Of Monsters & Men

Chapter 2.1: Gray

Gray awoke the next morning feeling grateful to be back home. He had grown tired of sleeping in makeshift camps and ratty inns and savored the soft sheepskin blankets and warm fires of his castle home. The only thing he longed for was to have woken up by his beloved's side, but their marital ceremony hadn't happened yet for lack of time and he and Margot followed the old traditions of waiting for matrimony before sleeping together. He sometimes wondered if it was worth it, considering that few people followed the traditions of old concerning chastity, but he admired his love's devotion to the Maker and had his own faithful conviction as well that it was the right thing to do, no matter how hard at times.

The sun was high in the sky by the time he woke up, and he enjoyed the warm rays that reflected off his face as he made his way to the longhall where the other guardians ate their meals. Upon arrival, he was greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread, honey mead and goat cheese; his all-time favorite.

He sat down beside the others and began to eat his breakfast. He savored the soft cheese and smooth mead that caressed his tongue like old friends, and the sound of familiar voices filled him with a simple joy. How he loved to be back home.

He was soon joined by Karita; still irritated from having just woken up. She didn't say a word, and he knew from many years of friendship that it was wise to remain silent every time she had that look on her face or, in other words, every other morning.

She tied her red hair in a makeshift bun before sitting down to eat and only uttered a word after she had finished her meal.

'The grandmaster wishes to speak with us.' she said quietly, drinking the last of the mead in her wooden cup.

Gray raised his eyebrows in surprise.

'We just returned yesterday. I thought it would be a while before he assigned us to a new hunt.'

She pushed her empty plate away with disdain.

'So did I. Some stupid messenger tore me out of my sleep to give me the news.'

'That would explain your pleasant mood.' teased Gray with a smile, pouring himself more mead.

She gave him a menacing scowl before standing up.

'He said it was urgent. We are to meet him in his chambers as soon as we finish eating.'

Gray drank the last of his mead and placed his own cup back on the table.

'Then what are we waiting for?'

Upon finishing their breakfast, the two guardians made their way up the tall staircases that led to the upper chambers reserved for the elders and masters of the ancient order. Castle Alastair had stood for thousands of years and the walls and stairs were as strong as when they were first built in ancient times of eras forgotten.

Neatly tucked away in the lower reaches of the Northlands, harboring the northern border of Tiberia, the castle stood tall, strong, and watchful, bearing witness over events that shaped the history of Gamoria and housing the order of monster hunters and defenders against the dark arts that protected the realms of men and elves for countless millennia. Most claimed the castle was built by the dwarves, but its true origins remained hidden, lost in the oceans of time.

They passed the hall of honor, its walls adorned with the katanas of fallen members of the order as a solemn remember of their duty as wardens, and at last they arrived at the grandmaster's chamber.

Karita knocked on the large wooden doors, awaiting permission to enter. After a few moments, the doors opened with a creak and they were greeted by Jonathan, Gray's former master.