Monday, June 27, 2005
HIDDEN EVIL
Chapter 1:
The Warning
There was an air of rejoicing in Astonial, children were dancing, musicians were playing and not a sad face in the world would have been able to resist a smile long, within the walls of the merry village.
In the great hall long tables had been put up, everything was beautiful. In the roof there was a square hole that had been made, it was covered with a crystal. The crystal was shaped to reflect light on a different tapestry at every time of the day. Gold plates had been laden down with a knife and a spoon across each one onto, and directly above these were golden cups. It was all exactly the same except at the head of the main table were there was placed a beautiful goblet incrusted with jewels of all kinds. It was the perfect setting for the momentous accession.
Hilindor the son of Giliade had born a son. It was customary to name the child the night of the berth in a great feast and tonight the feast would be absolutely phenomenal. Another custom was for the father of the child and his side of the family to hunt meat and it would be eaten as part of the ceremony. Giliade was the well respected leader of the town, he had brought prosperity to the people but with it came many enemies, for this they had Hilindor and his brother Arok they had been trained to the height of skill. Hilindor acted as there general and heroic symbol and the small city guard answered to him and his brother only.
The outside of the hall looked like a Small palace, its walls were made out of carved wood that form sculptures of eagles in all different stances. The doors of the hall are shaped like two great eagle’s wings, it’s amazing the eagle was chosen when Giliade was a child and his farther Binroil fled from the old city of
Next to the hall is a big house it has steps leading up to an iron front door, and next to the door is a stair case leading to a balcony with a door to the upstairs.
Hilindor came out from the door on the top floor of the house then he flow down from the top steps of the stairs. Hilindor’s black hair was flopping around in a band around it, he was well built and strong, but now he was just jumping around ecstatic when he hit the bottom he shouted out “come on Arok”.
Out of the door came a young swift boy he was thin with brown short hair and hazel eyes. Down the stairs he came he was holding a wooden longbow and about three dozen arrows, he went to meet Hilindor who was jumping around “Hilindor my dear brother” Arok started “calm down or you wont be let in to the feast”.
Out of the lower floor’s door came a grey haired wrinkly man he looked like he still had some youth in his eyes and it made his face glow, he was holding a blade with a golden sheath and a diamond in the hilt. Slowly the man said, “Take this blade it is special to me but be shore to return it Hilindor”
“Thank you father” Hilindor took the blade and ran past about ten thatched buildings the great hall was the centre of the town and houses surrounded it in straight lines and around this was a tall wooden wall and about waist height down out came a shelf to look out from when Hilindor reached the gate he signalled to a man on the shelf, the gate was soon opened and Hilindor was running too the forest closely followed by Arok
So they set of playing and taunting each. Hilindor abet in front. They had been going for about one hour the sun was high and all of a sudden Hilindor wasn’t there, Arok got scared, he stopped and listened there where no strange sounds he began to twitch he drew his bow and strung it before you could blink suddenly the woods became a lot more fearsome Arok could no longer see his village he was scared. Swish a large nimble figure came out from behind a tree and pouncing on Arok, it was Hilindor. Hilindor gave a cheeky smile and Arok burst into a waterfall of laughter “Stop joking Hilindor,” Arok cried while Hilindor tickled him just managing it while laughing and twisting he rolled over above Hilindor.
“If you stop being so boring,” taunted Hilindor getting back on top.
“Bang,” with out words the feud was over. There eyes met and they got up and ran. Arok wishing what he thought was wrong, but when he saw the wooden walls of his village burning he knew his dread had come they were under attack.
But he never in all his nightmares had he thought it would be like this this. At least thirty repulsive, deformed, demon like creatures coming off his home village.
Arok stopped dead, but Hilindor started running to the enemy sword already out, Arok was in shock but came too, and started running forward to help Hilindor.
Hilindor still running saw 10 of his guards running away from the city and five of there partners were already dead and many more villagers would follow there fate unless the soldiers helped. Arok was already slinging arrows when Hilindor saw a horse from a dead enemy with an arrow in his shoulder-blade he pulled himself onto the horse, and threw the dead demon off and made for his men.
As a last plead for the cities victory Hilindor called out “My brothers stay loyal, not for Giliade my father, but for Giliade your father and for the Astonial we shall not fall again, we shall not fall ride back with me, to victory, honour and for Astonial” with this he pulled out his fathers sword, inspired they ran back with hope renewed again they tried to beet the enemy back.
Meanwhile Arok was on top of the town hall and raining arrows down. struggling a demon pulled himself up to Arok, but Arok had no blade, The demon smiled “I intend to feast to night” then his voice lowered “a little victory meal the flesh of the children” Arok was raving he grabbed the demons belt and jumped in the air, he put the demon under him too break the fall, and landed on another enemy nether would get back up there body’s were mangled. By now there weren’t that many left, and the demons started to run chased by arrows until they left sight.
Hilindor and Arok joined there villagers, the place was a mess the outer wall was still burning the brothers house had been bashed down and most of the houses were destroyed but worst of all there was golden plates spoons knives and cups littered everywhere (they didn’t find the great cup) and the great crystal was shattered.
Deeply depressed Arok and Hilindor reached the villagers they were standing around a dead body. Arok came through the crowed to see Hilindor in tears Giliade and Hilindor‘s wife were lying there nearly dead. Arok broke down to his fathers feat, He cried out “how could this happen why!” at that point Giliade’s low breathing came to a halt his pulse died and the shine left his face and Arok broke to tires with Arok for them this was the end.
Giliade’s arm was around Hilindor’s wife, who was holding a bundle. Suddenly the bundle moved, with trembling hands Hilindor opened it, and he saw his child starring back at him. Hilindor lifted the baby to his mouth “I won’t leave you again” whispered Hilindor “I love you, and I’m going to call you Giliade”
Around young Giliade’s neck was a fine silver necklace and hanging from it were some hollow crystals. The baby was holding a letter which read ‘this is for protection don’t let them get it’
Arok started to organize the city “Stereone you make shore the town is rebuilt as quick as possible, Hilindor and I must warn Grimfield that an army are heading towards them, so find someone to look after Giliade”. “No!” shouted Hilindor tying a cloth into a bundle around his back and put his son in it “My child is coming with me” continued Hilindor, he sheathed the sword of Astonial picked up a shield and put his dagger in his belt “I want revenge. Stereone give Arok a pack of supplies.”
They put all the body’s in rows and lit fire to them one by one calling there name out and praying to let there soul’s rest in the harmony of heaven and so they left Arok and his bow, Hilindor and his blades and the tiny Giliade with his silver necklace.
They walked north on the plan field Hilindor had only been to next village once but he knew too keep walking till he reached a forest then follow it until you see a high hill and from that hill you can the next town. When they reached the forest they decided not to go right next to the sinister wood because disconcerting sounds were coming from it.
About two miles along the woods Hilindor turned around to Arok “There not to bright” he whispered it may have been a whisper but it broke the silence “How do you know” Arok questioned trying not to kill the convocation, he hated awkward silences they made him uneasy, Hilindor took a deep breath and slowly turned this head “This is why” and before Arok could begin to fathom what this meant. Then the answer was given in the form an action, as quick as the human eye can see Hilindor had spun around and a blur flow out of his hand it cut through the air like a beam of light through a desert of darkness, this gliding shape sliced through the forest’s outer layer a scream came bursting out from the forest and a demon fell out the wood holding crossbow with a bolt already wound and loaded, the scream was called out again as the creature fell flat on the ground and the moaning instantly stopped.
Close up the creature had mostly human features one head, a chest, two arms and two legs but there skin was dark red and tough like it had thickened throw many toils and hardships it had no facial expressions like it had no choice or it just was scared.
Hilindor passed Giliade to a dumbstruck Arok, “Guard him with your life I trust you and you alone so I trust only you” then he ran forward and called back “more are coming look alive”, he throw the cross bow at Aroks feat with about fifteen odd bolts. Arok was in a state of shock after tying Giliade to his back he took out and drew his bow.
Six other demons came out they had a variation of different weapons they were standing in a line one had a whip another two had hook shaped swords and shields the other three had double cutlasses. The one with the whip stepped forward Hilindor stepped forward in turn, then Hilindor spoke in a overpowering voice “Give your names unless you it be your wish to die nameless” the thing did not reply, Hilindor asked again shouting this time “what are you and why do you plague this land with your evil presence and your malice”
Then the first demon laughed, slowly he spoke “We are the minions of Siloth, we are the omens of the apocalypse, and we go by the name of End-Bringers”
Than before Hilindor could reply the End-bringers weapons were razed, but even quicker Arok had let loss an arrow. The arrow flow into the leaders chest he slowly fell and hit the ground with a thud followed by his whip.
The other five started roaring, they ran forward. Hilindor jumped forward one of them with a hook swiped for his head but he ducked drew his sword slit its legs, it then fell on a third with two swords John plunged his sword into them both and drew it and wiped it on them.
Suddenly something unexpected happened; Giliade’s necklace lit up all the crystals filed with light he floated up and out of him came a ray of strong and good light which went into Arok’s quiver of arrows making each arrow glow with power.
Arok shot one it gilded and swung right into the eye if one of the End-bringers it came out the other way turned round on itself and landed lodged itself in another’s back then it exploded and his arm came right off . The beam also went to John’s shield john picking it up he ran into the last remaining End-Bringer he rose his shield but it shattered and he went flying he was dead before he hit the ground John looked at his sword it was still intact thank the lord, he dropped his shield it would be of no more use and picked up the whip the creature wouldn’t miss it.
Giliade slowly dropped he was exhausted Arok caught him in the air and he was sleeping the light ray had darned his energy right out and he would sleep well.
Arok took Giliade and handed him to John. John kissed him on the head and whispered “I always new you were special”.
They weren’t going to get any further it was getting dark so Hilindor laid Giliade down in his bundles and Arok started a fire also he put burning sticks in the ground all around them to warred of animals but it felt rather safe.
Arok set off in search of food he came back having found two dead rabbits were fresh also he found a nearby stream so he washed and took back some water in a bowl from his pack.
When he came back Giliade was asleep Hilindor had laid out his weapons and was singing a lullaby
‘Forward forward left and right
Travellers wonder out of sight
What are they searching for?
As there legs and arms grow soar
Is there nothing to live or die for?
Does everyone just want more?
Can’t we just be content with a loved one?
Before they vanish beneath the sun
I wouldn’t trade you for all a treasury’s gold
Because Reaches can only feel cold
One day all are close ones will cease
Until then I choose to live with them in peace’
“Were did you here that” Asked Arok as he laid down beside Hilindor,
“it was our grand father Gonhendril who sang it during a great plague” explained Hilindor then he continued “when everyone in the old Astonial wanted to run even he knew it would only spread the plague further to another town and there morale lived on this song alone only one man escaped his name was Tislo he was branded a traitor but he came back and saved many peoples lives when we were being attacked he even saved Giliade so we cant call him a traitor when he saved most of the town but Gonhendril refused help and he went up with the flames on town. Well they worked through the plague and people moved on even though all there loved ones were dead even our grandmother Lindoral died the terrible disease and Gonhendril still stayed strong and when she left him he wrote this song.”
“I like it when you talk about old lore” said Arok yarning”
“But that’s enough for tonight” said Hilindor he put more wood in the fire and closed his eyes.
The next morning the fire had gone out they got up put on the weapons and woke up Giliade and continued walking straightaway.
About three miles later they came to the top of a high hill that looked over Grimfield it had changed since Hilindor last saw it. When they last looked at the city of Grimfield they saw wooden walls around a peaceful and joyful town the gates used to always be open with there previous owner and a republic was formed but since a ruler for life was elected it had changed, the walls were now made of stone too high to see over it had skulls hanging of it to scare it’s enemies a draw bridge was pulled up they stood there watching till noticed Arok an old crumpled stone lookout tower. It was crawling with End-Bringers all ready for attack there were about fifty Hilindor gave Giliade to Arok once more and began to run and shouted back “COVER ME” Arok brought out his bow and began shooting, by that time Hilindor was about ten yards away
Hilindor ran forward he used his wipe and raped it around an End-bringer he held the sword to its head he slowly stepped back thinking he had a hostage another End-bringer shot the hostage right in the head smiled and shouted charge, at that moment Hilindor realise what he was up against ruthless animals.
He swung his wipe it got caught on one of there many swords he pulled it forward and got the sword it was one of the hook swords the same type the others had he dropped the wipe, he stabbed one in the head with the Astonal blade it went straight through and he managed to strike another they were very brittle and weak but there were so many of them, he was being mobbed and begin to turn in retreat. Just then Hilindors luck changed, for Arok had sent a burning arrow over Grimfield’s walls and into the city. It was an alarm all of a sudden a whole army came flowing out of Grimfield they didn’t make a formation but just ran forward while one man watched from on top a horse and he had gold armour.
The men from Grimfield were taking a lot more casualties but there were more of them and they were fought back.
Very soon after Hilindor, Arok, little Giliade and the whole army of Grimfield were standing around half a dozen wounded End-bringers, the soldier that sat on the horse stepped forward, he walked up to a demon lying on the floor. “What business do rats have here” demanded the man. all the other men wore bronze armour.
Instead of answering the question the End-Bringer spat at the golden shoe of the arrogant soldier at lest the End-bringers had some honour to there masters even if there master was evil. But he soon regretted it when there was a golden sword in his head in cold blood “kill them all” screamed the man. A second later all the others but one End-Bringers had blades in there chests.
Arok stepped in front of the last one you can’t kill nay creature in cold blood no matter how vile it is, it’s not honourable. The man in gold lifted his vizier and spoke “I am Grethrealm General of the Grimfield army and imperial guard of the high prophet no peasant has a right to talk to me like that now move” he had long blonde hair blue eyes a ‘perfect’ complexion.
Arok stood still “I am Arok son of the Giliade son of Gonhindril the great lord of Astonial, and I’m the man who saved your life with a warning arrow of flame, so no petty general should speck to me like that”.
“Fine you’re all prisoners” said a distressed Grethrealm “perverting the course of justice, soldiers take them all in” and so, they came with a warning trying to give hope but instead they were refuted and taken in as prisoners.
As Arok walked to the gate holding the lame end-bringer in his arms, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he heard a whisper “thank you, it gives me honour to be your brothers with you and our father would be proud” it was Hilindor walking by Arok’s side.
Eternal Wars
There was no were to run, no where to hide, it was all gone. Slearon’s home town had put a bounty on him and his family, and they were now being hunted like deer. If they didn’t find some were to stay the night they would no doubt freeze in the cold. His father Ruthiel had found a fox and it had been a good supper but we had spent the last of the matches on the fire for cooking and even though they took some burning branches with them they had gone out when it rained. It began to get dark when their prayers were answered. They saw a cave. They didn’t have time to check it was safe but once they were in it seemed safe enough. Since there was no fire Lethner the mother took some cloths she had bundled together and lay them down. They all slept close to preserve body heat, Sleaon was so tired he fell asleep instantaneously.
When Slearon awoke it was still dark but it wasn’t so cold next to him was his older sister Lerous who was holding his baby brother Relious. Relious was born with a scar on his face it went from the top of his eye to his cheek. He wondered were His parents had gotten to and then he saw them sitting by the entrance they were hugging and looked so peace full, then he heard crying and realised it was his mother he tried to listen and he heard what they were saying.
“…but my mother and father my sisters my brothers they are all back in Perountes and what of the children” as Lethner said this she turned her head to look at the kids Slearon quickly lay down and pretended to be asleep. She took a deep breath and continued “They have no proper education; there is no sure source if food, they will run out of clothes, they could get diseases, we can’t stay in this cave forever, and soon enough…”.
She was cut short by Ruthiel “Don’t worry my love I will sort it all out but I can’t go back they will put me away even kill me what will happen to the children then, I still stand by what I did I refuse to give in.”
“Then can we find a new town as soon as possible,” pleaded Lethner
“Of course my dear I will assure a future for our children,” after saying this Ruthiel kissed Lethner and went to bed.
Lethner stayed out a little longer looking at the stars and wondering she had the idea the cave wasn’t as safe as it seemed, there was a gust of wind and Lethner shivered, she looked out to the woods she thought she saw something it was coming towards them, she stepped back she was going to wake up her husbands but she refrained, she grabbed a stick, she was poised for attack, but when the thing got a little closer she realised it was only a fox “I’m getting paranoid” Lethner said to herself. Lethner then got under the covers with Ruthiel and fell asleep, closely followed by Slearon who drifted back to sleep.
Slearon awoke the next day to see his whole family up “Slearon come over her I need to talk to you” Ruthiel was sitting on a rock at the back of the cave, Slearon was tiered but obeyed his fathers command and sat by him in the back of the cave as his mother and sister collected the bundles and folded them.
“Father you called me,” said Slearon.
“Yes Slearon my dear” as Ruthiel said this Slearon noticed his father was very uneasy “Slearon I have to beg for forgiveness” Ruthiel started shaking.
“Father what have you done, nothing without good cause oyu have done nothing wrong you simply…”
Ruthiel put his hand up and Slearon stopped talking “just let me talk” It looked like what Slearon said just got him more upset “if it wasn’t for me you would still be with your friend I have ruined you life” he started crying “and now I most turn to you and request something from you as a prisoner begs for his life” Ruthiel broke down and just crying like a baby.
“Father its ok father I love you and would do anything for you just request it and it shall be done to the best of my ability” after saying this Slearon embraced his father.
Ruthiel looked up with a tier sodden face he put his hand on Slearon’s face and said “I love you so much” and with that Slearon began crying as well. Then Ruthiel continued “As the father of this family, I am charged with the protection of this family, but I fear I am unable to protect you all as much as you need It.” with this Ruthiel looked down again but this time he held back the tears.
“Father what are you saying home much danger are we in” as Slearon said this he back frantic he was scared for his mother visions of his dead parents came into his mind Slearon was like that his mind would speed up time and he would jump to drastic conclusions who would feed him and his sister and his brother for that fact he was young and need his milk. This thought was followed by another what if his brother and sister didn’t need food what if they were died, he would avenge there deaths never stop they could do anything they wanted I will find them Slearon was much braver in his head then real life.
It was Ruthiel’s voice that brought Slearon back to earth “Slearon I want you to take this” during Slearon’s daydream Ruthiel had brought out a dagger. The dagger had a very plain scabbard made of wood it was slightly curved but more curved at the top of the blade than the bottom the handle had not hilt it was just a wooden end that had been rapped in leather that was now very light since it had been worn away “I know it wont help protect us any more than before and I realise that you have never held a let alone wield a blade of any kind not even a small Dagger like this but hopefully it will serve its propose don’t lose it, it was my first sword. Mind you don’t mention this to your mother she wont be to pleased with me if she found out she wants you to be an upright good citizen of a town but we have necessities,”
Slearon Took the Dagger and examined it he pulled it out of its small sheath it was hard steel but engraved on it was a picture of a griffin (A lion with eagles’ wings and eagle’s talons). Then after a few seconds without anyone talking Slearon broke the silence “thank you I will try my best to do your will father”
Ruthiel smiled and said “that’s all I ask “
Ruthiel stood up and began to walk away when Slearon stopped him and said “Father Can I ask you a question”
“Of cause my son ask you can anything you want” Ruthiel said sitting down again.
“Why are we running, why are we hiding and who do we need protection from. Why do we go without food, we down we pray to find shelter we do not have and why can’t I see my friends what has happened that has triggered these misfortunes upon us” as Slearon said this he thought of his good friend Tolus he was strong brave and as kind as anything.
“Oh its well eh complicated” Ruthiel seemed to be lost for words he waited a second thought about the best way to put it and started again “Well you know that there are some very powerful and influential people in our old town”
Slearon was unsure if he understood his father but none the less the replied by saying “Yes I think I understand” hoping that later he under stand exactly were he was going with this.
“Well if you have money you have influence” Ruthiel paused thinking abot a better way to say it “I saw a boy from our town called Torodus doing something, something not right something bad something…”
Slearon interrupted “Doing what Father”.
“He was beating a girl, Torodus was beating his wife, and he saw me watching so I had to run. Latter that night his Father Porotus came round to our house he had a bag of gold told me if I kept my mouth shut it was mine but if I told the police he would never let me rest. I didn’t take if your worried I told the authorities but they had already been bribed they tried to get me but I ran then you know the rest I ran onto to house and we left and we have been running since but I think there is a bounty on our heads so we must run” after saying this Ruthiel looked down and mumbled one more thing “sorry I have let you down”,
Slearon looked at him a smiled “I’m proud of you lesser men would have accepted the bribe while greater men would have left us back there to suffer Porotus I love you so much” After saying this he latched the dagger safely on his belt and gave his father a hug.
Ruthiel Looked up and spoke “I thank you my son. I love you so much”
“We have to leave or we will be found” shouted Lethner from the front of the cave.
“Were coming one minute” Ruthiel shouted in reply.
Slearon and his family set of Lerous was holding Relious in here arms Lethner had the bundles on here back Ruthiel was leading the way with Slearon at hid side
* * *
They had walked for a good three hours they were getting weary but going strong when all of a sudden there was a whistling sound they turned around and Lerous was dead on the ground Relios was crying he had been dropped by Lerous who had a crossbow bolt in her head, they had been found Slearon and Ruthiel ran to Behind trees but Lethner overrun with grief ran to Lerous’s she was sobbing at here head. She lifted Lerous and kissed here she screamed
“Come back it’s not safe” Ruthiel shouted franticly but she would not listen.
“Please mother, hide” shouted Slearon.
Even if Lethner wanted to hide it was to late the next shot was just as accurate and just a deadly it hit here in the chest and she fell flat on here face then they saw the crossbowman and he saw them.
Ruthiel jumped out and shouted to Slearon “Run save yourself or we will both be killed” but Slearon was rooted to the spot Ruthiel shouted again “run there is nothing you can do here”, this time Slearon listened and ran.
Ruthiel drew a sword its handle also had a griffin on it Slearon stopped so that he could see what was happening but the assassin couldn’t see him, Slearon climbed up a near a tree for a better view.
As Slearon watched he saw his father run at the Killer with his blade drawn, but as Ruthiel ran the assassin pulled out a curved dagger across him it caught Ruthiel in the chest and throat.
As Ruthiel’s limp body dropped to the ground Slearon had to grab his face not to make a sound and give away his position.
When everything was silent and the air had calm the murderer began walking away when breaking the silence came the sound of a small muffled baby. It was Relious the murderer took out his knife again moved away Lerous and Lethners body he lifted his blade and before he struck he stopped and looked at the crying baby. The baby fell silent and returned the look
Employment
Chapter Two
Five years later in a one bedroom apartment deep in the slums of Kojan Slearon was hanging out of a window trying to hide from his landlord, he hadn’t paid his rent for two months and was now one owed a hundred pieces of silver and didn’t now how much longer he could take it.
Kojan was designed to be a circle with the highest classes in the centre and spreading out to lower class around the rim the idea was that the centre would grow and the people would integrate to make a perfect society the only problem was that the founders of kojan were so virtuous they couldn’t understand people that weren’t so only three generations later two wall’s are being built to separate aristocrats , businessmen, and scum which was actually the term given to them that they embarrassed. As a result civil war isn’t to far off and no one has any sense of safety. This is true to almost everyone except there were three pollutions who joint ruled and they were loving it, it was all in there master plan that soon they would fix everything and look like hero’s to world. It was Ploroth he was a priest and very friendly with the aristocrats. Then there was Gloitril a giant of a man he owned a mercenary camp and was currently had limitless contract to defend the city. And the last was Cashrik he was the money behind the operation and was currently buying his twenty-eighth farm complex and had about ten wives all paid for by the farmers he exploited.
But none of this meant anything to Slearon he had to get his bills paid so he knew what he had to do. He climbed down the building by wedging himself between his building and the one next door with his arms. He slowly drooped himself to the ground and headed to the centre of town he had business.
