Dragoon Kain
Part 1

Kain had been traveling for several months. He felt as though he were being drawn someplace, but he had no idea why. All he
knew was that he had to go south, to the mountains where the "Giant" had been awakened. The land had grown peaceful since
the demise of Zeromus and his evil influences, but there were new monsters to fight.

Thieves and highwaymen, with no evil creatures to drive them away, were becoming more abundant. Kain had booked
passage with a caravan in exchange for his services as a warrior. So far, his skills had not been needed. Kain shifted nervously
in his perch high atop one of the wagons. From his position he could see for several miles down either direction of the road.
The trees, thick with shadows was what worried him. They had not seen another caravan, let alone any sort of traveler for
several days. Very unusual for this time of year.

Kain looked at his lance. It was a holy weapon, taken from the heart of the the moon, which was just becoming visible. The
wagon drivers started lighting their lanterns and torches. Night was fast approaching, as was the dangers that it brings. Kain
silently wished that there were more guards than just himself. With the war over, many of the soldiers had retired, and good
mercenaries were hard to come by. Many people figured they had seen enough violence in their lives, and did not wish to
witness anymore.

Not Kain. He thrived on the conflict. To do battle with a worthy opponent, that was true contentment. Kain lost himself in his
thoughts for a moment. Just then five men dressed in black jumped from the trees, barring the caravan's way. A few moments
later, five more men jumped out from behind, cutting off any escape. From their synchronization and speed, Kain knew they
were not novices. The band quickly closed in and started attacking the caravan.

Kain jumped down from his post and met one of the men head on. Kain ducked as the thief swung his sword in a wide arc. He
then thrust his lance forward, striking his opponent in the chest, shattering his ribs. Two more men advanced from behind, but
Kain quickly spun around, holding his lance outward and down. The metal spike whistled as it sped across the dirt road, and
then up, completing the arc. The lance struck the first man in the crotch, sending him flying back. Then, as it completed its
flight, shattered the second man's skull.

Kain coiled his legs beneath his body and sprang into the air. His leap carried him high above his wounded opponent. With
practiced control, he measured his lance and sent to crashing into the man's abdomen, pinning him to the ground.

Seeing the real threat, the rest of the band turned their attention to Kain. The skilled Dragoon did not wait for his enemies,
however. With another powerful leap, he flew into the center of the group, striking one man down in the process. Kain spun
his lance like a baton and sent it whistling through the crowd. One man was sliced across the stomach while another was struck
in the head. One of the thieves stabbed low, trying to take out one of Kain's legs. Kain arced his lance down low, pinning the
blade to the ground. He sent his armored boot crashing into the man's face. Kain then turned to the three remaining thieves
who, seeing their comrades dead, ran of towards the woods.

Kain would not be denied though. He leapt high into the air, and came crashing down across the back of the nearest man. He
then tossed his lance like a javelin, sending it tearing through the back of one thief, and into the back of the last.

The man should've been wounded, but he kept running. Kain cursed and ran after the man. He couldn't lose that lance!

Kain chased his adversary through the thick woods. Branches and brambles clutched at his body, but were knocked away by
his dragon-like armor. He could hear his opponent crashing through the woods just ahead of him. Suddenly, the woods
opened up and Kain found himself tumbling down a rocky ravine. All the commotion caused the rocks to lose their grip, and
Kain found himself in the midst of a landslide. Kain slid with the flow of the rocks, trying his best not to get struck by any large
ones. The only thing saving him was his armor, which was literally being torn apart. The thief fared much worse, for he wore no
armor of any kind. By the time the reached the bottom, the thief was nothing more than a bloody mass.

Kain finally slid to a stop, but not before striking his head upon the trunk of a thick tree. Kain struggled to get to his feet, his
eyes blinded by sticky redness. The world was spinning, and Kain couldn't keep his balance. After taking a few steps, he
crumpled fell in a heap. His life-blood flowed freely.