The Protectors

INTRODUCTION:

On our world, Earth, it was the time of Atlantis when the glory of what would be Rome was still eons to come.

In a universe and a world far from here, a second planet existed, much like Earth where the people believed in the Golden Age.

An age of warriors and dragons of unbelievable magic and mighty kingdoms.

In this world one such mighty kingdom had just celebrated the birth of its next king. The baby prince it was foretold would unite the powerful kingdom and make it stronger then ever. He would not be able to do this alone.

The baby.

In the bustling city of Anavar the crowds of early morning merchants and shopkeepers mixed with shoppers who hurried to complete their tasks before the heat of the day set in.

Anavar was the Capitol City of the kingdom of Alturia, it was located in the mild southern climate of the country, and it was often hot in the summer afternoons.

Into this bustling crowd appeared a figure, apparently from out of nowhere. Surprised, the startled citizens parted before him as he walked by. They stared in open amazement at the powerful figure in the swirling black-purple robes. The sacred colors denoting the wearer as an Arch Mage, the most powerful of all wizards and magic practitioners.

A low murmur passed through the crowd. The wizard was close enough to be recognized his hood was back and his brow furrowed in deep thought. In quiet whispers his name was passed on from person to person. The figure in their midst was no other then Dukemis. The youngest of all the Arch Mages and, it was said, the most powerful. Power was rumored to ebb from his very being even though he was only 18 years old.

It was a well-known story how the young man had walked into the tower of wizardry and challenged the great wizards who formed the council. They were the ones who made the decision who would be a wizard and who would not. When the smoke cleared the young man who called himself Dukemis stood alone while three of the most powerful wizards in the world lay exhausted on the floor before his enormous power!

That day the council named him Arch Mage and bestowed upon him the coveted black-purple robes of his station, while there were many older it was said none were stronger.

Now as this person, so famous in the realm walked among them, the people could only guess it was a good sign and had to do with the baby prince only two days old.

" He is here to bless the baby." They said quietly.

They whispered among themselves, they were aware of the prophecy that a prince would be born and would be surrounded by powerful men. Men who would help the kingdom become the most powerful force in the known world.

Yes, it bode well, whispered the people of Anavar, that this man was here now so soon after the birth of their new Prince!

Dukemis walked among the morning crowds barely noticing they were there as his mind reeled from the dream of last night. He had seen the future of a young man, a prince, newly born who would become a powerful leader with the help of three others not yet met and himself.

Under the guidance of these men this child would forge the mighty kingdom of legend, but only, if all things came together the right way.

Dukemis realized he was the common denominator in all of this and now he had things to set in motion. His first stop would be to visit this baby and have a look at him himself, to see if the signs did exist.

The chosen three men were yet a mystery to him. He was only given glimpses last night as to what their roles would be or to who they would be.

He had seen a large wooden boat and men heavily armed. They materialized as if out of the night itself, the black clad passengers finding a baby wrapped in a blanket. After some discussion a man took the baby and stepping into the boat they disappeared back into the night.

He had then flashed to a warm sunny day outside a tent on the great grassy plains. A young boy was being taught to ride a horse under the watchful eye of a large muscular man who strictly corrected the boy of his mistakes.