Post by Schmidt on Sept 26, 2014 14:58:53 GMT -8
“I don’t think we realize the strength of the wizard’s power, nor his intent to rule all life forms. Maldrake wields a power which has never walked the face of this land, and his thirst for dominion over Roawia is greater than anything we’ve ever seen.He will not stop. He must be destroyed.”
“Aye lad,” Eindrik began,“but how do ye suppose to defeat the soulless wretch?”
“I… I do not know,” Chartres hopelessly responded, “but I know I must do whatever I can for the sake of Roawia and its people.”
It was late. The wolves had long stopped howling. The tavern had stopped up its ale taps. Despite all the chaos of late, all of Garhim was nestled into a deep sleep under a clear, wintry sky. Still, in the late hours of the night, the three leaders of Roawia: Triphian, Eindrik, and Jarius, along with their rescuer Chartres, and a host of advisors and commanders, met in the makeshift keep of the Garhim leader. All of the chairs around the large table were filled, with additional people standing around the table. A matter must be discussed. What was Roawia to do with Maldrake, who had retreated with his army to his fortress?
“Hmph….” Triphian began, “Just send a giant of a man with an even bigger axe and cut off the fool’s head. No amount of magic can stop a severed head.”
“As a matter of fact,” Triphian continued, “We still have the tattered remains of a few armies. Put them together, break down Maldrake's door, and let someone cut his head off. Simple as that;problem solved.”
“My lord Triphian,” Chartres interjected, “I don’t think you understand. Getting to Maldrake won’t be a problem, less than a third of his army remains. What little forces he had, have been decimated in the Garhim counterattack. He barely has enough soldiers to man his fortress, let alone defend it.”
“This bodes well for us. What is it that concerns you, lad?” Triphian remarked.
“I just… I have a strong warning… in my heart, against Maldrake.” Chartres began. “We all saw the giant wargolem he summoned on the royal island. I fear… I fear that was just the beginning of his power. Getting in won’t be a problem. Killing Maldrake…well… I believe he hasn’t revealed his full magical power yet, and that could complicate matters.”
“So then,” Triphian chuckled in annoyance, “we are to sit back like cowards all because of thy ‘feelings’? I mean no offense to thee, young Chartres, but my companions and I have made war since before thy birth. Our company knows how to fight.”
“Twould be wise for us to heed the words of Chartres.” Prince Lorean, silent until now, spoke out.
“And why is that?” Triphian scowled, temper quickly rising.
“I just believe… it would be best for us to not act rashly," Chartres offered. "We have all the time in the world. Maldrake has withdrawn all his men to this fortress of his. Heis no threat at the moment. There is no harm in taking our time, he isn’t going anywhere.”
“And what would you have us do boy?!” Triphian spat, his face turning a deep shade of red. “Rot away out here while the wizard builds his power?! What happens when Maldrake leaves his fortress with a bigger and more powerful army months from now? What happens when he comes and takes the throne by force? What happens when he wraps us in chains again andmakes us bend to his will?”
“Triphian… please, if you would but listen to the lad… ” Jarius began.
“No princeling!” The Lenfel, standing to his full height, harshly cut in. “My people, and all of yours as well, were mercilessly slaughtered by this degenerate, soulless monster! Roawia cries out in anguish at the death of its children! Tis finally time for judgment to fall upon the house of Maldrake! I will break down his gate and I will tear down his walls and then I will take him by his black, twisted beard, and I will cut his throat myself! And I intend not to sit around like a fool nor a coward; the wrongful death of thousands of citizens of this land deserves justice, and they will receive it! I will not make my people, my Lenfald, wait for justice any longer!!!”
“And you won’t have to.” A rich voice behind a thick, red beard cut in, silencing the room.
"Who in the world are you?!" Triphian bellowed.
“Erm... my lords, if I may? My name is Oglesong of Garhim, and I personally interrogated all the captives of Maldrakes’ deserting army. Through what I have accomplished, much about Maldrake and his power have been revealed."
"So Oglesong... what do you have to report which suddenly makes separating his ugly head from the rest of his body such an impossible proposition!" Triphian boldly suggested.
"Not so fast, my lord. Chartres is right, the power Maldrake wields could turn this stone keep into a pile of ashes in a moment. He is far more powerful than any of you, or your armies, all because of his magic.”
“That can’t be…” Triphian slumped back down in his chair, defeated. “His magic is meaningless out here. Magic is weak on the mainland, everyone knows this…”
“You are right lord Triphian,” Oglesong started, “magic is weak on the mainland; incredibly weak, as it were. But somehow, someway, Maldrake has managed to contain his magical powers within a large red crystal. No one knows where or how this crystal came to be, but our interrogations have told us that his power is directly linked to the crystal. And as long as this crystal is in Maldrake’s presence, and as long as it is with him, it gives him access to a power far more terrible than anything this world has ever seen. You are going to need something… some weapon very strong, to destroy this crystal.”
"Ugh..." Triphian sighed, face downcast. "What weapon is strong enough to destroy this madman's crystal? Who knows of a weapon?"
The room fell silent.
After a few moments passed, Chartres’ eyes brightened considerably. “Arondor,” he whispered.
“What is it lad?” apuzzled Jarl asked Chartres.
“The reforged sword of arondor… It’s not magical, but it is one of the most powerful swords in existence.” Chartres explained. “We just so happen to have this sword. It's very powerful, it might be powerful enough to destroy the crystal!”
“You are wise Chartres.” Jarius complemented. “Your wisdom is far beyond your years. Such a plan may offer success.”
“It’s simple.” Oglesong continued. “If you destroy this crystal, Maldrake is no more than a man. And a man can be killed with a blade.”
“We need that army Triphian,” Chartres perked up,looking across the table at Triphian. “We need that army to break down his gates and tear down his walls, like you said. With the past assault on the magical isles dealing a large blow on theLoreesi, and the recent Garhim excursion, you are left with the largest forces. Triphian, we need your army to help us destroy this crystal. Will you help us defeat Maldrake? Will you help us restore Roawia, and your people?”
Triphian, who had been staring at the table in deep thought since slumping down, straightened his shoulders and looked at Chartres through narrowed eyes.
After a moment, the highlord of Lenfald eloquently responded, “I have an army, Chartres, and you have a sword. We have a crystal to destroy.”