continuation from the previous...
Within the Tower there were long flights of staircases to the center, and it took them a while to reach there.
Right in front sat Master Shang, and he was looking at Lady Yen, with fixed eye contact. Then he said, “Bring forth the message, and please don’t be scared, I won’t eat you up.”
She handed first the letter from Queen Khoo, and he read it at once,
To the Archknight of the Kingdom of Ossir,
Greetings. When you receive this letter I believe that two of your former enemies have arrived to seek your help. They are sincere in their intent, as evil has ravaged their lands.
The evil was actually one who returned. In the distant past, we, together with combined effort, sealed this demon lord in a crevice. Now after two thousand years, it has returned to destroy both Kingdoms.
I perceived that this threat could not be contained with one power alone, thus I request that you will answer my call for assistance. Time is running short, the skies are darkening and every moment lost hastens our defeat.
Yours in honor,
Queen Khoo of Istarugah.
“This is the Queen’s message. Now of the High King’s.” He put the letter aside, waiting for the second letter. Immediately Lady Yen handed to him the High King’s letter, enveloped in red.
The enveloped was opened, and he read,
To the Order of the Five Spires in Koruskan,
Greetings. I, hereby bid to you a dire request, in which our messenger will inform you of the details. Recent tidings have been very bad, and we are desperate. As you have known, Karazhan was invaded shortly before. Yet now, the biggest threat of all time it seems, has risen. Even the Elves are worried of it.
The Elven Queen and the Holy Guardian of Istarugah perceived this threat a repeat of events long before our time, and its power is somehow beyond our skills to contain. Thus we must combine all powers to combat for our sake. The Holy Guardian attached here the full details. Read it, and reply.
Yours in friendship,
High King Ashvin of Ossir.
“So it seems,” said Master Kang, “that you have to go to Istarugah for once, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and I won’t be going alone. Heaven knows what the two of them have in store for me. Their forests are enchanted, and any stranger who are foolish enough to enter their woods, will almost never find their way out.”
“But master, you know that the Queen wishes to see you, to explain the tides of the world. Under the Queen there is the Holy Guardian, together with the Enchantress, They are welcoming to you.”
“Master Khai, one should know that Istarugah rarely admit any outsiders. If we are to see the Queen, one must be able to traverse through the woods. The Elves kept a guard throughout the realm, eradicating anything which they deemed a threat…”
“You’re not talking sense,” replied Lady Yen, whose words shocked both the masters standing there, and she continued, “As you know, the Dark Lord of the Dragon Lord Pivinesh is coming here very soon, most likely tomorrow. I suppose that you have known of their purposes. Probably you better decide to go to Istarugah after we see him.”
With agreement deep in his mind, Master Shang nodded his head, but he asked, “I thought you have something to ask me. What is it? If this is quite urgent, I’ll see you tonight. For now I need to look into the mists of time, and investigate the unknown.”
Then he left, leaving her and the two masters there.
“I know both you and Master Kang are scared that people of my order will come here, incurring his wrath. The Lord of Adim Lord Jordan somehow is the exception. Anyway, I think that Master Shang thought too much. All of my order has no intention to come here.”
Bewildered, Master Khai asked, “Why? The Knights have nothing negative against them. Our Grand Master may not be welcoming, but overall he is vigilant towards anything that moves. Heaven knows that Lord Jason has said something in front of them and spoiled our good name.”
“They’re actually scared of him. The temper of his is very unpredictable. Sometimes he can just rage at anyone at anytime, ‘out of the blue’ is the word I can use. As you know, we cannot trifle with him or risk getting hurt. Obviously they linked him to all of you, effectively scaring them.”
They then reached the main door of the Tower. Master Kang then asked Master Khai to leave for a while, then he said to Lady Yen, “My lady, actually what is your true intent of coming here this time? From your eyes I perceived that your intent is not just sending messages, but something deeper.”
“High Master Kang, you’re indeed vigilant. I think that there is some question within Master Shang, and he knows that I’ve some inquiries for him either. It is next to impossible to cover something from his sight. He knows, yet he did not ask. What is his intent?”
“He occludes his mind even from us. No way can you know.”
“I don’t think so,” replied Lady Yen, “the Holy Guardian of Istarugah seemed to know his thoughts very well. It doesn’t matter anyway. By the way, how fares the Archbishop and the Archduke now?”
Master Kang laughed, and he answered, “You wish to see them. The Archbishop has started a relationship about a year ago. His partner is none other than Lady Valerie, the Elven Princess of Istarugah. The reason behind this is unknown. The Archduke on the other hand, was a big surprise to us. The fairest lady in this city, Lady Xue, fell for him few months ago. Both couples are now at the northern tower. They are all right.”
“Then I hope that grace of moonlight shines upon you.” said Lady Yen, with curiosity drawn towards the city, “as I want to explore this city.”
part 3 comes on the 15th of december...
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
part 1 of chapter 4
finally, here comes the 1st part of chapter 4, which will be considerably shorter compared to the previous one..
Chapter IV: Tidings from the Queen and the High King
Two days later, Master Khai the Judge was having lunch with Master Shang, and they purposely had their meal near the balcony, so as to look outside.
“You seemed happy today. Quite an unexpected sight.”
“Master Khai, if you know that someone you devoted is coming to you, what’ll you feel?”
“Oh… I knew it!” exclaimed Master Khai, “The Archpriestess Lady Yen is coming today. Am I correct for this?”
Master Shang nodded his head, his patience failing with every moment past. He had already two sleepless nights in anticipation of the coming of Lady Yen, thus he looked quite tired, though he worked hard to cover it up. Then Master Kang entered the scene, and he said, “There’s no need to feel like that, as grief will cloak your clear mind in one way, endangering your friends and foes.”
“If you are the one waiting for her two days and two nights, then you’ll feel the same as well. Master Khai, kindly look westwards, report any sightings to me.”
He then left, and Master Khai spoke,
“He is surely happy, but as you know, there is something in him that grieves his heart. I pray that the Archpriestess will come alone. If she arrives with Lord Jason behind, he’ll surely be infuriated, and he’ll try to kill him as well.”
“I don’t believe it, why?”
“Master Kang, you see that he has an unpredictable manner of anger. For some reason, anger can change the nature of the person entirely. It is of his nature to admonish without any questions asked. His unreciprocated love also hardened his heart. He is no longer that welcoming to any outsiders anymore.”
This statement shocked Master Kang, as he had never expected it. He then took his time, drank his coffee, and continued the discussion.
“Well, this simply means that we must try our best to restrain our friend from getting violent, am I right?”
“Yes,” said Master Khai, “Furthermore, if people like Lord Jason arrived with her as well, we must also block him from the presence of Master Shang, for his own good.”
Three hours later, out of the western walls they saw a rider of great power riding a unicorn (white in color) riding towards the gate in haste. Initially both of them did not recognize her, but when the rider emanated a white light from her staff, they were finally aware.
“Tell him that she has arrived.”
Master Khai obeyed the order from Master Kang. To him, unity between them was of utmost importance, and thus he was steadfast to the friendship between them, to the extent of taking orders without question.
On the other hand, Master Kang opened the city gates, and awaited her right in front of the Tower of the Guardian. The rider cast down her hood, and he bowed as a sign of respect.
“Master Kang, I send my greetings to all of you. There is no need of the formalities, as now I am a messenger to you. By the way, how fares the Archknight?”
Though he expected that, he nonetheless answered, “Greetings, Lady Yen. For your knowledge, he is not right for these few days. It seems to us that he is trying to keep something from us.”
“What?!”
“Apparently he expected that you won’t come alone, and he is trying very hard to conceal it. Yet, we know him too well. He can’t hide from us.”
The doors were opened, and from within came Master Shang and Master Khai.
“Greetings,” said Master Shang, whose voice did not seem to be any different, but there was something in him concealed, “I hear that you bring messages from the Elven Queen, the High King and from you. Times are getting perilous, and the Elves brought to me ill news. By the way,” in a sarcastic manner he asked, “where have Master Ran and Master Hong been?”
Master Khai smiled, glad at the good mood of his friend, and he answered, “Both of them have their ‘special someone’ to devote to, thus they are currently somewhere in the city.”
Both Master Shang and Master Kang laughed at that answer, and the former said, “Then leave them alone with their romantic stances. Let us enter the Tower and discuss the important matters.”
“Is your friend always like that?”
“No,” answered Master Kang, “but what do you see in him?”
“He is looking very tired, and he is cloaking his own concern in his mind.”
“Well, my lady, this is a long story. It has been so since you nominated him to be the Archknight and was sent here. He feels that it is an exile from Ossiros. Thus, every time he thinks of you, his mind will be very unstable.”
Lady Yen was shocked by the High Master’s words, and she could withhold it no longer. “To him I must explain, I never tried to convince the High King to put him in this. I now bear the risk of incurring his wrath by coming here. I’ll need your help.”
Then Master Khai interrupted, “There we go. The Archknight hates to wait for us.”
part 2 will come on 12th december 2008...
Chapter IV: Tidings from the Queen and the High King
Two days later, Master Khai the Judge was having lunch with Master Shang, and they purposely had their meal near the balcony, so as to look outside.
“You seemed happy today. Quite an unexpected sight.”
“Master Khai, if you know that someone you devoted is coming to you, what’ll you feel?”
“Oh… I knew it!” exclaimed Master Khai, “The Archpriestess Lady Yen is coming today. Am I correct for this?”
Master Shang nodded his head, his patience failing with every moment past. He had already two sleepless nights in anticipation of the coming of Lady Yen, thus he looked quite tired, though he worked hard to cover it up. Then Master Kang entered the scene, and he said, “There’s no need to feel like that, as grief will cloak your clear mind in one way, endangering your friends and foes.”
“If you are the one waiting for her two days and two nights, then you’ll feel the same as well. Master Khai, kindly look westwards, report any sightings to me.”
He then left, and Master Khai spoke,
“He is surely happy, but as you know, there is something in him that grieves his heart. I pray that the Archpriestess will come alone. If she arrives with Lord Jason behind, he’ll surely be infuriated, and he’ll try to kill him as well.”
“I don’t believe it, why?”
“Master Kang, you see that he has an unpredictable manner of anger. For some reason, anger can change the nature of the person entirely. It is of his nature to admonish without any questions asked. His unreciprocated love also hardened his heart. He is no longer that welcoming to any outsiders anymore.”
This statement shocked Master Kang, as he had never expected it. He then took his time, drank his coffee, and continued the discussion.
“Well, this simply means that we must try our best to restrain our friend from getting violent, am I right?”
“Yes,” said Master Khai, “Furthermore, if people like Lord Jason arrived with her as well, we must also block him from the presence of Master Shang, for his own good.”
Three hours later, out of the western walls they saw a rider of great power riding a unicorn (white in color) riding towards the gate in haste. Initially both of them did not recognize her, but when the rider emanated a white light from her staff, they were finally aware.
“Tell him that she has arrived.”
Master Khai obeyed the order from Master Kang. To him, unity between them was of utmost importance, and thus he was steadfast to the friendship between them, to the extent of taking orders without question.
On the other hand, Master Kang opened the city gates, and awaited her right in front of the Tower of the Guardian. The rider cast down her hood, and he bowed as a sign of respect.
“Master Kang, I send my greetings to all of you. There is no need of the formalities, as now I am a messenger to you. By the way, how fares the Archknight?”
Though he expected that, he nonetheless answered, “Greetings, Lady Yen. For your knowledge, he is not right for these few days. It seems to us that he is trying to keep something from us.”
“What?!”
“Apparently he expected that you won’t come alone, and he is trying very hard to conceal it. Yet, we know him too well. He can’t hide from us.”
The doors were opened, and from within came Master Shang and Master Khai.
“Greetings,” said Master Shang, whose voice did not seem to be any different, but there was something in him concealed, “I hear that you bring messages from the Elven Queen, the High King and from you. Times are getting perilous, and the Elves brought to me ill news. By the way,” in a sarcastic manner he asked, “where have Master Ran and Master Hong been?”
Master Khai smiled, glad at the good mood of his friend, and he answered, “Both of them have their ‘special someone’ to devote to, thus they are currently somewhere in the city.”
Both Master Shang and Master Kang laughed at that answer, and the former said, “Then leave them alone with their romantic stances. Let us enter the Tower and discuss the important matters.”
“Is your friend always like that?”
“No,” answered Master Kang, “but what do you see in him?”
“He is looking very tired, and he is cloaking his own concern in his mind.”
“Well, my lady, this is a long story. It has been so since you nominated him to be the Archknight and was sent here. He feels that it is an exile from Ossiros. Thus, every time he thinks of you, his mind will be very unstable.”
Lady Yen was shocked by the High Master’s words, and she could withhold it no longer. “To him I must explain, I never tried to convince the High King to put him in this. I now bear the risk of incurring his wrath by coming here. I’ll need your help.”
Then Master Khai interrupted, “There we go. The Archknight hates to wait for us.”
part 2 will come on 12th december 2008...
Monday, December 8, 2008
part 5 (final part) for the 3rd chapter
at last, the fifth and the last part for this long chapter...
He now once again read through the letter from Lord Afdal Rizal, Shaman of Azjoldin.
To Master Shang the Archknight,
Greetings. The patterns and flows of the world have somehow changed, and our Elven Arcanist Lord Jerome had a vision of the fall of both our realms, be it elven or human. To make matters worse, the adversaries perceived are somehow not of the Dragon-lords, which confounded me.
Thus by suggestion of Lord Timothy, Minstrel of Alterin we, the council of Elven Lore masters resolved to seek help. We knew of your might and wisdom, and the Order of the Knights had a great reputation throughout both realms.
As the full details probably will be sent later to you, we can only tell that Mt.Quindor is no longer a dead volcano. The anomalies of meteorological matters have greatly affected the Dragon-lords. They’ll eventually seek our help. I hope that you won’t reject them.
Finally, Her Royal Majesty Queen Khoo may send Her Honored Holy Guardian to see you, on the beginning of next month. May the grace of sunlight shines upon you.
All honors,
From Lord A.Rizal.
All the elves apparently knew the vision, and now he finally understood, that this was no ordinary matter. It is out of the circle, to such an extent that even the eternal-lived elves were very concerned of it.
Everything was getting out of hand, as even his long time adversaries the Dragon-lords asked help from him. He was greatly troubled in mind and was desperate for some rest, somewhere in the places of tranquil.
However, he knew that he cannot, as his responsibilities as the Archknight “chained” him. He has nowhere to go, but to wait. Yes, he had to wait. He knew that Lady Yen was still two days away from Koruskan, but even so was enough to keep him happy.
Thus was the decision of Master Shang, wait for her to come to Koruskan…
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