Classic-Castle.com

Location: Forestmens' Territory.

___Galf had been so insistent on his innocence, that the officers of the Falcon army camp he'd been led to finally broke down and gave him a second trial. This time, they had the camp wizard—who was mainly a healer, but knew a bit of other magic as well—they'd had the camp wizard cast a spell on him under which he couldn't lie. The judges had asked him if he killed his sergeant, and he had replied, truthfully, no. They then asked him if he had aided someone in the killing, and he replied no again. Finally, they asked him if he knew anything about who might've killed the Knight's Kingdom officer, and he replied no. The judges and jury then ruled that he was innocent, and supplied him with a kit.

___Three days later, Galf sat on a stone, sharpening the spear he'd received. The captain who'd found him walked up, and, after Galf had saluted, began to speak.
___"You're a part of my detachment now, so you'll be taking orders from me or my sergeants. You've also been given the rank of corporal, as per your experience and your exam results. Report to the command tent at three o'clock."
___"Yes sir," Galf said, saluting again. The captain saluted him back, and walked off.

___At five minutes to three, Galf got up and set his spear in his tent, then made his way through the camp to the command tent, where his new captain sat waiting for him and the other corporals.
___"We've been ordered to the Taurus Mountains. A wizard named Quolde, a rather important mage to the Alliance, has requested an escort. I don't understand how a wizard who, besides own power, has a dragon and other fire creatures under his control, needs an escort, but orders are orders. We move out first thing tomorrow afternoon. Dismissed."
___Galf saluted one final time, and went back to his tent to pack it and the rest of his things up.

Sorry: I had no idea Maedhros had posted.

“Yes, indeed”, Galdrutt chuckled. “And now it’s time to find those banana knights and talk about that tyco Vladek, isn’t it?”

Alcander nodded slowly and started to put on the bizarre green robes that the Banterians had left for them.

“You look…” But Galdrutt didn´t finish the sentence. “Gah… I need more sleep.”

Galdrutt certainly did, but he didn't get the opportunity. And even if he had, it wouldn't have worked - the entire castle was full of noise, from the endless chatter of the idle inhabitants to the hustle and bustle of the workers to the bizarre music that seemed to play almost everywhere. More than once Galdrutt and Alcander covered their ears and once he even thought vaguely of blocking them with some cotton. The movement was the same - people clad in the same bright green bounced around them constantly, skipping and swivelling around the two knights with irritatingly laid-back expressions.

"Ya know," Galdrutt shouted over the clamour, "I had been hoping that the Rasco swine was an exception...but it seems he was raised in the majority."

Alcander just sighed, avoiding a particularly bumbling cook.

But for all his complaints, Gladrutt had to admit that it was a good place to be - after months of sleeping with damp soil and cheap inns, the warmth, cleanliness and plentiful food and drink were a welcome break.

The two men met with a fellow called Rascenian for breakfast in a small yet high hall. Rascenian was in charge during the absence of Lord Rascus. Though he was an older man now and had to behave more formally, his acrobatic prowess was still noticeable to those who knew of it (and after Rasco's antics the night before, Galdrutt didn't find it too appealing). The man would sometimes throw his kinfe in the air and catch it perfectly each time without any fear of cutting himself on it.

The food was good, if rather strange (have you ever eaten green and red bread?). As they ate they talked.

"So what brought you into my somewhat humble home?" asked the man. "Not the guards, I should hope!"

"No...your Lord's son." Galdtrutt replied, a hint of annoyance slipping out.

"Oh! What has the wretch been up to!?" Rascenian cried, suddenly lifting himself into the air on the top of his chair. "His father has given me permission to do what I see fit with the boy...well, something like that. But tell me anyway!"

Alcander, knowing Galdrutt's hasty tongue, decided to intervene. "Nothing of note. In fact, we were merely trying to reach Morcia to lend a hand - I hear there's a war on or something?"

Rascenian dropped back into his chair. "Yes, the messages are most passionate! Even now, Rascus - may he forever serve the Code - leads a most valiant and loyal struggle against the machinations of Vladek in the battle for the Castle of Morcia, the fairest hold beyond the river. Ah, the glory that he brings to our noble house!"

Galdrutt tried not to show any sign of the scorn he felt. Sitting here making up poetic garbage when men are dying? What sort of idiot is this? Probably a monkey-brained idiot...

Alcander spoke up. "Well surely, shouldn't you send him more help? I've seen plenty of your - soldiers around here. Wouldn't they be more use in battle?"

Rascenian stopped so suddenly that the knife he had tossed thudded deep into the soft wood of the curved table they sat at, narrowly missing his hand. There were a few seconds of difficult silence.

"Why, of course! What a brilliant idea! What an elegant mind it is that you hold, young Black Knight!" the regent exclaimed.

"So - we'll move out to help them?" Galdrutt asked quickly, eager to have something to do. The thought of another war wasn't appealing, but they were, after all, jellybeans.

"Your mind, man of the lion, is noticeably lacking in wit - of course not! I merely jest. Nay, you shall depart right away." Rascenian declared.

"How many soldiers would you commit?" asked Alcander. Galdrutt could tell the young fellow was eager to take part in battle.

"Soldiers?! Who said anything about soldiers?" Rascenian gasped. "No, I meant young Rasco - he shall be your guide and help and through your noble influences you shall, over the course of the war he shall stay with you through, forge him into a warrior of the Code like his father. You three shall depart at first light tomorrow to Morcia. I trust young Rasco to you for all the days he is willing to follow you. Now rejoice!"

Galdrutt cursed in disbelief and slumped forward.

Location just a few yards out from Slamor


As he started to walk out of the village Max turned around to take one last view of the village that he had saved. 'So much for gratitude' Max thought as he started to turn back to the road.

It was at that point that he noticed some commotion going on at the edge of the village. A man was running from the woods yelling at the top of his lungs, "Aid! Aid!"

Just as he saw the man, Max also saw the rather large and irritated troll charging after him. At that point, Max started running towards the troll.

Drawing his sword as he ran, Max prepared to tackle the troll in the stomach.

Then things got dicey. The man got thrown against a house, breaking the wall and burying himself in wreckage. Max heard the mans screams for help as he jumped over the pile of rubble, preparing to swing his sword at the trolls exposed neck.

Just as the blade passed through the trolls neck, Max thought 'great, another useless kill to my name'

Sir Kohran wrote:Galdrutt cursed in disbelief and slumped forward.

“In the name of Mathias (may he rest in peace), what is he doing?” Rasco spat with frustration growing inside. They had left an hour before dawn but just as the first rays of the sun had become visible Alcander had stopped and that’s where they were now; Rasco fidgeting irritably, Galdrutt relaxing and smoking some of that excellent (albeit curiously green) tobacco that they had found, and Alcander just sitting there with eyes closed, facing the rising sun.

“Oh, he does that every dusk and dawn, boy, just accept it, there’s nothing you can do about it”, Galdrutt said with a slight smirk growing in his face.

“Bah, what’s so special about the passing of night and day? It happens… always.”

“You don’t study foreign cultures here in Morcia, do you?” Galdrutt was grinning broadly now. Seeing Rasco fidgeting irritably like that was the best entertainment he had had in months. “Haven’t you heard about the Twilight Dragon, the Celestial Queen of the Black Knights?”

“Celestial…? I thought Queen Accalia was mortal.”

“Oh, she is idiot. The Celestial Queen is their Goddess. And since Alcander belongs to an Order devoted to her I guess he is quite the pious man.”

“Oh… but there are now goddesses, only a god, don’t you know?”

“A MONKEY?”

“Yes, of course.”

Galdrutt sighed deeply and turned around with his back to Rasco. He muttered something unintelligible and continued with his smoking. In the meantime Rasco sneaked closer to Alcander. He was just close enough to pat him on the shoulder when Alcander suddenly clapped his hands together and bowed to the sun. Rasco threw himself backwards and tried to look occupied with examining his sword as Alcander stood up and turned to his companions.

“Let’s move on then. This will be a good day.” And with that he started walking, but he stopped again just after two steps and turned to the young Banterian. “And I guess She could take on the aspect of a monkey if She wished, Rasco, but why would She want to look so ugly?”

I wrote:___"My lord king, I present to you the most powerful stone ever created since the war of Bludvayne, three thousand years ago. I urge you to make alliances with as many kingdoms as you can, for the stone cannot be used unless at least five people of royal blood—different royal bloodlines, you see—are present to control it. Then, use it to destroy the necromancer."
___The king smiled, and standing up, began to pace around the room. "Well, Quolde, you seem to have come at just the right moment. The necromancer's skeletons have been overrunning the great forests north of here, and together with the attacks of the Vikings, they have nearly wiped out the Forestmen. I've just sent Prince Lionel to Falconia, where hopefully he'll be able to convince King Peregrin or Prince Tiercel to come here for a council. I've also dispatched a messenger to that fool king Jayko. I don't know how he'll deal with it, though I admit he is a better ruler than my late cousin, Mathias. If you would be so kind as to return to your mountain and continue observing your enemy's movements, I would thank you."

Location: Fire Mountain, Taurus Mtns.

___Quolde paced distractedly around his loft workshop. A peach from an enchanted tree was perplexing him. He had placed it into the vessel of mercury, but instead of turning the liquid metal bright green, which would make it permanently dissolving to undead but harmless to humans, the fruit had frozen it. Luckily, Quolde had been able to chip away the solid mercury and remove the peach, instantly melting the metal; but he still did not know where his calculations had gone wrong. Without the weapon he'd been counting on, he wasn't sure that he could defeat the armies of necromancer Sartre, who fashioned himself the Red Lord. It was taking quite a while for King Leo to gather enough royals to defeat the necromancer himself, and his skeletal armies were still quite a large problem.
___Striding over to the long table that stood against the rail, he leaned over it and shouted at the lava pool, "Vbana! Vbana, I know you're in there! Come on, get up, you lazy lump of—"
___<Calm down, calm down, you grumpy old man. I'm here,> Vbana replied, his thoughts echoing around the volcanic room. <What do you want this time?>
___"Show me my enemy!" Quolde cried imperiously.
___Sighing his protest, the dragon focused his thoughts on the Tower of Sartre. The image appeared on the wall...The Red Lord was sitting on his throne, talking to his lieutenant, Yirwé. Before Quolde could hear what they were saying, however, the necromancer held up a hand to Yirwé—who instantly fell silent—and glanced around the room, as if looking for something. Then he smiled, and looked right at where Quolde was standing. "Hello, Quolde," he said softly. "I thought you knew I could sense dragon magic.... Ah well, no matter. So what have you been up to? A new workshop, hmm... in a volcano by the looks of it.... There aren't many volcanos in this land. Yirwé, see if you can find out where dear old Quolde is hiding ou—"
___"BREAK THE CONNECTION!" Quolde shouted frantically to Vbana, who instantly complied; the image on the wall vanished and the sound faded out. "He'll have found me within a week, if not sooner. We'll have to move. Now. If only I was more of a spell-worker, and not merely a master of the alchemic magics!" The wizard took out a huge old book, and hastily riffled through the pages. "Hmm, where... is... it.... Aha!"
___Muttering the spell and waving his wand, he watched as his bottles and flasks automatically sealed; the apparatuses on the square table cleaned themselves and folded neatly into wooden crates; the books lined up neatly in boxes; and both tables, the workbench, and the shelves disassembled and flat-packed of their own accord. He dashed up the short flight of steps to his bedchamber, and used the same spell on the items in there. Then he leaned over the balcony, and called, "Drakes, phoenixes, Vbana! Prepare yourselves and meet me in the main crater! We leave," he checked his watch, "in fifteen minutes! Be ready! Phoenixes, see if you can find us a new place to live..."
___Walking back through his bedchamber, he leapt down the steps and supervised the rest of his packing. The frames from his bed and the surfaces of the tables and the workbenches, along with the planks from his shelves, formed a very large box in which everything else was contained. Even as he pulled out the spellbook and found another enchantment he needed (then placing the heavy tome back inside the giant crate), ropes sprang from thin air and bound the whole mess together. Waving his wand for a third time, he watched as it all shrank to the size of the stone he'd given to King Leo. He picked up the miniaturized bundle, put it deep in his pocket, and strode through the tunnel to the outside of the mountain.
___Vbana, the little fire-drakes, and the phoenixes were all assembled on the edge of the lava lake. Once more, Quolde clambered onto the great dragon's back and strapped himself in. He gave a whistle, and the convoy of firey creatures took flight and headed for their new home, wherever it was.

The brags had the desired effect in that the Viking let out a roar, awakening the whole camp. What Marcus hadn't been expecting was for the Norsemen to run out of the camp, crying.

Location: Port town of Baldor in the northern reaches of Forestmen territory.

It had been two weeks since the viking incident and the caravan had arrived at the port with no more unusual incidents.

As Arthur searched for an inn that would be affordable, Commander Gerodal negotiated their payment fee for driving off the viking warrior and other such nuisances.

While these two were haggling over prices with different people, Marcus stopped by a pub and ordered a pint of ale and some boar. As he ate his meal, Marcus payed special attention to what the other patrons were gossiping about.

Two tables over, there were three men, all wearing cloaks, talking in subdued voices. Marcus could still hear what they were saying. His ears perked up at the mention of the words ".....bloody Dragon Masters av' raised the taxes again! It ain't right I tells ya. Someone should stand up to em!" The speaker was the largest of the three men.

The smallest squeaked out, "Well, there's rumors floatin' round that there's an uprisin' gainst the Dragon Masters, lead by a man what calls 'isself 'King Fredrick'. Word is, he's lookin fer a military advisor, and some new recruits! Also, I 'eard from an old bag down by the docks that if you go bout twenty leagues southwest from this 'ere town, you'll find someone what can give you directions to find Fredrick and 'is lot."

As he ate his meal, Marcus digested this information and its possible effects on the three outlaws luck.

Marcus finished his meal as quickly as possible without looking suspect and left the bar, going in search of Commander Gerodal.

The knight of the Stallion stared into the distance intently. The sun was rising then and he and his fellow knights of 72 were about ready to make one finial days ride to pass of Tisirock where a place of defense could be made against Dracus and his horde of Rouge Knights. The knights of the province there went about weary as they mounted their steeds, not having a full nights rest for some number of days. The knights of Faeroken had won the lottery of distance and so they had to make haste and could not take much time for rest. Sir Kentis was the first to be mounted having the most resolve out of all of the knights there. He was tall, well groomed and though young had the look of a veteran solder. For a moment the knight armed in dark green pondered the outcome of the conflict that was surely to come. He wondered if he and his fellow knights had any chance of success. It seemed the odds slim but in the end that didn’t matter to him. He knew what he had to do and how he would go about doing it. This Stallion Knight was steadfast to the code and would not allow despair to take root. For the sake of the kingdom of Morcia and it’s king, Sir Kentis and his fellow knights would not turn back if he had anything to say about it.

Taking one last look around, then looking down at the emblem of the stallion on his shield, Sir Kentis bellowed “we ride!” and galloping off as two by two the other knights follow close behind. They rode west for many hours in that day just outside the province of Banteras and it’s forest filled lands. Sir Kentis did this in the hope that they may find allies in the neighboring province north of them but expected little knowing that Rascus was at the castle of Morcia defending against Vladek’s long siege and Rascenian was placed in charge of the province of the monkey. It seemed that no more aid would arrive in time before Dracus reached the pass and brought the reinforcements that would give Vladek certain victory against King Jayko. As they rode Sir Kentis saw three figures in the distance coming out of the Banteras province and noticed that only one of them carried a shield with the emblem of a monkey, the other two it seemed were of different factions entirely.

Dragoman wrote:As they rode Sir Kentis saw three figures in the distance coming out of the Banteras province and noticed that only one of them carried a shield with the emblem of a monkey, the other two it seemed were of different factions entirely.

Alba suddenly stopped and snorted loudly. Galdrutt and Rasco who had almost forgotten that the horse was with them stopped dead in their tracks and eyed it suspiciously.

“What’s it doing?” Galdrutt spat.

“Horses”, Alcander whispered. He gripped Albas reins and caressed her head carefully.

“Should we try to hide?” Rasco asked with a glance at the dense forests that they had just left behind them.

“I’m afraid it’s too late, lad”, Galdrutt said between gritted teeth as he eyed the never-ending open grass plains before them. Alcander pointed at a cloud of dust in the distance and Galdrutt nodded.

“We’ll just wait then”, Alcander sighed and then he sat down on the ground and closed his eyes.

“B-but.. shouldn’t we prepare ourselves?” Rasco wondered. “Can’t you at least put on your armour?”

“Oh, I think there are too many of them, lad”, Galdrutt chuckled, “I’ll follow his example.” And with that Galdrutt lay down on the ground and put out his pipe. Rasco stared helplessly at both of them but in the end he sat down as well, but fidgeting nervously all the while.

*****

“Hail to thee, wanderers”, the leader of the riders called out as the 73 horses stopped before the three companions.

“Hey, you are from Faeroken, aren’t you?” Rasco cried out as he jumped up on his feet.

“Indeed. I am Sir Kentis Rakard.”

“Gnaeus Angelus Alcander of the Order of Twilight”, Angelus said as he stood up and bowed his head gently, but not truly respectfully to Sir Kentis, “I am pleased to meet you.”

“Galdrutt”, the Royal Knight grumbled with his pipe sticking out of the corner of his mouth.

“If you are on your way to the Castle of Morcia you are going in the wrong direction”, Rasco said.

“Says who?”

“Prince Rasco of Banteras!”

Galdrutt glanced at Alcander who let a slight smile escape his stoic features.

“Right you are, Prince Rasco”, Sir Kentis said without a trace of annoyance in his voice (quite the remarkable feat, Galdrutt thought to himself), “we are on our way to the Pass of Tisirick to corner Dracus and the Rogue Knights.”
“Rogue Knights?” Alcander inquired.

“Shadows of our past”, Sir Kentis snapped. “We don’t talk much about them, least of all to strangers.”

“What if the strangers want to help you? I assume they are allies of Vladek, otherwise you wouldn’t fight them, no?”

“Right you are, Black Knight. But can you keep up with us?”

“I’d rather ask if your horses can keep up with Alba”, Alcander replied in a hard voice. “Do you have spare horses for my comrades?”

“Well, I lost four men to some bandits yesterday…”

“Good”, Alcander said as he mounted his white steed.

“But…” Rasco pleaded, ”I don’t quite like…”

Alcander’s fiery gaze stopped him from finishing the sentence and within a minute they were off again.

Location: Slamor

As Max dug the man out of the rubble, some of the town's folk started to gather around to see what the big commotion was all about.

Once Max had cleared all of the rubble he stood up and hit his head on the ceiling, bringing down more rubble. Some of the villagers started to laugh at Max's clumsiness, but Max payed them no mind, after all he had just been brought back two days ago! So focused was he on getting the man out of the ruined house, that Max didn't notice the villagers mocking him.

After he lifted the man onto his feet, Max bid the man farewell and started up the path again, only stopping to pick up his sword and sheath it.

As he started up the path again, Max heard dinging sounds coming from behind him. When he looked back, Max saw no one behind him, so he continued on his way.

The dinging sound followed Max as he left the village and walked down the dirt path, kicking up little clouds of dust as he took each step due to his large size.

Finally, after about an hour of listening to nothing but dinging, Max whipped around and saw, once again, nobody behind him. Max was about to turn around when he heard a loud cough coming from the height of his knees. It was at that point that Max thought to look down. What he saw astonished Max.

A small child, no older then four, had been sitting on Max's boot, hitting him continually with a small rock.

Max leaned down and lifted the child, a young lad, off his boot and brought the child up to eye level. As he looked the boy up and down, Max couldn't help but think of his own little boy, killed before his eye's.

The child in Max's arms didn't notice the forlorn look in Max's eye's, not through the visor at least. As he reached out and touched Max's helmet, Max snapped back to reality.

"Now, what should I do with you?" Max muttered to no one in particular.

"Me wanna go wiff big nigh," the little boy demanded, crossing his arms and pouting.

'Great,' Max thought, 'another burden.' Letting out a sigh dripping with irritation Max put the boy on his shoulder and said, "Hold on to my helmet, alright? By the way, what's your name?"

"Me don have no name," the boy replied cheerfully, clinging to Max's helmet.

"Well, how about I call you Tim? Is that alright?" Max asked the child as he started to walk down the dusty, old dirt road, heading further inland.

Location: Forestmen Hideout

_Xyzer sat up in his favorite tree, eyes closed in bliss as he listened to the sounds of the forest. He had never known how to enjoy nature until he was kidnapped by the forestmen all of those long years ago. Now he was an expert at almost all of their arts. He was patient, considerate of the forest and everything in it, and was always careful to protect it when the need arose.

_Many a time he had been rebuked for being careless in his first years amung these strange folk. At first, he had not understood their passion for the forest. Then, as he was educated about their ways, he bagan to understand. They were very interested in the wheel of life. They beleived that everything had it's spot on this wheel, and if one thing was altered (say, hunted to extinction), then it would end in disaster. The ground fed the plants, the plants fed the deer, the deer fed the carnivores, and carnivores die to feed the soil.

_Now, on this particular day, Xyzer heard something unusual. It sounded like the thunk of an arrow striking a tree from a great distance. He stopped paying attention to anything else but this sound. If grew louder, and he began to be able to distinguish four different sets of foot-falls. They were very heavy, as if a man were carrying a very large pack.

_These foot-falls came closer and closer until Xyzer could hear voices as well. He froze as soon as he heard the first voice. He couldn't hear what it was saying, but he now knew who these strangers were. Trolls! he thought, very angry indeed. He knew that they didn't care for nature or anything but their own desire. He gave a loud call, Twer-Tee! and jumped down from limb to limb of the tree.

_He got to the ground just as the trolls were about fifty yards away. Each of them was of a blue-ish hue, dressed as typical trolls, and with a huge club for each of them. They started as he dropped to the ground, then let out a huge whoop of laughter. They looked at one another and then Xyzer. The trolls then started lumbering forward.

_Twang! Xyzer let loose one of his black-feathered arrows. It struck the largest of the trools in the eye, felling him imediately. The other three trolls roared in anguish and charged at Xyzer, crushing everything in their path. Xyzer's bow sang again, and again it was true to it's mark. Another of the trolls fell, and the remaining two were almost upon Xyzer now. Xyzer let go another arrow, striking one of the trolls in the knee-cap, making him cry out and stumble clumsily to the ground. As he was watching this, Xyzer didn't notice the last troll lifting up his club to splatter him over a very long distance...

Location: Dark Forest hideaway.

"Congratulations..." he said, "You passed the test."

Puzzled, Mavvith replied "What are you on about, old man?"

"Not well versed on manners, are you now? What I am 'on about', as you put it, is congratulating you on your passing of the test."

"Uh.. what test?" Mavvith asked.

"Don't be stupid, what have I just done?"

"Well, you rescued me, but then tried to kill a kid. Then you suddenly got all friendly and- Ohh, I get it. You were trying to see if I'd stick up for him?"

"Exactly!" The Paladin grinned. "Now, let me introduce myself-"
"You're a man of wealth and taste?"

"Huh?" He looked at Mavvith strangely. "No, dear boy, I'm a wandering Paladin! And, if you were wondering-"
"I wasn't. "

"Ahem, if you were wondering, my name is Valthor, and your's?"

"Mavvith."

"WHAT!" When he recovered, Valthor peered into Mavvith's face. "Why, you're right! Walked off from your parents one day, never seen again!"

"I.. what? They gave me their full permission to go adventuring, I remember it strongly!"

"Well, it would seem that you misremember it. You ran away from home, and made your parents sick with worry. Your father died from it, as I recall."

"NO! I couldn't have, I know I didn't! Besides which, who are you to know this?"

"Who am I? Oh, that's not important."
The way he said it, however, made Mavvith realize that it was, in fact, quite the opposite...

The Dark Lord, in his Fortress of Insufficient Light, chuckled to himself. "Soon," he ruminated, "my plan for division of these factions will be complete. By giving them different characteristics every few hours, I can cause such confusion in the world that chaos and pandemonium will consume. Or is it resume? Oh, nevermind."

Still chuckling, he wandered over to the badminton courts. A Dark Lord needs something to do with his time.

Maedhros wrote: Alcander’s fiery gaze stopped him from finishing the sentence and within a minute they were off again.

Sir Kentis rode in front with Rasco along side and Alcander and Galdrutt were close behind. Sir Kentis and Alcander showed excellent form on horse back and Galdrutt was quite proficient; Rasco however had an awkwardness in his riding style and it appeared that the boy was out of practice. “I don’t like horses!” Rasco protested, finishing the thought that Alcander had earlier silenced. But thanks to the sounds of countless hooves trampling against hard soil and having his visor dropped down over his face, Rasco’s voice was prevented from carrying far and the most anyone heard of his complaints was a muffled hum which no one took notice of.

“Where are we going again and why such a hurry!?” Rasco queried loudly turning to Sir Kentis after lifting his visor.

“To the Pass of Tisirock!” the knight replied swiftly and without turning his head.

My father told me about the pass of Tisirock! Rasco yelled back. “All he said though was that it was once a place of great defense long ago!”

“indeed it was!” The stallion knight announced proudly. “and still quite is with any hope!” he added. “You see, long ago a fortified wall was built at the highest point in that pass in order to hold off invaders who thought our kingdom week and easy for takeover! It seems that this spot may well serve us once again in the same fashion! I only hope that we are not too late!"

“What kind of force are we looking at?!” Galdrutt interjected curtly after both he and Alcander over heard the conversation the two were having.

“Well into the thousands!” Sir Kentis replied grimly.

“Surely then” Alcander thoughtfully. “there must be more than the knights you bring, Sir Kentis!”

“Aye, there are a hundred and forty man at arms already posted at the wall there who are preparing the defenses against this coming tide! However” Sir Kentis went on. “they wont be enough to repel Dracus and his forces alone.” the knight broke his stoic gaze and looked over at Rasco. “That is why we knights of Faeroken must make such great haste to come to their aid! you may leave at anytime if you wish but we knights are the only reinforcements, I fear, they will be getting!”

There was then an ominous pause among them and Alcander and Galdrutt looked at one another with the same regretful thought in mind:
This is suicide…
****
After several hours went by they had reached the pass and had lowered their horses pace down to a jog as they made there way to the defensive wall. Galdrutt, Alcander and even young Rasco were all surprised at how quickly Kentis came to trust them but with the information that they had just learned, figured the situation direr and time was too short to take time to assess if they were truly friend or foe.

Sir Kentis, on the other hand wondered what three wanderers were doing out and about in this troubled kingdom with bandits so plentiful and Rouge Knights and Shadow Knight set to pillage and conquer.

“Now friends” Kentis began to ask. “what is it that has brought you here?”

Misfortune. Gladrutt muttered.

“It a long story.” Spoke Alcander quickly before giving Sir Kentis the chance to ask what Gladrutt had said. “we all have our stories for being where we are and how it is that we got there, however our mission has become the same as your own, Sir Kentis: to save this Kingdom. It was not our intention to come here however; originally we planed to head to the Castle Morica to give aid.”

“And how did you plan to do that with just the three of you?” Sir Kentis wondered

"Well to be quite honest we hadn’t yet figured that part out and I guess planned to have it figured as we went. As to how we got on this quest was when Gladrutt and myself met Rasco in the forests of Banteras, thinking we were in forestmen lands; But when Rasco explained what was happing we felt compelled to do what we could and indeed see if there was something we could do. So after visiting the castle in that province, and getting the blessing from Rascenian to take Rasco as our guide.” Alcander added to some disdain. “we set out to head towards the castle of Morica. It was as we were making our way there that you came upon us and how we are where we are now.”

“Well then” Kentis thought out loud. “ it is an interesting turn of events isn‘t it? All the same I feel you might have been better off if you had stayed to you own doings.” He remarked in a sadden tone. “This land has seen far better days I will admit and everywhere now the finding of the righteous lessen. I only hope and pray that change may soon come but I fear that the state of our affairs will only continue to worsen.” For a moment the knight of the stallion lowered his head in contemplation, and then rising it again added. “But enough of my disgraceful words of my home; we have arrived.

Rasco was so fixed on Sir Kentis’ words that he hadn’t notices the massive wall they approached. It was still in the distance but in minutes they would be before its gates.

I wrote:Something about a dragon possessed by a demon... and a marquis' daughter and her husband as prisoners of it.

Location: Flightly province, northern Falconia.

___The Wayfarer leaped backward just before flames licked the rock where he had been standing. Taking some powder out of a pouch on his belt, he sprinkled it on himself, and faded slowly out of sight. I should've thought of the invisibility dust earlier, he thought, silently berating himself. Now the demon knows I'm here....
___Climbing slowly down from the rock, he quietly made his way to the entrance of the dragon's cave. The beast was still outside, trying to find its vanished foe, and the Wayfarer wanted to find the comtesse and her husband before tackling the demon.
___As he walked deeper into the cave, he thought about the necromancer. After encountering Sijil, not to mention many reports of moving skeletons, the Wayfarer was sure that the necromancer had arrived on this northern landmass. Which either meant he'd been ousted from his hold in the lands south of the Great Ocean —and that was unlikely, considering his power—, or he'd enslaved the entire land and was looking to conquer new territory. This second thought was unsettling to the Wayfarer, especially considering how probable it was. He didn't have much more time to think about it though, as he soon found the comtesse.
___Speaking softly, so as not to startle her, he said, "Madame l'Comtesse de Wingnon and Flightly, I have been sent here by your father." He could see her looking around for him, and said quickly, "I am currently covered in invisibility powder. I have some for you and your husband; by the way, where is he?"
___After the initial shock of talking to an invisible rescuer, the comtesse steadied herself and replied, "He's down there—in the oubliette." She pointed at a wooden trapdoor set in the cave floor. "I think there's someone else in there too...." She watched, feeling somewhat disconcerted still, as the door seemed to open itself and a rope was tied by invisible hands to a nearby strut of rock. She then heard a thud as the Wayfarer hit the floor of the oubliette, and murmered voices; then her husband climbed up, followed by a soldier and the Wayfarer, who was visible now.
___"It wear off after about ten minutes," he explained, at her query. "Now, I have just enough powder left here for each of you. My horse is tethered at the edge of the wood, along with two others. Let Parsifal ride him," Parsifal was the soldier; he seemed to have a broken leg, "and get home as fast as you can. Keep my horse in your stables until I return. Of course, since I may never return, you may let any of your people ride him; just be sure they don't overtire him. Now, here's the powder," he sprinkled it over them, "and here're bows for each of you, and a sword for my lord the Comte d'Wingnon. I got them from the armory at your manor, along with the horses, after showing the steward your father's letter. Now hurry!"
___The three invisible ex-prisoners walked quickly but silently towards the entrance of the cave. The dragon had come back in, with a large white stag, and was gobbling the deer hungrily. The Wayfarer hung back until he saw the horses leave, then revealed himself to the dragon.
___"Your ladyship, I have come to free you from that foul demon who controls you." The dragon snorted angrily, the demon's work, no doubt; but he could see that the creature was struggling against the control of it. Bowing low, then spitting at its feet, he stealthily drew a flask, and poured its contents over himself. It had contained a flame retardant. Sitting down and crossing his legs, he smiled conversationally at the dragon.
___<What do you want, human?> the dragon said contemptuously. <I -help!- don't have time for your games.>
___"I hear your plea, my lady—but it was among a load of nonsense. Worry not, you shall be freed soon." The dragon flared its nostrils angrily, and puffed flame around him, but he wasn't hurt—he'd have to get some more of that liquid from the same source. It worked very well.
___Working his way bit by bit towards the now-cooked carcass of the stag, he kept up a running commentary on the nobility of the dragon and the foulness of the demon; as if the latter had been something unpleasant that he'd stepped on and couldn't get off of his boot.
___"Do you mind if I take a bit of your meat, milady?" The dragon eyed him with great disgust, but said nothing. "I'll take that as a yes," the Wayfarer said. Drawing his copper knife, he cut a chunk of the meat and raised it to his mouth. Taking a large bite, and chewing slowly and carefully, so that the dragon couldn't help but see him swallow it, he ate the piece of venison. Wiping his knife on his pants, and switching it, almost imperceptibly, with the silver one (which he had disguised to resemble the first), he cut another piece and ate it again slowly. As he had hoped the dragon soon began to take small bites from the stag again; he himself continued to cut pieces.
___"Good, ishn't it?" he asked halfway through his third piece. "I musht shay, you're quite the hunter." Both of them continued to eat. As the dragon reached the parts where both the silver and copper knives had cut, she swayed a bit, but shook it off and continued eating. After a few more bites, however, she suddenly swooned and fell onto her side. A sort of yellowish mist issued out of both of her ears, and formed into a human-like shape. Wavering, it looked around itself confusedly, and just as it seemed ready to fade out, the Wayfarer threw both knives at it; they clanked harmlessly against the dragon's scales after passing through the demon. The spirit's image sharpened for a moment, then it gave an unearthly shriek and vanished in a shower of sparks. "Ha! Thou shalt never return, demon!" the Wayfarer cried triumphantly.
___The dragon was stirring. <Thank you,> she said weakly. <What is your name?>
___"Ah, well, I'm afraid I can't tell you that; as I'm not quite sure myself. But you may call me the Wayfarer—everyone else does, after all. Gooday, milady." The Wayfarer bowed, picked up his knives and flask, and strode out of the cave.
___<Goodbye... Wayfarer,> called the dragon. The Wayfarer smiled as he walked up the gentle slope outside of the cave; headed for the northern manor of the Marquis d'Flightly.

Location: Woods somewhere

_...The troll began to swing, but before he got halfway, he dried out and fell with many an arrow stuck in him. Xyzer breathed out a sigh of releif. Silently, twenty or so forestmen slid out of the forest. They were all garbed in red under-tunics with their green vests on the outside. Ten of them carried bows, and most of the others had spears.

_"Thanks you," said the group's leader, "for warning us against these unruly creatures, and for helping to rid this world of them."

_"Just doing my duty," said Xyzer. "Remember, I am now as intent to keep nature beautiful as any but the wisest of our kind." With this, he turned, climbed up into the nearest tree, and was gone.

_Xyzer had been mvoing swiftlt from tree to tree for about an hour when he heard the most curious sound. It was somewhere between the screech of a monkey and the scream of a young lady. Curious about the where-abouts of this sound, he turned and followed the noise. When he drew near, he made every attempt to conceal he presence. He sat above the creature and peered down.

_What he saw looked like an ordinary monkey, yet larger than any he had seen in his forest. He sounded a call, immitating a monkey's, and the creature did not stir. Xyzer found this very odd, and decided to take a closer look. He dropped down onto a branch quite near the monkey. What it did next was the last thing he had ever expected.

_"What are you looking at?" it asked. This made Xyzer almost fall out of the tree. "Haven't you ever heard of privacy?"

_"Well... I..." stuttered Xyzer. "I have never seen a monket so large as you, and now I find out that you can talk! If that isn't queer, call me a cob."

_"I have a name, " the monkey retorted hotly. "I am Ejn, an expeiranemt of old master Thumbletum's. He is a wozard, and seemed to find amusement in making animals into mutated or odd creatures. He devised a potion to make me talk. He didn't know it, but it also made my grow. I now had the brains to escape, though. I did this the first chance I got."

_"Wow," replied Xyzer, still astonished. "Do you like your new abilities?"

_"Well," replied Ejn. "I did at first, but now all of my race treats me like I'm a human. I wish that I could get changed back into what I was before."

_"Ah," said Xyzer. "I think I can help you there. You say this Master Thumbletum did this to you? Eh? Good. I am dedicated to taking care of all of nature, and since you are in such a plight, I will help you find this Thumbletum and make him turn you back before I get rid of him for the hurt he has cuased amung nature's beauties."