CHAPTER III
A Need Arisen
Rain thrashed against the stone bricks of the wall, clouds spiraled slowly around the eye of the storm several miles past the forest clearing as wind beat against flags and capes, threatening to tear them off and carry them away into the forest. In the midst of the storm trained Lion guard stood steadfast upon the wall of the City, readying themselves for what may lie ahead. Bontu paced the length of the gate across the top of the wall, occasionally shouting orders to the men at the gates.
“DENALLI! ANY UPDATE FROM THE EAST WATCH TOWER?”
“NONE YET SIR! THE MEN ARE TAKING A BEATING FROM THE STORM!”
“KEEP ALL EYES ON THOSE TREES! THIS IS NOT A NORMAL STORM!”
“DASTUM! ANY NEWS FROM THE WEST?”
Bontu shouted.
“THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF FAINT SCREECHING IN THE DISTANCE, SIR!”
Where is Sekuria? He should have been here by now.
“ANY SIGHT OF SEKURIA?”
“NONE YET SIR, THE MEN SAY THAT THEY REMEMBER SEEING HIM LEAVE HIS ESTATE YESTERDAY BUT NO NEWS ON HIS RETURN!”
This doesn't add up. He wouldn't rush of with is family, not without a word like that. Not towards Seglock in anycase.
With no more warning than the storm itself, a sound louder and sharper than anything Bontu had ever heard came from the eye of the storm. An incredible blue glow emitted from the forest just beneath it and terrifying bolts of lightning shot down out of the sky in rapid succession. Every soul that witnessed the incredible scene rendered themselves transfixed to the incredible show of power.
I'd be a barking River Toad! There he is, I would know that kind of power anywhere. But what in blazes name is he doing out there?
“FOCUS!” Bontu Bellowed the command past the sound of the storm.
“SECURE THE GATES! IRON LEGION ATOP THE WALL!”
The sound of racking metal soon followed his command. A large sum of men made their way up the wall to wait for further orders from their commander.
“IRON-ARCHER AT THE WALL AND THE GATE! BALLISTAS AT THE READY! PREPARE THE OIL SPILLS! MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!”
The command fought over the sounds of the storm leaping to the nearest man who in turn passed it on down the wall. It traveled like a wave down the wall as people began to see what had been ordered.
The men began to organize themselves into two rows both on the wall and behind the gate. The first row of men held nothing but a large thick shield with a rounded top and a flat bottom. The shields were ornamented with sharp steel spikes and had a sturdy leather strap for an arm to easily slide through. They had two handles; one was placed so the strapped arm could securely hold the shield and the other was placed a little offset to one side and was a little higher on the shield. This design provided excellent leverage for bashing. These men knelt down on one knee and peered just above the metal casing.
The second row of soldiers held short bows with a quiver of iron arrows. The bows were made of oak from Seglock and were very pliable for their strength. This made them great for both long and short distances. The archers staggered themselves between standing and kneeling to be able to shoot between the rounded tops of the shields and above their heads.
The commotion of the command lasted but a few moments and eventually settled into an eerie wait for the worst.
Several moments later high-pitched screeching was heard by most everyone. As the sound began to close in on the city they began to realize what truly awaited them.
At the edge of the clearing, about a half-mile away from the wall several white goblins appeared, Each uniquely grotesque in appearance, hobbled their way towards the wall with unnatural speed.
What the Blazes is that?! I have never encountered or heard such a foul sound nor such an ugly creature in all of my days. We could really use you about now Sekuria. If you could run back this way it would be appreciated!
They're countless! How in Blazes name are we supposed to hold against that? Well I'm not dying without flinging a few arrows first!
“ARCHERS AT THE READY!”
Each archer put an arrow to his bow and pulled it back, they all waited anxiously for the command to release.
Patience Bontu, patience, a little closer… “FIRE!”
a sudden snap of bow strings and a volley of spikes was cast at the oncoming mass, felling several goblins with the attack.
“READY!”... “FIRE!”
a second volley littered the skies, killing another large amount of goblins.
“FIRE AT WILL!”
with unrelenting determination the archers loosed their precious munitions at the oncoming monsters. But with equaled determination and speed, the creatures drew closer and closer to the walls of the city. As they reached the wall some goblins scratched at the steel gate while others began to climb the wall with hooked claws.
“ARCHERS! TARGET THE WALL, MAKE THEM WORK FOR EVERY STEP!” “RELEASE THE OIL! COVER THEM IN THE SLICK!” falling oil coated all of goblins climbing the wall. Every archer shot down the wall, knocking off almost all the goblins from off their climb. The outcome looked like a certain victory. But with stunning intelligence and ability they began to adapt to Bontu's strategies. They began to have the first goblin crawl up backwards! Arrows bounced off of the thick carapace, falling to the side harmlessly. Eventually they reached the top of the wall and were met with a wall of spikes and arrows.
Down at the gate frenzied horrors clawed at the metal gate burning acid pocked gashes into the fragile barrier. Archers tirelessly shot through the gate in a folly attempt to detture the attackers. Shield Guard stood steadfast, ready to punish the inevitable success of the endless horde.
“FIRE THE BALLISTAS! LOAD THE EXPLOSIVE BOLTS!”
with delicate care several bowmen on top of the towers changed their focus to manning the grand siege weapons.
Bellowing snaps echoed as each of the ballistas shot their mighty man sized bolts at the mass of moving shapes. Every shot exploded on impact flinging helpless bodies several feet in the air. As the bolts hit goblins covered in oil it lit them ablaze; the scene turned Into a fiery conflagration where fire was spreading from one unlucky soul to another as oil was flung from one goblin to another. As the fire spread across the field, so did the goblins fear, several of them ran back into the forest to find safety.
That's it! These fools are scared of fire! “DASTUM! TURN THE WALL INTO AN INFERNO!”
at his order, the battle mage ran across the top of the wall. Channeling his mana and his adrenaline into a beam of molten fury, he cast it down the side of the wall as he ran. It burned every living creature it touched and turned the wall into a torch. The light given from the fire was enough to be seen from the city of Glefwyn several miles behind Marth's end to the south.
Every goblin left alive, whether fighting or in reserves, let out a squeal of terror and turned back the way it came and ran for safety.
“HURRAH!” shouts of victory clashed with applause of relief. Though the fight was won, the night was not silent. Every man laughed and reveled around the fires except for Bontu. He sat staring into the flames pondering Sekuria’s fate and other major worries.
Nothing makes sense. Sekuria should have been much closer to the city than that. And why did we just get invaded by an army of semi-intelligent mutated goblins? That in of itself is a lot to figure out. I can guarantee one thing though, this wasn't your average wilderness raid.
“Bontu, Join us friend! This is a night to celebrate!” Murvin exclaimed.
“You go on ahead. I'm going to go rest, I've got a lot to do tomorrow.”
“Oh, aye, that sounds just like you. You worry too much friend! The city is safe and the wall can be repaired.” Hah! Dastum sure loves his fireworks don't he?”
After a brief pause Murvin picked up again knowing something far more disconcerting was on his mind.
“It's Sekuria that's bothering you isn't it?”
Bontu let out a sigh. “What was he doing that far out of town, and not even a day after I talked with him about settling down?”
“When has Sekuria ever gotten himself into anything that's been to much for him to handle? Listen Bontu, the man may be old but he's got more kick in him than any of us that still have a bit of youth left.”
“And some of us that don't.” Bontu joked.
“Go get some rest, Bontu. I'll send a few orders out later tonight to get everyone back in line.” He said it with a grin obviously meant to comfort Bontu.
“Thanks Murvin. Would you take control of things tomorrow? I'm going to go look for Sekuria.”
“Yes, of course. You know how I like pickin’ on the new bloods!”
“Now don't mess them up too badly. I suppose you remember what happened last time?”
“Ah they just had weak stomachs! Murvin smiled.
Fine, I'll make sure they don't leave after the first day.”
“Thanks Murvin, I'm going to go get some shut eye.”
As He made his way to the inn his mind was full of questions;
Why was he in the middle of that wretched forest? What caused such a show of emotion? Why did he leave so soon after getting back? How does this tie into that raid?
Bontu opened the door to the Blistered Imp and to his surprise the only soul stirring was veln. He was the only one in the main common room. He stood wiping a table clear of uneaten debris They must have retired early because of the raid, he thought.
“Hey Veln, ” he said with a tired voice, “left alone again?”
Veln looked suddenly at his new guest. “Aye,” with a push he dumped everything on the table into a bucket tied to his waist, “but that's no problem. Gives me time to think, it does.”
“You have a spare room?”
“As always,” he said with a nod. “I keep that top left room for you or Sekuria when your in the area. Just put your due in the stand next to the door.”
“Thanks Veln,” with a huff Bontu stopped by the staircase.
“Veln, could I ask you a question?”
Throwing down his rag he said, “nothin's holding yah back. Whether or not I know the answer is the real question.”
“How long have you known Sekuria for?”
“Well isn't that a peculiar question,” scratching his head he answered, “well I believe it's been nigh on 8 years now. He was in a bit of a hurry when we first met. ‘bout knocked me across the room, the way he was runnin’. Why are yah askin’?”
“I know to keep my secrets from the biggest source of gossip this side of the Indual valley. He's just unpredictable is all”
“Now I see no reason not to share good stories with curious patrons,” Veln said, slightly defensive. “Now by what your saying and by your demeanor, I bet Sekuria took off again and you found reason to worry about what he's gotten himself into.”
With a pause Bontu stood dumbfounded at the assumption. “Remind never to talk with you again,” Bontu said, taken back a little.
“Well, for your information I got word by some folks that were just passin’ through that they saw Sekuria lookin’ lost near the road to dawn's crossing. They claimed to have seen him just as he was passing by, a quarter mile into the forest.”
“That is strangely specific.” After a moment Bontu add; “and quite useful.” You can get dirt on anything can't you?”
He gave a nod, “aye, it's a wonder the things people will tell you when they're drunk as buttered nails.”
“Tomorrow I go look for him. I may start journey that way to start then.”
“Well don't be runnin’ off after shadows. Check his cottage just outside of town. Find his family and see what clues you can from there first,” and with a smile he added, “and come follow up with me will yah?”
“We'll see, you be sure to get some sleep tonight Veln.”
“Aye, the same to you” Veln said as Bontu made his way up to his room.
OOF, These stairs are really showing my age. I wonder how well I would have handled myself if that defense went sour. Not a thought I want to focus on too much. Hmm, I need to just lay down and rest that's all.
When he opened the door he found a paned window at the far end of the room, a table on the left side of the room with a glowing candle flickering in the dark of night and a beautifully crafted bed on the right wall.
That bed was put here special by Veln for is trusted guests.
It stood off the ground with a hand carved bed frame and a mattress made of the nicest material you’d ever seen in Marth's End. There was a small dresser by the door that had a basin with a hole in the bottom and a lock on the side door. Kicking his shoes to the side he gave a sigh as he threw a couple of silver pieces into the basin on top of the dresser and closed the door. With little care for undressing he flopped into the bed and slept. His thoughts however followed him into his sleep.
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FIRE THE BALLISTAS! LOAD THE EXPLOSIVE BOLTS!”
The several bowmen on top of the towers Began to use the grand siege weapons.
“KURPLINK!” each of the ballistas shot their mighty man sized bolts at the mass of moving shapes. Every shot exploded on impact flinging helpless bodies several feet in the air. As the bolts hit goblins covered in oil it lit them ablaze; the scene turned Into a fiery conflagration where fire was spreading from one unlucky soul to another as oil was flung from one goblin to another.
Recognition flooded back to Bontu. He saw the scene from outside himself through what appeared to be a narrow lens. Every sound echoed throughout his consciousness.
That's it! These fools are scared of fire! “DASTUM! TURN THE WALL INTO AN INFERNO!”
He watched from an elevated view as the brilliant fire engulfed the battle.
“What was that?”
His attention was drawn away from the memory by a shimmering green haze in the distant trees. The sounds of the struggle continued but the vision took him past the wall and past the endless horde of goblins and into the dark forest. With uncanny speed his vision sped him through the forest following the green haze, zipping past the trees he came to a sudden stop, moments of confusion were followed by moments of sorrow as he was faced with the sight of a war-torn Sekuria laying on the ground.
“What happened to you?”
A feeling of sadness overwhelmed Bontu as he looked at the ravaged and unconscious body of his good friend.
“Why, why did this happen?”
Without warning Bontu was carried off once again through the trees at an unexplainable speed. This time he stopped at a burned and unrecognizable building. All that remained were ashes and a few pillars.
Bontu looked around the wreckage and found the bodies of several men. They were all unrecognizable or merely unfamiliar, all save one.
“Tordale…You no good, double timing, pig’s brain! You are but a shadow of the man you once were!You deserved what you got! And by the looks of it, you got the full end of justice.”
“This doesn't add up though. There are so many missing pieces. Why Tordale and what is this place? ”
The vision zipped off. This time he found himself within the walls of a large, stone city. As he looked around he saw that he was in a courtyard. It was a place full of shops and stands and It had been outlined by cobblestone roads surrounding a red brick circle, in the circle he saw a white eagle with a scepter in its talons. It was a hub of trade and commerce. The rain was no longer beating down but was instead replaced by an eerie fog.
“This is Vistra, isn’t it?”
After a few moments of careful watching Bontu saw a figure walk through the fog and step up to an abandoned shop on the far side of the courtyard. Bontu suddenly found himself next to the man and watched as a hidden slit in the door opened, revealing an inconspicuous set of eyes. The hooded man had an unrecognizable voice and spoke as if the court yard was filled with thousands of spying ears.
“The ritual was a success. The beast came and obeyed.”
“Good, that's good. What of the attack at the wall?”
“Repelled. Without a single death I'm afraid.”
“Hmm, well that's unfortunate isn't it. I'll get word to the Grand Arbiter. As for you, the Grand Arbiter has a task for you…”
Again without warning the scene faded and Bontu sped off.
“This is so strange. What is happening? It's so broken and choppy. This is larger than I thought previously.” he spoke quietly.
“BONTU, THIS IS A TASK GREATER THAN YOU. LOOK FOR SEKURIA AS HIS HOME, KNOW THE TRUTH,” The gruff voice echoed throughout his head.
He once again stopped. This time he viewed himself asleep in his bed.
“GO BEFORE YOU FIND TIME ITSELF AN ABSENT RESOURCE.”
The vision turned to the door of his room. It creaked open and let in a shadow covered man. Slowly making his way to Bontu he slipped a dagger from his belt.
A sudden flash of light filled the room with a red glow. At the window several tiny orbs could be seen darting towards the room from the distance. With fear exposed in his response, the man dove out of the room never to be seen. The hasty disappearance of the man didn't deter the orbs from racing towards the room.
“Go mortal. Time is near its end.” The lights hit the window with a crash and a flare of blindingly bright light filled the room…
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With a gasp Bontu sat up in his bed. As he looked around he saw that the sun had risen and soft morning rays were coming through the small window.
What the blazes was that all about?
Whilst he sat there scratching his head he began to smell the morning scents of breakfast and Veln's honey brew coming from down stairs.
Does that man ever sleep? He thought.
Bontu got up out of bed, put on his boots and realized something strange. The door to his room was wide open.
Sweat came dripping down his face as he realized the impossible.
Could it have been real? All of it?
With little time to put on his coat Bontu raced down the stairs with just enough care not to come crashing down head first.
“Veln!” he yelled in a nervous panic. “How late were you up last night?”
“Easy now lad, I slept don't worry. I did manage however to hear you makin’ quite the ruckus last night. I would've thought you were givin’ back your breakfast, or somethin’ along those lines anyway.”
“Did anyone come in late last night? Did you see their face?” his voice was in a shake.
“Last I saw was your own, I'm afraid. Why, do ye ask?” Veln inquired.
With a conscious effort to calm down, Bontu responded, “just a dream is all.”
“I think it be more than that.” Veln prodded. After a moment he shrugged, looking back at what he was doing “Ah, it don't mean nothin’ to me anyhow. Here I made yah some breakfast. Be sure to eat it slow enough that yah don't kill yourself.”
“I don't have time Veln.”
“I thought you'd say that, hmm alright then I'll eat it, you just go see sekuria’s home or whatever you said.”
Stopping in his tracks Bontu looked at Veln with a pale face and wide eyes. “What did you say?”
“Oi, don't be turnin’ this around on me now. You be the one that talks in your sleep! I'm just the one that hears it.”
I can't even sleep in the same building as him without him learning my thought. “Not a word Veln,” the declaration was sturn and serious.
“Aye, you have my word. Not a soul will know about the lights.” With a pause Veln laughed,“ Don't worry lad your lucky that nobody else chose my inn last night. Maybe next time you should sleep with a gag! Hah!”
I've had enough of this.
Bontu left the inn with as much security and peace as a naked chick left out in a field.
That man will stay quiet if he knows what's best for him. Let's go see what kind of trouble we're in.
Outside of the inn, the hustle and bustle of the day had already begun. Carts pulled by donkeys moved past side street vendors, beggars opened outreached hands to anyone who shot them a quick glance, and commoners moved from one place to another fulfilling the days tasks. Nobody paid much heed to Bontu as he made his way past them.
Bontu raced to the stable just inside the gates and grabbed his black mare. After girding the horse with his saddle he swiftly climbed atop the elegant animal and kicked her to a run.
“Run Meardón, with haste!”
Several minutes later the cottage was in sight and Bontu's heart sunk within his chest. This can't be! “Run Meardón, faster!
As he got up to the burnt remains of the home he once new, he dismounted and searched the wreckage for any sign that could lead him to Sekuria. This isn't right. This place was fine not a week ago.
In his search Bontu caught sight of something that sent shivers down his spine. “Tordale… so it's all true.” Quaking, he fell to his knees and for several minutes couldn't find the strength to return to his feet.
I can't do this. I'm too old, I can’t take up the oath again. I need a team, an army. No, I need a Watch…
