Chapter 1
Oris sighs as she sits on the cold stone floor of the dimly lit room. Her long blonde hair nearly touching the floor. Her deep emerald eyes covered by her pale eyelids, as she chants into the darkness. She opens her eyes and stares at the pile of bones laying a few feet from her. “I just can’t do it...” She says crossing her arms angrily as her face flushes red. The torches flicker as a chilling breeze sweeps through the small room. “Come now Oris, you just need to concentrate. Let the energy flow through you, it is the same as with the animals.” A voice comes from behind her. “But Master Syris, what if I let loose with too much energy?” Master Syris steps out from a corner of the room, his silver hair hanging loosely by his shoulders. The gaunt man slowly circles Oris and the bones, his long green robes flowing around him. He stops behind Oris once more. “We have discussed this before Oris.” He says slightly annoyed. “You can not, the spell limits the amount of energy you can put forth. It limits it to what is necessary and no more.” Oris sits, trying to rebuild her determination. The skull sitting atop the pile of bones taunting her with it’s lifeless gaze. She stands and turns to Master Syris. “I will try again Master.”
She turns back to face her target once more. She begins to chant the spell, closing her eyes and slowly raising her left hand. As she does so her hand begins to glow a faint red color, casting an eerie glow across the room. The pile of bones begins to radiate the same red glow, slowly rattling before rising into the air. The bones begin assembling themselves into the shape of a human skeleton. As the spell finishes the glow dissipates from Oris’ hand. She stares in amazement at the creature before her, A skeleton, brought back from the grave, by her hands. “Now, give it a simple command Oris.” Master Syris says from behind her.
Oris thinks to herself for a moment. “Grab that torch from the wall.” She says in a slightly nervous voice, pointing to a torch behind the creature. The skeleton is slow to react, the bones creaking as it moves. It obeys it’s masters command, and walks over to the wall, taking the torch from the sconce and presenting it to Oris. Oris Smiles and pats the skeleton on its head, which feels just as cold and lifeless as before she brought him into undeath. “How long will a skeleton stay together?” She asks turning to Master Syris.
“This one shall only last until dawn.” He replies examining Oris’ handiwork. Oris frowns hearing this. “Do not fret Oris, tomorrow we will raise you a guardian, so you will be protected during spell casting.” Master Syris says as he heads for the door. “Tonight however, go home, get some rest, you have a long day ahead of you.” She smiles “Yes Master, I will be ready.” She turns back to her new minion as Master Syris leaves the room. She looks the creature over one last time before turning to the door. “Come.” She says gesturing for the creature to follow her. It begins to follow bones creaking softly as it moves. They climb the stairs in silence as she leads the skeleton out to the grounds in front of Master Syris’ tower. They head to the small hut a short ways from the tower. As she walks Oris becomes more and more excited.
Finally, I’ll be learning what I came here for. I’ll be able to raise an army of the undead, and defend my home. Oris thinks to herself. Her thoughts are harshly interrupted as she runs into the door of the small hut. She opens the door and ushers the skeleton into the small room. Looking around at her temporary home, all she has are the base necessities; a bed, a small table and chair, a rather large bookshelf, containing numerous books on necromancy and the art of magic in general. The skeleton stands in the middle of the room staring at Oris with it’s empty eyes, awaiting it’s next command. Oris moves behind the creature before she removes her grey robes and shoes. She grabs her nightgown from the bed and puts it on before turning back to her minion. She stares at it’s back, unsure of what to do. “Ummm... Put that torch out, and go guard the door. The creature thrusts the end of the torch into the dirt and twists it extinguishing the flames. It then exits the hut, dragging the now unlit torch across the ground. Oris lays down on her bed, and quickly passes out, exhausted from her day of training.
She dreams of her home, a small village near the sea. The happy children playing in the sand. The villagers going on with their daily routines. Her parents, sitting in front of their home, her father carving a small whale from a peace of driftwood, and her mother telling her brothers legends of mighty heroes and their perilous adventures. Of herself, as a young child playing alone behind the house, her arcane powers causing her to be shunned by the other children. Happy days though they were, trouble was always brewing nearby. She then hears the cry of a horn in the distance, the orcs were coming... Suddenly all other noise stopped, until frantic shuffling and the crying of children began. Parents picked up their children and carried them into the houses. Shops closed, even the town guard retreated to their barracks, too weak to put up a fight with the orcs. Anyone who was strong enough was dead. Suddenly everything blurs shadows flashing before her eyes, now she is standing in the main room of her home, her brothers slaughtered by the orcs. Her vision begins to fade, slowly everything goes black, and suddenly a bright flash. The horn sounds once more, the sound of approaching orcs is all that can be heard. Only this time, as they enter the village, their frontrunners are decimated by a wave of arrows. There in front of the approaching raiding party, stands Oris, and a small army of skeletons and walking corpses. The orcs, stupid creatures that they are, rush towards her army, and are swiftly dealt with. The people of the village begin to exit their homes as the last orc falls. Initially they are fearful of the powerful woman who stands before them, and her army of the undead. Soon they come to accept her as their protector, the people who once shunned her, now looking to her, as what she has always been, a gift from the gods themselves.
Oris is woken up by a sharp tapping on her shoulder, she looks up to see a skeleton standing over her. She stands and stretches, surprised to see that Master Syris sent someone to wake her. The creature points to the tower and bows slightly before leaving. Once the skeleton closes the door, Oris removes her nightgown and pulls on a fresh robe, she ties her hair up before heading towards the door. She steps out into the early morning sunlight and yawns, stretching slightly. She makes her way to the tower, nearly tripping over the pile of bones just outside the door.
When she arrives at the tower, she is greeted by one of Master Syris’ skeletal servants, who swiftly leads her to the dining room. There she finds a breakfast feast laid out before her. Master Syris sits at the end of the table away from the door. “Welcome back Oris, I figured that the best way to start a day such as this was with a feast.” He smiles gesturing towards the food. “What is all this for Master? I can’t possibly eat so much.” She says staring at the vast assortment of food before her. “Today, you have a long day ahead of you. Eat well, we will not be returning to the tower for sometime.” He says smiling,
After Oris has eaten all she can, Master Syris’s servants return and take the plates and leftovers from the table. Master Syris beckons for a servant and whispers something to him. He then stands and heads across the room toward the door. “Come Oris, we have much to do today. Oris stands and follows quickly behind him. They leave the tower and head across the grounds to a small trail heading into the woods. As they walk they are joined by a skeleton carrying a rather large brown sack. They walk through the woods for nearly an hour when they finally arrive at a small clearing. Master Syris gestures to the skeleton, who promptly empties the sack of it’s contents, bones, the ones from outside Oris’ hut.
Master Syris stares at the bones a moment. He then raises his right hand, which begins to glow a pale pink color, he points at the skeleton which quickly begins to glow the same pale color. The skeleton assembles itself and stares at the pair standing before him. Master Syris turns to face Oris, who stares in amazement at the scene she just witnessed “Now, this form of skeleton will last forever... Unless killed in combat, or.” He snaps his fingers, and the skeleton drops to the dirt, lifeless once more. “Dismissed by its creator.” He begins to explain the spell to Oris, telling her the proper spell and motion of the hand. “Do you understand Oris?” He asks after finishing his explanation. Oris nods as her brain works to remember the words. “Very good. Now, raise the skeleton.” He makes his way to the side of the clearing to watch her progress. Oris faces the pile of bones, she begins to chant, but stops abruptly. “Master, why didn’t you chant the spell?”
Master Syris smiles. “The words are but a learning tool Oris. They allow you to focus your energy into the spell, and to release your will unto the world. After years of casting these spells, your mind learns what it must do to bend reality.” “So you don’t need the words at all then?” Oris asks, confused at where he is going. “No you DO need the words, you just need not speak them. After casting the spell many many times, the words become ingrained inside your mind, only then can you cast the spell without speaking it.” He explains. “Now, cast the spell.” Oris turns back to the pile of bones and readies herself., she begins chanting once more. Soon the familiar glow comes to her left hand and the skeleton begins to assemble itself. As the glow fades from her hand, Oris jumps in excitement, after correctly casting the spell on the first try. “Very good Oris, now dismiss it and raise it again.” Oris quickly recites the spell to dismiss her skeleton, and it collapses to the ground, lifeless once more.
The day goes on with Oris raising and dismissing skeletons. The animals can be heard rustling through the trees around them, the occasional bird call crying out in the distance. By the time Master Syris decides to head back to the tower, a small bird has built a nest in the ribcage of his servant. “You did well today Oris, you now have your own guardian.” Master Syris says as they begin to head home. Suddenly crashing can be heard from the trees to their right. Oris get behind her minion and prepares for the worst. Out of the brush came one of Master Syris’ scouts, Oris quickly calmed down realizing he was not a threat. The scout bows before Master Syris, a spear protruding from his back. “Master, I have found the body of an Imperial soldier in a clearing not far from here.” The scout says. Master Syris thinks for a moment, looking at Oris. He turns back to the scout. “Take her back with you, keep her safe until she can raise the body.” He turns to Oris. “Well, it seems we will be getting you a far more sturdy guardian then I had originally thought.” He says smiling. “Just remember what I’ve taught you, and you’ll have no problems.” He nods to the scout before heading back towards his tower.
Oris looks to the scout, a bit nervous about heading deeper into the woods without Master Syris. The scout bows to her before making it’s way to the forest entrance. Oris follows quickly, with her skeleton following close behind her. Oris walks between the two creatures for what seems like hours, before they arrive at the edge of a clearing. Peeking out from behind the creature in front of her, what she sees before her is shocking. There before her, lay the bodies of 15 orcs, a small raiding party, many missing body parts, a few of the orcs have been turned to pin cushions by arrows, and a body near the edge of the clearing was sliced clean in two. That was not what they had come for though, there in the center of the clearing, lay the body of a warrior, an orc spear through his torso.
Chapter 2
The large wooden door of the barracks creaks open flooding light into the once pitch black room. The preparation activity fills the almost silent room with noise.. There in the doorway stood a man, not big by any means, though his bulky armor made him seem much more intimidating. He can hear the sound of snoring coming from the room; the recruits still sleeping peacefully. He unsheathes a small sword from his waist and slams the hilt into a large bell next to the door. Suddenly the room is full of motion, the men in their beds jumping up and to attention, tired and only half awake. “Get your armor on. It’s almost time for your assigning!” The man at the door barks. He turns and leaves as the men begin to scramble for their equipment.The man is a warrior from the southern edges of the Empire, his black hair and tanned skin the signs of his heritage. The armor he wears is painted black and worn from battle. Deep gouges cover the armor the silver metal shining in the sunlight. In his left hand he holds a helmet, shaped into the form of a wolves head. Despite his southern heritage he was trained as a northern warrior, the large axe on his back a symbol of this training. As he walks he sheathes his sword, and watches as the recruits and soldiers prepare for the assigning coming later that day. He begins to make his way to the center of the camp when he notices a recruit playing with his glaive. The recruit is balancing the shaft of the glaive on his finger tips. The warrior, decides to reprimand the recruit on his way through. As he’s passing the recruit, who is quite a bit taller than him, he takes the weapon and uses it to bring the recruit to the ground, in one swift movement. “This is no time for games, recruit.” He says in a commanding tone. “Now, get to where you belong and don’t let me catch you playing with this again. He helps the recruit up and hands him his weapon before getting back on his way. A young boy runs up to the warrior. “Sir Fengathor?” The warrior turns to the boy. “Yes?” The boy shuffles nervously and looks at the ground. “Captain Askio, wants you to come meet him in the command building.” Fengathor nods, and the boy runs off in the direction he came from. Feng sighs and turns around heading toward a large building not far away.
As Feng enters the large wooden structure, he is greeted by a young woman with shoulder length brown hair and bright blue eyes. “Captain Askio is waiting for you in the meeting room. Just down the hall and to the left.” Feng thanks her and she smiles as she goes back to sorting papers on the large desk in front of her. Fengathor walks down the hall, straightening his posture and tucking his helmet more into his armpit. He enters the small room, a map of the nearby Keldai forest lies unrolled on the table next to a dull red helmet and small lanterns flicker on the ceiling. “Feng!” He jumps as he notices the woman in the corner, slinging her bow over her shoulder. She approaches and gives him a hug. She stands just a little shorter than him, her short black hair hangs just above her shoulders framing her face. She wears leather armor that has a slight purple tinge. He hugs her back. “Sabra. Where’s Askio? He asked me to meet him here, and he isn’t even here.” He shakes his head moving towards the table and sets his helmet down. “He ran off to get some recruit they want to join us for this mission.” Sabra says walking around to the other side of the table. “What is this mission? And why do they think we need a new member?” Feng asks looking over the map. Sabra shrugs as the door opens.
They both look up to see a rather tall man, step into the room, he has to duck slightly to avoid hitting his head. He is dressed in scarlet armor that matches the helmet on the table. His armor is different then any seen around the camp. It is the armor of a warrior from the far east. Made of many small iron plates it stood out from the breastplates of the recruits and many of the warriors around the camp, and upon his hip hung a long thin curved blade, that looked fragile and prone to breaking. Though Feng had seen the sword slice through armor with no signs of damage to the blade. “Ah there you are Fengathor.” The man says as he steps into the room followed closely by another man. “Fengathor, Sabra, meet our newest member. Rou.” Askio says gesturing to the man behind him. Rou stands there his helmet covering his short blond hair making only his light brown eyes visible. He carries his glaive in one hand. Feng’s face flashes with surprise, and the young man looks away when he recognizes him. Askio looks confused. “Something wrong Fengathor?”
“They really gave us this guy? I caught him messing around just a few minutes ago.” Askio looks at Feng. “Well Fengathor, I actually chose him to join us.” Askio says now taking on his role as leader of the group. “He is a great warrior, and is joining us for a few missions. He needs experience in battle before he can join the ranks at the Temple of Justice.” Feng frowns a bit, then shrugs. “So what do they want us to do this time?” Feng asks looking to Askio. “Well we recently had a messenger arrive from a small coastal village. First we’ve heard from it in a couple years. But with the recent Bronze Hand activity just to the north of here, we haven’t been able to check it out.” He says pointing to a small spot near the southern edge of the forest, where the village is. “Now, the messenger reported that the village has been under constant attack from orcs....” He’s suddenly interrupted by Rou. “So they want us to take out these orcs? Doesn’t that seem like more of a job for regular troops?” Askio gives him a dirty look for interrupting before answering. “Normally it would be. From what the messenger told us, they are much better armed and much more capable than normal raiding parties.” “So then shouldn’t there be more than just the four of us if they are that tough of an opponent?” Rou asks. Askio and Sabra smirk and slowly shake their heads, while Feng answers. “You really haven’t heard of us have you? We’re the best there is. These orcs don’t have a chance.” Askio nods. “Well, gather up everything you need, we leave at dawn tomorrow.” Everyone nods and bows slightly. Feng heads back to his quarters to sharpen his axe and get everything ready for the mission tomorrow.
Chapter 3
Fengathor, Rou, Askio, and Sabra break through the trees into a small clearing just as the sun begins to reach it’s peak. The walk from the base was not very eventful, the most exciting occurrence being Rou tripping over a branch and falling into a small creek. “Ok, everyone hold on for a minute. We are not far from where the orcs are supposed to be. We need a plan.” Askio says looking around the group. “We rush in, kill some orcs, and head home. Simple as that.” Feng says shrugging and pulling his helmet on. Sabra and Askio give him dirty looks. “Fengathor, that is a terrible plan. We are not all barbarians here.” Askio says gesturing to Sabra and Rou. Feng takes a step towards Askio raising his fist. Rou steps between them, he then shuffles nervously, all the attention on him. “I don’t think this is the best time to be fighting amongst ourselves.” He says, his voice wavering slightly. He turns to Askio. “Maybe his plan isn’t the best, but I think he might be on to something. If me and him rush in before you two, we can draw their attention and you two can move behind them.” Askio thinks for a moment. “It’s still a simple plan, but I guess that’s good enough, there shouldn’t be many anyway.” He pulls on his helmet and motions to Sabra. “Wait for a few minutes before you charge, that way we can get to position.” Feng waves his hand. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, just get moving so we can get this over with.” He then pulls his axe from his back and stretches, as Sabra and Askio disappear into the trees.After waiting a few minutes in silence, Feng turns to Rou. “Let’s go.” He says quietly before rushing off into the woods, with Rou right on his heels. They quickly arrive at the next clearing, and break from the trees to find an unexpected sight. A large orc encampment awaits them, at least a dozen tents litter the area, haphazardly arranged around a large fire pit. More surprising however, is the two orcs standing a few feet in front of them. Neither has noticed them, or heard the crashing through the trees. Rou looks to Fengathor, who shrugs and raises his axe. He brings it down on one of the orcs, it’s blade easily tearing through flesh and bone. Rou follows suit and impales the other orc with his glaive. As the orc falls he manages to scream. All of the orcs turn to look at them. Rou starts to panic a little as he struggles to pull his glaive from the orc. Feng smiles beneath his helmet as he runs forward axe raised. Rou manages to pull his sword free as the orcs start to charge.
Orcs start to fall before they get too far as arrows begin flying from the trees. Soon the clearing is full of screams and the sounds of bloodshed as Askio joins Feng and Rou in the thick of the battle. As Askio brings down the last orc a mighty crashing can be heard in the trees nearby. Out of the forest comes a hulking mountain of dark green flesh and muscle, a black orc. He towers over the group as tall as a small building, he carries a small tree as a club. The massive orc crashes towards them, and attempts to smash the imperial gnats.
The three men manage to avoid the orcs clumsy attack and quickly gather themselves as the beast reels back with a howl of pain. The orc drops the tree and clutches his hand, a few arrows sticking out from it. The beast goes down surprisingly easily, only managing to knock Askio down at one point. It was as if the beast had never faced anything that fought back. Sabra joins them as they look around at the grisly sight that now fills the clearing. Fengathor begins wiping the blood from his axe on one of the nearby orcs, as he does so, he feels a sharp pain in his back, then in his stomach. He looks down to see an orc spear jutting from his armor. A strange black fluid dripping from it’s tip. He looks over his shoulder as he drops to his knees, there he sees a small robed figure, glinting white fangs run up the center of its face, with two faintly glowing eyes shining on either side. The creature then scurries off into the trees as the others turn around.
They gather around Feng, as his breathing gets heavy and his vision starts to get fuzzy. Before anyone can say anything a loud rumbling can be heard, and the ground begins to shake. “More orcs are coming.” Askio says glancing back over his shoulder. “Quick, Rou, grab his other arm, we have to get him out of here.” He says as he grabs Feng’s left arm and starts to lift him. “No.” Feng says, as he does his best to pull his arm away from Askio, his strength quickly fading. “What!?” Sabra cries, her voice wavering as she fights back tears. “ We can’t just leave you here for these monsters.” Feng shakes his head. “I won’t make it very far, I’ll only slow you three down.” He says, his voice trailing a little at the end. “But...” Sabra starts, before Feng cuts her off. “Go!” He shouts, as the world begins to fade. Askio drops his arm and grabs Sabra around her waist hefting her onto his shoulder. He motions to Rou and they take off back the way they came. “NO!” Sabra screams, tears starting to flow. “Put me down! We have to go back for him!”
The orcs arrive shortly after they leave, only to find a clearing full of bodies, and nothing to kill. One of the orcs looks to another and asks. “Kie la homoj?” The other shrugs and says. “Ili fuĝas de orkoj, konjekt reen al tendaro.” They cry out to the other orcs who then head back to where they came from in a rage.
Chapter 4
Oris and the two skeletons stand surveying the carnage for a moment. Master Syris’ scout then stepped forward and moved to the body in the middle of the clearing. The scout then grabs hold of the spear and rips it from the warriors body, before rolling it onto it’s back. Oris slowly moves closer, the carnage surrounding her making her nervous. She looks over the body, the man was not very big, but he wore a lot of black armor, and a very strange helmet, shaped like a wolves head. Oris stood there, trying to figure out if it was really a human body, for all she knew under that helmet was a real wolves head.The scout then taps her on the shoulder. “We should hurry miss. We do not want to be here when the Empire returns.” It says. Oris nods and takes a step back. She dismisses the skeleton who came with her, before turning back to the warrior on the ground. She begins to chant the spell, the familiar pale pink glow comes to her hand, and soon to the body in front of her. Suddenly something comes bursting through the trees, and Oris stumbles over her words as she turns to see what it was. She only manages to catch a glimpse of a robed figure before she feels a strange sensation in her hand. The scout moves to take care of the intruder as Oris looks to her hand. It is now glowing a brilliant green color, and she can feel more energy flowing from her. She starts to panic, and trys to pull away or break the spell, but to no avail. She hears a cry behind her, and turns to see the robed figure laying on the ground, the spear sticking from it’s chest. Oris turns back to see the body rising to it’s feet. She collapses, feeling suddenly drained.
The scout helps Oris back to her feet. She looks over the warrior, her new guardian. The warrior, bends down and picks up an axe off the ground, he then sheathes it on his back before moving to stand before Oris. “We must hurry back to Master Syris, he will want to know what has happened.” The scout says to Oris. She nods and they begin to head back. Footsteps can be heard approaching, and the three turn to face them.
Out of the woods comes Askio, Rou, and Sabra. The three soldiers stand there staring at the scene before them, their fallen comrade standing with a young girl and a skeleton. Before they get a chance to act, the scout rushes at Askio, who easily sidesteps the attack and beheads the skeleton. Leaving Oris and Fengathor standing in the clearing. “It seems we have a Necromancer.” Askio says, taking a step toward Oris. “By order of The Emperor necromancy is outlawed, and carries a hefty punishment. You’re going to have to come with us.” He says still approaching. “NO!” Oris shouts. “My family died because the Empire refused to help us. I won’t go.” She says before quietly chanting a few words, and flinging a spell at Askio. He dives out of the way, and Rou charges toward Oris while Sabra draws her bow. Fengathor steps forward to meet Rou, he grabs the shaft of Rou’s glaive and easily tosses him and the weapon to the side. Sabra lets loose an arrow toward Oris, which Feng quickly blocks with the head of his axe. Oris begins to chant again and moves to fling a spell at Sabra, but Feng grabs her arm and forces the spell into the dirt. Both Sabra and Oris stare in shock, Askio however was taking advantage of the exchange, sneaking around behind Feng. As he approaches katana raised, he steps on a stick which cracks loudly. Feng spins around and smacks Askio with the side of his axe, knocking him to the ground.
“Enough!” Fengathor shouts his voice echoing. “We have to go.” Oris says to him. “Do something about them so we can.” Feng turns to her, a bright green glow visible through the eyes of the helmet. “No.” He says. “We can’t leave, if we do they’ll just follow us.” He says as he re-sheathes his axe. “Then kill them!” Oris cries gesturing to the three soldiers. “It’s their fault we’re even here. Them and their worthless Empire.” “I’m not killing them.” Feng replies. “I said kill them!” Oris shouts. “You’re my minion, you have to do what I say. I shouldn’t even have to explain this to you. Just do it.” She demands. Sabra stands there watching Feng argue with this girl, and Askio and Rou soon join her. “I’m not killing them. They are my friends.” Feng says.
“What do we do?” Rou asks Askio. “I have no idea.” Askio replies. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” Sabra turns to Askio. “Maybe we take them back. Katya or Zarya may know something to do.” They stand there watching Oris and Feng argue for a moment. “Well I’ve got nothing better, so I guess it’s worth a try.” Askio says shrugging. Meanwhile Oris starts to shout at Feng again. “Well fine I guess this was just a waste. I’ll just get rid of you and find a new guardian.” She says before she starts to chant the dismissal spell. Feng quickly cuts her off, covering her mouth and holding her hands down. “ Now would that be such a good idea?” Feng asks. “I believe the only reason you’re still alive is because of me. So if I’m gone what will happen to you? Now are we done casting spells?” He asks, still holding her to keep her from chanting. Oris nods, and he releases her. “Fengathor, how about you two come with us, calmly this time, and we see if something can be done about your... Current condition.” Askio asks, sheathing his katana. Oris starts to speak but Feng cuts her off. “We will go. But nothing happens to her.” Feng says. “Should anyone attempt to harm her, they’ll have to deal with me first.” He says, his eyes glowing more brightly as he finishes. Askio nods and gestures for them to follow as him and Sabra take the lead. Feng and Oris follow, Oris staying as close to Feng as she can, not liking the idea of going to the Imperial capital, especially with her undead minion. Rou follows them closely as they head back to the city.
Chapter 5
The group enters the city just after night fall, they stop just inside the gate and Askio turns to the others. “It seems as though we will not get to see Katya or Zarya tonight. They have most likely gone off to bed by now.” He says. Then we’ll just go wake them.” Sabra says as she begins walking. Askio lays his hand on her shoulder. “We can’t do that Sabra. Even if they can do something, we will have to wait until tomorrow.” Sabra sighs and nods, knowing he is right. Askio turns to the others. “I suppose we might as well get off to bed as well, Fengathor, you can take the girl back with you. Rou, I want you to go with them, make sure none of the watchmen harass the girl.” Askio says, turning around and starting to walk away. “Sabra, could you come with me? I believe we have much to discuss about our current predicament.” Sabra nods, and follows Askio. Fengathor leads Rou and Oris back to his small room. They arrive quickly without any trouble. Feng opens the door and ushers Oris in, before turning back to Rou. “You can go off to bed now, I’ll watch the girl. She won’t be going anywhere.” Feng says. Rou starts to say otherwise, but decides against it. He shrugs and heads back towards the barracks. Feng heads inside, and finds Oris already asleep on his bed. He sighs and sits on the floor near the door. Fengathor pulls off his helmet, doing his best to stay quiet. He stares at the helmet for a while, before setting it beside him. He lays his head in his hands, trying his best to deal with what happened. He had died there in that clearing, that little robed demon had run him through with a poisoned spear. He had seen all light fade from the world, heard the all consuming silence, and felt the cold embrace of death. He raises his head from his hands, and pulls off a gauntlet. He stares at his hand, the clean white bones almost glowing through the darkness. I was dead... He thinks to himself. Then suddenly, there was a sound, only a whisper, but slowly growing louder. Then a bang, and a flash, and suddenly the world was there again... I stood to find this girl and some skeleton, then the others showed up, and all I could do was protect the girl. He touches his bony fingers to his head. He shakes his head, unsure if he will ever get used to the lack of feeling he’s developed. He then places his hand over the hole in his armor. He sits for a moment, hating himself for not paying more attention to his surroundings. He pulls his gauntlet back on, and tilts his head back, he stares at the ceiling for the rest of the night, only moving when he hears the movement of others outside.
