Grim stood at the parapet of the tower, his mood as gloomy as his monitor, while he scanned the ruins below. Of all the aspects of commanding the small cadre of warriors that was the Knights of the Shadow Sword, this was the one he hated the most; sending others to face the dangers of Myth Drannor while he remained behind in the safety of Shaundakul’s Throne, the fortified temple to the Rider of the Winds. Torches were lit around the two guard towers and the curtain wall as twilight slowly faded toward night fall, but the patrol had not returned. With only two dozen warriors in their ranks, he couldn’t afford to send more out in search of the six who had braved the threat infested ruins of the once great city, but the thought of leaving them to face their fate alone gnawed at his very soul, especial considering who had lead the patrol; Rowan wasn’t just one of the few clerics in their ranks, she was cherished by many of the Knights, including him. Slamming his armored fist into the stone wall before him in frustration, his enchanted gauntlet of fury causing a resounding thud, he was just about to order a search party organized when the Knight standing guard in the other tower cried out “Patrol returning!”; Drawing his eyes to the small group approaching from the opposite side of the temple complex. However, his sigh of relief was stifled when he counted their number. His greatest fear was to see less than the six that had left, but only slightly less concerning was seeing more, and there were clearly eight figures making their way toward the temple’s gate. Taking up his greatsword, he bounded down the stairs to the ground level and into the great courtyard, which held the massive dais and throne of the open air shrine as well as the reinforced gate maned by two Knights, who were just unbarring the portal as he approached. Dragging open the massive door just enough to admit their returning comrades one at a time, they greeted them warmly until two strangers slipped through the gap. “You’re late,” Grim reprimanded Rowan in way of greeting, then he turned his scowling gaze toward Mykal and his companion, a petite, beauty with subtly elven features, a short mane of stark white hair and a strange grey complexion that clearly marked her with drow blood, added; “and what are they doing here?” “We were overrun by a score of orcs, and almost lost Bowen and Dorn,” Rowan replied, without any sense of apology in her voice. “We may not have survived if they hadn’t shown up and downed a number of them. There was a she-orc cleric leading them.” Grim glanced toward the two Knights she had named, noticing their bloodied clothes, but they both looked whole and healthy; he knew that Rowan must have healed their wounds and was quietly grateful that she had lead the patrol... they could ill afford to lose even a single man. However, he knew all too well why she had brought the half-elven wanderer and his companion back with them, and it wasn’t just for safety against the dangers of the ruins at night. “I suppose you offered them shelter in return,” He growled, frustrated by her presumption and what he knew was her ulterior motive. Mykal had been a guest of the temple in the past, while under the command of his predecessor, and had been all too welcomed by the beautiful young priestess. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Additional Credits: * Michael 3 from DAZ3D * Honor Bound by Anna Benjamin from DAZ3D * M3 Fantasy Warrior by Xurge3D from DAZ3D * M3 Hooded Cloak by Daz Originals from DAZ3D * Michael 3 Millennium Beard by Daz Originals from DAZ3D * Mystic Hallow by LaurieS from DAZ3D * V3 Hooded Cloak One by Daz Originals from DAZ3D * Wedge Cut 2.0 by Daz Originals & 3D Universe from DAZ3D * RDNA Bladez 1 by Traveler from RuntimeDNA