The True Story of the Knights of Svelty Slanko By Zorozeenee

Upon a cold clear night with a dark sky, dotted with the lights of the heavens, a lone man roamed what was once a sunken riverbed. But tonight the river was high of ice. The only sound that was heard through this solemn land was the gusts of wind sweeping the desolate tundra and whipping the spruce forest. This was the grounds of the Rising Sun where the sun never rose and the sun never set.

After the dark days the man contracted laborers from the town of Vrovona. With a humble beginning he started his work. The tasks began at dawn. The air was crisp and chilly at the suns awakening. Soon men awoke and the tilling began. The trees where stubborn and the spruce was frosty. Shacks were built as living quarters for the many laborers. These men hired from Vrovona were the most recent wave of frontiersmen and settlers. They thrived and grew in the land, defying the harsh conditions with their conquering spirit.

Despite the Mans wealth he rarely exposed it to others. He could build a town from his own pocket but worked alongside the architects and stone masons. He was indeed a humble man by nature. After his daily work at Svelty Slanko he often made his way to the town of Vrovona to get a local news script and visit the market. He read the bloody report of a rather sad topic. BANDITS RAID LYCOSA 28 DEAD The Man wasnt frightened as most of the lands dwellers were. Fear never shook this man. He had a brave soul and was a faithful believer of his dear god Vrovona. But he was surprised, surprised that the nations guardians did not respond in time. Yet the nation was still in a building state so it was somewhat expected. He took this event to memory.

With the coming of yet another wave of settlers, the man hired more laborers and progress accelerated. He was now building the gatehouse. This part was the trickiest of all the tasks, with a lack of mechanical engineers he has to design one with his own intelligence. The stone masons and architects advised against this. None the less he had decided to take on the challenging task. He had decided that a gate was necessary as bandits often roamed the land. He called for a thick oak door to be cut of the finest oak tree in the land. Then in the oak there would be many thick iron bands with a unique design of his choosing. After 3 days of thought he chose a phoenix, proud and fierce, yet wise the phoenix represented his new town accurately, and indeed portrayed the nation as well.

The phoenix soon became famous around the land. His town was praised for being the fastest built and growing town in the Kingdom of Vrovona. The phoenix in everyones mind was a constant reminder that the nation would return to its former glory and get them through the next few cold months ahead and into the light and warmth of spring.

10 Years Later There stood tall stone walls. Past the oak doors bearing the phoenix was a community housing the best warriors in the nation. Their country has called for them this day and they were given a challenging task that involved more than just an ordinary trip around the land. They went to the city of Vrovona to see their beloved Paragon. The Paragon explained that this task was indeed no stroll around the land but a military expedition to another nation.

The Paragon was there in the courtyard, speaking to 400 men in his gold clad armor wearing his unique helmet. He was in full battle dress. He said that this next journey would take us to an alien world with no snow and a foreign environment. There would be strange sounds and things in this world but we need to focus. We must reach the mountain and take the stone from the caverns end and return it to our nation. The place known as sanctum is full of people that deserved to die and deserved not to hold this stone. The Man was silent; he gripped his sword tight and closed his eyes. He visualized a humid jungle, a slight fog obscured his view, he saw shadowy figures shifting in and out of the fog.

They were told to bring little food and mostly gear. The plants were said to be fruitful but eat the wrong ones and you would be with the soil in just a moments pass. The trip began with a grueling journey through the frozen seas to the north west of the main port in Vrovona. Occasionally the men were awoken in the night when the boat hit an ice sheet; however the boats were designed for this. As a captain, the man had not much physical labor requirements, but instead of sitting in the captains room all day he chose t o work alongside his lower ranking men. Nearing the end of the icy seas the men aboard saw a coming storm, the captain insisted to pursue on past the ice to avoid such a hazardous situation. Almost immediately passing the ice the waves began to churn. The sails were quickly lowered and the crew prepared for the worst.

Although the storm was strong the crew was stronger. The Man thought that the boat would topple at least several times. But he wasnt fearful, fear never shook this man. Through the night the men on deck were showered by rain splashes and as much salt water as the eye could bear. But the dawn brought a new light and the clouds cleared. A week later land was spotted. It wasnt white like the homeland but a dark green, covered with plants of all sorts as far as the eye could see.

Most were distracted by the paradise presented to their eager eyes. But the Man remained stubborn; he didnt fall for the sirens. Soon it would be his hell; travelling through such terrain was no mere stroll in the garden. Two hundred miles seemed like a thousand. With no paths the men had to cut one. After half the distance was covered a camp was constructed near a small opening.

The night was loud with sounds of wildlife and insects. It was humid and foggy. The constant croak of frogs echoed through the forest. The ground was soft and mossy, when pressed hard water protruded from its pores. The air was cool and thick. The man looked into a small opening in the jungle canopy at the dull hazy sky, and then he drifted off to sleep. The dawn arrived early; the sun wasnt the clear shape it was in the homeland. The wet jungle air drew its edges out and reflected its rays through the foggy skyline. The day was started early, the men picked their equipment up and continued down the river, soon after the brush became thick and impossible to journey through. So the men decided to move down a shallow river. It was quiet and all that was heard was the constant moan of the frogs and the occasional chirp of the birds. One soldier irritated by bugs grabbed his neck in pain, he pulled a dart from his neck and fell straight back. The Mans eyes darted blindly into the brush. The men ducked their heads and shifted towards the edge of the river. It was a poison dart that hit the

poor fellow. He was now under the murky water staring blankly towards the surface. Another dart whizzed through the air leaving a line it cut through the fog. Fortunately the so ldiers armor saved him. The dart ricocheted off his chest plate then went spinning into the brush behind him slapping the thick leaves. The Man immediately knew where the assailant was. He was almost underneath him; he walked a few steps down the muddy river and lunged out onto the ground. The camouflaged attacker was stunned and fumbled with his blowgun, he stumbled backwards. The Man swiped the blowgun from his hands and picked the small attacker by the neck. He threw the attacker into the river, he landed at the Paragons feet. The Man jumped down next to the attacker; he sprang to his feet and drew a wicked curved blade from his side. The Man slashed with his thick sword. The attack was parried to the side and the attacker swung his sword. The Man used his forearm plate to block the strike, the sword hit his forearm and made a mirage of sparks. The Man then brought his sword across from behind him with full force. The Mans sword went through the attackers neck as if it was butter. The water was now a muddy dull red. The group toured their way through the jungle in the shallow river, it was midday and the humidity made the jungle like sweltering pressure cooker. Many soldiers jumped under the water to cool off not realizing how warm it was, the water weight didnt help when the dreaded march to the mountains summit approached. As the men reached the rivers end they dragged their water logged greaves onto the soil, as they did brownish water poured out of them. The jungle came to an end and the men proceeded up the great mountain. The ice caps of the tall jagged mountain were a bleached white. The slopes were a dull gray, covered in big rocks and a

thin layer of gravel that often rolled down the mountain when agitated by the steel greaves of the weary soldiers. The hike exhausted what little spirit and energy that was left in them. Dazed by the hike The Man ordered his group to set camp at the summit before the final battle at Sanctum. His plan was to attack Sanctum from the top of the mountain rather than up its roads. He savored the few hours he had before the attack. He prayed to his dear god once again. Everyone was nervous the moment they set out for Sanctum. As they approached the city the sun broke loose from the clouds prison and was shown upon sanctum. The l ight reflected in every direction and produced a brilliant site.

Atop the one of the towers he noticed a tall dark horned warrior, fearsome at sight and at least seven feet tall. The Man knew that he was destined to fight him one on one. Just then a he heard the trademark sound of the battle horn, soon after a row of men came from behind the walls and drew there bows. The Man yelled in a low pitch SHIELDS! Instantly the Vrovonan soldiers raised their shields and ducked down. As the soldiers stared at the ground

waiting for the impending volley of arrows, they heard the whistle of arrows flying high in the sky. All at once thousands of arrows came crashing on metal shields, it sounded like a tin roof being showered with hail. After the volley was concluded, the Vrovonan warriors stood up and roared the loudest battle cry The Man had ever heard in his many years. He could see the motivation for victory in their eyes, and the desire to fight for the Paragon. The Vrovonans knew that not many would return home, but they didnt care. They were simply here to fulfill their mission. Then one Vrovonan soldier came before his army and raised a red flag. To the surprise of the defenders the Vrovonans cleared a path in the middle of their formation. Slowly out of the mountain mist came the largest cannon the defenders have ever seen. The Man noticed the Itheri letters cast on the side of the massive iron cannon. The Itherians constructed this cannon within the mountain months in advance, based off the heavy naval guns of the mighty Itheri navy the cannon was intimidating. The bore was massive and it was in clear view of the defenders. Sanctums defenders were speechless and stunned. The Itheri engineers warned beforehand that it could only be fired once, for the blast of the gunpowder would crack the cannon.

It was taller than 3 men. It slowly rolled to the front of the formation. The defenders immediately began to flee from the walls. But it was too late. The fuse was lit. Then everything froze in time, the sparks from the fuse stopped. A moment passed, but then as if all the fire in the world was channeled out of the gun, it fired. It was like a mighty clap of thunder that echoed from the mountain through the entire jungle. The Man went deaf and everything rang. The entire battlefield was covered in smoke. Then a great bellow of wind swept all of the smoke aside just as the sun broke through the clouds, the sun glimmered off the Paragons golden armor.

Sanctums fortress couldnt withstand the blow and when the dust cleared the wall was broken. Out of the gap Sanctums savage warriors charged, the Paragon ordered a cavalry charge. Atop the mountain was a flat plateau where the forces met each other. The Vrovonan cavalry met face to face with the axe wielding warriors of the mountain.

With the advantage of the open area and a cavalry force many of Sanctums warriors were cut down. Metal clashed and bones were broken. The remaining warriors of sanctum fell back within the walls of the fortress. The Man new there was a large group within the walls waiting for him. However the gap was again shrouded in the mists of the mountain. Without the ability to see through the castle gap he knew his men would hesitate, and when men hesitate in battle lives are lost. Once they penetrated the gap in the walls The Man had to find the stone at the caves end, past the black gates. The Man and the Paragon readied the cavalry and infantry for the second strike. A Vrovonan soldier then stepped forward holding the golden horn. Upon sounding the cavalry

must charge followed by the mass of infantry. Minutes went by, the soldiers hearts pounded. The Man could feel the adrenaline seeping into his veins and he began to sweat profusely. The horn was sounded and the Vrovonans let out a loud roar that shook the jungle below them. The cavalry charged through the gap in the fortress, followed by the heavily armored infantry. The chain mail and plate armor clanked as the warriors charged. Inside the fortress the defenders were confused, but readied their bows. Their hair stood on their necks and they waited staring into the hypnotizing mist, waiting for their imminent death or imminent salvation. Slowly a fearsome Knight approached through the mist, as his horse galloped through the mist it curled around him, seconds later forty Vrovonan mounted knights came through the mist. The Sanctum defenders stood still waiting for the command. Then the Dark horn ed warrior yelled LOOSE! The arrows whizzed by The Man striking him many times and bouncing off his shiny steel armor and newly forged chainmail armor. His following cavalry remained strong, but a few where picked off. Now not more than 50 meters from the defenders the cavalry continued there valiant charge. The defenders dropped their spears, The Man had no time to react, he struck one poor fellow in the head knocking pieces of his skull into the air. His horse was then impaled by a lance. The animal nosedived into the ground sending the man into the air. However The Man was prepared for this. He held his sword by his side and his feet hit the ground sending his body forward, he ducked and rolled and popped back onto his feet. Immediately after a warrior wielding a large axe raised his axe and struck down with a powerful blow, The Man parried the attack and side stepped raising his sword with his hand. He then brought his hand down with tremendous force ramming the solid steel handle of the sword into the warriors face. Another attacker raised his mace but was struck in the chest by a Vrovonan

lance. The Man turned back and saw that the cavalry had taken heavy casualties but had inflicted massive damage on the defenders lines. As The Man scanned the field he noticed most of the cavalry was now dismounted, in the next 10 seconds the wave of infantry crashed into Sanctums warriors. The Man saw a warrior out of the corner of his eye, he turned just in time to block an incoming strike from his opponents large cleaver. He dropped his prized sword and drew his mace and picked up a shield. The warrior made a massive swing from the side. The Man blocked the strike with the shield and bashed him with it. He then made an upward strike with the mace hitting the warrior directly on his temple. He retrieved his sword and moved on.

At this stage in the blood bath there were both sides had taken a beating. The Man had noticed that now was his time to move the cave and reclaim the stone for Vrovona. It seemed as though some of Sanctums defenders slipped back into the fortress. The def enders numbers were dwindling. The Man ordered two Vrovonan Knights to follow him to the cave. The Man was told that the cave was under the largest tower in sanctum. Instinctively he went to the dark tower. Making his way through the town he found no resistance. Finally after a long trip through the cold streets he emerged at the shadowy entrance to the tunnel. Against his strong instinct he went into the dark tunnel.

The endless cave was lit well towards the beginning but the darkness soon swallowed The Man and his Knights. The cave was held up by an occasional support beam. He was amazed to find such a complex cave system hidden in the depths of the mountain. The tunnel lasted miles and soon he approached a large hollowed out area the size of a small castle. Water dripped from the ceiling making dripping noises that echoed off the cave walls and resonated all through the cave system. He then came upon a large gate that towered over all the

structures in the cave. It was the color of midnight in the cold sky of Vrovona. He knew that he had reached the black gate.

The gate was 20 meters tall and stood far taller than The Man and his knights. The three men gave a push, the door wouldnt budge, just then he felt a foreign strength flow through his body. He knew that his dedication to his dear god had paid off. The strength pulsed through his body like nothing he had ever felt. He and his men pushed the massive gates open. After opening the gate a loud booming voice echoed through the entrance. STOP INTRUDER The Man and his men shifted to their battle stance and drew their swords. They saw nothing but a dark fog surrounding them and shrouding the shapes of the room around them. WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE VROVONAN the booming voice said. Stunned and shocked The Man yelled into the darkness Show yourself! Through the fog he saw a massive figure larger than any man he had ever seen walking his way. His knights charged without hesitating, NO! The Man yelled. He heard struggling and two loud crashes then he heard nothing but heavy breathing. Slowly out of the fog a massive man approached. The dark horned warrior stood before him with a massive axe soaked in blood.

The Man felt edgy for the first time in his life, the warrior he faced was fearsome. After a long period of time The Man shouted I must return what is rightfully ours The warrior didnt respond. The Man readied his sword in his two hands. The sword was long and was made from by the Paragons best blacksmith, its handle was plated in gold and its blade was an alloy of steel and silver. He knew the sword was his key to getting past the black gates guardian. The horned warrior stepped towards him and pulled the axe over his head. The axe came down with all the strength the horned warrior had. The Man side stepped and dodged the attack. He back pedaled and swiped down a jab from the dark warrior. He then kicked the axe downward and brought the sword over his head and down onto the warriors helmet breaking off one of his horns. The warrior was now filled with rage, seeing this The Man took advantage. He came dangerously close to the warrior trying to provoke him. The warrior brought his axe sideways at about midlevel. The Man ducked under his axe and held is his sword up swinging straight down. He caught the warrior right on the wrist slicing right through his hand. His axe and hand went flying off into the fog. The warrior howled in pain and stumbled backwards clutching his wrist. The Man charged him and drove his sword through the warriors neck. The warrior spit out

blood and made a horrible gurgling noise. He fell to the floor with a heavy thump. The Man placed his foot on his head and drew his sword from the neck of the fallen warrior. He proceeded down a straight path. He crossed a bridge than hung over a sea of black. He then reached the chest on top of a golden pedestal. He reached to open the metal chest. It was laden in gears and complicated mechanical components. He pulled down the lever on the chest, the gears spun rapidly in what looked to be random directions. After a few seconds it stopped, and then a great blast of hot steam burst from the sides of the chest. The chest slowly opened revealing a magnificent gold stone. He lifted the stone from the pedestal and placed it in a leather bag he carried on his back, he tied the leather bag tightly. Despite the small size of the stone it was tremendously heavy. Now after retrieving the stone he was to be escorted off the mountain, through the jungle, and across the sea. But these simple steps were to be complicated, starting with silhouette guarding the light at the end of the tunnel

To be continued