The Beacon is lit!

[Jupiter]

Chapter 1 viewtopic.php?f=38&t=32588
Chapter 2 viewtopic.php?f=38&t=32638
Chapter 3 viewtopic.php?f=38&t=32833
Chapter 4 viewtopic.php?f=38&t=33123

Chapter 5
The Beacon is lit!

The forest raced by as branches leapt at his face and scrambled at his cloak. Zedicus bid his equine champion to match his fastest speed. Jupiter’s life hinged now on two great crucial events, Zedicus had to reach the Vesper Moongate before the next lunar cycle ended and it must still be powered by the ancient protection bestowed by the elder sages. He burst through the clearing and with a sigh of relief he saw the ancient stones still in proper alignment. Galloping towards the last stretch, his great mount leapt through the portal just as the moon’s crescent rays spilled over the forest glade. As they disappeared through the gate the color changed ever so slightly; the woodlands of Britain appeared in the mystical reflection.

Zedicus waved his arms with large motions similar to a maestro leading an orchestra. The great doors groaned then slid inward. He slid Jupiter off the mare, and quickly led him into the tower. He had only a few moments before the elixir completely wore off. Once inside, he set his ailing companion to rest. He would have to prepare the necessary healing wards later, for now Zedicus had to get to work. Activating the powers of the Mage Tower would be relatively simple compared to the greater task at hand. To a wizard of his caliber, activating the ancient magic within the tower was no more difficult then commanding a squire to fetch a pale of clean water. What concerned Zedicus was how to restore the light within the hearts of the men (and women) of the land…

True, he had seen the glimmer of greatness of the old kings and queens in some of the citizens he had passed since his return to the land. Yet most often he encountered men marauding as great wizards wreaking immense havoc across the land. Some men pranced about in the light of day under the guise of honor, yet in the dark corners of the night they doled out anguish and murder upon any who didn’t belong to their secret societies. It seemed men of this land had gained control of a few powerful spells and some enchanted weapons and saw fit to proclaim themselves masters of the universe and corrupt the fragile balance of wizardry. More troubling than the marauders was the lack of men willing to oppose them with any degree of unity. Sure there were cloisters of men would resist, but only to the degree that their personal territories or belongings were directly threatened. Evil had corrupted so many of the hearts, Zedicus was no longer surprised that the Guardian could hatch such a diabolical plan with the majority of the able bodied men not so much as raising a blade unless they could directly profit or find some sport.

Yet perhaps they could pull the mire out of the men of this land and resist the plague that now festered in the swamps. With the beacon of the Mage Tower rekindled, the quest to recapture the hearts of men could begin.