"Ah, so you say you've heard the story of Shabranigdu before, have you?" The cloaked stranger commented, drawing attention to himself in the small tavern. "How would you like to hear the true story of his demise?"

"We know how it goes!" Someone called from bar. "Some big brawny scarred guy killed him."

"I thought it was some guy named 'Rezo the Ruby Priest', or something." Someone else spoke up. 

"Saffron, not Ruby!" A third person corrected. 

"Far from the truth, not quite and incorrect." The cloaked stranger spoke up. "The name is 'Rezo the Red Priest', not Ruby or Saffron. You've got him slightly confused with 'Shabranigdu, The Ruby Eye'."

"Alright, then who did kill him?" The first person to yell demanded.

The stranger folded his hands on the table. "Lina Inverse."

Even this far away from the barrier lands, the name stirred up a few whispers. 'Dragon Spooker'. 'Bandit Killer'. 'Enemy of All Who Live'.

The cloaked stranger cleared his throat and began his tale. "You see, the story actually starts one sunny day when a young petite red-headed sorceress ran into a blond swordsman. Not the brightest of men, but unbeatable with a sword-"

***

The stranger stepped out of the local tavern, weighing the coin purse in his hand. He'd made a fair haul tonight. And hopefully set a few rumours straight. 

One of the universal truths, it seemed. No matter where you went, people were always interested in a good story.

And it got him some cash on the side too. 

"Oi!" One of the tavern patrons stepped out, following him. "You seem to know a lot about the battles in the barrier lands. Are you from there?"

Zelgadiss pulled the hood of his cloak down lower over his head. "You might say I was there."

Fin.