The air was still and quiet, there were wisps of smoke curling up from the heaps of ruble; there was the deplorable smell of burnt flesh; there were Cror and men strewn around the town; and in the midst of it all lay Begnj. Face up; he lay in the road; still breathing; just still breathing. The morning light shown on his face exposing a huge bruise on his head and dried blood plastered on his face……suddenly the still quiet morning air was shattered by the galloping of hundreds of horses. When the first of the Guardians came through the gate there was a cry of grief and sorrow, followed by silence. After what had happened had sunk in 3/4 of the guardians immediately set of in hot pursuit of the Cror while the other fourth stayed to help the wounded and protect them from any morauding band of crorii who hadn’t had dinner yet. The Guardians ran throughout the city searching for the wounded. Since Begnj fell in the middle of the road there was no trouble finding him and taking him into the makeshift hospital. Carnen who knew Begnj and also knew that Begnj was stationed at Asgoreth searched for him and couldn’t find him decided he was either dead or already in the hospital. Carnen ran to the hospital with a wounded man on his back. He set down the man and looked for Begnj. Was in cot number ten. Begnj was asleep. The doctor had wiped off the blood and bandaged his head.
“Hethsabo, this is my friend. I know medicine and I can take care of him. I would like to have him lodge in my tent.” Said Carnen
“Very well” replied the doctor turning to another patient. Carnen lifted Begnj and took him to his tent. Carnen got a fire going and cooked a chicken he added several herbs and a sleeping potion to the broth. And then dripped it down Begnj’s throat one spoonful at a time, until the whole of it was gone then Carnen lay down to sleep. He woke early that morning and went to headquarters to get the daily ration of food. The h.q. was positioned in the stone walls of the burnt down town hall. Carnen was anxious to here the news about the sacred alter and other sacred artifacts. when he got to the roofless building he stopped and examined it. He had never seen Asgoreth in its former state. the door to the town hall was gone and the walls were cracked and broken in places. Carnen walked in the door and saw ashes and ruble with five tents and a makeshift table in the middle. at the table sat an army commander from Gendor, he was pompous and fat. He sat there with a look of pride and arrogance on his pudgy face. Carnen walked up to him. "sir has the sacred altar been found yet?" he said.
"Yes. it has been found. along with the Sacred Sword, the Sacred Infuos, the Sacred Suit of Armor, and the Sacred Jewel." said the man with disinterest.
"But the Sacred Cup; what about it." said Carnen anxiously.
"The Sacred Cup is nowhere to be found. Now do you have anything worth saying or can I get back to my lunch." said the commander.
"But what about the Sacred Cup" pleaded Carnen
"Smash the Sacred Cup for all I care." yelled the man.
Carnen was petrified. no one dared to speak so badly about any of the sacred objects. Then Carnen un stiffened and leaned over the table ominously. the fat little man paid no attention to him; just kept eating his grapes. With one decisive blow he smote the plate off the table, the grapes disappeared in the muddy ground and the plate clattered on a rock. The commander slowly raised his head; now a shade of purple.
"I don't think you understand 'Commander'. I am a Guardian, sworn to protect the sacred objects. I will not have you speak that way again. I can report you to the head of the Guardians, and have you executed." said Carnen quietly
the man jumped up knocking his chair backwards.
"Seize him!" he yelled, pointing at Carnen.
Four guards drew their swords and rushed at him. The first one fell dead with a dagger in his gut. the others hesitated. It was serious to mess with a Guardian. Carnen struck one in the temple with the flat of his blade and leapt forward, dodged a blow and rushed out the door of the town hall.