Saturday, December 9, 2006

Chapter Four! New chapter!
The forest was not so kind to Rajhalla. Not that it should have been. The nightwalker had never necessarily done anything helpful for the earth. He was a cruel selfish being and did not fall into human morals. The most beautiful women held no charm over his strange eyes. He viewed humans as a weak species that were of no threat to him. Even a few of the mighty elves, exceptionally skilled in blade and magic and nimble like no other, had fallen to his blade. Rajhalla has respect for very few and sympathy for none. He views himself as an almost lesser god. He thinks himself unstoppable. Despite all of this the forest did not harness any belief in his conceded views.
How was nature supposed recognize his power? Rajhalla did not know but he wish that it could for the forest was becoming very troublesome. Even with his superb sense of direction he found himself going in circles at times. He had already traveled several leagues and had plenty more to go. He had cut his way through brush and transversed atop of swamps. He was immune to most elements of nature aside from the extreme. Still the icy wind felt like it was blowing directly on his bones. He had not slept in 8 days, make no mistake the nightwalker has much more stamina and endurance then a human could possibly imagine. He could go a month without sleeping. He did not enjoy sleep. They only reason he would sleep is to recover what energy he had lost.
Rajhalla enjoyed few things. His only joy was being superior to another being and being able to kill it in combat. His knowledge of magic was almost unsurpassed and his skill with a blade was remarkable. He was not someone to be underestimated. And none did. Not many people knew Rajhalla. Every person that has gotten close to the nightwalker has died. He kept no personal relations, only for business. His only greed was power and that greed was one he had yet to satisfy. He needed more…insurance. Frustrated with this place he raised his hand in front of him and said clearly, “Rasen-foi” as he quickly tightened his hand into a fist. All around him the forest exploded into flames. Rajhalla made his way forward swiftly. The troubles of the forest were as good as ash’s now. As Rajhalla made his way forward it seemed as if his body faded into the flames and he was gone.

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Chapter Three!
Keno stood ready, his sword held tightly before him. He looked at Rajin to spot openings in his stance. He could find none. He swung his sword high left arching downward toward Rajin. Rajin stepped in closely and swiftly to Keno and grabbed his wrist his sword swinging at Keno’s side. As the sword hit Keno’s arm he winced in pain. They had been sparring with these wooden swords that Rajin had made for three day’s now. They would travel during the day and spar by night before they slept. Keno had yet to lay a mark on Rajin while he himself was bruised almost everywhere he could imagine. Not only that but his body was sore beyond belief. Despite his looks Rajin was an extremely capable swordsman. Keno was amazed when he first sparred Rajin. He was reluctant to even spar at first because he did not want to hurt the old man. What a joke that was.
Keno was a fast learner though. Rajin was amazed the boy could block or counter attack even a few of his blows considering the boy had never previously wielded a sword. Granted it was a wooden sword but all the same. They were headed towards Dur’Hast. It was a fairly large city where Rajin suspected they could find information on the people that destroyed Keno’s house and took his brother away from him.
“Again” Rajin stated. Keno got into a defensive position. After fighting for the past nights he had gained tremendous speed in his swordplay. Rajin struck first this time. Keno parried the blow to his legs and raised his sword with Rajin’s on it into the air. Keno had his opportunity. He brought his sword down swiftly to Rajin’s side knowing there was no way Rajin could get his blade under Keno’s to parry. Right before his sword struck Rajin the old man threw his sword straight down with amazing speed and accuracy. The hilt of his sword connected with Keno’s blade and pushed it into the ground the moment before it struck Rajin. Rajin caught the tip of his sword and swung his sword backwards, the hilt of it hitting Keno in the face. Keno sprawled to the ground nimbly grabbing his sword and rolling surprisingly swinging at Rajin’s feet. He hit. He looked up to notice that Rajin’s sword was at the tip of his throat. Even though he hit Rajin he had not beaten him.
“Very good Keno. I believe I would have lost my leg there.” Smiled Rajin. “But you still won!” Keno looked disappointed. Rajin took Keno’s sword along with his own and snapped them in half. Keno looked at Rajin bewildered. Rajin walked over to his belongings and pulled out two sheathed swords. Keno’s eyes lit up. Rajin handed him a sword. Keno unsheathed it slowly admiring every inch of it as if it was all the treasure in the world. He waved the sword around some getting used to its weight. It was perfectly balanced and he felt like he was meant to have this sword. Rajin looked satisfied. That was your father’s sword. It now belongs to you. I figured I should at least show you the basics of sword fighting before you could handle it. “It’s beautiful” muttered Keno. “But how are we supposed to fight with real swords? We would tear each other to shreds.”
Rajin unsheathed his sword and took out a clear substance that wobbled in the wind. He put it over the sword which it fit perfectly onto. He muttered something foreign and the palm of his hand grew a dim blue. He traced the edges of the sword with his hands completely around then looked at the sword satisfied. He held the sword up to his wrist and Keno looked terrified. Before Keno could say anything Rajin pushed the sword into his wrist and pulled it down. Nothing happened. No blood or cut. “What did you do? I had no idea you could use magic!” Keno said amazed. “There are many things you do not know about me. I dulled the edge of the sword so that we will not kill each other when sparring. You cannot practice with a wooden sword forever. The weight and how you handle the sword is completely different.” Rajin then repeated the same process to Keno’s blade and handed it back to him. “Get ready” Rajin said. Keno attacked suddenly swinging high at Rajin. Rajin stood completely still aside from his arm. His sword intercepted Keno’s hard and knocked the sword out of his hand. “We will rest for tonight. You can not even hold your sword properly” Said Rajin. Keno looked a bit disappointed but content with sleeping all the same. Rajin cooked a rabbit that they had caught and they went to sleep after dinner.
After a few more days’ of traveling and nights of sparring Keno was exhausted. He didn’t think he could move anymore. He told Rajin this and they decided to just spend the day beside a spring. “Your body may be tired Keno but your mind should be fine correct?” Inquired Rajin. “Yes but what do you mean by that?” Rajin smiled and picked up a pebble. “I am going to teach you how to use magic.”

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Chapter two!
The nightwalker Rajhalla struck swiftly. His opponent faltered no more then fraction of a second and skillfully parried his blow stabbing straight for Rajhalla’s heart. Rajhalla smirked to himself satisfied that he finally tricked the elf into making a mistake. A fatal mistake. Knowing his heart was his vulnerable point he had concentrated great magical force pushing outwards from his chest like an intense shield that would only activate and repel things when touched. This required much concentration and stamina so he had to make the elf attack him here quickly if he was to succeed. And succeed he did. When the elf’s sword hit the nightwalkers chest it seemed to slowly go in for a moment then push back with tremendous force towards the elf. While both of the elf’s arms were thrown to the side still holding his sword Rajhalla made one swift stroke across the elf’s throat spilling his blood for the last time. The elf fell back gracefully, even in death, and hit the ground softly. Rajhalla muttered something as he walked towards the pedestal where what he was looking for lay.
Fire traced from the blood dripping off of his emerald crested sword back to the dead elf. The fire seemed to enter the elf from the throat and disappear for a moment before the entire elf’s body spontaneously combusted. Rajhalla grabbed the ring that lie on the pedestal and put it into his pouch. He stepped out of the temple into the wind. Anyone who would have seen him from afar would recognize him as a human with long white hair and a dark green cape on. From a close distance though one’s previous impression could change. The nightwalker had skin that looked to be very deeply tanned but pale and almost transparent at the same time. His hair was in fact not white, but a glistening silver and came down to a little past his shoulders. His eyes though, were his most prominent and alien distinction. They were a deep emerald green with no pupils. When he stared at someone they felt as if he were looking into their own souls. Rajhalla started his long journey back to his superior walking calmly into the forest.

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Chapter one!
Keno looked up. What he saw was beyond anything he could possibly comprehend at this frightening moment in time. Adrenalin started seeping through his veins as he stumbled backwards with sheer awe replacing his fear. It was true after all, the rumors that he had heard had not harbored any belief in his mind, but here above him was a fascinating proof to the rumors he had not in the least believed...well at least not until now. How could he deny that flying above him at this moment was in fact, a dragon?
As Keno started to regain composure from being knocked out, thoughts flooded his mind. He sat up quickly and a sharp pain arose in his head. He looked around and noticed that the position of the sun was different. “I must have been knocked out for at least two hours” muttered keno as he got to his feet. “Three actually” said a voice from behind him. Keno turned swiftly wielding his bow in caution. He looked at a relatively tall man that looked to be in his 60’s. He was wearing a dark brown cloak and holding a staff which he supported himself with. “Who are you?” said Keno. “My name is Rajin. I have been observing you for some time now.” “Why...why didn’t you wake me up? And how did I get knocked out in the first place? Did you do this?” “No”, Rajin chuckled, “You seemed to fall over your own feet onto that rock there in fear of the dragon.” “You saw it to then!” stated Keno eagerly. Rajin stared off into the horizon. “Yes.” Keno looked at the sky again seeing only clouds. “Why was that dragon here? I thought that they have been extinct for over two centuries!” Rajin looked Keno in the eyes. “It’s the elves.”
“The elves”, Keno stated quizzically, “Why would they have anything to do with a dragon coming out of extinction, and why was it here?” “Dragons”, Rajin stated, “have never been extinct. Just,” Rajin paused “out of sight.” “How does something so big stay hidden for over two hundred years?” “Dragons and elves have a very special relationship. They are both very magical creatures and are connected in many ways.” Keno looked puzzled. “How could a dragon be magical? I thought they were just big beasts.” Rajin looked shocked. “Of course not! Dragons are very smart creatures with personalities just like your own.” It was Keno’s turn to look shocked this time. “That is amazing. I would have never thought.” Rajin laughed a little. “You should never judge something off of its appearance Keno.” Keno looked at Rajin suddenly. “How did you know my name?” “That is something I will explain to you later. For now we must leave.” “Why?” Keno asked. Rajin began walking away. “If we don’t, we will most likely die.”
Keno followed Rajin through the forest neither of them speaking for over an hour. Keno thought he might ask Rajin something several times but didn’t. Finally Keno asked: “So where are we going anyways?” Rajin looked at Keno a little bit surprised. “You don’t recognize any of this? You must have hit your head harder then I first assumed. We are going to your cabin.” Keno looked at his surroundings and noticed that Rajin was absolutely correct. “So we are,” Keno paused in thought “but why?” “Well first off you need to get some rest, other then that I need to pick something up there.” Rajin exclaimed. Keno looked at Rajin. “What could you possibly need from my cabin?” Rajin just kept walking leaving Keno to ponder that to himself. “We are almost there. Don’t bother with questions.” Rajin stated suddenly. As they cleared the forest and came in sight of the cabin Keno started to run. His cabin had been completely destroyed. “Xelic! Where are you?” Keno fell to his knees in front of his desecrated home and held back tears. Rajin came up behind him putting a hand on Keno’s shoulder. “Xelic is not here. Whoever did this must have taken your brother. It seems I was not fast enough.” Keno looked at Rajin with sudden anger. “You mean you could have prevented this? Why would they destroy my home and take my brother?” Rajin looked sorrowful. “They were after the same thing I was.” Rajin suddenly held up Keno’s arm. “How long have you worn this ring?” “Four years. My father gave it to me right before he died.” Keno answered. Rajin looked at the ring closely and tried to remove it. The ring wouldn’t move at all. “You cannot take this ring off can you keno?” Keno looked shocked. “No, I can’t. I have not been able to take this ring off since the moment my father put it on my finger. How did you know this?” “That is of no matter at the moment. How many rings did your father leave in your possession?” Rajin asked hurriedly. “Four. My brother and I both wear one and there are two extra.” Keno answered. Rajin looked troubled. “That means that they have two free rings and your brother. This is not good. Not good at all.” Keno looked puzzled. “What is so important about these rings?” “There are only twenty-four of them in the world. They were forged by the elves to form a special bond with a dragon.” Rajin stated. Keno got a glisten in his eyes. “Does that mean…” Rajin answered his question before Keno even finished the sentence. “Yes. You have a dragon.”

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