Grievous Cry

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.’