Short Story: The call of the Guardians

**Kamon Ardens pushed his way through the crowd.**

**In his lifetime he has never seen so many Guardians in one place. Though not even close to the numbers the order once held, the Guardian Tower was absolutely teeming with warriors. It had been nearly a month since the Fall of the Dragonforge . The event that sent ripples across the lands and sea like nothing ever felt before. When that wave of power passed through Tower something happened. For EVERY Guardian the recall signal has been ignited, and it hasn’t gone out.**

**In a prior age a Guardian’s sword would light in such a way to ready a warrior for Long Gate recall. Now the crippled gate cannot perform half of its functions. However the recall signal still serves a purpose, to instruct a Guardian to make his way home. Now it’s a bit troubling as the entire order has reported in with no immediately apparent reason as to why, or how to cancel it.**

**Kamon continued to make his way through the great hall. Overhearing conversations between Guardians he’s struck with bittersweet emotion. Guardians long thought to be dead have shown up, and unfortunately others thought to be well have been reported as fallen. Kamon has been summoned to speak with Master Kleege and help him address the entirety of the Guardian order.  Kamon spotted Kleege near the main kitchen, having a heated exchange with a young initiate.**

**“There’s plenty of sauce in the basement! Now get your ass down there or so help me you’ll be  begging the Dragons outside to save you from me!” Kleege shouted as the initiate bowed and scurried off.**

**“Master” Kamon said.**

**“Ah! Kamon! There you are.” Kleege said smiling. “I think the young Tyro may have squirted his own sauce after that.”**

**“To be fair the Kitchen has never been this busy in my lifetime.”  Kamon said.**

**“Nor mine believe it or not.” Kleege said brandishing his Soulblade. “This damn light has certainly done its job in bringing us all together.”**

**“I thought you and the council would still be meditating with the Crystal of Ages.” Said Kamon.**

**Kleege nodded and said “I thought so too until yours truly had the brilliant idea to simply start at the beginning. To travel through the memories in reverse would have been extremely taxing.” He continued. “We went back to the construction of the Tower itself. The answer wasn’t out in the open, we had to find memories of Guardians overhearing Dwarf conversations.”**

**“Im not sure I understand..” Kamon said reluctantly.**

**Kleege began to walk toward the podium at the end of the great hall. Kamon followed listening intently.**

**With a bit of self congratulatory excitement Kleege explained. “As you know the Dwarves helped the first Guardians build the Tower. They also constructed the Guardian Throne. As we walked through the memories I overheard the Dwarves speak of a failsafe.”**

**“A failsafe?” Kamon asked**

**“The Throne was built at the same time as their Dragonforge. They enchanted the chair to react to the power of the forge, power that should have remained contained. If the Forge were ever to fall it’s energy would force all Guardians to be summoned.” Kleege said.**

**“For what purpose?” Kamon inquired.**

**Kleege approached the podium, obviously saving his answer for the crowd. Master Kleege stood at the podium and placed his sword into a holder. The Sword began to glow as the enchanted podium lifted above the crowd of the great hall. Kamon raised his blade before striking it into the floor unleashing a blindingly brilliant flash for just a moment. This grabbed the attention of the crowd. The Guardians fell silent and focused on Kleege.**

**“After consulting the Crystal of Ages and our ancient texts the council has come to understand what has transpired.” Kleege’s voice boomed and carried throughout the tower with commanding clarity thanks to the podium’s enchantments.**

**“As many of you are no doubt aware, the Dragonforge has fallen. The effects of it’s destruction have rippled across Celestus in ways not understood. What we do know is it has caused a direct interaction with our tower and relics. It seems the Dwarven people have embedded a failsafe in case this ever occurred.” He said.**

**Master Kleege continued. “The entire Guardian order has been summoned in accordance with an ancient pact. A debt is owed to the Dwarven people. That debt is now being called for collection. In exchange for constructing our tower and chair they asked for a favor. A favor they hoped to never have to call upon. The complete Guardian order must temporarily cast aside it’s neutrality and aid the Dwarven people in anyway necessary. The hope is that we can help them to rebuild or if that is not possible, we are to help avenge the Forge. The first Guardians agreed to this and so must we.”**

**The hall hummed as the crowd muttered and whispered to each other.**

**“The pact is not one sided however, as we assist them they will assist us. The council will ask that they help us rebuild the Long Gate to full functionality. With the Gate at full power and capabilities we will be able to strengthen and rebuild the order.”**

**The crowd cheered.**

**Kamon watched as the podium lowered and thought to himself. It would seem we have truly entered *the third age.***