Chapter 1: Journey and a warning
Four creatures were making their way through the pony land of Wittenland. One of them was a griffon knight that was not yet middle-aged, but his youth was already lost to time. His feathers and fur had the colour of silver that faded to black the further they were away from his head. The sword that he was carrying by his side all the time was crafted masterfully, and one look at the elegant hilt with beautiful ornaments was everything any creature needed to acknowledge that fact. Many would kill to have it because a sword like that costs a small fortune, but it is not an easy task. Many have tried, and many have fallen to it. His steps were confident and, so was his posture, never wavering, not even in this foreign land, so far from the place he could once name home.
Right next to him was his companion - a young diamond dog. While still having yet to come to age for diamond dog standards, he was still towering over any griffon and any pony. His fur was light blue and, he looked like a brute, as most of his race does. However, he was no brute. Quite the opposite, he was a knight in training - a squire of his griffon friend. Strapped to him was a medium-sized cart that he was dragging behind him throughout their entire journey, on which resided their every possession. Griffon claimed it was excellent endurance training, and the dog complied because a medium cart weighs almost nothing to him considering his strength and size alone. They hadn't had much, which is the reason they ventured here.
Queen Whitestar of Wittenland needed skilled adventurers for an expedition and especially ones specializing in melee combat. It was weird that Queen was ready to accept anycreature's help, especially from griffons, since hostilities between pony realms of Riverland and griffons was ever-present. But after looking at the proposed reward for the successful expedition, the reason was put on the back seat in the griffon's mind as it often does when it comes to bits. Knight volunteered, no questions asked. For his race travelling to Riverlands was not an easy task. Even with the necessary permission from the head of state to enter River Coalition countries, griffons would not be welcomed by the pony populace. They would be treated with reluctance at best and even with outright aggression. That's why Wittenland Royal Guards are now escorting the two from the border of the foresty Kingdom of Deponya to Wittenland's capital city. This escort, however, was not meant to protect adventurers, who were more than capable of defending themselves. Its purpose was to help avoid any unfortunate incidents that might involve trouble making ponies dying.
Stallion guards were not remarkable, and while wearing their uniforms, they looked the same to griffon, who could only differentiate them by colour. One was yellow, while the other was dark blue. Despite few minor setbacks journey was smooth, and surrounding them now was Wittenland's landscape. Mainly compromised of hills and, mountains it was quite a sight. The group made it to the top of a large hill when they made a brief stop. From there, the griffon knight could admire his surroundings. Valley nearby contained a field where pony serfs were working away their day, harvesting crops. That was quite a common sight throughout the entire continent. Being such, it brought him the memories of his homeland - Hellquill.
"A land so far away resembles fields back home. I guess nothing changes from place to place but the scenery. Sometimes I do wonder how folks are holding up in Hellquill, but I really shouldn't go back there after I have left. Even in my thoughts."
In the distance, he saw a massive mountain range. Powerful and immovable. Cold and unwelcoming. Just the sight of them gave him goosebumps. He was used to plains, and mountains still couldn't fail to amaze him. The last time he could see mountains like this was many years ago. He was partaking in a raid against Diamond Mountain slavers. He met Basalt there. Who could've thought that sightseeing can bring out so many memories?
"We're almost at our destination, griffon. You can see the city from up here - Wittenburgh."
Said one of the guards, the yellow one.
This took the knight out of his thoughts. Finally, this tiresome journey can end, so another, this time profitable, may begin. And in fact, the city was there, just in the opposite direction he was facing before. It was close, that's for sure. He could make out single buildings, but not quite the details. He was getting sick of sleeping under the sky, so that was a relief for sure.
"We better move. The earlier we get there, the better."
The yellow guard spoke again.
So they began moving again, following the paved road towards the city.
"Before we make it there, could we know your names, guards? We have travelled many days and worked out our way through some hardships. It would be a polite thing to do." Said knight, who was in a good enough mood for some chat. Also, being constantly called "griffon" ticked him off a bit.
"Polite griffon... Would you look at that?"
Guard chuckled.
"We honestly don't mind. You'd been respectful towards ponies throughout our travel. It's only natural for us to respect you back. My name's Little Crunch, and my friend's name is Steel Bolt. He isn't much talkative."
Yellow pony introduced himself and his partner. Blue pony just nodded with a smirk on his face.
"My name is Friedrich, and my companion's name is Basalt. He is very much talkative. Good to actually meet you two. We are grateful for your help."
Griffon smiled with his grey beak that was chipped in one place.
"No need for you to thank us, it is just our job. In honesty, I expected you to be more of a nutjob. Taking part in the expedition implied so. But you've turned out to be quite manageable."
Crunch bestowed griffon with a backhanded compliment.
"Huh... A nutjob? You need to be crazy not to take it! Just this one job is enough to make you rich! Despite this, what can be so hard in an escort? Skillfully swinging a sword and fighting off a couple of goons isn't something I haven't done."
Friedrich replied with a bit of damaged pride.
"Hah, you really don't know what you're getting into, do you? Never have heard of Barrad before?"
Crunch was clearly surprised.
"Can't say that I have... But this "Barrad" can't be much different from any other place dangerous place, right?"
Knight asked.
"WRONG! Very wrong. You see, the land of Barrad is cursed."
Crunch proudly announced, and then, griffon began laughing.
"Cursed, you say? Are you still a filly?"
He scoffed.
"I thought ponies knew better than to believe in superstitions. Do you believe in scary ghosts too?"
"I'm completely serious! Don't you dare laugh at this matter!"
Exclaimed Crunch, clearly agitated.
"This is no joke. You see, this is the work of dark magic. Some madman unleashed something very nasty there. Now the land of Barrad is all twisted and mangled, covered in darkness."
Guard said this with such conviction that it has somewhat taken Friedrich aback. He remembered all the stories about the extent of unicorns exploits in magic. Frequent teleportations, griffons ripped to shreds on the battlefield by the sheer magical power unleashed from glaring horns. This problem was somewhat solved when griffon knights started enchanting their armour with anti-magical properties. But still, magic was something that Friedrich couldn't entirely grasp with his mind and mention of dark magic, something that he didn't even hear of at all, made Crunch's story much more believable to him. Maybe he was onto something after all. He wanted to know something more about this place that he was supposed to delve into. Yet, he didn't want to dig into the subject that he previously mocked. After a moment of uneasy silence, Basalt that has listened to this conversation with great interest perked up and asked the question that revived the subject.
"What's so special about Barrad, Crunch? What's going on in there?"
"Ah, finally, someone with a bit of reason. You're not so ignorant as your friend over here. "
Guard calmed down a bit after the previous outburst and continued describing Barrad.
"It was once a prosperous part of the Kingdom of Wittenland, but ruin has come this land. One day out of nowhere, thick, unnatural fog covered the entirety of it. In a matter of hours, any control over this area has been lost. Evil was seeping from there ever since. Nobody knows what's happening in there. One could only imagine the horrors. Wittenland sent few expeditions to gain some intel, but not a single one has returned."
This story has sent chills down Crunch's spine, and he trembled for a moment.
"One of my friends was stationed near the Barrad and guarded villages near the border. There was a system of signal towers in settlements that would alarm troops of any attack or suspicious activities. It was supposed to keep them safe. One moonless night this cursed mist has somehow extended its reach. No tower was lit, and no sound was heard. They could only assume that everything was well, but it was far from well. In the morning, when they were doing daily patrols in the villages, the remains of this damned mist were there. Trace amounts near the ground, but it was there. And every single settlement was empty. No signs of struggle, no valuables have been taken. It's like they just vanished. There were only tens of hoofprints leading into the Barrad's territory. Every guard there was shocked and scared. Their sense of duty, however, wouldn't let them abandon the ponies that they were protecting. They made a last-ditch effort and went into the lion's maw. Only one pony from the rescue team returned, and it was my friend. Badly bruised and mentally scarred, but alive. He went insane after that, and they had to put him in a mental ward. Now he's a shadow of his former self and only tells this story. Any questions about what he saw in there results in a tantrum."
Now he was trembling uncontrollably. That has shaken him to the core.
"Whoa..."
Said Basalt.
"Now that's something."
Dog was thrilled. But in more of a positive sense of this word. He was fond of scary stories told near campfires. He didn't pay it much mind, however. To him, it was just one story out of many. Despite this, he'd never seen someone so moved by what they'd tell, and that made him somewhat uneasy.
"Hey, cut it out y'all! Get a hold of yourself Crunch. Nobody wants to see a trembling guard."
The other pony intervened. After a few deep breathes, Crunch calmed down just enough not to waver anymore. Everyone was so immersed in the guard's story that they failed to realise that they've already reached the outskirts of the city.
"We've made it to our destination. Welcome to the capital city of Wittenburgh adventurers."
Said Steel Bolt.
This was but the start of their journey into the Darkest Realm of Barrad.
