Chapter 1: Seduced From His Vowel
This is the first story of Darius. He goes from a relatively safe and simple life to an uncertain but heroic future, filled with love and lust.
It was the beginning of a new day. The first real winter day. Only two days ago a little snow had begun to fall. And now, all was white. The sun came up, reflecting it's beams on the snowy ground and trees. Above the little rivers and streams, fog struggled for survival in the rising sun.
Lord Darius the third, master of the church aligned order of the knights from Hollard castle, overlooked the scenery from his room in one of the castle towers. Assigned to his position only last summer, Darius was still a little uncomfortable with his new role. When he took over the Order of Faith from the previous Lord, it had come as a total surprise. Lord Shatoy I was in his early thirties when he suddenly died from some strange but extremely lethal disease. Only 24 years old, and Darius was leading an entire order of highly trained church knights.
He was called back from his thoughts by a knock on the door. Teodus, one of his lieutenants, entered the room.
'Lord Darius, sir. A messenger from King Leo has arrived. It's for your introduction at the court as the new master of the order.'
'Thank you Teodus,' Darius replied. 'I'll meet with him in a minute'.
Teodus left the room immediately. Darius turned back towards the window. He wondered why the King didn't have these meetings in spring or in the summer. King Leo never would. For some reason he liked to organize his official parties, celebrations etc. all in the winter. In the higher classes, they tend to refer to the Freezing King, when talking about Leo. Darius turned, got his official gear, and went down towards the guest's hall.
'Greetings Lord Darius III, new master of the Order of Faith.' The messenger stated.
'Greeting to you too β¦?'
'Tomas sir'
'Well then, Greetings to you too Tomas.' Darius said. 'How are things in the King's castle?'
'Quiet sir, we haven't heard of the barbarian savages in months. Nor is there any trouble in the cities. Our faith is well established throughout the land. The King is pleased with the work of your Order.'
Feeling a bit proud at these words, Darius answered. 'We only do our work here. Most of the credit should go to Lord Sjatoy. He worked hard to form a bigger and better trained Order of Knights. Well, enough about this. What's the King's message exactly?'
Tomas took a step back. He pulled a piece of paper from his pack. He cleared his throat before he started to read.
'Honored Lord Darius of the Order of Faith. It must be known to you that I am pleased with your devotion and dedication to the church and the Order. It is now time to make you official introduction in the capitol of Bregoria and my castle. You will be expected on the third day of the new moon. The celebration will begin at mid-day. Keep up the good work. There's still a lot of crime in the land. Show them that it is not wise to cross the Knights of the Order of Faith. Signed: King Leo I of Bregoria.'
'I will leave today' Darius said. 'Show the messenger to a room where he can rest. He will be our guest for the next few days.'
Teodus gave a quick sign to two of the soldiers in the room, who immediately showed Tomas the way.
'Teodus!' Darius called, 'You and Pardor will accompany me. Inform him and get ready.'
The faithful lieutenant did as he was told. After he left the Lord of the Order of Faith went to work. Preparations needed to be made. It was a two-and-a-halve day trip to the capitol, even with the fastest horses. He fitted himself with his finest armor and took his sword.
Later that day, the party left. In front it was Lord Darius. Riding in shiny armor, his helm beside him, leaving his long blond hair flowing freely in the northern wind. His ears red from the cold blow, his bright blue eyes watery. On his right walked Teodus. With a grim look on his face, he was the biggest man in the group. Nearly 6'5'' tall, with broad shoulders, he's the only one in the Order today to use an axe instead of a sword. His short dark hair was standing wild on his head. On the left there was Pardor. One of the oldest and most experienced Knight of Faith he was. Almost 47 years old, he had seen a lot of action. A big scar ran almost entirely over the left side of his face. His short curly brown hair was beginning to grow gray, and his eyes betrayed the amount of pain and slaughter they had witnessed.
After a quiet start of their journey they set camp for the night. Somewhere off the road in a small forest they made a fire and a place to sleep. Then, as the fire burned and they were enjoying a meal, the three hear a scream from inside the woods. They immediately dropped their food and draw their weapons. Lord Darius in front, the party started into the woods towards the place where they heard the scream. In just minutes time they reached an opening in the forest. An elven woman was lying on the ground, struggling to keep two men away from her. Beside them stood four other tugs. They were yelling at the woman and the two men with her. 'Come on Fred, show her how a real man takes care of his business. Behind the tugs lie two brutally slaughtered elves. Obviously surprised by the attack, since both of them had their weapons safely put away in their sheets.
Darius didn't hesitated for a second, and charged right at the tugs, screaming for the glory of all good and the God. Followed closely by Teodus and Pardor. The tugs jumped up, and the four turned. The first one was too slow. Darius' sword drove effortlessly in the man's chest, leaving him gurgling on the ground. The others were more careful. Weapons already in hands they met the attacks from Teodus and Pardor. Teodus let go a mighty blow with his axe, the tug narrowly able to dodge. Pardor was having more trouble. Two of the four men in front aimed their attention at him. With all of his experience the gray Knight hold them of, parrying the short sword attacks. Darius turned to help out his friend. He slashed his large sword at the back on one of the tugs. Not able to raise a defense there he too fell on the ground, turning some snow from white to red. Teodus pushed another attack with his axe. Flying to the air, it was destined for the tugs' head for his defense was broken. But the axe never reached its goal. The two men that were attacking the elven women walked around him, and now stabbed him cowardly in the back. His eyes widen at the strike, as the axe dropped in the snow.
Darius roared in agony, for he witnessed the death of his closest friend within the Order. He let Pardor alone in his fight and went for revenge. His sword now flashing with unbelievable speed, killing the tugs one by one, leaving them bleeding on the ground without a chance. For his battle skills were the main reason Shatoy had named him his successor.