I sing the tale of da brave Banner Lairds who didst go forth
ta face the unspeakable beast known only as the Iron Twins. Bright and boldly
they didst set forth. The mighty Chevalier, our Lairdly Legionary, the knight
of da Azure, the valiant Halberdier and our clever Spymaster who didst discover
the creature, who hath taken hold of a long abandoned tower. One that was once ours. One that we wouldst
not let remain in the hands of such a creature as that.
The foe was most foul in its arrogance, letting our
champions approach with nary a care in da world. I stood back, ta chronical da
tale of this foul miscreant’s demise. Behold our Legionary didst challenge da
foe ta single combat as is right and proper but the monster laughed and
arrogantly told them all ta come together and he wouldst deal with them at once.
Honor impugned by such dishonorable arrogance our knights didst take the monster
up on this most foolish of challenges. Or so they didst think.
The Halberdier strode forth firstly, planting his shield
awaitin’ da blow to come. The Legionary bellowed his battle cry, his sword ablaze
with da fire of da righteous and charged da foe. Pausing only ta use their most
holy magics, the Azure knight and the Chevalier boosted their allies’ power
while da Spymaster crept to the side seeking a weakness in da giant.
The giant known only ta us as da Iron Twins stood arrogantly
and as our champions charged forth it then released infernal fires upon them
all, our champions cryin’ out in pain from da flames that bathed them. But our
champions were not so easily daunted. LO! The Legionary returned da fire of da
foe with da flames of his holy sword but behold! The foe was barely scratched.
Undaunted the Chevalier, mayhaps maddened by da flames which hath most sorely taxed even his healing
magics, unleashed a flurry of blows upon da foe while da Azure knight lunged at
da monster himself despite his wounds. Mayhaps I didst see a wince in the foe
as these twin attacks struck. Or twas just a hopeful illusion on mine humble
part as a drop of fear struck mine heart.
If so, our champions had no such fears. The Spymaster
darting in and out with his dagger. Our
Halberdier, having taken a blow now cried out his own battle cry and heedless
for his own safety, hammered at the foe himself. Regrouping and assessing the
damage, our champions’ visages took a more grim appearance. Despite their
blows, the creature seemed barely harmed. With a glance earned from years of
fighting together, the unspoken tongue that all boon companions in battle shared-
which outsiders could only think of as magic, a plan was made. Undaunted they
leapt once more upon da foe.
Alas ‘twas exactly what the deceitful Iron Twins hath
desired. As our champions came forth once more bravely and boldly, the monster
made a mighty slash with its bladed hand knocking our champions ta da ground.
Save only da Halberdier who grimly drove his blade unto da very floor itself
while braced behind his shield. Struggling to his feet he returned the blow
with one of his own only to find suddenly all da protective magics around
everyone had vanished and from da monster’s back a flurry of metal projectiles came
forth which exploded everywhere. The Spymaster, most lightly armored fell, as
three of these foul projectiles struck him. Crying vengeance the Legionary
again charged da foe in fury while da Chevalier didst beg him ta wait fer da
others. Now da drop of fear on mine tremulous heart hath become a flood as rage
hath overcome reason facing such a foe as this.
The knight of the Azure seconded the Legionary and smashed
the foe with his shield in an effort ta knock the foe off his feet and even the
battlefield, thinking such armor as the Iron twins wore wouldst make it most
difficult for him to rise again if felled. The Legionary unleashed his mightiest
skill to heal his allies and protect him from the foe’s next blow. Too late for
the brave Spymaster, the Lordly Legionary felt shame at failing to suspect such
a mighty attack was held in reserve by this creature and held off too long on
this skill. Now atonement was at hand.
Emboldened by the fresh magic, the Chevalier and Halberier,
joined the attack as they saw da shield bash of the Azure knight to fail to
knock da foe back. The Chevalier called forth a blow from da heavens but to his
amazement the foe was not da slightest bit dazed by this rebuke from da heavens
as the Halberdier hacked and hewed at da enemy. Now I think da faintest of
doubts entered da hearts of these champions, though all wert da mightiest and
bravest of our clan.
The foe made no sign but our champions didst brace
themselves fer the coming blow. All were prepared fer yet another massive blow
ta smite them all as da creature hath done so before. But da massive monster
instead flung his razor edged pendulum at the knight of da Azure striking a no
doubt mortal wound upon da brave hero. The Chevalier hath barely time ta begin
ta try ta heal his stricken comrade only ta find da treacherous Iron Twins hath,
unbeknownst to the knights concerned with their comrade, continued ta swing da
pendulum around in the arc and struck a mighty blow upon all, ending the life
of da Azure knight.
The Lairdly Legionary was first to regain his feet
unsteadily as now there were only three remaining. Even his heart quailed atda
sight of his comrades battered and butchered by this seemingly unstoppable being
upon whom only minor cuts and dents in its armor could be seen from their
efforts. The Iron Twins made no move to finish off its foe, its contempt
obvious, certain it could finish them off at any time. Such contempt could only
fire the heart of da Legionary and his knightly honor wouldst not let that
stand unanswered.
As for me, I am no knight, I had edged my way towards da
exit, if only ta bring word of their failure back ta the clan. But honor
demanded, though I wouldst surely have fled if alone, I stay ta remember all
that happened in that place ta honor da memory of our champions who fell.
And alas, fall they did. Though the Legionary stood fast, da
Chevalier hath barely gotten ta his knees while da Halberier hath only pulled
himself up to his feet using his shield. Both knew their time in this fight was
nearly ended. The Legionary once more pressed his attack upon da foe hoping to
buy time fer da others ta recover from his healing magic. It was in the end for naught. The Iron Twins,
perhaps bored of our heroes impotence before him, decided ta end the battle
with one final flurry. Shrugging off da Legionary’s blow, da Iron twins
unleashed its ultimate attack. One bards throughout da lands will whisper of
only on brightly lit days lest they terrify their audience by speakin’ of it at
night.
With its first blow a foul rune appeared on our champions,
all of whom hath been knocked ta da ground once more by da force of da blast. Even
the power of the Legionary’s ward was shattered and only weakly returned a
small part of da blow upon da enemy which it didst ignore. Then again it struck
and here the brave Chevalier’s heart could take no more and he succumbed ta his
wounds fer an eternal rest. Now only two
remained and da Halberier and Legionary could only gaze at each other as they
lay on da ground, struggling, even then, to rise up against da enemy as true
knights must. It was then where the Iron Twins, all but glowing with power
struck its final blow and our knights were no more.
The tower itself began to crumble from da force of da blow
and despairing of da fate of our clan, I barely escaped. Running as fast as I could
I looked back to see the entire tower begin to crumble to a mound of stones, a fitting
cairn for our brave knights and mayhaps da Iron Twins themselves. Yet I should
not have been so confident, having just seen what I hath seen. As the dust
settled and da stones grew still there was a temor. As I took to the safety of
da nearby woods I stopped and turned back ta watch what I feared was ta be.
And so it was. A blade didst pierce up from da pile of
stones into the sky and slowly but surely didst da Iron Twins pull itself forth
from da rubble, scarcely showing any additional wounds from being buried. At
this mine own heart fell. Such a monster wouldst surely destroy the clan and
there was nothing to be done about it. But then the gods smiled upon us. No
doubt touched by da sacrifice of our brave champions. For behold, da monster
didst turn south, away from our village and slowly wandered off. I watched
until it vanished into da dusk before I made my return.
So now ye all know the fate of our champions. Mayhaps the
foe felt da taking of da village was not worth the effort and so went
elsewhere. Mayhaps instead it found us too weak to be of interest. In the end
what matters is that the creature no longer dwells near and our village is safe.
Wherever it may wander to next, pray to the gods that those there may be strong
enough ta put an end ta its rampage once and fer all.