Fullerton stood at the edge of the great trees, slowly breathing the putrid air of the deep woods, listening as dew (or was it slime?) fell from the branches in a constant patter. He tied back his long brown hair with a swath of cloth and peered into dark wood. In the distance, a wolf and a cicada traded woeful songs. He blinked his emerald green eyes and sighed.

He was the Princess Shessa's last hope. Somewhere, deep in the Forest of Lieri, an old woodsman held the king's only daughter captive. The king had sent out three parties including the finest regiment of the Royal Guard, but all had returned to the castle empty-handed, dazed, and confused. Some men had not returned at all.

Fullerton squeezed his tall, muscled frame through the thickets of twisting vines and razor-sharp pincer plants. Thorns embedded themselves in his skin, and the warrior felt a slow trickle of blood dripping down his legs. He did not stop to wipe or clean the wounds.

Visions of the princess drove him forward. He could see her soft porcelain skin and the long twisting mane of spun gold that lay across her shoulders. Her could see her blue eyes sparkle when she romped through the palace gardens. Oh, and the games they played together.

A mammoth tree came into view. It seemed to rise above the forest dome and touch the clouds with its gnarled fingertips. Fullerton quickened his pace. Finally, he emerged in a small clearing. At its far edge stood the dark tree. More massive than the mightiest of oaks, it guarded the heart of the wood.

He crept towards it. A mighty limb twitched. He scanned the tree but saw nothing. He began to turn away.

Wooden tentacles thicker than his arms entrapped. They pulled taut. With every twist of his body, the grip tightened. Fullerton gasped. He reached for his sword, but the tree pinned his arms to his sides. The quivering bulk seemed to laugh at him from some hidden orifice, shucking off its last remaining leaves.

Fullerton felt the blood rush to his head. He feared that the next breath would be his last. Then, a flicker of movement in the underbrush.

Someone bounded from the thickets like a frantic jackrabbit. The stocky figure lunged at the tree with a dagger and cried, "Release him!" as though the tree could actually hear him - or care. The blade dug into the tree's bark, and shards of wood exploded as though struck by a thunderbolt. The lacerated tree screeched, and vomited green bile, which stank like a rotting corpse. The monstrosity shuddered and loosened its grip on the warrior, allowing Fullerton enough freedom to extricate his arms.

The warrior snatched his blade from its scabbard and swung it with abandon; his lightning-fast blows sliced into branches and trunk. Chunks of bark exploded from the sobbing hulk. Its life-stuff gurgling from its wounds, the giant tree recoiled, and retracted its remaining limbs.

Fullerton, now free, crawled into the clearing to face his mysterious ally.

"Nothin' like a little adventure to start the morn, heh, heh," said the old woodsman, grinning through rotted teeth. Fullerton strained to understand the thick Lierian drawl. The woodsman twirled the dagger between his thumb and forefinger and slid it into a leather holder.

Fullerton stood and examined his chipped sword. "I can think of better ways to spend my time. I've ruined a good sword." He slipped it back into its scabbard. "I am truly grateful for your help, friend. I am the Fullerton, Warrior and Champion of the Inner Kingdoms; and you are?"

"I am called the Traveler," answered the man, extending a wizened hand. "Lucky I came along, heh, heh. Were you not familiar with the Great Trees of Lieri?" They clasped hands.

"Just tales, I thought."

"Not so. They are an ancient race -- even older than man, some say."

"I owe you a great debt, Traveler. My time is precious and I carry little, but I am on a quest for the king. Just tell me what you need, and it will be sent to you when I return to the Inner Kingdom."

The Traveler shook his head and sighed. "I am just a simple man, Fullerton. A vagabond. I already own the most priceless of all possessions: freedom. If you must endow me with a reward, however, I have one small request. Something, as a vagabond and a traveler, I have precious little of."

"Request away, and do not worry about the extravagance of your wish."

"All I ask for is your friendship, now and forever."

"You have that on any account, friend. Wouldn't you prefer precious stones, robes of silk, or a good steed. Those are true rewards for someone so brave."

The Traveler shook his head furiously. "Oh, no. My first request still stands. As I said, I am a simple man. Besides, material possessions only spawn jealousies amongst my kinsmen."

"Suit yourself! I will heartily grant your wish. Friends to the death, we shall be!" Fullerton smiled and extended his hand.

The Traveler began gyrating to an unheard rhythm. "Heh, heh. Heh, heh heh, heh," he sang, hopping onto a rock to continue his jig.

The warrior watched the performance and shrugged. "What in the gods has come over you? Grab a hold of yourself, man."

"The Champion of the Inner Kingdoms, pah! Fool of the Inner Kingdoms, more likely. I have defeated you! Me! Dibukkan, the Traveler. Heh, heh!"

Fullerton stared at the Traveler. "You? You are Dibukkan, kidnapper of the Princess Shessa? You?"

A sinister smile answered the warrior's queries, and Fullerton, stunned by the revelation, stared blankly at the woodsman for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, he asked, "Where is Shessa, you fiend? Tell me now, and perhaps I will spare your worthless hide."

"Oh, yes, the wench. Heh, heh! We are to be married tonight." Dibukkan giggled.

"Married! You can not marry the King's daughter!" Fullerton exclaimed, reaching for his trusty blade. "The king will never sanction such a union."

"What do I care of sanctions." Dibukkan's eyes glowed with an unholy fire. "After tonight, Shessa and I shall melt into the woods. I do not want the trappings and gifts that come from such a union. I told you that I am a simple man."

"That scenario shall never come to pass." Fullerton raised the sword above his head.

"Oh, really! I have already dispatched three search parties. Even the Royal Guard was no match for me."

Fullerton inched forward. "You see your end standing before you."

"You? Your quest is a failure. You don't just don't know it, yet."

"A Failure? I have not even begun with you, sir," Fullerton thundered, inching toward the beaming Dibukkan. "Produce Shessa now, or I will use my blade to exact proper vengeance."

Dibukkan laughed at the warrior. "I will produce the wench in due time, at my whim and fancy. I do not fear your wrath; Dibukkan fears nothing. I am invincible! If you doubt my words, find out for yourself."

Howling the Warrior's Cry, Fullerton swung his sword at Dibukkan's head, but the weapon came upon an impossible resistance. The blade halted inches from Dibukkan's head, and an invisible force ripped it from his hands. The blade fell uselessly to the ground and thudded twice before it blinked into non-existence.

"Heh, heh!" Dibukkan cried, dancing around like a banshee.

"An interesting trick, that," Fullerton commented. "But do not revel in victory just yet. I have fought sorcerers before, and I still stand before you."

"Me, a sorcerer? Heavens, no. I can not weave spells, but all who offer me friendship can do me no harm. If they try ... Well, poof," he stated, snapping his fingers.

"You see, a sorcerer bestowed this charm upon me as tribute to saving his life. It is quite useful because my kinsmen often kill their own brothers. I give you fair warning now: if you try to harm me again, you will join your sword in the Eternal Abyss. I hope you reconsider foolhardy action, however, because your death would upset my nuptial ceremonies." Dibukkan smiled, and crossed his arms. Fullerton noticed that the woodsman made no move to remove his own blade.

The warrior considered his next move. If Dibukkan told the truth, an attack would be foolish. He could not rescue the princess from the Eternal Abyss, wherever, whatever that was. If the charm was a ruse, Dibukkan still had the advantage of a weapon. Fullerton measured the distance between them. Could he make the gap before Dibukkan drew his sword? Why did he not unsheathe it? What kind of game did the woodsman play?

_Game?_ Yes, the warrior decided, the woodsman plays a game with me. Fullerton recalled the games he played with Shessa in the garden. One particular game. He wondered if Dibukkan might not be gullible enough to snap at chance to prove himself. He also wondered if Shessa would remember. He smiled. Dibukkan lifted an eyebrow.

"I must concede, my friend. You have indeed outwitted me." Fullerton bowed to his adversary, stifling his anger. "But I must ask something of you. Why did you save me from that tree, when it seemed that I would surely be defeated?"

"Ah! I could not be certain of that, warrior. Plus, I wanted to play with you. When you return to the palace in disgrace, you will carry my message."

"It seems that you got the best of me all around; I'll give you that. Can we now talk terms on the Princess?"

Dibukkan smiled and licked his lips playfully. "There shall be no terms, sir. I shall marry Shessa tonight. Heh, heh." Dibukkan smiled wider. "I am just repaying an old debt, after all. Many years ago, I wed the most beautiful woman of the forest. Her name was Tchizulla. We lived a happy life until the Royal Guard killed my lovely Tchizulla."

"I have known the Royal Guard for many years, Dibukkan. You will never get me to believe that they are capable of that unspeakable act."

"The current guard, perhaps not, but this happened a generation ago under the reign of Shessa's grandfather. I vowed to avenge my wife's murder. That day has come."

"Regardless of your reasons, I can not condone your actions. It seems, however, that I am powerless to stop you. I humbly request to see Shessa to verify her well-being to the king."

"I will do you one better. You give away Shessa's hand tonight in the king's stead. Will that be sufficient, my friend? I have invited several people for a grand ceremony in the Lierian style."

Dibukkan skipped into the forest to retrieve his bride-to-be. A few minutes later, the pair squeezed through the thickets. Dibukkan had tied a bond of heavy rope between their ankles, and strapped a sword to his belt. He also carried two dusty bottles in his left hand.

Fullerton started when he saw Shessa. Her long mane was ragged and tied up with a red cloth. Tear tracks streaked her grimy alabaster skin. She lifted her head, but a half-hearted attempt at a smile produced only a wan frown.

Dibukkan pulled the dagger from its holder and raised it to Shessa's throat. "I have not harmed the girl, yet, but do not be foolish. I brought two bottles of the best wine from my hidden stock. Let's drink to this great occasion!"

Dibukkan and Shessa dropped to the grass. He motioned for Fullerton to sit across from them and handed him a bottle of wine and two wooden mugs.

Shessa spoke for the first time. "You can't mean to help this grubby hellion. N-no. P-please help me, Fullerton." The Princess lowered her head and began to sob.

"I am so sorry, dear girl. I have failed my mission; Dibukkan has me under his power. I hope you can forgive me," said the warrior.

Dibukkan laughed, and gulped his wine in one giant swallow. He smiled widely and rocked on the soft earth.

Feigning drunkenness, Fullerton addressed Dibukkan. "I remember a game that Shessa and I would play called Sack. You like games, my friend?"

"I love games," answered Dibukkan. "Being alone, however, I don't have anyone to play them with. I don't believe that I have heard of the game you mentioned. Sack, is it?"

"A simple game, really, although a lot of fun to play. I must warn you, however, that Shessa is the undefeated champion of the Inner Kingdoms." Fullerton had begun to slur his words, and his drunk nemesis became looser, no longer keeping one hand on his sword.

Fullerton met Shessa's glimpse with a frown. Yes, she remembered her only loss at Sack; he hoped that she would also remember her response to his winning that game.

"How do you play? Heh, heh!" asked Dibukkan, visibly excited by the prospects of a game.

Fullerton untied a leather sack from his belt and dropped it on the ground in front of him. "Each person puts up to five items inside and tries to guess the identity of the objects, asking one question of an opponent for clues. The first player to name all the items wins the game and the all the goodies inside the pouch."

"I want to play Sack," blurted Dibukkan.

"Then, we shall," said the warrior. "One caution: until you can correctly name all the items, do not guess, because you will reveal your own items to your opponents," Fullerton explained, untying the drawstring. Shessa and Dibukkan placed their items in the sack, while Fullerton used the contents in the pouch as his items. He motioned to Dibukkan to begin his questioning.

"You were very careless, Fullerton, dropping the sack upon the ground so that we could hear the rattle of metal upon metal. Could your items be golden, warrior?"

"You are indeed a sly one, Dibukkan. Nothing escapes you. Yes, my items are golden. And that concludes your turn, unless you care to randomly guess at the rest."

"I will wait for the next round, I believe," answered the grinning old man. "But I would like a refill."

Fullerton broadened his grin and obliged his drunken adversary, while Shessa appraised Dibukkan's rough, wizened features. She glanced at the sack and smiled coyly.

"Dibukkan, could it be that you have put nothing in the sack, you little devil? Furthermore, I know that Fullerton placed five golden Sovereigns inside and I added a gold broach. Am I right?"

Dibukkan glowered at the warrior, and received an acquiescent nod in response. Shessa grabbed the sack from the floor and placed it on her lap, grinning broadly.

"You must be a witch," Dibukkan commented, "or you cheated. No one could guess the contents in one try. It's impossible."

"Not true. My father gives Fullerton five gold Sovereigns before any quest." Dibukkan's hand reached for his sword. "As for you," Shessa continued nervously, "most first time players put nothing in the sack. I could not be certain of this, but your eyes gave your deception away. More luck than skill, really."

"Pah!" spat Dibukkan, trying to raise his drunken body from the ground. Failing that, he snatched his blade from its scabbard, and placed it on the ground in front of him.

"Stay calm, my friend," interjected Fullerton. "I had forgotten that Shessa would be aware of her father's doings. A careless mistake, indeed, on my behalf."

Fullerton untied another sack from his belt and placed it softly in front of him. "Five gold pieces and a broach is a fair haul for the first round, but the contents of this sack are worth ten times more." He smiled at Dibukkan and finished his wine. "And this time, I pledge that Shessa does not know what treasure lies within."

"Heh, heh," Dibukkan giggled, running his eyes over the sack. "Shall we play, again?" It was not really a question. Dibukkan rubbed his hands together and nudged Shessa with his elbow.

"First, my friend, let us refill our mugs with that wonderful concoction of yours, for I have a mighty thirst to quench," Fullerton said, raising his empty mug.

Dibukkan nodded and reached for the second bottle. When Dibukkan leaned over to grab the other bottle of wine, Fullerton nodded to the princess. Shessa, remembering her childish reaction to her only loss at Sack, swung the heavy bag at Dibukkan. It hit solidly on Dibukkan's right temple and he fell forward, unconscious.

Fullerton sprung from the ground, grabbed up Dibukkan's sword, and sliced the bond that tied Shessa to her captor. He uncoiled a length of rope from his belt and ordered Shessa to bind Dibukkan securely to a nearby tree.

Shessa ran to the warrior and hugged him. A flurry of tears dripped down her porcelain cheeks. "We must be away quickly, Princess," warned Fullerton. "Dibukkan invited some guests to the proposed wedding. It would be best if we were not here when they arrived."

"We must take this rogue back to my father, Fullerton. Proper vengeance must be mine."

"We must leave him for now, I fear. Knowing the woodsmen of Lieri, however, Dibukkan will be well taken care of. When we return to the palace, I shall dispatch the Royal Guard to pick up the pieces."

Shessa smiled and grasped the warrior's hand. "Oh, by the way. I hope you don't expect me to return your gold to you, Fullerton. I won them fair and square."

Fullerton shook his head and lead Shessa out of the forest. Her safety, after all, was a bargain at that price.