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A page in a book belonging to a simple bard that had visited the city of Moorgate
Sterich's and Darroch's Story as told to me by Sterich.
Once of royalty in a far off land, a land that now has fallen. Darroch and Sterich were the only sons of King Ganalath and Queen Deirdre. The land was at peace and the times were good. Many in the land were wealthy and happy due to the great care the King and Queen gave the subjects they ruled.
The eldest of the two sons, Darroch was to take the throne. Like his father he was a good man, a little more obnoxious than his brother was but the two boys did get along well.
One early morning, before the sun had risen from its sleep, a thunderous crash was heard within the kingdom. Bringing Sterich out of his bed in a start he ran to the window and looked out to see the capital city in flames. Townsmen, guards, knights were all running towards the docks and beaches. Not knowing the reason why they ran in that direction, Sterich ran from the window and quickly dressed into his armor, unaware of the fate he was about to face. As he was reaching for his sword his father called out, "Knights prepare for battle!"
He followed the knights and guards down into the courtyard where he met up with Darroch. The smile on his brother's face told Sterich exactly what he was thinking. Both of the boys had never known battle only heard stories of great heroic deeds in battles of day's gone past.
Running down the street swords drawn they were in awe by the damage done to the kingdom and the buildings around them. Never seeing such destruction, in seconds a building structurally sound turned into a pile of twigs by what seemed to be falling boulders.
As the brothers drew closer to the beach, they could only see one ship out in the bay. There must have been more as arrows, some flaming, and boulders came flying down upon the town.
Darroch commanded a number of guards to board the warship Blackhawk. Sterich followed his brother and the guards working feverishly to ready the ship for battle. Soon they were joined by several of King Ganalath's knights. Sterich was always in awe of his father's knights, he vowed one day to become one himself. As the warriors prepared for battle their confidence rose, the enemy was out numbered as five of King Ganalath's mighty warships came to sail.
The Blackhawk sailed out to the enemy ship causing them to focus their attack upon it. Arrows came down and set flames to the sails, cannonballs crashed down upon her decks. Townsmen were trying to keep the ship afloat, pouring buckets of water on the flaming decks, to no avail, the ship was sinking and fast. Townsmen began to jump overboard, soon the call was given to abandon ship. Sterich searched for his brother not wanting to leave him behind. To his relief a couple of guards, wounded in the clash came up to him carrying Darroch. They lowered the rowboat and carefully climbed aboard. From the safety of the bay Sterich watched in horror as The Blackhawk along with the other warships sank to the ocean floor. Sterich's thoughts raced. He mutters, "How could this be possible? They were out numbered." Darroch woke and whispered, "they are experienced in battle... we are not." He was right, there hadn't been a war or battle in generations.
Smaller boats were lowered from the enemy ship, heading towards the land. The four warriors could do nothing but watch and hope the fighters that remained on land could stop them.
The sun still had not crested and the rowboat was being pulled out to sea, three wounded men on board were no match for the outgoing tide. They could do nothing but look upon their beloved homeland and watch as smoke came from the castle and city. All was quiet now except the splashing of water upon the side of the boat. Soon all on board were asleep from exhaustion.
When Sterich awoke, he was lying on the beach next to his brother. Higher up the beach lay the two guards. His lips chapped, his body dehydrated and sunburnt, he looked around for the boat. It was no where to be seen. Awaking Darroch, they walked down the beach to find the guards dead. They had been more seriously wounded than he thought and the journey was too much for them. Darroch and Sterich buried them further up on shore and set off.
The brother's split up on this strange land to find food, water and perhaps someone to tell them where they were. Sterich didn't walk far until he came across some people who helped him and his brother gain their strength, giving them a place to stay.
To those who gave them a start in these new lands, you'll always be remembered fondly.
--Sterich
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