All rights reserved 2017
Copyright 2017
Prologue publish date 2/11/2017510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZAxle01pH
--------------------------------
Prologue
General Pax shivered. The icy wind howled, wrapping its teeth around him and eating away at any exposed flesh that the leather armor did not cover. His lips and face were blue, and his eyelashes covered with frost. He knew that if he did not get back to the castle in time, that hypothermia could be his undoing.
Pushing his horse to its extreme limits, the animal's hooves pounded against the ground, a cloud of dirt and snow following the trusty steed in its wake. Obeying his command, the animal snorted twin jets of vapor from its nostrils.
A city appeared in the distance, and Pax saw the flickering of torches on the ramparts. The drawbridge was also lowered. Good. They were expecting him.
Pax urged his horse to go even faster, navigating the narrow cobblestone streets which formed an intricate maze in the city with ease. He had lived here all his life and knew his way around the city, even with his eyes closed.
His horse slid to a stop when they reached the courtyard. Handing the reigns to a squire who was ready to assist him, Pax pulled down his hood, revealing a middle aged man with desert brown hair mingled with streaks of grey, and hazel eyes with red circles from lack of sleep. The war had taken a toll on him, and he felt older and wiser because of what he had had witnessed on the battlefield.
Walking through the dark hallways, Pax headed for the throne room. Passing through a giant wooden door, on which was carved a giant oak tree, he entered the throne room to discover that there was no one inside. Frowning, he took a look at the throne on the dias at the opposite end of the room. There was a crack down the middle of it, and one of the armrests had been smashed.
He shivered when he felt winter grasp him once more. The window was open, allowing the icy wind inside. Shutting it, he stared at the sleeping city below him and sighed. He remembered the days when children laughed in the city streets and trade was prosperous. He also remembered the festive celebrations at night when flute music tickled the air and the people performed in street dances. Ever since the darkness had come, the city's joy had been extinguished.
"General Pax."
A throaty, husky voice with a British accent rumbled in the room. Goosebumps crawled up Pax's spine when the voice addressed him. Turning around, he saw no one, but he knew the creature who was concealed by the darkness. Saluting, Pax pounded his right arms against his chest and straightened his posture.
"For the glory of the Black Empire."
Silence. All he could hear was the beating of his own heart hammering against his chest. Beads of silver sweat cascaded down his forehead and stung his eyes. For each time he came into this room to speak with his lord could mean his last breath.
"Speak General, or else I will cut out your tongue and hang it from the ramparts for all to see."
"Yes, my lord. I saw her myself. There is no mistake."
"Hmm. Do nothing for now. She is but an infant. I need the people on my side, General. Send someone to keep an eye on her and report her whereabouts to me at all times. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. You are dismissed, General."
Pax left the room. Leaning his back against the wall, he exhaled. His hands shook. Whether from the cold, or from the anxiety of talking to his lord, he did not know. Perhaps it was a mixture of both. But one thing he did know was that he needed a fire and mug of ale. He headed for his chambers, anxious to leave the place where his lord dwelled.
Later that evening, Pax placed logs into the fire. Lighting it, he rubbed his hands together and flexed them. They were stiff from the cold; the gloves that he had worn earlier had only made things worse. Taking a drink of ale that had an aftertaste of apple cinammon, he licked his lips as the precious liquid warmed his blood and loosened his aching muscles. Now, he had one thing to do.
Sliding a chair against his desk, he lit a candle and grabbed an ink quill. With a shaking hand, he began to write.
To the love of my life....
Pax cursed as his hand shook so bad that he couldn't even read his handwriting. Crinkling the parchment, he tossed it into the fire, and began again. Tears cascaded down his cheeks, and splashed onto the parchment, resulting in moistening the parchment. But he didn't care. He needed to write this for his family. It had been months since he had been able to contact them, and he wondered if they were even still alive.
When he had finished, he slid his feet into his boots, and tightened his cloak. Placing the parchment into a leather pouch, he headed outside. He walked out of the courtyard and into the city.
He stopped in front of a tavern called The Dancing Dragon.
Inside, he could hear laughter and singing. A small, yet sad smile formed on his lips. A part of him was glad that at least a few people still had their joy. For his had been taken from him long ago. The light inside of him had been extinguished, never to return again. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the tavern.
The sound of a flute and fiddle tickled the air, and the patrons of the tavern stumbled around in a form of a drunken dance. Wrinkling his nose, he could barely breathe because the stench of alcohol was so strong here. He approached the barmaid, a middle aged woman with fiery red hair that curled to her waist, and piercing blue eyes which twinkled the brightness of stars.
"Gloria," said Pax, taking a seat at the bar counter.
The barmaid's expression brightened when she saw him. She smiled, revealing yellow rotten stained teeth.
"General! Well this is a pleasant surprise!"
"Shhh! Keep your voice down. I need a favor," he said, revealing the leather pouch to her.
Her eyes narrowed on seeing the bag.
"I know you're one of them."
She twirled a strand of her around a finger.
"Come now, General. Do you really think I am?"
Pax smirked knowingly. Her innocence would be her undoing. He leaned closer and whispered to her.
"My men frequent your tavern," he said, glancing at the dancing patrons and recognizing more than a handful of them, "and based on our results on the battlefield, someone is leaking information."
Gloria pursed her lips, then jerked her head at another maid. She had flowing blond hair and wore a black and white dress.
"That one. She's who you're looking for. She be Emerald. Came from the south three months ago."
Pax nodded. Gloria beckoned Emerald over to them. The maid's emerald eyes flashed with recognition when she recognized General Pax. Her eyes darted to the door, then to General Pax, who shook his head. He handed her the bag.
"My family lives in the south. I was told in the last letter my wife sent to me, to seek the Night Watchman to learn of their whereabouts."
Emerald nodded. "Why should I help you? You're with Morgulth."
Pax handed her a bag of gold coins which jingled on the counter. Emerald took a coin and biting it, said, "Very well. I'll speak to the Night Watchman. I do not promise you anything other than that."
"I can ask for no more than this."
Pax returned home, and lay down on his bed. Closing his eyes, he was troubled by strange dreams and visions. But one person haunted him the entire night. A girl with hair colored like the sun and who had hypnotic, ocean blue eyes. He couldn't help the feeling that there was something special about this girl and that she was the key to restoring peace in Aravell.
------------------------------
Please be sure to leave a like and feedback if you enjoy the story.
Cast:
Morgulth - Liam Neeson (You'll agree with me when you learn what Morgulth is)
General Pax - David Kaye
ns3.16.111.78da2
