Chapter 1:The Mage of Guthix

''The land of Runescape is one of greatness. Huge cities, mysterious creatures, and heroic warriors are found throughout it. However the realm is but a board where the Gods of the planet play their pawns, ''Reldo, the librarian of Varrock palace spoke, reading from his favorite book from the fifth Age. He was a very knowledgeable and well liked man. On this day he was preaching to youngsters in Varrocks Square, his audience held captive by his words.

''Now who amongst you can name these three Gods?'' Reldo asked, testing their knowledge. To his delight a boy with wild brown hair and ragged clothes stood.

"They are Saradomin, Guthix, and Zamorak,'' he spoke in a coarse voice, barely audible above the noise of the commoners bustling about. Reldo smiled.

''Very good-''Reldo suddenly was knocked to the left, blood gushing from his right temple. A small glass orb clacked to the next to him, soaked with his blood.

''Oh dear Saradomin!'' A bearded man came running from a nearby shop, an orbless staff by his side. He lifted the bloody orb from the ground with a sweaty hand and wiped it on his blue robes. The children stared in horror at Reldos now shattered face. The man looked up at the children.

''Begone!'' He yelled sharply,'' I doubt your parents fancy you seeing this...''He began muttering incoherently.

''Need a hand there?'' Baraek, the fur trader asked seeing Reldos body lying on the ground.

''Yes actually, could you bring him to the castles medical wing?'' The man ran his fingers through his black hair and cursed under his breath.

'' There's a medical wing in the castle?'' Baraek asked, clearly thinking otherwise.

''Well someone must tend to the king you oaf!'' The man yelled waving his staff.

Baraek gave a snort as he lifted Reldo onto his shoulders and headed up the castles walk.

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'' Zaff do you realize what you've done!'' King Roald demanded as he took a bite from the tender chicken resting in front of him.

''I do hope you realize I will not dismiss this incident as I have so often in the past, for on other occasions there were no fatalities or injuries for that matter!'' He began to shake with anger.

Zaff who was standing across the table nodded nervously as he leaned on his staff.

''It will not happen again, I will make sure all orbs are less charged and secured more tightly to their staffs,'' Zaff promised.

''Enough of your empty promises, You will drop off all your magically charged objects, staffs and otherwise at the west bank,'' He spoke in a cold voice.

''Are you mad?'' Zaff blurted,'' My life was put into making those staffs!'' He began to tremble,'' I beg you...''

''I have no choice but to hold by my original edict...Besides the age of the wizards is over. Ever since Ibans defeat all magicians are regarded as Zamorakian extremists,'' He spoke coldly to Zaff, whom was trembling.

"Im...sorry we feel differently on the issue..'' Zaff reached into his robes and drew out multiple stones, all with four white lines on them that increased in size from left to right. The king eyed them. Zaff dropped his staff and dove into his robes with his free hand. He withdrew a runestone with a ghastly skull depicted on its rounded side.

Zaff looked up, his face contorted into a near demonic expression, any nervousness vanished, replaced with intense fury and malice.

''ZAFF!'' Roald yelled realizing all to late the mages malcontent. A sphere rocketed from Zaffs hands as he drew the energy from the stones into a tangible form. The mass of energy passed through Roald like a knife through butter and continued into the kitchens door, leaving a gaping hole through each. Zaff hastily pulled six runes, five being marked with the four lines and the sixth with a blue scale. As he bound the runes energy together an arrow came from behind, cleanly severing his ear.

''AUUUUGH!'' He roared as he vanished into a purple vortex.

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Darkness lay over Falador , the moon shining brightly over the city's buildings. The Black Knights had recently been crushed almost utterly and the White Knights were holding a party in the honor of Sir Vvvin , the White Night responsible for the victory. There was a multitude of people bustling about the castles courtyard talking about the day's happenings. Just as the White Knights leader, Sir Amik Varze was about to give a speech a commotion erupted from the bridge.

A lean man wearing clothes woven from fiery red dragon leather and wielding a bow twice his size had appeared and shouting along with a few soldiers from Varrocks military who were clearly in league with him.

''We require the assistance of a skilled mage!'' They yelled above the noise of the White Knights and their company. People began to mumble amongst themselves.

''What be your need for a mage?'' An old man spat,'' they all be wretched Zamorakians and we be best without dem!''

The ranger glared at the elderly man and grabbed a golden crown from one of his comrades.

''This crown is that of King Roalds,'' He held it high for all to see,'' I am Khyren, his elite archer and body guard and need a mages assistance in locating Zaff, the one that murdered him,'' The group stared in silent horror.

A man abruptly burst from the onlookers. He wore green robes of gnome design and a pointed hat of the same fashion.

''Perhaps I can help,'' he offered, extending his his left hand.Khyren grunted.

''You don't even bear a staff, you are by no means a mage of great calibur,'' Khyren and his underlings gave a humorous laugh. The young man was not fazed and tilted his hand, palm facing upwards.

''give me and arrow,'' he demanded in a low voice.

Khyren eyed him wearily. When the magician made no signs of letting up Khyren sighed and placed a large, bone tipped arrow into his hand. The mage brought out six runes and held them in his right hand. he brought both hands together and there was a blazing light. Now,in the arrows place were a number of gold coins. Khyren gasped as they were shoved in his free hand, some spilling onto the ground.

''Well...It would appear we all underestimated you. Say what's your name lad?'' Khyren asked, his attitude now drastically changed.

''You may call me Peter, it is the only name I have ever known,'' Peter replied, happy haven proven himself.

''Well, Peter. Perhaps you could be of some use...what will you require as payment for your service?'' Khyren asked, smiling in the darkness.

''I require nothing, bringing balance to this world is payment enough for me,'' Peter spoke solemnly as if he had recited the line many times before.

''Heh, Your a Guthix magician then,'' Khyren chuckled.

''That I am,'' Peter replied firmly.

''Very well, I harbor no resentment against those that follow the balanced one, ''Khyren stated, ''But come, we must be off, Roalds murderer is still about and you must help locate him,''

''And just how will I do that?''

''Like I said, we must be off. You will learn all that you need to when we reach Varrock,'' the ranger turned and headed for Faladors northern entrance, beckoning for his party to follow. Peter looked at the moon and with a swish of his cloak was off.