So it was that while others all around the world of Terrazil recovered after celebrating the Festival of the Sun, twenty men rode horseback with all the speed their mounts could give them, heading towards the city of Stalwart. In time, they would turn off of the road and head back into the hills, but for now, they made sure there was nothing on the roads to bother the wagons that were falling further and further behind with every hour. Their horses gave them all that they could, and in a week, they covered a distance that should have been covered in three.
As the party neared the foothills where the Order of the Griffon maintained its base of operations and winter home, they were met by a large party. That is not to say that there were many of them, but the giants made up for lack of numbers with sheer size. They were often called cloud or storm giants because of the powers they harnessed, and their moods, which could go from a soft bank of clouds to a roaring torrential storm in moments. Nim Mithriannil rode to meet with the leader of the giant group, but the stares the rest were directing towards the youngest of his party gave him all the information that he needed.
The argument that developed shortly thereafter lasted all of two sentences before it was cut short when Nim yelled a name which had no significance to the Giants. With his shoulders sagging, Shawnrik Larston went into the hills, following the group whose ancient and powerful blood ran through his veins. In moments, the party led by Nim was once again speeding across the landscape.
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When Nim came out of the compound of the Order of the Griffon, he did not look happy. It took them another two days to reach the Fortress of the Wardens, also known as Steadfast. There, his reception was much warmer. He found that the battle was on in full from the messengers who had arrived only hours before himself.
The leader of the Wardens was a gruff dwarf who was known to his soldiers as Cyclops when he wasn’t in hearing, and Field Marshall Bannis when he was. The old Dwarf was already issuing the orders for troop mobilization when Nim met with him. After Nim laid out his worries to Field Marshall Bannis, the old Warden told them of a circle of transport which connected the fortress with the city of Asylum in case of emergencies. Having several Mages that knew how to utilize such circles, Nim sent a scouting party through.
None of them were prepared for what they would find in Asylum, however, and soon a messenger was sent speeding from the Wardens base to the compound of the Order of the Griffon.