The Legend of Vigilance
 

This is my own creation. I didn't really have the time to update it since the last time I did(It's not complete). I think the storyline kinda sucked, but I guess it's just what every author thinks of his own creation - not to mention I'm just a beginner, after all. :P

Synopsis:

The mystic world of Averia has known peace for three eons, where the inhabitants, humans, elves and various mystical creatures, lived together in perfect harmony – until the Burning Horde. Demons and horrors beyond imagination appeared from nothingness, and invaded the lands of Averia with only one objective. To destroy all life.

When hope began to fade, the survivors of the vicious onslaught joined hands and formed a great army, known as the Order of Vigilance, and together, they retaliated against the Horde and pushed them back to their final stronghold – the Fiery Citadel – where no living but the Horde itself could traverse. However, the Horde was so brutally slaughtered by the very people they sought to destroy, that they could not launch another counter-attack against the armed might of Averia.

Peace returns to Averia, but will it last? The remnants of the Order stood guard for ten years, but the Horde made no move, and the people of Averia became convinced that the Horde was no longer a threat…unknowing of the dark danger that is about to reemerge from it’s deep sleep, to become all the more stronger and powerful than before!

History of Averia:

In the beginning, the Almighty Creator made the heavens and the earth, as well as the races of men, elves, dwarves and many other magnificent creatures. He filled the earth with plants, water, animals and fowl of every kind, and he placed them in the care of his creations. Thus, his duty fulfilled, the Creator blessed his creations, and left them to rest.

Now, the creatures of Averia lived peacefully with one another for three millennia - though at a few times in history, several wars broke out between the kingdoms of Averia, but were not serious enough to threaten the existence of a race - and the earth prospered. Great cities were built and trade between the races prospered, and for a time, the races of Averia knew only peace - until the Reckoning. The mountains split, the earth cracked and heaved, the waters flooded the lands where the great cities stood. Fiery rocks rained from the heavens to consume the helpless creatures and cities below. Millions of lives were lost, and the survivors were forced to flee and seek refuge in the mountains. No one knew the cause of such destruction, until the horrors known as the Burning Horde - for their bodies burned with hellfire and brimstone - rose from the deepest pits of the earth. These horrors were fearsome and terrifying, for they attacked the races of Averia with savagery and cruelty, and worst of all, they possessed the art of Necromancy. The more they killed, the more their numbers grew. They lived to destroy.

The races of Averia united, and formed great armies to defend what was left of their civilization. They managed to contain the Burning Horde, but were unable to utterly drive them out. Soon, however, every mage, wizard, cleric and warrior Averia joined hands, and formed the Order of Vigilance, determined to exterminate the Burning Horde from the face of Averia. And they nearly succeeded. Drawing upon the powers of the Creator, and the arts of ancient magic, they began pushing the Burning Horde back.

During their conquest, they made a shocking discovery. They discovered dozens of portals all over Central Averia, the place where the Burning Horde had first emerged. They soon arrived at a final conclusion - The Burning Horde did not originate from Averia. They came from a different world. With the joined hands of the mages, wizards and sorcerers of Averia, they focused their powers and magiks and began sealing the portals that they discovered. In a short amount of time, nearly all the portals in Averia were sealed. What remained of the Burning Horde were pushed back and forced to build a powerful fortress, enchanted with every ounce of their own demonic magic, on the Valley of Death, directly on the center of the earth. This fortress was known as the Fiery Citadel, as great fire surrounded the fortress, forever protecting it from the demonhunters of the Order. The Order of Vigilance could not penetrate their fortress and it's powerful magiks, where the last remaining portal stood.

Failing to destroy the last remnants of the Burning Horde, the Order of Vigilance built a great city, just outside the northern borders of the Citadel of Fire, and named it The City of the Vigilant Eye, to guard the way to and from the Citadel forever, preventing the Burning Horde from ever emerging to threaten the peace of the people of Averia once more.

Now, ten years have passed, and peace reigned in the land once more, and the land was rebuilt to its former glory. The people of Averia began to forget the Horde that had so nearly threatened the existence of Averia, and the Order of Vigilance began to dissipate, it's members began arguing amongst themselves, vying for power. Many returned to their homelands to begin life anew, and only a handful stood watch amongst the barren lands of the Burning Horde and it's dreadful citadel. However, the Burning Horde had already begun preparations for their return....

History of the Five Nations:

After the creation of the creatures of Averia, the races split into different tribes and nations over the centuries, until they finally settled into five separate kingdoms, which are now known as the Five Nations - Averon, Treno, Vermicia, Solune and Midgarde.

History of Averon:

The nation of Averon was the first kingdom ever to be formed on the face of Averia, thus the people of the kingdom dedicated the name of their kingdom to Averia. Set on the western continent of Averia, Averon is the only nation presently retaining the old forms of Averian civilization. Averon is comprised of all the races of Averon, thus making it a multi-racial country. Ruled by a democratic council represented by all races, the nation prospered and became the richest of all the nations of Averia. However, when the Reckoning occurred, Averon was first to suffer the demonic rampage of the Burning Horde, and the people of Averon were forced to scatter to the four corners of the world. It was only with the actions of Sir Lorien the Great, called the Knight of Peace, along with the help of King Treno XV that held the nation together. Sir Lorien had called upon the aid of Treno, Averon's neighbouring nation, who began receiving refugees who fled the wrath of the Burning Horde. It was only years later when the Order of Vigilance began pushing back the Burning Horde that the people of Averon, under the leadership of Sir Lorien, were able to recover their lands, and built their capitol, Av Lorien, dedicated in the name of their hero.

History of Treno:

Treno - often called the Kingdom of God - is a kingdom dedicated entirely unto religion and is comprised only of two main races, the humans and elves. Treno's first king, King Treno I, started life as a Priest of the Creator, and he decided to form a kingdom dedicated to the name of the Almighty Creator. Rumored to have personal contact with the Almighty Creator himself, Treno began building numerous monasteries, churches and cathedrals all over the kingdom, and is the first to ever train the Order of Light, an order comprised entirely of Paladins, priests and Clerics, introducing the powerful divine magic that was essential in pushing back the Burning Horde. When the Reckoning occurred, Treno was the only nation that remained unscathed - as if the entire kingdom had been protected by the Hand of God. Treno began receiving refugees when the Burning Horde was discovered. It was King Treno the XV, who believed the Horde as spawns of hell, that issued a call for the warriors and mages of the world to join hands and form the Order of Vigilance, which successfully pushed back the Burning Horde, ending the era of terror and destruction which had reigned upon Averia. Treno stands on the northwestern and northern part of Averia with its capitol, Heavensgate, located in the heart of the kingdom.

History of Vermicia:

Imperial Vermicia, often called the Mortal Lands, is the only nation comprised entirely of humans. Well versed in the arts of war and combat, the people of Vermicia are proud and ethnocentric, who looked down upon the other races of Averia, thinking themselves as a superior and master race. Due to their greed and sense of superiority, Vermicia was responsible for most of the wars that had invaded Averia before the Reckoning. Even during the Reckoning, the people of Vermicia refused to aid, or receive aid, from the other nations of Averia. Thus, only a handful of warriors and mages of the Order of Vigilance were from Vermicia, though they managed to form a sub-group called the "Sons of the Vigil". The Vermician Empire stretches through the entire eastern Averia, with its capitol, Vera, standing below its northern border.

History of Solune:

Located on southwestern Averia, Solune is a nation of elves, dragons, centaurs and other less numerous races. Solune can be considered the only nation that retains the ancient arts and magiks. Most of the population lived in forest cities, and only one city stood in the plains - Sol Terrin, the Forest Citadel. It originally served as a trading outpost with the other nations. Solune's capitol, Solar, stood within the central forest area of Elfwood, and had became the center of study for all kinds of magic - except dark magic, which was forbidden and abandoned after the Reckoning. During the Reckoning, a brave group of elves, centaurs and lizardmen banded together and formed the Order of the Dragon Knights, which learned the arts of ancient magic and skills under the feet of the Dragons of Averia. The Order, under special request from the Five Nations, soon merged with the Order of Vigilance. Though separate, the Dragon Knights thus became a sub-group of the Vigilance itself. The Dragon Knights became famous after the Battle for Sol Terrin - where the legendary Dragon Knight Kil'daran Dragonbane challenged Norax Hellbringer himself in single combat - which won the first victory for the Order of Vigilance since the Reckoning, and was the turning point for the War against the Burning Horde. After the war, the Dragon Knights built the City of Il'veratha, the Great Black Dragon, and made it their primary headquarters, which guarded the southern border to the Fiery Citadel.

History of Midgarde:

Midgarde, or better known as the "Eye of the Magi", is a land comprised of mages, sorcerers, wizards and all kinds of magic users - including the feared and despised Necromancers and the dwarves, giants, gnomes and halflings of Averia - and is located on the south and southeastern Averia . Their capitol, Terra, the City of Magic, stands just a little further below the City of Il'veratha, the Dragon Knights fabled fortress city. Closely allied with it's western neighbour, Solune, trade and friendly contact between the nations has caused their knowledge in ancient and power magic to thrive. In a few centuries, Midgarde grew into a powerful and fearsome nation; it's capitol standing as a beacon of light for all who wished to study the mystical arts of magic. Solune, on the other hand, limited its studies to only divine and nature magic, therefore unable to thrive into such a magnitude of power as Midgarde. During the Reckoning, the mages and wizards of Terra joined hands, and caused a magical barrier to surround the City of Magic, thus preventing it's imminent destruction from the natural disasters and was able to preserve it's center of learning, though the rest of the kingdom broke and burned. After the intrusion of the Burning Horde, the mages and wizards of Midgarde responded to the call of King Treno XV and formed the essential part of the Order of Vigilance, which eventually pushed the Burning Horde back to the Fiery Citadel.

History of the Burning Horde:

Shortly after the Reckoning and the invasion of the Burning Horde, researchers all over Averia gathered to discuss the origins of the Burning Horde. Many suggested that the Burning Horde were spawns of darkness and evil, while others suggested that they were a hidden and outcast race of Averia, which they thought the Almighty Creator had banished as they were failures of his creation. However, the discovery of the portals - called the Fire Portals - proved them wrong. The researchers realized that the portals led to another world, and after much research and discussion, was called "Nephirrim" - which means "hell" in the language of angels. Before they could investigate further, however, the Fire Portals were ordered to be sealed under the general agreement of the Five Nations, thus forever preventing future research on the homeworld of the Burning Horde. Deprived of their main research topic, the scientists and researchers proceeded to investigate the Burning Horde themselves. The Burning Horde, they discovered, were comprised of dozens of different "clans", led by the strongest clan, called the Hell's Fury. Other major clans were the Flaming Horn Clan, Lightning Claw Clan and Death's Hand Clan. The clans, the researchers determined, was also separated into several different "castes", or ranks - The Chief, Fire Lords, Darkmasters, Flameguards and the Grunts. The Chiefs are the leaders of the clans, and they can only be elevated into the position of Chief from the ranks of the Fire Lords and Darkmasters. The Chief will most likely be the elite among the elites, and are undoubtedly hard to kill. However, defeating them will most likely throw their subordinating clans into disarray. The Fire Lords are the "captains" of the clan, leading the warriors of the clan into battle. Each clan has about half a dozen or so Fire Lords. The Fire Lords are comprised mostly of Archdevils, demons and incubuses. The Darkmasters are the most terrifying of the Burning Horde - they're the fearsome "masters of the dead", and are versed in the arts of demonic magic. Comprised of archdevils, lesser devils, succubuses and incubuses, the Darkmasters can reanimate the bodies of the dead to swell the ranks of the Burning Horde, and summon a rain of fire upon their enemies. The Flameguards are the standard fighting unit of the Horde. They're comprised of devils, demons, doppelgangers, orcs, fiends and the fearsome Hellfire golems. The grunts are the lowest caste of the Burning Horde. Basically slaves, the grunts are mostly found in the front ranks of the Horde and are used in construction of the Hordes forts and dens. Comprised of mostly imps and lesser demons, orcs and goblins, the Grunts are relatively harmless unless found in great numbers, and they are estimated to be in an excess of a million when they first entered the world of Averia.

History of the Vigilance:

When the Burning Horde set foot on the lands of Averia, they were believed to be led by the Chief of the Firestorm Clan, a powerful Demonknight called Norax Hellbringer. The first nation to fall under the onslaught of the Horde was Averon, whom after the Reckoning, was forced to scatter throughout the world, and was therefore unprepared to meet the invasion. The survivors rallied under the banner of Sir Lorien, who led them through an escape route to the kingdom of Treno. After destroying everything they laid their hands on, the Burning Horde proceeded to cross the border of the kingdom of Treno, to attack the city of Threshold, which stood nearest to the southern border of Treno. Forewarned of the advance of the Horde, the combined forces of Treno and Avelon successfully repelled the first wave of attacks of the Horde, but was inevitably overrun and forced to retreat further into the kingdom. However, they managed to stall the Horde long enough to allow the citizens in Threshold to flee. Therefore, Threshold burned, but with little casualties.

By then, the nations of Averia, informed of the invasion of the Burning Horde, held an emergency meeting in a council in Midgarde. It was then that King Treno XV issued a call for every warrior, cleric and mage of Averia to join hands and formed the Order of Vigilance. The call was answered immediately by the warriors of Averon, who had lost everything to the Horde, and was backed upon by the clerics of Treno. The mages and wizards of Midgarde and the Dragon Knights of Solune followed the call and joined the Order. However, only a few warriors from Vermicia, fearsome though they may be, responded to the call, and the rest steadfastly refused to aid their brethren. Those few that joined the Order called themselves the Sons of Vigilance.

Thus, the Order of the Vigilance - numbered into an excess of five hundred thousand - began training their warriors, clerics and mages with every art and skill they possessed, and these increased their power and skills by a hundredfold. Aided by the armies of the Five Nations, the Order began moving out against the Burning Horde, who stood poised at the southern border of Treno. However, no sooner had they set out when they received dire news from the southwest - The Burning Horde is poised to attack Solune, with Sol Terrin as it's first target. With no choice, the Order released the Dragon Knights, whom immediately rode on their fearsome Dragons to save their homeland.

The Dragon Knights met the Horde head on, and for the first time since the Reckoning, Averia had won - though at great cost. Solune was saved, but fully half the Dragon Knights had fallen in battle, decimating their front ranks. As for the Order of Vigilance in the north, they maneuvered their way around the Burning Horde stationed at the Threshold, and surrounded them. After a great and bloody battle, the Order crushed the Burning Horde within the city, freeing it from the grasp of the Horde. Wasting no time, the Order proceeded deep into Averon territory and pushed the Horde into the center of the earth - to their stronghold at the Valley of Death. But the Order and what remained of the armies of Averia could no longer pursue them, for they had only left a quarter of their original number. Thus, they had no choice but to fall back and cease their conquest. The Order of Vigilance, wanting to forever hold back the Horde in their Fiery Citadel, decided to built a great stronghold, the Vigilant Eye, at the northern pass into the Valley of Death, while the Dragon Knights protected the southern pass, forever sealing the Horde within it....until the day they should emerge once more into the world of Averia.

Prologue: Beginnings

- Year 3275 - Av Lee -

Darkness filled the skies as night passed through the little village of Av Lee, which was surrounded by the silent presence of the Averonian forest. The forest was being unusually quiet tonight, as if it was in a deep sleep - or terrified of something. However, the villagers of Av Lee were not. They were celebrating the first year of a newborn baby, and they did not intend to stop until past midnight. The event of a newborn soul was celebrated through dance and gifts while the women passed out their advices on how to raise the offspring. The men drank their ales and told tales of their hardworking sons as some became warriors and some became farmers as their fathers did. With the large bonfire in the middle of their little village, their celebrations could last for hours before ending in a peaceful night protected by the stars above.

Hours passed, the sky darkened even more, and the bonfire in the village began to fade as the villagers returned home to the comforts of their beds. However, one couple still stood awake around their private little fire, watching their year old son sleeping soundly within a swaddling cloth.

"Our son is going to be a strong and handsome man, won't he, love?” said the woman, who was carrying the baby.

The man next to her gave her a sound kiss on the cheek, and held her hand even as he looked into the face of his son.

"I'm sure he will, honey. He is his father's son, after all.” He replied with a proud, knowing smile. "It’s late, hon'. Why don't we go back to bed?"

"Oh...I just wanted to stay a little longer...this night is just too beautiful to waste on sleep..."

"Alright, hon'. But we shouldn't be too long you know...there are dangerous creatures roaming the woods at ni-"The man's words were cut off, as suddenly there was a great terrifying roar at the edge of the village, followed by a scream.

"Wh-What was that?” The woman said, holding her baby close to her body, terrified. The man drew his sword, which was belted at his side, and looked around, alarmed.

More screams punctured the air, and there were sounds of fighting somewhere nearby. The screams were getting closer, and there was the clanging sound of the night watch’s alarm as he desperately rang the bell hung on the village's watchtower.

The man turned towards his wife, sword still in his hand.

"I think you should go b-"The man tried to warn his wife, but was cut off in mid air when his wife screamed, looking in horror at something behind him. A terrifying roar pierced the air from behind him, making his hair stand on end and causing his entire body to tremble.

The man whirled, and stopped, his face depicting indescribable horror, for standing directly in front of him was an abomination from hell. It was huge, standing seven feet tall, with horns on it's head and has red eyes - deep blood red eyes. But what was more alarming was not the fact that it was ugly, but by the fact that it was burning. It's entire body - from head to toe - was burning with indescribable heat, and worse still, it did not seem to be affected by the fire. It howled loudly as he launched himself onto the terrified man before him.

The man immediately responded by slashing at the burning demon, making a cut on it's massive chest, but it did not stop the demon's advance, as it's razor-sharp claws ripped the man's body apart, the man's limbs and organs littering the entire area.

The woman screamed, turned and ran with the baby still clutched in her arms. The demon, with blood dripping from it's claws, gave another terrifying howl and ran after it's prey, leaving the pieces of the man's body behind him.

The woman dashed into a deserted stable, and tried to escape by dashing through the backdoor. However, she did not make it as the demon's claws grasped her leg, and dragged her backwards. The woman gave a cry and fell to the ground, dropping the baby on the floor. The baby was wide awake, and had begun to cry, it's wail tearing through the night, adding to the dying screams of the now burning village.

The woman gave out her last scream as the demon tore her body apart, just as it had tore her husband's, her blood overflowing on the ground. Apparently still unsatisfied, the burning demon stood and watched the crying babe hungrily for three heartbeats. Then, with a cruel grin, it's bloodied claws reached for the crying babe.

- Year 3290, January 31st, Sunday, 0843 hours - Averson family home, Paladria -

"Evan!"

"Evan, WAKE UP!"

The young lad known as Evan Aravan woke from his terrible nightmare with a start, gasping for air.

"You were having that nightmare again, haven't you?” A familiar male voice asked from his side.

Another young lad of Evan's age stood next to his bed, his hand on Evan's shoulder, and a look of concern filled his face.

"Y-Yes...."Evan replied hesitantly.

"Are you alright?" The young man asked.

"Yes, I'm fine, Oran. Thank you." Evan replied.

The lad known as Oran Averson did not seem satisfied with his answer, but knowing better, he shrugged and turned to leave Evan's room, but stopped at the door.

"By the way, you better wash up and come down for breakfast. Today's our first day of training, remember?” He said without looking back, and proceeded out of the door.

Evan definitely did not wish to remember what they had to do today. Just a week ago, Oban Averson, Oran's sire, a man nearing his fifties, had announced that he had signed them up as acolytes in the Order of Vigilance, despite protests from Evan. Now the day had come when he would have to leave the Averson home to a new and foreign place to train. Grudgingly, he raised himself from the comforts of his bed and dressed himself in his favourite blue leather hose and red cap. Making sure his hair was combed and orderly; Evan left his room and trooped down the stairs to the smell of breakfast in the dining hall below.

Oran and Oban Averson had already seated themselves at the round dining table in the hall, and the table was filled with plates of eggs, bacon and sausages. Then, Attie Averson appeared at the doorway from the kitchen with a plate of freshly baked bread, homemade cheese and butter as Evan seated himself at the table.

Placing the plate on the center of the table, Attie Averson also took a seat next to Oban and looked at Evan with a questioning, earnest expression.

"I trust you had a good night's sleep, sweetie?” She asked.

Oran looked as if he was about to say something, but when Evan gave him a look that had daggers in it, he clamped his mouth shut and remained silent.

"Yes, ma'am." Evan replied.

Apparently satisfied with the answer, Attie placed her hands together and looked at Oban and Oran, who looked hungrily at the plates of food before him, ready to pounce.

"Well, we have to say our prayers before we eat, shouldn't we?" Attie said. "Evan, why don't you pray today?"

Evan nodded, and began to utter a short prayer. Satisfied, the family dropped all manner of civility and ravaged the platters of food before them. In a matter of minutes, every dish on the table had been emptied.

"I think...*burp*...I ate too much,” said Oran, who was rubbing his tummy satisfyingly.

"Now, now...we have don't have much time to relax here. We have a place to go, remember?" Oban reminded the boys, also rubbing his filled stomach and licking his mouth. "Why don't you kids go and pack up while I dress in my "work" clothes? Then we'll leave for...."He paused.

"...the City of Vigilant Eye."

- Same time - undetermined place -

"...the Vigilant Eye. A male dark and soft voice spoke in the darkness.

"What about the other two?” Another rasping voice asked from within the shadows, it's face hidden.

"I've located the Hand....it's at Il'veratha." The first voice replied. "Of the other...we could not determine it's present location at the moment. But I believe that it is only a matter of time before we do."

"No matter, as long as we can get any one of the three parts, our victory is assured.” A third, sinister voice responded. "But now, we have work to do."

- Same time - Angel Keep, Angel's Hill -

"...the Vigilant Eye."

King Treno Lighthaven stood near the window in the "throne room" of Angel's Keep, a fort standing on a defensive hill two hundred meters above the ground. King Treno, his graying beard whistling through the wind, looked out of the window, which overlooked the entire northern plains of his kingdom. Then he sighed.

"So, it's true then....that they are beginning to move?” He asked.

"Yes, Holy King.” A deep resonant male voice replied from behind him. "That is what that has been revealed to me."

"What are they planning, prophet?” King Treno asked, turning to look at the man behind him.

The "prophet" was robed in a hooded cloak, which covered his entire face. It may be a trick to the mind, but from deep within the cloaked prophet, tiny bits of light - light that cannot be seen properly unless looked upon closely - seemed to be flooding out of him, as if he was made entirely out of light.

"I'm sorry, sire, but that has not been revealed to me." The prophet replied. "The words which I have interpreted from the “messenger” have only told us that they are planning something – something large and sinister - but nothing more. I’m afraid we will have to wait – or find our own source of information. The Creator will only reveal to us that which we will need to know. But what will you do now, good king?"

King Treno XV took a deep breath, sighed, and looked back outside the window, taking in the view of his beautiful kingdom once more. A kind of deep sadness seemed to reflect from his eyes as he contemplated the next thing that he must do. He turned back and looked at the prophet straight in the eye, a look that spoke volumes.

"Well, then it looks like we'll just have to be prepared for whatever they are going to throw at us."

- Same time - The Imperial Chambers, the Imperial Palace of Vermicia, Vera -

"...The Vigilant Eye."

"Are you absolutely sure of this, Ozma?" A tall medium built man in his mid-thirties and dressed in golden armor spoke, his voice loud and authoritive. He half-stood above an ornate, jeweled throne in the wide, open chamber within the Imperial Palace, his face in a state of shock and anger. A pale and lean man knelt a few feet before him.

"Yes, your Imperial Majesty.” The man spoke, rising. "My sources in the western kingdoms have given me overwhelming proof of this."

Emperor Rathma of Vermicia's face red and jaws white with anger, and was pounding his fists on the arm of the throne.

"How dare they??" He screamed with unrestrained anger, scattering the goblets and plates on the table next to him towards the floor with one mighty sweep of his hand. "How dare they challenge the might of Imperial Vermicia? I can't believe this!" He pounded his jeweled throne further, almost breaking one of the gems secured within the throne.

"Your Majesty,” The man known as Ozma said, apparently not finished. "I have also confirmed this with...Him."

The Emperor of Vermicia's mouth dropped and widened, his face paling.

"T-The Holy One has confirmed this?” The Emperor stammered in fear.

"Yes, my liege." Ozma replied. "I'm afraid it is so."

The Emperor paced the room back and forth as he calmed himself, his anger faded into determined resolution, and tried to think. Finally, he stopped and turned towards his watching advisor.

"Summon my generals, Ozma. I have orders for them.” The Emperor finally spoke. "Let those infidels come, for they shall surely fall before the absolute might of Imperial Vermicia."

Chapter 1: The Order of Vigilance

- Year 3290, January 31st, Sunday, 1145 hours - Plains of Treno -

They had been traveling for a few hours now, riding on a wagon towards the City of the Vigilant Eye. Evan watched sulkily as they plodded through the plains of Treno while Oran was looking excitedly for any sign of the fabled city. They had never been out of Paladria ever since they settled there a dozen or so years ago. So, unlike Evan, Oran was obviously looking forward to visiting a new place.

Oban, who had been driving the wagon, suddenly motioned them to look at a faint outline in the distance.

"See that place? That's the Vigilant Eye. Looks like a miniature mountain, doesn't it?” Oban told them, pointing at the faint outline.

Indeed, what at first sight looked like a mountain, was in fact a grand fortress city standing high atop a defensive hill. As they drew nearer, Evan saw that the white towers of the fortress soared high above in the air, overlooking the entire region. A tall building - no, a fortress tower - stood higher above it's surrounding towers, it's top like an ever seeing eye, challenging all who drew near it, and Evan suddenly understood why they had named the city the Vigilant Eye.

"Now," Oban started. "When we enter the Vigilant Eye, I want you boys to behave yourselves, and when I introduce you to your masters, please do remember to mind your manners."

Evan and Oran looked at each other, rolled their eyes and sighed.

"Yes, father." Both boys gave up and agreed. As much as Evan loved Oban like a father, Oban can sure be long-winded at times.

Soon, they reached the city gates, where a pair of tall and burly guards, with swords belted at their waists and spears in their hands, admitted them.

"Afternoon, Oban." One of the guards said, recognizing Oban as a senior member of the Order. "You're late, and who are these boys?" He indicated the pair sitting behind the wagon.

"These are my kids, Argan." Oban replied.

"I thought you had only one child,” The guard said, surprised.

"Oh, the other is a child - an orphan - I've raised as my own." Oban assured him.

"Oh, alright then. Go on in."

The guards signaled the gate guards, and the gate slowly creaked open. The wagon proceeded ploddingly into the City of the Vigilant Eye.

A sight of wonder greeted Evan's eyes. People were everywhere. Merchants working at their stores, workmen maintaining the city, women patroning the market and children playing around their houses. The city absolutely teemed with life and activity. However, the wagon did not stop but moved past them - towards the great tower in the center of the city. They moved past building after building - taverns, smithies, workshops, etc - and finally reached the inner gate to the tower, where a second pair of guards - these time, wearing ornamental silver burnished breastplates, the picture of a great eye on it's crest, with a large halberd at their sides. The guards did not talk to them as the first pair did, but rather crisply saluted and admitted them into the courtyard of the tower. As the wagon stopped in front of the entrance into the tower, an elderly man dressed in strange, colourful robes descended the tower to meet them.