Mathias Janus

Mathias stumbled over a tree root and fell heavily into the snow which had covered it. His two companions Geoffrey and Lucianat, Paladins both, came to his aid. An Orc arrow had pierced through a gap in Mathias's armour in the previous nights battle, He had managed to remove the arrow with no problem but the wound was now infected and had weakened him profoundly. Upon reaching him, his two companions turned him, over and found him unconscious and mouthing silent words or names.
The two Trinsic Paladins made camp around him and sheltered him as best they could with themselves and with what they had brought in their packs. Geoffrey volunteered to take the first watch as they were still not sure they had fully lost the pursuing Orcs.

Four months had past since they had left Trinsic on the mission set by the Duke on the sunny Wednesday morning. All three of the Paladins had been full of cheer and high of spirits.

One month into the quest the companions knew one another like brothers. Mathias learnt that Lucianat had a fiancee waiting for him back in Trinsic and that he wrote to her every chance they had and when his hawk returned he sent it straight back with another letter attached to it. Geoffrey on the other hand was a devout Paladin He meditated and intoned the different mantras of the Virtues everynight. This was to be his last quest before he would take new vows as a monk of the Virtues.

Two months into the quest after many skirmishes with different beasts and men, they found themselves facing a liche in the dungeon of Deciet. The liche had the form of what was once a woman, the face had paper thin skin that was drawn tightly over its features and staring out of its eye sockets was a bright blue glow. Its long lank hair was blowing back from its face even though there was no breeze. It commanded from the throne it sat upon for the three warriors to leave her kingdom or be destroyed. The Paladins did not leave, instead they advanced upon the throne with their blades shining and held high. The Liche Queen screamed and cast a spell which bade forth skeletal warriors to come forth from their crypts and protect her. The Paladins, overwhelmed fought back to back using their martial prowess and their chivalry. Beating back the undead horde one by one. Nearing the last few of the Skeleton knights and almost onto the throne plinth, The Liche Queen's eyes began to grow brighter and her voice began to shriek. The three friends realised something wrong was about to happen and hastened in their battle to reach the Queen. Too late. The air around them began to burn white hot. Mathias heard Geoffrey call out for the Virtues to protect them.
Mathias felt a breeze on his face. He opened his eyes. The place around them was still white, but he was able to begin focusing again. It was then that they all noticed the cold. They were in snow. The Liche Queen's last spell must have teleported them. To where they did not know. Lucianat said that he did not recognise the stars so they were no longer in Britannia, of that they were certain.

Three months into the quest they came across the Orcs of the Green Foot. Geoffrey had managed to slay a scout with his hunting bow that he carried but not before it had managed to blow a horn that it must use as a sort of alarm to warn its bretren of trespassers. They were woken on the night of the kill to the sound of drums like thunder Mathias guessed that they numbered hundreds if not thousands. The Paladins agreed that the best tactic would be to leave the camp and to cover their tracks whilst they fled.
They underestimated the skill of the Orcs. Whilst they must have been kin to the Britannian Orc these were taller and more lean, and had tactical abilities. The fourth night into the chase the companions were caught at camp by an advance party of the Orcs. The Paladins managed to kill them all but not until Lucianat almost had his throat cut. He had taken his gorget off to sleep and had not had chance to put it back on when the Orcs attacked. Mathias managed to stem the flow of blood but was not able to mend Lucianats vocal cords.

Four months into the quest, which had changed, it was now to get home. The three were unshaven, thin, hungry, their armour rusted and dented most of it thrown away for them to be able to move more silent and quicker. Their minds were ont the things they loved and held dear the most. Geoffery had the Virtues, Lucianat, who's hawk had not returned since the meeting with the Liche Queen, had his fiancee And Mathias found himself thinking of a beautiful dark haired Elf. He sighed and whispered "Rana".
Arows began to fall like rain.

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