As always, Barabus shook his head at the knight. Any normal man wearing such an incredible set of plate armor would have been clunky and clumsy to the point of needing help to move once he got off his horse. Talarius in full battle regalia was more agile and dexterous than most men naked. He was literally the paladin of myths; he made even the most difficult of actions look graceful and skilled. Talarius returned the respectful nods of the soldiers he passed as he made his way to Barabus. A path opening as if by magic to give him room.
He came up to Barabus and gracefully removed his full helm. He shook his head and his blond ponytail came free over the back of his armor. His blue eyes matching the smile on his lips as he tucked his helm under one arm and raised the other, with his sword, in salute to Barabus. “Hail Arch-Vicar General Barabus! I Talarius, humble servant and knight of Tiernon, salute you as we prepare once again to fight the good fight!”
Barabus nodded formally, receiving the salute, and then raised his bare hand in a return salute. “Hail Talarius, Knight Rampant of Tiernon. Your presence is most welcome in our coming battle with the minions of the Concordenax.”
“Let the Rod be drawn.”
“Let the Will be done,” returned Talarius.
“As Tiernon’s fight is won.” The two completed the ritualistic phrase in unison with the soldiers of the Rod around them. Swords and staves rattled against shields in a thundering roar.
“So General,” Talarius said, as he placed his helmet on the table. He and Barabus had just entered Barabus’ tent. The knight was down to business now; there was a war on. “What exactly are we up against? Iskerus wasn’t able to give me all of the details.”
“Well,” sighed Barabus, “that’s part of our problem. We don’t really know. What we do know is that an Archaedemon subverted the works of Verigas, our high priest in Gizzor Del. The subversion allowed the demon to enter Astlan bringing one or two other powerful demons with it, and what appeared to be human wizards. It is Verigas’ belief that the demon intends to march to Freehold, where it will, either itself, or through the aid of its pet wizards summon forth its horde.”
“How much do you trust this Verigas? And his story?”
“Fairly well, we both did the Test of Truth on him while he recanted. He certainly believes it. Further investigation of the location of the subversion confirms Verigas’ story, at least as much as possible.” Talarius nodded his head to the side, acknowledging what Barabus told him.
“Further, we have a brother who has had Visions.”
“Visions?”
“Yes, the Visions came about a month before this incident. Visions of major plots by the Lords of the Abyss, and by human wizards.”
“Confirmation for something then.”
“Yes. As near as the brother could pinpoint, the Asltanian side of the activity would take place on this continent.” Barabus gestured to the floor.
“So, you think then that the Princes are up to something? They haven’t dared anything in over a thousand years.”
“I don’t know. I don’t know if any princes are involved. It may just be something at the Archaedemon level. Some plot to overthrow the current establishment there. There, except for the involvement of human wizards. Apparently, there is also a power play going on here in Astlan. Perhaps some wizards are aligned with the demons, or possibly opposed.” Barabus shook his head in frustration at their lack of concrete intelligence.
“We do know,” Barabus continued, “that a book is involved.”
“A book? What’s in it?”
“A very old book. We do not however, know what’s in it. However, we do know that several demons have been destroyed for it and more than a few wizards over the course of the years.”
“Interesting. And you’re sure that this Archaedemon has come this way?”
Barabus leaned against the table, crossing his arms and looking down at the floor. “We don’t know about the Archaedemon. It apparently left its pets in Gizzor Del for some reason. It will apparently meet them in Freehold. What we do know, is that Verigas’ wizards and one of the demons arrived in Hoggensforth yesterday. We interviewed the captain of the ship that brought them.”
“You’ve intercepted them?”
“Not yet, we believe they’re taking the road for Freehold. They aren’t that far ahead, and we waited for your arrival before pursuing.”
“Why are they traveling in this manner, can we assume the wizards are not very powerful?”
“I don’t know why they’re traveling this way. At least one of the wizards, apparently the lead one, is extremely powerful. Certainly world class. Although, even there, we have discrepancies.”
“Discrepancies?’
“Yes the captain claims the one in charge is a Lord Edwyrd.” Talarius shrugged his head; the name was unknown to him. “However, Verigas claims that the one named Edwyrd, at least in Gizzor Del, was claiming to be the cousin of the youngest member of the party. Said member either being an incredibly young wizard or a drug-clouded future human sacrifice.”
