While he walked toward the gates of Balin, Kothar grew more and more confused. It wasn't as though the people of Ursten were being enslaved, and it didn't seem like any had been kidnapped either.
If anything, from the number of people on the roads, Kothar thought they might have somehow increased in number.
"Sir! Draw your sword! I have noticed your strength, and I wish to challenge you!" A shrill voice yelled out from up ahead, and Kothar craned his neck to look over the shoulders of all those who had stopped in their path to get a better look.
He could see that a thin, spindly, young man, in a set of ancient armor, had a long spear clutched in both hands. He seemed not much older than Kothar, with a wisp of a beard on his chin, and the shadow of a mustache.
His eyes, however, were filled with determination, and from the appearance of the skin that was uncovered by either his armor or his short, cape-like clock, it was clear he was a fighter.
