Prologue - An intro and guide for First-Timers

Prologue - An intro and guide for First-Timers

THE INFIRMORY

Darkness.....



Still asleep, I presume?



Yes. But shhh, please keep your voice down, Gordik. This sleep is needed.



22 hours of it? I hardly think that civil. Wasn't it the moment you greeted the rangers at the gates that our poor fellow collapsed?



Yes. I realised what was happening, and said "Come with me..." and then, bam! A coma.



What do you mean "you realised what was happening?" What was happening, Carry?



Well...I'm not quite sure, but it keeps happening. A person will arrive at the gates, dressed in full ranger gear, then collapse. When they finnally wake, they seem to have amnesia, and remember nothing of their pasts. All they ever seem to remember is one apparently important word: Growthorinix.



Growthorinix?



Yes, that is what it sounds like. And that's not all. They always have a marking on the palm of their left hand. A "Nordirium," the symbol of the Rangers of the North. So, naturally, I have them begin training to be a ranger, in hopes that someday they will be able to recall thier pasts.



This is all so strange, Carry-



Hold on...our friend here is waking up....



Light! A warm bed...two faces look down on you...



Hello! Can you hear me? My name is Carrylum. I am a nurse, and I will be tending to you until you are well. You hear that? You're alright now. You're safe now, nobody can hurt you. This is my friend Gordik...



Hello, there.



He is a pharmacist. He can give you medicine. Do you know where you are? This is Ithnium, capitol city of Rokane. Now, now! Don't try to sit up just yet, you aren't well enough. Listen...do you remember anything?



You remember a word...that one, evil, horrible word...Growthorinix...



Just as I said, Gordik. Growthorinix. It's always Growthorinix... 



  You're right.



Do you know what this word means? No? That's okay. Now...do you remember anything - anything at all - about the Rangers of the North? .......hmmm.



 Nothing! Now what?



Well, their condition isn't that bad. They don't need to stay here in this nasty infirmory. But they certainly aren't well enough to stay alone.



Perhaps Bren, the old tailor, would be willing to house somebody?



Perhaps. Gordik, would you be so kind as to seek him out and ask him? I will stay back here and help our friend remember how to along.



Not at all!


Right then, ranger. Can you get up? Easy does it. Come, follow me, and we'll see what we can do about that memory of yours.

FOLLOW CARRY