Prologue : The Once grand kingdoms.

Prologue Part 1 : The Banderban's

My grandfather Broer the grey wolf once told me,"Great men don't seek glory rather they wait for it to come to them", and these words I took deeply as I grew up and I remembered them deeply when he died at the age of 2000 years. I had never seen anything other than the huts around me, the same leak tree timber wood houses, same loin clothed Brawling warriors and the same wooden hall structure representing my home. But in a few years my life changed for the better. 

200 years earlier 

1500 AG The small Banderban town of Hunderland in the middle of the branderban grassland

Nork the watchmen would have looked up when the prince entered the gate to Hunderland but as usual he was asleep. Every guardsman in charge of the front wall was asleep at this point due to the lack of activity that occurs at this time. Owls made their typical noise in the distance and the wind gently rustled the grass in front of the wall. All was silent and calm and not a thing ruined the silence. Nork was not a branderban rather he was a *Ferrowside and in his 4000 years of life he had not seen one instance of conflict occur in all of the Branderban grasslands, especially in Hunderland which was in the middle of Branderban. Had the city been more to the north closer to the border with Honderling land he would have been awake and alert, but as the town was so far inland it was not possible for any army to reach them.

Suddenly Nork was shacken awake. The old Ferrowside barely had time to take it in before he was staring into the blue eyes of Prince Harlein. Nork groaned, he was not happy to have been woken up, especially since he was in the middle of a deep sleep, but he would never say that to the princes face. Harlein's white furred wolf face smiled and he said,"There is the great Ferrowside we know and love, the great Nork, sleeping on the job". Harlein then broke out into laughter and Nork, who was fully awake and annoyed at this point, positioned his black fox face up and with anger stuttered,"Well you would be asleep also if you had to watch the front gate, with no activity, especially when it is the middle of the night my lord." Harlein had stopped laughing his brown robes were neatened and he smiled again, Nork was his guardian when he was a young las 1900 years ago, now he was a old Bradenban of 2000 years and his friends humour still humoured him. Harlein said,"I grow old with every passing, but you still remain as fit and young as you did when I was a young las my friend." Nork noticed the humour jab and get up beating his brown armour pads and brown tunic and said,"I am not that young my lord, I am 4000 years old, you seem to forget that us Ferrowsides are mortal as well". 

Harlein was impressed with his friends new found knowledge and chuckled a bit and took out a smoking pipe, offering Nork one which he accepted gladely and smoked a few bits. After blowing a circle in the sky Harlein stated,"You are only half mortal Nork, have you not forgotten the elf bit you have in your soul, that allows you to enter the Forbidden corner, I cannot enter that region. Nork blew a circle and answered,"Have you lost a bit of knowledge through your pipe blowing my friend, in the archive chapters of the Four beings it states non species on this earth are immortal, even the elves in the forest are not immortal, we only have a distance spirit from yours. Harlein took off his brown hood revealing his white fox ears and the scar across his face, he sat down next to Nork and said,"Rather it provides you with longer life my friend, you are double my age now and are still a fine man, I am only 2000 and I am old and grey". Nork chuckled his monocle on his right eye gleamed in the moonlight and he answered,"Longer life does not mean a happier existence my friend, look at the birds, the owls and the foxes in the night, they live a average of 20 years and they are as happy as the centre of Hunderland, you mustn't think of your short life as a curse my friend".

Harlein smiled, his friend always cheered him up and he said,"But imagine what I could do with 4000 years, I could ride to the Braug mountains, swim with the Spearlings and learn double the amount of knowledge I know now, it feels too short,". Nork smiled at his friend, knowing his antics, and answered,"But aren't the mortal men on the lakes in the north just as prosperous, they live only 100 years, but have grown a empire that rivals ours my lord,". Harlein continued to smoke his pipe his white hands firmly on his brown pipe. Harlien awnsered,"The one creature that will never be rivaled is the Ferrowside, they are the wise foxes, they are the men who protect and they are the ones with enlasting knwoledge, it seems that tale might be true. The two old friends laughed at that joke and suddenly the climate of the night changed. Nork looked through his one brown eye at his friend, his black fox face was grim,"You didn't come here for pipe smoking and merry talk, my lord, now tell me why you are really here" he asked. Harlein's smiling face turned grim, he knew he couldn't hold information from his friend, that was the interesting fact of the Ferrowside, they always knew what you wanted to say.

Harlein straightened up and said slowly,"Our time has come to a end Nork, the glory of the Brandenbans is dead, only five grand cities remain in the plains of a once grand empire and we are a shadow of our former glory. The birds and the owls who once filled the valley are being replaced by fowl nightheals and spiders. The land is becomming grey and brocken. Nothing grows along the border, nothing lives. Spectors flood the Harrowlands, hauting ruins of once grand cities. FIre bursts out of the Draugen pit. The Brawlings who once filled our cities with food, hide in their forests. They care not about our existance, they only care about maintaining their area. The Braugs look upon us as lesser beings when they once rose to defend our lands. We are on our own and I fear a dark being is comming for us. The being rises from the Draugen pits and sends forth horrible orcs and Honderlings who thrive in slaughter and destruction. They roam in the darkness waiting to cut down any living creature. They destroy the land that was once dear replacing it with machines of destruction." 

As he heard this Nork was shocked for words eventually Nork responded,"You sound sure of yourself my lord, why is it?". Harlein threw a large sword at his friend's feet and it shrieked with a high shrill that echoed throughout the valley. Nork covered his fox ears and eventually the shriek stopped and Nork gasped,"That's the blade of the demon king Harkatan, the monster of Draugenland, the being who cut down thousands,". Nork stood up and pulled his friend close,"But you know the story about the Battle of the Hottentops, it's not possible", he stuttered. Harlein spoke slowly,"I do know that story, 20 000 years ago at the end of the before Glorious years a being rose from the pits of Draugendag. He lead armies of orcs across the three kingdoms slaying everything in site. But at Hottentops hills in the tip of the Brandenberg lands a army of Braugs, Brawlings, Brandenbans, Ferrowsides, Elves, Dwarves, Spearlings and men stood to destroy him. My great great grandfather and your grandfather Harlein of the five Bradenbans and Blacken the black fox stood against this threat. After many deaths and blood stains on the walls we were going to win but the being rose from the pits. He cut down everything in front of him and faced my great great grandfather who stood and cut threw his body. But it was not enough and once swipe and Harlein exploded. Blacken stood up to face him and with his blade Electair he fought valiantlyand he cut the blade in half and cut the beings head off. The blade exploded in the dust".

"Sir Nork?", a young Brandenban Guard asked, the entire town had been awoken by the blast. Nork looked at the young guardsman with surprise and then realised that the shriek probably was heard as far as the Braug highlands. Nork said,"Sergant Jalanda please take the prince to his bedchamber I am going to analyse the blade". The prince followed the young guard and Nork picked up the blade.

A few miles ahead outside of Hunderland.

A orc scout pulled up in front of the camp. He said to the main guardsman,"The Ferrowside has fallen for our fake sword trap, he will be occupied in the dungeons while the remaining guards are leaderless. The guardsman smiled and smirked,"I will be sure to inform Gulai, we are going to give them a death filled night to remember, ready the forces and remember cut down every thing in that town, we are going to destroy the Hunderland men if it is the last thing we do". The orc smiled and ran inside the camp.

The orc ran inside to a black hut in the middle of the camp, inside was a Brawling, a small black furred one with brown loins on. He was smiling happily. The orc didn't like the Brawling due to the old hatred that existed between the two races but at that moment large steps were heard from outside and a large green orc with a cut black loin and black armour pads entered. His name was lord Gulai of the Northern orcs and he had a hatred for the Brandebans, but today he was smiling, beacuse he knew something glorious was going to occur. The orc stated,"Lord Gulai of the Northern orcs the Ferrowside scarpatu is in the dungeons right now. His rastkat guards are weak and pathetic without them. I suggest we attack now. The tall orc smiled and said in orcish,"U ga taka, hata grund asta mund", which translates to we shall attack at dawn when the Wolfs are fed. The small orc nodded and ran outside. The tall orc then sat on the black chair next to the Brawling and conversed to him in Brawladage,"So if it isn't the traitor of the Furred kind, tell me why do you betray your brothers like this, us orcs have a reason to attack them, but why you. You are a Brawling, the Bradenbans have defended you for years, why betray them?

The black fox smiled got up and removed the black fur on his face revealing a hideous scar on his right side. In small words he said,"I have no allegiance to the Brandenban Harelians, my kind has lived in the forest for years, toiling the land and being seen as savages, it is time we rose up against them and showed them who the masters of the land are", the orc smiled a hideous scar on his lower lip and whispered,"Tas tu ka ta la epta dun", the fox smiled.

Back in Hunderland on the forward walls

A guardsman's nose started sniffing rapidly, Gerlain next to him stuttered,"What's wrong my friend?". The guardsman stated,"Orcs, 40 miles to the north, they plan to attack our town, inform Nork immediately." The guard understood and ran to the dungeon.

Meanwhile in the dungeon

Nork thoughts where confused this was not a demon blade rather it was a typical blade and at that point he touched the area where the shriek spark was located and realised he had been tricked when a guard knocked on his door Nork got up quickly and opened it. Gerlain,"We are about to be attacked infrom the.." it was all the wolf could say before a thundersound erupted and a boulder knocked him backwards, Nork barely escaped the crash as the dungeon wall fell down,"This is it,"Nork thought,"We are being attacked". Nork ran up the steps to the forward wall and a horrible sight was seen, two thousand orcs were rushing to the forward walls. Nork reacted quickly and shouted,"All men prepare the orcs of Honderling are preparing to attack we must defend the Bradenban city." The orcs got closer and Nork panicked he rushed to the archers who were ready. Nork lifted his hand in the air and shouted,"Archers to the ready", the archers lifted their bows. Nork shouted,"Aim", the archers aimed their arrows to the field. Nork shouted,"Fire", and a volley of a thousand arrows flew over the front wall and on the ground many orcs fell dead, but it wasn't enough and the orcs continued to approach the wall. Nork rushed to the front wall, aimed his bow and released a arrow which landed in the throat of a black orc readying a ladder. The orc fell to the ground dead. A soldier shouted,"They are bringing ladders up the wall, we must..." a orc jumped over the wall and slashed the soldiers brown wolf head off he fell to the ground dead. Nork rushed forward with his gold sword and stabbed the orc in his broken and tattered cloths on his body aiming for his black heart. Black blood flowed on Norks face as the orc screamed, blood frothed in his mouth and his body fell off the sword  lifeless. The battle continued with more orcs climbing on the wars. Ferrowside general Gerhain a blue eyed, grey furred warrior ran down the walls with the Ferrowside guard.

Many orcish screams were heard as the guard cut down the orcs in the hundreds. As Gerhain approached his friend he stuttered,"The orcs have overrun the east walls, many soldiers are dying my friend the battle looks lost". At this point Nork held his friends hand and wisphered,"We are Ferrowsides, we will not abandon the Brandenbans at their time of need my friend. A orc rushed at Gerhain but he swun around and cut the orcs head off. Nork's nose sniffed,"Wait Gerhain I smell something, not Orcs but something furred". Gerhain was confused,"What is it", he inquired. Nork stated," it smells like the fur of Brawlings". Then suddenly the horn of the Brawling echoed across the valley and Norks heart sank. Gerhain looked over the edge and stated,"By the light of Jelain it's a Brawling army!". But all Nork did was shake his head in frustration,"Tonight the Brawlings did something that no being should ever have done, they have betrayed the Fur clan". Gerhain,"But we cannot attack them Nork we.." Nork stopped him and stated,"We cannot attack them if they accept our protection, but when they reject it then the pledge falls, furred or not the Brawlings are attacking their brothers and we must attack in unision".

 But today he felt that was going to change."Lord Chankalan of the sixth branderban clan what brings you here at this late time, I thought you were supposed to be in the Spearling town of Meadowling?". Chankalan was the last of the Branderban kings to still be alive and his kingdom was the final renmant of the Branderban kingdom a once grand land lost to war and time."My friend we don't have much time left, you know the Honderings are going to attack us, you know we are the last kingdom of the Brawlings, we must prepare to evacuate the village,". Nork was in disbelief the village contained 2000 people and evacuation would be impossible,"But my lord...", Nork began before a fiery rock smashed into the garrison knocking him off his feet. Nork awoke ten minutes later to rock smashing and screams as he got up one of his soldiers rushed towards him,"Sir Honderings are bombarding the village, we cannot hold them back, we must evacuate the infant prince". Nork was confused at this statement,"What of the king the prince, shouldn't we evacuate them first"?. The soldier was silent for a few minutes before he said,"The king and his heirs but the boy are dead, he is the last Branderban left". Nork knew the soldiers was correct,"But where do we evacuate him to?", the soldier stopped then stated,"The Brawling kingdom," Nork couldn't fathom what he was saying,"Are you mad training our prince to be like a bushman I cannot allow it", the soldier then stated,"It's either raise him there or the Branderbans die," Nork knew in his heart he was correct.

End notes :

Branderban : A race of humanoid wolfs who live in the centre of the Braen grassland in a region known as the Branderban platau. They were famous for once ruling the entire Braen region before they lost the land due to war and destruction. Lived a average of 2000 years

Honderlings : A race of black orcish jackals who destroy everything in there path, Honderling is Branderban for death demons. Commonly lived in filth ridden villages and engaged in acts of cannibalism and pillaging in the Westernmost region of Braen known as Na Ha Da, Ferrowside for land of the dead. Due to the nature of creation they don't have a known lifespan.

Ferrowsides : A race of elvinoid foxes who once inhabited the Southern region of Braen known as Nuderhand before a race known as the Draer destroyed their kingdom. Commonly lived much longer than Branderbans and are more intelligent and wise. Lived a average of 5000 years

Brawlings : Race of humanoid black foxes who inhabit the easternmost portion of Braen known as Brawling land. They lived in tribal huts, wore lions, practiced traditional techniques and were close allies with the Ferrowsides. Commonly lived a few years shorter than a Ferrowside and many years longer than the Branderbans. Lived a average of 3500 years.

Spearlings : Race of Croccodilian humanoids who lived in the northern portion of Braem known as Spearlaged. They were gentle people who favoured swimming in the ocean over fighting wars. Commonly lived a average of 3000 years

Prologue part 2 : The Ferrowsides

I once learned of a race of wise foxes. They were taller, had blue eyes and had white fur. They lived in the southern portion of Braem known as Nuderhand. They lead a grand civilization, but all things unfortunately must come to a end.

300 years ago

1400 AG Hunterland the capital of Banderban.

"Father?," said Eirhen,"Is there a reason why people are different?". Hondering smiled and knelt in front of his son,"In the beginning there was a great man, he looked upon the world and thought it was empty,"."Why?", Eirhen inquired. Hondering continued,"Cause the world was empty and dark, but with a swish of his hand he made creatures". Hondering put his hand on his sons arms,"The creatures were placed in many portions of the world, some like the Brawlings adapted to the wood plains becoming foxes, some like the Braugs needed wings to fly to their cities so they grew wings, others like the Spearling's grew gills and learned to swim." Eirhen laughed,"That's insane father." Hondering was quiet and he talked in a serious tone,"Remember son the world is a beautiful place of diverse men, people who fail to realise the beauty in diversity die in the mud like the Honderings, people who embrace this new found glory become like the Ferrowsides." Eirhen asked,"Who are they father"? Hondering smiled and began,"They are a grand race much wiser than us who live in the southern portion of Braem. They were wise men who lived in prosperity never failing to help anyone in trouble. Do you know what they got in return for their goodwill?"."What", Eirhen asked. Hondering continued,"They received longer life for recognition of everything around them and they protected it forever". Nork walked in the room." And some continue to protect it to this day", Hondering ended," Hello Nork I was telling the young lad a story". "It was glorious," Eirhen shouted. "That's right Eirhen now run along daddy has to talk to Nork I will continue the story later." As Eirhen left the room the atmosphere changed.

Nork with anticipation stated,"If you are hoping to stall the inevitable I hope you are doing this for the benefit of the boy, not the benefit of the kingdom". Hondering got up and faced his Ferrowside friend stating ,"I care not for the kingdom anymore as it is destroyed, there is nothing left for me to care about anymore, we lost all of it!". In rage Hondering smashed a vase to the floor and as the pieces shattered in front of him he knelt down and teared. Hondering pleaded,"Why must we suffer so much death in this world Nork, why can't we live in peace and harmony with everyone." Nork understood what the king mean't and knelt down with him and stated,"We are not the commanders of our destiny rather followers, men who follow the distant light until one day we grab it pulling us out of the darkness of hell." Chankalan knew his wise friend was correct and got up and sat in a chair stating,"It is too much for me Nork, I am starting to loose hope, the Hondering's are too powerful they have destroyed all our land East of here, and the Braugs have taken our land to the West, we have been boxed in to a region so tiny and thing we cannot hope to outlast them, I worry not for myself but for the women and children who are dying in the streets, I hear their screams Nork from my palace room, it's just not fair". Chankalan got up rushed to his patio door and slammed it open as he looked out to the world beyond. Nork walked behind him and was awed by the beautiful sight he saw. Woodland creatures roaming the trees outside the City walls, streams of blue water flowing down a rocky valley in the north, the sights of sparrows and birds flying around him and the clean sparkle of the city in front, it was like a dream world.

Reviews

[AshlynnStyx]

Its clean and crisp,catches your attention from the beginning and holds it. Its unique.