Quote:
Prince Isidor stood watching the fast fading figure of his older brother disappear
over the rolling hills of the countryside and the bright blue sky. He scowled. Philippe was
leaving on another quest to some far off land far away from the Kingdom of Ethriall.
Isidor felt the old feelings of jealousy come over him and began to plot the quest that he
dreamed of one day going on.
He knew that it was unlikely that his father would allow him to go on a quest. He
was the youngest and least experienced of the king’s three sons, so it was next to never
that he would go on a quest. He sighed and began to reminisce over his earlier
inadequacies with the sword master early that morning, and rubbed his upper left arm at
remembering how he had been caught unawares.
The war aged sword master had at first corrected him in a barely irate tone, then
he had grown angry with him the more he made mistakes. It was almost as if he had
intentionally sabotaged his sword lesson by thinking over and over to himself that he was
horrible at it and he would never be able to pick it up. He frowned at this thought and
tried to clear his mind of the conflicting thoughts and emotions inside.
He grabbed his cloak and drew it around his shoulders, and clasped it closed with
his emerald broach. He fingered the jewel lightly thinking back on the day that his mother
had given it to him. It had been his tenth birthday, right after she had become ill, but
hadn’t yet succumbed to the illness. He sighed longingly, wishing that there had been
some way to save his mother from the disease that had destroyed her.
He locked the thoughts away when his father entered his study. He immediately
straightened his stance and let his father inspect him all over before he relaxed even the
slightest. His father took a seat in Isidor’s instructor’s chair and then spoke.
“Isidor, if there is anything that you want to do before you get married, you
should consider doing it very soon.”
“Does that mean, that you will let me go on a quest, if I would care to go on one?”
“Yes, though I will not allow you to go alone, like your older brother. You will
have to choose a fellowship of the best warriors in the land to go with you. Which means
you will have to get started very soon if you are going to go on your quest within the next
few months.”
Isidor almost let his face show the inner excitement that rose inside at these
words, but managed at the last moment to tighten his expression.
“Thank you father, I will do as you suggest. May I be excused to start the
preparations?”
“You may.” His father replied, with a wave of dismissal.
Isidor exited the study and strode down the hallway towards the lore master’s
room. If he was to find the best warriors in the land, it was the lore master that would
know of the best men for the job. The lore master knew everything about the land, from
the history of the kings before, to the areas where violets were most likely to grow.
* * * * * *
Isidor inspected the bunch of warriors that had gathered near the training ring, and
was stunned to see a female centaur pacing agitatedly in the midst of them. He had never
seen a female centaur up close before and was stunned to see that she was just as built as
the male ones he had seen. She held her spear in her hands as though it was a part of her,
and her every movement suggested power and strength beyond that of any of the human
warrior present.
“Who is the centaur lady?” He asked, still watching her pace up and down the
outside of the ring as though she was tired of the wait.
“Her name is Anouska, she’s a mercenary out of the Gorault precinct. From what I have heard, she’s also an excellent tracker and has worked as a bounty hunter from time
to time. She would be an excellent asset to your fellowship, Prince Isidor.” The swords
master replied.
“Well, why don’t we see her in action, she seems a bit antsy to show what she’s
got.” Prince Isidor suggested.
“Yes, let’s. Arlen, announce Anouska and her contender.” The swords master told
the page that had been assigned to yell out the contenders.
The blonde haired boy nodded, and then did as he was told.
The centaur’s eyes gleamed with excitement when she saw whom her contender
was. What the prince didn’t know was that when he chose her sparring partner, he had
chosen a very good friend of hers, and she wasn’t going to fight him. She just hoped that
her friend would recognize her before he did something he’d regret.
The man readied himself, pulling out two long blades and rotating his arms
around in a circle to limber up. He then took a fighting stance and awaited the centaur’s
rush. When she didn’t charge him, he stared at her a moment then laughed, and walked
towards her, putting his swords back in their sheaths.
Prince Isidor was enraged by their refusal to spar with one another. He had made
it very clear that everyone was to fight against the partner given to them, and their not
following it made him look the fool. He made his way down from the stands into the
training circle towards the two contenders who were talking to each other in low tones.
As he neared them he overheard them say to one another.
“Looks like Isidor is mad at us,” The man spoke.
“Yes so it does, but I would never fight against a friend, no matter if the king
himself demanded it.”
“If you don’t want to be employed for the quest, then I would suggest that you
leave.” Isidor snapped, getting riled at the man talking about him without his proper title.
“Hold it Prince, we want to be a part of your fellowship, but we aren’t about to
fight against each other to do it. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Anouska and Hagen
are the best warriors in the five lands.” The man said.
When Isidor heard the man’s name, he almost screamed with joy. Hagen, the
legendary had come to be a part of his fellowship and wanted to help him with his quest.
He stared at the man and asked himself silently how he could not have realized who the
man was earlier.
“Umm yes, sorry for acting so rudely towards you. Now would you come with
me, we have a few things to discuss.”
Anouska and Hagen cast puzzled looks at each other before they followed him out
of the training circle. They all felt the stares on their backs from the gathered warriors as
they walked away and disappeared out of sight. When they were out of ear range, Isidor
came to a stop and turned to them.
“So now that you two have been found, we will need to find a scout, a healer, and
a mage. You two haven’t happened to have heard of any that would be a good addition,
would you?”
“I know of a Kittling that is a pretty good scout.” Hagen supplied.
“What is a kittling?” Isidor asked, feeling a frown forming on his face.
“A kittling is half human, half cat. They can see in the dark and usually have
senses just as good as an elves.” Hagen explained.
“Oh, okay. So where can this kittling be found, and does he/she have a name?”
“The kittling is a boy, his name is Suhe, and he lives in Teragothel.”
“Alright, then I’ll have a runner take a letter to him in the morning asking him to
join us on the quest. At the moment we will go talk with the lore master and ask him
about the other two companions that we will need.”
“Are you going to tell us what the quest is for?” Anouska asked.
“When everyone has been gathered, you will all learn of what the quest is for, that
will have to satisfy you for now.” Isidor replied and began to walk away.
“Wait a second, we have yet to discuss the matter of payment.” Hagen called,
causing Isidor to stop in mid stride.
“What are the going rates that you usually get paid?” Isidor asked in a bored tone.
“He’s asking us, now that is pretty funny. You know kid, maybe you should just
tell us what this quest is for.” Anouska told him.
“Its not really for any real purpose,” Isidor began rather uncomfortably. “ My
father said if I wanted to go on a quest that I would have to do so within the next few
months before he marries me off. He of course wouldn’t allow me on a quest alone, so I
decided to have try outs to see who the best warriors were, so at least I would have the
best with me in case something were to happen.”
“Oh, so you don’t really have a specific quest, its mostly just a last chance to get
an adventure before you’re married. So this job is merely a babysitting job then.” Hagen
said, sounding rather upset about it.
“Hey, if you have no plans for a quest, perhaps we could plan one for you.”
Anouska suggested with a sly smile on her lips.
“Now that is a good idea. What do you have in mind?” Isidor asked.
“We’re going to rescue King Guhor of Presecke. He was captured by the Nothem
barbarians and if now one goes to rescue him, his kingdom will go into disrepair and the
barbarians will take it over, and begin to invade other lands. What say you?” Anouska
asked.
“I say, let’s do it.” Isidor replied enthusiastically.
“Good, then you’ll be needing a bard to write a song about your grand rescue.” A
deep baritone voice said, coming out of seemingly nowhere.
“Who said that?” Hagen demanded, pulling out one of his swords.
“Calm yourself, it is I, Duridane son of Gorig the greatest master bard in the
seven lands.” Replied the voice.
Then there was a rustling underneath a bush and out came a three-foot tall,
middle-aged fawn. He smiled pleasantly to them then disappeared from sight. A moment
later he was back, dragging a shorter youthful fawn behind him.
The young fawn stared at them wide-eyed his jaw slack with astonishment. Isidor
didn’t look much different, but he was staring for an altogether different reason. The
young fawn had dark blue fur and hair, and a dark red brown tan, and bright green eyes.
He was the strangest sight Isidor had ever seen.
“This is my apprentice Abrial. He was a blacksmith’s apprentice, but he kept
breaking things since he’s so clumsy. I don’t know quite how he turned into my
apprentice, but he can play music and knows the seven different languages of the lands,
so he’ll come in handy.”
“All seven?” Isidor asked skeptically.
“Yes shur, Gath bruen duar, em Brel? Yes sire, all seven tongues, can you?”
Abrial translated. “Each word was from a different language, if you couldn’t tell.” He
added.
“I assumed that, since I couldn’t understand the last four.” Isidor admitted.
“Well it looks like we have a translator, that’s good. “ Hagen commented, leaning
comfortably against Anouska’s flank.
She flicked her tail in annoyance then moved out of the way, causing him to
tumble to the ground. He scrambled up off of the ground and dusted himself off, casting
a glare in her direction. She eyed him menacingly and said in a dangerous tone.
“You know I don’t like people using me for leaning on, so don’t do it again.”
“Uh, yes sorry about that Anouska. It sort of slipped my mind, but I swear on my
life, that I will never do it again.”
over the rolling hills of the countryside and the bright blue sky. He scowled. Philippe was
leaving on another quest to some far off land far away from the Kingdom of Ethriall.
Isidor felt the old feelings of jealousy come over him and began to plot the quest that he
dreamed of one day going on.
He knew that it was unlikely that his father would allow him to go on a quest. He
was the youngest and least experienced of the king’s three sons, so it was next to never
that he would go on a quest. He sighed and began to reminisce over his earlier
inadequacies with the sword master early that morning, and rubbed his upper left arm at
remembering how he had been caught unawares.
The war aged sword master had at first corrected him in a barely irate tone, then
he had grown angry with him the more he made mistakes. It was almost as if he had
intentionally sabotaged his sword lesson by thinking over and over to himself that he was
horrible at it and he would never be able to pick it up. He frowned at this thought and
tried to clear his mind of the conflicting thoughts and emotions inside.
He grabbed his cloak and drew it around his shoulders, and clasped it closed with
his emerald broach. He fingered the jewel lightly thinking back on the day that his mother
had given it to him. It had been his tenth birthday, right after she had become ill, but
hadn’t yet succumbed to the illness. He sighed longingly, wishing that there had been
some way to save his mother from the disease that had destroyed her.
He locked the thoughts away when his father entered his study. He immediately
straightened his stance and let his father inspect him all over before he relaxed even the
slightest. His father took a seat in Isidor’s instructor’s chair and then spoke.
“Isidor, if there is anything that you want to do before you get married, you
should consider doing it very soon.”
“Does that mean, that you will let me go on a quest, if I would care to go on one?”
“Yes, though I will not allow you to go alone, like your older brother. You will
have to choose a fellowship of the best warriors in the land to go with you. Which means
you will have to get started very soon if you are going to go on your quest within the next
few months.”
Isidor almost let his face show the inner excitement that rose inside at these
words, but managed at the last moment to tighten his expression.
“Thank you father, I will do as you suggest. May I be excused to start the
preparations?”
“You may.” His father replied, with a wave of dismissal.
Isidor exited the study and strode down the hallway towards the lore master’s
room. If he was to find the best warriors in the land, it was the lore master that would
know of the best men for the job. The lore master knew everything about the land, from
the history of the kings before, to the areas where violets were most likely to grow.
* * * * * *
Isidor inspected the bunch of warriors that had gathered near the training ring, and
was stunned to see a female centaur pacing agitatedly in the midst of them. He had never
seen a female centaur up close before and was stunned to see that she was just as built as
the male ones he had seen. She held her spear in her hands as though it was a part of her,
and her every movement suggested power and strength beyond that of any of the human
warrior present.
“Who is the centaur lady?” He asked, still watching her pace up and down the
outside of the ring as though she was tired of the wait.
“Her name is Anouska, she’s a mercenary out of the Gorault precinct. From what I have heard, she’s also an excellent tracker and has worked as a bounty hunter from time
to time. She would be an excellent asset to your fellowship, Prince Isidor.” The swords
master replied.
“Well, why don’t we see her in action, she seems a bit antsy to show what she’s
got.” Prince Isidor suggested.
“Yes, let’s. Arlen, announce Anouska and her contender.” The swords master told
the page that had been assigned to yell out the contenders.
The blonde haired boy nodded, and then did as he was told.
The centaur’s eyes gleamed with excitement when she saw whom her contender
was. What the prince didn’t know was that when he chose her sparring partner, he had
chosen a very good friend of hers, and she wasn’t going to fight him. She just hoped that
her friend would recognize her before he did something he’d regret.
The man readied himself, pulling out two long blades and rotating his arms
around in a circle to limber up. He then took a fighting stance and awaited the centaur’s
rush. When she didn’t charge him, he stared at her a moment then laughed, and walked
towards her, putting his swords back in their sheaths.
Prince Isidor was enraged by their refusal to spar with one another. He had made
it very clear that everyone was to fight against the partner given to them, and their not
following it made him look the fool. He made his way down from the stands into the
training circle towards the two contenders who were talking to each other in low tones.
As he neared them he overheard them say to one another.
“Looks like Isidor is mad at us,” The man spoke.
“Yes so it does, but I would never fight against a friend, no matter if the king
himself demanded it.”
“If you don’t want to be employed for the quest, then I would suggest that you
leave.” Isidor snapped, getting riled at the man talking about him without his proper title.
“Hold it Prince, we want to be a part of your fellowship, but we aren’t about to
fight against each other to do it. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Anouska and Hagen
are the best warriors in the five lands.” The man said.
When Isidor heard the man’s name, he almost screamed with joy. Hagen, the
legendary had come to be a part of his fellowship and wanted to help him with his quest.
He stared at the man and asked himself silently how he could not have realized who the
man was earlier.
“Umm yes, sorry for acting so rudely towards you. Now would you come with
me, we have a few things to discuss.”
Anouska and Hagen cast puzzled looks at each other before they followed him out
of the training circle. They all felt the stares on their backs from the gathered warriors as
they walked away and disappeared out of sight. When they were out of ear range, Isidor
came to a stop and turned to them.
“So now that you two have been found, we will need to find a scout, a healer, and
a mage. You two haven’t happened to have heard of any that would be a good addition,
would you?”
“I know of a Kittling that is a pretty good scout.” Hagen supplied.
“What is a kittling?” Isidor asked, feeling a frown forming on his face.
“A kittling is half human, half cat. They can see in the dark and usually have
senses just as good as an elves.” Hagen explained.
“Oh, okay. So where can this kittling be found, and does he/she have a name?”
“The kittling is a boy, his name is Suhe, and he lives in Teragothel.”
“Alright, then I’ll have a runner take a letter to him in the morning asking him to
join us on the quest. At the moment we will go talk with the lore master and ask him
about the other two companions that we will need.”
“Are you going to tell us what the quest is for?” Anouska asked.
“When everyone has been gathered, you will all learn of what the quest is for, that
will have to satisfy you for now.” Isidor replied and began to walk away.
“Wait a second, we have yet to discuss the matter of payment.” Hagen called,
causing Isidor to stop in mid stride.
“What are the going rates that you usually get paid?” Isidor asked in a bored tone.
“He’s asking us, now that is pretty funny. You know kid, maybe you should just
tell us what this quest is for.” Anouska told him.
“Its not really for any real purpose,” Isidor began rather uncomfortably. “ My
father said if I wanted to go on a quest that I would have to do so within the next few
months before he marries me off. He of course wouldn’t allow me on a quest alone, so I
decided to have try outs to see who the best warriors were, so at least I would have the
best with me in case something were to happen.”
“Oh, so you don’t really have a specific quest, its mostly just a last chance to get
an adventure before you’re married. So this job is merely a babysitting job then.” Hagen
said, sounding rather upset about it.
“Hey, if you have no plans for a quest, perhaps we could plan one for you.”
Anouska suggested with a sly smile on her lips.
“Now that is a good idea. What do you have in mind?” Isidor asked.
“We’re going to rescue King Guhor of Presecke. He was captured by the Nothem
barbarians and if now one goes to rescue him, his kingdom will go into disrepair and the
barbarians will take it over, and begin to invade other lands. What say you?” Anouska
asked.
“I say, let’s do it.” Isidor replied enthusiastically.
“Good, then you’ll be needing a bard to write a song about your grand rescue.” A
deep baritone voice said, coming out of seemingly nowhere.
“Who said that?” Hagen demanded, pulling out one of his swords.
“Calm yourself, it is I, Duridane son of Gorig the greatest master bard in the
seven lands.” Replied the voice.
Then there was a rustling underneath a bush and out came a three-foot tall,
middle-aged fawn. He smiled pleasantly to them then disappeared from sight. A moment
later he was back, dragging a shorter youthful fawn behind him.
The young fawn stared at them wide-eyed his jaw slack with astonishment. Isidor
didn’t look much different, but he was staring for an altogether different reason. The
young fawn had dark blue fur and hair, and a dark red brown tan, and bright green eyes.
He was the strangest sight Isidor had ever seen.
“This is my apprentice Abrial. He was a blacksmith’s apprentice, but he kept
breaking things since he’s so clumsy. I don’t know quite how he turned into my
apprentice, but he can play music and knows the seven different languages of the lands,
so he’ll come in handy.”
“All seven?” Isidor asked skeptically.
“Yes shur, Gath bruen duar, em Brel? Yes sire, all seven tongues, can you?”
Abrial translated. “Each word was from a different language, if you couldn’t tell.” He
added.
“I assumed that, since I couldn’t understand the last four.” Isidor admitted.
“Well it looks like we have a translator, that’s good. “ Hagen commented, leaning
comfortably against Anouska’s flank.
She flicked her tail in annoyance then moved out of the way, causing him to
tumble to the ground. He scrambled up off of the ground and dusted himself off, casting
a glare in her direction. She eyed him menacingly and said in a dangerous tone.
“You know I don’t like people using me for leaning on, so don’t do it again.”
“Uh, yes sorry about that Anouska. It sort of slipped my mind, but I swear on my
life, that I will never do it again.”
