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Book I

Chapter I:
Land of Gravince




In the land of Igros are two great kingdoms. One is called Gandriar and it is the larger kingdom that is leaderless ever since the king died from a disease and his only child went missing. The second is Hyland which has many hills which gives it its name. But in the southeast sits many hills with three towns on them.
The people call it Gravince. The villages here are nothing special but they remain at peace. East from the River of Getian and south from the Silence Woods. Mayton is the furthest village south and it holds vast farmlands everywhere. The second is the furthest east called Marton and it has many cattle. The furthest north is Merrierton and it is the largest of the three which holds the Festival of the Moon every year to celebrate the formation of Gravince.
Banners and flags now fly high every where across the villages. An old man walks towards the city of Mayton from the south. He is putting most of his weight on his staff. A long grey beard hangs to his chest. A pointy brown hat bends slightly to his left. A blue robe is fastened by a brown belt on his waist. The hat covers most of his face’s features expect the tip of his nose and his beard.
He travels up the road heading for the largest hill in the village. The sun is hot but the wind is cool and strong. Clouds cover the sun once in awhile. He approached the hill with a small stream running around the eastern half of the hill. A wooden brown fence covers a small house. Inside is dark but a woman sits outside on a rocking chair enjoying the summer day. The woman was fair and lovely with long black hair that covered a bit of her face. Her brown eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. She was wearing a very tight white shirt that revealed her belly button. A small black skirt reached a couple of inches past her thighs. A large brown belt held her skirt up. She was wearing brown boots that gave her a foot or two in height with red socks that came to her knees. She yawned extending her breasts as the man walked up to her.
For a moment the man stood silent gazing to the north and then turned his head at the young lady. His voice was deep but sounded respectful as though he was a king of a distance land, ‘what say you young Destinie? The day is long and the air is hot. The river gives off a great wind and your stream provides water. Is this not a day to be thankful for or does something trouble the fair maiden? I have traveled north and east and saw many things but the look of your face is that of sorrow.’
‘Geardrian’ Destinie said at last with a charming voice that could have men listen for hours, ‘the day is hot but I feel cold. Something doesn’t seem to be settling right for me. Ever since my dear Uncle Marth has looked himself in his room studying maps and books about distance lands and adventures.’
‘Aye. Your father-brother has been focusing on distance lands before you were born’ Geardrian spoke softly, ‘and he has many adventures he wishes the world to hear when he was a mere lad of twelve it was. Marth traveled with me nearly forty years ago...twenty years before you were born. We traveled across many lands and faced many dangers but alas tell me, what have you been wondering about?’
‘Let’s go inside my dear friend. The heat is no good’ Destinie stood and brushed herself off. The door of the house was light brown made of oak. Slowly Destinie opened and allowed Geardrian in first. She soon followed and closed the door and opened the curtains to let light in. Soon the house was lit. A table sat in front of a fireplace with many maps and books on it. Some books were opened and some had words circled.
Three chairs circled the table and a pot sat in the fireplace. The kitchen was clean and spotless and Destinie had made some fresh tea and gave a cup to Geardrian. The old man placed it on the table and sat down. He laid his staff next to the wall and took his hat off and took a small drink of his tea. Destinie sat down on the opposite end of the table. Geardrian looked puzzled upon looking at a book that read:

Tales of Igros by: Marth Silvers

‘I see Marth has been writing a book of his adventures’ Geardrian said after looking at the book long and hard. He placed his tea on the table and picked it up and opened the book to the first page.

Chapter 1: My Departaure
After packing up plenty of food and supplies I felt ready to leave. My guide was the famous Geardrian the Wise who is a dear friend of myself, my father, and my grand-father. A cheery old man but he can be quick to anger and will make sure to correct his or others’ mistakes.

Geardrian closed the book without reading and more and looked at Destinie and said, ‘you must forgive your uncle. He is old now. Come, tale my your tale of the year you spent since I been away.’
‘You are always willing to listen’ Destinie responded smiling. She thought for a moment and then started to speak, ‘I traveled to Marton to attend a private school for the year. It was alright but too many people thinking too highly of themselves. Silence Woods is no longer silence either. Belves have been seen running this way and that in large packs of twenty to forty. The Kiltons do their best to keep the Belves out but now there are too few. Uncle Marth has been heading in and out every week to Irony and coming back with something new or without something.’
‘I see’ Geardrian drank some more of his tea.
‘Mostly books and maps. He did return with a short sword which seemed very odd for someone that needs no weapon’ Destinie continued, ‘sometimes at night I see a black figure riding to and fro for the past month. It seems very odd. The horses had glowing red eyes and I believe there are three or maybe four of them. They come by late at night mostly around two in the morning. My guess is they do not want to be noticied. That’s basically it. Not much has happened but tale me of your adventures.’
Geardrian was deep in thought as the sun slowly begun to set. A man entered the room with black hair and green eyes. He was wearing a blue shirt with a yellow strip and had brown pants with black boots on. Geardrian looked up and said happily, ‘Marth my dear friend. About time you joined us on are merriment.’
Marth looked at Geardrian and told him, ‘I must be off soon my old friend but alas I will return by the morning for the Festival.’
‘I hope you are in time’ Geardrian explained, ‘for if you are not surely your niece here will be very worried and I myself shall be worried as well.’
‘You need not worry for me Geardrian’ Marth responded quickly, ‘I must be off now. I shall see you in the morning, both of you.’
With that Marth left through the front door and rode off on a brown horse with white spots heading northeast. Destinie looked out the window but he has passed a hill and a house and was out of sight and she sighed, ‘Geardrian...come. Let us walk the village to allow others to hear your adventures.’
‘Very well’ Geardrian spoke softly putting his hat back on and grabbing his staff. Destinie and Geardrian walked down the hill from the northern route and headed into town. Children stopped playing when they saw Geardrian walking down the path next to Destinie and they yelled for joy and ran down the hills to see Geardrian, ‘many children. Do you wish to hear my tales?’
At once all the children screamed, ‘yes Mr. Geardrian!’
Geardrian sat down on a bench and so did Destinie. The old man yawned and begun, ‘after my deparature I traveled quickly to the east. Through many forests I passed and through many villages I saw. But my tale is about the creature of the sea...the Malkero. I was riding down south following the river when the beast of scales and teeth and tentacles and claws emerged.’ the kids gasped, ‘but I drew my sword and sliced off a tentacle of the great beast followed by another until it fully emerged and tried to assault me. With sword in hand I threw it with all my might at the creature Malkero and SLICE! The beast was slain. The body fell into the river along with my prized sword that I had for nearly two hundred years.’
‘You have so many stories to fill a library’ Destinie exclaimed when Geardrian finished speaking, ‘your life is filled with adventures and mine is filled with loneliness.’
‘Aye. But everyone has one adventure worth speaking. You just haven’t found it yet’ Geardrian said as though he were talking with himself, ‘but sometimes you have to go into the world and make it known that your adventures are worth saying.’
‘You speak wise Geardrian. Must by why so many call you Geardrian the Wise. Is their no man wiser then you?’ Destinie questioned.
‘Of course there is my dear young maiden’ Geardrian answered in amazement, ‘Saigfred the Wise is his name. The lord of Ethian in the land of Hyland. Head of the council and counsels me when I need of it. Traveling their and back will take three months if I don’t stay too long. Saigfred has been on Igros for at least five hundreds years more then I have. He is kind, powerful, and wise beyond all others.’
‘He sounds like a great man. Does he wear your colours?’ Destinie asked another question.
‘No. He wears no hat and his robe is white and so is his belt and staff’ Geardrian explained to Destinie, ‘he traveled all across Igros and has many books and maps about the world since its creation.’
‘You speak very highly of him. You must respect him a lot then’ Destinie stated standing to her feet, ‘I guess we all have someone we look up to and highly adore.’
‘That is true. One who believes he is greater among the rest will truly fall and be defeated’ Geardrian told the fare maiden Destinie, ‘but you have many years ahead of your life. Once your time has come I’m sure you shall have an adventure worth speaking of and you shall pass it to your children and they will pass it to their children and you will be spoken of for many years. I can see it.’

‘How can you see it?’ Destinie questioned confused at the old man’s statement, ‘no one can see the future.’
‘True’ responded Geardrian, ‘but I do not need to see the future. You are worthy of great deeds and great tasks and you will prevail over all and show that you are truly someone to be song in songs and to be told in tales.’
Destinie walked eastward in the path in the middle of great hills and great homes. Banners danced in the wind and a lovely sound came from the south. The children gathered around Geardrian who loved to show the kids tricks and magic. Destinie walked up to where the Festival of the Moon will begin. In the center of the village where the ground is flat for a fourth of a mile. A stage was placed in the center of the hole and tables and chairs surrounded it. Destinie sat down on the stage’s edge and watched the kids and Geardrian from afar.
Destinie had a sad smile on her face and softly she told herself, ‘what if I never leave Gravince. Then how can I do something worth singing about? I am worried that my time to do something great is nearly up.’
Alas the day turned to night and everyone retired to their humble homes. Geardrian stayed with Destinie in the empty bedroom of Marth who went away. Destinie was uneasy to sleep. She wore a light-green gown with her hair tied up to a pigtail as she tossed and turned. Destinie worried much about her dear uncle that was like a father to her.
Finally the morning came and Geardrian was up before the sun. He stood outside enjoying what was left of the quiet peaceful night from before. Destinie jumped him in his merriment and said quietly so she wouldn’t break the silence too much, ‘Uncle Marth should be home today right Geardrian?’
Geardrian sat silent for a moment in deep thought and finally he turned to Destinie and responded also silently, ‘he should if all went well. But even in the peaceful Gravince murder can; be found but worry not dear maiden for I have faith that your uncle will return safely.’
The two watched the sunrise over hill and house. Little by little people emerged out of the homes and into the streets. Some went to school others went to farm or to open shop. Far off in the north a lone horse wonder in and Destinie gave out a shriek, ‘that’s my uncle’s horse!’
Destinie ran to the horse with Geardrian soon behind. The saddle was stained with blood and so was the horse’s back and tail. Destinie stood in silence and shock and Geardrian noticed an article of clothing wrapped around the horse’s front right leg. The old man grabbed the clothing and looked upon it. It was a dark blue color and had a white marking on it in the shape of an eagle.
Geardrian looked upon the clothing, ‘Aye’ he said at last breaking the silence, ‘I must examine and do some research. Once I have solved the riddle I shall talk with you again.’
Geardrian turned and walked back to the house. Destinie stood alone with the horse for a moment and then finally she took the horse to an open field where about seven horses roam free. She let Thunder, the horse; go into the field to run around with the other horses.
The young maiden returned to her house with Geardrian sitting at the table looking through books. The clothing was sitting near the edge of the table. Destinie went into the kitchen to start breakfast for it was still early morning. Geardrian looked upon book after book as trying to find some key to a treasure chest. The old man looked at a page closely after much searching and examined it long and hard with unblinking eyes.
‘Do you want anything thing?’ Destinie asked sticking her head out the kitchen’s door.
Geardrian looked up and said in a soft but charming voice, ‘yes please.’

Destinie came out with a plate with crispy bacon that was still steaming and juicy; some very thin but roasted ham that covered most of the plate, and some scrambled eggs that was a golden color and soft. Destinie handed Geardrian the plate and a glass of white milk. Destinie went to get a plate for herself and sat down in front of Geardrian.
‘Have you learned anything?’ Destinie asked cutting her ham. Geardrian looked up, ‘about the clothing? You seemed worried about it.’
‘Aye’ Geardrian said, ‘alas I believe their may be more to the riddle then I could find in any book. Strange things happen daily but none so strange as the white eagle. What does it mean? I do not know. I have traveled far and wide across Igros but never in my days have I come across the mark of the white eagle.’
Destinie went out after breakfast to clean Thunder while Geardrian studied long into the morning and even the afternoon. Soon the Festival of the Moon was about to begin for the sun was setting. At last Geardrian emerged from the House of the Silvers and went to the festival area. Children greeted him like always.
Fireworks flew into the sky and exploded and an aura of colors. Some blue, some red, some green, and some yellow. Geardrian laughed as the children ran this way and that. Destinie tried to smile but a tear ran down her face moaning the lose of her uncle...

Chapter II
Festival of the Moon


The people of Mayton cheered and clapped at the fireworks. The mayor of the village walked up on the stage. He was a bold man with a thick beard and was wearing glasses that were not too thick at all. He had on a blue suit with a pocket watch in his left pocket. A red shirt was under the jacket and he had on brown dress shoes.
‘Welcome Gravincers alike!’ the mayor shouted as the crowd died down a bit, ‘we are celebrating the six hundred and forty first birthday of are homeland Gravince!’ the crowd cheered a mighty roar then they fell silent to let the mayor continue, ‘aye. I have been your mayor for twenty long years and I couldn’t be more proud of the people I seen and met.’
‘We must not forget this special day’ the mayor continued, ‘when are forefathers from the west came they looked for a land where Hyland wouldn’t boss them around but they loved hills. And alas they chose the fair and lovely Gravince as their home! For many of a long years I learnt that the love of this village does not come from the land but from its people and I believe you will never find any friendlier people then the ones you meet here!’
The crowd clapped and cheered. The mayor placed his right hand on his breast and gave a bow. He lifted up again and continued once everything was silent, ‘let the Festival of the Moon begin! And for the next three days let it be a fair and grand festival!’
Fireworks shot up into the sky and brightened the dark night. A small band started to play music as the people danced. Geardrian sat at one of the tables in deep thought. A young man sat down next to him. He had long blonde hair that came to his shoulders. A green shirt matched that of leaves from an oak. His white pants matched that of a cloud. His brown boots looked like that of a door made from pine.
‘Bradon’ Geardrian said to the young man, ‘my dear friend Bradon. I should have known you would not miss a festival.’
‘Geardrian I come here only for the merriment’ Bradon responded swiftly, ‘I haven’t missed the Festival of the Moon since I was fourteen. The people are cheerful and the food is good. For once I can see people laughing and enjoying themselves instead of farming and shopping.’
Geardrian let lose a small laugh, ‘you truly are one of a kind Bradon. You take an arrow at hand and travel light as though you are only going down the road but yet you travel for many months.’

Bradon smiled and handed Geardrian an ale and they both drank. As Geardrian was drinking a sudden look of fear came to his face. He jolted to his feet and ran back to the house. Destinie saw him heading their and followed. Geardrian was inside when Destinie arrived grabbing his hat and staff.
‘Geardrian?’ Destinie asked, ‘where are you going?’
‘I must travel to Saigfred’s domain in Ethian’ Geardrian explained heading for the door, ‘I believe I solved the rubble but only Saigfred will know for sure. I must travel long and fast. I shall return in three months but threat not for I shall not be defeated in my travels. Speak nothing of the white eagle nor of the riders you saw.’

Geardrian went to the field and grabbed Marth’s horse Thunder and saddled up. With a farewell the horse jolted off like an arrow. Destinie gazed upon the horse until it went out of sight. Destinie returned to the festivities and joined Bradon who was enjoying ale.
‘Aye. Fair Destinie’ Bradon said placing his right hand on his breast and yawned, ‘where have you been off too and where of Geardrian? The old man ran off on me in the middle of a drink.’
‘He has matters he needs to attend to’ Destinie responded sitting down in front of Bradon, ‘He shall return the moment he can which I hope shall not take to long. Swiftly he rode on Thunder. Something is worrying him and he needs to find the answer.’
‘Aye’ Bradon responded, ‘he comes and goes as he pleases sometimes not stopping by any villages. He rides by quick like lighting to and fro like Igros was in the break of destruction. But come now. The night is young and you are fare. You should not be so worried in such merry times as these.’
‘You’re right Bradon my dear friend’ Destinie said, ‘I try to ignore these things which worries me but my heart is weighted by many things that I have no answers to. I wish I could have gone with Geardrian so I could at least know I’m going something worth doing.’
‘We all must learn are place’ Bradon exclaimed, ‘sometimes are place is big; as big as saving a village or kingdom or world; and sometimes its as small as keeping a single plant alive. Big or small everyone deserves to live no matter what the crime and learn to live life to the fullest and go out and have a good time.’
The mayor returned to the stage laughing a great loud laugh. The crowd died down to allow the mayor to speak, ‘fellow Gravincers’ the mayor shouted, ‘it is now time to decide who the this year’s Princess of Gravince! A contest all the young ladies love to do and the men love to watch!’
‘Has the judges picked the three ladies they want to add into the contest’ the mayor yelled. Three men as big as an ox with long dark hair walked to the stage. The first man walked forward.
‘Denise Heartson’ the guy said. A blonde haired lady leapt up out of her chair and got on stage. Flowing blonde hair that sparkled in the light of the torches with green eyes that matched the grass. The second man walked forward.
‘Destinie Silvers’ the second guy stated. Destinie walked up to the stage with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. Denise greeted Destinie on the stage with a friendly hug. The third man walked forward.
‘Rose Merry’ the final man said. A woman with dark brown hair ran to the stage wearing a pink and white dress. Her eyes were big and lovely like a peacock’s many tail feathers.
‘We have are women’ the mayor said after Rose got on stage, ‘now we shall decide who is worthy to be Princess of Gravince.’
‘Destinie is!’ Bradon shouted from the back. Destinie blushed a little after hearing that.
‘Settle down’ the mayor responded after a small chuckle, ‘are judges shall decide the winner. Now let the festival continue and tomorrow night we shall see who is are new Princess.’
The men walked off stage followed by the women and were taken to the mayor’s office in the eastern most part of town. Destinie was in the back for she was never picked before. Denise won Princess of Gravince twice and Rose won once but was chosen for one of the three four times. The mayor’s office stood alone away from most of the other houses sitting upon a small hill.

nice!

Thanks. I'm trying to get a RP for Judgment of Celestial: Grievous Cry started in the Role-Playing Forum

The door was round and green with a red handle that curved into a horse. Inside was a desk in the far side of the room with a couch to the left of the door on the wall. The girls sat down with Rose on the right side and Destinie on the left. The judges entered a room behind the desk. Soon the mayor entered and went into the back room.
‘This shall be three times I won’ Denise bragged trying to make Rose and Destinie angry, ‘it must be a curse to have such beauty.’
‘Don’t think too much of yourself for when I win’ Rose begun but froze for a moment then continued, ‘I will have every man from here to Merrierton after me.’
Denise laughed putting her hands over her mouth then responded, ‘such a foolish girl. I won two years in a row and you won once. I won last year with you in it so it is clear that they will pick me again.’
The door opened and the judges followed by the mayor left the room and stopped in front of the woman.
‘Like always we shall decide the Princess of Gravince tonight’ the mayor said calmly, ‘but we won’t announce it till tomorrow night, and we have made are choice.’
The mayor was silent for a second and looked at Rose. At that moment she smiled widely, ‘you are not the princess’ the mayor said at last and Denise felt like she won at that point but the mayor said, ‘Destinie is this year’s Princess of Gravince.’
Denise fell silent. Destinie smiled and stood up and said, ‘I-I won? What’s the prize for this thing anyway?’
‘Into the back room’ the mayor said with a smile. The other two ladies left followed by the judges. Destinie entered the room first. A large bed sat in the middle with green and white covers. A small desk sat next to it with a stool.
‘Please have a seat on the bed’ the mayor said. Destinie sat down at the foot of the bed.
‘So...when do I get my prize?’ Destinie questioned looking around the room. It was barely lit with but a single candle on the desk. The mayor sat down next to Destinie.
‘Oh...you’ll get it’ the mayor responded grabbing Destinie’s breast and kissed her. She pushed the mayor off her.
‘What are you doing!?’ Destinie screamed jumping to her feet.
‘What I do with everyone that wins the Princess of Gravince’ the mayor said pushing Destinie back onto the bed. Destinie kicked the mayor in the face and tried to open the door but it was locked, ‘no esca-‘
The window above the bed crashed open and a man with spiked black hair jumped in. He was holding a knife and was wearing a red tunic with white pants and black boots. Destinie smiled.
‘Alextor’ Destinie said glade to see her friend, ‘you followed me?’
‘Good thing I did. I couldn’t wait to see who won the contest but now I know what a terrible mayor we have’ Alextor said walking towards the mayor who was on his hands and knees.
‘Please don’t kill me...please’ the mayor begged.
‘Why shouldn’t I Richard Morse’ Alextor responded, ‘for too long you have been getting away with your little enjoyment.’
‘I beg you.’
‘Go. Leave Gravince’ Alextor said, ‘if ever I see you again I shall strike you were you stand. I shall take my knife and cut your throat and watch you bleed. I will cut off your fingers and toes one by one and I will leave you for the Belves to feast upon.’
The mayor had fear in his eyes. He opened the door and fled for his life. Alextor smiled and threw his knife to the ground.

‘You alright Destinie’ Alextor finally asked heading for the door.
‘Yeah’ Destinie smiled and walked with Alextor, ‘I’m just glade you came when you did.’
‘Let us return to the festival’
‘I agree’ Destinie responded. The two walked down the night road and arrived back at the festival. Alextor stood on the stage followed by Destinie and had everyone quiet down.
‘Destinie is the princess winner’ Alextor stated. Everyone was confused since it wasn’t suppose to be announced till tomorrow night, ‘the mayor of Mayton has ran off and will never return again. He fled south so we are mayor less at the moment.’
Bradon stepped onto the stage and walked over to Alextor and said, ‘then we need a new mayor as quickly as possible. I have always thought Richard was up to something but now he ran off proving he did something he couldn’t confess to the village without being tossed out of town.’
‘Threat not’ Alextor told Bradon, ‘for we shall find a new mayor when the festival is over and order returns. Are first act is to continue the festival and forget about Richard and his wickedness for the day and even the week and until we all pass from this world.’
The crowd cheered and the festival continued but a loud noise silenced everyone. The guard tower at the northern part of town rang a large bell over and over. Ten guards with red chain mail and a wooden shields and long spears and brass helmets ran to the tower. Bradon and Alextor followed after grabbing shield and spear. Far off over many hills a dark figure emerges running like a cheetah. The small figured was soon joined by three more and then four more and then six more until eighteen came charging towards the village.
‘What are they!?’ a guard shouted from below to the archers on the guard tower, ‘what approaches that needs us to stop the festival!?’
‘Belves!?’ The archer sounded. Three archers stood on the tower grabbing wooden bows and mass amounts of arrows preparing to fire upon the advancing shadows that gained on them. The twelve soldiers stood in a single line with shields up covering their body and spears out to form a pike line. The shadows were nearing...

Chapter III
Attack of the Belves


The guards stood ready to prepare for battle against the advancing Belves. Now their image begins to form. Their fur was dark and stood spiked up to give them a larger appearance. Sharp fangs filled their mouths with red eyes that glowed in the night. Sharp claws gave them great speed.
‘Brace yourselves!’ Bradon shouted. The three archers let lose their arrows. Only one of the three arrows hit a Belf in the back that caused it to flinch but not fall. The Belves collided into the soldiers. Four, including Alextor was thrown to their back by the impact.
Two Belves surrounded Bradon. One leapt at him but Bradon stabbed the beast in its forehead and blocked the other Belf’s assault with his shield but it broke in two.
Six Belves ran pass the tower and into the village. Alextor and two soldiers gave chase as women and children and men fled from the Belves. The archers aimed carefully but most of their arrows missed the Belves.
A soldier was thrown to the ground and his helmet fell off. A Belf got on his back and bit down on his neck and twisted it. It howled to the light of the moon but three arrows penetrated the beast’s head and it fell over motionless.
Panic was in the village. Six soldiers blocked the path over the river as the Belves charged. Spears out and shields up they prepared to hold back the Belves. The impact was like running into a wall for the Belves for these were the biggest men in all of Gravince.

The Belves retreated back into the hills. The remaining soldiers got into the board of the village and celebrated their victory but before any celebration could be said more Belves emerged over the hills. A larger group were most were bigger. A White Belf led the group and it was twice the size of the other Belves and it seemed to be the pack leader.
‘Reform the lines!’ the archer shrieked preparing to fire at the advancing Belves. The White Belf threw three soldiers to its sides and bit the one to its right. The other Belves collided with the group and another battle raged on.
The White Belf rammed the Guard Tower over and over and over until it fell unto a Belf and two soldiers below. The archers tried to escape but were soon surrounded by Belves.
‘Pull back!’ Alextor cried stabbing a Belf in the throat and running away followed shortly by Bradon and the remaining soldiers. Most couldn’t get too far for the Belves were too quick and too agile. The ran across the bridge into the eastern part of town and they made their stand their.
‘Brace yourselves! The White Belf is leading’ a soldier yelled to the others. Spears were out and shields were in front. Three stood guarding the bridge and the remaining helped those three brace for impact. The White Belf jumped like a horse clear over all of them. Alextor tried to slice it but he was pushed off the small wooden bridge. The other Belves rammed the soldiers. Bradon stabbed the White Belf in its head but to no avail. The Belf threw Bradon into the river. Alextor and Bradon both got out of the water with spears in hand.

Alextor and Bradon stuck down two Belves with their spears but Bradon let lose a cry, ‘to the Guard Station!’
The remaining twelve guards fled to the Guard Station but only eight managed to get in. The soldiers barricaded the door with a bookshelf that was to the left of the door. Alextor sat in a corner with spear over his shoulder. The Belves rammed the door trying to bust in. The soldiers held the shelf in place with all their might. Bradon walked over to Alextor.
‘What troubles you dear friend?’ Bradon asked.
‘The morning draws nearer by every passing minute but we still got an hour and a half till dawn’ Alextor spoke softly, ‘I would like to see the sunrise over the hills. It seems hopeless. We are outnumbered eight to sixty.’
‘Are chances are slim’ Bradon responded, ‘never before have the Belves attacked in such a fierce assault.’
It all went silent. The soldiers did not relax fearing for their lives. Loud cries from the Belves could be heard then suddenly the sound of men fighting also. Alextor ran up the stairs and looked out a round window.
‘Merrierton and Marton have come to are aid’ Alextor said to himself, ‘open the door! We must fight till death!!’
The soldiers threw the bookshelf to the ground as dozens among dozens of books fell unto the floor. The soldiers ran out the door that was dented and cracked. The Belves were far to the east fighting soldiers from Merrierton and Marton that had great numbers.
The soldiers of Mayton held out their spears and charged towards the battle. With a mighty wave many Belves fell to the ground. The White Belf howled and the Belves fled to the northwest towards the Silence Woods.
Ten archers emerged from the back rows and let lose a horde of arrows which stuck down many Belves. The beasts begun to turn to the west. The lines were reformed preparing for another attack. Archers stood in the back but that was the fatal error.
A group of Belves attacked from behind. The soldiers turned and fight but the White Belf and Belves struck a hard blow to the group from their backs. All the soldiers laid dead or motionless on the hills out of the board of Mayton.
The White Belf ran back into the village with the Belves and after a short time went running to the woods with children in their mouths still alive. Bradon, Alextor, and seven other soldiers stood and looked upon the running group.
‘We have to save them’ Bradon said.
‘I know’ Alextor responded. A Belf stopped and saw them standing. Then twelve Belves charged at the nine men, ‘reform the line!’
Spears were forward and they charged at the Belves. A shocking impact for most of the Belves fell to the ground and only two soldiers were lost. The White Belf fled from the village with Destinie screaming in its claws for the White Belf ran on its rear legs.
‘Come on!’ Bradon shouted running down the hill, ‘we must give chase for dawn approaches!’
Only Alextor followed. The remaining turned and walked off heading home. Alextor said to Bradon, ‘we cannot defeat a large group with just us.’
‘Correct you are’ Bradon replied, ‘we need the guardian of the forests, the Kiltons to assist us and if possible the Catlons. Come we run through the remaining night and day hoping to catch them before the next sunset!’

Though they ran they traveled over the many hills separating them from Silence Woods. The sun slowly raised and it casted away the night and darkness that seemed to have lasted longer then anyone hoped.
‘The woods are near!’ Bradon shouted.
‘I know!’ Alextor responded as the two ran swiftly and spear and shield on hand. They came to the edge of the woods. Leaves covered the floor of the forest. The trees were tall and twisted in every such way. They took a deep breath, ‘this shall be my first time entering these woods.’
‘Mine to’ Bradon told his companion, ‘but fear not for we have come to aid are friends and not to explore.’
Bradon and Alextor shock their heads and slowly entered the woods. Sunlight was cut off but it did give out a little through the gaps in the trees. A squirrel ran across the forest floor and up a tree. Alextor and Bradon looked at one another and then in front and off they were...

holy crap can u rite anymore ! jesus

Chapter IV
Silence Woods


Alextor and Bradon rushed through the woods until the finally stopped. The trees were thick and showed no sign of sunlight. Alextor examined the area trying to find a clue on which way the Belves fled.
‘I cannot see any sign’ Alextor said at last, ‘I cannot see the sun nor is their moss to determine are direction. The Belves could have fled any which way.’
‘Then let us pick a path and hope it’s correct’ Bradon said looking around, ‘this way.’
The two moved through the trees with spear in hand and shield on their back. They ran for hours with no sign of the Belves. It seemed hopeless for the adventurers not even knowing themselves which way to go. All the paths seemed exactly the same.
‘We need to rest’ Bradon told his comrade, ‘we should find something to eat before moving on.’
‘I agree’ Alextor responded, ‘I have seen my deer and many birds that could be eaten but now we must find one. Alas the deer seem to flee before we even get anywhere close to them. We need to set a trap.’
‘Aye’ Bradon said, ‘to catch a deer you must outsmart the deer. Come, the Belves will be hard to find. Let us restore are energy before advancing forward with haste.’

Alextor and Bradon set off examining the ground as they walk. At last Bradon took out a long coil of silk rope and handed it to Alextor. Alextor tied one end to the base of a tree and Bradon did to another barely off the ground. The river was just a little yards behind the trees with the rope.
Alextor and Bradon hid and waited long. Hours it seemed for them to wait when a large deer appeared wondering through the forest. The deer wasn’t at all big but it could feed two people.
The deer galloped through the trees before tripping over the rope. Alextor and Bradon leapt out and stabbed the deer with their spears and killed it.
‘Dinner at last’ Bradon said lifting the corpse and throwing it over his right shoulder, ‘let us start a fire and cock it before it soils.’
The two wondered through the woods until coming into a small clearing. Bradon tossed the deer down and started to search for rocks while Alextor searched for firewood. When returning they each had plenty to last the night.
Alextor started a campfire and cocked the deer corpse. Bradon and Alextor sat silent while their meal cocked. The fire gave off little smoke and at last they could see the setting sun. All day they traveled searching for the Belves.
When the deer was done they feasted on it. Bradon looked up and said, ‘shall we rest here tonight? No point in traveling in the dark that you can’t see where you wonder.’
‘Aye’ Alextor said, ‘we shall rest here tonight and continue search for Destinie and the children tomorrow. Come, eat. I have gathered water at the river we could use to wash it down. The deer is not tender but very juicy. The day dies down and we need rest for we have had none in quite some time I do believe.’

Alextor fell right to sleep after wrapping himself in his cloak with spear at hand. Bradon had a queer feeling and couldn’t fall to sleep. He had many questions and many thoughts unanswered. The moon appeared above the trees and Bradon saw a dark winged figure high in the night sky flying northwest.
Bradon had his hands behind his head and looked into the moon. It was half in shadow but it did give light. Bradon couldn’t guess what that strange winged figured was that flew by but it didn’t bother him too much.
Bradon awakened with Alextor getting a long drink of water. Alextor swallowed the water and looked at Bradon and said, ‘come. We have to locate are allies and hope they still live.’
Bradon stood up and nodded his head and the two ran off at quick speeds. They haven’t ran too long when Alextor stopped them noticing a necklace stuck in a branch. Alextor picked it up and the two continued off hoping now they were in the right direction.

Destinie woke up in the hands of the White Belf leading several other Belves with children into the woods. The Lead Belf spoke to the others in tongues not common in Gravince. The Belves stopped and had the kids and Destinie thrown into the middle of an ancient fortress ruin that was used long ago during the Revolutionary War of Gravince.
The children were still out cold and Destinie feared to move. The White Belf took a long sniff and said in common tongue, ‘we are being followed.’
The other Belves turned and surrounded the children. Destinie’s first thought were Bradon and Alextor were coming to save her and the kids. She smiled a little but it vanished when the White Belf howled.
A horn rang through the forest and echoed at the ruins. Louder and louder it seemed that whoever was blowing was advancing towards the Belves. The White Belf howled after every horn was blown.

Alextor and Bradon heard a faint howl followed by a war horn. Alextor said softly, ‘we’re heading in the right-‘
Before they could finish women jumped down from the trees and surrounded them. They were beautiful women but had cat like ears instead of human ears and cat like tails. They each wore a green shirt and brown pants, shorts, and skirts. One with long blonde hair stepped forward.
‘Why are you in my woods Gravincers?’ the woman said with a charming voice, ‘this area is for the supreme Catlons...not men.’
‘We are catching a group of Belves’ Bradon begun, ‘they attacked are village and took a friend and children captive and fled into the woods.’
‘I see’ the woman responded, ‘I am Princess Jennifer of the Catlon Tribe. If this is true why have we not seen any Belves?’
‘They were being led by a large White Belf’ Alextor told her, ‘heading due north when we last saw them. We have been after them since last night.’
Jennifer looked at the two in great thought, ‘no man is allowed in are woods unless they can defeat myself or one of the Catlon Elites in combat. We don’t take to kindly of your kind men.’
‘But have I not befriended you?’ a voice asked that was deep. A man is a green clock with the hood up appeared. A brown uniform was under it with a bow almost the size of him and a sword wrapped on his waist. He towered over the Catlons who are only around five foot eight inches. Jennifer seemed please with his arrival.

The man spoke to Jennifer silently then the princess said, ‘this is Joran, Captain of Gandriar. He traveled here once long ago with his younger brother Jaro to explore Silent Woods. Both proved worthy of the Catlons.’
‘It is pleased to me you’ Joran said, ‘but for the record. I am no Ranger. I am but a soldier of Gandriar who managed to find this bow and wears this to blend into the woods.’
‘I am Alextor. And this is Bradon’ Alextor said introducing themselves, ‘we traveled hoping that the Kiltons and Catlons would aid us to defeat the Belves.’
‘I will go with you’ Joran said, ‘for this White Belf I have met before but he managed to escape my squad before we could finish it. The beast fled south along the river until it came to Gravince.’
‘I will also go with you’ Jennifer said, ‘but the remaining Catlons will meet us at the ruined fortress with more warriors.’
The Catlons ran off. Joran and Jennifer stayed standing in front of Bradon and Alextor. Bradon broke the silence, ‘which way to the Kiltons?’
‘They are only a few miles west from here’ Joran said, ‘we must make haste if we are to find them to save your friends.’
The four ran off through the trees. They ran for hours pass trees and over hills. Joran led the group followed by Bradon then Alextor and finally Jennifer. Finally Joran stopped for a group of fox like creatures were in front of them.
They were a bit smaller then the Belves but had smooth fur that was of bright color and shinned through the sunbeams breaking into the forest. These creatures had two tails with white spots on the end of them. Joran, Alextor, Bradon, and Jennifer approached.
‘Great Kiltons’ Jennifer said, ‘we need your aid. The Belves have entered Silence Woods and must be defeated.’
The largest Kilton said back to them, ‘I am Grass. Chief Kilton. The Belves entering are woods is bad. We must defeat them before they reach the villages.’
‘They have’ Bradon said, ‘they taken children captive after a fierce battle. We lost good men but it seems we still have a chance to save them with your help.’
‘We will go with you’ Grass said, ‘and defeat the Belves before they cause any more harm.’
‘Thank you’ Alextor said kneeling, ‘we are in your debt.’
‘No need. We are the Guardians of the Forest. Come we are off to find the Belves’ Grass shouted as the Kiltons howled.
‘We need to group with my finest warriors’ Jennifer responded when all went silent, ‘they will meet us at the ruined fortress northeast from here.’
With that Alextor, Bradon, Joran, Jennifer, Grass, and forty Kiltons ran off. It was tiring work for Alextor and Bradon have been running for miles. The sun reached high into the sky. Bradon looked up in a clearing and saw a winged figure flying south. Bradon wondered what that was.

At last they arrived at the fortress ruins. About sixty Catlons have gathered at the ruins and awaited the group. Jennifer walked forward and yelled to her warriors, ‘prepare yourself! The Belves are fierce enemies that show no mercy! A White Belf bigger then any other I seen is leading the group. We need to locate them as soon as possible in order to save Gravincers and keep are woods safe. We must show these Belves that we are stronger!!’

‘I have seen them’ a Catlon with short blonde hair said, ‘they are not to far from here. Northeast was last I saw them.’
‘Then we travel northeast!’ Jennifer shouted and with that the entire group ran off heading into what they hope to be a battle. Night fell over the land and the group halted and made camp. Most of Kiltons and Catlons were hungry. Alextor talked silently with Joran.
‘What does a soldier of Gandrian need down here?’ Alextor asked.
‘I came down here once ten years ago’ Joran said, ‘along with my younger brother. We were sent by the Stewart to update the maps. My brother is an excellent Ranger and located the Catlon Village. That was before Princess Jennifer was born.’
‘How old is she?’ Alextor questioned, ‘she looks around twenty.’
‘She is only four’ Joran said, ‘but they age quickly in childhood but slow down. Most Catlons live to be a hundred and twenty but they look around twenty for a hundred years.’
‘Where’s your brother?’
‘He’s in the far west with fellow Rangers. The land of Darkice has been acting odd these days so he went to check it out.’
Alextor laid down and looked into the trees for a while then fell asleep. Morning came swiftly and the group mobilized just as fast. Jennifer led the Catlons and Grass led the Kiltons. Alextor, Bradon, and Joran stood in the middle and ran with the group.

‘Walk up slimes’ the White Belf yelled.
‘Lord Melkey’ a Belf said to the White Belf, ‘we are almost ready to move out.’
‘Almost?’ Melkey shouted, ‘we should have been ready hours ago. We shall leave the woods and travel north. Kiltons won’t stop us this hour. Prepare to leave now!’
Destinie was awakened by the yelling. The children were silent with wide eyes. Destinie was in the middle of a stone circle that was missing a part in the southern area. Three Belves sat next to the forest as guards to make sure no one enters or leaves. A large column was behind Destinie that was cracked near the bottom.
The White Belf, Melkey howled followed by the other Belves. They are stood to their feet but the three Belves on guard were ambushed. Many Catlons jumped out of the trees and used their sharp claws to kill the Belves. Melkey saw it all.
‘So Catlons are trying to stop us?’ Melkey questioned, ‘kill them all!’
The Belves lined up and ran towards the Catlons. Jennifer stood in front and had the Catlons get into two rows and prepare for battle. The Belves jumped at them but before they could hit them, Kiltons leapt from behind the Catlons and forced the Belves to the ground.
‘What!? Retreat Belves! Take the prisoners!!’ Melkey said grapping Destinie but was jumped from behind by Grass, Joran, and Alextor. Bradon battled three Belves that ran around him.
Melkey dropped Destinie and threw Alextor into the column. Joran threw his clock over Melkey’s head and stabbed the beast in his leg. Melkey let lose a loud roar that could be heard at Mayton. Melkey tossed the clock off and threw Joran into Alextor who just stood back up.
The Catlons and Kiltons were defeating the Belves throughout the ruined fortress. Melkey feared for his life at that moment and returned to all fours and fled heading north. A few Belves managed to flee from the battle and they too ran north. The Kiltons persuaded the fleeing Belves and managed to kill a few more.

Bradon and Alextor helped Destinie and the kids to their feet. Destinie said to the two happily, ‘what took you so long?’
‘Big forest, what can I say?’ Alextor responded. Jennifer approached the two.
‘Come’ the princess said, ‘we have defeated the Belves. Let us return to the Catlon village and celebrate.’
‘We should take the kids home’ Bradon said.
‘Leave that to us’ Grass told them. The kids mounted the Kiltons and headed south back to Mayton. Jennifer and the Catlons led the group to their village. The walk there was long but relaxing. Joran walked swiftly to the front after discarding the bow and clock he located and wondered to the front next to Jennifer.
The two spoke in the Catlon tongue where Alextor, Destinie, nor Bradon could understand. Alas they came to the boarders of the Catlon Village...

Chapter V
Village of the Catlons



Most of the village was built high in the trees with bridges that connected them. A circle was in the middle of the village that was covered in dirt and sand. Many Catlons wondered to and fro through the village. Jennifer escorted them to the circle.
‘Welcome to the Catlon Village’ she said to the group, ‘you may stay as long as you like for today we celebrate a victory over the Belves.’
‘And what a victory it was’ Alextor responded, ‘through trees we ran and many we slain. A fine story this shall make back home in Gravince.’
‘A fine story indeed’ Jennifer added, ‘but remember that the White Belf still lurks. We must be on guard until we have slain the beast for a White Belf never gives up its task. It may retreat for a day or two but only to render up more Belves to attack in a larger group.’
‘I must head off now’ Joran said, ‘I have overstayed my visit and now I must return to Gandrian.’
With that Joran said his farewells and traveled out on his mighty horse that was brown and fair with a short black tail. Joran rode off through the forest. The Catlons gave the travelers a warm welcome that made sure they remembered their journey.
Alextor wondered through the village and came into what appeared to be a library. Books were on every wall from the bottom to the top. Books everywhere and scrolls of old. Alextor looked around and saw a book that said: Serrago and the War
Alextor thought of that name for a second before picking up the book and reading it:

The year is 2424. The first age of the East:
The two great kingdoms of Igros have made peace after twelve years of war. Gandrian and Hyland now have a great alliance. Six Sages have been given the given the task to uphold the treaty. The Sages are named Serrago being the strongest, Marick, Bearto, Fortta, Thunian, and Volta.
For many years they kept the peace and was given the fortress, Ethian as their home and base. But Serrago became too powerful. He went to the west searching for a greater kingdom. Serrago searched and searched until arriving at the dark lands of Darkice. Their on the mountain Vovlian he built a great tower and fortress he named Diablen.
Soon Serrago gathered vast armies to his command of Dai-orks, Belves, and Agres. Before the year’s end he had an army great enough to invade the east but the Five Sages saw this and told the kings of Gandrian and Hyland. They mobilized fast and launched a full scale invasion on Darkice. The greatest battle of this age begun. King Greta of Gandrian and King Rand of Hyland led their forces to battle. For three days the armies of Darkice held but now became too few to stop Gandrian and Hyland and begun to flee further into Darkice.

Two more days went on before the armies of the east reached Mount Vovlian. The grand armies of the east stormed the fortress for four days until at last they broke the doors of Diablen. But Serrago had one last trick to perform. He mustered up his full power and was about to destroy all of Igros in a single flash but the Five Sages sealed him away.
Serrago’s reign over Igros ended and the kings found what gave Serrago power beyond limits. The pendent of Celestial was then taken south by the Catlons and placed into the Tower of Celestial hopefully to remain forever.

Bradon entered the room and asked Alextor, ‘what are you doing in here? The celebration is grand.’
‘I was just reading a little of the history of Igros’ Alextor said putting the book back, ‘come. Let us enjoy the celebration.’
The two walked back outside. They were high above the ground on a wooden platform. Night has fallen over the land and the Catlons cheered and celebrated. Destinie ran up to Alextor and Bradon.
‘Where have you two been?’ she questioned, ‘Princess Jennifer has summoned us to her home in the northern part of the village.’
‘Wonder what for?’ Alextor thought out loud, ‘we’ll find out I guess.’
The three walked north over the wooden bridges and platforms and arrived at the largest house with two round windows pointing south on both sides of the door. The door was large and red where two people could walk in a row. Alextor entered first followed by Destinie and then Bradon. Jennifer was seated in a large chair with a Catlon standing on both sides.
‘Travelers from the south’ Jennifer started, ‘it troubles me to wonder why you two gave chase to a large group of Belves with no aid. Were they killed on the quest or do you just think to highly in your skills? Come, tell me.’
‘We battled throughout the night against the Belves’ Alextor said, ‘holding them back as long as we could. When the sun rose they took Destinie and the kids captive and we gave chase. A few soldiers remained alive but they refused to come.’
‘An act of bravery is most noble’ Jennifer responded to Alextor’s response, ‘you should be honored when you return for your bravery and you shall also be honored here for assisting us in defeating the Catlons.’
‘Destinie’ Jennifer said standing and walking towards her, ‘something about you seems familiar. Do you have an uncle or father or brother?’
‘An uncle’ Destinie told her sadly, ‘Marth was his name but I have reason to believe he is dead.’
‘Dead?’ Jennifer questioned Destinie’s statement, ‘he’s not dead. For a few days now Marth Silvers have been living with us here in the village. He spends his time in the eastern part of town writing some book of his tale.’
‘Marth is alive!!’ Destinie shouted, ‘I must go!’
Destinie ran out of the building and went east searching high and low. Finally she saw her uncle writing under candle light on his book sitting at a table below a wooden platform. He looked up and said to her happily, ‘Destinie my dear. What brings you out this far? I guess I should have told you but I wanted some peace and quiet and people wouldn’t stop visiting if I told them.’

‘You could have told me’ Destinie said sadly.
‘But you do tell secrets easily Destinie’ Marth responded, ‘and besides. You would come to visit me and people would wonder where you went and followed you one day. It was all done to keep my secrets.’
‘I guess so’ Destinie said. She walked over and sat down next to him, ‘where are you at in the book?’
‘In the arrival at Fartian where I met Geardrian once again’ Marth told her, ‘what a day that was. The old fool traveled to Gandra to find some scroll about an event long since passed that gave us little help.’

Alextor and Bradon sat in the dinning room with Jennifer. Alextor said, ‘so...is every Catlon a female or is their some male Catlons around here or west of the river some place?’
‘Their has never been a male Catlon’ Jennifer responded, ‘are species have been nothing but women since as far back as records could tale. No male has ever been born from a Catlon.’
‘So how do you have children?’ Bradon asked confused.
‘An old ritual’ she said, ‘men travel to Silence Woods a lot for reason unexplained. When a Catlon spots a male they battle and if the man wins the Catlon will mate with him to make the next generation Catlons stronger.’
‘Makes sense’ Alextor said, ‘I guess. What will happen if men stop coming into the forest? What will you do then?’
‘I guess my people will die out’ Jennifer said, ‘it has been a worry for us for many years. I can only image what it will be like. Few Catlons remain even today for men don’t come here as seldom as they use to. Wars in the east and west send men into huge battles against one another. Now I fear that the end of the Catlons isn’t too far away.’
‘Have you thought about leaving the woods?’ Bradon questioned when the thought arrived in his head.
‘Aye’ Jennifer said, ‘but alas Catlons do not like living away from the forest for any day. We would rather die then depart from the woods we so dearly love. And it seems it is going down that way but my heart wants to leave the woods and explore the outside world. I want to see mountains Marth told us about. I want to see the grand city of Gandra the old Geardrian explained to us about. I want to see the ocean and its tides.’
‘Why not come with us?’ Alextor asked, ‘we could show you these things and more for Bradon and myself are very good explorers and travelers.’
‘You would take a Catlon with you?’ she asked.
‘We would and will’ Alextor responded, ‘if you find peace and love and happiness outside the forest maybe the other Catlons will follow and also find peace and love and happiness. It doesn’t have to end just because you’re afraid to leave the woods.’
‘Thank you kind sir’ Jennifer said, ‘I shall go with you.’
‘Then we shall leave at first light tomorrow morning’ Alextor said as he drank from his mug, ‘and we shall head south and wait Geardrian who gave us a long wait as Bradon told me few days ago.’
‘Aye’ Bradon said, ‘and we must also bring Destinie with us for her heart lies in an adventure where she will prove that her life is worth having. You two have became friends in such a short time Jennifer. We will make an excellent team.’

wow u been really buy lately havent u

‘This is very queer’ Alextor said, ‘not everyday you would see three humans traveling with a Catlon princess.’

Destinie noticed a little boy wondering through the village. His hair passed his eyes but curled to make it stay above his brows. He was wearing a green and white shirt and brown pants with black boots. He didn’t look older then ten. Destinie got up and walked over to him.
‘Little boy what are you doing here?’ she asked.
‘I wanted to see the Catlon Village’ the child responded.
‘What’s your name?’ Destinie asked another question.
‘Elijah Diadem son of Elisah’ the boy said, ‘what’s your?’
‘I’m Destinie Silvers’ she responded, ‘come meet my uncle. Did you follow us on your own?’
‘Yep’ he said proudly, ‘my father was a great adventurer also so I guess I have my dad’s blood in me after all.’
Destinie took Elijah over to Marth who was hard at work on his book. Marth looked up and said, ‘this boy reminds me of Elisah.’
‘He was my father’ Elijah told Marth, ‘but he went north to Irony to gather information on a story he’s working on about his adventures in the south and east. I stayed in Mayton with my aunt but the Belves took me away.’
‘I see’ Marth said wondering, ‘what a nimble little boy you must be to travel to the Catlon Village. You said Elisah was in Irony? I will travel their to meet my old friend who I traveled with in the south and east.’
‘Can I come?’ Destinie asked, ‘I always wanted to see Irony and the northern lands.’
‘I’m going to’ Elijah said, ‘I want to see my father again.’
‘Very well’ Marth said. Alextor, Bradon, and Jennifer walked up. Marth turned and said, ‘we three are heading north to Irony.’
‘Irony?’ Bradon asked, ‘whatever for?’
‘To see an old friend’ Marth replied, ‘care to come or is this where we part paths?’
‘I shall go’ said Alextor.
‘Same here’ Jennifer said.
‘Me too I guess’ Bradon said not sounding too sure. The six nodded their heads and retired for the night. At light of the first day the group met in the circle. Bradon was the last to arrive, ‘where to?’
‘To the north’ Marth said. With that the six travelers headed north as the Catlons waved farewell. Marth took the front followed by Alextor and Destinie and Elijah traveled side by side followed by Jennifer and Bradon bringing up the rear. For two days they traveled north until finally they left Silence Woods and could see the great plains. As flat as far as they could see both to the north and east…

Chapter VI
Journey North


The group continued heading north. They stood near the River of Life that travels west of the Lone Mountains and curves west towards the Getian Mountains and merges with the Getian River that runs southwest until it merges with the Igrian Ocean just south of the Maldarian River.
The Lone Mountains were small black figures to the group as they entered their third day of traveling after they left Silence Woods. They set up camp in the plains. Marth, Bradon, and Alextor were well packed for the quest up.
Bradon started a small fire and cooked stew for the night. Alextor had plenty of water for everyone to drink and they could refill it with the river. Marth gave Bradon and Alextor spears and gave Elijah a short sword he called Execute. Elijah took fond of Destinie who treated him as a younger brother.
Throughout the night Marth, Alextor, and Bradon took turns keeping watch in the night until the sun rose in the east. The ground rumbled when everyone was up. Marth looked as far north as he could and said, ‘knights from Hyland approach!’
About twenty knights with spears and shields rode up. Their armor was red and gold and the helmet covered their noses. They had boots that reached their knees that spiked out in the tip. The horses were larger then the ones found in Gravince. The twenty riders stopped in front of the six and a large rider got off his horse and approached Marth.
‘What brings knights from Hyland to Gravince?’ Marth questioned as he was talking to a child that broke his window.
‘We are searching for a group of Belves’ the rider replied quickly, ‘a White Belf led a group south and a few days ago we managed to locate their tracks and traces on where they were off to.’
‘The Belves have fled north’ Jennifer said cutting in, ‘my kindred and Kiltons overpowered them and forced them from the forest and they fled towards the Lone Mountains.’
‘I see’ the rider said, ‘I am Jeremiah son of Jerome. We came here after Saigfred passed on from this world and Solomon took control of Ethian.’
‘Solomon’ Alextor thought out loud, ‘have you seen Geardrian?’
‘Geardrian? I know no…Geardrian must be his name in these parts’ Jeremiah said, ‘but we know him as Obadiah.’
‘Obadiah’ Marth said, ‘the same Obadiah that led the armies of Gandrian into a grand victory in the south?’
‘The same’ Jeremiah responded, ‘and he proved to be the greatest general Gandrian has ever had. His words alone will encourage a small army of a hundred into victory against twenty thousand well armed soldiers. Alas we have overstayed. We must continue heading south and we shall return to Hyland from the southern river known as Raze River. If we meet again then perhaps we can talk more.’
‘Farewell’ Marth said. Jeremiah remounted his horse and in a swift flash the twenty knights rode south at quick speeds. They turned a little to the east so they could go around Silence Woods.

HOLY SH!T DUDE !

Marth was silent the rest of the evening. The Lone Mountains stood less then six miles away at nightfall. Elijah fell right to sleep while Marth slowly sang a song. He started low to a mummer but slowly everyone could here the words:

The men needed a leader they did sought, Obadiah came and led them as they fought, taking only sword in hand with no other they rode to victory

Marth fell silent again. Alextor was the second to go to sleep. Alas Jennifer broke the silent, ‘so how much longer till we reach Irony? I would like to get their soon. Are we at least more then half of the way there or do we still have a journey ahead.’
‘We shall arrive in three days’ Marth said, ‘if all goes well. We will pass the Lone Mountains tomorrow. We’ll go around them in the west and continue northward. We mustn’t go in the Lone Mountains for terrible creatures lurk that Elisah and myself seen forty years ago.’
Morning seemed to take forever but when it did everyone was off. Elijah spent most of his time looking at a strange pendent. It was a blue circle with a yellow cross going through it and around it with a red jewel in the middle. Destinie wondered about it but didn’t ask.
The Lone Mountains was now large and long with snow at the peaks. Marth led the group northwest going around the mountain. The finally reached the foot of the mountains and Elijah looked into it with amazement in his eyes. Jennifer didn’t want to go to the top for it was too high for her taste.
Before the could make it half way around the mountain a loud cry echoed through the plains seeming to come from every direction. Mist covered the ground and fear went through everyone’s hearts.
Destinie grabbed Elijah in her arms as the cry got louder. A high pitched shirk that ended in a low note and came from every which way. Marth, Alextor, and Bradon held out their spears waiting for anything. From the north appeared a huge creature about three times the size of a horse.
Large fangs filled its mouth and it had a scaly body that was hard and cold. The large legs bent low so the beast was as close to the ground as a horse with large claws that curved into the ground. It had two large tails that swung left and right as it walked towards the group.
On it was mounted a single person. It was covered in a black hood and all anyone could see of his face were red glowing eyes. Dark blue mist came out of the hood and it flew to the north. Gantlets could be seen extending out where the large sleeves ended. Silver gantlets with a triangle on it. A sword was strapped to its waste.
‘Stand down’ the black hooded being said in a low shriveling voice that forced Jennifer herself to take a step back. Two more beasts with black hooded riders came up from the south. The first one continued, ‘we seek what was lost in ages pass.’
Before long two were on both sides of the team. Marth knew no other way so he shouted, ‘to the mountains!’ and with that everyone fled into the Lone Mountains. The black hooded being gave chase on their dragon like beasts revealing some of their upper head that was a skull. Some had a crack over the eye or on the forehead.

The mountain sloped up through rock and dust and sand. Elijah had the most trouble getting up the mountain in such a haste but Destinie was their to aid him. Marth took the group up a curved path were an arch led into a tunnel. The four Black Warriors continued to gain on their prey on top of their fierce beasts.
‘Inside quickly!’ Marth shouted. Bradon and Jennifer were the first to enter the tunnel that sloped down very rapidly. The tunnel was made of stone and was built by humans and not nature. Destinie and Elijah were the next two to jump into the tunnel followed by Alextor and then Marth.
The tunnel sloped down for half a mile before becoming leveled. The four warriors did not slow their pace. Marth ran as fast as he could through a smaller tunnel that led into a circular room with ten paths heading in every which way. Marth took the path second left from the middle and the group all followed.

It seem everyone ran for half an hour before halting for the noise had died down. Everyone sat down and gathered into a circle. Marth sat next to his niece then it was Elijah and Jennifer sat next to him followed by Bradon and Alextor.
‘We have come into a deadly place’ Marth said softly. ‘This place is called Raqara and it is home of many dangers. It was foolish to travel in here but we were being chased by four unknown warriors of darkness. We shall rest here for I have no knowledge now if it is still light or dark. We shall eat then sleep then eat again before heading off so rest well and long.’
Elijah did not wait to eat before he fell asleep on Destinie’s lap. Alextor wondered around a bit but not going too far as to lose sight of his comrades. Jennifer and Bradon ate to their fill while Marth and Destinie talked softly to one another so only they could hear it. Alextor sat down to feed on the ham Bradon cooked after ten minutes. Jennifer was very full and feel asleep rather quickly.
Bradon was the next to wonder to sleep followed by Alextor. Marth too feel asleep after an hour has passed but a little after that time Elijah wakened and hungry. Destinie kept him company for they both fed till their likings.
Alextor was the first to wake after six hours or so have passed. The young warrior awakened Bradon so they may examine the area. The two headed up the path and came into a fork in the tunnels.
‘Which way?’ Alextor asked out loud. Bradon pointed to the right one and the two went in. They didn’t notice the strange markings in the middle of the paths. The warriors came unto a large wooden bridge and below they could see dozens of other bridges and trolleys that were left here long ago.
The two crossed the bridge and continued heading down the path coming into a very large room with rows of columns keeping the roof in place. Bradon turned to Alextor and said very quietly, ‘we should head back now.’
Alextor nodded and the two headed back to leave but a loud shirk froze them in their tracks. Their were four doors in the room. Each on one of the four walls that were lined up with one another. From each door walked in a dark warrior from before on its mighty beast. Alextor and Bradon held their spears and shields tightly.
All four warriors drew their swords and dismounted their beast and walked slowly towards them. Soon they stood only a few feet away from Alextor and Bradon who were back to back in the middle of the room.

All four warriors had their sword vertically and in front of their faces with both hands. Marth leapt out of the shadows and knocked one of the warriors down and shouted, ‘run! Through that door!’
He pointed and all three ran soon followed by the dark warriors on their deadly creatures. A bridge sat ahead with a staircase that turned upwards leading through a door that shinned nightlight. Destinie, Elijah, and Jennifer were already on the staircase shouting at their comrades to quicken their haste.
Alextor and Bradon ran over the bridge. Below it seemed like a bottomless pit that led to an endless void. Marth stopped before the bridge and shouted, ‘go now! I shall show these warriors my valor!’
Alextor and Bradon had to pull Destinie up the staircase as the four warriors laid their attacker to a quick death. The bridge collapsed and the four warriors had to turn and go back. Destinie laid on her hands and knees outside the exit. Bradon lifted her to her feet as they saw Irony not to far away.
The night was bright for the full moon shined ever brightly. Stars filled the sky as the group traveled onward with Alextor leading and Bradon was at the rear. The entire company was silent but alas they reached Irony before ten…

Please ingore the last part. I am extending the Lone Mountains scene. Thank you

The mountain sloped up through rock and dust and sand. Elijah had the most trouble getting up the mountain in such a haste but Destinie was their to aid him. Marth took the group up a curved path were an arch led into a tunnel. The four Black Warriors continued to gain on their prey on top of their fierce beasts.
‘Inside quickly!’ Marth shouted. Bradon and Jennifer were the first to enter the tunnel that sloped down very rapidly. The tunnel was made of stone and was built by humans and not nature. Destinie and Elijah were the next two to jump into the tunnel followed by Alextor and then Marth.
The tunnel sloped down for half a mile before becoming leveled. The four warriors did not slow their pace. Marth ran as fast as he could through a smaller tunnel that led into a circular room with ten paths heading in every which way. Marth took the path second left from the middle and the group all followed.

It seem everyone ran for half an hour before halting for the noise had died down. Everyone sat down and gathered into a circle. Marth sat next to his niece then it was Elijah and Jennifer sat next to him followed by Bradon and Alextor.
‘We have come into a deadly place’ Marth said softly. ‘This place is called Raqara and it is home of many dangers. It was foolish to travel in here but we were being chased by four unknown warriors of darkness. We shall rest here for I have no knowledge now if it is still light or dark. We shall eat then sleep then eat again before heading off so rest well and long.’
(Here's where the changes begin)They made camp in a large room that held out the ceiling with six columns are near the wall. The old door was large, about six inches thick, but half was on the ground and the other barely stayed on the doorway. Marth sat on the door that was on the floor in two separate pieces now pondering his next move.
Bradon took out his supplies in his bag and cooked a fine ham for everyone to fest upon but Elijah fell quickly asleep with his head on Destinie’s lap who sat near a column with her legs curved under her and she kept a hand on Elijah’s head to comfort him. Jennifer and Bradon were the first to eat and they sat close to the fire across from one another talking softly.
Alextor sat with Marth after walking around the room a bit and said, ‘once we escape Bellock what is are next move?’
‘The end of Bellock is a two to three day trip if we don’t get lost in these halls’ Marth responded, ‘then we shall continue northward and to Irony. It shall only take a few hours after we escape the mines.’
‘Aye’ Alextor spoke softly, ‘then we shall find Elisah and wait for Obadiah the Wise or as we know him, Geardrian. But those four black warriors is what troubles me the most. Who were they and what do they want with us?’
‘I don’t think they were after us’ Marth said quietly for only Alextor to hear, ‘but Elijah. That pendant I saw him look at was like that found in Sole Mountain with Elisah and I traveled long before. He must have given it to his son before his travels. I do believe those things were after Elijah for that pendent and nothing else.’
‘Then we should destroy it’ Marth replied, ‘or cast it into the darkness of these halls where no one, man or beast shall find it.’
‘Can we be sure no one will find it?’ Marth questioned. ‘And I do not think it can easily be destroyed for it was made of a metal stronger then a sword or hammer.’

‘Then we must continue on with it’ Alextor said sadly. He got up and sat down in between Jennifer and Bradon and begun to eat. Jennifer had her eyes closed and was listening to anything that might come their way for a Catlon’s hearing is four times better then a human’s.
Destinie had fallen asleep as well and Bradon murmured to himself as though he were in a trance. Alextor paid no attention to what he was doing but noticed that Marth looked down the path they were to take after their rest. Half of the path was open to them but the other, despite the door barely hanging on, would be hard to go through.
Bellock was built long ago by the people of Gandrian as a secret stronghold against any armies from the south or east. But during a war the doors were breached and the armies laid the stronghold in ruin. But Faglorg lost so many men in laying siege to Bellock they had no choice but to retreat.
The armies of Gandrian chased the retreating armies of Faglorg across the rocky ways in the east and defeated the army at the Faglorg capital known as Mailkeyo. Bradon curled himself up in his cloak near a column and fell asleep. By the time Bradon had fallen to sleep Destinie and Elijah were asleep for almost two hours.
Marth was the next to sleep who slept sitting up on the door. Alextor slept in the same fashion as Bradon but was on the wall. Jennifer curled herself up in a little corner like a cat and wondered off to sleep. When Jennifer fell asleep four hours have passed.

Elijah awakened a few hours later feeling hungry. He went over to the fireplace; the fire died out long ago, and ate the ham and cheese he could find. Pretty soon Destinie awakened and kept him company.
‘Elijah’ Destinie said sitting down next to him, ‘you are truly a brave young lad. You do not show fear even in the greatest face of danger. You seem innocent and yet it seems you are older then you look. How old are you?’
‘Ten’ Elijah said, ‘but I have learned many things from my father and my good friend Sheldon who is also my cousin that has gone to Irony and I do wish to see him again. He would love to hear the adventurers I been through.’
‘You are young’ Destinie said, ‘but alas I wish you were not here. The young should not have to go through hardships as elder people must go through. The elders of this world is the reason we have wars. It is their greed and knowledge that makes the elders seem superior but yet it is the young that has to fight these wars.’
‘Aye’ Elijah said, ‘you are kind Destinie. I look up to you as a big sister that watches over me. I can tell that you are truly a kind hearted person that most be loved by many and if not it is only because you fear of what others may say.’
‘You are wise beyond your years’ Destinie replied, ‘if I didn’t know better I swear I was talking with Geardrian or Obadiah as some call him. But you speak only the truth. Gravince knows my uncle well and I have done nothing to deserve their glory so I keep myself bound to the hill where my house sits.’
‘You mustn’t’ Elijah responded quickly, ‘you mustn’t fear what others may think. Fear leads down many paths but all lead to pain. You must show everyone that no matter what the cause you will not be kept down by what others say.’
‘Elijah’ Destinie said happily with a tear in her eye, ‘if no other words are spoken today let those be all I need. For years I have wondered what those people think but I’m glade that you were here to help me so now I shall repay the favor.’

‘Repay me for what?’ Elijah questioned in deep thought wondering what the favor was.
‘I do not know yet’ Destinie responded, ‘but I shall show you my thanks one day and then I shall fill fulfilled.’

Bradon awakened an hour later followed by Alextor then Marth and alas Jennifer. Everyone ate to their fill and then packed up and got ready to depart. Marth awaited by the door until everyone was prepared. Marth led the group followed by Alextor, then Jennifer, then Destinie with Elijah by her side, and Bradon at the end.
The path turned to the left a little. Elijah passed a small hole in the wall that had a bag in it but he dare not reach for it. The path was smaller then any other and you could only travel one by one.
The path begun to expand and widen as it merged with a huge room with a large bridge that contacts one end to another. Down below were dozens of smaller bridges, some still whole others broken and trolleys, some with buckets and others without. The bridge was tied with ropes that had unlit torches on both ends of the wall.
Marth led the group across the bridge slowly. The other end of the bridge led into an arch that had writing on the wall. Marth lit the torches and studied the markings. Slowly he read them aloud, ‘in times of great peril, Bellock will prove to be unstoppable.’
‘I guess they were wrong’ Elijah said aloud. Marth did not respond but continued to lead the group forward. The tunnel took them into a large room with rows of columns holding the ceiling up. Directly in front of them was another door and they were two more on the left and right side.
A loud shirk echoed through the room that started in a high pitch and ended in a low pitch. The sound seemed to come from every direction. The six gathered in the middle with Marth facing the north, Alextor the east, Bradon the west, Jennifer the south, and Destinie and Elijah in the middle. The dark warriors before entered the rooms with swords drawn and held with both hands vertically.
Slowly they approached. The sound of their metal boots hitting the floor echoed from one end of the room to the next. Elijah grasped tightly to Destinie’s leg. Marth, Alextor, and Bradon held their spears and shields quivering. Jennifer’s sharp claws served as her weapon.
The on facing Alextor struck him with a downward strike. Alextor took a step back and dodged the blow and stabbed the dark warrior in the chest with his spear but to no avail. The shadowy figure broke the spear in two and removed the piece that was in him.
‘Run’ Marth said. They all fled pass the warrior Alextor attacked. The huge beast they rode stood outside the room and tried to bite Destinie and Marth but they docked and continued running up the path and slanted upwards. The shadowy figures remerged on top of their terrifying beasts giving chase.
Alas the group came to the final bridge before reaching the stairway. The bridge was small and made of stone that had no rails. Bradon was the first to flee over the bridge followed by Elijah, then Destinie, then Jennifer, and finally Alextor.
Marth stopped and the bridge and yelled out, ‘go to Irony!! I shall keep them at bay!’
Bradon and Alextor nodded but Destinie would not leave but she was dragged up the stairway. The four warriors all appeared in front of Marth who stood valiantly like a king. His spear was held out ready for battle but he reached into his bag.

‘Warriors of darkness!’ Marth shouted pulling out a round blue sphere with a yellow ring that had a string coming out of it, ‘you will not and shall not reach my niece and her companions!’
Marth threw the spear down and lit the bomb as the warriors dismounted their beasts and approached Marth. Before they could get on the bridge the bomb exploded in a shockwave that caused those creatures to back up. The bridge’s middle piece fell into chunks along with Marth.

Outside it was sunset and cloudy. They could now see the plains very well and also Irony. A large village with busy streets and many shops and homes. A small wooden fence surrounds Irony that opens up in the south and north to allow people to come in. The mountain sloped down for a little while then ended.
‘Let’s continue on’ Alextor said softly. Destinie was on her hands and knees and refused to continue onward. Bradon and Alextor lifted her up until finally she decided to walk freely with them.
Elijah was in the back as the group traveled and he looked at the pendent once or twice. Destinie paid no attention to anything that was happening. Alextor turned and looked at the Lone Mountains then turned and looked back at Irony and continued to move onward…

Chapter VII
Irony


The village itself is surrounded by a tall wall made of wood with two openings, one in the north and one in the southeast. The village had many streets made of rock and gravel with houses only a few feet apart from one another. By the time the five arrived at the village it was half pass nine with half a moon out and stars covering the sky.
The gatekeeper stopped them at the entrance to the southeastern entrance and said in a deep voice, ‘what brings you to Irony this time of night?’ the gatekeeper had white long hair but was bold at the top. His nose was pointed and long with an eye patch over his right eye. He had no eye brows and appeared to be very old.
‘We are travelers from Gravince in the south’ Bradon said, ‘we come to Irony to find Elisah Diadem who we believe lives in this village. We traveled across the great plains to get here, may we enter?’
The gatekeeper looked at them hard and long then responded, ‘you may pass.’ while stepping out of their way and allowed them to pass. He sat back down on a small stool and begun to whistle softly.
The streets of Irony were still filled with people traveling this way and that. Horses with carriages and people with wheel barrels wondering down the streets as if it were their last day living. Elijah stayed close to Destinie clinging onto her hand.
Bradon halted the group in front of a bar and entered with Alextor. Destinie and Jennifer headed off down the street with Elijah in search for an inn. Bradon and Alextor sat down at the bar and ordered two ales.
‘Where to begin looking for Mr. Diadem?’ Bradon asked Alextor, ‘he could be anywhere in this crowded city and he could have moved some time ago to the east or north. Do you think anyone here knows of Obadiah’s whereabouts?’
‘I have no answers to those questions Bradon’ Alextor responded, ‘but we may find out the answers in due time or just waste are time. Either way we must seek the truth for someone must know of Elisah’s whereabouts and hopefully heard from Obadiah or maybe it is Galatians down here.’
‘Aye’ Bradon said, ‘he has many names for many areas to keep himself secret. Unlike Solomon the Wise who wants his name to spread across Igros so he may be remembered as the wisest of the wise.’
‘Solomon’ Alextor uttered to himself, ‘Solomon is a strange person. He takes most of his time in secrecy and into his studies. What is so important?’
‘Solomon’s business is his own’ Bradon said, ‘we must find Galatians and Elisah so we can find the answers to these questions. Maybe the two will be together and that will shorten are search or maybe we can find one and they will know where the other is.’
The two sat silent and drank their ale then Alextor said, ‘Galatians did say he would return in three months, correct?’
‘Aye’ Bradon said, ‘for it shall take him three months to get to Ethian, speak with Solomon, and return so Elisah must be here in Irony alone. The girls have gone to find an inn for us to rest at.’

‘Did ye say Elisah?’ the bartender asked rinsing a mug out. He was a big fellow with a fine mustache that came to below his chin. His eye brows were think and bushy but he had a head full of hair. He was wearing a green jacket with a white shirt under and green pants, ‘I be William Bellow. Owner of Bellow’s Cabin down the street but alas my friend is in need for some help and I gladly offered.’
‘What say you?’ Bradon asked.
‘Elisah Diadem is it?’ Bellow thought to himself, ‘ah yes now I remember. He owns a room of mine in Bellow’s Cabin. A nice old fellow with a book that keeps people talking for days even weeks.’
‘Is he here?’ Alextor questioned.
‘Aye’ Bellow responded, ‘he retired for the night. Rest up weary travelers and tomorrow I shall tell Mr. Diadem your names. Which reminds me, what be thy names?’
‘I am Alextor son of Harold’ Alextor said softly, ‘and this is Bradon son of Matthew. But tell him Elijah is looking for him.’
‘Elijah!?’ Bellow said in shocked, ‘his son Elijah? He’s here, where?’
‘Aye’ Bradon said, ‘he is resting at the inn down the road. He is only a mere lad and he traveled a long ways with three more comrades but we lost one along the way.’
‘I see’ Bellow replied, ‘well I must return to my cabin but I do hope to see you before your departure if you are planning on leaving that is. Farewell.’
Bellow left the bar through the crowd of people still drinking and cheering. Bradon and Alextor finished their ale and headed off. The inn wasn’t too far from the bar. The inn was named Irony Inn. Inside Jennifer waited them.
‘Alas you returned’ she said, ‘we have but one room that holds four beds so it is a fine room with a fireplace to keep warm.’
‘Shall we retire then?’ Bradon questioned.
‘Follow me’ Jennifer said walking down the hall. Three rooms passed on their left and two on their right before reaching their room, third door on the right. Jennifer opened the door silently for Destinie and Elijah were both sound asleep in the same bed closest to the door. A table sat in a corner with three chairs.

Jennifer said nothing else that night but she crawled into the bed next to Destinie’s and fell fast asleep. Alextor looked out the window that was above the table for some time and could see nothing but the wooden wall. The room was dark with little light. Bradon laid down on the bed next to Jennifer’s and fell asleep followed by Alextor on the bed next to his.
Morning came slowly but steadily. Destinie and Elijah were up before everyone and decided to look around town by themselves. The village was full of life and merriment. Mr. Bellow came running for them.
‘Excuse me but I’m looking for an Elijah’ Bellow said.
‘I am Elijah’ the young lad responded.
‘Great, great, great’ Bellow uttered, ‘come by Bellow’s Cabin at noon.’ With that he was off like a flash. Elijah wondered what on earth could he be needed for…

Chapter VIII
Bellow’s Cabin


Elijah and Destinie spent the day wondering the village until coming to Bellow’s Cabin a little before noon. It was a nice looking building with a small garden by the green door with a gold knob. A window sat over the garden with a red curtain draw so no one could gaze inside.
Upon entering was a small bar with Bellow at the counter. Seven tables were scattered in front of the counter with a staircase at the end of the room. Bellow waved to him and said, ‘alas you arrived.’
‘What is this about?’ Destinie asked not letting Elijah answer. Bellow smiled at Destinie and laughed a little.
‘Why I was told by an Alextor and a Bradon to escort a young Elijah to his father Elisah who dwells up stairs.’
‘DAD!’ Elijah shouted but the people at the bar paid no attention. One man sat in the corner with his cloak wrapped around him and his hood up. Only a shaggy beard could be seen and his grey boots. The cloak was dark green. The fireplace on the wall with him was lit and it seemed to listen with unwary ears and eyes.
‘Aye’ Bellow said, ‘go up those stairs and he’ll be in the room. First door to your left. It’s a good thing you got here today for tomorrow he would be heading to the east.’
Elijah ran down the middle of the room and up the staircase that turned to the left with Destinie following not to far behind. Elijah saw the first door to his left open and he ran in. A man sat at a desk writing that looked much like Elijah but with white hair and seemed a lot older.
‘Elijah my boy’ he said turning around, ‘it has been a time since we met I do believe. Come now my boy, tell your father about your adventures you must have had on the way up here.’
‘Dad’ Elijah said smiling as though he was wondering down a dark cave for many years and finally returning to the brightness of the sun. Destinie entered the room.
‘Who might the maiden be?’ Elisah asked.
‘I am Destinie Silvers’ she said, ‘I believe you know my uncle, Marth Silvers.’
‘Aye’ Elisah said, ‘how goes the old boy?’
‘Alas I must say sadly’ Destinie said. ‘He is no longer with us. Slain on are quest up here.’
‘Really?’ Elisah said in surprise, ‘tell me the tale.’
Destinie and Elijah sat down and Destinie spoke everything she knew of the events that happened up to this point. Elisah sat nodding his head and his face showed that he was surely shocked at a few events.
‘I saw’ he said, ‘what a tale. A good story and song that would make. I shall be heading out to the east and continue my quest to find paradise.’
‘We know’ Elijah said, ‘Bellow told us you’re leaving tomorrow.’
‘I saw’ Elisah said, ‘I am leaving the sixteenth and that’s today. Bellow was never good at keeping track of the dates and times for that matter. But I do wish to know what happened to Galatians.’

‘He went to Ethian some days ago and we haven’t seen him since’ Destinie said, ‘we hoped that you may know something about him and where he may be by now. He traveled to Ethian so quickly I had no clue what it was about.’

Elisah closed the book and placed it in his bag, ‘I must go soon but allow me to tale you my quest.’
‘Alright’ Destinie said.
Elisah pondered for a moment then spoke in an easy voice, ‘I guess it started forty years ago when Marth and I were lads. Galatians came to us and said “come boys. We have a long way to travel” and you could say we were in a spell for we followed without question.’
‘Through the Silence Woods we traveled until coming to the Catlon Village. The Queen showed us a warm welcome since we were with Galatians the Wise. Any other time and they would have killed us. After packing up a bit we traveled north so we could get to Irony.’
‘Galatians said to us “that is the Lone Mountains” and we looked with amazement. “Never go in their for shadow would overcome the light and you will get lost” and so we went around. We came to Irony and met Mr. John Bellow, Bellow’s father. After getting more supplies we turned and went east to Uplia. A lovely place it was with many lakes and rivers that gives them the nickname, Water Folk.’
‘Galatians led us east for twenty days and finally we reached a long and tall mountain that reached high into the sky. We climbed and Galatians said “stay close to me for are adventure closes” and we climbed for two days before reaching the top. At the top set a temple and I ran in leaving Galatians and Marth behind.’
‘Inside I saw treasure but I fancied a pendent over it all. Blue it was with a red jewel in the middle so I slipped it in my pocket and then the Knights of the Round Table emerged to slay us but Galatians gave us courage and we battled until finally we slain them.’
‘I do believe I gave the pendent to Elijah. Isn’t that right?’ Elisah said finishing his story.
‘Aye’ Elijah responded.
‘Look at the time’ Elisah said, ‘the road is long. Farewell my boy. Hopefully we will meet again.’
Elisah stood and flung his bag onto his back and left. For a moment Elijah sat silent and still in deep thought. Destinie placed her arm around him and gave Elijah a small hug and then the two walked down and noticed it was nearly three. The man in the cloak sat at the corner with his lips moving like he was talking to himself.
Elijah sat down at the closest table to the door and Destinie sat with him. No sign of Elisah was seen in the room. He had came and gone so quickly Elijah thought it were but a dream for he begun to doze off.
The man sat down in front of the two and said softly so only they could hear him, ‘what of a pendent?’
‘Excuse me?’ Destinie questioned.
‘Don’t play dumb’ the man said looking into the fire for a moment then turning to them, ‘I heard Elisah’s tale and I know this lad has the pendent and you asked about Galatians and I have seen him not to long ago.’

‘What is your name?’ Destinie asked.
‘Names should not be given so easily in these troubled times’ he said, ‘you never know who is friend or foe.’
‘Then why should we trust you?’ Destinie asked.
‘Because I know what hunts you’ the man said and shock came to Destinie’s and Elijah’s faces, ‘aye I do. You encountered four of them but two more roam. They are the Reapers. Warriors of death and despair created and kept alive by the very will of Serrago.’
‘Serrago’ Elijah said to himself, ‘wasn’t he just a tale.’
‘Nay’ the man responded, ‘for it happened over two-thousand years ago in the far west in the lands of Darkice. Galatians the Wise was a third to the Path of Allies before I met up with him. He told me to come to Irony and await a boy named Elijah.’
‘Galatians is alright?’ Elijah questioned.
‘I do not know now’ the man replied, ‘but when I saw him he was in no danger or trouble. Do you have the pendent?’
‘Aye’ Elijah said not even knowing it he pulled it out of his pocket. The man looked deeply into it.
‘Celestial’ he said softly.
‘Celestial?’ Destinie repeated since she did not understand the word he uttered for celestial means heavenly and he used it to name a pendent.
‘Aye’ he responded, ‘the very pendent used by Serrago long ago. But when the Sages sealed him away they took it and hid it in the east. Galatians feared Serrago was breaking the seal and went in search for it at the Hgtia Mountain but he could not find it.’
‘Elisah took it before anyone saw him’ Elijah told him.
‘I know now’ he said, ‘for I have listened to your talk with the old man. The Reapers are hunting it down for whoever wields it will have unequal powers and will be almost invincible.’
‘Then why not use it against them?’ Destinie wondered.
‘Can you handle that kind of power?’ he asked, ‘it will either kill you or drive you insane. The only way to be rid of Celestial is to cast it into the void in Mount Vovlian where it shall be sealed away forever.’
‘Mount Vovlian’ Destinie said, ‘isn’t that in Darkice.’
‘Aye’ he said, ‘and that’s why Serrago made his fortress their. If you cast Celestial into the void Serrago will surely be sealed forever for in order for him to fully break the barrier he needs more energy then the five sages but he has no power. That is why he is sending out the Six Reapers to get it for him.’
They sat silent for a moment looking upon the pendent on the table then the man said, ‘we mustn’t wait to long in one area. We must take it to Horsebred Ranch to further decide what to do with it.’
The man stood up and said to them, ‘get your friends and meet me at the northern entrance of town. Gather what supplies you can for it shall be a long journey to the ranch.’
With that he left…

Chapter IX
Striker


Destinie and Elijah found their friends at the bar drinking and cheering. Destinie had Elijah wait by the door and ran over to the group and said, ‘we make haste, come.’
Alextor, Bradon, and Jennifer looked upon Destinie for a second and continued drinking. Elijah sat down and heard, ‘Elijah! Elijah!’ and he saw a small boy running towards him with short blonde hair. He had on a long sleeve shirt and shorts on and had on a bag on his back that seemed to be filled.
‘Sheldon!’ Elijah shouted merrily, ‘my good friend and cousin what brings you hear?’
‘Mr. Diadem told me everything and I’m coming with you’ Sheldon said proudly.
‘Then you best be a good lad’ Bradon said walking outside followed by the others, ‘it is nice for Elijah to have a friend on the quest that Destinie told us about so swiftly that she left out details that my be important.’
‘I won’t get in the way honest’ Sheldon said.
‘Relax’ Alextor said, ‘you may come young one. But we have to gather supplies for Destinie said “we are off on a long quest” and that was mostly it.’
‘We have no time to spare’ Destinie said trying to sound innocent. They headed off to the northern entrance of the village. The man from Bellow’s Cabin was standing near the entrance and Destinie filled in some of the details before arriving.

‘Alas! you have arrived’ the stranger said.
‘Before we go’ Destinie replied, ‘what is your name?’
‘I have many names in many areas’ he said, ‘but you may call me Striker for I shall not give me true name until I can trust you more.’
‘Then lead the way ranger’ Bradon said.
‘As you wish’ Striker said, ‘we travel until we get to the ancient fortress of Mycia. We take no breaks. If the children get tired carry them if you must. Do not walk away and stay with the group.’
With that Striker turned and headed off into the plains followed by Bradon and Alextor, Sheldon, Elijah and Destinie, and Jennifer. They traveled long not resting and Striker did not slow his pace. Elijah begun to stumble but Destinie took his hand.
The further they traveled the more and more Elijah came to passing out so Destinie lifted him and carried. Striker stopped to get next to Destinie.
‘The boy is tired’ he whispered to her, ‘never let him out of your sight. Celestial’s power is weakening him it seems. Wherever he goes you go, wherever you go take him. Do not let him out of your sight. These may be your friends but how they long for power like all men do.’
‘I will not let him out of my sight’ Destinie responded softly. Striker quickened his pace and returned to the lead of the group. The sun shinned brightly but every now and again a cloud would cast it away. Birds flew to and fro and song their songs merrily. Striker held the hilt of his sword at his waist tightly most of the journey with his long bow and quiver of arrows on his back. Tied to his left leg was a long knife. Striker spoke rarely throughout their journey.

Slowly the sun fell in the west and the day became cool and dark. Striker still made no sign of weariness. The sun was completely gone and the moon has taken its place with stars all around. A ruined fortress was up ahead with four towers used to create the wall on the north, east, south, and west sides and a larger tower in the middle. A gate was opened and battered and most of the place was covered in vines and had cracks. The southern wall itself was almost completely missing expect for the two parts connecting to the wall.
They entered through the destroyed gate. Inside a staircase led up the middle tower and spiraled to the top where everything was flat. Striker turned and said, ‘you may eat, drink, and sleep but when the sun first returns we continue heading north.’
Elijah was already sound asleep and Destinie laid him close to her while she cooked dinner. Bradon taught Sheldon much of the history of Igros. Alextor and Jennifer spoke softly to one another and Striker sat on the staircase. Striker gazed upon the fire for some time.
Destinie took no heed when Striker got up and left the fortress. Night grew weary and Destinie feel asleep keeping an arm around Elijah. Everyone else had fallen asleep and Striker had not yet returned. Morning came alas and everyone was awake but still no Striker. Finally he returned from the broken wall.
‘We make haste’ Striker said swiftly, ‘for we are being pursued even at this moment. Eaven Forest is only a day away and we can lose them in the boarders of the forest but we must make haste!’
No one said anything and at once they departed. Striker was always five or six paces ahead of the rest looking north and south a lot. They had no clue what was chasing them but they knew it wasn’t good. The thought that went in Destinie’s mind were the Reapers.
Striker halted and took his bow and an arrow as he looked far south. He moved his head to tell the group to continue onward. Like dust in the wind, the shadows approached. Striker released the arrow and it flew into the sky and ht one of the shadows that let out a mighty roar that echoed across the plains.
‘Reapers!’ Striker shouted and with that all made haste running as fast as they could. A small cliff was in front of them and they leapt behind it knowing they could not out run the Reapers on their beasts known as Dregins. Striker drew his sword and prepared to attack. Alextor and Bradon held tightly to their spears. Elijah and Sheldon quivered holding their short swords.
The ground started to rumble as the Dregins stormed ever closer. One by one, four Dregins jumped overhead. Striker ran out first and stabbed the back Dregin in its rear leg. Alextor and Bradon leapt and knocked the black warrior mounted on the Dregin off and unto the ground. The Reaper stood and shadowy was his voice.
‘Fool’ the Reaper said slowly, ‘do you actually believe that we can be defeated? You have made a grave mistake.’
Behind the group on the small cliff were the other two Reapers on their Dregins. The four in front all had their swords drawn and approached them on foot. Everyone got back to back with Striker, Alextor, Sheldon, and Jennifer facing the four and Bradon, Destinie, and Elijah facing the other two.
‘Die’ all Six Reapers said each going in for a forward strike. Striker, Bradon, and Alextor blocked it with their swords and shields. Destinie and the others dodged the attack. Elijah and Sheldon jumped onto the same Reaper and stabbed it.

With a sheer force of power it threw Elijah and Sheldon off and into Jennifer. Elijah laid unconscious onto of the Catlon princess and Sheldon hurried back up to his feet. A Reaper threw Destinie onto the ground next to Jennifer.
Bradon and Alextor were overpowered and their shields and spears were broken and they to were thrown next to Jennifer. Sheldon and Striker were the last to fall. The Reapers surrounded them with their swords preparing to stab them in a down thrust.
‘Force for blow!’ a strong voice shouted that came in every direction. From the north a huge ray of light blinded the Reapers and their beasts and they fled into the east. A glowing figure appeared shinning brightly like the sun where they couldn’t look directly into him.
‘You have my thanks’ Striker said standing while covering his eyes.
‘Alas!’ the strange man responded, ‘I bare you news that you seven should hear.’
‘What is it?’ Jennifer asked standing up with Elijah in her arms.
‘It comes from Galatians the Wise’ the light vanished and their stood an old man in red and white. Very old he was as old as Galatians, ‘I am Ephesians the True. One of the six sages of Igros.’
‘Ephesians’ Striker said, ‘what news of Galatians?’
‘I have passed him two days ago’ Ephesians responded, ‘he was heading for Ethian and his trip will be shorten for the Path of Allies is up and clear. He told me to be on the look out for a group heading north and here I found you. He said “if you do find them have them go to Port Town” and that’s is the news I bring you.’
‘Port Town?’ Bradon asked Striker.
‘Aye’ he replied, ‘the fairest of all cities on the River of Getian. That is were the Council of Sages meet in times of dire need and so it seems Galatians predicts that it is surely that time to gather the six Sages for the meeting. Will you travel with us Ephesians? We could use your help.’
‘Sadly I can not’ the sage said, ‘for I must travel east still and locate the other three sages who are still wondering the far lands of the east. I do hope we meet again for I have heard much of your Striker.’
‘You know my name?’ Striker questioned in confusion.
‘All sages can read minds’ he replied and with that he departed. News from Galatians lightened Striker’s heart as well as everyone else. They stood for a moment until the old sage was no longer in sight and with that they continued north.
They continued until an hour pass nightfall and came to a rocky area and decided to make camp their for the night. Elijah had not yet awakened and Jennifer ended up carrying him all the way their.
Striker went to scout the area and Alextor and Bradon stood guard at the camp. Sheldon cooked a mighty meal even though he was a kid at the age of ten he knew how to cook like someone with fifty years of practice. Elijah’s face turned white and he started to gasp for air.
‘Elijah isn’t looking to good!’ Jennifer shouted in fear. Everyone ran to his aid and now his eyes were open and wide but his pupils were small and red. The entire night Elijah was like this with everyone taking turns watching him throughout the night but his best friend and cousin stayed by his side the most. Striker returned a little before the sun rose and saw Elijah in his ill state. He ran over to him and picked him up and headed off without a sound or word.

‘What’s wrong with Elijah?’ Destinie asked breaking the silence.
‘Even the innocent nature of a child can still be tainted with darkness and greed and power’ Striker said, ‘we must get him to the Eaven Catlons quickly or we shall loss Elijah.’
‘Eaven Catlons?’ Jennifer questioned.
‘You don’t think your tribe is the only Catlon tribe do you?’ Striker asked, ‘you have the same beliefs and language yet you never met,’ then Striker spoke to Jennifer in her own tongue, ‘jnal wiy du jnu urh ej mnu dey.’
‘Mnur xu lneovh vuiku’ Jennifer said.
‘Nay’ Striker responded, ‘for I have made an oath to Galatians the Wise to assist Elijah until I can no longer help him.’
Eaven Forest now stood in front of them. They gazed in wonder at the mighty forest with trees standing taller then any tree they seen. The bark was brown and lively and leaves covered the floor. With Elijah in his arms, Striker entered…

Chapter X
Eaven Forest


The woods were silent even for Jennifer. Not a sound emitted through the woods. Striker walked without a sound carrying Elijah with Sheldon close behind him. Finally like thunder they heard cheering. Cheering and drums echoed through the trees. Finally the saw movement further ahead.
The came upon the Catlon Village but here most of their hair was black hair where as further south they mostly had blonde hair. Striker stepped forward with Elijah in arms and the fairest of the Catlons their greeted him. She was this tribe’s Catlon Princess and she knew Striker very well for he spent most of his time with the Catlons.
‘Greetings Princess Stacy of Eaven Forest’ Striker said lowing his head and then lifting it.
‘I see the great ranger has returned’ she said, ‘and with a group. Not like you to travel with so many or with two kids and a Catlon? I have not seen this one before. What is your name?’
‘I am Princess Jennifer of Silence Woods’ Jennifer said proudly, ‘it is a shall are paths have never crossed before because up until a few moments ago I had no clue other Catlons were out in the world.’
‘I too thought my tribe were the only Catlons’ Stacy replied, ‘but alas I now know that we have allies in the south where Silence Woods sits north of Gravince. Come tell me the adventures of your quest and I will assist you best I can.’
Destinie and Bradon told most of the story with Jennifer and Alextor adding in a few details. Stacy did not move through the tale and once they finished she stood and said, ‘I shall help Elijah best of my abilities but sadly you need to go further north to Horsebred Ranch and have the maiden of white mage, Kendra heal him but I should be able to delay the affects of Celestial for a few days.’
‘Thank you’ Striker said giving Stacy Elijah who still gasped for air. Stacy took him into the back room with herbs and other medicines. Striker did not stay and left at once to find a clear path north along with Jennifer. Sheldon looked around the village with Destinie trying to keep his mind of his ill friend and cousin.
‘Have you been here before?’ Sheldon asked Destinie.
‘Not here’ Destinie said, ‘but at the Catlon Village in the south but they look completely different. Most of the northern houses are made into the trees while the southern villages are built high on the treetops with platforms and rope.’
‘I would love to see it some day’ Sheldon said.
‘I’ll take you there one day’ Destinie said, ‘and Elijah too for he went their but his visit was cut short as of ours and so we can visit and learn much of the Catlons together.’

Destinie and Sheldon ate with a group of Catlons that welcomed them and told them much of their ways of life. They enjoyed telling each other great tales of far away places and even of tales that happened not to long ago. Finally after about an hour has passed Stacy came for the four and brought them to where Elijah was resting in her home. Elijah was resting peacefully.

Striker and Jennifer entered. Striker spoke to Stacy, ‘will he be alright till we reach Horsebred or was I too late?’
‘He shall be fine for a week’ Stacy said, ‘so please stay a little long Titus.’
‘Striker’ he responded, ‘I mustn’t be called my real name until I can trust these people with my life for there is still doubt in my mind.’
‘What doubt is their?’ Stacy asked.
‘They are only people’ Striker said, ‘and not everyone is evil and not hide it. I mustn’t let my guard down for a moment.’
‘Why help them then?’ Stacy questioned.
‘Because I made an oath with Galatians’ he responded taking her hands, ‘and I have never broken an oath yet. I promise that I shall not die without returning here to you. You have my word just like you have my heart.’
‘I will give you food and water before you leave’ Stacy said. Striker gave her a soft kiss and left the room. Elijah slowly started to wake.
‘Elijah!’ Sheldon shouted with joy.
‘Sheldon?’ Elijah said confused.
‘Alas!’ Sheldon shouted, ‘my dear friend and cousin has finally awakened! I thought for a second you wouldn’t wake but you are safe now.’
‘Tear not my Sheldon’ Elijah said sitting up, ‘I won’t leave you unattended without your Elijah now would I?’
‘Aye’ Sheldon said, ‘you never leave without a word or two. Will you not say at least a word to ease myself?’
‘I will’ Elijah said, ‘I am Elijah Diadem son of Elisah. Like my father I shall not be defeated nor kept down as long as I have a task ahead.’
‘Well then Elijah Diadem son of Elisah’ Striker said walking in, ‘your task isn’t over yet so I will hold you by your word. Rest tonight for tomorrow we head north to Horsebred Ranch.’
‘Horsebred Ranch?’ Sheldon asked, ‘why are we going to a ranch?’
‘It is a city more then a ranch’ Striker said, ‘it is known as Horsebred Ranch for all the horses it holds. We shall go find Kendra the great healer and borrow some horses and head at once to Port Town in the west.’
‘Alright’ Elijah said, ‘tomorrow it is then.’

A horn echoed through the village. Striker, Elijah, and Sheldon stepped outside and a blue banner could be seen with a golden sword with white angel wings flew in the air. Soldiers in blue and silver armor and mail entered the village. Their were maybe sixty soldiers each with swords in their stealth and a shield on their arm. Their shields too had a gold sword with white angel wings on it. In the front of the soldiers stood Joran.
‘Joran!’ Alextor yelled walking to him, ‘what brings you hear?’
‘The war’ Joran responded sadly.
‘The war is not here’ Stacy said, ‘unless you brought it with you.’
‘I’m sad to say that about forty or maybe fifty Dai-orks broke through are lines at Trece and fled east. We believe they ran into the woods.’ The captain said.
‘Well Prince of Gandrian’ Stacy said, ‘you may search the woods.’
‘Prince?’ Bradon asked.
‘I am son of the king of Gandrian’ Joran replied.

‘Prince Joran’ Alextor said softly, ‘I never knew you were a prince.’
‘Little in the south do’ Joran exclaimed, ‘but alas! tell me of your quest since we departed a few nights ago. How goes what you seek for?’
Alextor and Bradon gave Joran an update while the soldiers broke off into three groups of twenty and searched the woods.
‘Alas’ Bradon said after the tale, ‘we know little of this pendent and its purpose for all we know is that it has a lot of power.’
‘I have studied the pendent’ Joran said…

Chapter XI
Tales of Igros


Striker, Elijah, Sheldon, Destinie, Jennifer, Stacy, Alextor, Bradon, and Joran gathered in the house of the princess to hear the tale behind the pendent. ‘Well shall you start?’ Destinie asked, ‘I want to learn about this pendent.’
‘Very well’ Joran said. ‘In the year 2424, Serrago, One of the Six Grand Sages acquired a pendent called Celestial and took it to the Land of Darkice. But how did the pendent come into this world? During the dawn of are world, God created the heavens and Igros with but a word. He made that land and the seas but wanted to keep it in peace and so he made a pendent and God put into this pendent his power.’
‘God then sent his mighty Angel, Balkan to Igros to put the pendent away and make sure only the purest of heart may claim it. Balkan took Celestial into Sole Mountain and built their the Tower of Celestial. Balkan needed to keep people knowledgeable of Celestial and so he gave six men power greater then any other man and they became the Six Sages.’
‘One was Serrago who made his lair in Ethian along with the other five sages but he wanted more so he traveled to take the Trials of Celestial. Each trial was harder then the next but Balkan gave Serrago too much energy and he easily took Celestial and went west to the land of Darkice which is the only place to destroy it is deep within Mount Vovlian. Deep in the mountains sits a vortex that will cast anything into an endless abyss.’
‘Threw Celestial in and the vortex will close and nothing again will be able to go in or out. Serrago made a fortress on and around the mountain to make sure he held the power that he thought was rightfully his. Soon he made deals and pacts with Dai-orks, Belves, and Agres. Soon he held nearly twenty thousand soldiers to do his every command and that was to invade the east.’
‘Before any soldier made it to Rubian or Trece, Gandrian and Hyland mobilized their forces and countered attacked quickly and swiftly whipping out much of their forces. The Dai-orks held them back outside the Ring of Shadows, the dark mountains which surrounds Darkice for days and days until at last their forces were too weak to hold back the soldiers of the east any longer and so they retreated into Darkice.’
‘King Greta and King Rand led their forces into Darkice along with the five sages to reclaim Celestial and cast Serrago away. The siege of the fortress lasted many days and many lives were lost. Finally the gate was breached and they stormed the fortress. The Dai-orks knowing their defeat fled along with the Belves and Agres.’
‘Serrago used Celestial to cast a spell but the five sages cast Serrago into the vortex where they thought he never finished casting his spell. But he did and the five sages became the Six Reapers.’
‘Wait’ Sheldon said, ‘but how can their be Six Reapers if they were the five sages?’
‘Because one is neither a sage nor a person’ Joran continued, ‘he is Serrago’s shadow and strongest warrior. Lord of Diablen and King of the Shadows. His very darkness makes the Grand Sages of this day look like mere children but we shall discuss that maybe later.’

Special Second Edition coming 10/1/2005 with added scenes and a different plot and twist

YOU SERIOUSLY ARE ONE OF THE BEST WRITERS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEM IN MY LIFE!!!
((warning, pay no attention to me...I'm just a madman who enjoys giving pointers to others, and reading what they write. It helps me so i can push myself harder in my writing.))