The Last StormRider

A Storm of Reckoning

Waking up, after what felt like a mere moment, I found myself blown away from the chair and table. Both of which had been previously blown into splinters. Getting up from my prone position I turned about seeing that most of the room had in fact been destroyed. To my amazement I watched as lightning pounded on the outside of the hall blowing off one of the walls and most of the floor, exposing us to the elements. Gazing around I watched as several people crawled to safety, and as others remain motionless.

The sound of yelling caught my attention, shifting my attention, I watched in awe as the Captain crossed swords with a man who resembled an older, more devious looking Ervin. Slowly making my way through the rubble I watched in rapt fascination as the Captain's blade danced like a silver light, easily deflecting the other man's blade. As I drew closer I soon realized that the other man didn't have one, but seven. In fact Ervin senior (I grew tired of referring to him as 'that other guy') was not even touching any of his blades. Instead he waved his hands forming arcane spells. His voice chanting rhythmically. They're battle silhouetted by the constant flashes coming from the opening behind them.

Suddenly another bellow of thunder sounded shaking the entire hall. Covering my ears I stumbled my way through the rubble making my way towards the battle. As a drew closer my eyes found a slumped figure behind the Captain. As I drew closer my eyes once again riveted to the two duelers. Shifting some table out of my way I watched in horror as an energy began to form an ethereal dagger behind the Captains back. It struck me that the Captain had no idea, and wouldn't be able to defend himself. Breaking into a run I shouted warnings, only to have my words snatched away by the cursed wind.

With morbid fascination I watched the beauty of the dagger forming, it's shape almost elegant. That is until it plunged its way into my mentors back. Stopping suddenly the Captain dropped his blade turning his head towards me as I screamed his name, so strongly even the wind couldn't steal it from me. With a smile he nodding his head falling backwards into the midnight air, as time seemed to slow to a standstill.

Unable to do anything I watched as he slowly fell out of view, thunder shaking the ground, as the events I had just witnessed sunk in. Suddenly the world began to speed back to normal. Dropping suddenly to my knees, my legs to weak to carry me. I slid to a stop a few feet short of where he'd fallen. My gaze dead I became oblivious to everything around me as I stared into the black abyss that had swallowed the man who had given me a new life.

In silence I sat ignoring the sounds around me, most of it was thunder, a few pitiful cries from some poor Pirate. Suddenly a cold hand touched my shoulder. Turning suddenly I looked into the eyes of the form I'd seen the Captain guard with his life.

Quietly the Princess said "We need to go, the hall's about to collapse." gently she tugged on my shoulder.

"No," I growled, "We need a reckoning. Where did the sorcerer go?" as I pulled my arm away from her grasp, standing up on my own accord.

Confused the Princess stated "You mean Stroud? He polymorphed into a dragon of lightning and flew off." following her gesture I gazed out into the night, lightning illuminating the flying form of a dragon. "No one can challenge him now, he's become a master of the Storm."

Clenching my fists with newfound strength I growled "Not quite. Turning towards the scattered items of magic.

Following my eyes the Princess seemed confused. Then suddenly it clicked and she exclaimed "Oh, no you don't those are priceless artifacts, handed down through the centuries. And as their guardian I cannot permit you to use any of them!"

Looking down at her I snorted in amusement replying "Go ahead try and stop me." then I turned and made my way through the rubble again looking through the different treasures.

Squealing in frustration the Princess stormed off, presumably down the stairs before the tower collapsed, leaving me to my own devices. Left and right I searched by passing weapons, and armor galore. I had a idea in mind, a legend I wanted to protect, finally I found what I sought grabbing them eagerly.

Standing at the edge of the building I kicked off my boots, putting on the well worn ones, surprised by the warmth they offered. Then with a flourish I'd had picked up from the Captain I donned the cape, waiting to feel the power surge through me. I waited a long time. Finally lightning struck, quite suddenly and literally. After the ringing in my ears had subsided I gazed down the scorched ground beneath me. With surprise I saw a new pair of boots, the leather glistening from the falling rain. Looking at the cloak, I was equally surprised to see it was no longer in tatters, but instead looked like it had just been newly fashioned.

A roar loud enough to rival thunder sounded from the harbor, turning I watched as the dragon Stroud breathed lightning down onto the boats docked their. Thinking of the Patchwork I acted on a feeling, stepping out into the stormy air.

As I fell through the air all I could think was "You idiot! Thinking you could fly, now your going to join your Captain in a vain, fruitless death!"   as those thoughts of despaired echoed throughout my mind I felt a sudden change, I felt sudden power. Grasping out it I felt my self slowly change, flapping my newly formed wings, I heard the legends that had been sung by the men. 

"On wings of Thunder he did come; With blades of wind he did strike; With gaze O'Lightning he did kill; But ne're did innocent blood he spill."

A caw of thunder emanating from my beak, I threw myself into the stormy sky, my gaze O'Lightning fixed on the man who had given me this new found strength. And trust me, I planned to thank him.