JT was dying. He was dying from boredom. The monster had attack the Castle of Calabur, where he was stationed. But they did not make a frontal assault, instead choosing to stay around the giant stone walls. Staying close enough to make lesser dwarves fearful, yet still being out of arrow range. Castle Calabur was under siege, a tactic the monster have never applied.
A meeting was being called, JT hopped off his perch started making his way towards the the way, a couple of dwarves saluted him. JT was unable to place the names of the dwarves. But he believed those dwarves are unable to tell his name if asked. They were not saluting him but the uniform. The uniform tmarked him stand out as a Ranger. The tittle was a testament of his skill. Together with the Paladins, they represent the best of the best. The ones that other dwarves look up to. The dream of every young one.
Inside the hall were couple of friends and allies that he had worked with for years, fellow dwarves that he know he can put his life on their hands. These were dwarves he knows he can trust. There was the two sisters, Mae and Yetii, both a part of the elite rangers. Standing beside of them was a faired hair dwarves, with his sword gleaming brightly in the lights of the fires. Grand Paladin Ziros' eyes seem to burn with the same flame as the braziers. Standing in the shadows was Halogen, the only known dwarf to be given the titles of both Paladin and Ranger.
"Okay, now that everyone is here lets start work,"Ziros pulled out a map form the shelves and laid it on the table "We all know that Calabur is under siege. This something we have never encountered but we must not show fear, the other dwarves are looking up to us. But this is not our only problem, the reinforcements sent was ambushed somewhere in the forests of Arthna. Many were killed more are missing. So we should not expect outside help."
"Actually there is always one more option" Halogen stepped out of the shadows and causing everyone to turn their heads. "The Gravediggers, they are our last option. "
"Wait! Who are the Gravediggers?"
"Yeti, the Gravediggers are a group of dwarves that follow the ways of the Helio, the Punisher. Many do not trust them but they have helped us in times of need before."
"What are you suggesting, Halogen. We are still trapped inside Calabur, we can't just waltz right out."
" What i am suggesting, Mae. Is that Ziros and i break through the monster's lines and travel to the Dying Castle, the Gravediggers' stronghold. In the mean time the rest hold Calabur till we return. A small force like this will be able to get past the monsters' lines"
"What can the two of you hope to achieve, you will need a Ranger for this plan to work."
"Just what are you saying, Mae! I am…." Halogen moved forward to face down Mae and in the same motion started to draw his blade only to have Ziros stop him.
"Halogen, calm down. I understand what you are you saying, we will need a Ranger so we shall take Yeti."
"Wait! No, i object! You are not putting Yetii in harms way!"Mae screamed into Ziros' face. Her anger suddenly turned to Ziros instead.
"Mae, you need to understand that you cannot keep protecting her, and that she is ready to take up the challenge." Ziros faced Mae's angry stare with surprising calm.
Mae started to take another deep breath to throw another string of curse at Ziros, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see JT giving a slight nod and mumbling to look at Yetii.
Yetii had a face of fiery determination the very same expression that greats her each time she looks in a mirror.
Mae expression softened slightly and started making her way out of the hall, "Fine, Ziros. You win"
"Well, Yetii go get ready we leave at first light." And with that the meeting ended.