Knightmare Interactive Story #3
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The moon rose high over Dunkley Woods, and a heavily built figure shifted their weight in the shadows of a large oak. They coughed a little, a deep but genderless noise, and a swarm of bats flittered out of the naked branches with a quiet skittering noise.
The snow was starting to fall gently, and dry leaves danced around the feet of the person that appeared to meld with the darkness. The small hours of the morning were beginning to take their toll, and so with another short cough the figure turned and started away up a frozen dirt path, apparently unseen by no-one.
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The figure was wrapped in a light but durable blue cloak, one that only seemed to emphasise the formidable build of whoever was in it.
The gait of the figure was clumsy as they trudged on, but the impetus of the journey was strong. This was a person with a purpose.
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Sooner or later (it was hard to keep track of time under the trees) Knightmare Castle loomed before the traveller in a red sky flecked with white flakes. The forest grew sparse and as the figure hobbled on, feet obviously in great pain, the frozen dirt path became an iced road leading between a collection of ominous bare hills.
The legs dragged the weary creature onwards.
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...nothing but empty air.
But maybe not... The figure looked up from his exhausted torment and caught a glimpse of lithe little creature flit from its place in the high rafters and vanish upstairs...
He appeared as a mere wisp of a being and nervously was calling,
"Master! Master! Intruder at the gate! Where's Hoplos? Quickly! MASTER!"
The blue cloak slowly and painfully followed...
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The creature stumbled into the great hall of the castle, tottering on legs so weakened by the cold that they could barely support the burly weight.
Lit torches lined the wall, giving light and heat, enough to warm the creature's heart if not its limbs. BUt soon the exertion was just too much, and it collapsed to the floor, heaving short, impatient breaths into tired, icy lungs.
"Help..." it murmured quietly. "...Someone... help me...."
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Moments later a large suit of armour clanks its way down the long flight of stone steps. 'Blue cloak' looks up to see the wispy figure clamped on to its shoulders, much like a youngling with it's parents.
The youngling points towards him...
"There he is Hoplos! Get him, GET HIM! We'll teach him a thing or two about walking in uninvited!"
The apparition of armour heaves forward....
'Blue cloak' doesnt know where to run. No exits, No way past the creature and the door behind him has closed, sealing him in. He stumbles back desperatley trying to keep air between himself and his enemy and blood in his veins. The armour prepares to strike, axe held high above his head. It could split a man in 2 when given the chance...
The axe falls...
"PICKLE! STOP YOUR INSANITY THIS INSTANT!"
'Blue cloak' opens is eyes, the axe has stopped a breath short of his temples....
Sorry if a little long. Got too deep into the swing of it!
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A flickering torch illuminates a bearded man stood at the top of the flight of stone steps. He looks down disapprovingly at the wispy figure.
The Blue Cloaked figure slowly moves out from beneath the axe.
"Now then stranger" the bearded man bellows "what brings you to Knightmare Castle?"
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"You..." began the creature, before a sickly cold phlegm caught at the back of the throat and caused it to swallow. It tried again, "You... are the one they call the Dungeon Master..."
The bearded one took a single step onto the staircase. "I am also the man who hurled you back out into a raging blizzard if you hesitate to amswer me," he warned sternly, although his bearing suggested more threat than menace. "Identify yourself, and state your business."
The creature was uncertain, but then, with an elaborate flourish, it threw back the hood of its cloak. The bearded one stiffened slightly, eyes widening at the sight of what was beneath...
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"Well?" The bearded man demanded.
'Blue Cloak' looked up for the first time. The hood of the cloak fell back, revealing a familiar face.
"You!" The bearded one exclaimed "What are you doing in my castle?"
"Who is it?" Pickle asked returning to the man's side.
"That, my ignorant elf, is...........
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The face was harsh red, the eyes pale yellow with blazing pupils.
"You are a firelord!" growled Treguard. "One of the ruling dictators of the volcano-zone of the West."
"How did he get here?" cried Pickle. "Those creatures can't survive away from the heat of their homeland!"
"My name is Tellemachi," murmured the firelord, shaking against the cold. "I am here to beg for your aid, Treguard..."
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"Well then, I'm affraid you have had a wasted trip. I am no longer a mercenery who sides with anyone for the right price irespective of there belives and actions."
"My Loyalte is to The Powers That Be, I now serve only the side of truth and light. I do not aid, dictators and tyrants."
"So if you would be so kind as to remove your self from my castle and return to were you came from."
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Tellemachi raised an eyebrow. "Truth and light, Dungeon Master?" he scoffed. "What truth and light is there in a man of means and power who will not give aid to those in need?"
"And your race of butchers and bullies is in need, is it?"
"Yes!" cried Tellemachi. "I don't offer you terms as a mercenary as we have no money to give. We are here to beg for mercy, not hire an assassin."
Treguard looked grave. "Talk then, firelord. What do you wish of me?"
"Our realm may be paranoid and hostile," murmured the firelord hesitantly, "but we are never conquerors. We only protect our borders. But others have violated those borders, and attacked us with our greatest weakness... the cold!"
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