The Destiny (Starter)
Man looked around one last time. No one followed him, no one was there to see him go in. He climbed white stone stairs and was about to knock when the door opened. Girl, who let him in could not be older than sixteen. They all were. Man followed her through numerous halls until they stopped in front of big decorated door. Girl opened the door and let the man in. Door closed as soon as he was inside.
The Hall of the Future looked differently than he was used to. Without all the maids and guards it looked too spacious. Numerous ornaments and murals could barely be seen with most torches out for the night. The Great Seer was not in her usual seat. In fact she was nowhere in the Hall.
“Don't stand there like an idiot, come it” man heads her voice to his left and almost jumped. He wasn't as superstitious as most common folks and knew that Great Seer's power wasn't infinite, but she still terrified him. That was probably the main reason why it took him few moments to recognize tiny old lady in her sleep robes as most powerful woman in the kingdom. Man swallowed and walked to a room he never knew existed. It was only logical that woman of such age would need her private quarters close to the hall but no matter how hard he tried he could not remember that door being there.
“Is it true?” he asked as he entered a small and cozy bedroom. The Great Seer, who's name was mystery even to her maids, was sitting on the edge of the bed. Man looked around and was surprised by the contrast between the Hall and Seer's private quarters. Besides the bed she had a chest for her numerous tunics, wooden table and a chair. Another door in the opposite side of the room was closed.
“Close the door.” her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Man did as he was told. “Of course it's true. I don't fancy summoning members of the Council into my bedroom after dark.”
Head of the Council blushed as he realized how stupid his question was. This was first time in his twenty three years in the Council and most likely the last. He wanted to ask how sure she was but Lord Wellar knew better and let the question die before escaping his mouth. Instead he asked something slightly less dangerous to his life. “When?”
Old woman sighed and closed her eyes. Lord Wellar noticed how old and fragile she looked. No Hall, no temple robes no maids that usually surrounded her like mosquitoes. Just an old woman with more knowledge than was safe for her sanity. She looked to be somewhere in her seventies, but he remembered her looking just the same when he visited the temple as a kid.
“In twenty years.” she said. “New leader was born, he will raise an army and they will cross the mountains, then swallow Enaria like a huge wave. They will take or break everything and turn this place into the wasteland.”
Lord Wellar found himself shaking. “What are we going to do? How will the people react?” he asked, trying his best to sound at least half as brave as he wanted to be. The Great Seer opened her eyes.
“Leave the people to me. I will make sure they know everything they need to know.”
Wellar nodded. If anyone could deliver such news without creating a chaos it would be her. “Then what am I supposed to do?” he asked. The Great Seer looked straight into his eyes making the man shiver.
“Find me a boy...”
*****
When the Great Seer shared her vision with the people there was fear. People were mumbling between themselves, some even shouting their questions and concerns. Old woman wasn't moved, she was expecting worse. Her next sentence silenced the crowd in few seconds. The Gods sent the solution. A boy who was destined to fight and defeat Empire's heir and end the war. She received the name of this blessed kid. Name that every person in the kingdom shall remember.
Gorran the Chosen One didn't look like much. In fact he was skinny six year old boy with messy brown hair who now stood in front of a huge crowd and was trying his best not to puke or faint. The night before a person from the temple came into his house, talked to his parents. Gorran heard all kinds of emotions. He wanted to be in the room and listen to the conversation but couldn't – his baby sister needed him. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on but it made his father very proud. Apparently it was something better than being a tailor's son.
Gorran spent next twenty years training at the temple. Numerous mentors taught him martial arts, history of war and strategy. He was well fed and taken care of by the maids and grew up to be tall and strong. People of the land loved and admired him.
As the date of the war came close he found himself anxious and excited at the same time. He shall lead his forces, fight the prince of the Empire, slay him and then Empire would become part of Enaria.
The day finally came. Gorran, followed by twenty thousand men left the capital and moved towards the mountains. The mountains server as the border between two kingdoms as long as anyone could remember. They were huge and very hard to cross. It was one of the main reasons why relationship between Enaria and Empire was almost non existent. Only the Council knew even most basic facts about the land. Enaria had some soldiers guarding the border but it was known as retirement post.
The Great Seer was right, enemy army had crossed the mountains and was waiting for the local forces to show up. Great battle took place, both armies experienced great number of losses. Enarians pushed the Empire almost all the way back, then, suddenly Gorran fell in battle. An arrow pierced his throat killing the man on the spot. Enarian army lost their leader and fell into chaos, making it an easy victory for the Empire. A month has passed since the battle but enemy soldiers remained in the mountains.
*****
“This is bullshit!” man roared making people from nearby tables look at him. “All I'm asking for is a bed, not a spot in the Council.”
The innkeeper who remained unmoved lifted his head. “At this point you might get more luck with the latter” he said. “All my beds are taken for at least a week.”
“I will pay you double” his client tried again.
Innkeeper stopped rubbing dark red spot on the bar.
“You can bring a bloody chest of gold and my answer will be the same. I already sold all my rooms. There is at least four people in each of them. I even have people sleeping here.” he pointed at numerous bodies laying around the fireplace, only inches between them.
Man in other side of the bar sighed. Part of him wanted to grab one of the bodies, drag it away and take the spot, but the innkeeper was good client of his. One night of warm sleep wasn't worth it. Yes, he was wet, dirty and needed a shave about a month ago but it was the start of gilly season and he had no time to stay put for more than one night. Otherwise he would have simply stayed back in Eltara. “How about the stables?” he tried again.
“No way. Your beasts will scare the hell out of the horses.” Innkeeper found yet another brownish red spot and started rubbing it with a cloth that might have been white few years ago.
“Lhur, please. I am wet and freezing my ass. All I want is to sleep somewhere that isn't a puddle. One night. That's all I’m asking for...”
“And I want a young and beautiful wife who could cook better than I do. Maybe then this place would get some profit.” Lhur answered. He was a man in his late fifties, short and had wide shoulders. All smart hair left his head years ago and now was living on his face in a shape of thick beard. While he didn't look like much one look from those dark brown eyes could freeze any trouble maker in his tracks. He was mostly kind, unless someone was about to damage his beloved inn. Lhur knew that his ale was bad and food could probably be used as a form of torture but he loved the place nonetheless. He felt bad for refusing the man. They had good business relationship for years. This dirty tired mess provided him with best furs and leather Lhur has ever seen. “Look, Tairon. I know it sucks but there is really nothing I can do. I have a fucking lord in my own bed because he found my rooms too small. At least you get to sleep, puddle or not. I will be busting my ass all night, trying to make enough food to feed all of them. If they don't move out fast I will run out of cattle and chicken.”
Tairon was tall man in his late thirties. He had long black hair and could pass for handsome if he would remove bird nest he called the beard. Good with a spear and daggers and almost decent with a crossbow he made his living as a hunter. He was one of last descendants of the Nari clan. For hundreds of years his people lived and hunted in Enarian woods. They were known to never stay in the same spot for too long and lived in close relationship with the nature, hunting only for their survival. Most of them died during a plague sixty years ago.
Apart from their coal black hair and usually tall stature Nari could be easily recognized by a number of animals following them in every step. Every member of the clan would have at least one animal they tamed. Those included hawks, wolfs, lynxes, and other wild animals. Nari used their help for hunting, fighting and other tasks.
Tairon was lucky enough to bond with a hawk that he named Art and a cougar Mira. Cougar was unusual partner even for his kind but Tairon happened to be very lucky. Couple years ago he was hunting at the edge of the mountains and discovered a cub stuck between the rocks. Mother was nowhere to be found so Tairon took a risk and adopted the cub. He spent next six months bonding with the animal. They ate, played and slept together. Now they were inseparable and Mira could understand Tairon from a slightest gesture. They were almost one being.
Since a cougar would scare the crap out of the customers Tairon instructed Mira to stay next to the building. Art found himself a spot under the roof where rain could not reach him and was taking a quick nap.
“I understand” beast master said finally. “I will make a camp outside the town and move up to north tomorrow.”
“You are a fool. You should move as far away from mountains as you can” said one of half drunk customers from nearby table.
Tairon looked at him. “Can't. Must go where my prey is. Have to get as much leather as I can before Empire changes their minds and move their asses down the hills.”
“You don't understand.” Another drunkard joined in. “No one gives a damn about the leather. Everything is lost. We are doomed without Gorran.”
Tairon lifted an eyebrow. “Don't be ridiculous. People will always need leather. Some kid's death won't change that.”
“Gorran wasn't just some kid! He was the Chosen One!” man cried out. “Our only hope...”
Tairon looked at the innkeeper. “I'm going out. Can't listen to this bullshit. If you need anything from the north send a boy to Will's farm. There are few trees on the west side where I can make a less wet camp.”
Lhur nodded and watched his friend leave. The drunk customer tried once again to put some sense into hunter. “We are doomed!”
“Bullish!” Tairon responded without turning back. “Anyone can slay some prince. All you need is a weapon and some balls."
Man looked around one last time. No one followed him, no one was there to see him go in. He climbed white stone stairs and was about to knock when the door opened. Girl, who let him in could not be older than sixteen. They all were. Man followed her through numerous halls until they stopped in front of big decorated door. Girl opened the door and let the man in. Door closed as soon as he was inside.
The Hall of the Future looked differently than he was used to. Without all the maids and guards it looked too spacious. Numerous ornaments and murals could barely be seen with most torches out for the night. The Great Seer was not in her usual seat. In fact she was nowhere in the Hall.
“Don't stand there like an idiot, come it” man heads her voice to his left and almost jumped. He wasn't as superstitious as most common folks and knew that Great Seer's power wasn't infinite, but she still terrified him. That was probably the main reason why it took him few moments to recognize tiny old lady in her sleep robes as most powerful woman in the kingdom. Man swallowed and walked to a room he never knew existed. It was only logical that woman of such age would need her private quarters close to the hall but no matter how hard he tried he could not remember that door being there.
“Is it true?” he asked as he entered a small and cozy bedroom. The Great Seer, who's name was mystery even to her maids, was sitting on the edge of the bed. Man looked around and was surprised by the contrast between the Hall and Seer's private quarters. Besides the bed she had a chest for her numerous tunics, wooden table and a chair. Another door in the opposite side of the room was closed.
“Close the door.” her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Man did as he was told. “Of course it's true. I don't fancy summoning members of the Council into my bedroom after dark.”
Head of the Council blushed as he realized how stupid his question was. This was first time in his twenty three years in the Council and most likely the last. He wanted to ask how sure she was but Lord Wellar knew better and let the question die before escaping his mouth. Instead he asked something slightly less dangerous to his life. “When?”
Old woman sighed and closed her eyes. Lord Wellar noticed how old and fragile she looked. No Hall, no temple robes no maids that usually surrounded her like mosquitoes. Just an old woman with more knowledge than was safe for her sanity. She looked to be somewhere in her seventies, but he remembered her looking just the same when he visited the temple as a kid.
“In twenty years.” she said. “New leader was born, he will raise an army and they will cross the mountains, then swallow Enaria like a huge wave. They will take or break everything and turn this place into the wasteland.”
Lord Wellar found himself shaking. “What are we going to do? How will the people react?” he asked, trying his best to sound at least half as brave as he wanted to be. The Great Seer opened her eyes.
“Leave the people to me. I will make sure they know everything they need to know.”
Wellar nodded. If anyone could deliver such news without creating a chaos it would be her. “Then what am I supposed to do?” he asked. The Great Seer looked straight into his eyes making the man shiver.
“Find me a boy...”
*****
When the Great Seer shared her vision with the people there was fear. People were mumbling between themselves, some even shouting their questions and concerns. Old woman wasn't moved, she was expecting worse. Her next sentence silenced the crowd in few seconds. The Gods sent the solution. A boy who was destined to fight and defeat Empire's heir and end the war. She received the name of this blessed kid. Name that every person in the kingdom shall remember.
Gorran the Chosen One didn't look like much. In fact he was skinny six year old boy with messy brown hair who now stood in front of a huge crowd and was trying his best not to puke or faint. The night before a person from the temple came into his house, talked to his parents. Gorran heard all kinds of emotions. He wanted to be in the room and listen to the conversation but couldn't – his baby sister needed him. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on but it made his father very proud. Apparently it was something better than being a tailor's son.
Gorran spent next twenty years training at the temple. Numerous mentors taught him martial arts, history of war and strategy. He was well fed and taken care of by the maids and grew up to be tall and strong. People of the land loved and admired him.
As the date of the war came close he found himself anxious and excited at the same time. He shall lead his forces, fight the prince of the Empire, slay him and then Empire would become part of Enaria.
The day finally came. Gorran, followed by twenty thousand men left the capital and moved towards the mountains. The mountains server as the border between two kingdoms as long as anyone could remember. They were huge and very hard to cross. It was one of the main reasons why relationship between Enaria and Empire was almost non existent. Only the Council knew even most basic facts about the land. Enaria had some soldiers guarding the border but it was known as retirement post.
The Great Seer was right, enemy army had crossed the mountains and was waiting for the local forces to show up. Great battle took place, both armies experienced great number of losses. Enarians pushed the Empire almost all the way back, then, suddenly Gorran fell in battle. An arrow pierced his throat killing the man on the spot. Enarian army lost their leader and fell into chaos, making it an easy victory for the Empire. A month has passed since the battle but enemy soldiers remained in the mountains.
*****
“This is bullshit!” man roared making people from nearby tables look at him. “All I'm asking for is a bed, not a spot in the Council.”
The innkeeper who remained unmoved lifted his head. “At this point you might get more luck with the latter” he said. “All my beds are taken for at least a week.”
“I will pay you double” his client tried again.
Innkeeper stopped rubbing dark red spot on the bar.
“You can bring a bloody chest of gold and my answer will be the same. I already sold all my rooms. There is at least four people in each of them. I even have people sleeping here.” he pointed at numerous bodies laying around the fireplace, only inches between them.
Man in other side of the bar sighed. Part of him wanted to grab one of the bodies, drag it away and take the spot, but the innkeeper was good client of his. One night of warm sleep wasn't worth it. Yes, he was wet, dirty and needed a shave about a month ago but it was the start of gilly season and he had no time to stay put for more than one night. Otherwise he would have simply stayed back in Eltara. “How about the stables?” he tried again.
“No way. Your beasts will scare the hell out of the horses.” Innkeeper found yet another brownish red spot and started rubbing it with a cloth that might have been white few years ago.
“Lhur, please. I am wet and freezing my ass. All I want is to sleep somewhere that isn't a puddle. One night. That's all I’m asking for...”
“And I want a young and beautiful wife who could cook better than I do. Maybe then this place would get some profit.” Lhur answered. He was a man in his late fifties, short and had wide shoulders. All smart hair left his head years ago and now was living on his face in a shape of thick beard. While he didn't look like much one look from those dark brown eyes could freeze any trouble maker in his tracks. He was mostly kind, unless someone was about to damage his beloved inn. Lhur knew that his ale was bad and food could probably be used as a form of torture but he loved the place nonetheless. He felt bad for refusing the man. They had good business relationship for years. This dirty tired mess provided him with best furs and leather Lhur has ever seen. “Look, Tairon. I know it sucks but there is really nothing I can do. I have a fucking lord in my own bed because he found my rooms too small. At least you get to sleep, puddle or not. I will be busting my ass all night, trying to make enough food to feed all of them. If they don't move out fast I will run out of cattle and chicken.”
Tairon was tall man in his late thirties. He had long black hair and could pass for handsome if he would remove bird nest he called the beard. Good with a spear and daggers and almost decent with a crossbow he made his living as a hunter. He was one of last descendants of the Nari clan. For hundreds of years his people lived and hunted in Enarian woods. They were known to never stay in the same spot for too long and lived in close relationship with the nature, hunting only for their survival. Most of them died during a plague sixty years ago.
Apart from their coal black hair and usually tall stature Nari could be easily recognized by a number of animals following them in every step. Every member of the clan would have at least one animal they tamed. Those included hawks, wolfs, lynxes, and other wild animals. Nari used their help for hunting, fighting and other tasks.
Tairon was lucky enough to bond with a hawk that he named Art and a cougar Mira. Cougar was unusual partner even for his kind but Tairon happened to be very lucky. Couple years ago he was hunting at the edge of the mountains and discovered a cub stuck between the rocks. Mother was nowhere to be found so Tairon took a risk and adopted the cub. He spent next six months bonding with the animal. They ate, played and slept together. Now they were inseparable and Mira could understand Tairon from a slightest gesture. They were almost one being.
Since a cougar would scare the crap out of the customers Tairon instructed Mira to stay next to the building. Art found himself a spot under the roof where rain could not reach him and was taking a quick nap.
“I understand” beast master said finally. “I will make a camp outside the town and move up to north tomorrow.”
“You are a fool. You should move as far away from mountains as you can” said one of half drunk customers from nearby table.
Tairon looked at him. “Can't. Must go where my prey is. Have to get as much leather as I can before Empire changes their minds and move their asses down the hills.”
“You don't understand.” Another drunkard joined in. “No one gives a damn about the leather. Everything is lost. We are doomed without Gorran.”
Tairon lifted an eyebrow. “Don't be ridiculous. People will always need leather. Some kid's death won't change that.”
“Gorran wasn't just some kid! He was the Chosen One!” man cried out. “Our only hope...”
Tairon looked at the innkeeper. “I'm going out. Can't listen to this bullshit. If you need anything from the north send a boy to Will's farm. There are few trees on the west side where I can make a less wet camp.”
Lhur nodded and watched his friend leave. The drunk customer tried once again to put some sense into hunter. “We are doomed!”
“Bullish!” Tairon responded without turning back. “Anyone can slay some prince. All you need is a weapon and some balls."