This one is intended for Maximilian.
Tally Ho!

The welcoming blare of a trumpet split the comfortable silence of the study. Max looked up from the book he had been reading, his gaze darted to his teach. An older man that had been in his family employment for the better part of five decades who was now snoring in his velvet robes in his cozy high backed chair.
Only a slight grunt revealed that the elderly man was still alive as he turned in the chair. M sneaked out of the study and flew down the stairs and out into the courtyard almost knocking over one of the maids as she was carrying in a crate of vegetables.

The young boy was always excited when the witch hunters came back and he would do everything possible to hear their stories. This group of hunters had been gone for almost a month so they must have many exciting stories Max thought to himself as he watch the gates open to let them in.

A group of black chain mail clad humans on heavy war horses trotted into the courtyard. It was their grim facial expressions that alerted the young boy and it took a second for Max to realize that only two of the original five riders were sitting upright on their steeds.

                                           The memories of Maximillian von Bogenhafen am Reichstein.

"Ahh young man, the lack of self control. Always wanting to be the first." the old man thought to himself as he watched with one eye open Maximillian sneak out of the study. The trumpet had awaken the elderly scribe and librarian from his afternoon nap.With a couple of grunts the man got out of his comfortable chair and grabed the intricate carved staff leaning against it.
A few symbols flashed dimly in a bright blue color as his hand closed around them and the old man slowly made his way over to the tower window and gazed into the courtyard.

The stars had been right, the hunting party had suffered severe casualties. Not only physical but also emotionally.
"The powers of Chaos are growing stronger and their tentacles are spreading across these lands. Maximillian, you will be the only one left and yet you have much to learn, but I fear we are running out of time." the old man mumbled to himself.

The riders had stopped in the middle of the courtyard and the leader glanced up towards the tower window with the old man.