Hello!
First time posting some of my stuff. I hope you enjoy this, I haven't really edited it quite yet. I normally don't write in first person so this was new. From the perspective of a young elf ranger I hope you enjoy. I will have more to add later.
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The Fallen King
In the distance from the towers of Aden castle, the looming shadow of the Tower cast its gray shadows over the swamps…the cemetery. The Tower had always been a symbol of mystery to me. Nobody dared go into the shadow of the Tower, for fear that the creatures that were sealed inside would suck them into a torturing abyss. I had heard stories though, from my Elven masters. I always thought they were stories of spirits and ghosts to scare of young adventurers. For a century or more, I don’t remember my studies that well to tell you the truth, my elf brethren have cast a protective ward at the Towers base to prevent any…temptation that would incline somebody to enter.
For a few hours, I just stared at it from the Western Tower of Aden Castle. I had been taking classes with the Human archers to better my training. I was almost of age in elf years if you will…I suppose equal to a sixteen-year-old human boy. Humans, a waste of space in my opinion. They’re so dirty and loud…and smell. I couldn’t help but frown at the sudden thought. Throwing such thoughts of my allies from my mind, I noticed the wind began to tug on my tunic and toy with my golden hair. Something seemed different. The ways the trees held themselves, they whispered no more merely moans, and the wind was bitter…angry at the betrayal that would soon befall the wondrous world of Aden.
Glancing at the cloudy sky I tried to listen. Myself being a ranger, I was taught to listen to the Earth. I could hear my enemies from miles away perhaps even see them. My aim was true at times, but perhaps I’m being to egotistical. The wind refused to whisper any secrets to me. Again my eyes focused back on the Tower. Why? I had been staring at the Tower for over two hours now, nothing as changed. The swirling mass of gray clouds at its peak still churned and swirled. Nothing has changed. I should be at the archery range, or reading in the library rather than staring at a tall piece of stone.
But what have they been trying to hide from us? Something powerful? Riches beyond my wildest dreams? It happened directly after the defeat of the Land Dragon Antharas. The death of the great Dragon boosted the moral of the population of Aden in a considerable manner. I unfortunately was to young to journey to the nest of the lady Dragon; sadly my training wasn’t completed by then. Now, four weeks later I had completed my training and was now party of the Aden Royal Army. There had been small issues with the Dark Elves to the North. They were not invite to the killing mission of the Dragon. Their current leader, the Grand Spellhowler, I think that’s what they called their wretched, corrupt spell weavers, Mevikis had threatened to wage some…civil war against us. Lord Finestare merely laughed and had the messenger escorted out, the messenger screamed something about the rise of a new age and promptly dug a dagger into his stomach and died several seconds after.
That incident had been taboo around the town for some time, so I hadn’t really gotten much gossip on it. I couldn’t understand though why my own …colored brethren would destroy something their own god created? Shrugging off the fact, it wasn’t really my concerned. Evidently my eyes were still focused on the looming Tower in the distant haze. I had heard stories from when the ward wasn’t over the Towers entrance. I actually remember vividly the night a man came…literally running back. The journey to the tower was at least a day’s journey, maybe longer if the local Sileno tribe decides to accost you. I was young then, but it added up to me slowly. Running from the Tower? For a day, I might even have trouble doing that.
I remember the man's face, struck in horror. He looked like some young adventurer, perhaps thirty human years. Ah, yes. I was in the towns Library with one of my teachers (my favorite one actually) Master Rulaan. He was a kind, wise elfish spell weaver. His voice was beautiful when he sang to the trees and the water, despite his age. Even though I was on the path of archery, he took me in, sheltered me, clothed me and taught me the history of my glorious race. Returning to the story, my mind wandered I apologize, the adventurer burst through the doors of the silent library. Completely soaked from the cold rain that had been pouring for two days outside. His face was pale and seemed to be loosing most of its color. Stumbling on the floor he screamed for somebody. Why he came to a Library for such help, I did not know. He had begun to scream things about great winged men and horrible things. Blood…runes, dead bodies…whispering in his ear and the Fallen King. Immediately after the man had said, “The Fallen King,” my Master covered my ears.
His warm palms pressed against my ears prevented me from hearing the words that were being shouted by the man. I was very young then. The man was hauled off and never seen from again. My Master hadn’t really brought up the situation yet. Gingerly I pushed off from the tower railing and turned around, taking one last look at the Tower. It was close to supper, so I was required to meet Rulaan in our chambers on the Northern end of the castle. I had the liberty of living in Aden Castle since Rulaan was one of their skilled scribes. Yawning, I lazily trudged down the staircase.
I took my time wandering down the main corridor to the Northern tower. I always admired the paintings on the wall of the humans and elves fighting against evil, despite our past in war. The human boys still bullied me often, they told me I was an abomination, my ears, my perfect features and how…feminine I was. Rulaan merely said that they have nothing better to offer to the world, and they were jealous of our beauty. Silently, I wished the humans would accept us more so than forced to ally with us.
Making my way down the last long boring hallway, I passed by Jacob, a human also under the study of my Master Rulaan. He was with his group of protective friends. Silently I strode by and they shouted jeers as usual. I’d show them one day, I would. My temper flared for a moment as I threw open the study doors. My master looked up calmly from his desk.
“Ah, welcome welcome. Come sit,” He slowly rose and gestured to a table that had been set. Rulaan was dressed in his simple white robes and blue sashes. He was a simple man, but for some reason I always thought he was extremely influential and powerful. “I was just speaking with J—“ I rudely interrupted him.
“I don’t care about him,” Rulaan merely gave me a small smile and sat at the other end of the table. Plates had been set, the wine had been poured by the food hadn’t arrived yet. I bowed shortly to my Master before I sat. For some reason, my hand shot forward and grasped the wine goblet; taking a gulp I savored the rich taste for a few moments. Becoming light headed I leaned back with a sigh.
“Must I give another lesson on manners?” Rulaan said as he gently sipped his wine. Setting down his cup he placed his hands in his lap and peered back towards me.
“No sir,” I replied feeling embarrassed, not that I’ve felt that way before. The Fallen King went through my head again. Should I ask him? One part of me said yes, the other heeded against such…loud actions. “How has you day been, master?” I asked, trying to keep the dark thoughts from my head. The blood…the king…the bodies.
The King.
“Boring, I must say. I’ve been in here, haven’t been able to enjoy the sun at all today,” Rulaan looked slightly hurt. The door opened as a young boy brought in two trays. Setting one in front of me, and my master. It was piled with many green delights, I suppose humans would call it a salieed…or was it salad? I barely touched my food, I wasn’t that hungry.
“And what of yours, young Asbec?” I glanced up from my food, staring at my master. He rarely called me by my first name; it was young friend, apprentice, or even boy. I was speechless for a moment.
“Er…oh, nothing. Just wandering around. The archery range was closed for some reason,” Rulaan nodded as if he knew exactly what I’d done. Poking at my food, I took a small bite. It was sour and tasted of leather. Sighing I took another sip of the wine, and it just came out of me.
“Tell me about the Fallen King?” Rulaan froze for a moment and looked up at me. His wise blue eyes glittered as if he knew the question was coming. The wizard set down his fork and wine glass and leaned closer to the table.
“What brought this up?” he asked in a flat tone.
“I remember that night…” I reminded him.
“Ah, well…I suppose you’re old enough to understand,” Rulaan said leaning back, and then he begun.