Chapter 1

 

         Dekar knelt before the king. Looking worn and haggard, the king spoke, “You know the consequences of this request?”
         Dekar looked the king in the eyes and said one word. “Yes.”
         With a sigh the king spoke again, “Very well. You are no longer Hydecka of the Bound Kingdom. You are now Hydecka the wanderer. Know that you have been stripped of your noble status and, even if you should return to us, it will not be retuned to you.” Even as he said it, he knew he didn’t really mean it. The law stated that as soon as Dekar left he would no longer be a noble ever again. But if, perhaps, he gt scared or realized how foolish his decision was, the king would gladly give it back right now.
         His dim hope was destroyed as Dekar simply said, “Thank you,” grabbed his bags, and left without another word. For the first time in his long life, the king suddenly felt very old.

         Several hours later, Dekar sat by the campfire and pondered his journey. He didn’t exactly know where he was going to go yet, but he was sure something would come. First he’d probably stop by Trebule and pick up Guy. If he was right, the warrior was just as bored as he was. Then they’d probably stop by the elven village - he never had learned it’s name – and pick up Artia. Frankly the femmy little elf freaked him out, but he was a fair fighte, and he supposed a little magical support would definitely be beneficial.
         After a few hours of pondering, and finishing of the rabbit he caught earlier, he kicked some sand on the flames and went to sleep.