After the wonderful meal. Most of the group slept soundly. All except Rand and Uber. They spent hours going over the map. Rand pointed out things on the map that Uber had never experienced before.

And if Uber didn't know better. He swore that Rand knew about all of areas on the map because he was already there. But that was impossible. The map was lost for over a hundred plus years.

And this 'Old Man' wasn't THAT old..........Was he?

When he asked Rand how he knew about all of this. The old man smiled and pulled a small leather bound book from his robe.

"This book was given to me by my master over forty years ago." he said handing it to Uber. "It hold over a hundred years of information between the two of us."

Uber was in awe over all the information, symbols and phrases that was in the book. Some of the phases had nothing to do with the sindar. Most of the symbols and phases dealt with magic and spell casting.

He was reading spells that dealt with Transmutation, Evocation, Divination, Conjuration {Creation}, and even Necromancy. Also the kind of beings that was best to cast these spells. Such as Wizards, Clerics, Sorcerers, Warlocks, illusionist, Mages, and the last on the list was Specialist. This was circled.

Uber asked Rand why was the word circled. He told him it was what his mentor was. A specialist 9th level.
Uber told him that he never heard of a human reaching such a high level.
Rand chuckled and he told him he was not a human.

"Master Benqu is an elf." Rand said. "A long lifespan is the reason for that."

For the next several minutes. Rand told the Uber the story how the Elfin Master took a liking to him when he at the age of fifteen tried to join the Order of Wizards without a mentor to sponsor him.

His mother wanted him to be a doctor. But Rand {at 12} had a love for magic, so he decided to use his love for magic to heal people with that very magic he wanted to learn. That what he thought how it would happen. But within a span of two year after deciding to learn healing magic. Rand picked up spells from an old Sorcerer who passed along some minor spells to the curious young Rand. Even though they were more or less light shows. It fired a spark in Rand to learn all kinds of magic and spell casting.

Still he asked that his spell casting skills be evaluated by them. The Regents were expecting the boy to cast some low level spell that anyone could learn.

Rand could sense what they were thinking. Looking down at him with smug looks on there faces. To there surprise he was casting level 3 spells and even a level 4 spell. And not only that. The spells were from different types of spell casters. One was from a Sorcerer. And another was from a Wizard. And yet another was from a illusionist.

When was finished, Rand noticed that there looks changed. They were amazed by the boy's skills. Yet Rand thought the worst. And his fears were confirmed.
They said that Rands skills were......'good'. And with the proper training he would be a great spell caster.

But one look at the boy they were sure he couldn't pay the 100 pieces of gold a month in tuition for the instruction he would receive.

Rand looked at them with rage in his tear-filled eyes as they chuckled among themselves as they told him they couldn't do anything for him. Never in is fifteen years of life did he felt such hatred for anyone. He wanted to cast fireballs at them and burn them all to a crisp. But his mother taught him better then that.

As he ran from the hall, there laughter ringing in his ears. Another person was standing nearby watching the young man cast different spells one after another.

The man was impressed at what he saw. And he was disgusted at what they did to the boy. The fools were more concerned at protecting there own asses when they thought someone with potential skills that one day could end up surpassing them in the positions they were now comfortable with.

And to make matters worse. This wasn't the first time they done this. And he told himself he would leave the school if it would happened again. He told the regents what he thought of what they done. Seeing who he was they couldn't say anything. Specialist 9th level, Master Benqu. He told them that 'there' masters would be told of what they did.

He walked out of the school looking for the boy. A task which would be easy. The boy was filled with anger. Pure fire in his heart. The Specialist closed his eyes and reached out his magic to pick up any kind of feelings of anger or hate. With in seconds, he found the boy giving off anger like an burning forest.

He found the boy sitting at the in an alley on the other side of town, tears streaming down his angered face.

"I think it's time for you to stop crying like a baby, boy." Benqu said looking down at Rand.

Rand snapped his head up and stared at the elf in wizard garb.

"What? You here to laugh at me too?" He shouted getting to his feet. "If you are?..........Get away from me!"

"If I don't?" he asked calmly. "Will you make me?"

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" Rand shouted, his face darkened.

Taking several steps back, Rand called up a fireball. But the fact he was so angry, and the spell took a clear mind to cast. It took a few extra moments to cast the spell. With the delay, Benqu already had a counter spell already casted on the boy. Even though, Benqu was still impressed at the speed of his spell casting at such a young age........for a human.

As soon as the fire spell was casted. Rand was drenched by a globe of water that came out of thin air, knocking him to the ground. Soaking wet, Rand couldn't cast the fire spell.

"Had enough, boy?" he asked a large grin on his face.

Rand was filled with anger as he wipped the water from his face. But he knew right there that this elf was miles ahead of him when it came to casting spells. And even at such a young age, Rand knew this wasn't a being to face off with. Rand nodded, his fist stilled clinched tightly.

"So why are your fists still balled?"

"Not sure to what to expect from you.....sir." The last word, he forced from clenched teeth.

The elf smiled, and put and firm hand on the young man shoulder and told him that he saw what the regents did to him and he didn't find nothing about it the least bit funny. He offer him as chance to learn under him as his apprentice. Rand agreed, but he still asked why.

"Why would an elf what to teach someone like me?" Rand asked. "I was told elves hate most humans. At least not trust us.

Benqu told him that much was true. There was little trust of humans as a whole. Yet he said in his long yeas of life. He met many honorable humans. A few he considered friends. And one he would give his life for.

With his anger gone. Rand went to one knee and pledged the elf that he would train hard and one day that he would find him an honorable among humans.

He told Rand to rise to his feet. He put his hand on his shoulders. He told him that he would be hard at time yet fair. He wanted him to follow his orders 'with' questions. When Rand asked why. Master Benqu said he never claimed to know everything. So if he had a question. Don't be afraid to ask.

So for the next ten years, Apprentice Rand studied hard to learn all he could from Master Benqu. How to stand properly. The correct hand gestures. And the one thing he was taught the most was training his mind to be calm at all times. Because a calm mind could casts spell with increased speed, and power. It was all about the 'Head and Heart'.

After awhile Rand had trouble remembering spells from so many different beings. Master Benqu told him to think of a solution to this problem during his free time. Many a day he would stare up in his bed at night, pondering this problem.

The next few years Rand was taught how to fight. Benqu told him you can't always depend on your spell casting and magic. There would be time you may need to use your fist or a weapon. But he had to remember that it would be best to avoid conflict when ever. Fight only as a 'Last' resort. From knives, swords, spears and bows, Benqu trained Rand hard. Rand trained himself harder.

Just short of his fifteen years of training. Benqu starting teaching Rand to search ancient ruins to learn the mysteries of the past. This was Rand's true love. Learning how to spot clues. How to spot and avoid traps. Learning how to decipher words symbols and phrases. And the one most important thing that Rand learned was to always write down things you learned or saw.

By the twenty fifth year. Master Benqu told Rand.
"From this day forth. You are no longer an Apprentice.
You are Master Rand-Tor. Go and find the meaning of your life."

With that he placed a glowing finger on Rand's forehead, and Rand fell unconscious on to the ground. Minutes later when he woke up. Master Benqu was gone. He knew this day would come. But he wasn't ready for it. Tears streamed down his face. Then he heard his Master's voice in his mind.

"Go find the meaning of your life.........'Honorable Human'."

Though his tears. Rand nodded.

"I will, Master.......... I will."

Shortly after Rand's shock of what Merc did. He took a
deep breath. Held it and let it gently out. He closed
his eyes for a few second, then opened them once
again. No doubt, trying to decided what to do.

Rand-Tor was an martial art expert, but he was no
teacher. He taught Tosh and Mentokka out of necessary.
To pass on what he learned to the next generation. And
as soon as he thought it, a stronger voice shouted at
him..........{You old FOOL!......That is what a
teacher does!!}

And with that mental slap to the face. He finally
spoke.

"Merc?" he said kneeling down next to her and taking
one of her hands in his. "If you wish this from me, be
advised. I want to to follow my orders.....WITH
questions."

That made Merc lift her head and stare at the old man.

"I'm not going to stand here and claim to know
everything. If there are things that you suspect that
is wrong. Don't hesitate to tell me. Do you
understand, girl?"

"I understand, Sensei." Merc said quietly.

"Very well then, Merc. "But there is one other
condition I must demand of you." He replied , helping
her to her feet.

"What is it, Sensei?" Merc asked, seeing the serious
expression in his aged face.

That from this moment on......You do NOT call me,
Sensei. The name is Rand-Tor. Just call me Rand. Do
you understand?"

Merc saw Rand's stern expression turned into what Merc
could only describe as an idiotic grin. Which made her
smile and the others laugh.

"I understand...........Rand." Merc said happily.

"Then the honor is all mines to teach you what little
I know. And also let me be the one to welcome you to
our 'crazy' little group.

And with that, Merc told them that she was going to
cook a great meal to celebrate this occasion.

Rand told Mentokka and Tosh to go find Gunner. And he
asked Uber to walk with him while Merc started cooking
and asked Mentokka to help when she got back.

"Uber?" Rand said as the two walked into the early
evening of the city.

"What is it Rand?" he asked.

"Now that we got most of our group together. I need to
ask you, what experience you have in searching ruins?"
he asked firmly. "I ask because I need to know if your
qualified for all of us to follow you. Because if you
are not. Then I will take over and tell you all that
need to be done."

As Uber cleared his throat and told him all the things
that he done when it came to searching Temples and
Ruins. Other forces were also being set in motion.

"Fool!" the man shouted. A gloved fist slammed on to
his desk. "How could you screw up such a simple task?"
He slammed his fist on his desk again.
"Fools!........God Forsaken Fools!!"

The man name was Blue Lighting. No one knew his real
name. Only because no one had the nerve to ask him. At
6-4, he was one of the tallest knights of his 'Group'.
But at 175 lbs. He was also the skinniest knight. And
this fact enraged him to no end.

Even though, Blue was a very powerful man when it came
to wielding a sword. But he looked like a tall, skinny
man.

"What god did I enraged for me to be stuck in this
skinny body?" He would shout as he looked in his full
lenght mirror. He no longer could count how many
mirrors he smashed in a fit of rage.
Other then that. He had a coarse blend of blue-black
short hair. A set pair of dark brown eyes, that bored
into all that he spoke to.

Many thought that he was a handsome man.......{that
when he wasn't yelling and screaming about something}

But Blue had to admit to himself. He enjoyed having
people under him terrified of him when he was yelling
about something. Being a Captain of the Kingdom of
Fatorian, was his childhood dream. But what he craved
more was Power.

So with in a span of two years, he made contact with
other knights from other lands.
The Toran Republic, The City-States of Gaston, The
Island Nations, and even The Holy Kingdom of Stonyia.
Knights who thought the way he thought......being the
Power behind the Power.

He moved slowly and keeping the number of knights low.
Making sure no one knew what was happening. Ease into
power slowly. Get into selection of authority under
the noses of the Kings, Queens, and other foolish
leaders of these lands. Remove them all and put in
there own 'Puppet leaders'.

These were bold ideas. And he knew he was more then a
man to do this. But the one rule that he kept
reminding himself was to TAKE IT SLOWLY. Speed is an
enemy of my dreams. And he knew if he could find out
the secrets of the Pondor. that would speed him on the
path of his dreams of power. A path that just slammed
to a halt.

"But it wasn't my fault, my Lord." the frighten Aid
pleaded his case.

"I do not wish to hear your foolish excuses!" Blue
said rising to his feet. "I gave you a simple task.
Acquire a map of a lost Pondorian Ruins at a
auction....."

"But my Lord," the little man spoke up. "That was the
problem. They changed the auction of the map to first
instead of last. I had no chance to pay off the
auctioneer to remove the map."

Blue sighed deeply as he sat back into his chair. he
knew things like that happened. But he wasn't about to
let him know this. "I'm sure you know WHO acquired the
map?" he said his dark eyes burned into the little
man.

"U-ugh yes, my lord." he muttered as pulled a paper
out of a pouch on his hip and handed it to Blue.

"Hmmm.....Uber Pendragon?" he said leaning back in his
chair. "Why do I know this name?"

"A year ago, my lord. A underling of his.....Gunner.
He had a relationship with, my lord's daughter." he
said, saying his words carefully.

Upon hearing the name Gunner. Blue Lighting rose from
his chair in a rage. "That Bastard!!" He shouted.
"He's the one who deflowered my daughter!"

The aid thought that his lord was going to explode.
But after awhile he finally calmed the man down. Which
took a world of effort.

"Now tell me, " he said thought clenched teeth. "Is
Pendragon and Gunner traveling alone?" The aid shook
his head.

He told him from latest accounts Uber traveled to the
Grassland area, to acquire help from Rand-Tor the
Elder.

"Don't you mean Rand-Tor the Younger?" Blue corrected
him. The aid shook his head.

"No my, lord. It is the Elder Rand. They were clear
about this."

Blue sat back into his chair, confused. It was known
the Rand-Tor the younger was the expert when it came
to searching Temples and Ruins. The elder Rand was a
great fighter and magic caster.

{Is there more to this man then previously known?} he
thought to himself.

"I take it that Rand's children are accompanied them."
the aid nodded. "Is the younger Rand with them?"

"No, my lord. From our latest reports. Rand-Tor the
Younger is in the Island nations. But there is
something strange about the report."

When Blue asked him about it. He said that there spies
in the Island Nations had no one matching the
description of him, and they have been searching for
months.

He leaned back in his seat. This was making no sense.
Blue was guessing that the younger Rand was just
staying out of the public's eye. But alittle part of
him was wondering what was going on between he two
Rands. And would it be something he would have to
worry about in the future?

"Where is and Alim?" he asked the aid.

"The two of them were on a mission to the to the
north.

The hair on the back of Alim's neck was standing.
There were only two times when this happened. Making
love to a women or right before he killed a person.
And right now it was the latter.

No matter which way he done it. Knife, sword, poison,
even with his bare hands. The rush of excitement was
always there. And sometimes-he tried to tell himself
that he 'Truly hated taking lives'. There was a little
voice that shouted at him that he was a lair. And
those words echoed though his mind like cannon fire
across a valley. For Alim knew the little voice was
right.

"Your dead and don't even know it, my friend." Alim
whispered as the short blade slid silently and upwards
into the man's right side. Some where between the
sixth and seventh rib, directly into his victim's
lung.
Alim's hand clamped over his mouth to keep him from
crying out. And with a sharp twist of the knife, the
man was dead before he hit the ground. And as silently
as he came towards the man. Alim was gone. As if he
was never there.

The master assassin job was done. He wondered what
would be his next job. And would he work with Grey or
work alone.

Rand leaned back in his seat. He couldn't remember
eating such a great meal. Uber and Gunner was more or
less in the same condition. Tosh was eating his 5the
helping. But Mentokka was looking like she was about
to cry.

"I'm going to get FAT!" she cried as she held her
belly, feeling the bloated hardness of over eating.

"Don't worry, sis," Tosh said moving close to her.
Putting a hand on her shoulder. "I always wanted a
'Chubby Little Sister'." He gently poked at her
stomach

"Tosh! Your horrible!" he shouted, slapping his hand
off her, tears in her eyes. Tosh moved back to his
seat chuckling.

Merc was boiling a kettle of tea. And Rand noticed
that she had he look of content on her pretty face. He
wondered if taken her on as his student the cause of
this. Not like nothing was wrong with this. But there
wasn't much she needed to learn. She was already an
expert fighter. But she would learn that in her own
time.

He looked over to where Tosh and Mentokka was aruging
with each other and he had to Smile and Chuckle.

"Those two are going to be the death of me."
But he wouldn't have it any other way.

"By the Gods!" Rand said under his breath as the frying pan missed his head by a hair's breath. He was seriously amazed by the skill of Merc swing it. I was not just blind, wild swings. They were controlled. Coming at him a several speeds, and from different angles. One of Merc's blows slightly grazed his forearm. But he knew it will be hurting for a while later on.

"Damn it, Merc! Stand down!" Rand shouted as he dove out of he way of another one of her swings at his head.

He couldn't remember seeing a person this angry before. But there was something else....... Control. Complete control of her anger. And it was that control that truly made Merc a Very dangerous person. But he knew that he could rattle the girl. An that was his ace in the hole.

Rand was grateful that there was alot of room to move around to move in this place. If it was a cramped, confined space. He would be unconscious next to Tosh right about now. But he couldn't keep up this place for much longer. He had to get that pan out of her hand. He took several steps back from her and spoke.

"Getting tried, Giant Women?" Rand asked giving her a silly smile. "I only ask because you must be......Having so much trouble hitting an Old Man like me. I'm sure Master Chan would lay a good one upside your head if he saw you fight.......Or is it Master Kasumi?"

Merc paused, and Rand could see the fire in Merc'
s eyes. The words 'Giant Women' really bends her out of shape. The kink in her armor. And Rand exploited it.

Merc charged at him, swinging the pan, one handed and blindly at him. But this time Rand didn't duck her blow. He waited for the right moment and shot out with his hand and grabbed Merc by the forearm, just above her wrist. Using all of his strength, he squeeze down hard on the small muscles and tendons. Merc cried out. More out of shock then pain. But the frying pan fell out of her hand all the same. Rand shove Merc away and picked up the pan. He was surprised by it's weight and the fact that she could swing it with such ease.

"Save this for the cooking fires, Giant Women." Rand said, as Merc was rubbing her wrist and forearm. No doubt trying to get the feeling back in her arm. "Can't have this thing hitting a 'frail old man' like me." Rand tossed the pan behind him, away from Merc's reach.
Merc reached behind her and pulled out a Sai.

"Oh my," Rand said. "I do believe your going to teach me a lesson." Rand flashed a large smile. Merc's eyes narrowed as she charged him.

"Yeah, that's what I figured........Bring it, Giant Women."
Merc's movement were smooth and graceful as she moved in sai first. But Rand seen that move too many times in the past to count. Rand leaned slightly out of her way, while using his right hand to block Merc arm from connecting with the Sai. Merc's moved past Rand and he knew what her next move would be.

"Come on, we both know how deceiving looks can be." Rand said as he waved his hand egging Merc to come at him. And just as he thought. Merc came at him with a jumping side thrust kick. "Look at you for instance......." Rand ducked the blow and instantly sweep out her front foot as it struck the ground.

".........you should of seen THAT coming." As Merc fell to the floor.

"Tosh was telling me about you." Rand said as he kept talking, as Merc rose to her feet and attacked. Merc threw countless blows with her fist and Sai. But Rand blocked all of the blows with ease.
"How your this Ninja and Fighter....And when I was done laughing I told him your describing a girl who doesn't know what day it is."

Rand's hand shot out with an open palm thrust and connected right in the throat, which made Merc gasp and fall backward onto the floor.

"It's Wednesday, by the way."

Merc stayed on the floor momentarily. No doubt confused that this old man was counting nearly every punch she threw. She returned to he feet and moved in once again. This time much slower.

"No chat? All business?" Rand asked, with that sick grin making Merc see sheets of red. "Much as I hate to say this.............But your going to lose, Girl. And I'm going to tell you why."

Merc came him with a straight left hand follower by a swapping slash with the sai at his face. But Rand did something that Merc didn't think that the old man could do. Rand went into an vertical open leg split making her slash fly harmlessly over his head.

"You've got great moves and buckets of know how."
Rand said as he rose back to his feet and connected with a sharp uppercut to Merc's stomach, that made her double over. He quickly brung up his knee to her right arm, just above her elbow, making her drop her weapon. Not giving her time to react, and struck her with a side thrust kick that caught her in the chin, making her head snap back. But instead of falling to the ground, Merc back flipped into a standing position.

"But you got no heart. Your two styles are clashing with each other. Each one want to be the superior style. I see you haven't been listening to your teachers enough. There are 'more' then just skills that have to be learned. These are skills that have to be Mastered! It's all about Head and Heart. Am I getting though to you, girl?"

"You talk to much!" She shouted though gritted teeth, as she leaped at him with punches and kicks.

"You don't talk enough!" Rand shouted back, countering all of her blows.

Just by the fact that Merc spoke to him, Rand knew that he was getting though to her. Also by the fact that her moves were a little off. He knew she was rattled by what he was saying.

"You know how to fight and kill, all that good stuff. But your still a million miles from enlightenment." Rand said as he caught her left hand and drove his elbow into the side of her neck, then followed with a sweeping roundhouse kick to the side of her face. That sent her falling to the floor once again.

Rand figured that would finished her. But to his surprise, Merc was once again getting to her feet.
"Damn it, girl! Don't you get it? Your beaten. It's done. You were beaten the moment I walked though that door of yours."

"Not yet." Merc replied, as she recovered her fallen sai.

"Your Funeral." Rand said standing ready in his fighting stance. "Your truly one of the best I've ever seen and I know what I'm talking about. But as I said before, you still much to learn. Your a great fighter, as I said. But you Suck as a martial artist."

Merc was slashing with her sai in a wild frenzy. Striking at Rand with no luck of connecting the old man.

"Just my point," Rand said after dodging all of her slashes. "Your spilling chi everywhere. Crutching on your ninja tricks with NO understating of harmony.......Time to end this."

Merc came in with straight jab, sai leading. To Merc's shock. The old man caught the weapon with in his two clasped hand. And even more shocking. He bent the weapon by forcing his two hands in the opposite direction. And with that, all the fight was gone out of Merc.

"Get some real sai." Rand said turing his back to her. "There not toys, you know." In truth Rand turned away only so he wouldn't let Merc see how tired he was. He couldn't remember when he fought so hard and for so long.

At that moment Uber and Mentokka rushed in followed by several city guards, no doubt expecting the worst.

"Uncle Rand!" Mentokka shouted as she rushed to him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, little girl", he said. Exhaustion clearly on his face. "Go check on your brother."He pointed to where Tosh was beginning to come around.

Uber went to where Merc was standing the bent weapon still in her hand. She had a look that she still couldn't believe that this could be done to her favorite weapon. Uber called out her name but she seemed to be miles away. After a few moments, she began to respond to Uber's questioning.

Mentokka was treating a cut above her brother's right eye when Rand came to them, asking was Tosh was he alright. He nodded that he was as the old man smiled as he extended out his hand to help him to his feet.

The three of them walked over to where Uber and Merc was talking to each other.

After several minutes of talking to get everything straightened out, the city guards removed the men that attacked Merc. For a second, Merc was looking at Rand and expecting more fighting between the two of them. But Uber told her that Rand and Tosh were friends of his and not part of the gang that attacked her.

It was found out that they were a gang of men that was seeking 'protection' money from all of the shop and store owners in the city. And if the didn't pay up. They would get a visit from a few people to trash there shop or beat them up. But they didn't expect to run into a buzz saw like Merc.

Uber explained to Merc why they was there and once again he asked for her help. She looked at Uber for a few seconds. She turned away walking several feet away, before speaking.

"I'll do it on ONE condition." Merc said, in a soft, gentle voice.

"And that is?" Uber asked.
Merc looked at Rand and approached him. And to the shock of all of them. Merc fell to her knees, placing the bent weapon at the old man's feet.

"Master...." she said in that soft voice. "You are right. I have much to learn................Please teach me."

Rand looked down at the girl in shock. Clearly not expecting this.
The only word that came out of his mouth was.................."Whoa!"

With all of the details of the journey finally taken care of. Uber, Rand and the rest of the group was ready to move out. They waited til night time for the travel would be much easier. Uber and Gunner was surprised to see the amount of supplies that Rand, Tosh and Mentokka were planning to carry, especially Mentokka.

With the girl just a hair over five feet tall, Gunner couldn't see this girl lasting no more the a few steps..........{Not unless she was ALOT stronger then she looked}

He was sure Uber was thinking the same thing, when Rand came out the main house with what looked like a handful of cloth pieces. With closer inspection Gunner realized that they were small cloth sacks which he handed to each of them.

Uber and Gunner wasn't exactly sure what they was going to be used for, til they saw Rand, Tosh and Mentokka knelled to the ground and grabbed the opening to the sacks. And to there surprise, the opening of each of the sacks glowed and opened larger then the true size of the sack. Gunner and Uber was staring wide eye as Tosh and Mentokka started placing there supplies inside the sack without the sack growing in size.

When Rand noticed the shocked expressions on Uber and Gunner faces. He quickly said he was sorry that he didn't explain what they were doing. He asked Tosh and Mentokka to help then.

"These bags are called 'Bottomless Sacks'" Rand said. "Many years ago I beat a wizard in a drinking contest. If I won, he would teach me a spell of my choice. {Nothing major, a minor spell}
And if he won I'd leave him alone."

When Uber asked how he beat him, the old man broke out a large grin. "I cheated." Uber gave him a double take.

"You cheated?" Uber asked, surprise in his voice. "A wizard?...........How did you do that?"

"The barkeep is was a 'Dear' friend of mines. He said, his grin getting larger. She made his drinks Tripled strength, while mines were Watered down. He was out cold after the fourth round. After waiting a few hours, he finally woke up. Finding out that he lost. Angrily he agreed to teach me the spell of my choice. When he found out it was the spell to create the 'Bottomless Sack', he was just about speechless."

Clearly thinking that Rand would want to learn a spell how to turn objects to gold or something like that. But Rand reminded him he wanted to learn a minor spell. And the Wizard had to agree, the Bottomless Sack was clearly a minor spell. And after twenty minutes, the spell was learned, and Rand took his leave.

Rand promised himself that he would come clean and tell the wizard what he did. But he decided to wait alittle while.............{about four or five Thousand years}

"The balls on this old man", Uber thought as he shook his head, trying to keep a straight face and not doing a good job at it. Gunner was laughing out with Tosh. Even though he heard the story before, it still make him laugh out loud.

Gunner was surprised how easy all of his supplies disappeared into the sack. He even put in his Rifle Crossbow inside the bag. He pulled the draw strings together and the sack closed back to it's normal size. He lifted the sack and he was amazed by the almost feather light weight to it. He tied the ends together and attached it to his belt. it hung smartly on his hip without much movement.

Mentokka was just about finished helping Uber when she asked him would he place his large sword inside the bag. He told her that it wouldn't feel right, for many years that sword had been strapped to his back. So he told her he'd keep it on his back.

After a few minutes, they group set off. They walked in columns of three. Rand and Uber in the first row. Uber tried to walk slower for the old man's sake. But to his surprise Rand walked with long strides and it was Uber that had to force himself to keep up with Rand. Gunner and Mentokka in the second row, with Tosh taking up the rear. Gunner thought this would be a good time for him to make his move on Mentokka. He thought that she would be easy picking. Just start off with alittle small talk. Stare deep into her with those hazel eyes, and she would be eating out of his hand.

But he found out seducing Mentokka -Tor wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. First off he would have to deal with Tosh. A person who was very protective of his kid sister. And a person who would break you in half and wouldn't think anything about it.

And secondly, when Gunner looked into Mentokka's eyes. He saw a calm gentleness that could melt any heart. But there was also a spark in her eyes that said "Romance me if you can..........But you Better treat me right! Because if you do me wrong, I won't think twice about ripping your throat out!"

"This girl is a Tigress". Gunner thought. He shuttered inwardly. Mentokka smiled, and for the briefest moment, he thought she knew exactly what he was thinking. They continued to talk. But Gunner had his full defenses up. He had a feeling the 'Goddess of Luck' wouldn't help him this night.

After two days of steady traveling. They reached the famed city of Roseland in the late afternoon. Rand noticed that the city was beginning to show signs of life that was stolen away by the Highland army all those years ago. He had to smile when he saw many more children playing in the street since the last time he visited this place. Uber told them that Merc's place was in the western area of the city.

Uber went to the inn to get rooms for the group, and promised to meet up with Rand at Merc's place. Gunner knew plenty of women in the city, so he decided to check out a few of them to catch up on 'old times'..............{That and the fact that he 'Crashed and Burned' with Mentokka so badly}

Mentokka wanted to do a little site seeing. So she went off on her own.
Rand and Tosh headed to Merc place. Even though Tosh was worried about Mentokka being alone sight seeing. Rand told him Mentokka is a big girl and does not need a bodyguard watching over her all the time. He reminded Tosh that one day she going to head off on her own, to find the meaning of her own life. Tosh turned his head away and nodded.

Rand wasn't without feelings. He knew what Mentokka did for him in the past. At the time still devastated over the deaths of his wife and child. Mentokka fearing that he would do something to himself in his condition. She asked Tosh to come back home to Uncle Rand in the southern Grassland area to take him away from seeing the place where he found there bodies.

There they forced Tosh to train, train hard. Take his mind off of his lost. Help her to improve on her fighting skills. But the most important thing was being the kid sister that did the little things he need at that time. They shared laughs, they shared tears. She promised that no matter what happens in the future. She always love his big brother. No matter what. And so it was that where Tosh became something like a guardian, a protector to his kid sister....{Even if she didn't need it}

Yet Rand sometime wondered if Tosh had feelings for his kid sister that was 'more' then being overly protective. But as quickly as he thought of it, he pushed it out of his mind. Yet he'd promise himself he'd talk to him about this.

As they reached Merc's two story home. The instantly heard a crashing sound followed by scream and shouts.
Fearing that Merc might be in trouble Rand and Tosh rushed toward the door. But before either one could open the door, a person went flying though the door shattering it to pieces. They both looked down to see the man having a large knot on his forehead.

"Skillet to the head", Tosh thought known exactly what happened to him.

"Rush the Bitch!" someone shouted inside.
As Rand and Tosh went though he door they saw five or six men holding a large red headed women down on the floor. Three other men were unconscious around the room. They having a hard time holding on to her arms and legs, where another was standing over her repeatly hitting her in the face.

Tosh shouted out Merc's name and rushed into the fray. He grabbed the man that was hitting Merc in the face and drove a hard left into the man's kidneys. He crumbled to the floor without making a sound.

Rand followed Tosh and went for one of the men that was holding on of her arms. The man released Merc, stood up and threw a wild hay maker blow to Rand's head. But the old man easily ducked the blow an counted with a short knife hand thrust to the man's throat. The man fell back grabbing at his throat, gasping for air. Rand quickly grabbed he man by the hair and flung the man forward where his head hit the wall with a thud.

Seeing what was happening the others released Merc to attack Rand and Tosh. Merc fell to the ground, and Tosh didn't know if Merc was unconscious or not but he has no time to go to her, for he was already pounding away on one of the men's face then head butting another.

After a few moment of fighting, there was only one man left standing, holding a sword and pointing it at Rand.

" Old man!" he shouted. "Time for you to die."

"I seriously doubt that, fool!"

The man was about to say something in reply but he was cut off when a large frying pan smashed him in the face. Tosh winched at the sound and seeing the way the man feel to the floor knowing full well that he lost a few teeth...........and most likely a broken nose.

Rand looked over to where merc was standing holding clearly the largest pan that he ever saw. "Look like we got here in time." Tosh said walking towards her. He was about to say something else when Merc tagged Tosh with that pan to the side of his head that set him flying across the room and slumping down against the wall.

Rand was taken by surprise by her actions and was about to tell her that they were not part of the gang that attacked her. But when he looked into her eyes. All he saw was fire in her green eyes.

"The girl is in the 'Red Zone'." he thought to himself.
"No amount of talking is going to help him here. The only way to get thought to her is with force. Ran looked at he girl and smiled.
"Anytime your ready...........Giant Women!"

Merc's eyes went wide. Screamed something and attacked.

Gunner pushed himself and finally made it to Rand's home late that evening. A part of him was fearing the worst possible scenario, where Uber and Rand meeting did not go off smoothly, where one or both of them may of gotten hurt. He pushed that thought out of his mind. He knew Uber too well.

He was half expecting Uber not to be there, but to his surprise, he was there with Rand and his two adult children. But to no surprise to Gunner, Uber gave him a royal balling out. Practically screaming at the top of his lungs about not being here to back him up. Even though he tried to tell him about the dragon and the men that was after him, but Uber wasn't hearing none of that.

Rand swore that Uber was turning a shade of Red-Blue on his face. Tosh though the whole thing was funny as hell, and was having a had time keeping a straight face. Yet it was Mentokka who stepped into to calm Uber down. And like a gentle rain over a raging inferno, Mentokka's soft voice and small smile took all the rage outta him. Uber walked away to calm down.

"My goodness," Gunner thought. "This girl could cool the fires in hell. I do believe this is a little lady I need to get to know better."

After a few minutes of Uber giving Gunner a dirty look from a distance, Rand gathered everyone together to make final plans for there exploration to the Pondor site. He was about to speak, when something in him made him ask Uber a question.

"Tell me something Uber." Rand asked. Uber looked at him and said nothing. Is there anyone else that is planning to join us?" The question seem to take him by surprise alittle, and he remained silent.

"Is there something wrong Uber?" Rand asked.

"Well.............here is someone I've been trying to get to join us, but she keeps turning me down."

Gunner looked at Uber with a pained expression. "Your not talking about, Merc again, boss?" He asked.

Rand was about to question Gunner about her when Tosh spoke up.
"Merc? 'The Wandering Chef'" He said. "Big boned, long red hair, about 27 years old, 5-10. Pretty skirts, large red and white apron. A customized giant pan on her back. Big enough to place a whole pig in it?"

"You know her?" Mentokka asked, surprised. The other were surprised also.

"Know her??" Tosh chuckled. "That would be a understatement, sis. Her Cooking is equal to Uncle Rand...........If such a thing is possible"

{He knew her cooking was better then Uncle Rand..........But he wasn't going to say that........Not to his face, that is}

Tosh said he meet her around the time of the war that was going on in the City-State of Gaston During with the Highland Empire.

"There are two things that Merc is Totally loyal to. Her Fighting skills and her Cooking. She caught the cooking bug with he battling chefs she encountered in the rebel castle during that war. From his best memory, Merc got her training from Kasumi:- From Kokaio. But he was sure she was not from there secret Ninja Village. She also got some of her training from the Martial Artist Long Chan Cho. Tosh rubbed his jaw, remember being on the receiving end of several of her punches to his face. And also remembering Merc saying that he would get more of the same if she ever saw him again.......{Right before he lost consciousness}


Something he never told Rand or Mentokka about. For good reason. They never let him hear the end of it.
Even though Merc likes to travel around to improve her skills, she took up residents in Roseland after he war. Many were killed by The Highland Army. Muse's population decreased by two-thirds by the end of the war. So there was great need for skilled people there.

"It was told to me that Merc is looking for a 'Ancient Recipe' which holds culinary knowledge to boost stats and make wonders. Many people told her that it's nothing but old wives tales. But she believes it.

"Well, you've got me interested about her," Rand said with a small smile on his face. "I think all of us should go and meet her."

"But Rand," Uber said. I've been trying to hire her services for as long as I can remember."

"True. But I think we should try one more time." Rand replied. "I think she'll be a great addition to our group. Don't you agree?"

"But the ruins...." Uber started to say.

Uber?" Rand asked. "How long have the Pondar Ruins been around? Couple of thousand year?" Uber nodded. "Then I'm sure it will still be there if we get there a few days late." With that everyone laughed.

So it was decided that they would head to Muse, to meet this Wandering Chef. Rand didn't think it would easy to get her to agree to join them. But Rand had a plan and he was quite sure it would work.

"Sometimes you have to push the right buttons on a person."