he esting f arkhawk

The following day the friends made a late start from the village of Crowlerd, the thanksgiving party the night before had gone on into the small hours of morning and most if not all of the party were feeling a little fragile, even Grabthroat was subdued. The day was warm and sunny and the road wound its way through low rolling hills and beside small clear streams as they made their way towards Ardelphia. Trimus was particularly quiet. The rich food and local beer had upset his stomach badly and he hoped that there would be no need of his talents that day as he had been unable to memorise even the simplest of spells. Fortunately the day was without incident and that evening they camped near a small copse of trees beside a stream and enjoyed the simple travel rations far more than normal. For all bar Trimus the night passed without incident. Whether it was the food or a sending of some kind Trimus couldn't tell, but that night he dreamt.

He was standing in a circle of white light surrounded by utter darkness. From the darkness steps a tall hooded figure dressed in black robes, emblazoned with a red pentagram on the cuffs of each sleeve. Slender hands lift back the hood to reveal the striking, youthful features of a male elf.

Another figure steps from the shadows clad in flowing red robes tied with a thick, red cord. The figure's face is completely covered by a featureless silver mask whose smooth surface is broken only by two thin eye slits.

The elf smiles nods to the masked figure and bows to Trimus saying, "My thanks, Master Trimus …"

A terrible blood-chilling snarl leaps from the darkness. A blazing fireball flies from Trimus' withered outstretched hand and explodes lighting up the darkness and revealing … nothing. The circle of light dims and shrinks.

"The Beast Of Blood knows you, watches you, waits for you…" comes the deathly whisper from the red figure.

Suddenly other figures stumble from the darkness, wounded, bloody, dying … my friends? A tall knight in armour follows them, shaking his head and dropping his blood stained sword. "Where were you Trimus?" he asks. Trimus replies "But, my hand ..".

The elf laughs. "Think you, that we, Master's of the Ninth Sign, would assist thee, Celestial Knight?".

The circle of light dims, shrinks and is gone. All is darkness except for two blood red eyes in front of Trimus and a small faint glowing red pentagram.

Trimus woke in a cold sweat, not refreshed in the slightest by his sleep. Looking round the camp he caught the eye of Grabthroat sitting beside the remnants of the fire in the first glow of dawn. Grabthroat raised an eyebrow in query but Trimus shook his head and pointed to his stomach. The dwarf nodded and smiled and turned away to watch the track.

The next day and night passed without incident and Trimus almost persuaded himself that his strange dream was the product of too much rich food but there was something in the detail that nagged at him. The dream must have been a vision but who were the Master's of the Ninth Sign and the Celestial Knights?
The third day began with the track winding its way through the foothills of the Silver Sierras with small copses of pine trees and tumbling streams dotted amongst the rugged hills. Towering above them the mountains were tipped with snow a foretaste of the autumn that was just around the corner. As the sun started to dip behind the peaks Darkhawk screamed out and lurched forward in his saddle a six inch length of red spine jutting from his shoulder. Trimus was almost flung from his mount as a similar bolt hit him and Cambris yelled as he was hit by one in the thigh. Flying low over head a pair of manticores roared and turned for another attack. Grabthroat wrapped the reigns of his pony in his left hand and drew his crossbow and struggled to load it. Darkhawk's form shuddered and changed into the dark armoured warrior. Trimus summoned a fireball spell to mind and launched it at the manticores. His skittish horse caused his aim to go awry but the blast still engulfed the now screaming manticores. The smell of burning fur and feathers was swept towards the heroes by the blast wave. Badly scorched and smoking the manticores landed and started to attack both horses and riders. Lovax was badly hurt before he could even draw his sword. Ako's and Darkhawk's horses panicked and Darkhawk was winded as he fell to the floor. Ako stayed mounted as his horse reared up and brought its hooves down in a series of crushing blows on the nearest manticore. Grabthroat had by now managed to get a quarrel in his crossbow and loosed it at the manticore bearing down on Darkhawk who simultaneously used his suit's power to blast it. For a second the manticore became transparent before it fell in a smoking heap at the fighter's feet. Trimus draws a wand and paralyses the other manticore which Ako finishes off with a mighty blow to the head. Darkhawk quaffs a potion and flies from the ground and makes a series of widening circles above the battle sight before returning to the ground. "I can't see any more of them in the area, nor can I see where they came from. This also looks like a good place to camp. The way ahead is quite rocky and there is little shelter." The faceless helm of Darkhawk's armour revealed no emotion as he stated the facts.
Meanwhile Ako healed the wounded with his staff, Lovax was still very weak from the deep slashes he received from the manticore and seemed very relieved that they would not have to travel any further that day.

Cold watches were kept through the night, Darkhawk was worried that the light from a fire might draw more of the manticores to them. Trimus slept fitfully and woke several times before giving up completely and joining Grabthroat for the last watch of the night.
"Bad dreams friend?" asked the Dwarf quietly his dark eyes scanning the sky for signs of movement.
"Not tonight." Replied Trimus, "But since we left Crowlerd I've had the sense that something is wrong. Darkhawk's armour, the pentagram that got burnt onto my palm. I have these dreams Grabthroat, strange, disturbing dreams. I just wish I knew what was ahead of us."
"Well we should be in Ardelphia within a day or so, as long as the weather holds. Shame the place is ruined, I could do with some real food and a jar or two. Perhaps once we return with the Nidus to Rintrah he may be able to speak your dreams."
"I fear that the Nidus won't be in Ardelphia. That would be too simple. A clue to its whereabouts, perhaps a rumour of its maker if we are lucky."
Sensing that the mage was in no mode for small talk turned back to watching the horizon until dawn painted the eastern sky a delicate shade of pink.

A breakfast of hard biscuits, dried meat and fruit washed down with icy cold stream water did nothing to lighten the atmosphere the next morning. Lovax still looked pale and jittery while Trimus was more morose than usual. Once everyone had finished Grabthroat started to pack away the remains of the food when he glimpsed two figures walking up the hill towards them.
"Visitors, friends." He whispered picking Kagyar from his pack. The others started to form a defensive line as the figures approached. One a man dressed in ornate chain mail the other a very beautiful young woman dressed in a long mustard coloured dress and carrying a hoop of twisted gold strands. They stopped some six paces away and the man removed his helm revealing an weathered, moustached face.
"Good morning, Darkhawk." Said the man in a deep warm voice.
Trimus looked at Darkhawk whose face betrayed his confusion.
"We have come on a matter of grave import." Continued the man. "I am Torvas Ortegra, and this is my companion Alasandri."
"I don't know who you are?" stuttered Darkhawk. "How do you know my name?"
"We have been watching you." replied the woman in a voice as musical as a tumbling mountain stream. "We have met, in a sense, more than once before. Tell me Darkhawk how did you come by the amulet?"
Slightly taken aback, Darkhawk stuttered through the tale while Torvas and Alasandri nodded and exchanged muted whispers.
When the tale was finished Torvas came closer and laid a hand on each of Darkhawk's shoulders and looked deep into his eyes. "We have come to test you, to see if you are worthy of the amulet you wear. To see if you are made of the right stuff to be a Celestial Knight."
Trimus couldn't hold back a splutter of surprise at hearing the phrase so soon after his dream. Torvas frowned at the young mage before continuing. "I was once a Celestial Knight, many hundreds of years ago. We are an order that aims to do good, no matter what some misguided souls may tell you. But enough of talk let the tests begin." "Who among you will vouch for Darkhawk in this testing?" intoned Alasandri. Trimus and Ako stepped forward while Grabthroat folded his arms and shook his head. "I don't hold with magic, they are nothing but tricksters." He muttered. Lovax and Cambris stood beside the dwarf unsure what to do for the best. "So be it! Take hold of the ring." Ordered Alasandri. Torvas, Ako, Darkhawk and finally Trimus grasped the ring.

A late autumn sun shone down on the golden leaves of an orchard. A heavy scent of ripening fruit filled the air which hung amongst the branches of many large apple trees. Hanging from the branches were numerous gemlike fruits. Darkhawk approached one and cupped it in his hand. "These aren't fruit, they are rubies and emeralds." He said aghast. "Still they don't belong to us, we should not steal." Torvas and Alasandri look at each other and twist the ring slightly.

The landscape shrivelled like parchment in a fire.

The rancid, sour smell of dragon wafted up from the large pen below. By looking over the edge of the metal platform Trimus could see a pair of listless silver dragons, their eyes and nostrils crusted with dried pus. "I think they're dying." Said Trimus softly.

"Put them out of their misery!" a voice boomed from the darkness and a wand appeared in Darkhawk's hand. The fighter gripped it and pointed it into the darkness willing it to function. A lance of flame lit up the blackness without revealing anything. Darkhawk agonised for a moment before pointing the wand at the sickening dragons and fired again and again until the stench of roasting dragon filled the air. Torvas frowned at Alasandri who shook her head. The ring twisted again.

The platform and the pens dispersed like smoke on a breeze.

The passage opened out into a cave at least 60 paces across. In the centre of the chamber a huge red dragon, its scales glinting in the torch light grasped a small boy in its talons. Without hesitating Darkhawk swallowed a potion of defence from his pouch and charged into battle. Ako blessed the party before joining his friend. Trimus aimed his wand of paralysis and fired but nothing happened. The dragon roared and breathed a huge goat of flame which flung Ako and Trimus back against the wall where they lay dying Darkhawk continued to attack the dragon, trying to sever its tendons so that the boy could run free. He failed. The dragon casually reached down with its two fore legs and rent the fighter in twain. Torvas nodded while Alasandri smiled cautiously and twisted the ring.

The cavern walls melted away like tallow.

The smell of smoke and roasted flesh scudded along the streets. Ruined buildings stood on each side. Bodies hung out of windows studded with black feathered arrows. Others sat disembowelled in shattered doorways. Among the dead Darkhawk could make out the figures of Trimus and Ako. In bronze armour studded with numerous black spikes stands Vartiskar, laughing. "At last Darkhawk, I've won." He placed his gauntleted hands on his hips and let out another braying laugh. "And you fools thought you could stop me." He raises his hand and the lines of dark skinned elven warriors behind him raised their bows. Suddenly Darkhawk found himself in a small room as a woman tucks a young boy into bed. "Goodnight Vartiskar, sweet dreams." She whispers and departs, not noticing Darkhawk behind a curtain. Darkhawk cuffed the young child knocking him unconscious and climbed down the wall before making his way to the city docks where he bought passage on a ship sailing for a small group of islands far to the south of Ierendi. Darkhawk spent the long voyage teaching the young boy the difference between good and evil. On arrival he handed Variskar over to the elder's of the island with instructions never to teach him the ways of the warrior. Waving goodbye Darkhawk stepped back on to the ship … and found himself standing in front of the adult Variskar who dropped his hand and the archers fired. Alasandri shook her head and turned to Torvas, "He values the life of one over many, such Chaotic behaviour is not indicative of a Celestial Knight."

All went dark.

The Shadow King leant forward in his throne towards Darkhawk who knelt in front of him a pair of swords jabbing into his back.
"The lich's voice hissed from between shrivelled lips. "Your friends are suffering Celestial Knight." He indicated with a casual wave of his hand Ako and Trimus bound in ruby red bands of power, grimaces of pain on their faces.
"All you need to do is forsake your oath and work for me. Riches, power, everlasting life and the your friends freedom will be yours. Just say the words Celestial Knight. Just say the words."
Darkhawk looked up. The days of torture, both mental and physical, had left their mark on his face. "Never! I will not break my oath."
"Then you all will die." Hissed the lich and snapped his bony fingers. The bands around Ako and Trimus tightened and they screamed until the bands burst their ribs and crushed their hearts. The shadowy figures behind Darkhawk thrust their blades through the rough linen tunic and Darkhawk fell forward.
"Never." He whispered as he lay dying in his own blood.

Breathlessly Darkhawk opened his eyes, Trimus and Ako were standing breathless and slightly pale faced beside him. Grabthroat, Lovax and Cambris were looking on slightly puzzled.
"When's this test going to start." Asked the dwarf, an edge of frustration in his voice.
"It is done." Said Torvas flatly. "Darkhawk, the results of your testing are unclear. We are not entirely satisfied that you are up to the demands and responsibilities of being a Celestial Knight"
"I need more time, I didn't have a chance to think." Blustered Darkhawk.
"Agreed, that is we have decided to let you keep the talisman for a while at least. We will keep watching your progress young man. Then we will return, either to complete the testing or to retrieve the amulet. And next time the tests will not be illusions."
With that ominous statement Alasandri twisted the ring once more and the pair disappeared.

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