Minzkala

After proper introductions, Nalla presented the couple with the summons from King Naethan. The two read as the orders began with compliments paid to their sons: ...and the fearless determination made by these young Elves in their encounters throughout Evergrove has led us to believe they are capable of the challenge we now face. We would be eternally grateful if even one of them decided to join us in our campaign to stomp out the evil presence of the Digvi'ja and their cohorts, finally ridding the lands of the tyranny that has besieged them… Sigge and Raffe entered the doorway to find the visitors sitting with their parents. They were called to come into the room and sit. Their mother handed them the copy of the summons from King Naethan. "Of course we'll go," Sigge spoke for both he and his twin brother, "Want me to get Kal and Cyrow in here?" Takari nodded. When the other two brothers entered, they noticed the look on their mother's face. It was one she often gave them when she was proud of something they had done, but her look was more sentimental now, with tears forming in her eyes. The younger brothers read the order. Hesitant to respond, they asked their father what he thought. "I think you both are pretty young to be going out there. But I agree with everything the King said about you. You four boys have something the rest of us don't. I'm not sure where it came from, but I know what he means when he says you're all capable." "Then we will go," Cyrowsious told the Faerie, "It will be an honor to fight beyond our lands for Minzkala. The Digvi'ja must be stopped." I knew this was our calling. For two years, since the evil had begun to reach Evergrove, we often talked about what must be done as far as the grander scheme of things was concerned. We all four wanted to be a part of something like this. My only hesitation was with our parents and how they would respond with all four of us going at once…and quite possibly not returning. That, and perhaps the idea of me becoming a disappointment in Minzkala. My father grasped my shoulder and pulled me close, "You'll make us proud, I know you will." He had always taken a special interest in me. Being so much smaller than the other three, I know I often struggled with being good enough. But my father said I had an unmatched inner strength and told me often that size was a very small obstacle in the way of becoming who he thought I could become. He said I had the heart of ten warriors and that my strength and confidence were derived from believing in the Ancient's cause, not from what I thought I had to offer anyone. In his opinion, that made me stronger than the rest. We read further to find our assignments for the mission. My order was to travel to the Human city of Kenkara, away from my brothers. Cyrowsious would train in Vicete, while Sigge and Raffe would go to Vamei, home of the Skadowan Elves. After a month of training, we would receive further instructions. We would travel to Kenkara, the first city on the way. After dropping me off, the other three would continue to Vicete. Then the twins would make their way up to the Saola Mountains to find the small Elven city of Vamei. Along the way, we saw a land under duress. The houses of small farms along the sides of the roads were now in ruins. Entire small villages deserted from a forced retreat to larger cities. We would meet no one on the desolate path that carried us to the training sites. As members of the elite team of warriors in Minzkala, we were told we would receive special abilities over and beyond what the lands outside of Minzkala could offer. Less than twenty warriors would represent the Ancients. Nalla told us King Ederich planned have the remaining warriors sent to Rhalas, the largest city in Maralune. There, they would undergo their own training, preparing to support our group in the final battle. In total, the King of Rhalas would have around thirty thousand men. It was far from being enough, but with the help of the Ancients, it was worth a shot. The Legion, in comparison, would eventually call in any and all beasts, minions and Humanoids to fight for them. By the end, we figured they would have nearly three-hundred thousand. Chaotic and evil, the Legion would have to deal with inner conflict between the various races to accomplish their goals. But would this be enough to give the Ancients even a slight advantage?