[Mkguild] Past Present and future part 3

[christian okane]

Next Morning - before dawn


   The trip from Metamor Keep was short and easy. It was just before dawn so
few people were awake aside from the four.  Misha, Charles, Caroline and
Rickkter walked through the gate out of Metamor and down into Euper. It was
not quite dawn so Misha had to get special permission to exit the main gate
of Euper and out into the valley itself. They made their way east across the
valley floor. Quickly the tall mountains that lined the entire length of the
valleys eastern walls grew taller as they got closer. After an hour the
rolling hills of the valley gave way to the steady slope of the mountains.
It was easy at first as the grade was gentle, but it quickly got steeper,
and steeper. Finally they came upon a small grove of trees resting at the
bottom of a massive landslide.

   Charles stared at rock wall in front of him. Finally he walked up to a
large boulder that had to weigh over a ton. The rat placed both hands on the
stone and Misha watched as they seemed to sink into the stone till his arms
were in up to their wrists.

   Misha placed a hand on Charles shoulder. The rat's fun and skin felt as
hard as stone. "Not too deeply my friend."

   Charles slowly and reluctantly pulled his hands from the stone. "This is
not natural. These stones were further up the slope and were rudely
separated by force and rolled down to here."

   "The road was deliberately destroyed," Misha said. "Probably when the
fortress was destroyed."

   "Why destroy the road after attacking the fortress?" Caroline asked.

   "Unless it was destroyed before the attack," Rickkter responded. "To try
and keep the attackers out."

   Charles shook his head slowly. "This was done slowly and with great care.
To remove all traces of humans having worked the stone."

   "Why?" Misha asked.

   "It seems we've found more questions and no answers," Rickkter commented.
"I know where we can find those answers." The raccoon pointed upwards.

 Caroline stared up the near vertical slope of the landslide. The wall of
stone seemed to go upwards forever. "It looks even steeper then the last
time!"


****************


   The two cheetahs also left the keep shortly before dawn. Very few people
were about as Stealth and Edmund made their way from Metamor Keep and down
the road to Euper. They lead their horses rather than ride and talked as
they went along.

   "Aside from wandering around in a haunted forest don't you have other
responsibilities to keep you busy?" Stealth asked.

   "I have many responsibilities in life," Edmund responded. The streets of
Euper were already starting to show signs of life as a handful; of workers
and craftsman moved about.

   Stealth nodded. "Yes you do, over a hundred of them back in the other
direction."

   "Terry is quite capable of leading them. She's a fine leader."

   "It's not her responsibility to clean up after you," Stealth snarled.

   Edmund shook his head. "You're missing the point. Her responsibility is
to free me of mundane tasks so I can concentrate on what matters the most.
Just as she has subordinates to help her. Terry is almost ready for a
command of her own," the paladin commented simply.

   Stealth tilted his head to one side. "Almost?"

   "She still has some things to learn before that time," was the
explanation. "George is teaching her many things."

   Stealth Guided his horse around a shattered tree branch lying in the
road. "Is it true that her and George are a couple?"

   "Yes. They are quite close!" He responded in a surprised tone.

   "You're surprised at that?"

   Edmund paused walking for a moment. "Well, yes. After all he is old
enough to be her father. But they seem happy together."

   Stealth leaned close to his friend. "Just like you and Bridgette."

   Edmund purred loudly. "Bridgette," he said softly. "Is a fine lady."

   "What does she think of you going off to that dangerous forest with all
its ghosts?" Stealth asked.

   "Bridgette worries but she understands it's something I need to do," the
paladin explained. "Whatever has trapped those spirits is a threat to
everyone in the valley including you, me and Bridgette. I'll do whatever it
takes to protect her and you."

"So, how did I do?" Edmund asked. "Did I pass your tests?"

   Stealth pulled up several sheets of parchment and examined them. "This is
still vague but it's a start."

   Edmund gave a chirp of laughter. "You sound like my tutor from childhood.
Lady Alina was always pushing me. Never satisfied. But your questions have
prompted me to ask for the help of an expert."

   "An expert?" The scout asked. "Who?"

   "The Order of the Protectors has dealt with the undead in the past,"
Edmund explained. "Still are. There are those who specialize in dealing with
the undead. I've asked for the help of Brother Crosley one of the most
knowledgeable in the order. He's been combating the undead for over forty
years. Does that raise my score a little?"

   Stealth rubbed his chin, "Hmm. So long as he doesn't wind up aimlessly
expecting something to turn up."

   "Brother Crosley is credited with having destroyed over a hundred wraiths
and ghouls all by himself over the years. Our problem will be trying to keep
up with him!"

   "Let's not kill the spirits, Ed."

   "I don't intend to but Bother Crosley is always on the move. He's at
least twice your age and I bet you'll never be able to keep up with him. I
know I never was able to."

   "You've served with him?" Stealth asked.

   Edmund shivered noticeably and rubbed a certain spot on his upper, left
arm.. "Oh yes," he said in clipped terms. "Five years ago I assisted Brother
Crosley deal with . . ." The paladin paused in both speech and movement.
"Something very powerful and evil."

   "Have you contacted Brother Crosley yet?" Stealth asked, trying to change
the subject. He had no wish to know more details.

   "Oh yes!" The paladin responded with an energetic nod of the head. "I
sent him a long missive a month ago on everything we've discovered so far. I
got his answer this morning." He took a small bundle from his pocket and
opened it revealing a score of pieces of papers. Stealth noted each page was
covered with a tight, neat handwriting.

   "What did he say?" Stealth asked curious as to the letters contents.

   "I haven't read it all yet but it ends with him asking me some
questions," the paladin said as he put the letter back into the safety of
his pocket. "Seven hundred and fifty of them."

   Stealth gave out a chirp of laughter. "So you have more homework!"


*****************


   Three hours of long, hard climbing finally got the foursome several
hundred feet up the mountain side to a place where the slope finally gave
way to a small path. The path was a mere hands width wide and led upward at
a steep angle. After another hour of climbing the path leveled out and
opened up into a small open area where the group stopped for a break. The
first time they had visited the Amber order ruins it had been a long,
arduous climb. It was no easier now. They were supposed to be following a
road but for the first five hundred feet of the climb there was no road. It
was just a plain, hard climb up a very steep slope.

   "Why couldn't they have a built on nice level ground," Caroline said as
she sat down on a rock. "Or even a dungeon."

   "Nothing so simple for these paranoid mages," Rickkter said
sarcastically. "They needed complete protection in the most extreme form."

   "You have to admit it the place is almost unassailable," Charles
commented.

   "Almost," Caroline added.

   "What happened to this place?" Rickkter asked and looked upwards to where
the ruins lay hidden.

   Misha shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I've found no records in
Metamor's vast libraries and records."

   "What of Madog and Omega?" Charles asked.

   The fox shook his head. "Omega was asleep when it fell and didn't wake up
till Bolva brought Madog here last year. And Madog's description of what
happened is at best vague and confusing."

   "EVERYTHING Madog says is vague and confusing," Rickkter joked.

   "But at this he's even more confusing and vague than usual," Misha
explained and took a drink from his canteen.

   "I didn't think that was possible," Charles quipped.

   "When the attack came Madog was probably the first one attacked,"
Rickkter added. "So he wouldn't remember too much."

   "Agreed," Misha added. "But he still blames Bolva for the order's
destruction."

   "Do you?" Charles asked "I sense some doubt."

   Misha shrugged. "I used to think Bolva was solely responsible but after
doing more research I'm not so certain. That's another reason for going to
the ruins. Perhaps we can get some answers."

   "I've never found an easy answer to any question," Rickkter commented
sharply.

   "True, there are no easy answers," Misha countered. "But if there are any
answers they'll be in the ruins."

   "We're liable to find more questions instead of getting answers," the
raccoon added.

   "Probably," the fox commented. "But we will find some answers."

   Misha saw Charles standing at the edge of the road, staring down at the
valley far below.  He noticed that the rat was looking at one specific spot
in the valley; Glen Avery. "Thank you for coming Charles. This means a lot."

   "Always glad to help," Charles answered without taking his eyes off the
valley.

   "How are you and Kimberly doing?" Misha asked softly.

   Charles's snout twitched into a faint smile. "Good.  Much better now that
the plague is over.  These last two weeks have been very good for us."

   The relief brought a similar smile to Misha's vulpine jowls. "Even with
the responsibilities of your new title?"

   The rat actually laughed and turned away from the vista to face his
friend. "There haven't been any yet, although at some point I should inspect
the tract of land that is supposedly mine. For now I'm glad to be able to
play with my children. You know, when I was their age I hadn't even said my
first word yet? They've already mastered dozens!"

   "They're no bigger than a child that age should be," Misha pointed out,
fondly remembering the quartet of little rats scampering about Long House
and bringing much needed cheer to his friends and family during the dark
days of the plague. "In another year you'll be teaching them letters and
combat!"
 
   Charles laughed for a moment and then his expression darkened palpably.
He glanced back at the valley, lush now with pinks, yellows, purples, and
blues of Spring blossoms.  "Aye."

   Misha tightened his grip on the rat's shoulder and grimaced. "Come now.
The sooner we get this done, the sooner you can go back to them, Sir
Matthias."

   "Sir," Charles's smile returned after a moment. "That still sounds so
strange.  Ah well.  You're right.  Let us be on our way." He turned his back
on the valley and fell into step beside the fox along the ancient road.
Neither spoke again as they quickened their pace to catch up with Caroline
and Rickkter.


***************


   The road to Haunted woods was open and well maintained and the pair of
felines made good time. A large cavalry patrol came towards them. At the
lead was a stocky brown mare wearing full barding but bearing no rider,
saddle or tack. Behind here were a dozen other horses each bearing a rider.
The patrol stopped a short distance from the felines. Stealth noted that
four of the riders were archers and had bows aimed at him and Edmund.

   "Good morning!" The rider less mare said.

   "Good morning to you!" Edmund said in way of response and bowed deeply.

   "What brings you two here out this early in the morning?" the mare asked.

   "We are headed to Hareford," The paladin explained. "How is the road
ahead?"

   "The road to Hareford is clear," the equine responded. "No activity as of
late from the lutins but you'd best take care."

   "I'm always careful," Edmund responded. "But my thanks for the warning."

   Only a short time later the two came to the crossroads. Ahead the road
lead to the Giants Dike and eventually the Giantdowns. The road split off to
the left and wound its way eventually to Hareford. But neither of those
paths held their attention. On the right was no real road; just a wall of
trees and underbrush. Standing just off the road was Nestorius. The black
furred lion was carrying a backpack and holding the reins of a horse.
"Welcome!" The feline said with a wave of the hand. "It's good to see you!"

   Edmund got off of horse and gave the mage a hug. "Good morning!"

   "Good to see you here," the lion added. He turned to Stealth and gave the
surprised cheetah a hug. "Good to see both of you here."

   "Thank you," Stealth replied nervously.

   Nest stood looking at the forest. "Are we ready?"

   "Yes," Edmund said.

   "No we're not," Stealth commented sarcastically.

   The lion turned and looked at Stealth. "What?"

   Edmund gently kicked his friend in the leg.

   "Ouch!" Stealth yelped. "I mean I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

   Nest laughed a little. "Are you sure?"

   "We are both sure," Edmund said speaking for both of them.

   "I can understand if you are reluctant to enter these haunted woods," the
lion said. "But we are only entering through daylight and will only stay for
a short while."

   Stealth pointed towards the forest. "Why are we going there?"

   "Why?" Nestorius responded. Surprised. "Why? To explore of course and to
find out why the ghosts are there and to finally free them."


*******************


   A large shape loomed up out of the shadow ahead and soon resolved itself
into the battered remains of a curtain wall. Edmund caught a glimpse of
movement along the top of the wall. He stared intently at the crumbling and
battered battlements. He caught sight of a figure racing along the top. The
shadowy figure was clearly recognizable as a man wearing armor and holding a
large bow in hand. The ghostly soldier aimed his bow at an enemy only he
could see and loosed an arrow. Another raced up to the first and threw a
javelin down towards the ground. A shower of arrows bounced harmlessly and
silently off the stones of the battlement. The two shadowy warriors ducked
for a moment behind the thick stones but then popped up and started shooting
again.

   Edmund felt a touch on the shoulder and saw that it was Stealth. His
friend's eyes were wide with excitement and he was pointing to the ground at
the base of the wall. There he saw more shadows this time clearly lutins
racing along towards the wall. He watched as several raced through trees and
bushes that had not been there when they had been alive. Four ghostly lutins
were carrying an equally ghostly ladder.

   The Keepers watch silently as an equally silent and ghostly battle played
out in from of them.

   Stealth shook his head. "No matter how many times I see things like that
it still scares me."

   "You should be," Edmund said in a level tone. He was standing still and
seemed to be calm. But his tail was twitching back and forth at high speed
betraying his own fear. "This is not normal. Every human and animal instinct
I have tells me this is wrong!"

   "Everything about the undead is wrong," Stealth added.

   "More wrong then you realize." Nestorius was standing next to them
examining the scene in front of them. "This sort of spectral activity in
daylight is unheard of. All the previous activity has been at night."

   "You mentioned this before," Edmund commented. "It's only increased
recently. Since Winter Assault."

   "So what has changed since then?" The lion mage asked.

   "You two have been exploring these woods too much," Stealth commented.
"Stirring up the ghosts."

   "Misha reported the ghosts were far more active BEFORE Edmund arrived,"
Nestorius answered.

   "If we aren't stirring them up then what is?" Stealth asked. "They've
been quiet for over 500 years. Why all the activity now?"

   Edmund shrugged.

   "An excellent question. I have studied the issue," Nestorius commented.
The lion spoke without taking his eyes off the spectral battle going on in
front of them. "And have few answers. The activity seems to have increased
dramatically several months before Winter Assault but it also increased even
more so after that event."

   "We did march an entire army through the center of the city ruins,"
Edmund commented. The spectral lutins had placed their ladder against the
wall and were attempting to scale it. The long dead defenders of the wall
showered missiles and rocks down on their attackers.

   "And the shadow didn't do anything?" Stealth asked.

   Edmund shook his head. "No. The shadow was not happy but it did let us go
through."

   "That was surprising," Nestorius commented.

   "The shadow actually came to me in the night," Edmund said calmly. "And
showed me a lot of the ruins and the ghosts."

   Stealth looked at him. "Why?"

   The paladin shrugged. "That I do not know. For some reason the creature
accepted me. Perhaps it sensed that I was a paladin."

   The lion looked surprised for a moment. "That alone is very interesting.
"Why did the creature accept you? That is an interesting question."

   "So instead of getting answers," Stealth commented dryly. "We have even
more questions."

   "We do have some answers," Edmund said. "We know that something stirred
up the ghosts just before Winter Assault and even more so afterwards."


**********************


!DSPAM:4efe016715001804284693!