‘Seven years have passed since the Fire consumed Laurel’s Town and not a single Pyromancer has been seen or heard of. There’s nothing to worry about.’

King Riven wasn’t pleased.

‘The fact that we didn’t hear anything about them, isn’t necessarily a good sign. If Furnox is preparing more troops in the shadows of the Tooth than that means, he’s planning to make a move. Probably a move which will destroy everything we’ve built.’ replied the King. ‘What do our scout reports say? Is there any activity in the Autumnwoods?’

The Autumnwoods are a dense rainforest that covers most of the Vale of Autumn. They are home to werewolves and many other, mostly unknown, creatures.

‘Yes, my Lord, the werewolves seem restless, it seems as if they’re looking for something.’ said Sir Varius Darren. He was the Royal Scoutmaster and King Riven’s most trusted counsellor. He was sitting on the right side of the king, while Archmage Shannon was sitting on the king’s left side.

‘If they’re looking for something, we should be looking for that too.’ said the Mage.

‘Why would we? We can’t really use the werewolves’ distrust at the moment, Shannon.’ replied Varius

‘Why not, what do we have to lose?’

‘The wolves live too close to our borders, if Eria were to launch an attack many people will die.’

‘Many common people will die, yes…’

‘Enough of this!’ yelled King Riven as he got up from his chair and walked to the window.

‘My Lord, we can’t risk so many lives for some information.’ said Varius.

‘And what do you think will happen when the werewolves find some magical weapon inside those woods? What then? How many lives will that cost us?!’ Shannon slammed his fist on the table. ‘You’re a fool! You can’t see past your compassion for the common folk! First you increased the minimum price for Arcadium and now you’re willing to let this magical artifact fall in to the enemy’s hands!’

‘Magical artifact?’ The king turned towards Shannon. ‘What do you know about this, Archmage? How do you know what lies hidden in those woods?’

‘Well, my Lord, Shinden’s ancient writings tell us of the weapon the Archdemon Saarthunix made to destroy the Lady Laurel. A blade called Death. A blade with the power to extinguish all life in the Four Vales.’

Shannon was one of the only men in the Four Vales who could actually read Shinden’s writings. The God of Wisdom had developed his own way of transferring information. He wrote a series of symbols on a piece of parchment to pass on a part of his knowledge. In this case, his knowledge on the origin of evil.

‘The Archdemon’s soul is bound to that blade and if anyone should dare to use that blade, they will obtain ultimate power, but at a terrible cost. To use a weapon this powerful, one must be willing to pay the Archdemon Saarthunix the ultimate price.’

‘Yeah, yeah, just tell us what one needs to do to wield Death.’ Said Varius impatiently.

‘They would have to sell their soul to Saarthunix in order to serve as a vessel for the Archdemon, for the demon can never walk this earth again. He is a parasite, draining the life of others while utilizing the host’s body as his vessel until…’

The Archmage went silent and his face seemed grim.

‘Until what?’ asked King Riven.

‘Until Saarthunix is strong enough to emerge from his human vessel and return to his physical form.’

‘And you think the werewolves would want that? You think Eria would allow that monster to come back after what he did to the Lady Laurel? Truly, you are out of your mind, Shanondarion.’ said Varius.

‘We cannot risk it, Darren, if only you could see that too, but let King Riven decide. Let’s see if he chooses wisdom or certain doom.’

‘If we do this, if we attack the werewolves, we will risk open war on the country side, many farmers have made their homes there. It’s risky Shannon…’ said the King.

‘We don’t have to attack them, my Lord,’ said Shannon, ‘We might be able to reason with them. Ask them where the weapon is.’

‘So you can take it for yourself?’ said Varius.

‘So the werewolves won’t be able to take it for themselves.’

‘My Lord…’

‘I’m sorry, Varius, but Shanondarion is right. We can’t risk it…’ The king sat back down in his chair. ‘I will gather a group of my finest warriors and they will set out on a quest to find the werewolves’ hidden city and stop them from finding Death and thus releasing the Archdemon Saarthunix.’

‘Than let me come with them, my Lord.’ Said Varius as he knelt before the king.

‘Very well, you will take Rhyddion, Tristan and Zakariah with you, oh and Shanondarion will come with you as well.’

‘Me?! But, my Lord, what about my Academy? What about my students?’ said Archmage Shannon.

‘There are more Mages in this city, Shannon, they will teach your students.’

‘But, my Lord…’

‘Enough! You will go with Sir Varius on this quest.’

Shannon turned around and barged out of the door.

‘Oh, and one more thing, Shannon!’ shouted King Riven. ‘Don’t ever talk like that about my people again. Just because you’re rich and talented doesn’t make you better than anyone else.’

The Archmage’s anger was dripping from the man’s forehead.

‘You are dismissed Archmage Shanondarion.’

The doors slammed and a sudden silence fell upon the room.

‘Keep an eye on him while you’re out there, Varius.’

‘I will, my Lord, I will…’

The courtyard was filled with the sound of steel against wood. The sounds of shields bashing against shields and of course the smell of sweat.

‘You’re doing great, Tristan!’

Rhyddion lashed out with his sword, but hit nothing but the cold steel of his opponents’ weapon.

‘Getting tired, old man?’ laughed Tristan Daranis as he blocked every single one of Rhyddion’s attacks.

‘Tired? We’ll see about that!’

Rhyddion now turned his entire body instead of just his arm and performed a powerful vertical slash that descended upon Tristan’s armor. Tristan fell to his knees, but quickly got back up again.

‘You really have to teach me that some time, Rhyddion!’

Suddenly, a heavy, steel hand rested upon Tristan’s shoulder.

‘I see your training is working out pretty well!’ laughed Sir Varius Darren.

‘Scoutmaster Varius Darren! What a delight to see you on this beautiful morning!’ cheered Rhyddion.

‘Rhyddion Lux… It has been too long, my friend.’ replied the old knight as he shook his friend’s hand.

‘What brings you here?’ asked Rhyddion.

‘The King needs you, Rhyddion, both of you.’ Varius’ eyes rested upon Tristan.

‘A mission?’ said Tristan.

‘Yes, a mission to the Autumnwoods.’

‘Werewolves?’ asked Rhyddion.

‘Yes, we believe they’re looking for an ancient magical artifact and it is our job to stop them from finding it.’

‘Who are coming with us?’

‘Well, Archmage Shannon and his lackey will be joining us and Zakariah.’

‘Zakariah?! You’re kidding me, right?’

Zakariah was an old man. He was no knight nor was he a soldier. Zakariah was a treasure hunter and he had been on many, many expeditions through the Autumnwoods and beyond…

‘He knows those woods better than anyone, he’s the best we’ve got.’

‘Fine, I’ll join you. It’s part of the job after all, isn’t it?’ said Rhyddion while he looked at Tristan.

‘I guess it is, so in that case, I will join you as well.’ said Tristan as he sheeted his blade.

‘Excellent! We’ll leave in three hours, so pack your bags and meet me at the main gate!’ said Varius and he left to find Zakariah.

‘Guess I’ll have to go say goodbye to my mom than. I’ll see you soon, Rhyddion!’ and Tristan was gone too.

Elise wasn’t going to like this. She wanted Rhyddion home, but he couldn’t stay. Not while his king still needed him. She’ll understand. She always does.

‘You’re leaving?’ asked Elise while Rhyddion was packing his bags.

‘Yes, I’m afraid so.’

‘Why so soon? Can’t you just stay for a couple more days?’

‘I’m sorry, my dear, it’s an emergency.’ Rhyddion could hardly bear to see her like this. ‘I’ll be back before you know it.’

‘What if you won’t come back?’

That question hit him like a knife through his heart. John died seven years ago even though he had sworn not to. Even though Rhyddion had sworn to protect him.

‘I came back seven years ago and I will come back now.’ Said Rhyddion as he took her into his arms and pressed a farewell-kiss upon Elise’s lips. He walked to the door and stepped out into the harsh world outside again.

‘Don’t you die on me…’ said Elise as Rhyddion left.

‘I never will…’

Elise watched him disappear further down the streets and went back inside as the long waiting began.

When Rhyddion arrived at the gates of Arcadia, all of his traveling companions had already arrived. Zakariah was stroking his thick, white beard while he was telling Tristan about one of his many treasure hunts. Shannon and Varius were discussing something political and Shannon’s lackey, Simon, remained quiet and in the background. Outside the gate the road stretched as far as Rhyddion could see. The road into the wilderness.

‘Ah, our final companion has arrived!’ cried Varius as he padded Rhyddion’s back.

‘Who’s that lackey?’ asked Rhyddion to Varius.

‘He’s one of them Ravens, you know, the memory-guys.’

The Ravens were the followers of Raven, the Messengergod. They were gifted with an exceptional memory. This allowed them to, since no man has yet learned to write, transfer messages to King Riven.

‘He’ll update King Riven if anything might happen to us.’

‘And what if he doesn’t?’

‘Than he will be punished by both Raven and the guild, since their laws are divine and not meant to be broken.’ They looked at Simon who seemed to know that they were talking about him.

‘Better get moving, Rhyddion.’

‘I couldn’t agree more, Zakariah!’

The round, old man looked up.

‘Lead the way.’ said Rhyddion as he hung his traveling bags over his shoulder.

And thus the journey begins and there is no knowing as to where the road ahead of our five companions would lead them and there is no knowing if all five of them will eventually return home. Slowly Arcadia disappeared on the horizon, while the Autumnwoods arose in the distance…