An Axe in the Flames

Moon Garden

The Flame Sect invasion

Eldon sat in the elaborate tent, wrapped in his scholar robes, his bald head sweating and streaming down the sharp features of his face, freshly shaved and glistening. He was anxiously bouncing his knee in the anticipation of what was to come. The Flame Sect army was stationed just outside of Moon Garden and had faced no opposition as they traversed through the lush green forests that led to the capitol city of the Feral Wilds. Inside the tent, just in front of Eldon, was a ornate wooden table. On it was a map of the kingdom and where the army was in relation. He had set his leather bound books on the table, ready to explain his plan and also explain the process if need be. Officers stood by the tent opening, dressed in the regalia of red and white flames emblazoned on the gold armor. His discovery of transferring magic had been met with some much expected cynicism and disgust from those of lesser intelligence. However, the King of the Flame Sect, Lucan had given him the funding to pursue his studies. He was obviously a man of high intelligence and Eldon was finally going to meet the man.

The tent opening parted, allowing the cacophony of exotic bird songs to enter the otherwise quiet tent. The first to enter was the Battle Master, a brute of a man, Cross wasn't much for speaking and Eldon wasn't offended by this. By the looks of him, it was probably better as he looked like a mongoloid with his scarred and flattened face. Better he just swing his sword and do what Lucan commanded. Sending troops and telling them what to hit was much easier than understanding the conversations of scholars. Cross stepped to the right of the opening, bare chested and wearing the light armor of Long Swords on his legs. Small and thick heavy leather patches that covered the thighs and left bare below the knees where he wore thick leather boots. They nodded a courtesy greeting to each other.

Second through the door was his wife and Shield Sister, Astrid. A thickly built woman with fiery red hair braided in intricate patterns and wearing the traditional armor of one steel pauldron on her left and a gold chest piece molded to her form with a thick, white and red leather dress and sandals. She seemed to have more intelligence behind her eyes to Eldon. She probably did the thinking in that relationship, he thought, not allowing the smirk to move to his face. They too gave each other a courtesy head nod. Neither had weapons and as she stood to the left of the opening they both straightened and clasped their hands behind them.

Lucan strode in, clad in full armor save the helm, his short red hair in a messy spike. His armor was something to behold, newly polished with no blemishes or scarring. Eldon could tell by the way he walked that he was full of confidence and commanded respect with only his presence. To be in the same room with the man was a mere compliment to his own works and studies.

Eldon stood up and gracefully bowed, "Your highness." He said in his most dignified voice.

Lucan smiled, a gracefully beautiful thing. Full of regality and yet sharp as a blade. "Sir Eldon, of the Flame Scholars. Finally we meet. We are in my personal tactics tent, there's no need for such rigidity."

Eldon felt his anxiety melt away. Lucan was disarming with just his words, and already Eldon felt he had known the man for years. He smiled and offered his right hand as the two grasped each others forearms. "Sir Lucan, then?" He questioned, as they both sat down across the other.

"Just Lucan will do." Said the King as he turned in his chair to address his Battle Master. "Cross, will you and the Madam Astrid pull up a chair and join us? Eldon has some wonderful things to show us."

Cross nodded, a rigid looking movement on a neck so thick. He motioned for Astrid to go first as they both took a wooden chair at the table on either side of Lucan. Eldon noted the fluidity at which both moved and how in sync they were, no doubt a by product of their training together.