Skaar

Skaar walks the frost-cracked stone of his secluded monastery high in the foothills of the Jags, his robes plain and unmarked by the embroideries once expected of the Church’s priests. The ash falls silent around the cloister walls, untroubled by the world below. He tends gardens half-buried, and there he waters slender shoots of white-flowered saplings—symbols of hope, renewal, compromise.   He still bears the memory of Skadi: the queen beneath the glacier, the children Caleb and Celeste he never saw grow. In his chest the fire of devotion to Dhara still glows, but his allegiance has shifted. No longer bound by decree, he now seeks truth: Why did the Church strike? Did love and loyalty diverge? Did betrayal lie in silence?   He greets pilgrims who come to his monastery under the glow of the surging volcanoes, his voice calm yet heavy: “We worship the same god,” he says, “but the path is our own.” The wind carries the echo of a broken vow and the promise of something remade. Skaar places his hand on the carved symbol of Dhara—a sword facing downwards on a blue shield—and kneels. Not as penitent slave to doctrine, but as a monk who knows that faith must survive the sword as well as the sermon.     weapon master   hand to hand   peaceful   recluse   35   The lone monk entered the great hall of Highking Skytracer's throne room.   "What is it now, Skaar? Do you need more candles so you can meditate and accomplish who knows what just to feel enlightened." The King finished as his guards broke out into laughter.   The monk spoke loudly and directly at his king.   "My order will not remain here anymore. You're ruthless, maniacal wars have brought nothing but shame to your house. Your father, he fought for his right to rule, he fought to unite his provinces. You? You sit in here like a petty child and ask the defenders of my church to do your bidding. When does it end? When does the pointless wars for power stop? You are nothing but a child sitting on a throne you haven't grown into. I understand you have already convinced pastor Solomon to remain here with his armoured priests. That is his poor choice and I cannot change that. My choice is to leave your petty squabble with your own ego to end itself as the monk's and myself are leaving Skygarde.   Skaar turned around to notice many of the royal guards blocking his entrance. The powerful voice of the king shouted from behind Skaar.   "Do you think your feeble words can topple my pillar? You are nothing more than a peace-seeking holy man whom thinks he has a following more than his order. I am the king of Skygarde; goverenor of both the Firefang Jags and the Great Plateau. My power reaches far beyond where ever you will relocate to, monk. You will be killed by the fire elves before you take ten steps into the mountains. Good riddance." The king was furious now. Skaar did not look away from his majesty. Skaar almost decided to walk out of the throne room.   "You’re right, your power spreads like a plague and I hope you find retribution for the war crimes you have committed." Skaar calmly stated as he turned to leave the hall.   Highing Skytracer was furious. He stood up from his throne; knocking the chess board onto the floor. Skaar heard the crash and watched as the patrollers inside began to encircle him. Skaar heard the smug voice of the king.   "Check." The king declared as he kicked some chess pieces away. The king slowly dragged his longsword on the ground towards the monk. He spoke clearly to Skaar.   "The priests have always been more useful. They are true warriors who fight with weapons instead of petty words." The guards started to near Skaar.   "Well then I guess it's time for me to stop fighting with words." Skaar slid a wooden fighting stick out of his robe. As each patroller attacked, Skaar easily dispatched them. He eloquently subdued guard after guard as he fought his way towards the king. Once Skaar was within striking distance of the king, Hector Skytracer swung his mighty sword but was easily disarmed by the monk. Skaar placed the end of his bo staff on Skytracer's forehead.   "Checkmate."   Skaar turned and walked away from his king. He spun his staff around him and hit the king chess piece across the great hall. Skaar left with his order of monks and was never seen by the people of Skygarde again.   Skaar reloacted to the Firefang Jags and built a monestery known as the Saint's Congress.