The Sketch: The Voyage of Soal

Flameberg

"Up! Wake up!" Soal could hear Porter yelling, and turned to the camp as he stretched. Putting on his armor, he was still on the rocky slope next to the still-flooded Meinhaym. He made sure he had everything, and walked towards the massive body of tents, most of them not so much smaller than Soal himself. By the time he had reached it, many of the kiwis were up and about, training for battle when it would arrive. Porter greeted the child warrior and told him something.

"You, me, and a few others are going to check on that fortress. It's about ten minutes' worth walking from here. We'll explore the fortress and develop a plan. Currently all we know is that the nearest army is situated in the east, down that valley nearby. Follow me," Porter was quick and ardent with his speech.
"Well then!" Soal just accepted the offer, and followed him down a smooth slope. As they went, Kiwi and Retna tagged along behind him, each offering no comment. Continuing down the slope, they eventually escaped the camp and traversed the now steeper, more jagged terrain. After eleven minutes, Soal could spot an iron railing beneath them. It was still on the dull, sloped hill, but formed a more elegant scene. Porter stopped moving when the squad reached the bridge. "Here lies the fortress if Flameberg. As durable as an iceberg, and as resilient as a fire. This fortress is the only thing lying between us and Articulus's armies. It will be our first sizable battle in this war. However, we need to know the specifics. Retna, you stay with me; Soal, Kiwi, travel down the side and open the gate. Once it is clear, go inside. Get to know it as good as you can. It may be strong, but its walls have never been breached. And look for the glowing blade. When you see it, find me. Do not let Kiwi touch it. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Soal nodded in rhythm, and began to make his way down to the gate along the left side of the fortress. It was at that time that the magnificent scope of Flameberg revealed itself. It was the most colossal buildings Soal had ever seen, despite its appearance from above. And what made it more mysterious is that it was one of the last surviving traces of Meinhaym since the city was flooded, because it was built into the face of the mountainous hills on the outside. Both restless adventurers longed to see what had become of its monumental history where many a battle had been fought. Soal jogged, even though it was more than likely that he would trip, and found the gate, It was a simple, brown, wooden door, but a massive one, the lock too high up above them for Soal, let alone Kiwi, to reach it. With a mighty leap, however, Soal just barely grabbed onto the log and its handles. Kiwi flew up to him, and helped heave the bar across, out of one handle. Now, just barely teetering on its rings, the lock was foiled, and the duo pushed open the gate with heavy force. As soon as that happened, a cloud of dust escaped the chamber and a musty smell enveloped the two. "Well, now that we've opened the door and all," Kiwi wheezed in the soot from the fortress, "Perhaps we should enter. After all, it's taken a good long time to get here. Why don't we have a nice little stroll and see what's this secret treasure Porter has been talking about." Soal was also feeling the same way. So they did.