<div style="text-align: center"><b>+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -</b>​</div><div style="text-align: center">[ x ] Book One :: THE FIRST SHARD [ x ]​</div><div style="text-align: center"><b>+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -</b>​</div><br/>Hieronidan. . .<br/><br/><i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"Why are we doing nothing in this situation? Wouldn't it be more advantages to begin taking measures to protect ourselves and our people? We should try sending words to the Long Empire. If I recall, hasn't the current Queen expressed dislike for the King of Darkness," </span>a green haired elf asked. She stood in the war room of the estate of the royal family of Hieronidan. This elf in particular was known as Arioch Ta'Thlen, the up and coming General who gained her title repelling an attempted invasion from the bandits of the low lands. The Ground Dwellers, as they were known as here. Her blue eyes were fixed on the general that stood across from her, curious as to what possible reason they could have for not doing anything.<br/>
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"General Ta'thlen, I understand your frustrations. You must understand, taking action now would only make us a suitable candidate for the next invasion," The general replied.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"Won't doing nothing leave us vulnerable though? As it stands now, an all-out offensive here will only end in our defeat," </span>Arioch said, attempting to keep her head level.<br/>
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"We have the advantage here. The savages below and their - "<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"What makes you think they'll lend us their sword? Or their bow? The Ground Dwellers hate every last one of us, they would much rather die than help us continue to - "</span><br/>
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"Then we will not count on them. We have our own tactics, we have the advantage knowing the land, the in's and out's of the forests, our shaman's can read into the future, and tell us of the coming battles, we have numerous methods to fight."<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"Our enemy has the advantage of numbers. They are, obviously, a competent brigade if they could subdue Elzier in a single night. What chance have we of standing against them with no allies, no preparations. If we act now, if we send word to the Long Empire, I'm sure they will take action,</span>" Arioch said, hoping that such a thing could at least be considered an option.<br/>
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"That is enough, both of you. General Ta'thlen, I know you mean well, but the Long Empire will not take action. The dragon's have always remained neutral, lest their actions sway the course of the future as foreseen by the gods. What is more, I do not think it wise to incur the wrath of a giant that slumbers. We will remain as we are, building up as much as we can as quietly as we can," the Elven King spoke.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"You're Highness, I don't think that wise. The dragon's may have always been neutral, but in this situation we - "</span><br/>
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"In the thousands of years they have all lived,  they have seen countless flags rise and fall. This will be no different. All we can do is pray that our flag continues to fly when the last blow is struck," the king said.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"Please, sire, I - "</span><br/>
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"That is enough general. A decision has been made. Or do you intend to disobey?" The king was curious as to what the young general would do. She had talent, and she had skill, but her temper was short. She was young, and much too easily swayed by her heart.<br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">"I do,"</span> she said, firmly and evenly<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0040ff">. "I will discard my sword, my armor, my title, even my name if I have to. Standing here and doing nothing is a mistake. Even if I must act alone, even if I must die, I would rather do something than wait to die such a dishonorable death,"</span> Arioch said. She immediately turned and left, without bidding farewell to her leaders, her comrades, or anyone else. Like that, she had thrown away everything that she built up.</i><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center"><b>+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -+ - + - + - + - + -</b>​</div><br/>And that was how the former Elven General Arioch Ta'Thlen ended up here, with three of the Queen of Light's brave and noble champion knights. A short time ago, she ran into the three of them - Valen, Altima, and Brand - while she was wondering out of the Hieronidan Forest. She was prepared to step out into the world for the first time when she saw the three wandering into the Elven Lands. Her first instinct was to threaten their lives and attack, however, a moment of clear thought allowed her to see their leader clearly. She immediately recognized him as the Windwalker, the Champion Knight of the champion knights, the Guardian of the Westerlands. Which would have made the other two Altima, the female knight and guardian of the Southerlands, and Brand, the youngest knight and the guardian of the Northerlands. If they had been so foolish as to expect a warm welcoming, they were met with great shock when the young elf opened her mouth.<br/><br/>Her greetings were curses, harsh words for the three who disappeared while the world fell apart around them. Fear and tension were taking hold, and now, no one dared to even try to stand against the King of Darkness, fearing death would be brought down upon them and their people. That was why would succeed where they failed - she would fight every last one of the enemies that made up the dark army until she stood face to face with the King himself. And, should she have to die as well, she would drive each of her blades through his heart and ensure the man a very slow, agonizing death. How she wished she could make him pay one hundred fold for every single person who lost their lives at the hands of his dark army. Indeed, she let each and every one of them have a piece of her mind, venting her frustrations from her earlier meeting with the leaders of Hieronidan.<br/><br/>As soon as she was 'finished', she left without so much as looking back.<br/><br/>It was lucky for her that the Queen had such noble and valiant champions, as their help was soon needed when the young General was met by an ambush in the lowlands. The four of them fought together, easily driving the bandits back into hiding. What else was to be expected? This was, after all, a contest between honor less thieves against an Elven General and three great knights! No, the surprise came after the battle, when she was asked to come along with the knights. They explained that they were on a journey to bring an end to the reign of the King of Darkness, and in need of comrades. Reluctantly, the high elf followed along with the three. She was, by no means, thrilled to be there with them, but if they were on a journey to restore the light to the world, she would follow them until they completed their task or until she was dead. It didn't matter which came first, so long as this veil of darkness was removed so that the light could shine on the world once again, she wouldn't hesitate to lay her life down.<br/><br/>Arioch walked ahead of the group, the necklaces on her chest and her anklets clicked and clacked rhythmically with her movements. Since accepting their offer to come along, she hadn't spoken a word to them, nor had she really looked at them. From her movements, her actions, even her expressions, it would be clear they picked up quite a handful. They had been walking for most of the day like this, as the high elf general had been leading them to one of the biggest cities within Hieronidan, Cam.<br/><br/>For the first time in hours, Arioch uttered words. Her words were of the ancient elven tongue, the trigger spell to open the gate that would allow them to pass into the city. The gates were now open.