[b]Hector Faust,
Outside of the Capital[/b]

The rumble of hooves preceded the first sight of Faust’s company, at the city gates the guards had snapped to attention upon hearing them. Ready for friend or foe. From the trees horses emerged, flying a sky blue banner with a white lightning bolt striking down its center. Beneath it was a man-shape mounted upon a muscled destrier, he and the horse both wore armor of overlapping plates, but unlike the horse he was entirely hidden by his. Only two holes remained for eyes, and they glowed with a faint light to match his banner in color. Flanking him on either sides were two dozen armored riders in formation, serving as an honor guard, and a pair of light supply wagons followed in their wake. They approached the gates and halted twenty strides from the alert guards. The leading rider passed his banner to a follower before riding ten strides closer.

“You stand before [i]Faust the Thunderous[/i]!” he exclaimed, somehow striking a heroic pose from atop his mount and using the only natural gift he had brought with him from Earth, a clear and resounding voice. “Make way! For I am summoned here by the grace of your liege, and he will not kindly suffer dawdling.” The guards quickly remembered their orders regarding Hero Object wielders, and their captain stepped forward.

“Present your Hero Object, my lord, so that we may escort you to the King,” he stated, his helm resting under his arm.

“My pleasure,” Faust whispered, his low voice echoing from his helm unnaturally. He raised a short rod pulled from his belt and it began to crackle with energy.

“Thank you, m-“ the guard captain’s reply was cut short by a blade of lightning striking down from out of the clear sky above, connecting with the rod to unleash a cacophony of thunder. Although Hector’s horse didn’t so much as flinch as he returned the rod to his belt, once their ears had stopped ringing the guards could hear the panicked neighing of horses and barking of dogs from within the city walls and even his men had trouble controlling their mounts. “My lord...” the captain finished with a dour expression, before turning to his men to ready an escort.