Runescape story #5 by Al Twigger
Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 8:00AM Runescape: Volume 5
Priest in Peril
Haratio loved Varrock. It was his new home and he loved it. Sure there were the annoying stray dogs and the gangs but that was on the west side of Varrock, Haratio lived on the east side where all the fun was. Haratio had bought a house in the small compound on the Far East side of Varrock and he loved it. Every day he went out and brought some food from the market place and occasionally went over to the Varrock museum to take a look at their findings. However Haratio had never been to the Varrock palace so one morning as he woke up he thought that it would be a good experience for him to find out more about the city he was living in.
Haratio walked up to the palace and saw 2 guards standing by the gates. As he approached he heard the guards whispering to each other, damn that priest, I’ve never seen the king so worried and you know what I’m like when I see our mighty king in any state of worry. I known answered the other guard it’s a pity we couldn’t go and see why contact has been lost at the temple, we would leave the kings palace open to intruders and that would be worse. They stopped as Haratio approached them. Name and job said the first guard trying to sound as menacing as he could, Haratio Rolodes said Haratio, Adventurer. Hmm said the guard, pass. No wait shouted the other and Haratio smiled. He sensed an adventure afoot. We need an adventurer said the guard and he walked up to Haratio. Allow us to escort you to the king said the guard and he led Haratio into the massive palace and up to a large oak door. The guard opened it and led Haratio through to a large space. In the centre were 2 thrones made out of gold and on 1 of them sat a very famous man, King Roald III King of Mistalin.
As Haratio approached the king sat up in his chair and said in a loud booming voice, who is this guard and why have you brought them to me. Your majesty said the guard and bowed, well said the king why have you brought this peasant before me. Haratio was about to let out an indignant cry when he felt the guard squeeze his arm, this king obviously was stronger than he looked. My lord said the guard this is one of the adventurers who has willingly taken up the offer to go on the quest that you have set. Hmm said the king and he walked up to Haratio. Decent looking, a little smelly the king muttered, once again Haratio had the urge to punch the king in the face but he decided not to. All in all said the king a fine young adventurer, the king suddenly looked towards the guard who nodded and left the room. Well since you the one doing my little quest said the king id best fill you in on the details. Haratio was ordered to sit down and did so. Well said the king in his booming voice, there is an old school friend of mine who chose to become a monk, his name is Drezel and he was incredibly good at his job. The king paused well if you call being a monk a job anyway but anyway he was assigned along with some others to protect a temple that keeps the river salve to the east enchanted. Why interrupted Haratio and then realised who he had just interrupted. Silence peasant boomed the king I was just getting to that part, the reason for this the king said is because to the Far East lies an incredibly dangerous land known to many people as Morytania, Haratio was hit by a wave of cold his Grandfather Torag had died fighting in Morytania in an effort to stop what Haratio wondered. Well said the king, Morytania was populated by Vampyres and werewolves, not to mention ghasts, all foul creatures who would have happily taken over what we call home, so thousands of years ago a group of priests led by the famous Ivandis cast a enchantment that only let warriors of Saradomin pass. However with all the evil on our side they had to protect the enchantment from being broken by putting its power into a barrier, a holy barrier to be exact, then they built a temple over it to conceal it form others and also put some form of guardian, I think maybe a demon from what I’ve heard to guard it should others stumble across the location. Ivandis told the 6 priests that helped him enchant the river when they died they were to put their gravestones around the barrier to protect it from evil. So said Haratio why to you need me to visit the temple, because interrupted the king we have lost contact with the temple and it is not like Drezel to put off our communications just like that. Ok said Haratio I have heard tale of this temple so I must be off at once, goodbye your majesty he said bowing before swiftly leaving the room and walking out of the gates.
Haratio knew where he was heading; he had visited it many times when he had been a squire for the white knights. He headed out of Varrocks east gate and then entered the rocky area where the digsite was located. Haratio ran into a rocky valley and headed east until he could see the massive temple that guarded the west form the east. As Haratio approached the doors he realised that if this problem was bigger than he thought he would have to resort to violence and that he had never taken a human life before, however it soon came to his mind that whatever what is there might not even be human.
So Haratio knocked on the door, he thought it stupid but what else could he do. There was a scuttle of legs and a voice that sounded very worried answered. State your name and business it said worriedly, Haratio Rolodes adventurer answered Haratio. Inside the temple the voice relaxed. Well little adventurer said the voice now more sly and sarcastic I’ve got an adventure for you, what is that answered Haratio. Over to the north of here is a series of catacombs guarded by a fearsome dog, we Saradominists, at that there was a burst of laughter silenced by a shusssh. Well said the voice what are you waiting for drive that dog away and then all was silent.
Haratio walked north and saw a trapdoor he climbed down it and turned, he was met by a massive blow that sent him flying into the wall. As Haratio got up he looked at his attacker and saw a massive dog with huge fangs and massive claws the dogs mouth was leaking drool as the creature growled then it charged Haratio moved and the creature hit the wall however it got up still growling, with the new news that dog could not be knocked out and had to be killed Haratio drew his sword and as the dog charged again stabbed it the dog took a moment to realise that it had been defeated then dropped to the floor dead.
Haratio walked up to the temple door and knocked, once again a nervous voice asked for the name and business and then turned sly when Haratio told it what he had done. Well said the voice now even more sly you’d best report back to the king. Haratio thought this a good idea so he headed back to Varrock still suspicious of the voice that had told him to kill the dog. As he entered Varrock he headed north to the palace. The guard recognised him and led him through to the throne room. King Roald was waiting and listened intently to Haratioes story but his became fiery red when Haratio said that he had killed the dog. After Haratio had finished the king sat for some time and then reared up in a way that scared even Haratio. What bellowed the king and Haratio was surprised he thought he should be better rewarded. You my silly little friend shouted the king have just killed the guardian to the temple that if disrupted will allow enemies much too strong for us into our region go and fix it now or suffer my wrath. So an angry Haratio was escorted out of the throne room. The guard told him to hurry because was very inpatient and would often execute people who displeased him.
As Haratio approached the temple he saw that the glow that it once possessed was now gone. He realised that he couldn’t knock on the door again so he approached the temple form the east and climbed up the vines that covered the side of it. Once he was on the roof Haratio looked through the glass roof and saw several monks feasting, but the monks were wearing red robes which meant they were Zamorak monks, Haratio had heard that all the creatures that dwelt in Morytania were Zamorakians so this was a plot o help them rule the west in Zamoraks name. Haratio had to find Drezel.
As Haratio entered the catacombs he saw that there was a door to at the northern point of the catacombs. Haratio tried to open the door but it was locked. Haratio realised that one of the monks had it. He exited the catacombs and knocked on the door, once again the nervous voice appeared, state your name and business it said. Haratio put on a voice completely different to his own, I am a new monk eager to join you in your freeing of Morytania said Haratio in a high pitched voice. The monk’s grip on the door softened and then the door opened. Haratio reacted quickly and imitated the monks nervous by saying be back in minute before yanking the monk outside. Where is the key to the catacombs whispered Haratio. When the monk didn’t answer Haratio searched him and found the key. Now said Haratio run back to Varrock and continue your life in peace. The monk smirked but Haratio drew his sword, would you rather stay with me said Haratio and that was enough to get the monk going. Haratio with the key in his hand entered the catacombs and unlocked the door. He walked for a bit until he entered a large tomb with 7 graves all surrounding what looked like a well. Haratio then saw a coffin with odd marks on it but he payed this no notice and set his attention on another door. As he approached he heard a shivering coming from it and drew his sword. As he did this the shivering stopped and a monk in brown robes appeared at the door. When he saw Haratio his eyes lit up but he didn’t say anything. Then the monk turned away and scribbled something down on a piece of paper and then threw it out to Haratio. Haratio caught it and read the message which was a simple help me. Haratio walked towards the door but the monk stopped him and pointed at the lock indicating that it was locked. Then the monk pointed towards the coffin with odd markings on it and made a face. When Haratio shook his head the monk pointed to his teeth and then Haratio understood, the thing in the coffin was a vampire. When studying with the white knights Haratio had learnt that vampires were occasionally hired by Zamorakians to guard their enemies, vampire would get the scent of the prisoner and if that scent moved out of its range then it would attack. Haratio had also learned that the only way to shut a vampire’s coffin was to pour holy water over it. As if reading his mind the monk indicated to the well and then pointed at a bucket lying in the corner. Haratio picked up the bucket and walked over to the well he lowered the bucket into the well and scooped up some water. Then taking aim he threw it onto the coffin nothing happened but then the monk blurted some random words out and the coffin moved but stayed shut.
The monk then did a little dance and then became serious. Quickly adventurer set me free shouted the monk. Haratio realising he didn’t have a key looked around for one. He couldn’t find one but just as he was about to tell the monk this he saw that one of the grave statues had a key in it. Haratio took the key and unlocked the door to the monks cell. He was met by a massive hug and several thank yous. However the monk soon stopped thanking him and turned serious. Right said the monk we have work to do and then Haratio had a feeling another adventure was afoot.
End of part 1