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Ink Slinger
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,210
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Eyes of Fire- Part One
I orginally posted this on the fiction page, but then found the advice and critque page and decided this is where I want it, so I moved it. Please offer me any feedback and fogive me for the lengthiness.
Prologue
The legends tell that long ago there was a powerful being called Monkou. He attempted to take over the lands of Karnest, Tran, and Lindolf. He took out tens of thousands of troops before finally being defeated by a hero named Bacos. He fled Karnest, and the world fell back into its normal pattern of life.
However, Lord Monkou later returned. He destroyed nearly all of Karnest before anyone could spread the word that he had returned. Even when the word was finally out and the elves of Lindolf combined their strength with the men of Tran, Lord Monkou could not be stopped. He ravaged the World and pillaged everything in his path.
His reign finally ended after he had been ravaging the world for four years. It was then that the dwarves were finally united by Thorkin. Thorkin and an orphan named Sharu from a town called Crystal Creek led a charge into Monkou’s fortress. It was there that Sharu and Monkou fought.
Monkou was defeated, and his body and powers were robbed by Sharu’s mighty “energy thief” sword. With Monkou gone the demonic army quickly started to die. The War That Ravaged the Earth was finally over.
But even after 300 years the people of Karnest, Lindolf, and Tran were never able to rebuild their nations back to the strength they once possessed. They were but a shadow of their former glory. They didn’t know it, but the time would come again when the fate of the world would weigh on the shoulders of a man and his friends.
One
An army was being assembled to a small port that had only a few noteworthy ships. These people called Cimmerites, with their dark skin and pale hair, were gathering to head westward. Their leader, called “the Revered One”, was a shaman, which followed the Cimmerite tradition. He made important decisions based on what the “wise spirits” told him to do. It was common knowledge that the food source of gray mushrooms had been running low. The gray mushrooms were the only edible things that grew in their extensive system of caves, and without the mushrooms they would have to rely on bony fish.
The Revered One sought to end the poverty and famine that was striking the troubled people. This caused the Revered One to have his War-chief assemble his warships and sail across the vast sea so they could find some ancient relic to give to a spirit with unfathomable powers. No one except the War-chief and the Revered One knew much more than that.
Gathered at one of the only coastal cities in all the Cimmerite Empire, the fiery-eyed Drow listened intently with lobe-less, pointed ears. “My fellow Cimmerites!” the War-chief called, “we are here to begin a campaign to bring an end to these troubled times. The Revered One has told us that an artifact can bring us our salvation. We all know that the gray mushrooms are dying. This is a test. We must get this artifact at whatever price. We will set sail in four nights.”
The masses began to cheer. Even the less spiritual people knew that they were doomed if they didn’t try to do something to prevent their demise. Some at first thought that the War-chief and the Revered One were mad; however, when they saw him in the pale moonlit night they saw there was no madness in the War-chief’s crimson eyes. For the first time in years the Cimmerites felt hopeful of the future.
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Across the sea there lay another town on the coast. Cimmerites didn’t occupy this town. It was a settlements of humans. This town was called Stony Beach. Stony Beach wasn’t the biggest town. It lacked the splendor of some other towns and looking upon it showed it was a pretty mediocre town. It had a keep, stone walls, houses and stores placed about, and a pretty unorganized system of roads. The only thing that Stony Beach could brag about was that the Elvish assembly was held there. Then on the outskirts there were farmlands and a well traveled road that lead down to the harbor. Stony Beach actually started at the harbor; however, the town quickly had shifted to the more fertile ground in the inland area.
Captain Fredrick was enjoying his day off at the Traveler’s Tavern that was right next to the main gate. It had the best ale in town. The bartender, Ellen, did a good job of keeping order in there, or at least did better than the bartender at the Headless Snake. Fredrick enjoyed hearing tales from the mercenaries. The mercenary he was listening to at that moment had brown hair, wore a brown cloak, and had a long sword sheathed on his back. He was talking about Dwarves.
“They are much more civilized than you may think. They once were pretty savage- they still are savage actually. But they are united now and are actually very accommodating hosts,” the mercenary said.
“But you don’t look old enough to have visited all these places you claim, Mister- well whatever your name is,” another mercenary said in a challenging tone. “Is this some sort of lie to get more business?” The horizontal scar on the left side of his face easily distinguished the mercenary who had just spoke.
“Call me Samuel,” the first man said. “And if you must know I am… a bit older than I appear. And I’m actually here to see an old friend of mine.” Samuel got up and started to leave. “A very old friend,” he said quietly.
Fredrick thought that that guy was strange. He watched Samuel hand Ellen some coins and then he left before Ellen could even count them all. Although the tavern was crowded and many people often kept blocking his view, he could see that Samuel had paid more than he needed. Fredrick then turned his attention to other mercenaries and merchants to see what news of the outside world he could find.
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Samuel made his way towards the keep with his brown travelling cloak drawn around him. He ignored the street merchants that were asking him to purchase their wares, which were mostly rusted swords and jewelry made of scrap metal, shells, and twigs. He entered into a large courtyard that could easily fit the garrison of about a thousand guards. Around the edges of the courtyard were fine shops selling fancy clothing and other luxury commodities, or basically anything that the aristocrats would need. At the far end of the courtyard was the gate to the inside of the keep, which Samuel began to make his way towards. When he reached the keep gate, two guards cut him off. “What is your business within the keep?” they asked.
Samuel thought of saying what his real name was but instead said, “My name is Samuel and I wish to speak with my friend, Lord Denshar of Lindolf.” The guards glanced at each other. “Is there a problem?” Samuel asked.
“Well, Lord Denshar is speaking with Baron Jeffery,” the one on the right said and then in a more snide tone he added, “and we can’t just allow you in. We don’t even know of any Samuel that has right to visit with the Lord Denshar. If we let everyone in to the keep, then we would have beggars lined up for miles so they can get in and ask for the help of Lord Jeffery.”
Samuel was slightly irritated with that, but he hid it. He decided that he’d just have to either sneak in or wait until Denshar left for a visit to a bar. Of course, that would take some time since Denshar rarely drank alcohol. “All right then, I’ll go find something else to do,” Samuel said.
Samuel turned and made his way back across the courtyard. He then saw a horseman with a sword in hand riding in yelling for people to get out of his way. “We’re under attack!” he yelled to the guards. The guards knew that he was telling the truth at once when they noticed the blood on his sword. This man had just recently seen some fighting.
The guard on the right turned to his partner. “Get Lords Denshar and Jeffery,” he said. Then he yelled to a guard down the street, “And you, go get Captain Fredrick.“ After he said this he went in and grabbed a pearl horn and blew it loudly.
The town was in a state of unrest in a matter of seconds. Soldiers were running quickly to their barracks, merchants were shutting down their business, and parents were getting their children inside.
It didn’t take long for the garrison to begin to form inside the courtyard. Samuel saw someone that seemed familiar. He had dark hair and a cleanly shaved face, and he wore armor decorated with colorful badges showing his high rank. Samuel then realized that was Captain Fredrick, the one who was listening to the mercenaries down at the “Traveler’s.” To Fredrick’s right was a man in elaborate clothing. Judging by his girth, Samuel had a hunch that that man was Lord Jeffery.
The man on Lord Jeffery’s left had an exotic appearance. His hair was beginning to turn white and was pulled back behind his head and fell to his shoulders. This revealed pointed ears that didn’t have lobes. Samuel instantly recognized him as Lord Denshar, the Elvish ambassador from Lindolf. Samuel smiled, remembering times long ago when he was Denshar’s companion.
Then there was an abrupt muteness as Jeffery began to speak. “People of Stony Beach,” he shouted, “we have just received ill tidings that the harbor has been attacked and captured.” The masses began to murmur, some of them angry and some of them frightened. “QUIET!” Jeffery yelled to good effect. “They came in about a dozen ships that could easily carry one-hundred and fifty soldiers each. My scholars have done complex calculations to figure out that this means they could easily have one-thousand and eight-hundred troops now on our shores.”
The crowd began to once again start to murmur. One guard that was in front of him said, “How do we know that the scholars did their calculations correctly?” Samuel just thought it was sad. All the citizens had once been able to calculate twelve multiplied by 150. Now not even the aristocrats could do it. Samuel suspected that the scholars just didn’t want to teach other people how to do arithmetic for fear of losing their job.
Jeffery once again quieted the crowd. “My tacticians have been studying…” Jeffery paused a second to think of the word, “My tacticians have been studying our position vigorously and have determined that we should be able to hold the walls.” Samuel almost laughed noticing that once again Lord Jeffery had someone else figure this out as well. He began to think Jeffery was a dangerous ruler because he could easily be manipulated.
Lord Jeffery continued, “We also hear that they look sort of like dwarves,” he said. Captain Fredrick leaned over and then whispered something to Jeffery. Jeffery blinked and then said, “I meant to say that they looked like elves.” That caused massive turmoil. People were yelling arguments and insults at each other. Samuel looked towards Lord Denshar to see that as usual he was sitting calmly. Jeffery was futilely shouting for everyone to calm down. After a few minutes the masses began to succumb to the screams of Jeffery.
“Thank-you,” he said sighing in relief. “Now as I was saying, the invaders looked sort of like elves only they didn’t look like elves.” This was met with confusion. Everyone looked at the front of the courtyard, where Jeffery’s platform was, for some explanation on what he meant by his last phrase.
Jeffery looked to Captain Fredrick for help. Fredrick stood up and then said to the masses, “The invaders are described as being elves, only with ashen hair, dark skin, and crimson eyes. Lord Denshar has informed us that they are in no way affiliated with the elves of Lindolf.”
Jeffery then stood up again and then said, “Thank you, captain.” Fredrick sat back down in his wooden chair without saying anything. Jeffery then said to the masses, “We have sent out scouts to watch for when these dwarf- I mean elf-like things start to march on us- I mean towards us. Anyway, I’ve consulted with Lord Denshar as to use his experience from the War That Ravaged the World and to get his expert opinion about what to do in this situation.” The masses began to murmur again, clearly wanting Jeffery to get to the point.
“I’ve decided to set most of the troops at the eastern gate. This is where they will most likely attack. We will, of course… Well do whatever the captain or the ambassador say,” Jeffery finally finished.
Fredrick then rose once more. “We will allow civilians who wish to volunteer to serve. All wishing to join must plead their case with either myself or Lord Jeffery.” With that Fredrick sat down and had some guards bring up desks and parchment for Jeffery, Fredrick, and Denshar as the madness began. A few people came up and waited to enlist as militia, but most of the civilians preferred to stay in the safety of the inner town.
The garrison began to go to the armory to re-sharpen their blades, and others went to their barracks to await orders. Samuel quietly hoped Fredrick or Denshar would be allowed to call the shots, for he could see already that Jeffery would be incompetent as a general; in fact, he likely would be a bad foot soldier. Samuel didn’t dwell on this to long and instead headed towards Denshar.
“It’s been quiet some time, hasn’t it Dan,” Samuel said as he approached Denshar’s desk. Denshar was shocked. He only knew one person still alive that called him “Dan.”
Denshar smiled and said, “It has been a while,” Denshar paused, “friend. I must admit that I am surprised that you’re here. However, I am also very glad you are here, too.”
Jeffery, who was talking to an old man who obviously was too old and feeble to make a good soldier anymore, turned towards Denshar and said, “Who is that?”
“This is a good friend of mine and has more skill and experience fighting than anyone here,” Denshar paused a brief moment then said, “except for me. I am going to promote him to captain of his own brigade.”
Fredrick then interrupted the conversation, “You can’t do that!” he said. “You have to work hard to get in a commanding position.”
Denshar responded to this by saying, “Well that would just mean that I’ll have to make him a captain of a mercenary brigade. Any mercenary that wants to join under Captain Samuel may do so now. If any of you mercenaries out there don’t join us or the military, by the way, you’ll have to miss the action and just stay in the keep.”
This was met with little responsiveness at first; however, then someone left the line in front of Lord Jeffery. He was tall and muscular, had a large zweihander sword and was already wearing chain-link armor and a helm decorated with a few jewels. The scar on the left side of his face gave him away as the one who had been questioning Samuel’s story at the tavern.
The mercenary walked up to Samuel. “If half of what you said at the bar is true, then you’re a thousand fold better than anyone in this pathetic garrison.” Fredrick scowled at the mercenary. The mercenary went on, “Lord ‘Dan’ just gave me proof that you must be an incredible warrior to know him well enough to call him something like Dan. I, Zachery the renowned mercenary of the far North, put myself under the command of Captain Samuel.”
Zachery was well known and liked among the mercenaries. His title was not meant to be a boast (well, maybe it was a little bit) but was actually the title that the mercenary community had given him. Samuel actually had heard of this mercenary of the northern reaches of Tran. They were famous for their use of their zweihanders. Zachery’s enrollment into Samuel’s brigade was enough to convince many mercenaries to join with Samuel as well. If Zachery and Denshar both thought Samuel was worthy, that was good enough for most of them.
Fredrick knew Zachery was right. Few people in the garrison had ever experienced a true fight. The soldiers were well trained though, so Fredrick hoped that would be enough to help win the battle against the coming invaders.
Jeffery and Fredrick continued on late into the night, accepting some applicants for the militia, but generally turning them down. The rest of the time they had that day had to be spent explaining that when the attack started all the noncombatants had to retreat into the keep taking only what they could carry (preferably not even that), and to basically do what they were told. When it was over, Fredrick and Jeffery were both exhausted.
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It had been two days since the invasion of the harbor. The scouts came back every few hours just to report that the invaders looked to be recovering from their voyage across the sea. This was just making the garrison uneasy. Samuel and Zachery told the mercenaries that worked for them to be ready but also try to enjoy themselves. Mostly they just stayed in the Traveler’s. Samuel and Zachery did the same.
“Zachery,” Samuel said, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
Zachery smiled and said, “That’s a very cliché phrase.”
Samuel laughed and said, “I know, but I was going to see if you’re interested in being my second in command? You seem to be respected and well-“
Zachery cut him off and said, “Sure.” Then he went back into that joking type tone, “But remember that just because you gave me a high position in your little company doesn’t mean I’m willing to take any overconfident, snide remarks from you.”
Samuel smiled but didn’t say anything. He was just trying to figure out why Denshar asked Samuel to report to him when the pearl horn was blown, signaling the start of the battle. Denshar had a plan that Samuel doubted even Captain Fredrick, who was the real brains behind Lord Jeffery’s rule, knew about.
Ironically, just as Samuel was thinking about what he had to do the pearl horn was blown. Samuel barely heard it over the constant racket of the tavern. He yelled out to those who hadn’t heard, “The horn is blowing!”
Once again the town was in unrest. Everyone was either going to the barracks, forgery, or the walls to contribute to the defense of the city or they were heading to the keep to hide until the battle was over- whatever the outcome may be. Samuel and Zachery headed to their meeting spot in front of the tavern. The wait wasn’t long because most of the people were already there, but after about five minutes had passed Samuel ordered the company to make towards the keep despite the fact that three people hadn’t showed up.
Samuel made his way up to the keep, making sure that none of the company of 54 men were left behind. When they reached the courtyard, Samuel saw that the courtyard was crowded with citizens waiting to get in. Samuel began to feel irritated. They’d never get in with this line. Then he noticed Denshar standing by the clothing store closest to the keep.
Samuel turned to his third in command, Wesley, and said, “Wesley, I want you to keep everyone here for a moment. Zachery and I would do better trying to get to Denshar by ourselves.” Wesley saluted, and Samuel and Zachery made their way around the edge of the courtyard.
“The owner of this shop has been kind enough to let us speak in his shop,” Denshar said. Then he saw Zachery and said, “Are you sure that you should take someone with you into our meeting?” Denshar asked.
“Zachery is my second in command,” Samuel said. “If I died or something then he’d be in charge. If that happens, he needs to know the plan and why it’s so important for it to succeed.”
Denshar gave Samuel a confused look for they both knew that that was very unlikely to happen. But then Denshar just nodded and opened the shop’s door. Samuel and Zachery followed, closing the door behind them, blocking out the murmur of the crowd.
Denshar led them to back of the shop and sat down. Samuel and Zachery followed suit. Denshar then said, “There are a lot more than 1,800 troops.” If Zachery or Samuel were surprised, they showed no sign of it. Denshar continued, “There are nearly twice that amount. I scouted it out myself. When I looked into the ocean, I saw at least six ships, though it looked like there were most likely more behind them.”
“So why haven’t you told Captain Fredrick?” Zachery asked. “Or have you already?”
“He is now called General Fredrick,” Denshar said, “And I didn’t tell them because it would only cause panic. Fredrick would have the good Baron force everyone capable of lifting a dagger to be on the wall fighting. There is another way to beat them though.”
“Alright,” Samuel said, “we’ll listen.”
Denshar then began, “As you know, Sh-amuel,” Samuel winced when he realized what Denshar almost called him, “This keep was where I and some of the remnants of the peoples of Karnest and Lindolf stayed towards the end of the War That Ravaged the World.” Zachery clearly showed surprise in his face at hearing that. “We had filled a underground cellar of barrels loaded with an explosive powder. We never had to use it because the dwarves and Sharu defeated Monkou a short while after the cellar was built.”
“So you want us to blow those up, right?” Zachery asked.
“Correct,” Denshar said. “The only problem we have is that exiting through the main gate will be impossible. The garrison on the walls will be seeing the invading army any moment. Fortunately there is a tunnel that leads out under the walls. From there Samuel will be able to find it. However, you must keep them from getting in that tunnel at all costs. We can’t spare any men to guard it on the other side.”
“Good plan, Denshar,” Samuel said. “I’d forgotten all about that cellar.”
Denshar nodded. “Now come,” he said, “for we have little time.”
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Denshar led Samuel and his company through the abandoned, curvy streets to an ancient looking building, which Zachery recognized as the temple. Without hesitation Denshar opened the doors and walked in. Samuel followed, and the company came after him. The temple had been abandoned for over a hundred years and was covered in dust. Several of the mercenaries coughed as they inhaled dust that had not been disturbed for over a century. It was common belief that the temple was haunted and the eerie light going through the stained windows added to the effect. Because of this, most of the mercenaries had their hands near their weapon hilts.
When Denshar reached the altar, he shoved it aside and lifted up a trapdoor. “This stairway will lead into the tunnel out,” Denshar told them. “Now be hasty. General Fredrick can’t hold the walls for long. There are just to many” Samuel nodded and started down the stairway, his company of mercenaries following closely behind. It was at that moment that Zachery had a strange thought. He somehow thought he knew Samuel from somewhere. He thought he remembered seeing him at his hometown up north. He shook away the thought. He knew he mustn’t be distracted with thoughts such as those at the moment.
They went through the dark, damp tunnel. It seemed like hours but it was actually only about a half-hour. A long half-hour of hearing a battle taking place. They reached another stairway that lead up to another trapdoor. This one was rotting from exposure. Samuel whispered back to everyone that they’d be entering combat very soon. He crept forward and then flung open the door and leaped out with his sword ready.
He took the invaders completely by surprise. He began to mow down numbers of invaders. Surprisingly when they were yelling for help, Samuel understood it. They were speaking highly accented Elvish. Samuel didn’t stop to think of it and instead kept fighting while quickly gaining his bearings. He noticed crude siege towers being pushed up to the walls and that Denshar was indeed right about there being more than 1,800 invaders. In fact there were a lot more.
Samuel then yelled out, “Zachery, get a few men and come with me! Wesley, You and the other mercenaries guard the trapdoor. If you can’t hold it, then there is no way that we can get to safety and they will swarm inside the walls.”
Zachery grabbed two people and then joined with Samuel, “We’d better hope this works,” He said. Samuel just nodded. They started to head northward. Zachery’s Zweihander was swung in a large arc knocking away multiple invaders with every swing. Anyone that Zachery didn’t kill was taken out by Samuel or one of the mercenaries. They plowed forward through the wild grass of the plains until they reached the foundation of a ruined farmhouse.
Samuel instantly ran to the ancient trapdoor and found it just as it always was. He flung it open and slid down the ladder. “Protect the door!” he yelled to Zachery. Samuel quickly began his search for the wick that would be attached to the barrels. He found it and began to follow it to the end. When he found it he heard Zachery scream and then a dull thud as he hit the floor of the cellar.
Samuel ran over to the short distance with the wick in his hand. He reached Zachery who had a growing bloodstain right across his chest and was coughing up blood. Zachery said weakly, “Did you find the wick?” Samuel nodded, “Good, then light it.” Samuel then began to pull out flint and tinder but then to his surprise Zachery said, “You don’t need those.”
“What?” Samuel asked quietly, “How would you know?”
Zachery coughed and then said, “Your name isn’t really Samuel, is it?”
Samuel’s eyes widened and Zachery continued after another cough, “You’re Sharu, the hero that defeated Monkou. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it’s the truth.”
“How did you know?” Samuel asked.
“First it explains how you know so much about dwarves and elves and goblins. Also Denshar almost called you Sharu, which I thought was nothing at first,” Zachery coughed again. “But then… then I noticed that you- no I had seen you when I was younger. You looked the same you do now, and that was twenty-two years ago. Besides, who could know Denshar well enough to call him ‘Dan?’” Samuel could only nod.
“Sharu,” Zachery said with a cough, “You must put an end to this war.” He coughed again then continued, “This people, they maybe think they are doing what’s right.” He paused then continued, “I know they think they’re doing the work of good. They can’t be evil because there is no good and evil among mortals.” He coughed once again. “Everyone has some light, just some people won’t open their door. But even they have light escaping… escaping through a crack in their door.” Zachery took a few breaths through his mouth because his nostrils were filling up with blood. “Samuel… always remember that everyone has the light of good in them, they just need to open their door.”
Samuel was dumbfounded. He didn’t know what to say. Zachery then started to talk again. He weakly pulled out a small box from under his armor. He opened it and inside was a ring with a diamond in it. Zachery explained, “I was going to ask to marry Ellen after this was all over. She’s the reason I’ve stayed, though she may not know that. When you get back to Stony Beach, give this to her and tell…” Zachery never finished his sentence. His shaking body went limp at that moment.
Samuel let a single tear fall from his eyes. He then put his finger by the wick and closed his eyes. A small burst of flame came from his finger and lit the wick. Samuel then turned and quickly climbed the ladder with his sword in his left hand.
When he reached the top, he jumped out and switched his sword to his right hand. He jabbed his sword straightforward when he reached the top of the ladder stabbing an unsuspecting invader in the back. Samuel yelled, “Stick with me! We must get back in the walls before the explosives ignite!”
Samuel and the two mercenaries quickly regrouped and were running back south where their allies were hopefully fighting to keep the invaders from entering the tunnel. They ran south slaying anything that got in their path and parrying any attack made against them. Samuel swore but didn’t stop when one of his flank-men was cut down.
He finally reached the trapdoor where he found that over half of his company had been decimated. “Fall back into the tunnel!” Samuel yelled. The mercenaries acknowledged Samuel’s command and began to fall back, slashing at enemies as they backed up. Samuel stayed and fought furiously until the last of his surviving men were in. He then killed the closest adversary and bolted into the tunnel closing the door behind him.
He half ran and half stumbled down the tunnel. To his horror he heard them following and gaining on him. Samuel resolved to turn and face them. He grabbed the first enemy to reach him by his sword hand and knocked the weapon out of his hand. Then he dragged the captured enemy behind him with his left hand and raised his right hand. The invaders kept charging for they neither knew nor cared what Samuel was doing.
Samuel’s eyes began to glow a fiery red that was more vivid than even the invaders’ eyes. One of the invaders began to raise his sword, but by the time he was ready to strike, Samuel had already unleashed his powers. A large inferno shot out from his hand. The already deadly flame shot out and was super-concentrated by the narrow passageway of the tunnel. They were dead before they could deduce what was happening.
The invader behind him screeched in fear. Samuel just turned towards him, the fire now dimming in his eyes, and pointed a finger with a small little flame on it towards the invader. He then said in Elvish, “Who are you people and why are you here?”
The invader was even more frightened that the human could speak his language. He responded, “We are the Cimmerites. The great and powerful Revered One had sent us to get a powerful artifact for a great spirit. If we get the spirit this artifact, he said he can save the mushrooms.”
Samuel thought a moment then said, “What is the artifact?”
“A powerful sword that will give the spirit the power to restore our lives,” the Cimmerites said. Samuel felt like he had a rock in his stomach upon hearing that. He wasn’t sure who this spirit was exactly, but he was very troubled by hearing about its search for a powerful sword. Undoubtedly it was searching for his sword.
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Things were looking very grim for General Fredrick. The scholars must have done their calculations wrong or perhaps the scouts didn’t see all the ships. Regardless, there were way too many invaders, and their crude siege towers made of wood from the harbor’s town were just good enough for the invaders to slowly be congregating onto the walls.
Wave after wave of Cimmerites climbed unto the walls. Though the invaders were suffering large amounts of casualties, the defenders were slowly being beaten back. Reinforcements were pulled off the western gates. It was then that Fredrick realized that drastic measures needed to be taken if they were to win this battle.
“Lieutenant Kevin!” Fredrick yelled. “Don’t let the invaders gain anymore ground. I’m going to the keep to draft some citizens.” The lieutenant saluted, and Fredrick climbed down the stairs.
He swiftly made his way to the keep. He crossed the now empty courtyard and was approaching the gate when Lord Denshar got in his way. “Get out of my way, elf,” Fredrick said calmly.
“No,” Denshar said firmly, “We don’t need to use noncombatants for this battle. I have already activated a plan. The battle will be over shortly.”
Fredrick said snidely, “What in the world are you talking about, Denshar?”
“The invaders in the field are going to experience-“ Denshar started to say this, but as he said it he was interrupted by deafening noise. Fredrick turned to see and gasped at a large explosion behind the walls. After a few seconds Denshar yelled, “Come with me! We need to go to the temple. We must see if Captain Samuel escaped from the battle field in time.”
Samuel staggered out of the door of the ancient temple. And winced in the light of the day He was surprised to see Denshar and General Fredrick standing there. Denshar was just finishing explaining what had happened out on the plains. “Denshar,” Samuel said, “I need to talk to you alone.” Denshar nodded and walked over to Samuel. “Let’s go into the temple,” Samuel said.
In the eerie glow of the temple, Denshar asked, “What happened out there, Sharu?”
Samuel explained how he, Zachery and two other mercenaries had plowed through the Cimmerites and then how Zachery had died. He then told of how he had escaped and then got to what he had learned from the Cimmerite. “He said that a spirit told them to get a powerful sword. I think it was mine. I’m not sure if I’m right, but if I am… well I needn’t explain the implications of that.”
“What did you do with the Cimmerite afterwards?” Denshar asked.
“I killed him,” Samuel said it with out emotion. “I need to go over there. I must find out who this powerful spirit is.”
“I can go north with you and get a you ship there. Perhaps I can also arrange for you to have a crew of sailors,” Denshar offered.
Samuel nodded and said, “But I have one other thing I must do before I
leave.”
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The noncombatants were finally free to go home. Things were never going to be normal again, at least not for a long time. The casualties, including those at the harbor, were over 1,000. The Cimmerite casualties were much higher. Even those outside the explosion were pretty seriously burnt. The troops on the walls were generally only mildly burnt with a few exceptions, of course. Now there was a large crater just out of the gate
Samuel sighed and stepped into the Traveler’s. He walked over to the bar and handed Ellen the lightly blood stained box. “My lady,” he said, “I am sorry to bring you this news, but Zachery was killed. He told me to give this to you. He wanted to give it to you himself.”
Samuel turned around and walked away. He remembered what Zachery had told him. How some people just needed to open their doors. Samuel felt very sad at losing Zachery. Zachery reminded Samuel of his childhood friend, Ben. Samuel opened the door and began his journey north.
Thanks for reading my story for those of you that did. For those that didn't, go back and read the rest before seeing what the end is =P.
© Bobo The Goat 2004. All rights Reserved
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Bobo the Goat
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). Anyway, The people that I had conference with like it and asked if I was going to expand, so I have been trying to do that. The battle could be placed further back, perhaps have more events leading up to the event?
