Dark Warrior by Hal Horn
	Shadows dance and swirl as the flames of the campfire flicker, casting deep shadows on the black armor of the warriors gathered around it. The harsh sound of metal on metal fills the dry night air as the warriors begin to polish and ready their mighty weapons of steel forged in Hell's flame. Some chuckle as they envision the bounty that they will steal from an unsuspecting village nearby. The evil leader stands and those near him cringe as they are transfixed by the Leader's molten stare; flames seemingly pirouette in his eyes, dancing a dark and evil dance. Shoulder length black hair shimmers and cascades around his massive shoulders. Muscles bulge in a demon-like intensity, rippling across his hulking chest. With a gruff and deep voice he orders his troops to mount their horses and prepare to attack, and that it is time for the night winds to carry the intoxicating aroma of spilled blood to all of the land. Unbeknownst to the Warriors of Darkness, a great Knight has recently arrived in the village on his way to the city of Arkonas. This Knight, Kaltera, is the last of the Kaladrian House Phalanx. He stood a little over six feet, short, cropped, blonde hair. Muscles visibly ripple under his dark blue tunic, and deep emerald trousers, ending in slightly reflective, black knee boots. His piercing, light blue eyes bore into the souls of all who are evil. Bouncing on his right hip is a scabbard of the deepest violet, encasing a massive, silvery blade, forged with the purity of love and honor, that which can only come from Heaven itself. The great Knight strolls solemnly through the gold-paved streets of Arkonas, nodding in greeting to the citizens of the city. Torch light flickers off of the incredible structures and houses of the city, casting a warm and inviting glow upon anything it touches. Reaching out with the power of his mind, Kaltera feels the happiness-- almost giddiness-- of the people. The love reaches out to him, and caresses his soul, like the softest, but most needed of touches. Suddenly, the feeling of fear reaches him, seconds before he feels the pure hatred coming from behind him. Swirling, he sees several black armored men galloping towards a defenseless child. Moving into motion, Kaltera sprints toward the child, barely managing to pull the frightened child out from under the beating hooves of the horses. After telling the child to go and hide, Kaltera grabs his sword and pulls it free of its scabbard. Silently, he moves toward the nearest rider, and blocks the rider's downward thrust of his sword. Kaltera, after catching the rider's blade, shoves it aside and swings upward and slices cleanly through the warrior's armor and into his chest. As the warrior falls from his steed, Kaltera moves slowly after the next warrior. Kaltera's swift assault on the warrior makes him the target of two more of the attackers. They slowly advance on him, their swords dancing in the night air. Kaltera lunges toward one of them, causing them to break away from each other and approach from the right and left. Closing his eyes, Kaltera quickly darts to the left and thrusts the tip of his sword into his opponent's chest armor, piercing his heart. As the warrior collapses, Kaltera swirls around and watches the remaining warrior. Ducking and falling to the right, he dodges a quick swing that, if successful, would have taken his head. Grinning, Kaltera brings his silver blade in an upward swing and blocks another thrust by the warrior. The warrior stumbles backward, surprised, and fakes to the right and lunges again at Kaltera only to have his attack blocked again. Fear claws at the warrior's heart as Kaltera lunges and swiftly slices his blade across the warrior's stomach. Falling to the street clutching his stomach, the warrior screams in pain. None of Kaltera's actions have gone unnoticed as the leader of the attackers moves toward him. Smiling grimly, Kaltera speaks, "Dark Warrior. Surrender now, or face what your followers have already had done to them." He gestures toward the fallen warriors. "I have no wish to fight any more than is needed. But, I will protect those who cannot fight. What is your answer?" The Dark Warrior grins evilly, hatred dancing in his red eyes. "My answer is that YOU will be the one to surrender. For you could never defeat me in battle. Prepare to die, Knight!" And with that he hefts his blood-smeared black blade into the air and walks toward Kaltera. "I would like you to know who is going to send you away from this life... I am Lord Karano, Leader of the Red Claw." Eyes widen as Kaltera recognizes the name. "You. So it was you who killed my brother-- Kaltar."