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Stronghold of Slience
-by Talec
Warriors walked trough the hot mountains of Firehill, northeast of Tanelorn. War was raging over the land, slain undead and humans everywhere. No sign of moving creatures there. Still, these knights kept marching, tirelessly. Their leader yelled his orders to the group: charge in double time until they met the other troops and help them.
The situation is critical here! Balarius' forces need our help, and we will help him! We cannot let the Abyss hordes take his fortress, we cannot! Keep on, brothers!
The commander was a tall, young man named Raikhen. His armor was brown, with grey details. He had a long, dark cape on his back. Two swords, one long and the other a short one, were guarded on his belt. He used no helmet; everyone could see his face; dark eyes, a bandanna around the head. Doubtlessly, he was tired, but it couldn't be seen. As captain, he had to keep his men's morale, thus he had never shown weakness in or outside battle.
They didn�t take long to see a huge keep over a mountain; down it, not far from there, an abyss could be seen. Every second, inhumane screams could be heard; evil monstrosities climbed up from their den. An army, or better, an unorganized band of creatures was preparing for a final strike on the humans.
The Stronghold was partially in flames, still arrows and heavy stones from the catapults took down some enemies. But the creatures were so numerous that it was clear Balarius' forces would never make it without Raikhen's assistance.
We arrived just in time, men! Here is the day, the hour to show you are loyal to your king and your oath! Send the undead back to their hole and make them stay there! AT MY COMMAND, CHARGE! FOR TANELORN!
All hailed loudly the king and their land, as a trumpet sounded on the air. All warriors acted as one, as Raikhen. Standing up their lances and swords, these brave men rushed down the hill and clashed into direct combat against their foe. A second after that, everything was confused and mixed. Raikhen drew his swords and fought swiftly, as he danced with the blades. Head off, down. The weak walking-dead fell easily, but their number was rising for every fallen Tanelornian. Fear started taking over the soldiers, still no captain's vision. Suddenly the remorse of taking his followers into a slaughter took over his heart. They were dying, hitting the floor. And worse, becoming dreadful zombies and skeletons.
Rage brought down fear. No, they couldn't be damned! They had to be slain and saved from that curse! Raikhen's blades and eyes shined in holy light. What happened then is uncertain. Some say Banor himself fought instead of him, while other say since his birth, he was an avatar of justice. What is known is that the battle changed. In less then an hour, all the undead were slain or had retreated. Very few knights survived, but the enemy troops never made their way to the Fortress. Bells rang the sound of victory. For the first time in the history of Tanelorn the undead had been defeated so near their home, the Abyss. Finally the tide of battle had turned, and humans had a hope.
Raikhen never more said a word after that. No one there did. In respect of the thousand dead on that day, silence is the greatest rule of Balarius' Stronghold. Also, since that, the name had been changed to Stronghold of Silence, in eternal honor for those who had such courage and love for their people to sacrifice themselves like they did in that fight. Years later, the war would come to an end, at the same point where Raikhen and his men fought bravely against humankind's foe. This man lives still today, year 206 on Tanelorn History. He rules the Stronghold and all Firehill, given to him by King Alastor. Raikhen seldom appears in public, and never talked in all those years again.
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