| The Apprentice of Shannara By: Matthew �Duo� Dail The sun was raising over the horizon, the trees were blowing in the wind, and the birds were chirping loudly and excitedly, for the beginning of Spring had begun and the towns were growing. The Dwarf/Gnome war was over after the great Ohmsfords, Brin and Jair, saved the world from the olden evil. But one death that was over looked was the death of Garet Jax, the Weapons Master. Garet Jax lost his life to a Jachyra to keep Jair safe to purify the Silver River. The Elves, who lost their Prince, were hit hardest, losing their friend and royalty. One elf of all took it wrong, that was one of Garet�s apprentices, Maxxam. No one knew Maxxam�s , or Maxx, last name, except one, his friend who happened to be a magic-user. After Maxx found out that Garet died, he went crazy, and left his town to find the one who killed him. Brin Ohmsford was watering the plants outside of her family�s cottage, while Rone and Jair were pulling weeds. Brin looked over to her brother and boyfriend and smiled. Jair looked at her and smiled back. Jair got up and walked over to her, leaving a surprised look on Rone�s face. Jair looked at Brin and asked, �How many more days till Slanter comes to visit with Kimber?� Brin smiled with anticipation, �Only a few more days, they should be arriving anytime.� Rone walked over and put his arm around Brin. �I can�t wait to see the old gang, I miss Kimber and I guess Slanter was a good man, seeing that he kept you alive Tiger,� remarked Rone. Jair smirked, but then Brin started to cry. Rone looked distressed, �What�s wrong Brin?� �It is Allanon, he is calling me, I must meet him at the river, he says that there is another evil approaching.� With that, Brin ran towards the river, with Rone and Jair trailing. Brin found the river and found the shade of Allanon. �Brin, I haven�t a long time, but I have come to tell you that a Demon from the Forbidding has broken out.� Brin looked surprised, �How could a demon break out?� �One of the demons has acquired a evil set of Elfstones, created at the time of the destruction of the Ildatch. This demon has going to the Maelmord to find the remnants of the Ildatch, so that it may gain more power. If it is allowed to find it, it will be stronger than anything anyone has ever seen,� Allanon said quickly. Allanon suddenly disappeared, but a voice followed, �Find the elf named Maxxam, he is the strongest warrior in all of the Four Lands, but you must release his power.� Brin looked back to Jair and Rone, to see them as stunned as her. Brin finally managed to squeak out, �Well, I guess we should wait for Slanter and Kimber to arrive, then we will go.� Jair shook his head in disagreement, �Do you think that they will want to travel on another adventure�� Rone shook his head in agreement with Jair, but Brin had an idea, �Maybe father will go with us, and we can find the others on the way!� Jair frowned, �You don�t really believe father will let us, do you?� �Well, we have to try,� Brin said defensively. The three friends traveled back home to tell Wil of the events. After they finished their story and their case, Wil looked at the astonished, �I will not allow you to travel anywhere, especially if the Druid is evolved!� Wil looked angered at the thought of going on a quest for the Druid, but Eretria intervened, �Wil, you must go, if the world is in danger, you must save it, you know in your heart you must!� Wil frowned, but stood up and went into his room. He came out seconds later with a pouch, �Lets get this show on the road, we haven�t got all day, we have to move now!� Wil ran out the door, and Brin and Jair exchanged glances, and Rone just laughed. They followed Wil behind and traveled for Leah. It had been two days sense the company left and they came up on Kimber and Slanter. Of course, Slanter complained about it, but he went on anyways. Brin and Kimber talked, while Wil navigated. Jair, Rone and Slanter followed behind, talking about the old times. Hearthstone was 3 days travel away� They finally arrived in Hearthstone and stopped in a bar to eat. They all sat down at a table and talked. Wil got up to get some drinks. As Wil waited, he noticed a shadowy figure sitting, drinking some ale. Wil looked over and the cloaked man asked, �Sir, what are you looking at?� Wil has horrified, the voice was of a child, around the age of 14 to 15. Wil thought of something and replied, �I am looking for someone named Maxxam.� The cloaked man took of his hood. The man was a child, around 15; he has gold hair with eyes to match. His hair was perfectly maintained and he was strong looking. He carried a sword on his belt and some pouches as well. He finally spoke, �Yes, as a matter of fact, I am his best friend.� Wil listened to the stranger�s story about what happened to Maxxam when he found out the death of Garet. Wil told him about Allanon�s warning. The stranger finally answered, �I don�t know how you will reach him, he has gone insane.� Wil forgot, �What is your name?� �My name is Leonared Crisistal, but you can call me Leo,� Leo replied. �I am Wil, and my friends at that table are Brin, Jair, Slanter, Kimber, and Rone. So tell me everything you know about Maxxam.� �What, maybe I can tell your friends too.� So Wil and Leo walked over to the table. Wil introduced Leo to the gang and they sat down. Leo started telling them everything he knew, he told them he was Garet�s strongest apprentice and that he almost beat him. When he finished, they got up and left for Anar. Some days later, the company came to Anar. They traveled in the direction of the Maelmord. Hours later, they arrived. The found the remnants of the Maelmord itself, but it was empty. Jair remembered that Garet had died by Heavens Well so they travel that way. They came up to Heavens Well to find a figure over the body of Garet Jax. He turned around and instantly two long swords where in his hands. They had found the new Weapons Master, who had mastered not only weapons, but magic as well. Maxxam spoke out and his swords gleamed with light. �Leave this place, before I must vanquish you myself!� Wil pulled out the Elfstones, and Rone his Sword of Leah. Maxxam smiled at the new challenge, but he saw his friend Leo step up beside the two fighters. Maxxam looked astonished, but he kept up his fighting face. Maxxam charged at Rone, but was stopped by the singing of Brin. Maxxam fell over, his mind a jumble of thoughts and pain. He couldn�t take it, so he threw a dagger at Brin, cutting her shoulder. Brin fell to her knees, he shoulder releasing blood. Wil looked at his injured daughter and fired a blast of energy at Maxxam, who already to his feet, parried it. Maxxam went for another charge, but was stopped by a cat-like humanoid. It screwed an awful purr and raised its claws. A familiar form came from the darkness. It was someone that they all knew well. It was Allanon, as a demon, with the black Elfstones, and an army of Furries, cat-human demons, to back him up. The gang looked in horror at the Druid they all looked up to. Allanon smiled, �When I died, I had the chance to be resurrected as a demon with ultimate power, so I gave in a became what you see me today. I will now rule over the Four Lands officially, and release my army of evil upon the world.� Allanon laughed roughly. But before anyone could attack, the army of darkness disappeared with the wind. Maxxam looked at the others and apologized for what he had done. He told them how he felt about his master�s death and why he went on a rampage. But how are they were they going to defeat Allanon, an where would they find him� To Be Continued |