The Rise and Fall of Lady Keisya Silvaris

[Keisya]

((Hiyas, just dropping by various forums and posting my hugemongous character background at the urging of my guildmates. Wrote it to set up my character backstory for my guild, Avalorien, and just for the general enjoyment of doing it. Set entirely in Telon in two fictional cities I invent throughout it. Pretty soon the opposite side of this story's going to be written for the other main character who shows up in it (Lazrod) and it will cover the same events, only from the opposite viewpoint. Longest story I've ever written, and it's kinda sketchy at parts I'll admit, but I think it's easy enough to follow. Enjoy!))

The Rise and Fall of Lady Keisya Silvaris

Part I

The scrolls which you read chronicle the tales of a great heroine by the name of Lady Keisya Silvaris. She has become renown amongst those of us who have lived to know her, and I feel it is important that her story be told much as it was told to me from the Lady herself. I take as few liberties which the writing of lore allows as possible in this telling, and seek only that her name and exploits be known to all whom may concern themselves with them. For it was she who truly united the peoples of two warring, dying cities, and it is because of she that many of us survive to this day.

The Falling of a Lady

A red sun is on the horizon, and here I stand at what is to be the end of my days. Lady Keisya Silvaris stood in waiting at the beginning of the long path leading to the city square of the great city known as Valista of the Thestran Kingdom. Her full plate armor glinting in the slowly fading sunlight, her arms and legs bound by chains, looking as knightly as she had ever, stricken only of her blade. Slowly she brought her gloved hands up to her chest, clutching onto a pendant which hung to the center of her breast. Looking up to the reddening sky, tears began to form in her eyes. How has it come to this, father? Was I not a good daughter? Did I not live by my honor as you taught me in your life and even in death? With a sudden gasp of pain she was knocked from her reverie and felt her body falling forward.

“Hmph, traitorous wench, you do not deserve to wear such noble trinkets,” said the militiaman who had kicked her from behind, “If not fer the orders of Knight-Captain Rorgez, I wouldn’t even be seein’ ye dignified with clothes, least of all the armor of yer father!”

Keisya said nothing, simply rising to her feet, remaining silent and as strong as she could muster. Moving around to her front side, the militiaman placed his hands on his hips, staring her down.

“Nothin’ to say, eh?” asked the militiaman with a smirk, “Well then, you won’t be minding if I just take this then, will you?” Reaching up, the militiaman grabbed onto the pendant, snapping the chain at the back, quickly stuffing the pendant into his pocket.

The militiaman continued to stare her down as a tear fell from her eyes. Yet again she said nothing, only tilting her head up to return his stare, quirking it back to throw a strand of her auburn hair out of her eye before spitting into his face.

“Bhaha! Still got some fight in you do you?” said the militiaman, wiping the spit from his face, “Let’s get going, boys!”

And with that the militiaman was joined by his fellows, three gathering on either side of Keisya, following their leader who began to lead Keisya onward by her chains. Clenching her eyes shut to stop some impending tears she began to move willingly along with the group, ever silent along the way. In the distance she could see a large crowd of people gathered around the Valista city square where shortly she would meet her fate on a guillotine. I am sorry, father, for all of my failures. I hope that when we soon meet again that you will find me worthy of your table in the afterworld.

So, this is it, this is the part where they say, life flashes before your eyes. I had always thought I might live a short life, my father met his end far too soon following this path. Why not should I? I sought to follow him in every other way, after all. Yet, who would have thought that this would be my doom? Who could have ever guessed that it would come so soon? Ah, well, I made my choices. I have lived a good life, an honorable life. I managed to save at least one life ere my end. And what is a Paladin, a Holy Knight, if naught but one which lives by sacrifice? In all truth, a pity it is not that I lose my life this red day. For I have saved the life of another in doing so. An honorable man was he, a protector of his people, one which deserved life. The true pity lies in the hearts of men. That they should rejoice in my death in a victorious celebration of the triumphs of their petty laws. What know they of honor? They who cling to their duty as a blind beggar clings to his coin? They know nothing, nothing at all of honor, nothing at all of true sacrifice. How foolish this war ever was to begin with, how many have had to die over this brotherly quarrel? No matter, no matter to me now. Those were things to ponder in life, but now, now I am here. Now I face death. Now comes the fall of Lady Keisya Silvaris.

Of Lillia Silvaris

In the moments she walked her death march up the cobblestone street, the sight of Keisya’s tears began to fade, and in fact she began to smile. It would seem she had made her peace with death, and the memories came. Memories of her youth, painful and happy ones alike, her life indeed began to flash by her eyes. Memories which in normal times she could scarcely recall, but now, as she walked toward her death, time seemed to stop, and the memories seemed to flow like a river from her mind. She relived even the earliest memories of her mother whom she had lost far too early in life and had scarcely known.

The city of Valista had long suffered attacks by the undead. Keisya’s mother, Lillia had met her end in one such attack when Keisya was but four years old. A simple woman, she was a seamstress by trade. Yet she had made her true living in love, the greatest honor in her life was to be a mother and a wife. She died for her love, sacrificing her life in the protection of her only daughter. The city had been breached by the undead, and many a home was ransacked. Keisya's mother hid her well and died defending her home, and her daughter’s secret hiding place inside the wall behind the bookcase. She was found by her father a few days later, half starved and still inside the wall. The undead threat had been repelled, though it was one of the largest attacks that Valista had ever known.

The Disunion of Valista and the Coming of the Knights

Valista itself was an important place to Keisya, ever so important. She had spent her life sheltered within its walls, scarcely leaving them for anything throughout it. It was a peaceful enough place, but it was not without its enemies. First and foremost, its neighboring city of Erast. The two cities had for as long as Keisya had known been at war, though in truth the war had only just began at her birth. Valista was once the home of all Erastians, its two people were of one.

They were united under a single banner and led by Lord Haegar Valinus, a wise, powerful, and just ruler in his time. He was beloved by most all of his people. Haegar had two sons, Maerick and Kaegar. Maerick, the eldest, was the rightful heir to the lordship of Valista. He was a peaceful man, and though of lordly blood he worked amongst the common folk, at times even living amongst them. He had a strong love and respect for the people of Valista, though it was well known as Lord Haegar lie on his death bed that Maerick was not nearly ready to take up the lordship of the city and lead its people, having led a pacifist’s life, under his command the city would surely one day fall to its enemies many had believed.

Kaegar on the other hand was nearly as opposite as a brother might come. He had in his time before his father’s death become captain of the Valista militia which protected the city and the people which he somewhat looked down upon. The people’s protection was of only consequence to him, what he sought most to protect were his own assets. Though a greedy, somewhat spoiled man, Kaegar was good nonetheless. He led the militia with a stout heart and strong blade, defending the city honorably. It was no secret to anyone that Kaegar sought the lordship of the city. Nor was it a secret that many of the bad things you could hear of his brother were rumors started by none other than he himself. Yet all could tell that Kaegar would have been the better leader for such a city. Though he had little respect for the common folk, those which would matter most to one in a position to rule knew him, respected him, and were loyal to him. He knew the city inside and out literally and politically, and were he to rule the city would surely see great times.

It began with that quarrel, after their father had died. Who should take the lordship of the city? Should it be the less qualified rightful heir, or the young, powerful leader who would guarantee Valista a great future? In the end it was Kaegar who won, though it was by power alone. Never did he win the hearts of the common folk, and there was much rebellion as Maerick seceded the lordship to his brother, but it lasted not at all long. Maerick withdrew himself from the city, and with him came his followers. Though it was however no sort of happy ending for anyone. As Maerick left and gave his final words to his brother he placed a curse on him and on the city of Valista.

Our father shall turn in his grave at this, my brother. Valista shall now until forever suffer hardships beyond your dreams and powers alike. May it be that the city is torn asunder and that father should rest in peace come its end, lest he rise up himself as one of the undead and smite thee with his own hand. It is no longer of my concern, the people which I love who love me come with me in my leave. They and our father shall find peace through me ere my end.

Maerick’s words were not forgotten, as they most certainly had come true. From the day he left Valista did indeed suffer great hardships. As they had done to the great city of Targonor in its time, Valista came under the attack of a great undead threat. None know what control them, none know what drive them, they only know that they are; Corpses of the past which had risen from their graves to fight a battle unfinished. The undead were a ruthless foe, and Valista saw endless numbers of them. The militia had more work cut out for it than it could handle, and the common people that had remained and not followed Maerick lived often in fear.

To quell the undead uprising and defend the city, Kaegar called for aid, and the Knights of New Targonor answered his call. Great holy men and women who lived by an honor none other could grasp. Paladins, they are called by some, they live and die by sacrifice. Their swords were offered to Kaegar, (who now was known as Lord Valinus XIII following his father, Lord Valinus XII) and the Holy Order of Valista was established. Amongst these men and women were two young knights by the names of Sir Bellius Silvaris and his best of friends, Sir Morigan Rorgez. These were Keisya’s father, and the man who would one day become her trainer, mentor, and foster father.

The Rise and Fall of Sir Bellius Silvaris

Foster father indeed, for Sir Bellius' life was far too short lived for one as great as he. Keisya's thoughts were indeed strong with her foster father as she walked to her doom, but first and foremost were her thoughts and memories of her real father.

Lord Valinus was most pleased in the coming of the knights, and once they had offered Valista their swords a great time of peace followed for the city. Under the new protection of the Holy Order of Valista, the city seemed as immuned as it once had in the days before Maerick’s departure. There were countless battles, battles which would have easily overrun the militia, but nothing that the Order itself could not handle. After some time the attacks ceased, and a period of true peace and prosperity came to Valista. The city was rebuilt, its population grew.

It was during this time which Sir Bellius himself, one of the youngest knights of the lot in their coming took a wife. He and Lillia were wed in the fifth year from the coming of the knights, and within that same year she was with child. Keisya was born in the spring of the sixth year. Her father was often away in those days, and she spent much of her youngest days in the care of her mother, enjoying the happy life of an average child. Such peace reigned in this time that even Lord Valinus himself took a wife and bore his would-be heir, Lucian, resolving that they would bear no more after.

It is a pity that such peace can never last. Despite all efforts by all that is good in the world, evil will always remain. Light and darkness, without one there cannot be the other. The light that had become Valista would again find itself consumed by shadows.

In the years since Maerick departed word had spread across the lands of a great new city rising in the east. In the heart of the Thestran kingdom the city of Erast had been erected by Maerick and his followers. The young city grew and prospered in ways the peoples of Valista and its lord could not fathom. Though Valista would always be the larger and more powerful of the two, Erast was growing at a rate which outright frightened Lord Valinus.

Lord Valinus himself had a sharp tongue, quick intellect, and was not at all lacking in his skills as a diplomat, but driven by fear he was not about to journey to his brother’s city himself. Instead, in an almost laughable attempt to ensure “peace” out of his fear, he sent the next best, his holy order. The city had not seen an attack by the undead that the militia itself couldn’t handle in some time, so why not? He gathered the best of the Order and sent them to speak with his brother (now calling himself Duke Valinus) in Erast. Lord Valinus had believed that had he gone himself he might find himself pierced by arrows sharper than his tongue. His own fear and foolishness would be what would draw the shadow.

It was indeed at this time while the best of the Order (including Sir Bellius and Sir Morigan) was away that the city saw one of the greatest undead attacks it had known. This horde breached the city, ransacking a good deal of it. The Order was returning from somewhat successful negotiations with the city of Erast in which it was ensured that no Valistan blood would be spilt by any Erastian soldier. They desired peace and wished only to be left alone. Word of the attack reached them, but it had come far too late. They immediately hastened their return, but by the time they had reached the city gates they were torn asunder and much of the city itself was in flames. They banded together with the militiamen and drove out the horde, but far too many lives were lost. Amongst these lives was the life of Sir Bellius’ wife, Lillia, though thankfully his daughter had survived.

The loss was great for Sir Bellius, but it would not be his downfall. Such men do not succumb and lose hope so easily. No, indeed his pain strengthened his resolve. Over the next years he rose to the rank of Captain within the Order. Keisya herself, now without her mother was practically orphaned. His father cared for her deeply, and she for him, but he could not relinquish his duties to care for her exclusively. In the times he spent away she was cared for and raised in the best place her father knew, within the Order itself.

The Order became her home, she was educated by them and grew up in their ways. It was not an uncommon thing, and she was far from alone, many other children were in her same situation and grew and were raised as she was. She saw plenty enough of her father to satisfy her parental needs. He was her truest guide in life, and taught her the most important lessons she would know.

Over the years Keisya grew into a beautiful young lady, a mirror image of her mother except for her silver-grey eyes which she had obviously inherited from her father. It was in her thirteenth year that she would last see her father alive.

Sir Bellius Silvaris, Knight Captain of the Holy Order of Valista met his end in an assault on what was believed to be the very heart of the undead hordes. The thoughts of putting an end to the undead threat once and for all were noble indeed, however their strength and their wrath was completely underestimated. He died the way a knight of the Order should. It was an image of the past, of the once great king of Old Targonor. Sir Bellius’ last stand allowed for the escape of nearly all his men from the depths they had found themselves in. He died honorably in his duty, and his death was remembered as such, though his body could not be prepared for a remembrance ceremony, nor even recovered. Many years later, in a return to the depths which found the undead moved on, Sir Bellius’ armor and sword were found, most pieces battered and broken and the sword shattered. Yet strangely, there were no traces of a body. None truly know what has become of him, and if his are amongst the bones in the depths, none can tell. Those who sing tales of him today would tell that he shed his armor and entered the spirit world where he continues to fight his battle against the undead. Body or naught, he has been remembered.

Sir Bellius the Great,
Noble knight and father.
You are not forgotten,
Like you there is no other.

Love, Honor, Sacrifice,
On these things you stand.
Fight on, fight on, Bellius,
In defense of our land.

Sir Bellius the Magnificent,
Faith we put in you.
To guide and protect us,
Through whatever evil might brew.

Captain, O Captain,
Your knights are at your side.
Fight on, fight on, Bellius,
We shall abide.

Sir Bellius the Lost,
You will be remembered.
Your men live on,
Their escape was unhindered.

Though lost are you,
They shall move on.
Fight on, fight on, Bellius,
In the depths of Telon.

Sir Bellius the Sire,
Your blade swift and true.
Found though broken,
It has been forged anew.

Your body is lost,
But your blood lives on, father.
Fight on, Bellius,
Fight on through your daughter.

None took his passing harder than Keisya herself. Would she have been any other daughter she would have been broken. But no, this was the daughter of Sir Bellius Silvaris the Magnificent, Captain of the Holy Order of Valista. In his death she took her first steps down the path he himself had tread. It hindered her not long, and in the end strengthened her greatly. She soon resolved that she would follow his path in its entirety, and should it find the same end she would have no quarrel with her fate. Her training had begun by her fourteenth year, she became the student and foster-daughter of her father’s best friend, Sir Morigan Rorgez.

The Rise of a Lady

Keisya’s next memories felt as if they had taken place only recently. While in all fact, they indeed had, for she was a dying woman looking back upon her life at the age of only twenty-four, and ten years is hardly a lifetime for anyone. She thought next of Sir Morigan and her training under him, it was by no means an easy road.

Though it was common enough for the Order to accept women, they had a much more difficult time of it, and Keisya would be no exception. She had just about everything which possibly could have worked against her indeed working against her. She was cursed with the body of a fragile, though beautiful young girl. Better suited to be a princess than a knight she was, when she first began her training she could barely wield even the smallest blades, let alone a great sword such as her father’s. She learned slowly, not that she was dull-witted, but simply things came to her slowly. Worse than any difficulty she faced of mind or body however was the difficulty of her heritage. She was the child of a man who had already become something of a legend for his actions in life, and she had a lot to live up to.

Despite all of her weaknesses and challenges, she wasn’t by any means hopeless. She had inherited her father’s spirit, strength of will, and noble personality. No matter what challenges she would face, it was always known she would overcome them, especially by her trainer and mentor Sir Morigan. Her body shaped well over the years, giving her the strength to match her womanly grace. Her wits became sharper than her blades, and the lessons her father had left her made her slow rate of learning hardly an issue, for she knew almost all of the Order’s Creeds and Disciplines, and had already begun to apply them to her normal life even before her father’s death.

Throughout these earliest years, none had more faith in her than Sir Morigan, he saw her father staring back at him when he looked into her eyes. He gave her every opportunity which could present itself to excel and boost her above and beyond the high expectations all had of her. None wanted more to see her succeed and take her father’s place amongst the Order one day more than he. And certainly, his investment of faith was not by any means wasted.

In her nineteenth year while she was still a Disciple of the Order her father’s armor, blade, and pendant were found, the memories of him renewed. It was then that the tales began to spread across the lands, the bards singing of him in all reaches of the Thestran Kingdom. Many of the songs ending in the way the one that has been included in this writing ended. With a word of hope, of his lineage now being carried on by his daughter. Keisya herself was something of a legend before her time. These songs and the return of his blade, armor, and crest strengthened her spirits even further, making her even more determined to live up to the world’s expectations.

Marking her twenty-third birthday was a surprise which she would tell you meant all the world to her. Sir Morigan had her father’s armor and blade forged anew, and properly fitted for herself. And she was told that she was ready to take her place amongst the knights, ready as none other had ever been.

Part II

Memories fade into the spirit as people move on, the most important, most precious ones become something more of a history lesson of one’s self. Those are the important memories, the ones that really stay with you, the ones that flash by your eyes in the eternal instant of your death. Keisya’s most recent had not yet even begun to fade into her spirit, but they were no less important to her, and indeed they are the most important to her tale. Let us now leave the realm of memoriam, the history and lore of oneself, and re-enter the realm of the storyteller. By the end we shall all discover the true character of Lady Keisya Silvaris.

Nightfall

Our tale begins in the chambers of Lady Keisya Silvaris, it is now her twenty-fourth year, and she has become a full member of the Order and has been knighted ceremoniously by Lord Valinus of Valista, swearing the same oath of duty which all members had done since their coming some thirty years prior.

Lady Keisya Silvaris sat on her bed, polishing the shining silver armor of her father, the metal glinting in the fire light of the nearby candles. Evening had fallen and she was preparing for sleep, wearing only a simple evening gown and her father’s crest around her neck, the beautiful oval shaped stone in its center never appearing the same color by any second glance. She heard a knock on her door, rising from the bed she rushed to the door, curious as to what business one must have at so late an hour.

Opening the door she was greeted by the pleasant sight of Sir Morigan Rorgez, who smiled to her as she saluted him in the usual fashion of the Order, placing her right fist over her heart. Not only was he a dear friend, mentor, and foster father to her, but he had in his recent years become a Captain of the Order, taking the place her father had once held, and was now her senior officer. He returned her salute and nodded to her, a silent signal that she could be at ease.

“I apologize for so late an intrusion, m’lady, but I bring you important news and orders from Lord Valinus himself. Important business, this is,” said Captain Rorgez.

“It is no intrusion, Captain,” she said with a smile. “I am at your command, what are these orders you speak of?”

The captain looked her over and nodded, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “We leave at dawn to join with Lord Valinus’ son, Lucian at the militia garrison stationed between here and Erast.,” he said with something of a sigh to follow.

“Captain, what troubles you?” Keisya asked.

“He carries an artifact of great importance, and we are to escort him,” he said with another sigh and a look of concern. “The artifact is the Orb of Pilandi.”

“Th-the,” she began loudly, softening her voice to a whisper as she continued, “The Orb of Pilandi? Are you certain? Does Valinus intend to see the treaties with his brother broken? This is foolishness, nay, insanity! Blood will surely be drawn between the cities over this.”

“M’lady, it is sad to say, but blood has already been spilt, though not directly by Valistan hands. Word has come that Erast itself has already been completely destroyed by the undead,” said the captain as Keisya gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, a look of horror filling her eyes. “As you know the Orb protected the city from the undead. It once lie here in Valista, a secret of the once great Heagar and his heir, Maerick concealed it from his brother and fled the city with it. His curse was no more than that, he was far from the warlock local legends might tell. By our oath we must—“

“Damn the oath!” Keisya interrupted, “There is no honor in this war without bloodshed! It is a forty year long brotherly quarrel and nothing more! With innocent lives being destroyed in their stupidity.”

“Still your tongue, m’lady!” said Captain Rorgez, raising his voice. “I understand your feelings, they are mine as well, but despite the circumstances there is now naught we can do for those people, and with this the quarrel will have ended. Neither side has been right in this from the beginning, but take note, m’lady. This will be the final mission for the Order. Once the Orb is delivered safely to Valista, our need here will end, and these people we have always protected will be safe and we may at last move on to other battles.”

“Hmph, provided their leader does not begin burning them at the same whims he has just burnt an entire—“ began Keisya.

“M’lady, please!” begged the captain.

“Yes, sir,” Keisya said with a sigh and something of a grimace.

“Good, we would not abide that either, and you know this. Valinus is a pig-headed fool, but attacking him for this atrocity would do the good people of this city no good, only ensure that they themselves see unnecessary bloodshed,” said Captain Rorgez sternly.

Keisya shook her head, her gaze falling, strands of her auburn hair falling to the side, covering her eyes as they stared to the floor, stifling her anger and gathering her composure. Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a sigh as she returned her gaze to her captain after a moment, looking to him as seriously as any loyal soldier would in such a situation.

“Ah, now there we are, that is the daughter of Sir Bellius Silvaris of legend,” he said with something of a wink.

“I will be ready before first light, Captain Rorgez,” said Keisya sternly.

“Good, we ride at dawn,” replied her captain. “Weigh yourself naught with those already lost, Keisya. Think only of the lives which might now be saved to live peacefully ‘til the end of their days.”

And with that he took his leave, saluting her once again, her return salute accompanied by a nodding bow.

Keisya returned to her bed, gently patting the armor of her father before taking up his sword, looking it over as the long blade glinted in the firelight, the reflection of her own silver eyes staring back at her. Eyes like her father’s, even when she saw them she could see him in them. Let us pray this need not be used on the morrow, father.

A Bad Time for a Party

Dawn arrived and the Knights of the Order gathered at the gates of the city. Amongst them was Captain Rorgez, Lady Keisya, and Sir Kelius as well as Sir Barum, a pair of noble knights Keisya had known, yet never before worked together with until this day. After greeting one another they saddled their horses and made for the militia garrison. Each knew the mission they were riding into, but not one spoke of it. Nor did any one of the four know the terrible futures that awaited them.

They reached the garrison that Lord Valinus’ son Lucian had made his haven before sunset of the same day. The trip was thankfully uneventful, and it seemed the path secure. If anything were to attempt to thwart their escort, it would certainly be from behind. That however was a problem for the next day. What they found when they had arrived was nothing short of an all out celebration. Only the minimum of the guard were on duty at the garrison, and they too seemed as though they had had a drink or two.

“What is the meaning of this rabble?!” shouted Captain Rorgez as he entered Lucian’s tent which seemed to be the center of the reverie.

The tent went silent at the sound of his voice, apart from a small explosive pop which echoed in it, a lick of colored flame whizzing to the top of the tent before burning out into a flicker of ash. Each of the militiamen froze, as if struck by some sort of spell, turning their heads toward the voice and staring at the knight captain.

A single series of claps echoed throughout the tent as the tall boney body of Lucian appeared, emerging between two large militiamen.

“Ho ho, I applaud your ability to ruin a good party, my good knights,” said Lucian with a wry smirk.

“Lucian, what is the meaning of this? This is a garrison, and now is no time for celebration. There is danger afoot even here, you know this. It is why your father has sent us,” said Captain Rorgez.

Lucian broke into a hysterical laugh for a few moments before calming himself, clearing his throat to speak.

“The paranoid old fool, I am Lucian Valinus! Greatest sorcerer of these lands, at my age! And son and heir of a lord no less!” Lucian exclaimed as he roamed the tent, dodging in and out between the militiamen. “And when Valista is mine it will become the greatest city of the kingdom now that we have this!”

From the central table Lucian pulled a silk purple cloth, a large black orb seated on a pedestal beneath. Silence once again fell over the tent as all eyes turned to view the orb, even Captain Rorgez seemed enthralled by it for a moment.

“That.. is a great artifact you have there, Lucian,” said Captain Rorgez. “But it is not yet safe. Save your celebratory wizardry and drinks for when it is safe in your father’s chambers at Valista.”

“Bah! Let the men have their fun, I single-handedly lifted the Orb of Pilandi from right under its guardian’s nose! I doubt the fool even knew it happened before he smelled the fires of his burning city!” Lucian boasted.

“You insolent fool! Have you no respect for the dead?!” shouted Keisya suddenly from behind.

“M’lady, silence,” said Captain Rorgez softly. “She speaks harshly, but you would do well to heed her words, Lucian.”

“Oh, I most certainly will! Words of the living legend herself, eh? Best lay in all of Valista, the men say,” said Lucian mockingly.

“Why you—“ started Keisya.

“Just remember who protects you in your journey tomorrow, Lucian,” said Captain Rorgez, quickly interrupting her.

“Oh alright, alright! My apologies, ‘m’lady’,” said Lucian half-heartedly, waving off his comments. “Too many drinks tonight and all, you know.”

“Rest now, Lucian, and send the men back to their duties. By your leave we do the same, we will come for you at dawn, do be ready.”

“Hmm, yes, by my leave, by my leave indeed. Be off then, the lot of you,” ordered Lucian, waving out the knights and militiamen alike.

The rest of the night was uneventful, and spent for the most part in silence. Keisya had great many a thing she would have liked to say about Lord Valinus’ son, but chose not to further her conflict with him, as certainly tomorrow would be difficult enough.

Dark Days Begin

The next day came quickly enough, and without much delay the party of five left the garrison, making for their home of Valista. Lucian led the group of riders, with Captain Rorgez and Keisya shortly behind, Sir Kelius and Sir Barum at the rear.

The first quarter of the tripped seemed the perfect day for a journey, the sun shining across the lands as the riders made their way through them to the west. Shortly before midday however, clouds began to roll in from the east as thunder rumbled in the distance. To Keisya it seemed fitting, as if the storm were sent from Erast as a final attempt to thwart their enemy.

Gentle rain drops began to fall, the drops of water clanking against the full-plate helmets of the knights, echoing through their ears as Lucian raised the hood of his cloak.

For some time the rains were light, the storm itself sounded to be somewhere off in the distance, when suddenly lightning crashed above their heads and the thunders roared. It was in that exact moment that many a thing happened that no one had expected. Three of the five horses, terrified of the sudden crash reared back, Keisya’s throwing her from it and rushing off into the distance. The other two, ridden by Sir Kellius and Sir Barum nearly doing the same if not for some amazing strengths and horsemanship on their parts. Shortly thereafter as Keisya lay on her back, dazed, Lucian let out a cry of pain as a large knife flew between the knights in the rear and stuck into his back. He fell from his horse, the Orb of Pilandi with him which rolled out of his silk cloth and several yards away. Suddenly appearing from the side of the path was a large cloaked rider, rushing from behind toward the bewildered party, wielding two large blades.

“Knights, to arms!” shouted Captain Rorgez, but his cry was too late.

The rider rode up the center of Sir Kellius and Sir Barum who were still steadying their horses, swinging back his dual blades, shoving the pair into each of their necks where they remained.

“N-no!” exclaimed the captain, quickly guiding his horse to retreat from the path for the time being.

The rider kept on forward after his initial assault, slowing his horse and turning it around as he drew a large blade which had hung from his back beneath his cloak.

Captain Rorgez stared at the man for a moment as he did so, gauging what his next move would be, quickly realizing that his move was going to be on him. Quickly he drew his own blade, guiding his horse into a charge as the rider did the same. In another clash of thunder the two blades met, the unnamed rider winning the confrontation, Captain Rorgez falling from his horse under the weight of the blade and strength of the rider.

The captain lay as Keisya had, dazed from the blow, nearly losing consciousness after the assault. The rider stopped and dismounted from his horse, moving over to the captain, slowly raising his sword to swing his blade to what would be the final blow to the captain, but it was blocked by another great sword.

Keisya pushed back against the blocked blade with her father’s sword and all her might, pushing it away from her mentor. The attacker, somewhat stunned stumbled back and stared her down as she took her stance, staring right back at him.

“Hmph, seems you have some skill,” said the man, taking a stance of his own.

Sizing one another up for several moments the two waited, another clap of thunder prompting their charges. The two blades met each other in a clash, then in clash after clash as they fought and the storm raged on, neither giving way to the other, seeming completely evenly matched.

And so they fought for what would seem like hours, but was in truth only a matter of minutes until suddenly in the chaos Keisya heard a distant laughter. Lucian rose to his knees, the knife still in his back, laughing crazily, his arm and hand extended as if he were reaching for something. Darkness began to form around his fist as Keisya spotted the Orb of Pilandi laying some ways away from him. She realized only too late what he was doing.

“No, Lucian, stop!” she shouted as suddenly her attacker’s blade met with her helmet, slamming it back and off her head, the blow causing her to fall backwards.

The attackers eyes lay on her face for a moment when suddenly his body seemed to go limp.

“A-A woman..?” said the man as he dropped his sword and fell to his knees, Keisya’s body settling onto the ground, leaving her unconscious.

Suddenly he heard a cry from behind and turned just in time to see Lucian close his fist on the dark energy that was forming around it. Shortly thereafter the Orb of Pilandi cracked down its center, and then exploded into dust.

Lucian fell limply to the ground, his last words heard only by Sir Rorgez who had regained conciousness, rising from the ground.

“If.. I am to die.. why should I care what is to happen to that dirt trap? You shall not have the glory of the Orb, father. Nor you.. Lazrod, I.. take it.. to my grave.” Lucian whispered before coughing up blood and moving no more.

Surveying the area as he regained his bearings, Captain Rorgez judged all that had happened. Gasping as he saw Keisya lying on the ground he rushed to her, ignoring the man who remained motionless on his knees. Checking the color of Keisya’s face, Captain Rorgez was greatly relieved to see blood still flowed through her veins.

“I-I have completely failed,” said the man Captain Rorgez had judged must be this Lazrod Lucian spoke of.

Captain Rorgez turned his attention toward him and sighed.

“Lazrod, is it? Lazrod—Mendir?” asked Captain Rorgez.

Blinking his eyes and snapping out of his daze and entering into a new one, Lazrod nodded.

“Yes, I knew your father, Lazrod. Alas, you were but a babe when last I visited him. It was when we Knights of the Order came to treat with your Duke,” explained Captain Rorgez. “Surely you know of that day, and of me? Sir Morigan Rorgez is my name.”

“Yes—Yes, I do,” replied Lazrod. “Your actions that day were most noble, Sir Morigan. It was you and Sir Bellius who kept peace between the two cities all this time.”

“Indeed,” acknowledged Captain Rorgez, turning his head and nodding toward Keisya’s limp body. “And this, this is the daughter of Sir Bellius.”

“If only I might have known,” said Lazrod sadly.

“Indeed, but our fates have let things fall as they will,” replied Captain Rorgez. “And I fear that means I must take you now to Lord Valinus to do with you as he will, do you understand?”

“I do, Sir Morigan, I do. Revenge is a dish best served cold, as they say, and I sought mine hot,” said Lazrod, “But I would now wish I had gone without.”

“A hard lesson learned, my young friend. Let us pray that you too need not now pay for it in blood as well,” said the captain with a sigh. “But you have killed Lord Valinus’ son, and two of the Order’s best men in your lesson. For that your punishment shall be the harshest, are you prepared to face such a fate?”

“Yes, yes I am, for also my failure as a Guardian should not go unpunished,” said Lazrod.

And with a nod, Captain Rorgez reluctantly bound Lazrod’s limbs, tying him to his own horse. Collecting the fallen bodies, he situated each with a horse, tending to Keisya more personally as she still lived, carrying her limp body with him as he rode on through the storm. Even after the storm’s passing, gloom followed them all the way back to Valista. Dark days had come.

Awakening

Keisya awoke sometime after sunset in her own chambers, as for what day it was, she was unaware. She rose from her bed completely bewildered as to what was going on, or how she got back there. Slowly she pieced together what memories she could find and found no simple explanation in them for how she could even be alive.

Unable to find any answers within herself, she dressed and headed out to seek them elsewhere. It seemed at first as she walked that she was in a dream. The storm she remembered following the escort back to Valista was still upon the city. And from what she could tell it looked as though it had been at least steadily raining for quite some time. The grounds of the Order which were typically lively at all hours of the day seemed dead., and the city itself was in no more lively a state. After a fair deal of wandering she moved to Captain Rorgez’s chambers and knocked on his door. As she knocked more of her memories came back to her, and suddenly she gasped, realizing that it could be possible she wouldn’t receive an answer.

Time seemed to stop at that thought, but after a moment which seemed all too long the door clicked from within and opened. From beyond it appeared Captain Rorgez, quickly she pulled herself away from her thoughts at the sight of him, and saluted.

“Ah, good, you’ve awakened,” said Captain Rorgez, returning her salute. “I was about to return to your bedside.”

“Captain, how much time has passed? And what has happened? I cannot shake this sense that not all is well,” said Keisya.

“Your intuition never fails, m’lady,” said the captain. “Come in, there is much to tell.”

Nodding, Keisya accepted the invitation, entering her captain’s chambers and leaving the chill wind of the storm behind.

“You seem to have your wits gathered,” began Captain Rorgez. “But what do you remember?”

“It is all quite hazy still, but I remember we were attacked by a rider. The onslaught was like nothing I had seen before, it was hard to believe that it was just one man,” said Keisya.

“And what of Lucian?” asked the captain.

“He was.. he was.. Captain, the orb!” exclaimed Keisya as memories began to return to her. “What has become of the orb? And of Lucian?”

“Unfortunately, both are no more, m’lady,” said Captain Rorgez, shaking his head sadly. “He knew his doom was imminent, and in a last selfish act of defiance, he destroyed the Orb of Pilandi.”

“I-I remember,” said Keisya. “I called out to him, it is the last thing I remember doing.”

“Indeed,” said Captain Rorgez. “These events took place three days ago.”

“Three days?!” asked Keisya, surprised at the length of time she had been unconscious.

“Yes, m’lady, and as you may have gathered, you have missed much,” stated Captain Rorgez. “I will start at the beginning.”

“Please do,” said Keisya with a nod.

“Firstly, our attacker was not at all a bad man, nor an ordinary one,” began the captain. “Obviously he was a great warrior, as you would know better than any of us. His name is Lazrod, and he is the last of the family Mendir which was charged with guarding the Orb of Pilandi. It was taken right from under his guard by Lucian and his trickery. You know well, and what you don’t know you can guess of what happened after that event.”

“Revenge, captain?” asked Keisya.

“Simply enough, yes,” said the captain with a nod. “He was a broken man, all he knew and loved was destroyed, and he thought himself a failure as a guardian. Had he been born into a different life he himself would have made an excellent addition to our Order, but his own had been lived equally as honorably until his final mistakes, which you have witnessed. Revenge is never the ans—“

“Final mistakes, captain??” interrupted Keisya.

“He has learned his lesson and fully regrets his actions, m’lady,” said Captain Rorgez, redirecting his conversation. “But it was a lesson learned too late, he has killed two of our own, and the son of Lord Valinus. He is to be put to death tomorrow at sunset.”

“Put to death?! Captain, there mu—“ began Keisya.
“I know what you would say, m’lady, but there is naught that can be done,” said the captain, stopping Keisya’s words. “An eye for an eye for an eye it would seem, and I have tried to counsel Lord Valinus in this only to be thrown from his chambers. Dark times are upon us, Lady Keisya. Lord Valinus nearly expelled us all from the city for our failure to protect his son, but after Lucian’s funeral has come to his senses at least on that mark. The need for our presence here will likely now be greater than ever, and he knows this.”

“None of this is right, captain! How can we sit back and allow this to happen? How can we allow more bloodshed?” asked Keisya.

“What you speak of would be treason, nay, worse than treason against Valista,” said Captain Rorgez, turning from her as he spoke on, moving to a window on the opposite side of the room, watching the storm as he continued on. “I could not convince him otherwise, and so the only way Lazrod’s death might be prevented would be to trade one of our own. I feel as you do, m’lady, but as Knights of the Order we are not only bound to our honor, but also our duty,” continued the captain with a sigh. “If only Lord Valinus had listened to me, if only that we had more time. Yet these luxuries we are not afforded. We knights ensured peace for all these years, but now in one fell swoop, war at last broken out, and Valista has emerged victorious. When Lazrod’s head meets the guillotine on the morrow, it will be the end of it.”

Captain Rorgez had stopped his speech as he turned around to face Keisya once again, only to find that she had gone. With a gasp he moved across the room, quickly flinging open the door and looking out for any sight of her, seeing none he sighed to himself.

“M’lady, you are brave and honorable indeed, for I know what you would do,” said Captain Rorgez to himself, tears beginning to form in his eyes. “Your father has taught you well, far too well. Forgive me, Belius, my friend, but she must not be allowed to succeed in this. She has been as a daughter to me as well, and I will not see you both sacrificed.”

Upon his words, Captain Rorgez rushed out into the stormy night to pursue his foster daughter.

Part III
The Legend Continues

Our fates work themselves in mysterious ways. Was it meant to be somehow that all of these things were happening? Was it all for some greater purpose than even we now know? Was this really all meant to be? Tragedy after tragedy it seemed had befallen Valista since the death of Lord Heagar Valinus. Mistake after mistake had been made, nothing seemed the way it was meant to be in the current state of affairs. It would seem we are all doomed to suffer by our fates.

Too many great men and women had fallen in our time. A people which should have been united and enjoying a peaceful life was split. Erast had been destroyed, the innocent suffered to their last. The orb which once guarded the united peoples of Valista was forever gone, torn to shreds by the very greed and power which had separated the peoples in the first place. A good man was to be put to death for a crime that would be a crime by Valista right alone. And a lone noble woman had made her move to begin correcting the wrongs of so many others. What had happened to the peace which had so long endured? Would it ever return? How much must we endure?

The tragedy was not yet fated to end, darkness would not be lifted. The well-intentioned Captain Rorgez was too late in his pursuit. By the time he had arrived, Lady Keisya and Lazrod had already escaped the prison which had held him. To where, none would know but the two.

Three days passed as the militia and knights alike searched for the two when suddenly Lady Keisya alone emerged from hiding. Lazrod was nowhere to be found.

Keisya spoke no words to anyone, but one supposes she had no need to. Lord Valinus was out for blood only. The man who was directly responsible for his death, or the woman that was equally responsible in her failure to protect him. It made no difference. Not even as she was presented before him and had her father’s sword stricken from her did she say a word. It was as though she were already dead.

It was decreed that Lady Keisya Silvaris would be Lady no more, she would be stricken of her title and she would take the place of Lazrod Mendir. To be put to a traitor’s death, a spectacle for all of Valista to witness.

And witness they would, for all of Valista was gathered in the streets surrounding the town square as the guards began to lead her to her doom which lay at the center of it.

Fate had allowed this current ill state of all affairs on this day, as the blood-red sun fell past the horizon. What fate had in store next, none had expected, and many have since written into songs and tales such as this one. The legend continues on.

Chaos Ensues

Reality of the present returned to Keisya as suddenly she felt herself practically snatched out of her own memories. The militiamen leading her came to a halt as a sudden air of panic fell over Valista, filling the hearts and minds of all its people. The sudden piercing sound of a horn echoed through the streets. The Great Horn as it was called was only blown in the event of a direct threat on the city, and had only been sounded once since the coming of the knights, the attack which claimed the life of Keisya’s mother.

Ahead, at the center of the city square the people that had gathered to witness Keisya’s execution began to scatter, rushing to take refuge wherever they might find it. A few of the militiamen looked to their leader fearfully. He himself for the moment was stunned by the sound even as it wavered. Others waited for no orders and rushed away to either take refuge of their own or to help where help may be needed. Keisya, still bound by chains and attached to the leader of the convoy could do nothing.

Shaking his head, the militia leader glared back at Keisya and then his men.

“Don’t you fools see? The alarm is false! This is just some ill-conceived escape attempt! I will have none of it,” he said, moving over to Keisya and extending an arm, wrapping his fingers around her cheeks and squeezing them tightly. “No, this pretty one will die today upon the sunset as Lord Valinus has ordered. We proceed as planned.”

And with that he tugged the chains with all his might, moving Keisya and the rest of the militiamen forward at an alarming pace.

As they approached the town square, Keisya’s heart suddenly sunk. In the distant direction of the Order grounds she could see smoke and the hint of flame. Something very bad was happening, and for the first time she began to struggle against her fate. The militiamen ignored her efforts and did not see the things she saw, only proceeding onward. Suddenly as if out of the shadows themselves a figure leaped from a nearby roof. In a single movement the figure drew a large sword from its back, swinging it across the chains which the lead militiaman held, causing him to topple forward as Keisya’s weight was cut away. Gasping, he caught his balance and turned around to see a face he recognized from many a Wanted poster throughout the city. It was Lazrod who stood before him, standing in a completely vulnerable position between the militiamen.

“Stop, you fools and look afar! Your beloved city burns, an attack beyond measure is assaulting Valista,” said Lazrod, raising his sword only to point to the distance as the militiamen raised theirs intent on attacking him. “Trifle not with the petty matters of our like and save your city!”

Bewildered by the sight of the obvious chaos the remaining militiamen apart from the leader left him, heeding the words of Lazrod and their own wits. The leader himself remained, tightening his grip on his sword and taking a stance to attack Lazrod.

“If there is an attack on our city, then you, my friend, are certainly a part of it,” said the leader through the scowl on his face.

“Such foolishness,” replied Lazrod, taking a stance of his own.

Keisya could still do nothing as the two began to circle one another. She was free of the lead chains, but the ones which bound her arms were still securely tied around her wrists. Moving away from the two and dragging the heavy chains along with her, she made her way into the city square where the local blacksmith’s shop stood. Pushing her way past the heavy door of the shop, she entered to find to her dismay the fires were not hot. Quickly she began searching for some sort of tool she might make use of to pry apart the chains, but her efforts proved fruitless.

From a shadow in the far corner of the room, Keisya heard a sudden dark cackling sound. Emerging from it was one of the undead, a reanimated skeleton of sorts wielding a short sword and shield. Moving toward her it proceeded to attack, raising it’s sword and lashing it back down toward her. Keisya dodged the blow at the last moment as the skeleton fell forward somewhat, nearly toppling over completely. Quickly she formed the only weapon possible, her own chains, gathering them up awkwardly around her arms, forming something of a ball with them around her hands. The skeleton regained its balance and began to move back toward her, swinging its blade in practically the same way once again. Nimbly, she dodged the blow at just the right time again, using the opportunity this time to raise her arms, swinging them back down as the skeleton wavered past her. Her arms accompanied by the weight of the chains crashed into the back of the walking bones, which dislodged, causing the figure to crumble piece by piece. Letting the chains fall from her arms, she picked up the skull from the fallen pile of bones, crushing it between her hands.

Suddenly her ear caught a gasp from a closed door at the opposite end of the shop. Moving over to it she pulled it open to find the local blacksmith and his family huddled together inside a small closet.

“L-Lady K-K-Keisya,” began the blacksmith as he stared up at her. “You’ve saved us from that terror.”

“Good blacksmith, surely you know of the events which led to this day I was set to die,” began Keisya. “But I beg of you, be assured I have no quarrel with the good people of this city. I seek now as have I always only to protect life. Please assist me in doing so.”

Dropping to her knees she lifted her chains to him, lowering her head after speaking as if to continue begging in silence.

“Never once did I believe you were a traitor to the people, Lady,” started the blacksmith after a moment’s silence. “To the Lord, perhaps, but no, not to us. Of course I will help you, m’lady. Quickly, over here.”

Rising and momentarily leaving his terrified family, the blacksmith led Keisya to his workbench where he sized up the chains.

“Well now, fire’s no good. Not hot enough, nor could we heat it without harming you,” said the blacksmith, examining the chains. “We’ll just have to break the links.”

Quickly the blacksmith returned to the closet in which he and his family hid, from it he removed a large iron bar which was bent at the end.

“Usually use this for the shoeing of horses, should be able to break those rusty links just as well though,” said the blacksmith, nodding. “Lean back and hold still a few moments, m’lady.”

Keisya obeyed, extending her arms as far away from herself as she could as the blacksmith went to work, jamming the bar into the center of one of the links, angling it just right so he could use it to pry apart the link. Repeating the process several times on the key links, Keisya at last felt the restraint of the chains loosen and eventually fall from her entirely until her arms were completely freed.

“I cannot thank you enough for this, my good man,” said Keisya.

“It is my thanks to you, m’lady, you and all your kin,” said the blacksmith. “I only ask that you continue to defend us, no matter how bitter the end.”

“You are a good, strong man with good, strong words, my friend. Your family is in capable hands,” said Keisya with a soft smile to them. “Defend them well should you meet another attack, make certain to do away with the head of the beast or they will in time rise again. I swear to do all I am able on the outside, for now I must leave you.”

“I will heed your advice, m’lady, thank you again,” said the blacksmith.

“And thank you, good blacksmith,” said Keisya with another smile.

Quickly gathering herself, Keisya emerged from the shop to find that further chaos had already spread well into the city. Returning to where she had left Lazrod she found him hardly removed from the position, his sword poised at the neck of the militia leader who lay on the ground motionless but alive. Seeing her coming and pleased to see her freedom, Lazrod smiled to her.

“What would you have me do with this one, m’lady?” Lazrod asked Keisya.

“Hmph, well it seems you’ve alright taught him his lesson, hm?” replied Keisya. “Let him be, he is hardly a good man, but is a strong one which will gratefully do his duty blindly. His duty now, as is his place in life, is to protect the good people of this city,” continued Keisya as she began to lean down over the militia leader, reaching into his pocket and pulling from it her pendant which he had taken, her voice falling to a whisper as she spoke to the leader specifically. “And should he fail at his duty he will answer to me personally.”

“A fair fate, m’lady,” said Lazrod as the militia leader looked at them both in terror.

Keisya gathered the sword of the militia leader, holding it by the blade she offered its hilt to him, motioning for Lazrod to remove his sword from the leader’s neck. Wearily the leader took the sword as Lazrod moved his own away.

“There is a family stowed within the blacksmith shop over yonder. See to it they live to see happier times or pay for it with your head,” threatened Keisya to the militia leader who remained silent.

Closing her eyes, Keisya slipped her pendant back around her neck, returning it to its rightful place before reopening them and looking to Lazrod.

“I told you to leave me and escape, Lazrod, what made you return?” asked Keisya.

“I never wanted to leave you to the fate you snatched from me, m’lady, I knew your plans,” began Lazrod who then looked away, looking somewhat troubled. “But there’s more than that. I returned to Erast only to find more horror than I could have imagined. M’lady, its, i-ts, fallen people. They have risen, and once again walk the face of Telon. They themselves have become undead. Mindless now, the lot of them, zombies, but their forms hardly decayed. I followed them as they moved seemingly mindlessly from the city, but soon I came to see their movement was not at all mindless. Their march came to mingle them with the very horde which I would say had destroyed the city. And together they moved into the west, consuming all living things in their path.”

“And you knew their destination?” asked Keisya.

“Indeed, where else but here, m’lady?” replied Lazrod. “I left them and made my way back here with as much haste as possible, but I was not fast enough. Doubtless none would have listened to my warning even if I could have made it here. Luckily enough I was able to slip back within the city walls thanks to the chaos and confusion created by the undead army which followed me at my heels, and reach you in time, m’lady.”

“I see. Captain Rorgez was right about you, Lazrod. You have a heart like one of our own,” complimented Keisya. “Will you stand now with me and defend the people of this city?”

“I will follow you to whatever end, m’lady,” said Lazrod.

“Good, for our first stop may be just that,” said Keisya reluctantly. “We must make for the Tower of Valista to the very chambers of Lord Valinus himself, the belly of the beast you might say, to retrieve my father’s sword, and we must make haste.”

“The sword blessed by my father?” asked Lazrod, bluntly.

“The same, my friend. It may well contain the last fragment of the Orb of Pilandi’s power which remains in this world. It may be faint, but the undead fear it.”

Lazrod nodded to Keisya and the pair made for the Tower of Valista as quickly as their feet would carry them.

The Fall of Valista

Arriving at the Tower of Valista, Keisya and Lazrod found its defenses abandoned. The undead had yet to make their way so far into the city, but looking out from the top of the tower one could see what would appear to be a ring of fire slowly creeping its way inward toward the tower. The pair could see the destruction as they made their way up the tower. It seemed to them to grow closer and closer with each window they passed, each inspiring them to quicken their steps even more.

At last they reached the top floor where the chamber of Lord Valinus lie. Quickly they entered to find Lord Valinus himself standing on the open balcony, staring out into the darkness.

“All is lost, my militia cannot defeat this horde, and it seems even my Knights have fallen,” said Lord Valinus to himself as he turned from the window to see the pair entering his chambers uninvited. “And now the murderer and betrayer have come to break me completely? What more can you take from me?! What more?!”

Rage filled his heart, blinding him as well as the tears which streamed from his eyes.

“I come only to take back what is mine, Valinus,” stated Keisya sternly.

“What about what is mine!? You have taken my son, my lineage, and now even my city falls as you fail to protect it!” shouted Lord Valinus.

“Your own greed has driven this fate, Valinus! And even now you do nothing! You are a fool and a coward!” exclaimed Keisya. “You denied your fate by your greed’s hand and have driven all of your father’s people to destruction! You who once so proudly led the militia to defend this place! You have brought on this fate as your son brought on his. Such greed had he that out of not but spite for his enemies and contempt for others that he himself destroyed that which would have saved your city this fate!”

“Silence! How dare you speak with such disrespect, woman,” cried Lord Valinus. “My word is the law here until the end! I have condemned you both to die for your crimes, and by my iron fist so you shall!” said Lord Valinus slid his arm into his royal robes, pulling out from them Keisya’s father’s sword, unsheathing it and brandishing it before them. “By your own father’s sword.”

Lord Valinus took a single step forward only to suddenly stop. A huge gust of wind blew through the chamber, blowing out every last candle within. The chamber fell to darkness as thunder rumbled and lightning struck. In the flashes of lightning Keisya saw first that Lord Valinus had fallen to his knees, and behind him was the large menacing figure of a man. The man’s eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. A thump was heard in the darkness followed by the clattering of a falling blade. In a second flash of lightning Keisya saw a face she recognized only by paintings, but recognized very well despite how it had now been twisted. It was undoubtedly the face of the brother of Lord Valinus, Duke Maerick Valinus of Erast.

A moment passed where even Keisya was in awe of what had just happened, and she could only stare at the royal figure that stood in the darkness, eyes glowing. Lazrod took a step or two forward, gasping at the sight.

“My-my Lord,” said Lazrod, taking another step closer.

“Lazrod, no!” exclaimed Keisya, stepping forward and reaching her arm across Lazrod’s chest to stop him.

In the next flash of lightning they saw several of the undead crawling in through the open balcony door, more still climbing up over the ledge sinisterly. Stepping forward, Keisya quickly found her father’s sword and took it up. As she took the hilt into her hands the blade began to glow in a bright blue light, as did her pendant. Stepping forward she shined the light onto the figure of Duke Valinus who backed away, seeming pained by the light. As she continued forward, he continued back along with the undead who had climbed in through the open balcony.

Another flash of lightning came the figure of Duke Valinus let out an unearthly shriek and began to rush forward. Keisya quickly swung the blade through him and the body fell away to dust.

Shrieking loudly, the rest of the undead fled out of the balcony and began to crawl down the tower and away as Keisya stepped out onto the balcony itself. Raising an arm, she wrapped her hand around the pendant that hung from her neck. Tugging on it she broke it away from the chain. Raising her sword, she inserted the pendant into a small orifice in the hilt of the blade, just the right size for it. The blade then began to do more than give off a light, but began to blaze like a blue fire.

Keisya stepped out onto the balcony, looking down to see in flashes of lightning the massive horde of undead crowded around the base of the tower. Lazrod could only watch the spectacle in awe as Keisya then raised the sword above her head and began to shout in a different sort of unearthly voice than that of the dead.

“By the remaining power of the Orb of Pilandi, I banish you from this place!” Keisya shouted as lightning struck and thunder rolled together.

Upon her words she swung her body forward, hurling the sword downward, throwing it from the top of the tower. The blade traveled downward with a blazing streak and crashed into the center of the undead horde. An explosive sound shook the tower as the blade crashed with the ground and waves of blue flame traveled through the undead horde, those in the immediate area turning to instantly dust, others turning partially to dust and falling way, those on the outsides of the ring falling away into not but piles of bones as the wave passed through them.

Keisya fell to her knees as she watched the last of the undead that could be seen fall. Lazrod rushed to her side, assisting her as best he could, cradling her body up into his large arms and supporting her upright.

“It’s done, father,” she whispered into the darkness, the rain falling onto her face stopping as thunder rolled suddenly only in the far distance.

Keisya closed her eyes for a few moments which felt like an eternity to both she and Lazrod. At last she opened them with a gasp, looking up to Lazrod.

“Lazrod, quickly! We must get out of here!” exclaimed Keisya.

The floor beneath them began to shake as indeed the entire tower shook. Lazrod gathered up Keisya, lifting her up into his arms and quickly making his way out of the chambers and down the tower stairs as it continued to shake. Exiting the tower, he ran out, Keisya still in his arms through the fallen lifeless bones and to the dust at the center where the sword fell when suddenly there was a larger rumble and the Tower of Valista began to crumble and fall. Kneeling before the tower and looking up, Lazrod placed Keisya gently onto the ground. The pair watched the fall of the tower together, never tearing their eyes from the sight.

Keisya stood once again as the last of the tower fell, moving over to her father’s sword and grasping her hands onto its hilt, kneeling down before it and lowering her head. The glow about it had faded completely, and it looked as once again ordinary as any sword so elegant could. A few silent moments passed before she rose, pulling the sword from the dust which surrounded it, sheathing the sword after removing the pendant from the hilt and stringing it back onto the chain which she slipped back around her neck.

“The ultimate weapon of all that is good is love, Lazrod, compassion,” began Keisya. “All that is evil and driven by hatred is repulsed by it. The Orb of Pilandi was an ancient, sacred artifact which warded the undead, yet not even its keepers know of its origin. I know now that surely, whatever its origin, it was created in love. And we sad fools do nothing but turn it into a weapon to war and bicker over,” she continued, stopping for a moment to contemplate before going on. “I felt my father with me tonight, as clearly as if he were right there with you and I. I don’t believe that without his presence, without his love, that any of this could have been accomplished.”

“He lives on within you in spirit, m’lady. As does your mother, and all those you have cared for,” said Lazrod. “As my father lives on within me, with all who were lost of our people. I protect them still, as I protect you now.”

Keisya smiled to Lazrod, moving over and placing her hand onto his shoulder.

“Quite a pairing we should make. A lawless rogue Paladin and her loyal protector,” said Keisya.

“I trust and believe in you, m’lady,” said Lazrod. “What’s happens next?”

Aftermath

Next, Keisya and Lazrod spent their immediate days aiding the peoples of both cities who lived on.

The Valista Militia was disbanded after the fall of Lord Valinus. Old loyalties still lingered, but none strong enough to matter. The crimes of Lazrod and Keisya were all but forgotten.

Most of the survivors of the once great Holy Order of Valista left their ruined grounds behind and returned to the great city of New Targonor. Their remnant is now scattered throughout the lands.

I am a part of that remnant. As for just who exactly I am, we have already met in the form of a story character. I am the once Knight Captain Rorgez. I live now a as a graying old man living a peaceful life within the walls of New Targonor. The world has outgrown those such as I, or perhaps I am wrong, and it is I who have outgrown it.Whatever the case, it now exists for the young, such as my Lady Keisya. My usefulness is waning, but I thought one last first-hand tale was in order.

As for the remaining common folk of Valista and Erast, it was Sir Bellius and I’s dream that they one day be reunited, a dream that I had forgotten following the death of Sir Bellius. It seemed to me doomed that it end in such a complete tragedy. I was correct, to a degree, but in all that transpired, not all was a total loss. The uniting of Keisya and Lazrod rekindled my dreams, and their actions on that day Valista fell gave me a new faith in our peoples. Never was it that the people hated one another, only that their leaders, the two brothers did. It is a true tragedy that so much that was good and beautiful had to fall for their sake. I made my rekindled dreams a reality and saw to it personally that the remaining peoples of Valista and Erast were reunited. They live as one now in much the way I do, all have come to find new lives in this great city of New Targonor.

Keisya herself, she lives on now with Lazrod. Together they continue on, but we see far too few of them here. They are free spirits, guided to where they are needed. Their new exploits are often put into song or tale, perhaps you’ve already heard some. But this one, although it is far from complete was intended only to tell the most important tale of my foster daughter, the one which ultimately shaped who she and all those involved were to become throughout the rise and fall of Lady Keisya Silvaris.

[Pirotess]

Goodness. That is some character description! I havent had a chance to read through it entirely yet but great job so far! Thanks for posting it for us and welcome to the boards!

[Aredhel]

WOOHOO! You're as bad as I am. I haven't inflicted myself on anyone yet, but I can't wait to get home and read this.

Ya know...I haven't even developed a character for VSoH yet. I need to see how the world feels when I get in there! But....beware!

More comments once I read it. We're contemplating a writer's blog here. This lends well. ttfn

[Nil]

Reading this, it makes me feel like I shouldn't bother subjecting anyone to my poor writing skills - they'll just like that much worse in comparison.

[Zanano]

Wow...Very long. But very good.