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As Polk steps out of the Shadey Cyprus he runs into a mob of terrorized townsfolk.
Polk could see the city was in chaos. Polk draws his only weapon at the time, a rusty old
sword, and bravely headed in the opposite direction of the townsfolk to meet up with the
danger head on. As he runs he sees bloodied bodies and ruined buildings and he hears cries of
anguish and agony. Polk soon encounters the danger, a pack of wolves slaughtering townsfolk,
and with them strange figures in armor of which is not familiar to Polk. A quick slash from Polk
ends a wolves life and saves a small child, but there he is soon noticed by the armored figures.
Out numbered Polk runs away to get help. But, the armored figures soon pursue him. Many
buildings and homes in Telabor are being set on fire now. Polk panics, this has never happened
before in Telabor, who could be doing this? Fortunately, the knights of Telabor arrive to fight off
the massacre. The king is even with them. In the midst of chaos, Polk runs to protect the king.
"What is going on, your highness? Who is doing this?!" Polk asks as he fights down
some of the wolves.
The king replies gravely, "This is my fault, I should have avoided this. I could have
avoided this...."
"But, who is doing this? And why?" suddenly, as Polk says this another figure emerges
from the chaos, not like the other armored ones. He is dressed in weightless brown and black
leather. He has pronounced physical characteristics of an elf; the lean face, the pointed ears, and
long silvery hair.
"It's him, Polk. Salem. I should have stopped him when I had the chance..." the king
says hopelessly.
"Salem?" Polk questions, "Who is that?" Just then Salem approaches King Telabor and
laughed in his face.
"I warned you, Telabor! If you didn't give me the Gemini Crown, I would ruin your
kingdom. You should have given it to me when you had the chance!" Salem exclaimes.
"Gemini Crown? What is that?" Polk whisperes to himself.
"You still have a chance, Telabor. I will back off if you give it to me now. I know you
have it, so let's just make this easier for the both of us and give it to me!" Salem offers.
"I will not negotiate with you Salem! I told you before I would not give in to your
threats! My knights of Telabor can handle anything you throw at them!"
Salem looked shocked, "So be it. We will burn your kingdom to the ground!" Salem
drew a long heavey sword but Polk, using quick reflexes, used his sword to knock Salem to the
ground.
"What's this?" Salem says wiping blood from his face, "You think you can fight with
Alder Salem little knight? Do you have any idea who I am?" Salem starts laughing.
"I know enough!" Polk leaps upon Salem ready to drive his sword through his heart.
But Salem is to quick and he bats the leaping Polk back with his sword. As Polk gets up Salem
runs towards him wildly. Swords clash as Polk blocks him. Then the two of them fight against
the other. The high ranking minute soldier against the skillful madman. Polk is a good soldier,
possibly the best in Telabor, but Salem is better, and Polk has a hard time keeping himself from
getting killed much less defeating Salem.
Fortunately, the tide of battle turns with the knights of Telabor against Salem's soldiers
and Salem's soldiers start to fall as King Telabor had predicted.
Salem turns away from the battered Polk, "This will only be a warning to you, Telabor.
Don't think that you have won, this is only the beginning. But a final warning this is, next time I
tear down this kingdom and search for the Gemini Crown amongst the rubble!" And with that
Salem walks away as the fires burns behind him.
"Are you alright, your majesty?" Polk says.
"I'll be fine," the king said looking down. "But, I don't know about Telabor. This may be
the end."
"Your majesty, what is going on? What is this Gemini Crown?"
The king let out a long sigh, "Yes, it seems I have to tell you now. I will have to tell
everybody," then the king wandered off to his castle leaving Polk alone and confused.
It is not long before Polk receives word that he is to meet with the other knights and the
king in a few hours at the castle. By this time it is late evening and Polk hurries to the castle not
to be late.
As Polk walked many questions plague him. Who is this Salem? What is the Gemini
Crown? What has the king been hiding from all of us? And, what does he plan to do? Can we
stop Salem or will he defeat us? Nothing like this has ever happened before in Telabor or
anywhere else in Metheed, at least, not since the Chaos Wars. But that was a long time ago and
things were peaceful now. Races lived together in harmony and there was very little fighting. A
bad ominous feeling sets in Polk and he hurries towards the castle of Telabor as if it were the
only cure for it.
It is late at night now and the castle stands solemn and unguarded. The guards have left
to help those people in town who were hurt by Salem's ambush. Polk walks through the large
wooden doors into the obelisk. The inside of the caslte is silent and the loud thud of the doors
closing behind Polk startles him. Polk can hear the whisper of faint voices slipping past the
cracks in the cold stone walls. The rhythme of Polk's footsteps renders the voices inaudible, yet
still present. The hung portraits of ancestors and founders of Telabor seem to look more stern
and grave to Polk as he passes them down a long hallway.
Eventually, the symbolic crest of two swords locked together in combat notifies Polk he
has arrived before the War Room. Polk slowly creeks the door open and peers inside. King
Telabor is speaking with the Defense Minister. They appear to be arguing heavily but their
voices are low. Neither of them notice Polk as he enters the room and sits down at a random
seat at the war room table, early for the king's requested meeting. A minute later, the Defense
Minister storms out of the room and Telabor slumps over in his king chair at the head of the war
room table. Looking down deep in thought, and obviously very stressed.
"Polk, I didn't see you there," says the king finally looking up to see Polk.
"I came as you requested, your majesty."
"You are early. No one else has arrived yet."
"Are you going to tell us what this is all about?" Polk impatiently changes the subject.
"No," the king says, "I'm only going to tell you."
"It was about 25 years ago I received the Gemini Crown. Before you were even born,"
the king starts on a serious story. "One night in a dream I was visited by a strange character. A
ghostlike spirit maybe, it is hard to describe. He wouldn't tell me who he was. Anyway this
specter showed me an odd looking peice he called the 'Gemini Crown'. He told me that it was a
very dangerous and valuable item of infinite proportions. So, I asked him what this had to do
with me, and he told me; I want you to guard it. I want you to keep it in this small kingdom you
have and hide it from everyone. Your kingdom is small and can easily be overlooked. Don't tell
anyone you have it. Just keep it and do everything in your power to keep it safe. Your human
mind does not have the imagination to comprehend this items significance. It is beyond you, I
just need you to keep it away from other hands, at all costs. Will you do this for me? I did not
know how to say no to this responsibility so I had no choice but to accept. Then, he told me
that one day some years in the future someone would come here and ask for it. You must resist
whoever it is at all costs. Sacrifice everything to not give it up, the Gemini Crown is too
important. Then he left and when I woke up the next day I found the Gemini Crown next to my
bed."
"Hmm. So that's why you kept it a secret from us."
"Yes, and you see now why I cannot give the Gemini Crown to Salem. Even if he
destroys this whole kingdom I cannot give it to him. I believe that ghost in the importance of it."
"Where is the Gemini Crown now?"
"I have it hidden. I cannot even reveal where it is right now."
"You really believe that ghosts warnings of the importance of the Gemini Crown."
"Yes, I do. I don't know why, you just had to be there. And," king Telabor pauses, "I
still will not tell everyone else about the Gemini Crown. You are the first person I have ever
told."
"Then what is this meeting all about?"
"To plan a surprise attack against Salem's Fort and take him out before he comes
back!" the king says as a knight enters he room. More soon follow until everyone has arrived
and the meeting is ready to begin.
"The attack this evening was both unexpected and swift. Salem caught us off guard and
took advantage of our unprepared defenses. Salem is trying to conquer our small kingdom," the
king lies a bit, "And he has the power to do it." Voices rose from the crowd of soldiers.
"But, we can protect Telabor if we quickly counter strike against Salem. Our spies have
discovered Salem has a fort not far south from Telabor which he has gathered his army. If we
attack him at his fort before he can attack Telabor then we have a good chance against his
army. But we must do this as soon as possible before he can plan another assault against us."
King Telabor goes on with the details of the plan for hours this night. The attack is made
for the day after tomorrow in the morning while Salem's forces are unexpecting an attack and
unready. Task forces are designed with special duties. Everyone knows what to do.
"...and Polk," the king finally arrives at Polk to give him his task in this war, "I need you
to do something different. I need you to scout ahead alone to Salem's fort and make sure the
path is clear for the army. You will have to leave early in the morning. I will give you the
directions soon."
"I will do this, your majesty. I will prove worthy of this task," Polk says confidently.
"Good, Polk. It is a very important job. I know you can handle it."
Plans are carried out and preparations are made. After midnight passes the kingdom of
Telabor has the appearance of a city seized in war. Soldiers are patrolling the streets, knights
are bunked in ordinary inns and shops, weapons are being created and distributed, fires are lit
to give sight to the busy warriors. Polk is told to have a good sleep at an inn at the edge of town
because he must be leaving in the morning to scout ahead while everyone else waits one day to
make plans.
"As you follow the road south Polk you must veer off to the east to find the artifact
digging site," a commander explains Polk's route while pointing it out on a crudely drawn map of
Metheed.
"Artifact digging site? Why must I go there?"
"It will be used as a landmark to guide you while you travel off road. When you arrive
there travel south by southwest for 50 or so miles and you should find the edge of the Faun
Woods. Then, just travel west until you find the road again and follow it directly to Salem's Fort,
here," says the commander while pointing out a little "X" indicating Salem's Fort on the map.
"I got it, I got it," Polk says barely paying attention. Polk has done alot of travelling in
Metheed and he does not think such thorough instructions are necessary considerating all the
other things he must worry about.
"If you get lost at any time past the artifact digging site, just go west until you reach the
road again."
"Yes, yes. I understand. I have been down that way many times before."
"Okay, good," says the commander rolling up the map and handing it to Polk, "And be
careful of theives and creatures along the way."
"I can handle the local wildlife of Metheed," Polk says while fitting the rolled map into
his travelling bag.
"Well get some sleep and leave in the morning," the commander leaves the inn.
Polk goes back to his room to do just that. In bed, he begins to question the real
necessity of staying at an inn at the edge of town while his house is only an hours walk into
town. And from this he concludes he is having trouble sleeping. Not surprising after such an
eventful day. But soon, Polk realizes that he has fallen asleep by being aware that he is in a
dream.
Polk is dreaming, and he know he is dreaming. A concious dream is an odd thing that
never occured with Polk before. This is awfully bizzare, Polk thinks, I am in a dream but I
realize this. Isn't that supposed to make me wake up? What a day, even my dreams are weird.
I must be going insane. Oh well, might as well make the most of this experience.
Polk is in Telabor. A very detailed Telabor, better than he could remember. Somehow
the city has the aura of night yet it was not dark out at all. In fact, it is very bright out. But not
bright with the sun, the sky is a plain white color that makes it seem like this section of Telabor
was the only place on the planet. Also, the city is empty. No children running around carefree,
no creatures stealing or causing trouble, no adults shopping and busily chatting, no Incognitos
standing silent in the shadows. This strange dreamcity appears very clean too. All that can be
seen is the city street and the houses that surround it. The absence of life and litter makes all the
buildings seem vacant and hollow, like they are unimportant and should be ignored.
Polk walks down the silent street in this dream of his. His footsteps make no noise. He
has no direction in walking, he just is, as if drawn by something. For the first time all day, Polk
feels calm and peaceful, even in this most bizare of situations yet. Then, something catches his
attention. A new building that Polk does not recognize, and he knows this part of town very
well. The building is no different from the others, its only significance is its unfamiliarity. And that
alone is enough, for Polk enters this building calm and unafraid.
An empty room with a lone figure standing in the center. The figure is of a man, rather
old but not very old, seeming somewhere around 55 years of age. He has pale skin, a short
pointed white beard, and a balding head with some hair of the same color. He is dressed in a
colored gown that reminds Polk of something a preist might wear. This is not exactly a normal
looking man, but not abnormal enough to fit parallel with the extreme abnormality of this dream.
The man speaks, "I hope you understand the importance of the Gemini Crown, Polk.
It's not just a normal treasure."
Polk was expecting a hello first but this character's lack of small talk does not bother
Polk. "Who are you?" is all Polk can muster out at this time.
"I have many names, none are important. Call me what you want."
"Why have you brought me here?"
"You need to understand the importance of the Gemini Crown so that you will act
accordingly in future decisions."
"Then tell me about the Gemini Crown. What is it about it that makes it so important?"
"I am afraid you are not ready for that peice of information. No average human can
handle that. Though, someday you may find out."
"Is there anything you will tell me? I have so many questions."
"I cannot tell you much now because it may alter your actions later. The questions you
have will be answered soon. Unfortunately more will arise."
"Alter my actions? You can see into the future?"
"Yes and it is very unstable as it is. So, I must do or say anything that might change it."
"Oh, I see. I guess that makes some sense," Polk wanders around the empty room as
the pale ghostlike man watches him. Thinking, he comes to a realization.
"You are the one who gave the Gemini Crown to King Telabor all those years ago?"
"Yes, that is true. I gave him the Gemini Crown and told him to protect it. Now you are
the one who must protect it."
"Why me? What did I do?"
"I did not choose you, Polk. Your king did, when he gave you your assignment against
Salem."
"I don't understand."
"Because of this task he has given you, you will start down a path where so much
importance rides on the decisions you make. But, the future is unclear and I alone should not
attempt to alter it."
"Why cannot you do this? You are probably very powerful."
"Perhaps I am. But, I am not powerful enough to defeat all who oppose me. You are
not either, but in the future I see, you are surviving longer than I am. I have a different purpose
in this."
"What do I have to do exactly?"
"For now, you have to do is protect the Gemini Crown. That is all." There is a long
pause. Polk can no longer think of anymore questions to ask this prophet.
"My time grows short. I must go and study the future to make sure these plans turn out."
"Wait, you have not told me enough yet!" Polk yells as the figure fades away.
"I have faith you are qualified for this responsibility, Polk.," a voice says after his form
has completely disappeared.
The next thing Polk realizes is that he is back in his bed at the inn. It is morning now and
Polk sits up and comes to grips with a new day. For some reason, Polk no longer feels
confused and afraid, this time he feels brave and confident. He quickly gets out of bed eager to
begin the journey to Salem's Fort.
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