Author’s Note: I warn you beforehand that this story is written for the sake of my friends’ entertainments

Author’s Note: I warn you beforehand that this story is written for the sake of my friends’ entertainments. I’ve included a number of inside jokes that you may not understand. Please excuse my odd humor. I’d like to thank Crimsondrop7, my secretary, for all of her hard work.

I. James

James was from Cala. He lived a quiet life in the Holy City with his brother Thom, studying swordsmanship and the holy arts in the Church of the Goddess Cala, located in the heart of the small valley. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, it seemed like the perfect place to grow up, safe from the armies of Destinia.

James perfected the defensive art that was the fighting style of the Calan Paladins. The Paladins fought with two swords, a shorter one in front for blocking, and a larger one in back for attacking. Although James also had experience in the healing arts, he was not yet a true Paladin. To become one, he needed to make his way to Redima, the Oracle City, to receive his orders.

The problem was the Destinians. From their base in the Boara Mountains, they had started fighting against the Cala faith. Armies started sweeping through cities, ensuring that no one would dare enter the Churches and executing anyone who got in their way. It wasn’t safe for James to make his pilgrimage.

The day started out bright and early. James’s mother had invited Eddy’s mother over for a lovely chat. However, the mothers were unaware of what their sons’ true intentions were for this particular meeting. James and Eddy were leaving on their journey.

“Blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah blah.” said James’s mother.

“Blahdeblah, blblah blah blah blah, blah” Eddy’s mother returned.

“Farewell dearest mother! I am to go on a dangerous, challenging quest to Redima!” James proudly announced.

“Goodbye and my humble apologies, fair mother, for I am to journey with this tall chap across the ever-spinning globe!” Eddy proclaimed.

“Blah blah bl- Oh, that’s nice dear. Just be sure to be home in time for dinner!” said James’s mother; she wasn’t paying attention.

“Blahdeblahdebl- All right, that’s fine, sweetie. Don’t stay out past curfew!” Eddy’s mother answered, equally oblivious. The two boys sighed, shrugged, grabbed their things and left.

II. The Birthday

18 hours previous

It was Eddy’s birthday, and all his friends traveled to Port M’Don to surprise him. Even better than the party were gifts he received. James and Larù (from Cala) gave him a new rapier. Now he could fight in style. Boy and Heim (also from Port M’Don) gave him armor. Xandra and Anne (from the farm town Zímu) gave him some handcrafted boots. He was all set to fight. But why, his friends asked, did he want to fight?

III. The Beginning

“We need to stop the Destinians! I’m sick of them censoring our religion!” shouted Eddy.

That’s just like him, James thought. After all, Eddy was the son of the head priest of the church in Port M’Don.

“We need to stop them! Who’s with me? Anybody?”

“Sure, I’ll go!” exclaimed James. “I’ve been waiting for an adventure, and besides, I have to make the pilgrimage to Redima anyway.”

“I’m in!” said Larù. She was already an advanced Calan Summoner.

Everyone else in the group also agreed to take part. “But we need to train!” said James. “Where exactly are we gonna do that?”

“I know!” said Anne. “Let’s go to my ranch near Zímu. We have tons of space and can stock up on food and supplies.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Eddy.

IV. Zímu

“Great! This is perfect!” exclaimed Xandra. Everyone got their weapons out and began training

Xandra the mage’s spells went flying in every direction as she gracefully used her staff to combat the invisible enemy.

Anne got out her dual daggers and started ducking, dodging, and parrying Boy’s katana. Eddy and James sparred; Heim practiced his spear throwing and shield tech while Larù looked over her summon charts. Finally they were ready.

V. Cala

The party headed back to Cala where James and Larù went to see The Grand Priest, the head of the Cala faith. They told him of James’s plan to reach Redima and the Grand Priest approved of their decision. After saying goodbye to their respective families, they went back towards the river where Heim had already organized the construction of the raft.

“A raft?” questioned Larù.

“Yeah! We’re going to Sjolarieq. The easiest way to do that is to go up the Sjolarieq River,” responded Boy. “You might as well check in with the capital of Ishtaar and talk with the Knights of the River to see what we can do to help.” The Knights of the River were the non-Paladin resistance movement that had been gaining strength all across the world of Ishtaar to fight back against the Destinians.

VI. The Departure

The next day, Heim brought before the group a simple yet reliable raft made from tree branches and rope. It floated high in the river despite the amount it would carry. The weapons and armor were ready and the food was packed. “This should at least get us to Lweb’ny, the City of Wind,” said Anne, bringing in the last of the bread.

Everyone got in the raft, and Eddy and James started rowing, their eyes steeled with determination.