The Sacred Woods of Silvernarion (Book 1)

Bored Warrior

A giant ogre and two robbed wizards lay sprawled around the motionless masked warrior. He stands staring at the announcer who looks in shock at his easy wins. The huge crowd chants Silver King as the announcer hesitates before speaking.

“Do you not wish to rest mighty warrior,” he manages to say before a slight movement is seen by the silver masked warrior.

He wipes the blood off his scimitar on the head of the ogres face before looking up to stare at the announcer annoyed.

“You have five challengers left father and you will be the new bandit king,” his son telepatetically says.

“Good! I grow bored of what these ordain surface dwellers call entertainment,” Ald’Seran replies.

“It seems your father will easily be the new bandit king at this rate,” Altium Graycloud says sitting comfortably excited to watch the ancient arts of combat.

Sald’Morack only grunts at the old wizard from behind his gargoyle mask. If only he wouldn’t have to show the old human any of his skills in the darks arts of magic. He doesn’t trust the human. As a matter of fact he doesn’t trust any of the surface dwellers. Their very lifestyles and thinking disgusts him. Once his father becomes the leader of these lesser folks he will have his tower constructed and become isolated to them.

“Soon your father will become bandit king,” Altium Graycloud repeats not sure if Sald’Morack heard.

The young dark elfin magician scowls.

“I heard old man,” he replies roughly before looking back at his father standing motionless in the middle of the arena.

The spectators scream and holler for the announcement of the next challenger. A group of beastmen enter the arena cautiously as they try to move the huge ogre with much effort. Two other beastmen struggle to drag the ogres huge spiked club as two more throw over the skinny dead wizards over their shoulders and limp out of the arena. The crowd begins to complain at the long pause.

“Excuse me for the interruption, but I hear this warrior is yours to command,” says a small man in brown robes.

His face is unshaven as he reveals a perfect set of gold teeth. Altium pays no mind as he sits back and watches Ald’Seran stand patiently for his next challenger. The small man sits next to Altium staring in the same direction as most of the crowd does hoping that the announcer will stop offering the motionless warrior to take a rest.

“It seems he has managed to defeat four challengers in one day. I bring message from Morash our future bandit king who has been waiting for over a cyclone to challenge someone worthy. He seeks an audience from your special warrior,” the small man says snobbishly.

“Tell Morash that the only audience he will receive is on the battlefield,” Altium replies quickly looking at the pathetic messenger.

The small man looks awkwardly at the gargolyle masked man before standing. He then turns and walks away quickly. Altium Graycloud looks at Sald-Morack expressionless before looking back at the last beastman finally clearing the arenas ground.

“Beast and burdens, rogues and cutthroats, witches and warlocks. As you see the Silver King remains on the battlefield ready to challenge our next contender. She is no stranger in our arena as she has defeated many of the most feared warriors of our time. Her fighting style cannot be compared to any. What is she no one knows? Is she a sorceress, or a demon, or perhaps a beast of burden? Her spells bring shivers up your spine. Welcome back Medusa!” the announcer screams with pride above the rumbling crowd.

The gates open as a leather skinned woman with piercing red eyes slithers into the arena. Snakes from her head hiss loudly as she charges towards Ald-Seran. She scowls at the motionless masked warrior and takes a bow from her shoulder to place three arrows in it. The crowd cheers louder then ever as Altium stands up looking at the magnificent challenger.

“This will indeed be a challenge,” he says as Sald’Morack looks amused at the beast.

“If anything Ald’Seran should never look at the dangerous beasts red piercing eyes. They will turn him to stone,” Altium mentions briefly.

The arrows sizzles in the sky as the dark elfin warrior falls to the ground instantly faster then most can follow. The arrows whizzes pass to hit a fat rogue in the crowd. He looks shocked at the arrows sink deep into his body. Blood oozes out of his mouth before slumping over. The crowd shows no concern as they continue to scream in joy at the special event. Ald’Seran quickly jumps to his feet and runs quickly towards the dangerous creature. She waves her hands wasting no time and hisses loudly. Snakes appear around her. She then points at the dark elf as they slither quickly towards him. They spit and bite as he jumps aside avoiding to be barely bitten by a king cobra.

Picking up speed the dark warrior runs as quickly as he ever has and jumps high into the sky facing the beasts face in mid air. The beast surprised stares into the eyes of the masked figure suddenly. Ald’Seran tries to look away to only be hypnotized by them. With much effort he stabs the beast in the heart as she screams an eerie sound making most in the crowd to cover their ears. Ald’Seran falls to the ground landing on his knee.

The snakes slither away uninterested in attacking the dark elf. Ald’Seran breathes hard feeling weak. He looks at his arm, which slowly turn to stone and begin to cover his body. He screams in pain for the first time as he watches himself turn to stone. Eventually he is coverd in rock. The crowd stops cheering as they see Medusa motionless slumped on the ground and the masked dark elf kneeling covered in rock.

“We have no winner in this challenge!” the announcer screams.

He smiles relieved that the masked warrior has been defeated. Never has he been threatened in his long cyclones as an announcer. The very idea of having his head stuck on a pole in front of the arena’s entrance gives chills up his spine.

The air grows thin for Ald’Seran as Altium silently casts a spell to reverse the effects of it. He knows that if he is caught helping it would cost his life as many eyes fortunately look at the announcer, which adds hope of not noticing his intentions. Sald’Morack stands up ready to jump down into the arena as Altium grabs his sleeve assuring him everything will be alright.

The solid stone around Ald’Seran begins to crack before it bursts into many small pieces and fall around the warrior. He then slumps over on the ground gasping for air almost ripping off his gargoyle mask to unravel his disguise, but remembers not to. The announcer looks shocked at the reversal of the spell as the masked warrior slowly gets up with much effort.

“This cannot be. He is not to survive this spell. No one is!” the announcer screams as the crowd looks in awe at the event.

Two beastmen enter the arena and escort the Silver King out. The crowd once again cheers and chants the name of the masked warrior. The announcer curls his lips and leaves his emporium ending the battles for the day.

Sald’Morack worried expression changes as he looks at Altium behind his mask pleased to know that the surface dweller saved his father’s life. Altium smiles faintly as he acknowledges the young dark elf’s appreciation before looking back at the beastmen escorting Ald’Seran out.

Morash champion of the arena snorts loudly and pushes a spectator out of the way before leaving his seat from on top of the arena stands. He knows that his final battle will be with this mysterious elvin warrior one day.

Chapter 20 The Power of Deceipt - http://mingle2.com/topic/show/229620