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chance that werebeast was but one of many. If that’s the case, there could be a lot more murders this side of the Spine. Someone needs to do something about it, and right now I figure that is me.”
    “You’re an interesting sort, Kavan. I’m glad to have met you. May fortune smile upon you.”
    Kavan nodded his thanks. “And you.”
    Stepping back onto the road, he let it take him towards what would turn out to be his destiny. Chardis watched him go before heading back inside. He fixed Mun with a stern glare.
    “I want you to take that head outside of the village and burn it. No one knows we had it. Am I clear?”
    Mun nodded without saying a word.

FOUR
    A Noble Thought
    The pristine fields of snow stretched for as far as he could see. Sparse groves of pines and firs peppered the fields and rolling hills. Winter, Kavan decided, was his favorite time of year. Of course he could do without the cold, but a man in his profession wasn’t prone to being choosy. Besides, he’d always figured it was easier to get warm than it was to cool off.
    Endless leagues of lightly forested, rolling hills stretched off into the distance, reminding him of just how small one man’s problems can be. Since the fall of Gaimos Kavan had roamed Malweir in search of purpose, meaning. Cold injustice ran like a plague through what were supposed to be the civilized kingdoms. Finding employ was no issue.
    He’d been across the face of the world numerous times. A sad part of the life of what few Gaimosians remained. Thoughts of his homeland were forced deep, buried under the thick crust of a hard life few others bore. Kavan had been very young when Gaimos fell but that pain, that irrepressible sense of horror remained with him to this day.
    Born hard and toughened continually to the point where Gaimosians became the premier fighting force in all of Malweir, his peers had once been legion. Great companies were employed by neighboring kingdoms to quash petty rebellions or border disputes. Gaimos might have easily conquered the known world, but theirs was a force for good. Very seldom did their Knights ever stray from the path of righteousness. Which, in the end Kavan decided, had led to their downfall.
    Was it any wonder why so many kingdoms banded together to rid the world of the power that was Gaimos? Naturally it hadn’t made sense in the thrall of his youth. He was cast out from all he knew. Left to fend against the wolves of the world while the ashes of his people scattered on the cold winter winds. Humbled, and frightened to no small measure, Kavan walked away from what had once been a pristine kingdom, resplendent with statues of great warriors and thinkers alike.
    What he found elsewhere left ill flavors swirling on his tongue. Malweir was a corrupt place. Many kingdoms were mired with cruel politicians and half-hearted monarchs. While never hiding his true identity, for the sin of vanity wouldn’t permit such, Kavan took the odd job here and there until his reputation began to grow. It wasn’t long before he was sought after, and with good reason. Gaimosians were the very best at armed combat. Warriors without peer. His blade solved the problems of a great many all while claiming only modest recompense in exchange.
    Kavan learned, very early on, that money only went so far. There was no point in hording vast wealth while entire village languished under the yoke of indentured servitude. He took what he needed to get by, always keeping a purse filled, for Gaimosians were without home or land. They roamed the world untethered. The rest he donated to those in greatest need. Selflessness had ever been among his best qualities, almost rival to that of a master swordsman.
    His life took on no discernible pattern. As casual and free as the easterly wind just before dawn. He blew from kingdom to kingdom righting old wrongs and preventing new ones. As spiritually satisfying as his occupation was, Kavan often longed for that solitary life he so