As their presence was discovered, the twin's attempt of stealth was ceased as their disappointment was noted by the crowd.
Darn, caught in the act again.
Truly, we are no good at sneaking around.
Compared to the rest of the company dwelling within the fine tavern's halls I’zack, Rusabek, and their party looked pretty rough. Bandages wrapped around their bodies concealing scrapes and wounds. Some injuries were minor and nothing more then agitating, but some were dire and their very life hung in the balance. Rusabek had a good portion of the right side of his chest severed and his back was covered in red-stained dressings. It was apparent by the lack of attire that the young guide was still far too sore to dress in his usual attire; he normally was far to modest to appear in a stranger‘s company in anything but formal clothing. I’zack had remnants of a burn salve on small patches of cloth wrapped around his right arm and palm along with grime and dirt stains clinging to his shirt.
I'zack let his hands rest at his sides as he approached the figure who had mended his hand previously. His posture was strong and erect, but his features were less then calm or collected. With a quivering hand, he extended his arm in a friendly gesture to Abyss and greeted him in kind.
Thank you sir for the healing. That gnarl root burned something awful, but it wouldn’t stop bleeding! I know I may seem rude or rash, but I do appreciate it. I also apologize for my brother’s gruesome appearance and smell!
YOU BASTARD!?! THAT WAS NOT EVEN CALLED FOR!
Like hell it wasn’t! you look like a wet hog and you smell just as bad!
Oh I am sorry that I GOT MY SIDE RIPPED OUT BY THE SHADOWS! See if I save your sorry hide again!
Are you still talking? All I am hearing is “blah blah boo, blah blah, hoo!â€
I’zack howled in pain as his now flustered brother drove his thumb deep into the evident burn marks entrenched in his arm. Upon hearing Tarin’s reverberating voice, Rusabek relinquished his brother and pulled up a stool in the center of the room. He could feel the attention shift on to his person, and with a deep breath, he began.
For those who wanted to know why we are visiting such lands, it started an eternity ago. Though in this case, eternity was only a few months. As you probably have guessed by the insignia on our weapons strode about this place or from simple word of mouth, we are from the kingdom of Beloth. Our great king, Samuel, was recently appointed the thrown. He is a gracious king, and with his guidance Beloth prospered. It almost became that metaphorical dream of the land of milk and honey. Under his guidance, the civil war that ravaged our land was finally ended in peaceful means and the people of the land rejoiced and basked in the blazing light of comfort. Beloth finally found peace…… but from where there is a blazing light, there is a shadow. The king’s brother, was mortified when his younger brother was chosen to inherit the thrown, so he tried to take up arms against the king. The attempt failed, the people loved the good king, and even some of Dessius’es devoted servants sided with the royal thrown. but instead of receiving an honorable execution by a knight’s blade or a drop from the gallows, he was dismissed. Samuel did not have the heart to end his brother’s life.
Rusabek paused while making eye contact with every individual present. After a small moment, he carried on.
Surely I need not to reiterate the legend of the arches right? I am sure no one is a stranger to the rumor that traces of the Blood Arch have revealed themselves. Dessius escaped and left the kingdom in a maniacal search for this arch. The king’s council of elders and wizards warned us of the real and terrible power the fabled arch possessed. We needed to get to the arch before Dessius and bring it back in tact. If we destroy it, where ever the arch rests will become just like the cursed shadow lands… When the great hero destroyed the shadow arch in an effort to rid the world of everything with the Dracunda arcane influence, he struck that accursed shadow arch down. The shadow lands are a perfect result on what could be harnessed by Dessius or by our own hand if we destroy the Blood Arch! Who knows, we figure we might even be able to use it’s power against Dessius or any enemy of peace.
Our party was selected to find the arch and retrieve it. I’zack and I were hired as guards with promises of knighthood upon our return. It has always been my dream to serve along side the thrown of Beloth and I’zack favors the loving touch of gold. Hey! You make it sound like I am a… Shut up…. Naturally we agreed. So off we went into the shadow lands searching and hunting for anything we could find. We fought demons and monsters of all the like and abominations from hell itself to get here, and in the process… some of our dear friends… passed away. We were attacked by vicious… shadows. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it is the only way I can describe them. Once we discovered the shadow arch, we were cut down by these monsters that our abilities paled in comparison.
Rusabek stopped to wipe a small tear mustering in his eye and gritted his fist. Tremors in his charismatic voice were noticeable, but he remained poised and collected.
They were brave and loyal as both knights…and friends. They gave their lives either in battle, or to save us. When the sun came up the creatures vanished, but the damage they cause will never go away.
Rusabek drew his sword with a fire of passion burning in his eyes and raised it high in the air. His voice howled like a wolf and pierced the hearts of those who listened. His words echoed in their mind while he delivered his heart-felt lexis
Their deaths will not be in vain! We will find that arch and stop Dessius! In the name of our king!….
No…
IN THE NAME OUR FRIENDS!
Rusabek plunged the sword into the air several times almost to entice a war cry. He eagerly awaited the response of the company, considering he just gave his heart and soul to faces he had never seen.
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