• The Journey for Rilldom
    By Bryce Kime Chapter 1
    It was a cold winter day like so many before, with the frigid wind chilling those who dared to venture out to the bone. Today however, something would happen and today would be different. For many years, a former knight in service of the royalty of Rilldom, Dalig had been training a young child that he had found in the woods during his exodus. He had named the child Raezu by rearranging the letters in azure, which was the color of the child’s hair. He had never seen a person with hair of such an unnatural hue, but then again, he didn’t really spend much time looking at people’s hair, so he didn’t worry about it. After a revolution took place in Rilldom and the throne was stolen by defilers of the once noble and great city. This is why Dalig was in those woods leaving the town where he had spent his life in faithful service to the kind and noble royal family. But after the revolution, he would not swear allegiance to those who desecrated the throne he had long kneeled before. Vengeance was his greatest thought. It sat in the back of his head constantly growing and creating plans. His only desire was to slay those who mercilessly slaughtered his teacher, the knight who had raised him, the same wretched souls who flogged, beaten, and imprisoned his liege. So he left the town as an exile, forbidden from the town he no longer cared for. It was on his grand exit that he found the boy and decided not to let him fall into the hands of the city’s cruel new ruler. So he had built an impromptu shelter for the first few months while making a well concealed cabin, and after a few months of incessant work he had built a cabin that would have been the envy of many peasants, and some knights. The decade had been long and grueling at first, while Dalig learned the patterns of the movement of the animals around him. Then he could hunt them, and he and his adopted son could have meat again. They had been living in that cabin for almost a decade now and Dalig estimated that his now grown apprentice was 17. He could not believe that he had already spent almost ten years training this child in the ways of the knight as well as in tactics and stealth. It was on this day that Dalig decided that he would get his vengeance by descending upon the traitor who now had the throne and crown of his former liege and who had ended his former way of life. He had decided this because he finally realized that his child was now independent and ready to live alone if he should not return. His revenge could finally be gotten. He knew that now was the time for him to return as the savior of the town and to restore the royal family to the throne.
    Since Raezu had already gone out scavenging for the day, Dalig decided to leave without telling him. It would be easier this way. He knew Raezu would want to come along. He would not lose his child to those who took his life. He left the cabin and trudged through a large snowdrift into the withering winter winds. He had put his old battle armor on again, for he wanted to be recognized. Though it had not seen use in almost nine years it still shone as brightly as the sparkle in the eye of a maiden looking into the eyes of her love. This was due to his meticulous attention to its cleanliness, as well as the fact that it was one of his punishments when Raezu misbehaved. He had known this day would come, and he wanted his armor to be ready. He somberly snuck his way through the snow-blanketed, frozen terrain, with his face stern and with the look of a man who had taken part in countless battles and defeated as many men, but had lost his last and felt like he had lost who he was. The weather worsened as he began his long trek towards the town of Rilldom. He paused for he noticed the faint sound of crunching snow, as if someone was attempting to sneak up on him in the snow. He suddenly realized that the sound was coming from behind him and he dove quickly into the snow. Looking up he realized that it was Raezu and that he had just dodged a snowball. Dalig rose up with the speed of a hawk and the strength of a lion and commenced hunting his “assailant” in the frozen forest. But Raezu, who was not in heavy steel armor, managed to stay just out of reach for a while, and eventually slipped out of Dalig’s line of sight. Dalig now had a generous heap of snow in his hand and he was preparing his cannonball sized snowball. He then found Raezu’s tracks and followed them until he felt something cold trickle down his back. He turned around, and saw no ling thing in sight, and he looked up. There was Raezu, with his canteen opened slowly dripping water down. With a sweeping motion as smooth as silk, the likes of which Raezu had never seen Dalig execute, Dalig’s fist bore into the tree like a juggernaut shattering part of the trees massive trunk and launching shards of wood in all directions. The force of the punch shook the tree with such ferocity the Raezu fell to the ground still in awe at the power behind the attack. There was a satisfying crunch as the snow crunched under Raezu, cushioning his landing. Raezu began immediately lobbing what snowballs he had left at Dalig with the precision of a sniper and the force of a woodsman, aiming for Dalig’s face in hopes that Dalig would surrender this game. Unfortunately for Raezu, Dalig just lunged for him, snatched his canteen from him, and tackled him to the ground, hitting like a battering ram. He then smacked Raezu on the back of the head.
    “Crap. Did you just mow me down to smack the back of my head? I was following you, but you noticed, so I started a snowball fight. I was going to slip back away until you forgot about me, and then follow you even farther. By the way, why are you out here? Are you going somewhere? Can I go with you?” Raezu asked, confused to find Dalig this far from the cabin without giving him a reason.
    “You have to stay at the cabin, to ensure that it is there when I return. I would be greatly disheartened to return to nothing after my task is complete. I trust you to defend it exceedingly well with the skill and precision of your technique. My mission of redemption is going to be demanding and dangerous. The slightest misstep could mean the warrior’s final end. I do not want you exposed to such violence. I have raised you as a pacifist, and a pacifist would do well to stay far from what I am going to do. I have seen the carnage of battle and come out stronger than before. My body has withstood the raging tempest of war and arisen re-forged with such power that many knights were scared to approach. None grew in battle as I did. It was my life, defending my country, but then that day happened. I must right the wrongs that occurred while I was off at war,” Dalig explained with the strength of many men.
    Raezu was quick to jump back to the conversation, “But… but… but you have trained me to be a master of the sword for countless years. How can you still believe that I will be easily captured? Besides, you said yourself I have great skill and should defend the cabin. I am going with you, and that is final. Besides, you raised me and as your successor, I must accompany you on your quest for whatever you called it. Besides, if it weren’t for those punks I could have been courting a fair maiden by now.”
    Dalig walked, ignoring his young ward, and Raezu waited and tried to follow him sneakily. After realizing that the child would not obey him he turned to him and said, “You will listen to me. You owe me that much. If I had not been out here, then you would have probably died in these woods as a baby. So obey me or this may be the parting of our paths. You are good now, but if you practice a little more to refine your technique, you could be great, maybe even close to my skill. I refuse to let you sacrifice yourself at such a young age. Too many of those who show potential throw their lives away even though they could have lived to be a member of the king’s elite guards.”
    “But I’ve never seen civilization,” Raezu whined.
    “Fine, I will point you in the direction of town, but you will go there without me, and then return to the cabin,” Dalig said, pointing at the cabin. Raezu did not notice this and began running. Upon realizing his mistake he charged back at Dalig who was headed in the other direction. Raezu quickly passed Dalig due to the difference in weight that they were carrying.
    “Yay! I get to meet some girls!” Raezu exclaimed.
    “Just remember the proper process of courting one. Also remember that you can not take her back to the cabin for security reasons. If the false king knew about our home he would send countless soldiers to take it. And if you get into trouble I am not bailing you out. I will wait until nightfall to enter the village, so that we are not seen together. It is safer for you this way,” Dalig explained. Dalig then found a tree and began to rest and save his energy for that night, for they could now see the town in the distance. Dalig began to wonder what Raezu would be like if he had as much wisdom as he did energy. Dalig eventually fell asleep and woke up to find that it was night. He looked around, and noticed no guards standing at the town gates. This was unusual, for when he was a guard there were always people watching the town gate at night. However, he decided to enter the town anyways. He approached with the utmost caution and alertness. He also began to wonder how Raezu was doing, but decided that this was not the time for such thoughts. He had one goal and that was to strike down those who had deposed his former liege.
    As he stalked through the town where he had lived much of his life, he saw how different everything had truly become. It was as if he had gone to the wrong town. Where the royal farm had once been there were now a bunch of stands were merchants could peddle silly trinkets for outrageous prices that only the rich could afford. He was amazed at the sheer lack of guards even within the town’s limits. He then went to where the forge used to be. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the sign saying that it was a bakery. The town seemed altogether too calm and relaxed. He wondered where all of the guards were. He expected guards to approach him, and maybe even attack him, but none were even out or about. There wasn’t even a knight who fell asleep while he was on night patrol. This was all very odd. He finally began to approach the castle, his eyes thoroughly scrutinizing everything in sight. There were no signs of people even being in town. He thought that he was either incredibly lucky, or about to fall into one of the strangest traps he had ever witnessed. He stopped where he was, and examined everything in sight to the best of his ability and decided that he must be very lucky, so he opened the castle’s door with extreme caution.
    As he opened the door, a voice echoing down the hallway proclaiming, “Halt! Who dares enter the castle at night?” By the tone of the person’s voice, one could tell they meant to sound forceful, but Dalig felt no fear as he continued down the hallway.
    “Halt! Identify yourself as a knight or a citizen and prove you lack foul intentions or your life shall be mine for the taking,” The voice demanded.
    “No, it is you who should halt, for to draw blades against a swordsman of my caliber would be very foolish of you,” Dalig retorted.
    “What? How dare you defy a member of Rilldom’s Royal Guards. For that alone you shall die, innocent or not. For you have made the mistake of threatening Tarsek, the “Knight Elite” of Lord Grell’s Honor Guard. Prepare to taste steel as your final meal,” Tarsek threatened.
    Dalig was quick to respond to such rampant denial of his skill, saying, “If you draw your sword it will be you who is making a reservation to dine with his ancestors this cold heartless night. I must right this injustice and end this frauds reign.”
    “Do you wish for death? Making such insulting statements are merely death wishes against us. I demand that you identify yourself,” Tarsek demanded as the rage in his voice grew wildly.
    “If you require my name before you save your own life, then fine, it shall be so. I am Sir Dalig, a man who wore the armor of the Knight Elite of Sarve before you had touched, let alone wielded a blade. I was recognized as best in the lands of Marinius when I was but half the man I am now. I have seen more wars in my time than an adulterer has seen women. Now, I give you your final reprieve from dishonor and ask you to leave and speak nothing of this or must I shatter your image as Knight Elite and sever the threads of life which bind you to this existence. So, what shall it be, an unknown dodging of battle, or the final unsheathing of a sword by your hand?” Dalig stated authoritatively. Upon saying this, Dalig also gripped the handle of his sword, preparing himself for the violent option. He had been a Knight Elite, and knew that this man’s duty was to protect the castle at all costs. Tarsek was now capable of seeing who it was he had threatened, and realized that these threats held much promise. Terror entered his eyes. Noticing this terror, Dalig sensed that this man was not truly of the position he claimed to be of, or that he should not have been given such an honorable title if he was so weak. Tarsek’s expression grew scared, yet stern as he realized that Dalig was the man his parents told him stories of when he was a boy.
    Tarsek began to draw his sword, and as he did so he said, “I am sorry Sir Dalig, knight of the former kingdom, but it is my duty to stop you from trespassing within Grell’s castle. And with this word I draw my sword so that I may fight a true warrior, an opportunity I may never see again. May your sword fly swiftly as we clash this night.” The polish on Tarsek’s sword glistened in the candle-lit hallway. It looked as though it had never seen battle.
    With a swift movement Dalig got within reach of Tarsek and drew his sword, which was sharpened to the point that its mere unsheathing made the wind scream in agony. Tarsek was quick to realize the wear on Dalig’s blade, proof that he had at least fought many battles. Dalig was ready to defend himself, but wished not to spill unnecessary blood, especially not that of the young. He stood stoically, awaiting Tarsek to make the first move. Tarsek had not yet moved to strike, he was just standing there, half-paralyzed in fear of the fact that he now stood with his sword drawn against his childhood hero. Dalig suddenly feinted like he was going to leap out and strike down Tarsek. As instinct, Tarsek actually swung downward at Dalig. However, this strike did not succeed at doing anything for Tarsek, while Dalig had now gotten a firm grip on Tarsek’s sword arm with his free hand. Seeing his chance to shorten the fight, Dalig broke the knight’s wrist with a loud snapping noise. Tarsek’s sword fell quickly to the ground as he screamed in agony. Then, in an act of rage and vengeance, he swept his foot around and struck Dalig in the back of the leg, yet he did not fall. Dalig then kicked Tarsek in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Dalig then approached the fallen knight and raised his sword high above himself, and brought the hilt crashing down upon his foe’s head. Tarsek would not let this be the end however, so he attempted to punch him with his good hand. Dalig caught the gauntlet and crushed it with his hand, surely slicing Tarsek's hand and trapping it inside the gauntlet. He had now become useless as a knight. Tarsek’s injuries would not allow him to fight, and the blow to his head was beginning to affect him.
    As thoughts of mercy entered Dalig’s head he said, “Tarsek, I shall let you live today because you are young and foolish, but never again shall you get this chance. You may give up the fight now, and I shall let you live. Leave this town, and find a doctor. Do not return to this man’s loyalty, or you may soon end up dead.”
    The nearly unconscious Tarsek found what little strength he had left and mustered it to say, “It is my duty to defend this castle. You know I cannot simply walk out on it. I have pledged on my honor to defend the man who leads this castle. It was once your duty, but you have forsaken it. If you had stayed, maybe things would have been different.” The young knight began an attempt to stand, yet found himself too weak. He tried again, and still the strength was not there.
    At this point, Dalig could see he merely wished to keep his honor as a loyal guard. In order to protect Tarsek’s honor, he stuck Tarsek in the head again, this time leaving him unconscious and barely breathing. He would live, but it would be long before he would awake. Dalig then wondered why nobody had come to investigate all of the commotion that had risen from their battle. This made him feel a little uneasy, so on his guard yet again, he began to explore the castle that he had once sworn to protect.