The Adventure Begins

... Some time later ...

EDMONTON

The Baron bought his title from a market stall in the small village of Edmonton. He has gathered quite a wealth from his travels and a reputation for causing confusion (from his strange ramblings) and the occasional bit of destruction (it's not his fault that things just break when he touches them - although the axe may have something to do with that).

Edmonton is a small trading point between the western port of Carrow and the eastern port of Great Milton, on the Isle of Ocard. Ocard is a large island with many interesting characters that are ruled by King Hally, a rather crazy man who doesn't like foreigners. Anyone visiting the island has to buy a permit or, if they are important enough, have special permission from the king himself.

The only other character of importance at the moment is Tom; he seems friendly enough but becomes more of an annoyance as he follows the Baron everywhere (at least he tries to). Tom is not much more that a skeleton with skin wrapped tightly over his body.

Ocard was once a peaceful island. It doesn't really have much to offer foreigners and they don't like the idea of sharing the island with the dragons. There are actually only three giant dragons but the stories make everyone think there are several hundred. If anyone actually thought about this they would realise that the island isn't really big enough for that many, especially as the sightings are rare, except for the Red Dragon that lives in a cave in Hayden Hills, just North of Ellington, which often flies around the island to stretch its wings.

.... But why are we interested in Baron Benico? ....

Will the Baron take over the throne from King Hally or will the king's soldiers (all 4 of them) catch the Baron and find out his first name? Who is Tom and is he really a friend?

.... The story begins (2003) ....

After buying his title Baron Benico set off North around the Barringley Hills in search of treasures and power. Not too long after leaving Edmonton the Baron felt as though he was being followed, there wasn't much cover on this barren track but whenever he made the effort to turn around he couldn't see anyone behind him. Had he looked higher up the hills then he would have found out how much trouble he was about to encounter.

As the Baron approached the wide Milton River a thin skeleton like figure jumped from a ledge in the hills to right of the track. The Baron jumped back in surprise but not quite in fear, with an axe strapped to his back he wasn't scared of much.

This time Baron Benico had nothing to be afraid of; at least there was nothing dangerous about this figure. "Hi. My name is Tom, I'm your friend and I would like to join you in your travels. If you want any help just ask".

"I'm not interested in having people invading my space. In the past I have travelled alone, in the future I will travel alone and in the present you are already getting on my nerves."

"I won't cause you any trouble sir, I just want to be your friend and keep you company, and you won't even notice I'm around." Tom replied

"Okay then. You can follow me for now but if you annoy me or get in my way I will introduce you to Mr Axe. He's got quite a sharp character and can get really stuck in to things."

"I understand, I think. I would like to meet Mr Axe sometime so that I can be his friend as well." Tom kept his distance as the Baron crossed the river and headed into the village of Barringley, not realising what fate he might befall if he did meet Mr Axe.

BARRINGLEY VILLAGE

Several farmsteads and an Inn is all that you will find at the crossways village of Barringley. There are no traders here and the farmers keep away from visitors. The Inn with its two permanent customers, is the only place that travellers can get rest and refreshment for many miles on these rough tracks.

The Baron visits the Inn, without drinking, although Tom joins him at the bar and drinks heavily whilst trying to talk to the Baron, instead just annoying him as he manages to avoid conversation. Tom soon drinks too much, falls off his stool and collapses barely conscious on the floor. The other customers continue to drink quietly in a corner of the Inn and the Inn Keeper isn't very talkative either. Baron Benico heads off to a small poorly furnished room for the night. Tomorrow the Baron plans to head west towards his home village of Tyro, although he is tempted to set off east to the Hayden Hills and the mysterious village of Hayden.

.... night falls - killing a couple of farmers and several sheep with its clumsiness ....
.... morning breaks - fortunately the village is spared any further damage ....

As morning arrives Baron Benico is more than pleased to find no sign of Tom. The Inn Keeper prepares a hearty breakfast for the Baron and warns him of thief attacks on the road to Marron. As this is the road to his home village the Baron decides to head off through the hills towards Hayden, hopefully without the unpleasant company of Tom.

ELLINGTON

The Baron crosses the river on the path to Ellington, a crossing made easy by a wide stone bridge, fortunately not patrolled by trolls. After the river the rough, narrow trail climbs steeply into the mountains. This range is safe from the Thieves Guild and dragon attack but others who have braved these steep slopes have told stories of magical creatures, probably the effects of strange drinks consumed at the Barringley Inn.

After a couple of hours of walking, the tired Baron stumbles across a cave, literally after tripping over a small rock. At the entrance there are several flat topped crystal rocks, ideal for a much needed rest....

....a while later the Baron lights up his oil lamp and bravely (or foolishly) enters the cave. Before long the passages splits into two. One of the passages has a strange faint glow, whilst the other is totally dark.

Now with three choices (including turning back that is) he tries to work out which route to take. Having ruled out going back he heads off down the glowing tunnel which appears much warmer than the other one.

The tunnel starts to get even warmer and strange rumbling noises can be heard further on. Fearing the worst the Baron heads back up the passage and down the cold, dark passage. Before long, light appears in the tunnel and it starts to drop steeply, very steeply - whoops - a bit too steep. The Baron falls forward and rolls down the tunnel and out into clearing at the bottom of the mountains....

....The dazed Baron finds himself being helped to his feet (Yes, Tom has appeared again). Tom helps him into a boat on the nearby Milton River, the Baron too shaken to say anything. A couple of minutes later he realizes what has happened to him and pushed Tom out of the boat and rows as fast as he can - in circles (you didn't think he could row a boat did you?) - Tom grabs the side of the boat and swiftly slips back in. "It's okay Baron, you don't have to row, I will take you into town. You just sit back and relax".

"erm.. okay." the shocked Baron replies, as he sits back and let's Tom take the oars.

DENDRON

They soon arrive at the north side of the town of Dendron, with the castle towering in the distance. As soon as the boat is close enough to the river bank, the Baron jumps from the boat and runs into the town, knocking several people out of the way in his rush.

"Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, erm, damn it I've forgotten it again. Soldierssss erm, HALT!!!" The troop stumbles to a halt. General Markos Oft and his two soldiers (ok so not a troop) take a break from their patrol after seeing a stranger using the villagers as bowling pins.

Just as the the soldiers were about to pounce on the Baron there came a screeching sound from the skies. The soldiers and the town's people looked up and saw two fire breathing winged creatures (yes you've guessed it - dragons). Panic sweeps across the town, and doesn't do a good job of it as his brush is short on bristles. During the commotion the Baron, having spotted the soldiers, ran through the narrow streets and back to safety, at least for now.

The dragons soon fly off without causing any harm or damage (as if they would). The soldiers return their attention to the human bowling ball but cannot see him. General Markos Oft growls and after kicking his soldiers he then marches them around the town.

.... In all the confusion the Baron escapes jumps back into the boat ....
.... Will the General's soldiers ever act like soldiers?
.... Have we finally seen the last of Tom? ....

The Baron struggles with the boat but finally reaches the open sea, which is not necessarily a good thing with such poor rowing skills.

Baron Benico leaves the Isle of Ocard and sails off in search of safety.

After some time he sees in the distance a ship half buried in the land. The boat circles more often than heading towards the distant Spanish Galleon.

Baron Benico still not getting the hang of rowing and tired from sailing overnight from the Isle of Ocard dropped the anchor and after lifting it off his foot dropped it into the sea.

.... Will he ever reach the Vagrant? Is this actually one of his best ideas or just another "Oh this looks like a good idea" moments?
.... Will the General's soldiers ever act like soldiers? Have we finally seen the last of Tom?
.... Will the writer thing of anything else to write? (Dec 2008) ....

When he awoke he could hear a lot of fighting over on the Vagrant so the Baron, as he couldn't row over there anyway headed for the nearest shore and found himself on MyFarm Island.