Sword of the Elder~chapter one

Chapter 1 The Journey Begins 1

On a bright summer morning a young elf named Thane was standing outside his house on the anniversary of the 100 Year War that the Elfin and Human peoples waged against the Dark Ones. Until the past year, the orc’s and goblins had stayed in their land, Taren, until they got a new ruler, Kamis whose heart only cared for war. He had sent thousands of goblins and orc’s to the land Norhin, the homeland of elves and humans, to destroy the Elves and human ways. Thane was about to go on a journey that would stop the war and bring peace to his land once more. He was the last of his family and he had to go to the Eagle Eye Mountains past the dark lands; to mountains where one of his ancestors made a special sword, the handle was a bright red and gold. Although the sword was only three feet in length and light as a feather, it was very strong. The only people who could find the sword would have to have one of the two maps that showed its location.2

The wind put a chill in the air and clouds covered the sky for miles. “Thane” called his best friend Dontey. He was an older Elf who had black hair, blue eyes and tan skin. Thane had blonde hair, brown eyes and tan skin. They lived in the forest of Yaron.  “Well, where are you going?” asked Dontey. “Into town for a while to get ready” he answered with a deep tone. “Get ready for what?” asked Dontey with curiosity. “For your birthday, you do know it is only in three weeks.” Thane said, starting down the hill into the town. “Of course I do” Dontey said with a smile. Later that night at Thane’s home atop the whole town, a strange elf came to the door and asked to come in saying that he had an important message. “Do you want tea or something Mister, What did you say you name was?” Thane asked smiling. “I’m Yuar Balder. You can call me Yuar,” replied the tiny elf. “I am a wizard of the land and a watcher,” he added. “Aren’t you a little small for a wizard?” asked Thane giggling. “NO! All Elvin wizards are this small and we are the most powerful in the land” the wizard replied with anger. “Oh sorry” Thane took a seat at the table with the wizard. “What was it you came to talk about?” asked Thane. “Yes, I had forgotten. Do you have your family history book?” asked the old elf. “Yes I do let me go get it” he replied walking to his old chest by the fireplace. “Thane, are you home” asked a voice from the door. Thane walked to the door and opened it no one was there. “Nobody is there,” he said shutting the door. “Well that wasn’t nice, what if I was still out there and you shut that in my face” said a voice from behind him. He turned and behind him stood Dontey.3

Who is this elf?” he asked excitedly. “This is Yuar,” replied Thane4

. “Wow he is small!” Dontey exclaimed. The elf wizard stood up. “I’m a wizard” he replied with anger. “Oh really? You don’t look like much of a wizard” Dontey said laughing. “And how many wizards have you seen?” Yuar said raising his voice. “Not too many, but I saw one and he was not that small” Dontey said taking a seat. “I’ll prove it,” the wizard said angrily. “Prove what?” asked Dontey. “That I am a wizard,” Yuar said standing up. He chanted a few words and then Dontey was nowhere to be seen. Thane looked where Dontey had been sitting and there was a farie. “OK I believe you! Turn me back,” a squeaky voice screamed.  The wizard chanted the same words backwards and Dontey returned. “Ok, can you get your family history book?” asked the wizard”. “Oh yes here it is”. Thane answered. The wizard took the book and lifted onto the table with his wand. He opened to one of the last pages of the book and poured a potion on it. “NO!” both Thane and Dontey yelled to him. They looked at the page and it was blank. “Look, both of you and what do you see”. “Nothing its blank”, Dontey answered. “Wow is that a map?” asked Thane. “Yes it is! Do you see it?” asked Dontey. “Well yes. Why does it have a circle on the Eagle Eye Mountains?” asked Thane. “That is where you have to go” the wizard said. “Why must I go there?” Thane asked. “You must get the Sword of the Elder, which happens to belong to your ancestors” Yuar said ripping the page out. “That will take me into the land of Tarens” he said with fear. “Yes but after you find it you must take it into the land of Kamis and kill the leader” Yuar said. “If you don’t get this sword then the war will never end. Your great family made this sword hundreds of years ago and died saving this land with it” the wizard said closing the book. “Why do I need this sword to kill him?” Thane asked. “Because he can only be killed by one spell and one gem and that sword is the only sword that has the spell and gem inside of it,” Dontey said5

The next morning the sun was high in the sky covered by blankets of clouds. Thane and Dontey packed their bags and went to town for supplies. They went to the medical store for bandages and more supplies. The blacksmith gave them a couple of hunting knives. The farmer gave them food and Dontey knew him well so he let them borrow a horse.6

By the time the sun was in the middle of the sky, the two were ready for their journey. They went to get the wizard and started on their journey. “Well, let’s camp up here on this hill tonight” Thane said walking beside the horse. “Well we should go as far as we can I am only with you guys until the North Valley” The wizard said, fixing his tiny body so he was facing the two elves his tiny body. They came to the hill and saw that they only had about four miles to the next village. “Dontey what do you think, should we travel or rest?” Thane said sitting on the ground. “Travel” was Dontey’s single word answer.7

They made it to the next stop and set up camp on a hill above the valley of Herldan. During the night they heard noises, loud noises, close to them. Thane woke and he spotted a dragon near the tree just a couple yards away from their camp. He woke Dontey and Yuar they ran to the edge of a cliff and started to walk down. They got some sleep on the ledge. They found that it was big enough for about a dozen horses. In the morning they woke to a loud screeching noise. Dontey was sitting by the fireplace and Thane was standing on the edge of the ledge to peer over. When he finally could see, there was a green dragon flying near their camp and a red dragon on another ledge near them. There was a cave behind the dragon. Thane took out his bow and tore some fabric off his coat and lit it on fire. He shots the flaming arrow and the dragons followed it. The three of them leapt into the cave and ran. When they got into the cave they found a million skeletons. They ran out of the cave and from behind them, a dragon fired his blast of fire at them. They scaled the cave wall as the dragon flew out at them; Thane got to the top grabbed two arrows and fired them at the dragon. The arrows hit the dragon in his eyes; the dragon fell down dead to the bottom of the valley.8

They finally made it to the North Valley and the people there greeted them with friendly hands. People give them food and water. They made it to the wizard’s home just past the baker’s shop and across from the blind man’s home. “Take a seat,” the wizard said, while pouring them all tea. “Thank you,” both the elves said with thirst in their voice. The wizard said a couple magical words and then “poof”; a feast fit for a king was on the table. Dontey looked over and saw a picture of the wizard and a woman. “Who’s is that in the picture on your night stand?” he asked. “That is my wife and I. She is on a trip in Anthony. It is the island off the coast of Dragon Desert and   just north of Winter Valley. She is a news reporter for our local scroll. She went to do a report on the ruins in the forest there,” he explained while he passed the food around the table. “ She is coming back in two days. Would you stay so you two can meet her?” He said with excitement. “Yes, we would be honored to” Thane said grabbing the picture to look at it. “Wow she is pretty” Dontey said looking over his shoulder. “She is a sorceress and her specialty is illusion!” he said getting up to get more water. 9

Then some one knocked on the door and the wizard stood up to answer it. Suddenly the door swung open and in front of them stood a centaur. “What would you like today Crewe?” asked the wizard to the centaur. “The usual. I see you have some company,” said the centaur, stepping into the house. “ Yes and they are staying here for a couple days and then going to find the Sword Of The Elders” said the wizard, handing Crewe his magic arrows. “ Really? My Grand parents live near the Eagle Eye Mountains, but it is a long journey”. “How far exactly?” asked Dontey, sitting in a chair “ Well, about four months that’s not too long” said the centaur sitting on the floor. “FOUR MONTHS!” Dontey said falling over in his chair. “Crewe if you would like, I can make another bed for you and if they don’t mind, you can stay in the room with them” asked Yuar. “That would be fine. After you are done here I would like to help you two on your adventure” Crewe said standing back up. “Well, that is fine with me,” both the elves said together. “Then it’s settled. In two days the four of us will be on our adventure.” Crewe said.10

Two days passed and Thane and Dontey were busy cleaning the downstairs of the house while Yuar and Crewe cleaned the upstairs. They were all chanting, when heard a woman’s voice outside the door and all hurried to finish what they were doing. The door opened and a woman like the one in the picture was standing in the doorway. She was rather small, like the wizard, but she was very pretty. “ Did you get anything good for the scroll?” asked Yuar taking her packages. The other three were sitting in the living room talking. “Who is the company?” asked the woman. “This is Thane and Dontey” They shook her hand and kissed it. “How are you today?” asked Crewe. “Fine, thanks for asking” the lady said taking a seat on the couch in the living room.  Yuar walked to the kitchen to make some tea for them. They all sang, dance, ate and drank all day. 11

In the morning the three companions set out on their journey across the land. They reached the forest of Barleon and then set up camp for lunch just outside the forest. “What do we have for lunch today?” asked Dontey. “Let me see, bread and water and meat” Thane said starting the fire. “Sounds grand to me,” Dontey said taking out his eating utensils. Crewe heard a quite voice in the bushes close to the camp. “Well I’m going hunting so we have some food for dinner” Crewe said taking out his bow. The two elves let him go and when he was out of sight three men jumped out of the bushes, attacking the elves. Dontey screamed and ran into the men with his hunting knife, attempting to hurt them. Crewe came running back because he heard the scream. He got back to the camp to find Thane and Dontey standing above three men in armor, tied up in rope laying on the ground. “Who are these men?” asked Crewe. “We don’t know but they attacked us from the bushes” Thane said sitting the men up. “Let them go. They are from Lador the city in the mountains. That is why their armor is white and silver.” Crewe said cutting the men free. “Oh, But they are men” Dontey said with a disgusting look. “Yes and these men help keep your lands safe from Lord Kamis” Crewe said placing his rabbits on the ground.12

That night the three men camped with elves and centaur. “What are your names?” asked Thane. “I am Andrew, but people call me Ace, the captain,” said the tallest knight. “I am Brad,” said the second knight. “And I am Jeremy” the Third one said, taking off his armor. “We are scouting the land for a small army of…” The captain paused. “Army of what?” asked Dontey with fear. “That is what we are trying to find out, we saw you three and thought there were more people. The army has been attacking towns under our protection,” said the captain grabbing a plate of food. “ We would join you if Dontey and Crewe want to” Thane said looking at Dontey. “I have no problem joining with you, just as long as you help us on our journey after we are done” said Dontey. “I will gladly help you find the army,” Crewe said. “What journey are you on?” asked Ace. “We are going to the Eagle Eye Mountains to get the Elder Elf sword,” said Thane. “Well we should pack this is going to be a long journey” Dontey said. “Yes that would be true” Thane said walking up to him. “We should go into town and get some supplies and such,” Crewe said leaving the building. “Yea we should go with him,” Thane said leaving behind Crewe. “Bye” Dontey said to Yuar. “Bye” Yuar said shutting the door. “We should buy some daggers and arrows for hunting. Also some food to get us through the first couple days” Thane said walking to the market. “Crewe and I will go get the hunting supplies.” Dontey said stopping for a second. “Then we can sleep at my house and leave in the morning. They went shopping and got what they need to get; and meet back at Crewe’s house for some dinner before they left in the morning.13

When the sun was just rising out of the east, Thane and the Captain made teams for the hunt for the army. “Good morning every one” The captain said putting his on armor. “Here are the search parties; party one will be Dontey, Brad and Crewe, search party two will be myself, Thane and Jeremy,” Said the captain with hope. “We will meet at the path of Lador at dawn” Thane said, giving each captain in the groups a horn. “What are these for?” asked Dontey grabbing the horn form Crewe. “Blow the horns if you find the camp of the army” Ace said placing the horn around his neck. When every one was ready and had their armor on, the groups separated.14

“We will be the first ones to run into trouble with our luck.” Dontey said smiling. “We do have the horns,” Brad said climbing onto some rocks. “Yeah and what do the horns do? Nothing at all” Dontey said sitting down next to the rock Brad was on. “You will be happy we have the horn when we run into trouble. The horn is a Lador help signal.” Brad said looking for the camp. “Look just there” Crewe said pointing to a cloud of red smoke. “Yea what about it?” Dontey said. “It is red smoke. That can only mean one thing burning flesh,” Crewe said. “Look, just before the smoke there is something moving” Brad said. “Yes and it is moving fast toward us” Dontey said drawing his sword.15

To the east of the mountains Thane and his group were moving at a fast pace. “There is smoke coming from the town of Cathol” Ace said, racing down a hill. “I wonder if the other group can see this” Jeremy said, tripping over something. “Wait!” He shouted. He looked at what he had tripped over only to find out it’s an orc imprints. “These are fresh prints,” Thane said to Ace. “They lead down the hill,” Jeremy said. The three of them follow the footprints until they hear a mournful scream come from ahead of them past a large bolder. “Wait here. I’ll see what happened.” Ace said, climbing the bolder.16

Dontey, Brad and Crewe are preparing to fight what ever might come near them. “As they come closer the group gets smaller” Brad said, jumping off the rock. “Yes but look in the center of them” Crewe said turning to Brad. “It’s a cart, but what does it have in it?” Brad said, taking his sword out. “They are orc’s” Dontey said peering into the group moving towards them. The reached to the hill and stopped. “We will make camp here tonight,” a panting voice said. “But sir we have to make haste. The army will be here by nightfall,” a squeaky voice said. Brad grabbed the horn from Crewe and blew into it as hard as he could. “Will help come soon?” Dontey asked. “It should” Brad said, placing the horn around his neck. Moments later they heard hooves behind them. They turned to find a small group of 50 soldiers coming to their aid. “Hello Captain” Brad said, bowing to the man on the horse. “What is your trouble?” asked the captain, fixing himself on the horse so he was facing Brad. “We have found a small group of orc’s over the hill” Brad said, walking to the edge of the hill. “Men, draw your weapons!” the captain said following Brad. “Give these men some horses,” the captain said. A man with two horses came out and gave them horses. “There are many of these orcs. We will need as many men as we can get, so you will fight with us,” the captain said to Brad. “Crewe and Dontey get ready. We will ride with these men.”17

On the other side of the mountain Ace, Thane and Jeremy had followed the footprints. “They go in two different directions” Thane said looking at the prints. “They go to the side that Brad’s team is on… and to the town.” Ace said examining the prints. “The fresh ones lead to their side. Should we go that way or to the town?” Jeremy said. As they thought and then they heard a horn being blown from someone close. “That could be Crewe! We should go and help” Ace said, running to their aid. They ran for about ten minutes until they got to the other side. They saw an orc camp and men charging down a hill and orcs coming out of a forest near them. “Look atop the hill, Crewe, Dontey and Brad are charging into battle,” Ace said, peering over a boulder. “Then we should help them!” Jeremy said running to help the others. “Lets go” Ace said to Thane. They drew their weapons and charged screaming from the back of a bolder. The men continued to blow their horn and more orcs came. Soon after, 100 men came over the hills and started charging. “Well hello Thane” Dontey said helping him off the ground. They fought for hours until all the orcs were dead. “We counted the bodies and piled them up on the hill” one of the captain’s men said, mounting his horse. “How many were there? 1000?” the man said. “This army was sent here for a reason. I want to know why. You six find out for me, and when you do, come back to the city.18

They searched through the bodies for hours. “Look! I found a book in this man’s pouch.” Dontey said, pulling it out of the bloody pouch. “This says Captain Barolt” Dontey said, opening to the first page of the bloody journal. “I can’t read the rest.” Dontey said, shutting the journal. Wait until the blood dries, and while we wait we can look through their stuff for an answer” Thane said, grabbing a bag off the ground. They looked for hours until Ace found a bag full of papers. “Look! I found some papers.” Ace said dumping them on the floor. “Here, the journal is dry now.” Dontey said, trying to read it. “It says here that his orders were to take over Lador and kill every man, elf and human in the area. Also, destroy every town in their path.” Dontey said, reading the journal. “There had to be more than just 1000 orc here,” Ace said packing the papers back into the bag. “We will go to the city just over this hill to make sure there are people still alive” Thane said, mounting a horse. “What should we do?” Crewe asked. “Take the papers and the journal back to Lador with Brad and Dontey. “Remember every time we looked up, the group got smaller?” Crewe asked Brad and Dontey. “Yes” they both said turning to him. “Well in any case, they split up and they are going to meet somewhere,” Crewe said sitting on his back legs. 19

“We should get moving if we want to get back before sun down.” Jeremy said, mounting the horse next to Thane. “Come on Ace, lets us get going” Thane said, bringing him a horse. Ace climbs onto the horse and they started for the town. They rode for hours until they finally got just of outside the town. “Leave the horses here and we can climb the hill and take cover behind the rocks,” Ace said, dismounting his horse. “I’ll take a quick look while you rest our horses” Thane said, running up the hill. He took cover behind a rock and peered over. Ace and Jeremy came up the hill and then they heard screams come from the town. “What do you see Thane?” Ace asked, peering over the rock. Taking out his bow Thane fired an arrow at one orc who was attacking a woman. “We must help these people,” He said, jumping over the rock. “Ace he is better than you” Jeremy said laughing as he jumped over the rock. “Wow he hit him right in the head” Ace said as he crawled over the rock. They ran down the hill to the town and drew their weapons. Thane fired arrows as he ran down the hill. “Blow the horn!” Thane shouted to Ace. “They should come soon,” he shouted as he put the horn around his neck. “There are hundreds of them. There are even goblins” Jeremy said, killing an orc. A horn blown from the city is heard by Ace. “They can’t send help,” Ace said.  “We are on our own,” Jeremy said20

“We are on a hunt for the city, at least they could give us help” Ace said, helping Thane. “We can win, look!” Thane said, helping a man off the ground. They all turned and looked around the corner where Thane was pointing. “The town has an army? I didn’t know this” Jeremy said, standing next to Ace. “Neither did I” Ace said, walking to the small army next to the town center. “There are hundreds of them and a thousand orcs,” Jeremy said helping a man kill an orc. The three of them helped the town’s army kill the orcs and goblins. They fought for hours, helping the men from the town battle until finally the orcs and goblins retreated. “Thank you for fighting with us today” the captain said, walking to the doors of the town center. He opened the door and people came pouring out like a river. At the end of the hall a man sat in a chair above all the people. “Welcome to The hall of Cathol” said the man sitting in the chair. “I am Zalion, the leader of this town.” He said, standing to greet the three of them. “I am Ace from Lador, the mountain city and my friends are Thane from the forest of Yaron and Jeremy, who is also from Lador” Ace said, shaking the man’s hand. “Thank you for your help defending our town” Bullion said sitting back down. “We came to help” Thane said. “It was our honor to fight with such great men,” Jeremy said. “Did you meet our captain?” asked Zalion. “This is our captain, Bullion. He trained all our men,” he said pointing to the captain. “We were pleased to have you fight with us,” The captain said, bowing. “Thank you” They all said taking a small bow. “We would like to stay but we must get moving” Thane said, shaking the hand of the captain. “Take these medals for helping us in a time of need” Bullion said, handing them a shield shaped pieces of gold with a silver star in the middle. “Thank you,” The three said, walking outside and mounting their horses. 21

They rode until dusk when they see campfires on the east side of a hill they were going over. “Lets go check it out” Jeremy said, turning to Thane. “Ok let’s go” Thane said. They rode until they got 100 yards away from the campsite. “What do you see?” Ace asked, turning to Thane. “Our hunt is not over” he said, answering Ace. “Lets go,” he said. They rode until they were behind the campsite. “How many are you guessing?” Asked Jeremy. “I would say at least 80” Thane said with a grin. “80! We’ll be killed,” he said jumping off the horse. They all got off their horses and Ace and Thane readied their bows. “We’ll fight until our death” Ace said, pulling his arrow back onto the string. “Easy for you to say, you don’t have to save this world” Thane said, firing an arrow. He and Ace continued to fire arrows at the tents and all the orc outside, until they came charging at them. “Now the real hunt begins,” Ace said, drawing his sword, and then his dagger from his belt. “These guys aren’t too bright,” Jeremy said. Moments latter he got knocked on his butt by an orc. “Not to smart Jeremy?” Thane said laughing. They continued to battle until finally they were down to one orc. “What do you think his rank is?” Jeremy said. “I’m thinking at least captain” Ace said, as the three of them cornered the lone orc by a tent. 22

“I am the cook of the army you just defeated, but I do have spear training they still made me the cook” the orc said curling into a ball. “The cook!” Jeremy said laughing. They all started to laugh. “Please don’t hurt me,” the orc said. “Let us think on that one” Ace said, taking a seat next to the orc. “You are in good shape for an orc. You are muscular and not fat.” Thane said, sitting next to Ace. “I worked out every day so that I could join with the army and help them with their good deeds” the orc said Uncurling and sitting in front of them. “GOOD DEEDS!” Jeremy said shouting. “They were killing innocent people and then burning their towns and houses,” he said, lowering his voice to almost a whisper. “They told me they were doing good deeds for our Master, Kamis” the orc said. “You did not know of their plans?” asked Thane. “No, But I do know where the captain kept all his papers” The orc said, pointing to a black tent with red spots all over it. “Why is his tent black all the others are white?” Jeremy asked. “He said that the blood is shown better on the black” The orc said, standing. “What are you doing?” Ace asked with curiosity. “Going to get the papers,” He said, walking to the tent. “I’ll come with you” Thane said, Chasing after him. “We were the last army that was sent out for this part of your land,” The orc said walking next to Thane. “Are you sure?” Thane asked. “That is what I heard just before you attacked us” The orc said. “What is your name?” Thane asked. “Haromin” the orc answered. They reached the tent and Haromin opened the door for Thane. They started rummaging through all the papers and chests that are there. Jeremy and Ace searched the camp for anything useful. “What do you think their plans were?” Jeremy asked, picking up a canister. “I don’t know… couldn’t be that bad” Ace said Searching a tent. “I found the plans. They should be in this chest,” Haromin said, taking a sword off the ground and trying to break the chest. “What type of creature are you?” Haromin asked. “I’m an Elf, not a creature,” Thane said smiling. “What is an elf?” Haromin asked. “We look like humans but with some differences,” Thane said, helping him to break the chest. “What are those differences?” he asked. “Elves have pointed ears and usually have long hair. Our eyesight is much greater than an average man. We live in forests and use nature for all our needs” Thane said, as they broke the chest. “I think I have seen one before” Haromin said, helping Thane empty the chest. “We are also the best archers in all the land” Thane said reading a paper. They looked through the papers until they finally found the papers they were looking for.23

“OK, we need all these papers” Thane said packing them back up. “So why are you not at your home?” Haromin asked Thane. “My friend and I are on a adventure to get the Sword of the elders,” Thane said, pushing the door open. “You know where that is? Its on the other side of the Dark Land” Haromin said. “I hope you get it. We need more peace in this land,” he said. “You are welcome to join us,” Thane said, looking for the other two. The other two found three horses tied to a tree a little outside the camp. They brought the horses to where Thane was and they packed the package and headed back to the city. “Are you sure they will welcome me to your city?” Haromin asked Jeremy. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Haromin” Jeremy said, smiling. “You know my name?” He asked Jeremy. “Yes Ace and I over-heard you tell Thane” Jeremy said. “So are you helping Thane on his venture?” Haromin asked. “Yes so are Ace, Dontey and Crewe” Jeremy said, answering him. “Who are Dontey and Crewe?” Haromin asked. “Dontey is an Elf like Thane, and Crewe is a Centore” Jeremy said. “Centore make a great meal,” Haromin said licking his lips. “Yea I’m sure they do” Jeremy said laughing. They got to know each other a little better, and then continued their journey to t a small cave in the side of the mountains. “This looks like place to stay for tonight” Thane said starting a fire inside the cave. “I lost my dagger” Dontey said looking for his in his bag. “Here take one of mine, I have no use for it” Haromin said handing him his. “Thank you I will keep it safe” Thane said tying it to his belt. They sat around the fire and talked for a little and took turns keeping watch for any danger all night. “I wonder what that was?” Dontey asked him self-keeping watch. Something was moving near them in the bushes. Dontey went to check it out but nothing was there, he sighed heavily and then went back to his post. “That was weird I swore I heard something moving over there” He said sitting down. “Hey, Dontey I’ll keep watch now” Jeremy said as he walked up to Dontey out of the dark. “Wow you scared me. There was something moving in the bushes” Dontey said frightened. “That was me I had to go to the bathroom,” Jeremy said laughing. They both were standing there with a strange look in their eyes when they heard something coming towards them. “What’s that?” They both asked walking into the dark. Many shadows are passed behind them, “Few it was only deer” Dontey said with relief. “Yes, but what are they running from?” Jeremy said as he walked to a big rock where they kept watch. “Don’t know, but I’m tired so I’m going to bed” Dontey said yawning. “Good night” Jeremy said as Dontey lay in his bed. “Night” Dontey replied.24

 In the morning they traveled back to where the first battle took place. “Quiet! I hear something in the distance.” Thane said, coming to a stop. “What is it?” Jeremy asked, stopping next to him. “Quick! In the bushes” Thane said racing his horse there. They raced to the bushes and dismounted their horses. Seconds after they got into the bushes, orcs came from everywhere, racing up the hill. “There have to be 2000 at least,” Ace said, whispering. Ace blew the warning on the horn. “We should hurry back to the city.” Thane said mounting his horse. The other two jumped onto their horses and they rode as fast as they could to the entrance of the city. Ace ran to the hall where the king is to tell him the news. “An army of at least 200 orcs is passing the city walls. Get the men ready!” He said panting. “All men get ready and take positions on the wall!” The king said, grabbing his sword from its holder on his chair. “Come with me” Ace said, walking to the wall. “You three take the south end with Brad. Dontey and Crewe they can come with me” Ace said, pointing to a wall on the opposite side of the city. Ace left them to go find Crewe and Dontey to defend the North Wall. Thane, Haromin and Jeremy ran to the south wall and took positions; Ace finds Dontey and Crewe already on the north wall. “Those were not orcs,” Haromin said, standing next to Jeremy on the wall. “What are they then?” asked Jeremy. “Creatures created by our master. They are orc and goblin together. The strength of an orc with the brain and speed of a goblin” Haromin said shivering. “Aren’t goblins dumb?” Jeremy asked. “Not war goblins. They are the smartest of all the goblins.” Haromin said. “You know what all kinds of goblins are, but you don’t know what an elf is?” Thane said, laughing. “We only learn about dark creatures in school,” He said, smirking. “When we are done on our journey and there is peace again teach every one in your land about elf’s” Thane said bumping him. “I will teach them about that and how good their meat is.” He answered smiling.25

They hear a horn in the town from the north gate and then one from the south. “Look you two it’s the orclins” Jeremy said pointing. “What’s and orclin” Haromin asked. “It’s what I’m calling those creature you described” Jeremy said smiling. “Oh, you humans are weird you have a word for every little thing” Haromin said laughing. “Ready your bows” the captain of the gate shouted.26

“Dontey do you know how to use a bow?” Ace said picking one up. “No but I can try” He said smiling. “Crewe do you need any arrows?” Ace asked handing him some. “Look on the road” a voice said. “What are those?” Dontey asked. “I don’t know of any such creature,” Ace said. “They are not known to me either” Crewe said. “Ready your bows” Ace shouted. “Why would they attack during the day?” Crewe asked looking at the marching army. Dontey starts to hum a tune and then all men around him join in. “What is the tune your humming Crewe asked. “Arrow thunder” He answered still humming. They continue to hum the tune until the orclins came 200 yards from them. “Why do they want to fight? We have so many more men than them,” Ace said, moving to Crewe. “There must be something they are hiding.” Crewe answered. The humming continued through out the camp.27

On the other wall all the men can hear the humming. “Why would they be humming at a time like this” Haromin said. “It keeps their souls alive” Jeremy said. “Here they come!” a man voice shouted. “Take aim” Jeremy shouted. “Fire!” Thane shouted, firing an arrow. The arrows fly in the air they look like a river flying at the orclins. In seconds you could see hundreds of orclins falling to the ground. “Sir they have reached the gates,” a voice shouted, to Jeremy. “All you men hold the gate” Jeremy shouted pointing to some men. The men rushed to the gate as the orclins broke through. “I’ll help” Haromin said, as he ran and jumped off the wall onto the gate. The gate closed again and then Haromin fell off. “Here they some with a battle ram” Thane shouted, firing an arrow at the orclins carrying the ram. The ram broke the door down onto men holding it closed. Haromin got stuck under the edge of the door. Orclins came pouring in, they all passed Haromin like he was one of them. “I wonder how many orclins there are over at the north gate,” Jeremy asked, as he rushed down the stairs. “Thane, you use your bow I’ll help Haromin,” he shouted as he reached the bottom drawing his sword.28

At the north gate the orclins had not reached the gate yet. “Look on the mountains side” Dontey said pointing to a shadow in the hill. Ace and Crewe turned to see what it was. “What is it Crewe?” Ace asked. “It could be many things, but at the speed its moving it’s either a shadow warrior, a shadow goblin and or a shadow wizard” Crewe said, trying to examine the shadow’s moving. “How do you know all these creatures?” Dontey asked. “Many years of studying” Crewe answered. “I thought you were only in your middle ages?” Crewe asked firing an arrow. “I am 48 middle age. I Studied for 20 years about the dark creatures” Crewe answered firing an arrow at an orclin. “What do you mean your 48 middle?” Ace asked. “Middle age is after 100 years of first years,” Dontey said. “Ah, I see” Crewe said. They fight for hours more until they finally see the black shadow’s moving in the mountains again. “Here come those shadow things from the mountains.” Dontey said.29

They see men tossed in mid air and flying over the wall. The shadow passes them and they felt a gush of wind, Crewe follows the shadow to where it went. The shadow stopped at the castle, and Crewe stopped ten yards behind the shadow to see what it was. “What are you” Crewe shouted as a breeze became very windy. The shadow turned around as it shouted something. “A shadow wizard!” The shadow shouted. “What is you name?” Crewe shouted back. A bright flash came from the wizards’ staff and Crewe went flying backwards into a house. Crewe stood back up and took his bow and one of his magical arrows. “You stand after that?” The shadow said laughing. “You’ll pay for that” Crewe shouted and fired an arrow. A big ball of fire came from the side of the shadow and hit him. The wizard fell to the ground breathing heavily. “Crewe turns to find Yuar standing on a roof top. “Thank you my good friend I owe you my life” Crewe said walking to the house. “Sure is a fiery mess isn’t it” Yuar said laughing. “Hey, we did the best we could” Crewe said, letting the wizard jump onto his back, and walking to the wizard. “Please don’t hurt me,” the strange wizard said. “I only wanted to help for the good cause” He finished, he took his last breath and his head hit the ground, he was dead. “No what was he talking about?” Crewe said shouting. 30

“Hello my friend” a few voices said. They turned and found Ace, Thane, Jeremy, Haromin, and Dontey walking towards them. “But where is Brad?” Crewe asked. “He left just before the battle we saw him running over the hills at the south gate” Thane said. “I knew he couldn’t be trusted. If I ever see him again I’ll kill him” Crewe said angered. “So what was all the screaming over here?” Jeremy asked. “This wizard died just before we could ask him what his good deed was,” Crewe said helping Dontey off him. “Well the enemy retreated but we can’t figure out why. They had us beat” Dontey said laughing. A soldier walked up behind them with a sad look upon his face. “They got the princess,” he said as he handed them her scarlet scarf. “Why were we not told about the princess?” Ace asked lost in thought. “The king didn’t want you guys to know in case you were spies” the soldier finished. “Let us go see the king” Thane said getting up from where he sat and walking to the castle. 31

“Let them out now” the king shouted from the castle door. Thane looked up and saw a green dragon flying around in the sky, the dragon landed next to thane and picked him up. “Rohan what are you doing here” Thane said laughing. The dragon set him back onto the ground next to the king. “Who is this?” the king asked curiously. “This is Rohan, he is the protector of our forest and my good friend” Thane answered with a smile. “Dragons cant have friends, they are violent creatures,” The king added. “You are wrong all dragons aren’t violent and yes they can have friends,” Thane said getting in the kings face. “I’ m sorry if I offended you in any way” the king finished. The sun was now setting behind the mountains. “Why don’t you come in for a spot of dinner? Tonight we will feast for our victory over the orc’s” The king said as he walked to the castle. “First you must tell us who the princess is and what they would want with her.” Haromin said as he stopped the king. “She is my daughter of my third marriage, she has a special item shall we say of rare value they need. Her name is Kimberly,” The king said as he pushed him aside. “We will leave first thing in the morning to look for her,” Thane said as he followed the king. “And we will return her to your hands safely” he finished. “I thank you for being so kind but we should go eat before all the food gets cold” The king said as he opened the doors to the castle. In the morning the left before any one but the guards were up and set out to look for the princess and return her safely to the king.32

After they left Lador they passed through a giant forest with a sign in the road; it read, “ I can see you at all times in my forest…. Signed The Man in The Woods” Jeremy read off the sign to the others. “What do you think he means?” Dontey asked, with a puzzled look. “I don’t know but we have to travel through this forest to get to our next point” Thane said as he walked to the forest entrance.33

They travel for hours through the thick dense forest until they come to a clearing in it; it had nothing but a tree and a little house on the cleared land. “I wonder who did this?” Ace asked as he rode his horse to the house, the others followed him. “No one is home,” he said as he knocked on the door. “Let me and Dontey go check the forest,” Crewe said as he walked away with Dontey. The two of them left and went back into the forest as the others sat by the house and waited. “Maybe no one lives here any more” Jeremy said as he drank water from his pouch. “The fire is burning so I’d think some one must be here,” Ace answered as he took the pouch from him. “Or maybe it is just some kids, I don’t know” he finished as he wiped water from his mouth. “Well who ever it is they sure are messy” Thane said as he peered into a window. “I wonder how the other two are doing?” Jeremy said thinking. 34

“I wonder if there is even anybody out here,” Dontey said to Crewe as he walked beside him. “We can’t be sure until we find some one out there” Crewe answered, as he pushed a branch away form his face. “Well at least we aren’t sitting back at the house in the hot sun” Dontey said smiling. “Do you remember how to get back?” Crewe asked smiling back. “Ah, no but we cant be to far. I can still see the grass,” Dontey answered as he peered over his right shoulder. “Besides if I don’t we can just wait for them by the trail” he finished. “Yes, your right” Crewe agreed. They heard a noise coming form in front of them, so they ducked and in a couple minutes they rise, to find a tall man in a noble mans clothes standing over them. “Do you know those people by my house?” He asked curiously. “Yes, they are our companions. The one sitting by the tree is Ace, the man to his right would be Jeremy, and the elf leaning on the tree is Thane, He’s our leader.” Dontey said standing next to the man. “And this is Crewe, and I’m Dontey. We were looking for some place to stay and we were wondering who owned this here house.” He finished. “Well I’ am Gweon, the protector of this forest” The man said as he walked towards his house. Crewe and Dontey followed Gweon to his home in the center of the patch and they meet their friends there and introduced every one.35

“Why don’t you guys stay here for tonight” Gweon said as the sun set in the sky. “If you have enough room” Jeremy said walking into his house. “This place looks a lot smaller from the outside” Thane said as he entered Gweon’s house. “Yes, it was enchanted by a sorcerer” He answered. The tall man placed his sword on its hilt that was hanging on the wall. “What are you guys doing this far into the woods?” Gweon asked. “Well we came in here looking for one our men that ran off and we need to get to the city on the other side” Thane said taking a seat. “I haven’t seen any men come through here in a few days. What do you need in Atheling?” He asked out of curiosity. “Wait you have a sorcerer that lives with you?” Dontey asked. “No, he was the last protector of this forest. Before he died he gave it to me and now I’ am the protector.” Gweon said as he poured them all a drink of brandy. “ Oh ok I was scared for a second” Dontey said with relief.                       They heard scratching coming from a door down one of the many halls in the house. Gweon walks down one of the halls and opens the door, out flies a dragonet to the window. “That’s. Not. Good, nope not at all” Gweon said as he ran to the window. He walked over to a chest and opened it; he pulled out a crossbow and some arrows with a net in a ball on them. “We must go after him,” he said as he grabbed all his gear. “If you shoot these they will send a net flying but be careful I can only get these in Garonis.” He finished. He handed them each two of the arrows. “Umm Mr. Gweon I cant really use a bow.” Dontey said smiling. “Well when we are done I will train you” Gweon said as he walked out the door. “Ok lets split up Ace you come with me, Crewe go with Gweon, and Dontey you and Haromin go together. Jeremy you and the Dragon can go together,” Thane said as they all stood in a circle. “Just watch out for any Red Dragons they are around here,” Gweon added.36

They all ran off, and Jeremy headed to where they left the dragon out side the forest. He passes the sign and it had something different written on it “Beware of the dragon; of the protector”. Jeremy thought to himself about what the sign said before when he entered.  He jumped onto the back of the green dragon and took off in search for Gweon’s dragon. “You know what Rohan he never told us what the dragon looked like” Jeremy said talking to the dragon. They flew just above the trees so they could see into forest.37

“Let’s just stay here and see if the dragon comes back,” Dontey said as he turned to Haromin. “You are the laziest person I know” Haromin said laughing. “Yes, well, umm… I could be lazier” Dontey said with red cheeks. “Yea probably not but you can try” Haromin said laughing even louder. “How are you in such good shape if you are always lazy” he finished. “Have you ever spent a summer working with or for Thane?” Dontey said laughing with Haromin. “There’s the dragon,” Dontey said as he pointed to it on a tree. Haromin whistled and every one came running to where he and Dontey were. They all fried and arrow at the dragon but it jumped into the air and flew away. It flew past Jeremy’s head. “I got it guys,” He shouted turning for it. He chased down through the forest dodging trees and getting smacked in the face with a branch. “You know your dragon is running my forest” Gweon said watching the trees fall. Out came the huge dragon and a small little one in front of it, “Fire Dontey” Jeremy shouted as the little dragon flew at Dontey. “Ummm. I’ll try” Dontey said scared. He fired an arrow in the direction of the dragon, the dragon dodged the arrow and the net flew out and hit Jeremy. “What are you doing” Jeremy said struggling in the net.  Ace and Thane both jumped onto the dragon and took off after the dragonet. They saw a blinding flash coming from in the forest and when it disappeared the dragonet turned into a giant red dragon right before their eyes, it hissed and blew fire at the men on the ground. “Oh great we cant even stop in a forest with out fighting” Thane said turning to Ace.38

They flew back down through the clouds and stopped just above where the others were. “What is that?” Ace asked him self. The red dragon was swimming its tail at Haromin and the others that were hiding in a ditch. Ace and Thane jumped of the dragon, and the green dragon flew at the other making it fall to the ground. The green dragon slashed at the red dragon until out of the woods a man came wrapped in clothing form head to toe. “Your dragon will not beat my red dragon,” The voice said with a deep tone. “With the power of these crystal’s, the crystal of Garmond and the crystal of Fathorn.” He said as he pulled two shiny crystals out of his pockets. “Garmond gives the dragon strength, Fathorn gives it a outstanding defense” He finished as he but the crystals away. “Find your own dragonet to use crystals on, Aread is mine” Gweon shouted as he walked to where the dragons were fighting. “Stop Aread you know that you shouldn’t be fighting. You were meant to protect this forest not destroy it or kill any one” He shouted as he looked at the dragon. The fighting stopped and the Aread walked to Gweon and started hissing different noises. “Yes you remember I’ am your master not some man wrapped in cloth that’s too afraid to show who he is” Gweon said softly to the dragon. Rohan flew at the man and wrapped him in his tale, and carried him to Thane. “Drop the crystals or you will be crushed” Thane said approaching the man. The man dropped the crystals, and Aread returned to his regular dragonet sate. “There now leave and never show your face here again” Thane said as he turned around, and the dragon dropped the man. The man dropped to the ground pulled out a dagger and went to stab Thane in the back. Rohan snapped down on the man and at all of him but his dagger. “Nice work Rohan” Jeremy shouted. “Its great to have Aread back thanks to you guys” Gweon said as he walked over to them.39

The sun shined bright in the sky the next morning over the forest trees. Dontey and Gweon were up early training. “Nice elfin sword you have there” Gweon said examining Dontey’s sword. “Yes, the black smith in my old town made it for me, I worked for him for about 3 years before moving” Dontey answered him. “It’s my birthday today also” He finished. “Is it happy birthday” Gweon said thinking to him self about what he should get him. “Happy birthday Dontey” Every one said walking out of the house. “And thank you for a place to stay” The said to Gweon who was now walking to his horse. “Can you guys stay here for another night?” Gweon asked leaping up onto his horse. “Yes, if you want us to” Thane said saddling up his horse. “But where are you going into?” Thane asked jumping onto his horse. “To get Dontey something for his birthday” Gweon replied. “Well then I will ride with you” Thane said glancing at Ace. “And I will also ride with you” Ace said climbing onto his horse and riding off with the others.40

“Well I didn’t forget to get you anything” The other three replied. “It’s ok let’s wait until they get back to give me my gifts” Dontey replied walking into the house. “Did you guys ever wonder what all these doors have behind them?” Dontey asked curiously. “Do you thing you should do that?” Crewe said as Dontey went to open a door. He swung the door open and found a woman asleep in a bed. “Do you think that this is the princess?” Dontey asked as he crept to the bed. “Let me check another door Crewe said as he walked to another door he opened it just a crack and peered in. “You guys there are orcs in these other doors” Crewe said as he turned white. “Let’s get her out of here” Haromin said as he lifted her up on his shoulder. “Wait some one is coming. They placed her back down and shut the door, they walked to the entrance and found Gweon and the others back. “Ready for your birthday dinner?” Gweon asked as he walked to his kitchen. “Yes” Dontey replied. 41

Gweon cooked for hours and Haromin, Dontey and Crewe told Ace and Thane about what they found. “Dinner time” Gweon called from the kitchen. They all sat down for dinner at the table. “Dinner was great” Haromin said as he finished his plate. “Thank you” Gweon said as he finished his soup. “Thank you for all this food” Dontey said as he sat back in his chair. “Wait we still have gifts,” Thane said as he walked to a pill of boxes. “This is from me and Ace” Thane said handing him heavy box. Dontey opened the box and found a new cloak and gauntlets. “Thanks you guys, I needed a new cloak and I didn’t have a pair of gauntlets. This is from me and Haromin” Crewe said handing him a heavier box. He opened this one and found new chain mail and plate boots. “Thank you guys also these are great gifts” Dontey said to Crew and Haromin. “And this is form me” Gweon said as he handed him something wrapped in a blanket. “What is it?” Dontey asked as he un-wrapped the blanket. “A dragon hide bow, one of the best bows you can buy” Thane said with shock. “Wow, thanks” Dontey said with huge eyes. “ I figured that you could use it after all our training” Gweon said smiling. “Yea I still need some work,” Dontey said as he wrapped it back up. “I’m going to get some sleep” he finished. He walked to the couch and Thane followed him. “What’s wrong?” Thane asked as he lied on the floor next to him. “We found the princess” Dontey whispered.42

“Where?” Thane asked in shock. “Third hall 4th door” Dontey answered. “Gweon how long have you owned this place?” Thane shouted to Gweon. “Yesterday I got it.” He said walking over to them. “Do you know what’s in the halls?” Thane asked, “I have only checked the first hall,” Gweon added. “Oh well we have to leave early tomorrow and then we will return” Thane said as he had every one pack to leave. “What’s the rush?” He asked with interest. “Nothing we must got somewhere” Thane said falling asleep. He arose early that morning and awoke Haromin and the others. They sent the dragon home until they need him again and left the land. They grabbed the princess and rode as fast as they could to the next city. A few orcs chassed them to about half way down the road; the seven of them killed the orcs and rode off. The princess awoke around noon that day. “Where am I?” she asked as she set up in her bed. “In Bayforn city of the oceans” Thane answered her from the door. The princess was just tall as Thane and had brown hair and eyes, the fairest skin in all the land it was tan and soft, her dress was beautiful red trimmed in green and gold. “I have heard of this city it’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful” She smiled. “Wait why am I here” she asked with fright. “You were captured by orc’s in Lador, the king said that you had a rare item they need” Thane said as he walked to her bed. “Yes, my necklace it has a gem in it, there are only two of these types of gems” She said as she pulled the necklace out of her dress. “Where is the other gem?” Thane asked as he sat on her bed next to her. “No one knows, it said that along time ago in the first age of war against the orcs and goblins that and elf made a sword with it built into the hilt, the gem would give it amazing strength, but no one has ever found the sword” She said as she put it back in her dress.43

“You princess are the most beautiful girl in all the land,” Jeremy said entering the room. “Yes she is” Thane said agreeing with him. “Thank you, and you are handsome two the both of you” She said blushing. “Thank you” They both replied. They all sat around the room getting to know the princess a little more and finding out what the orcs and goblins had wanted to do with her.44