Emerging from the mine to protect the realm
Not far over the misty hills of Lorcana, there is a fortress that rests upon pillars of seeming giants. From afar, the fortress looks rather small. But upon reaching its carved doors, it looms large and imposing. The decorative figures on either side of the door are smaller depictions of the pillared giants, now gazing admiringly at an image of a serene maiden.
Hark! A rhythmic chant sounds from deep inside, growing louder with each steady syllable. As something nears the door, a terrible question arises: Were these doors meant to keep threats out, or to keep threats locked within?
With a rumble, the massive door swings open until it come to rest with a BOOM. Out marches a procession of knights—seven in number and noble of appearance. Their armor glints as they cross the well-trodden bridge, their marching song ringing through the canyon: of a reluctant King who called for a celebration beneath a bruised Illuminary; of a crown that was far too large for His young brow; and of His royal charge to protect the lands surrounding the festival grounds—for the dark never sleeps.
As the song draws to a close, almost all of the knights chuckle—for one of them is impervious to laughter. They nod to each another, turn, and march in separate directions. Each has his charge to maintain peace in the realm, even though the sea witch has been defeated and the heroic Illumineers and their glimmers are enjoying a much-needed moment of revelry.
And so, the knights depart resolutely for their appointed stations to keep watch over the land. All of the knights, that is, except for one. Because, although the dark may never sleep, one of these knights is already snoring.
