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| Xeogaming Forums - Story Realm - The Quest of Aurthor |
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FX Zombie Marco         Since: 03-24-06 Since last post: 3831 days Last activity: 3727 days |
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| This is a story I have been working on for a while. I will be posting it chapter by chapter. Here it is:
Prologue The wind savagely attacked the castle, creeping through every crack and crevice it could find. Meanwhile the king shivered in his bed. “Manservant!” he called out, “Fetch me a new blanket, and while you’re at it get Merlyn. I am in need of his wizardry.” How could this have happened, he wondered inwardly as he waited for his wizard, everything was going so well. I took Camelot into its golden age, brought forth Excalibur, and even uncovered one of the greatest magi the word has ever seen. But now it’s over, I’m dying and have no heir. Without a pure leader we will slip back into recession. Not only that, but in our ascension to power we made many enemies. Once I’m dead my magic will fade and we will be barraged from every angle. Why did my son have to die? He would have made a great heir. True he didn’t live past the age of three, but still. He sighed. My boy was so much like his mother. Ah, she was the true cause of my rise to power. Without her I never would have had the confidence or motivation to persevere this far. The only reason I had Merlyn keep me alive was the knowledge that that is what she would have wanted. But now the time has come and now I will join her, and I will have to be happy knowing that I have done the most I could- “Yes Sire?” the great wizard questioned as he entered the sleeping chambers of the dying king. “Merlyn, I am in need of your assistance.” The king replied, shaking himself out of his daze. “How may I help you?” “You have prolonged my life greatly since the time of your employment, of which I am grateful, but now you can do no more. I shall die soon.” “I am aware of that Sire.” “I know there is nothing you can do for me, but there is something you can do for my country.” “What…” (Last edited by FX114 on 03-25-06 02:00 AM) |
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FX Zombie Marco Since: 03-24-06 Since last post: 3831 days Last activity: 3727 days |
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| "Dantes' Erronium." Chanted young Aurthor as his book slowly levitated from the table. Then, with a flash the book burst into flames as his concentration was broken by a rapping on his door. He quickly conjured some water to douse the flames, then went to see who had interrupted his spell. As he opened his door his best friend Auric burst in.
"Lancelot, what are you doing?" Aurthor questioned the intruder. "Ms. Robinson's apples are ripe." The friend replied. "So?" he questioned, even as a smile was spreading across his lips. If apples were ripe then Ms. Robinson would be making her famous apple pies. Those pies were cherished throughout the village, ask anyone there and they'd tell you that they were the best pies they'd ever tasted. They'd also tell you that Aurthor and his friend Auric were the two most mischievous children they had ever met. Both of the boys knew that. Not only did they know, they were proud, and worked very hard to preserve their titles. Every year during summer they went down to Ms. Robinson's orchard; left to her when she became a widow, to steal some of her pies. At school, they always made sure to play plenty of jokes on their teacher. Well, until Aurthor left school to train with the town's magi, Tenn. Most of the villagers thought that this would succeed in separating the duo, thus ending many of their problems. But they were not so lucky. Besides a short lull in their mischief, the two boys partnership has not wavered. If anything it increased. So this particular summer the boys were working their way through Ms. Robinson's field, eating and throwing apples at each other. Near the end of their journey they saw four men at Ms. Robinson's house talking to her. The men talked to Ms. Robinson for several moments, she then gestured towards the town square, then retreated back into her cabin. The four men conversed briefly, then two of them went towards the town square and the other two in the opposite direction. Aurthor quickly decided to follow the second pair, and Lancelot joined obediently. The first man wore a hooded purple robe, signifying him as a magus of the fourth house1. He wore no weapons, besides a nasty ceremonial dagger on his belt. He had a kind and gentle face, with no sharp edges or features. One that you could trust without even knowing the man. Which Lancelot and Aurthor did. The other man though, was nearly the magus' polar opposite. He wore all brown; the sign of an assassin, had a short sword hanging in a protective sheath2 from the left side of his belt. His nose and mouth were covered by a similarly colored piece of cloth that was removed shortly to munch an apple. *** Carpet cast a sidelong glance at his traveling companion, Vlad. He didn't trust the assassin at all, but desperate times... Vlad returned the glance then continued on in silence. The only sound was the sound of their footsteps on the hard dry ground, and the crunching of Vlad eating his apple. That, and the matching footsteps of the two little boys following them. Carpet continued to look at the assassin, curiously. Vlad had a very strange complexion. By all means his face was plain. It was one of those faces that was so normal that you could never recall what it really looked like. It just blended in with all of the other faces in your memory. But if you were looking closely, as if, say, you wanted to remember his face in case he turned on you, you'd see it was everything but normal. He had many sharp points on his face. His cheek bones jutted out, his chin protruded from his lower lip. But the most notable feature was his beak-like nose. It wasn't big, per se, but beak-like. Vlad returned his stare once again, but this time he kept eye contact. "What do you want?" he finally asked sharply "Huh? Oh nothing just thinking." "About my face?" "What? No, no, nothing like that. My eyes were just drawn to the thing most familiar." "Hmph." "Why do you assassins wear brown?" "Why do we wear brown. Why do you magi wear purple? What kind of question is that?" "Well actually we don't all wear-" "Shut up." They continued on in silence. "We wear brown because it doesn't stand out." Vlademir mumbled. "Huh?" Carpet replied, shaking himself out of yet another daze. "I said we wear brown because it doesn't stand out. It blends into the night like black, but unlike black it blends in with plant life and doesn't stand out as much in the light. You ever seen a man walking down a town street wearing all black? Exactly." "Oh." More silence. "We don't actually all wear purple, it's a sign of our-" "I know the question was to make a point." The silence continued. Why do I have to get stuck with the assassin. Carpet inwardly complained, I don't even know him. He was just hired to do a job. Why couldn't Logan have gone with him? Neither of them are the talkative type. No matter, there's the schoolhouse. *** "Lancelot they're going to the schoolhouse." Aurthor whispered as the two men knocked on the building's door. The teacher, Djak, appeared momentarily. "What do you want?" he questioned, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. "We are looking for the local magi." The man in the purple robes answered. "Tenn?" "Ya. Do you know where he is?" "He lives in the forest outside of town." "Thank you." The magi said as he and the assassin started walking in the direction that the teacher pointed. Aurthor prepared to follow the men, when he heard the town bell ring. "There's a town meeting," Lancelot pointed out, "we'd better go." "Yes, but those are always boring, lets follow the men." "There going to see Tenn, he'll sense us." "Yes but-" "And the meeting probably has to do with the other two men that went towards town square." So the boys left their targets and proceeded to the town square. "They're gone." Vlad whispered to the wizard. "Huh?" Carpet grunted in response. "The two boys that were following us. They're gone." Carpet responded with another grunt. Vlad sighed and dropped the subject. They soon arrived at the house of the local mage, Tenn, to inquire about the child they had traveled so far to find. *** When the two friends arrived at the meeting they stayed to the back of the crowd(3) "You were right." Aurthor admitted, "It is the other men." And indeed, there were two men in the middle of the crowd. They only got a glimpse of them before they were lost in the crowd. "What do you think they want?" Lancelot inquired. "I don't know. But I'd guess that they were looking for someone. That's why they were asking around. Someone that's young enough to go to school. Someone that is training to be a wizard with Tenn. Someone young enough for school and training with Tenn. Someone like--" Suddenly--as the realization dawned on them- the boys were hoisted into the air. They looked over their shoulders to see that they were being held by a tall hooded man. He wore a bow and quiver on his back, hunting knives of various shapes and sizes along his belt, and he had two halve-staffs hanging from opposite sides of his belt. The strange man carried them to the center of the crowd, and set them down gently. A man walked up to Lancelot and stopped. He wore leather garbs, had long brown hair tied back in a ponytail, a rapier on his left hip, a greatsword on his back and several throwing knives down the side of his right leg. He bent down and asked in a clear calm voice, "Are you the one known as Aurthor?" "N-n-n-no." Lancelot stammered as he pointed to Aurthor, "H-h-h-h-he is." The man turned to Aurthor "So you are the one known as Author." "Yes." Aurthor replied, trying to conceal all signs of fear. "Good. We have traveled many months to find you." "Why?" "Because you are the heir to the throne." 1 The magi of the humans are divided into seven houses. Each house has a color so that other magi know their places among their peers. The first house (white) consists of apprentice magi, the second (blue) consist of magi that have recently become independent, the third (green) contains fully trained magi and the fourth (purple) consist of magi of the third house who are superior in their skills. Magi of the fifth and sixth house are unheard of, and the seventh house are the 'super' humans known as agamemni. Aurthor is preparing to begin testing to join the first house, where he will still continue his training. 2 Some magi, who are willing do defecate their honored position in the House of the Magi, sell their services enchanting items and other remedial tasks that are an abuse to their talent. One of these enchantments is a spell that is cast on a sheath that keeps the blade in nearly perfect condition, keeps it sharp, and makes the blade slide in and out of the sheath without a hitch. An enchanted sheath and weapon is the sign of a successful assassin. The magic must be renewed every few years (even though it is possible to make enchantments permanent, but then the rouge magi would have no way of gaining returning customers) 3 For there was, in fact a crowd. The small town didn’t encounter many visitors. (Last edited by FX114 on 06-13-06 11:22 PM) |
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FX Zombie Marco Since: 03-24-06 Since last post: 3831 days Last activity: 3727 days |
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| Aurthor entered his home to the sight of Lancelot sitting on his table gnawing on a piece of jerky.
"Well?" he inquired, finishing his snack and reaching for another, "what happened." Aurthor sad down "He said that the king has died and that his wizard has taken his sword and magically bound it in a stone. Only the next king can retrieve it. He says that the one that will pull the sword from the stone is me. But we must hurry. By placing the king's sword in the stone he has been able to hold the magic that preserved the land, but that is only temporary. If a new king is not found before the magic fades our land will be besieged by enemies from beyond our borders." "Wow." "He is Argon, the hooded one is Logan. They have two more in their party, the two we were following. The mage is named Carpet(4) and the assassin Vlad. We leave tomorrow." "Great! I'll go home and pack." "Uhh about that. You're not coming." "What? But by 'we' didn't you mean-" "By 'we' I meant Me, Argon, Logan, Vlademir, and Carpet." "Bu-bu-bu" "I already asked. They said that you'd just slow us down." "No I wont. I'm very useful. I can-" "No Auric. We've known each other all our lives. I always hoped we could stay together forever, but we both know that will never happen. We must both take our own paths. Follow our own calling. Admit it, we're not one person. We have two different lives. No, don't say anything. There's nothing you can do to change my mind. I'm going. Maybe when we get to Camelot and sort everything out, I will come back and see you. But until then, we must each take our own path. Goodbye Auric. Goodbye friend." As the door closed behind Auric Lancelot, he thought back to what he had almost said to Aurthor, and thought, maybe it was better that he hadn't said it. Maybe. -------------------- 4 Pronounced car-PAY. The man is not named after a rug. (Last edited by FX114 on 06-13-06 11:20 PM) |
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FX Zombie Marco Since: 03-24-06 Since last post: 3831 days Last activity: 3727 days |
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| Chapter 3
The group left early the next morning. It was perfect traveling weather. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. But there was one place that the sunlight could not reach. Contrary to what Aurthor had said to his friend the night before, he was very sad that they were being separated. Argon was walking beside Aurthor, his hand placed assertively on his shoulder, as if he half expected Aurthor to run away. That was not far from the truth. The mage, Carpet, was keeping pace with Argon, and eyeing him as if he expected him to, when Aurthor tried to escape, hurt the boy. Also, not far from the truth Vlad was hanging behind the group, minding his own business, and Logan was disappearing into the forest at quickly decreasing intervals. The next day, as the group was crossing through the woods surrounding the town. They heard a noise coming from nearby. Logan instantly took out his bow and notched an arrow. They continued walking, and Logan appeared to be lowering his guard. The noise was heard again and Logan, with expert precision, released his arrow. A scream of pain was heard, but it quickly cut itself off, as if it didn’t want to be heard. Argon nodded to Logan who crossed to where the noise was herd. Moments later he returned carrying a thrashing figure over his shoulder. He set it down “Lancelot!” exclaimed Aurthor. Yes, indeed the captured figure was none other than the abandoned friend, Auric Lancelot. “What are you doing here?” “I couldn’t let you go alone!” replied the runaway, “Besides, I can be a valuable asset to your quest. I never told anyone this, but I’m a necromancer.” “You mean-” “Yes. I was born with a connection to the afterlife.” “This talent of yours could be very useful.” Argon interrupted, “At some time n our journey we will need to pass through the River Styx. Carpet, Heal this boy’s wound. We shall make camp here for tonight, then continue on our journey tomorrow.” That night Carpet woke to the sight of Argon staring out into the forest. He stood and approached the leader of their crew. “What do you want?” asked Argon without turning around. “I was just checking to see if you were okay.” “I’m fine.” “No you’re not. You’re troubled.” “What led you to that notion?” “I’m a mage. We have connections to those kinds of things.” Argon let out a deep sigh. “I’m just not sure. How can such a small child be the key?” “Have you told him yet?” “Told him? Of course not! It was hard enough getting him to come as it is. If I told him the rest he’d never agree to it.” “You’ll have to eventually.” “I know. I’ll wait till I must. When he has no choice.” “You’re so cruel.” “Cruel? Cruel! Don’t tell me about cruel! Do you think I care about pain? This is bigger than me and you!” “I know.” He paused, “Where’s Logan?” “He went out exploring.” Argon replied with a careless wave of his hand, “You know how he is.” “Do you think he’ll be all right?” “Logan is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. He can handle himself. Its that assassin I’m worried about.” “Who? Vlad? What about him?” “Do you think it’s safe trusting a complete stranger with your life’s work?” “No. But what choice do we have? We need someone with his skill, and he’s the best there is.” “Yeah, but you know how easy it is to corrupt someone that isn’t completely devoted to the task at hand.” “Argon.” “All right, but as soon as he’s outlived his usefulness, he’s gone.”(5) The group traveled many uneventful days through forest, desert, and coastline. Many weeks later, they were on a riverbank. Carpet had been helping Aurthor with his spells and Vlad had not been a problem. Yet. Once again Logan was exploring their surroundings, and Argon was watching Aurthor and Lancelot playing in the river. Everything was going well until Argon felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned around. “Oh. Hello Vlad.” “Goodbye Argon.” And with that the assassin pushed Argon into the river. The current quickly swept him up. “What the-?” cursed Carpet as he drew his sword and charged at Vlad. He calmly waved his hand at the attacking mage, who flew back and crashed into a tree. The traitor picked up Carpet and held him over the edge of the cliff above the river(6). But before he could kill his prey, he toppled off the cliff, an arrow protruding from his back. Logan stepped out from the foliage and pulled Carpet up from the edge of the cliff. At that moment Aurthor and Lancelot walked up carrying Argon’s unconscious body. “Were not sure if he’s alive.(7)” Commented Lancelot. Carpet limped over to the body and put his hands over its face. “He’s alive, but barely.(8) I would heal him, but Vlad’s spell did something to me. I don’t know what king of magic he used, but I’ll find out.” “But what about Argon?” “I have some healing herbs, but I doubt those would do much to help someone who has nearly drowned. You’ll have to do it. Necromancy is the closest thing to healing. This is almost like bringing someone back to life but easier because he’s not dead.(9) Yet.” He interjected with a downcast air. “All right, I’ll try.” Everyone slowly backed away as the young necromancer placed his hands on Argon’s chest and forehead. Light seemed to disappear except in the area directly around Lancelot and his patient, but it was strongest directly beneath his hands, where the healing was taking place. Slowly Lancelot passed his hands over Argon’s body, glancing up for reassuring looks from Carpet and Aurthor, jump-starting every major organ, starting with the heart and ending with the brain. The water Argon had swallowed oozed out of every pore and crevice of his body. Then Lancelot collapsed on the revived body. Light returned and the three remaining members gathered around the two bodies. Suddenly Argon started flailing then, with a deep breath, he sat up. “What happened?” “You almost died, but Lancelot saved your life.” ---------------------- 5 And he aint going on a vacation, if you know what I mean. 6 Did I mention there was a cliff? 7 He was. 8 I told you. 9 Necromancy is the art of the manipulation of death. It comes from the Greek nekros, meaning corpse; and manteia meaning divination. Necromancy is the caused by a deep connection to the afterlife, often the result of a near death experience, usually while still in the womb. This connection allows the necromancer to summon spirits to do his bidding, and to recover a soul before it completely slips into oblivion. Skilled necromancers can even bring a soul that has been gone for a long time, back to a body for a temporary period of time, at the cost of great amounts of energy. The soul can even be permanently reinstated in a body at the inevitable loss of life to the necromancer. The one exception to this is if the soul takes residence in the necromancer’s body. The soul has no control of the body, unless the necromancer was to lose a great amount of energy. There are many complications in this system, that I am unable to get into in this already extensive footnote. (Last edited by FX114 on 06-14-06 10:23 PM) |
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