Prologue: The End of a Long Day
Inside. June, 2001.
An elf, a dwarf, a half-giant, and a ninja walk into a dark tavern in the middle of the night. The dwarf drinks ale, and the rest drink water. Around a single lamp, the elf speaks of magic and metaphysics, but the others are far too exhausted to pay much attention - except for the dwarf, who is happy to have his ale and asks way too many questions.
The four are tired because they have had a long day: between them, they have spoken with a prophet, killed bandits and monstrous creatures in the woods, matched wits with a magic mirror, been betrayed by their erstwhile companions, slain a nest of goblins, explored ancient ruins, and dispatched a rogue necromancer, all while dealing with immortal assassins who are after their souls. But on the bright side, most of the people they have run into think they are demigods, which buys them a measure of goodwill and forbearance - and a good thing, too, because the dwarf and the ninja were more or less literally born yesterday.
On top of that, there is the orphan they robbed, the lone goblin they befriended, the peace treaty they offered to negotiate between the local townsfolk and the restless natives, and the fact that the ninja might be losing her mind - all of which may or may not have happened, depending on how you read this book.
The elf is a mystic, and Sees all these possibilities and more. But she has spent the last several months locked up in a cavern with only the crazed necromancer for company, so she is understandably beyond caring at this particular moment. Right now, all she really wants is a long, hot shower.
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