(Comment: This is a story that describes the events after Ultima IX - Ascension. Someday I will finish it.)
von
Sarnokh
I was surrounded by darkness for what seemed an eternity. And perhaps it was. A long time I did not remember anything. Who was I, where did I come from and where am I now? There was only this emptiness everywhere. Yet the darkness was not frightening; it felt like a warm woollen cloth, wrapped around my being. I tried to find the power of some intention to do anything, but it slipped away from me immediately. I was completely unable to do or to want anything. I was content. And with that last thought, my consciousness passed away.
A long time later (what meaning had time here?) I became aware of myself again. This time I wasn't surrounded by complete darkness, but the darkness was filled with small silver points of light, seemingly endless far away from me. I tried to call for them, but did not now any word to speak. I tried to move towards any of this - star! They where called stars! Some memory returned to me. But I couldn't move. For the first time I felt desperation, that slowly grew to a panic! I was trapped here, I was banished without any help or memory. I struggled against some invisible chains, I tried to vocalize my emotions, but nothing happened. I summoned all my strength and finally was able to cry one loud sound, filled with all the force I could summon: "Aaaahhhhh!" It wasn't even a word I was finally able to utter! Just a cry. I whished that anyone would be here.
"So, my friend. If this is what you want: here I am." A strange voice, far away and hollow finally reached me. In the first moment I wasn't even certain if these where not my own words. Someone was there. I felt his presence, but I was still unable to see anything besides the darkness and the stars. But I was not alone! This brought some more memories back to me. I remembered words. And speech.
"Where are you? Who are you?" I asked.
"I see that you have finally awaken, friend." The voice was hollow
and without any hint of emotion. "I am sorry that you can't see me, but
I am not here anymore - because you are here now."
"I don't understand!" I tried to calm down. There was someone, some
dialog. Or was I mad? Talking with myself?
"Don't fear, your understanding will soon return to you. You will remember
- if you allow yourself memory."
I was worried. "But I want to know, so why don't I know who I am or where
we are?"
A hint of compassion was now in that voice; or was this just my own feeling?
"Your very soul was hurt, and so you denied your memory to yourself. But
I will help you. You must go on."
Then the presence was gone as fast and unexpected as it had come. My being slipped
back into slumber.
"Awake! Awake, my friend!" The voice was back. Something had changed. I was able to turn around, to look in different directions. There was nothing but the darkness and the stars everywhere. Had my attention been spread into all directions at once, I was now focussed into one single direction. I was not anymore able to see into all directions at once. I felt somehow limited. Was that prison growing tighter?
"I see that your sense of direction has returned, my friend. That's good.
Very good. You will become aware soon." The strange voice was less hollow,
and less far away. It was a male voice. But the meaning of the word ‚male'
was hard to grasp. All words seemed to slip away from me, whenever I tried to
concentrate and remember.
"Don't struggle so hard! All will return in time if you allow the return."
I felt impatient. "But I can do nothing, I feel so lost here."
"And lost you are, but due to your own doing."
"Please, there is no one here but you. Give me some answers."
"Hm, I think you can ask now."
"Who am I, where are we and how can I come free from this prison."
The voice laughed friendly. "You are recovering fast, being able to ask
so many questions. Well, who you are you must remember yourself. I can not tell
you that, I don't even understand who you are at all. But I knew you well once,
when you where someone else. This place is well known as the Ethereal Void.
It is a place between the worlds, worlds where living, breathing beings are.
But you are not such a being - not anymore, that is. But once you were. And
it is no prison. Think of it as a resting place for you, where you can recover
from something that was quite strenuous for you."
"But what did I do?"
"You have transformed yourself into that, what you are know."
"That means nothing to me!"
"Patience, my friend. All will become clear." Then he was gone.
An eternity later the voice was back. This time it seemed right beneath me.
"Hello, how are you today?", the voice asked.
"Today? What does that mean?" I had no understanding of time.
"Look, you are separated from time here, so you may have lost your memory
of the meaning of time. But once you knew that, and you must remember time if
you want to leave this place. All other possible places are within the flow
of time."
"But how can I..." suddenly a great wave of pain emerged from the
centre of my being. And then I saw a symbol in my mind. I failed to understand
it's meaning, but somehow it eased the pain.
"Ah, the Ankh!" The voice seemed to be content.
"What does that symbol mean?"
"It can be a connection to your past, and thus lead you back into the flow
of time."
"Who are you? You seem to be the only one here besides myself."
"I am not here anymore. Once my power was so great, that a part of my being
reached into this place, into the Void, and I was a being of great power."
"That doesn't make sense. How can you speak to me, if you are not here
anymore?"
"First and foremost, because time has no meaning here. Whoever was here
will have a shadow, a pale reflection of himself in the Void. But I don't exist
anymore; not here, nor anywhere else." The voice seemed calm, like someone
who had finished all the possible troubles of life. "And besides: I can
speak to you, because you have made me undone."
I was shocked. Glimpses of a memory returned with painful feelings: sorrow,
loss, guilt.
"Don't think so, my friend. You did, what had to be done."
"But, but have I killed you?"
"No. You have made me undone and all my works. I don't exist in any time
now, and as soon as you are recovered, I will be gone forever, and even you
will not hear or see me ever again. I will be no more." There was some
grave finality in this words, and I felt sad. But in the same time I begun to
understand that this was indeed necessary.
"I will miss you."
The voice laughed friendly. "No. In a certain way I will be with you forever."
Then he was gone again.
When the voice returned for the next time I had regained more memory. I had
a body, even though it was a body of light. Slowly it transformed from that
Ankh - shape into what I would call a human body. And slowly the light diminished.
I felt more real now. I had once been a mortal man!
"So, you are nearly ready to go. This will be our last meeting then."
I saw a shadow before me from which the voice emerged.
I did not know where to go. "I see, that there are myriads of worlds here.
Are they endless?"
"Yes, there is no end here. Worlds without end.", the voice said.
"But how can I choose the right world?"
"It does not matter. You will not be limited. When you don't like the world
you have chosen, you can always leave and go to any other world. But before
you go anywhere, I suggest to visit the Nexus. Once you are in the Nexus, you
will most likely remember anything about yourself. And you will meet old friends,
that eagerly await your return."
"What is the Nexus?"
"It is a certain plane in the Multiverse. I don't understand it's meaning
myself, but there you can create new worlds due to your own imagination. Your
friends went into the nexus and created a small world near the edges of the
Nexus to await your return." The shadow moved through the Void, and I was
able to follow him. We went faster and faster until we reached an gigantic cube
of white light hovering in the darkness. "This is the Nexus. Just step
towards the cube to enter it. You will remember your past and your identity.
Then you know who your friends are and your powers will allow you to reach their
new made realm."
I felt sad. "I don't know what lies ahead. But I thank you for all you
did. You helped me to find myself."
"No. I just helped myself. Your Quests are the endless worlds of the Multiverse,
my friend. And you have all time and your friends at your side to enjoy the
continuity of existence. I was your ordeal to help you become what you are now."
Suddenly the shadow became a body. A read giant with yellow eyes stood before
me. "Farwell, Avatar." And with that words, the Guardian vanished
out of existence. I took a breath and stepped into the cube.
Here I was again. I had been here after I left the world of Pagan. That seemed
an eternity ago now. But all was clear to me now. Once I was a mortal human
being that became the Avatar. And that Voice was my arch - Nemesis and dark
part of my own being: the Guardian. After the Ritual of Armageddon we were united
into one being. But something was different than I had expected. I felt quite
a lot now like the Avatar I had been and the being of the Guardian was gone.
There was nothing left of him within me. But still: I felt more human and less
like a virtuous figure now. I was the Titan of Ether now. An immortal being
like the Time-Lord or the Great Earth Serpent. I nearly laughed at that thought.
I didn't feel much like a superhuman or anything else. But still I felt the
great powers of a Titan within me. I could travel trough the Void now, visit
all worlds and times of the Multiverse.
As I walked silently through the endless halls of the Nexus I saw a Silver Gate
between two of the mighty pillars that where everywhere here. As it was the
only exit I had seen here, and with the certainty that I could always return
here by my will, I stepped trough the Silver Gate.
Behind the Gate stretched a small plain that hovered in the Blackness of the Void. It was a very curious and small world. No sun, but the plain was bright as a sunny day. Right in the centre of the plain stood a mighty castle. This was no real world, or at least a very small one. I suddenly thought, that this Castle exactly looked like Castle British! But this was not Britannia. It wasn't even a completed world. In hung in the emptiness like old Mythrans home on Pagan. It was obviously artificially created, perhaps by magic. I stretched my powers out of my body into that Castle. It was made by magic. As I stepped upon the grass and walked towards the portal of this copy of Castle British a familiar face walked towards me with a broad smile on his face. It was Iolo.
"By the eight Virtues! Avatar! It is truly thee! You have finally found
our little abode." Iolo and I fell into our arms. It was so good to see
my old friend Iolo again. I looked at him closely.
"Iolo, my friend. I have been in the Void for an eternity. And it was so
hard for me to become aware of myself or find anyone. And now beyond all hope
and possibility you are here! How can that be? And you definitely look younger
than last time we met - in Britannia. You look more like in the days of the
False Prophet."
Iolo smiled. "Thank you, Avatar! That's true. Many here seem much younger
now then once in Britannia. But come with me. Our friends will be most pleased
to have you back!"
I stopped. "But wait, Iolo. Just this one question: What happed to Britannia
and why are you here in this artificial world?"
Iolo laughed and hugged me. "Just the old investigator, he! Okay, I'll
tell you, but a short answer must be enough. There will be time for stories
later. After you have cast the Ritual of Armageddon, all the Guardians doing
was made undone. Britannia has been reshaped into the form you knew from the
time before the Black Gate was built. All old structures are there again: the
great Lycaeum, Empath Abbey and all Cities and places. Britannia is as ever
it was. But as time was made undone as well no one in Britannia remembers anything
that happened after the days of the False Prophet. Your victory over the Guardian
is complete, besides Lord British, that is. Some magical stuff has prevented
his memory from being deleted, but Nystul can explain that better than I can.
You should visit him. Lord British is just the young monarch now that he was
before the Guardians curse. Fits him better than being an old granny, hehe."
Iolo led me trough the main gate. "But when this magical cataclysm was
over, we - the companions and some others where, hmm - in some different state.
It's hard to explain, but you shall see. All of us here can travel into and
out if the Nexus at will. We have the power to shape the Void into some forms
of existence to a certain degree and most important: time has no more any effect
on us." I was stunned at this explanation. Iolo grimaced. "It seems,
Avatar, you are here now in an Immortals Club. It has something to do with the
Undoing of events. Somehow all who where involved in fighting against the Guardian
shares this fate. So we decided to leave Britannia and created this small world
as we knew that someday you would return to us. And lo! There you are."
Iolo led me through the Main Hall, where a well known person awaited me. He
was dressed in red, green and yellow coloured clothes and juggled with several
blue balls. It was Chuckles the Jester. My eyes where wide open in astonishment.
"Hard to believe, that this old sot had done anything to swart the Guardian,
don't you agree, Avatar?", Iolo said. From behind Chuckles a small blond
boy stepped forward, his bright, blue eyes shone like the rising sun. He ran
towards me and cried aloud. "Avatar! Avatar, you are here! Yippee!"
Spark flew into my arms and welcomed me exited. "I hope the others will
be back soon. We all shall be glad to have you back, Avatar!" A smile grew
on my face. I really had missed that boy. When I found no trace of his whereabouts
during my last visit on Britannia I was most sad. To see Spark again was a great
pleasure. I somehow had felt like a father for him, though I know that some
of my companions thought about him more as a nuisance than a friend. But they
finally had to learn better.
Chuckles greeted me, too. "Hello Avatar! It's a good time to see you again.
Well this is just a small pocket reality. Quite boring, if you ask me. I would
have constructed something more exciting than old Castle British, but the others
wanted to restore their old memories here." His eye twinkled. "But
now we can create a larger and more stylish world, can't we?" The jester
laughed and returned to juggle.
Iolo winked me. "Come, Avatar. Your room is still the one in the north-western
wing. We have hoped for your return, so it is waiting for you. Or are you hungry?
Perhaps you want some food?"
I felt a bit tired. "Iolo, I just want to sit, hear all details about you,
this place and Britannia, and of cause the other companions. Where is everyone?"
"Well, it's not the best time to return as most of the Companions are currently
elsewhere. Shamino has led a party to the Serpent Isle. You remember the holocaust
that destroyed nearly the entire populace? It seems that all the Guardians evil
works are undone. So Serpent Isle is in right the state when we visited it in
the first time. There are the three City - States Monitor, Fawn and Moonshade
as well as the Xenkan Monks and the Gargoyles in the depths of the Mountains.
Shamino still felt some responsibility to unite Serpent Isle for the common
good. He has moved into Castle Shamino." Iolo laughed. "And our knowledge
has served him quite well. He has uncovered Priestess Kalindas and the Great
Captains conspiracy against Lady Yelinda and thus gained Fawns loyalty under
his leadership. Many of the Mages are on his side, too as well as the Gargoyles.
Lord Marstens betrayal and scheme with the Goblin King Pomdirgun has been revealed,
too. So it is just a question of time, when the Monitorian Knights will join
his alliance, too."
"That's incredible. I really would want to visit Serpent Isle soon."
Iolo waved his hand. "In time, we shall do so."
"But who went with Shamino?"
"Hm, let me consider. Nicodemus and Penumbra as magical advisors, Boydon,
Jaana the Druid, Sentri, Julia and my wife Gwenno, being an expert on Serpent
Isle." Iolo smiled. "Now she will be safe. Oh, and by the way. This
time we stopped the Trapper from hunting the Gwani in time!"
I was relieved to hear that. The slaughter of the peaceful Gwani people was
a great tragedy. I was glad to hear of their survival.
"And there is a small group led by Rudyom and Lord Draxinusom to travel
through the nearest worlds in this part of the Multiverse. They are accompanied
by Geoffrey, Mariah the Mage and Tseramed the Ranger. And finally there is Kathrin
the Shepard that went to Britannia a few days ago to visit Lord British. She
should be back very soon."
I was puzzled. "That does not seem to leave many left here?"
The old Bard shook his head. "Besides Spark, Chuckles and myself, there
are Sir Dupre and Nystul. They should both be in the library in the west wing,
just near your own room. Shall we visit them?"
"At once, my friend!" Iolo led onward and I followed him with Spark
and even Chuckles behind me.
"Be careful with that, Dupre!" Nystuls voice boomed through the halls.
"This book is as rare as it is old. It took weeks to discover it in the
ruins of Stonegate! Your hands may be quick with the sword, but books are obviously
not made for you!"
I heard the calm and friendly voice of Dupre answering. "Good Nystul, I
can quite treat a book with care as anyone else."
"Perhaps by training your fingers on a handsome maid or two!", Nystul
snapped.
Dupre laughed out loud. "Yes, perhaps!" Then they saw me standing
in the door, as I was unable to suppress a broad grin on my face. They both
stared at me as if a miracle would manifest before their eyes.
"Avatar!" Dupre shouted and both greeted me, arms around me, hands
on my shoulders. "So, old Nystul seems to have been right for this one
time.", Dupre mocked. But Nystuls dark face was gone and he laughed together
with Dupre.
"Ah, Sir Dupre may be quite a nuisance from time to time. But praised be
this day of your return to us, Avatar. And welcome here.", Nystul added.
Iolo stepped forward. "It seems that the Avatar has many questions - as
expected. I told him about the others and their own Quests and a little about
this realm." He looked at Nystul. "But I spared the most details,
being certain that you might better answer our friend."
Nystul nodded. "None of us completely understands what has happened, but
I have made much study - with great help of the others, of cause. But should
we not get into a more roomy place?"
"Let's go into the Throne Room." Dupre smiled as if there was some
secret in his sentence, and the others seemd to understand his thoughts.
Iolo pushed me. "Yes, Dupre is right. You should see the Throne Hall!"
"You have made an exact copy of Castle British, it seems.", I said
to Iolo. "But what purpose has the Throne Hall here in this pocket world?"
"Come and see!" Iolo said and we all went trough the west wing until
we reached the Throne Hall.
As the small door in the west of the Throne Hall opened and I stepped into
the room old memories filled my mind. I remembered the many times I had visited
Lord British during the last centuries. Centuries? Had I really got familiar
in thinking in centuries? I really got accustomed to this! There was the great
hall with it's columns. At the end of the Hall stood a great Throne upon a pedestal.
But some details were different. In Lord British Throne Hall always stood guards,
and this Hall was unguarded. Instead of the Guards where two rows of elegant
seats both to the left and right of the Throne, as if a group of advisors where
to gather with the King.
Nystul pointed towards the seats. "This is our Council Hall. We meet here
regularly to speak about the news in the realms and worlds, about all new discovered
ways into other planes and the magic experiments we make."
"But why do you need a Throne here?", I asked. "It seems to have
no use, as Lord British still rules in Britannia."
No one wanted to answer me, all my friends looked down, seemingly ashamed of
what to say. Then Iolo laid his hand at my shoulder. "Ehm, Avatar. We all
know of your humility. You have travelled through the realms so often, being
at home neither in Britannia nor on Earth during all this many years. As we
where certain of your arrival here, we made plans for our future. And we had
hoped you would lead us into our future, as we share a common fate." I
failed to understand.
"Look.", Nystul said. "We all have some more or less powerful
magic acquired. All of us can travel through the worlds, realms and dimensions
at will now and many magical powers are no more of any danger to us. And time
has no effect upon any of us, including yourself. So we thought, why not put
our time and our powers into good use? There are most likely endless worlds
and realms; worlds to visit and to study, to bring the virtues and to fight
against evil."
"And of cause endless worlds of adventure and fun.", Dupre added smiling.
Nystul rolled with his eyes. "Well, whatever! But there are world like
sand in a desert. Enough Quests, adventure, learning, study and even leisure
and fun for an eternity. And no less time we have to face, Avatar!"
I took a deep breath. An eternity. Fear and joy, expectation and emptiness washed
over me. I knew not what to think or feel. The possibility of endless worlds
was a great deal to take, but an eternity seemed like an appropriate time to
explore endless worlds. "How long do you live here, and how much time has
passed on Earth and in Britannia?", I asked.
"Time has less meaning here.", Nystul explained. "But due to
the sleep and wake cycles, we are here for about three years since your final
triumph over the Guardian. In Britannia and the other worlds affected by the
Guardians doing time went backwards to the point before his arrival there. But
Lord British remembers that about seventeen years passed since you left Britannia.
And on Earth only one year has passed since then."
"What exactly do you expect me to do know?"
Iolo stepped forward. "Isn't that obvious? Share your time with us, with
your friends. If you travel into the many worlds, we shall be eager to accompany
you, if you want. And if there is great evil in one of the realms, we will be
ready to fight against it and help the people in the realms to help themselves.
We will guard the realms against such evil as the Guardian, the Shadowlords
or the Triad of Evil. Such a tragedy should not happen again. And we will train
people in the realms to help themselves: Mages, Paladins, Bards, Kings and Populace
alike. We want to help in the face of great evil, and we shall step back again
to leave the realms to its inhabitants, but teach them in the ways of power
and virtue, if asked for."
I felt as if a great light, a great power would fill my very being as I listened
to Iolos speech. Yes, that was our destiny right from the beginning. Britannia
was our ordeal, our path to learn the ways of virtue, of light and of power.
This was what I always wanted: to help and to learn, to travel the Multiverse
and teach, to fight in the face of danger and feast with friends at my side.
I stepped towards the Throne. "And verily I shall lead you in this noble
cause." I considered for a moment. "And we shall be the Guardians
of Destiny!" When I sat upon the Throne I knew that I had finally found
the place I always had belonged to.
The negotiations had continued now for three days. They all had decided to
meet on "neutral ground" and neither in Castle Shamino nor in any
of the Cities. So the representatives of Fawn, Monitor, Moonshade, Monks Isle
and the Gargoyles as well as Lord Shaminos own delegation had chosen to meet
in the Sleeping Bulls Inn.
Since Lord Shaminos arrival to Serpent Isle seven months ago the land had undergone
a major change. At first no one noticed the appearance of the stranger and his
party, who claimed to be the rightful ruler of legend, King Shamino of the Land
of Danger and Despair. That seemed an eon ago. Many soon had learned, that Lord
Shamino was no evil tyrant, sent to enslave the people, but a sincere and wise
man, with powerful friends at his side. He moved into Castle Shamino and restored
it in a short time. His knowledge seemed to be great, as every sinister plot,
every evil scheme and every conspiracy came to his attention. He helped the
good people of the three Cities of get rid of their conspirers and quickly uncovered
their dark plans. So Priestess Kalinda of Fawn was found guilty to manipulate
the Oracle of Fawn together with one of the Great Captains in order to control
the City. Lady Yelinda of Fawn was shocked at the reveal of their plots and
soon most citizens regarded the lead of Lord Shamino as a welcome possibility
to gain freedom from the "protection" of the Monitorian Knights, who
took heavy taxes from Fawn. Young Captain Garth was elected as new leader of
the fleet to succeed the corrupt Captain Voldin.
The Gargoyles that lived in the extended caverns within the mountains of Serpent
Isle where quite eager to join an alliance to unify Serpent Isle as they regarded
Unity as a strength and hoped to find peace with the human race now. As once
in Britannia, there was great superstition and racial hate against the Gargoyles.
But as a contract was made between Gargoyles and humans, that limited the Gargoyle
race to the underground caverns and cities, humans where content to form the
alliance. On the other hand the Gargoyles got the sole right to govern and use
the old Ophidians cities which still held many useful secrets and artefacts.
So the pact where considered as an advantage for both races.
More difficult was the situation in Moonshade. Many of the Mages opposed Shaminos
bidding to consider an equal law for Mages and Mundanes alike. Most rangers
started to support Shamino, but a conflict between Rangers and Mages seemed
to be at hand. It was due to Nicodemus and Penumbras influence that Gustacio,
Fedabiblio, Mortegro and finally even the MageLord convinced the other Mages
to agree to a peaceful solution. The MageLord remained to be the leader of Moonshade,
but elections where now to be held periodically to elect a council that controls
the MageLords government. As the Mages saw how much they could profit from Nicodemus
and Penumbras knowledge they supported the alliance with Lord Shamino.
Monitor was quite used to its military superiority and thus was as unwilling
to part with its independence. Even when the Goblin raids became more frequent,
the three Commands refused any negotiations. Shamino himself led a party of
Warriors and Mages into the Goblins lair and found the two letters proving the
scheme of Lord Marsten and his aide Spector with the Goblin King Pomdirgun.
Spector was arrested instantly, but Marsten unfortunately escaped with several
of his lackeys, and remained hidden. The City of Monitor was in great trouble
and many Monitorians demanded to disband the three Commands and to replace it
by a democratic and free elected Mayor and Council. Currently the Bear Commander
Caladin was chosen as Leader of Monitor, but the election was already prepared
and with it the three Commands would be no more.
At first I had decided to go to Serpents Isle alone, but Spark was excited
to see the Land himself, after the many stories, my companions had told him
from our last adventure there. So I summoned a Moongate and Spark and I stepped
through it.
On the other side I entered a familiar place. The Moongate had manifested in
a large hall, that had no windows but was lit by many candelabras. Right behind
me where a large pedestal with three similar thrones. Upon them once - in an
alternative timeline - the thee Chaos Banes awaited my arrival. They had possessed
the bodies of Iolo, Shamino and Dupre and raided the land, killing nearly all
of the populace.
"Wow! A Throne room with three seats!", Spark said and looked around.
This place really looks creepy. Avatar, are you certain that this is Serpent
Isle?"
I nodded. "Yes. Here was the final confrontation between the Chaos Banes
and me. I was accompanied by Boydon and Wilfred - a local knight. When he saw
the Banes, he ran away and left us to fight alone. I was lucky to have two automatons
with me. They may be bad fighters, but they made a good distraction."
"What are automatons?"
"They are artificially made man, created both with technology and magic.
The serve you at every possible command and are as strong as stupid. But come
on. I want to leave this place." I led Spark through the hall into the
upper floor. As we came into the main hall in wondered if the ghost of the King
was still haunting his Castle? There stood his empty Throne, and the music instruments,
that once made a creepy melody, played by invisible hands.
"Spark! Stand close to me! I don't know if anything evil still haunts this
halls! We should get out of here as soon as possible." We rushed through
the hall towards the main gate. In some places the ceiling had broken into the
rooms, and the daylight shone into the Castle. So it was day outside. We reached
the gate and stepped outside. Behind us, the heavy door closed with a loud boom.
I took a deep breath. The Castle of the Lost King where one of the least places
I wanted to emerge stepping through the Moongate. Here I had to slay my best
friends, possessed by the most evil and dangerous Chaos Banes. But the Xenkan
Monks where able to resurrect them and the sacred waters of Chaos restored their
mind.
Spark smiled encouraging and hugged me. "Come. Lets bring some space between
us and the Castle!"
"Right!" So I led him through the Northern Forest. After half a hour
we reached the Ophidian Ruins and the Serpent Gate. The floor depicted a large
stony serpent within a rectangular space. With the Serpent Bone anyone could
travel to another Serpent Gate. I wondered if Shamino had the Bone and the Teeth
needed to activate the Gate.
"I suppose this is one of the Serpent Gates of which Iolo told me?",
Spark asked. "Do you just step through an energy field like a Moongate?"
"No.", I answered him. "The work a bit differently. There exist
to Serpent Jawbones, each with the same number of holes for a selection of teeth.
I don't remember the exact number. Something around twelve, I think. Each tooth
allows the bearer of the Jawbone to activate one single gate. If you step upon
it and summon the magic of the Jawbone, you are teleported into a large hall
from which a small maze of other Serpent Gates emerges. All Gates reach the
most important places of the Ophidians. If you enter the maze, you are always
teleported to the centre. Just let me consider: There are three paths to the
north and south, leading to the most important places like the Temple of Balance
and the Isle of Crypts. And there are four gate towards the east and west to
other locations like this or near Monitor. So that counts up to fourteen."
Spark had listened with wide eyes. "But where is that maze?"
"It hovers right in the Void, just in the same way our small pocked universe
with the replica of Castle British does. I think the Ophidians have created
that small universe as you have created ours. It is a simple stone structure
hovering in the Void. They did not make much effort to make it as homey as our
Castle, though. Perhaps they didn't seem to find that necessary, or perhaps
it was to difficult even for their magical powers."
"And what kind of building stood here in the forest? A temple?"
I considered a moment. "No. As I have told you some of my old adventures
when we travelled through Britannia in our Quest against the Guardian, I have
visited Serpent Isle in the days of Mondain, a short time before the rise of
the Serpent of Balance and the creation of the Ophidians system. There where
many flowering cities, but all of them were either destroyed in the War of Imbalance
or they were abandoned, when the Servants of Order left this land forever. As
far as I remember correctly here was the city called 'Wheeler'. But let's go
on, the sun is up high and I want to see Shamino and the others."
So I led Spark through the forest eastward, following the Spinebraker Mountains.
After an hour of fast marching we finally reached the main gate of Castle Shamino.
At the gate two soldiers guarded the entrance. Spark and I stepped forward.
"Halt! Who goes there?", one of them asked. They both looked stern
but not unfriendly, as under stress in a time of trouble.
"I am…" I stopped in mid - sentence. I just could not come here,
saying 'I am the Avatar!' Besides the fact that I had no idea if these guards
had any knowledge of me, this sentence had brought me into trouble in too many
worlds not to be cautious. "My name is Myrddin Emrys." This was an
alias I had used in my first visits in Britannia, unwilling to reveal my real
name. I had not yet gained trust in the inhabitants of Britannia at that time,
and I was certain that only my oldest companions would remember this name. "
I wish to have an audience with Lord Shamino. If you could make an appointment
for me…"
One of the guards nodded. "Of cause, stranger. Come with me. But do not
try anything foolish. I am sorry, but we are under alarm as long as the traitor
is free." He led me and Spark into the Castle through the courtyard into
the inner keep. The Castle had obviously undergone some major restoration. The
great stairway that once was collapsed had been repaired recently, new windows
were installed and some broken columns were replaced by new ones. The guard
went to the great door to the right. "Wait here. I will speak to the King."
The soldier passed by two other guards and Spark and I waited in the hall.
"The sage Batlin had created a hideout here searching for the Chaos Banes.
But somehow he seemed to made plans of his own to rise to power and betrayed
his evil master. Perhaps after I destroyed the Black Gate he wasn't that convinced
of the Guardians superiority anymore.", I whispered to Spark. "He
had blocked the entrance right behind us with a magical energy field, and we
had to…"
The guard interrupted me: "Lord Shamino has asked you to visit him immediately.
I will lead you. And remember: no funny things or you will wish to have done
otherwise." With that words he led us into the Throne Room, and long stretched
hall, with blue tapestry and carpet and a throne at the northern end.
Upon the throne, flanked by two more guards, sat Shamino the ranger. By seeing
me, he smiled, rose from his seat and walked towards me. Before any of the guards
could react we fell into each others arms. "Myrddin Emrys, is it?",
he mocked friendly. "I haven't heard that name for an eternity!" Than
he turned to his guardsman. "All is well, Karl. This is the Avatar, my
old friend." The guard looked worried and then decided to salute to me.
"Welcome milord Avatar! I am sorry, but the alarm and all…"
Shamino waved his hand. "That's all right. You have done your duty perfectly.
Just spread the word, that the Avatar has arrived and all our personnel shall
be at his service. His position here will be equal to mine within the Castle,
Karl. Understood? You may return to your duties."
"Yes, Milord." The guard smashed his heels together and went away.
"I am very glad to see you again, Avatar." Shamino said. "I have
dreamed that you had returned from the Void just this night. So it was the truth!"
He led Spark and me into a smaller room beyond the throne hall. "I suppose
you come from our pocket reality?"
"Yes. Iolo and Nystul have told him of our new home.", Spark interjected.
"We stayed in Starguard Castle for a few days and then the Avatar decided
to come to Serpent Isle."
"Starguard? What is that?", I asked Spark.
"Hm?" The little boy looked puzzled. "Oh! Sorry. As everyone
called our new home 'Second Castle British', 'Pocket Reality' or other odd and
confusing names I suggested to give our copy of Castle British a new name. So
I invented the name 'Starguard Castle'. Do you like it?"
"Starguard? Starguard!" I tried the name. "That seems to fit."
Shamino laughed. "Our young companion had many new ideas. We had to slow
him down sometimes, but he seems to be eager to make new planes for our small
group. Well, alright Avatar. If you like Starguard, then our new Castle shall
be known as Starguard. But come with me. In the upper floor are Gwenno and Boydon
going trough some ancient Ophidians scrolls. They will be happy to see you again."
Shamino led us into a room above where Gwenno the Scholar - Iolos wife - as
well as Boydon where very happy to meet me once again. I related the story of
my return and they listened, while I told of my time in the Void and the first
few days in Starguard.
"Perhaps you can tell me more of the Guardian.", Gwenno finally added.
"It seems unbelievable that he helped you to leave the Void and accepted
passing into unbeing after all he did. But who knows - perhaps he was tired
after all the fighting. The unification of Serpent Isle seems to be close now.
Regular negotiations are being held in the Bulls Inn. Fawn and Moonshade have
already accepted, but Monitor is still in doubt. There are two factions, one
supporting the Unity the other prefers independence. But the current problem
could tip the balance there to both directions. The Monitorians still think
of themselves as being strong enough to handle all problems alone. Are you aware
of the situation, Avatar?"
"No. A guardsman mentioned that there is an alarm. He seemed troubled as
if some danger was at hand.", I said.
"I have led a large group of soldiers and mages trough the tunnels to the
hidden camp of the Goblins.", Shamino explained. We found the proof that
Lord Marsten, leader of Monitor and his friend Spector betrayed the Knights
of the city and worked with the Goblin King Pomdirgun. It soon became obvious
to me that all things are as they where when we came here for the first time.
So we have a great advantage of knowledge which I used to uncover the many sinister
plans here on Serpent Isle and to support a Unity between the three cities.
A united kingdom of Serpent Isle tied together by the ideal of the eight virtues
will withstand the trials of time far better than this separated factions. I
am certain you remember our last visit here?"
I nodded. "I agree with you. But do you want to stay here, Shamino? I understand
that it is your right as the true king of Serpent Isle to rule this land. But
what are your plans for the future?"
Shamino looked pensive. "I want to call for the election of a council.
Each of the three cities shall send three Council Members, the Xenkan Monks,
the Gwani and the Gargoyles one Member each, counting twelve altogether. But
I can not rule this land for long. It is neither my will nor my destiny. I will
return with you into our new home to support your cause for virtue in the Multiverse,
as I did in Britannia. If I will give the Throne to another King that shall
follow me or if the people should elect their own leader I am not yet certain.
Any election at this time could again strengthen the distrust. The cities and
factions have united under my leadership so far mostly because I belong to none
of them."
"Avatar, we must take care of the problem at hand. Perhaps you wish to
help us?" Gwenno asked. I agreed, so she continued: "As Shamino told
you, we led a group against the Goblins, which fiercely opposed us, but we finally
did overcome them. When we entered their camp it became obvious that Marsten
- who escaped us - had warned them of our coming. He took some Monitorian Knights
with him and united his band with Pomdirgun and some Goblins. They made some
minor raids, nothing of real importance. But three days ago we discovered that
Marsten must have found one of the Serpent Jawbones and at least two teeth,
because a small band of warriors sneaked into the city of Monitor. They went
into the secret cave south of the Crematory and left, followed by the city guards.
They teleported away before the guards could stop them. The Monitorians reported
that the thieves carried some barrels with them! Avatar! The Monitorians did
not believe us, but we know quite well that they have a great amount of gunpowder
now! Enough kegs of blow away the entire city - or any other place they decide
to attack. The Monitorians have rolled large boulders and filled chests on the
Serpent Gate to prevent any other teleport into the city, so Marsten can not
surprise them from inside again. But the city walls would crumble in minutes
with some powder kegs."
She fell silent after she had finished her report. I remembered that in our
previous encounter with Marsten - the alternative timeline - the Goblins had
destroyed the city of Monitor with Marstens gunpowder kegs. Marsten found his
revenge for our unravelling of his betrayal. Could we stop the destruction of
the city this time? "How many followers has Marsten, and what do you now
about him?", I asked.
The giant warrior Boydon answered with his deep voice. "Marsten took nine
Warriors from Monitor with him - they where missed after Marstens flight and
have supported him before, so they are supposed to be with him. Three of them
fell in a surprise attack against a caravan near Bulls Inn, so six Warriors
remain. That was before Marsten united with Pomdirgun. Due to the trails our
Trappers found there may be ten or twelve Goblins with him. That would make
around twenty fighters. Enough to cause great destruction if they use the gunpowder.
We have searched for their hideout for weeks, but without any result. It seems
clear that they are not in the frozen northland. That would be to far away for
surprise raids. The southern caves are guarded by the Gargoyles, that leaves
only a place in some forest."
"Avatar!", Shamino asked. "You travelled this land more than
any of us. Where would you hide and prepare for an assault if you where Marsten?"
All stared at me expectantly as I pondered the possibilities. I decided to think
aloud.
"Marsten is a clever man, willing to wait for the right moment. But the
unification would endanger him, so his goal will most likely be the hindrance
of the Unity. Only by playing the factions against each other he can hope to
survive. But how he managed to make Goblins and Knights fight together is a
riddle to me! They seemed to be arch - enemies. Perhaps they are united in their
common hatred, who knows? They will certainly attack that target that will give
the greatest chance to weaken or break the alliance. The Gargoyles are out of
reach, as no human could survive the hot caves without magic. The Gwani are
of no importance to him, and Moonshade as well as the Monks are beyond the sea,
so Marsten will not reach them anytime soon. That leaves Fawn, Monitor and Castle
Shamino. Your Castle, Shamino, would be most likely, because with your death
the alliance would die immediately. But that would be to risky. You expect an
attack and the Castle is well defended. Fawn would be very difficult, because
it can be reached only by crossing the bridge - as long as they don't have the
Teleporter tooth for the Fawnese Serpent Gate."
Boydon laughed. "They don't. We have the Fawnese tooth!"
"Excellent!", I answered. "So because of common hate and interest
they will most likely attack Monitor. It would take away our most potent ally
if Marsten would destroy or conquer it. Say, is there any unusual event in Monitor,
anything that may distract the citizens within the next few weeks?"
Gwenno grasped audibly and Shamino stared shocked at me. They both seemed to
have the same idea. "The election!", Gwenno shouted. "The people
of Monitor will hold an election whether to keep or abandon the three commands!
As the three groups of Knights - Bears, Leopards and Wolfs - became more and
more questioned, they decided to meet on the List Field to discuss and vote."
She looked at the Grandfather Clock at the wall. "The meeting will begin
in one hour!"
"That will be the best opportunity to attack.", Shamino added. "I
am certain Marsten still has some ears in Monitor, so he will know this. Come!
We must hurry to the city of Knights immediately, or all may be lost!"
"But it will take a hole day to reach Monitor!", I mentioned. "The
city may be burned down when we reach it."
Shamino hurried to a sturdy chest, unlocked it and pulled something large out:
a Serpent Jawbone with seven teeth in it. "We can step through the Serpent
Gate here in the northern forest and go to Bulls Inn. It takes one hour to the
gate and another hour from Bulls Inn to Monitor. But only a small group will
fit through the gate."
We decided that I should lead a party of six: Gwenno, Boydon, Shamino, two Guardsmen
and myself. Spark was not allowed to follow - although he protested heavily.
It was far to dangerous against a band of warriors with powder kegs. The companions
and I were followed by the Guardsmen from the main gate Karl and another one
called Riggs.
* * *
After a blinding flash we stepped forward, out of the Serpent Gate. This was
obviously the cellar of the Bulls Inn. Around the Teleporter platform where
eight smaller cabins with levers. Each one teleported upward to another room
of the Inn. "I think the correct one was this." I said and pulled
the lever. Another flash and a appeared right in front of Argus, owner of the
Bulls Inn. In stood in the kitchen.
"What the heck!", the young warrior shouted. He drew his sword and
stepped back. "No more surprises today!" An instant later Shamino
appeared at my side. "Lord Shamino!", Argus said. "What does
that mean?"
"This is the Avatar, Argus! Put your sword away!" Shamino answered
calmly.
Argus eyed me for a moment, and then he smiled, putting back his sword. Then
the rest of the group started to appear, until we where complete. "Hello
and welcome, Mylord. King Shamino has told me of you. I am pleased to meet you
in person." We shook hands.
"No time to delay, Argus.", Shamino interrupted. "We have reason
to believe that Marsten and his band will attack Monitor today. The election
will be the best opportunity!"
Argus was pain stricken. "That is true! Then we must go post haste! I will
come with you. My brother Wilfred is already there. He wanted to vote against
the abandoning of the commands and opposed the Alliance fiercely. He thinks
brute force is all we need. Together with that ignorant sot Luther and Standarr
the Blacksmith he has formed an anti - Alliance campaign. But no time for talk,
let's go."
As we walked to the exit, a young man with long hair and red robes followed
us. I turned to him. It was the young mage Ensorcio, who was banished from Moonshade
for reasons unknown. "Going against Marstens raiders? I have heard your
conversation. Perhaps a little magic assistance will be of use?"
I gazed into the faces of the companions. Many of them showed doubt in the mysterious
wizard. "As there is no time for longwinded introduction, just one question:
Why?"
Ensorcio suddenly looked a bit nervous. "As Argus knows, I am banished
from the city of magic. The Alliance is my only hope that I may someday return
to my home in Moonshade. Elected Council Members, new rulers - new rules."
He shrugged.
"Alright, you are with us.", I decided.
We raced down the narrow path towards the main road to Monitor. As it would
do us no good to reach the city breathless, we decided against running but went
a quick pace. Time enough for some last strategy.
"Well, as I know you, Avatar, you already have a plan.", Gwenno said.
"I hope it is a plan. We are eight against 20, and our enemies have most
dangerous powder kegs and grenades. We have two advantages: Marsten will not
expect an attack from behind and it is likely that he will split his forces
as soon as he has blown a hole in the city wall. So our attack is a matter of
timing. We will sneak through the Serpent Ruins just north of the city wall;
that will cover us. Then we shall wait until he blew the hole and his men hurry
into the gap. Once they are there we will attack from two sides. I suggest that
Shamino, Gwenno, Ensorcio and Karl are in group one; Riggs, Boydon, Argus and
myself shall be in the second. We must rush towards them. They can't use the
gunpowder grenades at short distance. Ensorcio and Boydon use range attack.
Boydon, you must use the magic axe, the one that returns into your hands. And
you Ensorcio can use any magic besides fire based spells. Use lightning or freeze!
No fire! It could blast us because of the gunpowder."
Then we left the road and walked straight through the forest toward the wall.
Boydon, Argus, the Guardsman Riggs and I were sneaking through the Serpent
Ruins southward. (to be completed)
Here he sat, on this stony Throne. From this place he ruled Britannia for many
hundred years. Years of prosperity and plight, years of struggle against evil
Warlocks, powerful Demons, vicious Tyrants and that evil which lurks within
ourselves. He had invented the eight Britannian virtues and gave this land its
unmistakable course. But now the Halls where deserted, the tapestry hung scattered
from the walls, some windows were broken and many of the valuable things were
gone - stolen by ruthless robbers and people with lower moral standards than
the average Britannian. After Lord British had left his Castle four weeks ago
most of the servants had left the only home they new for a very long time. But
even the most loyal subjects of Lord British had no guts to guard an empty Castle.
I tried to remember how many times I had stood here in this very Throne Hall,
when I had just recently arrived in Britannia and asked for Lord Britishs report
on the situation. Here I stood many hundred years ago as one of several wanna-be
heroes called by Lord British to fight against a Mage named Mondain. Here I
reported of the downfall of Mondain. I will always remember his final words
to me, before I left Britannia (which was known as Sosaria at that time): "Thy
selfless heroism hath saved our people, my worthy one. Should our gratitude
alone not be enough to sustain thee, know that I, Lord British, hereby ordain
that the entire realm of Sosaria be at thy service for all time henceforth.
So let it be done!" From here he called for an Avatar of the Eight Virtues
and the Castle was still inhabited at Lord Britishs absence while he was imprisoned
by the three Shadowlords Faulinei, Astaroth and Nosfentor. From this very place
he commanded the Britannian army to stop the Gargoyle invasion. And here he
and I where trapped by the Guardians blackrock cage. He was identified with
this Castle for good and bad. It remained a place of hope and virtue throughout
the many ages, but as the centuries went by he left the Castle less often. Finally
whole generations lived and died not having seen their Monarch once. This was
quite different in his youth. He fought against Mondain and drove him out of
the now drowned Valley of Akallabeth and led a party into the new discovered
Underworld in the days of the Shadowlords. But that may have changed him. The
long imprisonment made him more fearful, more uncertain of what do to. And when
finally the Fellowship of Batlin rose, Lord British had lost contact to his
own people, for whom he had done so much.
It was such a tragedy. Lord British was as virtuous and good as no King ever
since King Arthur Pendragons demise. But unlike King Arthur he was no Warrior.
True, in the final confrontation with Blackthorn he proved to be one of the
most potent Mages, but it was to late. He saw that he could rule Britannia no
more.
I sank down on the stairs below Lord Britishs Throne, desperate and sad. Where had he gone? Was he still alive? And would he ever return to us? I was sunken deep into my own thoughts, when all of a sudden a bright flash appeared before me and a small thing hovered in the air. After a moment the light vanished and a small object fell down. It was a sealed scroll. I grabbed the scroll and a smile came upon my face: the waxen seal showed Lord Britishs sign. I broke the seal, unrolled the scroll and read the letter, written by Lord Britishs own hand.
"Dear Avatar,
know first that only you could have gained this letter, as I have prepared
this spell to unravel the scroll only at your very presence here, and I knew
you would return someday.
I have no knowledge how much time has gone since my leavetaking from Britannia
when you will finally return here. I am certain that you have spoken to the
Companions, who have made their new abode in an artificial Realm near the Nexus.
Protected by the Serpent Amulet, the Sceptre and the Crown (as you may remember
this artefacts and their powers from the days of the Shadowlords) my memory
was unaffected by the Ritual of Armageddon's Undoing that came upon Britannia
a short time after your victory over the Guardian. All has been made undone
that he has maliciously brought upon us. In the mind of the Britannian citizens
you haven't returned since your Quest of the False Prophet, and the Companions
have left Britannia to follow you elsewhere. That is the course Britannia would
have gone without the Guardians interference, and I want you to understand,
that this was the original destiny for Britannia, and this is now restored.
As for myself, I ask you not to follow me. I have left Britannia, perhaps forever,
because I feel somehow not I am needed anymore here. No one in Britannia remembers
anything about the Age of the Guardian - and this may be for the best of all.
But I know of my own failure of retreating here in this walled Castle. I became
much to passive and weak and so I finally lost my people, too. I have long ago
stopped guiding my land. No, don't deny this. You know that it is the truth.
I have allowed to let others with not always good intention to do my work and
I called my weakness and laziness tolerance and goodwill. Britannia must find
its way without me. I have decided to wander the many Realms and Worlds of the
Multiverse to learn what I have lost: learn to fight for good myself, to stand
against evil without and within by doing not by waiting. Perhaps someday I will
return to Britannia and if the people want my help I shall be glad to lead them
once again. But nothing is certain. I can not lead a world I am unable to defend.
Within my heart I know, Avatar, that you and I shall meat someday again in Britannia,
and all shall be restored as once it was. And the Light of Virtue will shine
from here into the many Realms like a lighthouse in the dark. Until then I have
to learn and prove myself alone.
I have one last bidding, not as your liege, but as your friend: take a look
at Britannia once and a while with your companions and the other Britannian
friends. When we shall meet again, we all will drink a beer together in the
Blue Boar Inn and laugh and talk of old times and adventure. Until then I wish
you and your friends my best wishes. And may the Light of Virtue always shine
within you.
Ever thy friend,
Lord British"
(to be continued)