Hello again, folks, Endleas here with another Blade of Darkness development.

But, I've been getting no reviews! *sadface* No reviews means I dunno how I'm doing, and if people likes.

So, please review? Plzplz? Thanks.

All praise goes to Stolen Princess and March of Shadows from the Eternal Poison OST for giving me the proper tone for this chapter.

Chapter Two: Treason

Sargon didn't go back to sleep at all that night. The dream remained firmly stuck in his consciousness, and for all that Sargon tried, he couldn't decipher its meaning. Eventually the knight gave up; taking up his armor and equipment, he left his quarters and went down to Tell Halaf's inner courtyard, where all of the practice dummys were.

Thankfully, the night watchmen knew better than to question, though as he passed, most gave him odd looks of confusion. Not that it mattered; Sargon would hardly have told them what had happened even had they asked. It didn't take him long to find his destination, and when he did, he spent the next several hours training, working on his strikes and evasions, hefting his trusty mace marked with his personal symbol and striking the wooden practice dummys with a fervor one would've expected from a man half his age.

The sun was barely peaking over the horizon when Sargon finally stopped and returned to his quarters. Lord Kerman would be expecting him soon; it wouldn't do to meet the Paladin of the Order of Knights covered in sweat and smelling to the high heavens. When the summons finally did come, Sargon didn't waste any time. He quickly made his way to the center of the fortress, where the Guardians and Paladin-Lord Kerman would be waiting for him. His lieutenant was waiting for him at the entrence to the Guardian's chambers.

"I've been waiting, Captain." The young Lieutenant Yance chuckled. "I would've thought you'd have been here at first light."

Sargon just shook his head. Yance was a younger man, but he was set to replace Sargon himself when the elder knight either finally met his end on the battlefield, or grew too old to remain in active duty. "I was in the training ring." He said, simply. "Where are the others? Were they not asked to join us?"

Yance shook his head, a small frown forming on his youthful features. "No, I suppose not. That worries me-why would the Guardians only send for us? Shouldn't the entire group be briefed?"

This of course made Sargon slightly worried, as well. "I cannot say. However, it is hardly our choice to make. If Lord Kerman and the Guardians wish only to speak to us, then that is their decision. We will go ahead."

Yance nodded his agreement, but still the frown remained on his face. "After you, Captain..."

The Chamber of the Guardians sat in the very center of Tell Halaf, and served as a final place of retreat should the rest of the Fortress be compromised. It was a functional place; there was little by way of decoration besides some tapestry embroidered with the symbol of the Order of Knights and the personal symbol of Lord Kerman himself. Each of the Guardians were elders of the Order; They had survived countless campaigns and now served as the council that advised the King in military matters reguarding his knights. They themselves were lead by the Paladin of the Order, Lord Kerman. In contrast to the elderly faces of the rest of the Guardians, Lord Kerman was reletively youthful; he'd gained notoriety during the infamous War of the Blade, when he'd helped the Hero of the Blade, Eresh Kegal, in defeating a host of orcs and goblins under the control of a powerful undead creature. He'd just been a simple captain, then, but his actions propelled both himself and his brigade to fame all over the kingdom, and the King and Guardians named him Paladin.

When Sargon and Yance entered, the Guardians were talking quietly amongst themselves, seated at simple wooden tables while they waited for the two to answer the summons. Lord Kerman sat in his throne, his expression somber. This expression didn't lift, even as the two knights entered. He merely stood up, nodding to the two knights, who both kneeled before him.

"Captain Sargon, Lieutenant Yance. Thank you for answering our summons." Kerman's voice was troubled. As he spoke, the Guardians quickly turned their attention to the knights as well. "We bring troubling news reguarding your mission."

One of the Guardians spoke up, his voice reedy. "According to the word sent by our lord, the King, he has already briefed you reguarding the strange movements of the greenskin tribes. However, we have lost contact with the scouts that were feeding us this information. We have no news as to any further movements as of late."

Another spoke. "The presence of knight-scouts in the area was a closely guarded secret of the Order. The Guardians, Lord Kerman himself, the King, and Lord Ragnar were the only ones who knew. The only reason Lord Ragnar knew was due to the fact that they were at first reporting to him, as they were in his domain."

Still kneeling, Sargon frowned darkly into his beard. What could this mean? A thought slowly wormed into his mind, but it was inconcievable... Wasn't it?

And they kept going. "The scouts where there, disguised as civilians, to watch over the orc and goblin tribes after the War of the Blade. Should any strange action occur, they were to report immediately, so that a pre-emptive action could be made. Considering their involvement during the War, this was considered a paramount task."

The eldest Guardian finally spoke, though he had to take several pauses to breathe. "And now, we have no reports. None of the Guardians would dare risk the lives of our scouts. Nor would Lord Kerman. And the King certainly would not seek to blind himself."

Now, Lord Kerman spoke, his voice quiet. "The Guardians and I fear treason, Captain Sargon. With no reports from our scouts and little to no word from Tabriz Fortress, we fear that Lord Ragnar plans treachery against the King. Of course, with no proof on the matter, we cannot send anything even as large as a brigade to investigate these reports. However, given that you are already under orders to seek out the truth in these strange reports, we are placing this task in your hands."

Standing from his throne, Kerman paced to the two kneeling knights. "You will have a second squad attached to your own, Captain Sargon. It will be completely under your command. Seek out the truth, in both the matters of the greenskin tribes and of Lord Ragnar. Once you have done so, return to Tell Halaf immediately to give your report. If Ragnar truely is a traitor, then he must be dealt with, as soon as possible. For your assistance in this, if your report turns out positive... You will be granted command of Tabriz Fortress, for your loyal and long-standing service to the King."

Sargon could hardly believe his ears. He was to be made a noble, in command of his own fortress. Such a thing was almost unheard of! Lord Kerman himself had been the only one that had done the same. But of course, there was the catch, wasn't there? This was hardly a normal mission-it had stopped being one as soon as he had arrived here.

Lord Kerman spoke again. "Arise, Captain Sargon and Lieutenant Yance. You have your assignments. You are to leave in two days time. You will have to travel light, with only a week's provisions. However, I am confident in your success."

Both knights stood and bowed, while each Guardian and Lord Kerman all intoned quietly.

"For the honor of the Knights."