The Four Towers of Camelot.
By Haelae and Rivermist

Chapter I. The Journey begins, and a chance meeting occurs?

The two travelers stood upon the edge of the wooden bridge and peered ahead at the long dusty road, which wound into the distant hills. The road, though little more then a trail, was heavily traveled by merchants, residents of the Karanas and the ever thriving Bandits of Karana.
The two companions continued to peer into the distance, as the sun behind them slowly crept above the horizon. Looking at the two travelers one could sense they were more then they appeared to be, but there was no mistaking the magic auras that surrounded them both.
The female could be best be described as a divine inspiration, not unlike an oaisis one would find in the desert, after a long journey. The woman was not the water in the pond that one would drink to feel refreshed, but rather the palm tree that stood strong and eternal at the waters edge, bearing its fruit for those in need. The fruit would come in the form of prayers, blessings and divine tidings. The woman was dressed in a mix of leather and bronze armor, and wielded a strong looking staff.
The male was almost a complete opposite of his companion, both in his appearance and in his demeanor. He stood tall, well over 7 foot, and though his body was covered in a Totemic form of armor, you could discern he was well proportioned with muscles. Where the young woman carried a divine presence, the man offered a glimpse of a darker spirituality. The man carried the identical staff his female counterpart wielded.
The man sighed, “Well, I hate to admit it, but you were right Haelae, I should of left my battle armor at the Villa, this day is going to be a scorcher.” The young woman cocked her head at the tall man, giving him that “I told you so” look she often gave. The man noticed the look and couldn’t resist, “You know, your becoming more like your mother everyday.” “Well, what do you expect, she is my mother!”, Haelae . The two companions looked at each other and paused, then they broke out in heavy laughter. “Well, as Lord Dagron use to say, “a journey never started, is a journey that is finished!”, the man offered. “Or was it “is a journey never finished?”, the man added confusingly while scratching his head. “Your starting to sound like Uncle Areleth,” Haelae chuckled. “Yes, lets begin our walk to Qeynos before this Page totally loses it,” Rivermist stated.
The two travelers stepped from the bridge, and began their walk on the dusty road. Their walk went unimpeded til the second travel marker, though they passed several low flying Griffawns and Griffennes who were hunting for food. Not wishing to be mistaken for large worms, the two passed the flying birds quickly and pointedly unwormlike.
They were standing by the second travel marker, which sat at an intersection just north of an old Gypsy camp. The gypsy camp offered many wonderous wares, and exotic refreshments. The two looked at the camp, and decided they needn’t make a visit just yet, after all, they were well supplied and outfitted. The two proceeded on the west road, which lead to a third travel marker. The two made it halfway down the road, when they heard the cry of a large bird. Instantly they knew it was the dreaded Griffon named Grimfeather. The companions turned to look in the direction of the cry, and quickly found their target. It was Grimfeather alright, he was on a hill at a guard tower. The large bird of prey was combating two unprepared Tower Guards, who were being torn limb from limb. The two companions knowing they could not save the guards, or hope to defeat the large bird, quickened their pace and reached a deserted cabin a few miles away.
The two pages of the Round Table decided to wait out the large bird, and take dinner in the cabin While Haelae began her midmorning prayers, Rivermist set out the lunch they had prepared prior to their journey. The lunch consisted of bread, cheese, dried meats, and a strong cask of wine. Eventually, Haelae completed her prayers and joined her companion for their lunch. The two sat at the table and consuming their meal slowly and completely. “You know River, we pack a fine lunch don’t we?”, offered Haelae. “Aye M’lady, probably because we are both ruled by our stomachs, as much as we are by anything else,” Rivermist commented. “Perhaps we should take a short nap after the meal?” Rivermist pleaded. “Why, you tired big fella?”, Haelae giggled. “Well, er, no, but you did wake me up a bit earlier then usual,” Rivermist countered. “Well, if I left it up to you, we would be traveling these lands at night, and you know Father would not appreciate that!”, Haelae voiced. “Quite right, lets get a move on,” Rivermist hastily agreed.
The two began their journey once again, and since hearing the remark about her father, at a quickened pace set by Rivermist. It was early afternoon when they reached the leg of their journey which would take them into the Western portion of the Karanas. “Whats that?”, Haelae pointed to a small sparkle of light emanating from behind a group of pine trees only yards away.. Rivermist glanced in the direction she was pointing, and immediately saw what she referred to. It was a light, swirling with many colors, never staying one color for few seconds. It was a fabulous display, after all, the light was not affected by the normal daylight. And then they both knew, it was the light of magic. Then abruptly the light flared once, and was gone. “Well, perhaps it was the sun playing tricks on us?”, Rivermist offered. “Hmm...unlikely, since it was well back in the shade of those trees,” Haelae stated. “Well, should we investigate?”Rivermist ventured. Haelae shrugged her shoulders, “well, it was only light, and its gone now,” Haelae spoke. “Ok, lets continue on then,” Rivermist said as he looked over his shoulder to where the light had been. The two began walking again, looking back over their shoulders often as they walked.
“I say, hey there!”a ruffled voice shouted. The two companions stopped dead in their tracks and looked about. “Er, pardon me!” the voice frantically called. Again the companions quickly looked about to discover the source of the voice. “Ah, I’m over here!, er rather, up here!” the voice faltered. The two pages peered about, but could not find the location of the man. An old man from the sound of the voice, Rivermist thought. “Ok, I didn’t know you two were blind!” the voice chided. Finally there was a sound of snapping wood, and muffled cry and then a man lying on the ground at their feet. The man was dressed in a brown tunic, with an unusual outer blue robe, open at the front. The robe was marked with runes in more then a dozen locations. Quickly Rivermist and Haelae bent down to help the old fella to his feet. As they did so, they quickly realized the man must be 100's of years old, for he had a full head of white hair, as well as a long white beard that dropped to his belly button. They began to dust the old man off, trying to loose the many pine cones and dirt patches he had gathered in his decent, when the old man shook them loose. “Oh, Bandits! Beating me! I see how it is! Wait til I fall down and then ya clobber me!” the old man stammered. “Why no grandfather, we were just,” Rivermist began. “You were just abusing this old man! I should have you arrested!”the old man shouted as he twisted about looking for a Guard. “Now, there is never a guard around when you need one!” the old man stood shaking his head. “Sir, we were just cleaning you, er, from your landing,” Haelae giggled. “Er, you were? That was all? Oh well, perhaps I was bit jostled by the fall. Which reminds me, you could of caught me!” the old man shook his finger at the pages. “Well, we are not use to people falling from the sky and landing on us!” Rivermist offered. “Quite true lad, I can’t say that happened to me too often from where I come from,” the old man agreed. “Oh well, let me get to what I need to get to, er, what I need to do, er what was it I’m here to do?” the old man said rubbing his chin and shaking his head. “That’s it! I have something for you two! Well, it could be for anyone, but since you two are here, I’ll just pass it on to you,” the old man decided. The old man reached within his robe and pulled out a large parchment. “Now, since I’m a Druid, and I am a druid!” he looked at the two pages accusingly. “I being,” the old man appeared to be dwelling over a matter, “ I being, Nilrem, er of the Surefall Glen Nilrems. I’m a practicing Druid, er not a wizard or anything the like.” the man hastily concluded. “ This scroll is looking for its rightful owner, perhaps it may be you?” Nilrem said in a hinting tone. Nilrem shoved the scroll into Haelaes’ hands. Haelae immediately pushed it back to Nilrem, refusing to accept the parchment. The old man pushed the scroll back towards Haelae, “I think you should take this,” the old man saved. “My mother said never to take things from strangers, and ye are most strange!” Haelae stated flatly. “Er, I am not strange! And I’m certainly no stranger to you, or your family, er, I’m a Druid!” the man seemed to change his mind. “I tell you what,” the old man offered, “ you look at the cover of the scroll and if it doesn’t interest you, I’ll be on my way.” Haelae took the scroll from the old man, determined to be on her way as soon as possible. She gazed upon the scroll and saw the etching of a Castle and immediately it struck a cord. Haelae slowly glanced up and looked at the man. “You see my dear, don’t you? You see what needs to be done. You will and your family must find her if you are to survive. Once again the security of the future, will be found in the past. Seek and you shall find,” the old man finished. Rivermist looked at Haelae, and realized she was in a trance. Rivermist turned to where the old man was standing only moments ago, but he was gone. Rivermist turned to Haelae and attempted to shake her out of the trance. Slowly, Haelae returned to her senses. Tears running down her face, Haelae turned to Rivermist, “We must not fail!” With this Haelae grabbed Rivermist’ hand and ran for the South Stone bridge.

To Be Continued. Chapter 2 by Haelae.

The Four Towers of Camelot.
By Haelae and Rivermist
Chapter II. The Journey begins, and something once lost is found!

The two ran for the south stone bridge as fast as their legs would carry them. Now Haelae being the shorter of the two found it most difficult to keep up with Rivermist’s larger strides.
“Err…. River, Do you think you could probably aid me a little here with spirit of the wolf spell? I seem to be having a most difficult time keeping up with you and your pulling my arm right out of its socket.” Rivermist stopped so abruptly that Haelae had no choice but to run into him almost knocking him to his bottom. Untangling herself from him she stood back and began rubbing her shoulder, she looked up at River, who had a funny look on his face and began to giggle, immediately bringing a case of giggles to Rivermist as well. Haelae realized she was still carrying the scroll that Nilrem had given her, looking at it’s seal brought back the tears and the reasons for their haste. River concentrated hard for a moment and then both arms went directly out from him while he mumbled words of magic. A blue arc raced around Haelae starting from her head and moving in circles about her until it entered her feet. She felt a sudden rush of invigoration and grabbing River’s hand the two raced for the bridge. Upon arrival, Haelae told River they must find a messenger to send word to the rest of the family to come. The two went up to the second landing on the bridge and there found the offices of messengers. Slightly out of breath and a little too excited, Haelae asked River to think of how to word the message so that the entire family would come to meet them. River gave Haelae a quizzical look, “Err…. Haelae, you do realize the family is scattered about the lands at the moment? We will have to send various messages to get everyone.” River said, with a look of concern on his face. “Doh ... yes River, I know that, I am just excited is all, you have no idea what this seal is do you? It’s the seal of Camelot, our home that once was before we came to be here in these lands. My grandfather told me of it many times in my childhood as he often spoke of his home. He showed me a tome that carry’s this very seal, it’s a record of all that passed through Camelot’s doors and found comfort within her walls. I know this seal to be true.” With that said Haelae resumed her sobbing and Rivermist comforted her as best he could. “Ok lil lass, I will send out the messages for our family and get them here as soon as possible.” Haelae was relieved that River could take charge and looked at the scroll once again twisting it with her hands so that she could see all sides. She realized that the seal had not been broken and knew that she needed to wait until her family was gathered to break the seal and peer within its bindings. She looked up from the scroll to find River hard at work writing out the messages to their family. Often he would pause and scratch his head or bite his finger. Watching him was funny for Haelae and she had to struggle to hold in her giggles. Finally River completed the messages and paid the messengers to be on their way. He resumed his place at her side to wait for their family to arrive. Haelae noticed a spot of ink on River’s temple and reached inside her side pouch to retrieve a hanky. When she brought out the hanky she noticed that something round was within it. Carefully she peeled back the edges of the hanky to find an orb within. “River! Look what I found in my pouch! This isn’t mine! Where did it come from?” Haelae held the orb up to peer through it and found that things at a distance suddenly became much closer. Turning her head to look through the doorway of the bridge tower, Haelae screamed and dropped to the floor. River, shaken by Haelae’s odd reaction and a little amused at her oddity picked her up and set her upon the bench. “Why did you do that Haelae!” River yelled. Haelae looked to the doorway and saw that her eyes must be playing tricks on her for Grimfeather was not there. “I…. Uh…I saw Grimfeather and he was right there! Haelae stammered while pointing at the doorway. It’s the orb! It makes one-see things that aren’t there! I wonder where it came from?” River took the orb from Haelae and peered through it, often he would hold his head back as if expecting something the hit it. Looking out the doorway through the orb he too could see Grimfeather. Haelae I know what this is… Err I think I do, my shaman master uses one to read old text. Where did you get this?” Haelae looked at River and shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea, it just appeared in my pouch.” Remembering the reason she pulled the hanky out in the first place, Haelae lifted the hanky to her mouth, then thinking better instead pulled out her flask of water and wetted the hanky. Turning to Rivermist she beamed him a smile and proceeded to wipe away all of the ink.

To Be Continued. Chapter 3 by Rivermist.

Chapter III. The Call is sent, and answered. The Riddle is evaluated.
A decision is made.

The pages upon steed, raced at breakneck speeds upon the world of Antonnica, searching out those of the Round Table. This was the life a page, the beating hooves of a horse, the carrying of parchment, and heavy life of responsibility, often left unrewarded. The pages knew their role, and how it played a vital role in securing the lines of communication. The speed of the race, was only matched by thrill of success, which left any concerns of reward far behind. This was how life was meant to be lived, the excitement of the race that never ended, for there was always another waiting just beyond the here and now. Tomorrow was always the pinnacle of excitement and there were always tomorrows! Coming back to the here and now, Rivermist concluded in his thoughts that indeed, it was good to be a page of the Round Table.
Rivermist stood on the ramp of the South Stone Bridge, glancing at the immense wizard spires, built before the recording of the Round Tables history. Such a grand structure he thought, so full of stories to tell, if it could only speak. The spire appeared Silver in color, and was heavily decorated in black runes on its surface. The spires were placed throughout the lands of Antonnica, so wizards could travel to distant lands with their apprentice, or whomever their company might be at the time. As Rivermist watched the spires, indeed there were many comings and goings by those of the mystic arts of wizardry.
Returning to the subject at hand, Rivermist turned about in a attempt to locate lady Haelae. Lady Haelae, he observed, was sitting on the marble floor with her legs crossed, near her stood Captain Lasins. In her hands was the scroll given to them by the Druid Nilrem. Since coming into possession of the parchment, Haelae had become silent, staring at the seal that secured the scroll. In all his Shaman studies, he had never before seen such seal markings. Camelot he recalled her saying, Camelot! A shudder ripped down his spine. Rivermist slid down next to Haelae, and peered over her shoulder at the scroll. He looked at the parchment again, noticing for the first time that the paper itself appeared with many blemishes, and flaked around many edges. Looking at the scroll, Rivermist concluded that the scroll was very old, just how old he believed, could not be gaged. "The others should be here within the hour, I have great faith in my fellow pages," boasted Rivermist. Haelae leaned her head on Rivermists'' broad shoulder, "I'm frightened at what this could mean, this is the seal of Camelot, of our families ancient home,"uttered Haelae in a hushed tone. Haelae continued, "Who was that man, he called himself a Druid, but, I've never seen a druid like that." Rivermist formed a mental image of the druid Nilrem, and in doing so, sparked some memory within, something that he just couldn't figure out. "We will just have to wait for the others, and describe this druid as best we can. I believe the others will be here within the hour, let us rest while we can," concluded Rivermist. The two pages sat with their backs against the guard house wall, and let the warm spring wind lull them into a peaceful state. It wasn't long before Rivermist's nightmare began.
Lightning crashed around him! Thunder boomed overhead! The rain pelted his being, and left him bruised and battered. The storm that raged around him, was not nearly as frightening as the darkness between the flashing arcs of the lightning. There, in the seconds of darkness, nothing existed, not tree nor person, barely air to breathe. He twisted and turned in the heavy rains, in a vain attempt to locate shelter, but there was nothing. Nothing! it was a planescape of flat and unrecognizable land, devoid of any surface features. He thought to move in a direction, just to see if he could, but the fear that gripped him would not let his foot step forward. Terror set in, and he knew he would surely die when it reached his heart and soul. He knew that his death was near, and was thankful for it to be so, when he noticed the glimmer of blue light far in the distance. The pale blue light sparkled from deep in the darkness, far into the void that was to be his shroud. He felt feeling return to his legs and immediately found that he could stand. The blue light beckoned him from its great distance. I can't! He shouted in his mind, I can't find my way! I will perish! But even as he thought the latter, his foot stepped in the direction of the blue light. He realized he could move! Slowly, he dragged his feet along, pulling himself inch by inch towards the brilliant light. Painstakingly, he moved towards the light, yet it did not appear he was any drawing any closer. Something changed in his surroundings, he noticed there were now four slivers of light, which seemed to appear as he pulled himself to the blue light. It appeared to Rivermist, the light and darkness were vying for the world around him, and he wasn't sure which was wining. The last memory Rivermist had of his nightmare before waking, was the extreme sense of being suffocated.
Rivermist drew upward as if bursting from an ocean of pain, gasping for a deep breath that he believed, might not come. The sudden eruption from her companion, scared lady Haelae deeply. Haelae, watching in terror, as her friend gasped for the air about him, quickly placed her right hand over her divine necklace, and murmured her prayer. Instantly, Rivermist broke the surface of his fear, and found breath from the air around him. Regaining his balance, and feeling the air rush into his lungs, Rivermist slowly recovered from his ordeal. Sliding back down to the ground, the sweat that covered Rivermist made him appear as if had been dipped in a baptismal of fear, and pain. "River!" Haelae shouted. Haelae assisted Rivermist into a resting position along the wall of the guard house. "River, what is happening!" she persisted. Rivermist slowly began to regain his breath, and gain some of his old skin tone. "Er, I'm not quite," Rivermist started as he broke into a coughing fit. Rivermist arched his head, and it seemed to lesson the attack. "I'm not quite sure," he finished as he leveled his head to look at Haelae. "I must find you help!," said Haelae as began to rise. "No!" shouted Rivermist, as he grabbed for her arm. "Ouch! Your hurting me!" Haelae screamed as she tried to pull her arm loose from Rivermists' grasp. "Haelae, I'm sorry, but I'm ok now," offered Rivermist apologetically, as he released his grip. "You are sure, I can get Squire Gwaine if my healing is not strong enough?" Haelae pleaded. Rivermist shook his head, "No, tell know one, not even our brethren, until at least I know what is happening." Haelae looked worried, "This is not the first time you've had this kind of attack is it?" Rivermist removed a vile that contained a clear liquid, from his belt pouch, along with a white cloth. Removing the cork of the vile, Rivermist held the cloth over the opening as he tilted the bottle, and let the liquid soak into the cloth. Placing the cloth to his blood soaked mouth, Rivermist turned to Haelae. "This is the second time this week, I have had such an attack, and three times prior," offered Rivermist. "I am not sure what it is, but I do know it all starts with this dream, or rather, this nightmare that comes to me.""I know this, the dreams are always the same, I'm in a stormy world, where the darkness is terrifying. I find myself lost and paralyzed in this darkness, and always just as the storm is about to break me, I find this pale blue light in the distance. This light some how returns my strength, and I find I can move. I push myself toward the blue light, but I find it does not come closer. I seem to find four lines of light, that seem to grow, but disappear as I move, taking away the air. This is when I wake up and find myself suffocating, which you witnessed this day. I know not what all this means, but I sense things, I sense a battle being waged." Rivermist looked to scroll, and reached to touch its seal. "Somehow, we are all caught up in this war, yet we do not know the battles are being fought," Rivermist finished. Haelae shuddered as his words came to a close.
It was early evening when the first of the Knights appeared, with their messenger in tow. Lord Greywind slid from his horse, "Please see to the horse Venid, I will speak with Rivermist and Haelae post haste." "Aye, Sire," the little page quickly took the bridle from Lord Greywind. Rivermist and Haelae, seeing the approach of the regal Knight, quickly breathed sighs of relief. Lord Greywind was a tall Knight, well over six feet in height, with a girth to equal his impressive height. Dressed in a combination of Mithril and Ro platemail, he was the image of a Knight. "Well Met! Pages Rivermist and Haelae!"welcomed Greywind. "Father!" Haelae blurted as she ran into Greywinds' open arms. "Now, now, what is all this about, some scroll or something, the message was a bit vague," asked Greywind as he padded his daughters back. Rivermist, seeing Haelaes' face buried in her fathers chest, started forward. "Sire, " Rivermist bowed. "Tis a long story, would you mind if we waited until all have assembled?" "Good enough lad, it will give me time to find out how my daughter found herself to be wandering the Karanas," Greywind grinned as he led Haelae to a bench at the foot of the ramp. Rivermist let a smile slip, as he watched the pair sit upon the bench. It must be grand to have such a loving father, River thought to himself. River had never known his father, nor his mother. Shrugging off the useless regrets of a lost past, Rivermist turned from the father and daughter, and marched to the vendor that resided on the second level of the bridge.
The next to arrival was probably the most exciting of the evening. From the open roof of the bridge, Rivermist watched the assorted lights that preluded the arrival of a Wizard. The lights began to flair at the center of the Wizard spire. As usual there was a rustling of wind and a vibrating sound that almost forced one to cover his ears. But this time there was something different, but yet ole so familiar about the light formation. The usual light from a teleport spell emitted colors of red, silver, blue, but this inflection brought purple, white and yellow. Rivermist was about to conclude that it must be a wizard of the Round Table, when the three bodies dropped from the sky, striking the earth with a slight thud. Rivermist quickly cast his levitation spell, to hasten to the Spires, so he could help the crashed party. Rivermist leaped from the roof, and not allowing himself time to float, he ran through the air to the fallen people. As he drew near, he saw all three people begin to raise themselves up, in sitting positions. Rivermist breathed as sigh of relief. It wasn't until he landed at the feet of the fallen mage, who was dressed in a light blue robe, with various runes marked upon its surface, that he realized he definitely knew these people. The wizard looked up with a dirt splattered face, "You know, I'll never quite get this weight ratio and teleportation down. I can never accurately guess Totos' weight." "Ye, will someday m'lord Melazar, er, your body depends upon it," laughed Rivermist as he helped the wizard up from the road. "True enough!" exclaimed Lord Melazar. "Er, so do the bodies of my passengers," winced Lord Melazar as he glanced over at the slowly rising Squires Norielynn and Jeffro. Lord Melazar squirmed around so Toto, his so called Flying Weremonkey, though its never been classified by the worlds scholars, could get relaxed in his backpack. "Lord Melazar should realize by now, the reason we don't travel in our heavy plate armor when he teleports us, " giggled Norielynn. "Aye, I can no longer afford to fix the dents in my armor," added Jeffro. Lord Melazar cackled.
By the mid evening hours, the remaining Knights, Squire and Pages, arrived at location, and the process of evaluating the mysterious scroll was underway. The scroll was given to the mages to examine first, for they possessed the most intelligence. Chief among those fingerwigglers, was Lord Sylphan, who possessed superior knowledge of the legends of Camelot.
The scroll, however, was only readable through the crystal device that had mysteriously appeared in Lady Haelaes' possession. Lord Sylphan, after careful deliberation with those gathered, recalled a tower meeting the description of one of the four towers described in the scroll.
As night fell, the large group of Knights, Squires and Pages gathered their supplies, and evaluated their maps for the quickest and safest route to their destination, Lake Rathateer. With the auburn sky behind them, the members of the Round Table let out their cries of "For the Good of the Realms!" and raced with breakneck speed across the plains of South Karana.