Mathis and Kraygoss were enjoying the home of the Grandire. Mostly it had them out of the fog and was giving them a much needed break. From here they were able to get rest and food in the mountain home of the Giants. The elderly giant was much helpful in being a host to Mathis and his companion. His name was Waldern and he was the leader of the clan. They had carved out an entire mountain as their home. The many halls and rooms, to Mathis was more like vast castle halls, but for the Giants the rooms were just the right size. The great Hall was the largest of all, and was available when council was in order, a great feast, or gathering of lords and more. Mathis and Kraygoss were shown to a room that was actually their size. It was explained that the Draksin knew of the giants and that they were close friends. The Grandire never left however and it was the Draksin that needed to travel to them to see them. The visits had been long and few between lately. Mathis informed them that it was due to the fact of getting everything in order after the defeat of the Dark One. Much was needed to get in order and the lords of each group was spread across many fronts. Waldern was not offended and new of the work that was ahead in correcting the many decades of darkness that had covered the land.
Mathis wanted to know more of the fog and its source. Waldern was hesitant in talking about the fog and its powers. He told Mathis that they had been trying to track the location that was creating it, but it was to no avail. They had even lost a few giants to the cause. It had been a long time to since they had envolved themselves in an endeavor. Waldern was happy to once again be able to help in a fight. Mathis wanted to continue the conversation, but was starting to get tired from not sleeping in twenty-four hours. He wished the best to Waldern, but had to excuse himself to get some rest. Kraygoss was happy to be getting a rest as well. He had many times laid down and fallen asleep as they carried on their conversations.
Once in his room Mathis relaxed some and unloaded his pack. He sat on the edge of his bed and thought for a bit about what their plan going forward was going to be. From this point he would be able to venture out and come back, making marks and being able to resupply, and get rest after being in the fog for a long time. He would also be able to pack lighter and move quicker, but was enough of thinking. He laid back and soon was out cold.
Waking suddenly, Mathis got up and walked to his door. Opening it he looked about. The area was large and open. It played on his mind and he had to remind himself where he was located. It was still in the middle of the night and the halls of the mountain home was quite. He looked about both ways and then decided to move about the halls making his way about the rooms. As he did, Kraygoss was still asleep and didn’t notice that Mathis had left.
Walking about Mathis heard a noise. It was faint and to a giant the noise would probably not be heard. He moved to where the noise was coming from. Waling to a corner that then turned right. He looked down a hall way. There were a group of things lurking about the floor of the room. Three torches lit there group walking. Something about their movements was off, and it gave Mathis a bad feeling. He followed behind in the shadows. Trying to get closer to see who these being were. As he got closer, he started to hear a familiar speech. It was that of orc. They had broken into the Hiredome somehow. He had not grabbed his swords as he left. He clinched his fist upset at the absence of a metal object in his hand.
The orc group was staying close to the side of the walls like mice in this place. They seemed to know exactly how to get around and to be on a mission. Mathis knew that they were here for a reason, and he was going to see what that reason was for before dispatching them. They soon stopped before a great door to one of the giants rooms. Mathis saw that it was Waldern’s room. He knew that something was going to go down with him. He needed to be ready to stop them as fast as possible. Alerting someone would alert them and cause them to scatter. He needed to keep them contained and hopefully keep one alive. He had plans for that one.
The orcs funneled into the room through a crack of the door. Mathis saw that they left a guard outside the door. He knew that this was his opportunity to get one alive. Looking around the found a pebble that was on the floor. Taking it and then throwing it to the opposite side to where Mathis stood, the orc turned and drew his sword out. Looking towards where the sound came from. Mathis moved in quickly and silently without even alerting the guard. He jumped him knocking the sword out of his hand then wrapping his arm around his throat all in one quick move. The struggle was short and without noise. Mathis laid the orc down and then searched the body for something to tie him up with. Finding a belt he took it and tied him up so that he couldn’t move. He pulled him down the wall a ways so that if the others did scattered they wouldn’t free him nor kill him for being captured.
Mathis stood at the opening on the side and looked it. The orc group was moving over the bed side of the giant. Mathis looked back and saw the sword on the ground from the fallen orc. He grabbed it and slipped into the room. Action was going to be needed, but the numbers were hard to keep count of with so few torches and the darkness of the room. He moved closure and soon he could hear them breathing. Their talking was murmured as they moved about working on getting up the bed. Their move was to all attack at the same time and kill the giant. Most likely going to the throat. If all of them attacked at the same time it would be possible to kill Waldern.
“Why are they trying to kill you”, said Mathis to himself. Mathis set himself up and was ready to attack, but he did one more thing. He made a fist with his left hand, and he closed his other but left his pointing finger and the middle one open. He began to channel magic, something very few people knew he was capable of. An aura began to glow from his hands. He blew as if whistling, but there was nothing. Mathis readied himself again as he smiled. With quickness and precision he moved forward and stayed in the darkness. Swinging up he cut the first down. Then making but two steps he caught the other. The sound of the bodies falling started to gain the attention of the others. He kept moving forward and still he was cutting them down in one blow.
The secrecy of his attacks were now noticed and orcs started to run at Mathis. There were more than Mathis had counted on. It seemed as though even more had already entered into the room before the band that he was following. Then this wasn’t about just killing Waldern. “Waldern”, screamed Mathis! He knew if he could wake him then having a giant walk around would be useful, even if that giant was old. Still yelling out Mathis kept killing the orcs around him, but they were starting to get the better of him.
An orc fell behind him and he turned surprised. An arrow was in his back. He didn’t have time to thank the visitor as more orcs came in. There were more arrows flying in and hitting their marks. Suddenly a roar was heard and Kraygoss jumped on a couple of orcs and tore them apart. “Glad you heard my whistle boy”, said Mathis. Mathis reached down and grabbed another sword and kept moving forwards sweeping through the orcs laying waste to them. They started to scream roaring about the room. They knew the moves and recognized the ferocity of their attacker. The Harbinger was upon them. Four orcs charged Mathis but were suddenly all smashed to the side by a large axe. Mathis stood at the ready for such a foe, but then saw that it was a Draksin.
It would seem that I’m not alone here in this place”, said Mathis. “And one more to come”, said the Draksin as he turned and charged more. Mathis turned looking back and saw the archer that had been raining death down on his foes. It was a Vangor standing on top of a chair. Mathis made a gesture of thanking him for the cover and then turned joining the Draksin in the combat that was going.
Waldern started to stir and the orcs started to run away from the bed side. “I assume you followed a group in from the outside”, asked Mathis to the Draksin? “Indeed, we came upon their trail and soon we were here”, he answered. “Let’s just say we were heading over here anyways, and they interrupted us”, said the Vangor now sword out and working through the group of scattered orcs. “It seems that we have won the day”, said the Darksin. “What is all this racket”, said Waldern. “Watch your step Waldern, we are down here”, said Mathis. “Wha, what, why are, what the hell is going on”, asked Waldern? He rose and started to stand looking down to the floor. He saw all the orcs that had been slain and then saw that there were a few more visitors about the ground. “It would seem that we have guest, some that I know and one that I don’t”, said Waldern. “It’s nice to see you once more Waldern. It has been a while old friend”, said the Vangor. “You as well Dorloth”, said Waldern. “And let me introduce my companion, Trayon of the Vangors”, said Dorloth. “It is very nice to see a Vangor in these halls once more. It has been a while since one has appeared here, but let me introduce my companion and apparent savior I assume. This is The Harbinger Mathis.” “Indeed, we have been looking for you”, said Trayon. “Well it would seem you found me. Question is why is someone looking for me”, asked Mathis? “Our lords have sent us to help aid you in your quest. The threat of the Phantom forest is growing, and we are here to see that we put an end to it”, said Dorloth. “Apparently whatever it is knows that you are here. Your home was infested with creatures never seen before. They ambushed us as we came to see you, but you were gone and Dragus and the Draksins came just in time”, said Trayon. “The fog itself is a creature that needs to be understood by all”, said Waldern, “It can create and destroy its own monsters. Change the environment and everything.” “It would seem we found someone who knows a lot about this”, said Trayon. “They live here in the middle of it, so I would say that they should know something about it”, said Mathis. “Agreed”, said Dorloth.
The four new companions decided that it would be good to have a sit down and clean the area. Other giants were alerted to the intrusion and a sweep was made to find out how they were getting in. Dorloth and Trayon showed them where they were able to enter into the Hiredome. Mathis went to work on the orc he had captured. He was unwilling to talk at first, but soon convinced in a way Mathis had specialized. Using magic and some spells he was able to pull the information out of him. Much of it was not informing him what he truly wanted, but the creature did not have information to give. It became a dead end from that end. Once he was done with the creature he threw him into ta dungeon that the giants had created.
Mathis, Dorloth, and Trayon gathered their strength and rested up. Making plans and discussing what their next move was going to be. “I’m going to be moving on from here. The orc said that the old fortress is where they were located and traveled from. He didn’t know who was controlling he fog, but that it was being fed from somewhere close by. It’s not as strong as it used to be, but soon they would have enough power to move as it did”, said Mathis. “What this that you are moving on tomorrow”, asked Dorloth? “Sounds as if he intends to move on without us”, said Trayon. “It would be more prudent to have allies Mathis, don’t continue this journey alone. Use your allies and finish this together”, said Waldern. “You are good Harbinger, but taking on an entire army would be a fool mission”, said Dorloth. It’s not that, he lost, and so he wants redemption”, said Trayon. “What do you know of redemption”, asked Mathis? “Dealing death and wishing for it, never brings an end to the pain. IT never goes away. Life moves on, and she would want you to”, said Trayon placing a hand on his shoulder. Mathis brushed it off. “My life and history are mine, remember that. You can both join me, but remember there was a reason that I was living by myself, and what I truly seek is not what you seek in the end”, said Mathis.
Dorloth dropped his axe top on the ground, and knelt before Mathis. “What are you doing”, asked Mathis? “You saved countless numbers, and achieved more things than anyone here. We are here to say thank you and that we are with you till the end. We are here to support you”, he said. “All the lives, all the time. It doesn’t matter to me, if she isn’t by my side. I however, do not want to see any darkness in this land. It was the darkness that took her and I will take the darkness away, or die trying”, said Mathis. “That’s why then”, said Trayon, “You moved to the phantom forest because that was the last remint of the old darkness. You wanted to destroy it, or have it destroy it. IT wasn’t for saving and protecting. You want to die. Hence the reason you left alone”, said Trayon. “My decision as I said. You can come, but I’m doing this”, said Mathis. The others understood leaving the matter over. Dorloth and Trayon knew that they were going to have to be on the lookout. Mathis was a rogue here, no longer among the races of the free folk. Kraygoss laid by his side and walked away with him as Mathis left. He growled as he passed the others.
“A troubled soul that is”, said Waldern, “But a good one.” “It would seem our partnership will be a thin one at the most”, said Dorloth. “I don’t think we really have a partnership actually. He has been waiting on this. He is still fighting to rid the world of darkness, but it seems as though he has created a little bit of his own”, said Trayon. “Why is this? He has done so much, what happened”, asked Waldern? Dorloth lowered his head in sadness. He had heard of the tragic story of the love of Mathis’ life. Someone that was the only other person to grab at his heart. She was taken by the darkness, and after that he was different. Once the war was over he left to be free of war and battle, but in reality it to just keep close to the darkness to keep fighting and never be free. IT was his own prison.
“Prison indeed, that is what we have here”, said Waldern. “What do you mean”, asked Dorloth? “We are prisoners. The fog here is stronger on us than you. It has been made to affect us the most. It only travels here to keep us from leaving. The Dark One wanted us a long time ago and could not reach us. So he created the creature to keep us trapped. We do not stay here for the views. He wanted to be easy to find. Once we freed ourselves from his grasp we ran and hid knowing what he was actually trying to do. He found us once more, but was able to get us back. That’s when the fog came. It trapped us here, assuring that we couldn’t leave and we could be found. We have forged some means of moving about the area, but it is only temporary, and the vastness of the fog doesn’t give us the ability to get out”, said Waldern. “Then we will see to it that we are successful in free you. That is what we fought for so long and long ago. Apparently we haven’t freed everyone, and that’s about to change”, said Trayon.