I had been traveling for two days before I saw the smoke.

I knew I was coming close to the village of Hearthrock. Near there was where Lord Vonspire had his fort, Ford Judgment.

Where my lord Gregor was more of a folk hero in Faunburg, Lord Vonspire was more of a judge in Hearthrock. While this does sound ominous, it was the people who begged him to take on the role. They loved him and trusted his judgment above many.

As I got closer, I realized the smoke was coming from the village. I left the road and took a less direct path. I stopped at the tree line just before the village and I saw the aftermath of chaos. The village was in complete ruins. There wasn’t a single building that wasn’t either rubble or on fire.

It was made somehow more unsettling by the silence. No screaming or shouting. Just the crackling of fire and the blowing of the wind.

Fort Judgment sat upon a small hill just outside the village and from here I could tell it faired as well as the village. Where a fort once stood was now a huge pile of stone and rubble. My heart sank at the sight.

I tied my horse off on a tree with my pack and took only my sword. I entered the village and that’s when I began to smell the burning flesh of the funeral pyres. Dozens of bodies burned in piles in the center of the village. It was gruesome, but at least they had the decency to burn the victims rather than let them rot.

I made my way through the ruins of the village without any trouble, but I could see signs of fighting everywhere. I left Hearthrock and made my way up the hill towards Fort Judgment. Just before I crested the flat topped hill, I heard something. Like a heavy object being thrown or drop on something.

I put my hand on the hilt of my sword and slowly crept up the hill. There, just outside of where the front gates would have been, were four of those Black Cloaks milling around. One was dropping a body onto a pile of others. He turned and moved his hands quickly in some intricate form of sign language and the one I thought was the leader nodded.

They turned to leave when they caught sight of me. At that moment I hoped beyond hope that they weren’t the cause of this destruction. But the looks on their faces and the weapons suddenly in their hands rid me of the hope.

I drew my sword as they silently came at me. It was unnerving the way they coordinated and advanced without making a single sound. But I was a trained swordsman and my lord, while he may not know it yet, was counting on me.

The first one to get to me wielded a mace and shield. He slowly advanced on me with the shield and when within striking range he pulled the shield away for a wide downward swing. I rolled to the side easily dodging it and coming to my feet just in time to block another strike from one with a sword.

I kicked at the one with the sword and swung mine in a wide arch towards the one with the mace. I was rewarded with the feeling of my sword hitting something. I rolled away and looked to see him drop his weapons and clutch at his throat. He silently fell to the ground choking on his own blood.

The other three started to bear down on me, now realizing I wasn’t a hapless villager. I took up a defensive stance and was considering running when one of them hit the ground suddenly with an arrow in his neck.

The others turned just in time to see a small group of villagers charging from the tree line with Lord Vonspire in the lead!

It didn’t take long for them to close the gap and for Lord Vonspire to bisect one of the Black Cloaks. He swung down hard with his large flamberge, cutting the Black Cloak from the shoulder to the waist. He was thinner than the other knights so I was surprised to see such raw strength. The other Black Cloak didn’t show any sign of faltering as he was also overpowered and cut down. Just like that the fighting was over.

Lord Vonspire looked at me with a big toothy grin, there was blood on his almost gaunt features, “Young Alfenshpiel, if I was not a holy man I would kiss you! If you had not shown up and distracted them, and cut one down, I would not have been able to attack without great risk to my people.”

I didn’t really know how you respond so I tried to change the subject, “Umm… It was my honor, my lord. What happened here?”

A dark shadow came over his expression, “It was Draxis. He offered me a deal, but I refused. This,” he gestured to the ruined town, “was his response. He wishes to rid us of our Lady, of our very liberty! We must warn the others. Tell me, young Alfenshpiel, how is Gregor?”

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It was now my turn to take on a dark expression, “He isn’t well, my lord. He is highly agitated and doesn’t seem himself anymore.”

“But he still lives. That is what matters. We must find sirs Brick and Riggins. Lord Brick is the closest in Fort Bulwark.”

One of the villagers spoke up sheepishly, “What about us, my lord?”

Lord Vonspire turned his sympathetic eyes to the six remaining villagers, “Hearthrock is gone, my friends. I am truly sorry. I must go to my brothers.”

“We understand, my lord.” Said a strong looking man. He had a gash across his chest but looked to be in better shape than the others.

“We will stay here for a time to bury our dead and recover what we can. Then we will move on. We’ll find another village or town that will be willing to take us in. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, my lord.”

They all bowed out of respect, then shambled off towards the village.

Lord Vonspire watched them go with sorrow on his face. Soon a young man returned with a pack on his back and a stick in his hand.

He walked up to Lord Vonspire, “My lord. I’m ready to go.”

He laid his hand on the villagers shoulder and smiled warmly, “Young Reginald, you have been very loyal. For your loyalty and dedication to me, I release you from your duties. You are no longer required to serve me.”

The young man bowed his head, “Thank you, my lord. But I would like to continue serving you.” He gestured to the town, “I have nothing left.”

I heard Lord Vonspire choke slightly as he no doubt held back tears, “Thank you, young Reginald. It is with honor that I accept your continued service. I would have no one else by my side.”

I thought he was going to hug him right then and there before he turned to me.

“My pony is tied up over there.” I pointed, “We can leave when you’re ready, my lord.”

He nodded, “Thank you young Alfenshpiel. Give us a moment, please. We will meet you there and then we will leave.”

I nodded and left. Some time later they met me at the tree line and we left. I had noticed that Lord Vonspire was looking more healthy than he did before. Being the lord of a fort affords you some benefits, like affordable health potions.

It was another days travel before we reached Fort Bulwark. There was no village to go through but as we approached the clearing we heard shouting.

We stopped at the tree line to see a small army of Black Cloaks besieging Fort Bulwark! Dozens of black drab warriors crouched behind barricades and fired crossbows at defenders on the walls. A small catapult launched a flaming ball towards the gates but missed by a few feet. There were bodies strewn around, both of Black Cloaks and of Lord Bricks warriors.

Lord Vonspire whispered, “Come, young Alfenshpiel, I know a secret way into this fort.”

As we were preparing to leave we heard the breaking and cracking of the main gate. They had finally broken through. Every Black Cloak, even those manning the siege engine, picked up swords and shields and charged. Several went down to arrows before they made it to the gate and there they were met by a shield wall of Lord Brick’s warriors with him at the front.

Lord Brick is a big man but in his armor he was huge. If I hadn’t seen him out of it, I would have assumed he was a half orc or something. He wielded a great sword as easily as I would a broadsword sword. Where he swung, a Black Cloak died.

I whispered to Lord Vonspire, “What now?”

He responded with confidence, “There may be nothing for us to do, young Alfenshpiel. Lord Brick seems to have this battle well in hand.”

At that point I noticed a small group of soldiers creeping around the corner of the fort with Lord Riggins at the front. They charged the rear of the Black Cloaks yelling like mad men and caught them in a pincer move.

Lord Riggins wielded two battle axes and chopped and hacked at the Black Cloaks like a woodsman on heavy drugs.

Lord Vonspire stood and drew his sword, “Come, young squire. There is fighting to be had!”

I drew my sword and we charged across the field to join the fray. The battle didn’t last long after we joined as we cut the Black Cloaks down to the last man. Not one of them surrendered.

After the fighting Lord’s Brick and Riggins greeted Lord Vonspire and myself.

“FRIENDS!” Lord Brick shouted, “Bless the Lady for your safety! What brings you to my keep?”

Lord Vonspire spoke in a somber tone, “Hearthrock and Fort Judgment are in ruins, my friend. Young Reginald here and only five others survived. We came to make sure you had not suffered the same fate.” He looked to Riggins who was bloody and panting, “We were going to seek you out next.”

Lord Brick’s expression fell to sympathetic sorrow and before Vonspire could respond he had him in a bear hug, “I am truly sorry to hear this, brother! But it soothes my heart to know that you survived. What of Lord Gregor?” He asked me.

I cleared my throat, “My master is not well, my lord. I was hoping one of you could speak with him and perhaps help him to see reason.”

Lord Riggins chuckled at that, which considering his current bloody state, was pretty unsettling.

Lord Brick smiled again, “Well, young Fredrick, we shall all go speak with him. Lord Riggins’ fort was razed while he was out hunting, Lord Vonspire’s fort was also razed and now mine is compromised. How fares Fort Prosper?”

“It still stands, my lord. No enemies have assaulted it yet.” I replied, "As far as I know, that is."

Lord Brick clapped his gauntleted hands, “Then it’s settled! Everyone, prepare to leave. We will abandon Fort Bulwark for now. When we have dealt with his tyrannical king and his weak armies, we shall return!”

The remaining warriors cheered and brandished their bloody weapons before splitting up to gather supplies.

“Come, young Fredrick.” Lord Brick put a large hand on my shoulder, “Let us go and ease your master’s mind.”