From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Aug 3 14:30:41 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7486 Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!news.hal.COM!olivea!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!umn.edu!msc.edu!news.gac.edu!news.gac.edu!usenet From: Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur, and Horde Father-Confessor Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Tales] Knight of Ash II Date: 3 Aug 1994 13:13:39 GMT Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College Lines: 168 Distribution: world Message-ID: <31o563INN7g6@news.gac.edu> Reply-To: mcutter@nic.gac.edu NNTP-Posting-Host: shadow.gac.edu Ansalon, Krynn, and DragonLance are trademarks of TSR, Inc. and used without permission. Star-light Hammer-hand, Stanhild the Just, and Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur are copyright 1991 by Matthew C. Cutter. Permission to distribute this work through normal Usenet channels is given as long as the above header remains intact. Permission is also given to archive this work for the good of future generations. :-) >Starlight begins. "It was in the years just proceeding the Godswar. Ansalon >was a dangerous place even then; perhaps more so than now because there were >many more people. Stanhild was a Knight, of course. He was a member of the >Order of the Crown, in good standing and popular with his comrades. His >Circle was based in the Vingaard Mountains, in a large village beside a >fertile valley... The Circle of Norgoth had been on extended patrol for several weeks. The Grand Master called them away from home to deal with an incursion of ogres near Palanthus. Things had been quiet around Norgoth for quite some time, so The Knights left defense of the village in the hands of a capable militia. All five Knights had survived the series of battles, albeit with some injuries. Each was looking forward to some peace and quiet in their hometown. So when they saw the smoke on the horizon, all of them were surprised. *** Norgoth was a charnel house. Wisps of smoke rose from the village and disappered into the cool spring air. The scent of soot lingered afterwards. Here and there, a crackle could be heard as flames licked at the remaining structures. Along the battlements of Norgoth lay the remains of her inhabitants. Bodies lay here and there across the walls, frozen in postures of pain and anguish. The five Knights rode through the blasted town gates slowly, weapons at ready. They heard no sounds but their own breathing and the jingle of their mounts. The destruction spread inward from the gates. Here lay a man pierced by a dozen spears. There was the body of a mother with a rolling pin, laying over the body of her infant. In the streets, in doorways and windows, everywhere lay the still forms of the inhabitants of Norgoth. "Seperate," came the command from Marcus, the Sword Knight and leader of the group. "Look for survivors. Meet at the central square when you are done. And make haste. By Paladine, the perpetrators shall not get away with this!" The other four Knights went their different ways, to pick through the debris in hopes of finding a clue to the attackers. Stanhild moved first to search the house of his uncle, a blacksmith. He, his family, and Stanhild were the remains of a family from Palanthus, to the north. The smith had taken in Stanhild and returned him to health after fleeing from Lard Soth, the death knight in the Dark Lady's War. The smithy, like the rest of the town, was gutted. Half the roof had collapsed. Stones all across the front of the forge were melted and scarred, as if exposed to a great heat. Across the way, the front door of the house remained on its hinges, but had been shattered. Stanhild drew his two-handed sword and stepped through the threshold. "Uncle Martin?" he called out, surveying the room. The interior mirrored the stone walls of the nearby forge. Here too, a great heat had presented itself; the interior of the house had been gutted. In front of the stairs lay the charred remains of several individuals. Stanhild swore under his breath and crossed the room cautiously. He eyed the ceiling, expecting it to collapse soon. The young Crown Knight hesitated a moment, then swallowed his distaste and rolled the bodies over. He sent a prayer to Paladine as he recognized his uncle. But the other two were unknown to Stanhild. The way each body lay suggested combat had occurred. Stanhild was about to brave the stairs when a shout rang out from the square, "Regroup! Regroup at the central square immediately! Thomas has found a survivor!" "Coming, coming," he muttered in reply. The Measure forbid disobediance of one's superiors, but it did not forbid wishing they had waited five minutes more. As Stanhild jogged into the square, he saw three of his four companions surrounding a body in the livery of the town militia. Marcus was kneeling by the man, performing the laying of hands. Thomas, an unassuming man, the smallest of the five, was kneeling across from his commander. The third member, Josef, was a large, dark-skinned man from the island of Northern Ergoth. Josef saw Stanhild enter the square and motioned him to hurry. Marcus looked up at his approach. "This poor soul is not long for Krynn. Despite my intervention, Kiri-Jolith is determined to gather his soul unto Him." The Knight of the Sword looked drawn, as if tired from long debate. He motioned again to the dying male, a youth Stanhild did not recognize. "Continue, private." "Water, please," croaked the boy. Thomas held a waterskin to his lips, pouring a bit down the throat. "It was one man, a Black Robe, milord. He came in the night, alone, demanding we leave his lands immediately. When the mayor asked him by whose authority, the Black Robe flew into a rage. The night lit as if it were day, and behind him appeared a horde of creatures, of all shapes. We tried, milord, we tried..." whispered the militiaman. Sobs racked him, forcing him to gasp for air. Each breath came slowly, drawn with great effort. Opening his eyes, the boy clasped Marcus's hand and whispered, "Get him, milord. Swear by the Oath that you will see justice done." "I will," replied Marcus. "By my Oath, you will have justice." "Thank you, Lord," came the final gasp. The militiaman lasped into unconsciousness. A minute later, he breathed his last. Sighs escaped from the four Knights. Marcus stood, with tears in his eyes, and began chanting. After a moment, the three Knights of the Crown joined in: "Return this man to Huma's breast, Beyond the wild, impartial skies; Grant him a warrior's rest And set the last spark of his eyes Free from the smothering clouds of war. Let the last surge of his breath Take refuge in the cradling air Upon the torches of the stars Above the dreams of ravens wher, Only the hawk remembers death. Then let his shade to Huma rise Beyond the wild, impartial skies." Marcus reached over and closed the eyes of the corporal. "Embrace him Kiri-Jolith; he died doing his duty, but lived long enough to pass on the burden of justice." At that moment, the last member of the party burst onto the scene. Marcus's eyes narrowed. "Where have you been?" he asked. Trevor sucked in a breath to reply, but Marcus interrupted, "Never mind. Report." Trevor glanced at the others. Seeing no other comments, he started, "I found two trails leading out of town. One is small and disorganized, like a band of refugees. They are headed in the direction of the uth Barra manor. "The other group, I cannot recognize. But the trail of destruction in town leads that way. They headed north, into the mountains. I believe we can find the culprits at its end, sir." A gleam entered Marcus's eyes. "Good," he mutter, "very good." He thought for a moment. Then the Sword Knight said, "Mount up. Weapons and food only. We ride in ten minutes to find this Black Robe and visit justice on him." He whirled and stalked off. "What is that all about?" Trevor asked Josef in a low tone. The other Knight filled Trevor in on occurences in his absense. A low whistle escaped the latecomer. Stanhild nodded in resposne, "We are on a mission from a god. May Paladine, Kiri-Jolith, and Habbakuk grant us success." He loosened the two-handed sword's sheath and grabbed a lance. The others followed his lead. From the north of town, came the call: "We ride!" They left the ruins of Norgoth at a full gallop. -Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur ********************************************************************* Peace through strength! Victory through annihilation! Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@gac.edu Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them! *********************************************************************