Chapter Six:

I stepped out of the Blushing Maiden Inn and onto the streets of Crossroads. It was an overcast day and a light rain was falling. The streets were not as crowded as the night before. I stopped to check up on Thunder before going any further. He had been fed and watered and seemed content. I spent a few minutes with him before continuing on my way.

I walked along Maiden's Lane trying to remember the directions that Lyra gave me. Before long I saw a large hall in the distance and many people heading in that direction. Most of them had the look of adventurers of many different types. There were men and women in armor, others in robes bearing staffs, and still others who didn't have the look of any particular profession.

There were also many different races here as well. Most were human, like myself, but there were many dwarves and elves as well. That was not a surprise since Lyra said that Crossroads was close to both of those races native lands. A few halflings and some gnomes could be seen, but the small folk were quickly swallowed up by the larger crowd.

"This must be the place," I silently reasoned to myself.

There was a sign besides the steps up to the gathering hall, but the meaning of the words on it eluded me. Fortunately as I was approaching, a grizzled adventure with a long scar down his right cheek asked the question that I was unwilling to ask.

"Is this where they are recruiting for the Frontier lands?" he asked. An elf in fine robes nodded yes and they both went inside the hall. I followed behind them.

The inside of the hall was long and narrow. At the far end was an elevated stage. I guessed that was where whomever was running all of this would be speaking. The other adventurers were spread out, some were standing by themselves, others in groups of various sizes.

The hum of many conversations couldn't help but fill the hall. I kept to the sides of the room as I moved about. I could pick up bits and pieces of the conversations being held, but not all of them. I heard something about Hextor and the Band of Six. Those were both names that I was unfamiliar with. I heard parts of how Strom's Heroes defeated Jade, but who or what Jade was I did not know. A dragon perhaps?

It was about this time when I noticed movement up on stage. Several armored men, military judging from their identical tabards, lined up on the stage. "Attention!" one of the armored men cried once they were in position. The murmur of the crowd in the hall died down as it seemed that this was all getting started.

Another man walked out on the stage from behind the curtains. He was also armored, but unlike the other men did not wear a helm. He had closely cropped brown hair and was clean shaven. His attire was nicer than that of the other men on stage, marking him as a superior. Near the middle of the stage, he stopped and began to speak.

"Welcome to the city of Crossroads, adventurers. I am Captain Shea of the Cynalon Army," the armored man began. "I am here today to familiarize you newcomers to what the Kingdom is attempting to accomplish in the Frontier lands."

"The Crown is commissioning adventuring bands to explore the Frontier and deal with the threats encountered therein. There are many advantages to working with the Crown. In the city of Gateway, each adventuring band will be given lodging, free meals, and a discount when buying adventuring equipment."

"What the Crown asks in return is as follows. Everything learned by the party is asked to be turned over to the officials of Gateway. We will pay you for the information based on its value."

"You will be required to perform one mission at the Kingdom's request during this summer's campaign. The length of the campaign is the beginning of spring until the first snows of winter."

"An expense account will be set in the name of the party. For signing on, the party will have 100gp per man put into their account. If you wish to join up, come see me at my office in the back of the hall. Remember, we are hiring adventuring bands, not individual adventurers. Good luck to you all."

With that, Captain Shea turned and departed the stage, the other armored men following after him. The throng of adventurers immediately broke into numerous conversations as groups were being assembled on the fly. I stood there for a few moments trying to see where I could fit in when a loud, booming voice reached my ears.

"How do you like that?" a man laughed. "Here I was planning on going exploring and stomping out evil and now they're willing to pay us for it? On top of that they be giving us free meals. And all they want in return is information. You can't beat a deal like that. Who wants to join up with me?"

Much to my surprise, the speaker was a short but wide man, a full head shorter than me. His voice made him seem so much larger than life! He had dirty brown hair and green eyes and a bright smile on his face. He wore dark blue robes with silver trim and a battleaxe and a mace were strapped to his belt. He carried a shield smaller than mine.

Dangling about his on a chain around his neck was something that could only be his holy symbol, that of a lightning bolt. Based on that and the man's own words he was a Priest of Heironeous, the god of Justice and Valor. I had heard of that deity before and knew him to be one of the gods of good.

In response to the priests words, two other individuals stepped up to him, myself included. We all tried to speak at the same time and only succeeding in drowning each other out.

"Well, here's some hardy adventurers!" The portly priest said with a laugh. "One at a time now. By the way, I am Cereld of Heironeous. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

A man in robes spoke first. He didn't say much, other than that he was a mage by the name Moorland. Cereld nodded his understanding and then gestured for me to speak next.

"Greeting Cereld, I am Stephanie..." I paused for a second, searching for a grander title than just my last name. Most adventurers seemed to have those. I also didn't want to make my last name known at this point. I didn't want to ride on my grandfather's reputation. I wanted to forge my own destiny. Finally I managed to utter "A swordswoman."

"I, too like the sound of this offer," the last arrival stated. "But I am always suspicious of anything that sounds like much for little."

Turning slightly I took in the new speaker. It was an elf, almost as tall as Cereld was. He had long blond hair and blue eyes that were exotic to behold. The elf was handsome, but seemingly had a dangerous edge to him. An old scar crossed his right eye and another covered the bridge of his nose. Who ever he was, this elf had seen battle before. He bowed deeply before speaking again.

"My name is Finrod, and as my sword, bow, and lack of armor will no doubt make you suspect, I am a man of many talents. This blond hair covers a well-educated brain, and these steely blue eyes have seen much conflict. I am also well versed in the ways of the back alleys and other like locales. I am sure my multifarious talents will contribute full-fold to the success of our endeavors." "Welcome friends. We're off to a good start then," Cereld boomed. "But first, maybe we should make up a name for our little band. It would make us sound more professional like. Let's see.....How about.. Nah that one's no good. Well there's..... Nope I think that one's taken. Hmmmmmm....How about the Champions Chosen? That has a certain ring to it. What does everyone else think?

"I really don't care for it," I had to admit while crinkling my nose. "I have heard of your god, good cleric and believe in his preaching's. There is much wisdom in what you say. The Crown's offer is very appealing and we should take it. I also believe that we should have a spokesman in our dealings. Priests are very wise; therefore it should be a priest. I say that Cereld should speak for us."

"How about 'The Inquisitors'," Finrod suggested. "And I second the nomination of our noble cleric as party leader, as the so-lovely lady has suggested."

"Thanks", I said, blushing slightly as I glanced at the elf. Did he really think I was lovely?

While we were considering just who would lead us and what we would call ourselves more adventurers came along to join our small but growing group. The next to come up was a tiny elf maiden, no bigger than a child she seemed to me. She seemed to glide towards us with an almost unnatural grace. She wore a pale gray silk shirt and trousers that matched and wore soft black leather boots. Her hair and eyes were as dark as mine, but her skin was strikingly pale, nearly white in color. A thin band of silver encircled her throat. She was exotically beautiful.

"Hail, fellow seekers," she said in a soft, slightly accented voice. "I am Dalliance, a combination of swordplay and sorcery from the Inner Kingdom. I have come to adventure in the Frontier Lands with you, and to share in the wealth and knowledge to be found here. May we all prosper from this fellowship of companions."

I will say that Dalliance was very well spoken! She was clearly educated. But still, her small stature didn't make her seem all that dangerous to me. But it was said that looks could be deceiving. Barely pausing to brush a stray lock of her shoulder-length hair from her face, Dalliance continued to speak.

"If the noble Cereld wishes, I too feel he would make a good leader. As to a name, I fear I find 'Chosen' a bit presumptuous as well, but will stand by the group's choice. After all, it is deeds, not names, that will mark our place in history."

See what I mean by being well spoken? She then proceed to shake our hands one by one. I told her my name when we shook hands and she smiled back.

"A swordswoman, is it?" Dalliance said. "We'll have to see just how good you are at some point."

"I think I would like that," I said smiling back at the small elf. I just worried about hurting her while practicing swordplay!

"Greetings all," a new and gravely voice boomed out. Looking around, I spotted a dwarf about the same size as Dalliance. He wore a suit of plate mail and carried both a longbow and a two-handed sword that had to be bigger than he was! He had more gear dangling from his belt and it all knocked and jangled as he walked.

"The name is Flint Gravelrock," the dwarf continued. "I'll throw in with you if you'll have me."

"Welcome Flint and Dalliance to our little endeavor," Cereld continued. "I am honored that you would choose me to lead this company. I will try to live up to your expectations. Dal, you and Stephanie are right. The Champions Chosen is too stuffy. I like Finrod's suggestion too. The Inquisitors does sounds better and is more appropriate to what we do. The only thing is it too seems a little too long. How about The Seekers?"

"I can live with it," Finrod added with a shrug.

"The Seekers?" I said. "Sounds good to me!"

"'Seekers is fine with me, also," Dalliance added.

"So be it!" Cereld said in that booming voice of his. "Let it be known to all: we are The Seekers!"

And that is how the adventuring band know as the Seekers came to be.