Crusade Through Repentance

Prologue

Kindgom of Dunwyn, Late Fall, 1235 A.D.

If one thing was certain about the known world: There was no region quite as mystical as the lowland woods of Dunwyn. Even though this has been proven by centuries of settlements from the Romans to the Normans. There is almost no definitive reason as to why these lands hold such a jungle of magical beings. Being isolated on Britannia from the rest of the Europa might be it's biggest geological difference that could attract such powers the world has become astounded by. To the point where many explorers searched the lands to find out what they could about what unique beings dwell there. Many taking this knowledge with them to their homelands, teaching it to others. Some returning as sorcerers, claiming that although magic and supernatural creatures exist elsewhere, the Dunwyn woods would be the magic well to tap from. Others in rare cases, gave lectures on how to prevent these mystical creatures, particularly those of hostility, from harming humans and what their potential weaknesses were. These experts ironically were rare in Dunwyn, and no one knew this better than the kingdom's biggest threat: Duke Igthorn.

Ever since his banishment from the kingdom's capitol for an assassination attempt on the queen, in which her sustained injures resulted in her death. He was the one thing keeping peace from the kingdom. On her deathbed she claimed Igthorn blackmailed her into forcing her husband Gregor to step down or 'bad things would happen'. Attempting to stab her repeatedly in bed she jumped out her window and fell two stories to the ground. There were enough witnesses to see the tragedy, and the one responsible.

Duke was ironically not used to living outside of stone walls, as it took a long time for him to find a place to plot revenge. His banishment forced him beyond the nearest kingdom borders: The foreboding lands of Drekmore. The viscous and hostile yang to the peaceful and serene yin of Dunwyn. Although Igthorn was not well versed in mythical creatures, he learned the basics as a squire and knew enough to know which ones he could use to make his own round table. After finding an abandoned castle teaming with ogres, he manipulated them into serving him in exchange for all the pastries in the kingdom. Hence to say they forgot his promise and serve him regardless of his abusiveness towards them.

In his continuing conquest of seizing the kingdom for himself, Ighthorn began to take notice of other forces keeping him from achieving victory. All without an army worthy of outmatching these small yet advanced opponents. He did learn about certain curses from books in his training, and legends from his village home within the castle walls. And now he thought would be the best time to find a different approach. He was tired of using an army of idiots and sought to find someone to make his army better. In his most recent siege on Dunwyn castle, he used nearly all his loyal ogres to give the knights a hard time while he looked back into his old home to find these old legends and perhaps summon a new threat to add to his lust for power.

This most recent attack had finally made the king reconsider his own court of knights. Lacking in stopping power compared to the beasts Igthorn uses constantly, and unlike most previous attacks were unfortunately unable to stop minor casualties. He still very much trusted his royal guard to keep his residents safe, but this time some of his knights and even a few peasants were injured and at least one confirmed killed. With Igthorn's whereabouts unknown to him and his people much more concerned over their well being, Gregor was now at a loss for solutions to ensure his people's safety.

Oh Vespilla, Lost in thought reminiscing about his long gone queen, You always had such advice for negotiations. You would've given our kingdom such great hope in this conflict; you would've given Calla such grace at her current age.

His thoughts ceased once his chamber was entered by his Captain of the Guard: Sir Tuxford.

"Sire," He began in a much more serious tone than normal. "I'm sure you know by now, this past attack has the whole town under wraps, your reluctance for more men has gone too far. What if the people begin to doubt your decisions? Or what if something happened to Calla?"

"Firstly," He responded, not taking these comments lightly, "The people have had trust in me since my coronation, they know I would not abandon them no matter the cost. Secondly: If there's one thing I've learned from my own father, it's that a fellowship of wisemen will always trump a brute force of mindless grunts. That's exactly what Duke has right now, and it's also why until now he's yet to come through on any of his attacks."

"I won't argue with your image sire," Tuxford agreed, "But the point is before we didn't have a good idea of just how many ogres he had at his disposal. Now we do, and regardless of their stupidity they are still stronger than any one of us and can do great damage as a team. Even without his army, might as ask again how many times has Duke been caught within our walls completely undetected?"

Gregor didn't have an argument for this one. "I supposed there is a point there, we don't force travelers to reveal their reasons. My parents nor my queen felt there was a cause for travelers to confess their private business matters."

"Now that Igthorn is about and could come in at any time completely unnoticed, I say it's time we change that." Tuxford insisted.

Gregor while still reluctant, knew this would be a first step in ensuring safety once again. "We never have before to ensure privacy and to make us more welcoming. Even with this last attack, I won't employ guards at the gate except for a last resort."

"This is a last resort sire," Tuxford continued to argue, "Never before has Igthorn or one of his ogres taken a life. Accidentally or purposefully. If he has done it before he may not hesitate again on this next round."

This just made Gregor's reluctance all the more harder to keep. This was the first attack in which a knight was killed. "At least Sir Enfeild's sacrifice was not in vain, we still pushed Duke and his ogres back. Duke maybe intimidating to us, but with his current force of ogres he'll never have the brains to take on our current court."

"At this point dare I say I'm more worried about how his death will scare off new recruits."

"It too pains me to think there's been a lack of young boys willing to follow in their father's footsteps." Gregor sighed at this realization.

"Even so, no matter what Duke uses against us after this, I don't have enough knights to keep our kingdom safe. Let alone only a handful of pages in training. I haven't had any new recruits in nearly five years." Tuxford stated.

"I am very well aware of our shortage in numbers Tuxford." Gregor repeats, "If anything this last siege and everything you've told me so far today has only reinstated that."

"I don't believe this conflict would not be nearly as big an issue if you just allowed me to seek out boys for recruitment."

"You know very well I took my queen's advice in that I would let the pages come to us, not the other way around."

"Yes but those were much more peaceful days, Vespilla was quite the peacemaker for us but even if she were still around, Duke has never once held out an olive branch. Especially not after what he did to her."

"Sir Tuxford, I am very well aware of this conflict's origin." Gregor snapped somewhat angrily, rather unlike his typical stature of being open and easy going. "Even if that wasn't the case, if hypothetically she was still somehow around and did offer peace, Duke would be too greedy to take any offering aside from surrender. Nothing has changed his mind before, and I'm sure he never will at this rate."

Gregor sighed more calmly. Now agreeing with the original point Tuxford was making, feeling now there was no excuse to hold off on drafting new knights. Or at least posting guards at the castle gates.

There was one question that Gregor had that wasn't considered yet. In regards to this recent siege if there was anything different in terms of anything lost outside of Sir Enfeild. "Were there any buildings in the attack that were purposefully damaged or searched? If there's one thing Duke's attacks have been consistent with until now it's him keeping the town mostly intact."

"There was one structure I noticed that seems to have been vandalized and destroyed: his old home." Tuxford informs. "I don't know what sense there would be tough considering he wants to rule the kingdom, so for him to do massive damage to any of the buildings, let alone his childhood home does not seem like something smart for his goals."

"That's true," Gregor replied, "I don't see how it makes sense for him to destroy or steal from a building without reason. Considering it was the Igthorn family home, do you think there would have be anything of use for him in there?"

"Considering the rubble that was left behind, we couldn't find any trace of anything valuable stolen. Except."

"Except?" Gregor questioned, knowing there was more to this search.

"This wasn't exactly valuable, but some damaged books had pictures of hostile creatures not often found here in Dunwyn, but I presume common in Drekmore."

"He would know more about what creatures are in those hostile lands than us. There's a good reason we don't go searching for his exact whereabouts."

"What reason would he have though to come back here for more information on what he should already know enough about?"

After thinking for a few more seconds, Gregor then realized that Duke, even eight years after his banishment, barley knows what's out there since his primary source would be his knight training. So anything he would've learned first had was from them before.

"Wait, that's what he's doing," Gergor concluded, "He's trying to find other creatures that could be more useful in his attacks. We've observed several times how frustrated he is with his ogres, now he's trying to find an alternative."

"He hasn't used others before," Tuxford thought, "Nor would I think he could manipulate other creatures so easily, but by now I'm almost certain that he's going to use others we're not used to fighting."

"Now it just makes me worried about how to retaliate against any other creatures he could use. With all do respect Sir Tuxford, you nor any of our noble knights are that well familiar with what abominations are amok in Drekmore."

"Too right Sire," Tuxford sighed in agreement, "None of our court nor any citizen here would know much about what lurks just outside our immediate territory. And for those who do live out there by themselves away from our kingdom walls, I pity them."

"Hang on," Gregor responded, getting a new idea. "I recall someone who used to have expertise in regards to the creatures found in these lands. About a decade ago shortly after Calla was born he disappeared. I know he was good friends with my own father, but its been so long that I don't recall what his name was?"

"I do know who you're referring to Sire." Tuxford acknowledged, "Disappeared might be a strong word though, I recall he never lived in the kingdom's walls but he was a common traveler to the castle. I even remember how often he spoke to our people about his findings and some warnings. I was just below my predecessor's ranking, Sir Brosnan, right after Princess Calla was born as you said yourself. One of the last gatherings under Sir Brosnan had him as a special guest who was confirming his departure from the lands. Saying how he was summoned to mainland Europa to lecture those requesting information about his findings here. His name was Winston Helsing, Sire."

"Winston Helsing." Gregor restated, now remembering the unique man from years ago. "Now I see his face again. When I was still a prince he was gave guidance to those who knew little about what lives here. He was quite the consultant for travelers of these lands. Giving useful tips on what to look out for, and if one encountered a species how to properly act to not provoke it. He did come to the castle a few times to report new discoveries, he was quite the story teller too."

"Much like how Sir Gawain is today." Tuxford added in his somewhat nostalgic thoughts on Winston. Adding hope to their current predicament. "From what I recall Sire, that's the last we saw of him. Almost a dozen years ago and I'm sure had he returned to the kingdom, we would've seen him again."

"He was certainly never afraid of coming to us about his findings or to teach." Gregor acknowledged, "Vespilla certainly loved hearing his tales, and I recall her telling Calla some of those stories years ago. Makes me all the more shameful that I was not present at that final gathering with Sir Brosnan those years ago. He left at a high time of peace when his knowledge was not high in demand, yet now more than ever we need his expertise. Do you recall exactly where he was going in Europa?"

"Sadly no Sire," Tuxford answered, "His exact details were lost on me. Only those with true intentions of learning magic could follow his information so casually. That is except for the queen when she was in the mood for a new story."

"Well it looks like we have some archival work to go through." Gregor concluded, looking at another knight in his chamber. "Sir Radcliff, go to our archives to see anything regarding Winston Helsing's whereabouts."

"Right away your highness." Sir Radcliff answered as he went to the surprisingly small castle archives.

"I must admit Sire," Tuxford interrupted, "A journey to mainland Europa isn't like traveling to a nearby kingdom. Assuming he is still in mainland Europa, do you honestly think we can wait for him to return?"

"Unless you and your men search the lands until you find someone else with the same level of expertise, there is no one else to turn to. This is a last resort is it not?" Gregor alluded to with Tuxford's original description of the situation.

"This time those were your words with all due respect Sire."

After a few hours still debating on what the next safety steps were, Sir Radcliff finally found an old letter addressed to Gregor answering everything they were looking for:

To Your Royal Highness King Gregor,

Firstly I like to congratulate your on the birth of your heir Calla. A first born princess is a rarity from a royal family line such as yours; I wish you and your queen Vespilla the best of luck on your recent blessing. Secondly I am to announce my departure from your kingdom. I recently received a unique word of distress from mainland Europa in regards to a sinister evil appearing, and wreaking havoc upon a small village. Destroying portions of their sacred monastery unfortunately as well. This evil is one that in all my days, even I can barley explain no less comprehend such a force. This small village is a few days travel south of Munich in the Bavarian Mountains, and its residents have suffered immensely from this attack. I am not going to this village in Bavaria to supply aid, but as a calling to rid the village of the evils cursed there and to restate faith in the lord for their inhabitants.

The evil creature was one that I know for certain cannot exist in any normal wild form. Although I cannot explain from here what this threat was, all I can say is no creature from this kingdom, or even any malicious force in Drekmore would dare oppose it. And that it is one not of this world, nor from the heavens above. What came to summon this creature there and if there is someone else knowing of it's ways is something I have yet to see. Thankfully this creature is of no threat to your kingdom. I would have been alerted to it's evocation before had it been so, and the will power for the common man to summon such an abomination has been lost. All the more reason I must go, I must find out how and why such a creature was summoned and who is indeed responsible. I am not the first nor the last to learn of the mystical powers found in these lands. That fact even the great wise men from all over the known world are proud of, but yet some I certainly know remain jealous of.

In the few times we have spoken face to face you shall have gathered how much I desire to teach my findings. Many who have tapped into the magic found in these lands have certainly left to spread it across the known world. I am doing a similar act but no in the vain of fame nor fortune. For as enchanting as many wonders there are to behold here, that does not mean all that is found here, friendly or violent, is out of reach from the rest of the world. This creature that attack this village is all the evidence I need to quell my duty the lord has placed upon me. For it was a sign from the lord telling me a way was yet again found to do the devil's bidding. It was not I nor any previous dwellers of these woods that were responsible. But a message of disturbance has been conceived in my thoughts that revealed if I remain idle, grave danger is to come for all those who bow to the lord. Regardless of my knowledge of what did attack them being as of writing this notice lacking, their need to know what magic exists in this world and how to keep it secret from the wrong hands is why I must go.

I am still regretful that I must venture forth away from what has been a home to me my whole life. However it is not my lord who has taken absence in myself. This pilgrimage is both to rekindle my relationship with those above my knowledge, and to see that those who suffered from this creature's wrath are too at peace. To prove once again that I am worthy of being a man who's trust in their creator is not lost on them. From now until such a time has confirmed my place earned, I shall travel and remain at Mendelrung Monastery.

I only hope this peace that has remained in these lands for generations continues to flourish with you being on the thrown. You have proven yourself to be a noble prince growing up, and now I can only foresee this nobility and fearlessness passing onto your daughter. I at least hope your queen can still recall my wondrous teachings she enjoyed. Maybe one day even your princess will have stories of her own to tell.

I bid thee Kingdom farewell,

Winston Helsing.

Declared April 12, 1223 A.D.

Gregor was still flatted by his compliments even if the letter was years old. Winston was no royal sorcerer nor was he a reclusive hermit. Although unorthodox considering his residence in these lands, he remained a friend to the kingdom even before his father was king. It did answer why and where he was, it was only a matter now of reaching out back to him.

"Still to this day I can't think of anyone living here in these lands that think of the royal bloodline so casually, in the form of fellow friends." Gregor Smiled with charm at the thought of Winston returning. "He is for sure the one we need to bring back here."

"Even so Sire, I still find myself skeptical if he really is the right one to assist us."

"There is no one else I can think of with such a vast knowledge of what is to be found here. And if indeed Duke is planning to use other cruel beings to his advantage, Winston cannot be replace by anyone else."

"Not in that sense Sire," Tuxford explained, "I fully agree these is no one better to aid us, but I'm referring instead to some of his more taboo beliefs." Gregor now understood was he was talking about with skepticism. This letter certainly made if clear of Winston's beliefs, as others would call: Religion.

"If you are referring to his religious practices, true they are very uncommon here. But his tone in this letter was urgent but also obligatory." Gregor restated confidently. "He felt this calling of his, even if I myself don't fully understand it, as one more of hope than of dread."

"I can certainly see where your daughter got her rebellious instinct from." Tuxford alluded, "I'm sure Calla would be honored to meet him, and the queen would've absolutely want him back as well. We shall get a summoning message sent to Medelrung Monastery and the village in Bavaria sent come dawn tomorrow."

"I'm glad you're able to see the bigger picture here Sir Tuxford." Gregor applauded, "It will take time for a summoning to get there though. As for now I guess there's no harm in having a few guards at the castle gate. But I don't want any complaints of hostility to common travelers."

"Very well Sire," Tuxford acknowledged. "I suppose etiquette can be another skill the pages will need to learn, so I can place them there for some days. But what conclusion have you reached on me searching for more numbers?"

"Let Mr. Helsing come first," Gregor insisted, "I would want to get antiquated with him again and see what his thoughts would be on our recent actions. For he clearly hasn't seen our lands in conflict like this before."

"As you wish Sire," Tuxford answered far less enthusiastically than before, "I will make note of that in the summoning letter to be sent. I still sense we are going to be very vulnerable with few men while we wait for his return."

"Oh have some faith in your men Captain." Gregor happily concluded, "Vespilla certainly would if she was still around, and I'm certain Winston will too once he arrives again. Even then Duke's attacks are still rather infrequent, yet each time we still learn something new from each one."

Tuxford remained confused at his King's surprisingly optimistic attitude. "If you say so Sire, at least someone is thinking well about what's to come." As he was dismissed from the King's Chamber. Gregor was still right though, at least Dunwyn now had a plan to keep the kingdom safe.

One the other end of the lands however, someone else was having issues finding ways to make the most with what they possessed. Someone who was the mortal enemy of Dunwyn and yet on the inside, couldn't be less of a fool to his own devices: Duke Igthorn.

Dreakmore Castle, around an hour later.

Duke Igthorn sat at his noble chair in his chamber in a continually displeased mood. In many ways his most recent strike on the kingdom was a great success, but to him success only came with a castle filled with peasants and a kingdom to rule.

"Blast these curesed ogres and their pitiful battle performance. They seem to never follow my directions now matter what I bribe them with." Just then is when his chamber was entered by the smallest yet somehow most competent ogre: Toadward.

"Oh why Dukie so upset?"

"Well my idiotic blind henchmen," Duke began insultingly, "Do you know exactly how long you've been my second in command?"

"Uhh, let's think here." Toadwart began pondering, "One, two, three," He counted on his fingers until reaching: "Eight, eight years since I and the other ogres have been following thy Dukieness." Holding up all eight of his fingers.

"And since then exactly how many times have we managed to conquer the kingdom of Dunwyn?" Duke asked again with a slight smirk.

"One, two, three," Toadwart counted again until Duke picked him up, startling him.

"ZERO!" Duke shouted back at his little ogre. Tossing him back on the ground in the process.

"That's right," Toadwart responded nervously, "Toadie not smart enough to get that question right."

"And in case you haven't noticed, all the members of my army have been nothing but you stupid ogres."

"We would turn ourselves into strong stone warriors but that would be a fib." Toadie admitted, "And Dukie doesn't like us fibbing to him."

"Then what other suggestions could you possibly have for me?!" Duke demanded, "I've been stuck with all of you for so long, and not once have I managed to get something done right."

"We managed to kidnap a few gummi bears recently."

"Yes I have," Taking the credit when he clearly lets the ogres do the work. "But out of how many times we have captured them have we also obtained their juice recipe? Or how many times have they also escaped?"

"Wait, don't tell me. Toadie smart enough for this one." He then pondered again only to get completely lost in his own thoughts after a few seconds.

"Every time we've captured any gummi bears, they always escape and we never get their juice you pancake imbecile!" Duke yelled again at his forgetful sidekick. "At this point, I'm sure the bushes they get their berries from have more brains than any of you stupid ogres."

"Dukie right about Toadie," Toadwart admitted, "Me not so good leader of other ogre kind since me got small head, only big enough for small brain. Maybe brain is pancake like Dukie said, I should just eat my own head and get new brain." Until he realized he couldn't eat himself. Duke only stared off continuing to be pissed at his sidekick's shenanigans.

"If you were working for any other knight or wizard, you'd be eaten by now you know."

"I'd be wizard food? Toadwart questioned, "Maybe that's it."

"That you now want to be someone else's dinner?" Duke asked sarcastically. "About time you and the others figured that out."

"No Dukie, why not just find strong wizard to assist in your command over us?"

"If it were that simple Toadwart, I'd kick all your ugly asses out and use only intelligent wizards, but tell me exactly when's the last time you've seen one?"

"Uhh...which one?"

"You know exactly which one I'm referring to."

"But your ass isn't ugly Dukie sir." That last line got such a kick out of Duke that Toadwart was strangely found on the other side of the chamber on his head.

"IF I were a wizard you'd certainly be on my dinner plate right now, actually I'm getting a little hungry now so GET ME DINNER!"

"But your Dukieness," Toadwart rebutted, still dizzy and seeing things upside down from his recent kick. "Didn't you already eat when you were reading special book you got from old home?"

For once Duke was surprised at how Toadwart was able to remember something he didn't. Especially considering how important this book that was found was as of now. "Uhh, no Toadwart that was just a very heavy snack after returning." He lied, "Now it's time for some real food, and once you get my food be sure to have that book with you as well I haven't finished looking through it."

"Uhh, but didn't Duckie have it with him because he no trusts us?" Just now realizing he was right again as the book in question was right next to Duke's noble chair. "And since Toadie remembered where book was, does this mean real pancakes tonight as reward for using brain?"

"Ah, for once you answer correctly." Duke exaggerated not trying to give any wrong ideas, "Still no pancakes for you today, just more arugula." He then waved his hand to get Toadwart to leave the chamber.

"Toadie hates arugula, feels like I'm eating meself." As the chamber door closed behind him.

Later after getting a second dinner, Duke was looking through this book of creatures to find any that would be more useful to him. Something, anything?

"Now lets see what this book of evil creature's has to say when I come to find them. Trolls, no too expensive. They'll never believe the fake gold I have. Griffins, no too sensitive to humidity. Dragons, too nice? How the hell can dragons be nice, they're supposed to be fearsome fire breathing predators?!"

He then threw the book to the floor in frustration. "This book is useless, I don't need a wizard. I need to find someone who does know what creatures are actually dangerous, and how to utilize what I've already got."

About then is when two much larger normal sized ogres entered the chamber. One purple and one a dark green with orange hair.

"Gad, Zook?" Duke addressed them specifically by name, making them stand up straight and saluting upon hearing their names.

"I thought I told you two NOT to disrupt me when I'm eating dinner."

"But doesn't Dukie not want to hear nightly report?"

"After all, the nightly report is what being privates are all about right?" Duke could only sigh at remembering how he made these two specifically higher in rank just behind Toadwart for some reason he just couldn't remember.

"Fine, what did you find?"

"Well uhh," Gad began, only to stumble after a few words.

"Nothing strange in the strange castle here sir," Zook finished for him, "But why is book over there have tasty bugs all over it?" Pointing to the book that Duke threw away just a few minutes ago.

"What?" He asked somewhat confused until looking at the book to see it covered with bugs.

Duke was quick to notice this strange observation as he went over to the book again, and picked it up. Seeing that the bugs of various species were all trying to enter one particular section. Upon opening it he saw that the bugs not only weren't bothered by his hands, but that the page the bugs were going to had a strange star shape on it with what looked like a goat head in the middle of it. As he move the book closer to his face to see it in more detail, the candles around started to flicker and the flames begin to move in a new direction. Even though there were no open windows in the chamber nor drafts coming from the corridor outside.

"Never thought tasty bugs be scary," Zook thought aloud as he was greatly confused at this sight.

"Uhh Dukie, how come book no do that before?" Gad asked, starting to get worried at what was happening. Duke had never seen a sight like this, and on the page next to the symbol was a phrase described as:

You've seen the sign, now he can see where you are. He can see you are desperate for answers with no beacon to shine. Call out his name, and he will guide you to a better world.

"I don't want a better world," Duke said aloud after reading the message, "I want to conquer a kingdom." Just then the final words seemed to reposition on the page itself, this time with Gad and Zook looking from behind. Equally blindsided and starting to shiver uncomfortably.

Now the page finished with: Call out his name, and his guide will swindle a kingdom.

The book was, granting his wishes? The book was listening to his words and giving him the answer he's been looking for after years of failure.

"Finally, this is what I need." Duke concluded, even if he was somewhat intimidated by this book's very strange behavior. "Now only how to 'Call out his name'?"

It was then when Duke felt something small shaking in his pocket. Only to see his lucky rat's foot was moving on its own, going towards the symbol in the book. After he let go of the string attached to it and letting it move to the symbol, he saw more new writing below the cryptic phrase that wasn't there before. That showed a very strange looking set of words:

"Eht Sesom fo Natas, I llac ouy htiw siht ligis fo temophab ot gnirb erutan kacb ni ecnalab?"

Upon reading this very confusing phrase, all the candles went out, all the bugs around the book before scattered, and the book began to light itself. Duke instantly dropped the book seeing this light, reacting almost as if the book started burning. The light got even brighter until the whole symbol was glowing a fiery red, and a beacon of the same shape shot onto the ceiling and passed through it up into the sky. Finishing a few seconds later with a loud thundery echo, shaking the entire room and dropping Duke and the ogres on the floor. It was then that the book closed itself and the candles somehow ignited again.

Still flabbergasted by what just occurred, Duke got back up to see everything in the room was back to before he got mad at the book. Even his lucky rat foot was back in his pocket.

"Uhh dawhat was big noise?" Zook asked while scratching his head in complete confusion.

"And stupid book make tasty bugs go away." Gad added disappointingly, "Now what are we to eat for dinner?"

"Do not call this book stupid!" Duke shouted back at them, making them stand up straight again. Just then is when a panting noise was heard from the corridor, and the chamber door opened to see Toadwart running in. Looking very concerned after just hearing a loud noise.

"What just happened Dukie?" Toadwart asked rather concerned, "I saw strange fire go up through clouds and then heard loud bang come from room. Did book hurt Dukie?"

"No." Duke answered in a more confident yet vile tone than before. "The book was exactly what we've needed. It answered to me exactly and it said to bring someone here assist in our conquest. As to who even I'm not quite sure, but whomever I just summoned I'm sure will finally bring us some good and much desired virtues."

Virtues that both he and Gregor of Dunwyn would come to realize would be far more than any kingdom ever bargained for.