The Tales of Sir Rithor Thorne

Sir Rithor Thorne is currently the Lord of the Lance, and Paladin of Nadrik at the addition of these tales to the Library. He is a knight driven to protect his own and the children of Good by a deep compassion. Herein are the tales of how he came to the Knighthood which he has graciously donated to posterity. - Dame Datai Amberillo, Lorekeeper

Meeting the Copper

It had begun like any other day. I awoke early and headed to the temple for

some meditation. Few Knights had been awake in the recent days, the keep

seemed rather quiet. Once I finished my meditation, I decided to make my

rounds through the keep, making sure nothing was amiss and help any in need.

Walking into the stables, I was happy to see Giles hard at work cleaning the

stalls and going about his daily duties. "Hail, Giles. " I said as I

entered, it must have caught him off guard as he came stumbling from one of

the stalls trying to offer a salute as he regained his balance.

"Hello, M'lord. May I get you a steed? "

No, I do not plan on heading out just yet. I came to see if you needed a

hand cleaning the remaining stalls.

He smiled telling me there was only one left to be cleaned and the stables

would be ready for the day. I placed my staff on one of the fences and

walked into the last stall, then began to help Giles remove the old straw

and replace it with new. It did not take long for us to finish and place

the last charger back into his stall with a bag of oats.

"Thank you Sir, it is always easier with two people. "

I picked up my staff and headed towards the racks. I noticed a few days ago

it has been over filled with some useless items and could not hold armor for

the Knights. I was stopped part way there by a familiar voice.

"Greetingss, Knightling"

It was a young bronze I had not see in sometime, he went by the name

Auzrykaazr. "Greetings, Bronze. I hope you are well. " It was nice to

hear he was still doing well, he must have grown so much since the last time

I had seem him. I spoke with him for a short time before he asked if I

could watch over him and a young copper that wished to hunt for a short

time. I was honored they would ask me for aid so after I prepared myself, I

ventured out of the keep to find two Metallics. I found them awaiting my

arrival in Althainia, walking into the Market sqaure I noticed this small

copper she seemed to be small to even be out of the vale.

Auzrykaazr smiled down to me and intorduced me to the Copper, telling me her

name was Seredath. She seemed very greatful I was willing to watch over the

two as they hunted. I was just happy to provide what protection I could.

After I provided all the spells I could to aid them, we headed off to find

them some food, the copper was content to eat the cows in the Nomad village.

It was quite the sight as she was roughly the same size as the cows but her

claws were very sharp nonetheless. I watched over her until she got tired

and returned to one of the Elder's homes.

I then returned to the keep to see if others hand need before I retired for

the evening.

Saving Amarie

Sitting in the Altar Room, I finally got a chance to reflect on the last

week. I had been aiding a few members of Justice and a couple of Knights as

we tried to take Misery keep from the dwarves. We had nearly finished with

the lord as a number of dwarves entered to try and protect him. The lord

gave way to Justice and the dwarves fell.

I decided to return to the the Keep to allow my wounds to heal. Just as I

entered the Altar room I heard the voice of my closest friend Amarie.

"Rithor.... I made a horrible mistake. " I could hear the pain in her

voice. At first I thought she might have upset the Senate of Shalonesti.

So I asked her what happened thinking I could offer a little advice before

heading back onto the battle field.

It is gone!! All gone! I lost my wakefulness!

My jaw dropped, I could not believe what I had heard. I quickly prepared

myself and ran to Shalonesti. Arriving on Emerald Lane I found Amarie

kneeling in front of the Court House in tears. I leaned down to embrace her

and I could see the pain in her eyes. She told me that the executioner had

acted hastily in the use of his blade.

It hurt to see her in such pain, she described it as worse than death as she

needed to suffer with this for the rest of her life.

I was not born with an awake mind like Amarie, so I felt I could better

handle losing my abilities. I offered her my powers. It was the only way I

could think to fix the mistake that had been made. Amarie refused.

After I managed to calm her down a little we headed away from the busy city

so we could try and figure out what to do next. As far as either of us

knew, there was no way to reawaken a mind besides taking it from another,

Amarie did not wish to join her cousins in the clan.

A couple days had passed when I thought about asking the Master of the

temple. When I sought out Amarie she did not think it was able to be done

and she had all but given up hope. I knew I had to try so I made my way to

the Serpent's Temple and sat outside the chambers of the Master waiting for

him to finish meditating so I could speak with him. All the rumors I had

heard said he did not often allow people to speak with him but I had to try,

so I waited. Three days had past before I was able to speak with the

Master. I took my time explain to the best of my knowledge all the events

that had transpired with Amarie. The Master sat quietly only nodding as I

finished the story.

After hours of Silence the master had finally spoke. "I can aid your friend

this time. Never again will these gifts be so easily given. "

I could do nothing but nod before rising to return to the Elven city. I

found Amarie happier then I had ever seen her. "H... How did you do this?"

the smile never leaving her lips as seemed to bounce with each step. I

told about the master and what had transpired.

"Thank you my friend. " was the last words she spoke before I was summoned

back to aid a Knight.

Finding the Thornes

Watching a group of young children running around Althainia, it made me stop

and remember my childhood. Though I was not privileged growing up, it was

probably for the best.

I had spent much of my younger days in the streets of Althainia after my

parents had abandoned at the age of eight. I remember those first days; it

was cold and raining and I thought assuredly I was going to die.. A few

passing citizens were nice enough to give me food, a few even took me in to

provide me shelter. I was not able to stay long with them, being traveling

performers, and I wanted to stay in Althainia in case my parents had returned

to look for me. As I left, they gave me a small coin purse for some food.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and I had not found any sign of my

family, I was running low on coin. I spent what little of it I had left on

a few supplies and ventured from Althainia towards the west to visit a small

family who lived on a farm in Haon Dor.

The forest seemed so quiet that first night, I was used to the sound of the

Taverns and citizens wandering about at all hours of the day and night.

That was the first night I had felt truly alone as the only sounds that

echoed through the forest was the occasional howl of wolf or squeek of a

bat. I did not sleep well that night, but as the night gave way to dawn I

set off again in search of the farm.

Three more nights would pass before I finally stumbled upon the remains of a

farm. All the animals had long broken free from their pens, while the

fields that once held crops were flattened and destroyed. There was an old

house still standing, the door swinging with the wind. I recall trying to

decide if I wanted to look into the house or leave, but I needed to know if

this was once the home of my family. As I walked towards the door my heart

began pounding. Even though I was young I could feel that something was not

right, so I stood there at the door for what seemed like an hour trying to

get the courage to walk inside.

Finally after I took a long breath I pushed the door open and stepped

inside. The stench of rotting flesh filled the air, causing me to gag.

Looking around I could see the bodies of two adults and a young girl laying

on the floor. I walked closely to the elder female and looked down to it,

and though her face was bloodied I could tell it was indeed my mother. The

tears rushed to my eyes as I looked down over her body, I could not imagine

why anyone would have wanted to harm them. I could not leave them laying on

the floor to rot. I searched around looking for a way to start a fire. I

was told over and over again to always cremate the corpses of the fallen to

protect the living from different sicknesses. I managed to come across a

pile of notes on the table, though I was unable to read at the time I took

them so another could tell me what they read. Finally I discovered a small

flint and used it to light the house on fire.

Walking away from the house I turned to look one final time over where my

fire died. I made my way back towards Althainia, the return trip took me

twice as long as I did not wish to walk far, over burdened with grief. I

finally saw why they had not returned for me. Perhaps they could foresee

this and in abandoning me, they were protecting me.

I spent the next eight years learning to fend for myself and living on the

streets of Althainia. I found myself at times having to steal food to

survive sometimes nearly caught. This was not how I wished to spend my

life. I eventually met an Althainian who offered to teach me to read and

would allow me to become a citizen if I was able to stop stealing. I spent

my hours with her studying and learning, so I could one day finally

understand the notes I had found.

Within Althainia ( 1 of 2 )

By the time my nineteenth birthday was near, I had been accepted into the

Royal Althainian Navy. The first few months were horrible. I was not used

to the rocking of the ship through the waves and it seemed to me like I was

spending more time leaning over the railings than attending to my duties.

Tired and drained from not being able to hold down any food for long periods

of time, I began to wonder if the Navy was truly the place I wanted to

serve.

Eventually, my sea sickness gradually began to pass and I was able to walk

with steadier feet on the ship while it rocked. I began to learn more about

the ships and how to sail. I was shown how to work the sails and how to

spot from the crows nest. In all my years I had never been outside of the

Hoan Dor and Althainia. I remember so clearly how humbled I had felt the

first time I stood in that crows nest looking over the open expanse of the

oceans and seeing a small speck of land way off on the horizon.

As my training progressed, I was taught how to navigate using natural

landmarks and eventually, they showed me how to captain the ship. Being in

control of the Sojourner was such an honor. I really began to enjoy the all

the sights and sounds of the Oceans brought a sense of peace to me, I was

still unable to bring myself to reading the notes I had found. I did not

think often about my family well I was out sailing, though part of me knew I

could not keep running from the truth, I needed to know what it was that

happened.

One day after we brought the ship back to the docks I asked Admiral Rashla

if I could use the Captains quarters to read the notes. She was happy to

grant me the privacy I needed. Sitting at the small desk I could hear the

sound of the waves rolling into the shore and against the ship. I pulled

the neatly folded notes from my packs and set them down. My hands shook as

I reached down for the first one. As I slowly began to read it over my

heart was racing. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief as I saw this note was

nothing more then a letter between old friends. It had thanked my father

for helping another farmer to harvest his crops. The next three notes were

all the same. I began to wonder if any of these notes would provide some

clue.

Within Althainia ( 2 of 2 )

I finally found it! It was the second to last note, the one I had been

looking for. It spoke of a great debt that my family owed to repay for the

protection of their farm. I had always heard that the forest was a

dangerous place but I did not know that family had enlisted the protection

of some mercenaries. It seemed my father was far behind in paying them and

they had grown very angry, giving my family a mere week to pay their debt in

full. It was dated roughly three weeks before I found them.

I let the note slip from my hand and fall gently to the desk, disbelieving

the fact that my family had been slain over a few coins. A wave of anger

overwhelmed me. I recall wanting so badly to seek out this group of men and

drive my sword through each one of their hearts. I tried to stand from the

desk to begin my search but a wave of dizziness passed over me causing me to

lose my balance.

I remember nothing until I awoke then next day. The Admiral was standing

over me, telling me that when I fell, I hit my head on the edge of the desk.

When she discovered me, she had some of the crew move me so that she could

tend to the cut on my head. As I begun to awake a bit more I tried to

explain the note to her and how I wanted to find the men responsible.

Sheath did not feel it was wise for me to act out of angry and thought I

should think fully about the recourse of my actions. Revenge was not the

answer if I went out and killed them it would likely make be feel better at

that moment but the pains of losing my family would still be there. She

feared that if I would eventually fall into darkness trying to seek out and

kill everything in my path because that would be the only way I would be

able to cope with their loss.

Her thoughts weighed heavily on my mind though I knew she was right. I

decided not to seek the men but instead devote my life to finding where I

truly belonged. I continued my training with the Navy and eventually the

anger had passed and I was able to rise through the ranks until I was the

First-mate of the Sovereign Sojourner. I always enjoyed Althainia. Her

people taught me a lot but it was not where I felt I belonged.

The Towers

I decided that I would try to find a place that felt like home to me. I

first decided to try the Towers of the Conlave. Always hearing rumors that

they welcomed all that wished to study magic, I hoped that if I studied with

them I would be able to find my place.

It did not take long to find my way into the towers, since the use of the

arcane seemed to come easily to me. I did not leave the towers very often

since I was not accustomed to having people hunt me constantly. It seemed

everywhere I turned there was an enemy waiting to try and harm me in one

form or another.

Many times I was not lucky enough to escape. Some of the magi began to feel

as though I was not fit to walk among them if I could not find ways to avoid

battle. There was one however that took me as his apprentice as taught me.

He explained the reasons the towers were at war with some clans and not

others. He also began to teach me about battling on the field and how to

escape. Slowly I began to show signs of improvement and even managed to

befall a few enemies. I did not enjoy taking the lives of others but I knew

it was necessary to protect the Towers.

I was studying in the library one day when the Wizard approached me,

offering the books of invocation. At the time I thought it was the best for

me and I was happy to learn more about the ways of the tower. My training

with the books was easy I found it must the same as the basic magi training

with a few new abilities. I worked hard to master all that was taught to

me.

Enemies had come and gone, I lost a few battles, won a few more, and the

towers offered so much to learn that I began believing I had found my place.

I was happy there and the memories of my family were the last thing on my

mind. It seemed as though I was finally able to forgive the men who had

killed my parents. I continued to learn little tricks about combat and to

understand the enemies of the Towers a bit better.

I awoke one day to be summoned to the Wizards chambers, I saw he was there

awaiting my arrival with a sad look. I felt an uneasy tension. He told me

to sit across from him he had some important news to discuss with me. It

began with him asking which of the Gods heard my prayers. Though at this

point in my life I was not a very religious man and had not learned anything

about the Gods, I recalled seeing all small statue of a name in the parents

house the base was engraved with the name Nadrik. I told the wizard I

thought it was him who heard by prayers. The wizard then informed me that

Kantilles the God who controlled the magic of the white tower had said only

his true followers were able to learn from his books and I would either have

to convert to his teaching or to take my leave from the towers. I was

stunned to hear this, but I felt in my heart that converting was wrong so I

returned the books and headed away from the temple still in search of my true

place.

Meeting Rekan

I did not know where to turn after I left to join the Towers, I felt lost

and alone again. I turned to the one place I had not in the many years

before.. Religion - it was so simple. Why did I not choose to learn more

about the Gods when I was younger? I returned to Althainia to aid with

their Navy again. It was nice to see I was still welcomed there, I knew it

was not permanent but I really enjoyed helping Althainia where I could.

I took all the time I could when I was on shore leave to read all the

literature I could about the Gods and their alliances. I found it hard to

believe there were so many religions open to the people of Algoron. Where

did I fit in? I found myself asking this more and more. My studies shifted

towards the Gods of the Light and the one known as Nadrik.

I was almost three months into my studies when I was approached by a young

man named Rekan. He explained to me that he was a priest of Nadrik. I had

been reading a lot about Nadrik and his followers. I was pleased to learn

all I could from this priest.

Sitting quietly within the Church of Light, Rekan questioned me about my

life. He sat quietly as I told him about my parents and my childhood. He

seemed to smile as I told him about the many letters of thanks I discovered

in parents' house. As I completed my story, he told me that he had known my

parents and they there were indeed followers of Nadrik. It turns out that

paying people to protect his farm never sat well with my father, although he

did his best to pay them as they asked. The priest informed me that that my

father gave much of his money to help build a Church on Shokono. Rekan told

me that my parents came to him about a month before their death telling him

that they were worried about the mercenaries coming for their payments.

They also told him that I was supposed to be taken in by an Althainian

couple so I could be safe. They were trying to find a safe place for my

sister but had yet to find anyone. He was not sure why the family that was

supposed to take me, yet could not take my sister but he had hoped they

would find someone soon, He said he was to leave for Shokono to try and

complete the building of the Church or he would have been happy to take us

both in.

Over the next few weeks he taught me the basics about Nadrik. As I learned

more, I slowly began to feel this deep pain for some of the actions I took

when I was younger. I knew I was doing what was needed to survive but

stealing never sat right with me and I had regretted ever doing it. Rekan

informed me that if I was truely sorry I could attend confession and Nadrik

would forgive me. I hoped he would forgive me for the sins I committed,

even if I was only doing as I needed to survive at the time.

Seeking my Path

I sat within the Church of Light with Rekan, listening to all he could teach

me. He taught about the Tenets of Nadrik. As he went over them, I felt as

though I knew them like they were part of me. I did not know why in my

younger years I had been pushing away what, at this point in my life, seems

to be a very integral part of who I am. I knew I wanted to learn more about

His ways and the ways of His followers. I was so very thankful for all the

time Rekan had given me in recent days.

I remember waking late one morning. I found it strange since Rekan usually

woke me at the crack of dawn to begin our lessons for the day. I headed

towards the temple to see if he was awaiting my arrival. Entering the

temple I was stopped by a young boy holding a small note. He told me that

Rekan had asked him to give me this note, before I had a chance to thank him

the boy was gone.

My heart started to pound as I looked down to the note, I did not know what

to expect.

Rithor, you have done well in your lessons. Use all that I have taught you

and serve well, I know you will do well under His guidance.

His words brought a smile to my face thought I was saddened that I was not

able to say goodbye to him in person. As I read further, his note explained

that he was summoned away; there was another who needed his guidance more

than I.

I was so grateful for everything Rekan had taught me. He was the biggest

influence in my life. One of the few people to take the time to help me

learn more about myself. I no longer had this driving desire to try and

find a place to belong. It had felt as though a huge weight had been lifted

off of my shoulders and it gave me a chance to perhaps start fresh, a chance

to aid those in need.

Slowly I gathered my things and left the temple. I passed slowly through

Althainia where I came across a young girl crying in the middle of the

street. I remember crouching down to her and the look in her eyes as she

lifted her head to look back at me. I asked her what or whom was bothering

her and she told me that she had been out playing hide and seek with her

friends. She ran a little to far and got lost in the busy market of

Althainia. She seemed a little frightened and I could tell she did not

trust me. I did my best to reassure her that I was not going to harm her

and that I wanted to help her find her way home. Eventually she offered her

small hand to me and told me where she lived. We talked through Althainia

towards her house. She started to smile brighter and she began to recognize

the area.

By the time we reached the steps of her house, she was pulling me along with

her. I recall the look of relief on her parents' face as they saw her

return home. The joy I had gotten from seeing the three of them reunited

even after such a short time was beyond words. Her parents felt as thought

they needed to repay me for helping their daughter find her way home. I

could not allow them to repay me, I was just happy to see she had made it

home safely.

Walked slowly away from that small house thinking back to all the lessons

that Rekan taught me and the satisfaction I felt helping someone in need. I

knew this was what I was meant to do and I wanted to find a place where I

could do that. So I began my research for a place I could help others and

still serve Nadrik.

Entering the Keep

I was sitting in the library of the Gray Church reading about all the places

that were known to help those in need. I started with Althainia. I had

lived there before and knew that it was a nice place to live, however I

wanted something more. I then began to read about the Gray Church and they

were well known to aid any of those in need. Something about that did not

sit well with me, I knew I wanted to help those of the Light I did not feel

right just thinking about offering my aid to those of the darkness.

The I came across a tome that spoke of a group of noble men a women who had

devoted themselves to serving the Light. I read the tome futher finding out

that they called themselves the Knights of Gareth. They had been around

almost as long as the human race and they vowed to protect the innocent and

vanquish evil from Algoron. I heard Rekan speak of them before but I was

not sure I could join their ranks as the tome said one had to be of noble

birth. My life was well less them pure and although I was trying to change

that I was nervous that they would not even allow me a chance to prove

myself.

I gathered what armor had and set out to find an officer of Knighthood. It

did not take me long as the Keep was very busy. I was told head to the

Market Square of Althainia where I waited patiently until a man dressed from

head to toe in fine plate armor arrived riding one of the finest horses I

had ever seen; its coat was snow white and seemed to reflect the sunlight.

He lead the way to to a quiet place in Althainia where he looked me over and

asked why I wished to join the Knights. My answer was simple, I wished to

help those in need and learn more about serving the Light. He smiled before

questioning me about my past and my family. A wave of nervousness passed

through me as I told him about my family and my childhood I did not know if

they still only accepted Nobility. The seconds seemed like hours as he

pondered my answers before he informed me that I had passed the first of his

tests and would have to complete a walk alone before I could seek out an

officer for a second interview. He gave me a salute before riding off and I

set off towards the guildmaster. I could feel the excitement grow as it

began to realize I had gotten one step closer to joining the knights.

The first day as I set off on my path alone was the hardest. I recall so

many people hunting me and trying to make me fall to their swords, magic,

and even fists. I managed to escape all their attempts as I began to recall

all I had learned in the towers. Eventually I was able to train and worked

my way towards the goal asked of me. I took me three days as I was

continually attacked though eventually I made it.

I sat in the Temple of Nadrik awaiting an officer to awaken and eventually I

was able to find one that was free to speak with me. She found me in the

temple and I greeted her with a salute as she entered. Sheath was smiling

as she looked over my armor. She had her own set of questions for me and I

did my best to answer them for her. She sat and spoke with me for hours

telling me about the role of the Knights and the duties of each division.

When she had completed telling me the duties of a page I smiled and thanked

her for her time before offering a bow. She gave me a bright smile before

speaking her words I shall never forget.

Welcome to Gareth.

Fighting Evil ( 1 of 2 )

My first few days in the keep were hectic trying to get used to my new

surroundings and duties. I met a lot of new people, each one was friendly

and willing to give me guidance if I was in need of it. Eventually I

settled into my new home, working hard to keep all the stables and the rest

of the keep clean. I did not leave the keep much in my first week though I

did try to aid everyone else with spells or whatever was within my ability.

After a few weeks, it seemed as though my duties had gotten easier though I

knew I had just become accustomed to waking up earlier than most. After my

morning duties were completed, I was able to study for a few hours before

heading out with the Knights to scout for evil. I really began to enjoy my

time and I was learning a lot.

My time as a page seemed to fly by, it was not long before I found myself

assigned to a Knight under whom I would squire. It seemed that the keep had

grown somewhat inactive around this time. He was a warrior and a member of

the Lance division. I remember the first time I met him, he looked me over

to be sure my armor was sufficient before introducing himself as Acthus

Renetar. He told me what my duties would require of me and I was happy to

perform them. Some of them were simple such as making sure his steed was

fed and watered, others not so easy but I knew they were all meant to test

me and to teach me the conduct of a proper Knight.

I remember as Acthus rode back into the keep early one evening. I rushed to

take the lance from him so he could dismount but he did not wish it.

Instead he told me to grab a steed and prepare myself. There was a vampire

sighting the night before in the great forest and he wanted to destroy it

before it ran back to its place of hiding. I was quick to prepare myself

and we rode as quick as our steeds could carry us into the great forest to

begin our search as the sun began to set. The hours passed and we found no

sign of the creature within the forest. We decided to look in the areas

surrounding the forest, it was just past midnight when we arrived at the

entrances to the Undead Temple. I felt an usual feeling as I stood looking

into the darkness of the temple. I knew the vampire was in there waiting

for us.

Walking into the temple the grip around my sword got tighter and my knuckles

were likely white underneath my gloves. I was so nervous, I had never

fought a vampire before and didn't know what to expect. Glancing over to

Acthus he seems calm and composed as his eyes searched the corridors of any

sign of the vile creature. We walked deeper into the darkness and the only

sound was my heart racing and our footsteps.

Fighting Evil ( 2 of 2 )

An hour passed before we entered a small room, the small light I carried

offered only a limited view but it was enough to see the body of a forest

nymph on the ground. Hunched over her lifeless body was the one we were

searching for. He looked up to use blood still smeared across his face and

his eyes seemed to reflect the light with a red hue. Acthus rushed in

towards the vampire, as he did the vampire moved quickly trying to make a

break for the door sending me flying into the hall as he barreled into me.

I was taken by surprise since the vampire only appeared to be much weaker

than he really was.

Acthus and I chased after him, and as s we neared the entrance I watched

with curiosity as the vampire came to a sliding stop turning around to look

at us. I could see a dim light outside as the sun as began to rise. I

could tell by the feral look in his eyes that he was going to try to fight

us both. He had a better chance to survive by defeating us than he did to

try and find refuge while the sun was rising.

I was ready this time as he charged towards me, we collided powerfully and

he was not expecting me to hold my ground as well as I did. He stumbled

backwards and Acthus charged him, trying to pin him to the ground. I rushed

up beside Acthus to see the vampire kicking upwards trying to get himself

free. It might have worked except for the fact that I quickly placed my

sword over the neck of the vampire to hold him still. I remember looking

over to Acthus, I had never before fought a vampire and was not sure if I

could kill him by normal means. Acthus looked to me and told me to drag him

out into the sun light and it would remove his taint forever.

I recall standing outside the doors of the temple to be sure the vampire did

not get back inside as the light began to sear his skin. It seemed to

ignite its skin afire as the vampire scream out in pain. As the last

remains of the vampire dissolved to ash, I could not help but smile as I

knew we helped rid the world of this foul creature. I thought of all the

lives that we had saved by vanquishing the vampire. I felt a sense of calm

wash over me in the knowledge that this was my home. This was my duty to

help the Knights in their quest to rid Algoron of evil.

Earning my Spurs

Two weeks had passed since Acthus and I had killed the vampire. We began

patrolling more in the recent days. Overall, he seemed impressed with my

improvement. He did not have to correct me on my behaviour anymore and I

was learning more about fighting alongside the Knights. It was different

than I was used to but I was quickly picking it up.

One day after we returned from scouting for enemies, Acthus asked me to join

him in the War Room. I was expecting it to be another lesson about combat.

When I entered he was sitting quietly at the table and talking with General

Mercerion. I saluted quickly as I entered, looking between the two of them

with a smile, still not quite sure why I was summoned. Acthus looked up to

me with a smile and asked me to have a seat.

I was nervous as Acthus began to tell me that he was proud of the work I had

done lately. I smiled, though all I was doing were my duties trying to help

those I could and learning all I could learn from Acthus. He continued to

tell me that he believed I had completed all of my testing and tasks he had

set before me. I continued smiling, still unsure if Mercerion had more

tests for me. I was expecting something more to do, as I wanted to be the

best Knight I could be and I knew that if they did have more work for me, it

was simply because they wanted the same

Mercerion sat there quietly looking me over and making some notes. I could

do nothing but stand quietly and await his word. I began to shift nervously

as Mercerion looked up from his writing and leaned back in his chair. His

eyes seemed to freeze me in places as they inspected my armor, making sure

it was up to standard. He then began to question me about what I had

learned durning my time as a Page and as a Squire. After he completed his

inquiry, he turned to Acthus and asked him a number of questions as well.

The two spoke for a time before turning back to me, both of them were

smiling. Acthus stood from his chair and walked over to me holding out a

set of spurs. I took them quietly from his hands looking back to the two as

Mercerion began to speak.

Congratulations, Sir Thorne.

I saluted again, my heart beat began to slow and I was able to relax for the

first time since I entered the room. I pulled out a chair sitting across

from the General as he began to explain to me the duties that came along

with my position. After he had told me all I needed to know, he infromed us

that it was time for him to take his leave. Acthus also left at that time,

I sat there a while longer thinking back over my life and how far I had come

from the young boy stealing to survive. I was now a Knight of Gareth's

keep, Though I did enjoy my time as a Page and Squire, I knew I could now

serve those in need better. I had learned so much about how to protect the

innocent.

I no longer felt as though I did not belong. I knew this place was my home.

It was where I belonged. Everything I had done in the past served its

purpose, I felt as though Nadrik Himself had helped guide me along the way.

He had sent Rekan back to help me and reform my life and to find the Keep.

I knew it was always my destiny to serve Nadrik even I did not realize it

until I was grown, everything I did helped me find my path to His children

and to the Knights.