Champions Of Faylorne: Tower Of The Damned

Chapter Two

Darin stared at the empty mug in front of him then to the men and women surrounding him, laughing and gambling what gold they had in their pockets. His brothers and sisters in arms and the only family he knew. He was a knight of Castle Uthingar, one of the largest human kingdoms in Faylorne and the only one without a current king. Instead Uthingar is run by a council of dukes.

Darin had dreamt of being an Uthingar knight since he was a child and he heard of his father who had faithfully served as captain. How he lead the charge against the orcish hordes of the Steepcliffs. How he had valiantly died defending his kingdom to his last breath. Darin wanted to be that, a legend but living in the shadow of one was hard enough.

The knights always expected him to be like his father, or even better. His father pasted his entry test first try, Darin passed on his sixth. His father was first place in dueling in his class, Darin was 46th. Every test or class he had to go through his father was the best at.

Darin glanced at his sword, the only thing of his father's that he has. His mother said he used it to fight against the orc hordes in the 2nd war of Steepcliffs. He examined the engraving on the handle.

Xanthil

The name of the sword had been glued in his mind since first laying eyes on the blade. His mother said Xanthil once belonged to a vampire lord who lead the orcish hoardes against Uthingar. His father left it for him as a gift when he became a knight.

"Darin!"

Darin's thoughts were interrupted by the other knights calling out to him.

"We're heading down to the Blossom, you coming?" Gordan asked grabbing his tabard. Gordan has been his friend since they were in training. Both of them always the bottom of the class and failing all their tests at least twice. Gordon and Darin stuck by each other through thick and thin, eventually becoming knights together.

"Nah, I'm good," Darin replied as he normally does.

"You sure? The got a few new girls last week," Gordon added with a smirk.

"I'm sure," Darin smiled. Gordon always abused his knight status to get "discounts" at the Blossom. "You enjoy your new girls," Darin added with a smirk.

As Gordon left with the rest of the young knights left, Darin exited the barracks and towards the training grounds. He thought becoming a knight would be exciting but with no war or threat to Uthingar all the knights do is guard the keep and patrol street after street.

Darin entered the training grounds heading towards the training dummies. Drawing Xanthil he got into a battle stance, the blade gleaming in the moonlight. Swing after swing, the blade slashed into the dummy, strands of straw falling from it.

"Darin," a voice called from behind him. Sorus Dandfell had walked up behind him.

"A little late to be taking a stroll through the training grounds isn't it? Thought you would be attending another one of the dukes parties," Darin sheathed Xanthil. Sorus has been like a father to Darin since he began training to be a knight. It was because of him he and Grodon weren't kicked out on a few occasions.

"The dukes can have their parties, the political life tends to bore me. Walk with me Darin," the two began walking towards the courtyard.

" So Darin, how is life as a knight treating you," Sorus asked the young knight.

"Not as exciting as I thought it would be," Darin admitted. A small chuckle escaped Sorus' throat.

"It never is."

"I thought it would be like the stories of old. Like the time my father was captin," Darin slowed his pace.

"Planing on starting another war?" Sorus chuckled again. "Many take joy in the peace your father brought."

"I didn't become a knight to do the job of city guards. There has to be more than patrols and routines..." Darin's voice trailed off as his eyes seemed to wander. Sorus gave Darin a concerned look.

"You know, nobles are able to send knights as their personal agents to look into matters across Faylorne. Perhaps you can find a noble to send you on such an endeavor," Sorus spoke nonchalantly.

"What noble would deal with me?" Darin seemed to have regained focus. Sorus rolled his eyes.

"Me you idiot," he wrapped his arm around Darin's neck. "If your willing I'll make you my personal champion." Darin eyes widened.

"Really?" Darin couldn't believe it. Finally a chance to put his training to good use.

"Would I tease you?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Well not this time, Darin," Sorus let go of the young knight. "I have a matter in which you might be interested in."

"What is it?" Darin asked his friend curiously. Sorus' expression turned serious.

"What do you know about the Feral Elves?" Sorus began to pace.

"Only what my mother would tell me, so not much," Darin sat on a rock next to him, listening to his friend.

"When the elves corrupted the Fay, the black magic infected them, splitting them into three different variations. Most elves resisted the black taint but some of them suffered drastic changes and became known as the corrupt elves and some elves assimilated with the taint and feed off of it. Those elves were chased into the forests and kept in check while the corrupt elves hid underground. Normally the kingdom of Uthingar keeps the ferrel elves in check but for the past few weeks they have been growing more bold, attacking caravans and stealing people from their beds at night. Darin, I need you to get to the bottom of this. The dukes don't think this is a real problem but I am worried for the people." Sorus' worry evident on his face.

"Why would the dukes ignore this?" The young knight asked.

"The dukes care only about things that affect their pockets. A few caravans and missing people won't really catch their eyes," a hint of disgust in Sorus' voice was evident.

"Don't worry sir, I'll find out what going on with the Ferals," Darin saluted Sorus.

"Forget the formalities, Darin. Just because your my champion doesn't mean you have to speak formally, it doesn't fit you." Sorus took out a few letters. "These are from the town of Amnel not far from here. Head there and see what you can uncover," Sorus looked off to the stars. "I feel like something else is afoot."