The central barracks of the king's palace were a hive of activity as Kellan and his fellow knights arrived. The large hall was filled with knights from various noble houses, their armor reflecting their lineage. Among them were the royal knights, distinguishable by their special black leather armor instead of the usual golden plate. The black leather seemed to absorb the light, giving them a stealthy, almost spectral appearance.
Kellan exchanged nods with knights from house Arlyn. The air was thick with anticipation and a hint of anxiety. This mission was unlike any other they had undertaken.
A hush fell over the room as Samuel Alanor entered. The high mage's presence was commanding. He was an imposing figure, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to pierce through the soul. His robes were a deep shade of blue, embroidered with silver runes that glowed faintly.
"Attention," called a commanding voice, and the knights snapped to attention. Kellan turned to see a new figure standing at the front of the room, a royal knight in his distinctive black leather armor. This was Commander Daelan, the leader of the royal knights and known for his stern demeanor and unwavering loyalty.
Samuel surveyed the room, his gaze lingering on each knight. "I see we have a capable group here," he began, his voice smooth and confident. "You have all been chosen for your skills and bravery. This mission is critical, and I expect nothing but the best from each of you."
Commander Daelan stepped forward, unrolling a map and laying it on a table in the center of the room. "Your mission is to infiltrate the Galdorian territory, gather intelligence on their activities, and return to report your findings. His Highness Duke Samuel Alanor will be stationed at Fort Arkhaven, awaiting your return."
He paused, allowing the knights to take in the gravity of the mission. Samuel took over, "I am a master of shadow spells. I will cast a spell to mask your presence, making you virtually invisible to the enemy. Each of you will be equipped with a special black leather armor and wristband, like the royal knights."
Soldiers began distributing the armor and equipment. Kellan took the black leather armor, feeling its lightness and flexibility. It was unlike anything he had worn before.
Samuel held up a small, glowing stone. "These wristbands contain a small mana stone like this one, that will amplify and store my spell, extending its duration, and allowing you to assimilate completely into nature. You will be invisible to enemy eyes for up to two hours. It is imperative that you fulfill your mission within this time frame."
Kellan felt a surge of power as he secured the wristband, the mana stone glowing faintly against his skin. The reality of the mission began to sink in, and he steeled himself for the challenges ahead.
Samuel continued, "Your equipment has been treated with Asteric dust, which will mask all your scents. In addition, each of you has been given a pouch containing two vials of poison dust. These can momentarily blind anyone they come into contact with. Use them wisely."
Kellan inspected the vials, noting the faint blue shimmer of the dust inside. He carefully secured them in his pouch, knowing they could be a vital asset during the mission.
Commander Daelan stepped forward, his expression stern. "You have your orders. Change into your new gear and report in an hour. Dismissed."
In the quiet hours before the mission, Kellan and his unit gathered for a final roll call. They stood in a semi-circle, the black leather armor of each knight gleaming under the dim light.
"Sir Loras," began Loras, his dark hair tied back and his striking green eyes scanning the group. "Captain of this unit. I trust you all are prepared."
"Sir Kellan," said Kellan, stepping forward with a nod.
"Sir Aric," a burly knight with a scar running down his left cheek, introduced himself.
"Lady Mira," a young knight with striking silver hair and a calm demeanor, offered a graceful nod.
"Sir Dorian," a knight with a strong build and a fierce gaze, stood next to Mira.
"Sir Cedric," with a wiry frame and quick movements, gave a sharp salute.
"Sir Rowan," a knight with a grizzled beard and a rugged appearance, nodded curtly.
"Lady Lara," a knight with quiet confidence and striking blue eyes, introduced herself.
"Sir Kael," a tall, lean knight with dark hair and a somber expression, gave a brief nod.
"Sir Eveline," a knight with a light, agile build and an ever-present smile, waved cheerfully.
"Sir Viktor," a muscular knight with a commanding presence and a deep voice, introduced himself with a nod.
"Sir Gareth," the final member, with a youthful face and eager eyes, stepped forward.
The knights of house Arlyn looked at each other with determination in their eyes. Captain Loras gave an approving nod, "Let's do this, everyone."
With the final preparations complete, the knights gathered their gear and joined the others ready to set out. The night was dark, and the sense of anticipation and determination hung heavy in the air. As they prepared to depart, Kellan felt a surge of resolve.
Under the darkness of the night, Lord Samuel Alanor began by tracing intricate patterns in the air with his hands, intoning ancient words that resonated with nature's power. Beneath him, a sprawling network of arcane symbols etched into the ground began to awaken. With each phrase of the spell, the lines of energy intensified, weaving a complex tapestry of radiant patterns on the floor. The vortex within the array tightened, drawing everyone within its embrace into a luminous spiral. In a sudden, breathtaking flash, the gathered knights vanished from sight, leaving only a faint trace of glowing energy behind.