Frantic in Arwic

Under the Sun III: Frantic in Arwic

Arriving in the land Under the Sun from the deep vaults that had sheltered my people for centuries, I looked forward to the challenges that would no doubt await me. I had been told that we were to restore the surface world, fight battles if needed against mighty foes in order to re-establish a presence on the surface for our kind. But, I as gaped and lurched through the city of Arwic, I realized that perhaps I had already missed that opportunity. Though indeed some of the city buildings and structures showed a need for paint and cleaning, they were all in remarkably good condition compared to what I had been led to expect. This was no ruined village of the old days! Nay, rather a teeming metropolis, abuzz with activity and industry.

Hundreds of folk stood about or ran through the weed clogged streets, running blithely around towering structures that seemed to be boarded up, inaccessible. The mystery of who may have sealed these buildings was something that would bother me for some time, with no answer forthcoming from my fellow Derethians. I resolved to study this enigma in detail, for my Monarchy would need housing and shelter as soon as they arrived from the Vaults. Indeed, shelter was the first thing on my mind after I arrived in the upper world, for the weather was fearsome and hostile, especially to us who had lived all our lives in the static climate of the caves. Already I had been terrified by the water pouring out of the sky, and I was considered a leader of explorers in my monarchy! How would other more urbane and civilized folk respond to this wild and erratic environment? Yes, surely, housing would be an immediate priority for us and these vast buildings in Arwic might serve very handily.

Shaking my head at the wonder of it all, I managed to struggle through the frantic crowds, soon approaching a marketplace in the middle of town that seemed extremely busy. There was a smithy workshop there that many were using to fabricate weapons and armor at a prodigious rate; throwing swords, bows, staves, gauntlets, and other weapons of war into the waiting crowd, who cheered the craftsmen on constantly.

Confused and bewildered, I asked a nearby young lady what the crisis was, that had caused this explosion of martial activity. "Are we under attack?" I shouted to her over the din. She looked at me oddly before answering in a slurred voice, "What are you talking about? This is all normal in Arwic."

Normal? By the gods, the battles outside the gates of this town must be epic indeed to justify such building and activity! If the city was not under attack at this very moment, then the folk of the town were bloodthirsty to an extraordinary degree, judging from the fervor they applied to the making weapons of war.

I staggered to the outer walls of the town, there to rest a bit and consider all I had seen in this hectic place and to try to collect my wits. Surely and in truth, this world Under the Sun could not be more different from our placid and pale lives under the earth in our Vaults!

As I sat and looked out over the bright hills that surrounded the city of Arwic, a shadow was cast upon me by an approaching figure. Looking around, I spotted my very own liege lord, John Prosper, walking toward me across the grassy expanse near the walls.

"My liege!" I shouted, as I rose and kneeled perfunctorily. As King John was brother to my wife, extremes of formality between us were rarely called for. I rose and clasped his hand in mine and smiled. "What brings you here sire? I thought I was among the first in our Clan to venture forth?"

My king smiled and sat down upon the green grasses, propping his sword against his leg as he took his comfort. "Yes, indeed Roland. But, I soon decided that I could not ask any in my Clan to go where I would not lead myself, so I came out through the portals some days ago. I think I may have spent less time on the Training Grounds than you did, for I have been here for some days now."

Glad to find a friendly face in this crowded city, I joined my King sitting upon the ground and gestured vaguely back to the crowds around the smithy. "What think you of this, my lord? Not quite what any of us might have expected, is it?"

King John glanced back at the frantic mob of warriors, all scrambling for weapons and armor. With a sigh he smiled ruefully, "No, not quite what we expected. But, this is it at last Roland, what we all dreamed of for so many years. Though it seems that some of our friends have gone a bit crazy, we still have a job to do, responsibilities to fulfill." He glanced over at me, noticing the shock that was still written on my face, the difficulties I was having adjusting to this frantic city and this mob of strangers. "Here Roland, a better staff for you, some armor also. Take my advice, suit up and get away from this place, go out and get started on exploring for your House and our Clan. We'll not want to live in this town."

Grateful to have direction for my thoughts I grinned and took the proffered wooden staff, beautifully crafted and set with a large amber stone at the top. "Well and good milord, well and good."

And off I set, down the well maintained roads leading from the "ruins" of Arwic out into the wilderness.

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