Prologue

[Raistlin]

The Formation of
The Demon Guardians

Choices

The day was ending. The sun loomed over the horizon. A tavern in town was hosting its normal clientele. The bartender was just finishing serving his most common customers. He placed the ale on the table and waited.

“I’m gonna need you to settle your tab soon, elf.” The elf looked up at him.

“I’m good for it," the elf spoke up, "you know that. You know I’m living in the Seek & Destroy castle, so I’m easily found when you need your money. Better yet, just send the bill to them.” The bartender huffed as he waddled off.

“You shouldn’t run up your tab so much, SForce," bellowed a staunchy warrior. "You’ll never pay it off.”

The elf looked at his two companions he shared the table with. They frequented this tavern quite often and he had yet to pay for his drinks. He just smiled to his friends.

“You’re one to talk," SForce replied. "I know you keep adding your tab to mine when I leave, MadScientist.”

“You let AntonyJC put his drinks on your tab.” The warrior was looking defensive.

“Of course I do." SForce was acting nonchalant. "Do you think I’m ever going to pay it? Besides, AntonyJC has no money.”

“Sure I do," AntonyJC spoke up in a gruff manor, "but why spend it on ale when you are ready to pay?”

“But I never said you could use my tab when I’m not with you.” SForce looked at AntonyJC irately.

The three drank silently for a while before MS broke the silence. “So, in the nearly week I’ve been with you two in Seek & Destroy I’ve been hearing rumors.”

“Nothing new." SForce was very somber. This was a subject he detested. "Viper’s been at it for some time now. He tells everyone that I’m self centered and care about nothing, but myself.”

“He could be on to something.” AntonyJC let our a bellowing laugh.

“Screw you, AntonyJC. You know better.” SForce shot a look at him, but AntonyJC just waved it off as if it couldn't harm him.

“Ha ha ha! Oh come on. He’s harmless.” AntonyJC retorted.

“I’d like to think so, but he has people talking. In time I may even
get confronted by Aaron.”

MadScientist was the newest of the three to join the clan and has already heard enough.

“Yeah, I met Viper. He was quick to confront me about you. He was telling me, ‘I saw you come in with SForce. You gotta be careful of that one. He’ll stab you in the back for a silver mark.’ I guess he had no idea the history we have together. I’d say be careful with that guy. He really has a beef with you.”

Night came and they mounted their horses. Galloping down the road the half-elf, dwarf, and stout warrior discussed what they were planning for the future. The night air was crisp and felt refreshing. Riding past the forest SForce felt a tinge of remorse. He could remember the time he was found by the fiery ruins of the place he called home. Even though he was raised by humans in a town he always found himself wandering back into the forest. He thought of simpler times and people he loved being around him all the time. As the thoughts of the family he lost so many years ago caused a smile to grow on his emotionless face, the reminder came back to his memories of the destruction. The loss tore at him every time he thought of it. He clenched his fists as he thought about this. He grit his teeth at the thought of what he had, and what he had become. This was not a life an elf lived. The scrutiny from fellow clans men, the mistrust, the gossip behind his back. He worked so hard to be a valued member of Seek & Destroy, but in the end one member’s dislike of him made it seem like a house built by a gully dwarf. He loathed what had become of his life.

Just as he was mulling over his distress he caught the sight of MadScientist on one side of him and AntonyJC on the other. Looking from one to the other he came to realize something. I couldn’t have done things so wrong, if I have friends like them. They stick by him. They support him. They know him. “To hell with Viper,” he thought to himself. “He’s just got a big mouth, but he doesn’t have friends.” He smiled at them, and they smiled back. Deep down they knew what was going on in his head.

They arrived at the S&D castle. They dismounted and allowed the stable hands to tend to their horses. They headed for their rooms with word to meet in the morning. SForce got ready for bed, but continued to wonder what was to come.