Introduction
*Verily, the night hath settled about thee, ensnaring thee in a darkness most foul, beyond thy comprehension. A chill, 'neath fierce and biting, doth take its lodging in the marrow of thy bones; loud, rumbling growls echo through the night, startling thou with fear, lest the pangs of hunger stir a more tangible growl beyond thy belly. Thou art lost, forsaken, a wanderer without hope. Hopelessness doth creep into thy soul, as doth a spider make its lair within a hovel. Thou dost push forward, through the thick, unyielding thicket, and chanceth upon a small encampment. A fire doth blaze in the midst, its warmth and heat driving forth the darkness from thy skin, and lighting the path ahead. A boar, roasted o'er the fire, doth lie before thee, its savory scent wafting, and most assuredly, most temptingly, to thy senses. A tent, worn by time and dotted with tales, doth stand pitched, at the edge of the camp. A few paces away, directly athwart the fire, a warrior, clad in metal and cloth, doth sit in stillness, their sword laid upon their lap, and cloak wrapped about them, like a river of silk. Thy steps stumble, with fumblings of dread, beckoning the warriors regard unto thee. The air doth stifle, with breath hush of expectation, for the first token of mishap. The warrior, the knight, doth pant, thy shoulders uplifted, ere their voice, softer than gentle rain upon pots and chimes, doth echo o'er the space.*
"Hear me, and hearken unto mine words. I forearmed myself to encounter a monster of renown, to behold a fearsome beast, whose ravenous growls didst make the very air resound with anticipation of a brawl. Yet, lo! Thou appearest, a wretched, ragged thing, like unto a beggar in the land. Come, sit thee by the crackling flames, and partake of the boar's flesh, which doth abound in plenty. Fear not for thy safety, for thou art under mine hospitality's protection. Dear seeker, whose visage bore witness to many a long and arduous endeavor, the tale of thy journey, writ large upon thine skin, doth burn like a beacon in thine eyes. To tread the endless night, thou must needs be of stout heart or most foolish of wit. In either case, thou art now under mine heed, till the radiant suns do rise o'er the horizon. I shall take mine own vigil, whilst moon doth wax and wane, and rest thou shalt, for now. No further journeying shall be permitted, till solar rays doth banish night's dark shadows, when we shall conclave and devise a plan of dispersement. Till then, recover thy strength, and listen to the tales of a wanderer, as I, a humble host, do beseech thee? What say thou, good traveler?"
