First Arch. Audacity
Prologue. The beginning of the test.
Thanks to its great provinces of Akerhill and Rocaforte, Averford consolidated its military might in an unmatched way more than two decades ago, during the great war for the eighth gate of Aldelviewreld, a mighty kingdom of the ancient millennium, which saw its end at the hands of one of the great primordial beings. After the death of the great King Thud Bright and other Monarchs and princes at the hands of "The Necromancer" during the meeting to create a peace treaty, the hope of ending the wars was lost, along with its beautiful province of Akerhill.
For the last four years, Averford has remained quiet on each of its borders with neighboring kingdoms. These kingdoms, scattered throughout the land plate, mostly known as "The Continent", remained submerged in a strange stillness that was felt in every inhabited corner of the land. Eircloft, Zuria, Aledis and Vrath were silent, as were their armies on every border.
Neither one, nor the others dared to break the warlike silence created mysteriously, the powerful Legions of Averford, commanded by their Queen and her generals, had regained the ground that the others had stolen during the wars. Wisely, though, their Queen did not look for expanding her forces beyond those borders, knowing that the cost of doing so would triple the expenses and send her people's taxes through the roof.
However, a new threat had arisen in the nearby core of Averford, a strange self-proclaimed group called "The Cult of the Great Scarlet Dragon" found a prophecy as old as the eighth gate, foretelling a universal change, powerful and sublime, with the return of the great primordial dragon. Its goal was to sacrifice the Queen's firstborn at any cost, in exchange for the blessing of said God.
For years, the Queen warily protected her only daughter, the only thing she had left of her great love, the hero of the kingdom Arthur Windham, who died protecting her, the same night she gave birth to her daughter, the same night her father King Thud, was killed along with him, swearing to stop and eradicate the prophecy, the young Queen began a hunt against the cult, earning simple hatred from some members of her people, including some members of the four noble houses of Averford.
Today, after almost 18 years of that, Averford continues to guard its borders, preparing for any eventuality, conflict or betrayal, as its Queen still fears that fanatics of the religion are still there, awaiting to continue their odyssey and fulfill the prophecy. Today, her daughter, Princess Sonia, lives locked within the castle walls, always guarded in secret by elite warriors.
Arrival At the Castle.
A man arrives at the castle, riding a beautiful steed, imposing with his armor, which is impregnated by the soft touch of the rain, whose drops slide down his shining steel, one of the guards takes the reins of the steed, allowing the man to descend. He walks steadily and confidently, sleek and shining. The castle guards open the huge gate as the man passes through. A woman in an elegant dress greets him in the foyer.
Despite the elegance of her clothes, her expressions and movements gave to understand that she was a woman of service, "What brings you here today?" she asked. "Good morning, I am the commander Castill Claust of the eastern border, I have come to speak to the Queen" he asked. The woman politely refused his request, denying him the possibility of a meeting with the Queen of Averford.
"Where is her majesty?" he asked. "She is not available, she has received an important message and does not wish to be disturbed" answered the woman curtly, folding her hands with the elegance of someone used to denying powerful men. Claust was not happy with that answer, the man is an important leader at the head of the Averford Legions that guard the border with Eircloft Kingdom, and he was returning with the intention of informing the Queen about supplies needed by her soldiers.
The man decided to return at another time, thanking the woman's education and receiving a subtle bow in response from her, he boarded his horse and left the castle, riding through the damp streets of the kingdom, he was heading towards the mystical Academy of the kingdom, although he did not manage to meet the Queen, his trip would not be in vain, because his wife teaches at that academy, and he desperately wants to see her after months on the borders, away from each other.
The Mystic Academy.
In the Academy, Martha Claust, teaches a group of children, the basic knowledge about the mystical energy, and the vital links that compose the human body, "Listen well children, each of your links plays an important role in life and the environment" taught the young and beautiful woman. "There are three vital links within us, the Link of Life, which covers our heart, lungs and mind" added the woman, the children were engrossed in her explanation, she kept the attention of all the children for her, without blinking, considered one of the best teachers for the children in the Academy.
"The second is the Mystic Link, the link of knowledge, which is concentrated in our heart and mind" said the woman, extending her hands, releasing a blue glow from her chest to her head. "And the third link, the Link of mana, the energy that shapes our world, by joining these three links, we are able to create the mystic spells" added the woman, using her two hands, interlacing her fingers, then separating them and creating a small, beautiful flame.
Martha Claust's lesson was interrupted by the sound of the bell, announcing lunch time for the children, the little ones, every time they hear that bell, there is no one who can stop them from going to the dining room, to taste the delicious food, made with all the love by the cooks of the kingdom. Martha was on her way to the dining room when she was surprised by Claust, who hugged her from behind, covering her eyes, "Guess who I am" he whispered. "You must be Bruno, the janitor!" Martha replied.
Claust took his wife's joke badly, "Really, three months without seeing each other, and you greet me like this?" he spoke. Martha laughed loudly, "you are one of the best Legionnaires and still haven't learned to read your surroundings very well" replied Martha, who subtly pointed to a corner of the corridor, where there was a mirror, through which Martha observed Claust approaching her.
Claust was obfuscating, "Calm down my love" Martha commented as she hugged her husband. "Although to tell the truth, we are all nervous about the new recruits" she added. Claust was impressed by that comment, "Don't tell me that today is Threnafell's test" Claust asked, "That's right, General Montecristo left with the recruits and Master Hunter Alistar this morning, we are all nervous" answered Martha.
"Is it for that reason that his majesty did not receive me?" wondered Claust.
TO BE CONTINUED...