Untitled Story - story under construction
Chapter 1
Sunlight streaked through the shutter less windows in leafy patterns as Kandar stirred in his sleep. As he slowly turned, his wooden cot creaked and settled, old of age. Kandar slowly opened his eyes, slowly using one arm as a shield to the light, woke out of his sleep and listened to the sounds of a busy village outside. He rubbed his eyes and came fully back to his senses. The fresh smell of trees and living earth wafted through the air, and Kandar knew his mother was cooking by the scent of a burning batch of muffins getting stronger in his room. He sighed and rolled his eyes as he stood up and stretched, pushy his dirty blonde hair out of his eyes and combing it back with his hand. Soft dirt met his feet as he quietly plodded across his room over to his makeshift splintery wooden wardrobe. Kandar reached for his usual wool tunic when he suddenly remembered. The ceremony! How could he have forgotten!? Giving himself a mental slap he pushed his tunic to the side and reached for his precious armor. The dull shine of metal reflected back into his eyes as he pulled out his small buckler and dagger. He set them carefully down and hurriedly reached back in and this time grabbed his leather vest and shoulder plates. He pulled them out, along with the rest of the armor for one arm and set them down too. More burning smells were coming in now, even with the occasional cough and a wisp of black smoke. Outside a horse neighed and the clop-clop of horseshoes on rock echoed down the steps. Master Vonduros!! Kandar tried his absolute hardest not to scream in panic as he double-timed pulling out his garments. He quickly threw on his soft black wool pants, sliding his silver buckled belt on and flung his thin, baggy, white shirt on. His mother coughed again from the kitchen and another plume of black clouds found it�s way into his room. The sound of a horse making it�s way down the rock trodden path and Kandar broke into a full-blown rush. Why hadn�t he just woke up earlier!? Even as the thought passed his mind he was throwing his vest on and clipping the shoulder plates to it. He had just fit his arm pads on as he heard his mother open up the creaky door and invite the also coughing Master Vonduros in. Faster!!! Speedily, he slipped his dagger into his belt and slung the small shield by the strap on his belt. Once more he reached back into his wardrobe, tossing a leather sheath on the floor beside him and came out with a brooch hanging on his fingers. He was about to throw it down as well until he saw it hanging and stopped. He held his breath and examined the brooch. His mother had given it to him long ago, telling him that it had once been his fathers. It was their family�s heirloom. He brushed his fingers lightly over the grand work of art. He felt the golden base, tracing out the ancient runes that surrounded a beautiful blue stone. No one had been able to identify or read the runes, and nor had anyone been able to identify the stone that lay as the centerpiece of the brooch. He had always thought of it as a good luck charm and luck was exactly what he needed at the moment. He slid the brooch into a pocket in his shirt, close to his heart and smiled. Suddenly he was awakened by the loud chuckle behind him. Kandar turned and looked up at his shaggily bearded master. �Hullo there young Kand�r�, the great warrior chuckled in his hearty voice. For a moment Kandar just stared at his master, until finally he replied. �Uh...yes, sir�almost ready sir...� he fumbled out, and got to his feet looking for his sword and boots. He fou7nd the boots quickly and slipped them on, already laced and looked for his sword. Master Vonduros handed it to him with a faint smile barely visible under his beard. Kandar gave himself another mental slap as he took the sword from his master with a bow. It took all he had to keep from blushing as he slid the half beaten sword into his sheath. Master Vonduros gave Kandar a pat on the shoulder and nodded his great head to the door, his wooly beard again hiding his emotion. �Can�t keep them eld�rs a�waitin�, lad. Best we make off, eh?� Master Vonduro told Kandor as they headed out into the smoke plumed hall. Kandar could now see his mother hunched busily over a smoking pan working feverishly to cool it off. Master Vonduro headed out the open door and left Kandar to say his farewells to his mother. �Uh�mom?� Kandar softly spoke as he moved beside her. �Oh! Oh, Kandar, there you are�muffin?� Mary seemed to pull a black form from nowhere and offered it to him. Trying his best to keep a straight face, Kandar politely refused the rock his mother had worked all morning to produce. �Hrmph�fine then suit yourself�you know, it�s not a good idea going to a ceremony empty stomached�� Mary looked down at the pan in front of her, her gaze not moving back up. �I�ll be fine ma�you�ll be fine here? I won�t be back for a day or two�� �No, no, everything�s set�I�ll survive�� �If anything happens you-� �Kandar, don�t worry about ol� me, I�ll be quite fine�you go make our family proud� She shifted her gaze back to Kandar, a tear forming in her eye. �Make your father proud�� �Ma, I-� �It�s alright� don�t worry�just�just the sight of you reminds me of your father� you look wonderful�� Kandar didn�t know whether to blush or cry so he just stood silent, staring at his boots. �Now�you go along now, can�t be late� shoo, go on�� Kandar couldn�t help his feelings anymore and he let a tear slide down his cheek as he hugged his mother and walked out of the house. But Kandar stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what lay in front of him. Vonduro sat atop his mighty brown warhorse dressed brilliantly in gold and red dress and in his hand he grasped a rein and held back a white horse. The horse had the brightest white hair Kandar had ever seen. As the horse stomped, its golden mane shook and blew in the wind and lifted its head majestically. �Heh heh heh� afraid Kandar? No? Then why do you shrink back like so?� Kandar was speechless as he stared at the beautiful horse in front of him. �Here, boy, it�s fer� you�King Hermon told me to give you this stal�un , he says he knows great things to come from you...heh� anyways, here, it fer� you.� Vonduro pulled the reins along like it was a string and handed it to Kandar. Almost immediately the horse reared up and Kandar was dragged off his feet and fell at the snorting horses hooves. �Har har har!!! He likes you boy! Ahahar ha ha�� Kandar got up, dusting himself off, his greatest pain his humiliation. As he finished he looked at the horse again, this time with determined eyes. �Well�at least he�s not a runt�� Said Kandar forcing a smile. �Heh�that he ain�t�here,� Vonduro grabbed the reins again and guided the horse to Kandar�s side, � Climb aboard, Kand�r, we�ve got a knighting to attend, eh?� Kandar mentally crossed his fingers and cautiously took step in the saddle and swung his leg over the horse�s side. He balanced his weight carefully as Vonduro handed him the reins. �Hiyah!� Kandar�s horse suddenly bolted forward, chasing Vonduro, and Kandar barely managed to stay mounted as his stallion galloped after the clouds of dust in front of him.
Chapter 2
Tyrin pulled the string of his bow back to test it�s strength before strapping it to his back next to his quiver of arrows. He looked around his room for anything else that he may have forgotten. Birds chirped from the tree outside his 2nd floor window and the wind rustled the leaves. This was Tyrin�s favorite time of year, when summer faded to a crisp autumn, with clear air that smells drifted on like a pure river, with the last ringing ballads of the birds and the nearing of harvest. Tyrin smiled. Today was going to change his life forever. Today he would be accepted into the Knights Order and could train in the Royal Army as a ranger. Tyrin had not met another person who could best his skills with the arrow. His lord himself had recommended him for acceptance, and recognition from the king was an honor beyond words. He turned and took a last look at his mirror to make sure he was fresh, and with an air of excitement swiftly descended down the stairs into his kitchen. His family had already gone to the forest in order to witness the ceremony. He couldn�t imagine how proud his parents must be. As he stepped outside his casually took a deep breath of air, almost tasting it. The air was slightly colder than usual today and the birds were quieter. Tyrin shook it off easily, not expecting any trouble as he started his run to the forest edge where his friends would be waiting. They had all been accepted and would complete their ceremonies together. Tyrin always had a talent for swift styles of running and fighting. His sprints were silent and quick and his archery skills had always been the same. He could fire arrows at a rate of 17 per minute, each carefully aimed with a trained eye. Very few could best him at archery. As a ranger, he would be an elite marksmen staying hidden and scouting or rounding down the number of opponents before they reached the main force. Few people joined because of the danger and pressure, but Tyrin lived for adventure and thrill. �Ty! Hey! Over here!� Tyrin stopped and looked around before seeing the forms of three people hiding in a tree. He smiled a pulled an arrow from his quiver and nocked it. He took careful aim and fired, and laughed when he heard the metallic clank of his arrow hitting Jinn�s helmet. �Hol- ahhhhhhhhhhh!� Laughter came from the trees as Jinn fell from the branch he had been perched on and scrambled for his helmet. Tyrin jogged towards them, smiling as he strapped his bow back on. �Nice shot!� cried Darren as he landed next to Tyrin. Jinn mumbled as he put his helmet back on. �Your lucky you have good aim� Jinn said under his breath. �So are you my friend!� Laughed Tyrin, slapping Jinn on the back. �Eh, laugh it up�� Haylin landed with a thump behind Jinn, struggling to keep balance. �Ha ha ha ha, Jinn! Ah ahahahaha!� Jinn picked up a rock and threw it at Darren even as he ducked behind the tree. �Nehhhh! Nah- OW!� Tyrin tucked his dagger back into his belt as Darren hopped around holding his rear. �Serves you right, fool!� Jinn laughed. Tyrin smiled and pat Darren on the back. �You�ll live� Darren glared at Tyrin before laughing himself. Haylin came from around a tree, pulling his horse with him and mounted quickly. He straddled the horse expertly, turned his horse around and smiled at his friends. �Show off�� His friends all poked jokes at Haylin and the noise echoed throughout the woods around them. Tyrin noticed that nothing else moved. It was silent. He was peering around when Jinn came up from behind him and swung his arm around his shoulder, walking forward and almost dragging Tyrin along. �Wait, let go�� �Says the jokester�ah, c�mon lets head towards the ceremony, the sooner it�s over, the sooner the banquet!� Cried Jinn, letting go of Tyrin and jogging down the path. �Ah! Feast!� Haylin slapped his horse and galloped down after Jinn. Darren ran after them at his usual long running strides. Tyrin took a last look around, frowning. It really did seem quiet�maybe they had just scared the animals off or something�Tyrin shook his head, trying not to worry. It shouldn�t bother him, but for some reason it seemed strange today. Everything seemed�empty� �Hey! C�mon you slow ox! We�re not waiting forever you know!?� Tyrin snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his three friends who were waving. He glanced around quickly before he trotted off down the path.
Chapter 3
Kandar looked at his reflection as they passed by a pond. The water was clear so he could see his blue eyes staring back at him as they walked by. His features were rippled ever so slightly from the stillness of the water. His medium-high set cheekbones and his lightly bronzed tan even showed. He stared at it for a moment before looking ahead of him again. Master Vonduros was looking straight ahead, ahead at the forest that lay half a mile in front of them. His horse was walking slowly, its dress shining in the sun. Kandar looked at his horse�s neck and gave it a pat. The stallion simply snorted and continued on. He smiled faintly. He could only hope that it would become friendlier as time went on. The wind had stopped blowing now. Kandar looked up and found the sky to be a darkening gray. Despite there being no wind, he felt cold. Kandar shivered and wished he had a cloak or a scarf. Ahead, Master Vonduros looked to his sides as they drew close to the edge of the woods. From his view, he could tell Vonduros was smiling. �You ready fer this, Kandar?� He asked over his shoulder. �I�ve been waiting for this chance ten years now, I�d hope I�m ready� �Ah ha ha! Aye, my boy. Taught by the best you were. By gods, if your not ready by now, then...well... ahahaha!� Kandar just smiled and watched the hills as they came up to the wood edge. He could already start to hear the faint drumming and sound of music coming from the sacred clearing. As they entered the forest and started down the trail, two guards stepped out from behind a tree and held their spears out to stop them. �Hal- Oh!,� the guard politely bowed,� Lord Vonduros! Greetings, the council is waiting for you in the clearing.� The guard bowed again and together the two guards stepped back behind their trees. Kandar nodded to the guard as he passed by, and barely noticed the slight nod back to him. He looked up the path, looking at the roof of leaves and the bars of light that illuminated the ground, giving it a patterned look. But the woods were silent. He looked around again, seeing no movements in the trees or ground. The cheerful music was drawing closer, but there were no signs he could trace of life. Above him the leaves formed a rising dome with a veil of vines that covered the sides of the trail. Kandar couldn�t see past Master Vonduros, couldn�t see past the darkness that shrouded them until Vonduros pushed aside a wall of vines and Kandar was surrounded by a million lights and sounds. Trumpets blasted to his right, and to his left the fifteen colorful flags billowed at an angle, held by equally brilliant honor guards, waving their town flags proudly. Straight ahead of Kandar and Master Vonduros was a dim circle of light where what little sun there was showed through. And in the center of this circle stood an elevated throne, adorned with red velvet and gold body, flanked by two smaller chairs that seated the King�s Advisors. Fifteen chairs stood facing the throne in front of him that would seat the Council of Elders. As they stepped out from the veil, the crowd that had came to watch the knighthood. They stood in stands, each one above the other so they could all see. There were at least 6 score of them thought Kandar. �Alright Kand�r...you should go wait with the other knights. I�ll cheer fer you when you come out� Vonduros smiled and patted Kandar on the back as he nodded and slowly rode over to the group of young knights. As Kandar get closer to the group of knights a couple familiar friends waved. �Kandar! Hey!� Gavyn waved and turned his horse and trotted towards Kandar. �Gavyn! You made it too?� �Well, of course, couldn�t let you go stealing all the glory alone could I,� The brown haired Gavyn smiled at Kandar and looked at his stallion. �Whoa. Isn�t that Lightbane? Kandar, how�d you get a horse like that? That�s from the King�s personal stables!� Kandar looked at the horse that had been giving him nothing but trouble for the hour he�d known it. �King�s horse you say?� Gavyn nodded. �Well, it�s about as wild as a boar and with a temper to match. See.� Kandar gave his horse a pat and it bucked up, throwing Kandar off his mount. A chorus of laughter issued from the group of knights and was soon joined by the laughs from the crowd too. Gavyn dismounted and helped the embarrassed Kandar to his feet. Kandar quickly looked around and was relieved that no elders or advisors had yet entered the clearing and seen his fall. He glared at his horse, and if it was possible, Kandar swore it was smiling.
Chapter 4
Tyrin was walking beside Haylin, who was busy laughing at Jinn�s latest wisecrack. Darren was blushing at Jinn�s side, obviously the target of the joke. Tyrin let himself smile at that. Jinn had been making jokes the whole way, and Darren had been the center of most. Now Jinn was mocking someone walking, he was hunched over and using his most piteous voice. Haylin was howling with laughter atop his horse, but Tyrin was now looking around the forest. Not once through the whole trip had he seen or heard a living animal. He couldn�t help but worry now. They should be coming into the amphitheater any minute now and he couldn�t heart any music or cheering yet. Tyrin listened but could hear nothing but the occasional soft swoosh of wind across trees. Suddenly, his friend stopped laughing. Tyrin looking at them quizzically but turned his eyes to where they were gazing. Where there should be hundreds of cheering people and groups of musicians, there was nothing. The trees were empty and the natural theatre was oddly silent. Darren walked forward and looked around. �Wha�where are�where is everyone?� Tyrin looked at Haylin, who started moving towards Darren. Jinn looked back at Tyrin and nodded to the clearing. Darren was now walking around the amphitheater and Haylin was checking the wood edge. Jinn walked to the center of the earthen�stage� and crouched, looking for clues or hints. Even as Tyrin started for the edge of woods closest to him, he heard Haylin shout. �Oh my god�Guys! Look!� Haylin backed his horse away to make room for Darren and Jinn. �What-�lord�.� Jinn stepped away in horror. Tyrin ran between Haylin and Darren and froze in his tracks. He couldn�t believe what lay directly in front of him. �What�what happened to them?� Darren kneeled beside him and turned over a body and revealed the front. The body had three arrows through its chest and Tyrin recognized it as Erik The Good. The minister had a look of terror on his dead features. Jinn now moved back to Darren�s side and Haylin, now dismounted, was looking at the rest of the bodies. �They all look like they were shot full of arrows�� Haylin muttered. And it looked true. Most all the bodies had at least one arrow in their chest. � How many archers were there? Look, this can�t be the work of one, and these bodies�� Jinn stopped short and stood, holding his just drawn sword. Tyrin understood. He stood and pulled his bow out too. These bodies were recently killed�almost like- Haylin screamed as an arrow hit him in the shoulder. Tyrin nocked an arrow to his bow and looked around. Jinn ran forward and pulled Haylin back toward Darren and Tyrin. Haylin was holding his shoulder, and shouting out screams of agony. �What in all hell was that!?� Darren cried. �I�I don�t-� Tyrin started as another arrow thudded to the ground beside him. �Run!� Tyrin moved forward and blindly fired an arrow to try to drive the attacker back. Jinn was helping Haylin to his mount and Darren stood beside them, on guard. �Get going! I�ll cover you, just run!� Tyrin cried as he nocked and fired another arrow towards the direct the arrow came from. Jinn gave one last look and a nod to Darren before hopping on Haylin�s horse behind him and slapped the rear. Tyrin was backing up now, firing more arrows and covering Darren when he heard a wild battle cry and a hail of arrows were fired at them. Tyrin jumped back, the arrows barely missing him. Behind him, Darren shouted something uncomprehendable and started running. Tyrin knew he couldn�t fight an enemy he couldn�t see, much less a group of them, and fired one last arrow before running after Darren. �Tyrin! C�mon!� Darren was behind a tree, waiting for Tyrin. Haylin and Jinn were running ahead of them and Darren was now behind Tyrin. �Getttt themmmm!!!!� Tyrin glanced behind him and saw many dark shapes running after them, and to his horror, he also saw them running in trees, rapidly gaining on them. �D-Darren! Keep running, I�m taking to the trees! Whatever you do, don�t look back and keep running!!!� Tyrin lounged at the next overhanging branch and swung himself up, ascending into the higher branches of trees. Tyrin was hopping from one tree to the next, moving with agility and accuracy he hadn�t known he had possessed. He stopped at a relatively sturdy group of branches and nocked an arrow to his bow. Dark forms rushed at him, small and fast, moving like a dark swarm. He pulled the arrow back and fired it into their mists. He couldn�t tell if he had hit one or not, the noise was roaring in his ears and he was already running for the next place to fire another arrow.
Chapter 5
Kandar dismounted and kneeled as the King entered the clearing. The only sound in the surrounding forest now was the steady beat of the drums and the majestic sound of trumpets playing a slow, royal song. Beside him, Gavyn stood in a kneeling position too, smiling at him. Kandar smiled back and shook his free hand in a small wave. The King�s Advisors now moved in to flank their Lord and the Council of Elders came from both sides of the clearing and moved towards their seats. The King now stood in front of his throne and the Council kneeled beside theirs. The drums suddenly stopped and the trumpets played a last high note and came to a silence. �Friends! Allies! Council! Today we gather together to witness a great ordeal! Today, a new generation readies for a new Dawn and decide the rest of their lives! Today, these boys you see before you will become men, men that shall shape and defend our lands. They have worked long and tiresome days for years to come to this day. And now, today, they shall be rewarded for their trials and accomplishments. Please. Rise now men, for you shall now complete your training and-� From the trees to the right of the squires came a horseman, with two rides, galloping at full speed towards the center of the clearing. �Run! Run, they are coming! By the blazes, run! Run!� shouted the back rider. �Guards! Seize them!� Bellowed an Advisor. �No! Wait, you must-� cried the first rider, stopped short by a spear pointed at his throat. The squires now stood, some with rage on their faces, other with bewilderment. Kandar wondered who these people were. They didn�t wear the dress of any Ryian. His hand moved for the hilt of his sword in case anything happened. �You must run! They�re coming! They killed-� �Silence!!! You will remain-� Another man burst from the trees but this one stopped and fell, his back full of arrows. The guards all ran towards the dead man, weapons drawn and the squires drew their weapons as well. Even as the guards closed in on them, another young boy leapt from the trees themselves, and landed in a crouch. �What in the world!? Explain this �� The boy gasped and ran, arrows landing mere feet behind him. �It�s an assault! All to arms, battle�.� The guard dropped to his knees and his surrounding comrades fell back, holding arrows in their sides. Kandar looked at Gavyn and pointed at the young boy running. �He brought this attack! I shall get him!� Kandar cried as he charged for the boy. The court was in an uproar now, arrows hitting people like a mad hive of bees. Squires and guards were already protecting their King as he back down from the throne and took up a fallen guard�s sword. �Kandar! Wait!� Gavyn managed to yell above the chaos. But Kandar was in full pursuit of the running boy, blinded by hate and rage. Nothing mattered anymore, this man had brought death to this day of honor and his Lord and King were in danger. The boy that was just in front of Kandar was now gone. Kandar looked around and had no clue how far away from the clearing he was, or where the boy was. �Come out, coward! You kill others behind their backs, but won�t fight me? Come! Come out, come out now!� Kandar was hollering, trying to vent his anger. �You don�t know what kind of danger is back there�neither do I�� a voice was talking to him, seeming to be surrounding him,� They killed hundreds of my people in no telling how long, but they did it quick and effectively. They almost killed my friends and I barely made it out. It isn�t my fault, but we must get help!� � I cannot get help from the man who brought this chaos. You brought them here, you led them! Coward! Who sent you, what are you after!? Speak!� Kandar was looking around for the boy. �I have told you, barely managed to escape them, and �wait�listen�� Kandar was hesitant at first, but he listened. He heard the faint sound of cries and sounds he hadn�t heard before�a kind of�squeal? �You must hide! They are done with them and are coming!� the boy said, the voice untraceable. �I will not hide so you may just kill me easier! Come out and fight me! I will not listen to any more lies!� There was a silence from the boy and then he spoke. �You must hide, and if you won�t hide yourself, I will�� Kandar turned just in time to see a blur of brown before he felt a cracking pain and could see nothing more.
Chapter 6
A searing pain bolted through his skull as Kandar opened his eyes. His head was throbbing and his arms and legs felt like they had broken in a million places. Kandar moaned and tried to roll over, fighting the nausea building in his throat. The world was spinning and Kandar was in the middle of it all. He slowly lifted an arm and pushed himself to his knees. Nothing was focused and objects were just blurs of colors. A million thoughts were in Kandar�s mind. Where was he? How�d he get here? What had happened? His arms ached and his legs felt lame. He looked around, his eyes just starting to make sense of things. Trees surrounded Kandar and leaves were everywhere. So he was in the forest. His nausea had faded now, but his head felt like it had split in two. Kandar fought to get to his feet, moving over to lean on a tree for support. The labor had exhausted Kandar and he just rested, fighting the will to give up and fall back to his knees. From somewhere in the woods behind Kandar he heard a soft thumping, coming towards him. He fumbled for his dagger and found it gone. Kandar reached for his sword and found that gone too. The sound was getting louder now, and he realized his paril. If the rider had any weapon, he�d kill him. Knowing nothing more to do, he kneeled on the ground and looked behind the tree. Because the distance, Kandar couldn�t see the figure�s features. He saw he was wearing blue and white, the colors of a Yamerian. So he was an enemy� Kandar also noticed the way he rode the white steed. The rider rode like a rag doll, hopping and grasping for a sturdy hold with each step of the horse. The rider was now within fifty paces now. Kandar could now see the man had no weapons except for a bow and quiver, and most likely a hidden dagger. The steed looked familiar� Kandar saw a stick laying on the ground and picked it up. He knew the rider had very low experience with horse riding and maybe, if he timed it right, he might be able to knock the rider off and have a chance of escape. The person was now close to him. Kandar gripped the stick tightly in his hands and waited for the rider to run by him. Twenty paces�fifteen�ten�five paces�Now! Just as the rider became visible at his side, he swung the stick with all his might, hitting the rider dead on. He heard a loud grunt and the rider stopped moving, stopped by the stick and fell as the horse continued on. �Who are you?� Kandar demanded. �Ahhh�I�I saved your life!� The figure turned, and Kandar recognized him as the boy he had been chasing. �You�you nearly killed me!� Kandar pushed his stick at the boy�s chest, making sure he didn�t run. �YOU nearly killed yourself! They were coming and you wouldn�t budge from your spot! I knocked you unconscious and hid you, making sure they wouldn�t see you! I saved your life!� The boy rubbed his chest and slowly sat up. �They? Who is they?� Kandar pushed on his demands. The boy looked up at Kandar, his face blank. �I don�t know� Kandar knew this boy must be lying. He himself led the army into his ceremony and� the ceremony! He had ran off just as the people started to panic but�what happened after? Who had won? Were the guards prepared for a fight like that? �Lead me back to the clearing!� Kandar picked the boy up roughly and shoved him forward. ~�~ Kandar was on his horse that the boy had stolen from him and was following him in what he hoped was the way to the clearing he had left. The boy stopped ahead of him and pointed at a wall of vines. He then pulled the vines back and let Kandar through. �No�by the gods, NO!� Kandar dismounted and ran towards the bodies in the clearing. The bodies were everywhere. Everyone had been massacred. The flags had been shredded and thrown around, stained by the blood that seemed to have no end. Kandar felt a tear running down the side of his cheek. All these people were�dead�and if he had only stayed here and helped fight, some of them might have survived�he could have stopped them. �I could have stopped them�� Kandar knelt down and buried his face in his hands. �There was nothing you could have done, the-� �Silence! You brought this upon me! You�killed these people�� Kandar had tears rolling down his face as he stood up and grabbed the boy by his shirt. �Who sent you!? WHO? Tell me now, or I swear upon hell�I will kill you�� Kandar was holding the boy by his shirt, his nails digging into his palms even through the cloth. The boy simply looked down and fought tears of his own. �Why do you cry? You lost-� � I lost as much as you! Isn�t it obvious!? My friends, my family�my life was destroyed today� these�killers slaughtered my village and struck yours as well�� Kandar dropped the boy, now understanding. Kandar turned and looked at the bodies. Something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned and saw someone moving. The boy saw this too and gasped behind him. The man was still alive, though blood covered him completely. Kandar ran across the clearing and knelt by the man. He tore a rag off his shirt and wiped the man�s face- and nearly died of horror when he saw the face to be Gavyn�s. �Gavyn!!! Gavyn, a-are you�� Gavyn pushed aside his shirt and revealed an arrow in his chest. He coughed and gasped, clutching Kandar�s hand like a vice. �Gavyn�don�t die�don�t die on me�� Kandar was looking for something, anything to do to help his friend. �Ka�Kandar�� Gavyn coughed again, this time spewing blood. �Gavyn�please�rest, don�t-� �Kandar� listen� th- � Gavyn stopped short, gasping for breath. Kandar�s tears rolled down his face like a river, his emotions overpowering anything else Kandar might have felt. �Gavyn�� Kandar held Gavyn�s hand, knowing his friend was dying. �Don�t look into� the eyes�� �W-what? Gavyn, don�t� don�t waste your energy�rest, please�� Kandar put his hand over his friend�s mouth, trying to stop his friend�s words, words that drew him closer and closer to death with each breath. �The�monster� don�t look at it�s eyes�you�ll�terror�� Gavyn was talking nonsense to Kandar. All Kandar knew was his friend was talking when he should be saving his energy. Gavyn looked around, his face shaking. He seemed to know what was coming and wanted to take in the beauties of the world before he left. �Remember me�Kandar�for I won�t forget you�� Gavyn gave Kandar a grim smile and shook the hand Kandar held so tightly now one last time before Gavyn finally laid to rest, this time never to wake up. � Kandar held his friend�s limp hand, not wanting to let go, not wanting to believe that Gavyn was gone. He couldn�t let Gavyn die, he wouldn�t let him die. They had been friends since Kandar could remember and he wouldn�t let him die. Tears fell on his hand as he knelt there, tears that felt like pieces of his heart leaving him. For an eternity it seemed like Kandar had sat there, until he finally lifted his head. He let go of his friend�s hand and wiped his arm across his eyes, not caring that they were already dry. He stood and made a vow to avenge his friend�s death � even if it meant his. � Tyrin thought it best to leave Kandar to himself, not knowing what to do to comfort him. Somewhere his friends would be, laying under corpses of dead men. He silently walked around, looking at the faces, looking for a confirmation of what he already knew to be. He saw Darren die himself. The sight tore him apart, but there had been no time to mourn his death, and he knew that it was too late now. Most faces were twisted in agony and pain, but a couple startled him. There were a few faces that looked like their soul had been ripped from their bodies. Tyrin tried not to look at these, not wishing to think of what caused it. A glint of gold flashed as Tyrin passed it. Tyrin stepped back and looked at it. It seemed to be a small hilt with a twisted rope design. Jinn had� his mind went numb. Could it be? Tyrin moved a dead guard aside and picked up a small dagger. It had to be Jinn�s. The dagger had a golden hilt that came out like an elaborate knot at the guard. The blade was four sided and was always sharp at the end. Jinn had received it from his master for his skill with dirk fighting. Tyrin tucked the dagger into his belt and pushed aside more corpses, looking for Jinn�s. Not one body in the area had anything close to Jinn�s features. Tyrin was baffled. Jinn was no where to be found! The woods to his right was where he had burst out from, and where Darren had been shot. Jinn and Haylin must have came out there too�but where was Jinn? Tyrin looked at the clearing and immediately thought his search pointless. Jinn probably had ran, and been shot or stopped. He could be anywhere�Tyrin sighed and thought of Haylin. He looked down at his side idly. His friends were dead�and if Haylin or Jinn had escaped, the chances of them meeting again were very slim. Maybe it would be best to just remember them, let them rest in peace� Behind him, Kandar was now standing, his face hung down, as if in shame. Tyrin walked back to him. �I�m sorry for your friend�� He murmured. Kandar just looked at him and shook his head. �You lost friends from this too?� Kandar asked, not looking at Tyrin. Tyrin looked back where Haylin and Darren must likely were. �Yeah� it�s hard I know�� Tyrin sighed. �I�m� I�m sorry I accused you of things you didn�t cause�I just-� �I understand� it�s alright, I would have done the same.� Kandar looked at Tyrin, examining him. �I�m Kandar�what�s your name?� He asked. �Tyrin. I�m from Yameron. I take it your from Ryain?� He asked. Kandar nodded and started walking back towards his horse. Tyrin looked back at the chaos that had once been a beautiful ceremony, before sighing heavily and walking awfter Kandar.
Chapter 7
Kandar hadn�t spoken a word since he had mounted his horse and started off in the forest. Tyrin was scouting ahead of him, making sure the path was clear. Kandar�s mind was numb to anything. All he knew was pain, fear, and rage.
He hardly noticed Tyrin drop out of a tree next to him, the only noise the crunch of leaves beneath his feet. Tyrin had his bow in his hands, an arrow held tightly in one.
The sky was grey as they stepped out of the forest, nothing seemed to move at all. Kandar stopped and looked around the stark land. Only hours ago the world had been bright and alive�but now�
�Kandar, look!� Tyrin pointed across the field behind a hill. It was black smoke.
�Fire?� Kandar asked.
Now the pillar of smoke grew thicker and more appeared. Something was wrong. The sky grew brighter behind the smoke that now billowed around the field. Something was terribly wrong�
�Kandar, it�s a fire�do you�could they have arrived at a village already??� Tyrin looked at up at Kandar, his face expressing fear.
�If they are, we�re the only ones who know of it, we need to get help� Tyrin hopped on the back of Kandar�s horse and they rode towards the growing flames.
�
Mary threw up her elderly hands in resignation. The yeast was probably stale anyways. And there�d be plenty of food, would one loaf of bread matter? She threw the black lump out her window and proceded to wash the pan.
Outside, the sky was grey, the sun that had shone just earlier was now gone. She wondered how it had gotten dark so quickly. A peek out the door and she was sure it would rain. Mary hoped Kandar�s celebrations wouldn�t be spoiled by the rain. The water in the bucket was now dirty and void of any cleanliness. She continued to roughly scrub the pan with the cloth she had, tattered and torn as it was. Mary held the pan up to the dimming light of the window to examine the pan. A shrill cry arose outside causing her to drop the pan in surprise. A loud sound was heard from the field to the east and a thunderous clap echoed throughout the village. Mary stumbled to the door and looked around. Smoke was rising from the Vickers farm at the far end of the town. Black smoke poured from the general direction, pieces of ash making their way above the sky. A strange stench filled the air�a stench of decay�rotten� a smell of death.
A young boy ran by her, wielding a spear and a small wooden shield.
�O�Rechin! Rechin!!! For lord�s sake, what are you doing, boy?� Mary cried to him.
The boy turned, looking at Mary with wide horror-stricken eyes.
�We�re�we�re under attack! All youths and men able to carry arms are being sent to see whats going on. We�ve already sent a messenger north to our king� Mary, I have to go!� Rechin fumbled to grasp his spear again and ran off towards the burning smoke.
Mary scowled and hobbled further to the town. Men were running everywhere, some armed and others baffled as she was. Cries from children were heard all around, Mary didn�t understand. She watched a wife shut her window hatches and lock her door, hurriedly safeguarding her house. Mary turned around again to spot a town chief rallying a group of boys and men together. She moved closer, trying to hear what they were saying through old ears.
�Now�listen. We�ve trained our militia enough to know what to do. Their armed and have a training in basic combat. The Vickers house was burned as you all know, and some sort of movement has been going on in that area. We are to make a defense at the southern end of this town, a wall. These could just be raiders, we don�t know. Be alert and careful, use your eyes and eyes before your swords and weapons. Chief Gordun will lead you to your defense spots.�
A loud grunt of acknowledgement came from the group and they were led away by a stout man wearing chainmail and bearing a large shield and axe. The group marched down the town road and Mary turned to meet the chief.
�Chief? Whats going on here? I�ve heard-�
�Get into your house and lock your door. We�re under attack, no one is allowed outside.� The chief pointed to her house and glared at her.
�You are to go immediately. You�ll hear when it�s over.�
Mary nodded slowly and started back for her house. Worries were flooding her mind. What was going on? Who was attacking? Was Kandar alright? She muttered under her breath and pulled up her dirty casual dress, scampering to her door. She took one last look at the field, the smoke was billowing from the house, black smoke. She said a silent prayer and locked her door behind her.
Once inside she stood still, listening for any sound of battle. She shook her head and walked to the far end of the room. She looked up the shelf a few feet above her. Blindly, she reached up to the top shelf, searching for something. Her hand pushed aside a few pots and knocked a small plate down. Mary ignored the plate and continued reaching. Finally, she grasped a long handle in her hand and withdrew from the shelf. In her hand lay a small bronze sword, kept hidden in her kitchen for just such needs. Mary brandished the blade, cleaning it of dust and reading the sacred runes of protection. She knelt down and laid the sword across her lap, praying for strength. Mary was scared. She never thought she would have to use this sword. She was not ready for what she might have to do. She only prayed that the town militia would stop whoever was invading their countryside. Mary stood slowly, watching the door and listening. She closed her eyes and listened. Listened for anything. A sound. A trumpet, the din of battle, anything.
Minutes went by and nothing. Nothing at all. Except that rumbling�Far in the distant, a faint rumbling. Growing louder. She didn�t understand at first, but it was all too soon before she recognized that they were the drums of war.