I was glancing through at my book blog (The Sterling Trilogy) and noticed that there were some gaps in my first books page. So I have gone back and fixed that, so there are no more gaping wholes. I apologize for not having realized this sooner. I also noticed that I haven't posted on that blog in about a month, been very busy in all. But now that life is settling down, I will try to be posting regularly.
My goals for the Door Between Worlds (Book 2 in the Trilogy):
1. The Sterling Trilogy took about a year to write. I finished it two days before Christmas last year! And so I'm planning to have the end of the Door Between Worlds by Christmas this year. And then the Rightful Heir will be given all of next year. So a three year endeavor in all.
2. I will be posting atleast once a week, so be expecting updates more regularly.
3. I really hope you guys have been enjoying the Door Between Worlds! It's been a learning experience, that's for sure. Glad I started doing this, and thank you for all the encouraging thoughts and support. That being said, I believe that this book will be a bit longer than the Sterling Prophecy, now that I have a feel for what the lengths of my books can be. So bear with me.
Excited to see what's next? Stay tuned!
Showing posts with label The Sterling Trilogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Sterling Trilogy. Show all posts
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Monday, December 23, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 19
Jason hauled Frodo's killer back to Abraham, who was watching over the dying dog. Jason dropped the sack of grain he was carrying on the ground unceremoniously. "How is Frodo?" He asked anxiously.
"The bleeding has stopped, but he is barely breathing." Abraham responded.
Jason stepped over to Frodo and picked him up once again, "You get the pig."
Ab sighed, "Why do I have to do the dirty work all the time?"
Jason started jogging back to the awaiting army, each friend carried a body. Piglike or not, they were both heavy, and by the time they arrived back at camp, it was nightfall. After placing Frodo with a nurse, they clapped the assassin in irons and gathered up some food and drink to question the prisoner. Gathering around, Commander Eric, Baron Hilldeg, Abraham, and Jason sat on camp stools in a semi-circle around the prisoner.
Jason got up and walked toward the man, thinking all the while of his dear canine suffering two tents over. Anger coursed through him, "What's your name??" He yelled.
The man flinched but gave no answer. Jason lost control and launched himself on the man. The man who could possibly be the key to defeating the Emperor, and the man who had injured Frodo. Fists flew, chains rattled and strained, people jumped in to intervene. Jason was finally restrained by Abraham and Commander March, who pulled him outside into the cool night air and deposited him on his rear end.
"What were you thinking, Jason? You can't attack him like that? It won't-" Eric was cut short.
"My name is Kilhelm Roiters!" A deep voice shouted from the tent.
Jason looked up at March, who looked back and grimaced. "You're going to go back to your tent. We don't need you right now. We'll tell you what we learned."
* * *
An hour later, the three men spilled into the lamplight of Jason's tent, who was sitting on a stool next to the lamp with his head in his hands. The most hopeless demeanor permeated throughout the room, a feeling that Abraham had not thought Jason could be the source of.
"Master Sterling, what's wrong?' Baron Hilldeg inquired of him.
Jason looked up, tears stained cheeks, "Frodo didn't make it." Ignoring the sympathetic groans and pats, he continued, "What'd you learn?"
Abraham looked up, and his sadness was forgotten in his excitement of what they got from Kilhelm, "Jason! We know the secret to defeating the Emperor!"
* * *
The company of three hundred men climbed down from their horses at the top of the rise. Early morning daylight filtered through the mist, as they descended quietly into the ravine that had too steep of sides for the horses. Jason, Abraham, Commander March, and the barons led the group of chosen men into the ravine and down into the little village that held the Emperor and his chosen group of champions.
At the outskirts of the town, they divided into companies of three and took different ways to the largest house that held the Emperor. Jason and Abraham led one of the companies up one alleyway that peeled to the right and straightened out to the middle of the town. Jason nodded at the men behind them and they picked their pace up to a trot, but before they got one hundred yards alarm bells went off.
Jason grimaced, "No need for secrecy now, men. Onward! Quickly!" The men laughed grimly and started to sprint. The company wound their way through the streets, cutting down soldiers who were rushing out of the houses they were quartered in, half naked. Arriving at the square, Jason swiveled his head from side to side waiting to see if the two other companies would show up as planned, but no one stirred.. Except for the fifty pirates that poured out of the Emperor's house and the surrounding houses.
"Jason! Quick! The men and I will deal with them, the Emperor is yours." Ab said.
Jason nodded and dodged oncoming soldiers. Jason sprinted the last twenty yards unhindered and wrenched open the big oak door. "Achilles! Get your tail end down here!" Jason shouted as he crossed the threshold. Before he could examine the room, the sallow-faced Emperor through himself out from behind a curtain.
Snarling, he said, "How dare you use my name!" Without further ado, he launched himself at Sterling. This the battle commenced, one of the greatest duels at a time. The swords flashed, slashes were exchanged, blood was drawn, mostly Jason's. The Emperor seemed to have a charmed body, nothing harmed him. The only thing that gave Jason hope was that he knew the secret to defeating his opponent, and that steeled him even more. Grinning through the pain and wounds, he looked the Emperor in the eye and said, "I know something that you do not know." With that, he feinted to the right side, and twirled to the left while carving the air with his sword. It bit into the skin and bone that connected the leg with the foot.
Letting out an earsplitting howl, the Emperor stumbled and turned, swinging wildly. Jason ducked and brought the sword back up and buried it to the hilt below the collarbone. Gasping for air, he clawed for Jason face and then he stumbled for the last time in his life and fell to the floor. Jason jumped out of the way and watched as the prophecy came true. The Emperor was dead, and he had saved the people of Alepp.
The End
"The bleeding has stopped, but he is barely breathing." Abraham responded.
Jason stepped over to Frodo and picked him up once again, "You get the pig."
Ab sighed, "Why do I have to do the dirty work all the time?"
Jason started jogging back to the awaiting army, each friend carried a body. Piglike or not, they were both heavy, and by the time they arrived back at camp, it was nightfall. After placing Frodo with a nurse, they clapped the assassin in irons and gathered up some food and drink to question the prisoner. Gathering around, Commander Eric, Baron Hilldeg, Abraham, and Jason sat on camp stools in a semi-circle around the prisoner.
Jason got up and walked toward the man, thinking all the while of his dear canine suffering two tents over. Anger coursed through him, "What's your name??" He yelled.
The man flinched but gave no answer. Jason lost control and launched himself on the man. The man who could possibly be the key to defeating the Emperor, and the man who had injured Frodo. Fists flew, chains rattled and strained, people jumped in to intervene. Jason was finally restrained by Abraham and Commander March, who pulled him outside into the cool night air and deposited him on his rear end.
"What were you thinking, Jason? You can't attack him like that? It won't-" Eric was cut short.
"My name is Kilhelm Roiters!" A deep voice shouted from the tent.
Jason looked up at March, who looked back and grimaced. "You're going to go back to your tent. We don't need you right now. We'll tell you what we learned."
* * *
An hour later, the three men spilled into the lamplight of Jason's tent, who was sitting on a stool next to the lamp with his head in his hands. The most hopeless demeanor permeated throughout the room, a feeling that Abraham had not thought Jason could be the source of.
"Master Sterling, what's wrong?' Baron Hilldeg inquired of him.
Jason looked up, tears stained cheeks, "Frodo didn't make it." Ignoring the sympathetic groans and pats, he continued, "What'd you learn?"
Abraham looked up, and his sadness was forgotten in his excitement of what they got from Kilhelm, "Jason! We know the secret to defeating the Emperor!"
* * *
The company of three hundred men climbed down from their horses at the top of the rise. Early morning daylight filtered through the mist, as they descended quietly into the ravine that had too steep of sides for the horses. Jason, Abraham, Commander March, and the barons led the group of chosen men into the ravine and down into the little village that held the Emperor and his chosen group of champions.
At the outskirts of the town, they divided into companies of three and took different ways to the largest house that held the Emperor. Jason and Abraham led one of the companies up one alleyway that peeled to the right and straightened out to the middle of the town. Jason nodded at the men behind them and they picked their pace up to a trot, but before they got one hundred yards alarm bells went off.
Jason grimaced, "No need for secrecy now, men. Onward! Quickly!" The men laughed grimly and started to sprint. The company wound their way through the streets, cutting down soldiers who were rushing out of the houses they were quartered in, half naked. Arriving at the square, Jason swiveled his head from side to side waiting to see if the two other companies would show up as planned, but no one stirred.. Except for the fifty pirates that poured out of the Emperor's house and the surrounding houses.
"Jason! Quick! The men and I will deal with them, the Emperor is yours." Ab said.
Jason nodded and dodged oncoming soldiers. Jason sprinted the last twenty yards unhindered and wrenched open the big oak door. "Achilles! Get your tail end down here!" Jason shouted as he crossed the threshold. Before he could examine the room, the sallow-faced Emperor through himself out from behind a curtain.
Snarling, he said, "How dare you use my name!" Without further ado, he launched himself at Sterling. This the battle commenced, one of the greatest duels at a time. The swords flashed, slashes were exchanged, blood was drawn, mostly Jason's. The Emperor seemed to have a charmed body, nothing harmed him. The only thing that gave Jason hope was that he knew the secret to defeating his opponent, and that steeled him even more. Grinning through the pain and wounds, he looked the Emperor in the eye and said, "I know something that you do not know." With that, he feinted to the right side, and twirled to the left while carving the air with his sword. It bit into the skin and bone that connected the leg with the foot.
Letting out an earsplitting howl, the Emperor stumbled and turned, swinging wildly. Jason ducked and brought the sword back up and buried it to the hilt below the collarbone. Gasping for air, he clawed for Jason face and then he stumbled for the last time in his life and fell to the floor. Jason jumped out of the way and watched as the prophecy came true. The Emperor was dead, and he had saved the people of Alepp.
The End
Saturday, November 30, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book 1 Part 18
Jason never heard the yell that ripped from his throat, fear made him run faster as Frodo hit the ground. He slid on his knees to where Frodo laid, gasping for breath. The arrow crudely sticking out of his chest. "Hold on, Frodo! Don't give up on me now." His voice shaky through the fog that clouded Jason's vision.
Abraham was on the spot in a flash, he watched as Jason removed the arrow, and scooped Frodo up in his muscled arms, and turned, surveying the scene. "What're you looking for, Jas?" Abraham asked.
Without one word, Jason heaved Frodo into a more comfortable position and raced after a shape that had just risen from the ground and bounded away. It was the archer that had felled Frodo. Jason launched after him, the possibility that Frodo could die was vivid in his mind. And just as vivid, was the look Frodo had given him before he had fallen.
Tears blurred Jason's eyes as his feet churned up the mud and blood like dark chocolate. The archer turned and shot an arrow back a Sterling who dodged it. Pumping his legs he followed after the enemy, ignoring the shouts and pleadings of his friends to come back. Abraham trailed just a few yards behind to make sure he didn't run into his friend who was carrying the dying dog, should he choose to change directions.
* * * * *
Baron Hilldeg mounted his horse to go after Jason, but Commander March put his hand on the reins and said, "No, my lord, this is his fight. Master Sterling still has to learn much of this world. This is his battle."
It seemed Joseph was to ignore the Commander's counsel. But then he thought better of his rash decision and dropped from the stirrup.
* * * * *
Jason and Abraham had been running for two hours. The archer had not joined with any fleeing forces of the Pirates, but had veered away from the rest of the retreating army. Jason was only a hundred yards from the man who had wounded Frodo. Jason's dog had stopped bleeding for the past quarter of an hour, but his breathing had become shallower and shallower. Abraham had fallen behind, until he had finally stopped. He had received a short sword wound that just kept bleeding and wouldn't stop.
Jason looked up from the canine's face, and finally made his decision. He stopped and laid Frodo on the ground and raced after the death-dealer. Having lost over a hundred pounds in just a few seconds, Jason sought another gear. Kicking it into full thrust, Sterling bounded ahead and raced along the old farmer's field. In two minutes he was only twenty yards away from his quarry. Thirty seconds later he was trailing only a few paces behind.
Suddenly the archer turned around and pulled a knife out of the small of his back. He had ditched the bow and arrows at the very beginning of the chase to enable himself to run faster. "Stand, boy. And chase me no longer. For I swear on my mother's grave that I will drop you dead like a sack of rice."
Jason slowed down and sized the man up now that he could see him clearly. Standing at six foot, he was noticeably shorter, but he was very broad chested and muscles rippled under his arm. He was going to be a hard one to bring down. Jason looked down and found a stone the size of a baseball. Reaching down, he leapt out of the crouch and whipped it at the bull's head. Before the big Pirate could react, the stone connected with the top of his head and he tumbled to the ground. Jason rushed forward and planted his sword handle down on his head, just for in case. He made sure that he did not kill the bull. Jason had plans for this man.
Tears blurred Jason's eyes as his feet churned up the mud and blood like dark chocolate. The archer turned and shot an arrow back a Sterling who dodged it. Pumping his legs he followed after the enemy, ignoring the shouts and pleadings of his friends to come back. Abraham trailed just a few yards behind to make sure he didn't run into his friend who was carrying the dying dog, should he choose to change directions.
* * * * *
Baron Hilldeg mounted his horse to go after Jason, but Commander March put his hand on the reins and said, "No, my lord, this is his fight. Master Sterling still has to learn much of this world. This is his battle."
It seemed Joseph was to ignore the Commander's counsel. But then he thought better of his rash decision and dropped from the stirrup.
* * * * *
Jason and Abraham had been running for two hours. The archer had not joined with any fleeing forces of the Pirates, but had veered away from the rest of the retreating army. Jason was only a hundred yards from the man who had wounded Frodo. Jason's dog had stopped bleeding for the past quarter of an hour, but his breathing had become shallower and shallower. Abraham had fallen behind, until he had finally stopped. He had received a short sword wound that just kept bleeding and wouldn't stop.
Jason looked up from the canine's face, and finally made his decision. He stopped and laid Frodo on the ground and raced after the death-dealer. Having lost over a hundred pounds in just a few seconds, Jason sought another gear. Kicking it into full thrust, Sterling bounded ahead and raced along the old farmer's field. In two minutes he was only twenty yards away from his quarry. Thirty seconds later he was trailing only a few paces behind.
Suddenly the archer turned around and pulled a knife out of the small of his back. He had ditched the bow and arrows at the very beginning of the chase to enable himself to run faster. "Stand, boy. And chase me no longer. For I swear on my mother's grave that I will drop you dead like a sack of rice."
Jason slowed down and sized the man up now that he could see him clearly. Standing at six foot, he was noticeably shorter, but he was very broad chested and muscles rippled under his arm. He was going to be a hard one to bring down. Jason looked down and found a stone the size of a baseball. Reaching down, he leapt out of the crouch and whipped it at the bull's head. Before the big Pirate could react, the stone connected with the top of his head and he tumbled to the ground. Jason rushed forward and planted his sword handle down on his head, just for in case. He made sure that he did not kill the bull. Jason had plans for this man.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 17
Jason Sterling stared open mouthed at the vast army gathered across the valley against them. The Tyrant of Alepp had assembled nearly fifty thousand pirates against them. Jason had convinced four of the nobles to join them. Once Baron Hilldeg had joined the cause with 4500 men; the Baron's Northdrop, Rocktren, and Bukten had gathered under the banner of Commander March with 10,000 men. With his own 2,000 men, they had around 18,000. Having been joined by companies of volunteers, they had marched onward to meet the enemy in the Vale of the Ford.
A deep, churning river rushed and roar from a waterfall at one end of the Vale, and traveled ten miles until the bend in the Ford. The valley had been named for the Ford of Calpe, which was just in front of Jason. Well, not right in front, they were on the crest of the valley, and had to descend half a mile and ride along for about a mile before they reached the ford. But it was still in front of Jason, whatever the distance.
Adrenaline was pumping through his veins, adrenaline that he had never experienced before. As he listened to Eric and the four Barons riding along the lines encouraging the men, he thought of the last three weeks since they had that fateful fight in the ravine. He still worried about Abraham, Frodo and Lydia not being back, but his place was here in the attempt to try to free Alepp once and for all. He reminisced about how he had met Mary in the hall before leaving with the Baron and Eric. This was only the second conversation between them, but they seemed to have an immediate connection.
"Master Sterling, I pray that you will survive this war! I know you are our deliverer, and that once you have accomplished the journey before you, you will depart your world.. I would enjoy seeing you after this all blows over, and maybe we could get to know each other before you depart."
Jason bowed, "Of course, m'Lady."
"And one other thing, I would very much appreciate if you would were this as a token of me into battle.'' She stretched out a handkerchief, indicating that he should take it.
Jason hesitated, "Lady Mary, I would not want to give you any false pretenses-"
She cut him off with a merry laugh, "You would be doing me a disservice by not taking this. And besides, my father guards me, you will not have to worry to much about me. Many boys had tried to win my hand, but my father has always been my protector."
Jason smiled, "Good. I will wear it." With that, he has kissed her proffered hand swiftly kissing it, and departed to the main hall and out into the courtyard.
Sterling snapped back to the present, when Commander March reined up next to him. He was to ride with the leaders and captains into the battle first. "Are you ready?" Eric asked kindly.
Jason gripped his spear tighter, and grimaced, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Baron Hilldeg clapped him on the back, grinning, "Of course you are. I can't wait to see your skill in arms."
Jason inhaled deeply, "I hope so." He gave a weak smile.
Laughing together, the leaders got into position. "Ready? Do you want to do it?" March questioned Hilldeg.
"No. You have earned the right." Joseph said, suddenly serious.
Turning in his saddle, Commander Eric bellowed, "For Elohim and country!"
18,000 voices roared in reply. With a mighty shout of, "Elohim and country!" They Aleppians charged down the hillside upon the ford, as the Pirates yelled and rattled their shield and dashed down the opposite slope. Eric, Jason, Hilldeg, Northdrop, Rocktren, and Bukten led their companies into battle. Heavy armed horsemen went first and the footmen charged behind them. Sir Evans led the company of volunteers.
The army of 18,000 clashed with the larger army square at the river ford. The armored horsemen drove deep into the ranks of the Pirates. Jason hadn't spotted anyone with the mark of the Emperor. He would most definitely stand out with many plums and banners. Or that's what he thought from the stories he had heard.
Jason launched his spear aimed directly at the heart of one of the foremost horsemen, who dropped like a sack of grain. Jason drew his sword. The adrenaline came rushing out. He was no longer nervous or scared, he was a warrior. He was going to free Alepp. With this thought, he transformed into a mighty man of valor. His six foot five inch frame stood out, and attracted many of the mighty pirates, but he felled everyone of them.
After two hours of fighting, and despite the encouragements and prayers of the leaders, the men were being pressed back. Soon companies were fleeing, the onslaught was too great. Jason Sterling and the other leaders tried to rally the troops, but only a core group stood there ground. And even they were starting to lose ground.
Commander March was wounded with an arrow that had lodged in his thigh. Sir Evans was nowhere to be seen. The four barons were standing firm, but Rocktren had a disabled left arm, Northdrop had a broken rib, but the rest were fine and wholesome. These and one hundred others were standing firm against the entire force of the Pirate horde. But they could only stand for so long, one by one the Pirate bowmen hid behind their lines and shot the champions down one by one.
When all seemed lost, there was a mighty shout from the back of the multitude of Pirates, and out poured the Wildmen of the Woods. And to Jason's short-lived pleasure, Frodo and Ab at their head. Suddenly, the strength came back into the arms of the mighty men of Alepp, and they rose up and charged and the Pirates could not withstand the assault. The Men of the Forest crashed in from the back, and the Aleppians pushed in from the front.
Before they knew it the Pirates were fleeing, and the victorious Aleppians pursued them. Too tired to think about chasing them down, Jason turned to face his friends. His brothers he had not seen in a long time. He started to sprint towards Frodo, who was likewise racing to him. But before they had covered half the distance, an arrow whistled out of nowhere and found it's mark in Frodo. Frodo halted in surprise, looked at Jason, and collapsed where he stood.
A deep, churning river rushed and roar from a waterfall at one end of the Vale, and traveled ten miles until the bend in the Ford. The valley had been named for the Ford of Calpe, which was just in front of Jason. Well, not right in front, they were on the crest of the valley, and had to descend half a mile and ride along for about a mile before they reached the ford. But it was still in front of Jason, whatever the distance.
Adrenaline was pumping through his veins, adrenaline that he had never experienced before. As he listened to Eric and the four Barons riding along the lines encouraging the men, he thought of the last three weeks since they had that fateful fight in the ravine. He still worried about Abraham, Frodo and Lydia not being back, but his place was here in the attempt to try to free Alepp once and for all. He reminisced about how he had met Mary in the hall before leaving with the Baron and Eric. This was only the second conversation between them, but they seemed to have an immediate connection.
"Master Sterling, I pray that you will survive this war! I know you are our deliverer, and that once you have accomplished the journey before you, you will depart your world.. I would enjoy seeing you after this all blows over, and maybe we could get to know each other before you depart."
Jason bowed, "Of course, m'Lady."
"And one other thing, I would very much appreciate if you would were this as a token of me into battle.'' She stretched out a handkerchief, indicating that he should take it.
Jason hesitated, "Lady Mary, I would not want to give you any false pretenses-"
She cut him off with a merry laugh, "You would be doing me a disservice by not taking this. And besides, my father guards me, you will not have to worry to much about me. Many boys had tried to win my hand, but my father has always been my protector."
Jason smiled, "Good. I will wear it." With that, he has kissed her proffered hand swiftly kissing it, and departed to the main hall and out into the courtyard.
Sterling snapped back to the present, when Commander March reined up next to him. He was to ride with the leaders and captains into the battle first. "Are you ready?" Eric asked kindly.
Jason gripped his spear tighter, and grimaced, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Baron Hilldeg clapped him on the back, grinning, "Of course you are. I can't wait to see your skill in arms."
Jason inhaled deeply, "I hope so." He gave a weak smile.
Laughing together, the leaders got into position. "Ready? Do you want to do it?" March questioned Hilldeg.
"No. You have earned the right." Joseph said, suddenly serious.
Turning in his saddle, Commander Eric bellowed, "For Elohim and country!"
18,000 voices roared in reply. With a mighty shout of, "Elohim and country!" They Aleppians charged down the hillside upon the ford, as the Pirates yelled and rattled their shield and dashed down the opposite slope. Eric, Jason, Hilldeg, Northdrop, Rocktren, and Bukten led their companies into battle. Heavy armed horsemen went first and the footmen charged behind them. Sir Evans led the company of volunteers.
The army of 18,000 clashed with the larger army square at the river ford. The armored horsemen drove deep into the ranks of the Pirates. Jason hadn't spotted anyone with the mark of the Emperor. He would most definitely stand out with many plums and banners. Or that's what he thought from the stories he had heard.
Jason launched his spear aimed directly at the heart of one of the foremost horsemen, who dropped like a sack of grain. Jason drew his sword. The adrenaline came rushing out. He was no longer nervous or scared, he was a warrior. He was going to free Alepp. With this thought, he transformed into a mighty man of valor. His six foot five inch frame stood out, and attracted many of the mighty pirates, but he felled everyone of them.
After two hours of fighting, and despite the encouragements and prayers of the leaders, the men were being pressed back. Soon companies were fleeing, the onslaught was too great. Jason Sterling and the other leaders tried to rally the troops, but only a core group stood there ground. And even they were starting to lose ground.
Commander March was wounded with an arrow that had lodged in his thigh. Sir Evans was nowhere to be seen. The four barons were standing firm, but Rocktren had a disabled left arm, Northdrop had a broken rib, but the rest were fine and wholesome. These and one hundred others were standing firm against the entire force of the Pirate horde. But they could only stand for so long, one by one the Pirate bowmen hid behind their lines and shot the champions down one by one.
When all seemed lost, there was a mighty shout from the back of the multitude of Pirates, and out poured the Wildmen of the Woods. And to Jason's short-lived pleasure, Frodo and Ab at their head. Suddenly, the strength came back into the arms of the mighty men of Alepp, and they rose up and charged and the Pirates could not withstand the assault. The Men of the Forest crashed in from the back, and the Aleppians pushed in from the front.
Before they knew it the Pirates were fleeing, and the victorious Aleppians pursued them. Too tired to think about chasing them down, Jason turned to face his friends. His brothers he had not seen in a long time. He started to sprint towards Frodo, who was likewise racing to him. But before they had covered half the distance, an arrow whistled out of nowhere and found it's mark in Frodo. Frodo halted in surprise, looked at Jason, and collapsed where he stood.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The Door Between Worlds Prelude
Jason and Abraham stepped out from the forest and moved across the clearing, heading for the gravel road just ahead. The early morning sunlight poured through the trees that were stretching over the glade that they had played football in months earlier.
"Well, old friend, we're back to where we started." Jason grinned and turned to his companion, who was looking around the area with an air of one trying to grasp at a memory that was eluding him.
Ab broke into a toothy smile, "Finally. It feels like it's been forever."
"Well, it's been almost six months since we were last here."
"And to think that you almost got married!" Abraham said laughingly.
The change in Jason's attitude was swift. From one of pure joy of being home to missing the one who he had grown to love and would never see again. Abraham hastened to change his answer, "I'm sorry, mate. You know I didn't mean it like that."
When Jason still looked slightly sad, he continued, "Frodo wouldn't have wanted you to be this downcast. He would've wanted you to enjoy this moment. You're home, Jas. Act like it." Ab punched his shoulder.
Jason rearranged his face into a smile, "Alright. As long as you promise you stop trying to comfort me.. You're pretty bad at it."
Grinning broadly the pair of them turned up the gravel road to their hometown of Leafage, Washington. The wanderers had finally returned home. They had suffered pain, and they had experienced happiness. They had exchanged blows with death, and they had seen miracles. They lost loved ones, and had experienced love. But now they had returned, and they could finally knock on their doors to see their families' faces light up with the joy of knowing that they were alive.
The duo turned left on River-Way, they were finally in the home-stretch. They would finally be able to rest from their adventures, but what they didn't know is that it was just the beginning.
"Well, old friend, we're back to where we started." Jason grinned and turned to his companion, who was looking around the area with an air of one trying to grasp at a memory that was eluding him.
Ab broke into a toothy smile, "Finally. It feels like it's been forever."
"Well, it's been almost six months since we were last here."
"And to think that you almost got married!" Abraham said laughingly.
The change in Jason's attitude was swift. From one of pure joy of being home to missing the one who he had grown to love and would never see again. Abraham hastened to change his answer, "I'm sorry, mate. You know I didn't mean it like that."
When Jason still looked slightly sad, he continued, "Frodo wouldn't have wanted you to be this downcast. He would've wanted you to enjoy this moment. You're home, Jas. Act like it." Ab punched his shoulder.
Jason rearranged his face into a smile, "Alright. As long as you promise you stop trying to comfort me.. You're pretty bad at it."
Grinning broadly the pair of them turned up the gravel road to their hometown of Leafage, Washington. The wanderers had finally returned home. They had suffered pain, and they had experienced happiness. They had exchanged blows with death, and they had seen miracles. They lost loved ones, and had experienced love. But now they had returned, and they could finally knock on their doors to see their families' faces light up with the joy of knowing that they were alive.
The duo turned left on River-Way, they were finally in the home-stretch. They would finally be able to rest from their adventures, but what they didn't know is that it was just the beginning.
Monday, October 21, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 16
Frodo watched from the foliage as Abraham and the girl sprinted to the cover of the woods. He started wagging his tail when he recognized the two figures rushing toward him, but too soon the happiness turned into a sense of danger as he saw the Pirates pour out of the castle after them.
Without a second glance Frodo let out a bark and dashed toward their defense, with a hundred men at his back.
* * * * *
Abraham and Lydia were barely keeping ahead of the pack of angry Pirates. Ab did his best to encourage Lydia to move quicker, but the long hours of her captivity were not helping her in this regard. Gripping his sword more firmly, he prepared to turn around and face his many foes. But before he could do so, he heard a bark from behind him. A very familiar deep bark.. a bark that was suppose to be dead.
Lydia screamed with pleasure, "Frodo! Hey boy-"
But before she could give him a hug, he sidestepped her and charged toward the pirates with what looked like a company of men who had grown from trees. Each standing only about five and a half feet, they had beards that were going in all kinds of different directions. Not only did their beards straggle, but their hair was enough to frighten any squirrel away. With rough hide coats that was stretched taunt over their broad shoulders, they were tan from the days they had spent in the sun, making raids onto the Infidels crops and caravans.
With these men, Ab was confident of victory, he charged into the battle yelling, "Lydia! Hurry! Go climb a tree before they can get to you."
Having learned her lesson, she climbed the nearest oak tree up as high as she dared. When she finally turned around, the two sides were locked in deadly combat. From where she was sitting, she had a perfect vantage point of the battle raging at her feet. Frodo was a battle machine, no one could resist the claws and teeth of the ferocious fighter. Abraham was battling two men at once. The apparent general (you could tell that he was the leader, because he was the stockiest) was mauling every man in his path.
The battle was a short one, the pirates had been taken completely by surprise by the multitude prepared to assault them. After another five minutes of fighting, they fell back into the castle. But the barbaric Men of the Forest were right on their heels. In seconds, the castle was in their possession. Not much of a fight was put up when Ab, Frodo, and their little army had captured the stronghold.
When they searched high and low, they could not find the Emperor. He had fled.
"Coward!" Growled Jepthah, as he tipped a table over. (The leader of the Wild Men)
Ab sighed and slouched onto a wooden bench. The Pirates had been contained in the courtyard, as there had been no other place big enough to contain them. When they had found out that their leader had fled, they had completely given up. "Why did he not fight?"
Lydia turned around, her clothes were badly tattered from the climb of the tree and from her captivity. "I doubt he would've wanted to risk his neck over some children.. He probably went to go prepare for Jason."
Realization dawned on Abraham, "That's right! But.. hold on.. how did you guys find us?" He directed his question at Jepthah.
He spoke in his gravelly voice, "That my friend is a tale worth the telling."
Without a second glance Frodo let out a bark and dashed toward their defense, with a hundred men at his back.
* * * * *
Abraham and Lydia were barely keeping ahead of the pack of angry Pirates. Ab did his best to encourage Lydia to move quicker, but the long hours of her captivity were not helping her in this regard. Gripping his sword more firmly, he prepared to turn around and face his many foes. But before he could do so, he heard a bark from behind him. A very familiar deep bark.. a bark that was suppose to be dead.
Lydia screamed with pleasure, "Frodo! Hey boy-"
But before she could give him a hug, he sidestepped her and charged toward the pirates with what looked like a company of men who had grown from trees. Each standing only about five and a half feet, they had beards that were going in all kinds of different directions. Not only did their beards straggle, but their hair was enough to frighten any squirrel away. With rough hide coats that was stretched taunt over their broad shoulders, they were tan from the days they had spent in the sun, making raids onto the Infidels crops and caravans.
With these men, Ab was confident of victory, he charged into the battle yelling, "Lydia! Hurry! Go climb a tree before they can get to you."
Having learned her lesson, she climbed the nearest oak tree up as high as she dared. When she finally turned around, the two sides were locked in deadly combat. From where she was sitting, she had a perfect vantage point of the battle raging at her feet. Frodo was a battle machine, no one could resist the claws and teeth of the ferocious fighter. Abraham was battling two men at once. The apparent general (you could tell that he was the leader, because he was the stockiest) was mauling every man in his path.
The battle was a short one, the pirates had been taken completely by surprise by the multitude prepared to assault them. After another five minutes of fighting, they fell back into the castle. But the barbaric Men of the Forest were right on their heels. In seconds, the castle was in their possession. Not much of a fight was put up when Ab, Frodo, and their little army had captured the stronghold.
When they searched high and low, they could not find the Emperor. He had fled.
"Coward!" Growled Jepthah, as he tipped a table over. (The leader of the Wild Men)
Ab sighed and slouched onto a wooden bench. The Pirates had been contained in the courtyard, as there had been no other place big enough to contain them. When they had found out that their leader had fled, they had completely given up. "Why did he not fight?"
Lydia turned around, her clothes were badly tattered from the climb of the tree and from her captivity. "I doubt he would've wanted to risk his neck over some children.. He probably went to go prepare for Jason."
Realization dawned on Abraham, "That's right! But.. hold on.. how did you guys find us?" He directed his question at Jepthah.
He spoke in his gravelly voice, "That my friend is a tale worth the telling."
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 15
Abraham walked around the prison a couple times, trying to break in the stiff leather armor. Or what the pirates called armor; it was mostly just made of a thick hide of an animal he couldn't identify. He was remembering the conference the Emperor had with him.
As he entered the room, the Emperor had nodded appreciatively, "Get ready. My men are bored and in need of amusement. You will provide us some sport." Shortly after that Abraham had returned to his cell, still having not had a clear look at the Emperor's face through the smoke.
And now he was about to fight in single combat with that trollish man who had killed all his companions. He was to die here.. In the den of his enemies.
No. He must not think like that, he needed to make it out of this alive. Before he could think further, the cell door rattled open and a short, broad bearded man stepped into the cell.
"We're ready for you." Came the gravelly voice.
Abraham gripped and regripped his short sword, his weapon of choice, and proceeded out the door. Head held high. Stepping out of the crude house, he walked to the obvious battle ground.
Three score pirates were gathered around an oval paddock in the middle of the courtyard. The Emperor sat on a raised bench at the far end of the paddock. Now that he sat in broad daylight, Ab gave a start of surprise. The Emperor looked like an owl that was forced to stay awake through the day time. He had those big orb-like eyes, with his skin yellowing and his thin and lanky limbs made him look like a living skeleton.
When the Emperor saw him approaching, he started to speak in that deep voice (Abraham was expecting a squeaky voice), "Here you are. Well, let's get to it then." He said impatiently, snapping his fingers together.
Abraham had thought it over carefully. "No."
The Emperor looked at him. "What?"
"You heard me.. no."
"I know what you said. Do not try my patience boy. I need to know what you mean. I can have you killed right now."
Abraham smiled inwardly, perfect. "Exactly. If you kill me now. There won't be any sport for your men." He paused to let this take the desired affect. "And if you don't hear me out, I'll just start fighting right now and be killed quickly."
The tyrant considered this and said, "Fine. You have earned my respect for wit. I will hear you out."
Abraham looked him right in the eye, and closed the distance to half of what it had been, so that he was only a few yards away from the bench. "If I win, give me the Lady Lydia and grant us freedom. If I lose, you can keep her."
An unnatural quiet had fallen over the rowdy pirates as they watched the Emperor appraise Ab. The silence stretched on. Then he laughed. "Why not? It's always better when the stakes are higher."
Abraham couldn't believe it. Breathing a prayer, he demanded,"Bring Lydia out here if you are true to your promise."
"Of course, of course."
In a few minutes, Lydia appeared. Not looking worse for wear. Apparently, being a captains daughter has advantages. When the Emperor looked at Abraham with a mock questioning look, Ab bowed.
"Very well then! Let it commence." He grinned.
Abraham bowed to Lydia, who had become stony-faced, and turned to face the champion. He was armed to the teeth, and carried a battle-axe, which seemed highly unfair to Ab. Without further ado, the troll-man threw himself at Ab. Barely recovering from his surprise, he dodged the blow and rolled out of the way of the deadly slash. Abraham leapt to his feet and turned around, just in time to see the champion charging back at him. Throwing himself to one side, he barely dodged the next blow. He had just gotten to his feet when the marauder turned around and shot toward him again. Ducking and sweeping his sword in, Ab caught the unsuspecting pirate on the weakest part of the armor, and injured his left shoulder blade.
Letting out a growl of pain, he tried to react but Abraham jumped up and stabbed him in the back. Cutting right through the armor, spine, and right out the other side. The crowd gasped in surprise. From the start, it had looked uneven. The giant swayed, grunting in surprise and fell with a mighty crash, making the ground shudder.
The Emperor gazed at the lump that had once been his body guard, and grinned. "Well played. Now. Take the Lady before I change my mind."
Yanking out the sword, Abraham ran to Lydia and grabbed her by the arm, and sprinted toward the gate. But before they could even get halfway across the yard, there was a mighty roar of anger. The pirates had just realized that their comrade-in-arms had fallen. Grabbing their weapons, they rushed after Abraham and Lydia.
Abraham urged her to go faster, "Hurry! Let's make it to the cover of the forest. We'll find a place to hide there."
With that, they raced for freedom.
Monday, October 7, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Chapter Fourteen
Jason Sterling entered the magnificent hall of Baron Hilldeg. It was exactly what you thought a great hall should look like. It had shields, swords, spears, and banners hanging all along the wall. Sixteen pillars lined each side of the hall, lifting the ceiling to a height of sixty feet. The throne at the end of hall was raised on a dais, and the throne seemed minuscule in richness compared to the magnificence of the Hall itself. Just carved of simple oak, it had tales of battles and love; last stands and heroic comebacks. It also told the stories of knights who went to the ends of the earth for the woman they loved, and it spoke of battles with mighty beasts and dragons. It had it's own richness that the great hall could not equal.
Sir Evans and Commander March started to approach the throne which held the Baron; Jason shook his head and walked swiftly to catch up with them, after picking his jaw off the floor. Then aged Steward tapped his staff on the marble floor and announced the arrival of their guests to the man on the throne, who Jason assumed was the lord of this grand castle.
"Welcome, my guests, I am Joseph Hilldeg. Everything I have is yours. I pray that you shall have a comfortable stay in my house, while you are here. And please, stay as long as you like." When he stood to greet his guests, Jason could tell that he was tall, so tall that he swore he would have to look up if he descended from the dais. As if reading his mind, Joseph strode down the stairs leading from the dais and walked to his guests with an outstretched hand.
He stood only six foot three, but he was broad and muscular. A trim black, flecked with gray beard covered his chin and cheeks. His high forehead did nothing to take away from his eyes, his eyes were black. But this black was nothing but warmth, it didn't swallow warmth, it spewed warmth from the depths of his soul. This was a happy man.
After greeting the other two, he stopped in front of Jason, "So. This is the man who is to deliver us? You tell me he has already fought in a skirmish, Eric?"
"Yes he did. And he was excellent. Never seen a man hold his own that well in his first encounter with the enemy."
"Good, good! Glad to hear our man is a man of arms. Well, I'm very sure that you're all hungry, I will be pleased if you would attend me to dinner." Michael Evans scowled at this bit of praise. (Jason having finally heard the first name when the Steward had introduced them). With that, the lord led the way out of the hall to a connecting chamber.
* * * * *
Frodo scrambled up the steep slope, trying to reach the opposite side of the chasm he had fallen into. He had been wandering for three full days in the woods, barely able to hunt and hardly able to find water, when he fell into this deep ten foot chasm with a stream rushing through it. He had landed on his right hip. The pain had been tremendous. Barely staying conscious, he had dragged himself to the stream to lap the water.
An entire hour passed, and he had barely made any progress up the steep incline. Letting out a sigh full of surrender, he settled done in the mud to await his fate. With a last thought of his master and Abraham, he closed his eyes.
* * * * *
Ab stalked his cell, the interview still on replay in his mind. He had shouted. He was definitely not known for controlling his anger. That was Jason. Oh Jason. The one link he had to home. The one family he had here, he hadn't seen for six days. How long had he been in this cell exactly? Two, three days? He had lost track. The days seemed to blend together.
Of course he had tried to escape, but there was only one window, set high up in the wall. He could barely make up the sunlight seeping through it. Classic, he thought, too classic. Switching back to his original train of thought, he had not done well at all. He had demanded for Lydia's release, instead of getting compliance, he had been thrown in a cell. Instead of walking out of this den of thieves, he had been forced even deeper in.
In one last desperation shot, he had asked if he could exchange himself for Lydia. The Emperor had merely laughed. Like he was going to negotiate with a prisoner. This wasn't how it was suppose to be, Ab thought, he was suppose to swoop in and rescue the damsel in distress. Even if she is annoying. Who am I kidding? Ab banged his head on the wall, that did nothing to relieve his stress, she obviously looks up to Jason. But that doesn't make her annoying.
Abraham shook his head to clear the thoughts and moved across the room to try to figure out a way out of this mess. Then it hit him. Finally. After three days (or what he thought was three days) the realization came thundering it. He was stuck. And there was nothing he could do.
But there was something he could do. He had never been much of a praying man. But, he knelt anyway. He prayed to the Almighty. Praying for hope, and crying out for deliverance.
Sir Evans and Commander March started to approach the throne which held the Baron; Jason shook his head and walked swiftly to catch up with them, after picking his jaw off the floor. Then aged Steward tapped his staff on the marble floor and announced the arrival of their guests to the man on the throne, who Jason assumed was the lord of this grand castle.
"Welcome, my guests, I am Joseph Hilldeg. Everything I have is yours. I pray that you shall have a comfortable stay in my house, while you are here. And please, stay as long as you like." When he stood to greet his guests, Jason could tell that he was tall, so tall that he swore he would have to look up if he descended from the dais. As if reading his mind, Joseph strode down the stairs leading from the dais and walked to his guests with an outstretched hand.
He stood only six foot three, but he was broad and muscular. A trim black, flecked with gray beard covered his chin and cheeks. His high forehead did nothing to take away from his eyes, his eyes were black. But this black was nothing but warmth, it didn't swallow warmth, it spewed warmth from the depths of his soul. This was a happy man.
After greeting the other two, he stopped in front of Jason, "So. This is the man who is to deliver us? You tell me he has already fought in a skirmish, Eric?"
"Yes he did. And he was excellent. Never seen a man hold his own that well in his first encounter with the enemy."
"Good, good! Glad to hear our man is a man of arms. Well, I'm very sure that you're all hungry, I will be pleased if you would attend me to dinner." Michael Evans scowled at this bit of praise. (Jason having finally heard the first name when the Steward had introduced them). With that, the lord led the way out of the hall to a connecting chamber.
* * * * *
Frodo scrambled up the steep slope, trying to reach the opposite side of the chasm he had fallen into. He had been wandering for three full days in the woods, barely able to hunt and hardly able to find water, when he fell into this deep ten foot chasm with a stream rushing through it. He had landed on his right hip. The pain had been tremendous. Barely staying conscious, he had dragged himself to the stream to lap the water.
An entire hour passed, and he had barely made any progress up the steep incline. Letting out a sigh full of surrender, he settled done in the mud to await his fate. With a last thought of his master and Abraham, he closed his eyes.
* * * * *
Ab stalked his cell, the interview still on replay in his mind. He had shouted. He was definitely not known for controlling his anger. That was Jason. Oh Jason. The one link he had to home. The one family he had here, he hadn't seen for six days. How long had he been in this cell exactly? Two, three days? He had lost track. The days seemed to blend together.
Of course he had tried to escape, but there was only one window, set high up in the wall. He could barely make up the sunlight seeping through it. Classic, he thought, too classic. Switching back to his original train of thought, he had not done well at all. He had demanded for Lydia's release, instead of getting compliance, he had been thrown in a cell. Instead of walking out of this den of thieves, he had been forced even deeper in.
In one last desperation shot, he had asked if he could exchange himself for Lydia. The Emperor had merely laughed. Like he was going to negotiate with a prisoner. This wasn't how it was suppose to be, Ab thought, he was suppose to swoop in and rescue the damsel in distress. Even if she is annoying. Who am I kidding? Ab banged his head on the wall, that did nothing to relieve his stress, she obviously looks up to Jason. But that doesn't make her annoying.
Abraham shook his head to clear the thoughts and moved across the room to try to figure out a way out of this mess. Then it hit him. Finally. After three days (or what he thought was three days) the realization came thundering it. He was stuck. And there was nothing he could do.
But there was something he could do. He had never been much of a praying man. But, he knelt anyway. He prayed to the Almighty. Praying for hope, and crying out for deliverance.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 13
After Jason had returned to the side of the two leaders, Commander Eric started to talk, "Master Sterling, as you are aware, you are the hope for Alepp. The prophecy is becoming fulfilled just as soon as you got here. I, and only a few of the nobles of the land, were told by the Prophetess-"
"Wait, the prophetess? What's her name?"
March smiled, "No one ever knew her name. Elohim commanded that she should not tell anyone her name, only to call her Prophetess, or Woman of God." (When Jason looked inquiringly at him) "This signified that the woman or girl would be wholly devoted to Elohim. And only to Him. It was en entire of life of service devoted to Him. But as I was saying, there was more to the prophecy then she told the Pirates. She told us that not only would you be the deliverance for us. But you would unite the nobles together. And that you would set the long lost heir on the throne."
Jason blinked, "That's a whole lot more than I thought I would have to do. What if I just want to return to my world?"
"She also told us that you would probably bring up this excuse, and told us that the way home would not be opened until you accomplished this task you have been allotted with.." Sneered Evans.
Jason glared at him, "Those are the first words that you have spoken to me all day, Sir Evans. And I do not enjoy that tone."
Evans grimaced and gripped his sword handle. All nervousness gone now, and was replaced by an angry flush.
Jason swiftly drew his sword as Commander March reined in between them, "Well, well, well. There is no need for anyone to be angry. Put those weapons down. There has been enough blood spilled today. Our soldiers need to see that we are united as leaders. A house can't stand if it's are divided.
When they replaced their swords back in their scabbards, he continued. "Good. Let's move out. I need to bring you up to pace on your task, Master Sterling."
* * *
Commander March had told that Jason that he would need to convince the nobles of Alepp who were still loyal to the crown to join in the war. But it would take alot of convincing, because Eric only had about two thousand people at his disposal, and only a few recognized it as a revolution. More just an upstart rebellion of peasants and troublemakers. "But," he continued,"Four of the thirteen nobles believe in our cause. And one of them is only a twenty mile ride from here. Let us start with him."
So they had ridden that distance, Evans growing even stiffer in manners toward Sterling with every step. Eric continued to debrief Jason on who the baron was, "His name is Baron, or lord, Joseph Hilldeg. He is one of the most powerful lords in the land. He has been one of the most watchful for your coming. He knew that it would take something big to make the infidels leave.
"He is able to put five thousand men in the field. But, when the people see such a powerful man join our ranks, they will surely rise up with confidence. In short, this first noble is one of the most important to convince."
The leaders proceeded on in silence, with their men chatting quietly behind them. Jason considered what he had just been told, his mind spinning. The miles also seemed to race by, and before he knew it, they were in the courtyard of a magnificent castle and they were being led into the hall by the steward, having left their men to pitch a camp outside the walls, when out of the stables dressed in a simple riding dress, entered the most beautiful girl Jason had ever seen. Jet black hair washed down her back, and blue eyes that could persuade a man to do anything. She only stood five foot four, but she had a air of command around her, yet she also knew when to be gracious and loving.
When Jason had come back to his senses, and his stomach had stopped doing a back-flip, he finally noticed that Commander Eric and Sir Evans were staring at him. March was grinning with a mischievous air, but Evans was glaring at Jason with such hatred that Jason would've drawn his sword again, if the Lady had not at that time entered.
"Master Sterling," Eric's eyes twinkled, "Meet Lady Mary Hilldeg. She is the daughter of our lord who we have come to visit."
Lady Mary dropped a curtsy and said in a voice full of laughter, "Welcome to the halls of my father. I do hope that you will enjoy your stay. But if you'll excuse me, I should go change into something more suitable for the occasion. "
"I think you look fine." Jason blurted out before he had actually thought through the sentence.
Eric merely let out a bark of laughter, Lady Mary only smiled and disappeared into the hall, but Evans looked anything but pleased. Grimacing at himself, Jason dismounted and entered the hall after the Lady, behind the steward with the Commander and Sir Evans. Knowing that it was of the utmost importance that he convinced Baron Hilldeg to join their cause.
* * * * *
Frodo stirred. He had the dim thought that something truly hurt. Something was wrong. He couldn't move his right leg at all. But he knew, if he slipped back into unconsciousness, he would die. He needed to stand up and move around. Primal instinct demanded that he needed to move.
He opened his dark brown eyes, grunted and moved his back left leg and back right leg, which was bent at an awkward angle, underneath him as he prepared to stand. As he stood, he let out a yelp of pain. Whimpering he finally reached the standing position.
The amount of energy it took him to merely get up almost made him collapse again, but his instinct yelled at him to get out of the clearing and find some water. Looking through the mist of the early morning, he could make out bodies around him. Stumbling forward, he looked down into Ryen's face, and Frodo knew that this was a friend. He let out a bark, and nudged Ryen's boot. Why didn't he get up? Why hadn't he woken Frodo up?
Then the cold truth hit him, and this time he did collapse. His master's friends had been slain by the wolves of the enemy. And his brother has been captured. Frodo moved from Ryen to Clatvin, and knew the same was true with this fallen warrior. Sitting down, he let out a howl of sorrow. Why? Why?
As the day waxed on, the mist disappeared, and Frodo knew he had to move on. Heaving a big doggy sigh. He got up and limped to the forest on the right hand side, and plunged into the underbrush. The questions in his head waging an ongoing battle. Should he go back to Jason? Or should he continue his quest and try and find Abraham and Lydia?
* * * * *
Abraham was woke up to the sensation of falling. And then hitting the ground. He started awake to find himself in the middle of what looked to be a courtyard. He struggled to an upright position, as his mind spun through the recent events. Is this where they were holding Lydia? He mused, they just made my job easier. No need to overtake them anymore. I just need to find Lydia and leave.
Easier said than done. As Ab looked around that crude building, he saw what could have been a castle.. in the 1st century. The pirates weren't exactly known for their craftsmanship. The walls were some fifteen feet tall, and three feet thick. And the building in the middle of this outpost was only about thirty feet tall. All in all, it looked like a couple hundred men threw this together in about three days. 'Which,' Ab thought,'was very likely.'
The big pirates grabbed Abraham by the scruff of the collar and dragged him into the house. The man could easily have been a troll, he has the kind of look in his face. His nose was flat, his eyes grey and lifeless, his faded blonde hair cropped close to his head. And he was broad and tall. Muscle stretched the sinew taunt over his body. He entered in what must have been the great hall and slammed Ab to the floor. "Stand up." His voice low and guttural.
When Johnson didn't obey immediately, the champion gave him another yank on the collar. Slowly, Abraham got to his feet and looked up to the raised platform at the end of the room. And then got a blow on top off his head for it. "Don't look at the Emperor. Your dirty eyes are not worthy enough to look upon his highness. Keep your head bowed, bastard."
Ab glared at the man for treating him like this. But did as he was told, for he knew this was the only way to find out what was going on. He needed to find Lydia and get out of here. And then it hit him. Was this the Emperor of all Pirates? Surely not.
"He is permitted to look at me. I would look upon the man who wrought such destruction on my men." Came a deep, rich voice.
The troll lifted Ab to his feet, and walked out. Apparently dismissed. Abraham approached the throne, peering through the smoke that the fire was making.
"You may not come closer. I can see you clearly. I want to know why you have come here. Or at least why you were pursuing my men?"
Abraham decided it was best to go with the truth. "I was chasing after your cowardly men, because we were trying to free one of our own that your men had captured."
The Emperor seemed to ignore the slighting remarks on his retainers, and merely laughed. "She is not one of yours. Trust me. She is mine. Or rather, the daughter of one of my captains. One of the noble lord's of the sea."
When Ab merely looked confused, he continued. "Surely you know that she is the daughter of Captain Bruce Bradford?"
Abraham stared.
"Wait, the prophetess? What's her name?"
March smiled, "No one ever knew her name. Elohim commanded that she should not tell anyone her name, only to call her Prophetess, or Woman of God." (When Jason looked inquiringly at him) "This signified that the woman or girl would be wholly devoted to Elohim. And only to Him. It was en entire of life of service devoted to Him. But as I was saying, there was more to the prophecy then she told the Pirates. She told us that not only would you be the deliverance for us. But you would unite the nobles together. And that you would set the long lost heir on the throne."
Jason blinked, "That's a whole lot more than I thought I would have to do. What if I just want to return to my world?"
"She also told us that you would probably bring up this excuse, and told us that the way home would not be opened until you accomplished this task you have been allotted with.." Sneered Evans.
Jason glared at him, "Those are the first words that you have spoken to me all day, Sir Evans. And I do not enjoy that tone."
Evans grimaced and gripped his sword handle. All nervousness gone now, and was replaced by an angry flush.
Jason swiftly drew his sword as Commander March reined in between them, "Well, well, well. There is no need for anyone to be angry. Put those weapons down. There has been enough blood spilled today. Our soldiers need to see that we are united as leaders. A house can't stand if it's are divided.
When they replaced their swords back in their scabbards, he continued. "Good. Let's move out. I need to bring you up to pace on your task, Master Sterling."
* * *
Commander March had told that Jason that he would need to convince the nobles of Alepp who were still loyal to the crown to join in the war. But it would take alot of convincing, because Eric only had about two thousand people at his disposal, and only a few recognized it as a revolution. More just an upstart rebellion of peasants and troublemakers. "But," he continued,"Four of the thirteen nobles believe in our cause. And one of them is only a twenty mile ride from here. Let us start with him."
So they had ridden that distance, Evans growing even stiffer in manners toward Sterling with every step. Eric continued to debrief Jason on who the baron was, "His name is Baron, or lord, Joseph Hilldeg. He is one of the most powerful lords in the land. He has been one of the most watchful for your coming. He knew that it would take something big to make the infidels leave.
"He is able to put five thousand men in the field. But, when the people see such a powerful man join our ranks, they will surely rise up with confidence. In short, this first noble is one of the most important to convince."
The leaders proceeded on in silence, with their men chatting quietly behind them. Jason considered what he had just been told, his mind spinning. The miles also seemed to race by, and before he knew it, they were in the courtyard of a magnificent castle and they were being led into the hall by the steward, having left their men to pitch a camp outside the walls, when out of the stables dressed in a simple riding dress, entered the most beautiful girl Jason had ever seen. Jet black hair washed down her back, and blue eyes that could persuade a man to do anything. She only stood five foot four, but she had a air of command around her, yet she also knew when to be gracious and loving.
When Jason had come back to his senses, and his stomach had stopped doing a back-flip, he finally noticed that Commander Eric and Sir Evans were staring at him. March was grinning with a mischievous air, but Evans was glaring at Jason with such hatred that Jason would've drawn his sword again, if the Lady had not at that time entered.
"Master Sterling," Eric's eyes twinkled, "Meet Lady Mary Hilldeg. She is the daughter of our lord who we have come to visit."
Lady Mary dropped a curtsy and said in a voice full of laughter, "Welcome to the halls of my father. I do hope that you will enjoy your stay. But if you'll excuse me, I should go change into something more suitable for the occasion. "
"I think you look fine." Jason blurted out before he had actually thought through the sentence.
Eric merely let out a bark of laughter, Lady Mary only smiled and disappeared into the hall, but Evans looked anything but pleased. Grimacing at himself, Jason dismounted and entered the hall after the Lady, behind the steward with the Commander and Sir Evans. Knowing that it was of the utmost importance that he convinced Baron Hilldeg to join their cause.
* * * * *
Frodo stirred. He had the dim thought that something truly hurt. Something was wrong. He couldn't move his right leg at all. But he knew, if he slipped back into unconsciousness, he would die. He needed to stand up and move around. Primal instinct demanded that he needed to move.
He opened his dark brown eyes, grunted and moved his back left leg and back right leg, which was bent at an awkward angle, underneath him as he prepared to stand. As he stood, he let out a yelp of pain. Whimpering he finally reached the standing position.
The amount of energy it took him to merely get up almost made him collapse again, but his instinct yelled at him to get out of the clearing and find some water. Looking through the mist of the early morning, he could make out bodies around him. Stumbling forward, he looked down into Ryen's face, and Frodo knew that this was a friend. He let out a bark, and nudged Ryen's boot. Why didn't he get up? Why hadn't he woken Frodo up?
Then the cold truth hit him, and this time he did collapse. His master's friends had been slain by the wolves of the enemy. And his brother has been captured. Frodo moved from Ryen to Clatvin, and knew the same was true with this fallen warrior. Sitting down, he let out a howl of sorrow. Why? Why?
As the day waxed on, the mist disappeared, and Frodo knew he had to move on. Heaving a big doggy sigh. He got up and limped to the forest on the right hand side, and plunged into the underbrush. The questions in his head waging an ongoing battle. Should he go back to Jason? Or should he continue his quest and try and find Abraham and Lydia?
* * * * *
Abraham was woke up to the sensation of falling. And then hitting the ground. He started awake to find himself in the middle of what looked to be a courtyard. He struggled to an upright position, as his mind spun through the recent events. Is this where they were holding Lydia? He mused, they just made my job easier. No need to overtake them anymore. I just need to find Lydia and leave.
Easier said than done. As Ab looked around that crude building, he saw what could have been a castle.. in the 1st century. The pirates weren't exactly known for their craftsmanship. The walls were some fifteen feet tall, and three feet thick. And the building in the middle of this outpost was only about thirty feet tall. All in all, it looked like a couple hundred men threw this together in about three days. 'Which,' Ab thought,'was very likely.'
The big pirates grabbed Abraham by the scruff of the collar and dragged him into the house. The man could easily have been a troll, he has the kind of look in his face. His nose was flat, his eyes grey and lifeless, his faded blonde hair cropped close to his head. And he was broad and tall. Muscle stretched the sinew taunt over his body. He entered in what must have been the great hall and slammed Ab to the floor. "Stand up." His voice low and guttural.
When Johnson didn't obey immediately, the champion gave him another yank on the collar. Slowly, Abraham got to his feet and looked up to the raised platform at the end of the room. And then got a blow on top off his head for it. "Don't look at the Emperor. Your dirty eyes are not worthy enough to look upon his highness. Keep your head bowed, bastard."
Ab glared at the man for treating him like this. But did as he was told, for he knew this was the only way to find out what was going on. He needed to find Lydia and get out of here. And then it hit him. Was this the Emperor of all Pirates? Surely not.
"He is permitted to look at me. I would look upon the man who wrought such destruction on my men." Came a deep, rich voice.
The troll lifted Ab to his feet, and walked out. Apparently dismissed. Abraham approached the throne, peering through the smoke that the fire was making.
"You may not come closer. I can see you clearly. I want to know why you have come here. Or at least why you were pursuing my men?"
Abraham decided it was best to go with the truth. "I was chasing after your cowardly men, because we were trying to free one of our own that your men had captured."
The Emperor seemed to ignore the slighting remarks on his retainers, and merely laughed. "She is not one of yours. Trust me. She is mine. Or rather, the daughter of one of my captains. One of the noble lord's of the sea."
When Ab merely looked confused, he continued. "Surely you know that she is the daughter of Captain Bruce Bradford?"
Abraham stared.
Monday, September 30, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 12
With a roar of frustration, Abraham shot up the hill to where Lydia had just disappeared over. Jason was just about to bound after his friend, when Eric pulled up next to him and grabbed his reins.
"Don't go. The soldiers need you here."
"I need to go with my friend, so that I can rescue my other friend!" Jason replied furiously.
"I know you want to go, but you're the Savior of Alepp. You're the one who will give hope to us. And if someone takes you away, what heart is left in these men is going to be gone. Many of them have already lost their homes, and families. The enemy plunders, and he is very crafty, we're doing all we can to survive. Please stay."
Jason was tore, he looked up the hillside as his bestfriend disappeared over the crest, but he knew he needed to help the Allepians. He sighed, he knew what he had to do. "I'll stay, just as long as you send a couple of men to catch him and give him provisions and some form of protection. Oh, and Frodo. You must go."
Frodo whined. He didn't want to leave his master, he knew that the hard things were just beginning. Jason calmly dismounted from his horse, and bent down toward the dog. He laid his hands on either side of the big dogs face and stared into his chocolate brown eyes, after a few moments Jason nodded and the big dog nodded and wagged his tail. Before leaping away, he gave his master a quick lick and raced after Ab. So did two other riders.
Sterling watched after his two companions as raced away, and a sense of dread and foreboding settled over his heart. Wondering whether they would live to see each other again and make it home safely? Someone called his name, so he turned his horse and rode slowly to where Commander March and Sir Evans was sitting on their horses.
*********************
Ab and Frodo had been pursuing the pirates through the forest for three days now. The two other men, Ryen and Clatvin, had brought provisions with them, but they hadn't known they would be gone for three days. Abraham shifted his body in the saddle as he rode behind Ryen, who was trying to discern the pirates tracks. Frodo was next to his right stirrup, and Clatvin was just behind, keeping an eye out for the marauders.
Ryen shot up, and whispered quietly, "They were just here. Maybe ten or fifteen minutes ago."
Ab quickly replied, "Then what are we waiting for? Where did they go next?"
"That's the problem. They don't. They just stop right here."
Clatvin spoke up for the first time, "Then where could they have gone?"
Before they could so much as look at each other, there was a shout, and the group of fifteen pirates slid down from the trees surrounding them. Ab and his companions whipped their swords out and fell back into a tighter circle to try to reconnoitre. But they didn't have any such time, because before they could formulate plan, the pirates charged and attacked the four.
Clatvin and Ryen charged forward, and Frodo and Ab wheeled around and attacked those who were charging from the back. But the battle was lost before it had even begun, the pirates were confident in their numbers. But the companions still fought, knowing that a brutal torturing would happen to them if they were captured. Clatvin felled three pirates before he fell from the saddle from a spear thrust to the thigh, and would've died there and then, if Ryen hadn't charged over to him and had his horse stand as a shield between the pirates and his friend.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the trail, Abraham had dismounted, finding it easier to fight on foot, and had already wounded four men, and killed one. Frodo was doing desperate fighting, and had already made short work of three other surprised pirates. Finally a pirate charged them, who looked like he was their captain, since he was bulkier than any by far. Frodo was wounded with a quick backhanded thrust in the right haunch. Whimpering, he collapsed in the dirt. Ab barely had time to recover from his surprise, just parried the blow intended for his neck from the champion pirate.
Just as Abraham was trying to get a good footing to defend himself, a quick pirate leapt in from behind and dealt a glancing blow with the back of his hilt to Ab's head. When Abraham collapsed, the pirates let out a yell of triumph as they turned around to deal with Ryen and a struggling Clatvin. Pulling a bow from the pack on Ab's horse, the big man pulled back and shot. It's sharp tip found Ryen's throat. He was dead before he hit the ground. With a cry, Clatvin struggled to his feet, but he could no more defend his comrades body then stand. With an air of confidence, the big man walked toward Clatvin and thrust his spear into the young man's stomach. Making the life's blood run freely.
The champion spoke gruffly, "Pick up that man there (pointing to Abraham), and leave the dog. We can move quicker. I don't have the heart to kill anymore today." The other pirates guffawed, and tied Johnson to the back of his horse, and led him deeper into the woods. Leaving bodies behind.
"Don't go. The soldiers need you here."
"I need to go with my friend, so that I can rescue my other friend!" Jason replied furiously.
"I know you want to go, but you're the Savior of Alepp. You're the one who will give hope to us. And if someone takes you away, what heart is left in these men is going to be gone. Many of them have already lost their homes, and families. The enemy plunders, and he is very crafty, we're doing all we can to survive. Please stay."
Jason was tore, he looked up the hillside as his bestfriend disappeared over the crest, but he knew he needed to help the Allepians. He sighed, he knew what he had to do. "I'll stay, just as long as you send a couple of men to catch him and give him provisions and some form of protection. Oh, and Frodo. You must go."
Frodo whined. He didn't want to leave his master, he knew that the hard things were just beginning. Jason calmly dismounted from his horse, and bent down toward the dog. He laid his hands on either side of the big dogs face and stared into his chocolate brown eyes, after a few moments Jason nodded and the big dog nodded and wagged his tail. Before leaping away, he gave his master a quick lick and raced after Ab. So did two other riders.
Sterling watched after his two companions as raced away, and a sense of dread and foreboding settled over his heart. Wondering whether they would live to see each other again and make it home safely? Someone called his name, so he turned his horse and rode slowly to where Commander March and Sir Evans was sitting on their horses.
*********************
Ab and Frodo had been pursuing the pirates through the forest for three days now. The two other men, Ryen and Clatvin, had brought provisions with them, but they hadn't known they would be gone for three days. Abraham shifted his body in the saddle as he rode behind Ryen, who was trying to discern the pirates tracks. Frodo was next to his right stirrup, and Clatvin was just behind, keeping an eye out for the marauders.
Ryen shot up, and whispered quietly, "They were just here. Maybe ten or fifteen minutes ago."
Ab quickly replied, "Then what are we waiting for? Where did they go next?"
"That's the problem. They don't. They just stop right here."
Clatvin spoke up for the first time, "Then where could they have gone?"
Before they could so much as look at each other, there was a shout, and the group of fifteen pirates slid down from the trees surrounding them. Ab and his companions whipped their swords out and fell back into a tighter circle to try to reconnoitre. But they didn't have any such time, because before they could formulate plan, the pirates charged and attacked the four.
Clatvin and Ryen charged forward, and Frodo and Ab wheeled around and attacked those who were charging from the back. But the battle was lost before it had even begun, the pirates were confident in their numbers. But the companions still fought, knowing that a brutal torturing would happen to them if they were captured. Clatvin felled three pirates before he fell from the saddle from a spear thrust to the thigh, and would've died there and then, if Ryen hadn't charged over to him and had his horse stand as a shield between the pirates and his friend.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the trail, Abraham had dismounted, finding it easier to fight on foot, and had already wounded four men, and killed one. Frodo was doing desperate fighting, and had already made short work of three other surprised pirates. Finally a pirate charged them, who looked like he was their captain, since he was bulkier than any by far. Frodo was wounded with a quick backhanded thrust in the right haunch. Whimpering, he collapsed in the dirt. Ab barely had time to recover from his surprise, just parried the blow intended for his neck from the champion pirate.
Just as Abraham was trying to get a good footing to defend himself, a quick pirate leapt in from behind and dealt a glancing blow with the back of his hilt to Ab's head. When Abraham collapsed, the pirates let out a yell of triumph as they turned around to deal with Ryen and a struggling Clatvin. Pulling a bow from the pack on Ab's horse, the big man pulled back and shot. It's sharp tip found Ryen's throat. He was dead before he hit the ground. With a cry, Clatvin struggled to his feet, but he could no more defend his comrades body then stand. With an air of confidence, the big man walked toward Clatvin and thrust his spear into the young man's stomach. Making the life's blood run freely.
The champion spoke gruffly, "Pick up that man there (pointing to Abraham), and leave the dog. We can move quicker. I don't have the heart to kill anymore today." The other pirates guffawed, and tied Johnson to the back of his horse, and led him deeper into the woods. Leaving bodies behind.
Friday, September 27, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 11
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| Sterling's coat of arms. |
"Sir, we heard of a possible raid we could make. There is a raid passing just north of us, on it's way from Ecler to Mosen. There are only twenty-five men guarding it. We can easily take it by force if we act quick enough."
"Thank you, Evans. Well- Oh! Meet our guests! (For at that moment Lydia had coughed very loudly) This is Jason Sterling (at this Evans just looked even more nervous), and this is Abraham, and finally this young Lady here is Miss Lydia. And you can't forget this beast of a dog, Frodo.
"But yes, we need to move quickly. with my thirty men, and your two hundred, we're in a good position to make this raid succesful. We need to go. NOW. Get the men-"
But he was interrupted one again, this time by Jason, "Sir, if you would grant me one boon."
"Of course, anything you want. As long as it is in my power to give." Eric said good naturedly.
"It is but a simple one. That you keep Miss Lydia here in safety, at your camp." Lydia started at the mention of her name and glared at Jason.
Eric's grinned, "Why of course. Miss, this way if you please."
When Lydia opened her mouth to object, Ab snapped, "Oh come on, Lydia. We need to move fast, and have no time for your little quarrels."
Tears welled up in Lydia's eyes, but she resolutely shut her mouth and wield the horse around and galloped back to the camp with one of the aides-de-camp hurrying to keep up. Jason turned around to Abraham, "Was that necessary?" He demanded.
When Ab only looked away, Jason shook his head and told Commander March they were ready to ride. With that, the troop filed out of the beautiful valley and left the safety of the camp behind them and rode swiftly to the place where they aimed to have the ambush.
They finally reached the place only a few minutes before the caravan was passing through them. The place was an ideal place to ambush, the road wound through a ravine, with high rocks on either side of them. The rocks and tall boulders on either side gave shelter to the archers.
"Hurry, Evans. Take half of the men with you, and position yourself along the opposite side of the ravine as you deem fit. Go! Hurry. We only have a few minutes if our scouts are telling the truth. You two will stay and fight by my side if you are wanting." Eric said, glancing back at Jason and Ab.
"We would be honored, sir." Jason said bowing his head. Abraham followed suit. Eric smiled and accepted the bow with a gracious air.
But before Evan and his men could cross the road and climb up the opposite side, there was a shout just issuing from the mouth of the ravine. A body of some two hundred horse men charged Evan's company, who had been caught unawares. Before he could pull his troop into a defensive position, the enemies horsemen came crashing into the mass of confusion. Commander March held his troops, "Wait. They haven't noticed us. If we wait just a little longer, we can turn this betrayal into a victory for Alepp."
Then Jason thought it through, that is exactly what it was. They had been given false information. There was no caravan coming, and this definitely wasn't just "25 men". But before he could surmise who did it, there was a shout from Eric and the remaining company of natives swept down upon the unsuspecting pirates who were very much immersed in their work of destruction. Jason urged his horse forward with Abraham at his side, and Frodo just trailing them. The trio were magnificent, although Jason and Abraham had never learned to fight on the back of a horse, they still did terrible work to their enemies. The pirates fell back from their onslaught.
Once Evans saw his leader charging from the heights, he rallied his discouraged troops and they threw themselves back into the fight with even greater fierceness then Eric and his men. The two companies were fighting as one, yet with the fierceness of two hundred. Before they knew it, the pirates were in full retreat. But before they could celebrate their victory, they heard a piercing scream. Jason swerved around and squinted up the hillside from where they had just descended.
A few of the pirates had retreated up the hill after the defeat, and they seemed to be struggling with a rider. But before they could ride to his aid. The rider was ripped from the saddle, and thrown into a place behind a pirate, and dragged back over the crest of the hill. The rider let out one last scream, "JASON!" Before she was quickly silenced with a swift blow to the head.
Abraham grabbed Jason's arm, "Oh my goodness! Jas, that's Lydia!"
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 10
All night they rode through the mist and over running streams. This gave Jason, who was riding beside Eric at the head of the column, some time to ask questions. "So what is exactly the situation in Alepp?"
"Wow, Master Sterling, that is quite the question. How about start out with something easier?" Eric replied.
"Well then, where are the strongholds off the Pirates in this country?"
"Let's see, they have many small castles and forts, but the biggest of them are concentrated along the coast, and right in the centre of the Island-"
"Wait, Alepp is an island?" Jason interjected.
"Yes, as far as we know." Eric replied, "But the way they've set up, they have made it nearly impossible to make a general movement among the people."
"What do you mean by, 'as far as we know'?" Jason cut in once again.
"Because no one has ever charted it."
When Jason stared at him, Eric continued,"Why do you ask?"
"Because, wouldn't it make sense to at least to try to formulate a map? Or chart the countryside?"
"Of course not. Every man who comes of age" (Once again Jason interrupted, to which he learned that the coming of age was 15) "he takes a journey touring the country. So, that in case of sudden war, he would be able to get to a known spot without trouble. And if ever an enemy landed on the Isle of Alepp, they would never procure a map of the Island, thus making it harder to maneuver their troops quickly, and making them more vulnerable to ambush. Of course they've bribed tribesmen to lead them around, but normally the king would have the people evacuate around the spot the enemy landed on so as to avoid such an incident."
"But, if this kingdom had such a good defense system, how did it fall so quickly?" Jason questioned.
At this, Eric stiffened slightly. "Bare-faced treachery. Bruce Bradford told his brother, the High King of Alepp, that the Pirates longed for peace and wanted to meet on an island just off the coast. Although the King Peter was a man of great courage and valor, he always deemed that peace was better than war and he went to the Council, wary but hopeful. This constant war had been going off and on for a millenia. But when he and his lords ascended the beach they were immediately ambushed, and one thousand pirates assaulted the company of nobles, led by none other than the self named "Emperor of the Skull". With all of the leaders only having two retainers apiece, they were quickly cut down. Pretty soon, only a few of the King's choicest followers had survived, and they and the king defended themselves on a little rise in the land. Finally, one by one they fell. Then, only the king was left standing, soon after slaying twenty five of the enemy he was over come, and he was killed.
"Right away, the army of Pirates invaded. No one could stop them. It happened so quickly. And so, after all the royalty were killed, the commoners of Alepp were subdued and we were overcome. That was five years ago, and since then the yoke and cruelty has grown and finally the people of the Isle have decided to throw off their oppressors." When he finished his narrative, Jason could see that his cheeks were running from the tears that flowed from his eyes. This man truly loved his country.
"Bradford? I know that name. He was the captain who captured us! Could it possibly be Bruce?" Sterling asked with a start.
"Yes, it could have been. Bradford could rarely walk in the streets without having stones thrown at him. He was forced to leave the country, and he joined the fleet of the Skull. No man has ever sunk so low as to betray his own brother and country all at once. He is the basest traitor!"
"You will be happy to know that before we fled the ship, I engaged him in a duel and wounded his left side."
Eric grinned. "I'm very happy to hear it."
They fell silent as their horses crested a long, steep rise and came to a stand still. Eric pointed down into a valley and to a left to what appeared to be a tent camp with smoke floating out of it. As Eric motioned for one of his men, Jason pulled his horse back and cantered back to his friends. Frodo barked at him disdainfully from the ground where he lay next to Abraham, as if to say,"Did we really have to travel that far?"
"Quiet beast!" Jason said laughingly, then he turned to Ab and Lydia, who were staring down at the city hidden away in this lush valley,"How was your ride?"
Abraham shook himself out of his reverie,"Oh! It was fine. We were talking to some of the men about their homes and the places around them."
Lydia nodded in agreement,"It was really interesting! One of them-"
But they never got around to what she was trying to say, because at that very moment a man clad in a grey and hooded, just like the rest of them, ran up to them. Breathless, he shouted to Eric, "Commander March! Sir Evans wanted me to tell you that there is a train of supplies heading north to Rolde to feed the pirates there! He awaits your orders."
Commander March sat in his saddle for a moment, and then turned to his men and yelled, "It's time to stand for freedom!"
With a mighty shout, the company of men raced down into the valley, with the four in tow.
"Wow, Master Sterling, that is quite the question. How about start out with something easier?" Eric replied.
"Well then, where are the strongholds off the Pirates in this country?"
"Let's see, they have many small castles and forts, but the biggest of them are concentrated along the coast, and right in the centre of the Island-"
"Wait, Alepp is an island?" Jason interjected.
"Yes, as far as we know." Eric replied, "But the way they've set up, they have made it nearly impossible to make a general movement among the people."
"What do you mean by, 'as far as we know'?" Jason cut in once again.
"Because no one has ever charted it."
When Jason stared at him, Eric continued,"Why do you ask?"
"Because, wouldn't it make sense to at least to try to formulate a map? Or chart the countryside?"
"Of course not. Every man who comes of age" (Once again Jason interrupted, to which he learned that the coming of age was 15) "he takes a journey touring the country. So, that in case of sudden war, he would be able to get to a known spot without trouble. And if ever an enemy landed on the Isle of Alepp, they would never procure a map of the Island, thus making it harder to maneuver their troops quickly, and making them more vulnerable to ambush. Of course they've bribed tribesmen to lead them around, but normally the king would have the people evacuate around the spot the enemy landed on so as to avoid such an incident."
"But, if this kingdom had such a good defense system, how did it fall so quickly?" Jason questioned.
At this, Eric stiffened slightly. "Bare-faced treachery. Bruce Bradford told his brother, the High King of Alepp, that the Pirates longed for peace and wanted to meet on an island just off the coast. Although the King Peter was a man of great courage and valor, he always deemed that peace was better than war and he went to the Council, wary but hopeful. This constant war had been going off and on for a millenia. But when he and his lords ascended the beach they were immediately ambushed, and one thousand pirates assaulted the company of nobles, led by none other than the self named "Emperor of the Skull". With all of the leaders only having two retainers apiece, they were quickly cut down. Pretty soon, only a few of the King's choicest followers had survived, and they and the king defended themselves on a little rise in the land. Finally, one by one they fell. Then, only the king was left standing, soon after slaying twenty five of the enemy he was over come, and he was killed.
"Right away, the army of Pirates invaded. No one could stop them. It happened so quickly. And so, after all the royalty were killed, the commoners of Alepp were subdued and we were overcome. That was five years ago, and since then the yoke and cruelty has grown and finally the people of the Isle have decided to throw off their oppressors." When he finished his narrative, Jason could see that his cheeks were running from the tears that flowed from his eyes. This man truly loved his country.
"Bradford? I know that name. He was the captain who captured us! Could it possibly be Bruce?" Sterling asked with a start.
"Yes, it could have been. Bradford could rarely walk in the streets without having stones thrown at him. He was forced to leave the country, and he joined the fleet of the Skull. No man has ever sunk so low as to betray his own brother and country all at once. He is the basest traitor!"
"You will be happy to know that before we fled the ship, I engaged him in a duel and wounded his left side."
Eric grinned. "I'm very happy to hear it."
They fell silent as their horses crested a long, steep rise and came to a stand still. Eric pointed down into a valley and to a left to what appeared to be a tent camp with smoke floating out of it. As Eric motioned for one of his men, Jason pulled his horse back and cantered back to his friends. Frodo barked at him disdainfully from the ground where he lay next to Abraham, as if to say,"Did we really have to travel that far?"
"Quiet beast!" Jason said laughingly, then he turned to Ab and Lydia, who were staring down at the city hidden away in this lush valley,"How was your ride?"
Abraham shook himself out of his reverie,"Oh! It was fine. We were talking to some of the men about their homes and the places around them."
Lydia nodded in agreement,"It was really interesting! One of them-"
But they never got around to what she was trying to say, because at that very moment a man clad in a grey and hooded, just like the rest of them, ran up to them. Breathless, he shouted to Eric, "Commander March! Sir Evans wanted me to tell you that there is a train of supplies heading north to Rolde to feed the pirates there! He awaits your orders."
Commander March sat in his saddle for a moment, and then turned to his men and yelled, "It's time to stand for freedom!"
With a mighty shout, the company of men raced down into the valley, with the four in tow.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book I Part 9
When they had escaped the walls of Ecler, they thought that the Drolfs would overtake them. Having the speed of an ostrich one of those beasts could easily catch up to them, Jason and Ab were on the lookout for a place that could easily be defended.
But when they had turned around, nobody was pursuing them. The wide plains outside of Ecler were empty except for the four of them, when they looked up at the wall, Drolfs lined it. There had to have been around fifty of them, "Why don't they follow us?" Abraham asked.
Lydia glared at them, "Do you want them to come after us?"
"No! Definitely not! I was just wondering.."
Jason interrupted, "I don't think they can."
"What do you mean?" Lydia questioned.
"Look." Jason said pointing to the far right to a Drolf that was trying to throw itself off the wall, but then it seemed to be forced back into place. Every now and then, a one of them would bounce off the wall to try to pursue their quarry, but they would be thrown right back into their original position.
But as they continued, they saw a body of horsemen sally out from the gate and fly across the plane toward the group of escapees. "Hurry! We need to make it to the forest before they catch us!" Lydia cried out.
When they turned around, Abraham growled in determination. The outreaches of the tree were still a few hundreds yards away and all the while the horsemen were gaining on them every step. Fifty yards past by in a heartbeat, but the horsemen were steadily gaining. The tree line was still seemed impossible to reach before the horsemen gained them.
Sterling turned around and back pedaled and counted the number of riders. "30! There's 30 of them!"
With that, they all ran as hard and as fast as they could, Frodo just ahead of them. One hundred and fifty yards past, and they could hear the shouts and threats of their pursuers. They all encouraged each other and dug deeper, looking for an extra gear to get to the forest, when suddenly an arrow whizzed over head and struck the foremost rider in the throat and caused him to fall out of his seat. Before his comrades recovered from their surprise, a cloud of arrows sped through the air and each one found a target in a rider or horse.
The companions took immediate advantage of their pursuers distraction and they reached the shelter of the woods before the few remaining riders could regroup. When they had past the line, Jason, Abraham, Lydia and Frodo looked back to see the survivors of the ambush retreating. They hadn't known what had hit them, and it was a fool's errand if they had continued to the pursuit since they did not know the numbers of the archers. Whipping around, the remnant raced back to the town with arrows streaking after them, they had left two thirds of their force on the ground.
"Are you the one they call Sterling?"
The companions whipped around to find them confronted by a hooded man, and thirty some bows were trained on them. "What if I am?" answered Jason stiffly.
"Let's not waste time, because those soldiers won't give up that easily and will bring an even bigger force to attack you. So, please, tell me."
Jason looked and Ab and Lydia, who nodded, "Yes, I'm Jason Sterling. What is your name?"
"I don't think I'll answer that right now. Seize them!" When Jason and Abraham raised their swords and got into a combative position, he merely laughed, "Are you seriously thinking of resisting? It would be best just to come quickly and quietly and not have anymore blood shed." He nodded to the bows and arrows.
Jason nodded and motioned to Ab to sheath his sword. More hooded men bound forward and had them had over their make shift scabbards and swords, and the bow and a sheaf of arrows. Lydia frowned as the men asked to search her pack,"What do you think I have in here? I just have clothes and food!"
"Miss, just let us search it for precationary measures."
Lydia glared at them stubbornly, "Please, Lydia, just let them check real quick." Jason encouraged.
She sighed and relented, the fore-most man cautiously took the bag from Lydia, and quickly searched the pack and handed it back to her, Jason's and Ab's had already been searched and the one on Frodo's back was quickly scanned, despite his growls of warning. They finished the search and then the troop lined up on either side of the companions and they started off into the dense forest along a deer trail.
After fifteen minutes of steady running, they veered off the trail and ran towards the northwest where Jason remembered seeing a mountain range in the distance. Even with the cool night breeze fanning against their skin, the company was covered in sweat. The landscape wasn't flat, as they neared the mountains, the ground started to roll. uphill and downhill they ran.
Finally, the company spilled into a clearing where their were a number of horses snorting and chomping their bit and bridle. Impatient to be off. Now that they had a closer look at the man who was obviously in charge, they could make out his features more clearly. He was not overly tall, very broad, and had a commanding air. He had golden eyes that reflected the light of the stars, and when he spoke thunder rumbled in his chest, "I'm sorry for the unceremonious treatment, but seeing as how we had to escape as quickly as we could, I had to do what I thought best. My name is Eric March, and I am the leader of the army who is resisting the Skull! I am very pleased to meet you, Jason Sterling. And your companions are?.."
"This Abraham Johnson." Ab gave him his best diner nod. "This young lady is Lydia, she got us out of Ecler safe and sound." Lydia blushed and managed a courtsey. "And finally, this is Frodo." Jason reached down and rubbed his dog's back, who barked in acknowledgement.
Eric did a sweeping bow and replied, "Now, if you don't mind traveling farther tonight, I would like to reach the mountain range and my fort before dawn."
Jason looked at his friends, and when they assented, the company climbed into the saddle and rode off to Eric's base. As Jason thought to himself, 'We just took the first step of freeing this country.'
But when they had turned around, nobody was pursuing them. The wide plains outside of Ecler were empty except for the four of them, when they looked up at the wall, Drolfs lined it. There had to have been around fifty of them, "Why don't they follow us?" Abraham asked.
Lydia glared at them, "Do you want them to come after us?"
"No! Definitely not! I was just wondering.."
Jason interrupted, "I don't think they can."
"What do you mean?" Lydia questioned.
"Look." Jason said pointing to the far right to a Drolf that was trying to throw itself off the wall, but then it seemed to be forced back into place. Every now and then, a one of them would bounce off the wall to try to pursue their quarry, but they would be thrown right back into their original position.
But as they continued, they saw a body of horsemen sally out from the gate and fly across the plane toward the group of escapees. "Hurry! We need to make it to the forest before they catch us!" Lydia cried out.
When they turned around, Abraham growled in determination. The outreaches of the tree were still a few hundreds yards away and all the while the horsemen were gaining on them every step. Fifty yards past by in a heartbeat, but the horsemen were steadily gaining. The tree line was still seemed impossible to reach before the horsemen gained them.
Sterling turned around and back pedaled and counted the number of riders. "30! There's 30 of them!"
With that, they all ran as hard and as fast as they could, Frodo just ahead of them. One hundred and fifty yards past, and they could hear the shouts and threats of their pursuers. They all encouraged each other and dug deeper, looking for an extra gear to get to the forest, when suddenly an arrow whizzed over head and struck the foremost rider in the throat and caused him to fall out of his seat. Before his comrades recovered from their surprise, a cloud of arrows sped through the air and each one found a target in a rider or horse.
The companions took immediate advantage of their pursuers distraction and they reached the shelter of the woods before the few remaining riders could regroup. When they had past the line, Jason, Abraham, Lydia and Frodo looked back to see the survivors of the ambush retreating. They hadn't known what had hit them, and it was a fool's errand if they had continued to the pursuit since they did not know the numbers of the archers. Whipping around, the remnant raced back to the town with arrows streaking after them, they had left two thirds of their force on the ground.
"Are you the one they call Sterling?"
The companions whipped around to find them confronted by a hooded man, and thirty some bows were trained on them. "What if I am?" answered Jason stiffly.
"Let's not waste time, because those soldiers won't give up that easily and will bring an even bigger force to attack you. So, please, tell me."
Jason looked and Ab and Lydia, who nodded, "Yes, I'm Jason Sterling. What is your name?"
"I don't think I'll answer that right now. Seize them!" When Jason and Abraham raised their swords and got into a combative position, he merely laughed, "Are you seriously thinking of resisting? It would be best just to come quickly and quietly and not have anymore blood shed." He nodded to the bows and arrows.
Jason nodded and motioned to Ab to sheath his sword. More hooded men bound forward and had them had over their make shift scabbards and swords, and the bow and a sheaf of arrows. Lydia frowned as the men asked to search her pack,"What do you think I have in here? I just have clothes and food!"
"Miss, just let us search it for precationary measures."
Lydia glared at them stubbornly, "Please, Lydia, just let them check real quick." Jason encouraged.
She sighed and relented, the fore-most man cautiously took the bag from Lydia, and quickly searched the pack and handed it back to her, Jason's and Ab's had already been searched and the one on Frodo's back was quickly scanned, despite his growls of warning. They finished the search and then the troop lined up on either side of the companions and they started off into the dense forest along a deer trail.
After fifteen minutes of steady running, they veered off the trail and ran towards the northwest where Jason remembered seeing a mountain range in the distance. Even with the cool night breeze fanning against their skin, the company was covered in sweat. The landscape wasn't flat, as they neared the mountains, the ground started to roll. uphill and downhill they ran.
Finally, the company spilled into a clearing where their were a number of horses snorting and chomping their bit and bridle. Impatient to be off. Now that they had a closer look at the man who was obviously in charge, they could make out his features more clearly. He was not overly tall, very broad, and had a commanding air. He had golden eyes that reflected the light of the stars, and when he spoke thunder rumbled in his chest, "I'm sorry for the unceremonious treatment, but seeing as how we had to escape as quickly as we could, I had to do what I thought best. My name is Eric March, and I am the leader of the army who is resisting the Skull! I am very pleased to meet you, Jason Sterling. And your companions are?.."
"This Abraham Johnson." Ab gave him his best diner nod. "This young lady is Lydia, she got us out of Ecler safe and sound." Lydia blushed and managed a courtsey. "And finally, this is Frodo." Jason reached down and rubbed his dog's back, who barked in acknowledgement.
Eric did a sweeping bow and replied, "Now, if you don't mind traveling farther tonight, I would like to reach the mountain range and my fort before dawn."
Jason looked at his friends, and when they assented, the company climbed into the saddle and rode off to Eric's base. As Jason thought to himself, 'We just took the first step of freeing this country.'
Monday, August 19, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book 1 Part 8
"So, what's our next step?" Abraham asked, as he grunted with satisfaction and pushed his plate away.
Jason looked at Lydia, who spoke up, "Our best bet is to try to locate the leader of the resistance, and then we'll see where we go from there."
"That's an excellent plan!" The sarcastic note in Ab's voice was not lost on Lydia.
She glared at him,"I have more details, I was giving you the outline of the plan."
He laughed and raised his hands up defensively, "Hey, don't bite my head off!"
Jason interjected,"Anyway. How do you even find the leader?"
"I've heard that he established a headquarters up north. But those are mostly rumors, and only a few know where he actually bases his attacks from."
"Sounds like this leader has abit in common with the Skull." Abraham remarked, glancing at Jason.
"He relies alot on secrecy, if you didn't notice that this Alepp is in shackles." She said, looking hard at Abraham.
"Enough guys! We will only accomplish this if we stand together. Enough with the nagging! But how do we get from Ecler? It is swarming with the pirates and their allies."
"It's easy enough if you know the way! We can leave when it's dark." Lydia answered, not looking Jason fully in the eye.
"But didn't they see us enter this house?" Abraham pointed out. "They should've sacked and burnt this place to the ground."
"That's exactly it, they should've already burnt this house. But since they didn't see you enter it, they think you might've disappeared. They are quite superstitious." She replied.
Abraham smiled,"Sorry if I got on your nerves earlier! I just have had a long couple of days."
Lydia returned the smile.
"If you two are done, we have a lot of stuff to get done before we leave Ecler and head north!"
***************************
Lydia slipped out of the door and shut and locked it behind her. Jason and Abraham waited in the shadows next to the door, and watched as Lydia tucked the key back into her bag and tiptoed next to them. Jason and Ab had spent the entire morning cleaning their swords, and collecting supplies for their journey, while Lydia was out scavenging for provisions.
Sterling adjusted his pack on his shoulders as Lydia ghosted down the side-street that they had raced along on their flight from the pirates. As they walked down the street, he tried to remember which way they had come, but it was a jumbled rope in his mind, but since Lydia seemed to know where to go he trusted her to get them beyond the walls of Ecler and those pursuing them.
Left and right they wove throw the dark streets. Dodging past troops of dirty, yet determined, looking men, everything seemed to be going well, that was before they heard the howls. After a succession of howls and barks, the company knew it wasn't just the neighborhood dogs.
"Hurry, we need to get beyond the walls before we encounter them with those things!" Lydia whispered loudly to them.
"What are those "things"?" Ab questioned suspiciously.
With a tremendous crash, a huge figure landed in the middle of their path from on top of a house. Raising it's head, Jason, Abraham, Lydia, and Frodo could see it clearly in the light of the moon. It stood over seven feet tall with a snout like a wolf, ears like an elephant, and it stood on it's haunches like a man. But instead of arms, it had wings like a Pterodactyl. And it's hair fell from it's back in greasy lanks. It crouched low and slunk along the ground as it approached the four companions, who were frozen in fear, it had one purpose and it was made clear in the glow of it's bright red eyes.
"It's called a Drolf." Lydia breathed.
"I don't care what it is, we gotta get out of here." Jason said as he drew his sword, and motioned for Ab to do likewise.
Right at that moment a crowd of men thudded down the long narrow street, who started to shout excitedly at the sight of Jason and his friends. "We don't have much time! Quick, Ab, you take the rear and make sure none of them get past you! Frodo and I will dispatch the Drolf. Lydia, are you handy with a bow and arrow?" Jason barked out orders quickly.
"Not really, I don't have many areas to practice in the city do I?" Lydia quipped.
"Never mind, just be ready to run at anytime. Does this creature have any weak spots?" He questioned. While they prepared for the assaults, their enemies were drawing closer and closer.
"No, not that I know of."
"Well, there's always a first." Jason said as he re-gripped his sword handle. "You good, Ab?"
Johnson nodded and gulped, a steely glint in his eyes.
"Alright, here goes nothing." Jason and Frodo rushed the demon from hell. The Drolf leapt toward them, as Frodo split to the right, and Jason ran to the left of the creature. The only way was past the animal, and it filled the alley-way easily. The Drolf let out an eerie howl as it snapped it's jaw, and raised it's wings out over the building. Jason faltered for a split-second, the wing span of that creature had to be thirty feet, yet the animal didn't fly up or away. That's when he noticed that the wings were clipped, he grinned and jumped and slashed at it's foot which was only six feet away. Lightening fast, the Drolf leapt into the air as Sterling's sword slid through air.
"That doesn't stop it from jumping." Jason murmured to himself.
As the creature landed in between the four companions, Jason heard the sound of metal on metal, as Ab shouted,"Hurry up, mate. There's to many of them."
Regaining the Drolf's attention, Jason saw Frodo on the top of a house on the left hand side of the street as the animal stalked toward him. When the demon was directly under Frodo, Jason leapt at the demon just as Frodo fell from the roof onto the it's back. The Drolf howled with pain as Frodo sank his teeth and claws into it's skin, Jason raced in and stab his sword up into the soft underbelly of the Drolf. With a sickening gurgle and screech, the demon fell to the ground with a loud thud with Frodo on top of it.
After making sure the Drolf was dead, Jason heaved it to the side and pulled the sword out from underneath, his arm dripping with blood, and looked up to see Abraham holding back a tide of men. Thankfully, the alleyway was narrow, but at anytime, the flood would come rushing in.
"Ab! Take Lydia and Frodo, I'll hold up the rear!" Jason bellowed as he rushed to help his friend.
Just then they heard another thud, and even more screeches. "Never mind! Just run." Jason yelled over the din.
Leading the way, Lydia raced along the outlying houses of the city, the wall came into view. Jason and Ab, had cut down nine or ten men, making wary of trying to surprise them, and thus earning them a bit of a respite. "It's just up ahead!" Lydia said.
"Good.. because.. this.. fighting thing.. while running.. at the same time.. is quite.. the workout.." Abraham said between breathes.
"Save your breath, Ab." Jason smiled.
Finally they mounted the wall, as Abraham got the rope out of his backpack, Jason, Frodo, and Lydia looked back. What they saw, shocked them. Hundreds of torches were heading their way, and even more of those dreaded Drolfs, the foremost of the pack was only five hundred yards away.
"Hurry, Ab. We only have a few minutes!" Lydia whispered.
After unraveling it, Abraham tied the rope around the battlement and pulled on it to make sure that it was secure. "I'll go first to make sure that it's good. Then Lydia can come down next. Then Frodo. Is that alright, Jason?"
"Yup. Just dandy. Now go." Jason whispered.
Jason watched as the sounds and lights creeped closer. Abraham descended and all was good, Jason then lowered Lydia, and Frodo was tied and sent down. With only Jason remaining, he gave one last look at the torches and glow of Ecler, and swung down the walls to join his companions. Then the four of them raced northward.
Jason looked at Lydia, who spoke up, "Our best bet is to try to locate the leader of the resistance, and then we'll see where we go from there."
"That's an excellent plan!" The sarcastic note in Ab's voice was not lost on Lydia.
She glared at him,"I have more details, I was giving you the outline of the plan."
He laughed and raised his hands up defensively, "Hey, don't bite my head off!"
Jason interjected,"Anyway. How do you even find the leader?"
"I've heard that he established a headquarters up north. But those are mostly rumors, and only a few know where he actually bases his attacks from."
"Sounds like this leader has abit in common with the Skull." Abraham remarked, glancing at Jason.
"He relies alot on secrecy, if you didn't notice that this Alepp is in shackles." She said, looking hard at Abraham.
"Enough guys! We will only accomplish this if we stand together. Enough with the nagging! But how do we get from Ecler? It is swarming with the pirates and their allies."
"It's easy enough if you know the way! We can leave when it's dark." Lydia answered, not looking Jason fully in the eye.
"But didn't they see us enter this house?" Abraham pointed out. "They should've sacked and burnt this place to the ground."
"That's exactly it, they should've already burnt this house. But since they didn't see you enter it, they think you might've disappeared. They are quite superstitious." She replied.
Abraham smiled,"Sorry if I got on your nerves earlier! I just have had a long couple of days."
Lydia returned the smile.
"If you two are done, we have a lot of stuff to get done before we leave Ecler and head north!"
***************************
Lydia slipped out of the door and shut and locked it behind her. Jason and Abraham waited in the shadows next to the door, and watched as Lydia tucked the key back into her bag and tiptoed next to them. Jason and Ab had spent the entire morning cleaning their swords, and collecting supplies for their journey, while Lydia was out scavenging for provisions.
Sterling adjusted his pack on his shoulders as Lydia ghosted down the side-street that they had raced along on their flight from the pirates. As they walked down the street, he tried to remember which way they had come, but it was a jumbled rope in his mind, but since Lydia seemed to know where to go he trusted her to get them beyond the walls of Ecler and those pursuing them.
Left and right they wove throw the dark streets. Dodging past troops of dirty, yet determined, looking men, everything seemed to be going well, that was before they heard the howls. After a succession of howls and barks, the company knew it wasn't just the neighborhood dogs.
"Hurry, we need to get beyond the walls before we encounter them with those things!" Lydia whispered loudly to them.
"What are those "things"?" Ab questioned suspiciously.
With a tremendous crash, a huge figure landed in the middle of their path from on top of a house. Raising it's head, Jason, Abraham, Lydia, and Frodo could see it clearly in the light of the moon. It stood over seven feet tall with a snout like a wolf, ears like an elephant, and it stood on it's haunches like a man. But instead of arms, it had wings like a Pterodactyl. And it's hair fell from it's back in greasy lanks. It crouched low and slunk along the ground as it approached the four companions, who were frozen in fear, it had one purpose and it was made clear in the glow of it's bright red eyes.
"It's called a Drolf." Lydia breathed.
"I don't care what it is, we gotta get out of here." Jason said as he drew his sword, and motioned for Ab to do likewise.
Right at that moment a crowd of men thudded down the long narrow street, who started to shout excitedly at the sight of Jason and his friends. "We don't have much time! Quick, Ab, you take the rear and make sure none of them get past you! Frodo and I will dispatch the Drolf. Lydia, are you handy with a bow and arrow?" Jason barked out orders quickly.
"Not really, I don't have many areas to practice in the city do I?" Lydia quipped.
"Never mind, just be ready to run at anytime. Does this creature have any weak spots?" He questioned. While they prepared for the assaults, their enemies were drawing closer and closer.
"No, not that I know of."
"Well, there's always a first." Jason said as he re-gripped his sword handle. "You good, Ab?"
Johnson nodded and gulped, a steely glint in his eyes.
"Alright, here goes nothing." Jason and Frodo rushed the demon from hell. The Drolf leapt toward them, as Frodo split to the right, and Jason ran to the left of the creature. The only way was past the animal, and it filled the alley-way easily. The Drolf let out an eerie howl as it snapped it's jaw, and raised it's wings out over the building. Jason faltered for a split-second, the wing span of that creature had to be thirty feet, yet the animal didn't fly up or away. That's when he noticed that the wings were clipped, he grinned and jumped and slashed at it's foot which was only six feet away. Lightening fast, the Drolf leapt into the air as Sterling's sword slid through air.
"That doesn't stop it from jumping." Jason murmured to himself.
As the creature landed in between the four companions, Jason heard the sound of metal on metal, as Ab shouted,"Hurry up, mate. There's to many of them."
Regaining the Drolf's attention, Jason saw Frodo on the top of a house on the left hand side of the street as the animal stalked toward him. When the demon was directly under Frodo, Jason leapt at the demon just as Frodo fell from the roof onto the it's back. The Drolf howled with pain as Frodo sank his teeth and claws into it's skin, Jason raced in and stab his sword up into the soft underbelly of the Drolf. With a sickening gurgle and screech, the demon fell to the ground with a loud thud with Frodo on top of it.
After making sure the Drolf was dead, Jason heaved it to the side and pulled the sword out from underneath, his arm dripping with blood, and looked up to see Abraham holding back a tide of men. Thankfully, the alleyway was narrow, but at anytime, the flood would come rushing in.
"Ab! Take Lydia and Frodo, I'll hold up the rear!" Jason bellowed as he rushed to help his friend.
Just then they heard another thud, and even more screeches. "Never mind! Just run." Jason yelled over the din.
Leading the way, Lydia raced along the outlying houses of the city, the wall came into view. Jason and Ab, had cut down nine or ten men, making wary of trying to surprise them, and thus earning them a bit of a respite. "It's just up ahead!" Lydia said.
"Good.. because.. this.. fighting thing.. while running.. at the same time.. is quite.. the workout.." Abraham said between breathes.
"Save your breath, Ab." Jason smiled.
Finally they mounted the wall, as Abraham got the rope out of his backpack, Jason, Frodo, and Lydia looked back. What they saw, shocked them. Hundreds of torches were heading their way, and even more of those dreaded Drolfs, the foremost of the pack was only five hundred yards away.
"Hurry, Ab. We only have a few minutes!" Lydia whispered.
After unraveling it, Abraham tied the rope around the battlement and pulled on it to make sure that it was secure. "I'll go first to make sure that it's good. Then Lydia can come down next. Then Frodo. Is that alright, Jason?"
"Yup. Just dandy. Now go." Jason whispered.
Jason watched as the sounds and lights creeped closer. Abraham descended and all was good, Jason then lowered Lydia, and Frodo was tied and sent down. With only Jason remaining, he gave one last look at the torches and glow of Ecler, and swung down the walls to join his companions. Then the four of them raced northward.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book 1 Part 7
Jason woke up to have sun streaming in onto his face from a window set high up in the wall. It took him a moment to remember where he was, then it all came flooding back. From being captured on a pirate ship to chasing the football, from escaping to being chased then to being saved by Lydia.
Jason took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, of course he missed his family. His home. The smell of his mother's perfume, his father's bone-crackling hug, and his sister's happy giggles. But these people needed help, this world needed help, and Lydia told him he was the one. If God wanted him here to help these people, and delay going home for awhile, Jason would just have to roll with it.
Sterling shifted his head to the side to see if Abraham was still asleep. The bedroll was empty. Jason stretched his foot to try to make contact with Frodo's fur. But all he found was empty space. He quickly sat up. The room was empty, except for him and sunlight and what noise that could filter in from the warf.
Sterling grabbed his sword, that was resting at his side, and rolled out of his pallet. Leaping to his feet, he stepped to the closed door of their bedroom. Hearing muffled voices on the other side of it, Jason gripped the knob and tugged it open.
Silhouetted in the doorway, was a six foot two man, and a smaller shadow crouched behind him. Jason lunged at him, swinging the sword at the chest of the hostile. Abraham cried out and barely dodged the blow in time, but then Jason caught him with a swinging sweep of the left arm, sending him flying.
"Jason! Stop." Lydia dodged into his path as he went in to attack his friend even further. "What are you doing?"
Recognition dawned on his face, then he slumped to the floor and sighed. "I'm sorry. I had a nightmare and thought you two were the Emperor's secret service dudes."
Lydia frowned,"What do you mean the "secret service dudes"?"
"You never heard of them? Well, obviously they aren't called the "secret service", but you've never heard of the men who kill off those who know his name?"
"Of course I have. All of the Skull's men have that job."
"I don't think so. It's not a task that could easily be trusted to a whole bunch of people. More like a band of faithful followers. A group of trusted friends of the Emperor. Apparently, in my dream, they're called the 'Keepers of the Throne.'"
Abraham laughed alittle and heaved himself up, "Don't worry about me, I'm okay. That's one way to wake up for breakfast.."
Jason sniggered and walking over he braced himself as he pulled his friend to his feet, "Sorry Ab, you just can't stop these reflexes."
Lydia interrupted, "While you two are having your moment, our breakfast is getting cold."
"Sorry, Ms. Lydia. I will wash up and be there right away." Jason bowed and walked from the room, winking at Abraham.
******************************
Lydia looked from one of her new friends to the other. Her life had just gotten a whole lot more exciting, from a poor orphan girl to a young woman who found her in the middle of what promised to be a grand adventure.
She had always been an adventurous girl, but she had not always been an orphan. Her mother had just recently died a month ago. Then Lydia's aunt packed her things and left without a word. She had only loved her sister, never her niece. And Lydia's father.. well she had never known him. He had abandoned her mother after he found out she was pregnant, and Lydia's mom refused to answer any questions about him.
Now here she was, after being lonely, she had two companions and a huge black dog. One of them, Abraham, the funny one, was taller than your average man and stood six foot and two inches. And he had dirty blonde hair that swept to the side, then he told her that he was in no way trying to copy Justin Bieber. But when she asked him who that was, he laughed and told her she was blessed not to know. With his dark blue eyes, he could pass for a native anywhere in Alepp. Or at least here in Ecler.
As for his friend, Jason was even taller then Ab. Six foot and five inches, he had sea grey eyes that could pierce with a righteous anger, and twinkle with a joy that was contagious. His hair was jet black, and his personality was one that was not to be forgotten. Ready to protect his friends, and yet ready to extend mercy to those who antagonized him. He was proud, but only proud in the One who made him. He was definitely the one to lead the way to freedom.
Jason took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, of course he missed his family. His home. The smell of his mother's perfume, his father's bone-crackling hug, and his sister's happy giggles. But these people needed help, this world needed help, and Lydia told him he was the one. If God wanted him here to help these people, and delay going home for awhile, Jason would just have to roll with it.
Sterling shifted his head to the side to see if Abraham was still asleep. The bedroll was empty. Jason stretched his foot to try to make contact with Frodo's fur. But all he found was empty space. He quickly sat up. The room was empty, except for him and sunlight and what noise that could filter in from the warf.
Sterling grabbed his sword, that was resting at his side, and rolled out of his pallet. Leaping to his feet, he stepped to the closed door of their bedroom. Hearing muffled voices on the other side of it, Jason gripped the knob and tugged it open.
Silhouetted in the doorway, was a six foot two man, and a smaller shadow crouched behind him. Jason lunged at him, swinging the sword at the chest of the hostile. Abraham cried out and barely dodged the blow in time, but then Jason caught him with a swinging sweep of the left arm, sending him flying.
"Jason! Stop." Lydia dodged into his path as he went in to attack his friend even further. "What are you doing?"
Recognition dawned on his face, then he slumped to the floor and sighed. "I'm sorry. I had a nightmare and thought you two were the Emperor's secret service dudes."
Lydia frowned,"What do you mean the "secret service dudes"?"
"You never heard of them? Well, obviously they aren't called the "secret service", but you've never heard of the men who kill off those who know his name?"
"Of course I have. All of the Skull's men have that job."
"I don't think so. It's not a task that could easily be trusted to a whole bunch of people. More like a band of faithful followers. A group of trusted friends of the Emperor. Apparently, in my dream, they're called the 'Keepers of the Throne.'"
Abraham laughed alittle and heaved himself up, "Don't worry about me, I'm okay. That's one way to wake up for breakfast.."
Jason sniggered and walking over he braced himself as he pulled his friend to his feet, "Sorry Ab, you just can't stop these reflexes."
Lydia interrupted, "While you two are having your moment, our breakfast is getting cold."
"Sorry, Ms. Lydia. I will wash up and be there right away." Jason bowed and walked from the room, winking at Abraham.
******************************
Lydia looked from one of her new friends to the other. Her life had just gotten a whole lot more exciting, from a poor orphan girl to a young woman who found her in the middle of what promised to be a grand adventure.
She had always been an adventurous girl, but she had not always been an orphan. Her mother had just recently died a month ago. Then Lydia's aunt packed her things and left without a word. She had only loved her sister, never her niece. And Lydia's father.. well she had never known him. He had abandoned her mother after he found out she was pregnant, and Lydia's mom refused to answer any questions about him.
Now here she was, after being lonely, she had two companions and a huge black dog. One of them, Abraham, the funny one, was taller than your average man and stood six foot and two inches. And he had dirty blonde hair that swept to the side, then he told her that he was in no way trying to copy Justin Bieber. But when she asked him who that was, he laughed and told her she was blessed not to know. With his dark blue eyes, he could pass for a native anywhere in Alepp. Or at least here in Ecler.
As for his friend, Jason was even taller then Ab. Six foot and five inches, he had sea grey eyes that could pierce with a righteous anger, and twinkle with a joy that was contagious. His hair was jet black, and his personality was one that was not to be forgotten. Ready to protect his friends, and yet ready to extend mercy to those who antagonized him. He was proud, but only proud in the One who made him. He was definitely the one to lead the way to freedom.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book 1 Part 6
When they settled down in what we would call the living
room, what was actually a shabby room with four chairs, small table, and a
ragged carpet. Lydia started to speak,
“Are you even from this world?”
Jason and Abraham were surprised by the bluntness of the
question. Finally, Jason replied, “Actually, we don’t know anything about this
world. And we don’t know how we got
here. So the answer to your question is,
no. We aren’t.”
“Funny you should ask that, because the Captain dude of
those pirates totally asked us the same thing.” Abraham quipped.
She sighed, ”I bet he didn’t give you much of a warm
reception, huh?”
Abraham gapped, “How’d you know?”
Jason slapped the back of his friends head, “Dude. Pirates never offer warm receptions.”
“Actually, there is a reason that they would give you a colder
reception than normal.”
Abraham slapped the back of Jason’s head. “See?”
Jason glared at Abraham.
“What’s the reason?” Jason looked back at Lydia.
Lydia took a deep breath. “It’s a rather long explanation,
and it will obviously take some time to tell it, so please give me patience.”
While Jason and Abraham re-situated, Lydia began her tale, “First
you’ll need a history lesson to understand this world,” Abraham moaned, “and to
understand the Sterling Prophecy. It
happened quite a few years ago.
Champions have died, young warriors have fallen before their elders
grayed. Cities that used to be proud and
flourished, now languish and wallow in what they thought were going to be the
golden days before the King of Alepp died.
Peter Bradford was one of the most powerful king in the world, and he
fell by a traitors hand.
“This kingdom of Alepp has, for the past millennia, held
back the tides of the Skull. But now, it
has fallen because of a brother’s willingness to trade sides. And now that brother has been all over the
place searching for a seer. Finally he
came across her, and now that he knows the prophecy he is out to kill the man
who can stop him.”
At this pause, she directed her piercing stare at Jason.
““One day there will arise one who will drive all enemies from this
country. He is not of this world. Yet he will, in time, free this whole world
from the hand of the darkness that is swallowing it. This young man will sacrifice much to save a
world that was never his. Beware
pirates, sorcerers, and tyrants. On this
champion’s heel follows death.” And his name is Sterling.”
“But how is it me?
How could it be me? I’ve never
been here before?”
“The prophetess has never proven false, and why would she be
wrong about this in Alepp’s greatest time of need? She died because she was killed by the
Skull’s men when she was trying to spread the news of the Prophecy. She gave her life in order to give the people
hope! Now here is our hope.”
Lydia looked from Jason to Abraham and back. Both were stunned. But as the silence stretched, Abraham asked,
“Who are the Skull? What’s their
business?”
“The Skull is actually the last name of the “ultimate”
pirate king. He had to conquer all the
other pirate lords to enable his invasion of Alepp, even with the fall of the king,
Alepp was still one of the strongest nations in this world. It took enormous efforts on his part to
conquer the other pirates and get a fleet of the size to begin his invasion.”
“Does anyone know his first name?”
“No one knows.
Obviously some have tried to guess at it, but those who finally do find
it out, never are able to tell it. They
are always killed before they can reveal it.”
“Why do they go to so much trouble to conceal his name?”
Abraham asked outraged.
“Because the name of the Skull is the key to his weakness.”
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Sterling Prophecy Book 1 Part 5
When the boat scraped along the shore, Jason and Abraham
lept out of the boat and sprinted up the hill towards the town. After the initial confusion, the pirates
organized themselves and gave pursuit. Only
trailing them a few hundred yards, there
were dozens of angry sailors at the humiliation of their captain.
“Better hurry up, Ab.”
“Oh really? I
should’ve just realized that we’re being chased by a horde of angry
pirates. My bad, must’ve overlooked that
detail.”
“Shut up and just follow me.”
With that the trio bounded away into the town, Jason and
Abraham dashed up the road that led away from the warf, with Frodo dancing
along behind them. The pirate’s boats
scrapped along the bottom, and out scrambled the enemy.
Jason turned and back-pedaled to get a view of the sailors,
and then spotted a few with bows
clutched tight in their grip. “Hurry
Abraham, down this alley! If we can’t
get off this main street, we’re going to be shot down.” With that, he dodged down the alley closest to
him, Abraham and Frodo right behind. This
way and that way, they wove through the streets of Alepp with pirates on their
heels. Finally, they came to a dead end,
a high garden wall stretched fifteen feet into the air, and the houses on both
sides that gave no signs of moving. And on
top of all that, the cries of their pursuers were drawing nearer and
nearer.
“We’re dead, Jason.
We’re so dead.” Abraham moaned.
Before Jason could reply, a female voice whispered, ”You two!
In here. Quickly.”
Looking around, they saw a slight figure cracking a door
open for them, Ab and Jason leapt
through the door with the shaggy black dog right behind them. When the door shut with a crack, they were
plunged into darkness, then the woman struck a match and motioned them away
from the entry and deeper into the house.
“Go down these stairs and to the left is a false wall, push
on it in the top right corner, and hide in that secret room while I make sure
the crooks don’t do anything stupid.”
With that she handed them a candle and rushed back to the door.
Jason cocked an eyebrow at Abraham, and led the way down the
cellar stairs, soon they found the niche that unlocked the door, and the trio
were safely stowed away in a dusty room that was more like a closet than
anything else. When the voices of the
pirates receded and faded into the distance, the woman came and opened the
wall.
She was a slight figure, with brown hair that cascaded down
her back, and dark brown eyes that could twinkle with joy or burn with an
unquenchable fire. She stood only about
5 foot 2, but she was lithe and had well-toned muscles which bespoke of
constant activity.
“Hello, my name is Lydia.
And I saved your lives.” She
grinned. They were surprised to find
that she looked only sixteen.
“Hello Ms. Lydia! My
name is Jason Sterling, and this is my best friend, Abroham Johnson. Oh, and
this is Frodo.” He said nodding his head
at the beast at his feet.
Abraham glared at Jason.
“Excuse me, Miss. But my name is
actually Abraham, my friend sometimes has selective memory.” Jason snickered.
But Lydia only had eyes for Jason. “What did you say your name was?” She asked breathlessly.
Jason looked confused. “Jason.”
“No, your full name?”
“Jason Sterling.”
She looked him up in down in the dim light as if she was
just looking at him for the first time.
“Where are you from?”
“Washington, one of the 50 states of the United States of
America.”
She appeared frightened and at the same time happy, like her
birthday came sooner. “Please, come
upstairs. We have much to talk about.
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