He had just left Portsmith the day before. He had hitched a ride on a wagon with a family moving from portsmith to Palanthus. He was supposed to be traveling north; so this worked well for him. The family made camp near the Wardens swamp inn. So the man felt this a good time to leave there company.
He needed a diversion, but where could he find one? A wicked smile drew across his lips as a thought came to him.

He walked into Godnest an hour after sunrise. The Solamnic guards were still busy wiping the sleep from their eyes, and the citizens had just begun to go about their day. He strolled into the town, and walked around. He visited the Inn, and had himself a nice breakfast of potato's and eggs. He looked upon the local bulletin board for any relevant information he might find useful, and visited the Gernal store to fill his supplies. After that, things took a malicious turn.

He wandered around the town for a brief while, surveying the scene. He took mental notes of the guard locations, and other types of defenses. After an hour of watching, he wandered to the docks. He walked out onto the bridge span over the water, and took a few breaths of the salty air; before returning to solid ground. There was only one guard. He approached that guard and smirked.

"In the name of the Dark Queen, I command that you lay down your arms and surrender to me. Do not, and you shall suffer a most horrid death."

The guard looked stunned for a moment. How could this one man simply walk so boldly up to him and demand such a thing. The guard, after a moments hesitation, began to reach for his sword.

"That is the wrong move. Think of the innocent lives that shall be lost this day"

The guard, with hand on hilt, hesitated again. That was all the hesitation that was needed. The dark suited man, spun into a reverse heel kick that landed squarely on the jaw of the guard, knocking him back a few feet. He tried to regain his wits, but the dark man was on him instantly. A flurry of punches and kicks were thrown. The guard managed to emit a scream of terror disguised as a call for help; alerting the town of danger. Those were the last words he uttered. The dark warrior spun low in a feigned sweep, but caught his motions into a forward roll, coming up behind the guard. The dark warrior was blinding fast, and reached to the guards neck. With a popping crack, the guards neck contorted grotesquely, and he fell lifeless to the ground.
Two other guards, who watched the exchange briefly, not believing their eyes, soon found their wits, and rushed the warrior. That was their last mistake. The warrior drew a wickedly serrated sword, and a shield materialized on his arm. The first guard was met with a backhand slash of the sword; which he met with a raised shield. Exactly as intended. The guards shield went out wide from the force of the sword strike, and the dark warriors shield came in to bash the guard. He stumbled back a pace, and the dark warrior came in with a forehand slash, slicing right through the guards armor, cutting deep into his chest. The guard turned with the blow, clutching his chest as it burned with fire. The dark warrior did a complete spin and brought his sword in another forehand slash across the back of the neck of the first guard; severing his spinal cord in one swipe. He fell to the ground; alive, but not for long.
The second guard waded into the fight. The dark warrior knew, from the fear in his eyes, and the fumbling movements of his sword; that this guard was a raw recruit to the Solamnic Army. He did not last as long as his counterpart. The dark warrior spun into a reverse crescent kick, and slashed his word in one movement across. The kick stunned the guard, and the sword took his head from his shoulders. In less than a minute, three guards lay dead on the ground, and this one person, dressed in dark clothing, stood over them, with malice in his eyes.

The townsfolk heard the commotion and came to see. They soon realized they should not have ventured so close. A woman screamed in terror, as the crowd scrambled to get away. The dark warrior waded in with fist. A few of the citizens recieved minor wounds, but none were gravely injured. They were allowed to flee. The alarm was raised, and all the guards were called to action. The dark clad warrior smiled to himself. He knew the disarray this would cause, and how easy it just became.
He squeezed his body between two buildings, slowly inching himself to the standing of trees behind them. Since the sun was not yet high in the sky, he knew the shadows from the branches hanging low would cover him. He stalked his way through the heavy branch cover, and made his way to the elevated landing the inn sat on. He looked around a moment, then climbed up. Two guards were to his left. They were by the edge of the wall, looking down into the town. The dark warrior rushed from the shadows at them. He body blocked the first in the back, sending him over the wall, to fall hard onto the ground below. He was out of the fight. The dark warrior, then turned to the second guard there. In one motion, he lept up, bring his rising knee to connect with the stunned guards face. The guards eyes rolled back, and he crumbled to the ground in a heap, as the cartilage in his nose was crushed, and shards were sent into his brain. The dark warrior then lept over the side of the wall, and landed on the neck of the first guard, just as he regained his wind, and was stirring to get up.

The dark warrior then moved off to a nearby home. He leaped up and grabbed the overhang, pulling himself up. He his there for a moment, gaining a measure of his surroundings. He smiled to himself when he heard the guards calling to each other....

"Where is he?" was the most common call. The remaining guards in the town; seven in total, grouped together in an open space between two buildings. They were trying to formulate a plan of defensive strategy. The dark warrior shook his head at how easy these soldiers made it for him. He went from rooftop to rooftop, making his way above them. Not a sound came as he landed; two swords in hand. He went into his routine. He spun complete circles, swinging his swords in and out. The guards were off balance, and didnt stand a chance. After a few moments, seven guards lay dead on the ground.

He moved off from the guards, and encountered the final guard by the entrance to the town. He was raw, and scared as well. The dark warrior slowly waded in. The guard put his shield in front, and raised his sword. It was a vain attempt to be brave. The punches and kicks came at the guard from all angles. He was overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of this attacker. More punches, more kicks; finally a sword buried deep in his chest. The guard looked to the dark warrior, his life slowly fading. All he saw was the darkened eyes of a killer. Then Nothing.

The warrior knew a rider had fled the town, calling for help. He knew there were partrols in the area, and didnt have much time. He went back through the town. He went to a home and kicked the door in. He dragged the man of the house out, and slammed him into the wall, forcing him to listen. The commoner man pleaded for his life. The trail of excriment running down his leg was testament to the fear in his heart.

"This is a warning from the Emporess Shana Ashall. Let those that come here know; either they surrender to her Dark Majesty, the Queen, and the Emporess; or the innocents shall suffer for their insolence."

With that, the dark warrior drops the man to the ground, and turns towards the docks. The commoner man loses sight of him as he dissappears in darkness. Not that the man cared, for he went back into his home to hide, and wait; and most of all.... Pray.

Twilight, with his scrolls handy, brought the darkness around him. He slipped off the dock, and handcrawled his way back to dry land. He waded in the shallow water, and used another scroll to make him unseen. He walked from the shore into the town. He went behind the inn, and rested himself. He stripped his current clothing, and put on another outfit. He then wandered back to the docks after a while. There he noticed the Squire he spoke with in Nightlund. The squire apparently was in the area, and heard the call. In his disguise, he approached. The citizens were in a panic; and the squire was having a hard time figuring out what was going on. The commoners were calling for the surrendering of the town to the Queens armies so their lives could be spared. Twilight walked from the docks, and stood at the back of the gathered crowd.

"Noble people of Solamnia" the squire almost shouted above the cries of fear. "Please calm down and listen. There is no need to panic. A messenger arrived at Portsmith, and troops are coming to protect you."

The squire whose name is Auron Lightbringer looked around. He tried to speak with one man, only to be met with a disdainful look, as the man walked away. The squire looked around, settling his gaze on twilight in his disguise. "You sir, please.... tell me what happened here?"

Twilight looked around for a second, and pointed to himself "Me? I am afriad I cannot help you. I just arrived off the boat to this scene. I am at a loss just as you are." Auron sighed to himself, "I see" he said as he turned around looking to others. Twilight, smirked to himself and walked away from the crowd towards the inn. He went back behind the inn, and changed into his armor. He put on his helm, and walked out, keeping to the thick hanging branches of the trees and listened.

Auron turned to the crowd once more. "People of Godnest, listen to me. I promise, by my oath; no harm will fall upon you. I implore you; tell me what happened here, and maybe I can help."

A woman from the crowd holding her infant son spoke up. "How can you be so certain. There are no knights here to protect us. All they send here is the lazy and old soldiers. They do not care for this hamlet like they do for portsmith, or their precious jewel Palanthus."

"Portsmith got the word. They are sending troops here to protect you. I will make sure that you are protected by the best of means." Auron spoke back.

A man in the crowd spoke back, "It's the Dragon Emporess. She sent the warning. We must surrender or they will kill us." Auron looked shocked a moment. "The dragon Emporess? She was here personally?" The commoner spoke up again. "We.... well no..... but the man..."

Aurons eyes went wide. "One man did this? What did he say?" Another man spoke up as he came forward. He relayed the warning to the Squire. Auron listened carefully, and shook his head. Twilight, smirked to himself and stepped from the shadows to stand in full view of the public. A commoner woman noticed, and screamed as she ran away. Twilight looked to her, and the rest of the commoners as they quickly backed away. "Quite skiddish if I do say so." A dog came up to him sniffing, and twilight reached down to pet the dog a moment.

Auron spun, hand on hilt. "You? You did this? You killed the guards?" He drew his sword halfway. Twilight looked to him seriously. "If I had killed them, I would not have stayed around and waited for the small army that is surely coming to investigate this. It seems there is another at work here." Auron nodded slightly, "So it was her assassin..." It was a question as much as it was a statement.

"I had recieved word that the Emporess was planning something. However she is being very secretive these days. I am not certain, but perhaps she is trying to create as much chaos as possible; while creating dissent in these lands for something bigger." Twilight said offhand. "I do find it strange though; that no civilians were harmed in this."

Auron nodded slightly. "I see. Well creating chaos does not last long, and it does not affect everyone. As for the civilians. Perhaps she is hoping they will spread the word, and at the same time... fear. But regardless; she will pay for this, just like she will pay for all her other crimes."
Twilight looked around a moment. He saw a small child wandering the town dressed in soiled, and torn rags that passed for clothing. He approached the child, and the child froze in fear. Twilight leaned down and spoke to the child. "Here young one. Take this." He handed the child a small pouch "It is fifty steel pieces. Give it to your parents, and tell them to buy you food and proper clothing." With that he stood and looked around. He pulls a gem from his pocket folds of his cloak, and walks to the mayor of the town. "Here. Take this. It is worth at least one thousand steel pieces. I am sure you can use it to rebuild, and replenish food and supplies. I am sure you need them. Also, you may be able to hire yourself some malitia guards as well as the Solamnic guards. The gods know the Knights are not doing all they can." The mayor took the gem and nodded.

Auron had turned back to the crowd once more. "People of Godnest. I promise you; I shall speak to my superiors about assigning a knight here, as well as the soldiers." As he finished speaking, several commoners groaned, others just looked at him with contempt. They had no reason to believe him. They returned to their homes, to pick up their lives once more.

Twilight looked to Auron. "I have been tracking an individual from Neraka. He lost me just west of Solanthus a few days ago. I was able to pick up his tracks though. He was heading north. I believe his target was the High Clerist tower. Thats where I was heading when I heard that there was trouble here." Auron looked to twilight a moment, then spoke. "The High Clerist tower? But... why?"

"That is where many of the higher ranking knights are at the moment, so I am told. It makes sense to me. Palanthus keep is well fortified. Getting in there, and then back out; would not be easy. It would be much easier to scale the walls of the High Clerist tower in the night. Many rocks and crevices to hide in."

"She is trying to assassinate them? That woman is without honor as a goblin." He spoke, fiercely; mostly to himself though. Twilight smirked inside his helm. "Could be.... What better way to promote chaos? Kill the higher ranking knights and leave the lesser knights in disarray. Cut off the head, and the body dies; is the say I believe."
Auron looked up from his contemplations. "I must go there to warn them...." He said. But even as he said it, he was looking back and forth between the town, and the raod heading north. "But I cannot leave these people without aid. They must have someone here for them until the troops arive from Portsmith." He said to himself, as if he was waging an inner battle of choices.

"Well, I am told this person boarded a ship bound for Tantalon. I am going there to keep a track of him. You do what you must Auron Lightbringer. The choice is yours. Run to protect the ranking Knights in the tower, and leave these people alone and scared. Or stay here to protect them. You must ask yourself now, where your values lie at, Knight aspirant. Are they with your superiors, or are they with the people!" Twilight stated as he turned for the docks.

Auron stood there with his eyes on the ground for long moments, contemplating. Twilight looked back and watched the squire. He contemplated on going back to kill this squire if he chose the folly of the knights above the people. But Auron rose his head up, and had a grim determination in his eyes.
"The lord Knights have many guards and walls protecting them. These people have none of it. It is my duty to stay here and protect this town. I will pray for the Knight Lords, but that is all I can do. May the gods of Light protect them." He said to himself mostly, as a reassurance of himself. Then he turned to the people still around; "People of Godnest. Remain calm. I shall stay here for as long as I must until adequate troops arrive. On my honor, you will be alright. There is no need to leave. Nothing more shall happen to you while I am here. I promise you this."

The towns people remained on edge, but the fear and panic gradually subsided. Twilight boarded the boat, and chuckled to himself. "How easy this is" He floated out of godnest, bound for Tantalon. Now, he just hoped that the specialist was worth the price.

The woman was dressed in simple garments. She was one of the refugees that fled Godnest before the knight squire arrived. The attack there had sent many fleeing north to the High Clerist tower. Of the dozen or so that fled, only half the number actually arrived. The rest being taken down along the road by bandits, or goblins in the mountain pass.

The refugees were taken into the gates of the tower for aid. They were given food and shelter, while the knights decided the best course of action to take.
Night fell upon the tower. Thick clouds rolled in, blocking out the moons light. A lite rain had begun to fall, and the wind began to blow. Arabel, as she was called smiled to herself. The time was at hand. Sh reached into her pack and pulled her real clothing. She dressed quickly.
She used the gifts given to her by the man that hired her to conceal her presence from sight. and to make her unheard. She used the scroll that kept her unseen from magical sight as well. Slowly, she stalked through the halls of the tower. A guard here, and a guard there, mysteriously left their post. They had not been seen in some time.

Several hours later, the woman was walking a high tightrope wire from the top of the keep to the outer wall. She smiled to herself at the trail of carnage she left behind, as she slowly climbed down the rope on the side of the wall. She hit the ground, and moved into the hills, using the nights darkness to conceal her form.

In the morning, the alarms sounded inside the keep. Clerics were called. A check of the persons inside the keep walls led to the discovery that one was missing. The refugees were questioned for a day, and none of them knew the woman well. She had only recently settled in Godnest the week before. The gates to the tower were locked down, and an investigation was begun as to what happened.

Two days later, riders were sent in every direction carrying scrolls telling of the incident, and counting the dead. The scrools were brought to all major cities and keeps in Solamnia. Any that read the scrolls recieved the same message...

"To all outposts and keeps of the Solamnic Armies. We have recently be assaulted, and have lost several ranking members of the Knights. The person, or persons responcible for this are still at large. Any person with information concerning the whereabouts of this person, or persons is to be rewarded with a 1000 steel piece bounty. If the information recieved is valid; report to the Keep in Palanthus immediately. Included is a list of the dead....

The Lord Clerist
2master of Roses
A lord of Roses
A Keeper of Roses
3 lord of Swords
2 Elders of Swords
The High warrior of the crown
2 Lord Warriors of the crown
A master warrior of the Crown

Sadly, the highest casualty of this treachery, is the High Justice of the rose. He and his wife were found beheaded, with their heads missing.

Any information on this is needed. Keep vigilant, and watch your lands for more trouble."


The letter goes on to detail meetings taking place in Palanthus concerning these events, and ways of discovering information; as well as possible elections and candidated to fill the positions of the dead Knights.