DDO Olympics: Storytelling

Chapter II: The Temple KnightsThe Troll lifted it's arm to swing at the boys, before stopping to stare up the cliff beside them. The tumbling sound of boulders coming from above. The Troll couldn't move in time to escape, and was hit by the boulders. The boys begun to run up the hill, as the Troll tried to lift himself back up."What was that?" Maverick yelled out."Luck! That was luck!" Alden assumed, unaware of the figure at the top.When the boys reached up the hill, the man in a navy blue hood grabbed them both, "Stop, and follow me." He began to run across the waterfall, and the boys followed. After a long run, the man stopped and looked back. "What are you two kids doing here?""We were... um...we were heading out to.. find the army..." Alden stuttered."Well... Did you find them?""No...""Then that was a stupid idea, don't you think?"Alden looked around to think, not sure what to say. "We found the camp... It was torn up and abandoned...""Who are you?" Maverick finally asked."I am a fighter for the Lord Knight's Temple." The man looked at him."What?""A temple of knights. The Lord Knight is the lord of the temple. It's not there anymore... But that doesn't stop me from doing my job.""Which is?""Killing monsters and making the 7 Kingdoms safe from creatures who threaten innocent civilians. Now, about that camp?"Alden stepped up to speak, "The camp was abandoned... There was blood everywhere and the tents were torn up."The knight looked down, his hair blowing softly around his eyes while he thought. He looked back up at Alden and spoke, "It was the Drarg." Alden stared in confusion, "The Drarg are orcs who were friendly with the people here. What ever dark magic's causing the Malaki to invade has also caused the Drarg to revolt.""What dark magics?" Maverick asked."The Daim Alvrik of the Zeck Daimionate. He has been dealing in magics that are beyond us."The Knight begun to walk off. "Wait! Where are you going? What about the army?" Alden asked."Their okay. The Drarg aren't going to stop an army. I'm heading down south to find a Dragon named Brim.""That's where we are heading!... Well... To fight the Zeck. Please come with us... We could use you."The knight looked back, and Alden continued speaking, "Well wait... We wouldn't use you.. we would.."He cut Alden off, "I'm a knight. My job is to be used for my skill. And why should I work with you? I care not who rules these lands." The knight resumed walking."Wait... What's your name?"The knight didn't stop walking, "Dos." And he was gone.----Dos walked through the forest in search of shelter. He had tents and food, but no terrain suitable for setting up. After an hours walk, he decided to make space of his own. Taking and moving rocks and twigs to clear a site, but it wasn't big enough. He looked around and to see what he could do.Suddenly, tracks caught his eyes, and he was quick to view them. They were that of a massive Himlin, a cross between a goblin and a massive ogre. He laughed at the coincidence... While in need of tracking it, to prevent harm that may come to an innocent person, he knew where the tracked led... To those kids.Dos wouldn't normally head out right away, he would look to eat first... But those kids. He couldn't. He lifted his gear and headed out to follow the tracks.An hour took him and he reached the river. Wondering down the path, he saw the kids by a fire, eating fish and bread. He smiled at the taught, the tracks had ended at the river. Unsure of whether or not the Himlin would show it's face anytime soon, he thought for a while and decided to stay."Dos!" Maverick called out.Dos looked up at them staring at him. He walked forward and spoke, "I need a camp, and can't find a good site elsewhere.""Sure... BUT!.." Alden stopped and smirked, "Only if you take us South with you."Dos stopped to think about it. "Hmm. I'll take you to where the Kingdom of Ro's army is gathering. Not any mile further."Alden smiled, and moved over for Dos to sit."Remember. I'm not a knight for hire here. When we reach the Army tomorrow, I leave, and you don't follow." Dos explained. Alden and Maverick accepted and smiled at each other.----Dos lay awake in the night, thinking about his quest. The Dragon, Brim. He mustn't slay the dragon... The dragon bares dark and evil magics the Malaki can't even imagine. He has so little time to reach the haunted dragon and complete his quest in the name of the late Lord Knight's Temple.He looked over at the kids sleeping. They weren't out to fight or kill anyone... They only wanted an adventure. He must protect them until they get to the Army. He thought of them in battle, and if one of them were to be slain. The thought hurt... Perhaps if they took a detour. Perhaps if they went through some creatures and monster first, and got a little training and preparation... Or became great knights... New Temple Knights...They wanted adventure, and who was Dos to deny them it... Looks like they'll be getting just the adventure they wanted.