“You are now ready to begin your journey.” The messenger says to her. “When you are ready to leave this sanctuary, seek out Fayne Doran and begin your holy crusade. Go with the grace of the Vigil.”
Anneleigh nods and slowly makes her way downstairs. She passes many others of the devoted; those who choose to stay and hold the sanctuary against the undead forces. Many are deep in prayer, but others turn to smile at her or extend their blessing. The battle outside rages on, the noise is almost deafening, but Anneleigh gathers her courage and leaves the sanctuary.
Across the courtyard she sees Fayne Doran. Fayne, as Anneleigh remembers, is a respected member of the High Elf council. She has always been one of the few turned to for guidance and advice. But Anneleigh does not feel the expected calm of seeing a familiar face. There is something different about Fayne that she cannot put her finger on.
“Hello Anneleigh,” Fayne says. “Ascension has removed my sight, but I can see farther, deeper than before. With my new vision, I see that you are the Vigil’s chosen.” She smiles at Anneleigh and takes her hand.
“You are ascended!” Anneleigh exclaims. She knew there must be others, but never dreamed of meeting one so soon. “What can I do? Please, show me what I can do to help.” She looks around at the destruction. “Where do I start?”
“In the battle at Thedeor Fields, we were near victory. Then Aedraxis opened a death rift, and all of Mathosia became exposed to the corruption of Regulos. We need to take the fight to Aedraxis and end his terror, but first we need cold steel. Collect what you can from the battle field and bring it to Borrin Gammult.”
“The Dwarf?” Anneleigh asks “There are ascended Dwarves too?”
She immediately regrets what she has said and looks down at her feet in shame. She knows that her bad feelings should be put aside, but nineteen years of devotion to Tavril has left her feeling sorely towards the Dwarves; those beings who force the natural goodness of Telara into temples and cities. Though she admires their craftsmanship, she is appalled by their lack of respect for the natural living communities of the forests and trees.
“The Vigil has chosen their defenders from all of Telara’s faithful. Do not let old prejudices prevent new alliances. “ Fayne says.
Fayne directs her to Thontic’s Fountain at the center of Ardenburgh, and Anneleigh leaves Hallowed Hill making her way through the streets of the ruined city, collecting discarded weaponry as she goes. At first she proceeds cautiously, skirting into doorways and down alleys between houses to avoid the patrols of the Knights of Aedraxis, a horde of undead soldiers whose charge, it would seem, is to finish the job, killing any Mathosian left alive here on the edge of town. At first she encounters the Knights around every turn. Their huge stature and the obvious pleasure they take in killing almost giving off a visible aura.
After some time, the Knights forces appear to thin and Anneleigh’s caution begins to give way to curiosity. She studies the architecture as she walks, admiring the quaint houses and cobblestone streets. It is so different from her usual surroundings, her well loved forests of Silverwood, that her interest in the area catches her off guard. Her attention to the failing village distracts her from the greater threat the surroundings impose and she collides with one of the Knights of Aedraxis as she rounds the next corner.
The Knight gives a cheer of pleasure and takes up his heavy sword, gaining momentum and force with the downward swing. Instinctively Anneleigh pulls both her daggers and forms a block to the oncoming blow without thought. Her muscles work almost independently of her thoughts and she knows without question that these are the skill of the ancient soul, given to her through the Vigil. Confident in her untested skills, Anneleigh drives back the Knight and uses his labored swings to her advantage. While he winds up to take another blow, she quickly uses her dagger to sting both left side and right, stopping only to block the incoming blow once more. Though much larger and stronger than she, the exertion required of the Knight, along with the many wounds Anneleigh has inflicted, make him a weaker opponent as the fight continues and not long after he is dead.
She feels no pride in her first kill as an Ascended. No joy in victory; only relief and a renewed sense of dread as she takes his sword for her collection and continues on towards Thontic’s Fountain.
When she finally arrives, she is comforted by the sight of not only Borrin Gammult, but also Shyla Starhearth, high priestess of the Vigil and the one who lead her and the other High Elves into the battle for Mathosia.
"At least there are Elves among us who will understand my feelings." She thinks to herself.
Borrin Smiles at her as she hands him the swords she has collected on her journey. “Thank you, Lass. This steel is imbued with sourcestone, a material that allows the pious to communicate with the gods. I will get to work forging them into weapons that will help us cleanse this town.”
As he turns back to his anvil, Shyla calls Anneleigh to join her.
“Ascended, do you know of the ward?” Shyla asks? She has gathered several newly ascended to her and asks the question not in a manner that suggests the scolding of an inattentive pupil, but in genuine concern. “Long ago, with the help of the five gods, the people of Telara banished Regulos and imprisoned the other dragons of the Blood Storm. But now King Aedraxis and his minions have weakened the Ward that protects Telara from Regulos. They have stolen the holy relics that manifest our faith and are using them to power their machines in this town; The machines that continue to transform our people into abominations.“
A voice speaks up from outside the crowd of gathered ascended. “These machines could not have been devised by Aedraxis alone. The dwarves of the north are guided by history and tradition. We dwarves honor the gods as we honor our mead. The defiant people of the south – the Bahmi and the Ethians – must be responsible for this sacrilege.”
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