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Arthur -> RE: (DF)The Phantom Aftermath (4/14/2013 13:10:42)
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The Calm?
'It was a calm day, as any other and I was just returning from my shift on top of the Guardian Tower.
"Kain, I've been sent to relieve you." Guardian Phillox had said as he had patted me shoulder.
"Thank you." I had replied as I had made my way down the wooden hatch that led into the Guardian Tower.
As I opened the door and entered the Guardian Lounge of the Tower, a flurry of sound and activity invaded my tired ears at once. Half a dozen new recruits were sitting around a wooden table and playing a game of cards, youthful and carefree, they reminded me of my own days as a recruit. It was only a few years back that I had been promoted to the post of a senior commanding officer among the Guardians.
As I walked into the room taking off my battle-helm, a few of the Guardians turned in their seats and acknowledged my presence by bowing their heads.
"Guardian Kain." said one.
"Guardian." Said another.
"Sir." Said a third one.
I nodded in reply adding a warm smile in return as I passed by the central room and headed down the gallery towards the dormitories that made up the back of the Tower, the side facing the open seas.
I turned the key in the keyhole as the wooden door to my room swung open. The bed was neatly made and the window open letting the cool morning breeze blow in.
I placed my battle helm on the stand to my right and squatted down on the bed enjoying the breeze blowing into my face.
I didn't remember the last time that I had spent sitting in front of the window like this for hours, even minutes at an end and enjoying the day passing by. Since Sepulchure's sudden rise a few years back, we had been constantly on the move. And after the Doom Knight's disappearance, my days had been hell. So much had happened after that, the Ataleans, the Fire Imps, Wargoth, and a lot many things that I didn't want to recollect.
As I looked out the window at the sea, something glinted to my left and I turned my gaze that way.
There, on the study was placed an envelope, white as snow and neatly folded. As I stood up to take a closer look, I saw that all too familiar seal that adorned the envelope's front. The King's Seal.
"Hmm...?" I involuntarily spoke out.
Moving to my study, I picked it up and tore through the seal as I reached for its inner contents with my gauntlet-ed fingers.
Inside was a letter written on red paper. I didn't know what using a red colored paper signified as I had not encountered a letter from the King in the past but at first sight, I would've guessed that it was in emergency. Nonetheless, I pushed aside my assumptions and unfolding the letter, read.
This letter is addressed to Guardian Kain, and to him only. In the event that anyone else chances upon it, kindly have it forwarded to him at once.
Dear Guardian,
It is I, King Alteon writing to you in the most desperate of times. As you may well know, the Ataleans made their presence known to us a few years back and have been living on Lore ever since. An emissary of Swordhaven, on one of his many inspection missions through Lore chanced by a forest located near the Anomaly, as I call it. He saw what he claimed to be a Riftwalker of sorts performing some strange ritual all by himself in the forest. Upon closer inspection, he found what he knew to be a Magic Amplification Spell, the likes of which only Cysero or Warlic can perform using their Sockifier Di-Coordinato-Spell Amplification Hamster Wheel and Spell Augmentation magic respectively. As it happens, I never heard from my emissary for weeks after that. Last night, to much ruckus and panic, he turned up half-dead, right in front of the Castle and started mumbling all kinds of rubbish. Amidst this rubbish was what I just mentioned to you.
I request a private audience with you at the Inn behind my castle as soon as is possible. Kindly pack your belongings and leave for Swordhaven immediately. Do take care not to get caught by The Rose.
I apologise profusely for causing any inconvenience.
Yours Truly,
King Alteon.
P.S. Pack your blade.
I remember staring at the letter for five minutes after reading it before I dropped it and started to get my belongings together at once.
The King was operating secretly even under the Rose's rule and he needed my help at this moment. I could, in no way refuse this request. If King Alteon was ready to stick out his neck for Lore even in such trying times, then so was I.
That night, after I completed my shift, I quietly slipped out of my room and made my way to Swordhaven.
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