Almost thirteen years had passed since Catbriar was brought to her new home of Ohmanry Glen. In those thirteen years she was raised wealthy, and as the heir to her people. Life was not always easy and she tried, like most children her age did to resist her training and discipline that was being instilled into her. Countless days and nights she would stay at her trainer’s house Master Mage Lucor Everhar, studying the arcane arts. Catbriar was quick to pickup the lessons that her magician trainer taught her. Nonetheless, she was resistant to perfect them. The day before her thirteenth birthday she had her nose buried in a book. She sat at a table in a small library that was lit by only one window and two burning candles. Books lined the shelves that were covering every inch of the walls. Catbriar had her face as close as she could have it to her reading materials. She absorbed every word that came from the pages of the book titled The Art of Enchantment. The particular chapter she was reading about was enchanted stones, and how to use them effectively. The door to the library opened and in walked a tall, thin aging man with a receding hairline. His white robes billowed out behind him as he walked to the table and sat down across from his apprentice. “Catbriar,” he said “what have you learned about the stones that gives a staff its power?” The young girl raised her head from the book and slammed it shut. “I’ve learned that different stones give a staff different powers.” She replied stubbornly. Catbriar pushed the book aside and leaned in closer and said softly, “What I don’t understand Master is how there are powers inside of rocks.” The weathered man sat back in his chair and rubbed his chin contemplating the doubts of his apprentice and said, “Gaia has blessed everything in this realm. It is the power that she has granted us as mages that taps the true potential of those blessings.” The girl stood up from the table and walked around to the opposite side and climbed up on top of the table. She sat quiet for a short moment swinging her feet back and forth and thought about what Master Lucor had told her. She then looked at him and said, “Is today the day that Grand Master Ting makes his annual visit?” Master Lucor looked over at his apprentice and revealed a small grin, “Yes Catbriar,” he said, watching the young girl’s eyes light up with gladness “today is the day the Grand Master will be making his visit to Ohmanry Glen. Why are you so excited about his visit child? You usually run and hide when ever Master Ting comes around.” The girl jumped down from the table and ran over to the coat rack and grabbed her shiny black cloak. She wrapped it around her, hiding her multi-colored dress. She hated the dress and tried to continually get out of wearing it. It had been a gift from the Duke of Haloon, and her mother and father insisted she wear it. She fastened her cloak all the way up from her waistline to her neck and said, “Because Master Lucor, today is the day that Grand Master Ting is bringing my staff. Now all I have to do is find a stone and I can assemble it and start training instead of reading.” Master Everhar laughed out loud and stood up from the table and turned to leave the library, “You must have patience Catbriar. All of that will happen in due time. You will have your staff soon.” Both Master and Apprentice exited the library and shut the door. Master Lucor said, “I think though that maybe he might have something else for you today.”
The young apprentice sat out on the bench until the sun was at its highest peak in the sky. She watched as her master wove spells and conjured swirling orbs filled with smoke and mist. When will he teach me to do that? He is such a show off. Off in the distance both master and apprentice could hear the sounds of hooves beating rhythmically against the solid earth. Catbriar jumped off of the bench and began running toward the oncoming hoof beats. She made it to the outskirts of town when her green eyes could see the approaching horse drawn wagon. The rickety, broken down barrow was hardly a transport for a Grand Master Magician. Nonetheless it was the chosen mode of transportation for Master Ting. The horses that pulled the wagon were magnificent. They were the most beautiful creatures that Catbriar had ever laid her eyes on in fact. The steeds’ coats were a smooth, shiny brown that turned to white at their knees. At the ankles their coat fluffed up all the way down to their hooves, creating the effect that they were floating just above the ground instead of walking on it. The horse drawn carriage slowed to a stop just in front of Catbriar. Dust was kicked up as the steeds stomped and walked in place, anxious to find a watering hole. The plain looking man sitting on top of the wagon said assertively, “Calm down the four of you, in due time you’ll get your water.” The small plump man stood up and dusted off his gray robes. He removed the hood from his head revealing a near bald head with a very long beard and mustache. He looked at Catbriar knowingly and gave her a slight smile and wink. Grand Master Ting climbed down from the carriage and walked to the head of the lead horse. He whispered something into the steed’s ear and without warning the four Clydesdales trotted off toward the west side of town to the watering hole.
Once the dust had settled from the horses and wagons, Grand Master Ting started off toward the small Mage’s Guild located in the center of Ohmanry Star. He walked right past Catbriar without acknowledging her. He was about fifteen paces away from her when she yelled, “HEY! I came to greet you. How come you didn’t say anything to me?” She started off running after him when he stated, “It is not my job to acknowledge you first, but your job to recognize me.” The puzzled look on Catbriar’s face made the elderly Mage chuckle under his breath. He put a pipe to his mouth and lit it to hide his amusement with the young girl. Catbriar replied, “I have never heard of that rule before. That is a pretty stupid rule. I’m just a kid, how am I supposed to know…” Master Ting could not hold in his amusement anymore and burst out in a fit of laughter. Catbriar stopped in her tracks and stood confused. “Wait!” She exclaimed. “You were messin with me?” The young girl placed her hands on her hips and cocked them slightly to the right and gave the Grand Master Mage a scowled look. “That wasn’t very nice.” She said as the old man slowed his laughter. “I am,” he wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his cloak, “I am sorry Catbriar. I was just having a little bit of fun with you.” He reached out and rubbed the top of her head messing up her hair. She stood defiantly and refused to fix her hair back to how it was. “That wasn’t funny.” said Catbriar sternly. The Grand Master and young apprentice walked in silence the rest of the way to the Mage’s Guild. Occasionally Master Ting would loose a smile across his face that went from ear to ear.
They arrived in front of the wooded building and found Master Everhar sitting on the bench in a deep state of meditation. “Well,” said Master Ting. “I was hoping for him to be present when I did this. However it looks as though we would be here for a while if we waited on him.” Master Ting turned away from Catbriar and began slowly walking toward the opposite side of town closest to the mountain ranges. “Follow me Catbriar. I wish to speak with you.” She sprinted ahead until she caught up with him and then fell in stride beside the Grand Master. “What do you want to talk about Grand Master?” asked Catbriar. Grand Master Ting took in a puff of his pipe and exhaled saying, “I want to know your thoughts on the different enchanted stones my apprentice.” The young girl looked down at her feet and kicked a rock as she stepped over it. “I am not sure about the secondary enchantments Master.” she said unsure. “But I do know most of the primary enchantments that a stone can possess.” Grand Master Ting stopped walking and turned to face Catbriar. “Secondary enchantments will come to you in time my child.” he said reassuringly. “If you know most of them, then tell me what kind of stone you wish to possess for your staff?” The sun was just starting to crest the highest apex of the Ohmanry Peaks, casting a shadow upon Catbriar’s young face. She had thought long and hard upon this decision. This was the most important one of her young life. It will define her as a Mage. “I,” she stopped and thought some more. What if I chose the wrong stone for my staff? What if it is not the right enchantment for me? How will Master Everhar think of my decision? “I want the diamond!” Catbriar blurted out. She immediately averted her eyes back to the ground, and soon after her head followed. Her head sank even lower as Master Ting said, “A very wise choice for you child.” Catbriar’s head sprang up to Grand Master Ting’s eye level. A wide smile came across her face, “Do you really think so Grand Master?” she asked. He turned from her and began to walk again and said, “Of course I do. Being able to control the power of lightning, handed down from Zehan Himself takes a special person.” Catbriar looked up at him curiously, “Am I special enough to be able to do it Master?” she asked. Ting loosed another small chuckle, unleashing a stern look once more from the young girl. “Yes child, I do believe that you will be able to wield the power quite easily.” he said. “To be able to harness the power of Zehan’s wrath one must be a powerful spirit in their own right.” he continued, “You come from a very powerful lineage Catbriar. A lineage so powerful as to be able to wield…” The Grand Master trailed off his sentence and let it hang in the air between them.
The midday sun had now begun to sink behind the highest spire of Ohmanry Peaks creating an early dusk. “Able to wield what Master?” Catbriar asked. The short man did not respond immediately. Catbriar knew not to push the issue, she had once before only to find herself blind for a week as punishment from the Grand Master. The two had made it to the base of the mountain range before Master Ting answered her question. “I am sorry child. I spoke out of line, and I should not have.” Confusion fell upon Catbriar’s face, “I do not understand Master. Why will no one tell me where I’m from?” Tears began to well up in her eyes. Grand Master Ting reached for her and placed a hand upon her shoulder. Considering the difference between their ages, he did not have to reach down very far to touch her. “Catbriar, you must understand. Your destiny has been told to me, and it is not my place to tell you that destiny.” He continued. “It is your journey to find out who you are, and where you are from. If I were to just tell you, you would miss out on all the fun in your future.” He removed his hand and reached inside of his robes. Catbriar began sobbing and turned her back to him. “I just want to know who I am. Why I am what I am. I am the only person from Ohmanry Glen that has ever had arcane abilities. Does that not seem weird to you Master?” There was a long heavy silence before Catbriar turned to see Grand Master Ting holding a bright white staff with a clear stone attached to the top in one hand. In the other was a very large gray and black spotted stone. “These are for you. For your birthday child.” Through crocodile tears Catbriar’s eyes lit up like the stars. “My staff!” she exclaimed. She ran over and took it in her hands. She admired its beauty and elegance. Once she examined the shaft she shifted her eyes to the stone attached at the top. Her eyes sparkled even in the shadows of the mountain. She was mesmerized by its majesty. Catbriar knew she would never see a stone more beautiful no matter how long she lived to be.
“Do you not want your other gift child?” said Master Ting. Catbriar looked up to see the Grand Master still holding the very large gray and black stone. “Please take it Catbriar, it is much heavier than it looks.” he said jokingly. She reached up and took the stone, feeling that it weighed no more than a handful of feathers. “A stone? What is in it Grand Master?” she asked. “It is not a stone, it is an egg. I do not know what is in it child, but I am to believe that it holds a great treasure once thought to be extinct from these lands.” Catbriar turned the egg over and over in her hands, inspecting it from every angle. “When can I expect it to hatch Grand Master?” she asked. Master Ting folded his arms inside of his robes and said, “Within the first hour that it is returned to its place of birth.” Catbriar shook her head and said softly, “I do not understand Master. Why would you bring this egg to me then?” Realization came to the young mage, “It was born here wasn’t it Master?” Grand Master Ting smiled big, “Yes Catbriar, it was born right in this very same spot we are standing in now.” Her eyes continued back and forth from the egg to Grand Master Ting. “How do you know Grand Master? I mean…” she trailed off. He stepped closer to Catbriar and placed his hand on the large egg, “I rescued it child. I had been traveling through trying to find some new recruits for the Mage’s Guild. I was only Seventeen years old at the time.” He began rubbing the gray and black egg, “It was lying in a nest right where you are standing now. I watched the nest for several days before realizing that what ever laid the egg was not going to return to its nest.” The Grand Master removed his hand and replaced it in his robes. “I picked up the egg and took it back home with me. It was not until many years later that I found out why it had never hatched for me.” He contemplated his next words for a short moment, “When Master Everhar set up a guild here and discovered you ten years ago, I knew who the egg was going to.” Tears welled up in Catbriar’s eyes once more, “Thank you Master, thank you very much.”
The Grand Master Mage and his young apprentice stood in the same spot for another ten minutes talking when they heard a cracking sound. “Catbriar look, your egg is hatching!” exclaimed Master Ting. Catbriar dropped her staff and took hold of the egg with two hands so as to not drop it. She then lowered the now rapidly cracking egg to the ground and took a step back to watch the miracle of life. After a few short moments, the cracking stopped. A moment went by and then one loud crack. A small head emerged from the shell. “It’s a lion Master!” Catbriar said. “I thought lions were born, not hatched.” Another loud crack produced another head. “It’s a dragon Catbriar.” Master Ting said. “Do you know what this creature is child?” he said. One last, loud crack produced a third head. “No Master, I do not know.” The creature climbed the rest of its way from the shell revealing a lion’s head in the middle with a dragon’s head to the left and the goat’s head to the right. Its body was that of a lions. “It’s magnificent Grand Master. What is it?” Grand Master Ting reached down and scratched the lion behind its ear. The lion tilted its head to the right as the goat gnawed on Ting’s pinky finger, and the dragon emitted a very small burst of fire from its mouth. “It is a Chimera Catbriar, and the only one left in Allukra.”
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Journey of Catbriar: Chapter One Origins
The rain pelted his face like an angry mob throwing stones. He never flinched, not tonight. The moon masked itself behind clouds of fury, while the thunder and lightning reigned supreme. Of all of the packages to deliver in all of Allukra, he was given this one. He did not ask for this, nor did he want it. He knew the risks involved, and he initially turned down the offer. The rewards however were too great to pass up. He would finally be given lands and titles, along with riches. Jewels, silver and gold were his prize. More money than the poor farmer had ever seen before in his life. His job was to deliver the package to the Assassin’s Guild in the City of the Kings. There he would collect his wealth and make his way back home. He had just been passing through Reign’s Reach and stopped at the castle to seek shelter from the storms. It had been raining for the last five days and was showing no signs of slowing down. The storms grew more and more severe. “Punishment from the Gods.” He said. “Someone has done something very wrong to have this sort of wrath set upon the earth.” His deep gravely voice was growing weary due to his lack of water. But the man in the tan tunic and black cloak ventured on. He reached the RavenKing Bridge to find it abandoned of its usual quartet of guards. “Something is wrong.” The man said under his breath. He turned to the guards’ hut and peered through the window. A fire was lit and there was a stew boiling over it. There were no guards though. He walked to the door just feet from where he was standing and let himself in. Inside the man found a wineskin. He uncorked it and began to drink quickly. Then he grabbed a bowl from the table and helped himself to some of the stew. After devouring the piping hot meal, the man looked down at the bulge under his tunic and cloak and said, “He may have doomed the world this night, but Zehan has blessed us little one.” He stood from his seat at the table and made his way back out into the night.
After half a days travel, the man made it to the City of the Kings. He reached the steps of the Assassin’s Guild and pounded on the door. After a short moment of waiting the door unlatched and standing in the opening was a man of medium build, wearing all black from head to toe. “May I help you?” the Assassin said. The courier was taken aback. He had never seen an assassin before. That is a good thing, he though. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. “Hurry up with you, I haven’t got all day.” Said the man in black. “I…I have a delivery for the Grand Master of the Poison Dagger.” The courier was scared. More scared than he had ever been before, and with good reason as well. When someone came across an assassin, they usually didn’t come back. That meant they had done something wrong. “State your business with the Grand Master and make it fast.” Demanded the Assassin. The man looked down toward the ground, and all of the mud that was engulfing his feet. “I have a package to deliver. It is from the King and Queen of Reign’s Reach and I am here to collect my payment for said package as well.” Still standing in the doorway, the man dressed in all black said, “Yes, we knew you were coming. Word arrived just before sundown that you were bringing the Grand Master’s,” he paused for a moment, “weapon.” The assassin stepped away from the door and motioned the courier in to the guild. He heard the door shut and latch behind him. I wonder if I’ll ever make it out of here alive. Thought the man. Once inside the dimly lit foyer, the deliverer kept his eyes forward and refused to look at anything else except the one leading him to the Grand Master’s chambers.
At the end of a small hallway lined with swords, shields, and daggers was the door that held the Grand Master. The assassin knocked four times, paused, and then knocked three more times. “You may enter Assassin X.” a voice said from the other side of the door. The man dressed in black, referred to now as Assassin X opened the door and then stepped aside to allow the package handler to pass the threshold. Once inside, the man felt a lump in his throat as he heard this door shut and latch. The chamber for a Grand Master was not what he had envisioned at all. It was not extravagant, or finely decorated. Instead it was a well lit room, with many daggers and paintings hanging on each wall. There were two seating cushions up against the far wall, and a small table that had one incense burner on top. The smell of the incense burned the man’s nose, but it was better than the pigs and cows back on the farm. Standing in front of a workbench on the right side of the room was a small man. Like the assassin before him, this man was wearing all black, and had his back to the courier. “I trust that you had no troubles at the RavenKing Bridge?” said the man in a slightly high pitched voice. “I…uh, no. No troubles at all sir.” Said the man. “And the stew was it tasty?” the assassin said. How did he know I had some stew? Were they watching me the entire time? “Yes it was very good. It gave me the strength I needed to finish my trek here.” The man in the tan tunic replied. “Please, have a seat.” The assassin motioned to the cushions up against the back wall, and then made his way over to sit across from his guest. Cradling the package under his cloak and tunic, the deliverer said, “The man who let me in, he was very trusting of me. He is an assassin is he not? I did not think your lot was so trusting of strangers.” The Grand Master released a high pitch cackle that made the courier jump in fright. “Assassin X knew you were coming. He was the one who dispensed the guards at the RavenKing Bridge, and the one who prepared your meal tonight.” The Master Assassin calmed his laughter and looked the courier in the eye and said seriously, “And now Assassin X has something else to take care of. Another situation that calls for his expertise in arrangement.” The guest swallowed hard, knowing that Assassin X was off to kill someone else this night. “Now,” said the man in black, “let me see my weapon.” The courier removed his cloak and began to button down his rain soaked tunic when, BOOM! The wood all around them splintered. A hundred different voices began yelling and screaming. Some shouted in a triumphant voice and others in fear. “It is the White Knights!” yelled the Grand Master. “A rival guild that is hell bent on destroying the Poison Daggers!” The assassin threw the cushion he was just sitting on aside to reveal a trap door. “Grab your cloak and get in. There is a tunnel that will lead you into the forest just outside of the city. Wait for me there until midday, if I haven’t made it to you by then, go home. And do take care of my weapon!” The courier grabbed his cloak and jumped through the trap door and began to run as fast as he could. He could hear the cushion get thrown back into place and then heard the Grand Master assassin shouting words that he could not understand. The man ran a couple thousand paces and heard the fighting from the assassin’s guild every step of the way. He then emerged out of the trunk of a tree covered by a foliage blanket. Now the only thing left was the wait. The rain continued to pound the man, but he never wavered. He waited until the sun rose up over the horizon signaling daybreak. It was now daylight, but the sun remained hidden behind all of the storm clouds that stuck around for seemingly another day. The assassin still had not shown. Even as midday neared, there was still no sign of the Grand Master Assassin. The man stood up and began walking out of the forest, following the sun that began making its decent behind the clouds. Home was close by, and he could not wait to show his wife what he had now been given to take care of. At the edge of the forest was a stable housing many horses. The door to the stable house opened and in the doorway stood Assassin X. “Come here courier. I have something for you.” The man reluctantly made his way to the door of the house, and then entered. “It is unfortunate,” the assassin said, “that you are now charged to care for the Grand Master’s weapon. But he gave it to you, it is now yours. See to it that no harm ever befall it.” Assassin X walked over to a chest on the west side of the room, opened it and removed a large satchel that was full to the opening. “Part of your payment.” Said the assassin. “The rest is on a horse’s saddlebags out in the stables. You will never have the need of money again, and there will be enough to take very good care of the weapon.” He then walked back over toward the door and motioned for the man to exit. The courier took the large satchel and his leave and found the horse in the stables. The saddlebags, as well as the satchel were filled with jewels and gold. It would be more than enough to do what he needed to do. The man climbed onto the horse’s back and rode off to the west.
After a two day ride, the man made it to Ohmanry Star. A small village nestled deep in the valley that lay between the peaks of Ohmanry Glen. The storms had finally passed. A sign that Zehan was satisfied with his punishment that he was dealing to the land. The sun began cresting the morning sky, and Ohmanry Star was still asleep. He stopped in front of a very small farm house and dismounted from his traveling companion. He then removed the satchel and saddlebags, and dragged them into the house. Inside, he rested the heavy bags up against the wall and looked to the small bed across the room. A woman began stirring at the sound of the clinking jewels and coins inside the bags. He turned and closed the door, then latched it. He walked over to the bed as the woman opened her eyes. She spotted him, and flung her eyes open the rest of the way. She sprang from the bed and ran over to him. They embraced tightly, and then almost immediately she pulled back as a small crying sound began to come from inside the man’s tunic. “Jianos, what is that under your tunic? Is that crying?” the woman said. Jianos began removing his cloak and tunic and said, “Athah, it is crying. And truth be told, this is the first time the little darling has cried in almost six days.” He revealed a small baby from under his tunic and presented it to his wife. “Jianos, how? I mean where did it come from?” Athah took the baby from her husband and began cradling it against her bosom. “Well, it’s a long story my love.” Jianos said, “But to make it rather short she, not it, was a mar against a royal family. Apparently the Queen of Reign’s Reach had an affair with her hand to hand combat instructor. And this is the result of their adultery.” “Then how did you come to get her Jianos?” asked Athah. “I was traveling home from the Reign Marketplace, the rain was so bad that I could barely see five paces in front of me. I stumbled upon the castle and asked to stay until the storms passed. I was then offered to take the baby to the City of the Kings, and a handsome reward.” He said, pointing to the bags resting up against the wall. Athah went to a small cupboard and produced a jar of milk, then began feeding the child. “So why did you not leave her at the City then Jianos?” He started changing out of his wet clothes and putting on dry ones and said, “The place I was to deliver her to fell under attack. I made it out of there with only my life and hers. I was then charged to take care of her. Then we were handsomely rewarded for doing so.” He walked over to the fireplace and threw some wood onto it and began poking at the wood with an iron rod to try to stoke the fire. Athah sat down on the bed and continued feeding the child. “Should we give her a name Jianos?” she said. “The messenger that handed her to me,” he replied, “told me her name was Saphira. But I do not think that is a fitting name for an Ohmanryte, do you Athah?” She looked down at the baby girl and gazed into her sea blue colored eyes and said, “Saphira does fit her, but does not fit this land.” The husband and wife spoke at great lengths about the name of the child until sundown, and still had not come up with a name. Finally nearing mid night, the two had decided what the child should be called. Crouching on a small cliff looking down upon Ohmanry Star was Assassin X. “I’ll see you soon, Catbriar.”
After half a days travel, the man made it to the City of the Kings. He reached the steps of the Assassin’s Guild and pounded on the door. After a short moment of waiting the door unlatched and standing in the opening was a man of medium build, wearing all black from head to toe. “May I help you?” the Assassin said. The courier was taken aback. He had never seen an assassin before. That is a good thing, he though. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. “Hurry up with you, I haven’t got all day.” Said the man in black. “I…I have a delivery for the Grand Master of the Poison Dagger.” The courier was scared. More scared than he had ever been before, and with good reason as well. When someone came across an assassin, they usually didn’t come back. That meant they had done something wrong. “State your business with the Grand Master and make it fast.” Demanded the Assassin. The man looked down toward the ground, and all of the mud that was engulfing his feet. “I have a package to deliver. It is from the King and Queen of Reign’s Reach and I am here to collect my payment for said package as well.” Still standing in the doorway, the man dressed in all black said, “Yes, we knew you were coming. Word arrived just before sundown that you were bringing the Grand Master’s,” he paused for a moment, “weapon.” The assassin stepped away from the door and motioned the courier in to the guild. He heard the door shut and latch behind him. I wonder if I’ll ever make it out of here alive. Thought the man. Once inside the dimly lit foyer, the deliverer kept his eyes forward and refused to look at anything else except the one leading him to the Grand Master’s chambers.
At the end of a small hallway lined with swords, shields, and daggers was the door that held the Grand Master. The assassin knocked four times, paused, and then knocked three more times. “You may enter Assassin X.” a voice said from the other side of the door. The man dressed in black, referred to now as Assassin X opened the door and then stepped aside to allow the package handler to pass the threshold. Once inside, the man felt a lump in his throat as he heard this door shut and latch. The chamber for a Grand Master was not what he had envisioned at all. It was not extravagant, or finely decorated. Instead it was a well lit room, with many daggers and paintings hanging on each wall. There were two seating cushions up against the far wall, and a small table that had one incense burner on top. The smell of the incense burned the man’s nose, but it was better than the pigs and cows back on the farm. Standing in front of a workbench on the right side of the room was a small man. Like the assassin before him, this man was wearing all black, and had his back to the courier. “I trust that you had no troubles at the RavenKing Bridge?” said the man in a slightly high pitched voice. “I…uh, no. No troubles at all sir.” Said the man. “And the stew was it tasty?” the assassin said. How did he know I had some stew? Were they watching me the entire time? “Yes it was very good. It gave me the strength I needed to finish my trek here.” The man in the tan tunic replied. “Please, have a seat.” The assassin motioned to the cushions up against the back wall, and then made his way over to sit across from his guest. Cradling the package under his cloak and tunic, the deliverer said, “The man who let me in, he was very trusting of me. He is an assassin is he not? I did not think your lot was so trusting of strangers.” The Grand Master released a high pitch cackle that made the courier jump in fright. “Assassin X knew you were coming. He was the one who dispensed the guards at the RavenKing Bridge, and the one who prepared your meal tonight.” The Master Assassin calmed his laughter and looked the courier in the eye and said seriously, “And now Assassin X has something else to take care of. Another situation that calls for his expertise in arrangement.” The guest swallowed hard, knowing that Assassin X was off to kill someone else this night. “Now,” said the man in black, “let me see my weapon.” The courier removed his cloak and began to button down his rain soaked tunic when, BOOM! The wood all around them splintered. A hundred different voices began yelling and screaming. Some shouted in a triumphant voice and others in fear. “It is the White Knights!” yelled the Grand Master. “A rival guild that is hell bent on destroying the Poison Daggers!” The assassin threw the cushion he was just sitting on aside to reveal a trap door. “Grab your cloak and get in. There is a tunnel that will lead you into the forest just outside of the city. Wait for me there until midday, if I haven’t made it to you by then, go home. And do take care of my weapon!” The courier grabbed his cloak and jumped through the trap door and began to run as fast as he could. He could hear the cushion get thrown back into place and then heard the Grand Master assassin shouting words that he could not understand. The man ran a couple thousand paces and heard the fighting from the assassin’s guild every step of the way. He then emerged out of the trunk of a tree covered by a foliage blanket. Now the only thing left was the wait. The rain continued to pound the man, but he never wavered. He waited until the sun rose up over the horizon signaling daybreak. It was now daylight, but the sun remained hidden behind all of the storm clouds that stuck around for seemingly another day. The assassin still had not shown. Even as midday neared, there was still no sign of the Grand Master Assassin. The man stood up and began walking out of the forest, following the sun that began making its decent behind the clouds. Home was close by, and he could not wait to show his wife what he had now been given to take care of. At the edge of the forest was a stable housing many horses. The door to the stable house opened and in the doorway stood Assassin X. “Come here courier. I have something for you.” The man reluctantly made his way to the door of the house, and then entered. “It is unfortunate,” the assassin said, “that you are now charged to care for the Grand Master’s weapon. But he gave it to you, it is now yours. See to it that no harm ever befall it.” Assassin X walked over to a chest on the west side of the room, opened it and removed a large satchel that was full to the opening. “Part of your payment.” Said the assassin. “The rest is on a horse’s saddlebags out in the stables. You will never have the need of money again, and there will be enough to take very good care of the weapon.” He then walked back over toward the door and motioned for the man to exit. The courier took the large satchel and his leave and found the horse in the stables. The saddlebags, as well as the satchel were filled with jewels and gold. It would be more than enough to do what he needed to do. The man climbed onto the horse’s back and rode off to the west.
After a two day ride, the man made it to Ohmanry Star. A small village nestled deep in the valley that lay between the peaks of Ohmanry Glen. The storms had finally passed. A sign that Zehan was satisfied with his punishment that he was dealing to the land. The sun began cresting the morning sky, and Ohmanry Star was still asleep. He stopped in front of a very small farm house and dismounted from his traveling companion. He then removed the satchel and saddlebags, and dragged them into the house. Inside, he rested the heavy bags up against the wall and looked to the small bed across the room. A woman began stirring at the sound of the clinking jewels and coins inside the bags. He turned and closed the door, then latched it. He walked over to the bed as the woman opened her eyes. She spotted him, and flung her eyes open the rest of the way. She sprang from the bed and ran over to him. They embraced tightly, and then almost immediately she pulled back as a small crying sound began to come from inside the man’s tunic. “Jianos, what is that under your tunic? Is that crying?” the woman said. Jianos began removing his cloak and tunic and said, “Athah, it is crying. And truth be told, this is the first time the little darling has cried in almost six days.” He revealed a small baby from under his tunic and presented it to his wife. “Jianos, how? I mean where did it come from?” Athah took the baby from her husband and began cradling it against her bosom. “Well, it’s a long story my love.” Jianos said, “But to make it rather short she, not it, was a mar against a royal family. Apparently the Queen of Reign’s Reach had an affair with her hand to hand combat instructor. And this is the result of their adultery.” “Then how did you come to get her Jianos?” asked Athah. “I was traveling home from the Reign Marketplace, the rain was so bad that I could barely see five paces in front of me. I stumbled upon the castle and asked to stay until the storms passed. I was then offered to take the baby to the City of the Kings, and a handsome reward.” He said, pointing to the bags resting up against the wall. Athah went to a small cupboard and produced a jar of milk, then began feeding the child. “So why did you not leave her at the City then Jianos?” He started changing out of his wet clothes and putting on dry ones and said, “The place I was to deliver her to fell under attack. I made it out of there with only my life and hers. I was then charged to take care of her. Then we were handsomely rewarded for doing so.” He walked over to the fireplace and threw some wood onto it and began poking at the wood with an iron rod to try to stoke the fire. Athah sat down on the bed and continued feeding the child. “Should we give her a name Jianos?” she said. “The messenger that handed her to me,” he replied, “told me her name was Saphira. But I do not think that is a fitting name for an Ohmanryte, do you Athah?” She looked down at the baby girl and gazed into her sea blue colored eyes and said, “Saphira does fit her, but does not fit this land.” The husband and wife spoke at great lengths about the name of the child until sundown, and still had not come up with a name. Finally nearing mid night, the two had decided what the child should be called. Crouching on a small cliff looking down upon Ohmanry Star was Assassin X. “I’ll see you soon, Catbriar.”
Chapter 14: An Unexpected Ally
After I had finally buried my wife Cirania, I stood on the western border of Reign’s Reach looking into the Land of the Kings. My newest companion in my unlife, Empyreal, walked up behind me and nudged my left shoulder with his snout. Reaching up to pet his nose I said, “Say goodbye my friend, this just might be the last time we return home for quite some time.” The young colt huffed in knowing agreement. “I’m going to miss her Empyreal.” I said, lowering my head. My equine friend moved his head to the right playfully, nearly knocking me to my feet. I grabbed the reigns to the colt and tugging on them I said laughing, “At least I have you to keep me in high spirits.” I swung my left leg around, jumped up on Empyreal’s back and spurred him in his hindquarters, “Let’s go my friend, to the City of the Kings. We are going to crash Dante and Zeshua’s little party.” My mount nodded his head up and down in complete agreement of the up coming adventure we were about to embark upon. I pointed Empyreal in the direction of the RavenKing River Bridge and made my way to the Land of the Kings.
My companion and I had been traveling for only a few hours when I began hearing the rush of the river off in the distance. I leaned closer to Empyreal and said can you hear that my friend? We are almost there.” I looked back behind me once more to see the vast open plains that was the Land of the Kings. Its beauty was a sight to behold. To watch the wheat wave upon the earth, set upon the backdrop of the night was enchanting. Somewhere off in the distance I could hear a nest of baby birds calling to their mother that it was feeding time. Somewhere else, a badger foraged for its own mid-night snack. The moon on this particular night was also grandeur incarnate. It was at its highest peak in the night sky, and was bigger than one’s eye had ever seen. Its presence gave me the courage that I needed to continue on to certain death. I was about to challenge my sire. The man who taught me everything I knew. The same man who battered and bruised me during hand to hand combat training while I was growing up. I knew I was no match for him, but that was not the worst I had to fear. I was also planning on challenging the Lord of Evil himself. I knew that this was a suicide mission, but something I had to do nonetheless if I ever planned on getting rid of the cursed weapon, Harbinger.
As I neared the crossing bridge of the RavenKing River I came upon three guardsmen. There were two on the east side and only one on the west side. I thought it to be very strange as there were always two on each side, but it was none of my business as I had more important things to worry about. I approached from the east and raised my right hand as a show of peace and that I meant them or the land they protected no harm. “I am Aerol Reign,” I said, “from just west of here. I come only to visit, nothing more.” My voice never wavered, and did not betray me at all. The guard on my right then lowered his halberd and spoke, “Are you Prince Reign?” he said. I placed my left hand on the hilt of my sword, “No, there are many in the lands west of here with that particular surname.” I lied, “However we are not all royalty. Although it would be quite nice to live in that fancy castle of theirs would it not?” I forced out a laugh to try to sway the guards more into believing I was not here to cause trouble. The three guards laughed along with me. “Tell me your business in the Land of the Kings Master Horseman.” said the guard across the bridge. I patted Empyreal on the side of his thick neck and said, “I am here to see the stable hands in the City. I hear they are but the best horse trainers in all the land.” Empyreal began to mildly throw his head about and kick his back hooves into the air. “You see, my colt here is a bit unruly.” I told the guards. “There is not a thing I can do with him either. He will not listen to me.” I tugged on the reigns and pretended to try to calm my young colt by saying “whoa” over and over again. The guard who had yet to speak finally did by saying, “Well, I suppose my friend was wrong. You are not a master horseman. But you have a very nice colt that will some day, with the proper training from a firm hand grow to be a fine stallion.” All of the guards then lowered their halberds which was a sign that I was clear to pass. Halfway across the bridge I asked, “Where is the fourth of your guard? I have passed through here many many times and there have always been four of you.” The guard to the right of me said, “Oh him. He saw a very attractive young lady pass through here just a short time ago.” The guard continued on, “He couldn’t stop talking about her, or thinking about her. So he decided to go and collect some…taxes from her.” The group of guards began laughing and talking amongst themselves. “Well then, this lady must have been quite a prize for a guard of the Land to abandon his post.” I said in response. The three stopped talking and looked at me with anger. “Mind your own business here in the Land of the Kings now.” Said one of the guardsmen. I reigned in Empyreal and said, “Not to worry, I am only here for the Stable Hands, nothing more.” I spurred my steed and began crossing the bridge in to the land where my sire would die.
I had been riding for a while, when I heard with my Vampiric ears the sound of a struggle and then a woman screaming. I halted Empyreal and turned him toward the sound, “I wonder my friend.” I said to the young colt. He reared his head back and with out spurring him forward he began sprinting in the direction of the sounds. A few hundred feet away my equestrian friend slowed to a trot and then to a stop to allow me to dismount, then he ran off to the east. For the first time in ages I pulled out my Druidic bow. I ran my fingers up and down the draw string and closed my eyes trying to fight the uncontrollable urge to toss the bow and draw Harbinger instead. Deep down within me I knew there was a power that could help me overcome my dark desires. I searched my soul and found the energy that my sire had taught me about. The energy of the earth, the energy of Gaia. My body began to mildly shake with the resistance of the clashing power within me. Foam began forming at the corners of my mouth, and blood began trickling out of my nose. Fight it Aerol. I thought to myself. I dug deeper, deeper than I had ever dug before. It felt as though I was trying to rip my soul out of the depths of my being. The pain was excruciating, and yet it was exhilarating at the same time. The power and energy that was bestowed upon me by my Goddess Gaia, was beginning to win the war that was being waged inside of my soul. I opened my eyes, only to slam them shut again. It felt as though my eyes would pop out of their sockets with all of the energy swirling around inside of me. I could hear the wood cracking on the Mystic Bow of the Druid that Dante had given me many years ago. I tried to open my hand to release it, but it was as though I had no more control over my body. Instead all there was was war. Many moments passed before the conflict for my soul subsided. I released my grip on my bow, and opened my eyes. My hearing began to refocus itself, and then I heard the screams again. The screaming was the reason that I was here. There was a struggle, and a woman screaming. I knelt down and picked up my bow once more, only to catch myself from falling over by resting my hands on the ground below me. I steadied myself and waited for a very short time for the world around me to stop spinning, and grabbed my bow and took off in a dead sprint toward the woman’s screams.
I slowed to a stealthy walk until I could hear the struggling just on the other side of a small brush. I stuck my hands through the brush and began to separate them until I could see through to the other side. What I seen made me sick to my stomach. No woman should ever be treated this way. The fourth guard from the RavenKing Bridge was trying to force himself upon a very young and beautiful, raven haired woman. I could not see her face, but I could tell that she had been struggling for quite some time against a brute of a man. The young lady’s black cloak was covered in dirt, and her walking stick had been tossed away from her. Apparently that had been what she initially used to fend off this sick man. Then the woman screamed again. However it wasn’t a scream, she was actually talking. I could not understand what she was saying. The scream came again, and this time I understood. It was not basic language she was using. It was an archaic language. This woman was a mage. Her walking stick was not as simple as that, it was her staff. The guard must have known this and disarmed her as quickly as he could. Now he was lying on top of her with his pants around his ankles, showing his pasty backside for all to see. Then on the other side of the clearing I saw a break in all of the forests brush. That is how he got her in here, filthy swine.
I slowly let the brush fall back into place and sprinted around to the other side of the clearing to where the break in the thicket was. I made no sound at all, my feet were completely invisible to the ground beneath them. It was as though I was not touching the ground at all. I saw the break in the brush coming up ahead and reached back to pull my bow once more, and then I hesitated. Confident that the internal war was definitely over I grabbed the magical wood that consisted of the bow’s shaft. There were no more struggles. I had beaten the urge, this time. I had pulled my bow off of my back and drew back the string by the time I got to the clearing in the thicket. I turned and whispered, “Arrow”. The Mystic Bow of the Druid loosed the missile true. In the blink of an eye, the arrow had pierced the guard right between his eyes and slumped over on top of his victim. I walked into the clearing and over to the dead attacker and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and flung him into the brush beyond the clearing.
I extended a hand to the young lady who was lying still on the ground trying to regain her composure. Reluctantly, the woman reached up and grabbed my hand. I helped her to her feet and reached into my satchel and grabbed a wineskin filled with water and handed it to the woman and said, “You had your self in quite the situation there.” The young lady uncorked the wineskin and began to drink quickly. She then poured some on her hands and began cleaning them and her face. “Thank you for your help,” she said, “but I had everything under control. I just needed to get to my staff.” As she began to dust off her black cloak I said, “Yes, it appeared as though you did.” I offered a hand as a sign of friendship and continued by saying, “My name is Aerol. I’m on my way to the capital city to have the Stable Hands train my colt. He is a bit wild, and I can not train him.” The woman produced a small piece of cloth from inside her robe and began wiping her hands on them. She then stared at my hand and said, “Nice to meet you Aerol. Thank you again for your help.” She turned and began to walk away when I said, “So do you have a name? Or should I just call you victim?” The young woman stopped in her tracks and spun to face me. “My name is not important. Just know that I could blink you out of existence with the snap of my fingers.” She said sternly. I loosed a small laugh. I ran my hands through my hair and said, “Yes, well my friend it appeared as though you were able to do that to the guard as well.” The lady bent down, picked up her staff and rushed toward me pointing her weapon in my face. “Are you mocking me Aerol?” She angrily spoke. I laughed again, this time more jovial than before. I swatted her gleaming staff away from me and said, “No, of course not. I was just merely pointing out the fact that you were pretty much helpless against that guard without your staff.” I took the wineskin back from her and said, “If you are not going to give me your name, then I shall take my leave.” I slightly bowed to her and began walking back to the exit of the clearing.
Just as I was about to make my way back in to the thicket I heard, “My name is Catbriar. I’m from Ohmanry Glen. I know who you are Aerol Reign. My mother summoned me when you were captured there.” I came to a dead stop and stood there contemplating. My back still to her she said, “You were on the brink of torpor. My mother did not know what to do so she called for me. I have befriended a Vampire or two in my life, so I knew what needed to be done.” I looked back at Catbriar over my left shoulder and said, “What needed to be done?” She lowered her head and said softly, “You needed blood, and I gave it to you.” She pulled back the collar of her shimmering cloak to reveal two small bite marks upon the side of her neck. “You fed off of me, and you nearly killed me.” Said Catbriar. “I spent the next six months trying to recover.” I turned fully to face my sister. “Why did you not choose someone else? Why did you pick yourself to be the one bitten by a Vampire?” I asked. Catbriar looked up at me and said quietly, “Because there was no time to find a wino or a beggar from another place. The Piamrev Bectish soldiers were already there by the time I arrived in Ohmanry Star. There were no other options. You were our only hope of survival against an invasion from the Bectish.” I walked back to the center of the clearing once more. I stood face to face with my only living relative. I place a hand on her shoulder and said, “Then how did the Bectish manage to destroy Ohmanry Glen and every town in it?”
Tears began to well up in her eyes, she looked away and tried to blink them away as quickly as she could. It was no use, they began to flow like rain. “I ordered my mother and her servant to evacuate Ohmanry Glen as soon as they could. Then I found a friend, and they destroyed it.” Catbriar looked back at me and buried her face into my chest and began to weep. I wrapped my arms around her and comforted her as best I knew how. It felt so good to embrace my sister. My sister that I had never known until now. “Who was your friend? More importantly though, why did you chose to have Ohmanry Glen destroyed?” I asked. Catbriar pulled away from my grasp and wiped the tears away from her face and said, “I went to find Oases and Thresh. I know this sounds silly, but they are wolves. Wolves that have special gifts, magical gifts even. I knew they could accomplish what I needed done.” At the mention of Oases and Thresh, I realized that my sister’s and my destinies were more intertwined than even Dante could have predicted. “As for why I did it, shortly after I recovered from your bites the Bectish sent more men. More men to find the ones that never returned to them.” Catbriar began pacing, gripping her staff as tightly as she could. “They discovered what had happened, and they began torturing town’s people until someone told them who had killed their men. Then they sent word back to Piamrev to send a small army so they could take over the town and enslave the men and children, and make the women their servants to fulfill their lustful desires.” She stopped right in front of me and said angrily, “I could not become a servant to that cause. I would not stand by and watch my father enslaved, and my mother become one of their whores. So I sought out Thresh and Oases. I offered up my soul for the safety of my lands.” She took a step forward and was now staring directly in to my face. “The only thing we could come up with to keep the Bectish from invading and assuming control of Ohmanry Glen was to have it destroyed. Oases went to consult with Gaia, and present her with my offering. Two days later I was informed that we had four days time until life as we knew it in the Glen would end.”
I offered Catbriar an apology but she would have none of it, “It was not your fault, nor was it your choice.” She said convincingly. “But I do have a question for you. What were you doing in Ohmanry Star anyway? It is quite a ways out of the way to anywhere.” I was taken aback by the question. My mind quickly searched for a suitable answer. I just said the first thing that came to mind. “I was on my way to Haloon to have the smith there forge my bow. I had heard that he was the only person who could perform such a task. Once I was in the mountains, I became lost and stumbled upon the quiet little town.” She looked down toward the ground and said, “Oh, well I suppose that makes sense. I was never told why you came to town in the first place. I suppose I had hoped that you were there to save us from the constantly invading Orcs. I know, those are just silly childhood dreams.” She looked back up at me and smiled. I knew then that she was a product of my mother. Her blue eyes were as gentle, yet powerful as the sea. Her smile was such that it could fill the world with enough sunshine so that all of the trees could grow for years without ever seeing the light of day. I smiled back and said, “I’m sorry, there is no such exciting story. I’m just Aerol. I’m nothing special for certain.” She nudged passed me and said, “I hear the rest of the guards from the bridge heading this way. They’re fighting with something just beyond the tree line. Let’s go.”
We emerged from the tree line just a few hundred paces from where the guards were fending off a large creature. I walked out from the trees a bit more to see Empyreal pounding the Bridge’s Guardsmen with his front hooves. The men tried to jab their spears into his sides, but every time they tried Empyreal would swat the spears away and continue his beatings of the guards. I laughed out loud and then Catbriar said, “Is that your wild horse?” The laughter continued and I responded by saying, “Yes, that’s him.” A worrisome look came across her face, “Shouldn’t we go and help him?” she asked. “No,” I said through the laughter, “we should go help them.” I began jogging toward the scuffle, laughing the whole way. Catbriar followed with her staff at the ready. As I approached one of the guardsmen yelled, “Get your stupid horse off of us! We were just coming to look for our General.” I stopped running, and Catbriar stopped right next to me standing at the ready. I placed my hand upon her arm and said quietly, “Take it easy.
You’ve never lied your way out of a situation have you?” I whistled for Empyreal and he put all four hooves on the ground and trotted over to me. “I am so sorry.” I said to the guards. “He really does have a mind of his own.” The shortest of the three guards said, “You told us you were going to the city. How did you end up thousands of paces away from the road?” I threw my leg over Empyreal’s back and mounted my colt. I then grabbed Catbriar’s arm and set her on his back behind me. “Oh that yes, it is quite simple really. I was thrown by this wild horse and tracked him to somewhere in this area. That is where I stumbled upon this lovely young lady sleeping near the tree line. I knew that wolves scavenged in this area, so I couldn’t consciously leave her here to die now could I.” I continued laying it on as thick as apple butter on a fresh loaf of bread. “Thank you though for finding my horse. I shall now be on my way to the City. This one,” I pointed at Catbriar, “is just along for the ride. She is trying to buy some healing potions, and I have heard that the Mage’s Guild in the City sells the most potent ones in all the land.” I spurred Empyreal and turned him back toward the road. One of the guards yelled as we were leaving, “Have you seen the General anywhere?” I turned back to face them, “I looked for him, but it turned out to be a dead end.”
We had ridden nearly all night before we reached the City of the Kings. Once inside the City’s walls we dismounted from Empyreal and walked him toward the stables only a few hundred paces from the entrance gates. After a few pleasantries with the Stable Hands, Catbriar and I began making our way into the heart of the City. She kept up with me even though I was a few feet taller than her and my strides were much longer than hers. “What are you going to do next Aerol?” She asked. “Well my friend, I am going to break into the Vampiric King’s Castle and kill someone.” I said to her straight faced. “Would you like some help?” She asked. I stopped walking as we neared the City Market and said, “I think we are going to need more help than we can spare.”
The flags of the Piamrev Bectish waved wildly in the night wind. Banners hung from the Vampiric King’s balcony, signifying that a hostel takeover had been completed. I looked at Catbriar and said, “This certainly complicates things doesn’t it?” I looked down an alley just in time to see a small band of men running toward us, weapons drawn. I pulled Harbinger from its sheath. I could feel the evil pulsating through my veins. The internal war was being waged once again, and I was confident I could beat it this time too. I stood at the ready as did Catbriar. She dropped her cloak to reveal a plain looking white dress that sparkled in the moonlight. The colors on the dress began to swirl and change colors. Her dress was now a deep blood red, as she began to chant in her arcane language. “Catbriar not yet, I don’t think they’re Bectish.” She stopped chanting and opened her eyes. The band of men was now upon us. The largest of the five men charged me, as did the two behind him. The other two attacked Catbriar. I swung Harbinger as quickly as I could, while trying to dodge each of the men’s blades. I could not see the faces of these men, but I could tell that they were all Rangers. The first attacker swung his blade furiously and connected solidly with Harbinger. The blow from his blade made me drop to one knee in defense. “STOP!” I yelled. “WE MEAN YOU NO HARM! WE ARE NOT PART OF THE BECTISH!” At this the men ceased their attacks and took a step back. I could not see their faces due to the Ranger’s hoods covering most of it. “My name is Aerol Reign, and I am a Vampire. This is Catbriar, and she is my s…she is my friend.” I stood up and sheathed Harbinger, my cursed weapon was humming and vibrating madly. Something was here that it did not like. All of the Rangers then let down their hoods. There was an elf and four human men. The one in front, that dropped me to my knees with one swing of his sword pointed from left to right, “That is Xavier Whiteraven, Master Geral, Jeraphen, and Paralay Vextar. My name is Desidarious Devenshire. We are not a part of the Bectish either. But we are here to put and end to this plot going on inside the Vampire King’s castle.” Desidarious extended his hand in truce and said, “Will you join us?” I grabbed his hand and shook it firmly, “As long as I get to kill my sire that is waiting inside for me.” Desidarious looked around at his band of warriors. They all nodded in agreement. He turned back to me and said, “So be it.”
My companion and I had been traveling for only a few hours when I began hearing the rush of the river off in the distance. I leaned closer to Empyreal and said can you hear that my friend? We are almost there.” I looked back behind me once more to see the vast open plains that was the Land of the Kings. Its beauty was a sight to behold. To watch the wheat wave upon the earth, set upon the backdrop of the night was enchanting. Somewhere off in the distance I could hear a nest of baby birds calling to their mother that it was feeding time. Somewhere else, a badger foraged for its own mid-night snack. The moon on this particular night was also grandeur incarnate. It was at its highest peak in the night sky, and was bigger than one’s eye had ever seen. Its presence gave me the courage that I needed to continue on to certain death. I was about to challenge my sire. The man who taught me everything I knew. The same man who battered and bruised me during hand to hand combat training while I was growing up. I knew I was no match for him, but that was not the worst I had to fear. I was also planning on challenging the Lord of Evil himself. I knew that this was a suicide mission, but something I had to do nonetheless if I ever planned on getting rid of the cursed weapon, Harbinger.
As I neared the crossing bridge of the RavenKing River I came upon three guardsmen. There were two on the east side and only one on the west side. I thought it to be very strange as there were always two on each side, but it was none of my business as I had more important things to worry about. I approached from the east and raised my right hand as a show of peace and that I meant them or the land they protected no harm. “I am Aerol Reign,” I said, “from just west of here. I come only to visit, nothing more.” My voice never wavered, and did not betray me at all. The guard on my right then lowered his halberd and spoke, “Are you Prince Reign?” he said. I placed my left hand on the hilt of my sword, “No, there are many in the lands west of here with that particular surname.” I lied, “However we are not all royalty. Although it would be quite nice to live in that fancy castle of theirs would it not?” I forced out a laugh to try to sway the guards more into believing I was not here to cause trouble. The three guards laughed along with me. “Tell me your business in the Land of the Kings Master Horseman.” said the guard across the bridge. I patted Empyreal on the side of his thick neck and said, “I am here to see the stable hands in the City. I hear they are but the best horse trainers in all the land.” Empyreal began to mildly throw his head about and kick his back hooves into the air. “You see, my colt here is a bit unruly.” I told the guards. “There is not a thing I can do with him either. He will not listen to me.” I tugged on the reigns and pretended to try to calm my young colt by saying “whoa” over and over again. The guard who had yet to speak finally did by saying, “Well, I suppose my friend was wrong. You are not a master horseman. But you have a very nice colt that will some day, with the proper training from a firm hand grow to be a fine stallion.” All of the guards then lowered their halberds which was a sign that I was clear to pass. Halfway across the bridge I asked, “Where is the fourth of your guard? I have passed through here many many times and there have always been four of you.” The guard to the right of me said, “Oh him. He saw a very attractive young lady pass through here just a short time ago.” The guard continued on, “He couldn’t stop talking about her, or thinking about her. So he decided to go and collect some…taxes from her.” The group of guards began laughing and talking amongst themselves. “Well then, this lady must have been quite a prize for a guard of the Land to abandon his post.” I said in response. The three stopped talking and looked at me with anger. “Mind your own business here in the Land of the Kings now.” Said one of the guardsmen. I reigned in Empyreal and said, “Not to worry, I am only here for the Stable Hands, nothing more.” I spurred my steed and began crossing the bridge in to the land where my sire would die.
I had been riding for a while, when I heard with my Vampiric ears the sound of a struggle and then a woman screaming. I halted Empyreal and turned him toward the sound, “I wonder my friend.” I said to the young colt. He reared his head back and with out spurring him forward he began sprinting in the direction of the sounds. A few hundred feet away my equestrian friend slowed to a trot and then to a stop to allow me to dismount, then he ran off to the east. For the first time in ages I pulled out my Druidic bow. I ran my fingers up and down the draw string and closed my eyes trying to fight the uncontrollable urge to toss the bow and draw Harbinger instead. Deep down within me I knew there was a power that could help me overcome my dark desires. I searched my soul and found the energy that my sire had taught me about. The energy of the earth, the energy of Gaia. My body began to mildly shake with the resistance of the clashing power within me. Foam began forming at the corners of my mouth, and blood began trickling out of my nose. Fight it Aerol. I thought to myself. I dug deeper, deeper than I had ever dug before. It felt as though I was trying to rip my soul out of the depths of my being. The pain was excruciating, and yet it was exhilarating at the same time. The power and energy that was bestowed upon me by my Goddess Gaia, was beginning to win the war that was being waged inside of my soul. I opened my eyes, only to slam them shut again. It felt as though my eyes would pop out of their sockets with all of the energy swirling around inside of me. I could hear the wood cracking on the Mystic Bow of the Druid that Dante had given me many years ago. I tried to open my hand to release it, but it was as though I had no more control over my body. Instead all there was was war. Many moments passed before the conflict for my soul subsided. I released my grip on my bow, and opened my eyes. My hearing began to refocus itself, and then I heard the screams again. The screaming was the reason that I was here. There was a struggle, and a woman screaming. I knelt down and picked up my bow once more, only to catch myself from falling over by resting my hands on the ground below me. I steadied myself and waited for a very short time for the world around me to stop spinning, and grabbed my bow and took off in a dead sprint toward the woman’s screams.
I slowed to a stealthy walk until I could hear the struggling just on the other side of a small brush. I stuck my hands through the brush and began to separate them until I could see through to the other side. What I seen made me sick to my stomach. No woman should ever be treated this way. The fourth guard from the RavenKing Bridge was trying to force himself upon a very young and beautiful, raven haired woman. I could not see her face, but I could tell that she had been struggling for quite some time against a brute of a man. The young lady’s black cloak was covered in dirt, and her walking stick had been tossed away from her. Apparently that had been what she initially used to fend off this sick man. Then the woman screamed again. However it wasn’t a scream, she was actually talking. I could not understand what she was saying. The scream came again, and this time I understood. It was not basic language she was using. It was an archaic language. This woman was a mage. Her walking stick was not as simple as that, it was her staff. The guard must have known this and disarmed her as quickly as he could. Now he was lying on top of her with his pants around his ankles, showing his pasty backside for all to see. Then on the other side of the clearing I saw a break in all of the forests brush. That is how he got her in here, filthy swine.
I slowly let the brush fall back into place and sprinted around to the other side of the clearing to where the break in the thicket was. I made no sound at all, my feet were completely invisible to the ground beneath them. It was as though I was not touching the ground at all. I saw the break in the brush coming up ahead and reached back to pull my bow once more, and then I hesitated. Confident that the internal war was definitely over I grabbed the magical wood that consisted of the bow’s shaft. There were no more struggles. I had beaten the urge, this time. I had pulled my bow off of my back and drew back the string by the time I got to the clearing in the thicket. I turned and whispered, “Arrow”. The Mystic Bow of the Druid loosed the missile true. In the blink of an eye, the arrow had pierced the guard right between his eyes and slumped over on top of his victim. I walked into the clearing and over to the dead attacker and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and flung him into the brush beyond the clearing.
I extended a hand to the young lady who was lying still on the ground trying to regain her composure. Reluctantly, the woman reached up and grabbed my hand. I helped her to her feet and reached into my satchel and grabbed a wineskin filled with water and handed it to the woman and said, “You had your self in quite the situation there.” The young lady uncorked the wineskin and began to drink quickly. She then poured some on her hands and began cleaning them and her face. “Thank you for your help,” she said, “but I had everything under control. I just needed to get to my staff.” As she began to dust off her black cloak I said, “Yes, it appeared as though you did.” I offered a hand as a sign of friendship and continued by saying, “My name is Aerol. I’m on my way to the capital city to have the Stable Hands train my colt. He is a bit wild, and I can not train him.” The woman produced a small piece of cloth from inside her robe and began wiping her hands on them. She then stared at my hand and said, “Nice to meet you Aerol. Thank you again for your help.” She turned and began to walk away when I said, “So do you have a name? Or should I just call you victim?” The young woman stopped in her tracks and spun to face me. “My name is not important. Just know that I could blink you out of existence with the snap of my fingers.” She said sternly. I loosed a small laugh. I ran my hands through my hair and said, “Yes, well my friend it appeared as though you were able to do that to the guard as well.” The lady bent down, picked up her staff and rushed toward me pointing her weapon in my face. “Are you mocking me Aerol?” She angrily spoke. I laughed again, this time more jovial than before. I swatted her gleaming staff away from me and said, “No, of course not. I was just merely pointing out the fact that you were pretty much helpless against that guard without your staff.” I took the wineskin back from her and said, “If you are not going to give me your name, then I shall take my leave.” I slightly bowed to her and began walking back to the exit of the clearing.
Just as I was about to make my way back in to the thicket I heard, “My name is Catbriar. I’m from Ohmanry Glen. I know who you are Aerol Reign. My mother summoned me when you were captured there.” I came to a dead stop and stood there contemplating. My back still to her she said, “You were on the brink of torpor. My mother did not know what to do so she called for me. I have befriended a Vampire or two in my life, so I knew what needed to be done.” I looked back at Catbriar over my left shoulder and said, “What needed to be done?” She lowered her head and said softly, “You needed blood, and I gave it to you.” She pulled back the collar of her shimmering cloak to reveal two small bite marks upon the side of her neck. “You fed off of me, and you nearly killed me.” Said Catbriar. “I spent the next six months trying to recover.” I turned fully to face my sister. “Why did you not choose someone else? Why did you pick yourself to be the one bitten by a Vampire?” I asked. Catbriar looked up at me and said quietly, “Because there was no time to find a wino or a beggar from another place. The Piamrev Bectish soldiers were already there by the time I arrived in Ohmanry Star. There were no other options. You were our only hope of survival against an invasion from the Bectish.” I walked back to the center of the clearing once more. I stood face to face with my only living relative. I place a hand on her shoulder and said, “Then how did the Bectish manage to destroy Ohmanry Glen and every town in it?”
Tears began to well up in her eyes, she looked away and tried to blink them away as quickly as she could. It was no use, they began to flow like rain. “I ordered my mother and her servant to evacuate Ohmanry Glen as soon as they could. Then I found a friend, and they destroyed it.” Catbriar looked back at me and buried her face into my chest and began to weep. I wrapped my arms around her and comforted her as best I knew how. It felt so good to embrace my sister. My sister that I had never known until now. “Who was your friend? More importantly though, why did you chose to have Ohmanry Glen destroyed?” I asked. Catbriar pulled away from my grasp and wiped the tears away from her face and said, “I went to find Oases and Thresh. I know this sounds silly, but they are wolves. Wolves that have special gifts, magical gifts even. I knew they could accomplish what I needed done.” At the mention of Oases and Thresh, I realized that my sister’s and my destinies were more intertwined than even Dante could have predicted. “As for why I did it, shortly after I recovered from your bites the Bectish sent more men. More men to find the ones that never returned to them.” Catbriar began pacing, gripping her staff as tightly as she could. “They discovered what had happened, and they began torturing town’s people until someone told them who had killed their men. Then they sent word back to Piamrev to send a small army so they could take over the town and enslave the men and children, and make the women their servants to fulfill their lustful desires.” She stopped right in front of me and said angrily, “I could not become a servant to that cause. I would not stand by and watch my father enslaved, and my mother become one of their whores. So I sought out Thresh and Oases. I offered up my soul for the safety of my lands.” She took a step forward and was now staring directly in to my face. “The only thing we could come up with to keep the Bectish from invading and assuming control of Ohmanry Glen was to have it destroyed. Oases went to consult with Gaia, and present her with my offering. Two days later I was informed that we had four days time until life as we knew it in the Glen would end.”
I offered Catbriar an apology but she would have none of it, “It was not your fault, nor was it your choice.” She said convincingly. “But I do have a question for you. What were you doing in Ohmanry Star anyway? It is quite a ways out of the way to anywhere.” I was taken aback by the question. My mind quickly searched for a suitable answer. I just said the first thing that came to mind. “I was on my way to Haloon to have the smith there forge my bow. I had heard that he was the only person who could perform such a task. Once I was in the mountains, I became lost and stumbled upon the quiet little town.” She looked down toward the ground and said, “Oh, well I suppose that makes sense. I was never told why you came to town in the first place. I suppose I had hoped that you were there to save us from the constantly invading Orcs. I know, those are just silly childhood dreams.” She looked back up at me and smiled. I knew then that she was a product of my mother. Her blue eyes were as gentle, yet powerful as the sea. Her smile was such that it could fill the world with enough sunshine so that all of the trees could grow for years without ever seeing the light of day. I smiled back and said, “I’m sorry, there is no such exciting story. I’m just Aerol. I’m nothing special for certain.” She nudged passed me and said, “I hear the rest of the guards from the bridge heading this way. They’re fighting with something just beyond the tree line. Let’s go.”
We emerged from the tree line just a few hundred paces from where the guards were fending off a large creature. I walked out from the trees a bit more to see Empyreal pounding the Bridge’s Guardsmen with his front hooves. The men tried to jab their spears into his sides, but every time they tried Empyreal would swat the spears away and continue his beatings of the guards. I laughed out loud and then Catbriar said, “Is that your wild horse?” The laughter continued and I responded by saying, “Yes, that’s him.” A worrisome look came across her face, “Shouldn’t we go and help him?” she asked. “No,” I said through the laughter, “we should go help them.” I began jogging toward the scuffle, laughing the whole way. Catbriar followed with her staff at the ready. As I approached one of the guardsmen yelled, “Get your stupid horse off of us! We were just coming to look for our General.” I stopped running, and Catbriar stopped right next to me standing at the ready. I placed my hand upon her arm and said quietly, “Take it easy.
You’ve never lied your way out of a situation have you?” I whistled for Empyreal and he put all four hooves on the ground and trotted over to me. “I am so sorry.” I said to the guards. “He really does have a mind of his own.” The shortest of the three guards said, “You told us you were going to the city. How did you end up thousands of paces away from the road?” I threw my leg over Empyreal’s back and mounted my colt. I then grabbed Catbriar’s arm and set her on his back behind me. “Oh that yes, it is quite simple really. I was thrown by this wild horse and tracked him to somewhere in this area. That is where I stumbled upon this lovely young lady sleeping near the tree line. I knew that wolves scavenged in this area, so I couldn’t consciously leave her here to die now could I.” I continued laying it on as thick as apple butter on a fresh loaf of bread. “Thank you though for finding my horse. I shall now be on my way to the City. This one,” I pointed at Catbriar, “is just along for the ride. She is trying to buy some healing potions, and I have heard that the Mage’s Guild in the City sells the most potent ones in all the land.” I spurred Empyreal and turned him back toward the road. One of the guards yelled as we were leaving, “Have you seen the General anywhere?” I turned back to face them, “I looked for him, but it turned out to be a dead end.”
We had ridden nearly all night before we reached the City of the Kings. Once inside the City’s walls we dismounted from Empyreal and walked him toward the stables only a few hundred paces from the entrance gates. After a few pleasantries with the Stable Hands, Catbriar and I began making our way into the heart of the City. She kept up with me even though I was a few feet taller than her and my strides were much longer than hers. “What are you going to do next Aerol?” She asked. “Well my friend, I am going to break into the Vampiric King’s Castle and kill someone.” I said to her straight faced. “Would you like some help?” She asked. I stopped walking as we neared the City Market and said, “I think we are going to need more help than we can spare.”
The flags of the Piamrev Bectish waved wildly in the night wind. Banners hung from the Vampiric King’s balcony, signifying that a hostel takeover had been completed. I looked at Catbriar and said, “This certainly complicates things doesn’t it?” I looked down an alley just in time to see a small band of men running toward us, weapons drawn. I pulled Harbinger from its sheath. I could feel the evil pulsating through my veins. The internal war was being waged once again, and I was confident I could beat it this time too. I stood at the ready as did Catbriar. She dropped her cloak to reveal a plain looking white dress that sparkled in the moonlight. The colors on the dress began to swirl and change colors. Her dress was now a deep blood red, as she began to chant in her arcane language. “Catbriar not yet, I don’t think they’re Bectish.” She stopped chanting and opened her eyes. The band of men was now upon us. The largest of the five men charged me, as did the two behind him. The other two attacked Catbriar. I swung Harbinger as quickly as I could, while trying to dodge each of the men’s blades. I could not see the faces of these men, but I could tell that they were all Rangers. The first attacker swung his blade furiously and connected solidly with Harbinger. The blow from his blade made me drop to one knee in defense. “STOP!” I yelled. “WE MEAN YOU NO HARM! WE ARE NOT PART OF THE BECTISH!” At this the men ceased their attacks and took a step back. I could not see their faces due to the Ranger’s hoods covering most of it. “My name is Aerol Reign, and I am a Vampire. This is Catbriar, and she is my s…she is my friend.” I stood up and sheathed Harbinger, my cursed weapon was humming and vibrating madly. Something was here that it did not like. All of the Rangers then let down their hoods. There was an elf and four human men. The one in front, that dropped me to my knees with one swing of his sword pointed from left to right, “That is Xavier Whiteraven, Master Geral, Jeraphen, and Paralay Vextar. My name is Desidarious Devenshire. We are not a part of the Bectish either. But we are here to put and end to this plot going on inside the Vampire King’s castle.” Desidarious extended his hand in truce and said, “Will you join us?” I grabbed his hand and shook it firmly, “As long as I get to kill my sire that is waiting inside for me.” Desidarious looked around at his band of warriors. They all nodded in agreement. He turned back to me and said, “So be it.”
Chapter 13: The Plan Unveiled
I lay on the earthen floor of my sire’s haven trying to find my wits about me. Stars swirled about my head and threatened to take over, as the darkness began to consume me. I could barely make out sounds around me, but I was certain I heard three different sets of footsteps. I raised myself up to one elbow and tried to make my way up to a sitting position when a large ominous foot crushed my chest and shoved me back down to the floor. Two different sets of feet stopped moving next to either side of my head while the large foot remained crushing my sternum. I then heard the voice of my creator, Dante. “Aerol, Aerol, Aerol. Why have you decided to return here? There was still unfinished work for you to do.” I tried to grab at the foot that was smashing me into the ground, every time I did my hands just went right through the appendage. Dante spoke again, “At least you had the sense enough to wield Harbinger once again.” My sire leaned down close to my face and continued, “Without it, all would be lost. Our plans to rid the world of Zehan and Auhsez would have failed.” I struggled to open my mouth to speak, but I did manage to mumble a few words. “Wha…what are…y…you…talk…about?” I said painfully. Dante let out a laugh that I could never remember hearing him do before and said, “We are so fed up with all of the lies of the Gods that we are going to with the current regime of with…a new one.” I tried to lift my head to get closer to Dante only to have it fall right back to the floor again due to the crushing pain that the large foot was putting on not only my chest, but my entire body as well. “Wh…why?” I asked. “Why…me?” Dante leaned in even closer and said, “Because Harbinger was only destined to be wielded by two people, and the first one failed miserably.” I stopped wasting my energy on trying to get up, and began to focus my body on healing itself. “You see Aerol, Zeshua foreseen you as the wielder of the blade known as Revelation. That was the blade that I gave you when you journeyed out to avenge your parents’ death.” He continued with a much lower voice, “But the blade that you have in your hands right now is the new Harbinger. Better than the first, and able to help you accomplish your tasks without much effort.” I just laid there looking at my sire, wondering what he had become. He had been such a kind and gentle person, for a Vampire. “The weapon that you now wield,” Dante said, “is a hybrid of sorts. It is the blade that will be able to defeat that which was created.” My eyes began to roll in to the back of my head as I tried to decipher the cryptic riddle that Dante had just set before me. I had decided that I did not care at the moment. I had more important things on my mind. For the first time in over a month, I was hungry. I needed to feed. My body began to slip into torpor as I felt the enormous foot finally lift itself off of my body. I tried one last time to sit up when I seen a balled up fist fly at my mouth.
The first hit landed like a rock. I fell back to the floor and before I could grab for my mouth the second hit landed. The third and fourth hits landed very soon after. I tried to channel my abilities as a Druid before the kicks began to land themselves on my ribs. I was too weak to make the transformation. Dante’s boots slammed into my ribs, then soon after his fist hit my abdomen with such force that I let out what I thought was my last breath I would ever have. The next boot that I felt hit my left side was something I had never thought I would feel. The large foot that had previously been crushing the unlife out of me connected to my ribs with a loud boom. The pain that I felt next was so excruciating that I felt as though a thousand tortured souls were traveling through my entire body. Attacking my insides at every turn they made. I was then grabbed underneath each arm and brought to my feet, only to be face to face with the Lord of Evil. Zeshua. I still could not see the face that was inside the hooded robe, but I knew what was there. Pure evil and hatred. I glanced over to my right to see my sire who had just betrayed me. Then I looked over to my left and seen a younger man whom I had never seen before. His eyes seemed so old though, so familiar. As if I had stared into those eyes before. His face, from his nose down was covered by a veil hiding his face. But now there was not time to worry about who he was. I coughed up a bit of blood and said, “What do you want from me Zeshua?” It seemed as though an eternity had passed before he spoke. “Want?” he said. “Want, Aerol? Why, I just want to help you. You know that. It is all I have ever wanted. Why, just a few months ago I gave you the most powerful weapon in all the land so you could fulfill your vow.” Dante then spoke, “All we want from you now Aerol is to stay here in torpor so we can kill the Vampire King.” “DANTE!” Zeshua shouted. My ears rang as badly as they ever had before. “You will speak no more of what I have asked you to do. Is that understood?” Dante then lowered his head and said, “Yes, my master.” The Lord of Evil let then released me from his grasp and took a step back. “Now Dante, my servant, and my newest follower, Asher Withoer, you will see what I can do to you should you choose to disobey me, or ever betray me.” I watched in paralyzed horror as Zeshua began to punch me in the face so fast and so hard I felt every bone shatter in a hundred different pieces. He then grabbed me by my throat and lifted me off the ground with the greatest of ease and said, “You will not die. You cannot die. Your destiny is to destroy the one they call The Redeemer.” The evil god then placed his opened hand on my chest. He waited for just a moment before he tore my flesh from my body right through me. He removed his hand, leaving a hole in my chest and my back, and then he just dropped me.
I fell to the floor in a heap of death. I knew that I was close to it as well. Zeshua stepped over me and began to exit the dungeon and said, “Come my children, we have much work to do. Dante, you are to come with me. Asher, you have your orders.” The three of them stalked out to the outside and left me there to die. I tried to calm myself by thinking of my friends. Thresh and Oases, the Shaman, and more specifically Cirania. I could almost see her waiting for me in the resting place that Gaia had created for us. Just as I was about to pass into the afterlife, I heard footsteps on the stairs of the dungeon, then someone roll me over to my back. I focused my eyes as best as my current state would allow me too. I could not believe what I was seeing. I fought with every ounce of energy I could and said, “Asher? I thought…” This new enemy began patting down my chest, and pockets to my clothes. “Do not speak right now Aerol. I am a friend, and my name is not Asher. That is all you need to know.” He continued his furious search of my clothes and pockets. “Where is it? Where is it Aerol?” he yelled. “Where is the amulet you took from the Orc Mage?” I focused once more, all of the energy I had left and replied, “Satchel.” My new friend then jumped up and ran out of the dungeon, leaving me once again to die.
I slipped into torpor and did not dream. Nor did I have any thoughts. I just laid there, waiting for death to come and take me away on its white horse. I was ready to see my Cirania once more, to see my Mother and Father once again. I was ready to see my god, my sweet Gaia.
I had no idea how much time had passed by when I finally opened my eyes, and I did not care. All I cared about was the pain that I was enduring as my body began to heal itself. “You have a magnificent colt out there Aerol. He is truly not from this world.” I looked around and seen that it was Asher who was sitting next to me. I clutched at the wound on my chest as my body began to close the wound that was left by Zeshua. In pain I said, “Thank you for your help, my friend. And yes, Empyreal is a wonderful companion.” My mind began swirling with questions, “Why the amulet?” I said. Asher stood up and extended a hand to help me stand and said, “I know quite a bit about you my friend. More than I would like to know in fact.” I grabbed Asher’s hand and he helped me to my feet. “What does it do?” I said. “Well,” Asher said, “from my understanding it keeps you fed, so to speak. It keeps you from having to feed, ever. As long as you are near it, or wearing it you will never have to feed.” Asher began walking toward the steps of the dungeon, “I have to leave now. I have work to do in other places.” I began making my way to where Harbinger rested on the floor, “Why did you not attack me?” I said. Asher stopped where he was and turned his head back to look at me. “Because I chose not to, you did nothing wrong to me. So I chose not to attack you.” “Well,” I said, “I appreciate that.” I reached down to pick up my weapon and heard Asher sprint away from the dungeon, and then undoubtedly from these lands as well. I was once again alone. All I had was Empyreal, and Harbinger. I raised the cursed weapon at eye level and said, “You have ruined my entire life Harbinger. I will not do your bidding. However I will use you. I will use you to kill Zeshua before his plan can come to fruition. I will also use you to kill Dante if I have to, to keep him from making a bigger mistake than I did. You may fuel my anger, and you may have ways of controlling me. But I have something that you don’t. I have free will, and I will beat you.” I lowered the weapon into the sheath that hung from my left hip and made my way out of the dungeon. Harbinger vibrated and hummed in disapproval as I did. I found Empyreal waiting on me at the top of the steps. I walked over to him and petted his snout. “Was it okay that Asher rode you my friend?” The young colt nodded in approval. I scratched him between the ears and said, “That is good.” I climbed on to his back and spurred him in his hind quarter to get him moving. “Let’s go bury Cirania, then I’m going to the Land of the Kings. I have a sire to kill.”
The first hit landed like a rock. I fell back to the floor and before I could grab for my mouth the second hit landed. The third and fourth hits landed very soon after. I tried to channel my abilities as a Druid before the kicks began to land themselves on my ribs. I was too weak to make the transformation. Dante’s boots slammed into my ribs, then soon after his fist hit my abdomen with such force that I let out what I thought was my last breath I would ever have. The next boot that I felt hit my left side was something I had never thought I would feel. The large foot that had previously been crushing the unlife out of me connected to my ribs with a loud boom. The pain that I felt next was so excruciating that I felt as though a thousand tortured souls were traveling through my entire body. Attacking my insides at every turn they made. I was then grabbed underneath each arm and brought to my feet, only to be face to face with the Lord of Evil. Zeshua. I still could not see the face that was inside the hooded robe, but I knew what was there. Pure evil and hatred. I glanced over to my right to see my sire who had just betrayed me. Then I looked over to my left and seen a younger man whom I had never seen before. His eyes seemed so old though, so familiar. As if I had stared into those eyes before. His face, from his nose down was covered by a veil hiding his face. But now there was not time to worry about who he was. I coughed up a bit of blood and said, “What do you want from me Zeshua?” It seemed as though an eternity had passed before he spoke. “Want?” he said. “Want, Aerol? Why, I just want to help you. You know that. It is all I have ever wanted. Why, just a few months ago I gave you the most powerful weapon in all the land so you could fulfill your vow.” Dante then spoke, “All we want from you now Aerol is to stay here in torpor so we can kill the Vampire King.” “DANTE!” Zeshua shouted. My ears rang as badly as they ever had before. “You will speak no more of what I have asked you to do. Is that understood?” Dante then lowered his head and said, “Yes, my master.” The Lord of Evil let then released me from his grasp and took a step back. “Now Dante, my servant, and my newest follower, Asher Withoer, you will see what I can do to you should you choose to disobey me, or ever betray me.” I watched in paralyzed horror as Zeshua began to punch me in the face so fast and so hard I felt every bone shatter in a hundred different pieces. He then grabbed me by my throat and lifted me off the ground with the greatest of ease and said, “You will not die. You cannot die. Your destiny is to destroy the one they call The Redeemer.” The evil god then placed his opened hand on my chest. He waited for just a moment before he tore my flesh from my body right through me. He removed his hand, leaving a hole in my chest and my back, and then he just dropped me.
I fell to the floor in a heap of death. I knew that I was close to it as well. Zeshua stepped over me and began to exit the dungeon and said, “Come my children, we have much work to do. Dante, you are to come with me. Asher, you have your orders.” The three of them stalked out to the outside and left me there to die. I tried to calm myself by thinking of my friends. Thresh and Oases, the Shaman, and more specifically Cirania. I could almost see her waiting for me in the resting place that Gaia had created for us. Just as I was about to pass into the afterlife, I heard footsteps on the stairs of the dungeon, then someone roll me over to my back. I focused my eyes as best as my current state would allow me too. I could not believe what I was seeing. I fought with every ounce of energy I could and said, “Asher? I thought…” This new enemy began patting down my chest, and pockets to my clothes. “Do not speak right now Aerol. I am a friend, and my name is not Asher. That is all you need to know.” He continued his furious search of my clothes and pockets. “Where is it? Where is it Aerol?” he yelled. “Where is the amulet you took from the Orc Mage?” I focused once more, all of the energy I had left and replied, “Satchel.” My new friend then jumped up and ran out of the dungeon, leaving me once again to die.
I slipped into torpor and did not dream. Nor did I have any thoughts. I just laid there, waiting for death to come and take me away on its white horse. I was ready to see my Cirania once more, to see my Mother and Father once again. I was ready to see my god, my sweet Gaia.
I had no idea how much time had passed by when I finally opened my eyes, and I did not care. All I cared about was the pain that I was enduring as my body began to heal itself. “You have a magnificent colt out there Aerol. He is truly not from this world.” I looked around and seen that it was Asher who was sitting next to me. I clutched at the wound on my chest as my body began to close the wound that was left by Zeshua. In pain I said, “Thank you for your help, my friend. And yes, Empyreal is a wonderful companion.” My mind began swirling with questions, “Why the amulet?” I said. Asher stood up and extended a hand to help me stand and said, “I know quite a bit about you my friend. More than I would like to know in fact.” I grabbed Asher’s hand and he helped me to my feet. “What does it do?” I said. “Well,” Asher said, “from my understanding it keeps you fed, so to speak. It keeps you from having to feed, ever. As long as you are near it, or wearing it you will never have to feed.” Asher began walking toward the steps of the dungeon, “I have to leave now. I have work to do in other places.” I began making my way to where Harbinger rested on the floor, “Why did you not attack me?” I said. Asher stopped where he was and turned his head back to look at me. “Because I chose not to, you did nothing wrong to me. So I chose not to attack you.” “Well,” I said, “I appreciate that.” I reached down to pick up my weapon and heard Asher sprint away from the dungeon, and then undoubtedly from these lands as well. I was once again alone. All I had was Empyreal, and Harbinger. I raised the cursed weapon at eye level and said, “You have ruined my entire life Harbinger. I will not do your bidding. However I will use you. I will use you to kill Zeshua before his plan can come to fruition. I will also use you to kill Dante if I have to, to keep him from making a bigger mistake than I did. You may fuel my anger, and you may have ways of controlling me. But I have something that you don’t. I have free will, and I will beat you.” I lowered the weapon into the sheath that hung from my left hip and made my way out of the dungeon. Harbinger vibrated and hummed in disapproval as I did. I found Empyreal waiting on me at the top of the steps. I walked over to him and petted his snout. “Was it okay that Asher rode you my friend?” The young colt nodded in approval. I scratched him between the ears and said, “That is good.” I climbed on to his back and spurred him in his hind quarter to get him moving. “Let’s go bury Cirania, then I’m going to the Land of the Kings. I have a sire to kill.”
Chapter 12: Somber
I slowly made my way out of Orcshire, as I crossed the border in to Mitovia I turned and looked at the haunted lands once more. “I failed you my love.” I said as I looked down at her lifeless body resting in my arms. I was making my way back to Reign’s Reach to bury my wife, and pay my final respects to my friends and family that were slaughtered by the filthy…the Orcs. After almost two years of hunting down these creatures, I did what I set out to do. Destroy them all. But it did not make me feel like I had hoped. Instead I felt sadness. Sadness at how barbaric and primitive the Orc were. Sadness at what I had done. I killed so many of them. I even killed those that were not responsible for the deaths of my Mother and Father. I killed Orcs that were hospitable and intelligent. I killed, just for the taste of their blood. I allowed myself to be consumed by hatred, revenge, and most of all ignorance. I am through making vows; however there must be someway to atone for what I have done. My friends were right, all of them. Thresh, Oases, the Shaman, and even my wife Cirania. The words they spoke were true, and I turned my back on them. I did make a mistake in accepting Zeshua’s offer. I must see to it at some point that I have a hand in his ultimate demise. He must be the next one destroyed.
I made my way out of Mitovia into the woodlands known as White Raven Forest. I stopped at a small farm house nestled along a winding river. The farmhouse was dilapidated, and falling into ruin. The scent here was so familiar. I knew the smell that was coming from the land, I just couldn’t place where. I had hoped to find someone occupying the farm so I could perhaps barter for a horse. Instead I continued on north by northeast. I knew the capitol of these lands were north of the river. However time was not on my side, as the sun would be rising within the hour. I decided to pick up the pace, and began to run at a dead sprint. Within a half an hour I could see torch lights high in the air. I knew that I had run right past Castle White Raven. Stopping to find a place to sleep for the day, I could smell the undeniable scent of salt water. I had reached Port Raven. Perhaps at dusk I could find a horse here. I found a sturdy tree and dug out a temporary crypt for my wife and me so no one would disturb us while my enemy roamed the land. About to fall in to my slumber I thought about the past and where I went wrong in my unlife. There were many things I could have done differently to change the course that I was currently walking. The only thing that went through my thoughts over and over again was why. Why were there Orcs so far from their home? I know there are Orcs everywhere, but the Orcs that killed my family were from the Orcreish Tribe. They are known only to inhabit the land of Orcshire. So what were they doing in Reign’s Reach? Who had sent them there? I tried to meditate on these thoughts, and find out the culprit behind it all. However my body was tired. I needed to sleep. I did. I also dreamt once more.
I was surrounded by two men and one elf. Him I recognized, fair haired, he was the one who had the two swords of power. The men I did not know their names or their faces. They were angry at me. Something I had done. Or something I was going to do. Whatever it was, it did not matter. They were no match for me. The three stood around me, all with their weapons at the ready. I drew Harbinger and let out a laugh so evil, I felt like Zeshua himself. I spun to face the fair haired one. “You don’t have your swords of power elf. You are no match for me.” I said. I swung Harbinger wildly. Just as I was about to make contact, the blond Elf, in a blur drew two weapons from both sides of his body and brought them in front of him to form and X. He blocked and trapped Harbinger with his two blades. “You are incorrect my friend,” he said, “I have Destiny’s Wave and Salvation right here.” Stunned, I yanked Harbinger from the Elf’s grasp. My sword of power was vibrating so hard in anger that I could barely hold it. No doubt it did not like this Elf’s weapons. I turned my attention to the raven haired man and swung Harbinger fiercely. He moved with a demonic speed. His blade was in front of him and deflected Harbinger’s attack as though a child had swung the weapon instead of a Vampire. “Boy, your sword is made of pure evil.” He said. “This is not a sword of power, yet I dispatched yours as though it were just a branch from a sapling.” I could not see the second man’s face, he just stood there. He kept laughing at me, almost daring me to attack. I did as he had hoped. The man fought me blow for blow and never winced nor faltered in his parries. His fighting style seemed so familiar to me. I know I had fought this opponent before. I continued my attacks with a relentless fury, but he deflected every one of them. I dismissed the familiarity to a case of Deja Vu. Perhaps someone I had fought in a previous life. Harbinger just continued to vibrate in anger. It was almost as if it feared something or someone in my presence. I turned my attention back to the raven haired man and said, “I am getting to them whether you like it or not.” The three defenders all stood now in front of me, weapons drawn and prepared for battle. “These Orcs have done nothing wrong to you Vampire. Why do you wish to destroy them?” My blade seemed to be fueling my anger as I spoke, “It is my quest on this planet to destroy all of those filthy beasts.” Every word spoken made me seethe in undeniable hatred. “This is your last warning. Either step aside, or feel my blade slide between your ribs.” The three continued to stand their ground, refusing to budge. From behind me I heard, “Aerol, please, you must stop this. For the last time, you must stop this.” I spun around, “Cirania?”
I sat up and wiped sweat from my brow. I looked down by my feet at my satchel, where Harbinger lay. “I still haven’t forgotten what you did to me. You are the reason I walk alone. You are the reason why I now have to bury my wife. I will deal with you in time.” I dug out a bit of earth to make sure that the sun had gone down. When it was clear I dug out completely and grabbed Cirania and made my way out. Cirania? “Did you speak with me in my dreams?” I asked, looking directly at her wrapped head. I turned my attention straight ahead, “Of course you didn’t. You’re dead.” I made my way in to Port Raven and found the stables that rested near the docks. I approached and said, “Excuse me, I need a horse, a fast one preferably.” The stable hand put down his broom and wiped his hands on his apron as he turned and faced me. “Ah, it seems…” He took one look at me and my coat and stumbled backward over a stool and a water bucket. He was an Orc as well. I never flinched nor did I make for my weapon, “Please do not fear my friend. I am not who you think I am.” The male Orc stumbled over his words as he stumbled over his working materials. “You…you’re the one who…” I lowered my head in shame. “Yes, I was that person. But those days are long past me. I will not harm you. I just need a horse. I can pay you handsomely of course.” The Orc drew back in fear. “Are…are you sure…you won’t hurt me?” I nodded to him. “I promise. I just need a fast horse that can run long distances.” The Orc ran back into the stables and emerged moments later with a young, muscular colt. “He’s a bit wild, but he can run like the wind, and as far as it too.” Said the Orc. I reached in my satchel and grabbed a small pouch filled with jewels and gold. I tossed it to the stable hand. “This should cover it. If not, let me know and I’ll send a courier with more once I reach my homeland.” The Orc jingled the pouch next to his ear and said, “Nah, this should do it.” He handed me the reigns and ran as fast as he could away from me. I shook my head and placed Cirania’s body as gently as I could on the hindquarters of the horse. I found some rope hanging on the stable’s walls and used it to secure my wife. I jumped up on the horse and kicked him with my heels. The colt raced off out of town and straight through to the forest. I leaned in closely to the colt’s head and said, “We need to give you a name. Everything must have a name.”
I rode the young horse hard over the next four days. Stopping only for me to retreat at night, and while I did I was confident that my new companion would surely watch over my dear sweet Cirania. On the fifth night we reached the border of Reign’s Reach. I scratched the neck of my colt and said, “We made it. I’m home Father, Mother. I’m home.”
I walked up the steps of Reign Hall and stopped halfway up. I turned back and looked at my newest companion, “Did you think of a name for yourself yet?” I said to the young horse. He let out a snort and shook his head from side to side as if understanding of my words. I let out a small laugh, “Well, how about Empyreal?” The colt stomped one hoof to the ground and rose up on his hind legs and neighed emphatically. He dropped back down to all fours and looked back at me knowingly. “So be it.” I said. Turning again to face the empty halls of my Father’s castle I let out a sigh and began making my way back up the long stairs to the still slightly opened door. I stood within arms length of the door and turned once more toward Empyreal, he lowered his head as if bowing. I nodded back at him and watched as he began making his way to the east side of the castle. I looked at the door once more and pushed it open. I had not been prepared for what I had seen. I had expected stench and blood everywhere, as well as bodies, bones and chaos throughout the hall. However it was the complete opposite. The interior sparkled and smelled as fresh as a spring rain. I reached into my pouch and pulled out the crude Orc club and said “Hello?” My voice echoed through the hollow room, bouncing off of each wall and marble floor. I walked slowly through the foyer, stepping as light as a leaf falling from its branch in a fall’s breeze. I leered into each small room off of the main hall and found nothing but cleanliness and that fresh spring smell. I arrived at the main chamber door and looked down either direction of the hall that ran east and west. Again there was nothing but clean. I reached for the latch on the door and pushed it open slowly. The large maple door creaked loudly as it opened all the way. I stood in awe as I seen sarcophagi made of solid bronze of my Father and Mother on either side of the main chamber. I walked in and put the crude club back in my satchel. As I strode to the west side of the hall toward my Fathers sarcophagus I could feel someone watching me. I stopped and turned three hundred sixty degrees and seen nothing, or anyone for that matter, so I continued to my Kings resting place. I knelt beside it and placed one hand on top of the bronze casket. “I hope I have made you proud Father. I know I have journeyed down a road that I should not have, but I am trying to make amends for that now. What I did was wrong, and I shall try with all I have in me to not make those mistakes ever again.” I rested my left arm on my knee and clinched my fist as tight as it could be. “I know you would be ashamed of what I’ve done. I’m sorry Father.” After a moment sitting in silence I stood up and made my way to my Mothers tomb. I didn’t kneel, and I didn’t speak. I just stood beside the casket and prayed silently to myself. I asked Gaia to make sure that my Mother above anyone else on these lands find her way to the afterlife.
The feeling that I was being watched had come back to me again. I turned toward the door to the main chambers and found Empyreal standing in the doorway. “You startled me my friend.” I said. My horse motioned his head toward the exit and turned and made his way out of the castle. I looked back at my Mother’s tomb one last time and followed Empyreal out of the castle and to the east side of the grounds. The cellar door that led to my sire’s residence was blown completely off. Splinters of wood were scattered all around the ground. I reached for Empyreal and stroked his snout and said, “Thank you my friend. I can tell that the stable boy did not have a clue what he had in you.” I walked carefully toward the opening of the cellar and pulled out the Orc club once again and said softly, “I’ve got to find a new sword.” I walked down the small stairway and peered down the long, dark hall. I could only see the earthen floor and the stone walls. There was nothing out of place as of yet. I made it to the first door that was on my left and looked in. Ah, my former training room. Dante brutalized me daily in this room. One day I’ll pay him back. I smiled at the memories that came flooding back to me as I stared in at my old training room. I looked across the hall at the door that stood forever closed. I had never seen the contents of this room, and it did not appear as though today was going to be the first time either. I reached for the latch and tugged, but to no avail. The door remained locked, as always. I turned and faced the door leading to Dante’s main anteroom. I had only been allowed in here one time, and I did not enjoy the experience. The room smelled of death, and was covered in blood stains from floor to ceiling. I had only been fifteen years old at the time, and the sight and smell of the room made my stomach lurch. I could only hope that the feeling did not return. It was then that it had dawned on me that I had not fed in over a week. Nor was I feeling the craving. I could not explain it. However I was very grateful for it, as there was no one around to feed on.
I walked down the rest of the short earthen hallway to Dante’s anteroom door. The door was unlatched and opened slightly. I could see firelight coming from the inside of the room and stopped to listen. Opening up my sense of hearing to focus on what might be inside, my heart leaped from my chest when I heard my sire’s voice. “I realize my Lord that the boy has managed to elude your plan. But you must take heart that he will do everything that we have laid out before him.” I heard silence after that, then Dante’s voice once more. “I understand my Lord. I will not fail you again, you have my word. I will set the boy straight. He will follow the path that you have placed before him.” Again, silence. I could feel a rumbling coming from inside of my satchel, as well as a slight humming. The conversation inside the room ceased. I leaned in closer to the door to try to hear what, if anything was being said. The door then was flung open, startled I reached in my satchel and grabbed the first thing I could find to defend myself with. I could feel the hatred and negative energy flow back through my body as I landed on the dirt floor. Dante and Zeshua stood in the doorway. “I told you my Lord, the boy would not stray too far from the path we have laid before him.”
I made my way out of Mitovia into the woodlands known as White Raven Forest. I stopped at a small farm house nestled along a winding river. The farmhouse was dilapidated, and falling into ruin. The scent here was so familiar. I knew the smell that was coming from the land, I just couldn’t place where. I had hoped to find someone occupying the farm so I could perhaps barter for a horse. Instead I continued on north by northeast. I knew the capitol of these lands were north of the river. However time was not on my side, as the sun would be rising within the hour. I decided to pick up the pace, and began to run at a dead sprint. Within a half an hour I could see torch lights high in the air. I knew that I had run right past Castle White Raven. Stopping to find a place to sleep for the day, I could smell the undeniable scent of salt water. I had reached Port Raven. Perhaps at dusk I could find a horse here. I found a sturdy tree and dug out a temporary crypt for my wife and me so no one would disturb us while my enemy roamed the land. About to fall in to my slumber I thought about the past and where I went wrong in my unlife. There were many things I could have done differently to change the course that I was currently walking. The only thing that went through my thoughts over and over again was why. Why were there Orcs so far from their home? I know there are Orcs everywhere, but the Orcs that killed my family were from the Orcreish Tribe. They are known only to inhabit the land of Orcshire. So what were they doing in Reign’s Reach? Who had sent them there? I tried to meditate on these thoughts, and find out the culprit behind it all. However my body was tired. I needed to sleep. I did. I also dreamt once more.
I was surrounded by two men and one elf. Him I recognized, fair haired, he was the one who had the two swords of power. The men I did not know their names or their faces. They were angry at me. Something I had done. Or something I was going to do. Whatever it was, it did not matter. They were no match for me. The three stood around me, all with their weapons at the ready. I drew Harbinger and let out a laugh so evil, I felt like Zeshua himself. I spun to face the fair haired one. “You don’t have your swords of power elf. You are no match for me.” I said. I swung Harbinger wildly. Just as I was about to make contact, the blond Elf, in a blur drew two weapons from both sides of his body and brought them in front of him to form and X. He blocked and trapped Harbinger with his two blades. “You are incorrect my friend,” he said, “I have Destiny’s Wave and Salvation right here.” Stunned, I yanked Harbinger from the Elf’s grasp. My sword of power was vibrating so hard in anger that I could barely hold it. No doubt it did not like this Elf’s weapons. I turned my attention to the raven haired man and swung Harbinger fiercely. He moved with a demonic speed. His blade was in front of him and deflected Harbinger’s attack as though a child had swung the weapon instead of a Vampire. “Boy, your sword is made of pure evil.” He said. “This is not a sword of power, yet I dispatched yours as though it were just a branch from a sapling.” I could not see the second man’s face, he just stood there. He kept laughing at me, almost daring me to attack. I did as he had hoped. The man fought me blow for blow and never winced nor faltered in his parries. His fighting style seemed so familiar to me. I know I had fought this opponent before. I continued my attacks with a relentless fury, but he deflected every one of them. I dismissed the familiarity to a case of Deja Vu. Perhaps someone I had fought in a previous life. Harbinger just continued to vibrate in anger. It was almost as if it feared something or someone in my presence. I turned my attention back to the raven haired man and said, “I am getting to them whether you like it or not.” The three defenders all stood now in front of me, weapons drawn and prepared for battle. “These Orcs have done nothing wrong to you Vampire. Why do you wish to destroy them?” My blade seemed to be fueling my anger as I spoke, “It is my quest on this planet to destroy all of those filthy beasts.” Every word spoken made me seethe in undeniable hatred. “This is your last warning. Either step aside, or feel my blade slide between your ribs.” The three continued to stand their ground, refusing to budge. From behind me I heard, “Aerol, please, you must stop this. For the last time, you must stop this.” I spun around, “Cirania?”
I sat up and wiped sweat from my brow. I looked down by my feet at my satchel, where Harbinger lay. “I still haven’t forgotten what you did to me. You are the reason I walk alone. You are the reason why I now have to bury my wife. I will deal with you in time.” I dug out a bit of earth to make sure that the sun had gone down. When it was clear I dug out completely and grabbed Cirania and made my way out. Cirania? “Did you speak with me in my dreams?” I asked, looking directly at her wrapped head. I turned my attention straight ahead, “Of course you didn’t. You’re dead.” I made my way in to Port Raven and found the stables that rested near the docks. I approached and said, “Excuse me, I need a horse, a fast one preferably.” The stable hand put down his broom and wiped his hands on his apron as he turned and faced me. “Ah, it seems…” He took one look at me and my coat and stumbled backward over a stool and a water bucket. He was an Orc as well. I never flinched nor did I make for my weapon, “Please do not fear my friend. I am not who you think I am.” The male Orc stumbled over his words as he stumbled over his working materials. “You…you’re the one who…” I lowered my head in shame. “Yes, I was that person. But those days are long past me. I will not harm you. I just need a horse. I can pay you handsomely of course.” The Orc drew back in fear. “Are…are you sure…you won’t hurt me?” I nodded to him. “I promise. I just need a fast horse that can run long distances.” The Orc ran back into the stables and emerged moments later with a young, muscular colt. “He’s a bit wild, but he can run like the wind, and as far as it too.” Said the Orc. I reached in my satchel and grabbed a small pouch filled with jewels and gold. I tossed it to the stable hand. “This should cover it. If not, let me know and I’ll send a courier with more once I reach my homeland.” The Orc jingled the pouch next to his ear and said, “Nah, this should do it.” He handed me the reigns and ran as fast as he could away from me. I shook my head and placed Cirania’s body as gently as I could on the hindquarters of the horse. I found some rope hanging on the stable’s walls and used it to secure my wife. I jumped up on the horse and kicked him with my heels. The colt raced off out of town and straight through to the forest. I leaned in closely to the colt’s head and said, “We need to give you a name. Everything must have a name.”
I rode the young horse hard over the next four days. Stopping only for me to retreat at night, and while I did I was confident that my new companion would surely watch over my dear sweet Cirania. On the fifth night we reached the border of Reign’s Reach. I scratched the neck of my colt and said, “We made it. I’m home Father, Mother. I’m home.”
I walked up the steps of Reign Hall and stopped halfway up. I turned back and looked at my newest companion, “Did you think of a name for yourself yet?” I said to the young horse. He let out a snort and shook his head from side to side as if understanding of my words. I let out a small laugh, “Well, how about Empyreal?” The colt stomped one hoof to the ground and rose up on his hind legs and neighed emphatically. He dropped back down to all fours and looked back at me knowingly. “So be it.” I said. Turning again to face the empty halls of my Father’s castle I let out a sigh and began making my way back up the long stairs to the still slightly opened door. I stood within arms length of the door and turned once more toward Empyreal, he lowered his head as if bowing. I nodded back at him and watched as he began making his way to the east side of the castle. I looked at the door once more and pushed it open. I had not been prepared for what I had seen. I had expected stench and blood everywhere, as well as bodies, bones and chaos throughout the hall. However it was the complete opposite. The interior sparkled and smelled as fresh as a spring rain. I reached into my pouch and pulled out the crude Orc club and said “Hello?” My voice echoed through the hollow room, bouncing off of each wall and marble floor. I walked slowly through the foyer, stepping as light as a leaf falling from its branch in a fall’s breeze. I leered into each small room off of the main hall and found nothing but cleanliness and that fresh spring smell. I arrived at the main chamber door and looked down either direction of the hall that ran east and west. Again there was nothing but clean. I reached for the latch on the door and pushed it open slowly. The large maple door creaked loudly as it opened all the way. I stood in awe as I seen sarcophagi made of solid bronze of my Father and Mother on either side of the main chamber. I walked in and put the crude club back in my satchel. As I strode to the west side of the hall toward my Fathers sarcophagus I could feel someone watching me. I stopped and turned three hundred sixty degrees and seen nothing, or anyone for that matter, so I continued to my Kings resting place. I knelt beside it and placed one hand on top of the bronze casket. “I hope I have made you proud Father. I know I have journeyed down a road that I should not have, but I am trying to make amends for that now. What I did was wrong, and I shall try with all I have in me to not make those mistakes ever again.” I rested my left arm on my knee and clinched my fist as tight as it could be. “I know you would be ashamed of what I’ve done. I’m sorry Father.” After a moment sitting in silence I stood up and made my way to my Mothers tomb. I didn’t kneel, and I didn’t speak. I just stood beside the casket and prayed silently to myself. I asked Gaia to make sure that my Mother above anyone else on these lands find her way to the afterlife.
The feeling that I was being watched had come back to me again. I turned toward the door to the main chambers and found Empyreal standing in the doorway. “You startled me my friend.” I said. My horse motioned his head toward the exit and turned and made his way out of the castle. I looked back at my Mother’s tomb one last time and followed Empyreal out of the castle and to the east side of the grounds. The cellar door that led to my sire’s residence was blown completely off. Splinters of wood were scattered all around the ground. I reached for Empyreal and stroked his snout and said, “Thank you my friend. I can tell that the stable boy did not have a clue what he had in you.” I walked carefully toward the opening of the cellar and pulled out the Orc club once again and said softly, “I’ve got to find a new sword.” I walked down the small stairway and peered down the long, dark hall. I could only see the earthen floor and the stone walls. There was nothing out of place as of yet. I made it to the first door that was on my left and looked in. Ah, my former training room. Dante brutalized me daily in this room. One day I’ll pay him back. I smiled at the memories that came flooding back to me as I stared in at my old training room. I looked across the hall at the door that stood forever closed. I had never seen the contents of this room, and it did not appear as though today was going to be the first time either. I reached for the latch and tugged, but to no avail. The door remained locked, as always. I turned and faced the door leading to Dante’s main anteroom. I had only been allowed in here one time, and I did not enjoy the experience. The room smelled of death, and was covered in blood stains from floor to ceiling. I had only been fifteen years old at the time, and the sight and smell of the room made my stomach lurch. I could only hope that the feeling did not return. It was then that it had dawned on me that I had not fed in over a week. Nor was I feeling the craving. I could not explain it. However I was very grateful for it, as there was no one around to feed on.
I walked down the rest of the short earthen hallway to Dante’s anteroom door. The door was unlatched and opened slightly. I could see firelight coming from the inside of the room and stopped to listen. Opening up my sense of hearing to focus on what might be inside, my heart leaped from my chest when I heard my sire’s voice. “I realize my Lord that the boy has managed to elude your plan. But you must take heart that he will do everything that we have laid out before him.” I heard silence after that, then Dante’s voice once more. “I understand my Lord. I will not fail you again, you have my word. I will set the boy straight. He will follow the path that you have placed before him.” Again, silence. I could feel a rumbling coming from inside of my satchel, as well as a slight humming. The conversation inside the room ceased. I leaned in closer to the door to try to hear what, if anything was being said. The door then was flung open, startled I reached in my satchel and grabbed the first thing I could find to defend myself with. I could feel the hatred and negative energy flow back through my body as I landed on the dirt floor. Dante and Zeshua stood in the doorway. “I told you my Lord, the boy would not stray too far from the path we have laid before him.”
Monday, December 8, 2008
Chapter 11: Game Over
I dug my way out from under the tree that occupied my sleep. Still on my belly, I removed my trench coat. This was my moment, and I wanted nothing to hinder my ability to destroy these wretched animals. After shedding my coat I crawled to just behind a smaller tree and rose to my feet. Finally Mother, Father. I will avenge you. Then I will regain Cirania’s love, and together we will find Catbriar. I could feel Harbinger humming in its sheath. It knew that it would be tasting blood soon. No matter how foul the taste may be. Grunting and growling grew louder as the fire the Orcs had started began to roar. They were celebrating, but why? I peered around the corner and found the Chieftain Orc, sitting proudly on a throne made from human bones and skulls. The headdress he wore was stunning. The base was encrusted with jewels and runes, no doubt looted from those they slaughtered. The feathers on the crown were the most magnificent I had ever seen. Their length was at least an arm. The colors varied from blues to yellows to reds, to even whites. They shimmered in the moonlight. These were no ordinary feathers, and I knew immediately that they had not come from any bird that resided in Allukra. These feathers had to be crafted some how. Tonight, those feathers will fall to the ground with no Orc alive to pick them back up again.
I reached in to my satchel and pulled out the meat that I had purchased before leaving Firecove. I sprinted to the tree just north of me and tossed a piece of the raw flesh onto a low lying branch. I darted around almost half of the camp to another tree and did the same. I was finally where I started and was all out of meat. I stood patiently and waited. Only a few moments had passed when the beating of the drums slowed, and then eventually stopped. The Orc’s grunts of celebration had quickly turned to that of curiosity. I heard several of them walking toward the tree immediately to my left. I reached for my bow and then stopped. I thought twice about it and instead drew Harbinger from its sheath. I could feel the anticipation welling up inside of my weapon for its upcoming feast. My blood raced through my veins as I heard the curious animals just a few paces behind me. I opened up my senses to feel how many were near me. There are four here at this one, and thirteen at the next tree. There will be more than enough time to kill these four before the others are alerted to my presence. I closed my eyes for a quick moment and thought of my parents and friends who were mercilessly slaughtered by these animals. “Justice is at hand.” I said. I turned to the left and brought Harbinger up over my head. With a killing blow the first Orc fell. The other three monsters charged me and let out a battle cry that would tremble the knees of even the most battle hardened warrior. I never flinched. The second Orc fell to a dull thud as his face met the butt end of Harbinger. The weapon seemed to even relish in that type of death as well. The remaining two attackers went limp when Harbinger and I removed both of their heads in one swing. I repressed the image of my friends missing their heads as I ran from Reign Hall.
I closed my eyes and paused for only a second to gather myself. This is no time to be weak Aerol. Finish this! My eyes flew open and turned a dark shade of red as the other thirteen Orcs had noticed my arrival. They all ran toward me, letting loose the same fearsome battle cry as the previous group had done. The only difference now was that the rest of the tribe now knew I was there. It had come down to this, kill or be killed. I brought my sword of power in front of me at the ready. If only you could see me now Father. You would be so proud of what I am doing. The small band had made its way to me quickly and was swinging their crude weapons at my head and abdomen, but Harbinger redirected every one of them. With each swing of my arm and Orc fell, bones crunched and skulls crushed. Blood was spilled by the gallons each time Harbinger penetrated the flesh of the cursed beings. The screams of each Orc had alerted the rest of the tribe that danger was in fact among them.
When all thirteen had fell to the ground in a heap of blood and broken bone I heard Harbinger take in a deep breath. I watched as it absorbed every last drop of blood that had accumulated on the blade and hilt. I turned my attention to the clearing where the rest of the tribe had gathered. They were all holding hand made clubs. Some were embedded with shards of crystals, while others were wrapped with scrap metal. Every last Orc had surrounded his Chieftain. He now stood on his throne of human remains and shouted out orders. The band of tribe mates held their ground firm around the Chieftain. I walked closer to the clearing. That is when I seen why the Orcs had been celebrating. Tied to posts was a small outfit of about twelve Battle Mages. All of them disrobed, and all of them bleeding and unconscious, including Cirania. Rage built up inside of me as I heard what I thought was laughter coming from Harbinger. I stepped into the clearing and held my sword out in front of me at arms length. “Let them go, and I will spare your lives. Refuse and I will kill you where you stand.” The group of animals all turned to their Chieftain for guidance. He looked at the Mages and then back at me and spoke, “No…Vampire…me…like…bone…need…bone…” I lowered my weapon and closed my eyes once more and thought of everything I had said to justify killing these beasts. Now it seemed that I was right all along. My eyes opened as I felt something zip past my head. I had no time to react, no time to even scream. An Orc club had been thrown in the way of the Mages. Cirania now hung from her post. Limp, dead.
The events that occurred next were not of my own doing. I had gone in to a blood rage. I never ran, and I never screamed. I just slaughtered every Orc that stood in my way. I had seen the results of what they did to my parents and friends. Now these lunatics had killed the last thing that ever meant anything to me. Cirania Reign, my love, my wife, and my only true friend. Her lifeless, naked body kept flashing through my mind as I rampaged through the tribe of murderers. The club smashing her in the face, shattering every bone in her head, and then nothing. She was gone, and I was going to make them feel every bone that they had ever broken. Harbinger worked furiously, but it never stopped. My actions were not of my own, as I lay waste to yet another Orc. The bodies piled up behind me. A wake of death and destruction left in my path. I caught a glance of the Chieftain; he had stopped shouting orders and was now searching for an escape route. Let him try. With my powers and Harbinger in my hand I will hunt him down to the ends of the world. With every parry of my sword came another stab into the neck or chest of an Orc. I was fulfilling my destiny. I had become the one to eliminate an entire race. So this is the true feeling of being a God? I thought as I removed Harbinger from the forehead of an uglier than usual Orc. I was near the Chieftain now. Any moment his blood would be engulfed in to the never ending pit of my weapon. One last Orc stood between me and the Chieftain. Obviously his last line of defense, as this one was among the biggest Orcs I had ever laid eyes on. He charged me fast and furiously, I side stepped and stuck my foot out. The giant Orc had proven to be more clumsy than strong. Ah, I never get tired of that move. I walked up behind him and sat in the middle of his back. I placed my weapon directly in front of his throat, and with my free hand grabbed the blade of my sword. I leaned in and said, “I know you don’t understand me, and that’s fine. But I want you to know that your kind killed my entire family. Everyone I have ever loved in my lifetime. That is why you die tonight.” With a quick pull of Harbinger, all that remained was the Chieftain and I. I stood up from my last victim and turned to face the Chieftain. He cowered on his throne of human bone. I sneered at him and said, “You were given the chance to live. Now it is time that you die.” I walked toward him slowly, but with meaning. Harbinger hung loosely at my side, thrumming in anticipation of feasting upon royalty. As I neared the throne the Chieftain let loose a kick that caught me directly in the chest. I heard my sternum snap under the pressure of his foot. I bent over to try to let it heal when I was kicked directly in the head. Stars began to swirl around me. Darkness threatened to take over. I slammed to the ground as the Chieftain kicked me repeatedly in the ribs. Blood filled my mouth after a solid foot to the face. The Orc showed no signs of slowing down as the kicks continued. I tried to draw Harbinger up to deflect a blow to the stomach, but the vicious warrior instead aimed for my wrist. Shattering it in four different places, Harbinger flew from my grasp and embedded itself in the trunk of a giant oak tree. I had been bested. Defeated by the one creature I had vowed to eliminate. The beat down continued as the darkness consumed me.
I was standing in the bowels of Reign’s Hall with Dante. He repeatedly bashed his fists into my side, cracking several ribs. “Do it Aerol!” He shouted. “Draw upon the energy that was bestowed upon you.” The blows continued on, each one harder than the last. “I…I can’t…Please Dante, stop. I can’t do it ok!?” I yelled back at him. He finally relented and took a step back. He checked his hands for bruises. Of course there weren’t any. “Never say that you can’t. You have been given a gift Aerol, a gift.” He said matter of factly. “You only have to search within yourself to find it. It is there, and when you find it, there is not a creature out there that is more powerful. Being a Druid is an honor. Treat it as such.”
The Chieftain’s foot flew toward my face once more. I reached up and snatched it out of the air, flipping him over onto his belly. I stood up and marched over to the Orc; I picked him up by the scruff of the neck and lifted him a foot off the ground. “That is the last time you will ever kick any thing again!” I drew deep within myself and channeled ever last ounce of energy I could find. I reached back with my fist and, for the first time in over two years truly felt free. Free from Zeshua and Harbinger. Free from my quest. I felt freedom from everything. With my fist drawn back I looked at the Chieftain in the eye and let him loose. I removed the crown of feathers from his head and said, “I am only going to say this once, GO! Go far away from here and never return. GO NOW!” The Orc, with shock on his face did as he was told immediately. I walked over to the gigantic Orc and placed the crown upon his head. I dropped to my knees and said a small prayer to Gaia. “Gaia, please see to it that these Orc find their way into the afterlife…” There was a long pause. “I’m sorry.” I stood up and went to where Cirania’s dead body hung. “Oh my love, I never meant for any of this to happen. Please, wherever you are, please forgive me.” I grabbed the club that had dealt my wife her death blow and placed it in my satchel for safe keeping. I searched around camp for the Battle Mages clothes and eventually found them stashed inside a hollowed out tree. I dressed Cirania and folded her arms across her chest. “I’m taking you back to Darckston, and I’m going to give you a proper burial.” I then took the remaining clothes and folded them in a pile in front of the other Mages. Grabbing a piece of rock from the ground I proceeded to free the Orcs’ hostages. I picked up Cirania and stopped to grab Harbinger and my trench coat. I put on the coat and shoved Harbinger in my satchel. “I’ll deal with you later.” With Cirania in my arms I left Orcshire. Somewhere, somehow, I could see Thresh smiling. I said, “You were right old friend. You were right.”
Author's note; if you enjoyed these writings, join our blog group or go to my new blog page. The address is http://aerolreign.blogspot.com/ I hope all will visit. By joining our blog group you can follow the Chronicles of Desidarious Devenshire, written by my friend Dustin Green. And the Tales of Paralay Vextar, written by Damon Tinsley. If you don't want to join the blog group, then at least go to their pages and read their stories. Desidarious' story has already begun. And Paralay's have only just begun. Eventually, all three stories will become one. So you'll need to stay in the know. I hope you all enjoyed the eleventh chapter of The Adventures of Aerol Reign: Game Over
I reached in to my satchel and pulled out the meat that I had purchased before leaving Firecove. I sprinted to the tree just north of me and tossed a piece of the raw flesh onto a low lying branch. I darted around almost half of the camp to another tree and did the same. I was finally where I started and was all out of meat. I stood patiently and waited. Only a few moments had passed when the beating of the drums slowed, and then eventually stopped. The Orc’s grunts of celebration had quickly turned to that of curiosity. I heard several of them walking toward the tree immediately to my left. I reached for my bow and then stopped. I thought twice about it and instead drew Harbinger from its sheath. I could feel the anticipation welling up inside of my weapon for its upcoming feast. My blood raced through my veins as I heard the curious animals just a few paces behind me. I opened up my senses to feel how many were near me. There are four here at this one, and thirteen at the next tree. There will be more than enough time to kill these four before the others are alerted to my presence. I closed my eyes for a quick moment and thought of my parents and friends who were mercilessly slaughtered by these animals. “Justice is at hand.” I said. I turned to the left and brought Harbinger up over my head. With a killing blow the first Orc fell. The other three monsters charged me and let out a battle cry that would tremble the knees of even the most battle hardened warrior. I never flinched. The second Orc fell to a dull thud as his face met the butt end of Harbinger. The weapon seemed to even relish in that type of death as well. The remaining two attackers went limp when Harbinger and I removed both of their heads in one swing. I repressed the image of my friends missing their heads as I ran from Reign Hall.
I closed my eyes and paused for only a second to gather myself. This is no time to be weak Aerol. Finish this! My eyes flew open and turned a dark shade of red as the other thirteen Orcs had noticed my arrival. They all ran toward me, letting loose the same fearsome battle cry as the previous group had done. The only difference now was that the rest of the tribe now knew I was there. It had come down to this, kill or be killed. I brought my sword of power in front of me at the ready. If only you could see me now Father. You would be so proud of what I am doing. The small band had made its way to me quickly and was swinging their crude weapons at my head and abdomen, but Harbinger redirected every one of them. With each swing of my arm and Orc fell, bones crunched and skulls crushed. Blood was spilled by the gallons each time Harbinger penetrated the flesh of the cursed beings. The screams of each Orc had alerted the rest of the tribe that danger was in fact among them.
When all thirteen had fell to the ground in a heap of blood and broken bone I heard Harbinger take in a deep breath. I watched as it absorbed every last drop of blood that had accumulated on the blade and hilt. I turned my attention to the clearing where the rest of the tribe had gathered. They were all holding hand made clubs. Some were embedded with shards of crystals, while others were wrapped with scrap metal. Every last Orc had surrounded his Chieftain. He now stood on his throne of human remains and shouted out orders. The band of tribe mates held their ground firm around the Chieftain. I walked closer to the clearing. That is when I seen why the Orcs had been celebrating. Tied to posts was a small outfit of about twelve Battle Mages. All of them disrobed, and all of them bleeding and unconscious, including Cirania. Rage built up inside of me as I heard what I thought was laughter coming from Harbinger. I stepped into the clearing and held my sword out in front of me at arms length. “Let them go, and I will spare your lives. Refuse and I will kill you where you stand.” The group of animals all turned to their Chieftain for guidance. He looked at the Mages and then back at me and spoke, “No…Vampire…me…like…bone…need…bone…” I lowered my weapon and closed my eyes once more and thought of everything I had said to justify killing these beasts. Now it seemed that I was right all along. My eyes opened as I felt something zip past my head. I had no time to react, no time to even scream. An Orc club had been thrown in the way of the Mages. Cirania now hung from her post. Limp, dead.
The events that occurred next were not of my own doing. I had gone in to a blood rage. I never ran, and I never screamed. I just slaughtered every Orc that stood in my way. I had seen the results of what they did to my parents and friends. Now these lunatics had killed the last thing that ever meant anything to me. Cirania Reign, my love, my wife, and my only true friend. Her lifeless, naked body kept flashing through my mind as I rampaged through the tribe of murderers. The club smashing her in the face, shattering every bone in her head, and then nothing. She was gone, and I was going to make them feel every bone that they had ever broken. Harbinger worked furiously, but it never stopped. My actions were not of my own, as I lay waste to yet another Orc. The bodies piled up behind me. A wake of death and destruction left in my path. I caught a glance of the Chieftain; he had stopped shouting orders and was now searching for an escape route. Let him try. With my powers and Harbinger in my hand I will hunt him down to the ends of the world. With every parry of my sword came another stab into the neck or chest of an Orc. I was fulfilling my destiny. I had become the one to eliminate an entire race. So this is the true feeling of being a God? I thought as I removed Harbinger from the forehead of an uglier than usual Orc. I was near the Chieftain now. Any moment his blood would be engulfed in to the never ending pit of my weapon. One last Orc stood between me and the Chieftain. Obviously his last line of defense, as this one was among the biggest Orcs I had ever laid eyes on. He charged me fast and furiously, I side stepped and stuck my foot out. The giant Orc had proven to be more clumsy than strong. Ah, I never get tired of that move. I walked up behind him and sat in the middle of his back. I placed my weapon directly in front of his throat, and with my free hand grabbed the blade of my sword. I leaned in and said, “I know you don’t understand me, and that’s fine. But I want you to know that your kind killed my entire family. Everyone I have ever loved in my lifetime. That is why you die tonight.” With a quick pull of Harbinger, all that remained was the Chieftain and I. I stood up from my last victim and turned to face the Chieftain. He cowered on his throne of human bone. I sneered at him and said, “You were given the chance to live. Now it is time that you die.” I walked toward him slowly, but with meaning. Harbinger hung loosely at my side, thrumming in anticipation of feasting upon royalty. As I neared the throne the Chieftain let loose a kick that caught me directly in the chest. I heard my sternum snap under the pressure of his foot. I bent over to try to let it heal when I was kicked directly in the head. Stars began to swirl around me. Darkness threatened to take over. I slammed to the ground as the Chieftain kicked me repeatedly in the ribs. Blood filled my mouth after a solid foot to the face. The Orc showed no signs of slowing down as the kicks continued. I tried to draw Harbinger up to deflect a blow to the stomach, but the vicious warrior instead aimed for my wrist. Shattering it in four different places, Harbinger flew from my grasp and embedded itself in the trunk of a giant oak tree. I had been bested. Defeated by the one creature I had vowed to eliminate. The beat down continued as the darkness consumed me.
I was standing in the bowels of Reign’s Hall with Dante. He repeatedly bashed his fists into my side, cracking several ribs. “Do it Aerol!” He shouted. “Draw upon the energy that was bestowed upon you.” The blows continued on, each one harder than the last. “I…I can’t…Please Dante, stop. I can’t do it ok!?” I yelled back at him. He finally relented and took a step back. He checked his hands for bruises. Of course there weren’t any. “Never say that you can’t. You have been given a gift Aerol, a gift.” He said matter of factly. “You only have to search within yourself to find it. It is there, and when you find it, there is not a creature out there that is more powerful. Being a Druid is an honor. Treat it as such.”
The Chieftain’s foot flew toward my face once more. I reached up and snatched it out of the air, flipping him over onto his belly. I stood up and marched over to the Orc; I picked him up by the scruff of the neck and lifted him a foot off the ground. “That is the last time you will ever kick any thing again!” I drew deep within myself and channeled ever last ounce of energy I could find. I reached back with my fist and, for the first time in over two years truly felt free. Free from Zeshua and Harbinger. Free from my quest. I felt freedom from everything. With my fist drawn back I looked at the Chieftain in the eye and let him loose. I removed the crown of feathers from his head and said, “I am only going to say this once, GO! Go far away from here and never return. GO NOW!” The Orc, with shock on his face did as he was told immediately. I walked over to the gigantic Orc and placed the crown upon his head. I dropped to my knees and said a small prayer to Gaia. “Gaia, please see to it that these Orc find their way into the afterlife…” There was a long pause. “I’m sorry.” I stood up and went to where Cirania’s dead body hung. “Oh my love, I never meant for any of this to happen. Please, wherever you are, please forgive me.” I grabbed the club that had dealt my wife her death blow and placed it in my satchel for safe keeping. I searched around camp for the Battle Mages clothes and eventually found them stashed inside a hollowed out tree. I dressed Cirania and folded her arms across her chest. “I’m taking you back to Darckston, and I’m going to give you a proper burial.” I then took the remaining clothes and folded them in a pile in front of the other Mages. Grabbing a piece of rock from the ground I proceeded to free the Orcs’ hostages. I picked up Cirania and stopped to grab Harbinger and my trench coat. I put on the coat and shoved Harbinger in my satchel. “I’ll deal with you later.” With Cirania in my arms I left Orcshire. Somewhere, somehow, I could see Thresh smiling. I said, “You were right old friend. You were right.”
Author's note; if you enjoyed these writings, join our blog group or go to my new blog page. The address is http://aerolreign.blogspot.com/ I hope all will visit. By joining our blog group you can follow the Chronicles of Desidarious Devenshire, written by my friend Dustin Green. And the Tales of Paralay Vextar, written by Damon Tinsley. If you don't want to join the blog group, then at least go to their pages and read their stories. Desidarious' story has already begun. And Paralay's have only just begun. Eventually, all three stories will become one. So you'll need to stay in the know. I hope you all enjoyed the eleventh chapter of The Adventures of Aerol Reign: Game Over
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Chapter 10: Ne Flerana
I closed my eyes just as the sun rose up over the horizon and begun to poke through the protection of the trees and limbs above me. I had dug out perhaps my best underground shelter to date; I was underneath the same enormous maple tree that just minutes ago Thresh had rammed my head into. There was enough room under the roots of the maple for me to stretch my legs out and sit up if I so desired. But for now I only desired sleep. Sleep to heal the wounds Oases had caused upon my face. Sleep to heal the knot on my head that the maple tree had left. Sleep just to slip away from going insane due to the fact that I had been undeniably betrayed by my wife and my dearest friends. As my eyes finally found their way completely shut, visions began swirling inside of my mind.
An Elven Ranger sat alone on the top step of a magnificent castle. The walls appeared to be made of white marble with gold accents all throughout. The Ranger sat with his head resting in his right hand. His arm supported by his knee. Hanging from both hips were two glorious swords barely visible through the dark green cloak. Out of the tree line from the south came two more Rangers. One dark headed male and one fair headed young female approached the castle steeps with purpose. A conversation ensued, with the two new guests doing most of the talking. The seated Ranger looked up at the others and mumbled a few words, only to hang his head in his hands once more. The younger female reached for the Elf's cloak. She gave one last look at her elder Ranger, then grabbed the cloak and removed it quickly. She handed the cloak to her elder then turned her back and walked back down the castle steps. The raven haired man began speaking again for a length of time. The seated Elf looked up and only mustered a small whimper as he let his head hang to his chest this time. The male Ranger turned his back to his fallen comrade and rejoined his companion at the bottom of the steps. Together they walked back from whence they came and the now cloak less Ranger was alone once more.
I watched him sulk for what seemed like hours. While he wallowed in his own self pity, I admired his swords for the same amount of time. I could tell just by looking at them as a whole that they were swords of power. I was also being told so by Harbinger, and it wasn't pleased at all. The weapon on the Elf's right hip was made of some sort of green material. It was almost see through, like a thick sheet of ice. The hand guard was decorated with jewels of every color that seemed to glow like the sun. The handle was wrapped in the finest leather I had ever laid my eyes on. It just hung from the Elf's belt as if it had no purpose. Harbinger let me know otherwise. My sword of power shivered and hummed in its sheath so much, I thought it was going to lunge for the Elf by itself but it remained where it was. The sword on the left was a typical looking weapon. The only thing that separated this sword from any other was the gold flakes scattered along the thin blade. As I admired this sword from a distance I could feel Harbinger's hate welling up within me. I closed my eyes tight and turned away before I let my sword of power take hold of me. I calmed myself enough to turn back to the secluded Ranger. When I did, there was yet another Ranger standing at the bottom steps of the castle. Hope had finally been restored to the hopeless Ranger. The new visitor spoke with such a booming voice that I had to cover my ears to keep them from bleeding. I tried to remain focused on the conversation. But I could hear nothing except loud booming, like a drum being beaten upon mercilessly. The Ranger on the ground raised his right arm and with some sort of magic removed the fallen Ranger's weapons from his sides. This Elf was now truly alone. Everything seemed to have been taken from him. The Ranger who confiscated the weapons turned and looked directly at me. He gave a wink, and then was gone. I watched the once proud warrior walk slowly in to the forest, and then he was gone as well.
I removed my hands from my ears and examined them closely. They were dripping with blood as was my ears. I concentrated on healing as best I could. I closed my eyes to try to ease the pounding in my head, it was no use. I opened my eyes again and found myself standing on the ground face to face with my father. I dropped to my knees and had I had the ability to cry, I would have. "Father," I said, "I have missed you and Mother so much. I am doing my best to avenge your deaths." I hung my head in shame, knowing that I had not yet done enough. My father spoke, though it was a voice not familiar to me. "Aerol Reign, stand up." The voice that came from my father's mouth was not my father's at all. This voice resonated with so much power that at its command I did as was told. Now standing my father spoke again, "I am not your father or your king. I am who I am." I looked upon his face and confused said, "You do look like him. But the voice is…different. If you are not my father, then I demand to know who you are!" The impersonator never flinched or wavered as he said, "I do not take demands from mortals. But as time is very short I will say that I am who you want me to be. I appear as you need me to, so that what I have to say sticks. Thus, I have appeared before you as your father." I shook my head and turned to the direction the lonely Elf walked just moments before. "What do you need to tell me that is so important?" The man clasped his hands behind his back and said, "You have been warned by your friends and family many times about the dangerous path you are traveling on." I nodded my head in acknowledgement. "Should at some point in your travels you decide to let yourself be redeemed, there will come a time when what you just witnessed will come to pass. It will be up to you to redeem another so that you can pay back the debt and sacrifice made for you. Do you understand?" I sat upon the warm sun soaked grass and studied what my father had just explained to me. After several moments I looked up at him and said, "Yes, I understand. But how will I know when and where to do this? I do not even know this Elf that I have been shown." A smile came across my father's face and he said, "You will know this man very soon, and you already know what this place looks like. You will know when it is time. However Aerol I must warn you that if you continue down the road you're on, what you have just witnessed will never happen. But a greater tragedy will occur in its place. You have been warned for the final time." I opened my mouth to speak, but the man who looked like my father had vanished. I sat soaking up the sun for what seemed like an eternity when I seen myself exit through the tree line and head toward the castle. I was different. I didn't seem to carry the worries…..BOOM!!!
My eyes flew open as the tree I was using as shelter began to shake. I dug out a small hole to see what the commotion outside was. There was a group of ten battle mages standing just beyond my temporary crypt. They were not the Dragon Mages that Thresh spoke of. Another deceit by the traitor, they were just battle mages. They were hurling spells at the tree trying to knock it to the ground. The magic warriors had already decimated half of the forest in their attempts to find me. I can fight them, and defeat them all. I pulled Harbinger from its sheath and began to dig my way out when I heard a slight crack in the air just behind me. "I would not dare try that Aerol. It would be quite foolish of you." I whipped my head around and to my surprise was my sire, Dante. I pushed aside my astonishment and said, "I have to do this, it is part of my quest." Dante just sat very calm and still and said, "Is your quest to die? Have you seen who is approaching from the east as I have? Have you seen who is leading this fight? If you had, you would come with me and leave Orcshire for now." I turned my gaze back to the mages outside. Dressed in blue robes was my wife, Cirania. I looked back at Dante, "Who is approaching from the east?" He let a smile cross his face, "Dragon Mages. They have been sent here by the one who promised you the world." Stunned, I looked down at Harbinger. "No, no it can't be. He told me…" Dante interrupted, "Exactly what you wanted to hear. Now he knows that you can be saved from your destructive path. He feels if he cannot have you and I to himself, then no one can." Thresh had been telling the truth all along. What have I done? How many people that I cared about have I harmed? I…I must finish this! "Fine Dante, take me out of here. But I will return soon, and I will finish what I have started. Then I will seek the redemption that is out there for me." Dante reached out and grabbed my right shoulder and said, "Spoken like a true Reign." I heard a light crack in the air once more, and we were gone.
When I awoke two days later I was underneath a giant sequoia tree. I dug a little earth out to find out my position. Everything was quiet. I could see a roaring fire just off in the distance. I also heard the grunting language of the Orcs. I was just outside of the Chieftain Orc's camp. My mission was near complete.
Author's note; if you enjoyed these writings, join our blog group on myspace. By doing so you can follow the Chronicles of Desidarious Devenshire, written by my friend Dustin Green. And the Tales of Paralay Vextar, written by Damon Tinsley. If you don't want to join the blog group, then at least go to their pages and read their stories. Desidarious' story has already begun. And Paralay's have only just begun. Eventually, all three stories will become one. So you'll need to stay in the know. I hope you all enjoyed the tenth chapter of The Adventures of Aerol Reign: Ne Flerana
An Elven Ranger sat alone on the top step of a magnificent castle. The walls appeared to be made of white marble with gold accents all throughout. The Ranger sat with his head resting in his right hand. His arm supported by his knee. Hanging from both hips were two glorious swords barely visible through the dark green cloak. Out of the tree line from the south came two more Rangers. One dark headed male and one fair headed young female approached the castle steeps with purpose. A conversation ensued, with the two new guests doing most of the talking. The seated Ranger looked up at the others and mumbled a few words, only to hang his head in his hands once more. The younger female reached for the Elf's cloak. She gave one last look at her elder Ranger, then grabbed the cloak and removed it quickly. She handed the cloak to her elder then turned her back and walked back down the castle steps. The raven haired man began speaking again for a length of time. The seated Elf looked up and only mustered a small whimper as he let his head hang to his chest this time. The male Ranger turned his back to his fallen comrade and rejoined his companion at the bottom of the steps. Together they walked back from whence they came and the now cloak less Ranger was alone once more.
I watched him sulk for what seemed like hours. While he wallowed in his own self pity, I admired his swords for the same amount of time. I could tell just by looking at them as a whole that they were swords of power. I was also being told so by Harbinger, and it wasn't pleased at all. The weapon on the Elf's right hip was made of some sort of green material. It was almost see through, like a thick sheet of ice. The hand guard was decorated with jewels of every color that seemed to glow like the sun. The handle was wrapped in the finest leather I had ever laid my eyes on. It just hung from the Elf's belt as if it had no purpose. Harbinger let me know otherwise. My sword of power shivered and hummed in its sheath so much, I thought it was going to lunge for the Elf by itself but it remained where it was. The sword on the left was a typical looking weapon. The only thing that separated this sword from any other was the gold flakes scattered along the thin blade. As I admired this sword from a distance I could feel Harbinger's hate welling up within me. I closed my eyes tight and turned away before I let my sword of power take hold of me. I calmed myself enough to turn back to the secluded Ranger. When I did, there was yet another Ranger standing at the bottom steps of the castle. Hope had finally been restored to the hopeless Ranger. The new visitor spoke with such a booming voice that I had to cover my ears to keep them from bleeding. I tried to remain focused on the conversation. But I could hear nothing except loud booming, like a drum being beaten upon mercilessly. The Ranger on the ground raised his right arm and with some sort of magic removed the fallen Ranger's weapons from his sides. This Elf was now truly alone. Everything seemed to have been taken from him. The Ranger who confiscated the weapons turned and looked directly at me. He gave a wink, and then was gone. I watched the once proud warrior walk slowly in to the forest, and then he was gone as well.
I removed my hands from my ears and examined them closely. They were dripping with blood as was my ears. I concentrated on healing as best I could. I closed my eyes to try to ease the pounding in my head, it was no use. I opened my eyes again and found myself standing on the ground face to face with my father. I dropped to my knees and had I had the ability to cry, I would have. "Father," I said, "I have missed you and Mother so much. I am doing my best to avenge your deaths." I hung my head in shame, knowing that I had not yet done enough. My father spoke, though it was a voice not familiar to me. "Aerol Reign, stand up." The voice that came from my father's mouth was not my father's at all. This voice resonated with so much power that at its command I did as was told. Now standing my father spoke again, "I am not your father or your king. I am who I am." I looked upon his face and confused said, "You do look like him. But the voice is…different. If you are not my father, then I demand to know who you are!" The impersonator never flinched or wavered as he said, "I do not take demands from mortals. But as time is very short I will say that I am who you want me to be. I appear as you need me to, so that what I have to say sticks. Thus, I have appeared before you as your father." I shook my head and turned to the direction the lonely Elf walked just moments before. "What do you need to tell me that is so important?" The man clasped his hands behind his back and said, "You have been warned by your friends and family many times about the dangerous path you are traveling on." I nodded my head in acknowledgement. "Should at some point in your travels you decide to let yourself be redeemed, there will come a time when what you just witnessed will come to pass. It will be up to you to redeem another so that you can pay back the debt and sacrifice made for you. Do you understand?" I sat upon the warm sun soaked grass and studied what my father had just explained to me. After several moments I looked up at him and said, "Yes, I understand. But how will I know when and where to do this? I do not even know this Elf that I have been shown." A smile came across my father's face and he said, "You will know this man very soon, and you already know what this place looks like. You will know when it is time. However Aerol I must warn you that if you continue down the road you're on, what you have just witnessed will never happen. But a greater tragedy will occur in its place. You have been warned for the final time." I opened my mouth to speak, but the man who looked like my father had vanished. I sat soaking up the sun for what seemed like an eternity when I seen myself exit through the tree line and head toward the castle. I was different. I didn't seem to carry the worries…..BOOM!!!
My eyes flew open as the tree I was using as shelter began to shake. I dug out a small hole to see what the commotion outside was. There was a group of ten battle mages standing just beyond my temporary crypt. They were not the Dragon Mages that Thresh spoke of. Another deceit by the traitor, they were just battle mages. They were hurling spells at the tree trying to knock it to the ground. The magic warriors had already decimated half of the forest in their attempts to find me. I can fight them, and defeat them all. I pulled Harbinger from its sheath and began to dig my way out when I heard a slight crack in the air just behind me. "I would not dare try that Aerol. It would be quite foolish of you." I whipped my head around and to my surprise was my sire, Dante. I pushed aside my astonishment and said, "I have to do this, it is part of my quest." Dante just sat very calm and still and said, "Is your quest to die? Have you seen who is approaching from the east as I have? Have you seen who is leading this fight? If you had, you would come with me and leave Orcshire for now." I turned my gaze back to the mages outside. Dressed in blue robes was my wife, Cirania. I looked back at Dante, "Who is approaching from the east?" He let a smile cross his face, "Dragon Mages. They have been sent here by the one who promised you the world." Stunned, I looked down at Harbinger. "No, no it can't be. He told me…" Dante interrupted, "Exactly what you wanted to hear. Now he knows that you can be saved from your destructive path. He feels if he cannot have you and I to himself, then no one can." Thresh had been telling the truth all along. What have I done? How many people that I cared about have I harmed? I…I must finish this! "Fine Dante, take me out of here. But I will return soon, and I will finish what I have started. Then I will seek the redemption that is out there for me." Dante reached out and grabbed my right shoulder and said, "Spoken like a true Reign." I heard a light crack in the air once more, and we were gone.
When I awoke two days later I was underneath a giant sequoia tree. I dug a little earth out to find out my position. Everything was quiet. I could see a roaring fire just off in the distance. I also heard the grunting language of the Orcs. I was just outside of the Chieftain Orc's camp. My mission was near complete.
Author's note; if you enjoyed these writings, join our blog group on myspace. By doing so you can follow the Chronicles of Desidarious Devenshire, written by my friend Dustin Green. And the Tales of Paralay Vextar, written by Damon Tinsley. If you don't want to join the blog group, then at least go to their pages and read their stories. Desidarious' story has already begun. And Paralay's have only just begun. Eventually, all three stories will become one. So you'll need to stay in the know. I hope you all enjoyed the tenth chapter of The Adventures of Aerol Reign: Ne Flerana
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