From time to time, I am called upon to play my Zither. As one of very few people trained and in possession of one, I am asked to do all sorts of things. Play at bonding ceremonies, parties, accompany tales... Entertain goddesses, as I wrote recently.

Last night I was called upon to play Zither for rather a different purpose. While I sat in the inn, idly chatting to those who were around, I received an interesting message. Marked with a royal seal and the words "Secret", I was instructed to go immediately to the Dark Tree and to bring my Zither.

Once there, I nervously waited. Valina arrived and there was some tension between us until we each realised that the other had also been "summoned". Urkki too, arrived and appeared to be connected to what was going on, a suspicion that was later confirmed.

Eventually, High Queen Cordelia arrived with an escort of Hojo and Sreip. The plan was quickly laid out before us. Cordelia was to venture into N'rolav with Urkki and Valina, among others, as escorts.

Sreip and I were tasked with making sure that no one followed them into N'rolav at these unsafe times. We were also told to aid nearby areas in the event of demon attacks, though there were guards set up in all the major towns. Thorin in Caernivale, Skylsganin in Milltown and Yulan in Dundee.

Sreip asked me to play, and I quickly began to strum. Playing a zither is a strange thing. You can immerse yourself in it and sometimes it just seems to... Come naturally, once you've started. I am consistantly amazed whenever wonderful tunes seem to tumble out of my fingers across the strings. As I played, Sreip began to tell a tale.

And for a while. Nothing. The occasional passer by, the sound of Sreip's heavy accent, my playing and a mild wind blowing through the trees.

As if the event were some metaphor for our daily lives, this idyllic peacefulness was shattered by calls to arms. The World Crier's voice bellowed across the country. Demons in every town, Dundee, Milltown, Branishor, Caernivale, ... The Forest.

I looked to Sreip and she encouraged me to continue to play, to stop anyone going to N'rolav, while she went to deal with the demons. So play I did. I concentrated and played and sang, becoming immersed in the zither playing, managing to ignore the Crier's calls and my strong sense of duty in favour of my orders.

Eventually Sreip returned. Only for the World Crier to instantly announce more demons. This time I was to go. I quickly grabbed my hammer and ran up to Milltown. Young adventurers battled demons, and I helped them on the way, healing, blessing. One demon was skulking around in the forest. I got to Milltown bazaar and walked headlong into a massive crowd of people surrounding Cordelia. She was back and she was giving orders to various people, hearing reports, coordinating defense.

With Milltown relatively safe I went back for Sreip. I arrived to see her reading a message and she said we were to go to Milltown. I turned on my heels and went back, this time the skulking demon in the forest was engaged in some battle. I ran ahead to find help and brought some back to defeat it, and then we all met up in Milltown Bazaar, the Queen's temporary command post, it seemed.

She gave orders and heard yet more reports. Eventually she decided to go to Caer Laleldan, and she asked me and the Iron Knights to accompany her, and sent word for her defense commanders in each of the towns to come as soon as all was safe.

As Cordelia is no doubt used to, despite her order that everyone else stay and defend Milltown, many people came to Caer Laleldan. As the attacks seemed to die down and the leaders of defense gave their reports, it seemed as if all eventually arrived at the castle for some sort of celebration. Many were highlighted for their acts of bravery and courage throughout the days events. I got a small mention despite being of very little help.

As we began to settle down, The World Crier called out that Sea Rats were making their way up the beach. Well. They picked a bad time to, when all of Valorn's defenders were out in force. I ran to the beach while everyone else simply portalled, and the raid was largely already dealt with.

Finally, it was over and Cordelia settled down to rest. I made my way to Cerbies where I exhaustedly watched the celebrations and festivities as people celebrated our victory.

The best wake up call is "of duty".