My name is Oryxace, my tale is a long and tragic one, I have an old domineer, I have scars from ancient wars, and I've lost all my loved ones 3 times over. I don't talk about my past, it's too tragic, but every now and then, something comes out, most often in a bar after a long day serving my clan. This tale is one such episode, after a long day fighting in the god wars for my clan's interests in restoring peace…

The sky was black with storm clouds the rain came down hard, thunder crashed in the background lightning cut a tree in front of in half the rain never let any fire begin. I pulled my cloak, adorned in the blue and white emblems of my clan, close, the wind was brutal, but I could see Lumbridge in the distance. It seemed like not long ago it had been a battlefield for two gods seeking the power of Guthix, but ultimately the battle did end, and the process of rebuilding began.

As I entered the town, 2 guards sitting on a battlement eyed me with suspicion, I was not a threat to Lumbridge, but everyone was wary in these hard times. I entered the local tavern, everyone inside seemed to be having a jolly time despite the harsh weather, and raging war. I sat on one of the bar stools, the bartender sized me up before coming over to offer me a drink.

"What can I get for ye today, sir?" He said wiping down the bar's surface.
"I'll have a bottle of Karamjan rum." I answer unstrapping my sword and shield, letting them rest next to my stool.
"Laddy, I'm sorry but the import of Karamjan rum is strictly prohibited by the Misthalin trade embargos." The bartender replied.
"Well, I'm sure a savvy bartender like yourself keeps a bottle around for your more… questionable patrons." I say glancing around the bar.
"Ye may be right laddy, but there's no way you can afford it on a Sergeant's salary, even if ye are from the Loyal Elite." The bartender says preparing to attend to a wealthy looking customer.

I pull a pouch of coins out from my rucksack, and put it on the bar.

"I may be a Sergeant, but I have other occupations as well."
The bartender quickly puts the pouch in his trouser pocket, "One bottle of Karamjan rum coming right up."

As the bartender goes to fetch the bottle of rum, I slip off my gloves my hands are gnarled and worked. As I look at them I notice I'm wearing my old wedding ring, must've been a hard morning, I think to myself as I slip the ring off. Usually I wear a ring of life in case something bad happens, but I keep it right next to my old wedding ring.

"Well, well he's a married man too!" The bartender says putting the bottle of rum in front of me with a glass.
"I'm not married… anymore…" I say hesitantly.
"There's a story here, a' can feel it, an' as a barkeep it's my job to gossip with the drunkards!"
"It's not a tale for this night the atmosphere here is too… jolly…" I say pouring myself a glass of rum.
"The atmosphere here is always ready for a good tale or' two, whether they be dark, or' merry." The bartender replies pulling up a chair.

The rest of the bar quiets down in anticipation of my tale

"Well if you must know…"

The day was sunny, the light glinted off her armour, in the light she looked like an angel wielding twin scimitars. I cut down an enemy down before he could touch the divine angel dancing before me, the battle was nearly won, the Black Knights of Corbinith were falling back. I slam my shield into a nearby foe, knocking him off his footing then I plunge my sword into the gap in his armour.

"Almost done." Elora said sheathing her swords.
"I just finished." I say sheathing my own sword.

I take a moment to remove my helmet, the battle was long, and my face was streaked with sweat, I probably smelled pretty bad. Elora grabbed the top of my breast plate and pulled my face close to hers, my face was probably bright red, her's wore a look of anger. She smelled good, and despite the long battle her long black hair seemed to shine,

"What's the big idea, oogling me in the middle of a fight?" She says her voice angry.
"Tis hard not to stare at an angel manifest in mortal flesh." I answer, trying not to blush even harder.

Her look softened slightly then she broke into a laugh,

"You always seem to know just what to say to women, Ory." She said pushing me back.
"I try to be honest in all matters, including matters of the heart, you are beautiful in white."

This time it was Elora's turn to blush, she got an embarrassed look on her face,

"Yeah well just remember, I'm in a relationship." She says turning back towards Falador.

I let out a sigh, it had been about 10 years since I left home, I was 28 now, and in the decade since I had set out I had seen battle after bloody battle. It was rare to see females among the ranks of a warring force, most of the time when they were in that warring force they were too muscled for their own good. Elora was not over muscled she had a lean build, and was small compared to me, her hair was long and black, her eyes were sky blue, her beauty was memorizing. I started walking back toward Falador, the black knights of Corbinith would be back, but for now Falador was safe.

I unstrapped my armour, and placed it carefully on the table, the armour was Mithril, it was strong, but there was stronger. With every battle more and more dents appeared on it, especially my shield, my sword was in desperate need of replacing, if I had the gold I'd replace it with an Adamant one. I left my sword strapped to my belt. As I exited my room in the guest wing of the White Knight's HQ, I noticed Elora arguing with another white knight. The other knight walked away, leaving Elora looking very flustered, I approached her.

"Are you alright?" I ask.
"I'm fine, typical of the white knights to recruit the only Karamjan who's not mellow as a Banana."
I stifle a laugh, "Well at least he's good with a sword."
"Do you think this is a joke!?" Elora yells tears welling up in her eyes.
"Elora, you need to calm down, it's not worth–"
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" She yells bursting into tears.
"Elora I don't know what's going on between you two." I say pointing toward the stairs, "But getting angry only increases your chance at slipping up on the battlefield."
"So what if it does!" Elora says through sobs.
"When something is wrong with a person in my squad I want to do everything on my power to see it resolved." I answer in a serious tone of voice.
"We've… we've been having fights." Elora says tears rolling down her face.
"Physical, or verbal?" I ask.
"A little bit of both…" She answers.
"Then why do are you still in a relationship? At least that's what I'm assuming this is."
"It is, I stay with him because… because…" Elora replies putting her hands to her face to sob even harder.
"Why do the most beautiful girls always go for the people who'll cause them the most pain." I say.
"You're a good guy, Oryx, I wish my father had been someone like you…" She says putting her arms around me, "How long have we been fighting in this war, Ory?"
"It's been about 2 years since Corbinith launched an all out assault on Asgarnia, We were assigned to the same squad at the time when Asgarnia started hiring mercenaries to support the White Knights." I reply.
"Has it already been 2 years?"
"Yes, for 2 years I've been fighting alongside a mortal angel."
"Wanna go get something to drink" She asks pulling away from me.
"I've been trying to ask you the same question for 2 years."

We walk to the tavern in silence, when we enter the Karamjan guy Elora had been arguing with stands from his drink. Elora walks up to him, slaps him, then walks away, while the patrons of the bar react with a chorus 'oooooh'. She grabs my arm and pulls me to the bar,

"Two Asgarnian ales please." She says to the bartender.
"You didn't even ask me what I wanted." I say.
"Asgarnian ale's the only thing worth drinking in Falador, everything else is crap compared to it."
"I'll take your word for it."

Our drinks arrive not long after, and we talk about the war, for hours we drink, and dance, then late in the evening, we get kicked out. Elora leads me back to her room, drunk as I am I don't really complain, next thing I know the sun is shining through the window. I'm laying in Elora's bed, naked, based on the immediate sensory information I can pretty much piece together what happened last night. I try to sit up but my head nearly explodes, and I lay back down, Elora begins to stir, I decide that I don't want to be here when she wakes up. Painfully I manage to stand and get my clothes back on, as I open the door, Elora yells something to me in an angry tone,

"GET OUT!"

Awkwardly I step out of her room, and quickly make my way out of the White Knight's HQ, this is why I shouldn't drink, I think to myself as I walk down the road. Something clanks against my boot, I lean to pick it up only to realize it's a sword made out of Adamant, a night of heavy drinking, and then I find this?, I think, What is up with this world? Later that day I'm ordered to a strategic situation meeting, head still pounding, I sit down in one of the only seats not taken. A few minutes later Elora sits in the seat next to me, she looks angry and hungover, a bad combination.

"New sword?" She says rubbing her forehead.
"yes actually, found it on the ground just before coming here, its Adamant." I reply unsheathing it a little to show it's greenish hue.
"Would you two lovebirds please quiet down?" Sir Amik says staring at us.

Both of us blush, and look away from each other,

"Well then, moving on, after 2 years of bloody conflict we are successfully pushing Corbinith's armies back from Asgarnian territory, hopefully they will consider our offer for a truce once they see we have a superior fighting force."
"Or they'll fight to the last man, and drag this out another couple of years." Sir Straus, says in a depressing tone.
"Or we could lead a raid into the heart of Corbinith's operations." Sir Tiffy counters.

A chorus of 'aye' followed.

"A campaign of that magnitude would equate to genocide, and the reputation of the kingdom of Asgarnia cannot be sullied by such an act." Sir Amik said gesturing the banner behind him.
"We don't have many options left, Amik, every day you cling to your ideals more good men die horrible deaths, best to end the slaughter now, and destroy the Zamorakians!" Sir Tiffy yells rising from his chair.
"I've never seen Sir Tiffy this angry before." I whisper to the knight next to me.
"His grandson was killed in battle yesterday, he didn't even have time to grieve before the meeting today." He replies.
"Sir Tiffy perhaps the loss of your grandson as caused you to become emotionally unstable, perhaps we should let the issue rest for now." Sir Amik said, walking over to Sir Tiffy, and putting a hand on his shoulder.
"You think this is because of the loss of my grandson!? What of the will of Saradomin, The Zamorakians have been a stain on Gielinor for too long, we should destroy them now, while they're disorganized!"

Just has the tension in the room began boiling over, the door the massive chamber crashed open, and a man in black armour, with gold accents entered. His helmet was under his arm, and his face was stern, a scar ran down the left side of his face, he had an eye patch over his right eye, his hair was long and grey pulled back into a ponytail. His eye was the most violent shade of red I had ever seen, it darted around the room assessing everyone's strength as though he was trying to decide whether or not he could win in a fight. When he was done sizing us all up he spoke, his voice was low, and commanded the atmosphere of the room, all eyes stared at him.

"I am Nax, second commanding officer of the Black Knights of Corbinith." He said commanding the attention of everyone in the room, "The nation of Corbinith would like to negotiate a treaty to end this petty war, and bring peace back to the greater continent of Gielinoria."
"YOU LIE!" Sir Tiffy yelled drawing his sword.

Several knights grabbed him and restrained him, he yelled curses and struggled as they pulled him out a door to the side of the chamber.

"I apologize for my comrades… outburst, we of the White Knights, no, we of Asgarnia would like to negotiate a lasting peace as well."

Several hours later a peace treaty was signed between the head of the Corbinith high counsel, and the King of Asgarnia.

"Before ye go any further," The bartender says holding up one hand, "Didn't the great Corbinith Asgarnia war occur over 600 years ago?"
"758 years to be precise." I answer sipping the rum in my glass.
"If that's the case, then how old are ye' laddy?"
"Never really thought about it before, I was 28 back then, so I should be about… 786 years old."
"What's your secret?" One of the listening patrons asks, laughing a drunk laugh.
"Experimental magic, resulting in a, then soon to be forbidden, magiks book." I answer.
"Wait a minute there laddy, what did ye say yer name was?" The bartender asks, hand ducking behind the counter.
"Oryxace." I answer taking a swig of rum.

Every patron in the bar draws their weapons simultaneously, and points them at me, I continuing drinking my rum.

"Laddy are you sure you want to use that name here?" The bartender asks holding a dagger to my throat.
"I will use it because it is my name."
"Then you're not him?" one of the patrons asks.

I put the bottle of rum down, and stand, the crowd keeps their weapons levelled at my throat and chest, I turn around then begin channeling the power of the gods. In a voice that would make a greater demon wet itself I answer,

"I am Oryxace, Sergeant of the Loyal Elite, Last leader of the Reapers, and the Archers, I have fought and killed gods, travelled dimensions, and gained the knowledge beyond the likes of which your puny minds can handle." I allow myself to levitate slightly and put off a wave of power.

The patrons around me pass out, the ones further back, begin slowly backing away body quivering with fear. The bartender hides behind bar, I use my power to seal the door, Then I let my power die down to normal levels, then sit back down to enjoy my rum.

"Now that that has been cleared up, I believe I was telling a story."

Three months after the signing of the Asgarnian treaty, The mercenaries hired by the White Knights to supplement their force, were told to vacate the White Knight's HQ. I hadn't brought much with me when I was hired by the White Knights, as a travelling warrior, I had to carry everything, with my armour it was best to travel light. I strapped my sword to my belt, and holstered my shield on my back, the only objects of any real value to me was the dagger I had taken from my father when I started my adventure, and the Ruby amulet given to me by Roddeck. I shouldered my pack, and began moving towards the door, someone blocked my path, it was Elora, her eyes were red from crying, she slapped me, unsure of why she was angry, I rubbed my cheek.

"Is this about the night before the strategic situation meeting?" I ask in a calm voice.
"Yes, yes it is." She says holding back tears.
"Alright, I don't what there is to be angry about, we were drunk, and not in control of our–"
"I'm pregnant." She cuts me off.

Stunned into silence, by the revolation, I drop my pack, and stare at her.

"It means an automatic discharge from service with the White Knights." She says beginning to cry again.
"Why are you being discharged? You'll recover back to full strength." I reply still trying to grasp the situation.
"The White Knights are run by an extremely conservative old man who believes that a women with children shouldn't be fighting, because they have too much to lose." Elora says tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Well, you can kinda see his point, children would be hit hard if they–"
"DON'T TELL ME YOU AGREE WITH HIM!" Elora yells sobbing.
"Perhaps we should take this to a place more private than the White Knight's HQ." I say noticing a people staring at us.

Elora leads the way to a house on the outskirts of Falador, the inside is dusty and unmaintained the windows are fogged over with grime. She sits down on a chair in the kitchen, I set my bag down and sit on the chair opposite to hers, I set my sword and shield down on the floor next to the table.

"Elora I'm sorry." I say after a long moment.
"It's not your fault Oryx we were drunk it's just going to ruin my career in the White Knights." Elora says putting her head down on the table.
"What'll your family say about this?"
"I ran away from home years ago, I haven't spoken to my parents in at least 15 years, they don't care about this, how about you?" Elora asked looking up from the table.
"I haven't spoken to my parents in a decade." I answer remembering the day I ran away, "They wanted me to be a farmer, but I wanted to go adventuring, and see the world, so I ran away with my father's old dagger."
"So we're in the same boat uh?"
"Seems that way."

Elora cracks a smile, then bursts into laughter,

"What's so funny?" I ask.
"Nothing, nothing at all, I just never thought I'd meet someone like you in my lifetime."
"Tradition dictates that we have to get married now." I say, trying not to sound excited, "But I'm assuming you don't care about tradition, do you?"
"Damn straight." She answers.
"Well then do you want to buy this house, and live here in Falador?" I say looking around the house.
"I already own this house it was where I lived for about 5 years before I joined the White Knights." Elora replies.
"So we live here, and raise the baby, then what?"
"I have one condition." Elora says holding up her right index finger.
"And what would that be?" I ask.
"You join the White Knights militia division."
"I think I can manage that." I answer putting my hand over hers on the table.

The next few months aren't the easiest, but certainly not as hard as fighting Corbinith Marines, I pass the White Knight's tests with ease. After completing my basic training I return to find a strange man doing housework, I assume Elora hired him. I walk into the common room to find Elora polishing her scimitars while sipping a cup of tea.

"Better be careful with those things." I say setting my pack down on the table.
"I need to keep them in good condition, and it gives me something to do." She answers setting the sword down.
"Alright whatever, I'm assuming you hired the person cleaning the dishes."
"The midwife says I shouldn't be doing much, so I got someone to help out, and grow crops." Elora answers sheathing the sword in its scabbard.
"How much longer?" I ask sitting in the chair opposite hers.
"The midwife says maybe another 2 or 3 months."
"Wonderful." I say still rather bewildered by the thought of becoming a father.
Elora's eye narrow she puts her hand on the top of my head, "Why is your hair short?"
"The White Knights shaved my head after I started basic training, I'm not that happy about it either."
"Whatever, so where's your first post?" She asks putting her hand on her stomach.
"They're going to assign me after you give birth." I answer.
"Makes sense." She says sipping her tea, "What're you gonna be doing until then?"
"They've given me the next few months off to be with you."
"Well that's nice, guess they didn't know I can handle myself."
"It's run by a conservative old man." I say grinning.

The next few months past uneventfully, the days were short but peaceful, the de-militarization of Asgarnia began. I decided to get a wolf pup to help keep our little slice of heaven safe, named him Timber, then I set about trying to fix up the place. I built a fence around the whole of our property, and began working the land with the help of our assistant Edward. After a week of work the property was looking much better, and we would be able to plant crops easier in the spring. The midwife began visiting on a daily basis to check on Elora, as the day fast approached I began to wonder if I'd make a good father.

The day was cold and a blizzard was about to hit when Elora began experience contractions, The midwife rushed over form the center of the city, and the next 8 hours were filled with waiting and praying. On the eve of December 1st, our child was born, he was a small child, but the midwife said he was healthy, the blizzard raged for 2 more hours. We named the child Sauren, Elora's suggestion I just though it sounded cool, I got to spend the next 2 months with them before I was deployed to an Asgarnian base on Karamja.

"Did ye marry her before you left?" The bartender asks warily approaching.
"No, but I had a goldsmith fashion me rings while I was on Karamja, and I developed a taste for Karamjan rum." I answer tapping the half empty bottle.
"Did something happen to her before ye could propose?"
"Allow me to continue."

I had been stationed in Karamja for 6 months when an urgent letter arrived from Falador, Corbinith had violated the treaty and was rapidly advancing into Asgarnian territory. It was predicted that they were nearing a position where they could threaten Falador, and establish a new order of power in Gielinoria. After fully reading the letter, I requested to be transferred to Falador to assist in preparing defences, when my commanding officer refused, I deserted my post.

I hitched a ride aboard a merchant vessel bringing banana's to Port Sarim, from there I hiked to Falador over a period of 5 days. When I neared Falador I could see smoke rising from it, I ran the rest of the way to Falador, as I entered the city I could see injured knights and civilians fleeing through the south gate. I didn't see Elora, I kept running, as I approached the house I saw smoke rising from the windows. As I ran into the house I found Elora unconscious and bleeding on the floor, Our wolf lay dead next to her, I hastily bandaged her wound, then went to find Sauren. I found Edward unconscious on the floor near Sauren's room, I stepped over his body and busted down the door to Sauren's room, I found a Corbinithian soldier holding my son. The soldier looked at me with eyes of horror, later I would come to realize that he regretted his actions that day, but at that moment I dug a blade into stomach, while at the sametime taking Sauren from his arms.

I kicked Edward to consciousness then pulled him to his feet to help get Elora out, somehow, by some miracle we managed to get out of the flaming building just before it collapsed. Elora was hurt bad, and Edward had a concussion, but we had no choice but to run from the city, a group of knights helped us as we neared the southern gate. Elora regained consciousness 3 hours after leaving Falador, we were in a military convoy heading to Port Sarim.

"Oryx… is Sauren safe?" She asks in a weak voice.
"He's safe, but you're not out of the woods yet, the wound to your side is…"
"Fatal?" She suggests.
"I won't let it be." I say tears streaming down my cheeks, "I won't let you die, I promise."

After 3 days of nonstop travel the convoy arrived at Port Sarim, the Asgarnia navy had docked several ships to help with the evacuation. Elora and me were put on the first one due to the nature of Elora's injuries, the ship was headed for Lumbridge in Misthalin. The journey would take 2 weeks, in that time Elora's condition went from bad to worse, finally it got so bad that the doctor said only magic could heal it. As the ship passed the Wizard's tower, me, Elora, Sauren, and one of the soldiers from the ship took a lifeboat to the island of the tower. The wizards were able to heal Elora, and teleport us back to the ship, I don't I've ever cried more than I did that night, the ship anchored in Misthalin a few days later.

Misthalin formally declared war on Corbinith, with the support of the kingdom of Kandarin, the Empire of Al Kharid, and the Republic of Crandor.