Pyriuss looked around uncertainly, then ran after the three knights. A thousand thoughts flashed through his head. Those were the bodyguards of the shadow council sent to fetch him. They must have something special planned for him. A promotion or an exexcution it would still be an honor for anyone of them to be summoned.Catch you later then!” Yelled Gyrioss.
“See ya later then bro!” He shouted back.
The three Rub n’ Buff clad knights shoved their way past several laundry carrying slaves and proceeded down a long steep staircase. Pyriuss followed them in utter silence. Even if he tried to make conversation, they would most likely ignore him. That was if he tried to make conversation, he was almost into a jog to keep up with them.
They journeyed deeper and deeper into the bowels of Kinopokar. In this area, the tunnels were made out of stone, in the floor, the ceiling and in the walls. At last the three stopped before an iron gate, flanked by another two soldiers. One gave a crisp solute to the lead knight and let them pass.
This next chamber was very dark and dank. Pyriuss shivered at the sudden steep drop in temperature. Two of the knights stood at attention on his flanks. The lead one walked into the shadows. After a moment of silence, he returned.
“Go inside.” He muttered as walked passed.
Pyriuss gulped and walked into the shadowy doorway. He suddenly emerged into a brightly lit hall. It was very plain, it only held as much luxurious decoration as there is to be found in any Dragon Master or Bull hall. This one was clearly used for war.
Half the walls were covered in myriad display of weapons of all shapes and sizes. Pyriuss had never seen three quarters of those weapons before. Of the few tables, each were covered in maps and other important documents showing rosters and reports. In one corner, on a round table, rested a strange dark blue orb. Pyriuss was mesmerized by it.
“Don’t look to deeply into it, many foolish minifigs have lost their minds to it’s depths.”
Pyriuss whirled around to see a black garbed man standing over a crackling fire pit. The man was clad in black and crimson robes, with a hood hiding his face. On his chest was a medallion bearing the sign of the scorpion.
Pyriuss gasped as he recognised the man as the Vindicator. Lord Vladek was the militaristic leader of the Shadow Council. Th vindicator was the spiritual leader and his words carried more weight then any of the other Shadow Lords, including Vladek.
“My lord…” He gave a weak bow.
“You know not why you are summoned? Pyriuss son Kyrious.” He said in a thin rasping, all knowing voice.
“No my lord…”
“Of course. But you do know of the events concerning the infidel Vermicus?” The Vindicator whispered the name with such malice and hatred, that Pyriuss stepped back..
“Yes, of course my lord…”
“You know that are numbers dwindle, many of our greatest warriors have been seduced by him and many more of our greatest warriors have fallen into the shadow over this. We lost too many good warriors in claiming the staff from Solitaire. We cannot afford such casualties in dealing with this nuisance while fighting the Morcian scum at the same time.”
Pyriuss was feeling very uncomfortable in the Vindicator’s presence. Many of the things in the Shadow Cult made him uncomfortable.
“The draws near for when we shall strike. The fool Vermicus hopes to crush the lands in swing of the hammer. Orcs have their uses but they are not a war winning weapon. We are the spawn of the shadow itself! This is not a war to be fought in the fields, but in the shadows. The fool rebuilds his fortress in the ruin of the Ankoria. Soon the knife will come down and we will be rid of this scum, once and for all!”
Pyriuss nodded, not daring to anger the Vindicator.
“You Pyriuss are such a minifig as the Shadow Cult requires in this time of strife. I have looked in yon orb” He gestured to the dark blue orb “and have seen part of what is to come. Your time to prove your worth to the council will soon be at hand.”
Sweat trickled down Pyriuss’s forehead. “Me sir?”
“Yes. I know not how at this moment in time, but I forsee great ruin will be upon us otherwise. Your mission will be perilous of course, but the shadow clerics shall bless you before you depart.”
“What mission sir? What about my brother? Can’t he come too, we always fight together, we’re unbeatable together.”
The Vindicator snickered “He is not of importance to us. I did not see your twin doing anything productive to our cause in the near future. You on the other hand…”
Pyriuss’s mind whirled, he was going somewhere, without Gyrioss? He didn’t think he could stomach being in the presence of all these creepy Shadow Knights without his brother. The only reason he stayed here was because the Shadow Cult protected the two, they raised them and clothed them. They taught them how to fight, how to make their way in the world.
“Take this” The Vindicator handed the young knight sealed parchment stamped with the sign of the scorpion. Read that once you set out, report to the shadow clerics at the midnight for your blessing.” With that he turned away.
“Leave.”
That was not a request, it was an order. Pyriuss took the parchment and ran out of there as fast as he could.