"So there I was," Grek jumped up from his log. The Knights were gathered around a campfire, telling tall tales before supper. "Wandering alone through the Shrouded Islands, when suddenly!" Grek pounced into the middle.
"Careful, you tail' retar'!" Cried Onyx, "you are gonna pu' ou' the fire!"
"Yeah, right." Grek sat back down. "Nice way to ruin the mood, Onyx. Anyway, a pack of marauders found me. Out there, beyond Ardonia, there are no laws or protection against violence. I was forced to fight all twenty of them!"
"Twen'y?" Onyx interrupted again. "Las' time you said ten!"
"There was a lot, okay?!" Grek shouted, "I didn't exactly have time to count. Anyway, they thought I'd be an easy catch," Grek smiled and he looked more like a demon from the depths of the Nether more than ever. "Last mistake they ever made! Once I killed the leader, the rest fled, and I looted a grand trophy. I present to you---" he paused for effect, "Soulseeker!" Grek held his sword high.
"Twin diamond blades, title engraved along the handle, three-meters long." Grek introduced the numbers like counting his gold. "Not sure where it came from, but I guarantee it wasn't forged by marauders. Whatever beast wielded this was even larger than myself. Check it out!" He tossed Soulseeker to Senn.
"Umph!" Senn grunted as he caught it. "So heavy!" He felt it in his hand and balanced it. "And master craftsmanship. The symmetry of the blades is matched to the highest perfection. Sweet weapon, Grek!" He handed it back to its owner.
"Prr-rrr!" Grim was holding out his scythe and grunting somewhat angrily at the lack of attention.
"Oh, right." Grek took the weapon and flipped it to Senn, who caught it by the tip of the handle.
"Grim picked that weapon up at Etherea." Grek explained, "Or so we think, at least. He loves that thing."
"Wow." Senn said in awe. It was also perfectly balanced like Soulseeker, there was a small dip on the handle about which the entire weapon seemed to spin perfectly "But how did the maker build it so that it is so easy to twirl it at one point? Magnificent!" He threw the weapon back to Grim, who spun it around and showed off the enchant on it.
"Is that Thunderlord?" Senn almost shrieked like a little girl. Long has he worked as a blacksmith, but not once has he seen an enchanted weapon, and such a high-level enchant, so exquisite.
"Mm..prr" Grim nodded, and swung the scythe on his back.
"Yeah, yeah," interjected Onyx. "I can ge' the job done wit' my bare hands."
Grek ignored him. "Masani," he called to the archer, who was sitting on the side by herself. "Wanna show Senn your bow and special arrows?"
Masani didn't respond, but glared at Grek. "Over my dead body." was written on her face.
"Guess not then." Grek turned back to the fire. "Anyway! Show us what you've got, Senn."
Senn retrieved his sword from his sack and held it in his hands. Though it reflected the firelight brilliantly, it paled in comparison to Soulseeker and the Thunderlord scythe.
"Well," Senn began, "my sword doesn't have any history yet. It's not diamond or enchanted, but I made it myself during my stay in Ataraxia."
"Hey, that's not half bad!" said Onyx. "Lemme hava loo'."
Senn turned over the blade and Onyx felt the back. "Even though most Magnorites don't use weapons, we're renowned for our skills at forging them. This is a pretty good sword." He flexed it. "And just the right amount of bend to strength ratio. I couldn't have done an iron sword better myself."
Suddenly, Hubris barged in.
"Grab your things everyone!" He shouted urgently. "Senn, you're coming too. We leave at once! Let's move!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Grek bolted up, kicking the fire apart. "Ow! What's the hurry? We were having fun!"
"A group of Voltaris have been spotted moving towards The Vault." Hubris panted, "and they are not alone." He looked around the clearing.
"The Deathsinger's with them."
Everyone leapt to their feet. "The Deathsinger?" Cried Onyx, "How' tha' even possible?"
"I'm not sure, but I aim to find out." Hubris led the way to the small stable . "We're going to show the world that the Knights of Ardonia don't fear the Deathsinger himself."
They led the horses outside the inlet and mounted them. Senn took Timber, Hubris took one, and Masani and Grim each took another. Onyx readied himself for a long run.
"I don't care if they're faster," Grek refused. "I'm not riding one of these four-legged creatures."
"Oh, stop complaining." Onyx said. He dumped another bucketful of lava down his mouth.
"If Onyx is going on foot, so am I!" Grek insisted.
"Onyx is too heavy for horses." Said Hubris, exasperated. "Besides, as a Magnorite he won't tire as quickly as yourself."
"Grr, fine. Hold still you monster." Grek began to climb awkwardly up and, after he did, he faced the horse's tail.
Onyx rolled his eyes. He grabbed the Jaggathan by the tip of his tail and hurled him the right way around. "Whoa" Grek yelled. He's gonna get him back for exposing his weak spot.
"The world does not believe there is imminent danger, and that we are wrong to think so." Hubris called out, "Each of you pledged your support without asking for anything in return. Today we have a chance to show Ardonia that we are there to fight for…"
"Oh, save your cha'er for la'er." Interrupted Onyx, "See ya!" He ran into the distance.
"Aww, Hubris, don't be like that." Faked Grek. "Your speech scared him off!"
"Whatever." Said Hubris. He rode off, followed by Grim then Masani.
"You go first." Senn waved for Grek, who was still clamoring to stay on his horse, to ride before him. "I'll make sure, uh, you don't fall behind."