Aldrous - 07:40pm Sep 26, 1998 MST
Spirit; GrandFather Tree

It had been a long time since Warner had fallen asleep beneath Aldrous's tree. In the dream that followed, Aldrous had tested the young warrior, and it showed that he had the makings of a good swordsman. So it was that when Warner drank too much and fell asleep, Aldrous pulled him into the world of dreams.

"Well then, ready for your next lesson?" Aldrous asked cheerily, his long, sand colored hair shifting in the ethereal breeze. In his hand, he held a dream-replica of the Phoenix Blade, and using his will, created another sword before Warner.

"Uhn." Warner said, "I feel, so sluggish."

"Of course you do, you've been drinking. Now, defend yourself!" Aldrous cried as he brought his sword down towards Warner's head. The young paladin was barely able to roll out of the way, and his sword was torn from his hand as he tried to parry Aldrous's next attack.

"You must drink more often." Aldrous told him, "You are not experienced with alcohol and must build up a tolerance for it. Best to avoid it whenever a battle is about to begin, but one does not always know when a battle will be, so best to be able to handle as much drink as you can."

"I feel dizzy." Warner commented, picking up his sword.

"Of course you do, now do better this time." Aldrous said as he once again barreled down on Warner. Again, the young man was pushed to his limits fending off the sword masters attacks, and he tried his best to use every bit of advice Aldrous shouted at him as blows continued to rain upon him. Finally, Warner managed to lock Aldrous's blade with his own, but his small victory was short lived. Warner's sword went flying, as did his body, as Aldrous landed a savage kick to his stomach.

"I, I didn't expect..." Warner managed to say as he forced air back into his lungs.

"Of course you didn't, that's why it worked so well. You must learn to expect everything Warner."
Aldrous told him as he helped Warner to his feet, "Magic, punches, even the landscape can be used against an unwary fighter."

"I'll remember that." Warner promised more to himself than to his teacher.

"I certainly hope so, if you have any desire to live, that is." Aldrous told him. Aldrous willed two chairs into existence, and a small pitcher of water. The two sat down together and shared a refreshing drink in the dream.

"I think your biggest problem, Warner, is that you hold onto the path of the Paladin." Aldrous told him after several moments.

"What? But, I wish to fight for what is right and just!" Warner said, seemingly shocked at Aldrous's suggestion.

"That is all well and good, but as a Paladin you can never gain true wisdom, you can never be truly balanced. Good and Evil are like a pendulum. If it swings into good, then peace and beauty reigns. If it swings into evil, then war and pestilence plague the earth." Aldrous paused to take a drink, "But, should good hold total sway, then it can do as much harm as evil ever could."

"How can that be so?" Warner asked.  "Simple, men wishing to do good often persecute, among other things. In the name of Justice, or Holiness, mankind often kills many people, even innocent ones. People will only be truly happy if the world his held in balance; you will only truly be whole if you are balanced. A paladin is a servant of good, and can never be balanced. They are necessary when facing those who are totally dedicated to evil, but a balanced man can tell when to fight evil, and what evils to let go." Aldrous told him.

"I don't know." Warner said, "I wish to be a servant of good."

"You cannot have both, Warner, I am telling you this now. If you stay a paladin, you can never be a balanced, never. There is not one exception to this rule." Aldrous told him.

"I understand." Warner said, examining his glass, "But, there is so much evil in the world, I feel I must do something to fight it."

"If that is the path you choose, so be it. We all must affect the world as we believe is best."
Aldrous said, as he let Warner back into his own dreams.
 
 

Felena MacRorie - 06:31am Oct 1, 1998 MST
Lady Scribe and Webmistress of KoRT, Knight of KoRT

The dance had ended with the fading of the night sky into the dawning of the new day. Felena had not felt so alive in years. Murt escorted her back to her tent, bid her pleasant dreams as he bowed, then retired to his own tent for a short rest before they continued on their way to Tannisbury. Kierra, Jacie and Mura were already climbing under their bedrolls when she entered, Jacie and Kierra watching their sponsor with practiced eyes. At least for now, the lady's melancholy had lifted.

Felena hummed a melody while she pulled the comb from her hair and brushed through her auburn tresses before gathering them together in a single braid for sleeping. After stepping free of her dress, she donned a woolen tunic, as the night had brought with it a cool breeze from the mountains. She slept peacefully that morn, the few hours refreshing her better than the previous full nights' rest. And for once, the nightmares were absent.

The group broke camp at mid morn after a delightful breakfast with the elven king and his kin. Pastry so light it seemed to float off the plates, along with exotic fruits the likes of which they had never before tasted were offered in seemingly endless quantities.  They thanked the king for his gracious hospitality again, mounted their steeds and continued on their journey to Tannisbury. The peacefulness Felena had experienced within the glade of the elves remained with her as they picked their way toward the mountains.

They stopped briefly beside a clear spring to refill their waterskins and rest the horses before they began the long climb that would take them up and over the mountains. Assigned tasks were completed without delay so that they might be well into their climb before stopping to make camp. As Felena pulled herself back into the saddle she caught sight of something a pale blue on the opposite side of Silvermyst's head. She leaned forward as far as she could, nearly laying across his neck as she reached for the object she had seen.

Her breath caught as she retrieved a delicate blue thornless rose from the crosspiece of Silvermyst's bridle. The fragrance was so sweet, the rose so perfect that it looked surreal. Stunned into speechlessness, she glanced around her for the source of the beautiful gift. However no one showed the slightest hint of knowing from whence it had come.  She heard Murt's voice from a distance, telling them that the journey had resumed, so she tucked the stem of the blossom into her left bracer and urged Silvermyst back onto the trail.
 
 
 

Murtano Laorte - 10:32am Oct 1, 1998 MST
Knight of the Round Table - Lord of Tannisbury Brewmaster of the Realm Renowned
Murt's Red! Weaponmaster of KoRT

The party left the elven glade early, and they traversed a misty forest. Seemingly lost to the outside world, the forest was ominous and yet mysteriously beautiful.
The party picked their way through the forest rather easily, as Eldamari's magic seemed to be subconsciously guiding them. They passed many dangerous ravines and pitfalls that had they not been guided, would probably have cost them a horse or two at least.  Finally arriving at the base of a mountain, they broke for lunch and the squires were busy preparing the horses for the treacherous climb.

Distractedly, Murtano gazed up at the mountain and did not hear the approach of Legend as he nearly knocked him over. "What the!?", He cried, and then laughed heartily and stroked his magnificent horses neck. "Aye, we're almost home... merely over this mountain, past crystal lake and then we'll be there."

Turning to the rest of the party... Murtano speaks, "My friends, the main part of our journey is over now, as it seems that Eldamari has quickened our journey by some time. Normally the journey through the woods takes a fortnight, but we have traversed it in a single day. I know not how, but I thank him deeply. Atop this mountain lies the Crystal Lake. We need to bring fresh water with us, for from it's shores none may drink. It is poisonous to all but the wondrous Skating Fish that skim across the surface to feed.  Of them is made a most toxic poison, so we must be sure to keep the horses away from the edges.  We must also beware, for this mountain is honeycombed with fissures, mines, tunnels, and caves. All of which are often the home to any number of rogues and highwaymen. We will eat and regain our strength here, for once we begin our ascent we cannot stop."

Everyone turned to gaze upward to the peak of the mountain, a towering giant, it stretched it seems forever. "By Tyr...." seemed to be whispered by all as clouds covered the sun, and all saw the mountain as an ominous shadow.