Fantasy Excerpt

An excerpt from a fantasy book I'm writing. This is the entire second chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Dane's head was constantly swiveling, eyes always on the move, and the gears in his mind always turning. They were barely five miles out of Iverfell, but everything on the road ahead was new to the young prince and he could not help being cautious. He tapped the hilt of Runadin bound at his waist with the tips of his fingers for comfort.

"Thought that was King Arden's blade..."

Dane looked back at Pelias, who had spoken. "It is, but my father has lent it to me for the journey. He says the magic it beholds will protect me and - if I wield it right - all those in my company."

"Let's hope so," Pelias said, his blue eyes darting to scan the forest. Just talking about the blade brought a sort of enchanting feeling over the young soldier. "But some say it's magic is evil. That it's actually cursed, and that bad things happen when it is drawn in battle."

"Not so," Braxon cut in. "I watched my King Arden slay Raz-Mikai in the Battle of Eden."

"Yes, but Eden was lost, was it not?" Pelias looked slyly at the general.

"Just keep your mouth shut, boy," Braxon grumbled.

"Every man is free to believe what he will," Dane said.

"What do you think, Prince?" Pelias inquired. "Is the sword blessed or cursed?"

"I have never fought anything more than a wolf in battle, Pelias, but common sense tells me it does not matter if the sword is endowed with magical powers; it only matters if the man wielding it has the skill to bring down his opponent - lethally or not."

"You talk like a prince," Pelias laughed. "Do you practice everything you're gonna say before you say it?" Dane chuckled with him, though the others were not as willing to have a laugh at the expense of their prince.

* * *

Later that day, as the company rode along, their bodies swaying to the rhythm set by the clopping of horses hooves, Zuko spoke for the first time since their departure. "Where exactly are we going, Prince?"

Pelias gave a choppy laugh and Braxon looked disgustedly back at Zuko, who rode in the very back. "You're joking?" the general asked.

Zuko did not understand what was going on and looked to Dane for answers. Pelias spoke next, however, "You do know why we are traveling, right?"

“That much I do know,” Zuko said. "It's a very important mission we're on; and my question was serious. When Prince Dane asked me to come along, there wasn't much time for questions. I had to pack my things and say goodbye to Merida."

"Don't worry about it, Zuko," Dane said. "You were courageous to come along when I gave you so little explanation." Dane, who had been riding in front, slowed his horse's pace so he was even with his friend. "We're going south-west to the home of the Woodland Elves - Jalfothrin."

"Elves? For what?"

"The Woodland Elves are the most abundant race on the planet, and their army is vast. We will plead our case to it's king and hope that he will lend us aid in the form of soldiers."

"Who is the king of Jalfothrin?"

"I do not know..." Dane sighed. "Iverfell has been living apart from the rest of the world for too long. We know nothing."

"Do we even know if Jalfothrin is still where it was? Or even if it's as strong as it was?"

"No. And that unnerves me..."

Zuko stared off into the woods, eyes wide and mouth agape in astonishment.

"Does anyone know exactly where we are?" Zuko looked to each of his companions for answers.

"If I'm not mistaken," Pelias began, gesturing at the trees all around him, "we're in the woods."

Zuko did not respond, but Dane held up his hand as he reined in his horse. "It's a valid question," the prince said. He pointed through the thick trees and said, "Look."

From the back, Zuko could not see anything but the thickness of trees, but Braxon said, "Aye...Bren, check the map. I don't know this place. We may have stumbled off-course."

"What is it?" Zuko asked, his voice naturally dropping into a whisper.

"A village is up ahead," Pelias informed him. "One not unlike our own."

"There's nothing on the map, General," Bren said. "We have not strayed from our course. We're still facing directly west."

"Let me see it," Braxon said, holding out a gloved hand, to which the map was passed.

Zuko leaned and tapped Bren on the shoulder. The big man turned in his saddle. "I thought we were supposed to go south-west?"

"We are," Bren replied. "We decided to go due west until we arrived at the Red Crescent Mountains, and then cut directly south until we got to Jalfothrin.”

“Shut up, you two,” Braxon said through clenched teeth, glaring over his shoulder. “There’s a mistake, somewhere.”

“We’re definitely going west. Look at the position of the sun,” Pelias offered. “We haven’t changed directions.”

“Must be the map,” Zuko offered.

“That’s true. It was written before the Battle of Eden, and our people certainly haven’t kept current with the events of the world,” Bren said.

“What should we do?” Dane asked, looking to Braxon for the answer.

Pelias spoke: “Uh...shouldn’t the Prince make that decision?”

“Ah...yes, you’re correct. I say we...” Dane thought, trying to weigh the options. He was inexperienced at making Princely decisions, but eventually he said, “We go to meet them. They may be friendly and offer us aid.”

“Or...it could be a bandit warren,” Pelias added quietly.

Dane heard him. “Even so...If things look unsettling, we ride away as swiftly as possible.”

Just then, a shrill cry pierced their conversation. Bren said, “That was a woman’s cry! Something’s happening!”

“Draw your weapons and let’s ride!” Dane did not hesitate to give that command. The sound of steel sliding out of leather bedding rolled around Zuko, and he glanced around at the men with their blades.

Zuko was about to remind Dane that though he could craft weapons for warriors, he was not one himself; but the prince was already leading the charge toward the uncharted village. Zuko’s horse followed it’s friends, leaping suddenly when it realized it was getting left behind and almost unsaddling the blacksmith’s apprentice.

Darting around and in-between the trees, the five companions broke through the tree line and into the village. There they found squat creatures with muddy-gray skin and orange eyes fighting with Men. A few warriors from both sides were dead and sprawled on the ground, swimming in grass and blood.

Dane urged his horse forward to where one of the monsters had locked swords with a Man. Bringing Runadin down, he slashed across the creatures’ back. Confused about the new arrival of reinforcements, the Man paused. “Fight!” Dane called to him, snap-ping him back to reality.

Dismounting, Dane looked around for his men. Bren was already on foot, three monsters already felled by his double-bladed battleaxe, their bodies lying lifeless at his feet. Braxon was still on horse, charging up and down the wide square in between the village’s four buildings and cutting down foes with each pass.

Dane found Pelias just in time to see him pulled off his frightened horse by two of the monsters. Though slightly younger than Dane, the soldier was able to defeat both creatures before Dane arrived at his side to help. “Are you okay?” Dane asked.

“Fine. Look out!” Pelias shoved Dane to the ground and stabbed with his longsword at an axe-wielding monster. The young knight caught him in the gut, and his foe fell to the ground.

Dane quickly clapped him on the shoulder, and then asked, “Have you seen Zuko?”

“Not since we were in the woods.” With that, Pelias ran off to assist an elderly man struggling with one of the ugly creatures.

Dane found a target of his own, then: the ugliest of the pack, for his nose was misshapen after so many breakings, and he was missing one of his long, pointed ears. Before attacking, the monster snarled at Dane, showing some of his razor-like teeth were missing.

It leaped at him so quickly, the prince barely had time to block it’s sword. Whatever these monster’s were, they were quick, Dane had to admit. He found they were not afraid to fight dirty, either. The monster leaped into the air again and kicked out with both legs, hitting Dane in the chest and sending him backwards into the grass.

Runadin jumped from his hand and landed out of his reach, and his enemy’s attack was relentless. With the monster stabbing downward, Dane rolled away and jumped to his feet. His metal gauntlet saved him from his opponents next swing, and he wrench-ed the foreign sword from his grasp.

The monster tackled him to the ground and began punching him before Dane could use his new weapon. After Dane was stunned, the creature started chomping his sharpened teeth together. Leaning down, he tried to sink his teeth into Dane’s neck. At the last possible moment, it’s head was severed by Braxon’s greatsword, blood spraying Dane’s already-bloody face.

Braxon finally dismounted his horse and offered his hand to Dane, which was taken. “That’s all of them, Prince Dane.” And so it was. The Company had left none of the monster’s alive.

The four warriors of the Company regrouped and began to be greeted by the village's fighters left alive. Praise was given for the Company's help before Zuko finally arrived on the scene, horseless and poignant. Braxon muscled through the villagers and stormed up to Zuko. "Where have you been?"

Zuko sighed as he answered, "I fell off while I was following behind you all..."

"Was the prince so foolish to bring along someone who can-not even stay astride a horse?" Braxon stepped away, for fear he would harm the smith's apprentice.

Pelias gave a humorless laugh, one filled with disbelief, and Bren stood by in silence. Dane said, "Where is your horse now?"

"I don't know," Zuko said, ashamed. "I hoped I would find it here. I'm so sorry, Prince. We had quite a few supplies on that horse."

"He may still return. Horses are smarter than most give credit. Right now, we have other matters to tend to." Dane noticed a wizened man with a flowing snow-white beard and head creep down the steps of the nearest building.

Dane bowed his head respectfully as the man got closer. He had no idea who the man was, but one of the few royal instructions his father had given him was to always treat other leaders with respect. And it was evident this man was in charge here.

"We thank you for your help, sirs," the old man said, though no smile of greeting or bowing of head took place. "Allow me to welcome you and your men inside for some food and drink."

That was an offer Dane and his men were eager to accept.

The dinner offered was not much. Bread, cheese, and mead, along with some fruit that no one seemed to have an appetite for. None in Dane's company complained, however. Coming from a village similar to this one, they all knew how difficult it was some-times to get by. They were all happy to get some mead in their bellies, which warmed them and raised their spirits.

The old man was friendly enough, though he did not attempt to be overly friendly. No doubt the man had seen more years than anyone else in the room, and no longer saw fit to flatter anyone. Though he had his granddaughter - a red-headed girl of about fifteen - bring the food to the table, he quickly dismissed her and throughout the course of the meal he refilled the Company's goblets himself.

Dane said, "Generous host, if I may ask your name..."

"Donnar. And yours?"

"Dane-"

"Prince Dane," Braxon cut in.

"Oh," Donnar said in a voice that eluded the fact he only barely believed the news. "Where do you hail from, Prince?"

"Well, my people currently reside in Iverfell forest, but before that, we came from the great city of Eden."

At that, Donnar's drooping eyes shot open. "This is some news. For nearly twenty years, the entire world has thought the Men of Eden were entirely wiped out." He took a large bite of bread as he pondered the thought.

Dane was not sure how much he should share about their mission, so he continued: "Yes, well...This is General Braxon, seasoned veteran of many campaigns." Braxon bowed his head at Donnar. "That's Bren, seven feet tall, powerful as a buffalo, and fierce as a lion." Bren managed to keep his appearance humble, save a small grin. "Pelias there is a jokester, but when it comes down to it, he holds his own as well as any other."

"Better than some, actually," Pelias smiled. "Remember, I saved your skin no more than an hour ago, Prince-"

"And he's the only one who has the guts to take jabs at a prince." Dane himself grinned. "And that's Zuko. Loyal to me as if I were his brother."

Zuko had not said anything the whole time, and did not break the streak now. He simply inclined his head in thanks to the prince. "Is he mute? I haven't heard him speak one word," Donnar asked.

"Nothing of the sort," Pelias answered. "Usually, you won't get him to shut up."

"Like some I know, " Bren muttered and elbowed his friend.

"Lucky us. We finally have some peace," Braxon answered. "Though, I fear the price was too high for his silence. He managed to lose one of our horses not half a day's ride into our journey." Braxon took a long drink from his goblet and stared into what little mead remained.

"Enough, Braxon," Dane chided calmly.

Donnar was not the least bit interested in their horse tale, however. "What journey?" he asked, peering curiously through squinted eyes.

"Ah, well..." Dane considered making up a lie, but decided against it. He did not want to risk offending the man, which Dane knew would happen because Donnar was much too clever to buy into the tales spun by young princes. Dane was not a good liar, anyway, preferring to be straightforward with everyone.

“You see,” he continued, “I have decided to try and regain Eden for my people. I seek aid from the Woodland Elves of Jalfothrin.”

Donnar’s manner changed in an instant. Though he had not been overly friendly, now he was almost hostile. “That’s a right stupid notion, boy.”

“Your tongue, old man,” Braxon said. “Watch it or I’ll have it.”

Dane ignored Braxon. “What do you mean, Lord Donnar?”

“That’s precisely what I mean. I used to be Lord Donnar, ruling from Bandimere. That is until, demons, drunk on the power gained from their victory over Eden, came and desolated my stead. We weren’t so lucky as the Men of Eden. We couldn’t slip off into the shadows like a whipped dog!”  Spittle from his rant had gather-ed on his lips, and he used his long beard to wipe it off.

“And to this day, they still hunt us!” he continued, voice full of contempt. “You saw it yourselves just outside. It would have been a massacre, if not for you lot. You may have noticed our “warriors” were nothing of the sort. Our true soldiers have all been killed now. The men you saw were farmers, tanners, fishermen - survivors!”

So those were Raz-Mikai’s demon soldiers, Dane thought. He had never seen - nor fought, for that matter - demons before. Braxon must have recognized them from the Battle of Eden, though there had been no time to mention it in the heat of battle, and they had not said anything of the fight during dinner.

“When were you attacked?” Bren asked, stroking the goatee that formed a circle around his mouth.

“Four sad years ago...”

“Four years?” Braxon finally looked up from his liquor. “Eden suffered it’s defeat eighteen years ago, yet you speak as if you had no time to muster an army or gather your defenses! Your insolence will receive no pity from me, old man.”

“Then it is a fine thing I do not seek your comfort, General.” Donnar took a long drink from his own goblet and then slammed it down. He wagged a finger at Braxon and said, “Besides, everyone heard that Raz-Mikai was dead. We had no reason to fear an attack. Which reminds me, it is said that Raz-Mikai was killed at the cost of the lives of every Edenian Man. You’re here, obviously. Does that mean Raz-Mikai himself still lives?”

“That much of the rumors is true. I saw the scum fall, watch-ed his spawn carry his lifeless body away myself.” With that, Braxon refilled his goblet and then downed the alcohol again.

“I hope you’re right,” Donnar said. “That’ll make your journey much, much easier...”

The ominous ambiance  of the room left everyone silent for a long moment. Finally, Pelias rose from his seat on the bench and shuffled to the door, saying, "I'm gonna get some fresh air."

"What news do you have of the world? We Edenians have done poorly staying connected with the rest of the world," Bren said.

"Where else have the demons taken hold of?" Dane asked.

"It's been a while since I've heard anything, but last time I heard, the enemy was making a move against Yorkenfirth," the Lord of Bandimere said, his temper abated for now.

"Yorkenfirth?" Dane repeated. He had never heard of the place, having been born after the Battle of Eden.

"It's another city of Men," Braxon said. "It's good-sized, but was really nothing too marvelous. Not compared to Eden."

"Another city of Men...That seems to be what the demon spawn are focusing on. Do you think there's a reason for that?"

"Who can say? Demon's aren't known for their wisdom. They could just be trying to satisfy their blood-lust and it's just a coincidence that all their targets have been Men."

"That seems too simple an answer. It doesn't sit well with me," Dane grimaced and stroked his lightly-stubbled face.

"It doesn't matter," Braxon said. "We'll wipe them out soon enough, after we wrench Eden from their grubby fingers!"

"I said it before, I'll say it again: You're all fools if you think you stand a chance against the infinite force of Raz-Mikai!" Donnar glowered at all of his guests.

"You forget that Raz-Mikai is the only one who can conjure the demons," Braxon snapped back. "He's dead, and so once we obliterate all of his spawn, they will only remain in the tales of wet nurses and little children!"

"It cannot be that easy. Your whole plan rides on the hope that you can take back Eden. What if you fail to do so? What if you can't find the allies to aid you? And don't think the demons will sit back quietly as you muster your forces. They will catch wind of your doings, and they will react with brutal force!" The old Lord of Bandimere's cheeks were bright red, and spittle clung to his lips and beard. "You will fail. You're quest rides on hope, which is not a sound thing to cling to, believe me."

Braxon was about to shout back a retort, but Dane placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hope is all we have to cling to, Lord," the young prince said. "We did not come here seeking aid or blessing, but if you will give us neither one, the least you can do is let us keep our hope."

With that, Dane stood, and with him all his Company. The prince said, "We will find Pelias and be on our way. We thank you for the meal." They proceeded to the door, gathering their cloaks around them.

"Wait," Donnar said, looking Dane in the eye. "You are a fool, and it is hopeless, but I will not turn you away into the forest at night. You may sleep in our stables, and on the morrow we will present you with a horse to replace the one your man lost."

Dane inclined his head. "Thank you for the honor, Lord Donnar of Bandimere." With that, the Company left the old man's home. Everyone but Braxon was pleased enough to have a roof over their heads. The general would hardly call it an honor.

Author's Note

This was copy/pasted from Microsoft Works. If there are any dashes through words, it's because the margins in that program are different from the editing tools of this website. I have tried to fix them all, but I may have missed a couple. Please disregard those types of errors.