Walking through the forest on a nice sunny day was a great way to enjoy the day. Julian was exploring the forest looking for some herbs to make some potions with, but at the moment he wasn't having any luck. He had been walking for quite a long time now and had decided to rest against the stump of a tree, so that he could at least save his feet from feeling like bricks.

Sitting down, Julian looked around and thought that this place was quite charming. It was a nice quite forest where nothing was disturbing the peace, where the birds where the birds could chirp and the bees could buzz. A nice place for someone to have a rest. Taking a nice apple from his travel pack, Julian munched and crunched on the apple... taking in the peace.

That was when something caught his senses, the 18 years of martial arts training kicked in and every nerve of his body told Julian to move out of the way. Julian obeyed his nerves and as quick as an elf, he threw himself to one side. He heard the sound of a spear hit the tree exactly where Julian's head was those precious seconds ago, and when he got up... Julian could see 4 roughnecks on the clearing.

They looked like mercanaries, and they looked angry. Julian wasn't scared of them though... he knew how to take care of himself and he knew how to fight his way out of a bad situation.

"That's the guy... that's the guy who stole my money..."

A whimpy voice came from behind the 4 and Julian saw another man whom he had met earlier on. It was the same man who had sold him the dodgy map that got him lost in the undercaverns, the same man whom had stolen Julian's 30 gold pieces and the same man who took great delight in knowing Julian was probably going to die. Julian obviously didn't die, rather he got to the surface again and found the map seller, taking his gold back and giving him a reminder why being a thief is a bad thing in the form of a sharp knee to the groin.

"So, you think it's funny to steal other people's money do ya explorer?" shouted one of the large burly men.

Before Julian could even think of replying the four men charged forward like a herd of horses in a stampede. The whimpy voiced thief shouted words of encouragement to all four of his comrades.

Julian decided that the four needed a lesson in Elemental Magic. Immediatly taking a battle stance, he began to concentrate on the element of fire. Had his attackers stopped charging, they would have seen Julian's hands burst into a small flame and stopped. But they did not, instead they kept on charging unaware that Julian was getting ready to unleash a powerful attack on them.

Julian placed his two flaming hands together as if he was cupping a small ball and opened his eyes, looking directly at the attackers. He began to whisper the elemental magical words which would end this battle.

"Quan-Sho-Xiong: Power of the elemental fire"

No sooner has he whispered the command words had his flaming hands transfomed into a raging fireball which Julian threw at the attackers. The fireball connected and a small explosion resulted... sending all four attackers stumbling backwards. Julian knew that the battle was over and was about to leave when he felt a pair of arms grab him from the rear and hold him. Julian was helpless and could only shout in pain as a punch hit him in the stomach. And another one... and another one...

Julian was helpless and thrashed as the punches kept on coming and coming.

Sekuda had been walking through the woods for a good time now. Taking in the peaceful moment that most never get as often as he seemed to get. He felt the nice cool breeze on his face and the sounds of the birds in the air which made it all the better. His dark brown eyes scanned the area though for he knew that peaceful times like this do not last forever. His right hand was softly placed on the handle of his long sword while his right was at his side casually. His hard leather boots made a soft thumping noise as he took his steps, up a small hill.


His steps immediately stopped in his tracks though for he heard a large explosion, from over the hill. At first he hesitated, wandering what to do. It could have been some bandits or some kids playing a prank. He stood their motionless until he heard a voice yelling, and his ears strained to hear what it was yelling about. That's right punch him good! was all he could make out. He jolted up the hill, his curiosity exploding within himself to see what was going on here. When he reached the top he found a man being held by another and being punched in the gut. In the distance there was a small man yelling his head off trying to get them to punch harder.

"Four against one?" he started, while walking down the hill with his long sword now drawn from it's sheath. "This is hardly fair...." he shook his head his pace slowly quickening to help this outnumbered man. "HEY GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Sekuda then yelled down running at the man, who was holding the captive, from behind. Sekuda's sword man a quick slash from his right to left and hit the man directly. The mercenary fell to the ground screaming from the pain. On his back lay a large gash from Sekuda's blade, which was now held out so the point was aimed at the men punching the other one. "I suggest you leave!" was Sekuda's final say before awaiting the men's response.

A normal man would be half dead now. But Julian had trained for a long time and was only beaten badly. His vision was blurred and he could taste blood in his mouth, but he was still alive, but he couldn't stand much more of this punishment. He looked at the largest one of the group and saw that he had put on some brass knuckles. Julian groaned... he didn't want to die like this. He always wanted to die doing what he loved, but not like this.

Suddenly, he heard a faint voice. He didn't know what the voice said but the other 4 faltered and this gave Julian enough time to react. His head snapped to the side, smashing into one of those holding him. He felt his left arm being released which meant so he twisted his body and grabbed the right thug, throwing him over his shoulder.

The largest thug looked scared, so Julian made his end quick. He span around on one foot, lifting his other leg up in a sharp roundhouse kick. WHAM! The kick connected with the large thug's jaw and sent him sprawling to the ground. The fourth man, the one who had arranged this, he looked as if he was facing a demon.

He was completley terrified of Julian at this point and with good reason. Julian wanted this man to pay for everything. He ran after him, but it was no use. Julian had suffered to much punishment and fell to the ground in defeat. He could hear the man whoop for joy and then the sounds of running footsteps.

'Damn... he got away', thought Julian.

Sekuda watched in amazement as the man who was getting beaten was able to dispatch of the other to thugs with such swiftness. He was still hurt though and wasn't able to go after the other man that was now running away. Sekuda sheathed his long sword quickly after wiping the blood of on the tunic of the man he had killed. "You okay there sir?" he asked slowly approaching the man. "That was some beating you took....." he slowly bent down by the man and rested a hand on his back.

He used his only spell that he knew, speaking a few words in a mumble. Some of his lesser wounds were healed but Sekuda was unable to heal all of them with his lesser magic. "Here let me help you up" he said grabbing the man from underneath the shoulders he slowly lifted him up onto his feet.

(sorry writer's block, and had to go)

Julian was helped to his feet and could feel himself being healed. Thankfully, his wounds were light and the heal spell did help him recover. However, he still felt pain where he was punched and kicked and Julian's mood was not a nice one. The coward who had attempted to kill him had fled the scene like a rat and Julian wanted to at least bruise him a little.

"You okay there sir?"

Julian looked at the man and tried to smile, but failed. His mood was a foul one because of what had happened.

"I'm fine, thank you. And my gratitude for helping me when you did. Another few minutes and I wouldn't have survived their beating."

Julian looked around but he couldn't see any sign of the coward. He would have made his tracks by now and would probably be long gone. But he would meet Julian again. And when he did... POW!

Sekuda stared off into the distance after the small man. He had just turned a corner in the bush line and was now out of sight. Why would a little man get some men to come beat this other man up. Maby the fallen man was a theif of some sort? Well it did not matter much to Sekuda at the most part. He would help anyone out if they needed it and this man needed it. After getting beaten up by that many men! You would need good endurance to last.

Sekuda watched the man closely and could see his foul mood. Instantly he had to know why this man was beaten up. "Why were they beating upon you?" he asked him with a faint smile. He tried to think up as many ways as he could to help cheer him up, but nothing came to mind. Maby after he talked to him for abit he would him.

Julian could remember exactly why these men were beating him for no good reason.
"About a week ago, I discovered an ancient set of tunnels which I explored. That man who ran off sold me a map which was forged. The map cost me 30 gold and when I got out of the tunnels, I tracked him down and forced him to hand me over his money. At first he set some of his goons on me but I took care of them, and then I took care of him. It seems he wants his 30 gold pieces back after all."
Julian cracked his knuckles and started to feel his body for any bruises...
"I know his type, they lie in order to get what they want. I'll see him again no doubt and when I do... I'll make sure to teach him some respect."

Sekuda listened intently then stared off into the distance, almost expecting to see the man now laughing. He shook his head slowly at disgust. He always hated those who cheated money, and thieves of the night, but see sell them something they don't need and knowing perfectly that they will probably die. That took the cake. He looked over to the man with a warm smile, "Well then...would you like your revenge? We could probably outrun him if you are up for it." He always believed in justice and this was just another one of those cases. He was bent on trying to find this man and take him down.

He continued to stare off, while awaiting for the man's response. Hopefully he would be ready to go and chase this man down. Even if he wasn't able from his wounds Sekuda would be more than willing to catch the man and bring him back to Julian so he could let him take care of it. "So what do you say traveller? Would you like to start the chase or would you rather me catch him and bring him to you so your wounds can heal?" he asked once more with more enthusiasm in his voice.

Julian would have loved to go after the man, but his stomach was killing him. He needed rest, and plenty of it.
"I can't go anywhere today. I need to find an inn and rest off these injuries... my stomach for one thing feels like lead. He'll come back though, I know he will and when he does, I'll be ready for him."
Julian looked at the stranger who had helped him and held out one hand, ready for shaking...
"Thank you for saving me, if not for you... well, I'd be dead!"