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The wind blew south across the tangled forest of Death Mountain. Sitting atop the low hill that was the entrance to the great peaks Volnair took up his study, an endless cycle of research and devotion that took most of his waking hour, thumbing the edge of his tome and gently lifting a new crisp page and flipping it over, he drew a fresh quill from his belt pouch and lightly dabbed it into the ink. Looking to his left side he grins and lifts an eyebrow. "Still paying homage to that rusty blade are you?". Feeling a little contempt by the sarcasm in Volnairs voice, Tassitis lifts his head and draws a deep revitalizing breath. "Those who live by the blade die by the blade my old friend". At that Tassitis stands and sheaths his long blade. "Best we get on the road, it will be dark long before we know it". Grumbling Volnair lazily stand and lets out a long sigh. "But in that you are wrong, I feel it calling, reaching out for me, but it is strange, i don't know if i should fear it or embrace it, but i must find it". "From here we head north-west to the village of Glendenwood, i fell a strange pull toward the land that it lies on, blessed the land is I believe, but i do not know where in this lies the truth of it all". "Ha!! and exactly what truth are you looking for, exactly why must you make this fruitless journey?" "hmm.... well??"Volnair hisses. Shaking his head Tassitis begins Packing up what remains of their ragged gear. The two head north-west toward Glendenwood, stopping only once on their way to restock their exhausted inventory. Near nightfall the two weary travelers arrive at the outskirts of what is a very plain but beautiful Glendenwood. Volnair scoffs then lets out a sigh "how i long for a hot bath and a nice leg of lamb, by the looks of this ragged old town ill have to settle for dry rations to sustain my ravenous hunger". "I am afraid my friend you have grown accustomed to your old lifestyle, but you were well aware of the consequences of joining me in my journey". Tassitis says. "Your journey indeed, that is exactly what it is, count me out for whatever adventure you may have planned when you find this..this...whatever you are looking for" Volnair Mutters. Ignoring the temper of his companion Tassitis begins to overlook the land, nothing out of the ordinary just a plain old town with the normal arrangements. He sees a large wooden sign with words etched into it, being an uneducated man he glances up at the heraldry noticing the customary plate and bed symbol telling him that he has found the Inn. Glancing to his left he sees similar signs, one with the picture of an anvil the other a picture of a bow and a quiver of arrows. But nothing he expected, no blessing of any sort, nothing at all, just the normal town dwellers and a few "out of towner's" like themselves, nothing to cause alarm. "Hmm, shall we board for the night and fill our bellies with a hot bowl of stew?" Tassitis says, "Better than these stale rations". "I do not think i will enjoy this as much as i would my leg of lamb" Volnair spouts. Slowly shaking his head Tassitis bounds over to the barkeep and pays two pyreals for a single room for himself, best if i can sleep without his constant rambling he thinks, and shakes his head once more in frustration. What am i looking for? Why am i here? If only i was given a sign. Expecting some sort of sign upon thinking so Tassitis freezes for a moment. nothing...not a thing...why am i here?? He grunts in frustration. "Make that four Pyreals my humble friend, I am without coinage and surely you cannot expect me to use my own money to pay for your journey, come now cough it up" Volnair grins as if he has discovered a new formula for his ever so expanding knowledge of the arcane. Without says a word Tassitis gently lays 2 more pyreals on the
counter and picks up both keys, hands one to Volnair and pockets
his. "Well, we shall dine here and tomorrow i will find the answers
to my question's" Tassitis explains. At that Tassitis pulls up a chair to dine with his friend, folding
his arms impatiently. Not a moment later rushes from out of the
"so called" kitchen area a tiny boy, Tassitis makes him about to
be about 10 years of age if that.
"How many i serve thee fine gentlemen" the boy squeaks. "Fine dining indeed" he exclaims, as he thumps his elbows onto
the tabletop.
Not long after the wiry boy hurries out of the kitchen with 2 bowls
of hot soup and 2 chunks of ripened cheese. Without a word the frail
child scurries away, and back into the kitchen.
The two companions hungrily begin to shovel mouthfuls of stew and
cheese into the mouths. With their bellies full and appetites satisfied
the two head to their rooms for a long nights bed rest.
Tassitis awakens with a jolt, a chill runs down his spine, he
exhales "just a dream he whispers, just a dream, he shudders, snakes...i
hate snakes, he mutters as sleep once again fogs his mind.
A cool breeze washes over his face, sweeping his long blond hair
into his eyes, brushing it away from his face he peers into the
darkness, or is it..no not darkness at all but a fine purple mist.."that's
strange".
He steps forward to investigate further only finding that the light
purple mist obscures most of his vision. "what is this" he whispers.
"I can see through it but yet it blurs my view". Oddly a vague
shape of a human figure begins to take form inside the translucent
mist...he begins to hear it, the soft rattling of a small childs
toy, not to clear to pick up exactly what or where the origin of
the sound is coming from.
It fades away with the human figure...."is the figure a CHILD
"what is this" he thinks to himself. once more from a distance a
small figure takes form from the purple mist again the rattling
takes its tone... "the rattling is coming from that child" he whispers....."HELLO
THERE" he shouts.....the figure disappears...."what the"...he begins
to walk forward, feels a slight tickle on his cheek, he wheels i
in a defensive posture....nothing..."what is going on here" he says..."Come
forward my child" he hears from behind him...he wheels once more...
"what...who...where am I"..."In due Time child...in due time". he
hears the voice more clearly...it...it...is a...woman's voice...where
is it coming from..."I am all that is you, I am everything you know
in this land of oneself, our hearts beat as one, our hearts combined
into the spirit that is now yours and ours...
With that Tassitis spins facing the opposite direction, "who are
you what am i to do, please tell me"....In due time child, in due
time....With that the translucent mist begins to fade, as the sound
of his own breathing sustains the only sign of life Tassitis takes
one last look around the strange atmosphere...To his surprise he
sees a strange set of Purple eyes, they blink once and fade into
what seems like another realm. What the?!?! He glances down feeling
on odd sensation at his feet.. At that moment he realizes what and
where the rattling is coming from....
Tassitis leaps out of bed stubbing his large left toe on the floor
as he lands, sweeping the invisible serpents from his body, how
strange those eyes he thinks...was i dreaming? I am here im my room,
yes it was only a dream "but i have never had a dream so vivid,
those eyes" he whispers.
"What eyes? who's eyes" Volnair smirks. "Well we best be preparing
ourselves for whatever you think we will find here if we are to
ever leave this place". "Come breakfast is served" Volnair shouts
over his shoulder as he heads to the dining hall. Tassitis and Volnair begin to explore the small town of Glendenwood
they see an odd looking man, upon approach of this man Volnair immediately
freezes. "What is wrong my friend" Tassitis asks.
"He is a powerful man of the arcane, I can sense his power is far
greater than mine".
Shifting his hand to the hilt of his rusted sword, Tassitis remains
ever ready.
Faint laughter gurgles from under the mans robe. "Fear not brave
adventurers, be at ease in my town.
"Your town?" Tassitis asks.
"It is the town of peace and we preserve it so." "Myself and those
who choose to follow under me, we are currently under siege by a
few of these outcast brigands". One who calls himself "Mahja Greystrom,
and his lady Danciy Dynae". "They are the number one threat of our
peace and must be stopped at all costs, the are the enemy of everyone
that shall enter this beloved place, they have butchered my men
and slain innocents who come here in search of what i have to provide"
"What do you call yourself then my friend" Tassitis says. "I am
known across the land as "Ender Wiggin" you may call me Ender or
if you so wish you may call me your Lord"
With this Volnair scoffs. "And why would WE want to call YOU "Lord"
I am not ruled by anyone". So i think I shall call you what i call
all those who think of themselves in such regard "coward". "Be at
ease old friend" Tassitis Exclaims."
Ender Wiggin Bursts into a fit of laughter. "Watch your tongue
for your disrespect is not welcome in our town"
Trying to make peace between the two Tassitis speaks."I am called
"Tassitis and my friend goes by the name of "Volnair". "Tell us
of what you fight for and what your have to offer those who seek
your patronage?" Tassitis said.
"All i can offer is my word, my word of truth and honor, to defend
the weak and uphold justice in my town, if you so wish to stay you
must become one of us and rid this town of Mahja Greystrom and Danciy
Dynae."
"Let me console with my companion on this issue I believe we can
help you in your cause for a small price." "I am a man on honor
and i live to defend those in need and break the bonds of oppression
in this land".
After much debate and scorn from Volnair the two decide to help
rid this pleasant town of these so called "brigands".
"We accept your offer but we demand the following; I myself do
not ask for what i do not need therefore the only thing i ask for
is a new blade in which to aid our cause". Tassitis said.
"I demand your knowledge in the arcane as well i also demand FULL
room and board and money to buy my necessary reagents". Volnair
remarks.
Chuckling at their demands Ender ponders "I believe i can help
you with your demands, but i must have your word to do as i ask
...no questions asked, I have my reasons for whatever I will use
you for". "So long as i seek to keep this town i will do whatever
necessary to uphold justice here". "Is this understood?"
Thinking Volnair raises an eyebrow at the words Ender has just
spoken, "and what does he plan to "use" us for" he thinks.
"Agreed" Tassitis says. "For as long as we see your cause just
i will offer my service and pledge my sword to your needs".
"Excellent" Ender replies."I will see to your demands right at
this moment, wait here as i call upon my servants to get your demands"
Ender said.
As Tassitis and Volnair await the arrival of Ender's servants
Volnair casts his eyes downward. "I have an unsure feeling about
this, i have sworn my service to him ONLY to the bare minimum, for
i do not trust him, he has an arrogant look in his eyes".
" Don't all of you who seek the knowledge look that way, for i
can see the same look in your eyes, one must learn to trust if one
is to survive in this harsh land". "Besides he seems honest enough,
im sure you will grow to trust him". Tassitis smirks.
A few moments later a frail looking Sho man pulls a beautiful
flaming long sword from his pack. "As my lord request's this is
to be given to Tassitis."
His eyes light up at the sight of this magnificent flaming sword.
"I have never encountered a blade as to the like of this one". Tassitis
smiles as he slashes the air with his new blade.
"And as for Volnair, Ender wishes an audience with him, follow
me". The frail man says.
Volnair reluctantly trails the man into the woods. A few minutes
pass until Volnair is lead into a small clearing.
"Wait here, Milord shall be with you shortly" with that the frail
man disappears.
"You seek my knowledge of the arcane do you Volnair?" Ender calls
from behind him.
"I can teach you some of my knowledge but i do not give this away
for free, you see I have a use for you and Tassitis, and i so wish
to help you out as much as possible". "But you do not seem as loyal
as your friend and I am reluctant to teach you far too much that
is beyond your usefulness to me." Ender Said.
"We took your oath and we accepted your terms, fulfill your end
of the bargain and I will do as you say, so long as i see fit".
Volnair hisses.
"As it is so, shall we begin?" Ender smiles,
Feeling the power of his new sword Tassitis gleams with pride
as he straps it to his side.
"KILL THEM!!!!". He hears from behind him just as he sees the
man who spoke fall to the ground blood spurting from an arrow lodged
in his side.
He draws his flaming blade and charges letting out a great battle
cry and heads toward the man who wields the great bow.
Screaming in pain he falls to the ground beside the corpse of
the man who was slain not moments ago. He reaches down to his thigh
and feels the warm sticky blood spill from his wound. He looks up
seeing the woman leap to the mans side, "so we meet Mahja and Danciy
he whispers" and he crawls to his feet limping and wincing from
the pain.
Not a moment later Volnair and Ender are at his side they both
begin to chant "Equin Zhapaj" he hears the words mutter form both
of there lips. With catlike reflexes the man and woman pair take
to the woods and disappear from sight, Volnair and Ender give chase.
Moments later they return disgusted. "Fight like cowards, run
like cowards" Ender shouts.
Tassitis feels a jerk and sharp pain jolts through his body as
Volnair pulls out the silver arrow lodged in his thigh, Volnair
chants the all to familiar words "Maler Zhapaj" as the pain resides
to nothingness.
"As you can see with your own eyes, that was Mahja Greystrom and
his companion Danciy Dynae". Ender spits. "Blast the cowards!!".
"They bring death to the innocent and they shall pay"
Tassitis tests his now healed leg for support. "So those are your
ghosts, it does not seem as you are able to dispose of them as you
claim, and I shall seek my revenge upon them for the death of this
man by my side". "now i must restock and supply i am going to find
them and destroy them both".
"They will not return so soon, it is their nature, they feed on
the weak, kill the innocent they are no better than the serpent
that slithers at my feet, they will be squashed". Ender exclaims
as he headed for the woods.
Remembering the rambled bits his dream and the words Ender has
just spoken Tassitis shivers, "why serpents...why must they plague
me so?". He thinks
"You ok now my friend" Volnair says.
"Yes i am now, thanks to you, they were too fast, one behind me
she lofted and arrow into my leg I was helpless, i am afraid it
would have been my end if you and Ender had not appeared as you
did". "For that i am ever grateful to you and Ender, I will do as
he wishes i owe him my life as I owe you the same".Tassitis said.
As night fell onto the land of Dareth, Tassitis and Volnair settle
themselves into their beds for a restful night's sleep. Tassitis
wondering about the days events, he thinks about his dream and his
pledge to Ender Wiggin. "Is this my purpose here, is this why i
was called upon this land?"
Ever so looking for the questions that have not been answered
sleep overtakes him. He begins to dream.
He stands clad in the armor that was once his fathers, peering over
the horizon that overlooks the landing into the sea. He is accompanied
by a beautiful woman, it does not seem odd to him for he feels he
has known her all his life. They talk about the coming of his knightly
ways, senseless chit chat that would have bored most men, although
he was taken by it and unable to stop talking with this mysterious
woman.
She told him of her family and how she came to be the woman
she is now, as well as her tales of adventure.
Tassitis seemed at complete ease talking to this "stranger". He
even was able to talk to her about his dreams and hopes, things
he was not able to tell anyone for fear of rejection. A peculiar
thing he noticed was her eyes. the most beautiful eyes he has ever
seen. They had a strange purple. | ||||||||
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