Evander stood in the grand hall of the Kingdom of the Flag, led by the great King John. He wore a black and green mottled cloak that befitted a Hunter of the woods. His long cape draped around his shoulders and swayed gently as he walked.
His straight, dark brown hair was short enough to stay out of his eyes. Being shorter than most as a Hunter provided many benefits since stealth was a crucial part of his life's work.
He had a beautiful longbow slung across his back and his quiver was set on his left hip. His brown eyes scanned the grand hall as he strolled along.
He had been summoned to deal with a particularly nasty beast that had been ransacking the nearby village of Eastborne. The sharp winter air whistled outside the stone walls, threatening heavy snow. Winter had just begun in the High Realm of Man.
A well-built knight approached him. He had a dark complexion and he looked to be in his middle age and stood at a solid six feet tall. His face displayed the roughness of a man who had seen far too many battles.
He outstretched his hand in greeting. Evander reached out with his own hand in response. "I am Sir Derrick," The knight said. "I have taken the liberty of putting together the bounty for the troll of Fortune's Woods." He handed over a few pieces of thick parchment. Evander glanced down at them briefly, the pages were scrawled with last known sightings and witness reports. He would study them more in depth later.
"I thank you, Sir Derrick. I will have this troubling matter put to a halt by week's end," Evander said matter-of-factly. He gave a slight bow of his head to Sir Derrick, his cape swung around his legs as he briskly turned to the large oaken doors that led out into the castle courtyard. Pushing open the heavy door on his right, cold air whipped through the gap he created, bellowing out his cape and sending a cold shot through him.
He quickly closed the door behind him as he pulled the papers into his view. The first page detailed a witness report of the troll almost leveling an entire section of the already small village. The next page detailed some livestock that had been eaten by the monster. A cow, a goat, and two pigs. "That is seriously going to cause problems on its own, livestock is hard to come by at this time of year," Evander said, shaking his head with a concerned look on his face. The last page was easily the most tragic. The witness detailed the killing of her son. The troll had entered through the village and in its pillage, had crushed the young boy under its massive foot.
With determination, Evander rolled up the parchment, placing it inside his coat, and walked briskly through the harsh air to his trusty steed Onyx. Approaching, Onyx whinnied with excitement. "I'm eager to get out of this cold too, dear boy. Let's head to Eastborne and find this troll." Evander tightened the saddle and swiftly mounted. He turned Onyx to the gates and trotted towards them.
He headed east towards the small village at the edge of Fortune's Woods. Onyx was a strong breed of shire horse, only taking one rider for the entirety of his life. He was a very loyal and trusted friend to Evander. They trained from a very young age, Evander a boy and Onyx a colt. After some time had passed, the pair made it to Eastborne. It was obvious a troll had been here recently. Portions of the buildings were in complete ruin, the main part was completely razed.
Many, if not all, of the villagers were rebuilding and restocking resources that had been lost. Evander dismounted and walked alongside Onyx as they entered. A man approached them, "I apologize for the state of my village. We've been having troll attacks as of late." The man said shyly.
"That is precisely the reason I am here. I am Evander, King John sent me to take care of your troll problem." Evander said, extending his hand to the man who seemed to be the mayor. The man accepted it graciously, his face lighting up with relief.
"Oh thank you, Evander", he said, shaking Evander's hand excitedly. "We are all in your debt. Ah, I forget my manners. My name is Andrew and I am the mayor of Eastborne." Evander assumed correctly. "Now, the last attack was yesterevening. He came swiftly and harshly. He made quite the exit, it wouldn't be hard to track him down. Not with a man of your skill."
Evander listened as he began to look about the village at the tracks left behind by the troll. "I thank you, Mayor Andrew. I will begin my hunt immediately," Evander said, eager to get started.
He spent little time in the village asking around and gathering information about the description of its appearance. After he had talked with all he deemed necessary, he walked with Onyx back to the south end of the village. "It's safe to say the troll went south," he told Onyx as he studied the tree line of Fortune's Woods.
Evander spotted a few crushed trees where the troll had forced its way through and followed closely, Onyx following suit. For as large as the shire horse was, he was surprisingly quiet among the frozen forest. After a few hours of tracking they came upon a clearing with a cave behind it among the trees. In the clearing lay the mangled bodies of livestock and wooden beams of varying sizes and types.
From within the cave, faint noises could be heard. "Stay here," Evander said quietly to his steed. Onyx responded by silently stepping off into a denser area of trees. Now Onyx could outrun anything but he was not a fighter, so hiding was his best chance. Evander watched the cave as Onyx walked off.
Slowly, the quiet Hunter approached the clearing. Staying hidden in the tall icy grass surrounding it. He made it to the other side where the trees began again.
As he made his way through the trees, heavy footfalls echoed from the cave. They approached sluggishly, and soon a massive form stood in the entrance of the cave, basking in the winter sun.
In its hand was the corpse of a large pig, well half of a large pig. The troll held it in one hand and with the other he ripped the meat from the bones and dropped it into its gaping maw like it was a freshly smoked rib.
To anyone but Evander, this would be a gruesome display, but having fought against Varamont, he had seen many similar events. He moved closer, calculating his next move.
With determination set, he devised a plan. From the dense brush he fired three arrows all within seconds of each other. He was using specially designed arrow heads, intended for trolls. A modified broadhead tip with four ridges instead of the normal two.
The first arrow buried itself in the troll's thigh, the second hit underneath its arm between the ribs and the last one found its home in its fat neck. The troll raged at the pain and dropped the pig, scanning around for where the arrows flew from.
Evander stayed still and low, almost completely undetected. Almost. The troll spotted him with its predatory eyes and roared into a charge. Now the arrows could set to work. As the troll charged, its heart pounding faster, the wounds began to bleed profusely.
The harder the troll ran, the more blood erupted from its depleting host. But the troll wasn't going down without a fight. It crashed through the trees at Evander, intending on running him over, but Evander was quick. He jumped from his crouched position to the side and out of the path from the raging beast.
Angrily, the troll stopped and spun around to find the Hunter had brought out a new weapon. A scythe that when pulled on both ends, a short sword is revealed. With his scythe in one hand and short sword in the other, Evander charged the troll.
The troll lunged for him and the quick Hunter slid under his legs, slicing the right calf with the sword as he passed under. The troll grunted and lifted its good leg in an attempt to stomp the man. After Evander was clear from the troll he quickly scaled a nearby boulder and leaped from it and buried his sword and scythe in the back of the troll.
With his weight and the weapons dug in, he slid down its back, all the while ripping through the hard flesh of the monster. At one point the sword punctured a lung and the troll could no longer take in air to yell so all Evander could hear was a muffled gurgling as the troll's lungs quickly filled with blood.
Evander landed hard on the frozen earth as the beast crumpled onto one knee. It was a bloody scene; the grass, bushes, and trunks of trees were saturated with crimson. A long trail from where the arrows first hit, lead up to the massive pool of troll blood.
Slowly, like a tower falling after being hit with too many trebuchets, the troll began to fall backwards. Evander gracefully stepped to the side as the weight of the troll came crashing down into the frozen grass. "What a mess," Evander said, wiping some blood from his face.
After the bloodied body of the troll finally came to a rest, Evander climbed on top of its stomach. Lifting his sword in both hands in a downward position, he plunged it hard into the thick hide. He swept the blade from side to side until a slit large enough to reach in was created.
Just as he was about to reach in he was knocked clear from the troll from his left side and pinned to the ground by a massive Rogue Wolf. He held an arm up in defense as the wolf bit down onto his steel vambraces. The wolf shook violently and Evander was jostled around in the bloody grass.
The wolf bit down harder and the steel of Evander's vambraces began to dent and crack. Shit, Evander thought. Just then from the right, the direction Evander had come, Onyx came barreling through the brush neighing aggressively. The wolf looked up and at that moment Evander reached down to his boot and pulled out his hunting knife, plowing it into the neck of the wolf. More blood spilled onto Evander's face and he spit it out of his mouth.
Two more wolves came out from hiding and headed for Onyx. Evander saw this and flipped his knife around to hold the blade, he launched it into the wolf that approached Onyx's right side. As the wolf suddenly tripped over its own sudden dead weight, the other wolf lunged at the massive shire horse. Just before the wolf made it close enough, Onyx turned and kicked with his powerful back legs into its muzzle. The impact completely caved in its face and sent it reeling backward into a sizable tree with great speed.
Evander heaved the heavy wolf off of him and he grunted as he stood. He winced at the arm he used to defend himself. "Ah, fuck. He got through, it's probably fractured." Evander cursed to himself. Onyx approached him and neighed happily.
Evander reached up with his good arm and gently patted Onyx's snout, "You saved me yet again, old friend."
The beautiful jet black shire horse bobbed his head up and down with enthusiasm. "Care to help me lift these guys unto you? I'll make it worth your while. All the apples you could eat. We will be paid handsomely for these pelts," Evander said, raising an eyebrow. Onyx snorted his agreement.
Onyx walked over to each wolf and laid down beside them as Evander slowly lifted them onto his back, it was proving rather difficult with only one arm doing most of the work, but he eventually got them all.
Blood from the wolves began to stream down the rear end of Onyx and the horse glared at the blood and then to his master. I deserve a very good washing for this. His glare seemed to portray.
Evander looked to the blood and then to his dear friend, "A little blood never hurt," he chuckled. Onyx snorted again and pushed Evander with his head in retort. "I'm only jesting, you know you will get a full washing." He laughed and Onyx seemed to smile at this.
Evander made his way back over to the body of the troll and climbed on top again. He reached into the opening with his good arm and felt around for the heart. Once found, he gripped it hard but gently. Giving a strong pull, he gradually ripped it from the veins and arteries that held on. He had to reach in with his other hand with his knife to cut away some stubborn flesh. Once the cuts were made, the heart finally let go and was able to be removed.
He produced a pouch from his belt and placed the still-warm organ inside, pulling the strings tightly closed and tied them over the neck of the bag. He then replaced the bag back onto his belt and slid off the side of the troll.
He began the short walk back over to Onyx, "Alright big guy, let's get back to Eastborne and inform Mayor Andrew that his problems are over." Evander said with a deep sigh. The pair made the long trek north back through the dense trees, and the afternoon wore on.
A couple hours had passed by the time they made it out of the trees. Eastborne came into view as they walked across the frozen field. The sun was beginning to set behind the Collapsing Highlands.
After about another hour, the sun had completely set. Evander and Onyx entered the small village and sought out the mayor. It did not take long since the mayor had been running around helping with everything. Evander approached the exhausted mayor, "Mayor Andrew," he said, "Your troll will not be bothering you any longer," he held out the bag for the mayor to see.
Relief flooded the mayor's eyes as he spoke, "You cannot fathom what you have done for this town. You have restored the livelihoods of all the people that live here." He eagerly reached out for Evander's hand to thank him with an enthusiastic shake.
"I am grateful to have been able to help everyone here," Evander said, accepting the mayor's hand. "I will have King John send some help and resources to get you back up and running again," he offered.
"The king really is a great man, isn't he?" The mayor stated more than asked.
"I have known him for a very long time and I can attest to that being true," Evander stated. "We must be off, we have a fair walk ahead of us back to the kingdom and Onyx has been carrying these wolves for a few hours already."
"Oh please allow us to assist with that," the mayor said. He jogged off briskly to a blonde man and as he spoke he pointed to the wolves atop Onyx. The blonde man nodded his head in agreement as the mayor finished his request.
The mayor returned shortly after he left, "I spoke with our carpenter and he has agreed to give you a travois as a thank you for saving our town."
"That is very kind of you, sir. I am sure Onyx will greatly appreciate having the load off of him," Evander said gratefully. It only took a few minutes for the carpenter to attach the travois to the massive horse and haul the wolves onto it. Onyx released a deep breath as the last wolf was removed.
"Feel better?" Evander asked his friend. The look Onyx gave him confirmed that he did in fact feel worlds better. The wolves had easily weighed over three-hundred pounds in total and that amount of weight for hours was taxing on any horse, even one of his size. "We both greatly appreciate your hospitality in these trying times but we must be off to the kingdom." Evander said with a breath and one last clasp of hands with Mayor Andrew.
"Of course, we thank you again for your swift service in taking care of the troll," the mayor thanked again. And with that, Onyx and Evander by his side walked from Eastborne and out into the frozen fields back west to the Kingdom of the Flag.
Evander and Onyx approached from the east to the massive keep that housed the great King John and his most trusted advisors and knights. The king was well respected in the Realm of Man and among the other races he was well spoken of.
The Kingdom of the Flag sat southeast of Caldack Reach which hailed from the mountain range of The Collapsing Highlands, north of Bromidium Keep, and northeast of Castle Erytho. Castle Erytho was on an island connected to the mainland by Morc Bridge, a small passage that only three men could walk abreast comfortably.
Evander pulled down his hood to expose his face and allow the guards on the battlements to recognize him. With great eagerness to attain his bounty, and to be rid of the carcasses Onyx had been dragging for the past two hours, he hurried his pace. As Evander approached the battlements, the northwest guard called to him, "Who are you and what is your business here?!"
A squire to the King's Guard, the others would have known it was me, he thought to himself. "Hunter Evander Drayton. On account of King John's bounty to slay the troll of Fortune's Woods!" Evander yelled in reply.
"Open the gates!" The guard called to the gatekeeper down below the castle walls who nodded back and opened the way for Evander to proceed. As the gate slowly ascended, Evander walked alongside Onyx toward the castle once more. Onyx's hooves clapped on the cobblestone as he left the frozen grass behind.
Evander was swiftly greeted by the stable master. "Good evening, Master Drayton. I see you have quite the haul," the stable master said in reference to the wolves Onyx had been dragging.
"Good evening, Henry. We have had quite the day for sure, we are both quite exhausted and in need of a good night's sleep. How has the horse business been treating you?" Evander asked as he loosened the saddle on Onyx.
"It's been good, at least up until recently. What with the raids by these foul creatures. I've never seen such grotesque beings in my life. Quite terrifying really," Henry spoke as he remembered the vile creatures.
"Raids? How odd. How recent was the last one?" Evander asked, placing a hand under his chin.
"Well, it was only a few hours ago, the knights drove off the last of the vile creatures southeast of here." Henry said after a short pause in thought.
"That would explain the state of the houses I see down the path," Evander answered as he looked up the stone path that ran through a small collection of homes. "Well, I best be off. King John will be wanting the news of the troll. Best days, Henry." Evander said, "Oh and don't worry about the wolves, I'll have Sir Lucas come round them up."
"Sounds good, Master Drayton. I'll keep Onyx company," Henry said as he picked an apple out of a water barrel and fed it to Onyx and he accepted it graciously. He ate the apple in one chomp and Henry fed him a few more as Evander made his way up the path.
Now that Evander could see the homes more closely, it was quite clear the raid was fairly recent. Three days was not long enough to rebuild such damage. It was a sorrowful sight to witness such a beautiful keep fall to ruin. Men, women and children were hard at work rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. Ranchers were rebuilding fences for their livestock and farmers were clearing debris from the soil.
Evander approached a woman who had been trying to lift a wheelbarrow full of debris and offered assistance. "You are very kind, sir," the woman said, allowing Evander to take hold of the heavy wheelbarrow. When he went to lift it, his arm pulsed with pain as he remembered his injury. "Oh, are you alright?" The woman asked with great concern in her voice.
Evander placed the wheelbarrow back down and gently grasped his forearm, "It hurts like hell but I will be alright. I had a run in with a pack of Rogues this morning and it's quite bruised." Evander looked up at her. "Let's lift it together?" he asked.
"Of course," the woman replied and lifted it with the help of the strong Hunter. They moved it into a larger pile of debris that had been being collected over the last few days. Clearing all the rubble to make way for repairs was a hard and time consuming task but one that needed to be done. "Please, allow me to take a look at that arm. I owe you that much for helping me," the woman insisted.
"Perhaps that is best, I don't want to let an untreated injury worsen," Evander accepted her offer and they went inside what was left of the woman's home. She left into another room and returned shortly after with a small medical kit with the basic necessities.
"Now, let's have a look shall we," she lifted his arm and helped him remove his vambrace. Carefully she undid the straps and pulled it away. She slid his sleeve up to reveal his arm which had turned a sickly red and purple color. "Oh, it is very bruised alright. Perhaps a small fracture but nothing we can't fix." She turned to her medical kit and pulled out a splint made of fabric and steel. Gently she placed the steel on either side of his forearm and wrapped the fabric around to provide support while the bone healed. "There, give that a week or two and you should be back to new."
"Thank you very much, my lady," Evander looked up at her as he paused in a questioning inflection.
"Oh, my apologies, sir. I am Lady Elina," the woman said with a curtsey.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, lady Elina. My name is Evander, son of Edmond Drayton." Evander replied.
"Oh yes, your father is the King's Hunter, correct?" she questioned.
"Yes he is, and a great one at that. Sadly he has fallen ill and doesn't have much time left," Evander stated solemnly.
"Oh, I am deeply sorry," Lady Elina said with a touch of Evander's arm.
"Such is the way of things," Evander paused, "I must be going to see the king. Thank you very much for your help with my arm. I wish you luck with your home." Lady Elina said nothing but nodded with a polite smile and Evander made his way back outside.
Continuing up the pathway he made it to the two massive solid oak doors that led into the main hall, the frigid wind was much more forgiving this time than when he was last here this morning. Evander stepped up the stairs that led to them and banged on the door loudly with his good fist.
The King's Lieutenant, Sir David, answered the door with some alert and caution. "Do not be alarmed, Sir David. It's just me," Evander said in a reassuring tone.
"My apologies, Master Drayton," Sir David replied, "I am a bit on edge from this afternoon's raid. The other knights are out patrolling the borders now."
"So I've heard, do we know by whom?" Evander asked hastily.
"King John may explain in greater depth than I, sir," he answered as he opened the door wider for Evander to enter. Evander stepped through and into the great hall once more that day, Sir David shut the door behind him.
"Right this way," the knight said with an arm outstretched in the direction of the king's throne room. They walked for a short distance before coming to another identical set of beautifully carved wooden doors.
There, on either side, stood two armored knights with pikes crossing each other across the doors. "Hunter Evander Drayton here to see King John about the bounty on the head of the troll of Fortune's Woods." Sir David spoke loudly and the knights pulled their pikes to their sides with speed and precision all while remaining in sync with each other.
Sir David took three steps and opened the tall oaken doors to reveal the King, not sitting on his throne, but standing with at least seven courtesans, which was an everyday occurrence for him. He stood about six feet from the ground with blue eyes and blonde curly hair underneath his crown. His facial hair went from sideburn to sideburn, ghosting his chin. He held a heavy build and Evander would bet the coin that he could lift all seven of the ladies easily.
His massive two-handed greatsword lay against his throne, the hilt encrusted with wyvern scales. He was wearing heavy armor crafted by the elves of Avendia, light in weight but high in durability and defense.
"My King," Sir David called to him, "Hunter Evander Drayton."
"Evening, John," Evander said as he approached and clasped arms with his old friend.
"Greetings again old man, how are things?" the king's voice echoed off the walls in the grand throne room. And before Evander could answer his question, the king asked another, "Is it done?" King John asked inquisitively.
"Indeed it is, John. The troll of Fortune's Woods shall no longer cause you trouble." Evander untied the pouch from his hip and handed it to King John. He then opened it and was repulsed by the smell of the troll's heart. He pulled the strings taught again and nodded approvingly.
"Yeah yeah, it is done. By the Realm, that is an awful stench! Well as promised, six-hundred sovereigns," King John said as he tossed a brown-colored silk pouch behind his back to Evander as he walked to his throne. Evander caught the pouch out of the air swiftly, and without looking, he clipped it to his belt in one movement. He trusted the king's word, for he had known him for quite some time. King John sat the troll heart down on the ground next to his throne.
"John, I must ask," Evander said with a shift in his stance.
"Yes, Evander?" The king asked, turning to address his question.
"I have been informed of a raid on the keep this afternoon, do you know by chance of whom?"
King John gave his lieutenant a concerned glance. "Leave us," He said and Sir David nodded, motioning for the courtesans to follow him. The king and Evander waited for everyone to exit. Only the guards who stood at the door and a few other armed men remained in the throne room.
When the others had left, the king and Evander turned around. The king placed his hand on Evander's shoulder. "As you know," He paused with a heavy sigh. "Lord Varamont was defeated in the War of the Lost." Evander nodded his affirmation. The War of the Lost was the great war between Lord Varamont and the four realms before the continent was split into four. It only ended with the death of Varamont, his corrupted wyverns, and Abyssals.
"Well, an estimation of a few weeks before now, we have been under siege by Abyssals," The king stared at the ground, visibly shaken.
"Abyssals?" Evander asked in disbelief as the king looked up at him. "Abyssals only fear one man. And he was allegedly sent back through the void on The Isles of the Under Realm during the War of the Lost."
"Precisely." King John's voice became shaky but he managed to form the words that needed to be said.
"And if he has been resurrected, then we are in grave danger," Evander spoke with denial at the realization of the realm's most powerful evil's return.
"I am glad you have come back, I have had something made for you. Walk with me." King John motioned with his arm for Evander to begin walking.
The two came to a locked steel door about one hundred feet down a corridor illuminated by wall braziers of blue flame. Two heavily armored paladins stood on either side and came to attention as the king approached.
"Remove the locks," The king ordered the two guards and both paladins turned inward towards the doors' locks and began to dismantle the complex configuration. When the doors were free of the heavy restraints, the paladins each grabbed a door handle and pulled it back to their sides as they went back to attention, maintaining a hold on the doors.
The king entered, first followed by Evander then the paladins who assumed positions inside the door frames, crossing their pikes, as was regulation for the king's protection. The room was circular in shape and sizable enough.
Darkness engulfed the room but lacked in the areas where more blue-flamed braziers rested on the ground. In the center of the room was a set of elven breastplates and spaulders resting upon an armor stand. Upon the shoulders sat a black hood and cape that cascaded down the back, coming to an abrupt stop just above the ground perhaps a few inches longer than Evander's current cape.
"I had it crafted for you by the Elves of Avendia. Finest wyvern scales in all of Merat Mountain. The silk of the finest spider webs in Fortune's Woods. May they serve you well in your fight against Lord Varamont and his army," the king said, crossing his arms.
"We are going to need everybody in this war. It will not be like the last one, I fear he is more powerful than we can fathom. I fear we may not live to see the times to come after. But whatever dangers we may face, we face them together." Evander looked to the king and he nodded his understanding.
"I fear he may be creating a different evil this time around, Evan," the king said as they both began walking out of the room and back into the main hall. "Stay ready, he may strike at any moment."
"Then let that moment come, we will be ready", Evander spoke with confidence.
"I'm sure we will be," King John said with an outstretched hand to Evander. He accepted it and after one solid shake, the two elite men parted ways.
As Evander began his walk away from the King, King John spoke softly to himself, "I sure hope we will be."
Evander left the grand throne room with his newly-equipped gear. He nodded to Sir David as he began walking out of the Hall of Kings to the large oaken doors that lead to the outside.
He walked down the steps as he looked around the ruined city. What an awful fate to such friendly folk, he thought to himself. The thought was quickly reinforced when his gaze dropped to the dismembered body of a young child.
He looked away and headed for the stables. One mission on his mind: Get home to see his father. He tightened the saddle on Onyx, being sure to make it snug but loose enough for him to breathe. He mounted and flicked a couple of sovereigns into Henry's hand and prompted Onyx on towards the gates.
The gate remained open from when Evander first arrived, so he did not need to command the gatekeeper. He trotted underneath the gates, ducking to avoid the spikes. He then clapped the reins on Onyx's neck, mushing him into a full-on gallop towards home, his hooves thundering through the frostbitten grass.
All Evander could think of was his father's deteriorating health. Evander's father, Edmond Drayton, was the King's Hunter before him. Upon the death and burial of Edmond, Evander would assume the title and responsibilities to the king and the realm. Standing at six feet, he was a master archer with his longbow, which he had named Alena. He then earned the King's Medal fighting off wyverns during the Battle of Indigo Clearing.
Evander's hood was down, and wind and small ice crystals lashed at his face as Onyx galloped fervently towards home. He rode out in the open between the vast tree lines on either side of him. Sleet fell slowly upon the treetops, blanketing them within its cold embrace. He could see both tree lines easily at all times from his position.
He became lost deep in thought of his father, and of the responsibilities he would be overseeing as the new King's Hunter, confident that he was prepared. His father had trained him, so he could take over when the day inevitably came. Take over all glory and burdens of the title. The challenges would not be so simple, life would change drastically for him. He would create many enemies, more than he had already created just fighting in the War of the Lost all those years ago. He was only rightfully becoming a man in the eyes of the kingdom when he fought against Lord Varamont and his forces.
He was ripped out of his thoughts when he saw three dark figures running from the tree line on his left. They came running at Evander with bows at the ready. They slowed to a stop and aimed straight at Evander. I don't have time for this, he thought as he rolled straight off of Onyx and into the grass opposite of the dark figures before Onyx ran off. He vanished into the blanket of frozen grass. The figures stood with bewilderment across their faces.
Out of the tall grass where Evander fell, the first figure took an arrow through his skull. The two said nothing, only watching as the first one fell. They drew their bows once more when his corpse finally hit the ground. Aiming where they thought the arrow came from, sadly, they were mistaken. The second arrow struck the left one in his chest, buried deep within the muscle and bone. There was no saving him, he too quickly fell to the ground.
One man stood in the frozen winter, wind beating his clothes. He stood shaking with fear, bow at his side, he knew not where the next arrow would appear. He searched the tall grass a few times before seeing Evander's figure stand abruptly.
The figure quickly lifted his bow and knocked an arrow, he drew the bowstring back, touching the corner of his mouth with his index finger. But before he could release, the final arrow left Evander's bow and found its home in the figure's thigh, causing him to scream in agony and fall to the ground. Blood spurted at the beat of the figure's heart, confirming Evander had hit the femoral artery.
He sat and clutched the arrow as he cried. Evander approached the figure to find that he was just a boy. They all were. He examined the other two in the now-red grass, just boys no older than Alrid. "What are you doing here, boy?" Evander muttered.
The boy breathed sharply at the growing pain. "I...I...was sent here to find you. Sent...to kill you.." The boy slowly managed to speak through his tears of agony.
"Sent by whom? Who would bid you do ill against me?" Evander demanded answers.
"The one known...as Varamont."
"How do you know that name?" Evander became worried. How did this boy know of Varamont if he hadn't even been alive during the war?
"He...came to me. In a dream. He spoke ill... of the one known as Evander Drayton. He told me..to kill you. He threatened my... family if I...didn't obey." The boy's face went pale, the grass now covered in his blood. He slowly rocked as he held the arrow. The tip stuck out the other side of his thigh.
"Varamont has been dead for twenty years. How could that be?" He asked the question, not to the boy, but to himself. This caused him great worry. Varamont was now using the minds of the young as his slaves of the living. "Let's get you out of here. You may stay the night at my home and we can dress that wound. In the morning we will take you to the doctor." Evander said extending a hand to help the boy to stand.
Onyx trotted up to the two men neighing sharply. Before Evander had to say anything, Onyx rested on the ground to allow the young boy to climb on top. Evander sat behind the boy to help keep him upright since his leg would not be able to do so. Onyx stood and galloped slowly through the frozen grass towards home.
As Onyx and the two men approached they could see Alrid, he was facing away with his head down toward his mother's grave. Alrid was nineteen, stood at a height of six feet four inches, and was currently in training with his father to become the next King's Hunter. Alrid was a human-elf hybrid, his mother being an elf and his father being human. Due to his elven blood, he took after the immortality of his kin.
His blonde hair was very long and the top half was braided elegantly down both sides of his head and one large braid down the center. He held his longbow in one hand with one end in the ground as he used it to lean on.
He wasn't sad, he just stared. His gaze was intense as he read and re-read the inscriptions of his mother's name. Endira An'neh Drayton. He leaned his weight on his longbow as he stared. Evander halted Onyx a few yards from Alrid and the massive shire horse knelt down slowly again. At this moment, Alrid turned and noticed the boy that his father had with him. "Father, welcome home. Who do we have here?" he asked.
Evander swung his leg off of Onyx and helped the boy to stand, putting one of the boy's arms over his shoulder, "My name is Devin," the boy said with bated breath and Alrid rushed over to lift Devin from the other side. The three of them trudged up to the small hut at the edge of Fortune's Woods.
Evander pushed the door open to reveal a small, warm cabin. A fire gently flickered at the other end of the small living room. Alrid and Evander helped Devin to one of the dining chairs that sat nearby. After sitting him down and seeing if Devin was doing alright, Evander was suddenly brought back to reality as he heard shallow, labored breaths from off to his left side.
He looked over at his father who lay unmoving on his makeshift bed by the window. Evander quickly moved over to his father's bedside and knelt. Evander held his father's hand in his. "Son..." His father painfully whispered. "Is that you, my son...?"
"Yes, father. It's me, Evander. I am here." He looked into his father's eyes, now wet with tears as he knew his time was finite, they both knew. Evander still refused to believe it, but Edmond knew it was his time.
"Son..." He coughed loudly. "Listen to me... I will be gone soon. But you...need not grieve." He coughed again. At this moment, Alrid walked over from Devin and stood beside Evander with a hand placed on his shoulder. "I am leaving, yes. But...only from this world. Not...from you, my son." Evander held his father's hand closer to his chest.
"Don't talk, father. Here." He lifted a pouch of water to his lips. "Drink."
"No...do not waste it on me, son," Edmond said as he pulled away. " I will not be here much longer. Keep it." He coughed.
"But, father?" Evander somehow understood. Alrid knelt beside him, trying to swallow the lump growing in his throat.
"Alrid, my boy." He swallowed hard. "Take...take care of him while I am gone. He will need you more than he will let on. I would know..." He smirked, glancing at his son.
"I will, grandfather," Alrid said with a strong, yet breaking voice.
"Good...good." He paused for a moment. "Evander..." Edmond said, looking at his son, his voice fainting.
"Yes, father. I am here. What is it?" Evander said with worry growing in his heart.
He looked up slowly with lazy eyes, "Do not let Varamont discourage you.''
"How do you know he is back? I have just learned of this myself."
"Forget about that. I must tell you...one last thing...before I go. He took...your brother..." His voice failed him and he trailed off until it was just a slow, empty breath. Evander felt his hand loosen its hold and fall out of his grip. Edmond's eyes remained open but the light that used to hold so much life and spark had faded slowly like someone snuffing out a candle.
Evander's breath slowed to almost nothing as his forehead fell to the bed. Alrid stood and stepped further back behind Evander. Alrid placed his hands atop his head and interlocked his fingers as he gradually turned to face the far wall in disbelief.
Evander held his father's now-lifeless gaze as he stood. Slowly leaning over and closing his father's eyes. Alrid turned to face his father again, holding one hand on his head and letting the other drop to his side as his father walked over to where Devin sat.
"Now, let's get this arrow out," Evander said kneeling down, "Alrid, could you get something to wrap his leg in after we take the arrow out?" he asked, looking at his son.
Alrid had to pull himself out of his mind enough to give an answer "Of course," he finally managed to get out. He swiftly left the main common room and into what was used as the washroom and where the medical supplies were kept.
"Alright, you'll want to prepare for this part," Evander said to Devin as he grabbed a rope from by the door and tied a tourniquet above the arrow around his thigh. Alrid returned with clean cloths and wine. Evander looked over as Alrid approached, "Ah, good lad," he said.
Evander reached behind Devin's leg and grabbed the arrow head, with a quick snap, the arrowhead broke off. He then turned to Alrid with his hands facing up and Alrid drenched them in wine to sterilize his hands, he then turned back to Devin
"Hold on," he said. As Evander was working with Devin, Alrid soaked some of the cloth with wine as a sterilizing agent. Evander pulled the arrow out and Devin winced but didn't yell. Alrid handed his father the cloth and Evander packed them into both entrance and exit wounds. After the wounds had been packed, Evander wrapped clean cloths around Devin's thigh, covering both wounds.
After a few minutes of heavy breathing from Devin, he spoke, "Thank you, sir. I am...deeply sorry for trying to kill you earlier," he said.
"Okay, now I have to know what happened," Alrid piped up, intrigued. "I'm Alrid by the way," offering a hand to Devin, he accepted the gesture and Evander told a brief summary of the events that took place.
"The most important thing to take from this," Evander said after a few minutes of explaining, "Is that Varamont is using people's minds to do his bidding, we need to keep a close watch on who we call our allies from now on."
"Right," Alrid said. Turning to Devin he asked, "Would you like to sit by the fire? My father and I need to prepare my grandfather for his burial."
"I would like that very much," Devin said. Evander and Alrid helped him to stand and limp over to a chair beside the fire.
The two Hunters began with placing a large burial cloth on the floor beside Edmond's still frame. After spreading it out, Evander and Alrid each stood at either end of their father and grandfather.
They each grabbed one end of Edmond and carefully lowered him onto the cloth. The wrappings draped over his body as they were laid across him. A small rope was placed around his torso and legs and were tied snugly.
Evander and Alrid replaced the old Hunter back onto his makeshift bed. "I think it is time we all got some rest after the day we've had," Evander suggested.
Devin turned painfully around in his chair to face Evander and Alrid, "I couldn't agree more. This leg is fiercely wearing me thin." Alrid retrieved a spare cot and placed it by the fire for Devin.
With assistance from Alrid, Devin made it onto the cot and laid down. Alrid placed a rolled-up blanket underneath Devin's ankle to help reduce any inflammation during the night.
"Thank you, Alrid. You have been a great help," Devin groaned as he tried his best to get comfortable.
"Next time I won't let my father shoot you with an arrow," Alrid prodded fun at Evander who, surprisingly, found it quite humorous. The trio chuckled for a moment until it died down and they were ready for sleep.
The sky burned red with the hot fire of blood magic from Lord Varamont's corrupted staff. His thirteen foot tall frame stood in the center of the cacophony of armies of Monmarolin as they clashed with his abyssals, trying to force their way to him.
The screams of pain and death were all around him. The bodies of the alliance of men, dwarves and elves lay slain about him. His abyssals were strong and they held Earth's forces back as Varamont continued his onslaught of blood magic.
A young Evander fought alongside his dwarven friend and King John on the front lines closest to Varamont. He was within sight and within reach, it would only take a moment to end him. One perfect blow and Lord Varamont, the evil demon wizard, would be no more.
Endira sprang forward through the crowd and charged the dark wizard, sword trailing behind her in a furious charge. Varamont had his back turned and didn't see her approach but that all meant nothing when his blood magic found her. He entangled her with its tentacles and he slowly turned to face her.
His face was in the shadow of his hood, his cloak slapped around in the torrential wind of his power and he spoke in a deep rumble as though evil incarnate was within him, "You feeble creature. You dare take up against me. I don't think you realize what you have brought up on yourselves. You refuse to submit." He chuckled in a low rumble as a cruel smirk grew on his face.
Evander took notice of this event far too late. Lord Varamont had his tentacles of blood magic coiled around her and mercilessly they squeezed. Like a constrictor, the tentacles pulled tightly as Endira let out a blood-curdling screech of pure agony and pain.
Lord Varamont lost himself in his torment, he relished in the pain he caused. How dare these feeble creatures defy him. He was the one true Lord of this world and they refused him. They deserved this.
Evander shot up out of bed in a sweat in the dark room in which he slept. The sun had not yet appeared through his window to wake him. His body shook with fear and dread as he remembered his wife and her gruesome death. He did nothing to save her. He stood there and watched as that evil being had taken her from him. Taken her from Alrid.
After minutes of sitting collecting himself from another night terror of that day, he dragged his legs over to the edge of the bed. He reached up to rub his face and noticed he had been crying. He angrily wiped the dried tears from his face and stood up.
You will pay for what you have done, Evander hatefully thought to himself as he reached for the door to leave. He pulled the door open and shakily walked to the common room where Alrid was waiting for him by the fire.
He stood from where he sat and turned his body to face Evander, "Did you have another dream, father?" He asked worriedly, knowing full well that he had.
"I desperately hoped they would have stopped by now," Evander said in almost a whisper as he came around the arm of the chair to Alrid's left. He sat down with an exasperated sigh and stared into the flames that danced softly in the fireplace.
They sat there together in silence until the sun began to rise through the window behind them.
In the morning of the following day, Evander and Devin arrived in Eastborne to see the physician so he could get his wounds properly dressed and to get some proper rest. Evander trotted Onyx right up to the infirmary doors and carefully escorted him inside. Upon entering, a young female physician approached, "Let's get you to a room so you can lie down," she said with a gentle voice.
Before she could help Devin to the room he looked to Evander, "Thank you again for saving my life," he said, extending a hand.
"I am sorry for your friends, Devin. But I am glad we could save you, I will inform the King about what happened to you." Evander accepted the hand shake and Devin was escorted away. Evander turned and made his way back out into the cold. And then it all came back in a sudden wave and his mind was spinning trying to make sense of all this despair that had happened to him. First his brother was taken when they were still boys, then Endira, and now his father.
Watching Eastborne in such a hurry to rebuild gave him a sense of loneliness. How could the world keep spinning after what just happened? He took a minute to unravel the reality of it all and take in what his father said. He took your brother.
Evander's brother, O'Leander had gone missing after his second winter without a trace to follow. Evander believed he went missing while exploring Fortune's Woods and knew nothing else about it. His father had lied to him. Why would his father keep this from him? He had to have his reasons, but Evander would have to wait to think about it. There were more pressing matters at hand.
Still holding a panoramic gaze of all that was occurring before him, he noticed a tall slender-looking elven woman. She looked to be a little over six feet and held the strong build of an experienced ranger. She was speaking with a woman who seemed to be in distress. But the presence of the elf woman seemed to be helping with whatever she was experiencing.
The hair of the elven woman was a dark brown, the edges shimmered in the gold of the morning winter sun. She wore beautifully crafted armor that was a light shade of green and a mottled cape of green and brown hung from her shoulders until it was just a few inches above the ground. A silver longbow rested in a shoulder harness across her back.
Her beauty was so stunning, all knowledge of breathing left him, all he could focus on was her. Her golden brown hair fell to her shoulders without effort, captivating her face like a holy grail. As he walked closer to the magnificent woman, he pretended to not have noticed her, but he had. Her cape was flowing gently in the cool breeze that flowed through the small town. The cold winter air sent a slight chill up Evander's arm. The elven woman looked up from the woman she was speaking to and caught a glimpse of our hero. Their gazes met and she smiled. Her eyes held knowledge and experience.
Evander approached her and bowed his head respectfully, "Good morning, my fair lady. What brings you to this small village?"
She returned his bow with an arm across her breast and a bow of her head, "I was sent by my father to help with the rebuilding as I can." She said with a hint of distraction. "So, tell me, mysterious man, who has it that has passed?"
His eyes held surprise in them, "My father." He paused for a moment, "How did you know?"
"I can see it on you," she spoke gently, her voice like wind over a calm pond. "If I have learned anything in my long life it's that death is just a natural part of life and an important path that we all must take." She placed a firm hand on his shoulder, reassuring him. "So whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?" She asked in a lighter tone.
"I am Evander. Evander Drayton." He said proudly, the Drayton family name demanded respect. Evander was just one man of many in a long line of accomplished Hunters.
"Drayton? Yes, I have heard that name before. Your father is Edmond Drayton, the King's Hunter?" She asked in a way that was more of a statement than a question.
"He was, yes. But illness and old age have taken him this night passed. He will be missed but it was his time to leave us. He performed his duties with all he was. I have quite the shoes to fill," Evander said with a chuckle.
"Well, soon-to-be, King's Hunter Evander Drayton, my name is Emilui Arafiel, daughter of Davenelt Arafiel." She placed a hand over her chest and bowed her head as she spoke.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Emilui," Evander used her name instead of the customary 'My Lady' greeting. In doing so it respected her stature of a skilled and cunning warrior rather than a helpless damsel. They spoke for some time after about their childhoods and some of their recent accomplishments until the topic about their futures came up. "I have recently heard from the king that our greatest fear has returned." Evander said solemnly.
"You don't mean," Emilui trailed off.
"I am afraid I do. As much as I wish it were not so. He is even using young ones as weapons. He comes to them in their dreams and threatens them with the death of their families," Evander watched fear creep into her eyes. "I encountered three victims just last night, I did not know they were just boys until I had already killed two and hurt the third. I questioned him and he told me everything. He's here in the infirmary now getting treatment. Good young lad."
"This is tragic news," the elven woman put a hand to her chin as she sat on a stone block from a destroyed home. "We must tell the king, he has to know," she said looking up to Evander.
"I am on my way there now to inform him. I would ask you to come along but I know you need to assist in the rebuilding here." Evander hoped that she would come with him but he was pessimistic, she had business here.
"I would love to come along with you, Evander. Perhaps when I am finished here I can rejoin you in the kingdom and we can formulate a plan from there," Emilui said, hopeful that the handsome Hunter would accept her proposal.
"I would wish for nothing more," Evander said, trying his best to hide his childish excitement. Either he hid it well or she hadn't noticed his eagerness to see her again, he couldn't tell. "But before we part ways I would like you to meet someone very dear to me," Evander gestured with an arm towards the stables and the pair began walking the short distance to were Onyx stood. Beside him was a beautiful pure white horse gently drinking from the trough. Evander hadn't seen it when he arrived with Onyx.
When they arrived at the stables, Emilui patted her horse's nose gently. Her horse was pure white with a thin, silver, and gray mane. Her matching tail swayed gently in the cold breeze. "This is Silk." She said and her gentle horse bowed her head and lifted a hoof as if she knew she was being introduced. Evander returned the bow.
He looked over at Onyx, "Why don't you bow your head when I introduce you?" Evander said playfully and Onyx snorted and shook his head. "Don't give me attitude, young one." Evander laughed as Onyx glared at him. "Anyway, Emilui I would like you to meet Onyx." He said as he roughly patted the beautiful jet black shire horse on his shoulder.
Onyx bowed his head while glaring at Evander. Happy? His glare seemed to say. Evander laughed and patted Onyx's head as he stood up straight again. His dark black hide glistened in the firelight of Eastborne. Onyx towered over Silk by a solid two feet, Elven Horses tended to be much smaller than the horses ridden by men. But Onyx also being a shire horse made Silk look even smaller.
"He is absolutely astonishing. Where did you come across such a magnificent creature?" Emilui said as she approached slowly with a hand out for him to sniff.
"He was given to me as a gift. We have trained together for many years. The horses of Hunters only have one rider for their entire lifetime. There is nothing I do not know about him and nothing he does not know about me. We are very close and he is my brother in all ways except blood." Evander spoke whole-heartedly as he stroked Onyx's nose. Onyx rubbed his head on Evander.
Don't get all mushy on me now. Evander always knew what Onyx was trying to say even though he could not speak. It was a bond never to be broken.
"Well Master Drayton, Onyx, I shall see you at your ceremony. I hope to be finished building here in time to attend." Emilui said as she crossed her crest and bowed. Without another word, the beautiful elven archer turned and made her way back into Eastborne.
Evander turned to see Onyx standing tall with his hoof in the air. "What are you doing?" Evander asked, gesturing to his hoof. Onyx immediately dropped his hoof to the frozen ground and acted as if nothing happened. "Were you showing off to Silk?" Onyx shook his head and Evander laughed.
He crouched and tightened the saddle to Onyx. As he stood he met the gaze of Onyx. I know what you are trying to do, his glare said. "Oh, don't give me that look." Evander pushed Onyx's nose playfully as he mounted him. Onyx trotted out of the little town of Eastborne until he was clear enough of the rough terrain. He broke into a gallop headed north to the Kingdom of the Flag where King John waited.
At the speed at which Onyx could run, the two arrived at the Kingdom of the Flag within twenty minutes. The battlement guards knew this time around Evander was approaching and the gates were swiftly raised. Evander was in a hurry so when he entered the keep he did not dismount as before, instead he charged up to the oaken doors and slid out of the saddle while Onyx slowed to a stop.
Evander heaved one door open and stepped through to find Sir David, "I need to speak with the king, immediately." He spoke hastily, hoping that the lieutenant would match his need for urgency. Sir David replied in equal energy and rushed to find King John, it was early afternoon so he couldn't still be sleeping.
Sir David found him in his second story study mulling over battle documents and war preparations, armor, weapons and food transport trade routes, ensuring everything was on schedule. The king's gaze shot up as Sir David entered abruptly, "My King, Evander is here in dire need of an audience with you."
"Then I shall meet with him. Is he in the hall?" King John inquired and Sir David nodded several times at an appropriate pace. The king reopened the door that had since bounced off the stone wall and came to almost latch as it slowly returned to a closed position. He stepped through, his dark red cape billowing behind him as it caught the air.
King John swaggered down the main stairs into the grand entrance hall and Evander quickly walked up to meet him, "John, we are in danger. When I left here yesterday, I was ambushed by three men. Only I thought they were men at first but it was revealed to me that they were young boys. I tragically killed two of them before I could question the third. He told me ill tidings of Varamont coming to them in their dreams with threats of death to them and their families if they did not terminate me. I am certain that it is not his only purpose
"I fear he may have infiltrated people of importance to gain information on our plans to stop him. There is no telling when he began this tactic and I fear for what he may have already learned." Evander finished his explanation of what had transpired this last day.
King John stood and thought for a moment, "This is ill indeed. We must be more vigilant on who we trust. Well, I guess it honestly doesn't even matter who we trust, he will use them regardless." The king glanced around for anyone listening. "Now that this has been brought to light, I have been noticing Sir David acting a bit odd these last months. He seems to be a bit more nervous and antsy. I can't leave anything to chance, I will have to keep a very close eye on him until I have evidence of his treachery."
"I know the two of you are close, I do hope he is just having a rough time," Evander said with hope rather than suspicion. "I must be getting back to Alrid, Edmond must be laid to rest."
"Farewell, Evander and Godspeed," King John said with a wave as Evander made his way back out of the grand entrance hall.
Evander arrived back at home where Alrid waited patiently for his return. He dismounted, emitting small ice crystals into the air. He guided Onyx to his stable and loosened his saddle. Evander walked over to the barrel of water and apples, picked one out, and threw it underhand behind him. Onyx caught it swiftly out of the air and crunched it loudly. Evander turned and looked at him, he chuckled and Onyx neighed loudly. "You enjoy that now," Evander said with a smirk.
After he slowly made his way to his hut he opened the door to see Alrid standing by the fire with his back to him, his arms crossed. "How are you fairing, son?" Evander asked, taking a seat as he did so.
"I have been better, but I will be fine. That question isn't really for me though, is it?" Alrid said, turning to face his now-sitting father, dropping his arms in the process. Edmond meant the world to him and Alrid couldn't imagine the conflict within his father.
"Death is something we all must face, wealthy or poor. Death comes for us all. I knew this day would come, but not quite so soon." Evander said, staring into the fire. Alrid sat in the chair across from him.
"It's harder, isn't it? The pain." Alrid asked, hoping his father would understand what he was asking.
"I have no words to give you a straight answer, but I will say this. I pray you never have to feel like I do right now." Evander knew that no matter the life Alrid lived, he would experience the cold unforgiving grip of death. He didn't know how else to explain it, so he left it up to Alrid to figure it out for himself.
"You know more than well I will never avoid death. You taught me better than that. I am half-elven, and I know what that entails. Time is not of my concern and during my time here I will witness more deaths than I will ever be able to count." Alrid's tone took on a somber aura as words poured out of him like a cold waterfall.
"You have become quite an astonishing young man," Evander paused, his eyes examining his son thoughtfully. "The time for mourning will come but for now, we rest. Tomorrow is the Day of Burial. I shall see you at first light." Alrid stood slowly and for a moment he seemed to be mulling over something in his mind. His gaze turned to his father and he raised his arms in the universal sign for an embrace.
Evander looked up into his son's eyes which burned with a sorrowful ferocity he had never seen in his son before this day. The two pained and broken men embraced tightly with each not wanting to weep in front of the other. Moments passed into minutes before they broke contact, but as they pulled away they both failed in their attempts at hiding their sorrow.
Both men had calm tears staining their cheeks. They stood for a moment. Speaking without speaking. Alrid decided it was time, he tilted his head a slow and shallow nod and strode into his chambers ready to rest after the long day.
Evander gazed into the fire for a moment longer, replaying all of the events that day like they were a story. The last words of his father and Emilui. The beautiful elf he met in Eastborne. He hoped one day they would meet again.
As Evander walked out of the house, he witnessed one of Alrid's training sessions on his favorite tree. It was covered in hundreds of holes from previous arrows and sword slashes. He fired arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark deep within the tree's bark. He walked closer towards Alrid, eyeing every move the young archer made. Constantly analyzing for errors but coming up short. Alrid made no mistake as a true Hunter should fight.
"Excellent form, you are coming along beautifully." Evander said with a tone of approval.
"Taught by the best to be the best," Alrid said, firing an arrow straight through a previously shot one. "I have already gone into town and spoke with the Sexton of the Church, he sent a gravedigger who should arrive momentarily." He said, turning towards his father who then picked up a target bag off a stump and tossed it into the air. In one swift, seamless movement, Alrid reduced it to nothing with one arrow shot.
As the sand fell from the sky, a stocky dwarf came into view. He approached the two mourners with a swaggering stride. His weight leaned from side to side as he strode up to them. His dirty white tunic was tucked into his thick leather pants. The leather belt around his waist carried various tools, each one had their own purpose but none Evander could depict. He rested a large shovel over one shoulder and swung the other arm with each step.
Like all dwarves, he had a long silver beard that hung around at his ale belly. The hair on his head was long and white and the shade of it suggested that the dwarf was easily over 100 years old, still relatively young for a man of his kind.
The dwarf came within speaking range of the two Hunters, "I do wish we met more often, laddie." His voice was low and rough and his consonants were harsh. "Especially in the light of better days."
"I couldn't agree more, my friend." Evander responded with his arms spread out for an embrace which the dwarf accepted wholeheartedly.
After he and Evander parted, the dwarf turned to the younger Hunter, "Alrid me young laddie, how big ye have grown! I swear ye were quite the wee un yourself last I saw ye."
"It is nice to see you too, Den. Your beard has gotten thicker," Alrid said matter-of-factly and Den let out a boastful laughter.
"Indeed it has, laddie. Might we head inside and out of this frigidness, lads?" Den said in more of a statement rather than a question and the three of them made the trek back inside.
Upon entering the hut, the warmth from the fireplace wafted against their skin with a welcoming embrace. "Much better," Den said and inhaled deeply the aroma of small ale. Dwarves had developed a keen sense of smell when it came to ales and beers, there is no hiding it with a dwarf around.
"I'll get us some ale. Take a seat by the fire and make yourself at home," Evander said as Den and Alrid strolled over to sit in two of the three seats that sat in a semi-circle in front of the fireplace.
Den sat down with a gruff sigh since he had walked two hours from the main kingdom to get here and his legs were tired. But Den enjoyed the long walks since he doesn't get out much, serving mainly as a blacksmith and part-time as a gravedigger.
Evander returned shortly with three pint glasses of crisp, fresh ale. He held them by their handles, two in one hand and one in the other. Den accepted his giddily as he stood to claim it from Evander's hand.
"To Edmond. May his soul rest now that his body has finished carrying it," Den spoke as he raised his glass in cheers. The three men spent a few moments enjoying the crisp taste of fresh ale as they all thought of Edmond and the impact he made in their lives.
"So Den, would you tell me how you met my father?" Alrid asked after taking a long drag from his pint and setting it down.
"Ah that me lad is a long, but good story. But yer father wasn't the first Drayton I met. I met Edmond before I met yer father and that was some time ago, lad. At the time, Edmond's father, King Darius, was The King's Hunter to King Demitrius, the father of King John.
"Edmond was just a wee lad when we first encountered one another. He was not even a young man," Den chuckled at the thought of Desmond at a very young age, "Maybe fourteen or fifteen years he was, " he chuckled again.
Den lifted his mug and took a long time enjoying it. After setting it down he continued, "He was training to be the next Hunter just as young Alrid, here." Alrid lifted his mug to Den with a confirming gesture, Den continued.
"We were acquainted during one of King Johns' father's parties. Ye see, he was a very extroverted man in his time. He always had to be around people. He hosted parties and feasts fer the sake of having them, no real reason to them. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I say lad." Den laughed at his own joke.
"Not long after that, maybe some ten years, I say, yer father was born. I remember being present when he was brought into the world, wee little Evan," he said with a fatherly glance at Evander.
"There is no one else on this earth that I will let call me that," Evander laughed warmly and Den and Alrid joined in. After some time the mood shifted to one of a somber nature.
"I was not the only son born of Cassandra and Edmond," Evander broke the silence and Den looked up at his mention of another child.
"Aye lad, ye had a brother," Den spoke softly and sympathetically.
It was Alrid's turn to speak, "You have a brother?" he asked curiously.
"Well, I had a brother. He was taken when I was a small child. I never found out what became of him," Evander grew quiet for a brief few moments, calculating his next words. "At least until recently I believed he was gone for good." He now looked to Den. He must know something, Evander thought. "Do you know what happened to my brother?"
Den was quiet for a moment as he thought about how to say what he knew, "Lad," his face changing to show a guilty one, "O'Leander was taken into the Under Realm by Varamont himself. He was stolen during the night, right out of his bed." With a heavy heart and a deep sigh, he continued, "It was yer father's idea to keep the truth from ye until ye were ready. It was not an easy choice fer him to make, I say, laddie."
Evander leaned back in his chair, now feeling weighed down by forty years of truth but at the same time relieved of the longing for it. "Did he ever tell you why he kept it from me?" he asked quietly.
"Eventually he did, he told me he did not want ye to grow up vengeful, he thought it better to let ye wonder instead of harboring hatred in yer heart, lad," Den paused, letting Evander think. "We didn't find out right away, mind ye, lad. It took us years before we learned what happened. Ye recall the search parties I'm sure. Those weren't fer show, we didn't know what happened to O'Leander. The wee lad was just gone one night." Den paused to give Evander time. "Edmond and Cassandra were devastated that one of their little ones had been whisked away and there was nothing to be done, nothing that could be done, I say lad."
Alrid had been quietly watching his father and Den as they spoke. "How did my grandparents find out?" he asked carefully.
"They began having terrible dreams about O'Leander being tortured and beaten. It seemed whatever was being done to him was meant to break his body and his spirit so Varamont could mold him into...something. The night terrors began a few years later and once the dreams started, Edmond and Cassandra knew where he had been taken. When they learned of this, the kingdoms sent legions of men to try to reclaim yer brother. We lost a great many men during those months we tried." Den sat back in his chair this time, he had been keeping that secret for close to thirty-five years.
Evander let out a relieved, yet defeated sigh. He felt that he now knew what he needed to do but thirty years too late. "I see why this was kept from me. I don't know what I'm feeling. I do wish I was told before Edmond was gone. I could have done something, anything. I would have died if it meant I had a chance to bring my brother back," Evander began to get emotional, but couldn't decide which emotion he was feeling. A silence filled the room for a time before Evander spoke again, eyes carving lines in the wooden flooring. "Only now I wonder what became of him. What monster was he tortured into becoming?" Evander felt more helpless than relieved at this revelation. Almost to the point where he wished he had stayed in blissful ignorance of it all.
"This will take me time to figure out...what I want to do with this information," Evander spoke almost in a whisper.
Alrid, Evander and Den arrived at the spot where Edmond had requested to be buried. It was in front of a massive oak tree, probably somewhere near 300 years old. It buried its deep thick roots in the middle of a small clearing a short walk back behind the hut. A small pond lay twenty or so feet away. This wasn't just any old tree, this tree was special to Edmond. It was the same tree he grew up with. Climbing within its branches as a child. The same one he perfected his archery, when training to become a Hunter. The tree he was married to Evander's mother, Cassandra, underneath its shady canopy.
"This old gal, eh? I might have known." Den said as he looked up into her mighty branches. "Edmond always did love this girl." He walked up to the tree and patted her thick bark. Running his fingers down, he found the old arrow holes left there so many years ago. "An excellent shot, that one. It was his time to go, I say lad." He said as he moved back towards Alrid.
"I used to love climbing her and my grandfather would watch me for hours," Alrid said, holding back tears. "He told me that when his time came, he wanted to rest where he felt most at peace." He paused for a long while and Den took the opportunity.
"Alrid." He paused. "We are proud of ye, lad. Proud of the man ye are becoming. And ye know yer father is as well." Evander then placed a hand on Alrid's shoulder from behind and off to the side where he had been standing. "He loves ye, more than anything in this world." Den approached the tall, young elf with open arms and Alrid knelt down to accept it. They embraced for a few moments, just being in the moment. The Drayton and Emberbasher bloodlines went back generations. The two families were more of one family than anything else.
The two of them let go and Alrid stood back to full height, "Let's get to work then, this grave won't dig itself, I say lads," Den boasted. The three friends, well more family than friends, spent the better part of the morning and into late afternoon digging a comfortable space large enough for Edmond. They took their time, laughing and reminiscing about memories they all shared and in that moment it seemed that Edmond was there with them and letting him go didn't seem like such a tragedy after all.
Evander, Den, and Alrid shoveled for close to an hour until the grave was the standard six feet deep, "Well, this is it." He said gazing up into the massive canopy for the millionth time that afternoon. "It is time to lay you to rest."
The three men looked at each other in the grave-sized hole solemnly. After a moment of reprieve, Alrid climbed out first and Evander boosted Den up to the top, Alrid pulling as Evander pushed.
The trio entered the warm hut from the bitter cold outside. Edmond lay still, wrapped in the cloth from the night before. "Den," Evander spoke, "Could you get two ropes from the stables?" He turned to Den, "And could you give Onyx and Tolish a few good pats for us? I'm sure they have missed your absence."
"As I have missed them," Den almost shouted with anticipation of seeing two more old friends again. He loved those big and burly horses. He was very fond of animals in general, but those two horses in particular were very special to him. He hurriedly made his way back out into the cold towards the stables.
Evander left Alrid in the room and made his way to Edmond's bed chambers. Edmond's real bed nestled in the far back corner from the door next to a small nightstand. Hanging on two metal rods jutting out from the woodwork sat Amelia, Edmond's legendary two-handed longsword.
Evander stared up at it for a few moments, taking in everything that it was and all that it had done for the realm. He lifted it from the rods with effort, it was quite heavy for a sword. Edmond was indeed very strong during his time. Since he became ill, it had been in that spot on the wall collecting dust.
Evander returned back to the main room with Amelia in both hands with the still very sharp blade laying on one shoulder. He walked over to Edmond's body and with the help of Alrid, they laid it along the center of his body with Edmond's fingers holding onto the hilt across his chest.
"Now he may fight forever," Alrid said with a shaky heart that was ready to collapse. His father set a hand on his son's shoulder with a firm squeeze which seemed to steady Alrid a bit. Alrid nodded to his father and they carried Edmond outside.256Please respect copyright.PENANAGv9lZ6Prk5
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Den had been waiting for them patiently with the ropes. He took notice of the massive sword laying over Edmond, "Amelia..." he muttered under his breath to himself. Amelia had become legendary just as her wielder had, perhaps even more-so in some aspects. She was well known across all the kingdoms as the King's Hunter's blade of choice.
They reached the grave after the long, silent trek through the crisp winter air. Evander and Alrid set Edmond's cot on the ground before the grave and ran the two ropes underneath. The two Hunters held either ends of the ropes and lifted Edmond over the grave, slowly lowering him into the hungry earth. They stood from their crouching position and Evander walked to stand beside Den, Alrid just stood there staring down.
For a time, only the heavy silence of the three filled the space between them. Alrid's head hung low with the weight of his sorrow. He denied the truth with every fiber of his being. This could not be happening. He had been expecting this to happen for some time. But now that it has come to pass, he could not believe the reality of it all. He had not even finished his training yet. He wanted to show his grandfather how far he had come from the little boy he had seen from the beginning.
It was too much for him, he sobbed quietly. Arms still hanging and his head still hung over the grave. Evander watched his son. This is good for him. Evander knew it was a terrible thought to have for his son, but it was true. The life of the King's Hunter is a sorrowful one. Evander couldn't count how many friends and brothers he had lost along the way. It would be good for him. At only twenty-five, the earlier he experienced loss, the better off he will be as he matures, and as a half-elf, it was better that way.
Alrid grew quiet. He slumped back to the ground and placed his hands on the ground beside the grave and lowered his forehead to the edge. After holding there for a few moments, he stood and walked behind Evander and Den. He crossed his arms and let out a slow controlled exhale. Next, it was Den's turn.
"Farewell me lad, Godspeed." He spoke in a hushed tone for only the two of them to hear. He spread his feet shoulder width apart and clasped his hands in front of him, "We have had our great many years together, our great many battles. But now it is time for you to go. Our Lord needs you back." Den lowered his head for a few moments in silent prayer.
Den stepped off to stand with Alrid behind Evander. He too folded his arms across his chest and Evander turned to look at Den. He nodded to Evander and motioned for Alrid to follow him. Evander was to say his farewells alone. A light breeze brushed past Evander's face as his family walked away.
Evander watched them as they walked back towards the hut through the frozen trees. Once Den and Alrid were out of sight he turned towards his father's grave. His cloak flapped in the cold wind. He slowly pulled his hood over his head and removed the long-cutting knife he kept at his belt. He approached the grave holding the knife in his right hand. He stopped before his father and knelt. "With this blade, I bid your duties as the King's Hunter ceased from you in death." He raised the knife as he spoke. "With this blade, I pass on your responsibilities to the king onto me, to be solidified in the ceremony. With this blade, I bid you farewell." A tear ran down his cheek.
He lowered the knife onto the open palm of his other hand and dragged the blade across the fleshy skin until it bled. He closed his hand around the blade as he finished dragging it to the end of his palm. He made no sound as he stared into the light snow that had been falling on his father's body.
When he finished, he carefully wiped the bloody blade on his cloak, then placed it back on his belt. As his hand slowly bled, he extended his arm above the grave. Evander stared at his hand and squeezed hard. The blood ran rapidly from his enclosed fist onto Edmond's softly snow-covered body and it consumed his blood as it made contact.
After an adequate amount of blood had been presented to Edmond, Evander quickly pulled out a clean white rag and wrapped it around his hand. He closed his fist when he finished wrapping it and stepped over to where the shovels were stuck in the ground and retrieved one.
It took quite a bit less time to fill in the hole than it did to dig it out. He finished filling in the grave underneath the grand old oak and wiped the cold sweat from his brow with the back of his arm. Satisfied, he gazed for a few minutes longer before making his way back home.
Evander stepped into the warm hut to find Alrid remaking the fire and Den standing behind him with his arms folded across his chest. Den turned at the sound of the door closing. He glanced down at Evander's hand and knew what had been done. Edmond had done the same for his father on his day of burial when Alrid was still a boy.
"Is it done then?" Alrid spoke up from the fire he was prodding without looking up.
"Yes, it is done," Evander said, slightly confused at his son's question. He had never told him about the Transferring of Power Ceremony. "How did you know what I was doing?"
"Father." Alrid now stood up and faced him. "Through all, you have taught me, I have learned how to be intuitive. I heard you and grandfather talking one night. It is part of becoming the King's Hunter. You have taught me that I must listen to all things so that I might understand." Alrid said, proud of himself.
"You are wise beyond your years, my son." Evander spoke with an approving tone.
"Ye are yer father's son," Den said with a laugh. "Well. It is getting late. I must be getting back to the smithy." He walked over to Alrid, shaking his hand as he spoke. "Take care of him. He is a strong man, but he needs ye, laddie." Alrid nodded and Den turned to walk over to Evander.
"Evan," Den said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ye are no stranger to death, nor I. Ye know more than anyone that death is a part of life. It is what we all must face at the end of our time here. I know ye will make the best of it. Ye are a great friend and I know that ye are an even better father. Take care of yerself, I say, laddie." Den squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and nodded. Evander closed his eyes and gave a slight bow.
"Your words are kind and your heart is pure. I wish you prosperity for you and your kin. You get back to your old lady." Evander said with a brightened tone.
And with those words exchanged, Den turned to Alrid. Giving him one final nod, he reclaimed his shovel from the wall it had been leaning against since he first returned. The door proved little as he pushed it open, letting some snowy wind and ice fly into the room. He grabbed the doorknob without turning around and slowly closed the door, the latch falling into place.
"Would you be up for some training? There is still some light left," Evander asked enthusiastically.
"I thought you'd never ask. I need to burn some of this idle emotion." Alrid seemed to almost run as he grabbed his bow and gear from his chambers. They both walked to the door after Evander collected his gear as well.
Outside in the training area, the two of them began firing arrows side by side on their favored trees. They trained in precision and accuracy over distance. Though Evander could hit the eye of a squirrel at twenty yards while moving on horseback, it was nothing like going back to the basics and perfecting over and over to maintain one's skill.
After an hour or so, the sun began to set and the two of them set down their bows and practiced their speed climbing, racing each other over obstacles in a sprint to an end point they agreed on.
Of course, Evander won most of them but even on those Alrid was very close behind him. Alrid's Elven blood made him difficult to outrun at times. He would surpass Evander in speed and climbing ability very soon as his body learns how to coordinate as he matures. Elves don't hit maturity until around fifty and adulthood at nearly one hundred years of age. And him only being twenty-five and standing at nearly seven feet tall, meant he was going to be a very tall Elf.
It was getting rather dark and Evander was getting tired from their hours of activities while Alrid could easily have kept going.
"It's getting too dark to see much anymore, Alrid," Evander spoke with his hands on his hips while looking in the direction of where the sun had been setting for the last hour.
"Indeed it is, father," Alrid said as he looked in the same direction as Evander. They both gathered their equipment and began to head inside and out of the brisk cold. The warmth from the hut was welcoming against the frigid air. Evander quickly shut the door after Alrid was clear of it and took his winter gear off and set it on the back of one of the common room chairs.
"Well, I'm off to my chambers. Goodnight, father." Alrid said.
"Goodnight, my son," Evander spoke quietly and sat in his chair across from the fire.
With a final long embrace of his father, Alrid took his leave and retired to his bed chambers in the back of the hut. Evander sat thinking about the past day's events. Pondering his father's final words to him. The new woman he had met in town. The sharp aching pain in his hand. Evander did not sleep until the fire was nothing but cold embers and ash. He stood and sighed heavily, exhausted. It was time for some well-deserved rest. He left the common area dark as the door of his chambers closed for the night
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