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The orc camp was now about four days march behind me. I had trudged southwards towards what I had been told by a wandering minstrel was the noble city of Paladins. The City of Trinsic. It had been sometime since I had been in Britain and I was looking forward to the comfort and security of a cities’ wall.

The days walking through the realm had been difficult for me. I made my way carefully along dense overgrown paths that were flanked by huge ancient towering trees with great boughs; the myriad shades of green of their leaves would swirl and dance in the sun. This beautiful sight gave me no comfort. I was ever looking over my shoulders for signs of any pursuers. My awareness seemed to be heightened, every sound, every shadow made my heart skip. I felt alone; my previous victory gave me no warmth. All around me trees and bushes took forms in my imagination. At night I hardly slept for fear of some monster bursting out of the night and savaging my tired body. What sleep I did get was wracked with tortuous dreams of orcs consuming my very soul, their foul stinking putrid blood seem to permeate all of my slumber. Always on waking the first thing I would remember was the reek of those dead orcs’ bodies that I slew. Yes I decided, it would be a welcome thought to be within the sanctuary of a civilised city.

My journey to Trinsic had given me time to think about the globe I had discovered. I was still no nearer knowing what its use was or even what worth could be put on such a treasure. Not that I had any intention of selling it.

After half a day’s further march I began to be able to see the white marble of the walls surrounding Trinsic. The walls seemed to shine like a paladins sword in the early afternoon sun. The sight of the titanic walls filled me with a sense of relief that I had so desperately wanted for the last four and a half days.

Jok was a strange little man. Not very tall, dressed in a brown robe and wearing a simple straw hat on his head. He had the look of a beggar but the intelligence that sparked in his eyes was unmistakable. I was not more than a few hundred yards from the main gate into the city when he came over to me. I had not seen him approach, nor did I recognise him. He started to talk to me like a long lost friend and very soon I felt a tremendous sense of relaxation in his company.

I must have talked to Jok for a good hour. His company was charming and it felt so good to talk after being so silent. I found myself telling him all the details of my adventure, including the strange golden orb I had found. I even gave him the box with the globe in. He took it out and examined it closely. He told it was indeed worth a great amount of money and it was indeed magical. He continued to add that he did not understand its magic himself but there was a mage within Trinsic who would. He passed the box back to me.

Jok asked me at one point if I had much money, for eventually I would need some to survive in this world. I told him I had very little and I had even less to sell. After further discussion Jok agreed to buy the ivory box the globe came in for a huge sum of money, 5000 gold pieces. So much gold I could hardly carry it. In fact he helped me take the money to the bank in Trinsic, I was truly grateful to have met him. After some wine and a meal Jok finally left me in one of Trinsics’ many Inn’s and I felt happy and contented. At last I was safe within the city walls and had made a good friend and had plenty of gold to see me right.

I had also just made the biggest mistake of my life.