Taint and Gradius still stand looking out upon the different lands of the world. Gradius and many like him only knew what the country of Icrid looked like as they were warriors of Icrid. Taint on the other hand came from a different country all together. The men called it ‘Protland’, but the Prot’ themselves called their country “The Great Wood”, and Taint was from one of the nastier realms called Great Oak.

The Great Oak region of The Wood was home of the school of warriors. Many nasty Prot train there and many nasty Prot turn there to the dark side and become drifters or revolt on their land. Although, one must say the warriors of their race are among the top warriors known to the inhabitants. So great as a matter of fact that there are usually wars with other countries as many are jealous of the Prot and wish to overthrow them and take over their land.

This was the time of one of these wars. Five months ago to this day a rebellious group of Prot, who were expelled from the land showed up at the gates of Red Cedar, the Kingdom of the Prot. This group was led by a man called Barge. Barge, if you knew anything about the Prot history was formerly Prince Barge of Red Cedar. When his father was killed in the final wars of the Man, he was denounced as prince and King Maj took over due to his power over young Barge. Recently Maj took ill and fell victim to an unknown disease. As his benefactor the new ruler of The Great Wood was named daughter of Maj, Queen Vilta,

Barge was no Man fool, and he knew that during these next few months the entire Great Wood would be mourning over Maj’ death. Barge needed to take advantage in this situation and get his revenge while the Kingdom was weak. He gathered up the men that along with himself were expelled from The Wood, and prepared an army of great magnitude.

Queen Vilta dispatched her front line, The Peoples of Great Oak, to disperse with the rising troubles. The Great Oak however were called upon by High Priest Chansidar too attend the centennial, and this made the Queen very upset, especially at Chansidar and the Senior officer of The Great Oak Army, Taint. For an entire day, Queen Vilta begged and pleaded with Taint not to go but it did no use…It was too late.

“Gradius, remember my telling you that I would take you no farther than the entrance to the Prot realms? I have to go back now. My Kingdom, my country, my people, they need my help…I should never have came here. I am sorry to trouble you so, but this will be the last time we talk to ear.” Taint said, while still looking out at the horizon. Gradius looked to his right side and closed his eyes at Taint. “I close my eyes in disgust at you Taint. You speak like a true king, but I see not your reds. Speak to me as a commoner and mine eyes shall open to you and not blink to your treason.” Gradius told his partner, “My arrow have your heart, MAN! I speak no evil, what treason do you speak of? Do you about speak treason of my kingdom? For it is my kingdom I speak of as well. You wish for me to speak to you as a commoner speaks, and a commoner speaks for its kingdom, and here I am a commoner, talking about my kingdoms defence. I know not what you mean treason, and I close my I to you, so you can open yours to me and see no treason!” Taint said, and than he stepped toward the mountain edge, “SEE NO TREASON!” Taint screamed. “Aye, it is that heart which I speak of. It is your mind that I speak of. It is your spirit that I speak of. Aye, it is the beings above, it is our ancestors, it is our peoples which I speak of, and that you speak down. We were chosen for this legacy, nay this honour and you will dishonour this with your disloyalty to you forbearers. Think of the people that died for our peace, and you speak of your own Country’ peace, HA! I laugh at what you think noble, but nobility, your nobility is greed, and your greed will be your downfall. This peace we are after is a world peace, and not just one Country. Are you really that vile a being that you would have yourself before life?”

“You see, you speak as a Man and I a Prot. We each have our different beliefs. We are each completely different. How does the High Priest and his council believe that two different people alone can accomplish a task so fit for an army. An army I say, but I dare not say it! Let me go and fight my wars and I will return to you with an army fit for this task. The Red Cedar Army is the grandest army in all this world, or any other. Let the Prot take care of this quest Gradius. You too are needed by your armies. Until yesterday when I met you in the temple I only heard stories of you and your family. Than as the night progressed I heard talk of the council. You and your father fended off the western gates of the city alone from a force of one-hundred Synphos!” Taint exclaimed.

“There you have yourself again in greed. We were chosen by a holy council to represent the entire world in a quest for eternal freedom, and I can not let you go gallivanting off on your Protian Throsh like a King. Besides, we are two different people with different beliefs, and if we can not get together to fight for freedom than how did these years become the years of peace. It is just like a marriage relationship Taint. Two people of the same qualities will never last as there is nothing to look forward to. But hear we are two completely different people. One with steel and the other, bow, but both are valiant men. Besides what you heard was wrong. It was one-hundred and fifty Synphos and one Siyan Guard. Now what do you say you join a man on a mission? Asked Gradius Mallion. “You speak well for a Man, and I will give you that. Now we will have to see if the stories are really true, and you can fight.” Taint told the Man. After hearing this speech from the Prot, Gradius began to draw his sword from the golden holster it came in. “You mishear Mallion. I mean we will fight side-by-side. Our first trek however, is going to be to the Prot Realm. I have to see the Queen about something. I pray to Ashe that she has not left yet for war.”

It was settled than and there that the two were partners for life, or as long as it would last. Exclaimed by Taint, our heroes first mission was a three day walk over mountain and through bog until they reached the great doors of Red Cedar.

In past years before the great wars between Prot and Man, the great doors used to be an entire city. It was the largest city of the two countries but in an attempt to raid Red Cedar, the city was burn down. This city was called Ashe. The raid attempt failed but the armies of Man made their mark on the Protland for as long as it stood, for instead of a grassy ground all they had was blackened earth which was scarred by the scorch of Man.

Together, Taint of The Great Oak and Gradius Mallion made it to the mountains of Sunostag unharmed and completely energy spared. They had no attacked on their first day, which was a beautiful sunny one. Both moons were up in the sky shining down upon the world with happiness, but little did they know that all was about to change.

“We will rest here on top of these mountains Taint. It is a fair night…” Gradius began, but he was cut off by Taint, “But not too fair for Synphos. Be careful what you speak of as fair. I feel a breeze coming our way, and it very well could be the northern winds.” Taint said looking up in the sky, “But we will rest here Mallion.” he continued on.

The two men unhooked their things and laid them around close to each other. Gradius had brought sheets for himself so he could sleep, and he set them up around his things. Taint was smart enough to do the same. As they were lying down, the night got both quieter and darker until the stars in the sky were fully seen . “Taint…” Gradius said, and Taint turned over to look at him. “How is it possible that word got out about us so soon?” he asked. “Durhast has many ears, and twice and many eyes. I fear that many people may be looking for us, and I fear even greater than many people know where we are.” he said. Than they went to sleep.

Taint woke up the next morning to the warmth of a fire beside him. “Gradius, did you sleep well?” Taint asked, but there was no response. Taint looked around and he was gone. “I told him to beware the false fairness of the night.” he said to himself. Taint got up from the ground and snatched his clothing from a rock. At the time he was only wearing a white robe. He put his Protian garments on and strapped his quiver around him. Taint and his bow began to look around the mountain. He took a sniff in the air and was repelled by it. “Synphos…” he said quietly, as he looked around but seen nothing, he heard nothing.

Than he heard a crumble as he began to walk away from that spot, as if rocks were crumbling. “Maybe my sent was correct, but the being is wrong. Ah, the Siyan guard is a stealthy adversary to be sure.” and Taint readied his bow to the position that he heard the crumble. Just as he was ready to let the first arrow release he seen the figure step over the ledge. “A little early for target practice is it not, Prot?” the crumble was Gradius. He had been out looking for the mornings breakfast. “Food is here.” Gradius said, “We are being watched Mallion so lay your tongue low for a while. I picked up the sent earlier. I think it is Synphos.” Taint told him. So for about three hours the two men were as silent as possible and neither of them talked to each other. Gradius prepared the fresh fruit that he had found that morning and they had their first meal since they left. Than Taint flinched, “Did you hear that?” he asked. “I heard nothing.” Gradius replied, “You are telling me that you can not hear the howl? I was right, there is another. It is the Synphos Gradius so be on your guard. Taint already had his bow ready to fire, and than Gradius drew his sword to be ready for combat. Another howl could be heard. Finally Gradius heard the sound, and it continued just about every minute. The rocks were crumbling and they were all around them as they were climbing up to the top. They managed to reach the top and the first one took a leap ad Gradius but thanks to Taint and his archery, he was saved. The Synphos fell back off the mountain from the recoil of the arrow. Many howls no were sounded from all around and ten more Synphos simultaneously appeared on the mountain.

“Taint, you take half and I the other.” Gradius told his partner. So they did it together, and almost completely defeated the Synphos. One of them withdrew while being chased by Gradius. Running along with it Gradius stopped at the edge of the mountain and turned around. “Maybe you were right about the different persons thing, Gradius.” Taint told him. Just than the Synphos he had been chasing jumped back up from behind Gradius and clawed him. Gradius turned around and simply gashed the stomach of the Synphos with his sword. “There, that one is over Prot. You handled yourself well, but now we should get going.” he said as he gathered up his things. “You are hurt Gradius. It would not be wise to continue on, at least for another day or two.” Taint suggested, but Gradius shrugged and continued on packing. “I will be alright Taint. Do not worry about me this day.” he said. The two continued packing and when they were done they found the path down the bottom. Gradius began to fall, but took hold of a tree. “Gradius hold on, I’ll get you.” but before Taint could reach out for him, the tree snapped and Gradius fell about ten feet from where he was and hit his head off of a rock. He was out cold.

When Gradius woke up from his slumber he seen a lady in front of him. “Gradius Mallion, I knew we should never had let you go from Etyal.” the woman said, “Who are you?” asked Gradius, “I am the Priestess Maitell, the next High Priestess of Icrid. I told them not to let you go, at the council meeting that night. However, there no worries as I am now your attendant.” Maitell told the Man Warrior, “Attendant, what are you talking about? Where is Taint?” asked Gradius. “Master Mallion, do not worry about that Prot. They think that they do not need us but we all know that they do. Those people are incompetent, the lot of them. Vilta indeed! I say to you if Barge was still here and were king they would remember their place, and would have no place when we take them out of it. Without a war we have no place. Oh thank you peace for taking away the way we live!” she exclaimed in a rant. “Calm yourself ‘Priestess’. I asked you where was Taint. It was to him I was sent out with.” he said softly. “He made a deal with Vilta. He is off with the Cedar Armies on a mission of conquest against the rebels. He made a deal with her in order to keep you healthy. You must now get your rest Master Mallion, for you will need it in the future.” Matiel said. She continued and than waved her hands over his head, making him close his eyes. Once again Gradius Mallion was asleep.

Bestiary:

Synphos: A wolf like creature with supernatural strength.

Places:

Icrid: Icrid is the Country of Man, and the smallest Country in the realm

Etyal: Etyal is a holy city, and the capital city of Icrid

The Great Wood: The great wood is the home of the Prot.

Red Cedar: The Kingdom of The Great Wood

Ashe: Formerly the largest city in the realm, Ashe was destroyed in the great war against man. Think of it as the great wall of Troy.

Note: some people have complainT about grammar and sp-L-ing which I am sorry for, but the old English to modern speech is done on purpose. I hope everybody enjoyed this chapter. I think I did a good job in explaining a little Prot History, and delving deep into Politics of the world, as well as Political Corruption.