Steel DarKnight

*laughs* Wrong macro Sindee.....

I remember that game...sadly I don't think I ever finished it. I'll have to see if I can dig it back out.

Well, I'm afraid it's done for the season. Not sure if, we'll see replays anytime soon. As a side note I believe all Sunday episodes re-aired on Mondays at a earlier time. I agree with all of you however that the new time slot was a poor choice. I definetly dragged on Monday morning.

See...I knew it, I knew it.... But, dang....she was dead for only 3 episodes or so. I just never could figure out how they kill of either StarBuck or Apollo Course, we have to wait till next season to see what the twist may be.

You''ll get through it. Take it from someone who knows. But, life will be tough for awhile. And yea Ballyn will probably kill you...but as with most parents, they will support you once the initial shock has passed.

Yikes Charlie....Heart surgery of any sort isnt any joke. I'll have my fingers crossed for you. Seems like you have had just a rotten string of events surrounding you lately. I hope things for you can settle down and get back to some better things. Steel.

Well Bal, ya know when you think of it like that...well I guess it wasn't ALL bad.........

*shocked* Well can they?!?! I didn't see that one coming. But I'll bet on her return through some twist. I guess they can.... After some research I see she's off to do some feature work. I'll still bet on her return, but It may be awhile

*Raises his head slightly and nods in acknowledgment*

Ok, I'm going to cheat a bit and repost a story from long, long, ago... Steel walked briskly through the halls of Olympus. His footsteps echoed thru the halls of the ancient citadel. This amused Steel some, he had never noticed the affect before. The steady beat of his mailed feet upon the stone sounding once, and then once more back to him. Yes, Steel thought, curiously he had never noticed this before. Perhaps it was the fact that before his mind had always been occupied with some matter pressing to the empire. Or he thought, perhaps this unusual summer itself had some affect on the atmosphere of the castle… Sadly, Steel knew in his heart why… The fortress of Honor, whose very hearthstone was carved from the rock at the base of the altar of Honor, was dormant. Like a great beast in the winter it slumbered. The halls of the ancient citadel that had at one time bustled with activity now lay empty and quite. In times past Steel would have never heard the sound of his footfalls as the other noises would have blocked it out. In looking around the hallway Steel noticed the most evident signs of change. Dust had settled lightly on the chairs, tables, shelves, books, and other various decorum nearby. It’s fine blanket lightly blurring the pictures upon the wall. Those pictures whose creation was commissioned by the empire depicted great battles and events of the past. As Steel walked by he looked to some. The great Battle of Trinsic were the undead were defeated and their master the Dark Lich banished. The Battle of Cove, were the Orcish and then Savage Hordes were turned back. The Second Battle of Trinsic, the battle to expunge the Juka invasion from the home city. The Battle of Yew, were the forces of light desperately fought back the hoards in working to find a cure for the cursed sickness and deformity defiling the town. The Battle of the Destard Peninsula was once again the Savages were pushed back. Lying among the tables Steel noted the many volumes of the written history of the Guardians. Flipping through Steel reread through a few of the histories within … The Empires formation from a group of three miners. … The writing of the Codex … The great split and the formation of the Valor Knights … The reign of Gregory … The battle for one mans soul and his return from the edge … The succession of the Emperor Logan … The conflict with the Army of the Sands Gently, Steel closed the great volume he had been reading and placed it back upon the dusty shelf. Steel walked over to a closed window. Opening it he looked out. So many people have come and gone. Good people whom he had the honor of standing beside in battle. He had watched many of them enter, and many of them leave. Many Guardians Steel never knew, and may never have known, but not for the histories within those texts. Steel remembered some of the battles and events but some he knew only from the talk of the old folk of Trisnic. They spoke of a time when Trinsic was awash in purple, and the Guardians patrolled the streets diligently. But alas, those memories are fading and the younger generation of Trinsic no nothing of these times, or the Guardians Peering out the window below Steel noted that the courtyard lay empty. The grass had grown high. In past times this would not have been possible. This field was often awash in young men and women training their formation skills, their feet pounding the grass down to a suitable level. In Steels minds eye he could hear and the sound of the Phalanx’s loud voices barking orders under the watchful eyes of the Centurions, and the Imperator. To the side under the old oak tree, the SOW would watch from the protection of the shade it afforded. Slowly, Steel closed the window and sat down in the chair positioned next to it. Looking downward, Steel pondered the course of recent events. The realms had change, along with the people within it. The gods themselves had some hand in this as their sweeping changes and creations had altered reality to a very different state than what it first was. The threats of the past had disappeared, the undead lords were in check and their activities and forces were isolated to a few catacombs. The Orcs and Savages had been greatly weakened by the constant onslaught of man. They retained but a small portion of the power they once had. The Juka had all but disappeared after the death of Blackthorne. Almost all evidence of the Army of the Sands had disappeared and the prophesized invasion had never come. No enemies threaten the guardians or their holdings and thus the Order had no focus. No longer did the young squires run about the castle tending to their Knights requirements, or studying the arts of war. Possible entrants to the empire had all but dried up. It seemed that the younger generation of the realm had little or no interest in the teachings of an old order. Or the honor and comradely to be found within. Last week Steel had returned to the halls of Olympus. This was the first day of the week and often a time of rest. The Guardians often held a gathering as the day fell into shadow. Opening the great outer door of castle he had rushed inside. After quickly tying his steed to the railing he walked inside the center room with a hearty “Hail Guardians.” Steel chuckled. The room was empty. Steel had later met with Senator Earwen. The Senator had worked diligently upon Steels request to recover various ancient artifacts that the Empire had uncovered. Their coordinates were known, but the artifacts themselves were unattainable without a sizable force as they were heavily guarded. Plans were put forward. Strategies discussed and a time set. At that appointed time Earwen had stood alone. Yes, Steel thought, times have changed…. Standing up he quickly stretched and continued his way down the hall. He had completed what he had needed here and he wished to leave this place and its memories behind. Opening the door he walked out upon the entryway. As always standing his lonely guard stood Tod the Sentry. The old warrior looked exhausted, almost as if he could fall at any moment. The late day had turned into night and Steel realized that the ancient sentry had not been relieved in some time. Steel felt pride at this old warriors sense of duty, even though no one would have noticed his leave, he continued to remain at his post. Steel slid his hand through his slightly graying hair. Pausing a moment as if to make a choice he placed his helmet on his head and saluted the Sentry. “Although the night is often cold and dark, and brings perhaps things we may not have foreseen…. the morning, it always comes.” “ I shall stand with you this night.” Strength and Honor

*quietly reads through the ethereal boards* Some times we forget the potential impact of just a few kind words. We pass by each day with our own concerns, our own endeavours, our own goals. Without a thought of those around us as we move forward with blinders tightly fastened. But every once in awhile we will stop and remember the people around us and their impact on the world around us. More often than not we leave it at just that , a thought. Blair, I salute you for taking that small moment to tell the people around you.

Well...... Better late then never.... Congratulations on your recent promotions. May it be the first of many.

*bows his head slightly* Thank you all for your warm welcome at my return. I see that many new faces now populate the order. As in most things that continue to survive and thrive over time the Empire itself evolves and adapts to the era. But, fortunetly the Empire remains steadfast in its dedication to the virtues of light. I have been gone for what feels like many ages, and many generations. As such, time has changed many things. This body, aged by struggle and strife, is slow to adapt and it seems I will never be what I once was. *sighs quietly* But, with that said I now return to the order with whom I have served for all my life. To those whom I now serve with, and for, ............ Strength and ......Virtue. Steel DarKnight.

*Bumps*

Charlie, I am sorry to hear of your mothers illness. As someone whom has been fortunate enough to not have to deal with such a issue I can probably not even guess at the hardship this is putting you through. My prayers are with you and your mother.