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The Lost Stars ChronicleChapter 18: The Forming Of The Fellowship
The day after Reno had unsuccessfully tried to interrogate the Dark Forester, Bjarn called a council of all the residents of Drullen Bell Keep to be held in the Drullen Bell Council Dome, which had been the site of the historic trial of Radjar Kath.
Indeed, many of the persons who had been at that trial were also present tonight, but many others were new. Radjar Kath, Rosa, and the rest of the refugee Dark Foresters were in their designated section of the rounded stone seats. The Council Dome seating area was divided into four sections; Forestmen, Wolfpack, Dark Forest and all other factions, but with so few of Wolfpack members and excess of Dark Foresters the guidelines were ignored and everyone sat where they wished.
When at last all were settled, Bjarn gave everyone the traditional Sign Of The Elk. Everyone, even non-Forestmen, returned the greeted and then waited for Bjarn to speak.
“Fellow Forestmen and women, honored Wolfpack and Dark Forest guests, and all other persons equally honored, I have an announcement of large importance to make. I was visited by a wizard last night, a wizard by the name of Daner Pluto.”
A few who recognized the name, Voolmark one of them, sat up urgently and murmured. Others simply waited for Bjarn to continue.
“He granted me a great gift, a gift I will show to you all.”
Bjarn, who had been sitting in a mobile chair apparently still invalid suddenly stood and threw off the white sheet. He was once again garbed in flowing green, unadorned save for the original Elk Crest. Gasps issued ouch from everyone save a select few, the few who were already aware of Bjarn’s healing.
“Behold!” bellowed Bjarn, “I am afflicted no more! Daner has honored me greatly, for only the most powerful wielders of magic can repair something as complex as the human body. I am truly blessed.”
The populace of the Dome, particularly the Forestmen upon seeing their leader well and strong, began to cheer, but with a wave of Bjarn’s hand they quieted down.
“Thank you for your support.” Bjarn said warmly, “But we have other pressing matters. Daner has laid it upon me and several of my companions to fulfill a quest that should have been completed months ago, a quest that could have prevented the BloodVaine War.”
The audience was now hushed, listening intently.
“This snowstorm is no normal storm, as some of you more magically-endowed persons already know. This storm has been created by evil, and powered by evil. Two great forces of evil, in fact, the life-forces of BloodVaine, and his predecessor Lord Inion. If there spirits are not stopped, this storm will consume all of Dametreos and turn it into a frozen wasteland by June. Daner Pluto informed me of a way to defeat this evil, and I feel it is my duty to do as this wizard bids and accompany Reno, Aros, and Luxus Regga to fulfill their destiny and reunite the Twin Pendants of King Kris in the Temple Of Lost Stars!”
All at once half the assembly stood, offering their services in the quest. Again, Bjarn raised his hand and they quieted.
“I thank you, all of you, but I cannot have everyone come along. You must stay and rebuild, rebuild the Forestdweller Kingdoms to their former glory. It aches me to leave you like this, if only for a while, but I must. I only seek a few persons to accompany me, persons with unique skills. I don’t want an army, for that would only slow the quest down. Please, consider carefully before rising. This mission will be dangerous.”
Bjarn remained standing, eying the crowd. Not two seconds passed by when Sir Dractor, sans his armor and instead clad in a snug tan tunic, stood and said, “Milord Bjarn, for months I have known you, and we have become fast friends. Though I am not a native of Dametreos, I have grown to love this land. I feel it is my duty to accompany you on your quest.”
Dractor paused for a moment, then said, his face twisting into a grin, “Plus, and no offence meant to the Forestfolk for they have treated me wonderfully, I have gotten quite bored here at Drullen Bell Keep. I want to move on!”
Bjarn smiled, then said, “You are welcome, my friend. Your warrior skills will aid us wonderfully.”
After a moment, the wizard Voolmark stood and harrumphed.
“Lord Bjarn, I offer my services to you as well. I might just come in handy with my magic skills, though this megablocks weather seems to have zapped my touch with the Mana.”
“Thank you, Voolmark, my former teacher. Your wisdom will be equally be helpful.”
Bjarn saw Fraun Jerlock, sitting next to Voolmark, glance slowly from Frayla and back to Voolmark, seemingly torn. Before he could do anything, however, if he was going to do anything at all, someone else spoke.
“Lord Bjarn, sir!”
Bjarn turned and nodded at Captain Anardan, who had risen and saluted.
“I’m am always proud to protect my leader!” continued Anardan, “I also am an expect tracker and have some experience traveling in winter conditions. Permission to join the quest?”
“Granted.” replied Bjarn, “Your services will be much appreciated, Captain Anardan.”
Bjarn turned and counted out loud, “That makes...five, six, seven, eight...eight persons, for Shainya is going as well. Very good, our fellowship has been formed. Thank you, again.”
Bjarn gave the Sign of the Elk and departed, as did everyone else.
Sir Dractor was back in his old haunt, the armory. His armor, battered, bent, and pretty much wrecked in general during the Siege of Orion, had long since been repaired by the capable Rodurik.
“I’m still amazed that you were able to do anything with it,” said Sir Dractor to the blacksmith, as he donned the armor for the first time in months. It was slightly snugger around the waist than Sir Dractor remembered.
“It was just a matter of hammering out dents, and bending back folds,” said Rodurik, “That done, it was remarkably undamaged. I just had to re-temper it a bit, smooth over some of the worse spots on the edges, and polish it.”
“All the same, its amazing from my point of view,” said Sir Dractor, turning to leave, “And you have my thanks.”
“It was a pleasure to be of assistance to one of Dametreos’ great heroes,” said Rodurik, “And it was a fine piece of craftsmanship to begin with. I am pleased to have had a part in restoring it to usefulness.”
Sir Dractor nodded. Then he picked up his new shield (courtesy again of Rodurik. His old one had been totally destroyed in battle), and strapped on his great sword, and departed the armory. He was walking down the halls when he met Shainya, coming out of another corner of the armory. Her sword hung at her side.
“Do you still remember how to use that?” asked Sir Dractor.
“Not really,” said Shainya, guiltily, “But I think it would come back with practice.”
“Then you had better get some practice before we leave,” said Sir Dractor. “There’s very little doubt that you’ll need it on this quest.”
“It does look that way,” said Shainya, somewhat sadly, “It’s a pity, really, that it has to be like that.”
Shainya paused, and then changed the subject, becoming somewhat more cheerful.
“You know, I had the strangest thought,” she said, “when Bjarn was saying that we eight had formed a fellowship. It almost didn’t seem right. It was as if we were one short or something.”
Shainya laughed, and Sir Dractor with her.
“If this fellowship is like any that I have known or heard of,” said the warrior, “It will be most unlikely indeed if we do not acquire companions, lose companions, and divide into smaller companies well before we reach our goal. Besides which, I am almost of the opinion that we have too many people already, although I cannot honestly say who I would leave out.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Shainya with a smile, “If it was left up to you, neither I nor Luxus would be going. You don’t really think we’ll be much use.”
“You’re wrong,” said Sir Dractor with a shake of his head, “Although I would not take either of you along on a perilous journey if it were left up to me, I agree with Bjarn that Luxus must come along, for reasons as yet left vague. As for you, I am in a bit of disagreement with him, in that I think you must come. Somehow, you are tied up in this as well. I don’t believe in fate, but I do believe that your presence will be invaluable on this quest, and I have a feeling, unfounded, that you are somehow tied up in this, if only by your love for Reno.”
“Now I’m getting a little scared,” said Shainya. “I, personally, don’t think I’ll be a huge help. I just don’t want to risk letting Reno out of my sight again. And I co want to be as much a help as I can.”
“Then you should get practicing with that sword,” said Sir Dractor with a smile, “I’ve already said that you could be great with it if you applied yourself. But I would get onto practicing soon. Bjarn wants to leave quickly, and get this done, although I do not know where he intends to go, and there will be little enough time, I fear, once we are actually on the road.”
“I’ll go ask Reno right away if he’ll spar with me,” said Shainya.
Sir Dractor smiled, but shook his head.
“I don’t advise practicing with Master Regga,” he said, “You’re a bit too devoted to him. You need to practice against someone that has no emotional hold on you. Someone that you neither want to impress overmuch, or someone that you want to let win.”
“You?”
“Not I,” said Sir Dractor, “I might overwhelm you. It has been too long since I fought, that I might not be able to hold myself back. Try the guardsmen. Or…” he said with a cunning smile, “Radjar Kath. That man has skill. And idle time. And....I think it might be within your skill, once you get going, to deal him a defeat. But time will tell on that score.”
Sir Dractor headed off, leaving Shainya to think over his suggestions. It was apparent, that while Sir Dractor bore Radjar Kath no ill will, he didn’t mind upsetting his pride, just a little.
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