A story within a story. - an introduction to me short story thingamy.

Leila is a wandering nomad, half elf, half ........, means she has the wisdom of many years behind her. She is a legendary storyteller, indeed it is said that her stories are so good that they appear to come alive and that whole armies have stopped in they're tracks, mesmerized by her tales. Rumor says that her fables are actually real and they come from far off lands she has visited.

One night, in the lands where Leila roamed...

Thunder rolled overhead and lightening crackled like static in the night air, over the northern ridges of the  ........ Forest. it was the middle of the 3rd Klatchian War and although this forest land was said to be full of hidden dangers and home to mysterious creatures, Leila could be found calmly picking her way through the dense undergrowth. She wasn't even startled when a huge pair of amber eyes materialized from the darkness. 

The troll, who the eyes belonged to said in a stone crumbling voice: 'Who goes there?'

'It is I, Leila, wandering Nomad of all the Lands'

With her words the troll withdrew and let her pass into a clearing, where an unusual band of travelers sat. There were two wizened looking old men (who could indeed be wizards), a young troll (a very rare sight indeed - you never see young trolls), a giant ginger cat, a knight (in not so shiny armour), three wolves, an elf and a dwarf. All of them looked disheveled, knackered and miserable. Drained from their various battles against king .......'s forces.

When Leila was introduced to them all, the young troll and the giant cat's eyes lit up! And they set up a clamoring for one of her extraordinary tales. 

And so smiling she settled herself on a patch of ground beside the fire and looking into the eager face of the young troll and began her tale...