The Stormguards

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

The end and the beginning

Bane didn’t know what he had expected to find when he first sighted the small Village of Paws. Maybe he had expected the sky to instantly darken or to find creatures and monsters already roaming its narrow streets. Instead the day had been bright and full of warmth. The village had been filled with normal people going about their daily labors while children chased one another and their laughter echoed between its buildings. Paws was more a way station for travelers than one might even consider a village but its few residents were friendly and welcoming to a stranger. He entered the village and found the only Inn where he took a room then set himself to the task of waiting.

Slowly day by day, the village began to fill with strangers he realized. Each day brought new strangers to the Inn. Within a fortnight the village was full, it’s out laying fields held tents and campfires at night and the Inn’s common room was full to bursting each evening. The talk in the common room was of the disappearance of Lord British, Lord Blackthorn’s having taken control in Britain and of course the Avatar. Rumor was he had returned. The village Paw’s itself had residents who claimed he had walked their very streets not long past. Yet it seemed the subject of weather got little conversation and even silence. Bane held his tongue. He would not bring this peaceful folk news of the evil portent he felt his dream held for them.

Then a morning came when Bane awoke and went down to the common room to find not all in order. The usual kitchen smells of morning breads, porridge and sausage did not fill the air. He noted the Innkeeper and his wife sitting at a corner table, both their faces drawn and pale. He inquired to their health and was startled to hear the Innkeeper reply his wife was upset over a silly nightmare was all. The Innkeeper’s own features gave Bane reason to believe ‘twas not his wife alone who held fears. Before Bane could question him further a young lad ran in and up to the Innkeeper to whisper in his ear. He grumbled at the boy, “This morning?” The boy nodded his head vigorously. “A Village meeting now? Whatever for?” The Innkeeper half mumbled to himself. The lad had already made the door when he turned having heard the Innkeeper’s words and called back, “‘Tis about a dream sir.” Then the lad scurried out.

So it was the villagers met upon a greensward near the center of the village and near a hundred strangers gathered also as word had spread of the meeting’s topic. Bane stood near the back and listened as he realized nearly every adult of the village had dreamed the night before what he had been dreaming for weeks. He also now discovered the strangers around him had as well and like him had traveled here to seek an answer. Some of towns people claimed a spell had been cast upon the village, others began blaming their neighbors. Still others claimed it was some silly coincidence though their light laughter over it held a nervous ring. All questioned its meaning and portent. The crowd’s mood ranged from jests to angry shouting with little accomplished when suddenly a voice commanding and strong rose above the developing turmoil and brought silence as all turned to it’s owner. “Thee already know in your heart’s what the dream predicts.”

Bane turned to see another stranger now standing apart and alone behind him. Though cloaked and hooded his voice was not muffled as he continued to speak it rang clear and strong so all heard. “You must leave this village you call home friends. You must flee or face the evil storm coming and the destruction it leaves in its wake. Your heart’s tell you what I speak is true.” Bane knew any villager who had dreamt the same dream he had could not deny the truth of this strangers words. He glanced around and realized many faces held acceptance to what they denied earlier. “But Paws is our home!” A voice rose from the crowds. The stranger responded without hesitation, “Aye friend but what good is a home if you forfeit your life? If not for yourself, will you ignore your heart and risk the life of your son?” The poor villager glanced down at the small lad clinging to his thigh then back up to the stranger. Those near him heard him order his wife home to pack, others began to follow suit still others mumbled disagreeably.

Bane smiled slightly in relief. Some of the villagers would leave, they would be safe. Then he realized this was not his fate and he turned back to face the stranger who still stood tall and silent. No, he would not and could not leave. Had he sacrificed all to travel here only to be sent away? Before he could stop himself he spoke out in a voice full of conviction and determination. “I will not leave. I was called here for a purpose & must see it through.” Startling blue eyes were thrown upon him from beneath that hood. He stared back determined not to waver before the power he sensed before him. A slight smile of respect appeared within the cowl but the strangers' next words sent a shiver down his spine. “So be it.” A wind arose and the hood fell back, the cloak parted and a gasp issued from many around him. Fair of hair and skin, chain mail armor and a surcoat of gold and white bearing an Ankh could only mean… Bane went down upon one knee.

Bane stood waiting, watching the sky. He glanced down again in wonder at the gold ring that encircled his finger. It was a symbol of his newly gained Knighthood and cut from the magical mail of the Avatar himself. He had sworn an oath that would bind him till death released him, which might be very soon. Yet, this was as it should be, where all the paths in his life had been headed. It was as it was meant to be. He had with all his heart and soul sworn his life to fight evil and injustice including his descendents to come as had every man and woman who took the oath as he. He chuckled, and dragon. He glanced toward a distant field where Shanelle sat with her dragon friend and of course the ever protective Brock who shadowed her every footstep. Bane chuckled again. When the dragon allowed it that was.

Bane turned back to the sky, his features growing serious once more. Would it come? Yes, he had no doubts now. The Avatar had said they would pass this way, seeking him. The Shadow Lords would come in all their power and horror for the magical rings of knighthood would draw them thinking the Avatar awaited. “Why us?” Many had questioned. There were cities and their armies who would gladly do the Avatar’s bidding if but asked. The Avatar had explained Blackthorn was under the Shadow Lords’ powers and had spies everywhere. He could not risk his plan becoming known for there was only one way to destroy the Shadow Lords and he needed time, a distraction to hold them unawares while he obtained the objects he called soul stones, which would allow him to achieve their destruction. Still it was asked why when there were already Knights of proven valor and prowess that would gladly defend and stand for him. The Avatar had taken a moment glancing upon all that stood there before answering in a tone softly firm. “Knights are already sworn and committed to oaths they would not or I should not ask them to break. Yet prowess and valor alone is not the soul of a knight. All else is naught without the purity of his heart and the honor of his soul." Once more his glance slowly fell upon each person present before he continued, "Thy dreams were not randomly dreamt and no finer knights could I call to my aid then stand before me now. Against the storms of evil ye shall ever fight and Knight arrants thee might be but an order of Stormguards equal to any order of knights." When he had departed he left them a promise. One day they or their descendents would find a safe haven from the storms of evil for all they had sacrificed and left behind.

A hand gripped Bane’s shoulder and he turned to see Cannon there with Duncan at his side. He shook his head silently in answer to their unspoken question. No sign yet. They had come to relieve his watch. Great Paladins of Trinsic who now called him brother and practiced sword play with him daily. Who would remember their sacrifice? He could not help but wonder if all his new brothers and sisters of this order would be remembered after the coming battle. He headed back toward the village now near empty of its original residents. He spied Mophisto and Sable standing near the Inn’s door. Suddenly a blue dog rounded a corner and zipped by them with Cor Por and Ink in hot pursuit. Sable gaped at the blue dog and Mophisto whistle at the sky innocently. Bane chuckled.

A small lad passed him clutching tightly to his mother’s hand. They were headed out of the village with packs on their backs. He caught the small lad’s word to his mother, “Look Mama. A Stormguard.” The mother shushed him and pulled him along following the road out of town. Bane wondered who would even remember Paws if they failed here. Would it just disappear off maps and from history? Would any know of the battle fought here in secret or the lives given or even of the new order of Knights, The Stormguards?

FINISH

Note: The horrid storm, The Shadow Lords and their minions did come and a great battle occurred, but that is another tale. Let us end for now with near the end when the battle seemed all but lost to the few who remained the Shadow Lords suddenly froze and grew still as if distracted by some far distant matter. The minions seemed lost without the Shadow Lords' attention and suddenly with the speed with which the storm had attacked it retreated. The surviving Knights could only believe the soul stones had been taken & it was that which drew the The Shadow Lords away so quickly at their moment of victory. Afterwards the toll of deaths was greater than survivors and the village of Paws was left a ruins. Yet rejoice did the survivors for they knew in some small way a far greater quest had been achieved with their aid. The Stormguards and their descendants ever continue what was started that night... fighting evil and injustice with the pureness of their hearts and the honor of their souls.