The warmless sun shone through the overhanging branches of the trees, lighting the trail ahead of Mar. Mar al'Kern rubbed his hand through his short brown hair as he stared ahead with determination. "I am making the right decision" Mar mumbled to himself. He was 6.8ft tall with broad shoulders. His face had a rugged appearance with it's strong jawline and was considered good looking even with a scar that made a thin straight line under his left eye. His eyes were dark blue, which was strange for a Two Rivers man, and seemed to blaze when he was angry, which was not very often. It took a lot to make Mar lose his temper, at least now it did. He couldn't afford to, not after the last time. Mar's mind wandered, which it seemed to do more often every day. He let it wander back to the reason why he was on this journey...

It was shortly after leaving Watch Hill in search of adventure; Mar had started out with enthusiasm. He was finally going to see the world; he could almost picture the adventures he would have. He had traveled hard and reached what was left of Taren Ferry a few days. He arrived early in the day and immediately asked after a ferry owner. He found one quick enough and was told he could cross at midday with the owners other passengers. They agreed on a price which took most of Mar's coin and Mar waited till midday at a burnt out building which was used as a tavern. The town had taken quite a beating from the Trollocs and was still struggling a year later. At midday Mar saw the ferry owner approach followed by two men and a worn looking couple with a little girl who stared wide eyed at everything as if expecting danger everywhere. During the trip across, Mar examined the two men. He didn't really want to look at the couple, as every time he made eye contact they flinched. The two men wore old dusty clothes and each had a pointed beard that was kept well oiled. Probably hunters for the horn, there seemed to be a lot of them around lately. Mar's eyes fell on the swords at their waists and regretted only having his belt knife and his longbow. He stopped looking when he saw the men staring at him. Mar cursed himself silently Fool, only a few days out and already getting into trouble. They arrived at the other shore and stopped, they got off the wooden barge and paid for their way. As the ferry pulled away, Mar started out towards Baerlon, when he felt a heavy weight bring him down from behind, he hit the ground with a grunt and turned to see who had knocked him down. One of the hunters was standing over him with his sword pointed at his chest. Mar felt a surge of fear well up through his stomach, but the hunter just stood there and didn't strike. Mar then saw the woman, clutching the child to her breast as she stared at the other hunter, who stood over the body of the worn looking man, who had a sword sticking out from his stomach. Abruptly the hunter pulled the sword free and wiped the blade on the dead man's shirt. Mar couldn't believe what was happening. He glanced at his own capturer and saw that he was laughing quietly while looking at the other hunter. Mar eased his belt knife from his belt and moved forward. The hunter must have heard his movement as he swung his head around and stabbed his sword into Mar's arm, which held the knife. Mar collapsed back with a scream and gripped his injured arm. The hunter smiled a toothy smile but Mar took no notice as he saw the other hunter raise his sword to the woman's neck. Her face was pure fear. Mar felt his anger boiling. He felt the blood of his injury trickle through his fingers but his eyes never left the woman. A warm sensation came over him, he felt dizzy and black spots speckled his vision, he looked, trying to focus his vision and saw the surprise in his guard's face before the guard let out a tortured scream as his face began to melt. Mar couldn't look away; he felt great joy and great filth all at once. His vision began to fail, everything slowed down. His head fell back and he lapsed into unconsciousness followed by screams. He woke to failing daylight. He waited till his senses had returned and sat up. His eyes swept across the black, ashen ground as he looked for any sign of life. All that was left was black smears that were darker than the ground. Mar emptied his stomach immediately. He had killed the woman and the girl, he didn't know how he did it but he knew it was his fault. He had murdered a child; the thought made him want to empty his stomach again. He had found more adventure than he could handle...

Tears came to Mars eye's as he remembered the girl's wide-eyed face. He beat down his emotions almost as habit. He silently cursed the day he had left Watch Hill. Mar steadied himself as he entered the clearing, and stood before the Black Tower.