himself be pulled along by Earth. He had no illusions about his fighting prowess. To take on an Inn full of orcs would have been very stupid.

But they did look like Umans. It was all very confusing. Waalks face was full of frowns and unanswered questions. "Are you sure they're orcs? What about the 3 tall ogers." He whispered.

Waalk was really confuesd. "I think this is where I let you help me out. All I see is Umans and the three ogres. he said when he reached the doorway.

Jym walked over to the biggest Orc in the room, "You will get out of this Inn NOW!!!!!!!!"

He was so angry, and so full of ale, that his green eyes glowed with a malevolent gleam.

The orc ran out of the inn closely followed by the rest of his band. Jym stalked outside...and tripped over the step. The 'spell' he had cast on the Orcs broke, but now they had another problem. They had two already enraged ogres, and ogres hated Orcs more than they hated humans. Too bad that the Ogres were so out numbered.

Scaype looked back into the Inn.  I dont like the looks of this.  Were surrounded by the orks.

Scaype turned to his ogres endebted to him.  "Guys, I beleive we're surrounded."

Atha turned to is brother, "Dybok, the uman he right and we in trouble".  Dybok nodded in agreement. Scaype turned to his comrads.  "Guys, this is the debt you've been waiting to pay me for".

Dybok turned to Scaype, "Priestman, me and my brother no dummies.  We leaveing!"

Scaype took a long hard look at the ogres.  "Oh great warriors, what was I thinking" he said mockingly.  "You are so much better than I.  Surely you can defend a helpless priest."

Atha and Dybok looked at each other and then again at Scaype.  "You not a bad person priestman, we will defend you agenst the orks but you will remove curse... Please." Scaype knew they were under no curse but instead it was Thor who blessed him to look like the ogres but now that blessing was removed.  Scaype only hoped that he could hold out long.

Events were moving far too quickly and the village was turning into a nightmare situation. Skopje made sure he was close to Earth, Waalk and Jym, pulled out his belt knife and snarled like a cornered wild animal.

The chared remains of the bonfire were still in the center of the square.

As the companions, Jym, Skopje, Earth, and Waalk, moved towards the center of the square the new comer, Scaype, with his Ogre followers, followed. Close behind were the 30 or so Orcs who had been inside the Inn. More orcs were approaching from other locations arounbd the small villiage.

Almost unnoticed the bonfire started to smoke again, this time a pale blue color.

Waalk went outside with the others and looked about him. Once again he was facing orcs. He swore loudly. Only a stones throw from Seven oaks and already in deep trouble. He unsheathed his sword and prepared to make a stand.

Suddenly Jym started to sing. The song familiar as an oft repeated lullaby but as strange as a song heard for the first time. Its words more of a subconcious nudging although they were perfectly understandable.

The time has come to face the foe,
To move him from the town of woe,
That all herein may rest at last,
So what's to be is from the past,
and all herein may rest at last.

For Orcs and kin have hurt too much,
this town of Men, and women, and such,
But all herein will rest at last,
So what's to be is from the past,
and all herein will rest at last.

The humans and halfling felt their fear and tension drain away. They felt much needed strengh enter their limbs, in fact they felt better than they had ever felt before.

Waalk stood with his feet wide apart and gave  a mighty battle yell. The ground near the orcs began to tremble, but as Waalks voice died so did the trembling. He looked across to others, a mad glint in his eye. "We can take em. Don't forget Dracon. He can kill at ten of them. I can handle the rest."

Waalk made some more vicious swings with his sword. "I may just be good enough to save some for you pansies."

Scaype knew this was trouble.  He almost hated the idea of dying.  Then again, He thought, It might be a great psalm to the greats.  Scaype turned to the brothers, "Atha and Dybok Im going to tell you something I should of told you before." Dybok intrreupted, "You're gay??"

Atha and Dybok laughed.  Scaype was not ammused.  He let their laughter die.  They whiped the tears.  Scaype was steemed.  "No!!  You're cursed with being a bunch of morons.  Well, actually you're not cursed." Dybok and Atha stood shocked.  "What?"

The priest spoke again.  "I figured since we're going to die you may as well know you're not cursed."  The two ogres faces growled.  Scaype grined, "Ok who's prepaired to die."  Atha and Dybok's faces changed from anger to concern.  Both unshethed their swords.  Scaype reached into his sack and pulled out his rune sword Burt the Sun sword.  "Look at the punny sword hilt Dybok."  Dybok watched as Scaypes sword hilt burst into a blade of light.

"Lets make t..."

His words trialed off..
The ork charged from the Inn.  The heros stood ready with the Ogres and Dragon at point.

As soon as the battle was joined, the blue smoke enveloped all of the combatants, from out side the smoke the clash of steel against steel could be heard, and then as suddenly as it appeared, the smoke was gone, taking the combatants with it.

Hal rushed out of his Inn carying the cleaver...only to find no one there.

Sorry that the heroes were gone, but glad that there were no more Orcs in his small town, Hal heads back into the Inn and tells the residents that their small villiage is finally free from their evil presence.