Dian the Just
Disclaimer: I don't own Majesty or some of the hero's names.
Dian stood up and stretched. It felt good to get a restful night's sleep. Sir Willem had been taken to the Guild, to recover. Today Dian was going to patrol South District, since there was a shortage of Fighters down there, due to the Rock Golems, Dian, Tearra, and Kira were heading that way. Tearra was already awake, training in the inner courtyard. Dian went down to a small kitchen, where Kira was eating silently.
Dian was graced with the scents of sausages from the Eastern Provinces. Scrambled eggs were arranged on her plate, next to orange slices from the south. A porcelain cup held smooth milk from some of the local animals raised in West Town. Dian sat down. There was silverware from the mountains in the north. Dian immediately reached for a fork. Saying a small prayer to Dauros, she proceeded to eat.
Kira finished a little before Dian, but she waited.
When Dian finished, the two said a small after meal prayer. Standing up, the two went to find Tearra. They found her out in the inner courtyard, still training. With shock, Dian saw Sir Willem out there too! Dian watched as Tearra and Sir Willem clashed. Tearra was faster, but Willem had more strength, and he used it to his advantage. He stayed close in, so the long weapon reach that Tearra had was useless. He swung his sword violently, sending Tearra back. Then with an upward sweep, he knocked the sword out of Tearra's hand. He caught the sword in the air.
"You are supposed to be resting!" Kira exclaimed. She ran over to Willem and began to berate him like a small child. "Now you must hurry to bed, so you will recover. Now go!"
Dian couldn't help it. She began to laugh. Willem joined in. Tearra looked somewhat dumbfounded, and didn't move. Kira looked at Willem, and faintly smiled.
"Okay, I'll go to bed and get better, mother," Sir Willem said, laughing.
"We go to South District," Tearra said, picking up her sword. She sheathed it across her back. She made a face of disgust.
"Remember sister," Dian said, "You must always spread Dauros' Law everywhere, no just where you see fit. Have fun in South District."
Tearra grumbled something.
The group set out, taking the South Road. Of all the villages: South District, North village, West Town, and East Settlement, South District had by far, more people. Each of the villages had an outpost at its center, with guilds and houses surrounding it. Each outpost had a minor noble, governing most of the unimportant affairs. Each village was almost independent of the city. Trade carts would come from every direction, loading goods into the marketplace. In turn, the city would send out manufactured goods. This system seemed to work and had gone on for a long time.
Besides having the most people, South District was also the most rowdy. Besides the one in North Village, all the Elven Bungalows were in South District. Most of the Rogues Guilds were there too. All the Gambling Halls, the Elven Lounges, and the rundown inns were there. Dian had to learn all the history of the kingdom, and learning about the villages was no exception. Already, South District had once openly rebelled. It hadn't had too much bloodshed, but the earlier uprisings had been slightly worse. Where the rebellion had been quelled peacefully, the Elves and Rogues had been tired of heavy taxing. Finally, a small-scale battle had been waged in South District against the Rogues and Elves. The city came out victorious, and fined the Elves and Rogues.
South District was also closest to the city. Dian and the Paladins arrived quickly. The first thing Dian saw was a Gambling Hall, and from the noise inside it sounded busy. Elven children ran along the roads, barefoot, and wearing rags for clothes. A few beggars sat slumped at street corners, small cups held out. A rogue came out of the shadows, considered the group then decided against doing anything and faded into the shadows. Kira slowly drew the slim sword from her hip. It caught the light, adding a menacing touch to the blade.
Tearra unconsciously had put her hand on her hilt. Dian didn't feel too safe either. The shadows seemed to shift. An Elf or Rogue would sometimes materialize and vanish, leaving only wind rustling. The children ran along, unconcerned. Soon, Elven Lounges and Gambling Halls loomed up around the group. Most were drably colored, but a few had merry blue roofs and redwood frames. But most had dimly lit windows, with shadows furtively moving in and out of sight. Dian found her sword in her hand.
Then Dian rounded a corner. There was the Outpost. The South District Warriors' Guild was there too. It was in disarray, with the stone worn down, and the door obviously in disrepair. The banners hanging from the ramparts were faded and torn, any emblem on them now indiscernible. The Outpost was in much the same shape. The Palace Guards patrolling the Outpost looked ragged, like the Peasants. There weapons were dull, and in need of repair. Their helms could have shined once, but now were duller than the surrounding buildings.
The Paladins began to patrol. The Rangers had said that there was a large Goblin raiding party out there. The peace that had once reigned was slowly being chipped away at. Except in the west, everyone had withdrawn to the villages or the City. Certain goods like bread and some vegetables were becoming hard to find. The Rangers had once kept the enemy at bay, but now far more evil things then they could take care of were coming into the Realm.
"Sister!"
Dian looked up.
"The third rule of Dauros: Thou must never ignore Evil. Battle thine enemies if thou sees them," Tearra looked Dian in the eyes. "Do you see an enemy?"
Dian looked around. Then in the East, she saw Goblins. Hoards of Goblins!
"Yes," Dian said. "We must prepare to battle!" Dian raised her sword. A red glow surrounded her. "Energies of Light!"
Tearra's eyes widened at the difference in Dian's enchantment, as she performed her own.
Barking orders in their guttural language, the Goblins charged.
"Is it… a formation?" Kira asked with shock.
The Goblins swarmed the Paladins. The Goblin Champions waited outside, while Goblins Priests began to chant. Then Archers loosed a volley of heavy arrows. Dian swung her sword with fury. It cut through Goblins, surprise showing on their dull features. Short squat Goblins fell at Kira's slim blade. Tearra had somehow gotten out of the Goblins and was facing the Goblin Champions. Dian broke through the Goblins. She charged the Archers. But instead of breaking rank and scattering, they stood their ground! It was unnatural. Dian jumped in the air. She plunged her sword into the first Goblin Archer. Bows let arrows fly in a line. Right towards Dian. She lifted her arms, and her left forearm went numb. Grasping her sword firmly in her right hand, she cut through the next Goblin Archer.
It was a chaotic bloodbath after that. Dian tried to ignore the pain in her left arm. But after a Goblin Overlord hit her left arm, she cried out and collapsed. Dots swam before her eyes. She saw the Green, warty face as it leaned over, drawing a knife. Dian's red aura faded, leaving her to feel the full extent of her pain. She had one chance.
She reached up, and grabbed the Goblin Overlord's wrist. Its face changed from a look of triumph to outrage. With a final burst of her strength, she thrusted inward. The knife sank into his stomach. With a funny gurgling noise, he fell on top of Dian.
Dian lay there for some time. She could smell the ghastly stench of sweat and body odor coming from the Overlord. She tried to hold her breath, but eventually she had to breathe. But when she took in a breath, her lungs burned as much as before. With horror, she realized she was suffocating. If she didn't get out, she would die.
She began to push, but her strength failed her, leaving her choking beneath a Goblin carcass. She gasped and sputtered.
"Dauros if I ever needed you more, I would be dead. Please help me," she said in a dry croak. And with that, she faded down into a black oblivion.
Disclaimer: I don't own Majesty or some of the hero's names.
Dian stood up and stretched. It felt good to get a restful night's sleep. Sir Willem had been taken to the Guild, to recover. Today Dian was going to patrol South District, since there was a shortage of Fighters down there, due to the Rock Golems, Dian, Tearra, and Kira were heading that way. Tearra was already awake, training in the inner courtyard. Dian went down to a small kitchen, where Kira was eating silently.
Dian was graced with the scents of sausages from the Eastern Provinces. Scrambled eggs were arranged on her plate, next to orange slices from the south. A porcelain cup held smooth milk from some of the local animals raised in West Town. Dian sat down. There was silverware from the mountains in the north. Dian immediately reached for a fork. Saying a small prayer to Dauros, she proceeded to eat.
Kira finished a little before Dian, but she waited.
When Dian finished, the two said a small after meal prayer. Standing up, the two went to find Tearra. They found her out in the inner courtyard, still training. With shock, Dian saw Sir Willem out there too! Dian watched as Tearra and Sir Willem clashed. Tearra was faster, but Willem had more strength, and he used it to his advantage. He stayed close in, so the long weapon reach that Tearra had was useless. He swung his sword violently, sending Tearra back. Then with an upward sweep, he knocked the sword out of Tearra's hand. He caught the sword in the air.
"You are supposed to be resting!" Kira exclaimed. She ran over to Willem and began to berate him like a small child. "Now you must hurry to bed, so you will recover. Now go!"
Dian couldn't help it. She began to laugh. Willem joined in. Tearra looked somewhat dumbfounded, and didn't move. Kira looked at Willem, and faintly smiled.
"Okay, I'll go to bed and get better, mother," Sir Willem said, laughing.
"We go to South District," Tearra said, picking up her sword. She sheathed it across her back. She made a face of disgust.
"Remember sister," Dian said, "You must always spread Dauros' Law everywhere, no just where you see fit. Have fun in South District."
Tearra grumbled something.
The group set out, taking the South Road. Of all the villages: South District, North village, West Town, and East Settlement, South District had by far, more people. Each of the villages had an outpost at its center, with guilds and houses surrounding it. Each outpost had a minor noble, governing most of the unimportant affairs. Each village was almost independent of the city. Trade carts would come from every direction, loading goods into the marketplace. In turn, the city would send out manufactured goods. This system seemed to work and had gone on for a long time.
Besides having the most people, South District was also the most rowdy. Besides the one in North Village, all the Elven Bungalows were in South District. Most of the Rogues Guilds were there too. All the Gambling Halls, the Elven Lounges, and the rundown inns were there. Dian had to learn all the history of the kingdom, and learning about the villages was no exception. Already, South District had once openly rebelled. It hadn't had too much bloodshed, but the earlier uprisings had been slightly worse. Where the rebellion had been quelled peacefully, the Elves and Rogues had been tired of heavy taxing. Finally, a small-scale battle had been waged in South District against the Rogues and Elves. The city came out victorious, and fined the Elves and Rogues.
South District was also closest to the city. Dian and the Paladins arrived quickly. The first thing Dian saw was a Gambling Hall, and from the noise inside it sounded busy. Elven children ran along the roads, barefoot, and wearing rags for clothes. A few beggars sat slumped at street corners, small cups held out. A rogue came out of the shadows, considered the group then decided against doing anything and faded into the shadows. Kira slowly drew the slim sword from her hip. It caught the light, adding a menacing touch to the blade.
Tearra unconsciously had put her hand on her hilt. Dian didn't feel too safe either. The shadows seemed to shift. An Elf or Rogue would sometimes materialize and vanish, leaving only wind rustling. The children ran along, unconcerned. Soon, Elven Lounges and Gambling Halls loomed up around the group. Most were drably colored, but a few had merry blue roofs and redwood frames. But most had dimly lit windows, with shadows furtively moving in and out of sight. Dian found her sword in her hand.
Then Dian rounded a corner. There was the Outpost. The South District Warriors' Guild was there too. It was in disarray, with the stone worn down, and the door obviously in disrepair. The banners hanging from the ramparts were faded and torn, any emblem on them now indiscernible. The Outpost was in much the same shape. The Palace Guards patrolling the Outpost looked ragged, like the Peasants. There weapons were dull, and in need of repair. Their helms could have shined once, but now were duller than the surrounding buildings.
The Paladins began to patrol. The Rangers had said that there was a large Goblin raiding party out there. The peace that had once reigned was slowly being chipped away at. Except in the west, everyone had withdrawn to the villages or the City. Certain goods like bread and some vegetables were becoming hard to find. The Rangers had once kept the enemy at bay, but now far more evil things then they could take care of were coming into the Realm.
"Sister!"
Dian looked up.
"The third rule of Dauros: Thou must never ignore Evil. Battle thine enemies if thou sees them," Tearra looked Dian in the eyes. "Do you see an enemy?"
Dian looked around. Then in the East, she saw Goblins. Hoards of Goblins!
"Yes," Dian said. "We must prepare to battle!" Dian raised her sword. A red glow surrounded her. "Energies of Light!"
Tearra's eyes widened at the difference in Dian's enchantment, as she performed her own.
Barking orders in their guttural language, the Goblins charged.
"Is it… a formation?" Kira asked with shock.
The Goblins swarmed the Paladins. The Goblin Champions waited outside, while Goblins Priests began to chant. Then Archers loosed a volley of heavy arrows. Dian swung her sword with fury. It cut through Goblins, surprise showing on their dull features. Short squat Goblins fell at Kira's slim blade. Tearra had somehow gotten out of the Goblins and was facing the Goblin Champions. Dian broke through the Goblins. She charged the Archers. But instead of breaking rank and scattering, they stood their ground! It was unnatural. Dian jumped in the air. She plunged her sword into the first Goblin Archer. Bows let arrows fly in a line. Right towards Dian. She lifted her arms, and her left forearm went numb. Grasping her sword firmly in her right hand, she cut through the next Goblin Archer.
It was a chaotic bloodbath after that. Dian tried to ignore the pain in her left arm. But after a Goblin Overlord hit her left arm, she cried out and collapsed. Dots swam before her eyes. She saw the Green, warty face as it leaned over, drawing a knife. Dian's red aura faded, leaving her to feel the full extent of her pain. She had one chance.
She reached up, and grabbed the Goblin Overlord's wrist. Its face changed from a look of triumph to outrage. With a final burst of her strength, she thrusted inward. The knife sank into his stomach. With a funny gurgling noise, he fell on top of Dian.
Dian lay there for some time. She could smell the ghastly stench of sweat and body odor coming from the Overlord. She tried to hold her breath, but eventually she had to breathe. But when she took in a breath, her lungs burned as much as before. With horror, she realized she was suffocating. If she didn't get out, she would die.
She began to push, but her strength failed her, leaving her choking beneath a Goblin carcass. She gasped and sputtered.
"Dauros if I ever needed you more, I would be dead. Please help me," she said in a dry croak. And with that, she faded down into a black oblivion.
