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Tale from Another Time and Place
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'The City of Hope'
Place: Atlantic Shard - The swamps north of Trinsic
Time: Right before Seige Perilous was made.
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Caramon Majere rode through the outskirts of the newly formed HopeCity, so
named for it's sole purpose was to bring Hope to the citizens of Brittania.
Stopping outside the city gates Caramon looked to the two huge Dragon Statues
guarding the gates. The Dragon on the right was made of pure Silver. The one
on the left of Pure Gold, both shining brightly. They sat on their hind legs
and threw their heads back as if roaring in silent triumph, welcoming the
Knight of Hope back home. Caramon smiled up at the Dragons and sent a silent
welcome to his friends.
Caramon urged his steed on through the silver and gold gates, and rode into
the city. He passed by the shops and homes of the Citizens of Hope. Small
children playing at being knights stopped and watched in awe as he rode by.
Caramon smiled through his helm and pulled his steed to a halt. Getting off
his horse, he pulled off his helm and set it down. He beckoned for the
children to come closer.
One of the boys, by the name of Galen, ran up to Caramon and poked him
playfully in his ribs with a long stick.
'You're an evil knight and I've stuck you with my sword!' Galen playfully
teased Caramon.
Caramon grabbed his side and fell to the ground, groaning in pain. 'Aye sir
knight. Ye have bested me. I am at your mercy...'
Galen giggled at Caramon and helped him to sit up. Caramon pulled a silver
dagger from his belt and handed it to the boy. Galen looked at the dagger and
gingerly took it into his hands. 'For me? I can have this?'
'Aye Galen. You can. But you must promise me that you'll be careful and not
hurt yeself.' Caramon smiled at the boy. 'Now.. run off back to your friends.'
'Yessir! Thank you Uncle Caramon! Thank you!' The boy Galen ran off and showed
his group of friends the dagger his uncle had given him. Galen was clearly the
most popular kid that day. Smiling to himself, Caramon picked himself up off
the ground and placed his helm back on his head. Mounting his horse, Caramon
waved to the group of kids and continued on to the Headquarters of The Hope
Fellowship. His garrison of knights, called the Knights of Hope, where there..
or so he had heard. He had been recalled from his mission in Yew to head back
to HopeCity immediately. There was an emergency that needed his direct
attention.
Caramon finally reached the Beacon of Hope, a large tower in the exact center
of the city. The stable boy ran out towards Caramon as he was dismounting.
Caramon handed the boy the reins and gave him strict instructions.
'Remove his saddle, feed him hot oats, and brush him down well.' Caramon
flipped the boy a small purse. The boy caught the purse and shook it next to
his ear. Hearing the coins jingle, the boy flashed Caramon a toothless grin
and led Ember away and into the stables next to the Beacon.
Caramon walked up to the front doors of the tower and found that they were not
unoccupied. The two guards at the front door snapped to attention and saluted
awkwardly. Caramon looked each over intently and finally spoke.
'At ease guards.' The guards relaxed a bit and waited for the Knight to speak.
'I've not seen you two before. You new recruits?' Caramon looked to the guard
on his right. He was young.. almost had to be fifteen years of age. He held
his spear awkwardly and stammered his reply to the stern and experienced
Knight.
'Aye.. S-s-sir. I'm Squire Ulric f-f-from Skara Brae..' Caramon nodded and
looked to the other guard on the left. 'And ye are Squire?' Caramon waited
patiently for the Squire to speak. 'I-I'm Squire Geoffrey from Skara Brea too.
Ulric and mineself grew up together.' Caramon nodded to them both. 'Stick
together Squires. Watch each other's back when in battle and in the Pub.'
Caramon smiled to and walked into the tower. The two guards outside the tower
breathed a sigh of releaf and continued to stand at their posts. Inside the
tower, Caramon was greeted by the on duty Captain of the Guard.
'Welcome back sir!' The man walked up to Caramon and the two shook hands
heartily. 'Tell me Sir Caramon, how goes things in Yew?'
Caramon smiled at his old friend. 'The Council in Yew is being stubborn as
hell. They still will not accept help from the Knights of Hope in battling the
orcs that control the outskirts.'
The Captain of the Guards, whose name was Marcus, smiled at Caramon. 'Aye..
but these days the Council in Yew are but mostly Elves. And ye know how
stubborn those elves are!'
Caramon smiled a bit, then his face turning serious, he asked the question he
was hoping to avoid altogether. 'Marcus.. what's this emergency that brings me
all the way back here?'
The smile on Marcus's face disappeared as quick as it had appeared. 'Evil's
affot here in Hope Caramon. There have been four guards found murdered behind
the Pub and now.. the Elder Istari has disappeared.'
'Luthien? Where is she? What happened? Do ye know anything? Why was I not
summoned back sooner!' Caramon's face began to show worry and fear, knowing
that the City's founder and leader, Luthien, had disappeared.
'There is more Caramon.' Marcus handed Caramon a rolled parchment. Caramon
took the parchment and looked closely at the seal. There was imprinted a claw
of a bear on it. Disreguarding it, he snapped the seal in twain and read the
parchment. Caramon bacame pale and looked up to Marcus, fear emanating from
his eyes.
'Marcus, summon the Council of Hope immediately! I want a meeting in one
hour!' Caramon rolled the parchment back up and slipped it into his belt and
started for the stares of the tower. He was heading for the library on the
second floor. He could be heard muttering one word over and over.
Smogg... Smogg... Smogg...
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Well, I hope this was not too long! This is just part one in a series of
stories that tell of the rise and fall of HopeCity. After reading this, I hope
it will help you all understand the adventures I have had in this game! By the
way, Caramon Majere is the name of my character there on Atl. Hope you all
enjoyed the story!
Another Place 2
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