Kingdoms End: Chapter Three - To Faxenglade

It was only a short time before Lucinda returned with several Elven soldiers, saddled on fine brown stallions.

“These are some of her ladyship’s personal guard. She sent them in good faith.” Lucinda said, hovering at the shoulder of the leading horseman. “They shall accompany you to Faxenglade on the chance that Erzoth has people looking for you. They also have supplies that should see you to your destination. Make haste adventurers, the fate of Halsdorm lies in your hands”

“You have our thanks Lucinda, but will you not come with us?” I said.

“I’m afraid I cannot. I am bound to this forest. To leave would be to sever my link with the earth. You have both my blessing and that of the earth however.” She replied in a solemn tone.

“You have my thanks also spirit, Marcus has shown me that you are deserving of my trust. I wish you take the blessing of the gods and their divine radiance in return.” David chirped in, much happier than he was several minutes before.

The horses shifted restlessly.

“You had better be going; to keep Eleanor waiting is not wise.” Lucinda said.

“You are right.” I said as I hoisted myself up onto one of the rider less horses. “You have our thanks, and that of our people. To Faxenglade!”

“To Faxenglade!” chanted the elves in reply, sounding eager to be back in their homeland.

            And so the six of us rode forth from the forest and rode south towards the Elven lands. We weaved between trees of all types, big and small, before reaching the road that would take us through the town of Greywood before descending into Stonewall Canyon. Personally, I dreaded that Canyon, it was far too easy to be ambushed there... The elves however, reassured me that it was perfectly safe. I took some comfort in that thought, for we were still a ways away from it.

“We shall take a brief rest in Greywood. We will tend the horses, you two can talk to the townsfolk, see if they have heard from any of your people.” The leading elf said.

It wasn’t long before we arrived in the town. We dismounted just shy of the main gate and left the elves with the horses. It was just after midday I estimated. The Tavern would be full. Perfect, I thought.

The town of Greywood was incredibly distinct in comparison to other towns in the region. For a start, they built their houses and shops, and anything else they could for that matter, out of the Grey Willows that grew nearby. The second most notable thing was the puzzling maze of streets that crisscrossed this way and that. I admit, the first time I came I found myself lost and walking circles for a while before I bumped into someone for directions. Directions to the very same tavern we were heading to now. I hoped that the barkeep might have seen someone from Halsdorm.

Inside, it was as I expected. Noise filled the air as men and women alike gossiped, sang and danced. There was a thick cloud of smoke in the air too, from the various pipes and hookahs dotted on the tables. I already felt a headache coming along, so I left David at the door and began pushing my way through the masses in search of the barkeep. Luckily enough, I bumped into him as he was leaving a table.

“Barkeep. My name is Marco Renan; I am a warrior of Halsdorm. I have come in search of my King and any other people of Halsdorm. Can you help me?” I asked.


“What? Sorry, I can’t hear you. Follow me.” He said, gesturing me to follow.

The rather plump man led me back towards the entrance and into a backroom. At this point, David had rejoined us. These rooms were rather dingy in comparison to the drinking hall, but the air was clean and it was quiet. I asked the barkeep the same thing as before.

“Well.” He said. “I have in fact seen some people. They passed through last eve, rather hurriedly. They stayed around just long enough for a single round of drinks before heading off to the south.” He said. 


“So, they are also heading to Faxenglade. That’s a relief. Do you remember how many they were? And was the king amongst them?” I quizzed.

“I counted six, maybe seven? I’m not sure. If he was, I couldn’t tell.” He replied.


“Thank you for the help. If any more pass through, let them know that our nation is regrouping in Faxenglade.” I said.


“You have my word Marco. God speed.” He replied, following us to the front door, before disappearing into the mass of bodies in the drinking hall once more.

As we made our way back through the twisting streets, I was suddenly aware of a... presence following us. As we walked, I checked behind myself countless times, but to no avail. My mind must have been playing tricks on me. Approaching the horses, the elves turned and drew their blades, but seeing it was only myself and David, they sheathed them just as swiftly. 

“Did you find any information in the town?” One of the elves asked.


“Yes. We know that at least half a dozen of our people passed through here last night. We also know that they were heading south, so it’s likely they are already in Faxenglade. We don’t however, know if the king himself was with them.” I recalled.


“Excellent.” The elf replied. “Then we ride swiftly and we should reach the city by morning. Mount up and we shall be on our way.”

The ride from Greywood to the canyon was in itself fairly uneventful; although I still couldn’t shake the feeling we were being followed. We passed several long abandoned watch towers and farm houses before coming to the Canyon entrance itself. The path was a sheer decline that snaked left and right, leaving the rock walls at either side jutting menacingly into space. It was frightfully cold too; the icy air was funnelled down the canyon from the twin peaks on both sides of the canyon. It was no wonder travellers opted to take the long detour around the mountains. This path was not for the faint of heart.

Carefully, we negotiated our way down to the canyon floor and advanced down the grey corridor before us. We had barely gone more than thirty horse lengths when a voice called from the cliffs above.

“Get out of the way! QUICKLY.” It called.

We all looked up in time to see a large stone pillar tumbling through the air above us. My horse bucked and ran the opposite direction in time to dodge the majority of the disaster, coming off with several cuts and scratches from the shards that flew off on impact. At least one elf hadn’t been so lucky. A hoofed leg poked out from under the rubble and the rest of the band could be heard sobbing on the other side. My path was blocked.

“David. Elves. I am alright. My way through however is not. I fear that I shall be in Faxenglade later than we had planned. Ride ahead and let Eleanor know that I am en route. In the mean time, I shall keep my eye out for any more soldiers.” I called over the rocks.


“Thank the light. I thought we had lost you Marco!” I heard David call back. “Are you sure you will be alright making your way there on your own? I could try climbing over this debris...”


“No, please, just get to Faxenglade. It is important that we regroup as quickly as possible, more so if the king is indeed there. I will be fine. Trust me friend.” I replied.


“...Alright.” He said after a short pause.


“Farewell.” I called as I turned my horse back towards Greywood. “Give my regards to Eleanor.”

That was the last I would see of David for a long time I thought. The grey corridor seemed colder than before now I was on my own. The presence was still with me though. I wonder who it was that called out. Were they friends? Were they Erzoth’s agents? I couldn’t be sure; they clearly didn’t want to show themselves again.

It wasn’t until I had reached the top of the slope and had dismounted to take a drink that they appeared. Two figures approached from the base of the mountain, both clad in black from head to toe. The smaller of the two drew back her hood and spoke.

“I’m sorry about your friend. There was nothing more we could have done. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Haze, and this is Gavel.” She said, gesturing to the other figure, who, on hearing his name, pulled back his hood. “We are both members of the Shadow Jurisdiction. Our primarch has deemed an alliance with Halsdorm to be necessary to eliminate Erzoth. We are here to help you to Faxenglade.”