The last chapter…


As warm summer sun slowly crept over the peak of Mt. Nevermind its rays reached the vale of the Whitestone, a lush and green valley. The vale was filled today with the humming of insects and birds, but there were also more unusual visitors today. They had gathered in the clearing around the Whitestone, as they had done for months now, since that fateful first time that saw the foundation Whitestone Council, a last attempt by the races of good to defend Krynn from the tyranny of the Dragonarmies. And here they had gathered again, one month after the defeat of the Dark Queen at the hands of the heroes that were to be honoured today.

When all the representatives had taken their place, Halgarth Uth Wistan, heir to the late Solamnic general Gunthar, stood up to open the ceremonies. Just then a murmur went through the crowd as a pair of grey robed men entered the clearing, carrying a small folding table and a chair. Behind them came a man of medium height and unclear age, carrying a large folio under his arm. Gasps of surprise came from some of the council members and for a second everyone stared at the newcomer. He glanced up slowly at the gathering, ignoring the commotion his appearance had made, and sat down, immediately opening the large book and beginning to write into it at an unhurried pace.

UthWistan nodded gravely at the scribe and commenced again:
“Welcome Astinus of Palanthas and welcome members of the Whitestone Council. We are gathered here today to honour the heroes that have saved our world from the brink of destruction at the hands of the Dark Queen. Like all of our people, they have suffered great hardship and it was their faith and courage, which are a shining example to the rest of us that have allowed them to triumph where all hope had seemed lost.”
The young knight then turned his head towards the group that had stood aside from the council members. “Today, the free people of Krynn have come here to salute you and thank you for your deeds. Krynn owes you a debt it cannot repay and that will never be forgotten. But many have lost their lives in the struggle and we shall also remember them. Let us pray for their souls and may the gods shine their merciful light on them. My father was among those who fell, but to his last moment, he believed in our cause. I honour him and the brave and noble knights, commoners and all people of the other races, without whom we would not stand here today, unchained by the shackles of evil.”

Then, one by one the council members stood and paid their respects to the dead, each praying to the gods of good and neutrality. Then each of them stepped forward, one after the other, presenting their gifts and praising the heroes. From Kalaman and Palanthas, from the icy reaches to the south to the stormy seas of the north they came. The Aarokraa came, shy of all the unfeathered strangers, bringing a silver feather for each of them.
The representatives granted the heroes free stay in their cities and fiefdoms, gifted them with weapons, armour, jewellery and magic. They were offered seats in their councils and places at their courts. Solamnia made each of them a lord and lady in their own right, giving them a fief to rule. To Ashtari was given the island of Schallsea to form a new temple to the gods, in the middle of the New Sea, with a vow from all the people to protect the island from now until the end of memory and keep its peace. To Emer was given the Duchy of Gaardlund, which reached from Vingaard River to o the gates of Kalaman. To Corwyn and Ered lordships on the coast of Solamnia and Northern Ergoth.

The dwarves of the newly created “Flint Alliance” presented them with a Gem of True Seeing each and vowed to create any weapon and armour in their power for them. Kender and Gnomes paid their respects. The leaders of the Elves, soon to be betrothed in the spirit of new unity of their race, gave them each a seed from the Tree of the Sun. Never before had someone who was not an Elf received such a gift, for the tree’s fruit are said to grant a long live and health to those who eat them and the golden leaves are known to spread the light of the sun around the tree that not even magical darkness can overcome.
When all the council members had presented their gifts a large golden Dragon entered the council circle, his wings folding slowly. Carefully the giant creature moved among the humanoids and its sparkling golden eyes looked at the heroes and directly into their souls, so it seemed. Aurmnus, oldest and noblest of the dragons, presented instruments made out of dragon horns, which were said to be able to call any good dragon to the side of its wielder. His speech, which each of the members later said was given in their native tongue, spoke to everyone’s mind as well as their hearts. He looked at the heros one by one, glancing into the depth of their souls and commending them for their virtues, each in turn.
Then he made apromise only a true dragon can give, one that was not given to any mortal since the time of Huma. He promised that at the end of their lives, their souls would each be watched over by a dragon when they made their journey into the realms of the gods.
And with this last promise he rose into the skies, his mighty wings unfolding and with a few powerful strokes was away, returning for one last pass over the vale and where his wings touched the clouds, the stars could bee seen glittering in the sky, showing the signs of the all the gods – the sign that Krynn had been made whole once again.
It was not the last time the heroes met, but after the council they each made their separate ways and each of them had their own story. They had shaped the fate of Krynn and their deeds would be remembered in song and tale for centuries to come….

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Go now and die in whatever way seems best to you

...OH NO! IT HAS ENDED...

*sniff*

Finally.... He has a name!

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:duell_1

sehr schön....

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