Sounding of the Horn

Legends tell of the sounding of the horn of Fortuna in times of great strife. The great horn is hidden in the Motress Abbey caves, and its location is known only to a few.

The last time the horn was used was three hundred years ago when the northern Horde of the Khan descended upon the peaceful people of Drasel.

Oteck, a small monk, was selected to blow the horn. While his brothers felt he was too small for the task, the Abbot thought differently.

With the fires of destruction in sight, the brother loaded the horn on a handcart and pushed it to the ancient stone circle. After placing the supports, the horn was gently set in its cradle.

Only Oteck was left behind due to the horn’s ability to cause madness to anyone but the blower. The monk waited for his compatriots to reach Abby’s safety before he sounded the horn.

Drawing an enormous breath, Oteck released the air into the horn’s mouthpiece. Nothing happened. The monk heard no sound or felt any vibration.

Drawing a second breath, Oteck blew as hard as he could, but still nothing. “I have failed the Abbot. My breath is not enough,” said Oteck.

Oteck sat on the ground and wept, knowing that the Horde would soon arrive, kill him, and destroy Abby. The monk sat with his back against the stones, watching the sun sink, coloring the foothills a bloody red.

“Soon, the land will run with the blood of my brothers because of my failure,” murmured Oteck.

Moments later, he could hear the cries of his fellow monks. He shut his eyes tight and bowed his head. “They got the Abby. I am next,” said Oteck.

Then, as he prayed on his failure, rough hands grabbed him, followed by dozens of arms wrapping around him. Opening his eyes to the cheering faces of his fellow monks and the cry of “YOU DID IT!”

Later, the Abbot explained that Oteck’s second blow was so powerful that it wiped out half the Horde, sending their commander fleeing back to the Step.

“I believed in you, lad, and you were the right choice as it is written that it takes a person of great conviction to sound the horn a second time,” said the Abbot.

Oteck never had the heart to tell the Abbot he had just blown it a second time because he thought it didn’t work the first time. Oteck and the brothers lived to a great age, and the Horde never bothered the land again.