Lord Of The Lost

William stood in awe as he came face to face with the fabled magic warhorses. The Forum Master, standing beside him, had just finished explaining their significance. These magnificent creatures were not just animals; they were allies in battle, strategic resources that had shaped the very path of the knightly order.

Knights weren't strictly bound to them, but those who bonded with a magic warhorse became a force unlike any other.

"Some horses are built to pull carts," the Forum Master began, "but warhorses? They're bred for combat. And magic warhorses... they take that to another level."

William's eyes traced the outline of one of the beasts standing before him. These were no ordinary animals. They towered in strength, and the aura of raw power radiated off them. The Forum Master continued, his tone almost reverent. "Each of these magic warhorses is ranked between level 8 and 10. Even at the lowest level, they are immensely valuable."

William couldn't take his eyes off the warhorse that had caught his attention. He could sense the intelligence in its gaze, a spark of awareness, almost like it was sizing him up. The Forum Master's words echoed in his ears as he tried to comprehend just how powerful these animals were.

"They can reach speeds of 300 kilometers per hour at full sprint," the Forum Master said, pride edging his voice. "Even their average speed hovers around 150 kilometers per hour, and their endurance is unmatched. They're swift, strong, and loyal to a fault."

Loyal. That word lingered in William's mind. These creatures weren't just tools for war; they were partners. The bond between a knight and their magic warhorse was deep, unbreakable. A knight didn't merely choose a warhorse. The warhorse had to choose the knight.

Their fates became intertwined, sharing every triumph and danger as equals.

"If a knight's warhorse dies in battle," the Forum Master said, lowering his voice, "it's rare for the knight to survive. And even if they do, it's said they will never reach their former strength with another horse. The same goes for the warhorse. Once they bond with a knight, that bond lasts a lifetime."

William knew he was standing on the precipice of something monumental. Few in Border Town had even seen a magic warhorse in the past decade, let alone been chosen by one. The warhorses, now old and weary, had lived through the passing of time in a forgotten stable. Without knights to bond with, they were slowly fading.

The Forum Master, who had long desired one of these creatures for himself, had negotiated a deal with the mayor of Border Town. The agreement was simple: if they could bring back the heads of 200 thieves, he would be allowed to take two of the remaining magic warhorses. But that was where the difficulty lay, the horses themselves had to agree.

When they approached the stable, neither the Forum Master nor William could have predicted what would happen next. The magic warhorses, despite their age, suddenly came to life. The air was thick with anticipation, as if they could sense the gravity of the moment. The Forum Master, hopeful, reached out toward the majestic creatures. But to his surprise, they paid him no attention.

Instead, every single warhorse turned its gaze toward William.

It was as if they could see something within him that even he had yet to understand. Perhaps it was his skill with the spear, or the hidden potential that lay dormant in his heart. Whatever it was, the warhorses had chosen him. Not the seasoned Forum Master, but the young, untested William.

The Forum Master could only chuckle awkwardly, scratching his nose. "Looks like they've made their choice."

William felt a rush of emotion. He had never imagined himself in such a position, but now it seemed undeniable. He stepped forward, instinctively drawn to the largest and most powerful of the warhorses. This was the highest-ranked beast, a level 10 warhorse that had seen countless battles and still stood strong.

Its eyes locked onto William's, and in that moment, a silent understanding passed between them.

He placed a hand on its mane, feeling the strength beneath the sleek, battle-worn coat. It was more than just a warhorse. It was a partner, a being with a will of its own. Together, they would face whatever the future held; side by side, as equals.

William knew that from this moment on, their fates were forever intertwined.

William stood beside the massive warhorse, his head barely reaching its chin as he scratched it gently. Despite the beast's towering size, its muscles rippling beneath its glossy coat, there was a calm understanding between them. This warhorse was a level 10 creature, higher than William himself, yet it had chosen him. The bond was undeniable, a rare connection between knight and mount.

With a playful smile, William leaned in closer and said, "It's been a pleasure working with you."

The warhorse nickered softly, its enormous size resembling the Shire horses of Earth, but these creatures were far more than mere animals. Their imposing forms were like living mountains, muscles so defined that even standing still they exuded power. Though they looked somewhat like horses, William knew they were an entirely different species, bred for war, for strength, and for loyalty.

He glanced at the Forum Master, who stood nearby, still trying to win over his own mount. Most of the warhorses had shown little interest in the Forum Master, sensing his lower strength and seeming unworthy of their attention. William could tell the horses didn't want to risk knocking him over during a charge; something that would undoubtedly be embarrassing.

But finally, one of the smaller, less imposing warhorses stepped forward. It was thin, somewhat unimpressive, and only a level 8.

"It's not much to look at, but it's still a warhorse," William thought, trying not to let his amusement show. The Forum Master, ever the optimist, didn't seem bothered by the horse's size or rank. He grinned and patted its neck, clearly proud that one had chosen him at all.

With their warhorses selected, the Forum Master led William to the center of town. The town buzzed with activity, and as they walked, townsfolk greeted the Forum Master with warm waves and cheerful nods. It was clear he was well-known and well-liked here. His responses were equally warm, his personality refreshing and approachable.

"You've got quite a fan base," William noted with a smirk.

The Forum Master laughed. "Just people I've helped over the years. It pays to be on good terms with your neighbors, after all."

Soon, they reached their destination: the town's armory. They were here for something special; two sets of heavy cavalry armor. Not just for themselves, but for their warhorses as well. When the armorer presented the gear, William was struck by the sheer size and weight of it.

The black armor gleamed under the dim light, its presence both awe-inspiring and a little intimidating. Helmets, backplates, breastplates, even hip armor, every part of the warhorses would be covered, transforming the already massive beasts into walking fortresses. The armor's color was like the void itself, dark and silent, yet it made the air feel charged with danger.

"Is this really necessary?" William asked, raising an eyebrow as he examined the heavy armor. It was easily over a hundred kilograms and would certainly slow him down. The idea of wearing it during a fight seemed impractical.

"I value my life more than my comfort," the Forum Master replied matter-of-factly. He was already beginning to suit up, paying no attention to William's reluctance. "Trust me, you'll be glad for it when arrows start flying."

William sighed. He couldn't argue with that. But still, the weight of the armor felt excessive. As he strapped on the gear, he noticed how awkward and cumbersome his movements became. "I guess I'll get used to it," he muttered under his breath.

The Forum Master, on the other hand, looked entirely comfortable as he admired their newly armored warhorses. The beasts, now covered head to hoof in gleaming black plates, looked even more intimidating than before: giant, moving fortresses of destruction. It was clear the Forum Master had been planning this for a long time.

In an ancient world like Earth, such preparations would have been considered a serious crime, William thought with a wry smile. But here, no one batted an eye. The price of two sets of heavy cavalry armor was steep, but the Forum Master had clearly decided it was a necessary investment.

William, still adjusting to the weight of his armor, couldn't help but ask, "Are you really sure this is all worth it?"

The Forum Master shrugged. "If it means I survive the next battle, yes. Absolutely."

William knew the Forum Master was resourceful, but he had to admit, he hadn't expected him to be so... thorough. Only later did he discover that the Forum Master was merely level 5, much lower than William had assumed.

"You're only level 5?" William couldn't hide his surprise. "That's a bit low, don't you think?"

He had always thought the Forum Master was at least level 6, maybe even 7 or 8. After all, with all the planning and heavy-duty equipment, it seemed like he would have more experience under his belt. But no, it turned out the Forum Master's level was lower than William's, despite all the gear and preparation.

"No wonder he was so eager to join me," William thought to himself. The Forum Master clearly knew he wasn't strong enough on his own, even with the expensive armor. The warhorse, the armor, and even the planning; none of it would matter if his skill wasn't high enough.

As they finished preparing, William shook his head with a grin. "And here I thought I was the only level 8 around. Looks like I'll be carrying the team after all."

The Forum Master gave him a look of mock offense. "Do you think I have time to level up between running a town and planning for battle?"

William laughed. Despite everything, he couldn't deny that the Forum Master's optimism was contagious.

The Forum Master let out a hearty laugh, the sound filled with a mix of amusement and pragmatism. "You think I've got time to run around leveling up every day? There's only so much time in this world, and human energy isn't limitless, you know. I can't clone myself!" He gestured to the bustling town around them. "There's no sense in rushing into combat with magical creatures.

Only a fool does that without thinking."

He continued, his tone growing more serious. "Resources, William. In a place like Border Town, securing resources always comes before personal strength. The smart players? They focus on gathering and concentrating resources to accomplish great things. Muscle alone won't win you a war, it's about strategy.

Meanwhile, the reckless ones are out there fighting tooth and nail, wasting their energy on brute force."

He smirked, leaning back with a touch of pride. "I've only gone out to level up three times, but I'm already at level 5. Compare that to others who grind every single day, just to reach the same point. It's all about efficiency. And don't forget," he added with a glint in his eye, "I've built a foothold here in Border Town.

No matter how high someone's level is, they can't compete with that kind of influence. A hundred players couldn't take me down."

William, sitting stiffly on his warhorse, felt a flicker of irritation. There was something about the Forum Master's smugness that didn't sit right with him, though he couldn't quite place why. With a quick smack of his lips, he hopped onto the horse's back, ready to get moving.

But what should have been a smooth mount quickly turned into a bit of an embarrassing discovery. The warhorse, already massive in size, seemed even broader now that it was clad in heavy armor. Though there was a saddle, William struggled to find a comfortable position. His legs were splayed wide, far too wide to feel natural.

He tried to adjust, but it was awkward, his legs wouldn't close properly around the horse, forcing him into a near-split position. His face flushed with frustration.

"Great," he muttered under his breath, trying to pull his legs together to reach the stirrups. After a few attempts, he finally managed to get his feet into place, though his posture remained clumsy.

And then there was the armor. The bulky, heavy armor wasn't exactly designed with comfort in mind. The chest plate felt oversized, clanking with every movement. The helmet was even worse; when he put it on, it covered his eyes completely. Annoyed, William yanked it off and hung it on the side of his saddle, deciding it was more trouble than it was worth.

A quick glance at the Forum Master showed that he wasn't doing much better. He too was struggling to adjust his posture on the warhorse, trying to find a balance between the weight of the armor and the sheer size of the creature beneath him. William had to stifle a laugh, it was reassuring to see that even the Forum Master, with all his planning, hadn't mastered this part yet.

Still, there were advantages to being physically fit. William's higher physical attributes kicked in, helping him find his balance. With increased strength and coordination, he adjusted more quickly than he thought he would. Physical stats like these didn't just enhance combat abilities, they made everything from riding to handling heights and water easier.

It wasn't long before both he and the Forum Master had found a rhythm, swaying in sync with their warhorses' movements.

Once they had settled in, they armed themselves with whiteboard weapons; feather arrows, large bows, and fine iron spears. Basic tools, but enough to get the job done. As soon as they were ready, their magic warhorses began to step forward with an almost uncanny intelligence.

"The thieves are scattered throughout Border Town," the Forum Master explained as they prepared to set out. "But the mayor will be working with us, giving us information on their movements and specific locations."

With that, the Forum Master pulled out a small copper whistle and blew into it gently. The sound rang out, clear and sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. Moments later, a white-faced owl swooped down from the sky, its wings flapping silently as it landed near them.

"This is how we send messages here," the Forum Master said, nodding toward the bird. "Border Town uses magical creatures, like this owl, for communication."

William watched in surprise as the owl tilted its head, then spoke in a clear, human-like voice. "Are you ready?" The bird's tone was crisp and articulate, its large eyes gleaming with intelligence.

William blinked in astonishment. "I've seen a magical owl before, back at the Magic House," he muttered, thinking back to that encounter. "But this one seems... different."

The Forum Master smiled, clearly enjoying William's reaction. "This one's called the White-Faced Owl, a magical creature raised here in Border Town specifically for message delivery." He patted the small copper whistle hanging from his neck. "This little tool summons it whenever we need it."

William, intrigued by the owl's abilities, couldn't help but marvel at how this town seemed to have magic woven into the very fabric of its daily life. He gave a slight nod, impressed despite himself.

"Let's get this done," William said, gripping the reins as the warhorse shifted beneath him. "It's time to hunt down some thieves."