Timeless Crusaders: Chapter One/Part One

When I woke up, rain poured off the slanted roof in steady streams. It was early. I checked my phone and it said 4 am. . Fluffy was curled at my feet. He must have noticed the heating blanket radiating energy, causing him to not want to budge as I nearly toppled out of the loft. For some reason, this morning, I had the inkling that something new was going to happen. My mother came into my room within thirty minutes of my awakening. She appeared to be anxious. 1

"Nora, you need to go get branded today, or tattooed with the brand." My mother said blatantly. 2

"What?"3

"Branded." She repeated which she followed with a sigh. "Nora, I've talked to you about this before. I put on a clueless face. She sat me down on my couch seriously. She was not joking. "A long time ago I told you a story about three families who are indebted to a great king of old. The generations have progressed through the years, and someday the lineage of the families will be called back to repay their debts."4

"Called back where?" I inquired. 5

"Lornocra, the land where we originated from, or the land your father's ancestors were born. It is the land of the Immortal King. In the legends that your father told you about the Three Sons and their service debts to a king, he is that king. The king has called the three sons back to repay their debts. The sons, your father, his father, his brothers, you and your brothers must go and serve. The only people who are exempted are those not directly related to the three sons are the mothers. You are related by blood, that is why you must go, and your brothers must go. In order to prove your loyalty and bloodline, a brand or tattoo of the family Lornocran seal is needed. You must go now before the public starts to go to Tony for their skin art. The tattoo is what will determine you friend instead of foe. It is neccessary for you to get one. I'm sure you know Tony's up the street. He is waiting for you and he has the seal of our family ready. You might even see some others you know." She said as she shoved me to my closet to put on some clothes. As I dressed and walked to Tony's, I realized that nothing my mom said sounded completely outrageous as it should. It made sense. It made our way of life make more sense. It made sense now why we had a huge castle like basement with our tamed creatures, our bond mates. It also made sense why we were trained in the battle arts and the years of fencing, judo, gymnastics, and ballet finally added up. I went in the back door of the restaurant which held the tattoo place in the basement.6

"Hey Tony...I need the..." I started.7

"Nora?" I went into the waiting room area to see Jasper getting a tattoo on his left shoulder blade. "Are you a daughter of the Three Sons?" I nodded meekly. Perhaps that is why our parents encouraged our relationship so much. Were we set up secretly by them? I thought and concluded that I had no idea. 8

"Are you?" He nodded again. I walked over to Tony and saw his work progressing. A black silhouette of a winter tree with a tiger's lilthe body swirling arounds its trunk was forming artistically. "What does it mean?" I asked Tony. 9

"The winter or dead tree represents the King of Lornocran, and his immortality. The tiger is the family creature of Jasper's heritedge. It shows its fidelity by protecting the tree by surrounding its body. The black, gold and red, are the colors of the king and the three families. It represents the bond between the three families too, by having all the colors. "Yours will be the same tree but with a wyvern instead of a tiger."10

"Which heals faster." I asked, "Brand or tattoo?"11

"They will heal the same, for the ink is modified, you will be healed in an hour. The iron of the brand is also modified and it will also heal within an hour. In this world's society though, brandings will get you more attention that you probably want." Tony assured.12

"When Jasper is done, I'll get the tattoo of mine" Tony nodded, and I went and sat next to Jasper. "We're you told this morning." I joked. He nodded. 13

"My dad woke me up at 3 to drive down here and meet Tony and get my mark. Afterward I am supposed to go to your house."14

"Okay." I paused. "Do you think its weird that we found each other and later we find out that we are bound by an ancient, almost fantastic land and king that we have to go fight for?"15

"Maybe a little." He started, "but I am glad you are here, and part of it, because it would be hard for me to keep something as wild as this from you." He smiled. I agreed. 16

"Mee too. Hey, when we are done here, I think my mom has prepared breakfast and then I can show you everything that I have been waiting so long to show you. I can now show you the lower basement."17

"Ohh, the secret forbidden zone of your house?"18

"Mhmm."19

"Alright Jasper, you're done, Nora, the right shoulder is where your Martin is prescribed to be placed. Jasper, why don't you and Nora switch places? Nora you are going to have to remove your sweater. Do you have a camisole on?"20

"Yep." I removed my mushroom sweater and laid down on the massage table. I felt the needle start to drag through my skin and it hurt a but. Jasper reached out and held my hand when he noticed I was wincing at the inked procedure. It took about 20 minutes and then we were on our way to my house again. We enjoyed a full breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon and waffles. Then, we journeyed down into the lower basement corridor. Once we were down there, before I had a chance to light the sconces, old fashion I know, Jasper swooped in and kissed me on the lips. It lingered and created an intense moment. My hands snaked up and cradled his face, while his held me close by the small of my back. "What was that for?"21

"Well, we've been so caught up in everything that's new, I haven't even kissed you since I've seen you. It is one the first things we usually do. I missed you." He replied.22

"Hehe, I missed you too. Today has been pretty crazy." I pushed a lever on the wall and a ridge along both walls filled with oil. I put Jasper's fingers near a chain, and once he pulled it, the small torch lowered to the ridge, igniting the oil and lighting up the entire corridor. 23

"Woah, that's pretty cool."24

"Old too. Apparently this basement has been in my family for a really long time. When the ancestors crossed over, I guess, they built a castle here, but the castle was replaced by a house and grass was planted over the top to make it less of an eyesore and attention getting. Castles don't typical find their place in Michigan."25

"True, our basement isn’t this vast, but we have more than one location."26

"Yeah, my mom said that my uncle's family has multiple locations too. We are the only direct family, the five of us, that have one fortress."27

"Lucky." Jasper snorted. 28

"I guess so, but I don't know what multiple places would be like. Are they generally in the same location?" I asked. 29

"City at least."30

"At least you could connect them by tunnels."31

"That would be a lot of work."32

"True, its not like you could hire an outsider to do that." I laughed. 33

"That is true. That would be hazardous if they found the steeds and armory. We could probably get arrested." He rationalized.34

"Mhmm, well, would you like to start the tour." 35

"Indeed." He spoke. As I took Jasper's hand, I led him to the first room down the hallway. It was large and full of cabinets. All of the cabinets were locked, and marked with the Hasenburg seal." The room however was not locked, but the oak door was heavy and laden with iron Celtic knot work. 36

"This is the Currency, or treasure store. My mom gave me the key, and told me to explore so you can find the things I didn't know existed with me." Jasper smiled at the invitation. "All of the left wall cabinets hold Lornorcrian money. I hear the three sons and their family are very well established in that domain. I wish it could carry over into earthy affairs but it cannot."37

"That would be nice." I nodded to Jasper's remark. 38

"However in the right six cabinets, gems are stored. They can be used in the real world to accumulate wealth but that would be a horrible idea because the value of them cannot be matched with real money. They actually are used to treat the dragons, but the dragons choose to trust them into our care."39

"Dragons...?"40

"You will see." I laughed. "In the center file cabinet is documentation, heirlooms stuff, my mom said. In that cabinet, maps are contained, and that one has old books."41

"I see." I gave Jasper a quick kiss before we continued on to the next room.42

"This room is the Brewery and wine room. I guess its pretty obvious from all the barrels of ale and towering racks of bottles and flagons. I think its pretty self explanatory. The next room is the Linin Room, and that contains various common wear, along with tapestries and formal wear. It contains the dresses I would need for court affairs and riding wear, and basic everyday apparel."43

"Will you have to pack from here?" I answered his question with a nod. "We both have trunks to take. Yours has been delivered here because we are leaving tomorrow with my older brother. He will show us the way. You will also be gathering your fittings from here for everyday wear. You dad has packed your emblem formal wear and armor already. However, I think one set of armor is already here that belongs to you?"44

"Armor? How do you know all this?" 45

"When I am down here, I guess I share a telepathic connection with my dad who is already in the Lornocraian realm."46

"Hmm, I wonder why I am not connected to my father."47

"You are a boy. Telepathic connections are established because they believe I will fall easier, and its a safety thing. In case I need rescue, I am connected to my dad and both of my brothers. I should be connected to you if we get married."48

"Oh I am sure we will after this. So count on being connected to me." He nearly promised.49

"Apparently, its formed through a sharing of blood, so..." I faded.50

"Haha, I guess we will have to be scandalous in order to gain a special bond." Jasper chortled. 51

"But the next rooms are the fun ones." I hinted.52

"Ah, the armory. Oh good grief, its huge."53

"Mmmm, yes, and Jasper, that's what she said." I laughed.54

"Oh dear." He shook his head.55

"Anyway. This is one of the biggest rooms. The area over to the left portion, that is as big as a football field is the training area. Hand to hand, and on mount training takes place there. The huge dome ceiling is also for training, learning to fly is important."56

"Flying?" His eyes grew large. 57

"You will see. Be patient, my love, and trust me." I gave him a lingering kiss. "The right side of the room contains armor for man and beast. The armor for humans in organized by who it belongs to and their beast's wear is in the similar area. My dad has 4 sets of armor, mostly an archer's armor. Archery is his main expertise. There is his full battle armor, sword armor basically. Noting by the naked armor dummies, he took two with him. 58

"I see.59

"Those two are formatted for Adrian, but he is still too young to be engaged. He knows about the beasts and has been training, but Lornocran is still a secret kept from him."60

"Those empty places must be Gavin's then." Jasper concluded. 61

"Yep. He is a skilled swordsman. Mostly infantry."62

"Yeah, I can tell by the heavier armor. That one with the chest breastplate and chain mail Princess Leia looking ones must be yours.63

"Haha, how could you tell." I giggled. I watched him pick up the chain mail off of the rack. 64

"I'm surprised the mail isn't heavy."65

"Its lightness is crucial for my skill." I said admiring the charcoal chain mail. I looked to my other suit of armor and traced the embossed Celtic dragon scales that enveloped it. 66

"What would that be? It's not heavy enough to be on foot infantry or Calvary." He wondered aloud.67

"I fight from the air as an archer, but I am most proficient with dual white knives...similar to that of Legolas, but only another foot longer. My steeds carry my punching blades, but I do not have a sword. They also carry my short recurve bows, but I mostly use a longbow. Instead of all this talk, would you like to see the Arms room?"68

"OOh yes!" Jasper said, nearly skipping as he headed down the winding corridor. "Why is it so wide and still manage to have a vaulted ceiling?"69

"This also leads to the stables and caverns, the width makes it possible for the creatures to be suited up and to train." I commented.70

"Is that the following stop after the weaponry?" He asked and I answered him with a single nod. Jasper's face lit up as we entered the arms chamber. The suspended fire lit chandeliers caused the knives, axes, and swords to be ostentatious with their razor edges in the light. 71

"The room is more of a long, wide hallway, divided up into sections by person. The black smith is at that far end, and the wide hall goes to the stables."72

"These must belong to you dad." Jasper said.73

"He favors the crossbow, especially his modified ones. I think he has a total of four. It's light and shoots about 200 long knitting needle sized shafts per barrel attachment. It has a scope too, its gas powered and shoots long range. He uses it to snipe or like a machine gun. He also had traditional bows to hunt and for short distances, and to keep up his strength. "74

"These swords Gavin's?" He asked. 75

"I think so. I am not sure about their names. Gavin makes them all himself. He prefers the two handed swords. He doesn't care to carry a shield."76

"Do you?"77

"No."78

"Are these your dual knives." Jasper said curious, picking up the cold steel handles to two short thin swords, no more than an inch across. He smiled as I nodded a yes. "They are very light, very beautiful."79

"Light enough to almost create a killing dance." I laughed. "But those are my oldies, my dad is sharpening and polishing my old ones. This is my titanium long bow which is varnished to look like wood. I use mace arrows, homing arrows, UV arrows, silver arrows and cyanide arrows, and of course, regular arrows. Oh, I also have a shrapnel arrow. Those are fun. My steed carry three quivers of of assortments each, totaling up to 600 arrows per battle.80

"You have multiple steeds, not just multiple creatures?" He asked.81

"Yeah, I ride both of them often in battle." His pouting lips became irresistible and I kissed him. "That's why I have two sets of swords, 4 bows, and a couple daggers. I also have a whip on each."82

"They must be little beasts."83

"They are quite the beasts in deed." I began. "Hmm, down there is the repair zone, also machines where we manufacture arrows, and the blacksmith."84

"Sweet, now to the stables?" He inquired with a smirk.85

"Yes, to the Stables." I laughed, and then cut off by a pair of soft lips. 86

"You know, Nora, we kiss a lot."87

"I know, and I like it. I love you." I whispered.88

"I love you too." He whispered as his kissed my forehead.