In the South Woods

My trip to the Southwest Woods was much less eventful. In fact I passed no adventurers along the way. If anyone had been watching me during my quest, they might have thought I looked older and wiser by now... but truthfully I was only tired. Since these woods were deserted and quiet, I had plenty of time to think about KORT and to miss Camelot. I could easily see why there was a KORT tradition of doing penance in the Woods, because this seemed to be a place that inspired introspection.

During the time that I was a page, striving and dreaming of progressing to Squire, I never once anticipated that I would be apprehensive when the day finally came. Yet, on the day that I heard of my assignment to Lady Bryne, I had found myself a bit nervous. This would be the time when I would find out whether I was truly capable of becoming a knight, and I had never before allowed myself to consider the possibility of failure. I could not imagine returning to the Darron ranch now, to live and work alone. More importantly, there was Lady Bryne to consider. I was her first Squire, a tremendous honor, and I admired her so much I could not imagine disappointing her or bringing shame upon myself while in her training. Thankfully, each time I looked at my maps and thought about my trip through the Northwest Woods, I regained some of my confidence. Just like the battle of the Fire Giants, I would keep trying until I succeeded. And there would be others to advise me and assist me.

Intent upon these thoughts, I stumbled into a battle... and I nearly shouted with excitement as I realized that I had found the Black Dragons M'lady spoke of. I felt a renewed energy as I unleashed my magic upon them, running from one side of the battlefield to the other to aim my fireballs and lightning bolts. Perhaps I expended more energy than necessary, but the exercise was a relief for my stress and the sounds of the battle made me feel alive. When the last of the Dragons had perished, I stood on the spot of their death, completely unharmed, and thanked Tyr for sending me this sign which renewed my faith in myself.

Tyr must have felt that the battle had done me well because another group of Black Dragons confronted me just around the corner. This time I fought them a little less dramatically and a little more efficiently, but my excitement remained as high. I could feel that I was close to discovering all the creatures Lady Bryne had dispatched me here to confront. I completed my exploration of the westernmost area of the Southwest woods, and then backtracked to the West Woods to find the path that led to the next area.

Making my way through the center region of the Southwest Woods, I proceded more slowly and cautiously, expecting any moment to come upon the Dracoliches. There was an area on my map that showed a room with four doors. Thinking this looked promising, I bypassed a rather large area and headed south. Shortly, I came upon a door that was nearly overgrown with weeds. I entered cautiously and found a small room which contained three other doors, each facing a different direction. I decided that I would investigate each one in a clockwise manner. The door to the east led to the Fire Mages I sought. With the advice of KEF Hammer still fresh in my mind, I was able to defeat them with little difficulty. I returned to the central room and prepped again before entering the door to the south. I found nothing in this room and that made me wonder if it was not a Dracolich hiding place. Darkness would not fall for another few minutes so I noted the spot on my map with the intention of returning. Entering the door to the west I found another empty room. I realized that I had probably arrived in this area at an inopportune time and I decided to go explore the area I had skipped while I waited.

I was so intent upon checking every step of the central area that I stopped paying attention to the descending darkness. At least I was lucky enough to still be prepped when I stumbled into the lair of the Dracs. Unfortunately, I did not fare very well against them, and another adventurer arrived just in time to watch me fly toward the gate. While I made the long trip back, I sent a message to him, inquiring as to how he fared. He told me with great joy that he had received a wand at the battle, so I knew that it was possible to succeed against these Dracs and I decided to return to them. When I finally arrived back at that spot, the Dracs refused to reappear for me, so I decided to return to the room with four doors and see what had awakened in the previously empty rooms.

When I arrived inside the central room again, I entered the door to the east, just out of curiosity. The room was empty now. The door to the west was still empty as well. Making sure I was well-prepared, I entered the door to the south. Dracoliches! I was excited to learn that I had guessed correctly. Fortunately, these Dracs took great pleasure in attacking one another with their fiery breath, so a great deal of my work was done for me. I emerged from the battle with serious damage and not much treasure, but I was relieved to be able to check the Dracs off my shopping list.

In order to reach the final two areas of the Southwest Woods, I had to venture into the Southeast. M'lady had told me to be on the lookout for a hidden door there so I decided to explore that area for awhile before returning to the Southwest. Examining my map, I saw a notation of an unusual looking structure toward the southwest corner and decided to go there first. On the way I encountered a battle with Giant Skeletons, Mammoths, and Mummys. Were these the Mammoths and "bony creatures" that M'lady told me to watch for? I defeated them and moved on.

As I approached the west end of the structure that seemed surrounded by doors, I saw a man standing alone. I watched him for several moments, unsure whether I should come closer. He ended my debate by greeting me with a friendly, "Hail!" I walked up to him and returned his greeting. His name was MRenzella and he was a member of a guild called Wolf Pack which I had never encountered before. I asked him if he knew what lay beyond the door we were facing, and he responded quickly.

"Death... but not for those of good heart. Good shall own this area."

I remained outside, looking around and debating whether to enter now or return later after completing my exploration of the Southwest Woods. It seemed that I had located all the creatures Lady Bryne had told me to watch for, so I was reluctant to leave this fascinating place. As if sensing my interest, MRenzella continued.

"The Soldiers of Light claim this place. And so does Wolf Pack. Good shall rule in this area."

"I am pure of heart," I told him, not at all sure that he would be pleased if I entered without his approval. When he didn't give his blessing, I decided it would be most prudent to talk with him longer before entering.

"What creatures live inside?" I asked him.

"Fire Giant Mages, Otyughs, Bulletes..."

The creatures he named were nothing new to me by now, but I still longed to see the interior of this unusual structure of doors. Finally, I asked him directly, "May I enter?" he gave his approval and offered to escort me... "Help unlooked for is best not forsaken." I explained to him that I was on a quest for my Knight and that I must explore alone. He nodded and said that he would at least guard the door from evil while I explored. I cast my prep spells and entered.

Just inside the door, I battled more Fire Giant Mages. The battle seemed to last a long time and I took a great deal of damage. MRenzella conversed with me while I fought and asked to know what guild sent me. When I told him I was a Squire of KORT, he bowed and responded, "An honorable group." As I neared the end of the battle, he told me that Wolf Pack kept a hot tub at the opposite end of the building which I was welcome to use to soothe my aching muscles. The promise of a hot bath made me fight all the harder. I healed quickly after the battle and moved eagerly toward the opposite wall. MRenzella stayed close to me but did not enter as I encountered a battle with Bulletes. "If you survive, the hot tub is in that room," he called to me.

When I had finished the battle, I relaxed in their hot tub for a very short time. Although it was a wonderful relief, it made me sleepy, and hearing MRenzella speak so possesively of his home had made me long for my own quarters in Camelot. He gave me a quick rubdown and stood guard while I readied myself for the trip back to Camelot. I had decided to submit my report to Lady Bryne and let her tell me what I had missed so I could return after a few days of rest and gathering new supplies. I thanked MRenzella for his hospitable treatment and he said kindly, "You are welcome here and so are your brethren... Tell them." I thanked him again and invited him to visit Camelot as well.

As I started to leave, I was puzzled to find that there was no door at this end of the complex. From the outside, this structure appeared to have a door on every wall. I searched each wall while MRenzella watched silently. I didn't tell him that I was unsure how to leave the area because I wanted to find the way out myself. He either understood this or assumed that I was simply admiring his home. When I reached the end of the complex where I was sure I had entered I still found no door. Baffled, and beginning to feel a little worried, I pressed against the wall and found myself back outside where I had first encountered my new friend from Wolf Pack. Breathing a secret sigh of relief I started back down the path that had brought me to the complex. MRenzella called after me, "May the Gods bless your mission." And I replied, "I believe they already have, in allowing me to meet you." He responded, sounding touched and perhaps a bit embarrassed, "You are too kind." A few moments later as I was moving farther and farther away from the complex, I heard his voice once more. "Help unlooked for is my blessing to you."

I smiled at those words, knowing that when I am an old knight, I will remember them each time I think about my training as a Squire. As I stumbled through the gates into Camelot, wounded and exhausted, I was still thinking... What greater blessing could there be from a new friend than the offer of help without being asked, and without expectation of reward?

Jo Darron KORT Squire to Lady Bryne