He looked at me with eyes full of disbelief. He then looked down to his stomach where the innards were dangling down between his knees. I allowed him this, it was only fair. His eyes met mine again and this time his face was as grey ash from blood loss. His lips parted but whatever words he intended to speak drowned in a low gurgle. My Ax raised high, I swung at his face with all my might. I closed my eyes as the impact went through the shaft and my arms. I felt a spray on my face and right forearm and the heavy Duergar body stumbled to the ground to my left.

The cavern echoed with the death throes of the armored Duergar. Then all was silent. I ran a hand down over my face, wiping the gore away without giving it much thought. Tempus was pleased, I knew that. The fight had been fair and the best warrior had won. I gathered my things and went over to the broken Duergar body to claim my spoils as the victor. He had questioned my doings in this cavern and I had questioned his. I had killed him without passion or regret. Does this make me a bad person?

The answer is no.

Strange place, this "Sanctuary". Been here a week now and I'm not even close to getting to grips with things around here. Beats roaming around the lightless caverns, though.

Strange twist of fate... Who would think that here, what must be miles below the world of my Rashemi brothers, is a settlement that is made up of hundreds of Surfacers. "Surfacer", that was what the Duergar called me. I still don't understand their damn language. And I don't have much wish to. Not now, at least, that I'm back among people that understand me.

I have met a few people of interest. Two Warriors caught my eye in particular. Tempus is with them, even if they do not know him to be, or worse, don't care. Maeturorant the Elf and Entar the Human. They are very different and I doubt they would get along. Maeturorant is ruthless. I can respect this, since the Lord of Battles sometimes is ruthless. Entar is merciful, and believes in the best in men. I can respect this, since Tempus sometimes is merciful, and frowns upon needless strife.

The multitude of different people and races is a bit much to take in. I have only met 2 Witches so far, and neither did appreciate me calling them such. Witches must not be revered here, as they are back home. Also, I have seen no person in the role of Iron Lord. They must do things differently here.

I will learn.

I killed a Companion today. Tempus knows I didn't mean to. That reeking Undead struck me with a blade of dark magics and I lost my bearing, chopping left and right, the World as a blur around me.

Terry was the Halfling's name. It was our first mission together and I didn't know him well, but by the Gods, he didn't deserve his fate. When I regained my senses, my Ax was red with his blood. Blood, in fact, was everywhere. I did not know so small a body could hold so much liquid. It would have been even harder to bear, had I not used the same instrument that ended Terry's life, to end the Undead's. Victory again.

It's not only about who you kill, it's also about who you let live.

Blood spattered pages are scattered across the floor of a windy cavern.