Chapter Two - The Test
Cael'heroth, home of the beloved Legion of Light for as long as anyone can recall. Cael'heroth is a port town in the northwestern corner of the continent of Sarvonia. It is called the City of Enduring Stars, because of its intricate system of street lamps and night lights that decorate every corner of the city making it light up at night like a second sky. The lights can be seen for miles around and their light has never been extinguished.
The city itself is elaborately designed and as ancient as any other city on Caelereth. The city walls are twenty feet high and are constructed of stone so pure that it shines unnaturally year round without much need of cleaning. The walls were constructed a hundred years before by Dwarven hands after the Genocide War had threatened to come to this fair city. The Genocide War raged on for over a generation and destroyed many a city, but its foulness never once touched the walls of Cael'heroth. Most of the inner city was also constructed by Dwarves. The first Emperor of Cael'heroth set a tradition of only trusting Dwarven craftsmanship and stubbornly refused offers from any other source. This is why, some say, the city has endured throughout the centuries.
Of Dwarven make and design, the port city prospered and became a hub for trade from all of Sarvonia, since the port city was the middle ground for Cyhalloi and Nybelmar, the two closest continents. Merchants and dignitaries came from miles away to trade in the fabled Cael'heroth market and break bread with the Emperor and his nobles.
The Emperor himself was the direct descendant of the first Emperor and the line had remained in power throughout countless struggles. The Emperor was the supreme commander of the Legion of Light, which was based in the city but spread through out the hemisphere. The Legion's sphere of influence was limited only by the vast oceans that cut the hemisphere off from what ever lay beyond. The Legion of Light protects the city vigilantly and is yet another reason why the city has never been lain siege to.
The city was only vulnerable from attack from the portside, which remained un-walled and open to the sea. While allowing for a magnificent view, the portside was not very defendable. The Legion's presence alone was thought enough to deter any attempt at attack. This theory had held.
Within the city are the bases of operations for numerous guilds. The guilds are the true source of power in Sarvonia and the heads of each guild each play dangerous power games with each other for control. Each city has branches of each guild for the most part. If you are not in a guild you are a commoner and as the saying goes, 'Commoners yearn for nothing so receive nothing. A Guildsman yearns for more, so gets everything.'
The three most powerful guilds are the Mages Guild; headed by Gaul Fel, the Thieves Guild; headed by a mysterious man named Essex, and the Assassins Guild; who is lead mysteriously by an anonymous individual. Dozens of other guilds exist as well; the Mercenary Guild, Blacksmith Guild, Bards Guild, Illuminators Guild, Knights Guild (who refer to themselves not as a guild but a faction), Historians Guild, Merchants Guild and many more. The power of each guild varies, based mostly on ambition and wealth of the individual guild. Nobleman, and the wealthy or the most heavily recruited by the guilds, but most memberships are earned on deed and positions are limited. Since membership is limited it is very dangerous to belong to a guild. The easiest way to find an opening is to literally create one by disposing of a current member. The assassins guild actually only admits you if you have killed your predecessor. Great respect and power comes with being in a guild even if you are of the lowest rank you are better than the common man. The guilds motto is 'Guild, god, then family' and they expect you to live by it.
The Emperor is careful to keep the heads of the guilds happy and not at war with each other more for his own peace of mind than theirs. The current Emperor, Tyberius IV, also makes sure that the city is constantly free of vermin. He personally has sent a quarter of Akdor's population to the dismal island. This zero tolerance makes it more difficult for the Thieves and Assassins Guilds to operate. They are only tolerated to maintain the balance within the city. Removing one guild would upset the balance of power in the city so much Tyberius shuddered often about the entire notion. So the adage of keep your friends close and your enemies closer became common practice.
The city has seen its share of heroes and also its share of villains. It has created some of the noblest as well as the vilest men to ever walk the face of Caelereth. Currently a man, not quite either resides here. He does not know it yet, but his recent acceptance into the Mercenaries Guild will change his life forever. Triest Morgan was raised an orphan and had remained one until a couple, who could barely lay claim to the right of being noble, had taken him in since the wife could not bare children of her own. The couple had not been overly gracious but not ghastly either. They had raised Triest from a boy into a young man, given him a surname, and then sent him to make his own way.
The Mercenaries Guild had been his adopted father's idea. He thought since he himself had not been a great fighter, he should at least make his "son" one. After a small sum of money exchanged hands the Guild admitted Triest into its fold as the lowest ranking guildsman. Triest was honored of course, as was to be expected of him, but not having been given the choice of his future did grate on him a little. However he didn't want to let down the only parents he had known so he graciously went along with the whole thing.
That was a year ago. Triest had spent most of his days training with the guild elders. The elders, being too old to do any serious mercenary work themselves, stayed on in an instructional capacity for the newcomers. Triest liked his time training and as fairly adept at it. Not the best but definitely not the worst. He learned about mathematics during this time as well, since knowing how much to charge and how much not to charge a person was essential to his job. This being the end of his first year in the guild he was due a promotion. This promotion would make him no longer a low ranking apprentice guildsman but a full fledged guildsman, with all its privileges.
This would also bring on the test. This part of his training was the most important. Each first year apprentice must undergo a test, set up by the head of the guild himself, before he or she can move onto the second year. Failure meant redoing the first year and a second failing would mean expulsion. Rarely did anyone pass the first time; those who had quickly became the most famous of the guild and demanded the highest fees. Marketing yourself was half the skill of being a mercenary after all.
No one knew what the test was; it was rumored to be different for each participant. The elders refused to even speak of their individual tests and most times made the questioner do extra lessons. This day was to be the day Triest received his test. The overall nervousness of the situation was heightened more by the arrival of a mysterious woman the following day. She had appeared in the guilds main courtyard out of thin air. The grey robes she wore tight against her skin automatically signaled her to be a mage. The head of the guild himself had rushed out to welcome her and then the two had secluded themselves in his chambers since. Not knowing why the woman had come, or what her arrival pertained didn't help Triest's nervousness any more.
Nevertheless he still made his way to the guilds ceremonial chambers at high noon, as he had been instructed to. Once he reach the heavy steel doors he stopped slowly, took a deep breath, and then entered into the unknown.
The room he entered was dimly lit by candles throughout the circular chamber. Plaques adorned the walls, written on them the exploits of individual members. In the center of the room sat the head of the guild, a stout man who had long ago given up fieldwork, opting instead for the comforts of leadership. Beside him stood the mysterious woman, still shrouded in her robes, and now eyeing Triest carefully. Her scrutiny made him feel most uncomfortable and he quickly turned his gaze back to the head of his guild.
"Triest Morgan, you come before me today as an apprentice, asking for the chance to go forth into the world and stake your claim. The only thing preventing this from happening right this minute is one thing. You must be tested, as all who come through those doors have been and always will be. If you are to survive your test you must keep your wits about you and your sword at the ready. Triest Morgan, are you ready to receive your test?" The head of the Mercenaries Guild stood up after saying speaking and the dimly lit room flared into full light. The effect was almost overwhelming.
Triest took a step back before he realized what he had done. He told himself to not be a coward, and then stood up straight. "I am ready sir, what is your test for me?"
"Your test will be a quest Triest. You are to accompany Miss Aurilia," at the mention of her name she stepped forward and moved back her hood, allowing a better glimpse at her face. She was not gorgeous but she did have a sort of beauty about her. "You are to accompany her to Yamalquain."
"Yamalquain? That is crazy! It is half way across the world! You can't be serious."
Aurilia stepped forward at this point, her curly black locks of hair swirling around her face, "He is absolutely serious. You alone have been chosen to undertake this quest. We are on a mission to save the world so I would make sure you were fully committed before you agree if I were you. I don't need you giving up halfway through."
Hundreds of thoughts ran through Triest's head before it occurred to him he really did not have a choice in the matter. Either he agreed to take this test, or he wastes another year of his life training for his next test. "Ok Miss Aurilia. I accept this test laid forth by my guild. I will accompany you on this quest, but I must warn you. I am not the best for this certain task. If what you say is true and the fate of the world hangs in the balance, you may want to choose one who is more skilled in the sword than me."
Aurilia smiled warmly, the smile had an instant calming effect on Triest, "I have seen all your peers and, believe me; you have something the others lack. You will prove to be most adequate for this certain task. I think you don't have enough faith in yourself. While you may not be as gifted in art of fighting as the others, you have excelled in strategy and mathematics. These skills are what are needed on this quest. Now, go ready yourself, we leave within the hour. Our journey will be long and I fear we may see more troubles by delaying than not."
Triest dipped his head in a slight bow and quickly turned and left the chamber. Something was wrong with all of this. He had always thought the test was more a theoretical thing than an actual physical one. And why hadn't the head of the guild spoken more? He had let the woman speak for him as if once he had given the task to Triest, he was no longer important. All these questions continued to run through Triest's head as he entered his room and began to pack. He only knew that, while he did not understand this test, he would not fail. He would see to it that Aurilia would make it to Yamalquain even if it took the rest of his days to get her there.
He quickly packed his things and then headed out, quickly grabbing his sword along the way. He walked slowly to the stables, still unable to understand the curious turn of events. Yamalquain was not known for being very friendly to anyone in particular, let alone humans. You see, Yamalquain was home to one of the fiercest races on the face of Caelereth, a race that prided itself on physical prowess, unbridled wrath, and gladiatorial skills.
Yamalquain had been home to these bloodthirsty savages for as long as anyone can remember and time had not faded their bloodthirstiness. If anything it had made it stronger and more uncontrolled. Yamalquain was home to the race called Minotaur you see. And as hard as Triest think about he still could not understand why Aurilia thought he could protect her from an entire race of savages.
Cael'heroth, home of the beloved Legion of Light for as long as anyone can recall. Cael'heroth is a port town in the northwestern corner of the continent of Sarvonia. It is called the City of Enduring Stars, because of its intricate system of street lamps and night lights that decorate every corner of the city making it light up at night like a second sky. The lights can be seen for miles around and their light has never been extinguished.
The city itself is elaborately designed and as ancient as any other city on Caelereth. The city walls are twenty feet high and are constructed of stone so pure that it shines unnaturally year round without much need of cleaning. The walls were constructed a hundred years before by Dwarven hands after the Genocide War had threatened to come to this fair city. The Genocide War raged on for over a generation and destroyed many a city, but its foulness never once touched the walls of Cael'heroth. Most of the inner city was also constructed by Dwarves. The first Emperor of Cael'heroth set a tradition of only trusting Dwarven craftsmanship and stubbornly refused offers from any other source. This is why, some say, the city has endured throughout the centuries.
Of Dwarven make and design, the port city prospered and became a hub for trade from all of Sarvonia, since the port city was the middle ground for Cyhalloi and Nybelmar, the two closest continents. Merchants and dignitaries came from miles away to trade in the fabled Cael'heroth market and break bread with the Emperor and his nobles.
The Emperor himself was the direct descendant of the first Emperor and the line had remained in power throughout countless struggles. The Emperor was the supreme commander of the Legion of Light, which was based in the city but spread through out the hemisphere. The Legion's sphere of influence was limited only by the vast oceans that cut the hemisphere off from what ever lay beyond. The Legion of Light protects the city vigilantly and is yet another reason why the city has never been lain siege to.
The city was only vulnerable from attack from the portside, which remained un-walled and open to the sea. While allowing for a magnificent view, the portside was not very defendable. The Legion's presence alone was thought enough to deter any attempt at attack. This theory had held.
Within the city are the bases of operations for numerous guilds. The guilds are the true source of power in Sarvonia and the heads of each guild each play dangerous power games with each other for control. Each city has branches of each guild for the most part. If you are not in a guild you are a commoner and as the saying goes, 'Commoners yearn for nothing so receive nothing. A Guildsman yearns for more, so gets everything.'
The three most powerful guilds are the Mages Guild; headed by Gaul Fel, the Thieves Guild; headed by a mysterious man named Essex, and the Assassins Guild; who is lead mysteriously by an anonymous individual. Dozens of other guilds exist as well; the Mercenary Guild, Blacksmith Guild, Bards Guild, Illuminators Guild, Knights Guild (who refer to themselves not as a guild but a faction), Historians Guild, Merchants Guild and many more. The power of each guild varies, based mostly on ambition and wealth of the individual guild. Nobleman, and the wealthy or the most heavily recruited by the guilds, but most memberships are earned on deed and positions are limited. Since membership is limited it is very dangerous to belong to a guild. The easiest way to find an opening is to literally create one by disposing of a current member. The assassins guild actually only admits you if you have killed your predecessor. Great respect and power comes with being in a guild even if you are of the lowest rank you are better than the common man. The guilds motto is 'Guild, god, then family' and they expect you to live by it.
The Emperor is careful to keep the heads of the guilds happy and not at war with each other more for his own peace of mind than theirs. The current Emperor, Tyberius IV, also makes sure that the city is constantly free of vermin. He personally has sent a quarter of Akdor's population to the dismal island. This zero tolerance makes it more difficult for the Thieves and Assassins Guilds to operate. They are only tolerated to maintain the balance within the city. Removing one guild would upset the balance of power in the city so much Tyberius shuddered often about the entire notion. So the adage of keep your friends close and your enemies closer became common practice.
The city has seen its share of heroes and also its share of villains. It has created some of the noblest as well as the vilest men to ever walk the face of Caelereth. Currently a man, not quite either resides here. He does not know it yet, but his recent acceptance into the Mercenaries Guild will change his life forever. Triest Morgan was raised an orphan and had remained one until a couple, who could barely lay claim to the right of being noble, had taken him in since the wife could not bare children of her own. The couple had not been overly gracious but not ghastly either. They had raised Triest from a boy into a young man, given him a surname, and then sent him to make his own way.
The Mercenaries Guild had been his adopted father's idea. He thought since he himself had not been a great fighter, he should at least make his "son" one. After a small sum of money exchanged hands the Guild admitted Triest into its fold as the lowest ranking guildsman. Triest was honored of course, as was to be expected of him, but not having been given the choice of his future did grate on him a little. However he didn't want to let down the only parents he had known so he graciously went along with the whole thing.
That was a year ago. Triest had spent most of his days training with the guild elders. The elders, being too old to do any serious mercenary work themselves, stayed on in an instructional capacity for the newcomers. Triest liked his time training and as fairly adept at it. Not the best but definitely not the worst. He learned about mathematics during this time as well, since knowing how much to charge and how much not to charge a person was essential to his job. This being the end of his first year in the guild he was due a promotion. This promotion would make him no longer a low ranking apprentice guildsman but a full fledged guildsman, with all its privileges.
This would also bring on the test. This part of his training was the most important. Each first year apprentice must undergo a test, set up by the head of the guild himself, before he or she can move onto the second year. Failure meant redoing the first year and a second failing would mean expulsion. Rarely did anyone pass the first time; those who had quickly became the most famous of the guild and demanded the highest fees. Marketing yourself was half the skill of being a mercenary after all.
No one knew what the test was; it was rumored to be different for each participant. The elders refused to even speak of their individual tests and most times made the questioner do extra lessons. This day was to be the day Triest received his test. The overall nervousness of the situation was heightened more by the arrival of a mysterious woman the following day. She had appeared in the guilds main courtyard out of thin air. The grey robes she wore tight against her skin automatically signaled her to be a mage. The head of the guild himself had rushed out to welcome her and then the two had secluded themselves in his chambers since. Not knowing why the woman had come, or what her arrival pertained didn't help Triest's nervousness any more.
Nevertheless he still made his way to the guilds ceremonial chambers at high noon, as he had been instructed to. Once he reach the heavy steel doors he stopped slowly, took a deep breath, and then entered into the unknown.
The room he entered was dimly lit by candles throughout the circular chamber. Plaques adorned the walls, written on them the exploits of individual members. In the center of the room sat the head of the guild, a stout man who had long ago given up fieldwork, opting instead for the comforts of leadership. Beside him stood the mysterious woman, still shrouded in her robes, and now eyeing Triest carefully. Her scrutiny made him feel most uncomfortable and he quickly turned his gaze back to the head of his guild.
"Triest Morgan, you come before me today as an apprentice, asking for the chance to go forth into the world and stake your claim. The only thing preventing this from happening right this minute is one thing. You must be tested, as all who come through those doors have been and always will be. If you are to survive your test you must keep your wits about you and your sword at the ready. Triest Morgan, are you ready to receive your test?" The head of the Mercenaries Guild stood up after saying speaking and the dimly lit room flared into full light. The effect was almost overwhelming.
Triest took a step back before he realized what he had done. He told himself to not be a coward, and then stood up straight. "I am ready sir, what is your test for me?"
"Your test will be a quest Triest. You are to accompany Miss Aurilia," at the mention of her name she stepped forward and moved back her hood, allowing a better glimpse at her face. She was not gorgeous but she did have a sort of beauty about her. "You are to accompany her to Yamalquain."
"Yamalquain? That is crazy! It is half way across the world! You can't be serious."
Aurilia stepped forward at this point, her curly black locks of hair swirling around her face, "He is absolutely serious. You alone have been chosen to undertake this quest. We are on a mission to save the world so I would make sure you were fully committed before you agree if I were you. I don't need you giving up halfway through."
Hundreds of thoughts ran through Triest's head before it occurred to him he really did not have a choice in the matter. Either he agreed to take this test, or he wastes another year of his life training for his next test. "Ok Miss Aurilia. I accept this test laid forth by my guild. I will accompany you on this quest, but I must warn you. I am not the best for this certain task. If what you say is true and the fate of the world hangs in the balance, you may want to choose one who is more skilled in the sword than me."
Aurilia smiled warmly, the smile had an instant calming effect on Triest, "I have seen all your peers and, believe me; you have something the others lack. You will prove to be most adequate for this certain task. I think you don't have enough faith in yourself. While you may not be as gifted in art of fighting as the others, you have excelled in strategy and mathematics. These skills are what are needed on this quest. Now, go ready yourself, we leave within the hour. Our journey will be long and I fear we may see more troubles by delaying than not."
Triest dipped his head in a slight bow and quickly turned and left the chamber. Something was wrong with all of this. He had always thought the test was more a theoretical thing than an actual physical one. And why hadn't the head of the guild spoken more? He had let the woman speak for him as if once he had given the task to Triest, he was no longer important. All these questions continued to run through Triest's head as he entered his room and began to pack. He only knew that, while he did not understand this test, he would not fail. He would see to it that Aurilia would make it to Yamalquain even if it took the rest of his days to get her there.
He quickly packed his things and then headed out, quickly grabbing his sword along the way. He walked slowly to the stables, still unable to understand the curious turn of events. Yamalquain was not known for being very friendly to anyone in particular, let alone humans. You see, Yamalquain was home to one of the fiercest races on the face of Caelereth, a race that prided itself on physical prowess, unbridled wrath, and gladiatorial skills.
Yamalquain had been home to these bloodthirsty savages for as long as anyone can remember and time had not faded their bloodthirstiness. If anything it had made it stronger and more uncontrolled. Yamalquain was home to the race called Minotaur you see. And as hard as Triest think about he still could not understand why Aurilia thought he could protect her from an entire race of savages.