Intro: Aiko Chapter 1

INTRO: Set in the Ironlands in south area off the Flooded Lands, follow the journey of Akio Nabil as he explores this land in search of life experience to grow himself and his community throughout the land. He set's out from Fool's Fall with ties in family and a dear friend Tahauta, an elf waif slim with blonde curls halfway down her back, she is looking to find her ancestors secrets to help the settlement also, Akio is fond of her and wants to help as well. This is the story of his long journey to hopefully find his fortunes.

Background: Akio was born just south of the Havens near the north flooded lands in a settlement called Fool's Fall to a small but very proud family of merchants. As a young boy he often would accompany his family on trips to gain supplies for the wagon of goods they used to support themselves. When there were local fairs he was fascinated by the events all around him, especially the wrestling and arena battles which were not usually deadly but offered great competition which built skills of local people to survive. He is now grown and he has set some goals to build possible fame and fortune to grow his settlement, his horse companion named Sahar is jet black with some white streaks by his side, bred to endure the long and tough lands of the flooded lands he is stout with no fear. Akio is skilled in improvising whatever the situation calls for plus a skilled brawler which he picked up over the years in arena practice.

Chapter 1: Journey Beginnings

Akio has spoken to Mihn about her lost cat, treasured in the community several concerns have become apparent, animals have been killed recently and drained of blood. Akio was asked by Mihn if he can ride his horse out to find her cat and she offers a reward of great importance to match her animal’s importance, she is bonded by the cat(familiar) she is a the ritualist of the settlement.

Akio sets off on a warm spring day with the sun shining, he has never ventured much farther than the outskirts of the village but now as a grown man even at 22 years old he seeks to build a name and help the settlement community. As Akio rides through the morning, he comes across a small caravan where he sees a few merchants he thinks he recognizes but is unsure, he approaches them with a greeting. “Well met!” I am Akio from Fell’s Fall and I am wondering if you have seen a very special cat from our settlement? He describes the cat to the gentleman who approached, looks like he’s the veteran or possible leader. “She is black with some white paws, very cautious but can be friendly” " I am Zaire, leader of this caravan, we are headed west towards Casia in the south Havens." The man tells Akio how they have not seen this cat however saw some strange tracks over to the east which they avoided that area as a few of their animals were lost or killed and when found blood drained out of them. Akio nods and says he is sorry that has happened, he is looking to get to the bottom of this situation, they wished him well, he heads east.

He travels a way then finally sees more of the strange tracks he was told about, there is a trail that seems to lead more to the North and the tracks are melded in the trail with other ones, he checks this area out with Sahar snorting at the larger brush in the area. When Akio approaches, he is confronted by something he has not seen before, around the larger bushes a form makes it way towards him, could this be the tracks and what has been haunting the area? A strange flightless bird, semitransparent but obviously different with grand teeth inside the beak, medium size but burly, it snarls at Akio, Sahar readies himself knowing it is dangerous. Akio commands Sahar to charge and the battle commences, Akio strikes this beast right off the beak and hurts it a little, shifting to his feet off his horse he attempts to take a hold of it so he can strike it better, he manages to grasp the right wing and slap a good strike over its face by the eye. This creature moves quickly, circles around and tries to talon Akio in the face but his great wrestling ability offers him a sliding move that makes it a miss. As Akio moves alongside, he wants to grapple this bird to choke it out, he moves into position, but a well-placed Talon strikes his leg and hurts him enough for it to leave as the large horse was going to pounce on it. Alas, the battle is over, but Akio needs to tend to this wound and continue the search for the missing cat. Time to set up camp. After some good rest and a nice bandage job he is sore but able to progress the next day, time to move forward.