The Battle of Ratling Run

Kurz was in an uproar. Lord Light, head of the Council of Light, had vanished. Rumours of his disappearance spread like a forest fire through the town. Some said that Lord Light was a minion of Lord Daemon, and had returned to his master’s side. Others that he had been kidnapped by Lord Daemon and was even now enduring torture at the dark lord’s hands. And there were those who said that he had felt his support had dwindled to such a low ebb that he had left of his own accord, preferring to leave quietly and go his own way. To Knightshade however, all that mattered was that Lord Light was no longer there, and that the Council of Light was a shell of its former self. The story of his encounter with the Daemon of Fire would mean nothing now, until the forces of light were united once more. A successor had to be found, and the council must once again be made strong and whole.

And therein lay the problem. Knightshade had to force his way through the crowd of warriors and wizards, some great, some only great in their own minds, who had travelled to Kurz to stake their claim. Already many lives had been lost, as duels were fought and reputations gained and lost. Order would not be restored until a new leader emerged. Lord Daemon must be laughing gleefully at the foolishness of mankind, Knightshade thought darkly. Where order and unity were needed, only chaos and division could be found.

Knightshade wasted little time in Kurz. Leinster was where he should be, where he could do the most good. He had spent two days here already. With Lord Light gone, there was no reason to stay. He was tempted to use the spell of relocation to return to his home, but thought it better to scout the road to Leinster. He had a feeling that he would not like what he would see.

He was only halfway home when his fears were confirmed. A huge line of people travelled the road to Kurz. To his dismay, most of them were from Leinster. Every wizard and warrior of note, it seemed, were heading north. He argued with some that he knew, but none would be swayed. Their place was in Kurz with the others they said. Lord Daemon could not be stopped without their help, was another common response. After a while, Knightshade gave up. When he eventually reached Leinster, the town was quiet. No-one in the streets spoke to him. No children played at being wizards and warriors with wooden swords. Even the normally ringing voices of the shopkeeps had fallen silent, and were no longer praising the quality of their wares to all who would listen. A gloom had descended over the town.

Several days later there was a knock at Knightshade’s door. Standing in the doorway was his friend MaitreSteph. He was a powerful wizard, one of the town’s teachers of arcane law at the Academy. He was one of the few who had not travelled to Kurz. Preferring to stay and teach what he knew to those with some talent.

"My friend, you are needed at the town hall," he said, his expression worried. "I fear that danger approaches."

Knightshade simply nodded, and followed his friend through the streets of Leinster. When they reached the town hall, it was surrounded by townspeople. Inside, many of the town council had gathered and were seated at the large meeting table. The seat normally reserved for the leader of the Wizard’s guild was conspicuously empty. As was the one for the Warrior’s Guild. Even the leader of the town guard was not there. Knightshade was not surprised. He knew that they would have been the first to leave. He was surprised however, when MaitreSteph sat at the head of the table and bade him be seated. He did as he was asked.

"My friend," MaitreSteph said, "Leinster is in trouble. An hour ago, one of my students came stumbling into the gate, wounded, almost mortally. She was too distraught to say much about what happened to her. But she did mention the sarcophagus. No doubt the same one you saw. She said that it was open. And that creatures out of her worst nightmares spewed forth from it. The dead was what she called them. She said that the dead now walk the realm."

Knightshade glanced around at the remaining council members. They were not warriors or wizards, but craftsmen and merchants. Men and women of commerce and trade. They knew little of magic and remained silent. Waiting for his reply.

"Have you confirmed this?" Knightshade said.

"Yes, my friend," MaitreSteph said sadly. "I sent scouts out to investigate. All but one returned within half an hour. It seems that the dead are indeed walking the realm. And they are heading for Leinster. The first will be visible in Ratling Run, even as we speak. The numbers were unclear, but they are many. The council has asked me to lead the defence. I must ask for your help, my friend. The lives of this town are in our hands."

Knightshade sighed. He never sought responsibility or glory, but preferred to help when the need arised. He was not a mighty wizard, or an indestructible warrior. Just a simple adventurer with a little knowledge to keep him out of trouble.

"Very well," Knightshade said. "What other precautions have you taken? Have the gates been closed?"

"Yes. The entire town has been sealed. The only ones we know of who are still outside are the last of the scouts, and another one of my students. He was most likely with the girl, though she is too distraught to confirm this. He is young but he his also skilled in magic. I do not fear for him as much as the scout."

"Well, we will deal with them when the time comes," Knightshade said. "First we must arm those who can wield a blade. Let us hope that these undead can be stopped with mere steel."

"We have already started," MaitreSteph said. "There is no time to train them, but no-one willing to fight will be without a weapon."

A commotion, at the entrance to the hall, interrupted the meeting. A man ran in, fear evident on his young face. "They are here! Undead! The Run is crawling with them. They are massing at the south east gate"

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