Post by Katdoral on Oct 8, 2012 18:56:13 GMT -5
It has been a long night. thought King Tellemarr. He sat on his throne in Valderin's Gate, two men before him. One was Captain Varus of the Royal Guard, the other his Court Magician Tessamoor. The difference between the two before him was profound. Where Varus was heavily muscled, Tessamoor was unnaturally thin. Varus's hair, his prized braid that marked his office, was always kept tight and tiddy. Tessamoor in contrast had not a hair at all, seemingly nowhere on his frail seeming frame. But where the physical parted them, both were proven and trusted councilors of the court. And he was thankful to have them tonight of all nights.
It had started several hours ago without warning or any sense of reason. The dragons of the world, all the colors of their kind, had descended in a rage against his sleepy Primea. From Telvas to the northeast, all the way to Aspenbrook in the southwest, and reports suggested all the holdings between were beset by the crazed beasts. Even the great Temple of Sardinal in Lonsalindel was said to be blasted to it's foundations. Some they had fought off, like the wizards of Garamund and the defenders of Guldas-Par. But in other holds there were no heroes to match the beasts, and many had fallen. The trade port of Hightop was reported to be burning uncontrollably even.
The king sighed heavily. So far only Valderin's Gate had not been put to torch, but there was word that two mighty blue's were at this moment winging to the capital. He knew his people, they would not sit in idleness against such a threat. He knew they would rise up, they would meet the beasts with arrow, with steel, with blood...He knew also, despite their hearts, they would die. He'd seen through the scrying bowl his court magician had used the devistating power of these beasts that now descended to the very heart of Primea. He knew there was but one chance for his people, one that was potentially just as risky as facing down the beasts...But there was no choice, not if the people were to survive this.
"Captain Varus, take what troops and levies you can muster, and man the walls. And be sure to arm them with whatever missile weapons you can find, even rocks if nothing else. These beasts won't come to land, they'll remain in the skies, with luck the walls will give your men some chance to harm the creatures. You must hold them at the walls for as long as possible. Regardless of the cost captain, keep them there. Do you understand me?" King Tellemarr said.
"Yes M'lord, I understand." Captain Varus responded, eyeing the dark staircase that was behind the throne, that lead to the royal treasury. "M'lord, may Theylin bless and protect you." And with that he snaped a salute, turned on his heel, and marched out of the throne room.
"Do you truelly mean to use it M'lord? I mean you no disrespect sire, but I am more versed in these matters then yourself...I would without hesitation harness this power in your name to defend the realm." Said Tessamoor.
King Tellemarr pondered this a few moments. The wizard was right of course, while Tellemarr understood the basic concept Tessamoor had studied such things for nearly two decades. It would make more sense for the wizard to do it, and it would certainly be easier for the king. Tellemarr frowned at that thought, shaking his head. "No. It must be a royal that does this, while I cede your knowledge, it is left to me to do what must be done. Instead I need you to support Captain Varus, should I fail or some other calamity befall us."
The wizard nodded and bowed. "Yes M'lord. And M'lord...I have always been proud to serve you. I wanted you to know that, in case the worst should happen."
King Tellemarr smiled at that. Tessamoor was rarely given to expressions of emotion. "The honor was mine as well...Fare well friend, and may the gods smile on us." With that the king stood and the wizard bowed, turned, and walked out. The king took a long look at his throne room, wondering if this would be the last time he saw it. He stood there a few more moments then shook himself and walked to the downward spiralling stairs.
The climb down wasn't terribly far, but each step seemed ominous to the king, as if the play of shadows cast by the torches in their sconces mocked him...Or warned him perhaps of his impending folly. But King Tellemarr didn't slow, didn't falter. Regardless of the outcome, he knew this was the best chance his people had. When he reached the massive stone door he withdrew the royal key from his neck and set it into the keyhole. With a nearly silent click the stone door gave way and opened into the royal treasury. Neatly stacked coins and bars of various precious metals sat in gated alcoves, arranged by their respective types. Jewels, some for fasion, others for cutting or even trade rested neatly in their display cases. Weapons, armors, and other acrumens of warfare had their own special places, many of which had their own special histories.
King Tellemarr didn't pause at any of these though. He moved switfly and with purpose to one alcove in specific. Within this alcove sat a simple shortsword, unadorned and seemingly unimportant save for one black gem set in it's crossguard. His hand only slightly trembling, he reached out and picked the weapon up. He brought the crossguard to his forehead so that the cold single remaining gem touched his skin, and spoke....
"I wish...."
It had started several hours ago without warning or any sense of reason. The dragons of the world, all the colors of their kind, had descended in a rage against his sleepy Primea. From Telvas to the northeast, all the way to Aspenbrook in the southwest, and reports suggested all the holdings between were beset by the crazed beasts. Even the great Temple of Sardinal in Lonsalindel was said to be blasted to it's foundations. Some they had fought off, like the wizards of Garamund and the defenders of Guldas-Par. But in other holds there were no heroes to match the beasts, and many had fallen. The trade port of Hightop was reported to be burning uncontrollably even.
The king sighed heavily. So far only Valderin's Gate had not been put to torch, but there was word that two mighty blue's were at this moment winging to the capital. He knew his people, they would not sit in idleness against such a threat. He knew they would rise up, they would meet the beasts with arrow, with steel, with blood...He knew also, despite their hearts, they would die. He'd seen through the scrying bowl his court magician had used the devistating power of these beasts that now descended to the very heart of Primea. He knew there was but one chance for his people, one that was potentially just as risky as facing down the beasts...But there was no choice, not if the people were to survive this.
"Captain Varus, take what troops and levies you can muster, and man the walls. And be sure to arm them with whatever missile weapons you can find, even rocks if nothing else. These beasts won't come to land, they'll remain in the skies, with luck the walls will give your men some chance to harm the creatures. You must hold them at the walls for as long as possible. Regardless of the cost captain, keep them there. Do you understand me?" King Tellemarr said.
"Yes M'lord, I understand." Captain Varus responded, eyeing the dark staircase that was behind the throne, that lead to the royal treasury. "M'lord, may Theylin bless and protect you." And with that he snaped a salute, turned on his heel, and marched out of the throne room.
"Do you truelly mean to use it M'lord? I mean you no disrespect sire, but I am more versed in these matters then yourself...I would without hesitation harness this power in your name to defend the realm." Said Tessamoor.
King Tellemarr pondered this a few moments. The wizard was right of course, while Tellemarr understood the basic concept Tessamoor had studied such things for nearly two decades. It would make more sense for the wizard to do it, and it would certainly be easier for the king. Tellemarr frowned at that thought, shaking his head. "No. It must be a royal that does this, while I cede your knowledge, it is left to me to do what must be done. Instead I need you to support Captain Varus, should I fail or some other calamity befall us."
The wizard nodded and bowed. "Yes M'lord. And M'lord...I have always been proud to serve you. I wanted you to know that, in case the worst should happen."
King Tellemarr smiled at that. Tessamoor was rarely given to expressions of emotion. "The honor was mine as well...Fare well friend, and may the gods smile on us." With that the king stood and the wizard bowed, turned, and walked out. The king took a long look at his throne room, wondering if this would be the last time he saw it. He stood there a few more moments then shook himself and walked to the downward spiralling stairs.
The climb down wasn't terribly far, but each step seemed ominous to the king, as if the play of shadows cast by the torches in their sconces mocked him...Or warned him perhaps of his impending folly. But King Tellemarr didn't slow, didn't falter. Regardless of the outcome, he knew this was the best chance his people had. When he reached the massive stone door he withdrew the royal key from his neck and set it into the keyhole. With a nearly silent click the stone door gave way and opened into the royal treasury. Neatly stacked coins and bars of various precious metals sat in gated alcoves, arranged by their respective types. Jewels, some for fasion, others for cutting or even trade rested neatly in their display cases. Weapons, armors, and other acrumens of warfare had their own special places, many of which had their own special histories.
King Tellemarr didn't pause at any of these though. He moved switfly and with purpose to one alcove in specific. Within this alcove sat a simple shortsword, unadorned and seemingly unimportant save for one black gem set in it's crossguard. His hand only slightly trembling, he reached out and picked the weapon up. He brought the crossguard to his forehead so that the cold single remaining gem touched his skin, and spoke....
"I wish...."
