Forgotten Realms Fan Fiction ❯ The Dark Series ❯ Chapter 2

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: MrAZ

At last, the Dark Riders arrived, gate guards and soldiers made a salute to the one they looked up so well in their high regard, to the Dark Riders who were making their way across the path. They reached the north tower, and they moved down from their horses and walked inside the foot of the palace. Golden bits of dust danced in the light of the sun shafting in through the east facing windows. Sunlight splashed into the corridor from open doors and wide windows down the hallway. Shadow barred the tiled floor when sunlight didn't reach. Into sun and out to shadow they went, walking. They walked through the garden in a wide courtyard, a generous place enclosed on three sides by hedges of wisteria, on the fourth by the servant's wing of the hall. They took the time to enjoy the heady scent of dewy roses and the tang of curly mint underfoot. Water bubbled from a fountain, a marble basin held in the hand of a statue of one of the Dark gods. A golden finch settled on the rim of the basin, bright feathers already changing to autumn dress. They went round the north side of the garden and though an arched gate. Beyond was another private garden, but smaller than the one in the courtyard. Finally they arrived at the entrance of the main wing of the north tower. Metallic doors creaked and opened to welcome the three. Here dwells the one the Dark Riders looked up so well, feared, but also loved.

Upon his high seat, Par-Salian, the Master of the Tower sat, tall and straight. Except for his white hands, those veined, gnarled hands, his fingers with rings, twitching restlessly to some private thought, he might have been carved from alabaster. The regard of the master sat the Dark Riders like a weight. Any other person would move or show signs of discomfort or fear, the heavy gravity would pull one down in his state, but the Dark Riders didn't. This made no great deal to them. They were used to his presence, even liked how it is as well, breathing the perfumes of magic, musky oils, herbs and roses. The Dark Riders simply knelt at ease before the head of their order. This was the one who gave them what they were wearing right now, a gift they took so well, similar as their master's own in front of them. The Dark Riders bowed their heads and spoke, “It is finally finished my lord. We have protected it and have done all you asked.”

The master stood up, on step he took, his black velvet robe moving like shadows, but he took it smiling. “You have done very well, my High Dark Mages.”

“My lord,” Alex said, “our part in the matter is finished. How else may we serve you?”

“None at the moment,” the king replied, “for now you are going to spend your success. I have never held high pride before in my whole life. You are uniquely schooled in the virtues of balance. It is my honor to say that your land is ever grateful to have her most powerful dark mages in Krynn, my mages who are ever greater and stronger than any of their own. You come to me when I need your aid, even if they're too personal. You have showed courage and strength that made my men look always upon you. How thankful I am that you have saved my most precious treasure, my mages.”

“We are the ones who should thank you my lord,” Michelle replied, “You are the one whom we looked upon to protect with our strength. You nurtured us yourself to the fullest and made us who we are now.”

“And you have our powers, we vowed long ago to protect you with our strength my lord, “Luke added. “You know this very well. We are with you no matter what happens.”

“Yes, I could still remember like it was from yesterday. And I never regret every single thing that I gladly had it. Like my very own children, I am happy and proud of you, my Dark Mages. Though your values and commitment differ from me, but still, you have taken your paths with my footprints.” The king gestured the Dark Riders towards a hall that leads to the west wing of the palace. The king walked, with the Dark Riders in his wake. Then the king spoke, in his casual voice that is very much different than when he conversed with other men. Here was the lord of his seat speaking to the three young mages he seen as his very own children. “Now, I won't have you stay in your quarters with an empty stomach. I have prepared for you the usual feast we all have. Let's take our dinner shall we?”

# # #

It is clearly seen why these three were feared by all in the land of Krynn, the High Dark Mages. To some, they were the Dark Riders. The most powerful dark mages of all, born from a prophecy that forgotten long ago - that “In the course of time, after three generations, of New Era, the three are born on the night of the full moon, when the three red stars of the Dark gods will align together. The highest of all, of spells and nature, of attacks, and of swords, will live upon the hearts of the three. None will live without the presence of the other. And the three shall be one, the beloved of the highest, of spells and nature, of attacks, and of swords. They are known ever greater than any other being on earth. This was made for the three who will be born in the course of time. This is their destiny, and destiny will ever be fulfilled.”

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