Norfolk

Norfolk was one of the larger villages in this part of the known world. Dustin had only been here once before, Galen a seasoned messenger claims to have been here over a hundred times. The large wooden doors of Norfolk were always locked; you had to be a resident or a known messenger to gain entrance.

The forest seemed to drop away from the village, for a small village it was heavily fortified. One would think that the village was a strong hold for a large army by the size of the wall encompassing it. There was no castle here, just a large wall with two entrances, one on either side. The path leading up to the gates gradually changed from dirt to a cobblestone road. The sound of their horse’s feet changed from a thump to a click as they approached.

On the wooden gate were two large iron rings and a small hole just big enough for a pair of eyes to peer out. Dustin used the ring to knock on the gates. A pair of eyes peered out from the hole in the gate; “Oi, who goes there?”

“Galen of Colodia and Dustin of Atanna” Galen exclaimed. “We have an appointment with Draven, let us pass!”

Shouts came from behind the gate, and they could hear men removing the plank of wood that served as a lock for the gate. The gates opened and behind them were four lightly armoured men. Dustin did not remember seeing any lightly armoured men on his last visit to Norfolk. This was new.

“Draven is in the town hall, he has just returned from Pespid. You will have to wait until he has finished bringing us news.” A raggedly dressed man called out from just behind the gates. “These men will accompany you to the inn.”

They just nodded and followed the four lightly armoured men to the inn. Dustin doubted that these men were well trained, definitely not by any military standards. As a messenger he was used to pomp and circumstance when he arrived at a town or village, he was not used to an armoured escort. This was new to him. Galen on the other hand was; Colodia welcomed all their messengers with armoured escorts. Colodia was one of the largest towns in the known world.

Two of the escorts returned to the gates and two stayed outside of the inn. Galen being accustomed to being escorted was not surprised. Dustin was full of questions. After checking in, Galen and Dustin sat down in a room similar to a saloon.

“I don’t remember any armed escorts on my last trip here, were they here the last time you came through here?” Dustin asked.

“No, they were still being trained” Galen replied. “There was no need for any armed forces here last time I came through, something has changed.”

“I can understand a need to protect the village, but why would you train anybody other than messenger hopefuls?”

“Well times are changing Dustin, that’s why I’m bringing you to Colodia. There is a new threat on the horizon, not just wild angry animals. There is a real need for people who can fight and are trained to fight. Right now messengers from all of the out land towns and villages are being brought to Colodia. All will be revealed in time, Draven undoubtedly has heard about the new threat. I’m sure he will give us some new information as well as tell us of some new developments.”

To Be Continued....

Next Instalment: February 2, 2008.

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