1The Wind
The gentle breeze caressed the young boy’s face though he didn’t notice it. The boy was tall, lithe, and smooth faced with brown hair. His opponent moved with a criminal grace, seemingly on the verge of lunging at the boy as he made a perfect circle around him.
Without an instants hesitation, the two duelists’ wooden practice swords met each other with a loud clack which echoed across the courtyard. They continued, stroke for stroke, neither giving much ground. When one would attack the other would counterattack. Like a deadly dance, they made their way around the courtyard, over and over, matting the grass down.
The older man’s sword finally hit flesh, dropping the boy to the ground, gripping his stomach.
“Ye continue to forget that if ye let your guard down, even for an instant, your enemy will have ye down. I must say ye are on your way to becoming a true Brother of Battle, your father will be pleased with your progress,” stated the man.
“I understand, but how did you know I was letting my guard down?”
“Ye shifted positions so that ye could get a better shot at me,” laughed the man. “Orion, ye are getting better, but don’t overwork yourself.”
“Don’t go preaching to me now!” Orion exclaimed.
“Do ye need another lesson in respect, lad?”
“No, Varan Rahad,” sighed Orion.
“Good. You’d better get some sleep, I heard that your father be coming home tomorrow,” Varan suggested with a smile.
Orion made a hasty bow, sprinted across the court yard, and nearly ran into Kelly. Not much older than himself, Kelly had long brown hair with sparkling blue eyes. She was slender, but not too much, with a graceful walk and no intention of speaking to any boy.
She was training to become one of the queen’s advisors, she was bright and knowledgeable about the world. The queen’s advisors were supposed to take on one body guard, which is why she was constantly watching the apprentices practice.
Orion also knew she would choose Gari, he was the best student in the entire kingdom; however, Orion knew he could beat him.
As they passed each other, Orion was not surprised to see Gari trailing along behind her. He was then reminded why he didn’t not fight Gari, he know that if he beat Gari he would have the duty to maintain his spot as the best, but he would also have to chose who to protect. This was not a decision he was eager to make.
The call of a crow brought him back to his senses with a start. “No ones going to die, that’s only petty folk tale ‘bout somebody diein’ when a crow calls.” He laughed at the end, trying to brighten his spirits, but it didn’t work. A warm breeze whistled nearly on top of his laugh; as though, it was trying to drown him out.
It wasn’t until the young woman spoke that he noticed he was not alone. “It’s good to see you Orion. I couldn’t wait to tell you the news, so I came down her as fast as I could. The Queen called me down to her office, which isn’t very usual on any day but that’s not the point. The point is, are you ready, OK, she asked me to be one of her advisers.”
“Good for you, I’m glad that she chose you, Fera.”
“As am I. I’m sure you’ll be one of the best,” stated a rough voice from behind Orion.
“Oh, thank you so much, Varan,” said Fera, running back up the stairs.
“She’s a fine lass. As pretty as a flower in spring ta boot!” laughed Varan.
“You know what, you’re right. Thanks.”
“It ain’t no problem, lad. Don’t know what I said but it ain’t no problem.”
With that, Orion went speeding after Fera. He finally saw her on a balcony over looking a lavish garden.
“I should have known you’d be up here,” stated Orion as he leaned on the railing beside Fera. Luck, what do I say?
“I love looking down into the garden. I hear they’re going to put a fountain in it. An amazing fountain in the image of a flock of birds, water pouring out of every mouth. Oh, won’t it be beautiful?”
“Yes, but how long until it’s built? I mean, it can’t be that beautiful or else they would have built it a long time ago.” As Fera turned to look at him with a quizzical stare, he realized he had said she was wrong in a very blunt way. He couldn’t figure out just what he said, but he knew he had said something wrong from the look on Fera’s face.
“You always say the perfect things, don’t you.” With that she went swiftly up the stairs; not running, but definitely not walking. As he started to follow, not knowing whether or not she was angry, an eerie breeze swept the castle grounds.
“Women, might as well try to understand the sun,” said a raspy voice; though, when Orion turned around no one was there. “Ha ha, fool boy. You can’t see me unless I want you to.”
A fireball came speeding out of the darkness; no, not a fireball. The burning head of Gari. The smell of burnt flesh became strong in the air as it flew past him. The laugh of a mad man came echoing from the darkness, etching itself into his mind. He fell to the ground, gasping for air; even though he could not remember why he was out of breath.
2The Act
Orion awoke to a room stuffed with people. Voices came from all around, making his
head throb with pain. It hurt even worse when he tried to distinguish the voices.
“The boy won’t survive.”
“But he has to.”
“You know very well what will happen if he dies.”
“His nation is already lost, NOT COMING BACK. Can’t you see that”
He could not tell who said what, or even if they were male or female. He knew who
one voice was, shouting as loud as the man could, countering the last person’s remark.
“Ye be wrong! His people be scattered, aye. But can ye not see, he can, WILL,
reunite them!” screamed Varan.
“He will survive, I know it,” said a faint voice, near to tears. Fera?! But why?
“I’m... not... going to... die...this way.” announced Orion in between fits of
coughs.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re alive. I-I’m so sorry for what I said,” sobbed Fera onto
his shoulder.
“Don’t tell me you’re crying over me,” mocked Orion. He felt Fera ‘brush’ his
cheek, only to feel a stinging pain in his it now. “I’m sorry too, I did not mean to hurt
you in any way,” coughed Orion.
“You’ve got nothing to apologize for.”
“Look, I’d like for ye two ta continue; but, someone managed ta break in without
anyone of us knowing. Now, I don’t know aboot ye, but I’m not likin’ the situation.”
“You absolutely right. I think I will go prepare for the ceremony,” announced
Fera, elegantly walking out.
“Varan, what was that about my people?”
“It be a story for another time.”
“No, it’s a story for now,” ordered Orion.
“Well, when you were but a child, your family’s manor was attacked. You probably
think the Brothers of Battle have never actually fought, but you’d be wrong. When you were
born, there was a breed of Night Walkers fiercer than any before then. When we realized
they were marching against House Davram, we hurried to face them. Sadly, we were too late
to save your ma’ and da’. However, we did find you, which we are thankful for. You see,
your people were fierce fighters, strong enough to attack Sanaru and crush him. The Night
Walkers knew this and wanted to destroy your people. With your parents dead, your nation
scattered.”
“I have to find them, all of them. I mean, they are my people after all,” said
Orion as determinedly as he could while lying down.
“Not now you won’t young man,” stated a stately voice to his left. “You still need
to recover. It’s been three days since we found you, and you still need at least two more
days rest.”
“So, Fera’s ordination is tonight.”
“Aye, yours was supposed to be as well. However, in the state you be in, it will
not be.”
“What about my father? Has he left again?”
“No, your father has been preparing a way to have you put into his legion of
Brothers,” said a placid voice, seemingly on the verge of singing. “I must say, according
to Varan’s claims, we can expect great things from you. Of course, it wouldn’t surprise me
to learn that he had exaggerated.”
“Your Highness, I would never even think aboot doing that.”
“Your Highness? But why would you be here, If I may intone.”
“I care greatly for the welfare of the ruler of Strasman. I disagree with Varan. I
think you should send messages to the most loyal members of the Riders.”
“What are the Riders?”
“Lad, they were some of the greatest warriors ever. According to reliable sources,
the majority of them are still loyal to there country,” replied Varan.
“And Varan should know; after all, he was one of the Riders. He admits to have
been out on patrol when the Night Walkers attacked.”
“Varan, who is still loyal?”
“The First Division, or what’s left of them I should say. And we, the personal
bodyguards of your family,” said a man, coming out from the corner. His hair was long and
silvery. “We await your orders. My men are keeping a close eye on the Riders.”
“Thank you,” a name suddenly popped into his head, as though he knew the man,
“Garen. What of the others? How many are left?”
“Ninety-two, my Lord.”
“Please, get me pen and paper. Our nation will come back,” ordered Orion.
A man, no older than Orion, came running in, whispering words to the Queen. He
saluted, and departed slowly.
“It seems,” began the Queen, “that our neighboring country has lit its beacons.
They are coming. I was hoping my reign would end before this day, but I hoped in vain.”
“Will you answer, or cower until they come here,” stated a broad shouldered man,
not tall but not really short. “You know you are running out of time. Do you really think
you alone can defeat the riders in the night. Your nation will crumble and die unless you
stand and fight. As for you Orion, your destiny lies to the east.” With that final remark,
he left, not giving anyone a chance to ask his name.
“What a beast, thinking he could march in here and talk that way to me,” said the
queen, frustration plain upon her face.
“Did you see him come in?” asked Orion.
“Lad, you really should be restin’. You are still too young to be worrin’ ‘boot
politics and what-not.” With those final remarks, Varan left with a disgruntled look on
his face.
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Not the best format;but, I did it in word originally.
So, translating it to fit was a little hard
