Buckling on the hurlerbelts and climbing into Lightstrider's saddle you call to Talus, "Let's go see if Hilo Rebbenor knows any more helpful information about the walking dead we are going to wipe from the face of the realm."

"Uhh, okay. You're really getting into this aren't you Barak?"

"We are being directed by higher powers Talus, and it is my sworn duty to follow their wishes. These horses are a sign from the Great Mother that she is pleased with us and that our aid is needed. In my dreams I have been asking Bear for guidance and he has shown me that these walking dead have upset the natural order. He has also given me visions of a terrible warrior leading these forces who has been corrupted by the dark powers giving un-life to these tortured souls. I believe I am destined to battle this dark warrior and the outcome will be a deciding factor in this war against evil."

Looking up at you with renewed respect Talus asks, "Aren't you scared?"

Lowering your voice you quietly reply, "To be honest with you, yes I am, a little. But I will have Bear and the Great Mother on my side and they will aid me in my duties. Come. We have arrived at Hilo's house. Let us see if he is in," as you knock loudly on the door.

After a few seconds the door creaks open and Hilo gestures you in, "Well hello there Barak. Have you been practicing your readings? Greetings Talus. It has been a while since I saw you last. How are you?"

Stepping gingerly around a tottering stack of books Talus answers, "I am well Master Hilo but it appears that Barak and I will be heading into dangerous territories."

Clearing a space to sit down you continue, "Yes. We will be travelling to do battle with the walking dead and yes I have continued my readings. What I was wondering is if you knew anything about the walking dead and if you knew anything about group tactics and strategy since I am now apparently the leader of the company of gnomes leaving soon."

"Why yes I do know a few things about both of those subjects. As far as the strategy goes you really should read this book here," Hilo says as he hands you a very old leather bound book embossed with gold lettering. "It's a rand cypher translation of First Hero Rakud's wisdom of tactics and strategy. This would be much more effective than discussing various possible situations with me but I would be glad to discuss it with you when you return. This book here was written by Jaeol, a Tannic Dread Hunter. They are priests of Tan dedicated to putting the restless dead to rest. Unfortunately it is written in hessian scrill but with some help you should be able to figure it out. What I can tell you is that you will most likely run into skeletons and zombies. Skeletons are quick but relatively fragile while zombies are slower and somewhat sturdier. Either of these abominations can use weapons but what you should really watch out for on the zombies is the rotting flesh which can cause numerous diseases. What is causing the armies of Young Races so much trouble in defeating these dark forces is their ability to rapidly replace their losses with fresh dead and the fact that they can field much larger forces than the Hessians are currently able to. The book goes into more detail but that should be enough for now if you want to get on your way soon."

Flipping through the yellowed pages you ask, "Does the book make any mention of darkly spectral warriors that might be leading other walking dead Master Hilo?"

Wrinkling his brow he asks, "I'm not sure what you mean Barak. Could you describe it more?" After you briefly describe the dark warrior in your dreams, Hilo answers your question, "I believe this being may be a wraith. A fearsome foe indeed. Here let me show you the section on them in the book." He takes the book from you and turns to a section towards the back and reads, "Wraiths are twisted souls who, while living, made pacts with dark forces to escape from the eternal rest granted by the great lord Tan. These monstrosities are among the most powerful of the restless dead with only the blood craving vampires and the sorcerous liches showing greater abilities. The pacts use foci to keep these contemptible beings from the great lord Tan's wrath. The foci is usually something that was held dear to this revulsion during life. If the foci is taken from the wraith and broken or used to slay it, the dark powers will dissipate and the soul will be sent to face the great lord Tan's fearsome judgement." Looking up he says, "It goes on from there with examples of different wraiths encountered and their usual habits. I will pray to the goddess Binsus for you success if you must fight this wraith Barak. Take these books and learn what you can from them. If you get the chance return them to me or the Great Monastery of Maeder in the north. You should be on your way if you want to leave today. You probably have much organizing to do."

"Thank you for you help Master Hilo," you say as you rise to leave. "Yes, I must gather my squad leaders and make sure we have all the needed supplies and then we will be off to do battle with the enemy. May the Great Mother smile on you today and all the days to come."

"Good journey to you Barak and Talus. May Binsus impart wisdom throughout your days."

Stowing the books in your saddlebags you turn to Talus, "Let us find Fraeth, Higgins, Deram and Yolli and see if they have the company ready to go yet."

"I'd guess by the noise that they are over there practicing with the drakenhurlers. I'd like to stop by my parents before we leave so I can say goodbye. Okay Barak?"

"Sure Talus. I'd like to thank them for their hospitality and generosity while I stayed here. But first things first. Let us see what the troop is up to."

A short ride brings you to where the company is practicing their marksmanship with some makeshift targets. Watching them you realize that they handle their weapons much better than you do. When you comment on this Talus assures you that you'll pick it up pretty quickly. You watch Yolli who seems to be able to make shots with her longdrake that you would think were impossible but she does it with such ease that it seems second nature. The other members of Yolli's longdrake squad make shots that you doubt you could make and if not for Yolli's skill you would think they were the best in the world. Fraeth, the other female squad leader, is a natural leader and spends her time offering words of encouragement and advice to the members of her support squad. Deram's skirmisher squad is practicing hit and run tactics with their ponies. Higgins' squad is doing mock demolition drills off to one side. After you watch them for a bit, Fraeth notices you and Talus and calls everyone together to hear what you have to say.

Sitting taller in your saddle and raising your voice so everyone can hear you say, "We will be leaving in two hours time to travel to Hessia to rescue the halflings from the walking dead that are plaguing them and the Great Mother. We will pass through Centerville to see if King Trina has any information that may aid us in our noble quest. You should go to your homes and say farewell to your families but tell them not to worry for we will return covered with honor and glory once the battle has been won. Go now and return in two hours." Your rousing speech has fired the imaginations and blood of the gnomes and they file off to their homes with laughter in their voices and confidence in their steps.

"That was a very good speech Barak. It sure looks like it gave them the confidence they needed. Do you really believe all that stuff you said," Talus inquires.

"I have to Talus. Otherwise we have no chance of succeeding," you say somberly.

"Well that's good enough for me Barak. Let's go say farewell to mother and father and I'll make sure to tell them not to worry because," he puffs his chest out at this point and proclaims in a deep voice along with grandiose gestures, "we will return covered with honor and glory once the battle has been won." Laughing he says "Sorry. It was kinda funny though."

Chuckling at his imitation you agree with him, "Maybe I should just let you make all the speeches from now on. At least everyone will go into battle with a smile on their faces."

"No, that's quite alright. I don't think I could keep a straight face doing that all the time. Anyway they respect you a lot," Talus points out.

"It's nothing really. I'm just doing what needs to be done. I'm sure Zareth would do a much better job of it," you say humbly.

"Well all I know about this Zareth fellow is what you told me and I think he would be proud of you and what you have accomplished. So no more talk like that and that's an order soldier. Now let's see if mother has packed any treats for the long journey. Mother. Father. We're back," he shouts as he dismounts from Mooncharger.

"Yes, yes. We aren't deaf you know. You'll probably be leaving right away but not before you eat a good meal. Now come in here and sit down," Wedra orders the two of you as you enter the house.

After a hearty meal Wedra says, "You boys be careful out there," as she hands small bundles of food to both of you.

"Good luck son. Make sure he stays out of trouble Barak. I expect both of you back here in time for the first summer wines," Yoder says as he looks on with fatherly pride.

Wheeling the horses about you say, "We'll be back as soon as we can, the Great Mother willing in time for the summer wines. Thank you for everything Yoder and Wedra. May the Great Mother smile on you today and all the days to come."

Waving cheerily as you ride off towards the meeting area Talus yells, "Don't worry. We'll be fine. Bye."

The rest of your company is waiting for you when you arrive and the squad leaders quickly arrange everyone for travel as you look over their supplies. As per your orders only as much gear as can be carried by one man and one mount has been brought. Nodding your approval you send out the scouts and lead the company eastward towards untold danger and glory.

As the company begins down the road Fraeth unpacks a banner and attaches it to her spear. Caught by the wind it unrolls and you see can see a snarling bear's head on a field of gold.

Curious you ask her about it, "What is that for Fraeth?"

Shaking the spear slightly so the bear can be seen better she says, "Well Commander Barak, Higgins said that every fighting group should have a standard so we don't get separated in battle. So we had one of the weavers in town make this up for us. What do you think of it? We're now the Company of the Bear. RIGHT GNOMES!!," she bellows. The rest of the gnomes respond with a resounding "RARGH!!," which sounds very similar to a bear's roar when it comes from all their throats at the same time.

Out of the corner of your eye you catch Talus trying to smother a grin and shaking his head. Riding closer he tells you, "I think you've created a monster."

Nodding you say, "Let us hope that it is monster enough to defeat the walking dead."