In the flash of light, the ground of the forest tremored, and leaves swirled in an uncanny wind.
A tall man in white robes appeared. He had a long tail of silvery hair, and his eyes gleamed ice blue as he peered fretfully through the fading light of the strange habitat. He felt a mite disorientated, as he smelt the forest's leafy must, and discerned a narrow pathway stretching before him.
Where am I? Aaron Evelander thought to himself. "Hmm." There was only one way to find out. He started following the path.
He walked a way until he came to a junction where another path crossed the one he trod. A signpost showed where each path led. There were strange names... The arrow pointing south said Ollinore. The arrow-pointing west, said Vann. The arrow pointing north, said Aklos, and the arrow pointing back east. From where he came, said Azbaq.
"Which way now?" he sighed, and then looked in turn to each of the three trails. "Best to carry straight on, he murmured. "Don't want to get lost. So west, and Vann it is..."
Aaron had gone some way before being startled to see a figure running towards him. It looked like a -- gnome?! It came at him so fast, that Aaron had no time to react as he was bumped off his feet. “Why did you do that!” Aaron shouted. The gnome had a white beard, and wore green breeches and a red, pointed hat. "I am sorry, sir," he blurted, "But there is a horrible fight going on in Vann -- The Orcs are chasing me! They will kill me, if they catch me! Can you help me, please!?” Aaron looked disgruntled as he climbed to his feet and brushed the leaves off his robes. He knew about gnomes and orcs...he hated orcs with every inch of his souls. “If I must," he sighed. "But in return, you must help me."
"Anything," the gnome eagerly replied.
"Well, for a start, what is your name?" Aaron asked. "I am Canyix,”
A horde of orcs came running down the path with their swords ready, bellowing with fury, at the sight of the gnome still alive.
Aaron immediately drew his sword and stood ready, waiting for the first orc to attack, while Canyix stood behind him, frightened.
The first orc came slashing left and right, full of rage. Aaron parried the attacks and twisted his body around so that the orc’s sword was deflected towards the ground. Aaron then spun around, just before the orc was able to block the attack, and slashed at the neck, decapitating him.
The fighting raged on. Suddenly there was a booming voice, and a flash of bright, blinding, purple light, and the remainder of the orcs fell to the ground and lay motionless.
A man, whom Aaron presumed was a wizard, by the looks of him, stood in the center of the clearing.
“Why, if I may ask, were you killing those orcs, not that I am fond of them?" The wizard asked.
“They were trying to kill this gnome, and might I ask what is your name?” Aaron said.
“My name is none of anyone’s concern, although you’ve asked respectfully…I shall tell you; it is Ganzar, and I have traveled here to Lantemius from the land of Anazak, across the ocean. The purpose of which is none of either of your concern.
“I see, my name is Aaron Evelander; I have also traveled from afar, from a place called Sol, although it was a strange incident that brought me here… I was fighting the dragon lord Shaderann when I was suddenly transported here by some strange magical force.” Aaron said.
“And I was in Vann when the orcs attacked, may I suggest that we go see if it is over, since you both seem to be heading that way.” Canyix said eagerly; although he showed the slightest sign of fear.
“Hmm, agreed.” Aaron said.
We walked a couple of miles before we reached Vann; there was some fighting still going on. An army of orcs, daemons, and goblins riding on wargs (evil wolves), were advancing slowly upon the defending army, which consisted of a few humans and elves equipped with swords.
As we ran to help, a large group of orcs, goblins, daemons, and wargs who were charging at the rear of the defending army hoping to surprise them, was met with a volley of arrows from another faction of the opposing army riding into the battle. It consisted of Elves, Humans, and Dwarves. They appeared riding out of the forest to our left and they cut off the evil armies attack opportunity as Giant Eagles swept down upon the evil army forcing it to retreat significantly.
The battle raged on, and the defending army fought strong and hard but to no avail. The defending forces were unable to suppress the raging tide of evil creatures who fought with no thought about death and seemed to have an unlimited amount of soldiers. Our hopes turned for the good when a trumpet sounded and the army of a king stormed into the battle killing the opposing armies soldiers left and right. Finally the battle was over and the defending was victorious.
When the battle was over we helped with the process of tending to the wounded, burying the dead and rounding up the living. The general of the king’s army approached us. “Who are you, I have never seen you before?”
“I am Aaron Evelander, this is Canyix the thief, and Ganzar the wizard.”
“Very well, I am Alcof the kings general. You three are strongly invited to join us as we go to the castle to defend it from another faction of this evil army. That we heard about while we were about the kingdom.”
“On we must go. A quarter of our forces will need to stay to assist but the rest; mount your horses,” the general paused,” you two”, he said pointing at Ganzar and Aaron, ”may ride those.” As he pointed to two mules. He then turned and faced Canyix, “You, small one, if you do not object, you will need to ride with one of them.” Grumbling, Canyix heeded, climbing on Ganzar’s mule. We galloped off to the king’s castle. After what seemed forever we crested a hill and viewed a magnificently built castle. Though parts were ablaze and Orcs lay siege. We immediately surged towards the castle.
àWe fought until there was none left. Later I realized I was exhausted, as it hit me with full force, so were Canyix and Ganzar by the looks of them, the king insisted that I stay the night at the castle, he also gave us gifts in return for our helping his army defeat the evil army, also he gave us provisions for the long journey. I was given a sword called Ervweyn; it was used by the king’s great-great-grandfather in battling the evil sorceress Medina's army. Canyx was given a golden slingshot, and Ganzar was given a book of spells, that I shall not touch, for it has a spell on it that keeps it safe from others, as Canyx found out.
We got some sleep that night, Ganzar and Canyix did surely, from the sounds I heard, I was woke up by the glowing and vibrating of my necklace, the one with a golden dragon inside a glass pyramid, I went to the window to get some fresh air, when it pointed north, then I suddenly realized that I was to go north to find my answers.
The next morning I told Ganzar and Canyix what had happened, they agreed it was strange, but agreed to assist me on my journey.
We were given horses, mine was called Sage, Canyix had Flatz, and Ganzar had Blitz. And so we set off North.
We had departed from the king’ castle almost two days ago, and had reached a small village on the edge of a river. We guided our horses through the little village with care for it was late at night. We reached a small inn and tavern called the Orc’s Bane, were we would be staying the night. I got off of my horse and went to enter the inn, but paused, remembering that I had no money. “Ganzar, do you have any money, I have none.” I asked. “I have enough to cover our stay.” He replied.
I motioned him in through the door as I opened it. Inside, it was a mess; there were tables overturned and mugs shattered on the floor. Ganzar walked through the mess and up to the counter. A husky looking man with a neatly trimmed beard approached him. “Whatcha need Ganzar?” he asked gruffly. “My companions and I require lodging for tonight, there are three of us.” Replied Ganzar. “Aye, just so happens I have three rooms left.” The man said, he reached beneath the counter and pulled out three separate keys and handed them to Ganzar, who in return handed him three gold coins. “The rooms are the first three at the top of the stairs.” The man said. Ganzar turned and handed Canyix and I each a key. We walked over to the stairs and ascended them. We reached the rooms; we each bid each other good night and entered our rooms. I was greeted with a homely room; a small fireplace complemented the finely built table and chair that stood a few feet away from it. A fairly large bed was situated across and to the right of the fire; in the northwest corner of the room. I laid my sword and pack on the table, started a fire and lay in the bed. The bed was much more comfortable than it was perceived to be. I lay in the bed gazing up at the ceiling of the room; the fire in the fireplace crackled; like the snapping of twigs when one-steps on them. The warmth of the fire helped me gently fall asleep, I was asleep in short time."