Jon Trent

JT sat in the shadow of the old oak tree, listening to the sounds of the forest. He brooded. Brooding was something he did often.

Only his visits to Trinsic during the recent orcish occupation of Cove had lightened his mood. Something or someone in the Duchy made him happy, even if nothing much else in his life did.

He stood and took a long swig from his waterskin, the cold water bringing him back to his senses, then gathering up his kit he made his way stealthily through the woods of the northern shire towards the barracks.

Not many guardsmen were on duty but poking his head around the tavern door he saw Sergeant Hoagie and Recruit Marvin.

"Trent!"

Hoagie greeted him. The sergeant had tried to take the young guardsman under his wing and JT had found himself liking the officer and the beginnings of a friendship they shared.

"Sir."

JT saluted.

"I'm off to keep a watch on the orcs. Make sure they're keeping there heads low. I wont be long."

Hoagie nodded and he and the recruit turned to their drinks as JT, pulling on his mempo and cap, left the tavern and made his way through the shire towards the orc fort.

What was that? A flash of movement to his left. Was it the orcs again? He crouched low and slipped the axe from his belt. He circled around his prey quietly and then stepped from the undergrowth.

It was no orc it was...

An elf girl...