Sword of the Elder~chapte 2

Chapter 21

After they all had got all the information they knew Thane walked to the window because he heard a scream. “The princess is missing” two men shouted out side the window. “Well news sure travels fast” The princess said. “I never got you names,” she added. “I’ am Jeremy” he said kissing her hand. “I’m Thane,” he said kissing her other hand. “Well aren’t we friendly you two” Ace said as he took a seat in the room. “I’m Ace a knight of Lador” Ace said as he leaned back in the chair. “And this is Dontey, Crewe and Haromin” Thane said pointing to the others in the door.2

All the men left the room but Thane. “I’ m sorry if that embarrassed you, Jeremy is some what of a flirt,” Thane said as he stood by her bed. “Yes that was embarrassing,” she said getting out of bed. “Here let me help you” Thane said taking her hand. She tripped over her feet and fell on top of Thane on the ground. “Come on you two we got to move” Haromin said walking past the door. “Umm yes right we should get going.” Thane said helping her off him. “Yes your right” Kimberly said as she stood up and brushed her self off. “We can’t go back to Lador,” She said as she grabbed her stuff. “Why is that?” Thane asked as he stood up. “The orcs will return there, and they can’t face another attack. We have to get this gem to the Eagle Eye Mountains and place it in the Sword Of The Elders and then we will be able to defeat the orcs leader.” She answered. “But I only have half the map” Thane said as he walked to the door. “Yes I know that, and I have the other” Kimberly answered. “How did you get it?” Thane asked curiously. “Never Mind that we must hurry,” She said as she ran out of the room. They got out on the streets and orc’s were searching all around. “We are on the east side, we have to get to the west side” Crewe said pointing to the west gate. “Lets stay together,” Thane said sneaking into an ally with no orcs. They reached the other side of the all and an orc walked in they all dove into different doors and windows. “This isn’t going to be easy,” Haromin said as he peeked out his window. “Why do you say that?” Kimberly asked as Thane helped her out of the window she dove into. “Two thousand orc and seven of us” Haromin said as he walked to where the others were. 3

“No eight” a voice said. They turned to find Gweon standing over a dead orcs body. “How did you find us?” Thane asked he walked to him in shock. “Well, shortly after you left I found that orcs were in the other rooms of the house so I had to follow you guys. So when you left I followed you on foot” He replied. “Well then” Thane said. “This is Kimberly the princess of Lador” Thane said as he bowed to her along with every one else. “How are you princess?” Gweon asked as he bowed. “We should get going the orc’s will find us if we don’t hurry,” Kimberly said as she walked to the end of the ally. “Plus it isn’t that hard to follow a trail of dead orcs to a city” Gweon said laughing. “Still 8 against 2,000, not good chances” Thane said as he snuck to the other ally. “You forget something Elf, we have the element of surprise” Gweon said smiling. “Yes that will last for about 5 seconds” Thane said in a sarcastic way. “All right let’s get her out of here the gate is only just about 4 miles away.” Crewe said as he ran out firing his arrow at the orcs. The others followed him firing arrows at every orc they could see within minutes the street was full of dead orcs. The princess watched as they killed the orcs and worked their way down the street. They got half way down to about the center of the town, and they heard a loud sound coming from behind them. They all turned and saw three mountain Trolls and goblins on there backs firing arrows coming towards them. “Ready guys?” Ace asked setting him self to attack with his bow. Give me this princess said grabbing Dontey’s extra bow. “Fire” Thane shouted. Thane was firing two arrows and a time hitting the beast it took at least 20 arrows to take down one beast. 4

“Haromin is hit Thane” Dontey shouted pulling the arrow out of Haromin’s arm. They defeated the other two and continued up the street until they came to the doctor. “Help this man” Thane said walking with Haromin. The doctors grabbed him and examined him. “Nothing is wrong with him,” The doctor said. “Then what’s on this here arrow?” he said pulling out the arrow showing to the doctor. “Scorpions blood” The doctor answered. “But you should know since you are one, but orcs are immune to anything like this” The doctor said laughing. “Just check it, I don’t want my friends hurt” Thane said angered. “Hide orcs are coming” Kimberly shouted as she ran to a barrel in the corner. The orcs came in screaming and shouting at the doctors and nurses. They left after flipping all the tables and chairs into the air. “What happened to the defense of this city?” Crewe asked coming out of a room. “They are all trapped in the castle,” A nurse said pointing to the castle. “You thinking what I’m thinking” Thane said looking at Ace. “Way ahead of you friend” He replied running out of the building. “We can stay here and have them check you” Kimberly said setting Haromin down. “But” Haromin said getting cut off by the princess. “No buts you’re injured” She said sitting next to him. 5

The others were making a plan in the lumber mill just a crossed the street. They build them selves more arrows and a big crossbow. “How are we going to move this” Dontey asked laughing. “I will pull it” Crewe said putting a rope around him and the machine. “Can you work it also?” Thane asked Crewe. “I’ll try,” He answered. They got every thing set up and marched to the castle. “Well pretty good odds if you ask me” Gweon stated. “Why is this?” Ace asked curiously. “I have my net arrows and these magic arrows, they explode when they hit their target. A old wizard made them for me” Gweon finished. “Nice” Jeremy said smiling. “Ready?” Thane asked. “Hell Yea” They all shouted. They rush into battle swords held high and the giant cross bow firing at the castle doors blocked my tons of orc’s and wagons. Orcs fly through the air as the exploding arrows hit them. Men are shouting from the door and attempting to break it down. Archers are the only help the six companions get from the castle. Soon 2000-orc turns into 500 and by the time they get the door broken open an orc on a horse steals the princess out of the hospital. “Kimberly!” Thane shouts knocking a paladin off his horse and chasing after her. He chases the orc through the city but by now more orc have reached the eastern gate. “I’ll make you a deal,” The orc says stopping his horse. “Give us your map and you get the girl” He finished. “How about I keep the map and you give me the girl. I will be forced to kill you if you don’t hand her over.” Thane said jumping his horse.6

“We battle like two gentlemen, swords only and to the death,” The orc said pulling out a fire blade. “To the death very gentleman like. What ever I’m getting the princess no matter what.” Thane said very confident.  Thane pulled out his long blade with the crystals in the hilt that he got form the wrapped up man. “Let us begin.” The orc said slashing at Thane. Thane blocked every attack the orc swung at him. “That’s it, I bet this girl duels better than you” Thane said laughing. He and the orc swung high at each other their swards meet and the blades cracked and went flying into the air. “Damn it” Thane shouted. “Its al right I can handle this” He said to him self. “Are you ready elf?” The orc said jumping into the air. H pulled a dagger from his boot stabbing at Thane. He cut thanes right arm with his dagger and punched him in the face. “Is that all you posses Elf,” The Orc said taunting him. “Just wait bastard” Thane said running at him. He punched him in the chest then jumping into the air kicked him in the chest. The orc went flying backwards into a wall. “That’s almost all I posses” Thane said laughing. He turned to walk away, but the orc got up and ran at him with his dagger with blood in his eyes. “Catch” the princess, said throwing Thane a sword. “Thanks” he said turning to the orc. Thane cut off his arm and went to cut off his head but stopped. “Go I’m done with you” Thane said turning walking to the princess. The orc stood up with a throwing dagger. “No!” the princess shouted. She ran to thane just as the orc was about to throw the dagger. “And you thought I was injured” A voice said coming form behind the orc. The orc fell to the ground with an arrow in his back. “I think I just saved your life.” Haromin said walking up to the two sitting in the dirt.7

The other came walking up to where the three of them rested. “The city is safe nothing was broken except the castle door” Jeremy said helping Thane up. “Thanks” Thane said helping the princess up. “Lets find a nicer hotel,” Ace said as he walked up to Thane. “Why, what was wrong with the other one?” Jeremy asked. “The food sucked” Dontey and Haromin said together. “Ok let’s go” Thane said walking away. They all walked down the street laughing and joking as people cheered for them, for saving their town. A man rode up to them on a horse dressed in a blue cloak. “The king would like to see you first thing in the morning” He said then trotted away. “I’m starting not to like coming to such big kingdoms,” Jeremy said as he continued walking. “Why is that?” Crewe asked. “The kings always have us go see them, it takes time out of eating hello” Dontey said smiling. “Haha, yes that’s what I was thinking.” Jeremy said Laughing. “Let us hope no more orcs attack,” Thane said walking into a fancy hotel next to the castle. 8

“Nice place” Ace said walking in. “I bet I can eat more” Dontey said racing Jeremy and Crewe to the dinning area. “All you can eat buffet.” Dontey said rushing to the plates. The three of the got as much food as they could until they were stuffed. “I’ll go check on our rooms” Thane said walking to the stairs. “I’ll come with you.” Kimberly said rushing to his side. “You coming or going” Thane asked Ace. “I’m going to go walk around” Ace said walking out the door “Here is your key. What about you Haromin?” Thane asked tossing ace his room key. “I’m eating.” He said walking to the Dinner area. “Haromin come on” the three shouted form their table, which was full of empty plates of food. “Wow they got nice rooms here,” Thane said walking into the room. “Two beds?” Kimberly asked setting her stuff on one. “Yea I didn’t want any one to be alone in case of an attack,” Thane said smirking. “Oh is that so?” Kimberly asked walking over to him. “I think it was you that said I could duel better than the orc, and it looked like you had a hard time with him, cant imagine what it would be like against me.” She finished as she pushed him on to his bed. “Oh you think I was telling the truth,” He said grabbing her arm and pulling her onto the bed.9

Meanwhile Dontey, Crewe, Jeremy and Haromin clean out the hotel of food. “We may ask you to leave and find some where else to eat.” The waiter said pointing to the door. “Fine I’m sure we can find a better place to eat at.” Haromin said leaving with the others. They walk out of the hotel just as it turns dark out side. “Lets go in here” Jeremy says pointing to a tavern. “Yea” Dontey said walking to the tavern. “I can’t wait to eat again.” Jeremy said taking a seat at a table. “I know I’m so hungry” Dontey said ordering. They all went down and ordered all the food that they could; they finished all their food and then went to the bar. “I wonder if there are any hot centaurs here,” Crewe said looking around. “Probably not but you keep looking” Jeremy said laughing. “Oh look I found an orc, I’ll be back later boys.” Haromin said walking away. “Oh and there are some elf’s and humans” Jeremy said dragging Dontey over to a bunch of girls. “It’s ok guys I found a babe,” Crewe said to him self-checking out another centaur.10

On the other side of the city Ace walked the darkened streets thinking about what will happen to him and his friends. “We have along journey ahead of us. All of us have become good friends, Jeremy and Haromin, Dontey and Crewe, Me and Thane, and now that we have the princess Jeremy has been acting really weird” Ace thought to him self walking under the lighted road. He thought about what is going to happen after they get the sword, and what’s going to happen to the land they love. “Hey” a voice shouted from behind him. He turned to find a girl running from a man on horseback. “Help Me,” she shouted painting. He pulled out his bow and hit the horse. The man flew off the horse near Ace’s feet. “What are you doing to this woman?” Ace asked picking the man up. “She Stole from me” the man said. “Leave her be, or I will have to send you home dead” Ace said throwing the man back. “Thank you, I don’t know how I could ever re-pay you,” she said hugging him. “Don’t worry just go home and take this in case he ever attacks you again” He said handing her a dagger. “Thank you” she said running away. Ace continued his walk around the city looking and the marvelous buildings, watching the little kids play and rush home. He missed his land of Lador and most of all the people he knew, but he pledged elegance to Thane and his journey and to protect him until he may die. Ace had arrived back at the hotel that they are staying at and went up stairs to bed.11

In the morning one of the kings noble’s men came and collected the companions and they went to the castle to see the king. “What did you guys do last night?” Thane asked the four that went to the tavern. “Oh you know the same old ate drank and checked out woman” Jeremy said laughing. “So what did you do?” He asked winking at Thane. “We just talked,” he said looking at the princess. “Yea just talked” she agreed. “An elf and a human never heard of such a thing,” Ace said looking back at them. “All right were here. Just wait here while I announce you,” The noble man said as he walked into the throne room. “You’re majesty the men and lady that saved your city” He said as they entered the room. They walk to where the king was sitting in his throne. “I thank you my good friends. You have saved my city from being pillaged to the ground.” He said as his noble men brought out boxes of oak. “I thank you and award you these medals,” He said opening each box and handing them to the companions. “We are honored to have these medals.” Thanes said as he knelt before the king. “But we must be on our way we have places to go and people to see” Gweon said as a man entered the room. 12

“Wait. I know this man. He tried to kill me last night,” A man said walking to the king. “No, you lie you were chasing that woman in the corner” Ace said pointing to a woman in the corner. “I would never touch the princess. I’m loyal to my king and land.” The man said as he walked up to Ace. “You are lying. I followed my friend here last night,” Gweon said as he walked up to the king. “This man was chasing her on horse back. Ace shot an arrow at his horse and saved her” Gweon finished. “You both lie,” he said panicking. “Tell them the truth Princess,” the noble man shouted as he crept away. “They aren’t lying dad, he chased me all through town.” She said turning to them. “Guards arrest this man,” the king shouted as ten guards ran into the room. The man turned to the king and was about to stab him with a dagger when Ace lashed out his sword and cut his head off. Every one stood in amazement in how fast Ace had moved to save the king “Young man you have just saved my life” The king said petrified. “Yea well we must be on our way” Ace said turning and walking out. “If you shall ever need us send this back here and we will come as fast as the wind runs.” The king said handing Thane a dagger with the words; To save a life is to save a friendship on the handle. “All right thank you” Thane said turning. “No, thank you my friend,” The king said turning. “Farewell” Thane said leaving.13

The companions left the city on their horses feeling a little but closer to each other and safer around each other. “This venture has been way more than I expected, I have seen more blood in these past few weeks than I have in my life” Ace said in the pack of the pack. “I have a feeling there will be even more to come” Gweon said trotting up to Dontey’s side. “We should hurry so we can get closer to our objective.” Thane said picking up the pace. “So where are we going?” Haromin said riding next to Thane. “Umm. Don’t know, far away from here,” Thane said laughing. “Great” Jeremy said. They rode till sun down and then set up their camp out side an entrance to some mountains. “Great spot” Jeremy said as rocks fell from the mountain. “Yea well where else is there to stay?” Thane said looking around at hills and trees. “You’re right, but if I die from a rock falling on me ill haunt you.” Jeremy said setting up his tent and laughing. 14

They set up there tents and went searching for food and firewood. “You ever hunt before?” Thane asked the princess hunting out near the mountains. “Nope this is my first” She answered. “Well I shall teach how to use a bow” Thane said getting closer to her. “I guess you should,” She said getting comfortable. “Well, first you should place the arrow like this. Then pull it back with your arm straight like this” He said as he helped her. “Oh yes” She said concentrating. She fired an arrow it went flying into a tree about three yards away. “Well that could use some work.” Thane said laughing. “So how did you meet all these people?” Kimberly asked aiming the arrow. “Lets see. Dontey I knew ever since we were in school, Ace and Jeremy I meet at Lador, Crewe I meet at North valley, Haromin was with a raiding clan that we slaughtered, and finally Gweon we meet him in the forest just out side Lador.” Thane said as he helped her aim. “You slaughtered orc?” She asked turning to him. “Well see they had been killing people and burning small towns.” Thane said with an assuring face. “Oh well then” She said turning back around. “So what have you done, besides make guys drool over your beauty?” Thane asked smiling. “Well let me think, I have tried magic, not my thing, I’m very good at getting away with things, I’ am very good at battling with daggers” She said smiling. “Well we only have plain daggers,” Thane said as he stepped away from her. “Here let us battle” Thane said taking two daggers out of their holders. “No thanks I have my own” Kimberly said as Thane tried to give her a dagger. “No way Ice Daggers. Where did you get them?” Thane asked with amazement. “A king of the North Lands gave them as a gift I should wed his son, his son died in a battle and I keep the daggers” She said smiling. “Well I’ll take it easy” Thane said striking her. Kimberly blocked his attack and punched him in the nose. “Ouch what was that for” Thane said in pain. “You said you were going to take it easy, I never said I was” Kimberly said getting in her defensive stance. “Oh its on now” Thane said laughing. He jumped into the air striking her daggers. “Ha can’t get passed my defense. The princess said attacking Thane.15

Jeremy and Gweon walk over the hill, were the two are battling, looking for firewood. “What are they doing?” Jeremy asked as he sat in the grass, putting his sticks in a pile. “Looks like they are battling.” Gweon said sitting next to him. “She has ice daggers, those are rare” Gweon said as he pointed to her daggers. “Yea I have heard of them, who ever gets stabbed with one turns to ice” Jeremy said as he squinted. “Look at them go, they look like they could do this for hours,” Gweon said watching them battle. “Lets hope they got us dinner” Jeremy said standing up. “Yea lets hope” Gweon agreed. They both left and returned to camp where the other four were waiting. “Did you get the fire wood?” Dontey asked, as he picked up a log, and set it next to the fire to sit on. “Where are Thane and Kimberly with dinner?” Haromin asked as his stomach growled. “They are battling over the hill just there,” Gweon said pointing to the hill.16

Thane and Kimberly came walking over the hill with deer and rabbit meat in pouches. “Finally” Dontey said as he helped Kimberly unpack the food. “We couldn’t find any food,” Thane said as he dumped his food out. “Are you sure? Cause I thought I saw you battling each other” Jeremy said angered. “Hey they got the food didn’t they,” Ace shouted in Thanes defense. “Don’t stand up for him Ace” Jeremy shouted as he walked into his tent. “What got into him?” Kimberly asked walking over to the fire. “I don’t know” Ace answered. They un-packed the food and cut it by the time they had finished, the sun was long disappeared behind the hills and darkness covered the land. “We are getting ever closer to the dark lands and we still don’t know how to get to this sword of the elders,” Crewe said as he sat next to Dontey. “We do know its passed the dark land and in the eagle eye mountains.” Thane said in return. “Let us hope that we can get to it before darkness covers to much of this land.” Haromin said smiling. “Yes, well I’m going to bed” Crewe and Dontey said and the same time. “Where did you ever get those big tents?” Gweon asked admiring the tents. “They were in mine house and Dontey’s” Thane answered. “They are huge” Haromin said eating still. “I think they might have been old war tents, both our families were in many wars,” Thane said standing up. “Where are you going?” Kimberly asked as Thane walked away. “To take a walk,” He replied vanishing into the dark. “Wait I’ll come” Ace said walking after him.17

“All right” Thane said as he stopped. The two vanished into the dark walking side by side. “So you and the princes seem to be getting along quite well,” Ace said as he caught up to Thane. “Yea she’s nice” Thane said smiling. “I think Jeremy is jealous,” Ace said pushing a branch from his face. “Yea I can tell” Thane answered. “We really should get back and keep watch.” Ace said just as a scream came from their camp. The two of them ran back and hide behind a rock just out side camp. “What are those?” Ace asked gazing at what was in their camp. “Mountain gnomes” Thane answered. “We should help them,” He said as he ran into camp. “What are you doing here?” Ace asked as all the gnomes turned towards him and Thane. “We are here to get something for our leader” One of them answered. “What are you here to get?” He continued to ask questions. “A bride.” He answered politely. “Oh no not this girl” Thane said as he ran to Kimberly, who was being attacked by gnomes. “Yes, she is the bride to be” a gnome said biting Thanes hand. A bunch of gnomes jumped onto Thane and Ace so they couldn’t help the others were still sleeping in their tents. “We wait till sunrise and then we will come into the mountains and get her back” Thane shouted to the last gnomes leaving.18

They packed their stuff and rode into the mountains the next morning while the sky was still pink. Haromin traced the footprints of the gnomes to giant wall of four or five cave entrances. “Ok we split up. Ace come with me” Thane said entering the first cave entrance. “You with me” Crewe said pointing to Dontey. “Looks like it’s us” Haromin and Gweon said walking into the last entrance. “I’d rather be stuck with a Thane,” Jeremy whispered. “What was that?” Haromin asked as he waited for Jeremy. “Nothing” Jeremy answered.19

“It smells like rotten eggs,” Ace said covering his mouth and nose. “This is ghastly.” Thane agreed. They winded through many passages until the found a dim light at the end of one. “ Ha ha. We are the masters of this here tunnel,” Ace said running to the light. “Or not” He finished as he exited the cave. “Why not?” Thane asked exiting behind him. They entered a room full of weapons and gnomes in armor. “This is the armory,” Ace said ducking. “Good call” Thane said running out of the room. “Well I have never seen so many little gnomes in one place.” Ace said tripping over a stone. “Well we went down the wrong tunnel” Thane panted out of breath.20

“How do they find their ways through the tunnels?” Thane asked walking to another tunnel. “Look next to each of the tunnels is a sign in the rock.” Ace said walking up to one. “Armory and Kitchen” He finished. “This says, dungeons and cages. I wonder what cages means,” Thane said whipping sweat from his eyes. “This one says do not enter” Ace said as he walked to the middle. “And the last one says throne room.” Thane said entering it. They ran down the tunnel and found it split into two different parts. “Well this is convenient” Ace laughed. “Left or Right?” Thane asked gazing down the tunnels. “Right” Ace shouted. “Let us hope your right” Thane said walking down the tunnel. They got half way down the tunnel and Ace stepped on a loose piece of land. The ground shook under their feet and back at the entrance rocks fell and blocked their way out. “Good Job” Thane said continuing down the path. “Yea I know” Ace answered with a smirk. “Well there could be another way out from this tunnel. Or we could dig our self’s out” Ace said following. “Well I didn’t bring any thing to dig with” Thane answered. “Your sword” Ace answered back as he laughed. “That broke at the city. Saving the princess” Thane answered looking back. “Did you hear that?” Ace asked stopping. “Yes, What could it be?” Thane asked sneaking back21

“What is that?” Ace asked, as his eyes grew wide. Gazing upon a giant fire troll, who was running through the stone that blocked the entrance. “Oh great, can’t anything be easy.” Thane said turning and running. “What was that?” a squeaky voice said coming around the corner. “I’ll get them,” Ace whispered taking out throwing daggers. “Go for it.” Thane said leaning up alongside the wall. He threw his daggers at the fire troll and flew up against the wall. The troll ran past them and found the gnome with the squeaky voice and killed it. “That was close” Ace panted. “Lets get out of here” Thane whispered.22

“At least we got the middle tunnel. Nothing is ever wrong in the middle tunnel in stories.” Dontey said laughing. “Don’t be so sure” Crewe assured him. “I bet we got the right path,” Dontey shouted as he walked into a lighted area. “Well are least we are in a different room. They journeyed into the throne room. “This is not the room that was labeled out side on the wall.” Dontey said looking around. “Well at least we aren’t in the dungeons or something.” Crewe said pushing a piece of cloth from his face. Dontey walked up to the throne and sat in it. “Look some one is coming.” Crewe whispered hiding behind a statue. “This is what we don’t need here,” a voice said. “I want them killed and burned in the great room,” The voice finished. “Buy my lord, we don’t even know how many there are or what they are” The other answered. “I don’t care who or what they are, or how many there are just kill them and do it now” The man raised his voice. “Yes, sorry my lord” the other answered leaving the room followed by two others. “A man” Dontey whispered to him self. Dontey crept out from behind the throne, and drew his sword, and placed it on the man's throat. “You harm any of those men I will kill you” Dontey said angered, pushing his sword against the throat of the man harder. “You don’t understand, you wont leave here alive if you kill me” The man said snapping his fingers.23

“As I was saying, you will never leave here alive with your precious girl unless you do exactly what I tell you” HE finished removing his cape. “No it can’t be, Failorn?” Dontey asked tightening his grip. 20 little gnomes came out from hiding spots in the walls and form the doorway. “Ah, yes my old friend Dontey. I haven’t seen you in many ages, ever since combat school. What were we 16?” The man asked. “Yes you were the new hot shot” Dontey finished. “Ha I was better than any one there except for you.” Failorn said with anger. “You tried to kill me and the elder banished you form the forest” Dontey finished pulling his sword away form him. “Yes he was scared I would kill our best fighter. How is thane? Does he still posses his best archery in the land” Failorn said standing next to Dontey. “Yes, and his friend is the best swords man in the land,” Dontey said getting in his face. “HA” The man laughed as he walked away. “How did you ever get to this place?” Dontey asked. “Ah that’s a long story to tell. Right after I got banished form the forest, my family disowned me, my girl friend left. I was left with the clothes on my back and my skills. I traveled far looking for a new place to stay, through winter and spring and fall back to winter. Until finally I found a giant picking on these gnomes city I fought him, and killed him. These people vowed to follow me wherever I go. We moved here dug a new city in this wall, set up traps like the signs out side of the cave doors. We attack only the enemies we can defeat take their gold and their lives.” He answered as he patted each gnome on the head. “As you can see now that we have the help of Kamis we are doing well” he finished. “So you follow the dark, not a good thing you will soon know the same defeat as those innocent people you killed.” Dontey said angered. “Ha, that is what you say. I have other plans for me, like first I shale show you and your friends off this world” Failorn walked away from Dontey. “Don’t move, or I will be forced to shoot” Thane said coming around a corner with his bow. “And we shall show you how real men fight” Haromin said drawing his sword, as he walked form another entrance. “So I see you have brought your bunch of hooligans with you.” Failorn said as him and his gnomes walked out of the room. “Follow me I will show you the “Real Mans” way to settle this” he said as he disappeared. The group followed him and his gnomes to a giant room, and at the bottom was a giant maze. “This is how you deal with your intruders” Jeremy said laughing. “This isn’t any ordinary maze, you must pass a series of test. First you must get to that square arena and fight your first enemy, then to the second and third and so on.” Failorn pointed to squares in the giant maze. “That’s it?” Gweon said walking down the stairs to the entrance. “No, there are dangerous traps through the maze you must be careful or you will die. You may go in groups of two or alone” Failorn answered as he walked up to a giant tower. They made teams and Haromin decided he would be the first one to go and be alone. 24

“My, look at the audience we have here today” Failorn shouted down to the group. They looked up and saw thousands of men, woman, and children gnomes and humans. “You all have got a chance to pass this, three out of the 5 people must complete this or I will be forced to kill you.” Failorn smiled. “Let the games begin!” he shouted. Haromin ran into the maze dodging arrows and flames coming out of the wall, he got to the first arena square with ease. “Ha, I can beat you” Haromin sweated, as he watched a muscular troll enter the arena. “You wear no armor?” Haromin asked shocked. “Ha who needs armor?” The troll laughed. Haromin walked up to the beast and struck him with a fierce punch. He continued to punch the troll until it fell tot eh ground then he drew his sword and cut its head off with one blow.25

“He has passed the first trial in this tournament” Failorn shouted to the crowd. “Kill him!” the crowd cheered. “They don’t know what they are talking about we will complete this so fast” Ace whispered to Thane. Haromin was dodging and ducking as arrows, flames and axes falling and shoot out of the walls. “I can’t wait to see the centaur do this” Haromin said to himself. He ran into a dead end and got trapped in a cage. “Oh and that’s it for the orc” Failorn shouted as Dontey and Crewe were shoved into the maze. “You go that way,” Crewe said as he turned right. “No we must stick together if we want to complete this” Dontey said following him. “If you insist.” Crewe answered. “Watch out” Crewe said ducking as a hammer swung at his face. “Ouch that hurt” Dontey said rubbing his shoulder. “Ah look we are here” Crewe walked into the first square. A large dark man came around the corner with a thunder hammer in his hands. “Lets get started.” He said as he smashed the ground. “All right. We can take him” Dontey winked. The giant man swung his hammer at the two of them and smashed it on the ground next to them. “What power” Crewe said dodging the swing. “Do you have any arrows?” he asked as Dontey got up from the ground. “Only regular arrows, and one ice arrow” Dontey answered out of breath. “Let me see the ice arrow” Crewe said, as Dontey tossed him the ice arrow. “I’m going to aim for his hand and hopefully we can freeze that and then you go and shatter it” Crewe said running to a corner. “Oh give me the hard job,” Dontey whispered. The man raised his hammer high into the air and Crewe fired the arrow and hit him right in the center of his hand. “Yes” Crewe shouted excited. The large man looked at his hand as it began to freeze up to his wrist. Dontey ran in and struck the guy’s finger and his hand shattered into hundreds of frozen pieces. “That was a good plan, but he still has one hand left. The man picked up his hammer with his left and swung it and hit Crewe into a wall. “Crewe you ok?” Dontey asked as Crewe fell to the ground. “I’ll be fine,” He panted. Dontey ran up to the man and jumped onto his shoulders. “Die you beast” Dontey said taking out his bow and shooting and arrow into the head of the man. The man squealed a deep tone and then fell to the ground. “Wow, that was exciting my friend” Crewe said trying to stand up. “Yes it was” Dontey said jumping off the dead man. “Shall we continue?” Crewe asked smiling. They walked out of the square battle ring, and into the next part of the maze. “Well this is going to be harder than the other part” Dontey said looking down the path. 26

The path was a floor of fire, with plat forms that move to different spots. “Look its Haromin” Crewe said jumping onto a plat form. “Well he got far” Dontey said following his friend. “Watch out for the cages” Haromin shouted to them as a cage fell form the ceiling. They both jumped out of the way and landed on separate platforms. “Watch out!” Dontey shouted to Crewe as a hammer swung at his chest. “Thanks” Crewe said as he leapt over the hammer. “I can’t get back to him,” Dontey whispered to himself. “Maybe there are two entrances,” He said standing ready to finish the maze. Dontey continued down the path that he was on. He reached a dead end but could see the next battle arena. Crewe leapt up the platform where Haromin was. “Do you have any ice or fire throwing hammers?” Haromin asked Crewe. “Umm, no” He said searching his cloths and pack. “Ok, let’s try to push this off the edge” Haromin said pushing it. Crewe helped him push it to where it was half off. “Ok now I can try and climb out,” Haromin said scaling the side of the plat form. Haromin and Crewe went down the opposite side that Dontey went. “We need to make it to the next plat form and continue on, we can’t wait for Dontey. If we do we will run out of time” Crewe hustled down the path.  “We are timed?” Haromin asked. “Yes look up there,” Crewe pointed to a giant sundial. “We get an hour to finish and you only have half an hour Dontey and us have forty-five minutes.” He finished. “We can do this” Dontey said as they reached the second arena. “How did u find you’re way here?” Crewe asked jumping onto the arena floor, from his plat form. “Well one of the walls you can see over so I looked for the path from where I was. I pretty much cheated.” Dontey said laughing. They walked in the arena, and three people with dark robes on walked in and drew their swords. “Those are dark blades,” Haromin said examining the blades from afar. “Very rare and very expensive.” He finished. One man threw his robe into the. “Brad!” Dontey shouted as he walked up to Brad. “Why did you leave us?” He asked. “Dontey my old friend. It’s time,” Brad answered in a dark tone. Brad swung his sword at Dontey; Dontey jumped out of the way and punched him in the face. “Let’s help him,” Crewe said rushing to Dontey. One of the robed men jumped in his way. This robed man threw his robe at Crewe kicked him in the chest. “You look familiar,” Crewe said drawing his sword.27

“I must look familiar,” The man said battling with Crewe. “Ah, I know who you are, Lazineth” Crewe said. “You are good my old friend” Lazineth said. “Why are you here?” Crewe asked. “After you left our village those many years ago, I and a few others set out to find a new place to live. This man gave us every thing we needed just as long, as we fight for him.” He answered. “But why did you leave?” Crewe said swinging at his friend. “We were band from the land, we killed the mayors daughter and son.” The man laughed as he blocked the strike. “You murder, you should be killed” Crewe said stabbing the man in the leg. He shouted and fell to the ground, as Crewe circled around him. Dontey and Brad still battle in the opposite corner of Crewe And Lazineth. Haromin stands and examines the two battling and every moment he will turn and look at the last fellow standing in the center of the arena, pondering who it might be hiding under the cape. “My brother, no, Son, never” Haromin whispered to himself. “If you want to see my face, just ask” The man said to Haromin. “NO, I can wait” Haromin laughed. The two others fought their men until finally Dontey struck Brad to the ground and was standing over him. “You see you cant win” Dontey said kicking him in the side. “These dark blades are more powerful then any other” Brad said grabbing a hold of his and hitting Dontey in the leg with it. “A scratch that’s the best you can do? Ha.” Dontey laughed as he walked back. “Well I must kill you, I hope you understand” Dontey said getting ready to strike Brad. “Well, you understand if you kill me you are dead, if you don’t you are still dead, so you see I don’t care what you do.” Brad said standing up. “Well good bye” Dontey said stabbing Brad in the heart. “What?” Dontey said as brad pulled the sword from his chest. “I told you that they were more powerful than nay other,” Brad said smiling. “They keep their owner alive from any attack, but only if their heart is pure evil.” Brad said picking his sword up. “Then how do we kill you?” Dontey asked sweating heavily. “Ha, like I’d tell you how to kill me.” Brad said laughing. “I’ll kill you don’t you worry.” Dontey said striking at Brad28

“You stand there like a rock,” Haromin said to the third guy. “I’m examining you,” He answered. “You ready to fight yet?” Dontey asked. “Ready when you are” The man’s cape fell to the ground. “DAD!” Haromin shouted. “I will cut you’re head off and feed it to the dogs” He shouted running at him. Haromin ferociously swung at his dad. “I can’t believe you would become this evil.” Haromin grunted. “You better start believing it because I’ am and their isn’t any thing you can do about it.” His dad smiled. “I can and I will” Haromin said slicing his fathers neck with his sword. “Now suffer like the innocent’s that you have killed. “How did you kill him?” Dontey asked, pushing Brad away from him. “Cut is head off” Haromin said with a simple tone. “But you didn’t cut his head off” Dontey said looking down at Haromin’s dad. “Yes, this I know. I will let him suffer and then kill him” Haromin answered angered. “Watch it” Dontey said blocking a hit form Brad next to Haromins’ head. “Thank you, lets end this now, we don’t have a lot of time left” Haromin said cutting his dad’s head off. “You’re right” Dontey said swinging at Brad’s head. “Leaving so soon” Brad smirked. “Don’t you worry I’ll be back” He finished as Dontey cut his head off. “Sorry but I must go old friend” Crewe said, driving a dagger into his friends heart and cutting his head off. “We all will miss them, until we meet in battle again.” Haromin said leaving the arena. “What do you mean again?” Dontey asked. “The evil power has many secrets. They can bring the dead back to life. The only way to stop it is to kill the source of the power. Which in our case would be Lord Kamis.” Crewe answered. “I’m surprised you knew that” Haromin said shocked. “Yes, well I studied many things growing up” Crewe answered. “Hey you guys look at the last part,” Dontey said looking around. “This part isn’t going to be so easy.” He looked around. The last part was like a giant mirror, everywhere they looked they saw them self’s. “This is going to difficult.” Crewe said ironically. They all followed one another until they came to the final arena. “I hope this guy is easier than the other’s” Haromin gripped his sword. 29

“Hey, guys, what took you so long to get here” A voice came from behind them. “Thane, Ace, and Gweon” Crewe said turning. “He sent us through, and he said if all of us can beat this last event. Then we win.” Thane panted. “Then it’s not going to be easy,” Dontey said as the gate the exit opened. “He said he was running out of time, like he had some place to go” Ace pointed at Failorn. “And there is the princess” Gweon pointed to a cage above the arena. “She is knocked out” He finished. “Where is Jeremy?” Dontey asked. “He stayed back with Failorn” Thane answered. “Look” Haromin pointed to the gate. Lines of goblins stood in the doorway, clanging their weapons against their armor and shouting. “I live for this stuff” Ace shouted. “What?” Dontey asked confused. “Killing these guy’s” Ace smiled. “Me also” Dontey drew his sword. “LET’S GET STARTED! THE FINAL TEST, YOU WILL HAVE TO KILL EVERY OPPONENT THAT COMES THROUGH THE DOOR” Failorn shouted, the crowed cheered so loud that they drowned out the goblins noises. Thane and Crewe took out their bows and fired upon their enemy running at them. The hundreds of them clanged into the five others like rocks. “Die you dirty animals” Dontey shouted stabbing one in the heart. “If you ask me this is a little un-fair.” Thane said shooting a goblin in the chest. “Yes, but only a little” Crewe winked. “At least we have the element of surprise.” Thane smirked. “How is that?” Crewe asked. “They are most likely expecting more men, they are going to be pretty shocked when they see only seven of us.” Thane finished. Time passed as they battled the goblins for the last test, there were only ten goblin left by the time Failorn stood to announce another challenge. “My good people, I give these men one last test, defeat my top knight and I shall let you and you’re girlfriend go” He shouted to the men. “Lets give him hell” Ace said to his friends. “Right” they all shouted. They finished killing the ten goblins left and a tall man in layers of armor walked through the gate. “I be you’re last challenge mates.” The man said drawing his sword. “I wish ye the best of luck,” He said swinging his giant dragon axe in the air. “Nice axe, and hammer. Umm well axe-hammer thing” Dontey stumbled with his words. “Ha” The man laughed. “I don’t think it is a good idea to talk to him,” Gweon said pulling Dontey away. “Indeed, I think you might be right” Dontey said.30

The man was taller than the wall’s of the maze and covered in layers of blue and black armor, with blood spots over his armor. “I have killed 193 men with this here axe, you will help me reach 200” The knight said as Thane fired a shot at him. “Let us start all ready and stop talking” Thane said firing another arrow at him. The seven of them attacked the man and were swung around like play dolls. “This wont be easy” Crewe said standing next to Thane. “The most we can do is to get that axe out of his hands” Thane answered. “So what are you saying? Aim for his hands?” Crewe asked with a confused tone. “Do what you have to do, just get his weapon out of his hand’s.” Thane answered. “All right” Crewe said firing arrows at the knight. They finally get the knight to stop using one of his arms. “Yes, at last.” Thane smiled. “Yes but we still have got one more hand” Crewe shot an arrow at the knight. “Ahh” Dontey shouted as the knight knocked him into the air. “No Dontey!” Thane shouted as he ran at the knight. Thane jumped onto the knights’ arm and started to hack at his wrist with his sword. “Get off me” The knight grunted, as he grabbed Thane and threw him against the wall. “This is just great Thane and Dontey are both knocked out,” Gweon whispered to Ace. “Yes, but look at what Thane did” Ace pointed to the knights’ arm. “Ha, he is having trouble lifting his axe” Crewe said. Haromin charged at the knight and jumped on the same arm Thane was on, and continued to hack at the wrist of the knight. The knight could no longer use his right hand, it had been chopped of, and his left hand could hardly move at all. “I have not given up yet” He pulled a vile out of his pocket and drank it. “What!?” Ace shouted in shock. “It’s not possible.” He finished. The man’s left hand was beginning to become mobile again and he lifted it. “The man knocked Ace, Gweon, and Crewe up against the same wall as Thane. “This is terrific, me verse this giant man that can heal him self, not to mention he has layers of armor on” Haromin whispered to him self.31

“You are helpless, you can not defeat me,” The knight laughed. “He can’t but us together can” Jeremy walked out from behind the giant man, along with Brad and Haromins father. “They can help us,” Haromin snapped. “We can and we will” Brad said drawing his sword. “What happened to your sword? It used to be surrounded by dark smoke, now it is surrounded by light” Haromin asked. “Yea well it changed, Failorn healed me and I started to remember all the pain I had to go through to become evil. Then Jeremy said he would give us a second chance, I started to see things different, and you can guess the rest.” Brad smiled. “But my dad’s is still black” Haromin said sadly. “Yes, but look” His father said holding his sword high. “It also has light to” He finished. “Let us just kill this man already.” Jeremy said, as he drew two swords. The four of them surrounded the knight in a square and each took turns attacking him. The knight became very confused and swung fiercely at Haromin. Haromin flew onto the ground dazed, “Watch out” His dad shouted running at him. The man swung his axe in the air and down at Haromin, Haromins dad dove on the ground and pushed him out of the way. His dad was crushed by the hammer part of the axe. Haromin stood back up and stumbled to where his dad was. “Son, take this and when you are done helping this people move our family out of the dark land’s. Haromin listen to me, you have always made me proud of you, not matter what I say” His dad gasped and then died in Haromins arms. “Thank you” Haromin stood with watery eyes. “You will pay for what you have done.” He said to the giant man. Haromin took the sword his dad had handed him and charged at the guy screaming. Thee sword was brighter than it had ever been. Haromin jumped into the guys’ chest knocking him down on the ground. HE stabbed the man in the heart and then took his other sword and stabbed him in the throat. “That is for my father and me” He jerked the sword in the throat of the man. The hands of the man became as white as a ghost, and he vanished into thin air. 32

“All right we have our winners” Failorn shouted. The crowed cheered for them as they awoke their friends that were knocked out. “You put on a good show my friends” Failorn shouted to the group. “I’m glad he enjoyed it” Thane said sitting up. “We have been here long enough let us get the princess and leave.” Dontey said standing and shaking his head. They walked through the exit and returned to where Failorn was standing. “Good fight, no one has ever made it through my maze or defeated my top knight” Failorn said as they walked up the stairs to where he was. “Well we did, so give us the princess” Jeremy said getting in his face. “You did but not in the time limit” Failorn pushed him out of the way. “What!?” They all shouted. “Actually my lord, you said only 3 of them had to complete it in the time limit” The princess shouted. “And Thane, Gweon and Jeremy all finished it in the time limit, so you see we won you lost, I give you my deepest apologize sir” Dontey laughed. “Damn” Failorn grunted. “Very well bring them the princess” Failorn signaled the cage keeper. “Good boy” Dontey patted him on the back. “Yes, well you must leave now” Failorn rushed. “Yes, well you see there is only the problem of leaving here with you still alive” Thane said walking around him. “So we will send word to our friend and he will watch you and you’re every action” He finished stopping in front of him. “Well, good day” Failorn said as they left. When they reached the out side Thane called his dragon and sent word to Yuar to come and watch over them. “Let us leave we must make it out of the mountains and to Grailing by night fall” Thane said walking down one of the paths. “ We need to go back and get our stuff” Dontey said chasing him. “Right you are, which way is camp?” Thane asked turning back around. “Umm... think it is that way” Dontey pointed down another path. 33

They returned to their campsite and found it un-harmed. “We are missing 200 pieces and 3 horse’s, not a great loss, but none the less it is a loss that we shouldn’t have had.” Jeremy said walking into Thanes tent. “We should continue it wont take very long to go through the mountains.” Thane continued to pack. “Right then, I see your busy” Jeremy said exiting the tent. “What are you looking for?” Kimberly said as she lay on the bed. “My piece of the map” Thane said rummaging through his papers. “What do you mean?” Kimberly asked sitting back up. “It’s not where I put it” he answered her worried. “That’s interesting, they take 200 pieces and three horses, but how did they find the map?” she stood and walked over to him. “Yes it is, I don’t know it’s strange.” Thane rubbed his head. “How would they have got it any ways?” She asked. “It was hidden well, they had plenty of time to find it” Thane answered her question and then continued his packing. They finished packing at dusk and made it to the town of Kingsfred.34