The war had not gone well. Fact was it had never been well but this season was the worst. The elves were terribly weakened by the loss and betrayal of the “dark ones”. Only after an enormous effort had they been beaten back by the gathered effort of all of the “first ones” remaining loyal to the cause of life. Had it not been for the bad weather the enemy forces might have overrun them but the passes and waterways had been impossible to cross luckily.
Trotting the heavy war horses against a small glade the two warclad elves prepared to camp for the night. Being so near the human forces deep in friendly territory they took the chances to light a campfire that would warm them trough the night. Soon they sat opposite each other talking softly.
“Do father rally think that the humans can have forces to spare now the pressure is so strong on the defenses?” . “No, not really but he can’t afford letting any possibilities going untried. “ Altiari’s voice was grave. “The gold dragons have not been seen yet either. They would not abandon the fight willingly, something must have happened in the nesting during the winter”. Altiari, the older one of them slightly by one year, shook his head. Eyes staring into the fire. Foundering on the possibilities that lay ahead. Lutriandil lent himself back against an oak tree bordering the little glade. Worrying for the future was not the elven way or at least shouldn’t have been. It was difficult not to. Maybe if it one day became peace…that seemed impossible tough there never had been. Peace was but a word the priests used to describe what the reward would be fighting for Vita. No one really knew how it was. It did make it more attractive though.
“Something is nearing”. Altiari rose silently hefting the long bow by his side darting into the forest hiding. Lutriandil did the same seconds after. Soon eight ogres stormed into the glade weapons hold high with yells and war cries. Two arrows quickly stood to the feathers into the breast of one of them, another gripping an arrow feebly trying to pull it out of his throat before falling. The others did not stay idly though.
Having waged a hundred battles they quickly took cover regrouping an driving the two elves into the clearing. Both Lutriandil and Altiari drew their longswords soon the battle was on.
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Aloran raised his hand halting his fellow knights. The other three stopped at once regrouping so that any attack coming from the rear would not go unchallenged. Aloran raised his visor listening. Yes it was the sound of a minor battle. Only a strong feeling that suddenly came over him had warned him to stop. Now he was glad he had followed his intuition he might not have heard the sounds over the horse’s hoofs. He signaled there was enemies ahead. The others knew what to do silently they formed a battle line preparing to spur their horses. Slowly they advanced till they reached a small wood. There they unhorsed.
Leaving their horses behind they advanced against the campfire that could be glimpsed further inside the small gathering of trees. Signaling they spread out before rushing into the glade. “Turn around and face Yer destruction!” Aloran pricked one of the brutes in the back. Waiting for the enemy to get ready he griped his battle-ax in one hand his shield ready. The ogre didn’t turn around as expected though. Instead it kicked backwards hitting him squarely right in the chest. Had it not been for the breastplate he might have had his entire ribcage crushed as it where he was flying through the air landing some ten foot from where he had stood. Just a quick roll saved his head from being hit by hit by the mace that hit the ground an inch from where his head once had been.
Hafting his ax he hit the ogre in the hand forcing him to loose his weapon, gaining him time to get to his feet. Letting the ogre get to his weapon he stepped backwards not wanting to be hit by another dirty trick. Sidestepping he let the next blow be glanced back by his shield using the opening in the others defenses to hitt the large ogre in the neck. Letting the enemy fall he prepared to join the battle. No reason for that though. The numbers more fair, the two elves where more than a mach for their opponents. As Aloran watched one of them dispatched the last one.
“My thanks for your timely assistance” Altiari bowed slightly. Aloran bowed his head in acknowledge” Our duty and pleasure. The enemy has been more fierce and pressed harder this season. That is why my fellow knights and me was patrolling the land that used to be safe.
“No matter the reason for you being here we do owe you our life”. At his brothers words Lutriandil bowed in acceptance. A lifedepth was not something to be taken lightly. “Let me and my bother swear allegiance to your knighthood. For as long as it will take to repay our depth. “ It seemed the only opportunity to remaining close enough to pay it of.
Aloran glanced to his fellow knights impressed by the nobility of the elves request. He saw his own feelings reflected in the faces of the others. “Nay let us instead swear companionship, Ye will have many a opportunity to repay yer depth then also.” A rare feeling came over him as he raised his hand snitting his palm with his belt knife. The others as one following his example. Then the glade was bathed in light when it dimmed he found himself staring on six stately fieldplates shining in the light of the fire the scorpion of rebirth and life on the breastplates, axes and shields to match.
“One to the enemies are killed. One as the destruction that follows life and spawns the rebirth of life. One to the end of fight and strife. Loyalty to Vita our mother and goddess. Loyalty to our fellows. Paladins hereforth. Let thought come before action. One and whole. Six to the number let all witness! No rest till Muerti rest and peace flow over the land. Eternally our oath to the last breath until time ends and Vita again stands victorious. Peace!”. The words flowed simultaneously from the mouths, six palms with blood mingling, elven and human. The light covering the glade fading remaining around each of the first six Paladinus Lux a short while before disappearing as joining with their bodies and still in their eyes glimmering.