[https://em.wattpad.com/e792c245a53653cc6f623b4437d7da154308872b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4735474a4b61346253306d3075673d3d2d3731343034373536372e3135393538366535343566336265663934333237383339393535362e6a7067]
https://www.deviantart.com/scribblepadstudios/art/Middle-Earth-Shadow-of-Mordor-Concept-Art-Camp-488648262
Quest Objective
- Journey to Shadow’s Bay.
You’ll be playing Grey Steel, a minotaur with a burning desire for vengeance against the creatures that destroyed his life.
***
Amaryllis shaken up by her close call with death, sat off alone, her white robes stained with mud, shoulders racked by silent sobs. The campsite they'd found a few miles to the west of the battlefield, huddled up beside a small lake, the area sparsely forested with a few new woodland trees that were drawn to the heat of the four suns. Sky staring at him with that knowing look as though he could read Grey’s mind, his own reflection in the lake betraying Grey a little as his cheeks twitched nervously.
“You going to talk to her?”Asked Sky.
Grey shrugged his shoulders, he’d made it clear to Amaryllis that he had never wanted her to come with them in the first place, that she would only ever be a burden. And yet despite all that he couldn’t help but feel a sharp stab of guilt at almost leading them all to their deaths. Especially since he was only one who had spent any time training with his uncle.
Sky who had spent most of his life alone had no one to teach him how to fight, everything he’d learnt, he’d been forced to learn on his own. As for Amaryllis, Grey doubted very much she’d ever seen a sword before coming along with them, which meant he was only one with any fighting skill.
However that would need to change if they wished to head further inland into the heart of the Ash Lands, where whatever remained of the world they once knew was blighted by an inescapable darkness. The stories he'd heard from Cold enough to caution Grey.
Standing up abruptly as he realized what he needed to do. He strode off into the woods alone, his eyes roving the forest floor before coming across what he needed.
Picking up two thick branches, he hauled them back to the camp while Amaryllis looked on in confusion and Sky stood there with one eyebrow crooked upward.
Ignoring their looks of consternation, he sat down by the lake, pulled out the knife he’d brought with him, and set to work whittling the wood as his friends watched. His hands working in smooth steady motions as he chipped away at the outer layer of bark to reveal the much harder inner wood. The new woodland trees that came from the old magic, perfect for the kind of work he had in mind as he slowly carved away at the wood to flatten out it's edges. His fingers making sure to leave much of the wood in the center intact and ensure it still retained it’s old strength.
Sweat sliding down Grey's back, time passed by, and his companions left him on his own. Sky shooting him an annoyed backward glance before leading Amaryllis away to speak with her softly. The kind hearted fool no doubt trying to comfort her with words and shake her of the fear that had swept through them all. But words alone would mean nothing out here if they were attacked again. They must be ready or else they would all die. It was that simple. No matter how skilled a warrior Grey thought might be, he would never be able to protect them on his own.
As he worked he was reminded of a story his uncle had once told him, of a extremely gifted fighter who had travelled the lands helping those in dire straits, when one day the nameless warrior had heard from a seer that his home would soon come under attack from foes he had made in the past. Returning to his village alone, the swordsman prepared to face those that would attack his home, but despite all of his valour that day. Not a single soul had survived but for himself.
So it did not matter how good Grey thought he was, if he was to survive he would need allies better able to protect themselves. For there was no telling what they would face next.
***
It took much of that day and the next day to complete, but by the end Grey had fashioned two acceptable practice blades like the ones he'd used to train with his uncle.
“And what exactly are we supposed to do with those?” inquired Sky, “They’ll break against real swords.”
Grey rolled his eyes. “They are not meant for you to use in battle. They’re meant to help you learn.”
Sky laughed in reply, “You want to teach us to fight?”
Grey said nothing to him, but instead turned to look at Amaryllis who stood by the lake gazing at him with her soft green eyes. His gaze meeting hers for a long drawn out moment as though they were each speaking in a language of their own making, before she abruptly nodded her head in understanding.
Smiling in relief that he would not need to convince her of what needed to be done, he handed her one of the practice blades and took the other for himself, while Sky gaped at them in disbelief. “Wait! You want to teach her?! But you can’t! It goes against the light to teach a priestess...”
The shrillness in his voice curtailed off as Amaryllis glowered at him hotly. “I’ll say what I can and cannot do Sky! And I’m not a priestess! At least not yet. I’m still a novice. And I say, that I would like to learn.”
Utterly flummoxed and perplexed, Sky looked first to Amaryllis then to Grey, then back to her, trying to find the right words to say, before throwing up his arms and walking away. “Fine! Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.” Grey’s friend disappearing off into the brush with a last shake of his head, before leaving them all alone.
“I guess we can begin now if you are ready?”asked Grey.
Green eyes sparkling with excitement, Amaryllis nodded her head and grasped the hilt of her practice sword, the weapon purposely built heavier so that she could strengthen her arms.
“I cannot teach you everything my uncle taught me, but there are three basic stances that should help you in any fight. Light, Heavy, and Balanced.”
As he spoke Grey began to move the practice sword. The weapon light as a feather in his hands as he swung the blade, his feet constantly moving and shifting as he re-directed the blade in thrusting attacks that were quick and deadly. Then switching to a more aggressive approach as he moved the weapon in downwards arcs meant to draw power from both the sky and ground. Each blow cascading through into the next, before sucking in a deep breath of air and slowly moving into a more measured assault, his hips continually pivoting as he feinted, parried, and struck imaginary blows.
Slowing to a stop before her, Grey felt sweat drip down his forehead. Her eyes watching him with keen interest, causing a flush to creep up to his cheeks as he coughed, “Hrrm, anyway those are three basic forms from which all battle forms are founded upon. Light stance to battle enemies slow on their feet, heavy stance to battle evenly matched opponents, and balanced stance which is used to measure your opponents skills. Each of the forms are purposely designed to combat any given situation. To begin with, I will instruct you in the ways of balanced stance.”
Moving to take hold of her from behind, he lightly kicked at her feet, before helping to position her hands, a part of him uncomfortably aware of her scent which smelled of morning spring. Grey then moved her through each form by holding her waist and directing her attacks, until she was able to move through each one of them on her own.
The blade dipped a little too low, and more than a few of her strokes were clumsy, but slowly the former temple novice was beginning to show an aptitude that surprised him a little.
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Stepping back away from her, he watched in admiration as she moved through the stances, her attacks gradually becoming more fluid and natural. Her expression tight with concentration as she pushed herself to move through each of the steps faster and faster. The swirl of robes flying up to her knees, bringing another blush to Grey's face.
Only distantly aware of his surroundings, Grey was startled when he heard footsteps come from behind him. “You...you think you could train me as well?”
Half concealing his smile, Grey turned to his friend and nodded his head.
***
The next few days were spent much the same way with Grey teaching his companions the basic forms of battle. (+ 40 Health Points.)
(Grey can now access the three basic forms. This is done by selecting a form before each given fight. For now, when you select a stance you must use that particular stance until you’ve defeated all your enemies.)
Heavy Stance - Allows you to use one additional attack dice, but removes all of your resilience.
Balance Stance - All enemy attack dice are dropped by 1.
Light Stance - Doubles your resilience, but drops your attack dice to one.
(Grey has also gained two companions who can join him battle. They can be used once during the story to fight in your place. They can be equipped with better weapons and armor if you have any to spare.)
[https://em.wattpad.com/f2d3ac932ac5adb24099d8d42d6ed1f29d30c8f4/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3649545f4e50432d58464f656d773d3d2d3731343034373536372e313539353836646531666138353837353939303433363039333438382e706e67]
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***
With their few supplies dwindling fast, Grey knew it was time they pressed on toward town, hopefully the basics he had taught them would be enough for now. As for their journey...Shadow’s Bay was all but within reach, it was only a matter of days before they would take a boat up the river and make the last leg of the journey to where the Honor Blades resided.
Excited by that very prospect, they eagerly continued further inland and towards the Southern Road which led up north. The path made of red stone cutting a nice figure through the rugged terrain, dotted by rocks and hillocks, before bending to join a wide river. His friends content for the moment to take in the beautiful scenery, while Grey kept a wary gaze on the road ahead.
They must have travelled at least several miles that day when they finally took a break. Sky all but dropping down flat on his back. “I thought you said it was close,”he complained.
Hand raised up to block out the sunlight getting into his eyes, Grey peered off into the distance, a part of him hoping to see the town already as well, when he caught sight of smoke drifting up into the clouds. “Shouldn’t be much longer. I’m sure the smoke over there must be coming from the town,”Grey said as he pointed to the smudge of smoke on the horizon.
Face scrunched up to look as well, Amaryllis let out a sudden gasp of surprise. “What’s that?”
View suddenly blocked by a swirl of dust that flew up into the air, Grey drew his greatsword, and motioned for his friends to move closer to the banks of the river. The dust cloud rapidly drawing closer when out from the smoke emerged half a dozen riders on the backs of wingdarts, fleet footed horses with inky smooth black skin that could run for thousands of miles without rest. The warriors who rode them carrying the insignia of Lord Colmar, a shattered green kite shield upon a field of blue. The banner that whipped in the breeze behind them holding the same symbol as they ground to a swift halt before them, spears tips flashing forward to press against Grey’s throat as they surrounded them on all sides.
Easy enough to recognize since they were humans from the Red Lands. They wore brown leather armour and we're equipped with crossblades that were strapped to their backs, marking them as mercenaries.
From what he had heard back at the village, with Barook’s sudden demise, many mercenary companies had turned to banditry. But then why did they still carry the flag of Lord Colmar if they were bandits?
Nudging his wingdart closer, the leader of the band a stout human male with a thick bush of red hair on his chin and scalp, peered down at Grey with bright yellow eyes that glowed with intelligence. The man waving his arm back at his men who lowered their spear tips and pulled back. “These lands are not safe to travel alone stranger. Where are you three heading if I may ask?”
Half expecting an attack at any moment, Grey readied himself to cut down the bearded warrior before Sky blurted out, “We’re going to Shadow’s Bay!”
The redling grinned at Sky, turned to his men, and gestured for them to form up on either side of them. “Then my men and I shall of course escort you there.”
Sensing that there really wasn’t much of a choice being given here, Grey nodded his head, and the column of riders started off once more down the road. The redling leader slowing his wingdart down to match Grey’s pace. “I am Salandreel, Hand of the Black Fist. You come at a difficult time, stranger.”
“Why? What’s happened?”asked Amaryllis.
Glancing back over his shoulder towards her, Salandreel spoke as he guided his wingdart forward. “Lady, there are rumours that demons have been sighted nearby with whole villages vanishing off into the dark. But the worst news is that the blighted creatures are led by a powerful demon lord by the name of Blauztag the Godless if you can believe it. It's why our new commander has ordered us to safeguard any travellers on the road.”
Confused, Grey raised an eyebrow. “But what of the Honor Blades? Surely they would have sent warriors to deal with the threat?”
Salandreel laughed at that. “We haven’t seen an Honor Blade here in years, the order has all but abandoned these parts. The only fighters to remain here are the Black Fist led by Drakamor the Bastard. Even the bandits that crawl all over the south, know better than to travel this far east.”
Stunned alittle by his words, Grey tried to shake his disbelief but all he could hear was Halmark’s word replay themselves again and again at the back of his mind. And while Grey held no grand illusions as to what it meant to be an Honor Blade, he still couldn’t believe that they would abandon anyone in need. The Honor Blades spoken of by his father were warriors bound by a code to defend the weak and battle the darkness no matter what. The thought that they would leave these people to fend for themselves…it made no sense. Something had to be wrong, something terrible must have happened to them.
Sky easily able to read his thoughts, placed an arm around his shoulder. Amaryllis shooting him a concerned look before speaking quietly with one of the mercenaries escorting them. The party silently continuing on down the road when they rounded the bend of the river to behold the town of Shadow’s Bay.
More like a city than a town, Shadow’s Bay sprawled for thousands of miles along either side of the great river. Their homes surrounded by huge wooden walls, bound by iron straps and topped by sharpened points. The area before the gates blocked off by newly made barricades that were backed by palisades that stretched around a sea of tents with hundreds of guards standing watch while more patrols of horseman rode off on the backs of wingdarts.
All the people, all the smells, all the sounds...It was like nothing Grey had ever seen before. His vague recollections of the times his father had taken him to city all but forgotten. It was like everything here was alive and full of energy. The ground before him bustling with so much life it was hard to believe anything could threaten such a place.
Gaping openly in awe, he suddenly became aware that they had come to stop. Sky mouthing something about never seeing so many people so close together, while Amaryllis’ head whipped from side to side trying to take it all in. Salandreel grinning at them from ear to ear.
“I suppose where you’re from there aren’t too many towns like this one out there. Come along and I’ll show you to our new commander, he’ll want to speak with you. There’s no need to worry, he just likes to greet everyone that arrives personally.”
Half moving in a daze, they made their way down towards the opening in the palisades, before being overwhelmed by a wave of sights and sounds, the heavy clamor of voices, beating of smith’s hammers, and the noise of the town sweeping over them like an avalanche. The mercenaries pulling to a halt in front of a stable to the right where they handed off their wingdarts to young minos who’d yet to grow out their horns.
Ushered towards a large black tent setup in the middle of the palisades, Grey strode ahead of his friends, trying to take it all in, people of all races brushing shoulders together side by side as they worked together on various jobs. Warriors armored in brown leathers with the insignia of the Black Fist stitched onto their breast pocket passing them by with a courteous nods to Salandreel who smiled, and waved to a few of them. The burly bearded warrior joking with more than a few about the lack of proper ale, before motioning his hand towards the tent entrance guarded by two minotaurs clad in steel plate armor.
“This is where I leave you. I wish you luck strangers,”said Salandreel.
“Thank you.”
The redling smiled in reply, “I guess I’m off to go save some more lives. Farewell and may the suns shine down upon you.”
“And you,”replied Grey.
With a last wave of goodbye, the mercenaries disappeared back off into camp, leaving them on their own once more. Or as alone as they could be in a camp full of warriors, and tagalongs.
Looking back one last time at his friend’s nervous faces, Grey smiled and pushed aside the tent flaps as he entered.
(You may now either choose to increase your health temporarily by 20 or add 2 permanent resilience points to your stats.)
To be continued...