Thundering down the mountainside a cascade of ice, snow, and trees came hurtling into the wagon carrying the Crown Prince Allorn and his bodyguards. As the frost giant tribe who started the avalanche ran down after it their pale blue skin blending with the snow. A single young swordsman climbed out of the wreckage of the royal carriage and leveled the now dead prince's sword at the giants. Laughing the giant chieftain scoffed " Ah so we have a little fool who thinks he's a warrior. How do you think he'll taste boys?" This jeering remark was punctuated with the greatest of all giant insults, the chieftain dropped the grip of his ax allowing it to drag in the snow. Elwin Flamedancer the young swordsman shrugged off his fur cloak and replied calmly "Another large fool you will..." At that moment he was cut off by a large very fast swinging ax which he promtly dodged and then swung out, easily removing a giant's hand then with a bounce off the wounded giant he stabbed another giant in the throat. It was the chieftain's turn to laugh as Elwin's sword stuck in the throat. Sensing a chance the remaining four giants closed in on him. But Elwin was smarter than that he was faking the blade stick, twisting the blade he leaped into the air and decapitated the giant chieftain. Finally, the giants began to realise they were outclassed and started to retreat. With a slight smirk Elwin raised his sword and in would have looked to an onlooker like a foolish move he threw his sword into the air and ran toward the giants. Looking back at exactly the wrong moment, the middle giant caught the blade, right between the eyes. Elwin jumped onto the falling giant, grabbed his sword, and twisted around slamming the giant's skull into the knees of another. The unfortunate victim of this move buckled and fell onto the upraised sword. The final giant fell to his knees and begged "Please don't kill me I was just following orders." Elwin frowned and whispered "Don't give me that lie Orthuk Icehand you are second in command of the Icehand tribe and you came up with this plan." The last words Orthuk heard were "And yes you were betrayed, keep a closer eye on your slaves." The surprise in the giant's eyes was evident as it fell to the ground, separate from the body. Elwin removed the giant's belts and ax hafts to make a sled. Then after loading the prince and his bodyguards onto it he started the long process of burying the giants. As he finished he said "Even an evil life is a life and as such a sad thing to lose, goodbye." He then started the long trek down the mountain to the town of Greenleaf. Two days later he arrived in Greenleaf nearly dead of dehydration and the exertion of pulling six bodies down the slopes of Mount Astrannar. Collapsing at the city gates he was taken to the graveyard and left for dead. Elwin woke up just as he was about to be embalmed. seeing a corpse suddenly wake up the Mortician was extremely shocked. Responding quickly he grabbed his dissecting knife and stabbed at Elwin. You had to feel sorry for him, Elwin reacted faster than the human eye could follow, grabbing the mortician's hand he rolled off the bed and levered the very surprised mortician onto his own bed. Holding the blade against his throat Elwin's voice shook with rage as he tried to keep the weariness out of it "Why did you try to kill one of the prince's bodyguards." This was a large understatement as Elwin's titles included General, Master of Holt Asner, Trollslayer, Lord of the Bloodwraith, Savior of The Battle of Winter's Pass, and Elf Friend. Extremely impressive for anyone, for a half elf of only thirty years it was to much to believe but it was all true plus many many medals for his illustrious seven years of military service. Elwin however didn't care much for titles they were for the pompous or the retired. The mortician was extremely worried as the knife edge pressed against his throat but he responded quite coolly "For one I did not realize that you were alive. Also on a slightly more important note you are the only one of your caravan left alive." As he said this he saw a change come over Elwin his face went from rage to a strange expression of weariness he looked like he had aged a thousand years. After hearing the prince was dead Elwin stabbed the knife down into the bed and slumped against the wall of the hut weeping profusely. The mortician took pity on the young elf but was afraid to disturb such a seemingly unpredictable warrior, he slipped out the door and went to tell the town council the news. When he returned Elwin was putting a new edge on a freshly smoked blade. "You can't go back there your hardly alive as it is i doubt you could even swing that blade." The mortician bellowed as what he was seeing clicked in his mind. "Besides," he continued in a more reasonable tone "the town council would like some information from you." Elwin smiled grimly as he swung his sword clipping a pansy from a flower pot and putting it behind his left ear. The mortician was dumbstruck as he saw this but managed to stammer "How did you do that, You shouldn't be able to lift that sword." Elwin's smile took on a more friendly appearance as he said "You don't understand do you? I have been studied with the sword since I could walk that is an easy move for me. And on the note of I'm not leaving, if I cared to leave I would be gone. I just have a feeling this blade will be useful." The mortician knew only one other elf and when they had a feeling it was rarely wrong. Elwin interrupted his thoughts as he said " Take me to the council Please." After a few minutes of weaving through buildings they reached the council hall It was a three story wood building with windows only on the second and third floors. Elwin barely noticed the mortician stop outside as he saw the man who opened the door, the two stood in stark contrast where Elwin stood only five feet five inches and was a lean one hundred pounds with flowing almond hair this human stood seven feet tall looked to be about three hundred pounds of pure muscle and sinew with a bald head marked with red lightning bolt shaped scars that joined to a single point on the top of his head.
Chapter 2 A Traitor Discovered
The stranger spoke in a voice that you didn't hear so much as feel "Hello, come in, what happened to you." Elwin ignored him as he opened the door fully and revealed the rest of the council. They were a gnome, a dwarf, and "Elmair" he said disbelievingly. "Elmair Firewind," the elf he was addressing looked up and said with a laugh " You braw' young blade swinger how 'ave you been." Elwin embraced him and replied "I've been well cousin, what about yourself on a town council who's punishing you." Elmair sank back into his chair and said "Nay you wee villain we're all here for your news" The gnome who was rather short even for one of his race a mere two feet with vibrant purple hair and the multicolored skin that comes with a life of alchemy looked quizzically at Elmair and said in a high squeaky voice "*Cough* you two know *Cough* each other." The dwarf grunted and said "Well isn't that apparent Gwig you must be the Elwin Flamedancer we've heard so much about, Hello General." Elwin scowled and said "Please Elwin, not general my troops didn't even call me general." Domivoi Dane the human was the one to break the string of pleasantries "Well you are here to give us information, What happened?" Elwin normally would have respected the forthrightness of this man but something in his tone made Elwin's hip feel uncomfortably light without his sword. while he was reflecting on this the other three council members rebuked him for his surliness to their guest. Elwin clasped his hands behind his back and paced as he said "We were attacked by frost giants I was the only survivor.." Gwig scoffed as he said "*Cough* I knew some of the *Cough* prince's bodyguards if they didn't sur*Cough*vive then there's no way you could *Cough*" Elmair smiled as he replied before Elwin could "If you have seen have of what I've seen this one do you would believe almost anything from him" The dwarf, Thurzic Stonebreaker hated giants and wanted to hear the rest of the story expressing this he scowled and said "If your quite done," then turning to Elwin "General Flamedancer would you continue " Elwin smiled as he said "One don't call me general, Two Yes. I was the only survivor of the attack and in my counterattack I killed all but one who's hand I removed, he escaped. It was then that I built the sled that I pulled the bodies down on." Domivoi took Elwin's pause for breath as time for a question " But how did you pull them over the avalanche drift? How did you even survive the avalanche?" Elwin was just about to speak as he heard this then changed his mind. When Domivoi was done Elwin yawned and said "Sorry but I need to sleep a near death experience takes a lot out of you. I shall finish this tale later." Elwin wasn't really tired but he didn't want to say anymore around Domivoi. Elwin had listened carefully to every word said by the council, He had mentioned nothing about the avalanche and it was not the giant's normal modus operandi. Also considering that he had walked past the debris three quarters of the way down the mountain so he wouldn't have seen them. That left two options either Domivoi was a traitor or he was a telepath, but Elwin had not felt a mental probe. Elwin hated only one thing more than traitors, that was slavers, and if this man was working for frost giants he most likely fell neatly into both categories . Just as he came to this conclusion Elmair stepped out and said "If you need somewhere to stay you can come to my house." Elwin turned around his face a mask of cold fury he almost snarled as he said "Where does Domivoi Dane live?" Elmair was puzzled but he responded quickly "He lives in the council hall. Why?" Elwin's face started to soften as he said in an angry hiss "Because he is a traitor to your people and a friend to the frost giants." Elmair smiled grimly as he said "Ah, so you noticed him tip his hand too. What d' ya' plan tay do about it ye braw wee villain?" Elwin thought for a moment and replied "I plan to break into his house to see what I can see. From there I'll come up with a plan." Elmiar shook his head as he said "Nay ye wee rouge you can nay break intay that place it's a braw fortress." Elwin smiled knowingly and said "Is the Claw still around?" Elmiar returned his smile as he said "Aye that wee coin snatcher is still here but, he still thinks yer dead Elwin." Elwin's eyes sparkled even more brightly as he laughed and said " Then we shall have to correct his error eh Elmair." "Aye that we shall, that we shall." Elmair replied.
Chapter 3 A Tiger in the Night
The Claw sat in front of the hearth and listened as Elwin related his tale. When he had finished The Claw said "So you want me to do what I do best and check out Domivoi." Elwin's normally mild mood had returned as he said "Yes you old half cat we're lucky your still here." The Claw laughed as he replied No your not I'm semi retired now. I stay here and talk about the old days with Elmair, find lost children, and talk wild cats away but mostly I relax and enjoy the slow life." Elwin laughed heartily when his mirth had died down he said "An old weretiger like you the slow life, I highly doubt it." It was the Claw's turn to laugh as he said "I did say SEMI retired, didn't I." Elmair looked unusually serious as he said "We don't have all night ye rouge will you do it O semi retired one." The Claw returned his glare even more harshly, morphing into his hybrid form as he did saying in a mix between a growl and a chuckle caused by his new form "You know I can't refuse the young rip who saved my life, you have a burglar Elwin. It was three days later during the dark of the moon that The Claw made his move. The claw was a lycanthrope, a were-tiger to be specific. This gave him several advantages over most thieves, one was a keen night vision, two he had a power and speed unknown to any but the most feral barbarians, and finally his hybrid form he was unrecognizable. It was pitch black other than the two lanterns being held by the door guards but to The Claw's cat eyes it may as well have been high noon he could see the guards posted every thirty feet in a ring below him. Over half were asleep and even if they weren't only one thought to look into the trees where The Claw was waiting. He had been hoping for more of a difficult job but anything to get him out of the house again. If fact he was thinking about going back to Tam and reestablishing a name for himself. Sure he had more treasure than most small kingdoms but it wasn't the money he was restless and tired of sitting around and writing about his adventures like and old scribe. Then interrupting his thoughts was what he was waiting for the guards in the ring moved two posts to their left. As they were moving The Claw dropped out of his tree and scurried towards the council hall. then something, a smell invaded his nostrils. A smell he knew only too well from his days of thieving. Poison, basilisk blood to be specific an extremely deadly contact poison. But there was something else in there something spicy almost like sticking cayenne pepper up your nose to his keen sense of smell. "Firewater" he hissed as he he placed the scent. Pulling out a small mithrial spider from his thieving bag he said softly "Up the wall you go spin your web and let me in." The spider rapidly scaled the wall too light to set the Firewater off when it reached the third floor window it dropped a web ladder of mithrial. Climbing quickly up the ladder The Claw found himself in the bedroom of Domivoi Dane. He quickly picked the spider up and put it in his bag. Then gliding over to the desk in the far left corner he pulled a small yellow stone, shaking it he was rewarded by a pale light. Domivoi stirred in his sleep as a drawer squeaked open, The Claw ducked under the desk taking the stone with him. After a few minutes he stood back up and rifled through the papers pulling out anything of interest including military secrets, maps of secret locations, royal travel and apperance dates, and finally secret recipes. He knew what he was looking because he had stolen most of this before, for personal gain only though he hated traitors as much of Elwin. As he found one last important piece of information the payments he was to receive Domivoi woke up, grabbing the sword from under his bed Domivoi charged at the thief. Ducking, putting the papers in the bag, and morphing into a tiger in one move he jumped out of the window.
Chapter 4 Bloodwrath
Domivoi was furious, he ran down stairs swearing in nine different languages . Seeing him come down the door guards said simultaneously asked "What happened sir?!" Domivoi roared back "You fools I was just robbed and your sitting here like a pair of gargoyles! Why are you here asking what happened sir?!!" He punctuated his point by sheathing his broadsword in the left guard. The Claw laughed heartily from the tree he was sitting in and said "Tsk, Tsk, an officer never strikes his troops, besides killing your own won't help come and get me instead." Domivoi and the remaining guard walked quietly towards the sound, Unknown to either of them Elwin was watching their every move. At exactly the right moment he stepped out from behind a large ash and in a single move disarmed the guard of his spear. With surprise evident on his large face Domivoi swung his blade in an attempt to remove Elwin's head from his shoulders, Elwin however ducked and struck out at Domivoi's left foot with the flat of his blade. Wincing in pain Domivoi dropped his sword down, trying to cleave through his opponent's head, as his sword bit deep into the earth Elwin struck, slamming his blade into Domivoi's shins. By this time the guard had recovered his spear, charging at Elwin he was in perfect position to impale him however to his lifelong regret, which would turn out to not be that long, he roared as he charged alerting the Flamedancer to his presence. Twirling to his left he struck out at the guards knees, the guard buckled instantly, sliding to a stop only after stabbing Domivoi in the thigh. Domivoi screamed and decapitated the guard in a single stroke. Elwin heard something very disturbing, it was the squeak of tightening bowstrings from both sides of him, As they fired Elwin dropped to his stomach allowing the arrows to pass over him and into the group on either side. Elwin shouted "Claw get out of here I'll cover you, you're more important to the plan." The Claw shot off like a rocket, jumping from tree to tree towards his home. Elwin started to see the world through a red fog as his eyes turned to pools of blood, Seeing only his foes clearly he becoming a whirlwind of muscle and steel he tore through the ranks of the town guards. It was only after he had slain seven and wounded thirty four that Dane managed to free himself and stab out at Elwin. Elwin felt the cold steel slide between his ribs from behind, stopping an inch before his heart. Collapsing, Elwin finally released his sword which he had held onto in spite of the the slash to the bone he had taken to the wrist. Domivoi jeered at his troops "So one man managed to bring down how many of you?" One particularly stupid guard said "That was no man he fought like a demon, besides I didn't see you helping." Domivoi expressed his displeasure with a single sword stroke, gutting the guard where he stood "Anyone else want to cross me, you curs" he roared as the guard struck the ground. Elwin woke up chained to a wall by his hands and his neck. Elwin cringed in pain as he rested against the wall. He wondered what the guard situation was like, yelling for about five minutes he finally got a guard. He was a sorry wreck of a soldier with a bandage over his abdomen, a cast over his leg, and a patch over his right eye, all caused by Elwin the night before. Elwin saw a flaw in the guards entrance, he had left the door open believing that Elwin was held securely. A fatal mistake as it turned out, just as the the guard came in range of Elwin's legs he struck, grabbing the guard's neck with his feet he twisted him into the wall knocking him out instantly. Then grabbing the spear in his feet, he stabbed himself in the throat breaking the binding collar. Walking backwards up the wall Elwin crouched and sprang out, pulling the chains from the wall. Elwin looked at this and smiled he was armed now, two orcs with one stroke, then pulling the sleeping guard over to the wall he used another collar and chain set to capture him, no sense in letting a potential enemy ruin your element of surprise. As he stepped out Elwin heard a moan come from apparently solid wall, Looking more closely he realized that there was a secret door cut cunningly out of the stone wall. Opening it Elwin saw an infuriating sight, there were five hundred men all in tattered rags of Tammian Army uniforms. The men were skeletal, and ghostly pale, but with a light in there eyes that Elwin had seen once before, It was the same glint he got in his eyes before the Bloodwrath claimed him. Interrupting his thoughts a tall, black haired human with striking cobalt eyes snapped to attention addressed him, "Sar, I assume you want a full report." Elwin looked at the gaunt man and said disbelievingly "Lueteinet is that you?" The man responded "Lueteinet Lawrence Tanner reporting for duty along with the entire Black Wyvren Company." Elwin looked sideways at his second in command "Entire? I only see half of you." Lawrence smiled and said "You're slipping general I know five years ago you would have guessed these scum are keeping us in two separate cells, They are right across from us." Elwin mentally cursed himself for not thinking of it as he said in his most commanding tone "Lueteinet would you like to be on latrine duties for the rest of your career, I don't think so. Everyone into the main hallway form ranks at attention five wide." As the troops started to form ranks Elwin went to the other side and repeated his order to the astounded troops in the other cell. After about a minute Elwin stood in front of his men saying " Sargent Stiffener front and center." The small scarred Sargent stepped out of the ranks and said "Sir Sargent Russano Stiffener reporting." Then in a slightly less official tone he countinued "What'cha need boss?" Elwin looked at the man and said "The Sargent here will be leading you out of this little resort Lueteinet Tanner and I have another mission here, Everyone clear?" The entire unit roared back in response "Yes Sir, when do we move" This was what Elwin had been waiting for, He turned, started twirling his chains and said "Now." Then grabbing Lawrence he stepped out of the way of the charging troops and said to him "You and I have a fight to get to Mr. Tanner." Tanner looked puzzled and said "If you'll forgive me saying sar, I'm no good in my current state." Elwin sounded extremely distant as he looked at his Lueteinet through quickly redding eyes "Trust me Lawrence you will be." Lawrence knew what was happening Elwin was using the company to get the guards stirred up and then in his current state of blood lust charge through the ranks causing mayhem and destruction, But why an I here he thought as they reached the top of the stairs. Upon seeing his captors it no longer mattered the normally orderly, level headed Lueteinet looked through a red fog at these men and charged them, grabbing a sword from one he used it to remove it's owners head, Elwin was twirling his chains, cracking skulls and crushing bones as he tore through the confused guards towards his goal Domivoi Dane who was holding the sword that until recently had belonged to Prince Allorn of Tam. Domivoi looked at the two charging men and was petrified with fear, He snapped out of this trance just in time to jump back as one of Elwin's chains narrowly missed it's target, Domivoi's head. Elwin had lost all capacity for reason he was fighting in a state of pure rage whipping and whirling Elwin acted with only one thought on his mind, slay Domivoi. The Lueteinet's wrath had not taken as full of a hold though, he tried to get to the door until he heard a scream from Elwin Flamedancer, looking over to his general he saw a sword protruding from his arm and Domivoi Dane fleeing from the wounded juggernaut. Lawrence did the first thing to come in his head head charging towards Elwin cutting down anyone stupid enough to stay in his path, scooping the warrior up in spite of the almost a hundred arrows and nearly a dozen spears perforating his friend's form. Elwin woke up clutching the prince's sword looking into the catlike eyes of The Claw, "Hey, He's Up Elmair !" said the overjoyed thief. Elmair said "Good, na' I can kill that braw berserker." Elwin asked "How long was I out guys." Elmair looked at his feet and said today marks the third week you've been asleep" then looking up he said in surprise "By Hurrain what happened to your eyes!!!" Elwin said shocked more by Elmair's tone than his words "Why what's wrong with them?" Elmair took a breath to calm himself and said "Let's just say you have added a new title Elwin Roseeyes." Elwin closed his new eyes, the outer section had gone completely red and the pupils had disappeared leaving his normal emerald irises in stark relief. "I was completely claimed by the Bloodwrath you know what this means right" he said as he reopened his eyes. The Claw spoke up "I don't but I was never believed the Bloodwrath existed until you threw one of your fits on the island and I know it's gotten worse from there." Elmair said "What it means is Elwin will not just fall into the Bloodwrath when enraged he will also suffer it at random times." Elwin looked up and said "Well I can figure that out later, I must go to the capital and report to the king." The Claw said "Well I'm coming with you, you need someone to keep you out of trouble." Elwin looked seriously at his friend and said "Your not going for me are you Sirri, Your bored." Sirri A.K.A the Claw smiled but said nothing.
Chapter 5
The March
It was two days later that the Black Wyvren Company moved from the town of Greenleaf, They left quietly in the night and assembled at dawn, "Lueteinet Tanner give these men their marching orders." Elwin said as the newly fit men formed into ranks. Lawrence stepped forward and roared in his best parade ground manner "Yes Sar, Alright you lucky bucks we're going to go for a little stroll. Forward march starting on the right. March! Corpral Derrington would you be so kind as to oblige us with a song?" Elwin said "Sing Pick 'em up Laddie Bucks, boys." That got gossip going through the ranks almost as soon as it was out of his mouth Elwin only requested that when marching home. Lawrence roared "March to Tam, double time." This instantly got the entire company singing and quick marching behind Lawrence, Sirri, and Elwin, Sirri whispered to Elwin "So are you finally going to ask fair Elinor to marry you my friend?" Elwin looked at him gravely and replied "You know I can't do that Sirri, especially after what Elmair said about my Bloodwrath." Sirri shook his head and said "Elwin Flamedancer you're a bigger fool than I gave you credit for If it's your Bloodwrath think about it you've only ever struck out at an enemy in it's grip and if it's the fact that you still think Mineriv hates you you're wrong. What other excuse do you have." Lawrence had overheard and interrupted "Sir if you don't mind me sayin' so I think The Claw here is right." Elwin was annoyed by this statement and said "I do mind you saying so and If you don't want to be digging the latrine for every solider here you won't say it again!" Sirri smiled and said "Touchy, Touchy." "Lueteinet take command" Elwin said as he wandered off from the main formation. Lawrence was puzzled but did as he was ordered. Elwin had seen or thought he had seen, a large albino stag, wandering through the woods he saw it, a twelve point buck with snow white fur. Then before he could approach a huge black shape attacked it with it's tail, a black wyvren Elwin smiled at his luck and drew his sword. He had followed the stag because they were a favored prey of the wyvrens. Striking out with a lightning fast tail the wyvren stabbed at the stag, Elwin bounded over the wounded animal and struck the wyvren's left wing shearing it off at the base. The wyvren who had started to take flight to wait for it's poison to take effect fell to the ground in a heap. Elwin hopped in and struck at the wyvren's serpent like neck, once, twice, thrice and the head fell to the ground. Elwin went over and checked the stag, It's wound was fatal, the scorpion like tail had impaled the animal's heart. Elwin knelt beside the stag's corpse and wept as to his eternal surprise, The stag stood up apparently uninjured. Elwin heard a voice in his head "Pity from a Roseeye how odd." Elwin jumped as the words sprang into his mind, Looking at the stag he said "So the stories are true, Elwin Flamedancer at your service." The stag laughed, an odd experience to say the least it was a thin reedy cackle that came from nowhere. After controlling it's mirth the stag's thoughts once again entered Elwin's mind saying "Elwin Flamedancer that says much, but you're not at my service I owe you my life. What may I do for you?" Elwin looked at the wyvren corpse lying on the grass and said "Well if it's a life debt you owe me would you help me move this corpse to my camp." The stag heaved the wyvren's massive frame onto his back and walked beside Elwin towards the regiment, Elwin overcome with curiosity asked what is your name?" "Reefa" the stag replied. Upon reaching the camp Elwin was amazed to find Sirri and Lawrence gone "By Komresh!" he swore and said "Thank you for your help Reefa" he however found himself speaking to thin air, Reefa was galloping towards the missing men. Sirri was fighting a type of demon known as a Tryfo and just barely holding on. Lawrence was laying poisoned between the two. Leaping over Sirri the stag butted the demon with it's massive horns, The Tryfo caught off guard was forced to take a full three steps back to regain it's balance. Then charging at the offending creature the demon howled in pain as it pulled back the stub of what was once an arm, Sirri's claws had done their work quickly and effeicently. running almost on all fours into the trees the demon went to lick it's wounds. "So my old friend what were you doing wandering here?"Elwin asked as he caught up Sirri looked at him and said "Get Tanner to a surgeon, I have a spy to chase!" Elwin immediately saw the sense in his friend's decision though he didn't like it he picked up the bulky man and ran back to the camp. Lawrence was not that badly injured but his sleep was haunted by demons for about three days. Sirri returned about two hours later with a being, masked and wrapped in a robe that made gender impossible to determine. "What shall we do with him Elwin?" he asked as he pushed the person at the warrior. Drawing his knife Elwin stepped aside and cut the robe, pulling the mask off with the other hand he gaped at the face of Elinor princess of Tam.
Chapter Six The Traitor Returns
"Elinor!" he shouted as his power of speech returned. Sirri spun her around to get a better look at her and smiled "Oh no" he said "Elwin is going to be incoherent for at least three days and Tanner just got attacked by a demon" Elwin smiled at Sirri and said "Come on old friend you know me better than that I can maintain control." Elinor nodded at Sirri and chuckled "No my dear you can't do you remember the duel with my father when we first met." Elwin blushed at the memory and said "Well why are you here?" Elinor looked into the ruby eyes of the young general and said "Because I heard the Black Wyvren Company was marching back to Tam and considering the fact that we thought the entire force had been destroyed by frost giants outside Greenleaf it was quite surprising." Elwin smiled at her and said "Well it's a long story but suffice it to say they were imprisoned and rescued." Elinor replied "Then I must go tell my father and you must get them to Tam you're needed in defense of the city." Elwin grabbed her and said "Why what's attacking the city?" Elinor looked into the red eyes of the warrior and said "An old enemy of yours Balmot." Elwin growled at the name and said "Then go I must the the troops to the city as quickly as possible." "Mineriv said you'd do that." she replied smiling "Be careful not to arrive too quickly we could use a force outside the walls." turning to go back to the troops he said "How come I get the feeling your father knows me better than I do myself." But Elinor was already gone. "Because he knows many people better than they do themselves take a look at what he did to me." "You're right Sirri he seems to see straight into your soul when he looks at you and in all honesty I'm afraid of what he sees." Mineriv was worried, he usually had everything quietly controlled just the way he wanted them but now all his planning was useless, his eldest son and the best hope for Tam was dead and now there was any army marching on the city itself, "Elwin" he said to himself "Elwin what" asked Riddin puzzled "Just thinking aloud my son." the king replied "Would you be so kind as to send the cellar-keeper to me." Riddin knew his father well enough to know this was a dismissal, his father often spent days without a single living soul seeing him. The Cellar-keeper was just finishing knocking a spigot into a firkin as Riddin stalked into the cellars "The old bat getting quiet again m'lord." "Aye Riddin responded as he took a sip from a glass of wine. "Won't be long though until Elwin's here and he can be blamed for the death of the king, under the orders of a treacherous daughter of course." The cellar master chuckled and said "and with Allorn dead there will be no one to stop your rise to the throne." "Indeed" Ridden said a sinister smile spreading across his face.
Chapter 7 Enter the Black Triad
Balmot stood on the back of his mount the black dragon Terrasoth looking down at the wondrous city the last of Mineriv the First's great works it consisted of ten rings on a hill. An arrow could be shot flat from the courtyard of the Plebian comity to the fields in front of the city without endangering a single being in the city it was flawless. Tam had only been taken once during the reign of Boaroak the Third, Nova Starburst and Typhoon Firewind took the city. Balmot had a mind to change all that and with the magic contained in the crown jewels he intended to destroy Nova Starburst and become the god of magic before finally conquering all one thousand levels of the Abyss and the Nine rings of Hell. Domivoi Dane stepped in front of Balmot his black armor seeming to dim the light around him "A Tryfo returned from hunting my lord it reports being attacked by a weretiger and a stag." Balmot replied "Use what little brains you have there are at least three hundred weretigers in the Larien Woods besides that they would have had to force march all the way just to be where the Tryfo could reach in an hour we have days before they reach us, especially if you recited the rage incantation over Elwin as I instructed." "I did Sire, but you seem to under estimate this warrior." Balmot sent a bolt of crackling white energy into the huge man's chest and said snarling "You forget who your talking to don't forget what he took from me." Balmot ordered Terrasoth into the air and left Domivoi gasping for breath. "Enter" Mineriv said in response to a series of heavy knocks on his door. John Oakfist framed in the doorway of the study come bedroom it consisted of of a large room shelved from floor to ceiling with a large desk and small cot the only things in the way of this being called a library. Mineriv called it his sanctuary and being invited into this room was a great honor. "John bring me up two bottles of wine and three glasses, please." John cocked his head sideways "Three glasses sir, another experiment?" "No I have friends due to the city in a matter of hours." "Who if I may be so bold as to ask?" replied John "Generals Flamedancer and Firewind." Mineriv said and dismissed the cellar-keeper with a wave of his hand. Ridden was in his room sipping Medira as John burst into his chambers "Sir we have a problem!!!" Ridden set his glass down calmly and said "Step out and knock this time." John did as he was told and Ridden said "Now, what is the problem?" "Elwin Flamedancer and Typhoon Firewind are mere hours away." Ridden smirked "Have you learned nothing over the past three years they will not be able to stop the completion of my plan in three days when the traitor Sirri delivers the Ring of Alioron and Gungian the Shatterer to Balmot the city will fall. Then I will banish Balmot and be crowned king." But why would Sirri deliver the two most powerful weapons in the kingdom to the enemy?" "You have learned nothing" Ridden snorted He will do it for the same reason Elwin will kill Mineriv, for the same reason Typhoon will kill Elinor, and for the same reason a guard killed your predicessor, dismissed." As his servant left the room Ridden thought the family gone and the two generals who are a threat exiled or exucuted this couldn't be more perfect.
Book Two A second duel three times Chapter 8 Shall we dance
Sirri swore to himself as he fell into a twenty foot deep covered pit.
8 Comments
Mary Jean, 254 - days ago
Hi Michael,
It sounds intriguing. My only real suggestion at the moment is that you might want to divide up the action a little more with commas. Commas can change the pace of the sentence and alter the meaning (if you want that). Just a thought.
All right, I have a second suggestion:
I like the giants bad guys. It might be cool to physically describe them a little more.
For instance, "How do you think he'll taste boys?..." The threat was punctuated by the way the giant toyed with the ax at his side--jiggling it back and forth with the butt of his hand. He seemed poised for blood.
Ok, don't use my words because it's a *very* rough suggestion. I am simply interested in knowing a little more about the giants.
You've got a great start. And a good chance at the prize, but you don't need me to tell you that because all you have to do is look at the number of entries :-)
Mary Jean
Michael, 253 - days ago
you have a point and i intended to flesh it out some. This is really only a first draft.
Michael, 253 - days ago
to satisfy your curiosity frost giants are between 9-14 feet tall 600-1000 lbds with pale blue skin and eyes in varying shades of gray and blue as for their community structure well that is being explained in first draft
Michael The Mentalist, 243 - days ago
More news on the story front we have conformation Elwin is getting married. It's all planned Wedding will be avaible here in about one month or I can read it at the next meeting
Mary Jean, 243 - days ago
I like your bravery. Hearing your work out loud will provide the author's context by the way you annunciate
We will do the Henna crafts and munch on Indian flat bread (and goat gouda, of course) But we will definitely make time to hear you.
niles, 235 - days ago
i just finished reading all five chapters (though i'm pretty sure 5 is incomplete). aside from grammatical and spelling stuff (i know it's a draft/outline) it's highly entertaining. i like how you made elwin such a fierce and relentless fighter but when the subject of elmair is brought up he acts very unsure of himself. nice juxtaposition...
my favorite part is when the claw breaks into domivoi's place.
nice work, keep it coming!
Michael, 233 - days ago
Niles is once again correct five is incomplete and its Elinor not Elmair, Elmair is his cousin. Also Elwin is not all that fierce I will have to describe the Bloodwrath to you.
Erudito Est Vox
niles, 136 - days ago
nice!
i'm glad to see you've come back to this story. now i'm curious about elinor's motivations.
Hi Michael,
It sounds intriguing. My only real suggestion at the moment is that you might want to divide up the action a little more with commas. Commas can change the pace of the sentence and alter the meaning (if you want that). Just a thought.
All right, I have a second suggestion:
I like the giants bad guys. It might be cool to physically describe them a little more.
For instance, "How do you think he'll taste boys?..." The threat was punctuated by the way the giant toyed with the ax at his side--jiggling it back and forth with the butt of his hand. He seemed poised for blood.
Ok, don't use my words because it's a *very* rough suggestion. I am simply interested in knowing a little more about the giants.
You've got a great start. And a good chance at the prize, but you don't need me to tell you that because all you have to do is look at the number of entries :-)
Mary Jean
you have a point and i intended to flesh it out some. This is really only a first draft.
to satisfy your curiosity frost giants are between 9-14 feet tall 600-1000 lbds with pale blue skin and eyes in varying shades of gray and blue as for their community structure well that is being explained in first draft
More news on the story front we have conformation Elwin is getting married. It's all planned Wedding will be avaible here in about one month or I can read it at the next meeting
I like your bravery. Hearing your work out loud will provide the author's context by the way you annunciate
We will do the Henna crafts and munch on Indian flat bread (and goat gouda, of course) But we will definitely make time to hear you.
i just finished reading all five chapters (though i'm pretty sure 5 is incomplete). aside from grammatical and spelling stuff (i know it's a draft/outline) it's highly entertaining. i like how you made elwin such a fierce and relentless fighter but when the subject of elmair is brought up he acts very unsure of himself. nice juxtaposition...
my favorite part is when the claw breaks into domivoi's place.
nice work, keep it coming!
Niles is once again correct five is incomplete and its Elinor not Elmair, Elmair is his cousin. Also Elwin is not all that fierce I will have to describe the Bloodwrath to you.
Erudito Est Vox
nice!
i'm glad to see you've come back to this story. now i'm curious about elinor's motivations.