MullenGuard the Kings return.

Dream

There were distant voices in the background, it sounded like two people were arguing.  Joe saw himself in a castle as himself as five years old, he jumped out of a large bed, and walked over to the giant door that was slightly ajar.  He saw King Ironclad arguing with the same man that Joe envisioned at the skatepark.

    “Do you not see what’s going on out there brother? The Nightwalkers are taking lands as their own, they see you as a threat and mean to destroy you.  We must fight back.” said the man.

    “I will not condone violence over false news.  The Nightwalkers are a visual species, if they were planning on an attack Minx would have told me about it.” said the king.

    “You put your faith in one of them?” the man asked.

    “Have you any evidence of these attacks, Harold?” asked the king.  “If you’re spreading lies to try and start a war against your homeland I’d advise you to think more carefully about your actions before they end up being your demise.”

    “Dad?” Joe asked in a young voice.

“Joseph, what are you doing out of bed, son?” asked the king.  Everything went to black, there were sounds like a stream of water, there were muttered sounds but they could not be made out of who it was and what they were saying.  “It’s time to remember son...it’s time to remember.” 

    Joe immediately woke up, Fuzzykin was still asleep and peaceful.  He got out of the tent, it was still dark outside. He walked over to the night watch point and saw that there was no one there.  Joe got a little concerned, he searched around looking for whoever was watching over, he saw a figure in the distance, the figure looked like a woman but he didn’t recognise her.  

    “Who goes there?” he said with his sword drawn.  The woman walked into sight, it was a total stranger.  But then her skin turned slightly teal, her ears grew pointed her nose shrank, her hair changed and she grew a tail on the back.  

    “Easy there, your highness.” Cat’ell said.  “Had to go in disguise to see something strange.  Are you taking the next watch?”

    “Um...I guess.  I mean I can’t sleep so I guess I’ll take the watch.” Joe said.  Cat’ell stood next to Joe.

    “So...you and Faiah.” she said with a smile on her face.

    “What?...what about us?” Joe asked nervously.

    “Come on, we saw you two palying around on the grass, and she kissed you.” Cat’ell said making Joe feel extremely uncomfortable.  

    “She used that to get me off guard, I’m sure she does that anytime she’s in a jam.” Joe said in defense.  Cat’ell shook her head in denia.

    “I’ve spared with her, she never did that until tonight.” she said.  “As much as I wanted her to.”

    “Wait...you’re.” 

    “Gay?” she finished.  “Yeup, that’s me, my parents sure didn’t like that.” she looked out into the forest as if she was looking at someone far away.  Joe took notice of that.

    “Is there someone out there you’re fighting for?” he asked.

    “No, but one can always hope.” she said.  She turned around and headed for her tent.  “Try not to die...or fall asleep.” Joe stood there staring into the distance, the moon light shone on the trees, the grass, and made shadows over the mountains.  

He looked back at the camp with a smile on his face, maybe he truly be the king to this land, maybe this is the family that he was waiting for his entire life.  He heard a rustle in the bushes, he quickly turned with his sword drawn and at the ready.

“Who’s there? Show yourself!” Joe said.  Suddenly a creatures with dirty orange skin, yellow eyes, a misshapen head with pointed ears, leather clothing with lighter brown boots and battle skirt.

“By the elders, I’ve found you.” said the creature with kind of a smoker's voice.  “Come, you must come with me.” 

“Why?” Joe pointed his sword at the creature.  “What or who are you?”

“My name is Skeltic, I’m a Hob-goblin.” said Skeltic.  “And I’m here to bring you home, my king.”

“Why should I trust you?” Joe asked.

“How much do you really remember of this place, sire?” Joe stood there for a moment, then pointed the sword elsewhere.

“Speak.” he ordered.  Skeltic got to his feet and explained.

“You have dreams...visions of this place, yes?” Joe nodded.  “Are they of a happy life here in MullenGuard?” he nodded again.  “Your brain has been altered. That tratorus wizard, Wing placed a curse on King Ironclad with a spell that clouded his mind.  Your uncle has been searching for you, trying to find you before it was too late and you were corrupted like the others.” 

Joe was a little skeptical about this whole thing, but then again he didn’t know much about his past and all he’s seen of his uncle is the dream he had about him and the vision of the battle.

“Take me to him.” he said. 

“Yes, as you wish your highness.” Skeltic said.  “Come, come, this way, hurry.” Joe followed the hob-goblin through the woods in the dark leaving the camp defenseless and unwatched.  They made it past the woods and in front of a strange cave with a circle wooden door on it.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Secret tunnels that lead to random places in MullenGuard, this one leads to the castle.  Come come.” Skeltic said hastily. He opened the door showing a dark tunnel with roots and dirt piles everywhere, it was supported by wooden planks that seemed as if they were there for a long time.  Skeltic picked up a torch and lead the way. “Come come, majesty, must hurry.” 

Joe followed with his sword out just in case something happened.  There were echoes of rocks falling on each other, a loud bang echoed throughout the tunnel, Joe looked and saw that the door had been closed.

“How far are we?” Joe asked.

“Not far, not far.” Skeltic answered.  He leaned the light over to a giant hole in the ground.  “Follow fast.” he jumped down the hole. Joe hesitated but then followed Skeltic, he found himself sliding through a tunnel like a slide at a waterpark, unsure of where it would stop.  

He saw a faded light at the end of the tunnel, he then fell to the ground fast seeing that they were very close.

“Lots of fun, right?” Skeltic said.  He laughed then continued to walk. “Come come, sire.” Joe got up and followed him, they stopped at another giant wooden door, Skeltic opened it revealing again the dark night covering the sky with a faded moon light to illuminate the lands and castle.

“Is that the castle?” Joe asked.

“Yes, your highness, come he awaits for you.” Skeltic said. Joe followed Skeltic to the castle, there were blind knights guarding the entrance, they crossed their swords against each other, they spoke nothing but they breathed lightly like a ghost.  “I’ve found the long lost prince of MullenGuard, I’m here to give him to the king.” Skeltic said. The knights breathed their ghostly breathe and let the two in. “Come come, your majesty. Time to see your uncle.”