Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 15: Troubles in the East

[Photo: Haunting Desert by Invadable Harmony]
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In the lower lands of the east, the capital city of Mantrial lay hidden amongst towering mountains. It was the second day from his departure, Hector was first attended to by the Knight Protector standing by the foot of the stairs, beside the throne.

There clothed in a dark-furred cape, was King Garst seated on his throne.

"State your business here, commander," said the Knight Protector in a commanding tone with just a hint of respect.

Hector glared at the knight and looked to the king "Your grace, I am Commander Hector of the Northern Elite Castle. A month ago, we scarcely avoided being consumed by the darkness beyond the barrier. The same threat is upon us now, and the Elite Knights suffered great losses. We are not fit for a battle of this scale, not so soon after the last one."

"So you have come to call for aid," answered the king.

"Indeed, your grace."

"I'm afraid you have come at the wrong time, Commander, we have troubles of our own."

"Does the urgency of these troubles surpass the need to defend an entire kingdom?" put in Hector.

"It does, this too concerns the safety of the kingdom. In fact, I have been meaning to call for aid myself. The looming threat in the North has come to my lands — They've turned the wyverns in the East Canyon, it seems like you didn't kill all of them during the fall of the Dragonlords," replied the king, slowly.

"There was no need to kill them all, only the ones who were under the influence of Yjomar—Firebringer," Hector responded angrily. "Have they all turned?"

"We can't say for sure, but their numbers grow with each passing day. None of the men we send out to scout the canyons ever return."

"We need a Dragonlord then," suggested Hector.

The king chuckled. "You want the help of a Dragonlord?"

"Is there any in this kingdom whom I can speak to within the day?" asked Hector impatiently.

"You know where they are—hiding, their kind are not welcome here," the king sneered.

"Stop sending men to their death and prepare to ride to the North. I'll handle the wyverns."

Tilting his head, the king obliged.

The hidden place King Garst spoke of was the Furtive Market. A place of trade which was within a deep narrow crevice.

Hector rode out again. It was mid-afternoon when he reached the descending path in the split within the ground. He made his way to the edge of it, switching his cape for a cloak to conceal his padded elite knight armor. The place was secluded, with various shops on each side. Once there, it looked like a much darker crowded marketplace. A stable house was closest to the descending path, there he parted with his horse.