Two hours later, you and your companions are packed and waiting at the academy
stables near the outskirts of town where you have been provided with horses to take you
north to the Passage Lakes at the foot of the Peaks of New Beginning. It is through these
lakes that nearly all Lightraiders pass into the lands of the dragons through the power of
the Overlord. Any Lightraider stepping into the waters of the appropriate lake at the
designated time will find themselves supernaturally transported to various parts of the
dragon lands, usually emerging through a hidden doorway that opens out of a tree or cave
there.
This special transportation is required due to the barrier of mountains that
separates the protected lands of the Overlords people from the corruption of the dragons
and their minions. The Peaks of New Beginning are the crowning glory of Talania - a
constant reminder of the OverLord’s care for the Twiceborn who live at peace here in the
Liberated Lands and a never ending frustration to the dragons who cannot breach the
impassable 20,000+ ft, snow-covered wall.
The Overlord himself, gave his life to secure this protection for his people
generations before when he single-handedly faced the raging hordes of dark creatures led
by the dragons themselves, who pursued the First-Called-Out-Ones to this promised land
of hope. Having brought his people out of bondage to the dragons and into this new land,
the Overlord went forth to bar the enemy’s advance. This he did with his own blood as
they crashed upon his body like a flood of hatred. As they tore his body to pieces, the
blood that was shed became a freezing mist of crimson that engulfed the attacking armies.
The serpents spent all their fire in vaporizing the deluge. Barely avoiding death, they
were left weak and powerless.
In great wrath, they withdrew to recuperate, delaying pursuit without serious
concern. With their enemy, the Overlord, destroyed, recapturing the deserters would be
an easy task for a time of their own choosing. But a few days later, just as the rested
dragon legion was preparing to resume the chase and destroy the Chosen people, the
continent erupted with a mighty roar into a mass of billowing, crumbling earth that rose
higher and higher forming the Peaks of New Beginning; for indeed, these mountains
represented just that to the people who had first followed the Overlord; a new beginning
in a land liberated from the hated dragons.
Now known as the Twice Born, the people of this land continue to live in
harmony under the direction of the Overlord’s teachings as understood through the Sacred
Scrolls. The scrolls were written and preserved for future generations by those same
First-Called-Out-Ones who were discipled by the Master directly. The originals are kept
safe in the Academy Library, while copies are produced and circulated throughout, not
only the Liberated Lands, but also throughout the Dragon Lands wherever and whenever
possible.
Those who undertake to carry these copies into enemy territory and bring the good
news of the Overlord to the human slaves that are still entrapped by the lies of the
dragons are known as Light Raiders and must undergo a minimum of four years at the
Light Raider Academy. Here they are educated about the Dragons and their dark
creatures and taught how to defeat them in physical and spiritual warfare. They are taught
the geography of the Dragon Lands, their cultures and money systems, and how to reach
out to the deceived humans who are enslaved by their own darkened hearts; how to rescue
them from sin enchantments that hold them bound.
This is the passion that burns in your heart as you embark on this raid! People are
dying without the Overlord’s love in their lives; living in despair and fear as you once
did. Thankfully, you had been rescued from a cruel orphanage when you were a child by
a courageous Salt Warrior and brought to the Liberated Lands. Salt Warriors are Light
Raiders who are commissioned to actually dwell in the Dragon Lands in secret as church
leaders who provide refuge for traveling Light Raiders. Here, for the first time, you were
treated with kindness and gentleness and adopted by a loving couple whom you now call
Mother and Father. And knowing that Godly love first hand, you are compelled to share
it with the once-born before it is too late!
You only hope that you’ll get a chance to meet some once-born on this raid and
bring one or two of them back with you as well as the captured Light Raiders and the
scrolls, for there is no greater joy than to see one slave set free! The sacred scrolls even
say that the celestial guardians in heaven rejoice over one sinner saved.
Suddenly you are struck by the urgency of this mission and find yourself growing
impatient to depart. Unfortunately, your team is waiting for the last member to arrive.
“What is keeping Joref?” you ask irritably. “We are losing precious time!”
Joref, the youngest of your team, is a Psalmist, trained in music and verse.
Possessing a natural talent and gifting for music, members of the Psalmist Corp are
especially trained in Musical warfare, utilizing their various musical intruments to strike
terror into the hearts of the enemy while encouraging the Overlord’s servants. Joref
graduated at the top of his class, possessing an uncanny ability to compose verse
seemingly out of thin air. Though you have seen an intense hatred consume him in the
presence of dark creatures, (which were responsible for taking the lives of his parents
only a few short years ago) Joref is normally found singing praises and making merriment
wherever he roams spreading the joy of the Most High One. Of course, his funloving
spirit and silver tongue have made him a favorite choice among certain members of the
opposite gender.
“He’s probably singin’ some silly love song to his fare maiden as usual.”
comments Kale Win’darc sardonically.
Kale is the shortest member of your team, barrel chested and solid as stone. Being
a Knight of the Way, he wears his hair braided down the center of his back to his belt in
the typical fashion of a member of that ancient order. Even at his young age, his beard is
braided to his chest having never been shaved, for a Jarrow takes a vow at an early age
not to touch a razor to his head. Kale is a direct descendant of the Jarrows, “people of the
Old Covenant”, and takes his heritage very seriously, often applying it to his conduct as a
Knight of the Way. Sometimes he takes it too serious in your opinion. And now is one of
those times. You shake your head slightly as he continues.
“You know how flittery in the tummy these Psalmists get once they get a romantic
notion in thier heads, especially Joref."
“No more ‘flittery in the tummy’ than a Knight of the Way gets when he gets a
chivalrous notion in his head.” retorts Valen Thornglade.
Valen is the Raid Team healer and is garbed in the red and white robes of a
Renewer. Trained in the art of medicine, a Renewer’s skills are essential to survival in
the dangerous lands of shadow that you are about to enter. Unfortunately, Valen, though
one of the brightest students in the academy, is inexperienced and largely untested in the
Dragonlands. Raised in one of the most respected families in the Liberated Lands,
Valen’s sheltered life has created problems for him among his classmates. Most of them
see him as soft and pampered. But you have seen his passion for the Overlord up close
and, though a bit idealistic, you have come to value his heart of compassion for those less
fortunate.
Of course, among equals, Valen’s sharp wit can quickly turn sarcastic.
“At least Joref has a reason to lavish adoration on Amberlessa since he is courting
her for marriage.” he quips. “What is your excuse for fawning over every damsel you
encounter like she’s made of glass even when she’s not interested in you?”
Kales face turns red with anger and you realize you’d better jump in before things
get out of hand. Pulling out the scrolls you were given by Sir Talin, you interject quickly.
“While we are waiting for Joref, why don’t we review these scrolls and get an idea
of where we’re going. It might take all of us putting our heads together to make sense of
it all.”
Keei is the first to respond. Acting on your cue, the slim, darkly clad and cloaked
young man steps between the others, effectively drawing their attention as he moves.
Keei is the quiet, thoughtful one of the group, always observing and aware of everything
around him. As an Overlord’s Scout, he has been specially trained in the art of disguise
and stealth, infiltration and escape. Though mysterious in his character and background,
there is an aura of calmness about this young man that you find comforting. If only you
knew what drives him, for there is an intensity about him that slips through the cloaked
exterior on occasion and betrays his peaceful demeanor. You make a mental note to talk
with him one of these days, but now there are more important things to think about.
You unroll Brother Perethan’s letter and begin to read it, the others looking over
your shoulders. It reads:
“Sounds like a riddle more than a word from the Overlord.” comments Kale.
“Let him who has ears to hear, hear.” says Valen in reply. “You know the
Overlord often spoke in parables to the First Called. Those without spiritual discernment
back then didn’t get it either.”
“Are you sayin’ I don’t have discernment?”
Valen ignores Kale and continues, taking the map scroll you were given and
unrolling it.
“Besides, I don’t think this is that hard to understand. We have a map of the area
with us and... look.” he points at a spot on the scroll. “There’s a dot marked Safety’s
End so it must be a city. It’s obvious that we need to go there first according to the verse
and find this ‘Mort the Short’ person. Whoever he is, he must have some important
information for us. Wouldn’t you say so, Tharkon?”
“Considering the next line mentions meeting him at the town square inside the
gate, I would say it is reasonable to assume that Safety’s End is a city.” you reply.
“There is also a warning to keep our mission a secret...” Keei points out. “from
everyone.”
“That’s true. We’ll have to remember that.” you caution.
“It isn’t the three of us you’ll have to warn,” Kale snorts, “it’s that silly psalmist
whose always yakkin’ to everyone he meets.”
“Speaking of Joref, he’d better get here soon or we’re leaving without him.” you
mutter. “The last line of this verse says we only have ten days to save a life! That seems
like a long time, but considering we have no idea where to look yet and we’re not even
out of the Liberated Lands, that concerns me alot.”
“We’re not even out of the Academy stable yard yet.” Valen adds.
Just then, as if waiting for his cue, Joref comes around the corner of the stables
with his travel pack on his back and his mandolin in his hand.
“What are you four just standing around for, we’ve got some prisoners to set
free.” he says as though he’s been here for hours waiting for you.
“Where have you been,” you ask, “and where’s your horse? We’ve got to get
moving!”
“Horses?” he looks at you questioningly. “Why do we need horses to go to
Unicorns’s Landing? It’s only an hour’s walk up the Swan Wing path into the
surrounding foothills.”
“We’re not going to Unicorn’s Landing, you tweety-bird.” Kale growls.
“Of course we are.” Joref corrects matter-of-factly. “Didn’t the Overlord talk to
you guys?”
“The Overlord gave us all a message through Brother Perethan.” you remind him.
“We were just discussing it while we were waiting for you and we need to get going.
We’ve only got ten days to save the prisoners!”
“That may be true, but the Overlord spoke to me on my way here and He wants us
to go to The Glade of Many Waters at Unicorn Landing. He gave me a verse from the
Sacred Scrolls from the scroll of Isaiah 40:31. ‘They that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.’”
“What does that have to do with the Glade of Many Waters?” you ask.
“I’ll tell you what it has do with the Glade of Many Waters.” Kale interrupts. “It’s
called love-sickness!”
“What?” you look at the knight in puzzlement.
Valen clarifies. “Amberlessa lives in Unicorn’s Landing. It’s probably where our
starstruck, young friend has just come from...”
“And he’s already wanting to go back!” Kale snorts and walks away, his hands in
the air. “C'mon, Joref. There are more important things right now than your romantic
life!”
Keei shakes his head and mounts his horse beside Kale as you continue to talk to
the psalmist.
“Joref, we have no time to mess around. This is life or death. We are going to
lose a good day and a half just getting to the Dragon Lands as it is. We can’t afford to
risk someones life wasting more time marching half a day in the wrong direction just so
you can kiss Amberlessa goodbye.”
Joref looks at you stunned.
“Kiss Amberlessa goodbye?” he repeates. “Is that all you think of me; that I’m
just going to risk someone’s life for a kiss?”
“Well, Joref, it just doesn’t make sense.” you begin to explain, but he interrupts
you.
“What about the verse then? Isaiah 40:31? ‘They that wait upon the Lord...’
Don’t you think the Overlord’s trying to tell us to slow down a minute and trust in Him?
Don’t you think we’re rushing into this a bit?”
Valen mounts his horse to join the others. “Sir Talin and Brother Perethan have
already waited on the Overlord for answers and direction and now we’ve got them so why
wait longer? Are you sure you heard the Overlord’s voice clearly on this one, Joref?
Sometimes we can mistake our own desires as his promptings. I mean nobody faults you
for wanting to be with your betrothed, but we have to stay focused now and ride.”
Joref looks at you pleadingly.
“I admit that I’m struggling with this mission, Tharkon. It’s hard to leave the
woman I love to go on a dangerous raid from which I might not return, but I really think
this verse is from the Overlord. Think about it!”
What will you choose?
Will you agree with the others that this is too much time lost and that you need to
ride for the Passage Lakes immediately? After-all, Joref can be emotional at times and
how do you know if he really heard from the Overlord when his heart is also drawn by the
woman he loves. If this is your choice,click here.
or
Will you heed Joref’s words and leave the horses behind in favor of a half day’s
march through the foot hills and into Unicorn’s Landing just to sit around and hope that
the Overlord does something for you while the psalmist composes love songs all day .
How did that verse go again? Maybe you should look it up first and then try to make your
decision. (Isaiah 40:31) Could the Overlord truly be telling you something? If this is your choice,click here.
Of Course, you could also take a moment to pray for the Overlord’s Guidance.
If this is your choice,click here.
