The blaring of the alarm bells still echoed in Therok’s mind, his dreams inky and dark. The soft shine of morning light assaulted his face, fluttering his eyes open as he sat up right in his carriage’s chair. Glancing over to his right he saw Grigor, his loyal bodyguard and friend gazing out the window. Now knowing where the cursed rays of sun were coming from, he cleared his throat softly.

“Anything interesting?” He asked, stretching out his aching arms.

Grigor jumped ever so slightly as he shifted in his seat to face Therok and bowed his head slightly.

“Sorry m’lord, I did not mean to wake you.” Grigor said, lifting his head.

“Do not worry, and again Grigor” Therok’s eyes narrowed “You do not have to call me lord when it is just us.” He said giving off a small smile

“I will do my best to remember.” Grigor said half drifting off in thought.

“Are you okay my friend?” Therok asked.

“I am still worried, and disturbed about what happened last night.” Grigor said with a serious tone. “How was the College attacked, and how did they get past the defenses?” Grigor continued.

“Well, sadly it seems they may have had assistance from someone inside.” Therok said. His arms crossing over his chest.

“But why would they help a group attack the College though?” Therok asked, his eyes closed as he thought it over.

The men sat in silence for several moments pondering over the events of last night. Eventually Therok sighed heavily as his head began to throb and he looked out the window to his left. The small mountain road they were on was filled with carriages and horses going down, but armed soldiers and their carriages were marching up towards the College. Therok noted the heavily armed men and several checkpoints that dotted the road farther down. Theork pointed towards the window, Grigor leaned forward and gazed out. The road they were on wrapped around a few miles ahead which allowed the two to see it across the gorge. Grigor noted the checkpoints Therok was pointing out.

“That’s more than normal.” Grigor said, leaning back into his seat.

“It is, and they are not stopping anyone.” Therok said, still looking out across the way.“I wonder if they are looking for someone?” Therok asked under his breath.

Therok stared out a bit longer tracing the road back towards them when he spotted someone walking in the center of the road. The carriages were dividing the best they could around the person but they still hit them from time to time. Therok perked up at this, a strange feeling inside he couldn't explain.

“Is that a student?” Therok asked aloud.

Grigor shifted and tried to look out the window, but could not see anything from his angle.

“I am not sure.” Grigor said, giving up trying to see.

“I wonder why they are walking?” Therok asked.

Therok’s carriage began to catch up to the slow walking figure, as it approached then passed the figure Therok saw the white robes of a student, along with fiery red hair. A small smirk etched itself across Theroks lips as he balled his fist and tapped the roof twice. The carriage soon came to a complete stop and Grigor gave out a small sigh.

******************

Verona huffed as she readjusted her pack, her brown cloak constantly wrapping around its strap. After getting it straight for the thirtieth time, she set out once more, the morning sun peeking over the mountain tops. She worried about the coming heat, but that thought was torn away when a carriage almost ran her over. Cursing under her breath, she grit her teeth and continued onward.

“Damn nobles.” She hissed.

Another carriage passed her, though unlike the others, this one came to a stop a few feet ahead of her. Her eyes rolled as she began to get ready for the worst when the carriage’s door flung open. A man dressed in College student robes stood there staring at her, his dark purple sash around his waist told her he was a third year. His dashing good looks, curly short brown hair, hazel eyes, and confidence with which he held himself told her he was of noble birth. The man took a step down the small stairs, a smile on his face as he looked at her and waved.

“You there!” Therok yelled, “Come over here.”

Verona cautiously walked a few feet closer to the carriage, making it easier to hear the man.

“Yes, what do you want?” She asked.

“I was curious as to why you were walking.” Therok replied.

“Because it’s good for my health.” Verona said in a sarcastic tone.

“Oh, well then I guess you would say no to a ride?” Therok asked. “It is a few days walk to the base of the mountain.” He added.

Verona peered up at the man smiling down at her, she was curious as to why a noble would offer her, a commoner, a ride. She looked to her feet for a few seconds before returning to his gaze.

“I have no money to offer.” She said.

“Haha, no worries. I do not ask for payment. It is merely the right thing to do.” He said chuckling. “Oh, how rude of me, I have failed to introduce myself.” Therok said, giving a small bow “I am Therok Virborn the third, it is a pleasure.” He added while coming back to his full height.

“Pleasure Therok, I am Verona.” She said giving a small bow in return. “I think I will accept your offer.” She said removing her hood, her long fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders.

“Wonderful!” Therok exclaimed, stepping down the stairs and helping Verona up them.

Verona entered the carriage and paused slightly, Grigor shifted and stared at her. Her emerald green eyes narrowed onto his amber ones.

“Hello.” She said cautiously

“Good evening.” Grigor said, giving her a slight head nod while shifting over to make room for her.

Verona moved in more as Therok entered and helped her place her bag in a small cubby above them. She sat next to the lightly armored man, his worn leather overlaid with chainmail.

“So, who are you?” Veron asked Grigor.

“I am the bodyguard for Lord Therok.” He said with a prideful tone, before turning his gaze back to Therok.

“Are you happy now m’lord?” Grigor asked.

“Very much so!” Therok said with a smile.

Verona looked between the two men, slightly confused on what just happened, but pushed it aside. She cleared her throat and the two shifted their gaze back towards her.

“I thank you again for the ride, and once we reach the plateau I shall not burden you further.” She said, inclining her head.

“No need, you can ride with us all the way down.” Therok said.

“But..” She started.

“No use in arguing, m’lord wont let something go once he has hold of it.” Grigor said cutting off Verona.

“Do not worry Verona, it is no trouble to me.” Therok said, his fist tapping the roof twice.

******************

The three sat in silence for a few moments as the carriage began to move down the road once again. After a while the three began to chat about random topics, but it quickly fell into silence again. Grigor began to stare out his side window towards the great plains below. The vast fields of yellow and green stretch to meet the blue horizon. Therok used this time to pull a small leather book from inside his robe. He cracked the tome open, the leather creaking as he did. Verona glanced over from her own small book at the familiar sound.

“What book are you reading m’lord?” She asked.

“Hmm? Oh, it is research notes from a fellow student. He is wishing for my take on it before publishing, I owe him a favor.” Therok said with a sly chuckle.

“What's it on, if you don't mind me asking.” She said, slightly lowering her eyes.

“I do not mind at all.” He said “It is a theory on Voidic magic, and how it can affect the world.” He finished.

“It sounds fascinating.” She said, a slight glimmer in her eye.

“Are you interested in theory research?” Therok asked, his eye brow raising just a bit.

“It is a hobby, but I am more interested in healing magics.” Verona said.

“Ah, ‘tis a good career, the world always needs healers.” Therok replied.

The two carried on about their talks of magic research and theory for almost three hours. By the time the conversation had died away, the sun was high in the sky. Therok noticed that Grigor was still gazing out towards the plains, his eyes fixed as if in a trance. Therok shifted in his seat slightly, closing the book he still held open and placing it by his side.

“What is Grigor?” Therok asked, a puzzled look etching itself upon his face.

“They sent out the Barges.” Grigor said flatly.

“Really? They must be serious then.” Therok said, shifting to now gaze out to the plains as well.

Therok could see three objects floating high above the grass plains a few miles out. Their massive bulbous shape clashing against the clear blue sky. Two seemed to be farther off south while the other moved along the mountain's base. Therok squinted his eyes trying to focus on the closest barge, he could barely make out the chunk of earth beneath its blimp. What he could make out of it was a structure that looked almost castle-like.

“The Keep.” Therok said softly.

“The Keep.” Grigor repeated.

“What’s the Keep?” Verona asked, confused by the two men repeating the word.

Grigor turned away from the window and faced Verona, his amber eyes filled with what she could only assume was fear.

“The Keep is a Barge class warship that houses an elite core of soldiers.” He said.

“Not just any soldiers, mutated ones.” Therok added, not looking away from the barge. “If that thing is out hunting, then something serious happened at the College.” Therok continued.

“Mutants?” Verona asked, shocked by the revelation.

“Yup, mutated with magic.” Grigor said, now sitting straight, with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Isn’t that illegal?” She asked.

“Depends on who you ask.” Therok hissed.

He moved away from the window and sat up, now facing the other two again, his hazel eye burned with a rage.

“Some noble families see it as okay, long as they use criminals.” Therok said, his voice still dripping with scorn “But they do not care what the crime was, long as it was a crime.” He said.

The two sat silent, heads shifting down and away from the clearly angry lord, after a few moments they both lifted their heads again. Now Therok was calm, his face relaxed and more care free, he gave them both a small smile. He then pulled out his book and began to read once more, Verona shifted as she was about to speak. Grigor moved his hand slightly catching her attention, she looked at him as he shook his head gently. She understood and left her thought to fade away, she noticed Grigor returning to gaze out the window and so she too returned to her books.

The three remained silent for the rest of the ride, not speaking until the carriage jolted harshly to the left. Causing Therok and Verona to lose hold of their books, both of them peered up and out the window. Seeing a massive flat expanse before them that was filled to the brim with tents, men, and wagons, they assumed they had arrived. Therok grunted as the carriage came to a full stop, the sounds of a man getting down from the driver's seat and walking around could be heard. Moments later, the door flung open and an armored knight stood before the three, the setting sun casting most of his features in shadows. He bowed deeply before speaking.

“M’lord, we have arrived at the stopping point.” Willam said, his voice gruff from age.

“Excellent!” Therok said, clapping his hands together “Let's find a place to make camp.”

Therok motioned the other two to follow him as he climbed out of the carriage, stretching his arms wide as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Placing his fists on his hips he swung around and faced the two now emerging from the carriage.

“Verona, meet my loyal knight Sir William.” Therok said, waving a hand towards the knight who bowed to the lady.

“It's a pleasure.” Verona said with a slight bow in return

“Let's find a place where all four of our tents can fit.” Therok said, smiling like a child.

The four of them spent the next few hours searching and setting up a campsite. After all the tents were up and formed into a circle around the fire pit, they began dinner. The sun was long under the horizon and the stars were starting to shine through the fading colors of dusk. After dinner, the four sat around the fire. Therok watched as Verona peered into the heavens, her bright emerald eyes tracing constellations. Therok was now taking her features in fully for the first time since they met. Her pale complexion was like moonlight that clashed perfectly with her fiery red curly hair that flowed down past her shoulders towards the small of her back. Grigor noticed Therok and gave a sly chuckle. Therok looked over to Grigor, narrowing his eyes as he did. Grigor gave a slight shrug and went to say something when he was stopped by an explosion that echoed from deep within the tent covered plateau. Grigor looked puzzled as the shockwave shook the ground slightly, Verona now looking between the three men as Therok and Willam gaze towards the source of the sound.

“What was…” Grigor started as two more explosions rang out, the shockwaves stronger and faster on these ones.

“We are under attack!” Willam roared, shooting up to his feet.

The other three quickly followed Willams lead and stood, Therok looked at Willam then Grigor.

“We cannot all go, someone needs to stay and watch the camp.” Therok said.

“I shall stay m’lord, I will not let anything happen so long as I am here.” Willam said giving a salute, his right hand balled into a fist and hovered over his heart.

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“Thank you Willam, we will return as fast as we can.” Therok said, giving the knight the same salute before turning to the other two.

“Let's go.” Therok said, waving them to follow him

The three darted off towards the sounds of screams and clashing metal, the air starting to grow warm as fires began to fill the horizon. The three moved quickly but there was no order to the tents, and camps, several paths led nowhere and the group was forced to backtrack. As they moved through the maze several students and knights rushed past them, some looking for places to hide, others eager to fight. Therok tried to get a few of them to tell him where the fighting was but it was no use as they all gave different answers. Frustrated, the party began to cut through the tents themselves trying to save time. As they did, two more explosions ripped apart the plateau. The shockwave caused Grigor to lose his balance and fall into a tent, causing it to collapse.

“Grigor, it is not time for games.” Therok said, offering him a hand up.

Grigor clicked his tongue as he took the man's hand, getting to his feet. Therok patted his shoulder and nodded, Verona was waving at them a few feet away.

“I found a path!” She yelled as the two ran up to her.

“Great, let's go.” Grigor said.

As the group ran down the path, it curved slightly to the left feeding into another straight away. At the far end of it laid a body, Therok could barely make out the robes that it wore. He noted that they were a student of the College, but before he could speak Verona dashed forward.

“Verona, wait!” Therok yelled after her, starting to follow but was several feet behind.

Verona glanced back towards Therok, determination in her eyes as she began to yell something back towards him. She was cut off as a hulking brute of a man tore out from the tents to Verona’s right. The massive beast roared as it charged her, she could not react in time as the man’s left arm stretched out and smashed the back of his hand into Verona’s side. She grunted as the hand connected, it ripped her from the ground and tossed her like a rock into the tents behind her. She slammed into them skipping along the ground once before coming to a stop as the tents enveloped her. Therok came to a sudden stop, fear splattered across his face.

“VERONA!” Therok yelled.

Before Therok could react more, Grigor flew past him, his face twisted into a maw of rage. The huge man before them turned to face the new threat bearing down on him and Therok could now see that the man was covered from head to toe in a thick black cloth or leather of some kind. Even the creature's eyes were covered making it look less human than it already did.

Grigor closed the gap between him and the beast quickly, once he was a few feet from it, he slammed his left heel into the earth. Using the momentum he gathered from his charge, he twisted his body, heaving his large two handed ax over his head. With the same movement, he brought the ax down with all his might. The monster of a man did not react out of panic it seemed, it merely raised its left arm and let it catch the ax’s blade. The blade sank deep into the man's arm, tearing muscle, nerves and tendons as it did. Grigor roared as he kept pushing the ax further and further, until it cleaved the man's forearm in half. Blood gushed from the stump coating Grigor, but as he continued forward with the momentum the hulking man’s right fist darted up and crashed into Grigor’s chest. The sound of breaking bones echoed out as Grigor flew several feet back behind Therok. Therok turned quickly watching his friend fly past him hitting the ground hard, rolling then coming to a stop on his feet in a low crouch position. He quickly fell on all fours coughing up a small amount of blood as he did.

“Grigor!” Therok yelled.

Grigor looked up, giving him a thumbs up letting him know he wasn't dead yet. With this, Therok turned and faced the giant once again. The creature began to lumber forward, its height growing even more as it got closer to Therok, making him note it was over six feet. Therok breathed in and out, letting the mana pull around him, as he did three small spheres of bluish light formed around his head. His eyes glowed softly as he continued to build up his mana, the spheres grew in size until they were close in mass to Therok’s fist. At this point the hulking mass of a man began to run towards him. Once the man was a few feet from Therok, he inhaled sharply.

“Thüm-va!” Therok roared, the orchestra of voices deafening.

As the words left his lips, the three spheres morphed and shaped themselves into arrowheads. Two blasted off immediately, breaking the sound barrier as they did, they crashed into the now running creature's knees. Turning both of its legs into bloody masses of flesh and sinew, as the beast began to fall forward the last arrowhead shot out and met its head. Popping like a balloon the now headless hulk smashed and slid in the ground towards Therok. Twitching even as it came to a stop, Therok ignored it and turned to Grigor who was now on his feet walking up to him. Before Grigor reached Therok, Therok turned back to the creature and made an audible gag. Grigor looked and saw that the creature had begun to liquify into a heap of putride goop. Therok walked around the pile, hand over his mouth as he went to where Vorona was last seen. As he got close, he could hear her cursing as she fought the tent off her.

“Okay, that was bullshit.” She hissed, now free of the cloth and staring at Therok.

“Are you okay?” Therok asked, offering her a hand.

Verona took his hand and got to her feet, as she did she winced and grabbed at her side. With more cursing and a small chant, her hand started to glow softly, the pain in her face fading as she held it over her injury.

“Creation magic?” Therok asked, Grigor now at his side.

“Yes, it wont fix me but will at least numb the pain.” She said with a soft painful chuckle.

“Mind helping me out after?” Grigor asked, still holding his injured chest.

“Of course.” She said.

Verona finished healing herself and quickly moved to assist Grigor. As she did, Therok walked over to the first man the trio saw. As he got closer, the smell of death and rot reached out to him and he knew the person was dead. With a heavy sigh he gave a small prayer and turned back to his companions. Once he returned to them Grigor was healed, or at least in less pain.

“Are they dead?” Verona asked softly.

“Sadly, yes.” Therok replied.

“We need to keep moving.” He added.

“Agreed but these fires are getting bad, we may have to run or be swept up in them.” Grigor said, peering at the growing flames off in the distance.

“I can handle that actually.” Verona said, the two men turning to face her.

“Oh, how?” Therok asked.

“Just watch.” Verona replied with a sly smirk.

Verona walked a few steps away from the two men, closing her eyes as she clasped her hands together over her chest and chanted softly. As she did, the wind began to pick up, her red hair starting to move and shift as it did. Soon the sky started to grow black with angry clouds and the sounds of rippling thunder. She tilted her chin up and opened her eyes, a brilliant green aura glowed from them.

“Cẅun xi fû thrӓxi!” She roared, an ensemble of voices echoing behind hers.

As the words reached the heavens the cloud pulsed and twisted. They began to spread out across the plateau and once they encompassed it, the rains came down. Soon the whole plateau was drenched in a heavy downpour, the fires across it beginning to snuff out. Several minutes later, the rains stopped and a soaked Verona turned to the men with a wide smile.

“See, I told you.” She said confidently.

“Awesome, but do you have a drying spell?” Therok asked, wiping away the water on his face.

“Um, no.” She said

“Oh well, let's keep moving then.” Therok replied.

The three ran through more of the tent made maze for almost an hour, getting lost only a handful of times. The sound of battle grew louder as the trio rounded a corner and gazed upon two lanky figures covered in the same black cloth as the brute they had just slain. At the two figures feet laid several students and knights, all cut to pieces and dead. The figure on the right took a step forward towards the trio.

“Oh look, more mages.” The figure said, its voice raspy.

“Do you all know where the artifact is?” It yelled to the three.

As the figure on the right spoke, the one on the left crouched slightly, a staff clenched in its right hand.

“What do you speak of?” Therok yelled in reply watching the left figure dip into a fighting stance. His own hand slowly reached for his wand that was tucked just inside his robe.

“Oh you know.” The figure said, now drawing a black short-sword from the small of its back.

Before Therok could reply to the odd statement, the figure on the left launched out a spell of dark energy. Its form was darker than the void as it snaked out and around reaching like a hand towards Therok’s head. Unable to move in time, he surely thought himself dead, until a ripple in front of him appeared. Verona, a few feet behind and to Theroks left, was chanting quickly, her hair fluttering as she drove gusts of wind towards the incoming attack. The two spells met a foot or so from Theroks face, the explosion blinding him temporarily and throwing him back onto the floor. At this sight the sword wielding enemy lunged forward, aiming to strike down the now vulnerable opponent on the ground. As the figure’s sword came down in a lethal strike, it was caught by the ax of Grigor. He slid the opponent's blade down the shaft of his weapon, locking it between the axes blade he pulled it down, yanking it from the man's hand.

“Well, it seems you have some skills.” The raspy voice mocked as he let go of his short sword, jumping a few feet back.

“Stop playing around.” The other figure barked, its voice soft but cold.

“Fine, fine.” The first figure said, pulling another short sword from the small of his back.

Therok was now on his feet, blinking away the lingering white in his eyes. His wand gripped tightly in his hand as Grigor moved to be at his right side, Verona quickly coming to rest at his left.

“These two are not very friendly huh?” Therok jested.

“Not the time.” Grigor hissed.

The short sword wielding man was dashing forward again, snaking to the left and right as he did. He jumped up at the last second to bring his blade down on Grigor. Grigor dug his heels in as the blade landed, the staff of Grigor’s ax taking most, if not all the damage. He twisted slightly and flung the man off and to his left. As the figure flew, Therok launched his own attack. Yelling the magic words, the choir of voices rang out as three blue arrow head shapes tore through the air. The falling figure twisted its body as the spell closed in, two of the three arrows did not make their mark as the other figure behind the first had lobbed several fire balls intercepting Theroks attack. One, however, did manage to slip by and tore a chunk of flesh and armor off the man's left arm. Landing not to gracefully on his feet, the figure clutched at its injured arm.

“You son of…” The raspy voice raged.

Not giving the two enemies any breathing room, Grigor dashed forward, this time on the offensive. He swung his mighty ax at the injured man, the figure was only barely able to twist and block the attack. Though his weapon did not cut through the man, it did send him flying off to the left. Skipping across the ground the raspy voiced man groaned on the ground, his comrand unable to assist as both Verona and Therok unleashed a torrent of spells. The enemy mage could only defend as the volley of hardened air and mana pelted him.

“This is getting annoying!” The mage roared.

Grigor was soon on the attack again, the enemy fighter already up and lunging back at Grigor. The two’s blade and ax met over and over as neither gave ground, Grigor getting nicked and cut as the other man's smaller weapon moved faster. After several seconds of the stalemate the two fighters broke free from one another, both covered in grime and blood, panting heavily. The mage, Verona, and Therok had stopped their duel as well, all winded and running low on mana.

“This is not good.” The enemy mage said.

“I know, I know.” The fighter replied.

It was at this moment that Therok realized the enemy fighter’s left arm was more exposed. Now not only was there a bloody wound in his arm, but there was also bluish green flesh exposed to the dim light.

“They’re Orcs.” Therok said in a hushed tone.

“Orcs? Here?” Verona replied in confusion.

Before Therok could reply, Grigor kicked him on the side causing him to fall forward towards Verona. As he did the air where he once stood exploded in an arc of purple violet lightening. Stumbling he looked back to Grigor who had jumped back after kicking him, the air and ground still smoldered. The enemy mage glared at the three, his covered face glowed with a strange purple hue.

“They know.” The mage hissed.

“I heard, now they have to die.” The fighter said, sighing.

The fighter got back into a fighting stance, and everyone stood silent and still for what felt like an eternity. As the two enemies stepped closer, a horn rang out across the heavens and both of the figures stopped and looked up. The fighter chuckled, shrugged and put away his short sword.

“Seems they are lucky.” The fight mewed.

“Tch, we cannot leave them.” The mage replied.

“Yes, but we cannot be left behind.” The fighter retorted.

The three stared at the two, not daring to attack in case this was a lure for a trap. After several moments the two figures looked at the trio, gave a small bow and vanished into a cloud of black smoke. The three quickly put up their guard but the smoke snaked and flew into the ether.

“What in the Gods?” Therok asked, watching the smoke vanish into nothing.

“What kind of magic was that?” Grigor asked.

“No clue.” Therok replied, finally letting his body relax.

“It doesn’t matter, we need to find whoever is in charge.” Verona said, starting to rush towards the center of the thralling tent maze.

Several minutes of running later and the group came upon an opening in the center of the plateau. It was filled with dead and dying soldiers and mages. It was also littered with rotting, melting masses of flesh. Therok scanned the area and spotted a soldier with a colored band on his helm giving others orders. The group walked cautiously up to the man, avoiding the still melting piles of goo.

“Sir.” Therok said, standing a few feet from the man.

The Captain turned and faced the group, looking them over before speaking.

“Ah mages, I am glad you made it, but I will need you all to leave immediately.” The Captain said.

“Oh? Is it still not safe here?” Therok asked

“It is not.” The Captain shook his head “ We have cleared the enemy out, for now. Though we can not be sure they won’t return, and it seems you all are the target.” He said, waving his arm out and around. Therok and the others followed it and saw the numerous mage corpses that littered the ground.

“Why?” Verona asked, shocked and disgusted.

“No idea, but they only attacked mages and soldiers that got in the way. The help was mostly left alone.” The Captain said, his tone growing dark and somber.

“You all need to leave, we have secured the southern path. Go now, I doubt those beasts will be gone for long.” He finished.

“Speaking of that, do you know what they are?” Therok asked.

“No, they melt away as soon as a lethal blow is delivered. That leather covered every inch of them on top of it. Who knows who or what they are.” The captain said.

“I see, well thank you for the information. We will head back to our tents and leave at once.” Therok said, giving the man a small bow.

“Thank you, and may the Gods watch over you all.” The captain replied, inclining his head as he did.

After that the three rushed back to their tents, William awaited them. The older knight stood tall in the center of their camp, a melting pile of goo off to his left. Therok slowed as they approached, noticing the pile he cautiously yelled out.

“Willam?” Therok yelled softly.

The knight shifted and looked over to the group, tiredness wrecked his features. Walking over to them Willam groaned slightly, his hand resting on his side.

“Ah, m’lord I am glad you are well.” Willam said, bowing slightly

“Same, did you have a guest?” Therok asked looking at the goo pile

“Yes, little bastard snuck up on me, but I got him good.” Willam said, puffing up his chest a little while chuckling.

“I am glad, my friend, but sadly we have to leave at once. The area is not safe anymore and the captain has commanded us to go.” Therok said, placing a hand gently on the knight’s shoulder

“You rest, we will pack.” Therok said, nodding at the others to help him as Willam nodded and walked off to sit down.

The three moved quickly but it took almost an hour before they were fully packed and ready to go. As Willam climbed up on the drivers bench the three piled into the carriage’s back. Grigor leaned out the window looking up towards Willam.

“I will switch with you in a few hours okay.” Grigor said.

Willam nodded and snapped the rains sending the horse forward with a nay. The group quickly found the line of carriages that were filing down the path, taking their place in it as the sun’s rays began to peak over the horizon. Hours later, Grigor and Willam switched out, Willam quickly passed out next to an already sleeping Verona and Therok was not far behind them, drifting off into a dreamless sleep. By the time the group reached the base of the mountain, the sun was already sinking deep into the evening sky. The city of Ely sat in the distance, its high stone walls growing taller as they approached. The line of carriages outside the city was long, as every one of them was being checked by the city guard. This caused the group to spend over an hour inching toward the gate. Once they finally arrived, they were met with a not so happy guard that held a pike in his left hand.

“What’s your business in Ely?” The guard asked with a sigh.

“Um, passing through.” Willam replied.

“Who all is in your carriage?” The guard asked.

“Lord Therok Virborn, Sir Grigor, and Miss Verona.” Willam said

At the sound of Therok’s name the guard stood up taller and clearly became more flustered. Coughing slightly he cleared his throat before speaking again.

“Erm, yes. Well you are free to enter the city, but you will have to leave the carriage outside the walls. Either here or on the southern side, doesn't matter but all the stables in the city are full.” The guard said, moving to a side making room for the carriage to pass.

“Thank you, we will deposit the carriage at the southern gate.” Willam said, snapping the rains once again.

“Very good Sir.” The guard replied as they past

Ten minutes later, an ear shattering ring echoed out around the city, it was quickly followed by other rings, then a bell tolled. With that, the gates behind the group slammed shut, cutting everyone outside off from the city. The Southern gate followed suit quickly, now making the city of Ely a prison. Therok poked his head out of the window, confusion etched across his face.

“Is that an alarm?” Therok asked.

“Hm, it seems to be m’lord.” Replied Willam.

A citizen walked by and Therok quickly grabbed his attention, waving his hand till the man noticed.

“Yes?” The man asked.

“Good sir, what is the meaning of that bell and whistling?” Asked Therok, a small smile on his lips.

“Oh, that is an alarm for an escaped slave. Seems a few broke out of the markets just a while ago and now are loose around the city. Those gates will stay shut ‘till they are found or killed.” The man said

“Okay then, how long could that take?” Therok asked.

The man shrugged “No clue, one time it was almost a week before they found ‘em.” He said with a chuckle before nodding and walking off.

Therok sat back into his seat and sighed heavily.

“Whelp, guess we need to find an Inn.” Therok said, rubbing his temples.