Yerrulin

[Kal Keraden]

Part 1
The Yerrullin

NOTE: Readers, please comment on this.


------Prologue------
Flames. Flames and death was all Degan could see. He sat there weeping with his back to a wall. He watched as the Balorean Soldiers put the city of Taren in flames. Degan sat over his dead mother and watched his friends die.
Degan started to run. He didn?t know why. He just ran. He watched as all his neighbors and friends died as he ran. He just kept running. Soon he began to tire and collapsed
***
When Degan awoke, he was in an alleyway. Then he started to weep again.
-Do not cry-
-Who is that?- Degan said in his mind, suddenly looking up. It did not answer.


The Battle of Taren was documented as a great loss for the Alganian Kingdoms. The Balorean Empire was slowly eating away at the Alganian Kingdoms, leaving nothing behind but chaos and destruction. Many people fled from the cities at this grave time.
Those who survived the Battle of Taren led their lives restlessly, never taking any chances and always staying an arms length away from a weapon. Young Degan took up arms and served under King Rudra VII. He vowed, under arms, to only use the sword to protect the innocent and defenseless.



Chapter 1

12 years later, after the Battle Of Taren?
Many cheered as the Tournament of Arms begun that day. Many soldiers fought against each other to gain the respect of their king.
?Next up, Degan versus Reyna!? roared the announcer over the continuous cheering of the crowds.
-Just my luck. I have to fight her in the first round.- Degan thought to himself. Having to fight his friend so early in the tournament was strange. Reyna and Degan had been friends since they entered the academy. Both were well known, Reyna, the only female ever to pass the final exams, and Degan, who excelled in all subjects, skipping three subjects and two levels. Degan was in his standard uniform, while Reyna, with her hair tied back, in her custom battle costume.
As they entered the arena Degan called out, ? May the best man win!? and Reyna called back, ?Is that a threat??
The King, who was mediating the tournament, made the starting call. ?Knights! Take your positions!? They both stepped into the starting squares, which were about 4 fathoms* apart, and took their stance. Many watched anxiously as two of the best knights started step forward.
The first to attack was Reyna. Swinging her sword in a horizontal slash, managed to only pause Degan?s defense. Degan parried and lashed out forward with an offensive stab. Reyna knocked the stab away with her gauntleted fist and swung at Degan?s now unprotected side. Quickly dropping to the floor and rolling to the side at the same time, as he was getting up to dodge another strike from Reyna. With an upward swing, Degan made an attempt to buy time to get up. The onlookers were watching in awe at the ability of the young girl. Degan managed to get up, and with newfound strength, swung his blade several times heavily on Reyna?s blade. Overwhelmed by Degan?s ferocious attack, Reyna jumped back, trying to put some room between herself and Degan. Both panting, they continued.
By the time the fight, which seemed like ages, ended Degan was proclaimed the winner. As Reyna congratulated him, Degan saw the disappointment in her eyes. He knew she had wanted to win, and to be put out of the tournament so early made it worse for her. The fights continued until dusk when the king ended the day?s part of the tournament.
Degan returned to his quarters, now holding a bag of 200 Gold Queens as a prize for winning that match. He sat on his bed, thinking what would happen if he had not won. Maybe he should buy her something. Or maybe get her a Kindra Crystal.
As Degan was thinking, some one knocked on his door. He got up and opened it. It was Reyna. She was dressed in her navy blue gown, which matched her appearance stunningly well.
?Degan!? She cried after seeing him. ?Aren?t you going to attend the feast tonight!?
Degan started swearing. He had forgotten about the Prince Trest?s Birthday feast.
?Stop that! Swearing isn?t going to get you anywhere.?
?I?ll get ready.? He said quickly. ?Give me a few minutes.?
In about ten minutes, he was ready. But it wasn?t to Reyna?s liking.
?Degan, you need to learn to dress properly.? Reyna said, as she helped him finish up. He wore his knight?s cloak, which covered the deep red of his formal uniform. Each officer wore the color of his or her rank. Degan was a Lieutenant.
?Ok. That looks good enough.? She said finally.
?Talking like that makes you sound like my mother.? Degan replied.
?Even if it does, you aren?t going to spoil my reputation by hanging around with some horribly dressed nobody.?
?What reputation??
?Come on, Degan.?
Actually, they weren?t at all late. The hall was only a forth full when they entered. The prince greeted them.
?Degan! I was beginning to think you forgot!? he said, embracing Degan.
?Actually, he did.?
The prince looked at him in both shock and disbelief.
?Oh well, you both made it. Come on you are my friends so you are going to be guests of honor!?
?Thank you, your Highness.?
?Oh stop that, you know how much I hate titles.?
The three friends proceeded to the front table.
?Happy Birthday, my son. And welcome Lord Degan and Lady Reyna.? The King greeted them as they approached.              
?Thank you, father, for arranging this party out of your time.? Trest responded.
They took their seats at one corner of the table.
?Long time since I caught up with you guys? Trest began. ?How?ve you been??
?Great. We haven?t had a mission for three weeks now, which works wonders.? Reyna said.
?And we have the tournament, which will end next week. So we still have some time.? Continued Degan.
?You guys are lucky. Being the prince, I have to go off from here to there all day every day. This would be my first day off this month.? Prince Trest said. ?Day after tomorrow I?m heading to Baloria.?
?That?s too bad. We were hoping you could stay to see Degan lose his next match.? Said Reyna.
?Very funny, Jade. You know very well that very few people have beaten me, and the last time I lost was 10 years ago. But those, of course, weren?t against you.? Replied Degan.
Trest whistled to express his amazement.
?I work hard.? Degan said modestly.
?Lord Degan!? Called the King. ?Have a favor to ask of you!?
Degan got up and walked over bowed before the King.
?Yes, your Majesty?? he asked.
?I would like you and Reyna to accompany my son tomorrow. I?m sure he told you where he is going. I?m not sure I can trust his judgment against the monsters.? The people of Kilra called all bandits, robbers and serfs ?monsters?. ?He might just over do it.?
Degan was about to object, but instead he said ? I will be honored to, your Majesty.?
?I will be most grateful. And for your time?? the King pulled out a well sized sack of gold. ?please except this gift of 500 Gold Kings.?
As Degan was heading back to the end of table, Reyna caught him by the arm.
?What did his majesty want?? she demanded.
?Only that both of us are to accompany a certain someone to Baloria.? Degan gave the bag to Reyna. ?And this is our payment.?
Reyna gaped at sack of gold coins. (Which was worth approximately $100,000 in our world.)
?Well??
Reyna opened her mouth to say something, but the words didn?t come out. She just stood there looking at the massive amount of money she had just received.
?Well?? Degan said, now impatient. ?Are you just going to stand there or are you coming with me to get supplies??
?Uh, Y-yes. L-let me get ready.? She stuttered. Reyna left the massive hall to go to her room.
?Where is she going?? Trest asked.
?To get ready.? Degan replied without thinking.
?For what??
Degan the realized he was talking to Trest.
?Um, We?re going into town tonight.?
?What for? You?ve got everything you need here.?
?This is for a special occasion.?
?Are you hiding something?? Trest then demanded.
?N-no.? Degan was starting to get nervous. The King had given specific instructions not to tell Prince Trest that they were going with him.
?Is my father plotting behind my back a gain?? Trest demanded.
?No, ma?am, I mean, uh, your highness.?
Trest glared at Degan for a moment, studying his expressions. Then he stalked off.
?What?s his problem?? said Reyna now dressed casually.
?We aren?t supposed to tell him we are going with him until tomorrow.?
?Oh, I get it.?
?Hey wait a sec. Aren?t you supposed still be gawping at that sack of money??
?I?ll get around to it, if it makes you happy.?
Now it was Degan?s turn to glare.

Chapter 2

It was early the next day when Degan saddled up for the journey to Baloria. The air was cold and crisp when they left the Kilran Capitol, Kofia, and the sun was just rising ahead of them. It was nearly midday when they slowed to a stop. They had brought two sturdy soldiers to further ?escort? the prince to Baloria.
?Sir, should we break out the food?? one of them asked Degan.
?If you want. We are going to confirm our route. So, there is no hurry.? He replied.
?Yes sir.?
Degan walked toward the tent.
?So??
?So what?? Trest asked.
?What have you got??
?Oh that. Well??
?We decided to drop through Khelmar, then head down south through the Southern Forest.?  Reyna interrupted.
?Hey!? cried Trest. ?Why did you have to but in like that??
?You royal guys take things way too seriously sometimes.? She replied, carelessly.
?Are you insulting me?!?!?
?Would I do that??
?You can be very irritating sometimes you know.?
?I try.?
They rode on till dusk and set camp on the edge of the Dry Willow, A forest belonging to Wood Dwarves. The Wood Dwarves were the second best at fletching, since they lived in woods after all. Why second best? Because of the Wood Elves, of course. Degan began to start a fire while the rest of them began to set up the tents.
* * *
Degan barely slept that night. He kept hearing voices and screams, even when he was awake. He then realized that he was thinking of the past.
-I?m no longer there, I am here with my friends, but why does my mind dwell on the past?-
-Because it is important.- came a reply.
-Who are you?-
-I see you don?t remember me.-
-Now I do, you spoke to me then?- Degan?s thoughts disappeared as Degan drifted back into a dreamless sleep.

* * *
Degan awoke to the smell of crisp bacon the next day. He got up, slung his sword and sheath over his shoulder and got out of the tent. He took his seat around the campfire next to Trest.
?Ah, I see you are awake.? Said Trest, through a mouthful of toasted bread.
?You, of all people, should know when to keep their mouth shut when they are eating.? Degan responded.
Trest let out a hearty laugh. ?I?m not a prince right now.? He said, still laughing.
After they finished, they packed their tents and mounted their horses. They started on the road.
Degan backed up his horse next to the young guard, who had been quiet, the entire trip.
?Hey, anything wrong?? Degan asked.
?No, sir!? said the guard, who was now out of his dreamlike silence.
?Hey, quit that. What?s your name??
?Dhelrin, sir.?
?Hey! I said quit that! We?re companions now. Even Trest discarded his rank. If you need some one to talk to, just come to me, OK??
The guard smiled slightly.
?Yes, sir!?
They both laughed out loud.
* * *
The company rode to a stop at midday. They paused to look at the map, while the guards set up lunch.
?We made good distance today. We?d get to Khelmar by tomorrow evening.? Said Reyna, while nibbling on a crust of bread.
?That?s good. I was starting to get tired of almost all open plain.? Acknowledged Trest.
Degan rode up next to him. ?Sometimes I think you get too much practice in being a prince than in being an ambassador.? He said.
Trest grinned at his friend. ?I try, my friend, I try.?

[Kal Keraden]

They rode on, making good time. Riding on the flowing meadows, Reyna felt the light breeze sweep up her long brown hair.
-It feels good to be back on the road- She thought. Suddenly, her horse reared back, flinging her off the saddle.
-Except when thing like that happen- Reyna thought to herself, getting up. She stepped to the left, barely dodging an arrow.
?Bandits!? Reyna yelled at the company, seeing porters fall to the Mythril arrows.
Trest and Degan were already pulling the bows out of a bag. Degan tossed one of the Elven bows to Reyna.
?Let?s see if we haven?t lost our touch.? He said winking at her.
?I certain hope not.?
A hail of arrows was launched from the guards into the small woods that covered the bandit?s position. Degan could hear several thumps as some bandits fell to the floor. He launched another arrow, followed by the cry of a bandit.
?Damned monsters!? Cried Trest. ?Take that!?
Trest was half-elf, so he mastered the bow. Five arrows, he fired, and all of them were followed by cries of agony.
The bandits wouldn?t give up. Soon they were out of arrows and charged out of the woods. Holding up daggers, knives, and any other weapons they could get their hands on, the serf bandits charged?and were slowly picked off, one by one, by Prince Trest?s guardsman.
They were a pitiful group, not even reaching the company when they broke off the attack. Many fled, but did not make it far. Three groups, one led by Reyna, another Degan, and the other by Trest, they drove off the bandits.
?Well, that was a complete waste of time. We lost half day of travel to those bandits. We might as well camp here. There?s plenty of shelter here.? Said Dhelrin, the young guardsman.
?It?s pointless to be upset about a victory over nothing. Tell the guards to set up camp, Dhelrin.? Commanded Reyna, her tone very official.
?Yes, ma?am.?
* * *
 Reyna was having nightmares. She had joined the academy to become stronger, and that she did. But on that day, during the Battle of Kurka, her parents were killed. She was very little then and remembered little, but the screams of agony and despair still haunted her in her dreams.
Her father served under General Rikis Thor. For which side, she doesn?t remember. The enemy had attacked her hometown, obviously trying to rundown the enemy garrison there. Reyna?s father was called to duty that night?
Without realizing it, she began to weep during the night. Degan, not knowing what to do, just watched, and finally held her until she fell softly into a dreamless sleep.

* * *
They spoke little the next day. Trest who was fuming over the loss of time, made them ride hard. The tall grass of the meadow flying past them in blurs as they rode. The sky was blue and there were clouds in the sky, a perfect day to relax. Unfortunately, they rode on.
It was around dawn the next day when the glorious city of Khelmar came into sight. The walled city was famous for its contribution to the Kilran victory during the Balorean Wars. Its massive steel walls was the only thing left standing after the Golden Age of the world in Kilra.
There were legends, that there once existed a world of supreme technology, where cities such as Khelmar were common and were considered small. There were weapons, called Guns, which were told to me more powerful, more accurate, and further ranged than the Elven longbow. According to historians, however, say it is impossible for such weapons to exist.
?Ahh, Prince Trest, we?ve set up a lodging for you and your escort in The Lion? greeted the Guard.
Trest looked at him.
?It?s an inn?? he started.
?I know where it is. Would it trouble you and your friends to open the gate?? Trest said coolly to the guards standing in front of the Steel Gate, the main entrance to Khelmar.
Startled, the guard called to his comrade on the parapet. Slowly, the Steel Gates creaked open, allowing the three friends to pass through the gate, along with the guards.
Khelmar was an extremely elegant city, with walls of marble and gleaming tile covering the roads and walkways. The magnificent city of machinery operated on electricity. There were bright lights that were not lanterns, but electric flame. Although no one knew how the cities machines and system worked, they could still use it.
The Lion was a marvelously elegant inn. Containing a Pub and Restaurant  next to the lobby down stairs. There were red curtains and carpet that matched the style of The Lion.
?Ahh, what a relief!? Reyna said, slumping on her bed. Reyna?s room was extremely beautiful, facing the vast lake, which was the only natural part of Khelmar. Around the lake was a park that stretched about 1,000 yards from the lake. As for the room itself, it was navy blue, the carpet, the roof, and the walls. The bed matched the color scheme with more white.
?It is good to get to sleep on a bed tonight.? Said Degan, sitting himself next to her on the bed. She didn?t reply, instead getting up so that she was sitting next to him.
?Thanks? was all she said, and kissed him. It was only then did Degan realize how beautiful Reyna had become over the years. She was no longer only the rag-tag girl he used to know, but instead was this beautiful young woman before him.
They broke off the kiss, and Degan got up from the bed. He felt this was an inappropriate time for something like this. Without saying anything, he left the room.
* * *

[Natrina]

Sorry if I didnt read it all now, I promise I will, but for what I have read, it\'s worth a :emerald: