Private Tales for Tomorrow

[Solon Raye]

The day had been hot as hell.

It was only when storm clouds chased the burning sun back behind the mighty hills did it's rays become more gentle. A breeze came in the gentle night that was welcome for now. A breeze was always welcomed by a noble warrior until there was blood on the wind. Then it's gentleness spelled doom or duty, two things a man should not fear when he lived by the blade. Should they not be embraced by all who wished to remain free and unbound to the evils of this world? They reached out at the light of life like the approaching storm clouds.

What would happen if the sun itself simply said 'no'?

The two knights came from the direction of the setting sun. Almost as if it were sending emissaries to parlay with that which dwelt in the darkness. There was no conversation to be had, truly. Knight Pursuant Solon Raye sat proud on the back of his white mare, Lynore . She was a majestic creature, an fine horse that despite her beauty, was strong enough to see him through the hardest engagements. She was pure and the only stains on her being must have come from the blood that Solon squire always took care to wash from her snow white mane.

The village of Belgrave had never been a prominent one. In fact, Solon had heard little about it's existence until foul rumor reached Astenvale Monastery of it's fate. It was said that Belgrave was on the fast track to becoming a town of note. Perhaps it attracted the wrong sort of attention with it's growth. It was said that a shadow fell upon the village one night and left carnage in it's wake. The small boy the made it to Astenvale looked as though he'd seen a ghost. And the stories that he told of what happened to his parents... His elder sister.

Solon was the first knight to volunteer.

The dilapidated structures of Belgrave looked almost twisted in the light of the stars shining above their head. If there were none there to light the way, it might have felt as though the talons of the unknown were reaching out to swallow them whole. There was a light that seemed to emanate from Solon Raye's gilded armor. Whether it was the stars that made it shine or if there was some enchantment present upon it was uncertain, but he pressed forward slightly. There was certainly something amiss here.

The air there was suffocating. Pressing down upon him. They were being watched by a predator... And more than that, it was a predator that seemed to drain the very life from where it resided. Look at how the buildings twist and the air flees so that you might not breathe it. This place was cursed. But by what?

"There is something amiss here, Syr Dejam," Solon said, his voice barely above a whisper and yet his voice was heavy enough to carry to Dejam. "The presence of this shadow, whatever it is, seems to have effected this village somehow. It's magic is..."

The scholar in him found the scope of the magic impressive. The warrior knew that this would turn out to be a long night.

 

[Dejan Damir]

"Yes," agreed the older knight. "Its potency is...troublesome."

Dejan, unlike his comrade, had not readily agreed to undertake this mission. He was certainly sympathetic to the plight that the villagers faced. Only a monster could hear the boy's tale and not be moved. No, his hesitancy had been due to more practical reasons. The pieces that they could put together from the story painted an evil tapestry. This was not bandits raiding and pillaging but something far more sinister.

He had spent decades serving the Order and doing what he could to serve the people of the Reach. The truth, however, was that his skills were far better served dealing with matters of the mundane. Dejan felt no shame in this, it was merely a simple truth. More suitable candidates were unfortunately unavailable and as such, Dejan set off with Syr Solon.

Experience was said to be the great equalizer. In this regard, there were only a few in the Order who measured up to Dejan.

"I also sense that our arrival has been anticipated," the knight pursuant ventured. He had no solid proof but his instincts told him that this may very well be a trap. It would certainly not be the first time that servants of darkness had attempted to bait them. Dejan remained unaffected for the time being by the sinister aura that blanketed the Belgrave. He had received multiple blessings at the Monastery before departing. Their potency had weakened over the days of travel but the effects still lingered.

"Into the abyss, then?" he offered.

 

[Solon Raye]

He'd read a great many tomes through his study of the Pursuits and thus had some redumentary understanding of what sort of magic they were dealing with. The Knights of Anathaeum did not stray away from certain aspects of magic simply because most would deem them taboo. Those who studied the Path of Death walked a thin line between evil and using it's magic to combat it and redirect it. What little Solon understood about it made him understand that certain creatures and perhaps even certain malicious mages were sometimes powerful enough to drain their surroundings of all the things people held dear in this world. Life, light, happiness. Such concepts were always things, humans especially, ideally associated with the meaning of life. Death working as it did here felt unnatural even though Solon, just like all the other Pursuants of the Path of Life, knew that it was a part of the natural order.

What happened when death fell out of it's natural order, though?

Who would be there to set things right again if not the Knights of this great Order?

"Perhaps so," the younger Knight Pursuant responded to Dejam after the elder of the two had spoken of this potentially being a trap. Solon was very much used to being the predator and not the prey, but choosing the life they chose came with the understanding that a Knight could never be too confident. The gilded knight slid down from the back of his white horse, leading Lynore to a nearby post and tethering her there. Whatever fight was to come, Solon didn't want her getting mixed up in it. She was restless as he combed his fingers through her mane. He whispered to her a silent promise that all would be well.

"Indeed. Into the abyss. I'll lead the way into the town proper. Be mindful of our rear. Whatever brought this manner of energy to this place is cunning."

 

[Dejan Damir]

Dejan dismounted as well once he was sure they were under no immediate threat. Retreat was rarely an option for the knights but it would have been best to do it before any proper engagement. They still needed to investigate properly before any further decision could be made. Even then, there were few forces that a pair of pursuants could not handle. The two would just have to hope this town was not inhabited by one of those rare exceptions.

He checked his weapons one last time before heading off after Syr Solon. The older knight maintained a careful distance between the two. Close enough to assist but not so near that the two could be taken out simultaneously. It had been the Order's creed to work in pairs and the knights had honed their tactics to near perfection. One could not ignore the cold calculation that went into their formations. Supportive and yet designed so that at least one knight may survive to see the task done.

The knights continued to walk through the eerie silence of Belgrave, still unsure of what evil awaited them. His sword remained sheathed but his hand ever drifted towards his back. None came to greet them and that did not come as a surprise to the old knight; whatever transpired here was significant. Dejan was careful to make sure that they were not set upon from one of the alleyways for he sensed an omnipresent malice in the air.

Slowly, carefully, he followed his fellow knight as they delved into the heart of Belgrave.

 

[Solon Raye]

The dark threatened to swallow them whole.
Solon could feel it in the wind.
The land itself was seeped with malice.
Hate.
It beckoned the two warriors to come ever closer.
The Knights of Anathaeum would give no quarter.
No pain was too great.

No pain was too great.​

The town square lay empty. Whatever nature that grew in the absence of the sentient inhabitants on this town was brave indeed. The fountain that the center had been commandeered by greenery that appeared black in the shroud of night. The closer they got to their quarry, the more death seemed to linger on the air. Something about it unnerved him. Solon Raye, no matter how many cultists, vampires, werewolves, or dark wizards he'd returned to the void, he still felt fear. Something about it was invigorating. Something about it made him feel more human than he felt in any aspect of his life. More than when he kneeled to pray or perfected a new level of his craft... The heat of battle and fighting against the twisted creatures of the world gave him purpose the likes of which couldn't be matched.

Ebon fingers moved slowly to the hilt of the Bastard sword at his side. His grip on it became tight as the town suddenly stirred. Bats. Bats sprung forth from the temple before them, one belonging to a god that would be long forgotten. Their screeching was nothing compared to the sound that came from the abyss ahead. A screech the likes of which made the hairs on the back of Solon's neck stand at attention. He drew his blade and glanced back at his one armed partner.

"Hold fast," he spoke through gritted teeth as he prepared for what was to come. Talons. Talons on wooden floors 'clacked' loudly as the creature made it's way closer. It's leathery wings spread to monstrous proportions, intimidating even with little light to show all of it's splendor. The air smelled of blood and gore, a scent that Solon wished he wasn't familiar with. Yet the stench seemed to erupt from the Great Vampire's mouth and gullet. He had feasted well.

It's feast would soon come to an end...

​

 

[Dejan Damir]

Steel screeched from scabbard as nocturnal shrieks pierced the square. Dejan truly could not have guessed what terror awaited them but the Great Vampire's revelation was most unwelcome. The knight was immediately assaulted by the stench of rotted flesh; even with his many years of experience, he was only just able to stave off the bile that threatened to escape his throat. It was abundantly clear that the monster had not hesitated to indulge in its desires completely. He would have no compunction when it came to dealing with this particular foe.

Dejan's eyes scanned his shrouded surroundings, searching out any other possible threats. He prayed that he would find none. The gods only knew that this Greater Vampire would prove difficult enough. Fortunately, he did not sense any other immediate threat. This came as little surprise since it was unlikely that the monster would have countenanced the presence of any other creature.

The knight pursuant shifted slightly in an attempt to measure the giant bat's reaction.

Nothing.

He looked over to his peer, now at least somewhat confident that the monster wouldn't charge him.

"I fear if we do not clip those wings promptly, brother, we invite serious disadvantage," the older knight calmly offered.

 

[Solon Raye]

You still see your father when you fight the monsters of this world, don't you boy? There is no shame in that. There is power in being fearful. You recognized at a young age that all of the stories that the old women in all the ports of the world told you were true. Aye, there are things that go bump in the night... And here is the most terrifying truth of all. You are not safe from it. None of us are. Your father took that knowledge and became great because of it. And so shall you, young Squire. Turn that fear into strength as all great men do.

For you are as great and powerful as any who's feet has touched soil. Let your fear give way to the necessity to overcome it and you shall overcome all things, Syr Knight.

Not many were familiar with the stories of Feratu, the Black Hearted. He was a powerful Vampire Lord from long ago, said to have been royalty in one of the old cities of the Empire. He was a gifted warrior and diplomat and his powers ran deeper than the might of his armies or the skill of his tongue. His presence was foul and corrupted the land so much that the people he ruled over suffered. At night, they feared that his dark servants would come and feast on their flesh and drink their blood. The Vampire Lord played cruel games with their souls and their flesh. They prayed to gods that existed to this day and some that were lost to the sands for an eternity. Their words that came from great desperation were handed down to those that knew where to seek them. Those who were open to knowledge and had the will to take the path to true enlightenment. The Path of Life. He would speak them when the time was right...
​

There was no place for fear on this path.
​

"Our fears shall make way for necessity, Syr Knight," Solon replied simply, drawing the bastard sword like lightning. He muttered the incantations and the seals along the blade ignited. Cursebreaker came alive in that moment and around them, it seemed as though the darkness was beginning to lift. Dawn broke between the two of them and life seemed to return to the land around them. The giant bat screeched at the light that came from that enchanted blade but it did not falter. Fear of what it did not understand did not move it. Instead it took to the skies and swooped down toward the two Knights Pursuant, looking to feast on their flesh. Solon kept his eyes on it and swung when it drew close. The clang of steel against it's talons rang out. The creature squealed in pain and yet the force caused Solon to stumble and nearly fall backwards. His teeth ground together. It's talon was parted from it's body.

"It's making another round!"
​

 

[Dejan Damir]

"As you say," the older knight replied. Dejan could not help but be slightly envious of his peer's unwavering faith. Dejan was near two decades older than the other pursuant and time had certainly taken its toll. The aging knight was still deeply committed to the Order's tenets but much had changed since he had been sworn. His efforts in these last years had been focused towards maintaining and improving the condition of the Knights Anatheum. He no longer experienced a burning desire to root out evil whenever it presented itself. Dejan would always strive to protect the innocent but he was different from the man who now fought at his side.

He watched as the monster took to the air and thus moved in unison. The creature clearly had eyes for the brilliantly bright beacon that was Syr Solon. Dejan could do nothing as the massive bat came down for its first attack. Fortunately the other knight was able to fend off the attack, removing a talon in the process as well.

It would have been difficult to track the beast's flight but the light that Solon provided had certainly aided in this matter. Dejan would need a clear target for his plan to succeed. His brown eyes remained trained on the vampire but now began to glow with an arcane-green. The ground beside him began to rumble before a pair of razor-sharp roots burst forth and raced towards the airbound creature. He watched as the vampire swatted the first away but the second found its mark, tearing against the leather of the left wing.

A vile screech followed as the monster made an ungraceful landing. Dejan knew he had only momentarily fazed the creature and quickly began preparing his next spell. He trusted in the other knight to do what he could now that the vampire was temporarily grounded.