City of IF

[Syranore]

Well, here is SG #2's prologue. All feedback is appreciated.

Kingdom Fallen



Prologue-

The Kingdom of Calientho sprawled across hundreds of miles. It was the largest kingdom in the land, and was easily the most powerful. It was also dying. Not the steady, gradual decay that time always brings, but a sudden sickness, like a wound that had become infected. Why it was dying had not been discovered, at least not by the king of Calientho. Tirelessly he worked to save his land. It made no sense. One day, his kingdom was thriving, the next day food production had dropped, the treasury was suddenly depleting fast on expenses previously nonexistent. People were dying of a sickness that had suddenly appeared only hours before, while everyone was safely asleep. Everything was falling apart at once. King Aaron had never seen such chaos descend on a kingdom so fast, and he was sure it was orchestrated. On top of it all, several rival kingdoms were mobilizing to take advantage of this sudden weakness. It seemed hopeless.

King Aaron paced his throne room. He contemplated the sudden collapse of the land he had conquered, rebuilt, and made productive. What could possibly do this? This is unlike any- His thoughts were interrupted by a large boom sounding across the castle. Looking outside of his window, he saw a large hole in the outer wall, but more disturbing was the army behind it. It was an evil-looking thing, a pure mass of black-clad soldiers intent on blood.
Before he could regain his composure, he heard screams outside of his door. As he picked up his razor-edged rapier from beside his throne, his door burst open and three of the pitch-black invaders ran into the room. Aaron’s rapier quickly slashed through the throat of the lead attacker and into the sword arm of the next. He ripped the sword out and ran the attacker through, whirling toward the next attacker, killing him with one sure blow. As he ran out of his room, he lamented the dead guards scattered around the antechamber, for they were his most loyal friends and warriors. He was also proud of how many more of the black assailants were dead beside them. Rushing through the castle halls, he reached his bedchambers. He risked one last glance out of the window, to be greeted by the sight of his castle guards being overwhelmed. Distraught, he did the only thing he could, and ran into the secret passage beneath his mantle.

[Masterweaver]

Interesting beggining! I hope to see more very soon.

[NeverNeverGirl]

Hey there Snore!!!

Okay this is an interesting start... there are some formatting issues that need to be sorted out... shorter paragraph (split it up).. some grammar issues

but overall nothing to dramatic...

AVANT king Aron!

[Mephistopheles]

nice start. Hope to see more soon!

[Serge Wolf]

Seems interesting indeed, I fill like it has gone a little bit fast, but never the less, I wanna see what happened.

[Lilith]

A king on the run, eh?

This could be a very.... interesting tale indeed.... for shame Syra, you've left us with all kinds of little odds and ends to twist this......

[Syranore]

Warning: Violence, and some blood.

Chapter One-Flight




King Aaron pulled his blood-stained cloak about himself as he fled the burning capital city of Calenth, his rapier clanking against his side with each step as he ran. The passage that had taken him out of the castle had taken him into the streets of the city, and from there it had been a mad dash through the burning, corpse-strewn streets, struggling to avoid any of the invaders that had launched the surprise attack on his castle.

Hearing footsteps, Aaron turned to see if any soldiers had seen him, and tripped over a mutilated cadaver. Gasping in surprise as he fell, Aaron inhaled a lung full of smoke, causing him to go into a coughing fit. Climbing back to his feet, he surveyed his surroundings, and desperately choked back his coughing as he saw five black-clad soldiers turning onto the street. Diving into a nearby shop, he lay there for several agonizing seconds as the soldiers approached, swords drawn, the curved blades dripping the blood of countless innocent citizens who had been slaughtered in the streets. As they got closer to where he was hiding, his chest seized up as he tried to control another coughing fit. Aaron felt as if his lungs were going to explode, but he held his breath in for what seemed like an eternity before several rasping coughs escaped his cracked lips.

The invaders immediately turned their heads toward Aaron’s hiding spot, and started to advance. Aaron silently got to his feet, hiding by the shop door. Slowly drawing the elegant rapier out of its sheath, he waited for the soldiers. As one of the soldiers began to kick the door, Aaron felt his entire body tense in anticipation. When the door crashed open, he whirled toward the pitch-black invader, slitting his throat with one clean swing. Aaron ran outside, and leaped toward the next soldier, impaling him on the thin blade. He withdrew the blade from the dying enemy, causing blood to spray onto him. When the invaders regained their senses, one of them took a swing at the king, who nimbly stepped out of the way and blocked a second soldier’s blow. He twisted around the soldier’s guard and slammed the gilt pommel of the sword into the man’s gut. As the man dropped to his knees, breathless, Aaron turned and decapitated the soldier. The two remaining soldiers took the defensive, not wanting to meet the fate of their three comrades.

Seeing an opportunity, the king reached into his cloak and, producing a dagger, sent it spinning into one of the invaders' gut. Aaron advanced, and aimed a blow at the survivor, disarming him, and then send his gauntlet-covered fist smashing into his head, knocking the soldier’s black helmet off, revealing what appeared to be a young man, barely out of his teens. Fear covered the unfortunate soldier’s face, and he sank to the ground, begging for mercy. Aaron paused for a moment, and stepping forward, granted the man’s wish in the form of death. Aaron’s blade slide cleanly into the man’s heart, and the soldier started choking on his own blood. As the thin blade exited the man’s body, the invader sank to the ground with a death-gurgle. Aaron turned to run again as he heard more soldiers coming.
--
As he once more took to the streets, Aaron contemplated how he was going to escape. Dodging into a side-alley, he slowed down to observe his surroundings. As he navigated the chaotic sprawl of charred timbers and broken bodies, he strained for even the slighted sound of movement. He began to recognize the area, and decided to see if any of the secret safe-houses were still intact. Wandering to the end of the alley, he began to pry the rubble and the corpses out of the way in search of the entrance to the local safe-house.

--------

The gruesome task finally was finished, and he found what he sought. A small trapdoor, concealed under the remains of a merchant’s stall, soon creaked open, and Aaron stepped inside. Less than a second later, about half a dozen weapons were pointed at him. One of the safe-house guards approached him and began to speak. “Halt Identify yourself...Wait a second...It’s the king He’s alive ” The soldiers cheered and bowed in acquiescence to their liege.

Aaron walked into the room, and addressed the leader. “Are these all that remain of this safe-house? What of the other houses?”

The captain bowed his head in respect to the fallen. “Yes, my liege. We were assaulted only a few minutes ago, and although we slaughtered them to the last man, the cost was high. We have not received any messages from the other houses, so we must assume that they are unable to contact us. Speaking of which, it is only a matter of time until more invaders find us here. What shall we do, my king?”

Aaron surveyed the wounded, weary soldiers, and spoke once more. “Whether or not the other houses have fallen, the tunnels that lead through them and out of the city are still our safest route. They may outnumber us, but we have far superior training, and I have seen that they have men who are barely out of their youth in this army. Before we go, I would have the names of you brave men.”

The leader spoke first. “I am called James.”

A female soldier stood, revealing many wounds. “I am Sarah.”

Two other male soldiers stood, their demeanor that of brothers, and one of them spoke. “I am Chris, and this is my brother, Lonnie.”

Another female soldier stood, her expensive plate-mail gleaming where there was not blood. “Anna, my liege.”

The last soldier struggled to get to his feet, the gash on his leg causing his face to contort with pain. “Chase, King.”

King Aaron threw his hood off of his face, and spoke again. “My fellow warriors, from this day onward, I am not a king. I am like you, my home destroyed, most likely never to return. Grieve for what we have lost, but do not lose yourself in your mourning, for there is work to be done. We must avenge our fallen brothers and sisters by making sure that whoever caused this evil is made acquainted with justice in the form of cold, sweet vengeance. We must make them pay for this crime. Who of you will follow me to revenge? Will you give up your chance to flee, and begin life anew, to go on a mission that you will most likely not survive? Will you find the murderers that took your families, your homes, your livelihoods, and everything you knew, and return the favor? Who amongst you is willing to die to put the already dead to rest? Who will come with me?”

Without hesitation, all of them stepped forward, except Chase, who fell forward, almost crashing into Aaron. Chase struggled back to his feet, and joined the others. The deposed king approached Chase, and whispered hin his ear. “You are greatly wounded, but I know that you will refuse my offer to stay. Therefore, I give you another task.. When we reach the tunnels, collapse the entrance behind us, and make sure nobody unblocks them.”

Louder, he spoke to everyone. “We move to the tunnels. Everybody, now.” After he said this, he pulled his cloak back over his head, and opened the door to the tunnel annex, and everybody but Chase followed him in. Chase later caught up to them holding a large bundle.

As they entered the tunnel, The king addressed Chase again, who was tying the bundle to the ceiling of the tunnel entrance. “Go with peace and honor, friend, and may fate reunite us again someday.” As Aaron spoke, he knew that he would never see Chase again, and he already mourned for the soldier’s death.

Chase watched them go, and soon after he had collapsed the tunnel with the keg of black powder and a resounding boom, he heard enemy soldiers approaching. Leaning against the collapsed passage, he drew several throwing knives. The soldiers ran into the annex, and the first three went down, daggers protruding from their chests, blood soaking into their black garb. When the soldiers reached him, he managed to kill several more of them with his sword, until he was finally overwhelmed. As the blades of the enemy entered him over and over again, he felt that all was peaceful, and he drifted into an eternal sleep knowing that he had died honorably for his king.


-----------
Aaron and the safe-house guards ran until they reached the next annex, at which point James spoke. “Sir, I know these tunnels well, and if we exit to the surface, we can make better time to the next safe-house. However, there are bound to more guards, and a group like ours won’t go unnoticed for long. If we stick to the tunnels, there is a smaller chance of being found, but the numbers against us will be greater, and the time we have to travel will be increased. Which path do we take, sir?”


--------
DP: Which Path? Suggestions welcome.

[Chinaren]

An exciting tale Sy. However, it has a bit of a rushed feel to it. We are lacking descriptions of the characters and surroundings, and... where are they heading exactly?

Anyway, some small errors, but otherwise well written. I say go up. Maybe wait for night?

[Syranore]

Must say I am a bit disappointed in the results here. I regret to say that I will be dropping this project in favor of one that will hopefully have more popular interest.

[Novelest_Ninjagirl]

I sqaay some newew character walks up, heavly wounded, and says "Your choice has been made for you, this passage has been blocked." Then they go up at night, and the new character seems to know exactly where the guards all are.

[Kalanna Rai]

Up top...take your chances boldly.

[Syranore]

After speaking with some people in chat, I have decided to keep the story going provided I maintain at least three (posting)readers.

[Crunchyfrog]

I echo China's comments about it being a little rushed, but would like to see what happens in the next chapter. Voted.... UP!

:)

[Lilith]

I like NoNi's idea here with the new character coming in wound.. that's good stuff.

Anyway, *taps foot impatiently* Ahem? Chappy, anywhere?

[Gallant]

Intense and very fast paced. I like it and will continue to read avidly. Now remember children if nobody knows your there then you can do basically what you want, including slaughter a big bunch'o'guards! Gorrilla* warfare!

*How do you spell that?

[Syranore]

Sorry about the delays everyone. I have been having some severe writer's block. I can't think of anything for the past several days.

[scissorkitty]

- why don't you ask for DPs, then? We can definately help in that department!


(edit: uh.. just DPs in general, not my DPs, which is what I had mistyped. Ugh. Looked like a real prat there! Sorry! Unintentional self-prattage!)

[Syranore]

Just to tide things over until I get my act together...Thanks China.

Specially written by Chinaren for Snore.


Kingdom Fallen – Interlude:

Edward’s scream drowned out the hiss of sizzling flesh as the red hot brand was held against his thigh. The pain went on and on as the burly torturer maliciously wiggled the hot iron, sending waves of red hot agony through his body.

Finally the man pulled the metal back, taking some half melted skin with it, and causing further suffering.

Sweat covered the Edward’s body as he gasped for air. The latest burn throbbed, matching the others his capturers had inflicted upon him.

The other figure stepped forward. She was female, he could see that much, but the details were hidden under a black robe, complete with a hood that engulfed her features.

“Have you had enough yet?” she asked. He could almost hear her smiling at his misery. “Prepared to tell the truth?”

“I…I’ve already told you,” Edward gasped. “I was off duty when you attacked. I have no idea where the king is.”

“Liar!” The woman’s gloved hand snaked forward and slapped him on the cheek. Considering what had been done to him so far, Edward would have laughed at this small pain if he’d had the strength. “You’re one of the kings’ personal guards! Aaron is many things, but a fool isn’t one of them, he surrounds himself with the best, strongest of soldiers.”

She stood back and took a deep breath. “Still, everyone has their limit. We shall break you, rest assured. Perhaps some of my skills will peoduce further information.”

Edward watched in dread as she picked up a pair of pincers from a nearby rack and considered them.

“These will do nicely I think. Now, the fingers or toes? No! Wait. I know. The teeth. Time for a little dental work. You, hold his mouth open.” She nodded at the large torturer.

The man, dressed in the traditional blood red robes of his trade, moved close and grabbed Edwards head. Dirty fingers pried open his mouth, avoiding the guard’s efforts to bite with the expertise of one who has done the deed many times before.

“Good, now, hold still. I think I can see the one I want.”

Shaking, squirming futilely, Edward watched in dread as the pincers approached.

“General!”

The act was interrupted by the approach of a black clad young man bearing a scroll, which he handed to the robed woman.

“This better be important boy,” she said, putting down the pliers and breaking the seal on the message. The three others waited as she scanned the contents, then looked up.

“It seems my surgery will have to wait. Take him to the holding cells, I shall return later to finish him off.” With that, the robed general turned and strode out of the chamber, the messenger trotting after her.

Edward slumped back in relief, hanging loose from his chains.

The torturer reached up for him. “You heard her. Come on, time for your rest.” He unlocked the padlocks and half turned away to put the key down.

Maybe he was careless, maybe he wasn’t used to people having any resistance left, but Edward was at the peak of his fitness, and he’d been trained, and trained hard. The opening was all he needed.

A quick lunge and he had his arms around the torturers fat neck. A sharp movement, a sickening snap, and it was done. The man would inflict pain on no others.

Edward stood for a moment over the corpse. “Good riddance,” he spat. Glancing around, he picked up a long, bloodstained, knife and limped over to the door. If he could get out of the place, he could go to one of the safe houses. Surely someone would be there.

The door opened with a creak. He peered beyond, into a torch-lit corridor. No one was visible, so he slipped out, closing the door behind him.

Left of right? He made a random decision: left.

The tunnel went on for several minutes, and then hit a T-junction. At the same time the torches ended. Evidently no one used this area. Good.

Taking one of the torches from its sconce, he turned left again, brushing cobwebs out of the way as he went.

The passage twisted and turned, and he took several more turnings until he was completely lost.

Eventually he could go on no further. His injuries were hurting more and more. He’d need to seek out help once he got out. A short rest would do the trick. He slumped against the wall, sliding down until he was resting on the floor.

He sat there in silence for several minutes, enjoying the rest. Just as he was about to climb to his feet again, a noise caught his attention, it sounded like people speaking, though muffled. He frowned and searched for the source.

After a few moments he found it. A hidden niche in the wall, he’d have never noticed it if it hadn’t been for the voices. Light shone through a small hole at eye level, and he peered through, cautiously.

Beyond was a small chamber, sparsely furnished. Sitting at a desk, back facing the spyhole, was a raven haired figure in black robes. He couldn’t see her face, but when she spoke he knew it was the same woman who had been interrogating him earlier.

Facing the table was a guard. Evidently a senior warrior. His face was craggy, and his hair was turning gray. He was dressed in well worn armor, a battered yet serviceable sword hung at his side.

“General Lorraine,” the man said, thus naming the woman for Edward. “I must protest. My men are stretched thinly enough as it is. I can ill afford more going off on a wild goose chase.”

“I assure you commander, the information I have is accurate. We know where the king is. You will command your troops to intercept at once.”

“Very well general, it shall be done.”

“Make sure it is,” the woman replied.

The commander opened his mouth to speak once more, but then stopped, a look of amazement on his face.

Edward started. The man was looking directly at him! Sure enough, the commander raised a hand and pointed.

“Spy!”

Edwards stumbled back and shuffled off as fast as he could up the corridor. From behind him came shouts and booming sounds. No doubt the wall being attacked from the other side. After a few more moments there was a loud crash, and more shouts, less muffled this time. They had broken through.

Cursing his luck, Edward ran on, trying to lose himself in the maze of tunnels. The footsteps of his pursuers closed with frightening speed though, following him somehow.

Edward realized he was leaving an easy to see trail in the dust on the floor.

“Very well then,” he growled to himself. “I shall die like a warrior.” He stopped just around a corner and waited, knife in hand.

The shouts grew louder, and, timing his attack carefully, he swung the knife in a vicious arc just as a man in black skidded round the corner.

The blade pierced his eye, and he fell without a sound. Edward just had time to pick up the fallen sword when the others were on him.

He fought with the desperation of one who knows his time is close. The passageway limited how many could assault him at the same time, and his skill did the rest. Two soldiers fell to his stolen blade before a rough voice stopped the fighting.

“Make way there!”

The men who had been facing Edwards stepped aside, and the soldier he’d seen in the small room took their place. He drew his weapon.

“You have put up a good fight prisoner. Now surrender.”

“And return to your chamber of torture? Never!”

The commander saluted him with his sword. “Ah, I see. In truth I do not blame you. A warrior’s death it shall be for you then. I shall see to it myself.”

“When you are ready old man.”

The two attacked at the same time, the metal ringing off the stone walls as their swords met in a shower of blue sparks.

From the outset Edward knew himself to be overmatched. Whoever this man was, he knew all the tricks of the trade. Also Edward was tired, injured and garbed in the remains of a tunic he’d been wearing when they’d captured him. His enemy was fresh, strong and wearing heavy leather armor.

The sword slid through his middle even before he understood was what happening. The cold chill of steel an alien intrusion in his insides. He felt the world slipping away as the weapon was withdrawn, leaving a dull ache in its place.

“You fought well soldier,” a distant voice reached his ears. “Your king would have been proud of you.”

Edward slumped to the floor slowly, to his knees, to his belly. His sword fell to the ground with a clang next to him as he cheek pressed against the cold stone. He could hear his heart beating. Beating. Beating. Bea…

[Chinaren]

:clap: Wonderful chapter there Snore! ;)