Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
Part 25
They had assembled in the courtyard several hours before daybreak. With only a few precious hours of sleep to be had, for those that needed sleep. Yet they could not wait another day.
The trail would grow cold and their mission would be a failure if they were going to afford themselves the luxury.
Magna checked her shield and sword, together with various gear and provisions that she had packed and then tied to her horse's saddle. Adrian did the same, though he had caught a frog earlier and snuck off from his own mount to offer it to Albert who grunted and took the terrified amphibian before anyone took notice.
The bestial horse was crunching on this snack when Mortis mounted the strange creature. Mortis only briefly considered finding out what it was that his mount had in its mouth when his attention was drawn to Mary, standing on the stone steps of the castle.
She was wearing her battle armor, the silvered gauntlets that have recently been revealed as anti-Lifedrinker weapons, but she still carried her sword at her side. She was accompanied by Noxus the mage and an armored man, and the new Captain of the Guard, Gregory Pierce.
She looked out at the assembled would-be adventurers. This was a new age. Her's was one of armies, and desperate conquests. Armies and nations fighting over soil. Now there were curses and magic and the dark regard of evil Gods. Now was the time of adventuring parties seeking to complete special tasks.
This was a time for heroes.
Magna and Adrian were on horseback with Derric on foot near the princess. No doubt he would change into a wolf or some other beast. Mortis was joined by three of the Blaze Knights who had sworn fealty to him, two were beside him on horseback while a third was on foot.
Sebastian was mounted on his massive stead while there was a drop of shadow on the ground Noxus had whispered to her as being alive somehow. It was an angry and ferocious mass. Mary was sure that this was the "Trix" that Mortis had mentioned. Sebastian's honor guard and yet... she knew this presence somehow. She must have met Trix when she was still in Clarpratia. Possibly as an acquaintance.
There was no time to ponder.
Mortis walked his 'horse' forward. She knew one of Adiran's strange beasts when she saw one. He was joined by the man on foot. "I have left the Blazeknights under the command of this man. Commander Deathgrip... is what he calls himself now. He has changed his name for some reason."
The man bowed. He was a massive man, dark-skinned and shaved bald. Mary recognized him from the battle to defend the city when he was one of the sub-commanders of the Cleric of the Blaze Knights. "For you my Lord. As you had battled the evil Gods, so shall I hold on to my position with a death grip and fight beyond the mortal coil, for all time!"
"Well... Commander. I leave you to the Queen. You are to obey her as you would obey me. She is just and righteous. Keep your men in line." Mortis commanded.
The man bowed deeply once again. "They are your men my Lord." He straightened up and faced the Queen and bowed deeply once more. "I shall follow your commands in my Lord's stead."
Finally, Adiran arrived, the wizard that was meant to fix everything. She realized that there was a heavy burden on this man. Despite Adiran being her son from another time, she was still angry at her for lying to her. She felt violated as she had spoken to him as she would her husband's elder brother. One that had given up his place in the succession to pursue magic.
The real reason was far more strange. He had come from the future... or rather a future and this concept made her dizzy.
A party of eight. One for of the Great Winds. An old Clarpratian myth that came out of nowhere to Mary's mind. Myths and legends that had made up her people's culture from before the curse of the Lifedrinkers came to their lands.
"Everyone knows why you are here." Mary said to those assembled. They listened. "Adiran is in command. He seeks the dragonian Rhys who will lead you to the true Lifedrinkers in order to break the curse of Clarpratia. I wish you all good speed."
The assembled warriors bowed and they filed out towards the gate. Magna and Adrian rode close by to bid her farewell one last time and her resolve nearly broke. She nearly called them back as a mother's instincts told her to do. To protect them.
But a Queen knew that she should send them forth. They were her most able subjects.
Over to you @lex-zaiya! Let's get this adventure out of the gates!
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