A boy from the Dark Elven Village.
Small answers from the author:
As you might have noticed, the chapter numbers do not correspond to the chronology of history. Something happened earlier, something later, but how is the real chronology of history? This you will have to understand yourself.
And again... Nimrhoss is not a Mare :)
Part 2
Chapter 1
Covert Beast
Medrid raised his glass with an alcoholic beverage.
"For one more successfully completed mission!"
"For one more successfully completed mission!"
He was echoed by others. All these people were members of his personal squad. After the successful destruction of the settlement demi-human, they often get together to drink it. However, his squad numbered almost 700 people, but among them were the few whom he could call close friends. Together with them, Medrid celebrated another victory for humanity.
In all there were 8 people. 7 of his friends and part-time bodyguards. They were not as strong as him, but still a very formidable force. Each of them specialized according to his role in the team. Bard, cleric, paladin, ranger, wizard, monk and druid. Medrid was a fighter. All together, they were a great multi-disciplinary team.
"Let's drink to the destruction of this cockroaches!"
But their celebration was broken. One of the envoys ran up to them. It looks like Commander Derinon forgot that they have a day off.
Medrid looked attentively at the emissary, who was tired, but respectfully bowed.
"I'm listening to you, what happened?"
"Captain Medrid, I have an urgent confidential message for you! Please accept the scroll and give me an answer as soon as possible."
A little angry that they interrupted his well-deserved rest, he took the scroll from the hands of the messenger and looked carefully. His initial relaxed face began to undergo rapid changes. Joy, bewilderment, disbelief, fear and anticipation. All these emotions were reflected on his face, surprising his friends.
Putting off the scroll aside, Medrid thought. If all this is true, and this cannot be untrue, then I understand why Derinon decided to choose me. But still, should not this be one of the Scriptures? Apparently, there is very little time. After pondering again on everything he read on the scroll, Medrid answered the messenger.
"I will undertake this risky task. But I need time to prepare, and the path is very far. Tell Commander Derinon that I will need access to a special department."
"I'll obey, Captain Medrid, I'll hand it over as soon as possible."
The messenger quickly departed from them and left. He was escorted by perplexed faces who turned their eyes to the only one who understood what had happened.
"Medrid, what does this all mean? Is the task so dangerous that you need access to a special department?"
"Yes. We have much to discuss, but first..."
Slanting slightly, Medrid took out an expendable item and activated it. Although there should not be spies in this place, it will be better if as few people as possible know about what they were going to talk about.
"To begin with, I thank you all for your service, you were excellent soldiers and beautiful friends."
Beren interrupted, he was a bard.
"Wait a minute, do you really think that we can lose and die?" Is the business so risky?"
"Since he used the expendable item just for the sake of talking about it, it's obvious yes. So please, Beren, be quiet."
Beren looked angrily at Kharin, but nevertheless decided to remain silent. It is better not to make quarrels in this place.
"The way it is. I, along with several thousand horsemen, are sent to the forest at the foot of the hills. It seems that there was seen a force, about the existence of which we do not know anything. And judging by the report..."
Medrid remembered what he had just read. Force, incredibly great power was released in the forest.
"This is something that you cannot just skip or ignore."
"Force, is it? What is the nature of this power? Was it Wild Magic or just a powerful spell?"
Elon asked, he was a wizard in the detachment and was the best at understanding magic.
"No, Elon. According to the report, it was an artifact that was activated in this forest."
"So, it's an artifact, right?" Interesting, but it seems to me that you do not say something. Did it really scare you?"
Smiling, Elon continued.
"Is our fighter, who dreams to surpass the strongest warrior of the Kingdom, got scared an ordinary artifact?"
"Heh, no, Elon, I'm not scared of that. Just…"
The whole company leaned over, attentively listening to their Captain.
"The caster who was near, almost went mad, feeling this power. According to the report, this was definitely a magical artifact of extraordinary power. And I worry. What will be if the enemies learn to control it? What if we come as pigs to the slaughterhouse?"
What if we all die for nothing? But he could not tell them that. All mankind lives only thanks to the Six Great Gods. And to die for them is a supreme honor. This has been taught since childhood.
"So that's what troubles you. I remember by the way, there is a large demi-human settlement near the forest. If they too have felt this power, we may be late. Now it is clear why Commander Derinon ordered the sending of cavalry units. But still, go to a special department... Are you sure about it?"
"Yes. So, you will must take with you all the best that you have. In the name of the Six Great Gods, we must successfully fulfill our mission! And I think I'll have to go to her..."
After talking with friends, Medrid walked briskly toward the building in which the seer lived. Usually, if someone tries to consider the future, he will be punished. The Gods did not just shut off mankind from the unknown. Even a little bit of knowledge about the future can harm a person. Only the Gods can know everything.
But people who have undergone a special psychological training, can learn a little about their own, and only their future. And Medrid was one of these people. He went to the seer, who could tell him much.
The moon and the stars shone brightly in the sky. Although he had to go on a mission tomorrow morning, he had many unfinished business. Depending on the words of the seer, he will finally decide the question about the special department.
Approaching the house, he noticed a figure that looked thoughtfully at the stars. Getting closer, he recognized her.
"Anel-sama, is that you?"
Having ceased to look at the stars, the woman turned.
"Captain Medrid, are you really coming to see me?"
"Yes. I must urgently talk to you about an important matter. Please, give me time."
"You are sent to an important task, and you want to know how it will end? The force was awakened in the forests south of Aberion Hills."
"That's right, Anel-sama. So please accept me."
Medrid bowed low. From the outside, maybe this seemed strange, but though Anel was much weaker, her knowledge of magic and foresight were among the best in the whole Slane Theocracy. She was specially sent here. But only a few know exactly why she does here. And Medrid did not know, so he asked if she would accept it. He does not know if she will have a free moment for him, but still hoped. And apparently, he was not mistaken.
"I see... understand. I know that you want to ask me, but before we start, let's go to my house."
Medrid sat down on a small chair opposite the seer. She lightly waved her hand and lit a number of standing candles. She looked like a woman of indeterminate age. And because of the entire mantle hiding the body, it was difficult to understand how old she was after all. Only a few know exactly how she looks.
"Anel-sama, I beg of you..."
"Do not worry Medrid, I understand the importance of your next assignment, so I accepted you. In fact, I was also interested."
"So, do you know about this artifact?"
"Oh, of course not. This item is not known to us. Even with the information that I have, I do not know what it is."
She looked excitedly at Medrid, but he did not notice this. Because of her robes, he was hard to understand what she was thinking.
"But, Anel-sama, this is all the more important. I'm going to go to a special department. If this is something that even you do not know, the risks are very high."
"In such cases, I will help you. I will try to predict what will happen to you, and what kind of power it was."
Approaching the closet, she took out a pack of cards, but these were not ordinary cards at all. These were subjects from the distant past. When the Six Great Gods arrived in this world, by the very fact of their existence they spawned countless magical objects. And although especially powerful artifacts were stored in the capital under the protection, many weaker items were distributed to trusted people. And these cards were given to her.
Many of the items that fell into this world with the Gods were much have changed in the New World. Including these maps, which were created as comic artifacts for predicting possible enemies in the dungeon and various hidden quests.
"Oh, Six Great Gods that protect humanity, please let me get a piece of your knowledge!"
Medrid looked at her attentively, and, closing her eyes, she always turned to the Gods for knowledge. And when he was already beginning to get bored, she pulled the card from the random place in the deck of cards and put it on the table. After doing so several times, she opened her eyes and looked at the cards in front of her. There was a strange sheen in her eyes.
"Captain Medrid, the cards told me a lot."
"What do you mean?"
She was silent. Too strange and contradictory picture appeared before her eyes. What should she do? She did not know. Deciding that for the sake of the well-being of the captain, he better not know the whole truth, she said.
"I do not know what kind of force it was, but I must warn you. This is not at all what you think. The power that you will go to find can change the whole world. But if you gain this power, then you can die. The Power of Gods. Only extremely powerful beings can own it, while others, only suffering will wait. Do not treat this as a normal subject. If you can find this object, then do not even try to seize this power! This is not what ordinary mortals can possess. But if someone else takes over this subject, then mankind may be in danger much more terrifying than even the Sorcerer Kingdom. "
"I understand you, Anel-sama, in which case I will do my best to find and deliver this artifact to the capital of our country as quickly as possible. I will not fail for the Six Great Gods!"
He decided everything. Now, he will definitely visit a special department. And although the path will not be close, he will try to reach the forest in less than a week. Now it is very dangerous to procrastinate, therefore.
"Thank you very much, Anel-sama, and good-bye!"
"May the blessing of the Six Great Gods accompany you. Good luck!"
Anel looked at the departing figure and thought about what she had seen earlier. Cards told her a lot. She saw the hard and dangerous path that the captain of Medrid would have to do. She saw many orcs and goblins, who swarm like ants in an anthill. But this was not the main thing. The main thing that she saw was ... Blood, a huge thirst for blood. The cards told her about something strange and contradictory. She had a feeling that all the pain and sorrow of the world was concentrated in a small spot. Woe. She did not understand what it was. But the cards clearly indicated this. Sadness and sorrow. Why is such a huge power radiating sadness? She did not know.
Considering all this, she again became convinced that she had made the right choice by coming here. Long ago, the cards predicted that there would be something incredible, and she decided to move here. Anel laughed happily, if everything turned out, then she could become the strongest defender of humanity!
Medrid quickly walked to the main armory. The building was wide and two-story, but at the same time, it has a secret cellar. Special department, which housed powerful artifacts. Approaching the gate leading to the dungeon, he showed his magical seal on his right hand. The guards got a special magical object to identify the person. They knew Captain Medrid well, but to exclude the possibility of substitution, they were forced to check it.
After making sure that he was not an impostor before them, the guards opened the gate and let it in. Walking through numerous rooms, he went to the only locker standing here, which he needed. Activating the ring, he put his hand to the lock of the locker and opened it. Only owners of such rings can open such lockers. Widely opening a solid wooden door, he saw something he had not seen for a long time.
Before him lay fine armor, enchanted to increase the protection against physical and magical attacks. These armor, together with his rings for regeneration, cost as a fortune. Because of the high price of repairs, he very rarely used this.
But this was not the main thing, why he came. The most important thing was nearby. Taking the sheath in their hands, he pulled out a shining sword. This sword was very enchanted. As if the moonlight had taken shape in the form of a sword, seeking enemies.
"Well, here comes your time. It's time to go into battle!"