Monday, October 20, 2008

Chapter 2.01 - The mother

Krystalia was wondering what she was doing up at such a late hour, the inn still had no customers even after being open for almost two Luna cycles. It was deserted with the exception of herself and her son Kreenon, who she watched walk towards an empty room at the end of the corridor while still holding the strange note that the village oracle had given to him earlier that the day.

As Kreenon nears the empty room, he looks back at his mother with an anxious look on his face replacing his usual carefree one she was so used to seeing. This worried Krystalia greatly and she thought back to what task the oracle had assigned her son, as it was not often the oracle turned up to the gathering of elders; and only did so when something of great importance was about to happen.

The old woman had said that the note held the very survival of everyone within it and was a pathway to a new future, one that would be safe and free from the wars; as well as what was yet to come. It had to be delivered on the fifth candle mark of the new moon by an innocent mind, one that has not yet been tainted by reason or logic and lost its creative imagination.

Krystalia knew the old woman had meant more than just faith or words and that her son was about to be using ancient magicks, which frightened her immensely. Using magicks always had dire consequences and was why only the oracles of each village were allowed such knowledge. The last time Krystalia had seen magicks at work was when her husband tried to save their farm from drought 5 seasons ago, it went wrong and he died the following evening.

Drifting back from her thoughts, Krystalia holds her breath as she hears Kreenon knock on the door to the empty room for a second time and repeats the phrase given to him by the oracle; "Truicidor Alyania Helineed, we require your assistance."

Krystalia closes her eyes praying for the best and gasps in horror at the sight before her when opening them again after hearing a crash from the end of the corridor. A crazed woman with jet black hair down to her shoulders had a sword at her son’s throat. Panicking, Krystalia stood there in a trance too stunned and afraid to move while taking in the scene before her.

The woman was dressed in dusty black leather which seemed to contradict itself and shimmer under the lights in the corridor. However it was her hair that really kept Krystalia rooted to the spot, it was unnatural and blacker than darkness itself. It was the hair of a demon and all that was unholy. She was also armed to the teeth and had what looked like a small folded crossbow strapped to her right leg and a quiver of bolts strapped to the other. Three throwing knives were positioned along her left shoulder and a longbow hung loosely over a quiver of arrows on her back.

Lastly, Krystalia focuses on an empty sword scabbard swinging on the crazed woman’s left hip which helps her overcome her fear and bring her back to her senses; as the missing sword was in the woman’s hand and positioned at her son’s throat ready to kill him. Now finally able to move, Krystalia rushes towards the crazed woman while screaming as loud as she can; “Stop! Don’t hurt him! I beg you!”