[Earendil Halfelven]

Turthôl coughed and spluttered. He woke with a start. He didn't know where he was. It was raining, and whatever he was in was moving around a lot. There was somebody with him also. He looked around and saw that he was in a small boat with a man rowing.

"I see your awake," the man said. Turthôl looked at him.

"Where am I? Who are you?" Turthôl said. His head and neck hurt.

"You are in my little fishing dingy. Unfortunately, I got hit by a storm and all my fishing equipment got swept overboard. I found you too. Lucky I did. You had a rope around your neck, as if someone was hanging you. So, the question is, who are you and what did you do to deserve an execution? After I know who you are, you shall know who I am," the man asked.

Turthôl thought for a moment. "I am..." but his mind was blank. "I am..." he said again but nothing came out.

"I don't know who I am," he said.

"Eh? You don't know who you are?" the man said.

"No...I don't remember anything!" Turthôl said.

"Not a thing, you say," the man said again.

Turthôl started to panic. His neck hurt for a reason he didn't know, and he was soaking wet. By what the man said, he had just saved his life.

"Well, I guess there's no harm in telling you, since you don't remember anything. I'm tracking a murderer, a man that killed my brother in cold blood. My name is Baroden."

"How did you find me, again? You said something about an execution..." Turthôl said.

"That's what it looks like. You had a noose around your neck. You were on a ship, I guess, because the murderer and his company that I was tracking was on that ship. From what I can tell, you probably got in their way and they were about to kill you. Luckily, the storm broke the rope somehow and set you free. Thats how I found you." Baroden answered.

"Say, friend, maybe you can help me to avenge my brother. You look strong enough. Can you wield a sword?" Baroden asked.

Turthôl shook his head. "I don't know, but I'll be glad to help you avenge your brother. After all, you saved my life after those murderers tried to take it. I am indebted to you."

Baroden smiled. "Good, I'm glad to have the company. It's been a lonely journey tracking these villians. Well, while I row to shore, I'll tell you about these people. The leader, and the one who murdered my brother, is a blond man named Rangar. They have a few elves with them. Despite what you know and heard about elves, these are killers. Their names are Calimir and Enien. Enien is a she-elf and Calimir is a male. Next is a man named Tareth. He's a brownish haired fellow. They have a young man named Bregand. He can't do much but don't let your guard down. They have two women named Carmilita and Ravenne. Again, don't let your guard down. Oh, and another women they have is a rich noblewoman from Gondor named Wren. She's the blond haired woman. Don't let her good looks and charm get you. As soon as she's got you where she wants you, your dead." he said.

Turthôl scratched his head. "How do you plan on avenging your brother if this man Rangar is surrounded by such dangerous people? And how can I help you?"

"Oh, don't worry. I have no doubt in your abilities," Baroden said. "No doubt at all..."