Rumors of the Hunting Grounds

[Bolt]

I panic as I rush through the Ice Caverns trying to outrun the dragons and get to the monastery. My companion Dark Dragon notices as an Ice Dragon blocks our path and an icy storm comes down upon us both and all goes black.

Five hours before the incident. Right now a party of 6 make plans for a trip to the Monastery in the Ice Caverns.

Voice 1,"Well I know we just beat Geyzer and need to get back up to the monastery,but wouldn't it be easier to find a theif to help us?"

Voice 2,"Yes it would but the only thieves tat have reached this area have turned up missing."

Voice 1,"Well hasn't anyone tried to fine them yet?

Voice 6,"Yes,but they ave all died in the Ice Caverns looking for any trace of them. The only person who would know of the thief Bolt is Dark Dragon the bluemage. Unfortunately,he is also missing."

Voice 3,"Shh listen,I hear breathing!"

The six people look toward the door and catch a glimpse of a blue cloak running away.One of th six runs out the door yelling after the person,"GET BACK HERE!"

Inside the Ice Caverns, a bluemage and a theif are talking down a small hall. The bluemage is trying to heal the theif,but his magic is a little weak.

Bluemage,"Hang on man, I'll try to get a potion, hope this barrior is protecting you alright!"

Theif,"I'll be fine, your healing magic has helped,some, but still it helped. Behind you!"

From behind the bluemage a Snow Wolf pounces on top of him. The theif throws his dagger hitting the wolf directly between the eyes. The wolf then goes limp. The bluemage then takes the dagger out,sounding like a sword being drawn from its sheath.

Theif,"Heh,still got the knack, anyway you need to get out of here, try to find some help, I have enough strength to blend in with the walls."

After saying that, the theif vanishes blending in with the icy walls, only visible as the cold, ice feeling droplets falling onto him,showing a small portion of the theif.

Back at Hassen Castle, the bluemage walks through the gates and is spotted by the five of the six from before. The bluemages tries to run away but is stopped by a dragoon in light blue armor.

Dragoon,"Think your going somewhere,Dark Dragon?"

Dark Dragon,"Kain,that wouldn't happen to be you would it?"

Kain,"Ahh so you remember me, well then you should also remember Reap, Taterz, Kija, Hiroshima, Rapta and Rapta Jr."

Dark Dragon looks behind him and notices the familiar faces and robes. He sighs and begins to speak.

Dark Dragon,"I was spying on you earlier while trying to find some help for a friend,who is badly injured in the Ice Caverns. I had no clue it was you guys!"

Reap,"Well now you know who it is, but may I ask, who is this friend of yours? Would it happen to be one of the missing thieves?"

Dark Dragon,"Yes,its one of the missing thieves, Bolt. He was badly injured protecting me from the monsters in Ice Caverns,even though I can put up a fight being a fire bluemage."

Kain,"Well we better go save him, would you like us to come along and help you save Bolt?"

With that said,the seven start off for Ice Caverns, hoping to find Bolt in one piece.

[Bolt]

The first story was told from DD's point of view. This next part is after DD left back for Hassen.

While the drops of icy water fall upon him,Bolt sits up trying to blend in with the wall more. The sounds of wolves and leopards begin to get louder. Four wolves have passed by while he was hidden. Two of them came up and smelled around,trying to pick up his scent. After a few hours Bolt falls asleep and becomes unhidden, but frozen since he didn't have enough clothing to keep him warm. Voices can be heard coming from down the hall, plus the warmth of fire can be felt. The fire melts the water, and forms a puddle under Bolt's head. As he sits up, he still sees his right leg is frozen, but still movable. Rapidly stabbed,the ice block around his leg has many stab wounds,but isn't gone. After the fighting dies down,the warmth of the fire disappears as a Anaranian Blackmage comes around the corner, he motions with his hand for more people to follow.

Blackmage,"Hurry! This way! I found someone!"

From around the corner,a Hassenite Theif, Whitemage from the temples, Dragoon that seems to claim no loyalty, and another Whitemage from that also claims no loyality.

Dragoon,"Looks like we found what those other 7 we're looking for. I saw we use him as bait. Any objections?"

Theif,"Well he IS a thief,so i don't know if thats a good idea. He also looks badly wounded."

Whitemage(Follower),"Well lets get him out of here before those others wake up!"

With a sudden heat wave,the leg on Bolt's leg melts, then the thief picks Bolt up and runs off, dropping a note behind in the spot.

After several hours, Dark Dragon wakes up finding himself in a prison cell,along with Reap and Hiroshima. They seem to be whispering about something.

Reap,"Well I can't believe we we're cough because of Bolt, I mean,hes the one who should be rescuing us not the other way around!"

Hiroshima,"Well at least we found him, but the problem is getting out of here, but doesn't it seem weird that the guards haven't checked in? Its been an hour and they usually check right on the hour....I hear something listen!"

As they listen, they hear a guard screaming the instantly stop. The door opens with nothing stand in the doorway, then, as if coming from the air itself, Bolt comes unhidden, holding a bloody knife. The blood drips off,leaving a small puddle on the floor,staining it. He lifts up his dagger and stabs the lock,breaking it off.

Bolt,"What we're you saying about who saving who?"

Reap,"I stand corrected, but what about the others?"

Bolt,"Already taken care of. Just get out of here,the Monastery of the Polar South is near by,run there! And Quickly!"

Reap and Hiroshima run off while Dark Dragon stays behind, willing to help Bolt in anyway he can. Bolt and Dark Dragon rush out of the cave sprinting toward the monastery entrance. As they get near, an Ice Dragon blocks their path. Then out of no where an Icy Storm appears then all goes black. Bolt opens his eyes to see a shield of fire appearing then looks over at Dark Dragon. Dark Dragon used a fire spell,holding the ice spell away. Bolt jumps on top of the Ice Dragon and stabs directly in the head. The knife goes through the skull sounding like a crack. While the dragon falls they run to wards the Monastery forgetting about what had happened.

The people who captured the group walk toward the monastery hopeing to find and murder the party.