Darbone - Legend of The Four. C. Michael Neely

him to rethink his ways for the sake of all. In retaliation for their unwillingness to follow him, the Rat King banished the four, threatening their lives, and the lives of their families. The wizards took these threats as a serious matter, in that there was no simple resolution and there was no negotiating with this nemesis. This was the war of good and evil, and evil was on the offensive.

      The four wizards fled quickly into hiding building the Tower of Darbone as quick as they could. In seven months, the tower was complete. Word of the newly-built tower quickly spread, and the Council of Darbone summoned the tribes to the inaugural Ceremony of Light. The tower would serve as the endless light of good for this millennium and many to come. And not a moment too soon.

      The tribes, fearing for the lives of their people with Rat King Armies covering the land, decided to choose a single representative from each of their parts of the world to journey to the Tower of Darbone for the Ceremony of Light. These first four began the legacy that lives on to this day, protecting everything that is good in the world, spreading good to others who will have it and share it.

      The Ceremony of Light was a carefully orchestrated laying of runes on a huge wooden table. These runes, and the spirits they conjured were the essence of life itself. Each of the wizards had written specific prayers or spells for each of the four tribal representatives to recite as they laid their rune stones down on the table. The ceremony wasn't long, but it was intense. Light emitted from the cracks of the table top, and through the intricately carved images on its surface. The rune stones glowed with various colours of magic, and once they were all lain and the spells were recited, the light grew so intense, that it finally exploded in all directions. This first ceremony lifted the terrible cloud of evil, driving the rats back into hiding, and good was a noticeable presence in the world once more. The word of light spread in every direction and the fear of the Rat King and his armies was greatly diminished as their wicked plans had failed. The balance of good and evil was equal again. In accordance with the doctrine set forth by the wizards, it would be another thousand years before the next Ceremony of Light at the Tower of Darbone would be needed, and it had been decided that the dependents of the ones that had participated in this first light would carry this burden and tradition indefinitely.

      In time, each of the wizards passed on. Their funeral pyres were each held at the Tower of Darbone, with hundreds of thousands of peoples from all over the world making the journey to show their respects. These wise men held a tradition in their hearts, and fought back their fears of evil in the interest of fostering a better world. It is these four that the world, and even good itself, owes everything. The world would still be in darkness had it not been for their actions, bravery, and wisdom. These were also the last of humankind.

      The tribes they had summoned were not human, but the meek of the world. The beasts and creatures of the forests, plains, mountains, and swamps, from the four corners of the world. Good and evil do not only exist in the human realm, but in the realm of all beings. The original caretakers of the world had failed. Keeping good in the world would be up to the animals now.

      1 - The Island

      The spring sun was shining brightly on the Island meadow as the pups and their parents spent the day resting in the shade. The two pups played together, fighting and tumbling in the cool grass, growling and gnawing each other’s ears and legs and paws. Mayflies sprang from the tall grass as the two wrestled endlessly.

      The two had gotten a good distance away from their parents when the oldest of them said, "You know, I am the Chosen One, and you have to do what I say."

      The younger turned his head sideways, and responded, "I didn't choose you, so I don't have to do anything you say, ever!" and suddenly pounced upon his older brother, tumbling down a small hill into a thicket of briars. In an instant, the sound of buzzing hornets was all around them.

      The older brother screamed, "Run! Go, go, go!” The two scrambled back up the hill at full speed, across the meadow back to their parents. The hornets were satisfied and did not pursue. This time. The two brothers laughed in their victory escaping the angry swarm.

      "Alright boys, it's time to head back home. You've had enough exercise for one day, and tomorrow you've got training, Kartan. You should be rested and ready." The oldest answered, "Yes, Father." Argyle made a comment under his breath whispering in a sarcastic tone, “I’m the chosen one…blah blah blah.” They looked at each other and smiled. Argyle had much respect for his brother. Kartan was wiser than his years from very young, and accepted his destiny with a serious nature of purpose

      The family made the short journey back to their den. It wasn't far from the shore, and the simple shelter home was built slightly into the side of a low hill. The hill was covered with small blossoming trees and many types of sea grasses to hold the top soil in place. It was a fine den indeed to raise a litter. Even as small as this one.

      Kartan was the oldest of the litter, and in the tradition of his people and his family, he was "the Chosen One." This was a highly regarded station in life, as it meant he was to depart on a great journey at the turn of the new millennium, to re-instate all that was good in the world for the next thousand years.

      Both of the brothers knew this was a big deal, but were more interested in having a bit more fun at the moment. Kartan pounced on his brother's head, biting his ears and tackling him to the ground. His younger brother, Argyle, was no pushover either. Rolling around on the ground, they went. Growling and snarling as if it were the real thing—a fight to the death!

      "OK boys, that's it! Get cleaned up for dinner, and help your mother and I prepare the table."

      The boys scrambled to their feet and did as their father commanded.

      The importance of raising their boys properly was, without question, the most important task of their lives, and they knew it. This family had given five Chosen Ones over the last five thousand years, and they were not about to fail their people by allowing their sons to fail them. Both of these boys had good values and strong personalities, perfect for the young warriors they would both become.

      #

      The years seemed to go by quickly as both Argyle and Kartan developed into strong capable warriors. More and more, Kartan left home on tribal expeditions designed to familiarize him with the surrounding terrain off of their small island. There was a great world to be explored, and although Argyle often envied his brother, he was also quite content with his island world, and the things he loved there—the surf and the sound of the ocean crashing against the beach rocks, the dolphins playing in the shallows and teasing him to come out farther. He sometimes would swim out too far, only to have one of the dolphins nuzzle him back up to shore. He loved these amazing sea creatures, and although they did not speak the same language, they shared a common bond of life. The creatures here—the many shells and all of the mysterious things that washed up onto the shore—were the things that gave him a sense of security, wonder, and personal satisfaction. It was relaxing. It was safe. It was home.

      His brother had done much more training that he had, because of his status and what he would one day have to do. Argyle understood that. Although there were times when his brother's ego would get the best of him, and he would tease Argyle about not having gone off of the Island as much. Kartan had been many places off Island, and much farther away than Argyle could imagine ever wanting to go. His place was here, with his family and his friends.

      His skills were not to be mistaken, by any means. He was as strong and cunning as any warrior on the Island, but his nature was not as aggressive as his brother's, and his desire to leave their Island home diminished more each year. He would hold down the fort on the Island, while his brother played the hero. That was fine with Argyle, and his father enjoyed having the help around their home as well when Kartan was away on his training expeditions.

      #

      Argyle heard a knock at the door. It was the news of the death of Argyle's brother—the first son and Chosen One for the Journey of the Millennium. Argyle was just coming into the main hall for breakfast. He heard his mother crying, and watched as his father received the news from the messenger at the door. Argyle could see his father's anger and anguish were obvious in his eyes, as Argyles’ mother collapsed in overwhelming