“It had been three weeks and four games since the Archers of Avelon had beaten the Zhufbar Bruisers. In that time, things had only deteriorated. The Archers had managed to string together a streak of six shut out victories. The wins came against such franchises as the Acolytes of Corruption, Khornius Evangelitxers, and the Venturian Big Guys. Most recently was the 2-0 victory against Coach Guffabiere’s squad of mummies and skeletons.

Kondor picked up the sports section of the Avelon Gazette only to read that the Archers held the top position in the E.L.F. standings. For a moment he was worried until he realized that Coach Rags had not yet logged a pair of matches against dead teams. A simple 30 point outing against one of them would move them in front of the Archers. With about ten days left in the season all they had to do was complete the cycle and they would probably step into the lead.

Dropping the newspaper into the trash bin, Kondor opened the door and strolled down the street to the Tarnished Crown. To this point, he had not set foot inside the establishment, but today he had business with the owner.

The front door to the inn opened to the tavern portion of the establishment. The place was adorned with pieces of Archer memorabilia. A helmet sat in the center of every table, and the walls were lined with archery targets. One wall displayed portraits of every Archer killed while playing and below the portrait was a little bronze tag detailing the circumstances of the death. Even at this early hour, the place was buzzing. It was a good sized early diner crowd.

Kondor moved to the office tucked in the corner near the stairs and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” shouted Crobis from inside.

Once Kondor was inside, Corbis immediately started talking and ushered Kondor to a seat.

“Good. I have wanted to talk to you. I am quitting the Archers unless you quadruple my salary per game as apothecary. After the skills I displayed during the game against the Bruisers, I have offers to work from some of the top teams in the league. Look at these. This is an offer from the Hellbound Charioteers, and this is another from the Agility Monsters. I am moving to the top.”

Kondor took a second to take it in and measure his next words. The game against the Zhufbar Bruisers was considered the game of the month and it had been watched in every corner of the old world. Everyone who mattered had seen Corbis pound the life back into Revwe, the captain of the Archers of Avelon.

“No Corbis. You will not take any of these jobs but you may indeed quit the squad.” Said Coach Kondor with a very measured tone.

Corbis was dumbfounded. This was not how he had expected the conversation to go. “Now why would I do such a daft thing? There is gold to be made.”

“Because you and I both know your true skills.” Answered Kondor. “How do you think the Charioteer fans will react if you accidentally kill the Dark Avatar rather than an opponent doing it? Where is the honorable death in that? How will the Agility Monsters react if you tear rather than repair the achilles tendon of Nogli “The Sage”? No Corbis, you are a tattoo artist, amateur veterinarian, tavern owner, and unless you take a pay cut, former apothecary to the Archers of Avelon.”

Having always been a rational gnome, Corbis stared blankly as he processed the information. At that moment there was knock on the door. Kondor walked over and placed his hand on the doorknob.

“I trust I will see you at practice in the morning.” He said and left.
As Kondor left, a figure in a full length black coat and wide brimmed hat came through the door. Corbis shook himself and looked closely at the man. Jorin’s pale violet eyes were set deep in his sockets and though his cheeks were rosy because he had recently fed, Corbis recognized him for what he was.

“What do you want blood drinker? Speak carefully, and know that if you have been eating my clients, I will put a stake in you myself.” Said Corbis.

Jorin spread his hands wide open in a sign that he was not hostile. “I come with a proposition.” He said. “Are you aware of the bounty on the heads of the Archer Kill-Team? You my friend are in the perfect position to help me collect. In light of the conversation I just overheard, my guess is that you may be interested in a partnership.””