2.03 - Specter of Maelforge

“Osteneer is dead?” Catelyn asked when Anneleigh returned to her a few moments later.  “This is excellent news.  We will have many battles against the Defiants at this place in the coming years, but you will be remembered as the hero who won the first.”

Anneleigh smiled.  “Very kind praise for very little work.  It was the Vigil, not I, who slain the commander.”

Catelyn nodded and smiled.  “You do the work of the Vigil, Anneleigh.  The honor goes to you.”

Catelyn’s words were drowned out by a commotion over the nearest ridge.  As both elves turned to see what had caused the disturbance, Catelyn spoke.

“You are needed elsewhere.  Silverwood, the forest and our sanctuary, has been plagued by the fire dragon, Maelforge.   They seek to corrupt our woods and claim them for their own.”

“What can I do to help?”  Anneleigh asked, knowing this will be a phrase repeated over countless times for the rest of her life, just as it has been today.

“Go to Orin Bancroft, just over the ridge at Divine Landing.  He’ll know what area of the defense is most in need of your assistance.

Orin Bancroft seemed to know help would come; he waited for her at the top of the ridge.

“You are Anneleigh, correct?  Do you remember me?  It’s been twenty years since I saw you smiting the Knights of Aedraxis in Mathosia.  The other heros thought you were lost when you shattered the body of Aedraxis.  Clearly your role in the salvation of Telara is not yet complete.  All the more favorable for the Guardians.  Maelforge will not relinquish his grasp on this place for anything less.

“Before the storm, prepare.  After the storm, prepare.” called a man from one of the tents nearby.

“You speak truth in your wisdom and knowledge, Kahn.”  Orin called back.  “Anneleigh, we must stop the Wanton rituals lest they find a way to release their dragon lord.”

“Wanton?” Anneleigh asked, unsure of the word.

“The Wanton are the servants of Maelforge.  Long ago, Maelforge was imprisoned, along with the other dragons.  You will remember, this was long before your time.  Now it appears his servants, the Wanton, have created a disturbance in the planes that allows them to communicate with their master.  We must not allow this to continue. “

“I understand.  What needs to be done?  How can we end the rituals?”

Orin handed Anneleigh a spear.  She turns it over in her hands, unsure how this small weapon will create enough of a disruption to end their attempt.

“It is a spear of light.  Held and used by the ascended, it will be more powerful than it appears.”

“I hope so; otherwise I may become fuel for the flame, rather than its extinguisher.”

Anneleigh crept out to the coast and crossed silently and undisturbed to the small island Orin had pointed out.  It would have been impossible to miss, even if she lost her way.  The island sparked and blazed with a flame so bright it glowed white.  At the center, just barely visible within the heat, was the image of Maelforge, Dragon of Flame and destruction.  She had heard him called chaos incarnate.  She now understood why.

Slowly she crept as close to the specter as she dared; unwilling to attract his attention until it would be too late for him to retaliate.  Anneleigh stood, biding her time, behind a large rock, waiting for the perfect moment.  It arrived in the form of the perfect distraction.  A small boat, carrying two or three defiant soldiers made landfall on the opposite bank of the island.   For a moment, Anneleigh wondered if they understood the danger they had entered into, but their deliberate, although trembling, actions proved they were sent on a similar mission to that of her own.

Maelforge took notice of the new comers at once.  Slowly, he walked away from the center of the tiny island and approached the defiant soldiers.  Although Anneleigh knew he could have killed them in seconds, Maelforge did not strike out at them at once.  Like a cat that backs a field mouse into a corner, apparently Maelforge preferred to savor the entertainment and play with his food. 

With his back to her and his focus distracted, Anneleigh took up the spear and threw it towards the specter, aiming for his spine and hoping for an easy hit.  Only after the spear left her hand did Anneleigh consider the possibility it would simply bounce off his thick leathery hide.  She knew he would not be fooled if she simply took cover behind her rock.  In any case, cowering in fear was not the reaction of an Ascended.  With the knowledge that she was blessed by the Vigil acting as a shield to heat and fear, Anneleigh stood her ground.  She watched with terror and awe as the specter of Maelforge began to dim and the brilliant light surrounding him began to flicker.

“Once freed from my prison, this world will turn to ash beneath my flames!”  She heard him call before he went out completely; specter banished once again.

With the blinding light and threat of Maelforge removed, she was now able to clearly see the defiant landing party on the opposite beach.  Two of the three soldiers made to attack her, but the third held his ground.  “Leave her,” she heard him say to the others.  “It was only because of her that we are alive.  We owe her the same.”

Anneleigh nodded her appreciation to the defiant captain.  It would have been no trouble to slay them, but she was thankful to be spared the killings on her conscious.

Threat gone, Anneleigh returned to Orin.

“The Wanton stand no chance against you.  Your faith is strong, as are you abilities.  I am exceedingly interested in what the gods have planned for you.  I have no doubt you will rise to great heights.”

Anneleigh blushed.

“It shouldn’t be long before we eradicate the minions of Maelforge from the shores of Divine Landing.  This is the forest of Tavril, and the voices of the gods of the Vigil are strong here.  Guided by their words, we will act as their hand in putting down the dragon cults.”

“I grew up here in Silverwood. “  Anneleigh said, “It will always be Tavril’s forest to me.  I sense the pull of the vigil, of all of the gods of the vigil, but Tavril is of this forest and calls nature home.  Her words speak loudest in this sanctuary.”

Orin was silent for a moment.  “You won’t find many Guardians who feel as strongly as you do, towards a single god I mean.  Many have adapted and think of the Vigil as separate but united.”

“They have had twenty years to adjust.  I have had but a few days.  I hope that my faith in the others will be given time to develop.”

Orin shrugged.  “No much any Guardian would say against an Ascended returned to Telara.  If the Vigil itself saw fit to return you here, who are we to judge your faith?”

Anneleigh was silent.  There was nothing else to say and she disliked conflict, especially with those who should be offered the same rights of choice she attempts to defend.

She turned to leave and saw, out of the corner of her eye, a large, stone carved statue.  The figure looked familiar.  As she approached she realized it is a statue of Carwin Mathos, Brother of the King who died during the same rift that took her out of Telara all those years ago.

Anneleigh approached the statue.  A small plaque, bearing his name and details of his death, was placed at the foot of the monument.  As she stooped to read, a figure appeared from the air itself.

“I have not seen your face since the war in Mathosia.  Though I died, the Vigil is not done with me yet.  I bring a warning.”  The vision spoke with Carwin’s voice.  It was a comfort.  “You have seen the enemy: a dragon of fire so cruel its only desire is to see Telara burn.  But there are five other dragons breaching the Ward with planar rifts, and you must stop them. “

Anneleigh nodded and extended her arm to touch Carwin’s shoulder.  Her hand felt through the vision and she let it fall to her side.  She heard herself repeating the phrase she had spoken so often in the past few days. “Where can I start?  What can I do to help?”

“Go with the Vigil Anneleigh.  You will know when you are needed.  Return to your Silverwood and your life with the knowledge that you are an instrument of the Vigil.  You will know what to do when the time is right.”

And with that, Anneleigh set off into Silverwood to discover just how much of her home had changed over twenty years.