The Gorgostone

by jediknigh5

6000 years ago, two armies fought for control of an area. One side tried to enlist Gorgos to help them destroy their enemies. But Gorgos could not be controlled, he ravaged the land. The two armies had to join forces to defeat him. They were able to contain Gorgos in a stone, and spit the stone into five pieces. What happened to those stones, therein lies our tale.

27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

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Tifre and Selencia sensed they were being followed, but by whom they did not know. Perhaps Liam or one of his trusted Goffs. It seemed unlikely that Liam would just let them go off alone, although they did take steps to lose their tails. Still, the possibility of the Gorgostone would be too much for anyone to pass up, including the Harpers, or any number of factions in Mystera. Each woman had a piece of the Gorgostone, until recently. When fleeing the idiot mob, Tifre had trusted her beloved with her piece. Selencia hid both stones before coming to rescue her beloved, but there was no guarantee that someone else hadn't found them. And they each wondered, would the other give up her stone when they found them? Tifre and Selencia had been through much together, and had fallen in love, but they believed in different things. Relations between Faerun and Darokin had only gotten worse, war was becoming more and more inevitable. Tifre still believed that Faerun and the Harpers represented honor, they were dedicated to stopping Gorgos. Selencia believed that Darokin represented freedom, and wealth for her personally. If was came, Tifre and Selencia might end up on opposite sides. It seemed unlikely that their love could survive such a war. But for now, they went to the mountains where Selencia hid the stones. They could sense that the stones were near, more of its power than they had ever sensed before. As they entered the caves, they could see that the stones were not where Selencia said they were. Was she lying to her beloved? Or had someone else discovered them? Hidden in the caves, they looked the same as any rock would. Only someone who had spent time around the true stones, who could sense their power, would even be able to tell them apart. Still, they could sense that the power was still present. It was faint, but near. The two of them went further into the caves, drawn by the power of the stones. It was here alright, more than they had ever sensed before. Greater even than two stones. Could it be that there were three stones here? Darokin and Faerun each had one, and the stones that Selencia hid would account for another two being here. And that only left, could the hermit be here as well? The man who had used the stone once to stop a plague, only to bring destruction upon all of Mysterra. The man who was cursed with immortality, had fate or blind dumb luck led Selencia to plant the stones here? Tifre and Selencia went further into the cave, until they found him. The legends said this man was over 500 years old, and he looked every day of it.

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Hermit: You have come for your stones?

Tifre: You know who we are?

Hermit: You are a nomad, forever wandering to protect the stones. And you are a thief, willing to sell the stone to the highest bidder.

Selencia: It's a living.

Tifre: War is coming.

Hermit: War always comes. I am an old man. War came long before I was born, and it will come long after I am released from my curse.

Tifre: You have three of the stones, with this power you could protect Mysterra, neither Faerun nor Darokin would dare invade.

Hermit: You are a fool, the stones lead only to death and destruction. I saw the destruction I brought to my land once, and you are arrogant enough to believe you can use it for good. Tell me, does Darokin still claim that Faerun and Mysterra are descended from those who first summoned Gorgos?

Tifre: Yes.

Hermit: And does Faerun still claim that Darokin and Mysterra are descended from those who first summoned Gorgos?

Tifre: As far as we know.

Hermit: They are enemies. So they accusse each other of the worst crime in history. It happened long before my time, but do you know what I suspect?

Selencia: No, but I bet you're going to tell us.

Hermit: I believe that the three who founded the beginnings of Mysterra, Faerun, and Darokin, I believe they were from the side that did not summon Gorgos. The original nomad, and the one who built the temple from which you stole your piece, I believe they were from the side which originally summoned Gorgos. Do you know why I believe this, because we did not learn. Your ancestors, they learned from their mistakes, and they trusted only one successor, or none at all. Over time our kingdoms became arrogant, we each thought we could use its power for good, or personal gain. Darokin uses its power sparingly to make its people wealthy. The Harpers use it to rule over Faerun, and frighten its enemies. They may live humble lives, but they cling to power. My order was no better, and we destroyed ourselves. I fear the same will happen to Faerun and Darokin, it will just take them longer. I am cursed, I can trust no successor, so I must live forever. Not forever no, just until the end of the known world. Thus far, Faerun and Darokin each have one piece. That has kept an uneasy truce in place. But now, I sense you will bring their destruction to Mysterra. Neither side will allow the other to possess two stones. I fear this has always been the plan of the stone, to destroy the known world and reunite with its true master.

Selencia: Than why not keep all three stones for Mysterra, or yourself?

Hermit: One stone has cursed me with immortality. I cannot bear the burden of three, and noone could possess all three without becoming corrupted. At any rate, I have no claim to these stones. You were trusted with this stone by your mentor. And you earned this stone with your cunning. I cannot stop you, I can only warn you of the dangers that you flirt with. Do not ignore my warnings, but do with them what you will.