Stone of Fire

[Aewionen]

Alrighty then, this is my first time writing an actual story with an actual plot and the characters are actually mine! ^^ Anywho, this idea just popped into my mind after being inspired by a great book called: Sword of Bedwyr. Okay, so maybe I got a bit of the whole slavery plot and evil King taking over idea from it...Sorry Mr. Salvatore! I tried my best...^^ Right then, here it goes!

[Aewionen]

Chapter 1: The Escape

Marek was about to notch another arrow in his bow when a sound in the nearby bushed disturbed his concentration. He quickly turned his head to see what it was, for you could never be too careful these days with the Zorlaxders roaming freely across the once fair country side of Atonael.
Atonael was once an island of peace and quiet, nothing much really happening there. There had been perhaps two wars in the history of Atonael, and even they were considerably small. But ever since King Tyvern had taken control of the mainland, Eradorin, his armies had begun taking equal control of the smaller islands. Atonael’s neighboring island, Berdwyn, had been the first to fall to the cruel hands of these beasts known as Zorlaxders.
Zorlaxders had few unique character traits, all of them being malevolent and sinister. They all shared forest green eyes and gray hair, though a few have been seen with dark brown, nearly black, hair as a result of mixed from humans or elves. Their skin was pure white, and their ears had a small point that curved at the tip unlike the elves. The normal height for them was around six to seven feet, which sometimes gave them an advantage.
As beastly and threatening these beings were, they were nothing compared to their only allies, the Polioen. Polioen were six feet tall one-eyed beasts, which would look for any reason to kill. But then again, they would kill without reason. Their favored victims were elves who, unlike humans, were immortal. The Polioen smiled upon the thought that they could end the long lives of the elves, as though it somehow brought them god-like powers. Their skin was as thick as leather, and seemingly hard to pierce with a sword or spear. Though, as tough and powerful they might be, they were not the smartest things to ever walk the earth. And, with their one eye, they were no good at crossbows or other long range weapons.
This may seem as though it should give some hope to humankind, but it did not, for wherever there was a Polioen, a Zorlaxder lurked nearby. And so, the humans and elves had been enslaved, though there was rumor that a band of rebels still lasted in the deserts of the mainland, called Sundown.
Quite a strange name for a desert you may think, but in this desert the sun rarely shone. It was a wasteland of sand and rare water still, so one may think that they could survive without the heat of the sun. But it was not the environment that could harm you, but more-so the inhabitants. Goblins had chosen to reside in the caverns near the desert and attack at any movement, Human or Polioen, Elven or Zorlaxder; the race did not matter to them.

[Aewionen]

The rebels had managed to steer clear of the goblins, though attacks were still frequent. Lucky for them, goblins were not the most organized nor smart things. They would run at anything to attack without second thought, as long as it was of reasonable size of course. They would not charge at some dragon that was for sure. And as this to their advantage, the rebels were able to defeat the goblins for the time being. This was of course a rumor.

A rabbit most likely. The youth thought, returning his gaze to the target across the clearing of the forest. Twang! The arrow sang as it flew through the air, hitting the target very near to the center. Marek gave a satisfied smile and got another arrow ready when a voice came from behind him,
“Nice shot!” said the smiling voice while clapping his hands. Marek soon saw it to be his friend, Aden, who had been making the rustling sound in the bushes.
“What are you doing?” Marek asked, raising an eyebrow. He expected Aden to be up to foolishness, not minding the reality of the state of his homeland.
“Nothing of what I am sure you are thinking.” Was the reply given by the sandy-haired boy. “Why?”
“No reason, just expecting you to be eavesdropping. Again.” Marek stated, aiming another arrow at the target. “That is going to get you in trouble one day.” He added, letting the wooden weapon fly.
“Oh, you do so wound me!” Aden said, putting a hand to his heart as though he had been struck, “I have come to retrieve you, for Lord Renyar wishes for you to come at once.”
Marek scowled at the name of the Zorlaxder who had been placed in charge of the town of Kalden. Lord Renyar was not as cruel as the other Lords placed over the neighboring towns, as he was constantly reminding them.
“I could have you sent to Godric, and then you would show more respect I’m sure!” he would say to those who he believed lacked respect. Marek himself had heard those exact words many times.
“What is it he needs me to do, his laundry perhaps?” Marek grumbled, not bothering to turn to face Aden.
“Actually it is his son that requires your assistance.” Aden replied with a smile, knowing how much Marek despised the young prince, Jarle.
Jarle had always called upon the servants of the household to help, or more so do, with the smallest duties, such as taking one thing and carrying it across the room. Hearing this, most though him to be a weakling, but he was the opposite. Yes, it was true he rarely did anything on his own, but he was a skilled fighter. Not as skilled as most of course, for he did not see the need to put in much effort. Jarle had been born strong and had a certain knack for close combat. But it was the archery that frustrated him so, and whenever he missed it was usually blamed on the weather or some unseen force moving the target.

[Aewionen]

“Oh, well in that case you can tell the young prince to tend to the need himself, or better yet to learn to live without.” Marek said with another scowl.
Aden smiled at Marek’s words, “You are his servant-“
“Slave.” He corrected.
“Slave, sorry. And you might as well learn to live accordingly.”
Marek turned to face his friend, his blue eyes looking straight into Aden’s hazel eyes. “You want me to live accordingly? Aden, I may not have been around at the time before King Tyvern’s enslavement, but my brother had. He told me of what it was like, and how he would rather die than live in such a world.”
“And you saw what had become of him!”
“He died for Atonael, Aden! No cause could be greater for , and I will gladly do the same.”
Aden sighed, seeing he could not win this fight. “Very well then, you can do so after you fight this duel Jarle wishes to have with you. I won’t stop you if it is your wish to be beheaded.” He added sarcastically.
“I appreciate your concern.” Marek said under his breath as he walked over to the target to place the arrows in their holder. “You can tell him I will arrive shortly.” He said, turning back to Aden. He gave a sly wink as he placed the last bow in its place.
Aden, seeing what he had meant, for he had been plotting this moment for quite some time now, shook his head, “Not now, you should at least wait until nightfall.”
“No, if we wait until nightfall then we will be easier to catch. Don’t you think they will suspect something? We should go while we are a ways away from the castle, and besides, none of the guards know of my little practice area.” He added motioning to the clearing they were in.
Aden sighed and was about to say something when his eyes grew, “W-we? Uh, who might be going with you?” he asked nervously.
Marek smiled a tricksters grin, “You. I wanted you to come with me, for I cannot handle one of those ships on my own.”
“Sh-ships?”
“Yes, ships. Are you planning to swim to the mainland?”
“I wasn’t even planning on going.”
Marek laughed and patted Aden on the back reassuringly. “You are always telling me the world would me nothing without surprises!”
“No, I said the world would be nothing without secrets.”
“Same thing,” Marek said with a wave of his hand, “Now, I’m sure we can make it to the docks in less than a day’s time if we ride hard.”
“You mean walk right?”

[Aewionen]

“No, ride. I do bring a horse out here you know. Today I decided to bring two.” Marek said matter-of-factly.
“Oh great, not only are we running from Lord Renyar, we are stealing two of his horses. Anything else?”
“Supplies,”
“Supplies?”
“Yes, what exactly did you expect to eat and drink on the journey? Dirt perhaps? And besides, we need to be prepared if we are attacked by those one-eyed brutes.”
Aden nodded slowly as he listened to Marek’s proposition. “You are crazy, you know that?”
“But of course! Now come, I have everything prepared. Your sword is behind that tree.”
“You stole my sword?!” Aden asked in disbelief.
Marek replied by flashing him a sly grin before he entered the forest and returned the horses, which were already saddled and held bags of supplies.
“You knew I’d give in, didn’t you.” Aden said with a smile as he mounted the brown horse.
Marek did the same and returned the smile, “You never were one to not give in to my ideas.” He said, urging the black horse forest path.
“And see how I’ve turned out.” Aden said quietly before he followed his friend.

[Aewionen]

Chapter 2: Aeryn

“Nearly there my friend,” said the voice of a young maiden, patting her cream colored horse. “Less then a days ahead of us lies a soft bed and for you, lovely hay.”
Aeryn rode easily along the narrow forest trail, glancing behind her every now and then. This fiery haired woman was on the run from her former lord, Lord Frear. Lord Frear had been her lord-master for five years, as she was a gift from another lord. She had been passed on from lord to lord many times, so many in fact that she had lost count. Aeryn was about to be given away yet again, but this time to King Tyvern himself as a gift of allegiance. But not so! This time, Aeryn had run from the group escorting her to Lord Tyvern, losing them to a group of Polioen in the process. A smile came to her face as she thought about what would become of Lord Frear when he found out that she had never made it to Tyvern’s palace. He would no doubt be punished for allowing such a mishap.
Emerald green eyes again glanced behind her, but this time for good reason. Voices, quiet yet still hearable, came from the path behind her. What if one or two of the guards had survived against the Polioen and had returned to tell Lord Frear of her escape? All of Atonael would be searching for her, as well as the mainland most likely. Panic came over her as she quickly looked for a place to hide. Seeing nothing but trees, she decided to take her horse into the forest and watch as the voices passed by.