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Addict
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North Carolina (triad area)
Gender: Male
Posts: 127
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My own Saga, Chronicles of the Aergothynyd
This is the very first part of a long, long saga. I have written it down in many forms and have sketched out most of the history of the Aergoth. I would appreciate critiques, comments compliments, criticism whatever. I want you to read my stuff and I want you to help me make it better.
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The last streamers of reddish-pink sunlight were fleeing to the east and the west, as if Belamors, the Dog of the Sun knew exactly what was about to befall during the night. Lounand, the Cat, the thief, was quietly sneaking into the atmosphere with all her disciples following close behind.
Elmdrug, the Friendly Mountain wavered not in the midst of the light of the cruel moon, He was just as beautiful, be it rain, snow, the harsh sun or the deceitful moon that beat down upon him. His halls were splendid, it was said the most beautiful that were ever built. Through stone windows red light bathed the smooth stone walls, creating an eerie glow on the murals that covered them. On one, Joruia, the first Destu, slew ten-thousand demons with his mighty sword, the Eaglud. Timula, the minstrel lay dead at his feet, pierced by many arrows, it was the twenty seventh one that pierced his body that finally brought his demise. The legacy of the House Destu was great, and for countless centuries the Defenders of the Friendly Mountain had defended their people. Sadly, unbeknownst to all, their peaceful reign was soon to be at an end.
The table of the great dining hall was covered with the finest foods known on Gaia. Golden honeybread, roast lamb, steamed crayfish, ripened citrus fruits and more. The age old wine of the Destu family flowed freely without end, it was a time to celebrate.
A fortnight prior Elina, the wife of the Patriarch of the Destu Family, Oriasol, had given birth to a child. It was the custom of their people that two weeks after birth the child shall be named and a great feast would be held to commemorate his christening.
Oriasol sat at the head of the table chewing softly on a piece of honeybread. His face was distraught, his eyes tight and hardened, as if some great doom were to come.
"Husband," sighed Elina from his side, "Why do you ponder thoughts of the West during our jubilation? Eat and be merry, for tonight your heir will come into his name, and after you he will take up the Eaglud and defend it as did you!"
Oriasol started to speak but was interrupted by his brother, Mieriol, "Yes brother, do not bring us into a sombre mood! For we have all gathered here to honor your fruit!"
Oriasol sighed and looked at the ceiling, "Never has the sunset been so red, nor has Lounand been so bright. I can only surmise that evil should come of this day, for the gods cannot bless this family forever."
Silence befell the dining hall. Elina's face was wrought with despair while Mieriol stood up and walked away, muttering under his breath.
She laid her hand over her husbands, "Oriasol," she whispered to him, "You speak of fire and death! Let not the great wars trouble you, for Euclorian will surely rise up and defend his jewel should any thief come to take it."
"Elina, my love," he whispered back, "The Mongoose is wise and cunning, but the Cat is the craftiest of all. Look!" he shouted pointing to the window. The sky outside was now dark blue, and the stars shown with an uncanny brightness. All of Elmdrug was bathed in the eerie blue glow of the moon.
"That means nothing," Elina started, but closed her lips when her husband put up his hands.
"Her servants are many, and on such a night while the Mongoose revels in the defeat of the Volcano-Men to the south she could easily steal his heart!"
Fendol, Oriasol's uncle stood up, "Silence you! Never have I heard such words from my own family! Have you yourself not brought doom to many of the Black One's servants? Blood and battle have engrossed almost your whole life, yet you cannot spare one night of peace and joy for your wife and son?"
"Uncle please take your seat," said Oriasol, "I will say no more of..." his words were lost when Fendol fell lifelessly to his seat, an arrow piercing his neck.
Elina screamed and the children fled. The men ran amok through the household for they had not come armed to the dinner. Oriasol gazed upon his uncle's corpse and drew Eaglud.
Calmly he turned to his wife and said, "Elina, take my son to the western slopes. There take a horse to the woods and wait for me at Joruia's tomb."
"I will not leave you!" she cried.
"Woman I tell you that if you do not do as I say you and your child will both be lost! Only the Dangai are so swift and silent as to kill a man without a sound! Lounand curses their arrows, you know this! I myself should not survive the night, but without him," he nodded to his son, cradled in his wife's arms, "all is lost. And Elmdrug would have stood strong for a thousand years only to have the seed of the Destu burned by the ignorance of a mad woman! Now leave, and do not look back!"
Elina said no more, and stole through the halls with a broken heart.
Amidst the conversation five more of the family had fallen; his cousins Hileo and Famal, his brother Amasol, his nephew Dargrun, and his sister Faliena. Without a sound they perished, no trace of the assailants.
Oriasol mustered the remaining family member and dashed towards the eastern slope, cursing the blue light of Lounand.
"Brothers, this will be the final stand of the Destu," Oriasol said gravely, "Our armies are gone, fighting wars for the king all over Gaia. Only ten remain including me. Joruia and Timula died in vain, yet together they left thousands of corpses! Let us have something to boast about when we see them in the next life!"
An arrow sped his way, swiftly and silently, but was thwarted by the ever sharp blade of Eaglud. Ten more came and all met the same fate.
Then the disciples of the Cat Goddess showed themselves.
Their numbers were too many to count. Black masses swarmed the mountainside and the moonlight gleamed of thousands of drawn blades.
The Ten charged down the mountain. Nine dreamt of glory and honor, but one could only think of a life that began two weeks before...
(It is said that the Mongoose himself credited Oriasol with more glory that Timula and Joruia together, though that would be lost to the ages.)
Elina ran through the woods while the mighty Friendly Home burned behind her. At the Tomb of Joruia waited a man she had never see before.
He was clothed in bright red, trimmed in white. His hat was red and pointed at the front, and crowned by a great white feather. He covered himself in a patchwork cloak of more colors than one could imagine and in one hand he held a golden hilted rapier.
She sobbed as she came to him, "I don't know who you are, but what has become of my family?"
His face was nearly expressionless, but a glint of pain could be seen in his blue eyes.
"He faces the tribune tonight," he said. At this Elina's sobs grew uncontrollable, and she handed her child to him.
"I... I cannot live without him..." she choked.
"I know," the man said sadly, "I know."
At this an arrow pierced the Lady of the Friendly Home through the chest. She fell to the ground, her sobbing no more.
"Take him," she muttered, "Take my son to a safe place."
"What is his name Lady?"
"Eriasol."
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This is the first part of the first part of the Chronicles. Please tell me whether you liked it or not and if you would like to read more. Thanks.
Jetzeppelin (alias Trae)[/i]
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