Chapter One: The Heroes Rise
As the large oak door slammed shut, Galaan felt his pulse pick up. Wary of his journey, he searched his body until he found a small leather pouch hanging from his belt. He took out a golden coin and held it out. Almost instantly, the coin disappeared as a breeze fell through Galaan's hair.
"You came boy", said a raspy voice full of strength. "I must say, boy, I thought I wouldn't see your emerald eyes staring at me again. You've got guts, I must say."
"Just shut your mouth old man," snapped Galaan, drawing his silver handled steel bladed knife from across his chest. "I'll gut you here, so give me my money and let me leave as you promised."
"You think I trust you, a petty thief?" retorted the old man as his figure stepped out of the shadows, his wild gray eyes shimmering in the light of a flickering torch. "You won't kill..."
The steel bade of Galaan's knife cut through the old man's throat.
"Old bag of wind. It wasn't about the money, it was never about money, its about her," Galaan said sharply. "Now she can rest in peace, you murderer. Only a contemptuous old man would kill his own daughter. You couldn't stand the fact that she was in love with me. You couldn't take the fact that she was going to spend her life with, what was it you called me? A petty thief, that was it. But you never thought of me as your daughter's future husband, only a petty thief.
"Galaan," called a deep booming voice. "Kareena was my sister, and he was my father. I should be here for the eulogy at least."
"Kiresk, what are you doing?" exclaimed Galaan, as his head whipped back, throwing his hair in his face. "I though you were still on the general's front lines."
"The war is over, Galaan," began Kiresk. "Though it seems peaceful, rebels still gather around the cities and even the Grand Palace."
"That isn't my problem," replied Galaan. "That's a job for the military and the warrior's guilds. I'm just a rogue. I have no place in war."
"Join us. A rogue like you could easily command the spy networks!" explained Kiresk. "We need all the help we can get."
"No," replied Galaan, coldly refusing the offer. "I don't want to fight rebels, I just want to live in peace."
"You won't be able to live in peace until the uprisings desist," Warned Kiresk.
With that, the two men left the old stone building to go about their business.
Meanwhile, in a small tavern outside a city called Dekar-nessen, a woman is in desperate need of help...
"Back! One more step and I'll put this place to flames," She warned.
"Give up, human. You can't win," hissed a lizardman.
The woman murmured some words under her breath, moving her hands to form archaic symbols in the air. The symbols drew flames from energy in the air. Soon the old wooden tavern was ablaze. The woman fled to the gates of Dekar-nessen. Just then, Kiresk was passing through the same set of gates.
"E... excuse me... sir!" huffed the woman. My name is... huff, Salena. Lizard men... chasing me."
"From which direction are they coming from?" Kiresk inquired.
"From... the northeastern path," replied Salena, who was still catching her breath.
"Come with me Salena," said Kiresk, in a vigorous tone. "We're going to take them out."
"Alright, but before we go too far," Salena explained with a smile. "Look behind you."
Five lizardmen, all clad in chain mail and fairly well armed, stood ready for a fight before Kiresk's eyes. The leader wore a gold necklace, with a charm that had a red ruby in the center, which was perfectly round. Kiresk felt like he was dreaming. He hadn't fought in days, and this was perfect. Without a hint of warning, Kiresk struck a soft spot in one lizardman's armor.
"Gyaah!" the lizardman cried, screaming in pain as it fell to the ground, dead.
"Foolish human," snarled the leader wearing the charm. "You will die here!"
Again Salena began muttering under her breath. A strange white glow came about the area, blinding Kiresk temporarily. When he looked around as the light faded, the three remaining henchmen had disappeared, and the leader was hurt badly. Then, a small knife flew through the air into the lizardman's chest.
"Don't ever say I don't help you when you need it, Kiresk" laughed a hidden Galaan.
"Galaan! Where are you? What are you doing here?" Kiresk asked. "I thought you were just a rogue, and you wanted to live your life in peace."
"Well, you were right. I can't live in peace until all the fighting stops," admitted Galaan. "Besides, I heard there is going to be a mission to Belcourt, our hometown."
"I would like to go as well," said Salena. "My magic could be useful to you."
"As you wish, Miss Salena," replied Kiresk. "But you may want to think about your loved ones, first."
My family died in a ransacking, and my husband was killed by rebel thieves," Salena explained coldly. "I think they won't mind."
"Sorry," Kiresk said apologetically. "I should have asked first."
"How were you supposed to know?" replied Salena. "its not as if you've known me that long."
"Can we get going soon?" Galaan interrupted.
A large wood and sail clipper ship docked into the cold windy port. Salena stood at the end of the dock, her long brown hair whisking in the wind, her black silk robes flagging in the wind. As the ship's main deck, now full of travelers, passed by, they could see the sun glinting in her dark eyes and the sun softly reflecting off her face.
"The next ship is ours," Galaan said, touching the back of Salena's shoulder. Better get your possessions ready."
Salena flipped her hood over her eyes and picked up her staff, a silver one with a sapphire at the top, held in by a crest of the Phoenix.
"Ready! She exclaimed. "I like to travel light. Have you noticed?"
"Very cute," remarked Galaan. "But the winds on the open waters are strong. I would suggest you wear something a little warmer."
"I'll be fine," Salena answered. Then she murmured something under her breath. Galaan felt heat coming off her like a smithy's forge.
"I think you should be okay," laughed Galaan.
"I haven't heard you laugh since Kareena's death," Kiresk remarked. "Did you somehow get amnesia?"
"Don't remind me of that," Galaan muttered coldly.
Salena walked away from the two men and towards the loading board, as the huge military battle cruiser and transport ship docked into the port, its massive white sails and lumbering hull moving with the waves.