Page 5 of 7

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:45 pm
by Formendacil
Location: Wellestowne, the Castle Alexandria

A squad of soldiers sombrely made their way into the courtyard of Forlego's castle, a litter carried between them. The court herald had been sent on ahead from the gatehouse to summon Princess Castila.

"Will!"

The Princess came running out of the castle, skirts in hand, to stop abruptly before the litter, where the prone figure of Sir Wilfred D'Antigon lay.

"What happened?" she demanded of squad's leader.

"Dunno, milady," he shrugged. "Baron Lockshire's men found him coming back through Robin's Pass two days ago. He's been in a daze since. Seems to be okay, but hasn't said a word or made a movement. We were heading back from border patrol, so the Baron had us lug him in."

"Will!" Casi pleaded with the unresponding knight. "Speak to me! What happened!"

Sir Wilfred did not respond.

"It's no good, milady," the corporal shook his head. "We've tried getting him to snap out of it."

Casi sighed.

"Take him up to his room. I'll go find Healer Mendoza."

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:05 pm
by smcginnis
Location: The forest, west of Robin's Pass.
Time: A few days ago (sorry for not catching up earlier).

___After riding for two days through swampy, rocky territory, Starcloak and Ledindry had reached the road leading out of Robin's Pass. They were starting to become friends, or at least Ledindry thought so. Starcloak found her rather annoying. "I'm sorry, but I can't take you any further south. You're probably safe from the bandits now, and I must turn west here to reach my home. I suggest that you join merchants or peddlars, they can take you safely to Gord or Marpleton," Starcloak said. "If you like, I'll wait here with you until you find someone safe to go with, but after that, I must leave."
___"Why can't I go with you?" she asked.
___"Because, your parents are likely to have gone to either Marpleton or Glintown, and my home is very isolated. You'd never find them there," Starcloak replied. Ledindry was about to respond when they heard a shout and a clash of swords. Leaping back onto his horse, Starcloak rode towards the sound. By the time he got there, he saw soldiers lifting a familiar shape onto their shoulders.
___"What happened?" he shouted out to them.
___"I dunno," one of the soldiers, who seemed to be in authority, replied. "We 'eard 'im callin' an' ran out o' our tower yonder. We found him babbling and waving 'is sword aroun', then 'e attacked us. I fought 'im sword t' sword an' then Ben there landed 'im a blow t' the back o' the 'ead with 'is spear haft. He seems quite mad, master."
___"I recognize him—that's Sir Wilfred D'Antigon, a knight of King Forlego's. Who's your lord?" Starcloak asked.
___"Baron Lockshire, master. Why?" asked the soldier.
___"You must take this knight to him as soon as possible, and have him taken to Wellestowne. I'll go with you," Starcloak replied.
___Meanwhile, Ledindry had come running up. "What about me?" she asked. "Are you just going to leave me here?"
___Starcloak sighed. "Take Bonavi, go to Marpleton, and get help from the Duke. He should be able to find your parents. Oh, and tell the people at the Duke's stables that this is Aytras' horse."
___"Aytras? Who's that? Did you steal the horse from him? And I though Bonavi would only listen to you," Ledindry said.
___"I'm Aytras, just don't go broadcasting that fact. And Bonavi will let you take him if I say so. Now, I've got to go," Starcloak said. He helped Ledindry mount, and told his horse to take her to Marpleton. "With all speed, Bonavi. Goodbye," he said quietly. Raising his voice back to normal, he bade farewell to Ledindry. "See you later, Ledi. Maybe." Then he slapped his horse on the rump and it galloped off down the road.
___Turning to the soldier captain again, he said, "Now, let's go to your Baron." They began walking towards Lockland Castle.

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:56 pm
by LEGO-las
Location: Wellestowne Docks

Ethuand had had a hard time finding a ship to take him to Hawkfin Isle. In fact, the ship he had bought passage on wasn't really a ship. It was a small fishing boat, but strong. It's shipmaster, a broad minifig, said he had heard the Hawkfin people were... strange.

"Aye. I've heard tha' 'ol High Lord Tadiston might wanna check every minifig's meager little boat 'afore he'll let them dock. Strange indeed, eh? Only started happenin' 'bout a day ago, they say."

Why of course, Ethuand though. Once the assassin didn't come back on time, they worried I survived.

"Sir, would you mind taking me to the southern part of the isle? I hear there might be a nice sensible place to dock there."

"Oh, ummmm... why do you ask?"

"I, uh... I have friends there, I believe."

"Now tha' sounds strange, but I will."

Ethuand flourished a few coins.

"I'm sure you won't talk?"

"'O course not, good sir!"

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:05 pm
by Formendacil
Location: Wellestowne, the Castle Alexandria, Sir Wilfred's chambers
Formendacil wrote:"Take him up to his room. I'll go find Healer Mendoza."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Healer Mendoza stepped back from examing Wilfred, "but he's physically quite fit. Anything that may have happened to him has healed over."

"But he's unconscious!"

"Not exactly..." Healer Mendoza folded his hands diplomatically. "It's more of a trance. Sir Wilfred is conscious, in a sense, but he is, for some reason or another, not responsive to us. The reason is either of a psychological nature, or else a sort of magic."

"Magic!" Casi's eyes bulged. "But he was just escorting someone to Marpleton!"

"What sort of a someone?" Mendoza asked. "The girl, perhaps, who's caused old Alcazire Mal-dendr near apolexy? The one, apparently, who stole a magical item from him?"

"Yes..." said Casi, hesitantly.

"Well, I don't know the character of the girl," said Mendoza, diplomatically, "or if this was any conscious fault of hers. But she's mixed up in magic, no doubt there, and she was nowhere near Sir Wilfred when he was found."

"He might have been on his way back from Marpleton," pointed out Casi.

"True," said Mendoza, with a nod, "but it should be clear that his trip was made in connection to someone intimately tied to magic- and if this condition of his IS magic, then it would be prudent to start with this girl in looking for a cause."

"I don't want a cause right now," said Casi, "I want a cure."

"In that case, I would go see your father's wizard," said Mendoza, picking up his bag. "Good day, Your Highness."

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:19 pm
by TheOrk
Location: Castle Alexandria

Sir Doric poured himself a glass of strong wine, emptied it and poured another. “It was long. For fifteen years I searched for him, for the one they call Zagros. I tracked him for years; he succeeded in stalling me for years. Eventually I came upon the location of his lair, deep with the trackless depths of that Gods forsaken blight known as the Yasbrik Swamp.”

Forlego nodded, “continue.”

“The full account of all that could fill an entire book. Moving onward, I cut my through the swamp until I came upon the sorcerer’s lair. The old man did not have the heart or the stomach to fight me anymore, so I got my answers without trouble.”

The king raised an eyebrow, “You accomplished more then we thought possible didn’t you?”

Doric laughed, “for taking fifteen years of my life, I should bloody well hope so.”

“What did you learn? What of the enemy?” the King’s tone grew urgent.

Doric grimaced, “He is regaining his strength.”

The King let out a sigh, and “Then all my fears were well founded. What else?”

“Zagros was half mad, it was hard getting the right answers out of him. The enemy could have returned already, but he is searching for something. Some treasure that will give him a trump card, with it we will be no match for his might.”

“Megablocks him!” Forlego growled.

“Sir Doric, he must never be allowed to get his hands on it. We must be sure that never happens.”

“I understand.” Doric knew what would be asked of him. “I will begin my search for this treasure tomorrow if you wish it.” He continued.

The King smiled “You may have to.”

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:29 pm
by smcginnis
Location: The Forest of Sorrow.

___"Very good, very good! You're doing wonderfully!" Reyg called out to Roëd. They were hovering above the Forest of Sorrow, a few miles south of the Wall of Rîw. Reyg was what you could call walking on air, but Roëd was flying with the help of two cloth wings on thin poles. He was enjoying it immensely. "Now," said Reyg. "Now you shall try landing."
___Roëd sighed. Landing was the one thing he hadn't quite mastered yet. "All right, where are we going to land?"
___"That clearing down there. You won't have much of a space to run, so remember, swoop and pull up. Swoop, and pull up. I'll be waiting for you," Reyg walked down to the clearing as if he was on a flight of stairs, and sat in midair above an apple tree.
___Roëd flapped his arms a few times, gaining altitude, and then dived, concentrating hard on falling slowly. When he was about thirty feet above the ground, he pulled up on the wings and descended feet first the rest of the way, making sure to not snag the cloth on branches. I did it, he thought, and without tearing the wings. He breathed a sigh of relief as Reyg floated down, clapping.
___"Well done. Take a small break, tuning to the life around here, and then we'll eat lunch. After that, we fly home," Reyg said, and then walked off in search of food.
___Roëd took off the wings and sat for a while, focusing on hearing, seeing, feeling, and smelling everything around him. Suddenly he thought he felt something unpleasant from the south, a feeling of menace. Most of the animals and plants in that direction quieted and stopped moving in apparently great fear. A moment later, Roëd heard Reyg calling for help. Jumping to his feet, he wondered for an instant whether he should run or try to fly, and then decided on the former. Speeding south, with a few jumps elongated by levitation, he soon reached Reyg. As he entered the small clearing, it seemed to him that a shadow fled from it, but he couldn't be sure.
___"Roëd, thank you. That evil was too strong for me alone to defeat," Reyg said. He sounded tired.
___"But I thought you were the strongest—at least in magical power—of the order?" Roëd said questioningly.
___"First of all, it's not magic, per se, what we do. More like we use our full selves. And second of all, Hiwte is the strongest of us that way—as she's the eldest."
___"But still, how did I make that—that thing leave?"
___"Either you simply startled it, which I doubt very much, or you are more powerful than you think, which is more likely. I wasn't going to tell you yet, but I think now is the time. You see, Roëd, there is an ancient tale—not a prophecy, exactly, but similar—that tells of the coming of a person who will save Ardaesia* from great evil, and Hiwte and I believe that you are the one in that tale. We need to consult with our entire order as well as some very powerful magic users and our former students before we're sure, but in the meantime, before they arrive, we're teaching you to use your natural power. And even if you aren't the One, you will be a great user of your skill anyway, and you will do much good," Reyg said. "Now, that encounter has made me hungry. Let's find something to eat." They walked off north, back to the larger clearing where Roëd had left the wings, gathering food along the way.

*I will change it if it's not the name

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:34 am
by TheOrk
Location: The T’Ork Mountain Range

Night settled over the mountains. King Birak’s little band had marched for most of the day and had arrived at their camp in the twilight hours. The seventy odd minifigs of Birak’s raiding party had reunited with the five hundred odd minifigs that made up Birak’s war party. A mixture of men, women and a few children deemed old enough gathered around in filthy huts. It was their King’s intent that they raid a handful of settlements in one of the passes before the winter set in.

Thousands of lawless minifigs dwelt in the T’Ork mountain range. Half were apart of them were members of the Cave Bandit’s Guild. The other half made up the realm of Birak, self proclaimed King of the T’Ork Mountains. Birak arrived there as a ten-year old boy, over twenty years ago. He was a pickpocket, who clung to dogs for survival then, now he was the pack master. The bandit wars were swift and brutal. All the bands and clans on one side fell to him, the rest resisted. Being rabble, Birak was unable to mold them into a proper army and thus he was unable to become King of anything else. All he could do was occasionally make the passes run red with blood. It was good enough, for now.

“Welcome back my liege!” Birak turned to see one of his top henchmen scuttling towards him.

“Clive! How go the preparations?” He boomed.

“They’re all done sire. Give the word and we’ll march.” He cackled his excitement building.

“Good, we’ll march on the morrow. But first I got stuff to do.”

“What sort of stuff sire?”

Birak gestured to the minifigs that were in his band. Amongst them were five minifigs in chains. “We’re gonna have ourselves a little fun with them first.”

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:59 am
by TheOrk
Location: Wellestowne

As the last of Wellestowne’s inhabitants were turning in for the night, Doric emerged into the lantern lit streets. Rubbing his eyes, he gave a great big yawn that almost snapped his shaggy head in two. Wondering what become of his friends. Sir Doric set out in search of the inn where Majhad had gone. He had not seen him in a long time and he wondered what had brought him here.

“He would be a good lad to have along.” Thought Doric thinking of his quest.

“Night sir!” Grunted a passing soldier.

“Night…” Turning his back on Castle Alexandria, Doric set off to the inn.

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:24 pm
by smcginnis
Location: Wellestowne

___After talking to Lem at the castle stables, Majhad found the inn well enough. Besides him, there were a few dwarfs; a satyr and some of his smaller cousins, the fauns; two tree-spirits; and what looked like an elf; but Majhad wasn't sure. There were also a few humans, including the owner of the inn. Inquiring, he found that they had a room open, but the innkeeper wasn't sure if he would fit in the bed. Majhad replied that if he didn't, he'd just sleep on the floor. He was happy just to have found a safe place to live, for a while.
___On the second day of his stay, Majhad was visited by Sir Doric. "Hello, Majhad. It's been a long time since I saw you last. How's your arm?"
___Majhad grimaced. "It's been four years since I fell in that swamp pool, and it still hasn't healed. I have to wear this rag around it to keep it from burning in the sun, or freezing in the wind. But anyway, it's good to see you. How are you?"
___"Oh, good, good. I found who I was looking for. But the reason I came here was because I need to ask you something. King Forlego—he's the king who sent me on that other quest—has asked me to find a treasure, a treasure that will either stop an evil—or aid it in conquering the world. Well, I want to know if you'll come with me on the search for the treasure," Sir Doric said. "Will you come?"
___"Well, I guess I will. I don't have much to do here. The only reason I left Harn was because the old Jarl had died and the new one didn't seem to like me much. I didn't feel like heading back east, so I took the first ship here. I think I'll like this adventure very much—as long as I don't fall into anymore black pools," Majhad laughed. "So in answer to your question, yes, I'll come with you. When do we leave?"
___"As soon as we can. I've just got to go back to Castle Alexandria for supplies, and maybe a horse," Doric answered.
___"I'll come with you now." Going to his room, Majhad retrieved his axe and pack, slinging them over his shoulders. Walking back downstairs, he paid the innkeeper, thanking him, and then left with Sir Doric towards Castle Alec.

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 1:39 am
by TheOrk

Location: Wellestowne


Early the next day, the two companions were ready to set out on their quest. Moving through the west gate, the two attracted many stares. Sir Doric came along on a hard muscled gelding, keeping pace along side him was Majhad, his hoofs making a distinctive clatter against the cobblestones.

“So Doric, where are we headed?” He asked, stretching his muscular frame.

Doric thought a moment before answering, “We head for the T’Ork mountain range.”

Majhad snorted, “couldn’t have picked a more dangerous place myself.”

“Aye, aye, life is bad.” Doric shook his head, “anyway. Once we get there, I have to find an old abandoned temple. So I am told, the answer to where this treasure is lies is in there.”

Majhad nodded, “fair enough. We should get to the foot hills within a day or two.”

“Right, I don’t know why, but I keep on getting the feeling that something bad is going to happen soon.”

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:01 am
by smcginnis
Location: Wellestowne, Castle Alexandria

___Starcloak knocked on the door of King Forlego's throne room. "Enter," the king called. Starcloak pushed the door open and bowed to Forlego. "Starcloak!" the king said in surprise. "I thought you were at home, taking a vacation?"
___"No, your majesty. I was going to, but I arrived at Robin's Pass at the same time that Sir Wilfred was found. I decided to return with him, secretly of course. Now that everyone believes I'm gone, it would be the perfect time to search out some of the more closely guarded homes," the spy answered.
___"Hmm... Oh, sorry, lots to think about. So you arrived at the Pass then? But you left at least a day before he did."
___"Yes, but I thought that that pass wasn't safe. I'd decided to go home through the Berger Pass, to see the country around there, and I found a young woman trapped in a valley that was watched by bandits. I helped her escape," Starcloak said.
___"Somehow I think you're leaving something out of that story. Ah well. Since you're back now, I need you to investigate Lord Wylde's manor, north of here. Something seems to be bothering him, he's been a little jumpy lately. I'm not sure, but there might be a vampire hiding there, and while that's not exactly threatening to the kingdom, I don't want all my courtiers fainting and dying," King Forlego said. "I'd send Owl, but he's broken his leg, falling off of his horse, poor man. Well, good to have you back, but if you wish to leave again, don't hesitate to. You definitely deserve a vacation."
___"It's all right, my lord. I'll head to Lord Wylde's first thing in the morning, but after that, I think I shall return home," bowing again, Starcloak left the throne room, and went to his own room in the castle.

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:30 pm
by smcginnis
Location: The forest south-east of Mt. Oraynol.

___Roëd had just returned from a foraging expedition with Bule when he almost ran into a young-looking woman in a yellow dress. "Oh, you must be Roëd," she said in a slightly accented voice. "Nice to meet you."
___"Y-Yes. Who are you—uh, I mean, what's your name?" Roëd asked stutteringly.
___"I'm Lewley. See you later," she walked off into the tree house, Roëd watching her.
___"Ah, I see you've met Lewley. She's the youngest of us, after Roagen. She must've arrived for the council Hiwte called," Bule said, startling Roëd.
___"Council? Oh yes, Reyg said the other day that he needed to consult with your whole group, and some other people," Roëd said. "Well, I wonder who else is here?" He and Bule walked into the tree house. Inside, there were two more unfamiliar (to Roëd) faces.
___"Roëd, I'd like to introduce you to Loftnosus," Reyg pointed at a man in dark blue and black with a scowl on his face, "and Gleid," he gestured towards a man in red clothing with a tall black hat and white hair. "As I'm sure you've guessed, they've arrived for the council. The rest should be here in a few days."
___Just then, Rowbn walked in with a tray of pastries. "Custard Cream, Loftnosus? I made them myself."
___"Hmpf, well, I suppose it can't be that bad," the wizard took a bite, and then brightened up. "Hmm, well, yes. That's quite good."
___"Hello, Roëd. So you're the newest student? Do they still make you wash the dishes and run forty laps around Mount Oraynol every morning, like they did when I studied?" Gleid asked, jokingly. "Or do you have to dig tunnels to Glintown and Loure Lake?"
___"Good to see you too, Gleid," Bule said, laughing. "Yes, Roëd's our new student, but he doesn't have to do those things. Yet."
___"Oh, I'd better be careful with you two around. You'll probably have me carrying you all to Rîw Keep on my back, just for the 'fun' of it!" Roëd said, and they all laughed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go practice my flying." Leaving the room, he climbed the stairs to his bedchamber, and picking up his cloth wings, walked to the roof of the house. He affixed the wings to his back and dived off of the building, concentrating on gaining lift. Soon he was soaring over the woods, heading south towards the Gaija Forest.

___Within an hour, he came within sight of the tree-covered foothills on the western side of the great mountain. Flying a little farther, he came to one of the smaller streams that would join the mighty Gaija. Landing, he noticed something strange. The forest was silent, and it wasn't from a lack of animals. He could feel them moving, but they made no sound. Something was scaring them, and he knew it wasn't him. He reached out with his mind, trying to communicate with some of the more intelligent creatures, to find out what was wrong. A raven responded, saying there was a 'darkness' to the west, on the other side of the stream. Roëd thanked the bird and leapt back into the air, scanning the forest for signs of disturbance. He soon found them. Landing again, and keeping hidden, he saw two men with axes hewing down trees, and a few more people stripping the branches off of other trees. He didn't feel any particular darkness emanating from them, until he looked at their faces. They were cruel, hard faces with black eyes and grimly set mouths. Removing the wings, Roëd stepped out from behind the trees. "Stop," he commanded them. They did not heed him. "Stop," he said again, louder now, and this time the men did. "Why are you cutting down these trees? They have done nothing to you, and they are too small for building with, and do not burn well."
___The tallest man, who had a curly black beard and black hair, looked at his companions and then at Roëd. "Orders, tha's all. Jus' orders," he looked down and raised his axe, but Roëd spoke again.
___"You are released. You need not continue, nor fear your master. He has no command over you now," the power in his voice, and the words, startled Roëd, but the men seemed to accept it. They nodded now, and slinging their axes over their shoulders, they looked about in wonderment, as if noticing the beauty of the forest for the first time.
___Their leader spoke again, but his voice was changed, lighter, it seemed, as if freed of an unpleasant burden. "Thank ye. Ye have freed us from a most unhappy job. I would not return to him, but my wife and the wee ones..." he trailed off.
___"Yes, you should return. Pretend that you are still under his sway, but awaken as many as you can to the truth. You need only speak my name, and they shall be freed from his grasp forever. When there are enough of you, you must capture him, and take him to Glintown, away south of here," Roëd said.
___"What is your name, sir?"
___"My name, my name is Roëd Aelfredsen, but you only need to say Roëd. Good day to you." The men left, apologizing, in a north-westerly direction. Picking up his wings, Roëd put them on again, and hovered up into the air. Flapping his arms, he flew back to the tree house, wondering about what he'd said to the men.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:59 am
by Sir Kohran
Just then, Rowbn walked in with a tray of pastries. "Custard Cream, Loftnosus? I made them myself."
"Hmpf, well, I suppose it can't be that bad," the wizard took a bite, and then brightened up. "Hmm, well, yes. That's quite good."
Location: The forest south-east of Mt. Oraynol.

As he took the plate of golden custard creams, Loftnosus smiled briefly at Rowbn, and as soon as she turned away, he studied them closely, inspecting every corner and surface. After several long minutes, he decided they were fit for consumption (though not of his own production quality, as always) and began to munch on them happily. Custard creams, he thought thriough his meal, there shall never be anything like them. This is my hobby if ever there was such a thing. He took no care whilst eating; he had designed an amulet that he wore for the specific purpose of keeping all crumbs from his beard.

As he ate, and talked with the villagers, Loftnosus almost felt pleased he had come down the mountain from his secluded home, for the first time in many days. Despite his gruff, sniping manner, he was almost quietly fond of the villagers, and he supported them in his own way, turning aside the terrible storms and wild beasts of his mountain that would have long driven them out. He almost liked these people. Almost, of course, as always.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:39 pm
by Formendacil
Location: Sir Wilfred's rooms, the Castle Alexandria, Wellestowne

Sir Wilfred slowly opened his eyes. His head REALLY hurt, and his body seemed strangely weak. Looking down at him, he could see the faces of Casi, the court wizard Abram Kadabrah, and a strange knight. Casi looked a mixture of worried and relieved, Abram looked rather exhausted, and the strange knight looked somewhat concerned.

"Will! You're all right!" Casi gave him a tight hug.

"Ow..." Wilfred's voice was pathetically weak. "Careful."

"Buddy!" the strange knight said, sounding relieved, "we were all worried for a moment there."

"Yes indeed," said Abram, "we were afraid you weren't going to pull through. That was quite a spell."

"Just a mome..." Wilfred attempted weakly to break into the conversation. "Who's he?"

"Who?" Casi looked around wildly, and saw Wilfred's hand pointing at the other knight. "Jules?"

Wilfred nodded.

"Dear, he's your best friend. Remember?" Casi was looking more anxious than relieved now. Wilfred shook his head as best he was able.

"Not to worry," interjected Abram quickly. "Sir Wilfred's still very weak, and is possibly suffering from some magic-induced amnesia. Let's let hm get some of his strength back before we concern ourselves about this. Here, Wilfred, drink this."

Abram held a flash of a sweet-smelling potion up to his lips. Wilfred drank as much as he could, and then lapsed back into sleep, but not before one thought had crossed his mind.

"I haven't got a tyco clue who this fellow is..."

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:51 am
by Remyth
Remyth wrote: For a while they walked on in silence. Suddenly, on the path ahead, there loomed sixteen foot soldiers. Theyrus gasped as he saw the emblem on their tunics. Silver Hawks!
Location: Somewhere near the borders of the Faun Kingdom.

As the soldiers saw them, they were astonished. They had never seen a human and a faun together before. In fact, they had hardly ever seen fauns before. Suddenly their leader seemed to regain his common sense. He started running, and while he did this he blew on a horn that had been dangling at his side.

Theyrus saw them start to charge, and prepared his bow for firing. He waiting for a split second, and then fired. He dropped the leader with a satisfying clunk! He fired agian, dropping the second one. By this time, the soldiers were almost upon them. "Quick!" cried Theyrus to Astor. "Draw your weapon!" He said this, although Astor had already drew his sword and was brandishing it readily.

Theyrus fired a third time, and then dropped his bow and quickly drew his sword and dagger. The first two men fell as they reached the travelers. The others hesitated, and that gave Theyrus the chance he had hoped for. He sprang forward and cleaved two soldiers with one swing. Astor was not far behind, swinging his sword very accurately. By the time the rest drew off, twelve bodies lay on the sides of the road.

The Silver-Hawks charged again, and were a little more successful this time. They were successful at tearing Astor's sword from his hands, but Theyrus was able to protect the both of them. This time, only one was left to limp away. Theyrus decided to let him go, not thinking to hard about what this could mean in the future.

Astor quickly retrieved his sword for the ground, and Theyrus gathered up his spent arrows. They moved the bodies of the Silver-Hawks off the road, and did their best to cover up the blood by the road.

Just as they were about to set off again, they heard a horrible sound. It was the horn of the Silver-Hawks. Their astonishment gave way to complete terror as they saw horseman after horseman climb up over the ridge. They were scared stiff. There was no way that they could hold off over 30 horsemen. None-the-less, Theyrus prepared his bow for its second use of the day.

The Silver-Hawks charged. Theyrus immediately let an arrow loose, and it met its target. Theyrus quickly shot again, and again. He suddenly realized that he had spent all his arrows. Only 9 of the 15 arrows had met their mark. So much for that, thought Theyrus.

The Silver-Hawks bore down on them. Theyrus and Astor prepared to defend themselves as best they could. They knew that they would die, but they weren't going down without a fight. The Silver-Hawks were only ten yards away. Closer...[/b]