Guardians of Enthia -- Chapter I

Start from the beginning

“So, do we have a list of possible applicants yet, Kalykus?”

Dorido was a stout man, at the greatest height he could currently achieve as a dwarf. Dwarves were a strange site around the Pillar of Time, as the generic stereotype for them was that they were never as interested for reading books and scrolls as they were for cutting things open with an axe, and as a response he received many strange looks for newcomers to the society. However for the seniors at the Academy, they knew Dorido and his family as a long lasting dynasty tightly connected with the binds of the Society, and therefore was treated with respect by almost everyone.

Kalykus, sitting on the other side of Dorido, was very much the opposite – A midari, also known as high elf, was just about sixty percent of the members in the Society. Tall, with great green emeralds for eyes and a blonde mane for hair, these elves had been studied for years for their learning prowess and magically potency. Unlike their ancestors the Kalari however, they were not wise and were mostly arrogant. This made them hated by most outside of the Society's borders.

“Be patient, my friend.” Kalykus said as he read some words in his magi. “We are not even sure if the king will take our worries seriously.”

The magi (pronounced mag-ee) were actually quite interesting – and no one is certain who first came up with them. Any time an owner of a magi stumbles upon the words to a new, legitimate spell, the magi will automatically write it down itself with the help of a few words spoken by a scholar. Every member of the Society, once they proved themselves, got to own a magi, and it was considered one of the greatest gifts of all. It tended to stay within the confines of the Society, until the Calygeas Separation; then anyone with enough work could get their own.

Across the room from them, near the door twiddling his fingers, was the nervous Zeroi. A Elondi, or common elf, he was the newest member of the High Society (in which the 63^rd story housed) and was not accustomed with waiting for new information to arrive from the king. He made it clear he would be the first to know the news.

After an eternity from Zeroi's perspective and a mere few minutes from Dorido and Kalykus's perspective, Amani and Vaas came back with the news.

“He says that we are permitted to raise a battalion, but with one condition.” began Amani.

“Yes, go on?”

“The king states that any gold used must be from the Society's vault; and any recruiter must be either hired using the previously mentioned method or a member of the Royal Society itself.” Vaas ended.

Kalykus sighed, putting his magi on the table and looking up at the other two members of the society.

“Well, this is it. If we go through with this, we will have to be sure its what we want.”

“I don't see any problems.” Dorido said calmly. Zeroi's reaction was a bit more excited.

“Of course! Of course, yes – you know if we need any recruiters, I know a man up in Pam's Way who knows a lot of sellswords and he-”

“No.” Kalykus interrupted. Zeroi looked up at him from his game of thumbs.

“No?”

“The society has little spendable money as it is-”

“But this cause, it could effect the fate of the entire-”

“And, sellswords are not as trustworthy nor motivated as volunteers. We need people who want to be apart of our guardians.”

Understanding his mentor's reasoning, Zeroi nodded.

“That's why I want you as one of the people to find the guardians.”

Zeroi looked up in shock. “What, me?”

“You have a way with people Zeroi. Your a commoner – one of them. I don't remember the last time someone listened to me, being the high elf I am – and Dorido, no offense to you my friend, but little people in the republic tend to take dwarves seriously anymore.”

“No offense taken,” Dorido answered back, “I know what you're referring to first hand.”

Zeroi looked up at his compatriots with only one thought in his head.

“Of course I'll do it. For the society, and for Enthia.”

And so begins Zeroi's journey through the five worlds of the Region of Spring.


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