KNIGHTS - A Medieval Heroes

[Grey_Wolf]

Prologue

Thousands of years ago when Mankind in the shape of Cro-Magnon was appearing in the World one can hardly believe that it was on the very verge of annihilation. The great reptiles that had left their mark on the face of world had been long gone. But a greater threat was soon to rear its hideous head.

Then out of the cold North came fearsome scaly beasts spreading destruction in the form of fire and ice. These were the precursors of the Fire and Ice Dragons.

Then as now a group of special men and women was called upon to stand between these reptiles and the destruction of Man.

These were the first Dragon-Warriors.

With ingenious methods and specially made weapons disaster was staved off and those reptiles retreated that were not killed.

Millenia passed and Mankind evolved. Dragon-Knights took the place of Dragon-Warriors. But no one really believed that the reptiles would return - so the stance and vigilance was relaxed. The weapons were put away down in the deep cellars of the castles and special skills were forgotten.

But then – rumours began to spread – of fearsome scaly beasts spreading death and destruction across the northern world – but yet no one really paid them any heed.

TIME: AD 1139

PLACE: ENGLAND

SITUATION:

THE WORLD OF THE MIDDLE AGES IS ABOUT TO THROWN INTO A CRISIS OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS

FEROCIOUS CREATURES CAME FROM THE VERY COLD OF THE NORTHERN REACHES. TWO SPECIES OF DRAGONS, THE FREEZERS AND THE FIREBREATHERS. OUT TO DO BATTLE FOR THE DOMINION OF THE WORLD

IN THE MIDDLE STANDS MAN, THOROUGHLY UNPREPARED FOR THE ONSLAUGHT TO COME.

PERSONIS DRAMATAE

PRINCE EDWARD (Weapon: Dragonarmour-piering Arrows and broadsword. Capable of jumping very high and very far)

LADY ADRIANA (Weapon: Explosive sling-shot. Capable of running very fast)

SIR CHRISTOPHER (Weapons: Dragonarmour-piercing lances and daggers. Capable of going invisible)

LADY ELANORE (Weapon: Explosive Bolas. Capable of telekinesis)

PRINCESS EDWINA (Weapon: Armourpiercing bolts for her crossbow. Invulnerability)

PRINCE DARION (Weapon: Armourpierecing spears. Capable of teleporting himself)

PRINCESS CELIA (Weapon: Armourpiercing daggers. Precognitive ability)

VINCENT LA FONTAINE, SORCERER (Inventor and magician)

PORTMAN WOODS, SQUIRE (Weapons: armour-piercing sword and daggers. Firestarter)

TOM BAWDER, SQUIRE (Weapons: armour-piercing sword and daggers. Freezer)

SISTER MARIANA, NUN (Weapons: armour-piercing daggers. Stormbringer)

THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE WITH THEIR SPECIAL ABILITIES IS ALL THAT STANDS BETWEEN MAN AND TOTAL ANNIHILATION.

ERIC TROTTER, FARMER
DIANA TROTTER, HIS OLDEST DAUGHTER
DAISY TROTTER, HIS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER
DEAN TROTTER, HIS SON

MASON GRINDSHAW, INNKEEPER
CATHERINE GRINDSHAW, HIS WIFE
MARTIN GRINDSHAW, THE SON
MADELEINE GRINDSHAW, THE DAUGHTER

DRAGONS

LEADERS OF THE FIRE DRAGONS

Crannock - Head Dragon
Finared - His Sister

lower echelon: Kraag, Loke; Freya, Cravinna

LEADERS OF THE ICE DRAGONS

Erlamin - Head Dragon
Urgrilon - Her Brother

Lower echelon: Mar, Keela, Kior, Klaan

[Grey_Wolf]

Chapter One

The Rumours

Maiden Castle, Dorchester

Prince Edward sat by his desk in his study reading a scroll.

The message was worrying. His relative, Sir Christopher, had through his sent out spies gathered information about an incursion on the north-west coast.

The rumours told of two huge scaly beasts caught in deadly combat destroying a village and burning and freezing numerous farmers and their families.

Sir Christopher had never been one to be easily scared but this should perhaps be a matter for closer examination.

Edward pondered if he should send out a summons for a council. No, not yet, I will think on it some more, he thought.

Then he retired to his chambers.

[Grey_Wolf]

Next morning, Prince Edward went to his study and sat down at his dest to draft a letter to calling all Dragon Knights to a Council. When he had finished them he called for a servent who came to fetch the letters.

Later a dozen couriers rode off to to the different Castles to deliver the summons.

[Mari]

Princess Celia was working in her herbgarden when a servant came to tell of the messenger that had arrived. Wondering what news the messenger had for her, she turned to the old gardener working opposite her. "Peter, I'm not sure if I can come back and help you with the last of the weeding. Don't be stubborn now and ask one of the servants to help you. You know your back isn't what is used to be anymore!" "Humpf, I've been doing this for a long time and taught you all you know. I won't let those witless servants of yours touch my gardens! Now shoo, don't let that messenger wait!" "Fine, fine. Have it your way! I'm off now."

Smiling Celia walked towards the great hall where the messenger was waiting for her. Upon entering the hall she saw a man in the livrage of Prince Edward.
Oh no, a message from Prince Edward? This must be important!
Hurriedly she went over to the man who handed her a letter from Prince Edward.

After reading it she turned to the fire, staring it for a good 5 minutes before turning around and ordering the servants to make preparations for a long journey.
After that she went to speak with her steward about maintaining the properties until she came back home, then went upstairs to say goodbye to her father.
She was to be away for an unknown period of time...

[orithil]

Vincent coughed as an explosion rattled the high tower and black smoke began to billow out of the open window. Over the noise he began to hear more loud knocking. "Hello! Is anyone there?" a voice called over the noise. "Yes, yes, come in" replied Vincent. A messenger stepped through the smoke and Vincent stood up as he noticed the messenger wore the colours of Prince Edward. "So the great Prince Edward is in need of my aid, eh? Well, what can I do for him on a fine day such as this?" He gestured out the window.
"My lord Edward..." stammered the messenger.
"Yes I know, he wishes to see me etc etc, end of the world maybe? Who knows?" Vincent interupted. He took the letter and his eyes widened as he read it. The messenger left as Vincent looked around the room, picked up his staff and took a deep breath, then coughed once again as he breathed in more smoke.

OOC:If you wanted to introduce Vincent La Fontaine in a different way just say GW:cool:

[Grey_Wolf]

Several days later the Dragon-Knights arrived at Maiden Castle.

Stableboys took care of the horses and while young maidens and manservants led the visitors to their chambers.

Sister Mariana immediately enters the chapel to pray.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Soft was the tread of the solitary figure in the chapel. She walked near-silent to the altar, knelt and crossed herself. Rosary beads clacked softly on the stone floor as she lowered herself. Her sable habit fell around her knees in coarse folds. Sister Mariana began to pray.

[Mari]

"Mariana! I thought I'd find you here! Oh, I'm so sorry, were you praying?" Slightly embarassed about disturbing Marianne in prayer, Celia came to a halt. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you Mariana, but it's been a long time since we last met. I guess I may have been a bit overexcited. So what do you think Prince Edward has to tell us? I have not had clear visions, but perhaps He has confided in you?"

[Acalewia]

"Edwina!" the older woman called. "Where have you been!? Your father has been looking all over for you!" Edwina let her old nurse fuss. Her mother had died some years ago while Edwina was still a young girl. The nurse had become her mother figure.
"Out on the stag hunt. Did father not receive my message?"
"No he didn't. The stag hunt! Edwina, the stag hunt is too dangerous for a Princess! You have a messenger waiting for you. And here you are dressed as a man!" Edwina stopped and turned to the nurse.
"A messenger! Where?"
"Awaiting you in the throne room," Edwina turned and ran toward the throne room, much to the nurse's protest of Princesses shouldn't run about the castle like an urchin thief.

In the throne room, she saw the messenger. Edwina frowned. Prince Edward needed her help. He wouldn't send a messenger otherwise.
"Princess Edwina?"
"Yes, forgive my appearance. I am newly come from the stag hunt," the messenger nodded. She read the message, and then nodded.
"I will be there," Then she turned to find her father.

Later, as she saddled her horse for the journey, the young squire who seemed to follow her every move helped her prepare for her journey. As she mounted, he still held her reins.
"You can let go of the reins, Squire,"
"Could I accompany you on you journey, Princess," Edwina thought a moment. What could it hurt?
"Yes, I see no harm in it," He mounted quickly.
"The name's Tom Bawder,"


It took a few days, before Edwina and Tom reached Maiden Castle. Edwina had deliberately chosen to wear her hunting clothes, skirts would only slow her down. The Princess looked over the fields laying about the castle from the window of her chambers. Edwina's clothing was grey, her crossbow hung on her back. The quiver of bolts hung at her waist, along with a hunting knife. She didn't know why Edward had summoned them, but she was sure it wasn't for a pleasurable visit.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Mariana turned, a little startled. Celia stood there before her, peppering her with questions. Nothing had changed from the days so long ago--Celia was the same. Mariana felt a smile creep over her face. "Celia," she greeted the other woman, rising to her feet. She crossed herself ere turning away from the altar. "Come, let us speak some other place."
The two left the chapel to its silence once more. "It is good to see you again," Mariana said, once the quietness had been left behind. They stood now in a wide hallway. Mariana looked Celia over. She had changed a little, but, as she had thought before, not much. Mariana smiled again, and finally addressed the Princess's queries. "I have heard nothing from Prince Charles in about as many years as I have not seen yourself. The only thing I have received was a cryptic message sent to the hermitage... It only summoned me, but nothing more."

[Mari]

"Oh, I see. Well, I guess I'll just have to patient then, won't I?"
Smiling she turned away from the window to face Mariana. The robes were a change, but otherwise Mariana looked as before.
"Shall we go out and see who else has arrived? And off course we have to catch up on so many things! Why don't we take a walk in the gardens? Edward will know where to look for me if he is ready to start the meeting."

[Grey_Wolf]

As the visitors made themselves at home, Edward was preparing his notes for the Council.

[orithil]

Vincent La Fontaine stormed through the castle until he found a guard "You! take me to Edward ten minutes ago!" the soldier stammered "Wha..wha...what sir thats impossible I dont have a time machine" Vincent sighed "Just take me to him..." the guard saluted and took off at a fast walk "Sir, yes sir" he said

[Grey_Wolf]

After a while, Vincent entered the Main Hall where he found Edward sitting at the head of a long table.

"Greetings, Vincent! Good to see you again after all these years, although it would have been nicer if the circumstances were not so grim." Edward said.

[orithil]

"The news sounded very grim indeed" Vincent's facial features were like rock "shall we wait for the others?"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Indeed, my friend. Let's do so." Edward said, and Vincent got seated at the place next to him. They had a long talk while awaiting the arrival of the other Dragon Knights.

[orithil]

"There has been another attack, from a small group of rebels on one of the border towns" Vincent said "I believe we should send another garrison there..." Vincent sighed "Between the dragons and rebels this is to much for us to handle"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Indeed, my friend." Edward agreed."Ill see to it first thing in morning. These rebels have always been trouble and now with imminent threat of the Dragon Wars erupting again we need to see to them first."

[orithil]

Crannock roared and all around him for miles he could hear the replies of the army of fire dragons preparing for war "We shall burn the ice dragons until they lay dead every last one of them!!" He roared again "come rally to me let us prepare for war and slaughter them, kill them, destroy there homes and familys and leave them begging for mercy!!" Crannock gave the equivalent of a smirk and then added "but they shall recieve none..." He smirked again and rose into the air.

[Rosie Gamgee]

A servant appeared, approaching Mariana and Celia. His feet made little noise. "Your pardon, ladies," said he. "Your presence is requested by Prince Edward in the Main Hall. If you will follow me..." He gestured away, down the hallway.
Mariana turned to Celia. "Now we shall find some answers to those questions, my old friend." And they followed the servant.

[Mari]

They entered the Main Hall where Edward and Vincent were standing. "Edward!, Vincent!" Celia exclaimed. "It's certainly been a while! Did you blow anything up lately? Or is your tower still standing? Auntie keeps telling me not to go near you as you will blow us all up someday, haha!"
With a cheerful expression on her face and eyes sparkling with happiness, Celia gave both men a quick hug before coming to the more serious matters.
"So why have you called us all Edward?"

[Grey_Wolf]

Prince Edward rose from his chair and greeted the women warmly.

"All in good time, ladies." he said calmly."Lets get seated."

As the Celia and Mariana took their seats, Sir Christopher, Lady Elanor and Prince Darion entered the hall and got seated.

[Grey_Wolf]

"My friends, you may all have heard the rumours of the Dragons laying waste to the countryside. The rumours are true. The Dragon Wars have begun again, and to top it all off - a group of rebels have begun causing trouble too - malcontents and miscreants taking advantage of an already dangerous situation."

[orithil]

"Yesterday" Vincent began "the Dragons layed wasted to two magor towns and one city" then he added "and the rebels have captured two border towns and destroyed one...things are looking bad" he said grimly "So we must take action before anymore harm comes to the border towns and citys, we need to send more garrisons" he finished

[Grey_Wolf]

"Well put, my friend! unfortunately we dont have all that much time for a prolonged training sequence so I really hope you have kept up your excersising and kept your skills up to par. Other than that,of course, the Dragons will not know what hit them." said Edward."Servant!" he said to a servant standing ready nearby."Tell the Captain to marshall the First and Second Cavarly to ride off take take care of those rebels."

[Rosie Gamgee]

Mariana crossed herself silently, closing her eyes briefly for a wordless prayer. Her heart began to beat faster. The Dragons had returned? How? They had driven them out, pushed them to near-extinction, years, all those long years, ago.
A stirring in her recalled a spirit of younger days--her younger days. But that spirit had lain quiet and dormant for a very long time. It had taken much to quell it: seven years of silence. And then the vows of chastity and poverty, and all the rest, after that. How could she take up her former ways again, even to fight of their dread enemies?
Despite her worries, Sister Mariana kept silent. "Cast all thy cares upon Him," St. Peter had written. She would wait until this meeting was over, and then she would return to the chapel to pray. After that.... After that she would speak with Edward--alone.

[Acalewia]

"The Dragons?" Edwina asked. The other turned to her, having not heard her enter. "They return because they were forgotten by everyone. Out of sight. Out of mind," She took a seat with the others. "Is it known how many have returned?" If the Dragons had returned, they had precious time to form a plan of defense.


***

Erlamin was crouched motionless on ledge high in the mountains. The sun glinted off her bluish and purplish scales. She snorted, mists swirling around her nostrils. Throughout the pass she was crouched over, her Ice Dragons waited.
"What are we waiting for, Erlamin?" Urgrilon growled.
"Patience, Little brother," she said. "The humans will fear Crannock and his Fire Dragons. Let them believe that only they survived the Exile. Then we will strike. In the meantime, no human will live that passes through this pass until I say otherwise,"

[orithil]

"I believe we should bring all defenses including the mages to full alert" Vincent said "But one things for sure some people are going to die..." he added grimly "lots of people may die" he looked down at the table and closed his eyes.

*******

Crannock looked at Finared "Its about time you woke up Crannock said with a low growl "Sorry" said Finared "I was dreaming we will win this war" he ended "of course we will! prepare yourself for war I must don my battle armour" Crannock left the room leaving Finared staring out into the sky.

[Mari]

Listening to Vincent, Celia turned white as a sheet. "Vincent is right" she whispered, almost inaudibly. "They care not for us. I see fire... and ice?"
Shaking she opened her eyes. "We've got to stop them!"

[Acalewia]

"Ice?" Edwina asked. "There has only been reports of Fire Dragons," she frowned. "Do you think the Ice Dragons have returned as well?" Edwina knew better than to doubt Cecila's ability. If she had seen Ice, then there would be ice. "It seems there will be a three way war. The Fire Dragons and the Ice Dragons have always warred with one another. When the Fires learn the Ices are here, they will forget about the humans and go at each other,"

[orithil]

"If the fire dragons do not know of the ice dragons they will come at us first meaning many will die as the full wrath of Crannock and the other fire dragons will be focused on us, if there was a way to make the two fight each other and hopefully ignore us" Vincent said as if in deep thought.

[Grey_Wolf]

"We could make the presense of the Ice Dragons known to their opponents. Then we could sit back and watch them tear each othe apart." suggested Prince Darion.

[Mari]

"I'm not sure that will help. We were the ones that drove them away. The dragons may hate eachother, but perhaps now they are united in their hate towards us?
I... I'm not entirely sure what I saw, besides the obvious. It could have been a fight between human and dragon, but also a fight between dragons and humans standing by. I'm sorry I can't be more clear." Celia let her head hang down, still looking pale.

[Grey_Wolf]

"Lady Celia" said Edward."You are quite right - the only way to defeat the Dragons are to take the battle to them. We have the necessary weapons and powers to take them on."

[Acalewia]

Edwina smiled.
"Edward's right, Cecila. I'm under the impression we all have armor piercing weapons," She patted her bolts. "And we all have some sort of power or skill to counter the Dragons," Edwina's smile disappeared. "Too many people will die before we can drive the Dragons off," She tuned to Edward. "Do we have anything resembling a plan?"

[orithil]

"Well lately I have been" he paused searching for the right word "toying, with a new weapon, I have the blue prints for what a call...well one type is a trebuchet and the other is a catapult, I have the blue prints and with enough man power we could construct many quickly" said Vincent with some enthusiasm.

[Mari]

"What do these... weapons do, Vincent?" Celia asked him. " I mean, I'm not quite sure that hurling a few rocks and the like will really do some damage to them. They are more likely to hurt one of our own." She paused for a moment, thinking. "Perhaps if we use spiked balls they might just penetrate. Which brings me to another thing: Where are the dragons now? What towns and cities are most in danger at the moment? Shouldn't we at least alert the people to take refuge?"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Celia, my dear, I think Vincent has in mind a weapon with a bit more bite - explosive shot for example." Edward assured."And I have sent out messengers to warn the people in the villages and farms."

[Mari]

"Thank you" Celia said, glad that amidst all this, their people were still in the minds of her fellow Dragon Knights.

[orithil]

"Aye explosive lots of them tightly packed together that explode on impact sending hundred and shards of metal into the victim after its blown through their scaly hide" Vincent announced as if one hundred new ideas had just flown into his head.

[Grey_Wolf]

"Very well, friend Vincent! That settles it. Commmence work on those new contraptions." said Edward."We ride out on the first quest in the morrow. Make you personal weapons ready."

[orithil]

Vincent left and as he was walking out the door he told one of the guards to gather as many people as possible to the court yard to begin building.

[Mari]

Celia looked at Vincent who was leaving the Hall and mumbled to no one in particular: "I do hope he is able to aim those spikes of his, before we are all killed by them some way or another..."
Shaking her head Celia turned to Edward. "Do you still have targets standing on the outer practice fields? I think a little practice couldn't hurt."
Edward nodded and Celia left the Hall to start practicing her skills with the daggers. Musn't forget to update my herbcollection, because it sounds like I'll need them.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Mariana and Edward were left alone in the room, and for a moment, neither spoke. Edward was busy rearranging some papers that lay in front of him; he hardly seemed to notice the plain, black-clad woman that sat silently at the end of the table. Then:
"Oh! Marian--I mean, Sister," he said, looking up suddenly. He seemed to contemplate her.
Mariana let herself appreciate the moment before speaking. She wondered what was flashing through the Prince's mind, and thought she could guess. What in the world has she done to herself? was probably what he was asking inside that head of his. He had not seen her for years, since before she took her vows. In fact, he was the last one she had seen, of all of the Dragon Knights, before submitting herself to the hermitage and then the convent. All of them knew of her intent to become a quiet nun. But none of them had visited her--by Mariana's own request--and, more importantly, none of them knew why she had done it. But that was a story for another day.
Mariana stirred. The beads hanging from her waist clacked dully together. She sighed. "Edward..." She smiled at him. "It has been a long time." She studied his face. A long time indeed. She noted the lines, the wrinkles, the graying hairs. But his eyes still held the same light. Encouraged by it, Mariana put forth, "Edward, you know I cannot join you in this new war, don't you?"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Dear old friend." said Edward."It has indeed been a long time, and I fully understand that you cannot join us in this new campaign, but I thought it prudent to summon you nevertheless."

[orithil]

"No, No!, up you idiot" yelled Vincent as he poked the worker next to him "at this rate well never get the one finished" he said under his breath. He bought the plans up to his face and studied them, then he looked at how things were proceeding, it doesnt look to bad he thought. Meanwhile the black smiths were working on finishing many hundreds hopefully to be thousands of explosive shrapnel and it was going rather well with fifty black smiths working twelve had already been created in the hour and they could only get better as they practiced and smithys from all over the place came to aid in building the catapults and trebuchets. He turned back to the catapult and sent a small blast of magical energie which quickly screwed a screw in he sighed but realised with all these men working at the same time...well...it was almost finished.

[Acalewia]

The bolt thudded into the bulls eye of the target. Tom watched as Edwina retrieved her bolts. She was a great shot; he wouldn't want to make her angry. Celia was nearby throwing her daggers at another target. Tom's heart sank. These women were warriors. He had heard the servants talking of the Dragon Knights, but he had brushed it off as idle palace talk. His father had told him the story of the Knights banishing Dragons to the outer reaches of the kingdoms. But Tom didn't believe in the Dragons or the Knights. His only worry was people finding out about his secret.


Edwina knew Tom was watching, but didn't pay him any mind. As she pulled out the last bolt, she looked over at Celia.
"These won't be much use," She said after the Knight planted another dagger in her target. "I don't think the Dragons will just stand there and let us throw things at them,"

[Grey_Wolf]

Some distance away Sir Christopher and Prince Darion were practicing.

Darion used his powers openly and aimed his spears with willpower alone. They thudded into the bull's eye with incredible accuracy. Then he just thought hard and they were janked out and he continued his practicing.

A distance away Sir Christoper practiced jousting with a sparring partner. The horses thundered towards each other on the course and they lances crashed into the shields. Time after time they turned around and continued practicing.

[Mari]

Celia answered Edwina while going over to the target to retreive her daggers. "I don't intend to fight the dragons with my daggers, Edwina. My gift is not an offensive one. I'll probably stay behind to help with the strategies and the healing of the wounded. But don't worry! My daggers are effective enough to pierce the dragons brains through his eyes. As long as I aim well." At this she turned back to Edwina with a smile. "Which reminds me: who is your friend?"

[orithil]

Vincent strolled up to Sir Christopher shaking his head and muttering to himself "Sorry to bother you christopher, but I was wondering if I should be in charge of the catapult crews in our battles, I know most about their range and power" Vincent paused "Well atleast until we can train some people to be in charge, so what do you say?"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Vincent, my friend. I think that would a good idea - as you say - until the crews have developed proficiency."

[Acalewia]

Edwina didn't have to ask who Celia meant.
"His name's Tom Brawder. He's a squire to one of the knights of my father. You can say he's mine now," She smiled. "I caught him dancing around with a sword the other night. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing," She chuckled. "Both of our powers aren't offensive. But I can get closer to the Dragons than you can," Edwina scoffed. "As long as they don't take off my head," She raised her crossbow and fired. "Between you and me, I have a feeling about Tom," Celia gave Edwina an odd look. "I think he might be hiding something, but what I really couldn't say.

[Mari]

"Hmm, and I have a feeling that we will find out about it before this is over... Perhaps you should try to get him to spar with Edward. He is also a sword fighter. But if you'll excuse me, I'll go lay down in my room a bit. My head is starting to hurt, which might be the beginning of a vision. I'd rather not risk fainting here with all the weapons flying around." After giving Edwina a what she was hoping was a reassuring smile, Celia headed back to her quarters to lay down with a cold compress.

[orithil]

"Alright now move it down a bit, a bit more, a bit more, more, more, more, mor-STOP!" alright thats good now nail it in" Vincent was glad how things were proceeding, the first catapult was almost finished which mean't while more were being made Vincent could begin training the first catapult crew, oF course they would only use rocks the begin with.

[Mari]

She was right, the headache was indeed the coming of a vision.
Inaccessible looking mountains were visible to the north, but the lands she was seeing now were cultivated. There was a small village further down the main road, but she was standing in the middle of farmland now near a farmhouse. A man and a woman were coming her way.
"Diana!" The man tried to catch up with the woman who was heading towards the farmhouse. "Please, I'm sorry okay? They didn't mean it like that!"
The girl abruptly came to a halt. "Oh no?! You and I both know that your parents most certainly did mean it! Martin, we need that tool. What with the news of dragons further up north..."
Martin looked at Diana, a farmgirl who normally had a smile ready for everyone but was looking quite upset right now.
"Don't worry about it, you'll have that tool, I promise!"
Suddenly the vision shifted. She was now standing on a hill, looking down on a battlefield. The battle seemed to have ended, but it didn't look like it was a battle won by humans. When she looked up she could see dragons fighting in the sky. Had they been fighting eachother all along, or had they waited until the humans were defeated? Were the humans defeated?
Again the vision shifted.
She was once more standing in the landscape she had seen earlier, but this time she was near an inn. People were screaming and seeking shelter as the shapes of dragons at the horizon became better visible. Looking around, Celia noticed that the corn had been harvested and it looked like the people had been celebrating. The Harvest Festa! The dragons were going to attack at the day of the Harvest Festa! The first dragon started attacking. Debris came flying at her and...
The vision changed again. Celia was now standing inside a tent still expecting to be hit by debris. She saw Edward, Vincent and Christopher bent over a campaign map.
"Vincent, your weapons proved capable of injuring the dragons, but if we can't improve the hitrate it won't do much good in the end. For such large creatures these dragons are awfully agile." Then Celia was hurled out of the vision as her other self entered the tent.
"I have to share this with the others as soon as possible!" Celia thought, but she knew better than to try and get up now after such a clear vision. She needed to rest before she could even think of moving an inch.
She pushed away the horrible things she had seen in the village and at the battlefield and closed her eyes to try and get some sleep, but not without wondering about the importance of the man and woman she had seen.

[Acalewia]

As Ceclia left the practice fields, she glanced up at Tom. Her friend was right, perhaps she could convince Edward to spar with Tom. Edwina left the fields to find Edward.

[Grey_Wolf]

Edward was sitting by the great table in the hall and looked up as squire came in and announced that Lady Edwina wanted a quiet word.

"Of course, let her in." Edward said.

Edwina entered the hall and walked up to the table and sat down next to Edward.

"Edward, my friend, there something I would like to talk to about. One of the squires, Tom Bawder, appears also to have some mysterious ability. I have not yet surmiced what this can be. But I thought perhaps you could have a word with him."

"Of course, dear Edwina. I will call him in and talk to him." Edward replied.

"I am glad, Edward. We need all the able bodies we can gather, in this conflict." Edwina said and smiled.

[Acalewia]

Tom blinked at the servant.
"Edward wants a word with me?"
"Yes,"
"Well, let's not keep him waiting," As he followed the servant to Edward's quarters many thoughts raced through his mind. What intrest could Edward have in him? Why would he want to have a word with him? Could Edwina have told him of walking in on his sword practice? He hadn't meant to hit her. But now he wasn't sure if he did.

When he reached his destination, Tom saw that Edwina was there as well. What did Edward want with him?

[Grey_Wolf]

Edward gestured for Tom get seated and he did so.

"Tom, my friend, Ive heard that you have been making ready for the quest too. That is good. Edwina has told me you might be more than meets the eye. Is this the truth? When it concerns special abilities we at this castle have no secrets. Pray tell what you can do?"

[orithil]

"Alright gentlemen you probably know why i have gathered you here today, I"m going to teach you to be the masters of the catapult then you shall teach others" Vincent paused waiting for a yes sir or aye aye but he was only met with blank stares a few seconds later he got the "Yes sir" he had been waiting for. "So first we are going to try hit that target, now wind the winch set the counter balance thats right now fire when you think it will hit"
They did it a couple more times Vincent said "alright keep going" and went to speak to Edward about the catapults, when he entered he found Edwina, Edward and the squire sitting around the table.

[Grey_Wolf]

Tom looked at Edward a bit baffled. How could he know? I've told no one!.

"Well, sire, my ability has been passed down through the years in the family. And since it has never really come to any good use we have kept it a secret. But for what it's worth here goes: I can freeze things."

"Freeze things? Do show us, Tom."

Tom grabbed an apple and concentrated - it soon turned to ice.

"Marvellous! I am sure you will be useful addition to the Dragon Knights - in fact I will make you a Knight right now if you want."

[Acalewia]

Surprise showed on Tom's face. His jaw dropped. Nothing came out. He looked over to Edwina. She smiled and nodded at him. A Knight! And a Dragon Knight at that. The Dragon Knights were real! Tom looked down at the frozen apple.
"Yes," he said after a few moments and several tries. Edward drew his sword.
"Down on one knee, Tom," The squire complied. Edward touched him on one shoulder. A sudden excitment rose in him and he could feel his heart beating faster. Edward touched him on the other shoulder.
"Arise a Knight, Sir Tom," When Tom stood, Edwina was smiling.
"We'll leave you and Vincent to discuss the catupults, Edward,"

After leaving the Council room, Tom looked at Edwina.
"I thought he wanted to speak to me for playing Knight," Edwina smiled. "And for hitting you with the sword,"
"Hitting me is the least of your worries now, Sir Tom," She had a point.

[orithil]

"So Edward these catapults at best will be able to reach up to about 640 meters" Vincent allowed himself a small smile for his genius "Well be able to decimate enemy ground forces and if we hit the dragons them as well"

[Grey_Wolf]

"Very good, my friend." said Edward."This will give us an edge against them."

[Mari]

When Celia woke up she felt a lot better. After freshening up a bit, the time had come to tell the others what she had seen.
Celia went down the stairs and to the Main Hall in search of Edward. After knocking on the door, she slipped in and saw Edward and Vincent sitting in the hall.

[Grey_Wolf]

Celia sat down at the table. Afte a while Sir Christoper, Prince Darion and the others came in also and got seated.

"My friends. Celia has had a vision of a calamity and victims. The time has come for serious action. The first sortie of the campaign will be riding off ín a few hours. A pair of Ice dragons has been sighted not far away from here. Knights, make yourself ready! We ride at dawn!"

[Acalewia]

Erlamin roared.
"How many did you let pass!" The Ice Dragon cringed.
"I didn't see them until they were on the pass' edge. By then it was too late,"
Erlamin thumped the Ice's nose.
"Could you not smell them?" The Dragon lowered his head. "You never answered my question," The Dragon was silent.
"HOW MANY!?" she bellowed, causing rock and ice to tremble and fall and Urgrilon to step back.
"Three,"
"THREE!?" She growled. Urgrilon nudged Erlamin.
"Calm down. You keep bellowing like that every human within ten miles will hear you,"
"You had better hope those three didn't see you,"

***

"It seems the time has come for all of us to put our powers to use," Edwina said as she stood. "I'm sure some of us haven't used these powers since the Dragons were banished. And some not at all," She looked at the faces gathered. All of them, with the exception of Tom, had faced the Dragons before. "Now is the time we remember why we are Knights. Now is the time we stand together and fight the Dragons once more. Now is the time we fight," Edwina sat, having nothing more to say.

[orithil]

"If we are done" Vincent said "I would like to go don my battle mage armour"

[Grey_Wolf]

A couple of hours later they all rode out on the first quest.

A few miles from where the ice dragons had been sighted they got off their mounts and begun stealhily sneak through the landscape.

Just in case if they might have been sighted by the fearsome reptiles, Vincent stood back with his catapults ready to fire when the ice dragons took to the air.

As they neared a peak, Edward motioned all for silence and stay back - he, Priness Edwina and Sir Christopher went forward a few hundred yards more - looked down the valley - and there they spotted the two monsters.

[orithil]

"Steady men" Vincent whispered "fire on my command, not before"

[Acalewia]

Kior and Klaan scanned the pass. Kior snorted.
"Erlamin wouldn't be so angry if we had seen the humans before it was too late,"
"Shut up, Klaan," Klaan didn't answer. "Klaan?"
"I smell humans,"


Edwina, Edward and Christopher had spilt up. She couldn't see Christopher; she assumed he had gone invisable. She was to the left of one of the Ice Dragons. Edwina raised her crossbow. The closest Dragon snapped it head around and looked stright at her. It growled.
"Oh, dear," She let loose the bolt. It hit its mark. The Ice roared, shaking ice and rock. Then it attacked.

[orithil]

"Fire!" yelled Vincent and two of the bombs hit one of the Dragons, blood poured from the dragons wound.

[Grey_Wolf]

Sir Christopher climbed the scaly hide of the other ice dragon up to his spiny head - shoved two of his daggers into the throat of icy monster just near the head - it began to scream and crash to the ground - the light of its eyes faded.

Sir Christopher jumped off and landed several yards from the dying dragon and he walked back to the others.

[Acalewia]

"That went well," Edwina said as she retrieved the bolt. The Dragon had dug it's claws into her side, a wound that would have killed any other woman. There was no sign that the monster had attacked save for the side of her shirt was tattered and blood stained.
"What do we do now, Edward? It's only a matter of time before they discover that we killed their scouts,"

[Mari]

Celia and the others who had followed the fight from a distance now came and joined the victors. "Edwina! You're hurt! Allow me to take care of your wounds." Celia opened her bag with herbs and made a compress and a gauze for Edwina's wound.

[Grey_Wolf]

But as she was about to apply it she saw to her astonishment the wound close and disappear.

Edwina smiled at her."I may be hurt, Celia dear, but not mortally. I rejuvinate when wounded."

[orithil]

Vincent came striding up to the group with his staff "The catapults preformed even better then I had thought! and now we could lure large amounts of dragons into a valley and fire down on them, oh Edward my friend I have many plans for this war..."

[Acalewia]

Tom all but gaped as Edwina's wound closed. He now understood why his sword had never left a mark.
"Invunrablity," He gasped. "That's why you always insisted on going with the men on the boar hunts. You cannot be hurt. And when you are you heal faster than should be allowed!"
"Glad you figured that out on your own," She placed a hand on Celia's shoulder. "Save your herbs for those that will need them,"

[Mari]

Celia smiled a bit sheepishly. "Yes, I somehow forgot. It has been a while since I saw this amazing ability of yours. Edward, are you allright? No one needing any treatment?" When there was no answer Celia put her herbs away again.
"Where to now?" she asked to no one in particular.

[Grey_Wolf]

"Im quite fine, dear celia!" said Edward."We can go back home and prepare for the next quest."

[Grey_Wolf]

All celebrated in the Main Hall after this successful endeavour - the beginning of the campaign looked good.

But still they knew that there was several dangerous encounters left until the fearsome reptiles had been beaten or forced to retreat.

[orithil]

Crannock second in command approached him "My lord what shall we do" Crannock grinned wickedly "gather all the dragons closest to the front lines, send a full scale attack on their capital burn anything that gets in their way"

[Grey_Wolf]

Prince Darion, having snuck out to do some reconnoitring found the valley where the Fire Dragons hid, and overheard the conversation.

He immediaetely teleported back to the castle and reported what he had heard.

[orithil]

"The men are not yet ready!" vincent cried "I shall go at once and prepare the men for battle"

[Grey_Wolf]

"We will ride out first to take the battle to the enemy." said Sir Christopher."Edward, Darion and Adriana, are ye with me."

"Yes, Chris, of course we are." the three of them said in one voice.

[Acalewia]

"Erlamin!" one of the Ice Dragons called.
"This had better be good,"
"Klaan and Kior are dead!"
"WHAT!?" Erlamin took flight and raced to the spot where she had sent Klaan and Kior to keep watch. There she found their bodies. Her roar was loud and long, causing the ice and rock to shake and tumble away.

[Grey_Wolf]

Sir Edward and his intrepid followers rode off the next morning to the nearest valley where the scout had seen the Fire-Dragons.

They left their horses some distance away and snuck steatlhily up to the entrance of the depression.

There they saw the fearsome reptiles.

[orithil]

Off in the distance they saw serveral hundreds of fire dragons nearing the city, three dragons were serveral miles in front scouting.

[Grey_Wolf]

Armed to the teeth the four Knights positioned themselves at the mouth of the valley. Readying themselves for the onslaught.

[Grey_Wolf]

Sir Edward put himself out briefly as a decoy while the others came around to attack the fearsome reptiles.