Hey. This is a series that I'm writing. This particular part is called the Artifact Septet, and is compsed of seven books. This is the first book. It's titled the Silver Dragon.

Summary: Three Talman theives, a Na'vasi archer, and an island prince. An ancient mystical artifact. A quest beyond imagination. Read on, brave adventurer, read on.

I own the rights to these characters and the storyline. If you'd like to use them, please ask.

Prologue: A Beautiful Friendship

Faster, faster, faster! Don't you dare stop!

Sil Evergreen was running for his life.

"You, boy! Get back here, now! I won't hesitate to send the dogs out after you and then there's nowhere you'll be able to hide from me!"

Damn! Dogs? He could outrun Oderik, Oderik was fat, but dogs? Even he couldn't manage dogs!

As he passed another of many dark alleys, a pair of enormous hands shot out and grabbed him, one around his waist, the other covering his mouth.

He struggled against the man that had grabbed him.

"Hush, boy," The large man whispered, "Dogs!"

Sil went deathly quiet. The dogs passed them by.

As soon as the dark figures were gone, Sil began to struggle again. He licked the man's hand, attempting to get him to let go. The man tasted like fish. Sil hated fish. He hated anything to do with ships.

"Feisty!" The man chuckled, releasing Sil.

As the man's hands withdrew, Sil whirled and began to attack him. The hulking figure laughed, a deep, rumbling laugh that vibrated in Sil's chest.

"You're funny, boy!" The man boomed, "I like you!"

"Who are you?" Sil asked warily.

"Ah, yes. I should not expect you to trust a man that you hardly know. My name is Balin. What are you called little fellow?"

"Sil Evergreen, at your service." Sil said.

"Well, Sil Evergreen, you look hungry. I have some food here if I can just..."

"You mean this?" Sil held up a small pouch.

"Why, yes! A theif, too. That's wonderful. I've been looking for an apprentice."

"You...you mean..." Sil gestured to himself.

"Yes. I mean you. I don't think you'll need any help with the basics, but I can teach you the tricks of the trade and how to turn pickpoceting into an art form. You can eat that, by the way."

Balin began to walk away, and Sil followed.

"You'll probably want this back, won't you?" Sil offered up an expensive looking ring that he had taken from Balin as he'd removed his hand from Sil's mouth.

"I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship, Sil Evergreen."

If you would be so kind as to review, I'd be ever so grateful!