In quest for Allies Chapter I

[Wolf Knight]

That morning, after the incident in the council chambers, King Kellanved summoned his personal bodyguard, comprised of six of his best knights leaded by Tanakalian, his oldest comrade in arms. The king's champion, Dassem Ultor, was also present as well as the standard bearer Artanthos.... together they would travel to reach and rally their old allies, and would also attempt to make new ones... The king's brother and a few palace guards with their captain came to bid them safe journey...



''Who will you reach first my brother?''
''The White Swans were good and valuable friends in perilous times Dujek. The are always dedicated to the fight against evil and they always value the beauty of everything that is alive. We shall visit them first.'' replied the king.



''Let us ride hard men, time is upon us...who knows when this Malevolent Duke will strike...For all we know he may be rallying his own allies this very moment!''
''Have a safe trip, my brother...''
The Queen and her ladies in waiting were watching the good king take leave from the upper balconies of the palace, while the king's advisors were watching in deep thoughts...



And so the trip of our heros began...

[Wolf Knight]

Our heroes rode for two days and nights until they reached a thick, but friendly forrest at the foot of a mountain close to the city....



Suddently, a knight and his men appeared out of nowhere....
''You will proceed no further my Lords...'' said the knight, and with a wave of his sword, his men blocked the way of our heroes...



Just as Tanakalian and Dassem were about to get in front of their king, he waved them back and stood before the knight and his men...
The White Swan officer, recognising the king, lowered his sword.... ''What is your bussiness here my good king'' asked the knight...
''A long time ago, an alliance between our forces existed,'' replied the king ''now, it is with sad news, but with joy to see our comrade in arms once again, that I came to ask for the help of the White Swan"



"Then by all means proceed to Cygnusdale where our Steward resides my king....'' said the knight as he made way for the king and his men to pass "The road will be open and the forces of nature will guard your passage!''
''Thak you brave knight!'' replied the king and waved his men to follow onto the road leading to Cygnusdale...

[Wolf Knight]

Finally at the end of the road there is a clearing... just right on the foot of the mountain lies Cygnusdale.... The safe haven of the White Swan Order and sacred place dedicated to the White Swan Avatar, a purity of nature's beauty...

[Wolf Knight]

Reaching at the entrance of the Dale, another officer and a guard on duty welcomed the king and his companions...





''Sir Knight'' cried the King '' I seek audience with the White Swan Steward, Ay Estos.''
''The Lord Steward bids thee welcome my lord...'' replied the knight...



...and turned to the Black Swan footman...''Inform your captain that King Kellanved has arrived and that he must escort him to the Steward... ''Yes Sir'' Answerd the Black Swan and turned towards the center of the Dale...

[Wolf Knight]

The guard reached the center of the Dale were Ey Estos, his Champion Itkovian and the Black Swan captain were having a relaxing moment...



''Sir'' cried the guard, "King Kellanved arrived and seeks audience with the Lord Steward, Sir".... "Don't keep the good king waiting captain" said Estos.... so the captain wore his helmet and rushed to the entrance...

[Wolf Knight]

In the meantime, the king ordered Tanakalian and his men to wait at the entrance, while Dassem and Artanthos were to go with him...



The Black Swan captain arrived at the entrance and welcomed the King... ''Welcome to Cygnusdale your Majesty," said the captain with a bow "Lord Estos awaits you...If you please follow me...''



And the four of them strolled through the Dale...

[Wolf Knight]

The good king had the opportunity to see again the fine tranquil moments of Cygnusdale...
White Swan Knights enjoying some leasure time



...and Black Swans guards always on the lookout...



...a sip of fine beer and some good food...

[Wolf Knight]

...until they reached the centre of the Dale... Lord Estos and Itkovian  rose and bow gently to welcome the King...



''Welcome welcome king Kellanved!!!!'' cried Estos full of excitement ''Estos, my good friend! Its been some time...'' replied the king but had no chance to say anything else as Estos was well known for his hastiness and overenthousiastic character..

''Sir Knights, cease your drinking and bring the Blue Throne for our good king to sit... quickly quickly now!!!!!''



''Yes Lord Estos'' replied the knights with a bow!



''In the meantime, please come, have a sit all of you... eh... sorry the throne is not here yet.. eh... ''
"Don' worry Estos...Please sit my friends and once the throne arrives I'll sit next to you!''

[Wolf Knight]

In a short moment...not too short for the Steward... the Blue Throne was brought for the king...



''If you'd please my Leige...'' waved the Steward...




and so the king sat on the throne and began his council...

[Wolf Knight]

''So my friend, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?'' asked the steward.
'' I am afraid its not pleasure that brings me here Estos'' replied the king ''apart from the fact that I see you all again my friend. The Malevolent Duke Korbal is on the move again...he has come to me and posed, diplomatically as he always does, his threat once more...with more allies this time I am afraid...more over, he stole the defence plans of the Realm, and I am sure he plans his attack as we speak..''
''Surely it can't be that bad...'' Estos said.
''He had Mathok with him...''  said the king emphatically...and with a glance of meaning in his eyes...
''My first cousin... the Steward of the Gold Dragon...  Oh that does not sound good at all...If the Gold Dragon has allied himself with the Duke, we must ask the aid of Anomander...''
''I doubt he will agree Estos...at least not until its too late. The Green Dragon stands for ultimate ballance...not until the ballance is affected will he take part in a conflict...''
''Still, no harm in asking him, is there?''  said Estos with a light mood to relieve his tension... the thought of facing his cousin was a dread one to him... ''Who else was with the Duke'' he asked.
''His cousin, the Baron...''
''Oh, that backstabber...'' 
''Inal, of the Pannion Domin...''
''Them flesh eaters again...'' 
''And a new knight leading his army called Logros...''
''Logros?  of the Double Axe? "
''I have no clue who he is Estos...''
''You know the Double Axe, don't you my king?''
''I've heard of them yes, but they are a very strict Order of Vanguards, what do they have to do with this?"
"Logros was one of them... He was cast away because he was never ballanced...that's what the Double Axe symbolises...he used it as a punishing tool... If he has given his knowledge of both good and evil practices of the Order to the Duke, then...''
''I see what you mean...''
''My good king! Its seems our alliance is alive once again!!! The White Swan order and their trusted army, the Black Swans, will be at your disposal once again my friend....''