Chronicles of the Paladins of Asheron

Chapter 2

by Amexsos Doomsinger

Asheron (the old man from part 1) looked into the baby's eyes as he traveled through the Haze. Most can't enter the Haze without going mad, so it was up to Asheron to protect the baby. The infant cooed a little and wriggled around. Asheron squinted and the baby fell asleep.

Approaching the world of Istaria, Asheron surrounded himself with a protective barrier that dimmed the radiance of his power and essence. After that last time he wouldn't want to draw the attention of the Aegis. He focused a bit, sending his thoughts in a focused stream seeking one that could help him. He Contacted the Ancient easy enough and the Ancient gave him instruction on how to find him.

His essence form carrying the baby came to rest in front of a huge cave. He was unable to peer inside and suspected some sort of magical enchantment made it darker than it really was. As if drawing a curtain aside, Asheron entered the cave. It was brightly lit and a feeling of warmth filled him. He smiled. He looked around because he really didn't know what to expect from a Dragon's home, let alone from one that seemed to be as powerful as the Ancient. He swiveled his head left and then right. He spied a table with a quill and ink, some sort of workbench with what looked like dust on it, a forge which was also used to heat the room and a huge collection of books all lined in shelves. Spotting the dragon on a mound in the center of the room, Asheron wondered how it was that he was able to use the objects around the cave as they seemed too small for the Ancient's size.

Approaching the Ancient, Asheron said in greeting. "Hello, noble one. How goes the fight?"

"We are dying a slow death, my friend. It seems the resources of the Aegis are endless." Replied the Ancient. "Still we fight, still we hope and still we die. What brings you back to Istaria and what is 'that' doing with you?"

"The child is from my world of Dereth. I have an idea that might help in the future. I need your help to plant this seed. The longer I stay here the greater chance the Aegis has of finding me, so I must not linger."

"I am willing to do whatever it is you require. I am at your disposal." Announced the Ancient. With that statement the Ancient started to shimmer. To the astonishment of Asheron, the Ancient went from being over 50 feet tall to an armored man that was a little over 6 feet tall.

Asheron gasped and said, "Truly amazing! So this is how you work the tools in the cave!"

"Although most of the Wyrm-kin feel that morphing into a biped form, embarrassing, it does have it uses and makes manipulating tools and other things much easier. So what can I do for you?"

Asheron said something under his breath and squinted at the baby. A sudden flash of cold air could be felt as the baby suddenly changed. No longer was the baby faint and transparent. He was now physically on Istaria and with that the baby started to wail at the disruption. Asheron continued to squint and said a few more words calming the baby. Asheron gestured at the baby to float him over to the Ancient, who in turn looked at him as if he were mad.

"What am I to do with this!? It's no hatchling!" The Ancient clamored.

"We need to find something to carry him in." suggested Asheron.

The Ancient grimaced and went over to the area near the forge. He rummaged through what looked to be a place for holding materials used when forging, then his head popped up with a grin on his face.

"A sand beetle carapace should do nicely."

The Ancient then grabbed a tapestry from a shelf, placed it in the shell and held the curved piece of shell out towards Asheron.

Asheron floated the baby over to the shell and gently set him down. The Ancient then propped up the makeshift shell cradle in a chair using some stones from the floor.

Asheron started by saying, "Ok here is what I have planned........"

After talking with the Ancient and explaining what he had planned. Asheron went over to the baby and placed his thumb on the baby’s chin. In the same motion Asheron also placed the forefinger and index finger of the same hand on the baby's forehead. Closing his eyes he started chanting. The Ancient felt a brief wave of magic emanated from Asheron and the baby.

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Late evening as the priests of Istaria were eating and discussing how life seemed to be getting more and more difficult, they had to find a way to keep their crops from disease as well as keep them from being trampled by the Imperial Army. The priests were very good at mending wounds and keeping disease away, but the Aegis had a way of making those brief victories seem hollow. Many races have been decimated and the priests were starting to despair.

A knock rang out from the door of their dwelling. A priest opened the small peek portal to peer outside. What he saw is something he will not soon forget. Glowing red eyes peered back at him from the depths of an armored helmet. At first he thought the Aegis had come, but quickly dismissed the thought as he was still breathing. Besides, the Aegis are not known for knocking.

The figure was approximately 6 feet tall and in full plate armor. There was something strange about the armor. It seemed as if the armor were part of the body instead of a person inside metal armor. The sounds normally associated with heavy armor like squeaking seemed to be missing when this figure moved.

"Uh, hmmm, yes? What can the priests of Istaria do for you, sir?" Inquired the priest.

"I found this baby and I would like to see that it lives." growled the helmeted figure. The voice sounded deep, as if the body that stood before him was too small to contain such a voice.

"We currently do not have the room to house another orphan. Please take him to Tazoon where their resources are greater than ours."

"If I wanted him in Tazoon, I would have taken him there. Take this child now." prompted the figure.

The figure raised his gauntleted fist and struck the door. The bolt holding the door shut disintegrated and the figure stepped in while holding the baby in what appeared to be a sand beetle carapace.

The priest cowered as this figure was not to be denied. The figure put the baby on table and turned to the priest.

"You will raise this child and care for him or you will answer to me." Warned the figure. "Here is enough platinum to rebuild this hovel a thousand times over."

Sweating the priest took the pouch.

The figure then headed towards the door saying over his shoulder as he reached the door, "Oh and the child is to be known as Ki’theron, son of Asheron."

As the figure melted into the night whence he came, the priest could have sworn he heard the sound of beating wings.