《Monolith》


 Prologue: A Forest Inflames

    On the darkest night during the last of the Month of Scorching Suns an enormous fire laid claim to the Ancient Forest of Talia in Lothren, a beautiful hidden region nestled deep in the heart of the remote Banner Islands. The Lord Regent of Aerendel, Reid Aerys, rode in on his mare to investigate.


    The great Lothren forests were littered with old, thick trees that have always stood. Many of these ancient trees were red cedars as tall as the eye could see.These trees were stripped bark-less in innate patterns along the trunks, with often unreadable symbols carved along them, spiraling around the trunks.


    The Ancient Forest of Talia was one of the sacred sites of the Lunarei; nocturnal hunters native to the Banner Islands. It was an ancestral forest marked with hieroglyphs from their ancestors.


    Reid rode for three hours on his black horse towards the thick smoke that rose into the red afternoon sky.


    He wore a large tattered cloak, dyed as if it had been soaked in the reddest of wines, complete with a large hood that obscured his face.


    The black bear fur trim around then neck of the cloak veiled the scars around his pale neck.


    His old armour was crafted from silver, etched and smithed with techniques unknown to local blacksmiths in the Islands.


    Along his side hung a large leather scabbard. In it his famous white sword; Snow, an old claymore forged from white steel with its unusual name etched into the hilt.


    His claymore reached a man''s full arm in length but was light enough to be held as if it was a mere short sword. Few swordsmen could claim they have ever held a sword forged from White Cressan Steel; masterforged blades so rare that highborn men campaigned wars over them, and sons kinslayed for them. Witches told tales of the White Steels seductive, possessive powers over men. Curses that drove men into madness.


    The smoke and ashes of the flaming cedar forest rose high in the air. Back and forth the ashes of Talia spiraled up into the air, carried off by the strong winds rolling down from the Sacred Mountain.


    His mare galloped at a steady pace, entering the smoldering forest''s main path that he had only once traveled before. This dusty unkempt path led him to the heart of the forest. Reid¡¯s dark shoulder length hair began to singe as he drew closer to the mighty flames.


    One by one the trees began to light up.


    The fire grew wild, feeding off of the dry moongrass that covered the forest floors like a thick blanket and the abundance of fallen cedar branches and leaves created a thick heavy smoke. The old forest burned as the flames grew sevenfold in size, claiming the reach of the ancient forest as its own.


    "Gods, help us," Reid exhaled, as he watched the fire steadily grow out of control around him.


    He coughed heavily from the thick smoke.  Blinding light from the immense flames pierced through silhouetting the thousands of charred and naked, smoldering cedar trees. Everything from the lush moongrass to the lower travelling wildlife was engulfed by the great fire.


    "There is no saving this land. We must travel home with haste, Sarsa." He muttered to his mare, stroking her course mane. Reid coughed heavily, inhaling smoke with every drawing breath.


    A silhouette of a young girl came into Reid¡¯s sight. She approached his position, covered in smoke and flames.


    Reid and his horse stood upon a path of unlit moongrass and heated dirt, untainted by the burning coals and embers and burning tree trunks surrounding them. She must of heard the sounds of his heavy coughs and dry wheezing, he thought.


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    The young girl cried out in a low moan. Each slow step she took sizzled in the fire like water extinguishing smoldering coals. She drew closer and closer to Reid and his mare.


    A loud shriek wailed from behind the girl; the sounds of a creature burning alive. The girl, frightened, looked back. In shock, she turned to look at Reid, and hastily drew steps faster towards him.


    Reid put his hand around the hilt of his sword. He paused, staring at the girl while she rushed towards him.


    "I can¡­" He muttered. "I can¡¯t slay you."


    Reid felt as if he should strike her down, and end the suffering of burning alive. Reid drew his sword from his sheath.


    "Gods, what would you have me do?" he whispered out loud to himself.


    It would be an easier death, he thought, but he knew he couldn''t cut down a little girl- not again, he was no longer a knight under orders. If she could walk, then she could survive, he thought. Reid sheathed his sword and took his hand off of the hilt, extending it towards the girl.


    The girl approached with caution, frightened by the dangerous looking man. She wasn''t screaming from the fire lingering on her and smoldering coals that she crossed. It intrigued him.


    The young girl just stood, staring into his squinting bloodshot eyes from below. Reid violently coughed with each drawing breath. Her eyes were a mesmerizing blue.


    The girl was stark naked and covered in peeling, and charred, cooked skin. Lingering flames flickered, dancing along her seared slender body. Her singed hair covered most of her face, obscuring it.


    The smell of burning hair and seared flesh could be smelt among the harsh cedar smoke and fire of the great flames. This girl was something extraordinary, he thought. She walked, stumbling, but walked no less.


    Her hair mostly remained. She should be dead or near death but approaches me still, he thought. A moan of pain can be heard from her but she should bellow much louder. She should cry in agony.


    The young girl grabbed hold of Reid''s callused, rough hand that he held out extended towards her. Reid held her hand tight.


    Her palm was as soft as a newborn''s touch. Reid pulled her up onto his mare, sitting her facing forward in front of him. Reid pulled his heavy tattered red cloak off, and held it in front of her, offering it.


    "Take this." He spoke with a gruff, raspy voice, "Wrap yourself up tight."


    The girl grabbed hold of the hefty cloak, and quickly wrapped it around her naked body, covering herself whilst extinguishing the lingering flames surrounding her damaged body.


    Reid looked at the girl sitting in front of him in awe.


    The girl''s pale porcelain skin was covered in painful blisters, dark redness, and peeling, scorching burns.


    The wild fire steadily approached his position, growing in size with every tree that took to the flames.


    The grass surrounding the hooves of his mare became sieged by the great fire. The old leather lining on his silver steel chest plate became singed at the tips and edges, snapping loose.


    The hairs of his short black scruffy beard lit like candle wicks, burning his face and stinging his cheeks and chin before dousing into a speck of smoke.


    "Go on- Get!" he commanded, gently prodding his mare to move.


    We will ride north towards Aerendel. Londor Bay was only a short journey from there. She would be safe there, he thought. Londor Bay was a small port settlement with only several resident houses. She would have ample time to recover in his care.

 Reid Aerys: A New Home

    The first of the Month of Falling Stars has always been as cold as a naked swim in the chilling waters of Londor Bay. During these shivering days residents of Londor Bay looked most forward to their moments at the end of day in the warm steamed lake when the sun lowered behind the trees and mountains and lanterns were oiled and lit.


    Reid Aerys soaked with his wife Ariel Everlith; a gorgeous young woman and mother of three of his children. She leaned against Reid alone in the steamed lake; a natural hot spring, which served as a social spot in Londor Bay for bathing and relaxation, a unique location to let worries fade and cleanse.


    Ariel peered into Reid''s eyes whom seemed distracted, lost in thought. Reid could tell that she knew something was wrong.


    "I saw our youngest, Hailey, near the cellar doors again," Ariel moved in closer to Reid, "Does it worry you, dear?" she questioned, pressing up against his muscular chest.


    Reid turned his head away and stroked his cleanly shaven face.


    "No," he replied, "When they are ready for such questions I will have answers."


    "If not that, then what? What worries you?" she asked, "Why are you so cold and sullen?"


    He had received terrible news and wanted nothing more than to leave it, but he knew he would have to tell her.


    "I received a white dove- from the City of White," he answered, staring into Ariel''s bright blue eyes.


    ''You have? I haven''t heard of such a dove,'' she replied.


    "Our House already has enough problems. The Lunarei knock against our thin walls. They want nothing more than to try me for that great fire- and hang me."


    ''You did nothing but save a girl that night. They will not break the peace bond, and they will not try you. Now, what has you so sullen? What words did the dove bring?"


    "I was the only one from our settlements seen that night. The Lunarei do not believe me."


    "What did the letter say, Reid?" Ariel questioned impatiently.


    "The Lunarei Nightriders saw me pull Amelie out of the fire, and followed me through the flames to Cape Aerendel." Reid looked down at Ariel, admiring her naked figure, "There will be blood spilt over that fire, and I won''t be here for it," he admitted.


    Shocked, Ariel stood up with an confused expression. The steam from the heated water permeated through the brisk air of the night- creating a mist obscuring Reid''s view of his naked wife. Reid glanced upwards to make eye contact.


    "You''re leaving?" she shrieked with a fierce look in her eyes. Reid playfully flinched, expecting her to tap him on the chest.


    Reid quickly gestured her to quiet down by placing his finger over her lips.


    "You''re leaving?" she repeated in a hushed tone, "what news did the dove bring?"


    "My father, Lord Rickton...," Reid paused, "The maids found him dead- just lying there on the floor in his chambers," Reid embraced his wife, "It was during the second moon, three nights ago. Why would it take the High Court three days to send word for me? The entire situation strikes me as strange," he questioned.


    "I can''t believe he is dead. Did it say what happened to the man? Was he murdered?" spoke an expression-less Ariel.


    "It isn''t known. The Servants of the Red still do not know what happened. It makes me sick envisioning the blood magic that they''ll perform on him. They''ll find out the cause of death surely though."


    "What about his role? They will need a replacement from Aerendel to represent us, won''t they?"


    "They''ve summoned me as his heir, to replace him as Lord of Aerendel in Sansora. They''ve sent a ship to escort me to the bloody White City. It''s probably a few days out still."


    "To Sansora... You won''t last a moment amongst the Cranes.  You''re not that breed of man, Reid. You''ve got to decline. Your place is here. With us. With House Aerys and the children."


    "I''ll decline the title and return, sweet wife."


    Reid stroked Ariel''s smooth arms, comforting her. It felt like a silk cloth against his callused hands.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story."You can''t forget I once was born from such a place. Was it not for my great grandfather founding Aerendel and raising me aboard sailing ships, I would still be amongst those Cranes," Reid replied, standing up out of the hot bath.


    Ariel surveyed his fit naked body, and pressed her hands against the many scars that marked his chest, "But I will miss you," she spoke softly with a smile.


    "I will miss you, love of my life," spoke Reid as he leaned down to give his wife a kiss.


    "Will you take on my surname? Before I leave? Will you become Ariel Aerys for me?"


    "Of course, my dear. I will do anything for you. I will tell father that it will be done. I will no longer be Ariel Everlith, if that is what you want," she confirmed, kissing, and biting his lower lip, "I will be an Aerys for you."


    Reid''s smile reached from ear to ear. House Everlith was a proud family, and her proud father refused to allow Ariel to take on Reid''s surname. He had waited many years for the moment that she would display his banners instead of her own.


    Reid turned his head over to the sound of approaching footsteps. Reid bent over, reaching down to the dry stone floor. He grabbed for his sword under the heap of linen towels and bathing cloths. Reid passed a towel from the floor swiftly to his naked wife, revealing Reid''s sword and clothes beneath it.


    From out of the forest brush appeared three of their young children, Raimes, Mia and Hailey.


    "You''re bloody naked, Father," spoke Reid''s eldest son, Raimes Aerys.


    "What did you expect coming to a hot bath? To find your parents dressed in workwear chopping lumber?"


    "Avert your eyes, Mia. No one wants to see their father in the raw," giggled Hailey, the youngest of his daughters, who held Mia''s eyes shut with her hands.


    "The red ribboned letter, we found it, Father. Did you plan on telling us?" Raimes questioned.


    "Were you in my chambers? You know you''re not allowed," tested Reid, unwilling to confess the news.


    "Tell them, Reid. They''ve got the right to know," explained Ariel, as she wrapped herself up in a bathing towel.


    "The royal letter from Sansora. Is it true?" questioned Mia.


    Reid sighed, and nodded his head.


    "I was just discussing it with your mother," Reid chimed in, "I''ve been summoned to Sansora by the King''s orders."


    "To the City of Blades?" Raimes shook his head in disbelief, "I''ve heard stories, nightmarish ones about that place. And it''s true then- our grandfather has passed away?"


    "Grandfather''s dead?" spouted Hailey, who was unaware of the letter and easily upset.


    Mia removed Hailey''s hands from over her covered eyes, "Was he murdered?"


    Hailey''s cheerful expression dropped and her hazel eyes began to water.


    "Yes, that''s what was written in the King''s letter. I''m not sure if it was murder- it isn''t known." Reid paused in thought for a brief moment, "I don''t want to go, and I don''t want that position. But, it would shame our family if I did not return the King''s letter in person. A royal ship has already been sent for me."


    "What''s your plan then?" Raimes stepped forward, "Do you plan to decline the role of Lord of Aerendel in front of the King? Slaying a drake in the deep sea would be easier... The role can''t just be left empty. Are you going to appoint someone else as Lord of Aerendel? Who can be trusted with that sort of power?"


    "You have many questions, son." smiled Reid, "I could trust you with that power, Raimes."


    "Not to sound ungrateful, father, but fuck no," chuckled Raimes, "I wouldn''t last a second as Lord of Aerendel. All the gold and gorgeous Sansoran women- that would be excellent, but keeping my head attached to its body is far better."


    "Well, there are a few loyal faces in these parts still. Not everyone will cave from the gold and sell out our fish and lumber. I''ll find the proper man before the ship docks in our harbour," explained Reid.

 Hailey Aerys: A Flicker of Light

    Hailey Aerys held her practice bow tightly in her small hands. She aimed at the bull''s eye hanging on the old red cedar tree outside of Aerys Manor.


    "I''ve got you this time," she mumbled to herself, as she pinched the soft feathers of the readied arrow between her fingers against the left side of her bow. Hailey closed her right eye and took a deep breath.


    Hailey was the youngest of Reid Aerys'' children. She was a very shy girl in public but energetic and fiesty with her family.


    Hailey was a very petite young girl with very long wavy light-brown hair that covered most of her face, and hung down past her elbows. ''Have you ever had a hair cut?'' Everyone would ask her as if it had never been said. She had, but not many. And never were the barbers allowed to shorten it. Her unordinarily long hair was her pride and joy.


    Hailey''s long hair hid her big round ears, and covered her two eyes that slightly differed in colour; on the left was an eye of hazel, while on the right was an eye of bright green. Under her veil of hair were freckles sprinkled across her face and a little gap separated her crooked smile. She was very insecure about many things and her hair comforted her and protected her from the world around her.


    Hailey released her arrow from the bow and fired at the bull''s eye- missing the target completely.


    "Fuck," Hailey sighed.


    Her arrow had disappeared into the brush and out of sight.


    "Like this, Hailey," spoke her older sister Mia, "You''ve got to hold the arrow like this."


    Mia Aerys was a pretty girl. She had a kind and caring heart, though. Hailey wished she had Mia''s perfect features; her nice smile, her captivating pale blue eyes, with her silky blonde hair that she wore in a stylish low ponytail.


    Hailey''s hair was rarely brushed and always messy. Her sister Mia looked abnormally pretty. It was as if she was born from out of the silk stone sculpture of an ancient goddess, Hailey thought, like as if an old statue was to crumble and fall away she would emerge from within it.


    Mia held her arrow against the right side of her bow. Mia took a deep breath, holding it.


    Releasing her readied arrow Mia skillfully pierced the bull''s eye in the center circle.


    Her sister was also a skillful archer. She held her supply of arrows in her draw hand while firing her bow. It was a strange but impressive technique. Most preferred using a quiver to store arrows around their back or sides. Mia preferred them on hand for faster shots accompanied with her superb accuracy.


    Mia was far faster at hitting her targets than Raimes was, and far more accurate than her father Reid was. But, Mia''s perfect shot didn''t impress Hailey. Mia had practiced on the same target for weeks and knew that she could hit the center target.


    "Bull''s eye!" Mia announced clapping excitedly with a big smile.


    "Show off," mumbled Hailey as she reached for another arrow in her quiver.


    "Amazing shot," Hailey''s eldest brother Raimes congratulated Mia, patting her on the back. "Both eyes open as well. I wish I had a shot like that."


    Their father Reid Aerys nodded his head in approval as he walked by into Aerys Manor with a smile.


    "See that, Mia. Father noticed your shot. He''s probably real proud of yeah," whispered Raimes.


    "You think?" Mia smiled, blushing.


    Hailey shook her head and examined her empty quiver. Mia always seemed to get all of the attention. Only Mum really paid attention to me, thought Hailey. Mum didn''t seem to like Mia at all, in that matter.


    With her last arrow off in the brush she knew she had to venture into the forest.


    Without the notice of her siblings, Hailey snatched the lit oil lantern hanging on a hook against the stone wall that she leaned against and snuck off into the brush of the woods, stepped along the soft dirt of the forest floor. Her feet sunk into the loose dirt leaving a visible trail of little shoe prints.


    ''How far did it go?'' She wondered, clearing branches from out of her way with her hands.


    Her frilly blue gown caught against the finger-like branches of the woods and scrapping against her bare arms and thin stockings covering her legs.


    A glowing illuminating light moved along the forest floor, ducking in and out under tangled tree roots and forest weeds and shrubs. It was like a flickering candle. Perhaps a firefly without wings or dandelion wisp, she thought. She chased after it but with each step it moved along further.


    Hailey stumbled and tripped over the many obstacles in her path. Her foot caught a wireroot peaking from out of the soft dirt. Her lantern had shattered as it hit a hard chunk of dirt and rock, leaving her in darkness.


    Hailey turned around. She had wandered further than she had thought.


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    She spun around.


    The flickering light had disappeared and left her in the dark of the woods alone.


    "Shit," she mumbled, accidentally cutting herself on the broken glass.


    ''Which way was it?'' She thought while wiping the small streak of blood on her blue gown.


    A small tear rolled down Hailey''s cheek as she sobbed, lost in the dark.


    "Eh, you lost?" spoke a feminine voice in her ear.


    "Who''s there?" Hailey questioned, wiping her eyes and glancing at the silhouette of thin trees surrounding her that all appeared much the same.


    Hailey noticed the flickering of a light once again. It illuminated the forest around her. Once again she could see.


    She peered over her shoulder.


    A very, very miniature being stood on her shoulder pointing up at her.


    The being was the height of one of Hailey''s tiny fingers and an aura around it illuminated like a lit candle. Hailey gently picked the being up by its clothes with her two fingers and held her up in front of her eyes.


    "What are you?" Hailey questioned with her jaw wide open.


    "My name is Evie. Evie Brightloom."


    Evie was a miniature girl dressed in strange attire. She looked human but with very large blue eyes and blonde hair that floated by itself in the mystical aura of light shining off of her. She must of been a gatherer of sorts as she had several berries in a cloth satchel. She carried a twig spear with a sharp blade at the tip for a weapon. Even though she was very small she looked to be of twenty years of age, thought Hailey.


    "But, what are you? Like a pixie of sorts?" questioned Hailey as she placed Evie down on her lap.


    Evie held up a juicy red salmon berry from her satchel and took small bite into it. The berry itself was bigger than her tiny head. She chewed away happily while looking up at the enormous Hailey.


    "With your big feet we could reach the Spiral Tree in no time," Evie suggested.


    "What''s that?"


    "My home, my colony," she answered with her mouth full, just chewing away.


    "I can''t go any further into the woods. I''ve got to find my way home."


    Hailey ruffled through a napsack tied to her side and pulled out an empty bottle with a cork top.


    "What''s that for?" questioned Evie, who dropped her berry and armed herself with her spear.


    "I''ve got to show you to my friends," answered Hailey, popping the top off of the bottle.


    Evie darted off of Hailey''s lap and leaped onto the dirt below in a panic.


    Hailey effortlessly scooped Evie up off of the dirt and dropped her into the open bottle, then sealed it with the cork top.


    "I''ll let you out once we get back home," assured Hailey.


    Hailey held the bottle tightly. It illuminated the forest and allowed her to see. She looked down at the shoe imprints along the soft dirt floor and followed her steps back towards the recognizable paths of the forest. Evie''s light had saved Hailey.


    Emerging from the forest brush the exhausted Hailey recharged with excitement. She had to show her sister Mia what she had found. Her sister jumped, spooked by Hailey''s abrupt appearance and loud noises in the brush. She had been quietly widdling a piece of wood into the shape of a doll in the backyard of the manor.


    "You''ve got to look at this!" Hailey barked excitedly.


    "Were you just in the forest?" questioned Mia with a strange look, "You know we''re not suppose to go in there."


    Hailey opened her napsack and pulled out the bottle.


    "Nevermind that, look here!"


    "Aye, it''s an empty bottle," Mia stared at Hailey, tilting her head with a confused expression.


    "Shit, she got out!" sighed a frustrated Hailey, "Be back in a moment."


    Hailey darted into Aerys Manor. Her dirt-covered shoes marked the polished halls. Looking at the mess Hailey pulled the buckles from off of her shoes and kicked them off at the entrance and darted into her room, slamming the door.


    ''You''ve got to be in the napsack somewhere,'' she thought. Hailey frantically emptied the contents of her napsack on the bedroom floor. She could feel what she thought was Evie''s movements along her arms but the thought of it made her hairs stand and her head itch. It reminded her of the feeling of a spider down her shirt.


    Evie peaked out from the top of Hailey''s gown, "You looking for me?"


    Evie slid down her gown and landed on the bedroom floor. She darted and gracefully dived under the small opening from where Hailey''s bed stood up off of the floor.


    "Come back! I just wanted to show you to my friends," she whimpered, sitting on the floor.


    Evie watched from safely as Hailey sat on the floor sobbing.

 Reid Aerys: Fresh Faces

    The strong ocean winds blew against Reid, pulling and tugging at the hefty red cloak that hung over his shoulders and across his back. The black bear fur trim around the neck of the cloak was drenched in rain and salt water. Reid pressed his chilling hands against his ringing ears. The cold winds numbed and filled his ears with the sounds of crashing cold blue waves against the wooden dock and rocks that surrounded the harbour of Londor Bay.


    Reid stared off at the fleet of galleon ships approaching in the far distance. They carried new families and lone settlers on the move to new possible futures in the rural coast. He scouted for flags and banners marking them part of the King''s Fleet. He wasn''t ready to leave.


    "It''s fucking cold out here," shouted Trevos Allant, an old friend and fisherman.


    Reid turned, surprised to see another at the docks on such a stormy morning. Trevos Allant approached from behind and tapped him on the shoulder with a firm fist.


    "It is, isn''t it?" Reid smiled, "You''ve come to welcome the fresh faces, have you?"


    "Fuck no," he smirked, "just checkin'' what you''re doing. I feel sorry for the shits that come here looking for a brighter future. It shows how bad off they had it before, you know?"


    "Aye. But we''ve got proper houses for them here. We''ll give ''em rights to their lands. I can''t imagine living on the mainland. Not under Sansoran laws."


    "And the fucking Dem''i," Trevos drunkenly shouted, as he poked Reid in the middle of his steel chest plate, "Those giant fucks. It''s why I moved. It''s why everyone moves here. None of them are going to come and drag my ass away from here."


    Trevos Allant reeked of fermented ales and wine. His long black beard was braided at the tip with old silver hairs lining his long unkempt black hair.


    Trevos was a burly man in his late forties who had worked hard his entire life fishing the Sansoran seas, and now had moved on to fishing the Aerendellian seas. Reid stared at his drunk comrade. Such a lifestyle left him drunk during his time on land, spending as much gold as he could before going off shore for weeks and months unsure if he would return.


    "Trevos," Reid interrupted, "How often do you use that old sword strapped to your side."


    "What''d you mean?" replied Trevos as he drew his rusted longsword from his scabbard.


    "I''m looking for capable men to guard these walls if I ever leave. I want to know Londor Bay will be safe in my absence."


    "That''s why you''re fucking here. One of these ships is for you, ain''t it?" Trevos stared at Reid''s pale grey eyes.


    "Tell the King to fuck off if he''s called upon you to do some of his dumb shit. He''s a crazy kook anyways. Stares off into a mirror all day, I hear", he added, "Either vain or stupid."


    Trevos reached into his satchel and pulled out a flask, "I''d be stupid too if I had a Dem''i near my chambers," he continued rambling on, while trying to finish the last drop of his ale.


    Trevos'' flask was decorated; engraved with drawings of the Spirits of the Deep. Reid decided to try and steer the conversation into a lighter matter.


    "That''s an excellent jug of ale. I''ve never seen one with such well done carvings. Those are each of the Sea Spirits, right?"


    "Aye, I''ve got two of ''em. Pretty much the same work on both," he replied, admiring his work. "Not much to do on deck when the fish aren''t there."


    "Beautiful pair of jugs you''ve got, Trevos," Reid laughed.


    "Talking about my fat tits now? Thanks, you bloody islander," he smiled, "Yeah, they are nice. It is known. And if you''ve got to know- they''re also my ladies. They''re what I''ve got when I leave home. Lissa, the Scaled Maiden, is my personal girl. See on the back side," Trevos flipped the flask around to show a carving of a young girl, "No Lady of the Deep is as hot as her."


    The two men cackled with laughter.


    "Yeah, if you''re into a woman with fish-scaled tits," Reid joked.


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    "When you''re away from land as long as I am, you would be, Reid. You fucking go with what you get out there. When I touch shores... I''ll mount anything that has tits. Scaled or not," he howled, leaning over laughing.


    A woman of short stature walked towards the two giggling men. Her leather boots sunk into a deep puddle of filthy water, splashing the men. The two men looked over at her and down at the pothole-filled paths that Londor Bay called roads.


    "What has you two laughing so hard?" chimed in Bree of Umberlith, a short girl in her late twenties with braided wild red hair and an odd single pointed ear on the left side of her head.


    "Speaking of mounting, you ever get on that horse, Bree?" laughed the drunken Trevos, "last I saw was you stepping on top of the stable boy- reaching for your saddle."


    "Oh, shut it," she smiled. "I get it. I''m bloody short, you salty drunkard. At least I''m not talking to my Lord about courting fish-girls."


    "More than courting, my lady," chimed in Trevos with a wink.


    "Here to greet the fresh faces, Lady Bree?" questioned Reid with a grin.


    "Oh, come on, Reid. I can see you''re holding back a laugh. You two are worse than toddlers. And no, Trevos, you won''t be bedding a Loon tonight," she smiled looking in the opposite direction.


    Reid smiled as she finished her sentence. A Loon was another name for Lunarei, thought Reid. It was funny that she used such a word. The Lunarei hated that name, but men continued to say it. Perhaps because it was easier to say in the common tongue. It mostly found its uses in insults and slander towards the Lunarei.


    Reid glanced over at Bree as she turned away, peering off into the horizon.


    Bree had a small dainty nose and dimples in her rosy cheeks when she smiled. Her long pointed ear was masked mostly by the hair she grew longer to one side, while her round ear stood out visible. She was the only case of a half-blood with two different ears that Reid had heard of.


    She had a faint scar that cut through her eyebrow and across her right eye and beautiful markings along her neck, face, and both her arms and legs. These markings were white ink tattoos- traditional designs and symbols of the Lunarei. A large crescent moon marked her forehead proudly displaying her heritage to all, even though she was only a half-blood.


    Bree was a short, slender lady with a feisty attitude- she chose to cast insults rather than to fight. Lunarei were known to be tall, lanky, beautiful and deadly so her appearance brought much confusion to the mainlanders who met Bree as their first Lunarei.


    "Why don''t we all get an early meal. I''ve got the coins on me. Those ships won''t dock harbour for another hour or so," offered Reid as he reached for his coins in his satchel.


    "You legendary man. Can''t say no to an offer like that."


    The Gilled Lass was the closest of the many taverns in the port town. It offered a fine grilled salmon topped with fried peppers and boiled eggs but not much else besides ales and brews.


    Reid, Bree and Trevos entered through the heavy wooden doors. The tavern was rather bare during the mornings.


    Women''s undergarments were left on the table during the previous night. The three sat down at the only table that had a lit candle. Trevos leaned over to examine the undergarments as if he could recognize who they belonged to. Bree brushed them off of the table and looked up at Reid.


    "Oh, lovely," she spoke with a faked smile.


    "You should of been ''er, Bree. It was a wild one," huffed Trevos as drew up a rolled smoke, lighting it with the candle, "it''s part of the reason they call this tavern The Great Arse."


    <hr />


    Last chapter for tonight. That was quite the long one compared to the others. :)


    Time to sleep ~


    Hope you guys enjoy it!

 Reid Aerys: Fresh Faces - Part 2

    "Noble swordsmen! Noble swordsmen!" shrieked a woman''s panicked cry from outside of the tavern. "There''s been a murder! We need the aid of a swordsmen!"


    Reid darted out of his seat and charged through the wooden doors of the Gilled Lass. Bree followed closely behind with her signature crossbow in hand.


    A woman settler from off of one of the docked ships panted from exhaustion infront of him.


    "I''m Reid of House Aerys, Lord Regent of Aerendel," he announced, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, "What is it, mi''lady?"


    "Up the road, and outside of the gates, my Lord.  There''s a mangled man. Entrails spun across the branches of the trees. He''s been cut down," she panted.


    "Past the walls? Who was it?" Bree questioned.


    "I''m not from ''er. Just arrived aboard the Windsplitter, and old galleon in the south port. My family comes from Abyth''ir."


    Trevos exited the tavern, still puffing on his rolled smoke.


    "And you went out of the gates first thing?" Bree looked at Reid with a puzzled look.


    "We''re trying the find the road to Aerendel, my lady. We weren''t suppose to dock in Londor Bay."


    Without a word Reid darted up the roads towards Londor Bay''s main gate.


    Trevos followed slowly behind. The fisherman hadn''t had a reason to run in years.


    Bree continued to question the wayfaring woman.


    Reid walked outside of the safety of the towering wooden walls that served as Londor Bay''s only protection against outside threats. The main gate had been left open. The soldiers serving under the banners of the Red Fox, and House Aerys, who operated the large iron gate had flight the site and left it ajar.


    A trail of blood marked a path to a nearby manor, dilapidated with a sunken roof. The speckles of red sat above the layer of dust and grime of the beaten roads leading Reid to his destination. The victim''s intestines hung from the lower branches of the red cedar trees, and crossed over the path like a festival ribbon. Reid ducked under the grotesque sight and continued onwards to the old manor. Half of a man remained in front of the doors of the manor. A thick blood trail led into the house, past the closed doors. The upper half of the victim''s body had appeared to had been dragged inside.


    Bree and Trevos caught up to Reid and called from out of sight.


    "Bloody disgusting- tripping over another man''s entrails," called out Trevos, "you left that there for me, didn''t you, Reid."


    Bree jogged up beside Reid who slowly approached the door. Reid turned, observing Bree, unsure if she should enter through the doors with him.


    Her eyes widened and her body froze at the sight of the massacred remains. Her lips moved, as if to speak but no words left her mouth.


    Her finger shaked beside the trigger of the readied crossbow she held firmly in her hands.


    Reid placed his finger against his lips and placed his other hand on the wet red doorknob of the manor.


    Trevos shuffled in behind Reid and Bree.


    The brave Lord Regent swung open the old wooden door and quickly drew a short single-edged sword from the sheath positioned to the side on his lower back. Reid knew that the manor would be too narrow to use his claymore sword and kept it holstered.


    The faint rustles and sounds of someone moving hastily against the creaking wooden flooring of the manor could be easily heard. The blood trail led past each room of the manor and down the halls to the living room. The manor was dimly-lit by a single curtain-less window and the open door behind them. The contents of the house were barely visible. It would take time for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.


    Bree tapped on Reid''s shoulder. Reid raised his dagger briefly, then turned to Bree. She pointed to the room on the left, gesturing that she''s willing to survey it, and Reid nodded his head. She slowly cranked the doorknob of the room on the left and entered out of his sight.


    Trevos, who followed the slow-pacing Reid, shuffled left and right impatiently.


    "Get on with it, lad. You''re giving ''em prep time," Trevos Allant muttered to Reid who stepped one foot at a time, trying to remain quiet as he walked down the creaking floors, plunging deeper into the darkness.


    He tapped Reid on the shoulder, and pushed on by him and jogged down the dimly-lit halls alone. Reid whispered for him to stay put, but it was unheard.


    "He''s fucking gone," Trevos called out from the end of the halls.


    Reid entered the dark living quarters.


    "I''ve lit a lantern," Bree announced from behind, as she followed in.


    The light of the oiled lamp brightened the dark room revealing the top half of the victim. The victim''s corpse was ravaged and mangled, with pitch black beady eyes like that of a rodent.


    "What the fuck," Trevos muttered, looking down at it.


    "This rotting fort was being used by vagabonds," informed Bree, "I''ve got some of their papers here. Found some of their personal items as well, my Lord."


    Reid kneeled down beside the bloody mess and examined it.


    "Many hells, that''s disgusting," choked Bree as she looked down at the corpse.


    The putrid smell of death filled their nostrils. The many flies that claimed the corpse buzzed in their ears and attempted to invade Bree''s mouth and nose.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The victim had long pointed ears like Bree''s left ear. Large chunks of flesh were absent from his neck, and his lower jaw had been completely removed.


    "He was a Lunarei. Pointed ears, natural grey skin tone, white ink markings. He wouldn''t hail from Londor Bay," Reid assessed, "no full-blood Lunarei live among us at the moment."


    "A dead Lunarei..." Bree whispered, "that''s no good."


    "Fuck ''em. His fault for scouting our walls," Trevos added, "They plan to attack if they''re out this far. In our perimeters, Reid. He''s probably left as a colourful message for Londor Bay. Look what we do to traitors of our own kind. Imagine what we''ll do to you."


    Trevos took the lit lantern from Bree and walked towards the exit, "let''s get out of here. The deeds been done."


    "Flesh wounds like these aren''t caused by weaponry, and not by another Lunarei. He was mauled by a beast," Reid continued as he examined the corpse, "I''ve never once seen eyes like these..."


    "The eyes of a rat? Neither have I. It''s not a Lunarei trait if that''s what you''re wondering," Bree added.


    Trevos huffed impatiently, waiting for the two to finish. Reid imagined the sight and smell of the mangled corpse was too much for Trevos to handle. Admitting that was not something Trevos would do.


    The fisherman shined the lantern up against one of the unchecked rooms. The door had claw markings carved into it. Trevos tried to peer through the small key hole but couldn''t see anything on the other side.


    Trevos opened the marked door, which was adjacent to Reid and Bree. A man with pale grey skin and black beady eyes stood staring at Trevos as the door flung open.


    The man shaked sporatically and lunged at Trevos in the narrow hall. Trevos drew his rusty longsword. The sharp full-arm length sword pierced through the man''s pale grey coloured flesh, reaching through the flesh on his back and scrapped against the wooden walls of the narrow hallway. The man seemed unphased by the wound. Blood ran down the fisherman''s hands, dripping to the slick red floor. Trevos grasped the hilt of his sword, but struggled to pull the blade from out of the sporatically shaking man.


    The man ripped into Trevos'' neck and torn out a chunk of flesh, spitting it to the floor. Trevos pryed his longsword from out of the grey man''s flesh and swung the heavy iron blade at the grey man- accidently carving the sharp blade into the nearby wall of the narrow hallway. Trevos, unable to pry the longsword from out of the wood, fell on the slippery wooden floor while the grey man ravaged him on the floor- mauling him with his fingers and teeth.


    Alerted, Bree turned and fired her readied bolt in her crossbow at the grey man. The crossbow''s wooden bolt had an iron tip which punctured the grey man''s chest, but only caused him to briefly flinch.


    Reid charged with his short sword in hand. The minature sword was only a foot and a half in length, but had an edge sharper and thinner than a longsword. Lunging at the grey man, Reid Aerys repeatedly stabbed the creature, colliding the sharp steel edge of the blade against the creature''s spine. To no avail, Reid reached forward and sliced a belly wound to the grey man, causing his entrails to fall out on the bloodied Trevos. He prayed that the first sight that he witnessed, the entrails hung outside like festive ribbons, was the answer to dealing with these unknown creatures.


    The grey man shrieked. It felt more like a battle cry than a sense of pain and agony, he thought. Turning his attention to Reid the grey man stood up while holding his intestines in his hands.


    Bree fired another bolt at the creature, barely missing Reid. The iron tipped bolt punctured the creature''s face, disrupting his face and shattering his skull on the side closest to Bree. The fragments of the creature''s skull rapidly dispersed, breaking the skin of Reid''s unprotected face. The creature fell backwards, stunned by the force of the blow.


    Using this moment to his advantage Reid pounced on the fallen creature. He sliced through the grey man''s neck and continued to cut, pressing down against the bone. Reid couldn''t help but imagine that he was sawing a thin alder tree in that instance. The grey man twitched and shook as his head came loose, and within that moment ceased to move.


    Exhausted and covered in blood and guts, Reid sat down beside Trevos and rested.


    "It''s dead, old friend," he huffed.


    Reid looked down at Trevos. Trevos laid along the drenched floor holding his neck wound and panting. His eyes were pitch black. Beady like the eyes of a rat.


    "Hang me at the town square," he muttered, "hang me at the town square."


    Trevos repeated these words as he faded out into an unconscious state.


    "He''s not a soldier, Reid," Bree spouted, "He''s bleeding out, and turning into one of those beasts. His family won''t be left with any benefits when he dies. Not unless we hold an execution. Aerendel compensates the Houses that lose patriarchs to non-crime related executions."


    Reid looked down at his old friend and pressed his hand against Trevos'' chest. The beat of his heart weakened, fading off.


    "Call my men," he mumbled, "We will have to strap him to a cart and have this done immediately."

 Jon Crane: Born Among Wolves

    The young Jon Crane, Prince of Sansora, sat waiting in the Shrine of the All Mother with his Queen Mother and her party of royals, generals, and three of her famed Wolf Knights of House Crane; uniquely selected soldiers vowed to serve her family until death.


    The Shrine of the All Mother was a small stone structure in the heart of the great City of White.


    It was home to the Servants of the Red; which gave hospitality to the wounded, the pregnant, and all who seeked counsel. Many residents of the White City feared the Servants of the Red for their reputation of grotesque methods of rehabilitating their clients, but no Servant of the Red dared act in such a manner in front of the royal family unless they seeked a public execution or swift death from her Wolf Knights.


    "Mum, when will the baby come out?" shouted Prince Jon of Sansora, a young excited toddler, "I''m getting sore sitting on these stone benches."


    "Soon, Jon. The Men in Red are ensuring the baby arrives safely. They are going to make sure it is a healthy. It''s important that it meets the All Mother''s expectations if it is to be part of our noble House. We can''t have another feeble Crane in our family. We are the White Wolves of Sansora after all," spoke his mother, the Queen Gwynemere Crane of Sansora.


    Jon waited patiently in his chair, kicking his feet back and forth, brushing his priceless laced shoes against the polished white stone floors of the Church of the All Mother.


    Jon looked over at the others in the room discussing and bickering amongst each other about politics and travels. Jon had no one to talk to. His sister Morgan had traveled to the Thousand Islands leaving him alone with his mother.


    Jon turned his glance over to the three Wolf Knights who stood in complete silence. Their armour was fascinating and decorated with the finest ornate designs and custom-work, which included their uniquely crafted helmets in the design of a wolf. The wolf helm had its sharp ears back as if it was in a fighting stance, growling at the enemy.


    Two heavy stone doors pryed open to the waiting room of the Queen. A large plump man entered the Queen''s waiting room. He wore a strange white stork mask, and was covered from head to toe in a vermillion red robe.


    "Is it soon, Mum? Will my cousin be here soon?" the boy questioned looking up at his mother.


    "It will be any time now, young Prince," spoke the large man. "Our Red Seers prophesied that it would be on the thirteenth day of the Month of the Harvest- it will happen on this day. She has been given Redroot and Shade of the First Moon. Surely it happen on this day."


    "That is good. I do not want to wait much longer, Errol of the Red," huffed Queen Gwyn, as she stroked a long wavy blonde lock of hair behind her ear.


    Six robed figures approached the waiting room chanting from down the candle lit halls of the Church of the All Mother.


    They were dressed in fine red silk and wore stylish cloth head dresses which covered their eyes.


    Jon wondered if they could see wearing those masks or if they were just accustomed to walking those same halls.


    "What are they chanting?" questioned Jon.


    "Ordo Valiris; All from Blood," answered Errol of the Red, "a hymn from the ancient age. A code that we must all follow."


    "What does it mean?"


    "It means the Ritual of the All Mother is almost complete, dear Queen," announced Errol of the Red to the room, "You may all visit Lord Lucien and his newborn kin now, but your armed soldiers must stay. We forbid few things, but one is such."


    The pitch black eye holes of Errol of the Red''s white stork mask made Jon''s stomach turn as Errol stared down at him.


    It reminded Jon of the skull of a large dead bird he found outside his manor in the gardens. The dead bird''s skull had rotten brain and flies throughout it, with maggots falling from out of the eye holes.


    Errol of the Red bent over and whispered to the young prince.


    "For one life given, one must be taken," he whispered.


    Errol stood up and crossed his arms behind his back, proceeding to lead the family to the room of the birth with the six robed figures following close behind.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Two massive white doors, engraved with an ornate bust of the All Mother, slowly pried ajar.


    Lord Lucien Crane, Brother of the King, stood with open arms and a smile from ear to ear.


    The loud cries of a bellowing newborn filled the halls, echoing.


    Jon covered his ears.


    "Welcome, welcome!" spoke the overjoyed Lord as he approached to kiss the Queen''s hand.


    "Congratulations, Lucien! I can hear the sounds of new life," smiled Gwyn, "A strong voice that one sure has- a true wolf''s howl."


    "Did the All Mother bless you with a male heir?" questioned Queen Gwyn with a sly smirk.


    "Alas, no," he spoke.


    "A daughter, yes? I could tell from the sharp cry." spoke the Queen as she stared at the pack of Men in Red attending to the newborn behind Lord Lucien.


    Two Women dressed in White stood amongst the crowd of Men in Red singing a hymn.


    "By the All Mother, we had two! Twin daughters, my Queen," he announced.


    "Two?" questioned the puzzled Queen, "I only hear the one."


    "Two baby cousins!" Jon shouted, "Can I meet them, Uncle? Please."


    "As a matter of fact, we can do that right now, little Prince."


    Lucien turned around, and gestured for the Men in Red to bring forth his newborns.


    Two women in creamy white robes stepped forward, cradling the Lord''s two small newborns.


    Jon looked at them briefly and then turned his glance towards his mother. The two women had both of their breasts exposed, which were overly large and swollen.


    They cradled the newborns against their large chests, lulling them while they slowly rocked their bodies back and forward. The newborns were carefully unveiled from the decorative black cloths that wrapped around them, revealing two beautiful white-haired daughters.


    "You can tell a true Crane from a single glance," smiled the Queen, "Beautiful white hair. A unique trait exclusive to children of Cranes."


    "What will you name the first of the All Mother''s children, Lord Crane?" asked the Wet Nurse on the left, who gestured with a head nod for a scribe to approach them, "it is important to record each of the All Mother''s blessings, and without a name the ritual is not complete."


    "She will be Orianna Crane, the third of her name. A proud family name filled with the high honours of our lineage," announced Lord Lucien.


    The Wet Nurse leaned over, and whispered in Lord Lucien''s ear, who quickly dropped his smile.


    "And for the second of the All Mother''s children on this day. What will you name your second child?" asked the second Wet Nurse, who was swaying back and forth to lull the loud crying baby.


    "They are beautiful, Uncle. I can''t wait to play with them in the gardens," spoke Jon in a hushed tone.


    "The one on the right is very charming. She bellows like a dragon, and cries for so much affection. But, for some odd reason the one on the left just sits and stares off into the distance. She''s rather quiet," examined Queen Gwyn.


    "What will you name the second child, Lord Lucien?" asked the impatient Women in White.


    Lord Lucien looked upset, which turned quickly to frustration.


    "I will name the second Orianna Crane, the third of her name. She will be the true eldest of the two and heir to all of my worldly possessions if I do not bear a son," announced the disgruntled Lord.


    "What of the first? What should I change the firstborn''s name to, my Lord?" asked the Wet Nurse on his left.


    "The All Mother is right in saying that this child is an unfit newborn," spoke the Lord who nodded his head to the left Woman in White. "This child is damaged, mute and silent. She''s thick-headed, dull as iron," spoke the upset Lord, "I do not want to have the burden of a sacrafice. Not on such a splendid day. But, still, she is unfit to be my firstborn. She will now be the second born, and by the laws she will have no entitlements."


    "Agreed, she''s as thick as Cressan white steel," laughed the Queen, "she should not be your heir."


    Lord Lucien smiled, "Cressa. She will be named Cressa Crane, the first of her name," proclaimed the Lord.


    "Thick as steel," he smirked.