Ch. 15

By now it was midsummer, and Annalett wanted to get back to the desert and explore, but Mrs. Queensly wouldn't allow it. She said that as long at Annalett's scars were bleeding, or scabbed, and not healed yet, she was to stay put. Annalett didn't like this, but went with it anyway, for she was yet too weak to bother. The wounds healed slower than normal, so it took almost a month to heal. One day Annalett took her bandages off for the last time, and was able to open her right eye. When she looked into a little hand mirror, her jaw dropped in shock. There was a red line down her eye that lined up with the scar when she looked straight ahead, but she saw perfectly out of it, actually, better than perfect.
She exited the tent, and those that passed by satred at her eye. Annalett sighed, this was not good. She didn't want to stand out, and now with her eye like this, had no other choice. Looking around, Annalett spotted Mrse. Queensly talking with Morcun, and walked over. When Morcun saw Annalett's eye, he frowned, and she knew why.
"My dear, what is with that eye of yours?" asked Mrs. Queensly.
"I don't know. It just happened. I noticed it when I took the bandage off."
"Can you see with it?" asked Morcun, and Annalett nodded.
"I see better than normal with this eye," she pointed at the one with the now strange coloring, "and that's the one that I got hit by Erellion's sword with."
"Strange," Morcun muttered.
"What's the date today?" asked Annalett.
"The seventh of June," came Mrs. Queensly's reply, and Annalett smiled, "why?"
"Today just happens to be my birthday."
"Well, happy birthday. Your sixteen now, right? Oh, and that's the year you become a woman! Congradulations, dear."
"Hm... The fourteenth of June is my birthday, I'm turning eighteen in exactly a weak," stated Morcun.
"My your birthdays are quit close!" exclamed Mrs. Queensly.

~~~~~~~

Over the summer, and fall, Morcun and Annalett recuperated while staying at Duligain Crater. They rarely spoke of what happened with them and Erellion. Soon it became winter again and everyone was returning for the New Year Gathering. One night Sammy, Charles, and the others made Annalett and Morcun sit down by their fire and tell what happened o them. It was a long story to tell, and was hard for the two to tell it. But when they were done, all the others looked at each other.
"Looks like you two have gone through a lot together," said Charles.
"Sounds like you've fallen secretly in love," taunted Joseph.
"Take that back, Jo!" demanded Morcun, "We all know you've been hitting on he Grandel girl for a few years."
"Oh, but I didn't go through a life changing experience like you two"
"Hey!" Morcun stood up, but Annalett grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.
"It doesn't matter, and you know it. They're just teasing, that's all." She retorted. They all nodded, and decided it was late and went back to bed. Annalett stayed out, watching the stars.
"Somthing tells me, this is only the beginning of my adventure."
~~~~

End of book one!

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Book 2, Dragon Scale

Ch. 1

An elf hopped from tree branch, to tree branch, keeping an eye out on the forest floor. She wore a brown leather, sleeveless torso, black gloves, striped trousers with white boots. Her small skirt had slits up both sides that went to the waste, making the knee length cloth look like two separate pieces. A bow made of the darkest wood, with green string, and tiger tooth spikes at each end was in her hand. The long golden brown hair sparkled in the dim light, and so did the face jewelry that decorated the whole right side of her face. A tattoo covered much of the left side of her face.
Frppdpghu, d wuhvsdvvhu kdv ehhq vsrwwhg rp wkh qruwkhuq hgjh ri Seruna. A voice in the elf's mind spoke.
Doo uljkw, jdwkhu d jurxs re jxdugv, ohwv vhh zkdw lw ls. Was the telepathic answer. The elf hoped down from the tree and ran through the forest, slowing when she met with a group of five guards, all with deep red garbs of the guard, and face jewelry and tattoos, each different for every elf.
"Doo uljkw, frph rq," the commander elf whispered, and ran off. They came to the edge of a path, and hid behind the trees. The trespasser was a human, about the age of eighteen, in all black or brown travel cloths. She had orange hair cut to the shoulders, a scar down the right side of her face, and a red line down her eye that could be aligned with the car. Also a sword with a dragon on the hilt, with it's tail wrapped around the handle and a ruby at the end in a big gold clasp. The commander raised her hand, and flicked her finger, giving the command to surround the stranger. Her expression was one of surprise, she raised her hands as arrows were pointed at her.
"Tell me what you are called, and what your business is here and I may spare your life," the commander said.
"My name is Annalett. Can't a lone traveler just take a stroll?" Annalett asked guiltily.
"Not without arousing suspicions. I am Commander Januviel SeereKarne Tigereye." The commander replied.
"And can I ask what..." Annalett noticed all their pointed ears, "...your elves!"
"If you were going to ask what we're doing here, the answer is, you'll find out soon. And yes, we're elves, Rawwood elves to be exact. Come follow." Januviel commanded, and started back into the depth of the forest at the base of the mountain range that bordered it's western side.
When they got to a place were the trees were bigger, Annalett heard laughing up in the trees, and rustling of branches. She turned to see what it was, but what ever it was fled before she could get a good look at it. Finally the stopped, and Januviel handed Annalett a rope.
"Hold on tight." she told Annalett with a slight smile then yelled up, "Sxoo khu xs!" and she was pulled off the ground with the rope. Looking down, Annalett saw the elves also were being pulled into the trees with ropes. After awhile of being lifted, she saw what the elves lived in. There were bridges that led to walkways around the trees, and huts made out of leaves that seemed to still be growing for they were still green. Some huts were placed between three or four trees, while most were two. Going even farther up, the next level was a pulley system were messages were transported in baskets on strings, and slid up and down hollows in the trees. The third level, the final level, Annalett was pulled through a whole in a wall of wood. This is were the rope ended. The whole level was one big room, or castle. The walls looked like bark and were decorated with flowers and paintings. The floor was polished from years of being walked on. There was no ceiling except for branches here and there and the sky. Elves, each with different tattoos, scurried from room to room. The doors were just long leaves dangling in the doorway. Januviel came in through another whole in the floor, swung and jumped to the solid wood, as did her guards, so Annalett did the same thing.
"Leave all your weapons here," Januviel comanded. Annalett took off her quiver, and the belt that held a dagger and her sword. She also pulled a dagger from her sleeve, and two from her boot.
"Now come," Januviel said, and led Annalett down many corridors, and past a big leaf bigger than a human, that was the door. This led to a big room, with two chairs that seemed to be made of the tree trunk it was against, was on the far side on the room. Upon one sat an elf with long black hair, tanned skin, and wore a white robe. His fingures had many rings on them, his face was tattoed and jeweled, and his right eye was that of a hawlk. On the chair next to him sat an elf maiden with long white hair, pale skin, and many necklaces. She wore a black gown, making her look much paler.
Januviel kneeled infront of the two elves, and put her forefinger, and her middle finger to her forehead. Annalett put her hand to her waste, and bowed, seeing that these were royalty.
"Zkdw gr brx eulqj ph qrz Januviel?" Said the king, his voice soft, almost a whisper.
"D wuhvvsdvvhu. Khu qdph lv Annalett ri wkh Duligain, vr l eurxjkw khu wr brx, brx'uh pdmhvwb." responded Januviel, removing her hand. The pair looked down critically at Annalett. Annalett tried to look as confident as possible, then the queen spoke, her voice a whisper.
"Orfn khu xs. L zdqw khu xqghu zdwfk xqwlo khu plqg fdq eh hadplqhg." Two elf guards came and took each of Annalett's arms, and led her out. She didn't struggle, too confused at what had just taken place. She hadn't understood a word that was said.
She was taken to a room with nothing but a bed. She was pushed inside, the door closed and locked behind her. There was a whole in the door, which was a leaf, and Januviel looked through.
"What just happened?" Annalett asked.
"You are to be locked in here until you mind can be examined."
"And how long until that happens?" The elf just shrugged, and left.


~~~~~

Frppdpghu, d wuhvsdvvhu kdv ehhq vsrwwhg rp wkh qruwkhuq hgjh ri (Fe-re-p-dep-geh-uh, de woo-he-veh-se-de-vehv-hoo ke-deev eh-qua ve-ser-weweh-heg rep weh-keh quer-uh-weh-kuh-uh-que he-ge-jeh rie Seruna)- commamder, a trespasser has been spotted om the northern edge of Seruna

Doo uljkw, jdwkhu d jurxs re jxdugv, ohwv vhh zkdw lw ls(Do uleh-jekeh, jebeh-wehoo de jur-exes re jexe-duh-gev, oh-eweh-ve veh zeh-keh-dew lew les)- all right, gather a group of guards, lets see what it is

Doo uljkw, frph rq(Do uleh-jekeh, fer-peh repue)- all right, come on

Sxoo khu xs(Seh-xe-ooh)- pull her up

Zkdw gr brx eulqj ph qrz Januviel(zeh-ked-weh grr bur-ex eh-ool-que-jeh peh quer-zeh Januviel)- What do you bring me now Januviel

D wuhvvsdvvhu. khu qdph lv Annalett ri wkh Duligain, vr l eurxjkw khu wr brx, brx'uh pdmhvwb(De wuh-veh-huh. ke-huh que-deh-peh lev Annalett rie weh-keh Duligain, ver le eh-your-xe-jek-we keh-oo were ber-ex, ber-ex'uh pedeh-meh-eveh-web)- a tresspasser. her name is xkkxibqq of the arifdxfk, so i brought her to you, you're majesty

orfn khu xs. l zdqw khu xqghu zdwfk xqwlo khu plqg fdq eh hadplqhg(or-en keh-ue wes. Le zed-que-we keh-ue xeh-que-geh-eu zed-we-fek xe-que-wef-keh xe-que-weh-loh keh-ue peh-leh-que-ge eh had-ple-que-heg)- lock her up. i want her under watch until her mind can be examined

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 2

Januviel was heading back to her post, when sudenly she heard a trumpet call. It was a high, ong note, that ment trouble. The trumpet sound was ended abrutly, not a good sign. Januviel heard screaming in the distance, and ran to a bridge between platforms. On the forest flore there were a variety of creatures attack, and some were changing forms.
"Shape-shifters," she said in the elven lanuage. The elf captain ran through the halls.
"To arms! We're under attack! Get the multen sap ready," Januviel ordered. She came to an open balcony, were shapeshifters in the form of buzards landed, and turned into the form of giant spiders with hands. Januviel braught out her sword, and swung it at her apponents. There were three in all. The elf captain stabbed one in the mouth, then turned to another to cut off one of it's hands, then stab it in the abdomen. The third took her by supprise by jumping on her, but luckily Januviel had her sword facing it, stabbing its self in the gut. Januviel pushed the shapeshifter off of her, and ran through the halls again.
"Let me out! I can help fight, I promise I'll help you! Let me out, please!" came a voice from a prison cell Januviel passed. Annalett was screaming, obviously wanting to fight. Januviel ran up to the girl's cell. She mumbled a word under her breath, and the leaf door opened.
"I need a weapon," stated the girl, obviously glad to be let out. Januviel nodded, and handed the girl her bow and quiver. Annalett tested the bow, and put on the quiver, then followed the elf. Januviel led Annalett through a few more halls, then to a rope.
"Take hold, and when you get to the first level of the city, stop there and shoot arrows," she camanded, Annalett nodded, and did what she was told. When the girl was gone, Januviel found a vine, and slid down that to the forest floor. She unsheathed her sword, and started to fight.
"Captain!" a call came from above, and Januviel looked up to see her lutenent motion for her to move out of the way. Doing so, a waterfall of red steaming liquid fell onto the area were she once stood, and onto the shapeshifters that now sood there. Januviel smiled, and ran off on her way.
The battle lasted an hour, and finally the battle ended an hour later. Two elves had been badly wounded, and four killed. Januviel was examining shapeshifter corpses when two guards brought Annalett over.
"Why did you let her go?" one spoke, but in elvish.
"She had said she'd fight for us. She helped didn't she? And she didn't hurtt you. Did she? hm?" Januviel replied in the same language, raising a jewled eyebrow.
"Now let her go. I think I'll talk with her, alone," the two guards let go of Annalett and walked away, one kicking a shapeshifter as he went.
"Don't mind them. They're not very fond of humans." Januviel spoke in Annalett's tounge. The girl nodded in reply.
"I thank you for your help in battle. Anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"Give back my weapons and let me be on my way. My freinds may be worried about me," Annalett replied, and Januviel grinned.
"Not until your mind is searched," this recieved a sigh from Annalett.
"But, the mage to do this seems to be free, so I guess we go to him now." Januviel said, and led Annalett to a small wooden shack on the ground. Januviel just walked inside. It was filled with bottles of who knows what. Big thick, old books were stacked everywere. There was a door that led off to another room. The only furtiture in the room was a table filled with a bunch of things like bags of unknown items, jewelry, rocks, goblets, papers, ink and quil, and a few pieces of cloth. A woman facing the oposite wall scurried about. She wore a dress that seemed to be made out of vines, her black hair was in dreadlocks, and she had pale skin. When the mage turned to see them, she had the eye of what looked like a turtle, and her face was covered completely with tattoos and jewels. Her other eye was red.
"What do you want?" she had a rich accent, and spoke in human tounge.
"Mistress Cartharin, my great grandparents queen Bentala, and king Aredar need you to search the mind of this girl," Januviel referred to Annalett. The mage studied Annalett with her red eye, and lingered on the girl's scar.
"Alright," she finally said after a long moment, and dissapeared into the other room. She came out with a chair.
"Sit," Cartharin said, pointing at the chair. Annalett did so. The mage faced Annalett, and put a finger to each of Annalett's temples. Images and thoughts flashed through their minds.
A child hood growing up in a small town, unaware of what was going on outside execpt when merchants and travelers passed by. A redhead girl spent time helping her father in her shop, cleaning shields and weapons.

Nights her mother say her to sleep along with a music box with three horses spinning inside it. A white one, and black one, and a chestnut one. They kept circling each other, like they were dancing.

The birth of her brother, she wasn't allowed to go see her mother and baby brother until the doctor said it was allright. When she saw them, her mother sat up in bed, a small baby boy in her arms wrapped in a blanket.

The terrible day when everything went wrong the day of the bandit attack. Her attacker's face, distorted with the hood, and glowing red eyes...

Waking up in the camp, there was Mrs. Queensly, Captain Coren, Sammy, Charles, and Morcun. Annalett's thoughts linger on Morcun.

The New Years Celebration, and her New Years gift she got, the sickly and hurtt foal.

Many more memories flashed by, then there was the fight with Erellion. That was gone over and over again, Annalett cringed when Cartharin kept going over that moment in her life. Finally the Mage moved on.

The way home, the recovery, and descovery of her now red lined eye. and the memories ended when the walk in the woods, and getting trapped and tacken to were she sat now. Cartharin took her fingers away from Annalett's head.
"You have a very interesting path, Annalett of the Duligain." she said to Annalett, then turned to Januviel.
"She is safe. Let her be," then the mage turned back to what she was doing before the two had come.
When they left, Annalett walked beside Januviel.
"You're the daughter of the elf King and queen?" she questioned.
"Yes, I am."
"Thats increadible, you're royalty!"
"Yeah, and so are many others. You obviously know nothing of our culture." Januviel said, and sped up. She gave out a whistle when she came to the base of one tree, and down came Annalett's weapons in a basket. Januviel's bow and quiver had been taken from her, so she was glad to get her weapons back.
"Good bye, you may go now. May we see each other soon," Annalett bowed her head, then made her way through the forest, Januviel watching her go.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 3

A boy about twenty, with brown wavey hair, and brown eye paced back in forth infront of a fire.
"Were is she?" he muttered over and over.
"Settle down Morcun. She just went for a walk," replied a boy with a buz cut, and slight stuble.
"But she's been gone for hours, Charles. A walk wouldn't take her that long." Morcun said, stopping, and looking at the sun which was starting to fall behind the Lore mountains in the west. To the south, he then looked, and finally saw a long figure running their way.
Annalett ran up, and Morcun staired at her, like scolding.
"Don't give me that look," she said, "I got captured by elves, faught a battle with them agains shapeshifters, and had my mind probed," the two other Duligains looked at her like she was crazy.
"Like we would believe that," said Charles.
"But it's true," Annalett said flattly, getting a glare.
"Fine, don't believe me." Then she quickly changed the subject.
"So, we're going to explore the desert, starting tomorrow?" Morcun nodded. The three friends sat down and ate cheese and bread they had in their packs.
After awhile of talking around the fire, they decided to go to sleep, Charles taking the first watch of the night. Morcun tossed and turned when he slept, dreaming that that something was after him, and he tried to find his friends, but none could be found. Then suddenly a red dragon breathing fire at him appeared in his dream, and he woke up with a start, sitting strait up on his bed roll, dagger in hand. He looked around to see Annalett had woken him, looking slightly tired.
"Sorry to wake you, but it's your turn to watch," she said with a yawn. Morcun nodded, and watching her climb into her bed roll. He stood up, and crouched by the fire after putting his boots on. He took a stick and poked the dieing embers. Shivering, and rubbed his arms to get warm.
With a sigh, Morcun grabbed his black cloak and wrapped it around him. He heard the horses whinny, and looked over at them to see that they his bay stallion, and Charle's white gelding were still grazing, but Annalett's black mare was looking off to the West.
Morcun walked over to her, and rubbed her neck under he long black mane.
"What is it?" he asked quietly, and scratched the white cresent moon on the five-year-old's forehead. He looked out toward the West, but all he saw was the dark mass that was the Lore Mountain range. For a moment he stood there with the mare, until she exhailed and lowered her head to graze. Morcun walked back toward the camp, sitting on a log that they had made into a makeshift bench, every now and then glancing toward the west until dawn.

~~~~~~

A few hours later, the three riders and their horses headed east to the Ramfodnt desert. The sun was high over their head when the desert could be seen, and the grass gradually became dirt, which became sand. the three had made sure to fill extra water skins before leaving, knowing the only sorce of water out in the desert was an oasis on almost the other side of the desert. That oasis was their goal. The sun was starting to fall when they reached the top of the first sand dune. Morcun heard Annalett gasp, and he himself was suprised to see the miles and miles of just sand, as far as the eye could see. Morcun and Annalett had been to the desert before, but that was when they had escaped Mountainton after killing Erellion, and were too weak to worry that much about their surroundings.
They started riding in the direction the oasis would be, according to the map. They walked for a long time, the horses' hooves kicking up sand as they walked. The heat was unbarable, and the sun pounded down on them mercilessly. Morcun was starting to think this was a bad idea when sudenly three riders appeared at the top of the sand dune infront of him. They rode creatures that looked scaily, with two giant claws each, and six legs. A long tail curved upward and ended in a point. They were gaint scorbions. Apon the scorpions' backs were people dressed in cloth, covering their heads, and the rest of their body. Though one of them covered all her body accept her eyes. When they rode closer, it was apparent they weren't human. The two who didn't have their faces covered, showed they had no lips, and their noses were more like slits, and their eyes slanted and squinty. Their skin was dark, and their pupils were slits, like a cats, while the iris was yellow. Their eyebrows were thin, and their cloths were brightly colored.
"What is your business in the desert?" One of the males spoke, his voice a hiss.
"We're just travelers," Annalett said, knowing she had been asked the same kind of question only yesterday.
There was a quiet hiss-like voice, talking in another lanuage, coming from the female, the one who was covered execpt for her yellow eyes.
"Sen says you have the mark of Fwjm," hissed the first desert person, pointing to Annalett's scarred eye. "What be your names?"
"Charles Mathews, Morcun Firesword, and Annalett Merwell. We're of the Duligain rangers." said Charles a little nervously.
"I am Thor, this is Lenx," he pointed to the other male with a long finger nale, "and that is Sen," he pointed to the female.
"Do you come to hurtt us and our tribe?" said Lenx, sounding unsure of how he spoke. It was obvious he wasn't used to that language.
"We come just out of curiosity of what was here." Said Morcun.
"And just out of curiosity, what kind of people are you? And what is the name of the creatures you ride?" asked Annalett, and Morcun gave her a glare, then looked back to the strangers.
"We are Lezmar, the desert beings. And our steeds are scorprianoses." said Thor, seeming glad that a stranger would want to learn about his and his people's culture.
"Can we your tribe? I would love to learn more about your people," Annalett said.
"Annalett," scolded Morcun.
"What? I tell the truth," she replied. The Lexmar looked at eachother, and for awhile spoke in their mysterious tounge, as if debating. Then Thor said.
"It would be an honor for outsiders to come and learn our ways. The day is growing old, it will soon be time to break fasting. Come," he said, and his scorprianos turned around, as did the other two, and headed south, Annalett, Morcun, and Charles following.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 4

Soon they came to a camp, full of tents of various colors. They were made to be sturdy to last a a sandstorm, yet nimble enouph that they could be taken down quickly and moved. Many other of the Lezmar walked about, tending to one thing or another. There were also many wells that were dug, and a few being dug. After awhile, Sen left them, going to her own tent. Then they were told to dismount, and when the two Lezmar dismounted, their scorprianoses skittered off, out of sight. The horses were tied to a tent pole, and they went inside the tent the horses were tied to.
The inside was musty and warm. A fire blazed in the middle, and blankets covered the floor. A few Lezmar that wore nothing but robes over their bodies sat around the fire, humming.
"These are the wise ones," explained Thor, "They can give you knowlage without speaking, infact they speak through mind, not tounge. Take a seat on those red pillows over there" He pointed to a few big pillows on one side of the big tent, that looked bigger on the inside than the outside.
Lenx nodded to them, and left the tent, while Thor walked over to the Wise Ones. He spoke to them in their strange language, full of clicks and hisses, and a few words. Finally a voice boomed in the three rangers' heads.
I am told you humans would like to learn of our culture it was deep and masculine. Morcun looked over at Annalett, and saw her face showed that she almost regretted coming here.
"Yes, we do," said Annalett.
Then images flashed through all three of their minds. They were an open culture, even they clothed themselves with much cloth, they liked getting visiters, and often held banquets for them. They had no kings or queens, and were all equal in rank exept the elders who gave advice. Lenzar weren't known much by humans, since they didn't care for the heat of the desert, but they formed an alliance with elves and exbswfts. Every now and then a few of the Lanzar would go into Raston and trade medicines and cloths for more water, and food since it was scarce in the desert.
When the images were finnished, Morcun felt like he had always known these people, and felt more comfortable amung them.
They were led out of the tent soon after, but Annalett was asked to stay, for the Wise Ones wanted to talk to her. Morcun and Charles were taken to the tent that they were alowed to use while visiting. Annalett got her own, smaller tent. Later that night, a table was set up outside, it was long, and pillows were layed down beside it. Food was piled on the table, and everyone started taking seats, since the long table could fit the whole tribe. It stretched from one side of the camp to the other. The end that pointed north, the Wise Ones and more elderly sat, and at the other end the youngest sat. Annalett, Morcun, and Charles sat closer to the Wise Ones. Thor stood up, and said.
"Let the feast begin!" then said something in his own language, then sat and ate.
"What did they talk to you about earlier?" asked Morcun to Annalett.
"They had spoken mind to mind with the elf mage I told you about in Rawwood, and said I was destined to be the on to end Armerion's evil reign. They said I should find Adoven. Do you remember that bard in the Silver Dragon Inn?" Morcun nodded, "Well, they said he could take me to a dragon who will help me take down Armerion. And while I search for him, I should get support from the kings of Raston and Tortronte. They also told me that Sammy has joined Armerion." Then Annalett fell silent, and started eating. Morcun was supprised that one of his friends had joined the man they wanted to fight against. Of course, Sammy had sometimes deffended the king when they had an argument about him.
Morcun tried to enjoy himself, though. The food was delicious. There was, suprisingly, bore, deer, and plenty of rabbit meat. There was a ton of greens, and wine was like human's beer. After awhile they put the table away, and bards came out with instruments and started playing. The Lenzar danced around the fire, inviting the three rangers to dance too. One started fireworks, lighting the sky with rockets of every kind and every color. It was a lively night, and when dawn came, they finally went to their tents and slept for most the day.
When they woke up, Annalett, and Morcun decided to leave, while Charles wanted to stay a bit longer. So the two were given gifts. Annalett recieved a jeweled water cantine that would never empty, and the water would always be cold. Morcun was given a one-bladed knife, with fire on the hilt.
"Now go with the blessing of the Anorone Tribe of the Lezmar." said Thor before they left. It soon became dark before the two were even half way out of the desert. The next day they traveled long and hard, and mostly in silence. The cantine that the Lezmar had given them was greatly used, and it was true that it never emptied. One could forever drink from it, and yet it would seem to never loose a drop of water.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 5

After a weak of hard traveling, split lips, sour moods, and sweaty days, they finally came to the oasis. They took turns washing themselves in the cool water of the small pond amungst the trees. The oasis was very big, so when they travled a few hours, they came to the other side to find a camp flying crymson flags. The flags of the King. A sentry spotted them, and guards were sent out, and led them into a tent. Inside the tent, laying on dozens of pillows, sat a man that looked like he was in his teens, with straight brown hair to his chin, and brown eyes.
"Ah, we have company. Do you know them, squire?" he asked someone standing to his left.
"Aye, Annalett and Morcun of the Duligain... they're the ones who killed Erellion, master," the voice was familiar, and so was the face. Bald, and a mustach. Sammy.
"Let me introduce myself, Annalett and Morcun. I am King Armerion II, and am glad to meet your aquaintence." the king got up and bowed, and that when Morcun saw the small gold circlet upon his head.
"What is a snake such as you doing so far from your hole?" snapped Annalett. Armerion looked up at her.
"A king can't go on adventures like a ranger? Tell me," he sat back down, "What happened when you killed my captain mage?"
So, Annalett told the story, Morcun adding a few details when it was done, the king burste out luaphing.
"What?" Annalett demanded, and the king spoke when he settled down, wiping away a tear.
"He actually told you he was your papa. I told him to do that as a joke, to disturb you. I always loved jokes, but I can't believe he did it. It isn't true, that Jacus man... that traitor... was your papa," Annalett sighed with relief, like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"Attack," Armerion said, snapping his fingers. Startled, the two rangers watched Sammy advance toward them, his face grim.
"What are you doing, Sam?" Morcun asked.
"I'm sorry, but my alligance lies with the king now."
"But you said you always hated him," Annalett said, then noticed his eyes seemed glazed over, as if he was seeing things through a fog.
"My alligance is with the king, now..." he repeated, his voice more menacing. He raised his ax for the first blow. Luckily, their swords weren't taken away, so the first blow was blocked with a clang of metal on metal.
Sammy swung at her again, but she dodged. Then he swung at Morcun, who blocked. While he was turned away from her, Annalett cut the back of his right thigh. A yell came from his open mouth, as he turned to swing at Annalett. She caught part of the handle of the two sided ax with her hand.
"Sammy, stop! You're acting crazy. What is wrong with you?" she asked, and got the same reply.
"My alligance lies with the king!" He yanked his ax out of Annalett's grasp, and raised it for the death blow, but stopped in his tracks. Morcun, on the other side of him, stabbed his sword through his gut, sticking out on the other side.
"I'm sorry my friend," he said, his voice quivering with sorrow. Sammy's now lifeless body fell to the ground with a thump. King Armerion clapped, loudly, and slowly.
"Well done," he said with a wry smile, "But since you have just killed my faithful squire, it's time for you to be destroyed."
Armerion grabbed a spear that was propped against a table. Skillfully, he swung it around, then stopped it under his arm, pointing it at them. Morcun gritted his teeth. He had had enouph of this epic battle stuff and would just like to go on adventuring. And for him, the battle went by quickly. He remembered little. One minute he's waiting for Armerion to draw closer, the next he's getting stabbed in the leg, and the last thing is sitting, wounded, in the sand next to Annalett. And watching a group on horses galloping away from them. He tried to stand up, to find his left leg wounded badly, and his right arm broken, plus blood dripping from his brow into his eyes. Wipping some away with the back of his sleeve, he looked down to find Annalett sitting, hugging her knees and looking out into the desert, and frown on her face.
"Whats wrong?" he asked, worried.
"Whats wrong? Whats wrong? We had a chance to kill the biggest bad guy... ever, and we failed. He was better than even Erellion. At least I know everything that evil wizard said was a lie." Annalett burst out, standing up and seeming like nothing was wrong with her. Like she hadn't been hurtt.
"You're not telling everything," Morcun said, feeling dazed.
"Ask me some other time what the rest of 'whats wrong' is." Annalett walked over to a palm tree were their horses were tied. Morcun limped over there, and painfully mounted while Annalett easily sprang into her saddle. They made off to the west at a slow walk, not talking. At this pace, leaving the desert took a week, and every night they stopped and slept on the sand, without a fire and only eating dried bread and drinking water. Annalett always seemed to be in a sour mood the whole time, and Morcun was glad when they finnally made it out of the desert.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 6

Morcun was glad to be riding on solid ground, and not shiftying sand. He even jumped off his horse and walked for awhile, though more limped, leaning on his horse. Every now and then he'd glance up at Annalett, who was being unusually quiet. They had entered the land of Raston.
After another day was slow riding, they came upon a small town with cobbled streets, white plaster houses, and in the middle a gread cintedell.

Morcun found the only Inn in town called Red Torch Inn. So the two turned in there, taking seprate rooms. Later on Morcun went down to the main room and ordered some rum. He chose a table near the middle room, and listened to the talk. He wasn't supprised to hear romurs about some ranger killing Erellion, which he knew weren't romurs.
"I heard the person who killed 'im was a big ol' guy with huge muscles..." one patron said.
"No no, only a mage could destroy Erellion," said another.
"Erellion was a mage, stupid," a third snapped, obviously in the worste of moods. Morcun stood up and went over to their table.
"You're all wrong. My friend killed Erellion. And I was there. It was a terrible battle," he said to them, and slightly smiled when all three patrons' eyes widened.
"Your friend's a legend," the third one said, a slender man with blonde hair and grey eyes, "Theres been talk of the fall of Erellion all the way from Tortrante to Cranes. I'd be daffed if theres not a sole who knows."
"Who're you and y'er friend going after next? King Armerion himself?" Asked the first one, a large girthed man with a full beard and shifty brown eyes.
"Possibly," Morcun shrugged, and left.

~~~~~

It took another few days of fast riding to get to Slandraton, the capital of Raston. They rode into the city without trouble. Annalett kept her hood covering her face, wanting no one to notice her eye. Annalett and Morcun rode up to the castle walls, and where stopped by guards.
"What is your buisness here?" As the taller one.
"We come for support from the king of Raston," Morcun said, telling the truth, but not sure the guard would believe it. The guard, suprisingly, nodded.
"Many come for his support these days. If I may ask, what do you need it for?"
"Support for when we plan to take down the dictator Armerion," Annalett said, taking off her hood.
"You're the one who took out Erellion. I had heard there was an effect to the slayer's eye, but didn't believe it. I've also heard you be called Annalett Dragoneye. I'm Brassté at your service. I will lead you to the king persionally." Brassté bowed.
"It'd be an honor"
They were led through the castle to a grand throne room. On the other side of the room, a man about in his forties, sat on a wooden throne, talking to a sqire. The anouncer blew his horn, which echoed around the stone room, and called out.
"King Yoret, a visiter had come. I give you Morcun Firesword and Annalett Dragoneye," he then bowed and walked away.
King Yoret watched seemingly bored as he watched the two walked toward him. He stroked a grey cat that sat on his lap.
"My king," Annalett said, and bowed, Morcun following her lead.
"Yes, what is it? I'm really not into "
"We would like some support... we plan to take down Armerion from the throne of Salerno." Annalett spoke. Yoret nodded, and smiled.
"I was wondering how long until someone would come up and do so." he said, and stood up.
"You can have all the support you want. If you need an army, I'll give it to you." Annalett stepped back, asstonished.
"Really? You'll do anything?"
"Anything! And please, stay awhile. You two look like you had a long journey. Squire Malton will take you to our guest suites. Supper is served at six, see you then," King Yorel said. The squire he had been speaking to earlier came forward and ushered them out. Malton, as the king has said his name was, led Annalett and Morcun through many corridors, and up a few flight of stairs before coming to a hall lined with doors.
"Lady Dragoneye's room is the first one to the left, and Lord Firesword's room is on the right. There's a bell in each of your rooms. If you need anything, just ring." and with a bow, he left.

Annalett entered her room to find a large main room that had the bed, desk, dresser, sidetable, and a few chairs, plus a wardrobe. The bed was made of a naturally white wood, with golden silk sheets, and a fluffy feathered pillow and matress. The desk was of the same wood of the bed, and had paper, a small bottol of ink, and a pen. The dresser was made out of dark wood, and each drawer was an animal. A horse, an eagle, a fish, and a lion. The sidetable had a basin for washing up, and a single drawer that was empty. The wardrobe had the carving of a woman with long hair that had elf knotts, and a dress like vines. Her eye looked that of a rabbit, and jewels and tattoes decorated her face. In her hand was a sword with owls on the hilt. The face was very familiar, then it came to Annalett.
"What is a carving of Cartharin doing on a wardrobe in Raston?" she said to herself. Annalett turned to the window, which faced northwest. The sun was setting, and in the distance, Annalett saw the black shadow of a giant mountain, the tallest she'd ever seen. The sight made her gasp, it was beautiful. After a long time of staring out the window she went off to explore two other rooms that branched off the main room. One was a simple closet, the other a library.

Morcun's was like a mirror image of Annalett's room, only the bed and desk were made of a naturally dark wood. On the wardrobe was a carving of Queen Bentala, but he didn't know that. After cleaning himself with the basin on the sidetable, Morcun changed cloths into black trousers, and a light blue tunic with a brown leather best. He found a comb in one of the dresser drawers, and combed his messy black hair quickly, before going out to the hall to see what Annalett was doing.
He opened the door to see Annalett with a raised fist, ready to knock.
"Hello," she said smiling, and put down her hand. Morcun looked supprised. She wore a black skirt with a crymson blouse, and her hair was down instead of in the usual single braid. And it was brushed.
"Hi. You look beautiful." Annalett blushed.
"Thanks." Just then Malton ran up, looking flushed.
"It is time for supper. Please follow me," he said after bowing, then turned back from whence he came.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 7

King Yorel, Annalett, and Morcun all sat at one end of a long table, in a dining hall with a ceiling that was fifty feet high. Every inch of the walls and ceiling were carved beautifully of animals, elves, men, dwarves, and dragons. One wall, though, had huge beings. It was hard to tell what race they were, but they all crowded around two beings who faced each other, swords crossing each other. Morcun kept glancing at it, and the king noticed this.
"Ah, I see you like the mural of the Gods."
"Gods?"
"Yes, it is our religion, and the religion of the elves and dwarves. The two locked in battle are the highest of high god, and the lowest of low god. Dark and light, battling for eternity for domination. All the others behind them are lesser gods, who each represent something, and created that thing. You didn't know this?" he asked.
"No, rangers don't really celebrate a religion," Morcun replied, then started eating the piece of wild boar he was given.
"Hmm... interesting. How long do you plan to stay?"
"We would like to leave tomorrow, if you don't mind. We still have to go to Tortronte and back, then find an old friend," Annalett said, taking a sip of wine, "And how do you know it's the dwarves' and elves' religion?"
Yorel chuckled, "This castle was originally made by the elves when they ruled most the land more than humans... when humans weren't even alive. No human can make such detailed carvings such as these. And the dwarves, well, they visit regularly since they inhabit an underground city under the Great Mountain. A group had just left when you arrived, too."
For the rest of the evening they talked about that subject, though it was mostly Yorel talking, with Annalett and Morcun asking questions and listening.

The next morning, they set out again, getting a guard escort to the Great River which was the border between Tortrante and Raston. Getting there was easy, it was crossing the river that was hard. the Great River was a mile wide, and about eight feet at it's deepest with strong, fast moving currents. Farther down stream it joined with the smaller Salv River for a few lueages, then split into two rivers again. For a long time Morcun and Annalett came up with ideas on how to cross, then turned them down, and came up with new ideas. Eventually, with a little advise from their escort, that they would follow it upriver, and into the Great Forest were the river came down from the mountain and was smaller.
They rode their horses up along the river, the Great Mountain luming above them. It was the biggest mountain in the land, and the trees were huge two. Even from a distance they looked big. Up close, the trucks were as wide as a horse was long, and ten times as tall as a regular tree. The leaves were as big as a human's head. Eventually the Great River became only a small creak, which was easily crossed on horse-back, though they had trouble since Morcun's horse didn't like to swim.
Finally on the other side they headed straight west toward the Tortrante capital, Sranta. But first they had to cross yet another river. The good thing was that a town along the river called Bortha, was set on both sides, so there were plenty of bringes to get across.

Bortha was a good sized town, with ten-foot walls surrounding it. There were lots of people coming and going through the gate, making it crowded. So the two had to walk, and lead their horses through the crowd so they wouldn't run anyone over. The guards didn't even seem to notice them, and since the west side wasn't as busy as the east, they were able to get to the other side of the river by sunset, and by then the city had calmed down. Though there were plenty of inns, Annalett didn't want to stay, instead they rode all night, and the next day to get to Konville. There they stayed at the 'Drunken Bear Inn'.
They stayed mainly to themselves, not fitting in with the locals, or really wanting to talk with anybody. And the next day set out early toward Stanta. They camped twice at night, and rode by day. On the third day from setting out from Konville, they made it to Sranta, which was more like a castle than a city.

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Ch. 8

As they entered the city, there were many guards, and all where eyeing them suspitiously. Inside was very empty. There were people and guards here and there, but not many, though the people seemed very cheery and friendly, as were the guards. They made their way through the castle-town, asking directions a few times when they seemed lost. "It's a maze in here," Annalett murmered when they passed a smithy for the third time. Just then two riders rode up, both the same age, and with the same color hair and eyes. One of them, a girl, wore a silver circlet around her head, her dress was all purple to match the ribbons in her long brown hair. She rode a black mare, while the rider next to her, a boy, rode a white stallion. The boy had a gold circlet upon his cropped hair. He wore a blue tunic under a purple vest, and dark green, almost black, trousers.
"Look Tresawin, there they are. The two legends we've heard all about. I told you they were coming." the boy said as they rode up behind Annalett and Morcun.
"Alright, you're right, okay? They're probably here to see daddy anway." Tresawin said, and steared her black mare beside Annalett.
"Are you Annalett Dragoneye and Morcun Firesword?" she didn't wait for a reply, "Welcome. I'm Princess Tresawin, and that's my brother, Trepha. Tell me, are you here to see our father, King Thregnar? You two are legends." her brother came up to ride beside her.
"Why yes, we're going to see King Thregnar," Morcun replied.
"We'll take you there! C'mon," Trepha said, spurring his horse to a canter.
"Looks like we won't have trouble getting into the throne room. This is turning out easier than I thought," Annalett comented before urging Mostrien into a canter as well.
On the way there, the princess and prince seemed to race the whole time, going faster and faster, though Annalett and Morcun didn't mind. The faster they got there, the faster they could leave and get all this done with. Finally they came to the gate that led into the castle. A stableboy came and took their horses as they dismounted. The twin royals, as their nickname was when they were together, led them through the castle and into a long, narrow room. On the other side, a man with a grey beard sat on a stone chair, his elbow propped up on the armrest, and his chin leaning on his knuckle. Annalett smiled when she heard him snoring. The life of a king must be so boring, she thought, remembering how bored King Yorel seemed when they first arrived.
"Father! Wake up, you have guests," hissed Tresawin, shacking her father's other elbow. The king sat up with a jolt, and straightened when he saw Annalett and Morcun.
"Yes, yes," he snapped, waving away his daughter, "What be their names."
"Annalett Dragoneye and Morcun Firesword," replied Trepha enthusiastically.
"Firesword? Did you earn that by blood boy?" Tregnar asked, eyes wide.
"Er, yes your majesty. It was my father's name," Morcun said, confused.
"Your Father's name? Then you're the true heir to the throne of Salerno. Firesword is the name of the royal bloodline of that land. I remember reading about it in my studied. You are my prince, you should take down Armerion by all accounts! I plead, no ask, no comand you to slay that false king. Why, he's been king longer than me, and looks twenty years younger than me. Though I can't help you in anyway on your quest, for I'm in a pact with the king of Salerno, as it has been the way of our two lands for a long time." King Thregnar explained, and Morcun stood there, shocked. He looked over at Annalett, who was staring at the marble floor.
"You knew?" he asked, whispering. Annalett nodded.
"The lost real heir to the Salerno throne has been found." The king didn't seem to notice that Annalett seemed shamefaced, and Morcun's suprise...

(chapter to be continued)

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08