of the beginning of the story

before i officially "declare" that the story will begin its post, i will like to post the disclaimer and the reason of writing.. so as to make things clear

this story is written by the hand of the archknight alone and as such, all copyrights are reserved, to serve a purpose of original creativity. there is always a reason to write a story, let alone a story of this length...

entitled "The Legend of the Order: A Tale of the Spires", it is very obvious that this story is dedicated to the order of the five who are, all the while, the closest friends of mine and it is also meant for some others with a lesser extent...

encompassing 36 chapters, which will be posted once per week.. certain chapters will be split into parts depending on the length of the chapter itself.. it is a tale of sorrow where the main character, under great pressure, crisis, lack of trust and his doubting nature caused his downfall from grace, which is to say, turning evil. the combined effort of his friends and as well as his mentor, did help in his redemption, as he ultimately redeemed himself and vanquished the evil that has called for him throughout his life..

thus, to shorten the message, let us begin the first chapter...

Chapter I: Arise of Predicaments (part one)

The premonition shocked the High Priest from his deep slumber, and he immediately woke up, in an attempt to recall as much as he can of his dream. It may be an ordinary nightmare to any ordinary person, however this is simply too realistic for the far-sighted priest to contain.
His name was Lord Justin, High Priest of the City of Ossiros. Though young in his age and was yet to grow to full stature, his counsels were indeed deep in meaning and his far-sighted opinions won the hearts of many.
He then took his staff and walked down his tower. The first rays of sunlight were just beginning to give out its rays of majesty, and starlight which dominated the night sky waned. Dawn has approached and a new day commenced.
All along the route the premonition plagued him constantly, he was more and more scared. Eventually he resolved to see the High King, who was King Ashvin at that time. The doors opened before him, and quickly he entered.
Upon entering the Great Hall, King Ashvin was sitting on the throne, looking at the subject’s reports of regional activities within the Kingdom. The former then bowed down, and spoke.
“Hail the High King, your humble subject seeks your counsel!”
“Can the formalities, rise you may.”
Lord Justin then stood up once again, and he smelt something of great taste. It was a pot of curry boiling right in front of King Ashvin, but when he looked into the pot, he was stunned.
The pot contained curry, but full of chicken heads!
Obviously he was disgusted, and he asked the King Ashvin,
“How can you eat such… such disgusting heads?”
“It is a typical dish of the High Elves in the north, and it’s delicious. By the way, what is the matter you came to seek my audience?”
Only now he remembered his purposes, and he told him about his premonition, his scaredness and the details in which the High King requested. Then the latter sank into thought for some time, until he replied,
“Call for the Viscount, the Count and your so-called girlfriend.”
Lord Justin, quickly annoyed by this remark, replied, “Though she told me that her heart belongs to me, however we are not engaged in a courtship yet.” Then he left.
Looking at the shadow of his High Priest, King Ashvin once again sat down on his throne, setting his sight towards the eastern sky. From the narration of Lord Justin, he perceived that something was going to happen once again. However, he did not possess the knowledge to decipher this premonition, He will need to wait for the others to arrive.
Moments later, four figures of average height entered the Hall. Lord Justin had summoned forth Lord Jason the Viscount, Lord Cheng the Count and Lady Kathleen the High Priestess, together they saluted King Ashvin, and the latter spoke,
“You are hereby summoned to answer the question the High Priest posed to me this morning. He had a vision, in which lightning flashes constantly through the sky, and the wide plains of the realm were burning fiercely. Further in the east, Mt.Quindor exploded.”
These words left them rather stunned, but King Ashvin just looked at them. Then Lord Justin spoke, “Your Majesty, the visions I had recently actually signifies something bad.”
“Obviously it is bad, but up to what extent?”
Then Lady Kathleen, who had always defeated her good friend from the sarcastic remarks of the King, answered in a manner in which everyone laughed, “As the same extent as how disgusting your curry is.”
King Ashvin, not annoyed by the remark, only asked, “Then can you decipher it for me?”
“Personally I think,” said Lord Cheng, “that the vision may have a two-fold meaning. I had one as well days ago, with similar traits with the High Priest. Then I discussed with both priests here, and they suggested that we should consult one who has the wisdom of such matters.”
“Which is who?”
“Who is the person your majesty should know.” said Lord Justin.
“Oh!” exclaimed King Ashvin, “now I know, all your old friends in the city of Lithorien. If that is the case, I have to send someone there. Who will take the errand?”
“Me, I want to go. Long time I do not see her already.” replied Lord Jason.
“I disagree that the Viscount goes there, he will somehow tarry there for a long time.”
Then King Ashvin was curious, and he asked, “Why shouldn’t we let him go, my dear priest?”
“Due to his somehow too-welcoming nature, which will make him feel welcome in the city, and will delay our timing.” replied Lord Justin.
“This is lame. I do not believe it. Lord Viscount, you will go with the Count to Lithorien, seeking counsel of this premonition either from the Archpriestess, or the Archmage. You have my leave.”
And thus Lord Cheng and Lord Jason left the Hall. King Ashvin then sighed.
“What is wrong? I thought you trust in them?” asked Lady Kathleen, whose curiosity somehow overwhelmed her heart. She looked at Lord Justin, then once again looked at King Ashvin.
“The Archknight and the High Master are not going to be happy now.”
“Why? Their power doesn’t run here, or in Lithorien, they can’t do anything there.”
“Cause,” said King Ashvin, “they somehow knew of something bad is going to happen. Their city in Koruskan had a constant watch over the eastern regions, and they reported to me recently, that Mt.Quindor will soon erupt, and the Dark Lord of the Dragon will begin the assault.”
“You believe in their rhetorical nonsense? Your majesty, this is simply preposterous, not possible to happen.” This was the sentence that really angered King Ashvin, and he replied,
“What is all this? A subject who sought to admonish me with her better view? I know there is some confrontation between you and the Knights, but for god’s sake, Lord Justin, I request that you control her mouth, before I stuff the curry into her!”
After that, King Ashvin left, and the pair walked towards the city.
“Why in the heavens does he feel so concerned when Lord Jason was to go to Lithorien to seek counsel?” asked Lady Kathleen, still enraged at King Ashvin’s remark. Lord Justin, though expected to answer, did not make a sound.
The reason behind was actually that he wanted to keep the Magi of Lithorien alone, most notably the two of the most powerful and influential members, who were the leaders of the order. They were known to the world as Lady Yen the Archpriestess and Lady Crystal the Archmage, to keep them alone simply means that he fears that the two magi will somehow take over his power should they appear in Ossiros, which is absolutely impossible, as they were very loyal to him for that time period of his reign.
Moments later they reached the Temple of Anazhan, the nexus of all activities of lore within the Kingdom. There they met Lady Carrine the Viscountess, the keeper and guardian of the Temple. A young lady whom they befriended almost a decade ago, they now shared a very close friendship between them.
“Greetings, what is your matter here?”
“Well,” said Lord Justin, “the Viscount is in an errand to somewhere, and it is very important.”
“What is it?” asked Lady Carrine.
“Well old friend, the Viscount going for an errand, this is not a big matter. What matters is actually that, the message will be delivered to the Magi in Lithorien. The main concern is that, the High King is not happy with the idea at all, for fear of delay in timing.” answered Lady Kathleen, who then continued, “Given that the Knights are spreading their rhetoric o the High King, I am somehow scared that they are going to break us up.”
“Impossible,” replied Lord Justin in a manner that surprised everyone, “as they will never give false matters to the High King. I went to their city recently, and the Archknight told me their situation and hold is deteriorating day by day. The skies are darkening.”
To this remark Lady Carrine agreed, and she said, “In fact if it were not of the Knights, the whole Kingdom will have been destroyed long ago. Additionally, they seldom deal with us, save in great need.”
“Nonetheless,” and suddenly thunder blasted through the skies, which shocked them once again. Before Lady Kathleen could interrupt, Lord Justin continued, “The Five Spires of Koruskan needs aid now. Their situation is now getting to look dire. Hopefully the Magi of Lithorien could answer their call should help is needed.”
The storm clouds were covering all over Ossiros now, and rain poured from it. The trio, in order to shelter themselves from the heavy rain, entered the Temple..

For two days and nights Lord Jason and Lord Cheng rode southwards, until the Grand Spire of the Tower was within sight, The gates of Lithorien opened before them, as though they were VIPs of the city itself,
Lithorien was built by the bay of the sea, and its Heart of the Tower had seven spires which dominated the sky. Travelers will see it far away, indicating that they are near. It was the city of the Magi and the headquarters of the southern regions of the Kingdom.
The duo was welcomed by Lady Crystal, who was also a long-time friend of theirs. Short was her hair, yet the radiance in her eyes were great to behold, as equivalent to the light of the High Elves. Many were charmed by her eyes, but more were attracted to her emanating power of wisdom.
“Welcome, old friends, to the city of Lithorien. It has been ages since we last met.”
“Agree,” said Lord Cheng, “but we have come to you only because of great need. There are two things to be said. One from the High King, in request of deciphering the vision of the High Priest. Secondly, we fear that the Knights are going to threaten us.”
The remark only let Lady Crystal made her reply, “Preposterous, but not impossible, The Knights in the eastern regions have long set their sights towards us, to take our power and hold over the High King. This we must.. there may be spies here. Let us get in.”
The Grand Atrium of the Tower was magnificent. Huge granite pillars served as support to the entire structure, Alabaster statues decorated the hallways, and obsidian mirrors served as a design of architecture, which was an ethereal image of the corporeal object, reflecting the basic wisdom of the Magi.
They walked down the main path as they gasped in awe. Then suddenly Lord Jason asked Lady Crystal, “We have talked for so long, and we have entered this place for so long, but where is the other good friend of us?”
“I know what you mean, you are seeking for Lady Yen. Unfortunately for all of us, she is now meditating near the top of the Tower, and cannot be disturbed, To worsen matters, the length of her time of meditation seems to have lengthened for a past few weeks. You mentioned that the Knights are conspiring against us, Lord Cheng, and to dispose us. I think that is part of the reason. By the way, today is longer than usual.”
Lord Jason was astonished upon hearing it, but he did not show it out. Instead he only said, “Times are getting darker, day by day, and every moment past darkens the heart as well.”
Looking at their watches, they knew that the sun will soon set, and they were very worried at Lady Yen’s absence. It has been nearly a quarter of a day since they arrived, and the calm tides of the sea did not ease their hearts at all.
Nightfall has arrived after long last, and still no sign of her. A bright white light suddenly appeared from above their heads when they decided to go for some dinner, and they were surprised at the fair appearance…

to be continued the next week... kindly comment on the story in terms of language, word usage and structure of sentences.. all comments will be taken into consideration and if needed, this chapter will be edited in accordance to the comments posted -- the archknight, 14th November 2008, 9.38p.m.