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Join Date: Jan 2008
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That first part was the prologue. Here is chapter 1 though there isn't really any action in this one.
Whilst all of this was happening near the eastern border, the humans of Cymoril met in their own council. Lord Garret, acting king of Aghramar, stood before the congregation of humans, dwarves, barbarians, and sorcerers to deliver his speech.
“Fellow Cymorillians and allies we must determine a course of action before we are all overrun by the hordes of the Lich King. This death and destruction will not cease until we find a means to destroy him!”
“Sire, I believe there is a way” an aging sorcerer stood up from the wooden stool he had inhabited “if you recall legend tales of a weapon that could destroy the Lich King. It was used once before by an inexperienced soldier and therefore was not completely successful the first time.”
“How dare you speak of the Dragon’s Eye! We are all well aware that only one of the royal bloodline has the power required to use it! And unless you know something the rest of us don’t? There is no one left alive that fits that requirement.”
Zephyr chewed over the words of the steward and had to admit he was right but that didn’t stop him from voicing his plan “I believe, if given the opportunity, a council of magi could study the amulet and find away to harness its power without an heir.”
“Even if that were the case” a surly brown bearded dwarf butted in “we do not know where to find the Dragon’s Eye, nor do we have the resources to search for it.”
Prince Raynar of the barbarian “Tongu” tribe stood up to be heard next.
“I will take five of my best scouts and search this land from one side to the other if it will resolve this conflict all the more sooner. “
At this the members of the council began speaking out of turn until the entire hall was filled with men shouting to be heard above one another, some in favor of searching, others wholeheartedly against the idea. Lord Garret raised his hands for silence and the crowd quickly silenced their tongues.
“Noble friends we should not argue amongst ourselves. Take heart and heed my words. I propose we send a party in search of this amulet, but we will not solely rely on this. I will send the 8th Legion to head off the undead forces that come from the Niharun. I suggest that each of you send your own troops to protect the borders of Aghramar as well.”
“Who shall go on the search?” an elderly dwarf asked gruffly.
“At least one from each tribe I would think” Zephyr spoke up “and since it was my idea I will volunteer to represent the sorcerers.”
“And I the barbarians” Raynar added “with my scouts.”
“I will go” the brown bearded dwarf whose name was Gram, spoke up. He was dressed in a long cloak and kept his right arm mysteriously concealed from view.
Lord Garret nodded his head in approval “and the paladin, Sir Kane, will go in my stead to represent the citizens of Cymoril.”
With that he concluded the council and asked the members of the congregation to join him in for a feast in the great hall. The three volunteers and Lord Garret’s chosen emissary met in a corner of the hall out of earshot of the others.
“Okay old man where do you propose we look for this trinket?”
“Settle down good dwarf. The archives list three places where the amulet might have come to rest after Prince Birch attempted to use it against the Lich King. One account has the brave young prince seeking asylum with the Tre-drow after fleeing from pursuing undead forces. Though scholars discount this theory stating the prince would not have been able to reach the woodland kingdom. Another account states that the Arch-mage Traven, who created the amulet, spirited it away with magic to conceal it from the enemy by hiding it in the Razorback Mountains. The last account has it falling into the hands of the Lich King’s lieutenant, Lodar the Dreaded Knight and being taken into the heart of Niharun where it was locked away in the Lich King’s sarcophagus.”
“Which account are we to believe?” Raynar asked incredulously.
“All of them have merit” Zephyr answered “I suggest we start the search in Edgewood. If nothing else we may find allies amongst the Tre-drow. Then we search the Razorback. But at no time shall we go into the Lich King’s realm unless all else fails. It is simply too dangerous if it proves fruitless.”
“Do you really think you can utilize the weapon if it is found?” asked Sir Kane who up until now remained silent and impassive.
“What other choice to we have” was the only answer Zephyr would give.
With that the four retired to their rooms to wait the coming of dawn when they would set off on their journey eastward to the forest realm of Edgewood.
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