The clouds parted as the sun bathed the castle in golden light. The morning shadows of knights sitting on the battlements enjoying their breakfast. Their wooden plates were filled with fresh cornbread, a slab of cheese, a handful of grapes, and a goblet full of sweet red wine. They savored their meal in silence until they finished.
Axel Hygard: The cheese was strong, stronger than the wine.
One of the armored men complained. Axel Hygard, a knight for ten years, was best known for his sword skills, swiftness, and stealth. The thirty-four-year-old appears tall, with brown eyes and brown, soft-wave hair. He is broad and muscled. The Hygard knight is missing a pinky finger on his left hand due to a sword training accident. During a sparring session, Axel invited his partner to use a steel sword instead of a wooden one without their teacher knowing. When their sword master arrived, Axel was bleeding from his left hand, and his torn pinky finger lay on the training grounds. Axel was asked by his master who told them to use a real sword in the training, and Axel took the blame. As he reached knighthood, he considered his missing finger a token of sacrifice for the sake of real-life scenarios, a lesson learned from the incident.
Caleb Frost: Try frozen cranberries in the South and see if you still complain about the cheese.
Axel smirked and continued eating. Caleb Frost, Axel's former training partner, caused him to lose a finger. Caleb was a Southerner with long black hair, blue eyes, a sharp nose, thin eyebrows, and a defined jaw. He was two years younger than Axel and slightly shorter. Caleb was a member of the southern warrior clan called The Blizzard, whose soldiers were equipped with great swords made of magical ice steel, which Caleb brought to the castle himself.
Axel Hygard: Speaking of the South, how was the Blizzard?
Caleb Frost: I have not received any word from them, or perhaps there is some information that I have yet to hear about.
Axel Hygard: What was their last message then?
Caleb Frost: They're hunting furious ice ghouls in the frozen grounds. I hope the mages will use flames, not ice, to enchant their blades.
Axel Hygard: Alright, let's finish eating and then look at the noticeboard for any updates.
When the knights are fed, they leave the front battlements and go to the middle of the four corner towers of the gatehouse, then down to the bailey where the noticeboards are placed. There are three noticeboards on the right side of the curtain wall next to the training grounds with scattered swords and broken targets. The noticeboards contain messages, possibly news sent by other groups some distance away. The left noticeboard is for the common people, slaves, and small families. At the top of the board, there is a torn yellow fabric, indicating which group the messages belong to. The right noticeboard is for defenders and rulers, including the warden, lords, ladies, knights, archers, chargers, spearmen, and others, and a blue fabric marks it. The middle noticeboard is for everyone and is indicated by a silver fabric. There are only a few people in the day-spring, the market is empty, and the swordsmen are keeping the edges of the longswords and replacing the shields with new ones.
Caleb Frost: It's a great time to search for scrolls this morning as no gossipers are around.
The Knight of the Blizzards searched the right noticeboard high and low. He saw four scrolls and checked each for a snowflake seal, but found none. Then, he turned to the middle board and found only one scroll attached to the solid black wool. Caleb opened the message and there appeared only a single word that only Southerners could understand.
Caleb Frost: An Astari language that says 'Snowzare'
Axel Hygard: What is a Snowzare?
Caleb Frost: An Ice elemental that is known to breathe fire and eat its victims' ashes like spices. They entered the Dungeon of the Undead to meet such a thing.
Axel frowned, his disbelief evident as he had never ventured south and was skeptical of local myths and legends.
Axel Hygard: Is that all the message? Do they give no more information?
Caleb Frost: Yes, and it is the only message on the noticeboard that has the Blizzard's seal.
Axel Hygard: What prize will they get by accomplishing dungeon quests?
Caleb Frost: Ancient swords, gemstones, necklaces, amulets, and armor that not even mammoths can break. Entering any dungeon comes with a price of rarity, but in the end, it may cost you everything.
Axel Hygard: I would like to enter a dungeon. Where is the nearest one we can go to?
Axel's ears were in delight, he would love to take the risk for a prize that no one else could possess.
Caleb Frost: Entering this place is as good as signing a death sentence, my friend. Your chances of getting out alive are close to zero. My comrades wouldn't have entered without Lord Jacel's request for the Wolf Pack's Orb.
An unexpected flurry of hooves approached the castle gate. It was a group of white-armored horses with riders bearing red cloaks that marked them as messengers from Leykan Castle. The two messengers had returned from their patrol at dawn, only to find that the threat had already caused significant damage.
One of the messengers, Skyla Heran, was a lower-class messenger serving Lisa, the Observer of Kingdom Styga. Skyla was slender, as tall as Axel, and had red eyes. She was twenty years old, with long, flowing black hair and a small, pouting mouth with dimples on either cheek, giving her a beautiful appearance. The other messenger, Relor, was three years younger than Skyla, and little was known about her parents or background. She had rosy, puffy cheeks, and golden hair, and was slightly overweight due to her love of food. Rumor had it that she was an orphan, taken in by Lisa's mother and raised within the castle's crypt doors. Initially, they were assigned to menial tasks and kitchen duties until they learned to read and write. Over time, they rose in the ranks, becoming trusted messengers who traveled across the kingdom, witnessing the suffering and devastation that plagued innocent lives. The men noticed that neither of them had scrolls in their hands, but the message was conveyed by a witness of a tragedy.
Skyla Heran: A fire has broken out to the north, Ikar's wizard watchtower is in ruin.
The messengers delivered the news with fear evident on their faces. Axel and Caleb were visibly shocked when they heard that the strongest tower ever built by the treants of the forest had been destroyed.
Axel Hygard: How could this happen? It is one of the strongest structures ever built.
Skyla Heran: I know, but the magic it possesses couldn't withstand whatever force or entity brought it down.
Axel Hygard: Only the gods can destroy that structure. If only the gods could return to the mortal realm, I would hold on to that belief.
Skyla Heran: So how are we going to resolve this? This kingdom is under attack.
Axel Hygard: That single threat is uncertain whether it's intentional or not; it could be an accident.
When Axel blurted out that the tragedy was a result of nature, he quickly covered his mouth and sighed. The knight pondered the possibility of an intruder's smoke lurking behind the trees, which could potentially spread towards the city. As he observed the empty noticeboard and the messenger's idle hands, he was reminded by the darkness in his eyes that there was only a single message beside the extinguished light, which he deemed irrelevant to the situation.
Skyla Heran: An accident, you say?
Skyla then grabbed something from her dagger scabbard: a hellhound's tooth, bigger than her finger. The sun seemed to make it dance when the light touched it, like a tongue of fire. Axel calmly took it from her hand and slowly raised it to his eye. He rolled it like a precious gem from the underworld and gazed at it with a look of slight fascination.
Axel Hygard: There was only one in this realm who could control such a beast. Don't tell me she is dead as well.
Bewailed the knight, sheathing his sword back to his belt.
Skyla Heran: Footprints lead away from the tower, but uncertain if they're hers. It's a great loss if our only wizard is nowhere to be found.
Skyla faltered because the traces from the ruin were a hope for what was assumed to be lost.
Axel Hygard: Indeed. The attackers should not prevail, we must avenge the wizard of Ikar's seeds.
Axel relented and returned the hellhound's tooth to Skyla Heran. After the discussion, the knight instructed Lisa the Observer's messenger to head back to the watchtower and follow any clues to find her. If they couldn't find her, they were to go to Andor's Camp to search for the missing wizard. Andor's Camp is the closest settlement of wizards hidden within Nuladin's Forest.The messengers were hesitant and fearful about the task, knowing it might take a while to navigate the dangerous natural obstacles. Nuladin's Forest is a mystical place, known for its deadly creatures like kobolds, gnolls, basilisks that spit venom, poison-spewing plants, toxic flowers, spiked roots, and green volcanoes that ooze acid instead of lava. Skyla and Relor exchanged a determined look and overcame their fears with weapons blessed by the knights.
Skyla Heran: We'll do it, we know a route to escape danger in Nuladin and this sword is enough for us to defend ourselves, we can go there unnoticed. But regardless, should we raise the concern with Lady Fyran?
Axel Hygard: I'll do it, so we'll know our move with her consent. May the gods bless you with your brave hearts throughout the journey, ladies.
Before the messengers mounted their white horses, Skyla returned the hound's tooth to Axel to validate the truth of their account. They then proceeded to Nuladin's Forest with short swords provided by the castle's armory, prepared for individuals in need of protection despite having little training. Axel sighed and nodded to Caleb, who then took on the duty of guarding the portcullis for the morning shift.
Axel makes his way to Lady Fyran Quint's place to deliver some news. As he enters the black doors of the stone building, the castle workers greet him with a smile, but he doesn't acknowledge them because of some trouble he hears. While going up the spiral staircase to Lady Fyran's residence, he notices a dove near the top that makes a low and lonely sound before fainting and disappearing. He feels overwhelmed with anguish and disturbing thoughts as if he's losing his sanity as he continues to climb. However, when the guards acknowledge his arrival to see Lady Fyran, he starts to regain his composure.
Axel Hygard: I request a word for Lady Fyran.
The guards' dark armor did not shine when the torch emitted its light. The knights opened the door to the Wardeness' room, and a young female servant dressed in white and blue quickly left the room. Inside, the Lady of the Castle sat on her golden chair, with her head bent down as if she was reading. She pressed her forehead with her thumb and forefinger, indicating that she might have learned of the news before his arrival.
Lady Fyran: Oh, I thought there was a problem with my request and the maid went back. Good morrow, Sir Axel.
The knight stood in the arch of her room, admiring the space as the sun's rays illuminated the embellishments and ornaments, making them glimmer like stars in the dawn sky. Lady Fyran, the commandant of the fortress, rose from her chair. Her long legs made her appear tall and imposing as she gazed out with her burning red eyes. Known as one of the smartest rulers of the kingdom, she possesses a striking appearance—white as milk with beautiful brown silky hair, a pointy nose, and a formidable stance. Her accessories dazzle like starlight. As the warden of Leykan Castle, Lady Fyran is fond of using figurative speech, tending to her words like flowers in a garden.
Axel Hygard: Alas, my lady, we have received news from the north through one of our loyal messengers.
The knight sighed, feeling weakened by the news he had to deliver to Lady Fyran.
Lady Fyran: It seems like the news isn't good, judging by your tired eyes, grim expression, and your hand on the hilt. I sense trouble approaching.
Axel remained silent and downcast, while Lady Fyran, clad in a white silk smock, walked slowly and silently. Her presence was imposing, and Axel felt engulfed by her shadow.
Lady Fyran: Before you burden me with the news, who delivered it to you?
Axel Hygard: Skyla Heran and Relor, my Lady.
Lady Fyran: Ah, the tireless watchers of Lisa. What did they report?
The knight hesitated, fearing that the news might tarnish the fortress's reputation. However, he gathered his courage and recounted the peril they faced.
Axel Hygard: The north tower of Leykan is on fire, the hellhounds are dead, and the fortress's wizard is missing. There's no sign of bloodshed, and only one set of footprints can be seen outside the ruins. Skyla assumed they belonged to the wizard, so I instructed her to follow the footprints. If they don't lead to a relevant end, she should head to Andor's camp to search for the wizard.
Axel conveyed the news with a hint of sorrow in his words.
Lady Fyran: Why didn't they follow the footprints in the first place?
Lady Fyran grumbled, crossing her arms in frustration. Axel remained silent, shaking his head in disappointment.
Lady Fyran: They wasted their time reporting instead of finding the wizard?
Axel Hygard: They didn't want to act without an order, my Lady.
The Lady stood outside her wall, watching the black smoke rise from the destroyed tower of Leykan from the opening of her keep. The trees around the sorcerer's dwellings turned to charcoal amidst the ruins of the mage lords' once-indestructible structure. Their potions and magic lay in ashes, and the scent of burning remains lingered in the air.
Lady Fyran: Gods, this is unacceptable. Even mortals are incapable of such deeds. Could it have been the work of an Astari?
With her eyes wide open in horror, she assumed that the attackers were amongst the southern guardians of the myths and legends.
Axel Hygard: I'm concerned that the wilderness is involved, but they can't destroy a tower built to last forever.
Lady Fyran: Impossible, Axel. Only a force blessed by the gods can endanger that tower.
Axel Hygard: If that is so, I strongly believe that the remnants of Astralesh are unable to depart from their Kingdom.
Lady Fyran: If we don't enter their territory, they won't leave. It's possible that one race in Styga invaded their lands and demanded payment, perhaps us, humans.
They argued and praised each other's opinions. When the wizard tower started to crumble, Lady Fyran hurried from her chambers and down to the courtyard. Axel followed her brisk steps and noticed that she went straight to the noticeboard. She checked the noticeboard with a blue fabric marker, and there she opened one of the scrolls, a scroll without a seal. Axel rushed over to her, and they read together what was printed on the tarnished, dark yellow paper. Lady Fyran loudly read the letter to him.
Lady Fyran: 'To whom should we entrust the broken staff? When will the flames of your stories fade? The remnants of our expertise are as precious as her essence, but the blood poured into the glass is not enough for our thirst, as we spared a bit for her life. We proudly declare our first warning to the northern lands as a sign of our call with the minions left written in the legends, hidden, alone together in the crypts of the unknown until they are summoned to take one of your own. I just write what I see, and they did well. They plucked one flower off of your garden, and soon enough the garden will turn into a speck of empty dirt. Build your fence, scare us with your defense, and seek for the strength that you are fond to protect.'
They exchanged a fearful glance, blinking rapidly. Fyran's hands shook so violently that she ripped the paper in half. The intensity of her anger was so powerful that it could be felt by everyone around her. Numerous people gathered around the noticeboard where the knight and the lady stood. Both of them stayed still, unable to evade the danger slowly engulfing the kingdom, while the surrounding people remained clueless about the situation.
Axel Hygrad: A disarray awaits the kingdom, and the wizards are sued by this concealed perpetrator.
Lady Fyran: We must search for the lost.
Axel Hygard: How about building an army to stop this threat, my lady? Gather the strongest mages and races to close this pit of malice that is about to swallow us all.
Caleb Frost abruptly marched up to his comrade and the Wardeness, a look of concern in his eyes as he spoke.
Caleb Frost: The lady is right, Axel, we need not risk the lives of many soldiers for a single lost wizard. Remember, she is not dead. The chosen guild built from the strongest beings of the realm must be the one to find her. Those soldiers are used for war, for the triumph of the realm, to show the power of the sovereign, not to fight an entity beyond their strength.
They come up with an idea to find people whose powers are similar to the abilities of the heroes of Galvalon, as they seek to strengthen their defense.
Lady Fyran: Who will we seek then?
Caleb Frost: This world is vast, numerous races with supernatural abilities can defeat whatever this being is.
A determined knight stood and spoke louder before the two, presenting a stronger argument than the lady and Axel. The Wardeness announced to all those within earshot in the courtyard, her voice reverberating through the castle walls.
Lady Fyran: Anyone who knows the whereabouts of these individuals will be rewarded with a white steed, a red cloak, weapons for defense, and provisions for the journey. Who is willing to volunteer to bring me a seeker to find the lost sorcerer? Please step forward.