Chapter 1: Assembling the retinue
The grand hallway of the King's palace had a significant difference from the burnt slums situated outside the palace. As Farador followed his mentor, Lord Edward Hendelson, a member of the Order of the Holy Guards, he noted that scarcely a mere pillar of the palace had been touched by the demons, whereas the main city and the slums were nearly burnt to ruins. Everyone heard of the Holy Guards who repelled the assault of the demons, and smothered the flames with water spells.
As Farador ascended the stairs behind the hallway's arch, he found himself in the reception hall. Summoning the receptionist, he asked to meet the King as agreed. Lord Edward eyed his student intently, giving him a benevolent look.
"Don't be afraid my young friend. You are a master now. Things will be easy for you", Lord Edward began. "When the King's aide call for you, just enter the council room and take it easy."
Farador returned his mentor's gaze and answered, "This might be the last time we will ever..."
"To Farador of the Order of Combined Magery! The King will see you now!"
Both men sighed. Mentor and student looked at each other, knowing that the moment of separation has come.
"Good luck", Lord Edward said.
Farador steeled his expression and walked through the doorway leading towards the council room. Though usually filled with rows of the king's knights, the council room was unusually empty today, save for the king himself, and a few men clad in yellow garbs. Moving on, Farador knelt in front of the king.
"Hail King Bogard."
"Rise young one", the king's deep voice echoed around the empty room. "Let me have a look at you".
Farador rose slightly and kept his attention on the king as the king seem interested in him.
"You know, I presume, that you are here for a trial?"
"Yes, my lord".
The king seem satisfied and gave a swift smile.
"Then let the trial.. begin!"
A sudden motion to his right made him duck and roll, as Farador evaded a swift stroke by his challenger. Turning his attention, Farador realised that one of the men in yellow garbs was attacking with his steel sword held in a double-handed style.
The yellow-garbed warrior regarded him warily, then lunged again. This time, Farador sidestepped the attack completely.
"I have no weapons to fight back. Try this then!" Farador thought.
"Lango aradar!" he shouted as he conjured a fiery globe. Aiming true, Farador hurled the fireball at the armed fighter. The warrior simply removed his gauntlet and gently lifted his right hand.
"Est ehro lagla!" the warrior said and a magical barrier formed from his palm. Farador watched in dismay as the fireball hit harmlessly at the warrior.
"Well done young Farador, but I'm afraid while I'm a mage-knight, it will take more than basic spells to take me down," the warrior told a shocked Farador.
"I see," Farador slowly replied, while keeping his focus on the next spell. "How about fighting four of me? Cero ewaz naim chanto!" Farador shone brightly all of a sudden, and as the mage-knight shielded his eyes, Farador conjured illusions of himself, so that there are four of him.
"A worthy illusion trick, Master Farador," the mage-knight growled. "However.." He spread his hands and said,"El ri yasha!"
A small ring of fire surrounded the mage-knight, then slowly expanded around him. With flames closing on all four of himself, Farador summoned a magic-shield on his true self. Seizing the chance, the mage-knight dashed and attempted to swipe his blade down at the vulnerable mage.
Abandoning his defences, Farador pointed at the mage-knight, his finger tip glowing blue.
"Alam manim!"
An ice wave issued from the mage's finger and soared through the air, closing on the mage-knight. Unable to summon a defence quickly enough, the mage-knight stopped his charge and braced himself as the king raised his scepter and shouted, "Ryasha!"
An energy burst shot forth from the end of the scepter and blasted the ice wave right before it hit the defenceless knight. Farador whirled around and stared in confusion.
The king was a mage as well?! Impossible, he thought.
"Spectacular performance, Farador. I must say you truly deserve to earn the title of a Master. You will be chosen to lead this quest, but first, let us begin our briefing. Sir Delyus?" The mage-knight bowed as the king called his name.
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Lord Edward examined the castle tower's defences. Ballistae and mangonels were situated on separate towers and turrets to maximise the defence of the castle. Outlying villages had already reported waves of demons and gargoyles heading towards them, and there were already skirmishes around the borders.
The castle was defended by the Order of the Holy Guards, as well a band of soldiers of mixed race, commonly known as the Alliance Keepers, a group organised by the allied leaders of Rigwald, Whitewoods and Evendar to defend the continent against enemies.
A fellow Holy Guard, Sir Johnson, followed Lord Edward for his inspections.
"Do you think these equipments might work on the enemies at all, sir?"
Lord Edward stared at a ballista and said,"They saved us on the previous attack. They will save us again. Have faith, young lad".
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Farador was sorely troubled by the briefing given by Sir Delyus. "So you believe, that the Orb of the Sacred Flames is not on this continent?"
The mage-knight nodded an affirmative. Dimly aware that the other men in the council room were all staring at him, Farador continued to ask," Then what can we do to get it? There's no transport that will take us there quickly".
The king answered swiftly," Our elven allies have managed to increase the effectiveness of a teleport spell to travel greater distance, through the means of an amulet. They have agreed to loan us the amulet, and so we must travel to Whitewoods to retrieve it and use it to find the Orb".
"But the Orb can be anywhere!"
At this, Sir Delyus cut in," Our friends from the continent of Perakins reported that the Orb was last seen near the Wastelands of Cheron. We believe it might be possible for us to find it over there".
The king resumed," However, as the demons are gathering forces, it may be required that you accomplish this mission as soon as possible, probably in a week. I've organised the Alliance Keepers and the Holy Guards to coordinate the defence of the castle. These men," he waved his left hand, indicating the men in yellow garbs. "... will join you in your quest. And I assure you, they are the finest troops I can spare".
"It is a pleasure to travel with you, Sir Delyus. And... everyone," Farador said.
Seeing that Farador had no idea who the other men were, Sir Delyus slowly introduced," This is Sir Goven, our tactician leader." A tall, scarred man in his youth stood out and bowed. The others followed suit as the mage-knight continued," Sir Moulder, he's another mage-knight. Ken, the finest ranger we ever have. Hayden, his axe is something which you won't want to face in battle".
Slowly, the king relaxed and said to everyone," It is time for you all to prepare yourselves. In the meantime, I will leave you all to be better acquainted".