4: The Fading Glory
The year of preparation was coming calmly to its end. Fair Lady Beth surveyed the brilliant landscape of Former Glory from the base of the Treegate. All of the villagers seemed oblivious to the danger that lay ahead of them, they had been training and readying themselves for so long that it become a routine, a lifestyle, not a preparation for war. Perhaps it was merely that the war showed no signs of its coming, there was no real danger at hand for those in the safety of the flourishing city. It seemed better not to
disturb them now while their spirits were up. Even the forest on the other side of the Treegate seemed tranquil. No sign of distress or struggle, in fact the forest seemed to be drained of its life all together. It is quite possible that there was no living thing foolish enough to find refuge in this forest outside of the provisions of the Treegate. Yet, no evil force had shown itself within a noticeable distance of this place. This was all the assurance that Lady Beth needed to know that her husband was still alive, for if he fell surely they would have nothing left standing in their way.
Tomorrow marked one year to the day since Sir Robbie had left to gather their forces. In this he had succeeded, but they had arrived frightened and confused. The city took many different shapes as they were ushered through the Treegate to safety. Lady Beth herself passed through last, restoring order and calming the crowds as they reveled in the magnificence of Former Glory. The city grew strong and tall before them, this was their new home and they would defend it to the death for those that would come after them. Still, they did not know of the power within this place. They did not know why it was so important that they were here now to protect it.
The significance of their home lay within the Treegate. It is the most ancient among the trees on earth, it's roots bore deep within the very foundations of the world. The power of the Gate is manifest through the imagination and desires of those who pass through it. Even unaware of it's power, one journeying under it's branches will transform the world as a byproduct of their desires at the exact moment they passed through. Most results are momentary and harmless, for those expecting nothing, nothing will be altered or created. The true power stems from the minds of those with unbridled passions or pure intentions. Falling within the later group, the Ancients of the Forest gave birth to the woodlands and forests of the world from beneath the Treegate and, in turn, created the forests' protector. When the great Guardian of the Woods fell to darker powers, the Ancients returned to the Treegate to stop his reign of destruction. Under The Gate's mighty trunks, they summoned powerful spells to bind the Tainted Guardian to the laws for which it was created. It is then that the Ancients conjured the city of Former Glory to protect the Treegate from those with evil intentions and conceal its true power. Lady Beth is the last decedent of this city and the only one, save the Tainted Guardian and Ancients of the Woods, who knows how to channel its true power.
A sudden bustle of movement echoed through the woods. In the distance Fair Lady Beth could hear something rapidly approaching, the ground shook as the forest loudly proclaimed its coming. Before her stood the last fleeting moments of peace, lingering gently until they were ushered off
by a mighty steed. Upon it's back rode a tattered and valiant warrior, Sir Robbie, and with him Andy the Tree Cleaver and the Knights of Old. As they reared to a halt, a tremendous rumbling continued behind them.
“They are coming my love. It is time to make our stand.”
