Shattered Silence now Sword of Salvation and being rewritten

Chapter One - Old Times

Darkness fell, the forest was dormant, quiet as could be. There was no sound of the northerly wind as it silently blew through the deprived forest. Off in the distance, slid a slithering trail, but a desolate remembrance of what it once was, it wrought its course through the land around it, eternally imprinted with its mark upon the land, never regaining what it held in its last life.
A hill stood in the middle of a clearing, a dead tree trying desperately to keep its hold on the ground. A noise arose, talking, chanting, a man appeared upon the hill, astride the darkest beast. The man held a staff, as black as midnight. He looked at the approaching crowd as they continued to close the gap. The man smiled and removed the hood from his head revealing long white hair. He dismounted as the crowed halted before him. He ran a hand over his slightly creased deep blue tunic; as he straitened from a slightly slouched stand the richly embodied black cape, trimmed with the delicate white fur of the Astronian white Bear, hang from his old shoulders glittering in the moonlight. His eyes looked over the assembled, these dashing blue eyes relaxed, though slightly slanted. He sighed and closed his eyes saying a few silent words as two men leading white beasts who pulled the weight of a carriage full of dry dead wood. The men helped each other to slowly build up two massive piles beside the white haired elder, though far enough that no harm would come to him. After the men had departed the elder reopened his eyes, clicking his fingers, the two piles burst into flames, the crowed stood in stunned silence as they observed.

His eyes passed over the assembled; he cleared his throat, before saying in a deep music like voice,
“Do you remember what our once beautiful land of Astronia was like?” he asked though not expecting an answer.
“Do you wish it to return to the old ways, were war was forbidden and magic was allowed?” he asked this time expecting and answer but getting nothing. He frowned. The assembled started to talk amongst themselves trying to see if anyone did remember.
“Silence!” he bellowed his deep voice increasing dramatically.
“It is unknowingly heartbreaking that you have forgotten. Haven’t your families passed down the tales of our old world, the beautiful world that is now deprived and undernourished of the magic it needs.” He sighed and looked up at the sky as large silver Gryphon flew past and landed beside him. The crowd looked at it, half afraid though half interested on what it was. The gryphon looked at him like they were communicating in some way before taking flight back into the darkness.
“My apologies my friends, I was not thinking strait and forgot that the Queen burned all the books. Let me explain.” He paused before looking back at the silent crowd.
“Our land was very different 200 years ago, before Queen Rhiannon took over.” He paused as a middle aged man dressed in the clothing of a lowly farmer called out.
“The Queen took over 200 years ago? That is impossible; No one can live for 200 years.”
The man smiled.
“No not impossible, Rhiannon is a witch; magical people live for a very long time.” He explained.
“As I was saying,’ he paused ‘there once was a time, long ago when these trees surrounding us had leaves, when the Aldie River flowed fast and strong.’ He closed his eyes as he remembered.
“The birds would sing within the forest, the flowers bloomed, and magic was freely distributed throughout the towns. Our world was a world with no wars and great wisdom. It flourished with life, meaning and spirit.” He described his memories to the people to the best of his abilities without frightening them with the power he holds.
“The grass was green and soft, the while clouds floating within the bright blue sky. The elements worked together back then so our land was a lush paradise. Our bright towns of the towns of Starona, Ravina and Fullina, stood tall, bright and clean in the valley of the Stones, Our magnificent white castle of Emioria stood tall on Stone Hill. The children playing in the fields and meadows and our farmers working hard to finish their jobs for the day, our land was once magnificent once, though you man not believe it.” He sighed
“But after the Great War, when Rhiannon got hold of the thrown and the crown all was destroyed. She used the creatures of the Void to assist in her dark mindful plan. She has run the land into the ground buy killing all the Guardians, or so she thought.’ He added with a slight raise of the corner of his mouth.
“As I said before the Queen had her men destroy all the books and tapestries of our once magnificent land.” Clear tears blurred his vision as they threatened to fall down his cheeks.
“Now as you can see, you can no longer walk through the forests, otherwise you may encounter a Voidian, the birds have long left this place, the Aldie is now but a slithering trail of remembrance. The grass is yellow and dry, almost never to be soft again.” He stopped and looked towards the crowd before starting at a slight whisper, though it still reached the people at the back.
“There is a chance, a chance to turn our world right side up. Ten years ago our Queen had a child, a young boy, a prince who will have the power and training to become a king, the greatest king of all time, he has the blood of both good and bad as well as blood from the old royal family. The boy is already showing signs of great power and he is but a ten year old.” He smiled out towards the crowd.
“I am Saturnin, I am, well was the high guardian, when the order stood strong. I shall be the one to train the boy when he comes to me. He will be taught the old ways, the ways that have been forgotten by many.” He stopped as a plump man at the front of the crowd called out to him.
“If you are who you say then why can’t you save us?”
“I have no power to do so my friend not over the land anyway although I can still teach. There is hope my friends, hope for our lives to change. Assemble with me and become a mighty army for our king-to-be and save Astrona. Tonight will be a night to remember!” he yelled and as he finished, a chorus of cries spread throughout the clearing and its surrounding forest. He remounted his stallion and descended the hill towards the crowd below as the flames died down to a slight red glow of the embers in the moonlight.

Chapter Two – The Potential Savoir

As the shadows increased in the once beautiful courtyard in the castle of Emioria, a young boy sat alone under a large almost dead tree with a small wooden sword in his hands. He yawned then stretched, his bright green eyes looking around at the empty place, the half destroyed water feature, the empty garden beds and the path was missing a few stones. His short messy black hair sat ruffled upon his head, his black tunic was slightly crinkled and his shoes sat beside him. He stood up as a large guard walked towards him; the guard had a slight limp and a scar down one side of his face. “Malgrath, what brings you out here?” the young boy asked standing at height just below the man’s chest. The man bowed to him
“My Prince Thanatos, your mother wishes for you to head to bed, I suggest you do so.” He said with a sly grin. Thanatos glared at him before making his way back towards the castle and to his chambers.

Sitting on his soft four-poster bed, Thanatos looked around completely bored. He now wore a large dark sleeping tunic that came down to his ankles. He stood up and began to walk towards his wall robe when a sound from outside his bedroom door seeped in. It was like a growl, an evil growl that would stop at nothing to get to him. He walked to the door as it stood slightly ajar, he looked out through the gap to see his mother standing there. She held a body, of what he did not know, a child maybe, a dog he could not tell. Malgrath stood with his back to the door.
“My Queen, what are we to do with the child?” he said indicating the body which the queen held.
“Feed it to the Baveiones” she said before walking off towards her chambers, she had thrown the body to the ground and Thanatos could now see that it was the body of an infant, one with the mark of the moon just above her left eye.

Thanatos jerked awake and wiped the sleep from his eyes. He was left slightly confused by his dream, it had seemed so real.
“A Baveiones, what is a Baveiones?” he asked himself as he walked towards his bookcase and pulled out a dictionary of the void. He flipped through the pages one by one.
“He looked at all the different creatures of the void, shuttering at the descriptions of some of them. He soon found it and looked up at the candle just by his feet before reading the description to himself.
“Baveiones – a deadly creature half between a dog and dragon, it stand like a human on his two hind legs, the skin slowly pealing, rotting off the body. When a Baveiones is told to hunt or eat by its master or mistress it will stop at nothing to do as it’s told. The only way to stop them from a hunt is to kill them.” Thanatos shut the book and held it close to him, wishing he wasn’t stupid enough to look for the disruption. He stood up, placing the book back into the empty space in his large bookshelf that was over filled by books. The candle was burning low, the small light slowly diminishing, then darkness. The growl came again, Thanatos jumped; knocking what was left of the candle over. As he looked around his room he went to where he stored his clothing. He slipped into a pair of thin leather pants and cloth shirt before stepping barefooted out the main door of his chamber. Malgrath sat slouched in a chair snoring, though still only in a light sleep. Thanatos slipped past him trying not to wake him but trips and falls into one of the old suites of armours. Malgrath opened his eyes and seen the boy, frowning he stood up.
“Return to your chamber My Prince” he said calmly.
Instead of listening Thanatos fled down the corridor, past his mothers silent chamber and up towards the towers. He came to a halt at the bace of the tower stairs and looked behind him. He could see nothing, but he could hear the soft growling sounds from outside and the sound of the heavy footsteps that were getting closer and closer to him. Thanatos looked once more at the stairs before letting his little legs carry him up the worn black marble of the many steps to the top of the tower.
“Thanatos! You get back here or your mother will serve my head on her golden platter” he yelled after him, his feet clattering heavily in the darkness.
“Well I say let her, for I shall never return to my chamber” Thanatos yelled back as he continued to climb.

Once at the top of the stairs Thanatos shut and locked the door. Again another growl came from outside and Thanatos stood on his tippy toes and looked over into the dark court yard below. What he seen stunned him; there were at least fifty or more large creatures that suited the disruption of a Baveione. He stepped back just to find something blocking his way, a hand found its way over his mouth just as he was about to call out. At first he thought it was Malgrath but soon realised he was too kind to be the old ruff knight.
“Shh,” said the deep voice from the man behind him. “If I move my hand do you promos not to make a sound?” he asked. Thanatos nodded and the man let him go. Turning around Thanatos seen a large hooded man clothed fully in black with the slight shine of the moonlight toughing the edges of his body. The man seemed to smile under the hood.
“I won’t hurt you Prince Thanatos; I’m here to help you. The names Rorma,” he said as he removed his hood. His mouth twitched into a smile as he seen the confusion on the prince’s face.
“How can you help me Rorma?” Thanatos questioned. Rorma just smiled.
“By helping you escape your mother and for fill your destiny.” He said.

Chapter Three - The Escape

"Destiny? I have no destiny.” Thanatos said looking up at the tall man. Rorma smiled and walked towards the window, looking out at the large dangerous-looking creatures in the darkness below. When he turned around again he held an old tatted book. He handed it to the prince. The prince looked at the book in the dimmed light.
"The book of old?" the prince asked and looked up at the man.
"That is a book from your father Thanatos, there is a note within that will explain everything about the old, when your mother did not rule over our land. Though it will be morning soon, we better get going." he said, his kind eyes looking down at Thanatos before holding his hand out for the book again.
"I will look after it until we get outside the castle walls, this book is not to be seen by your mothers guards or your mother herself." He said and nodded when Thanatos reluctantly passed the book back to the strange man in black.
Rorma then walked over to the door and ran his hand over it. There was small click of the door unlocking before he opened it and walked through it. Thanatos close on his heels only because he wanted to get out of this place.

They walked as silently as they could down the marble stair case, Thanatos following deep in thought. He looked up at Rorma about to ask a question when there was a crash at the bottom of the stairwell. Rorma pushed Thanatos against the wall and motioned him to be silent. He did not need to be told twice. Rorma replaced the hood upon his hood and slowly walked around the last corner of the steps to see the large guard standing there with a young slave held in one of his vice like grips. Rorma walked the rest of the way down the stairs and took his hood off.
"Malgrath, what do we have here?" Rorma asked looking at the guard. Thanatos stayed where he was flat against the wall. Malgrath dropped the slave and looked up at Rorma.
"Nathanael? I thought you were dead" he said and the guard bowed down low.
"Who told you that Malgrath?" Rorma asked looking down at the bowed guard.
"The Queen Sir, she said she seen you die" Rorma laughed.
"When have I heard of you listening to your queen?" he asked looking down at the guard.
"Since the queen gave me her son to look after." Rorma shook his head.
"Go back to your chambers and have a few drinks my old friend." Rorma smiled and watch the guard hesitantly wander off towards his chambers. After the guard was gone Rorma walked back up the stairs to where Thanatos stood. Thanatos looked up at Rorma.
"Who are you?' Thanatos asked looking up at the man who had named himself Rorma but the guard had called him Nathanael.
"Never mind that now, we have to get out of here before your mother wakes up." Rorma turned on his hills again and walked back down the stairs. Thanatos looked up and seen that he was gone and ran down after him. They walked down several dark corridors, some were empty where as some had slaves who were getting things together for the new day. As Rorma and Thanatos walked past the slaves some of the older ones looked at Rorma with a surprised and please expression on their faces. Thanatos watched several of them as they walked by. One slave, his name was Billy he was about 30 years old said "Good luck my prince" as they walked passed him. Thanatos shot him a confused look, he was about to ask him what he needed the luck for when Rorma stopped suddenly and Thanatos ran into the back of him.
"Oomph" Rorma turned around and looked at the boy.
"What where you are going and be quiet." he half growled.
There was a shattering noise as the silence broke, yelling all around them as several of the slaves ran by them with guards at their heels. Thanatos noticed that Rorma had replaced his hood back onto his head when they continued.

The corridors were getting brighter with every step though it was still dim. The castle was never bight and colourful like it use to be. Two guards walked up to them with their swords draw. Rorma pushed Thanatos back protectively as the guards stopped in front of him.
"Take off your hood intruder" said a short fat guard, his armor, a thin layer of leather with gems scattered across the breast. The other was a tall skinny one with a large scar that extended from his forehead down his neck and onto his chest. The man wore a light cloth shirt with leather pants. Rorma smiled at the guards and removed his hood. The guards stepped back in shock.
"Nathanael? King Nathanael? You’re meant to be dead." The large guard said.
"Seems he isn't, though he will be soon" the skinny one growled and slashed his heavy sword at Rorma.
Rorma jumped to the side narrowly missing the sharp blade as it glanced off his chain mail that hid under his tunic. Rorma frowned and pulled out his own sword, the black metal shimmered in the firelight as it was drawn and the sound of scraping metal was sent echoing down the corridor. The hilt of the sword had a large onyx gem embedded in it.
"Thanatos get back" Rorma said as he took a step towards the two attacking guards his sword held in a vise like grip between both hands. Before taking his first swing Rorma reached up and undid the clip holding his hood and cape on, it shimmered as it fell with a light thud on the marble floor.
"Logan you should not have done that" Rorma said as he took another step towards the skinny guard. Logan smiled.
"Or what?" He said, his voice was sly, daring him to take the next swing. Rorma did not; instead he side stepped off to the right trying to get around him. Logan smiled and swiped again blocking Rorma from his destination. Rorma blocked his sword with his own; the loud clang of metal hitting metal sent a deafening noise throughout the area. Thanatos had shrunk back into the darkness away from the fight.
"Run towards the door now" Rorma yelled at the boy as he cowered. Thanatos look between the door and the other guard before looking back at Rauma. Thanatos didn’t know what to do all he could think about was the metallic sound of the swords over and over in his mind.
“Thanatos! Go now!” Rorma yelled again and this time Thanatos did as he was told only to be stopped just outside the door by the other guard.
Rorma took the next swing and the sword hit its mark, making a deep cut into the other mans sword arm. He cried out in pain and Rorma smiled.
“Well now, maybe you should have had armor on” Rorma said as he brought the flat of his sword down on the guards head, knocking him unconscious.

Thanatos ducked as the man tried to get hold of him. The movement of Thanatos moving and of the gaurds clumbsy hands made the guard topple to the floor and Rorma grabbed onto his turnic, pulling him up to eye level.
“Don’t pursue us or you will get worse” he said and pointed to the unconscious man on the floor.
Off to the right of the door stood a small cell, its bars were riddled with cracks but it would hold. Rorma dragged the guard over and pushed him though the open door then dragged the other guard, throwing him nun too gently into the cell and de-arming them of their weapons. The door slammed shut and Rorma walked out the castle door with Thanatos trailing behind.

Chapter Four - The Hunt
The Queen yelled at the top of her lungs for her best guards to come to her side.
“That man has taken my son!’ she bellowed ‘Hunt them down and bring them both to me ALIVE. Now GO!” she yelled and the guard, ran out of the room tripping over each other to find the fastest escape.



They walked out into the desolate field in front of the castle. Thanatos had to run to keep up the pace with Rorma.
“Rorma, what did you mean about my destiny?” Thanatos asked. Rorma glanced at him but said nothing as he walked out into the open towards the forest. A young pitch black stallion stood chomping at the grass near a tree. His saddle was loosely placed on him as well as the rains and halter. A shout came from behind and Rorma Spun around his eyes opening wide as a group of at least fifty foot soldiers and ten mounted solders came running out of the barracks off to the right of the castle.
“RUN THANATOS, to the stallion now!” Rorma turned back around and started to sprint towards the now alert stallion which stood looking at them. Rorma whistled and the stallion responded by running towards them and stopping near Rorma. Thanatos had been left behind by Rorma’s large steps; the soldiers were closing the gap between them.

Rorma, as fast as he could tightened the straps of the saddle on the stallion and jumped up into the saddle. He looked back at Thanatos still running towards them though still far away. Off into the distance the gap got shorter, and shorter. The rumble of hooves, the whinny of horses, the clomp of the boots, got closer, and closer.
“RUN THANATOS!” Rorma yelled again as he kicked the stallion into a full gallop towards the tiring boy.
Thanatos couldn't run any faster, his speed slowed as he tired, the gap closed more. They were almost on him, Thanatos looked behind and seen them just fifty paces away. Thanatos pushed himself but he soon found himself falling, wait not falling flying. Rorma had hold of the boy’s robes and lifted him up in the saddle in front of him. Rorma kicked the stallion into a full canter again and they raced towards the forest, the gap slowly widening but closing at the same time as the rides kicked their mounts harder, pushing them to go faster.
They reached the tree line and vanished from sight. The soldiers skidded to a halt some falling off their mounts some couldn’t stop fast enough and diapered into the forest. The forest was a forbidden place to go, it was said it was haunted, cursed, guarded by magic.

The Captain stood astride his white mare at the head of the group spun her around.
"Are you all a bunch of rotten good-for-nothing chickens?" he yelled his face riddled with anger. "Get in there and get that boy or you will regret living" he yelled. As one they all rode into the forest. They went on in a trot, listening for movement, or the sound braking branch, but all that greeted them as the eary dead silence. Nothing, not even the wind made a sound. The horses moved along uncertainly. The silence continued the men went on, deeper and deeper into the dead forest.
“Captain? Something does not feel right.” One of the soldiers near the front of the column stated. The captain’s face went tense and he spun around in his saddle. He drew his sword which was rusted from not being cleaned properly.
“Gorda, if you are a rotten good-for-nothing chicken more than the rest I’ll kill you now.” A sly grin crossed the captain’s face as the fear shines in Gorda’s eyes. Gorda stopped his horse and backed him up a bit to get out of reach from the sword.
“Have you got a problem Gorda? Are you the chicken of the group or are you going to follow orders and continue into the forest?” The captain spat in the young man’s face.
“Aye Sir Ill follow orders as always Sir” Gorda said. The captain nodded.
“Lead on Gorda, Lead us to the prince.” Gorda’s eyes widened before he nodded and took the lead. Gorda didn’t like the queen, he hated her, but he didn’t let that show. He was higher up in the ranks to anyone here, and the captain made it his will to despise the boy. As he got to the front Gorda grinned and the fun began.

A scream came from the back of the column, though it was cut short suddenly. All turned to look except Gorda. A black and white stallion stood looking at them. He was rider less, something was not right. Everyone looked to the captain who was just staring at the sight. The stallion reared then ran off into the forest leaving flaming imprints in the dirt. The captain looked around.
“Move on now” his voice slightly shaken.
There was a loud but muffled thump behind them and they looked to where the sound had come from. Lying on the ground was a crippled body, bones clearly broken, face scratched beyond recognition by what looked like branches. Someone else in the group screamed, then varnished, not a sound was herd, except for the rider less horse running into the forest. Gorda smiled and continued moving on, no one noticed he was gone, his horse moved silently.

Thunder struck and the silence was shattered, the trees moved as one, moving towards the rest of the column. A branch snapped and another body fell, hanging upside down, dried blood covered his face making it hard to know who it was.
From outside of the forest nothing seemed to change, nothing altered or moved, just the normal dead silence, but within disaster struck, men died hanging from branches with blood dripping slowly to the ground. The group spilt up and the hunt began, trees lifted their roots to block the way of the riders, sharp branches struck them in the face. There was nothing to save the men who went after the prince, nothing.
Gorda continued to smile as he had done his job and led the column into a trap.



Rorma and Thanatos sat on the ground surrounded by tress, they wore no weapons. They had been thrown to the ground by the trees. The stallion lay on the ground dead, having tripped on an exposed root and snapping its neck. The forest reeked of death.
"Rorma what is happening" Thanatos whispered. Rorma looked at the boy and smiled.
"The spirits don’t take kindly to the queens followers" he said with a slight smile.

They walked for days on end, tiring, with no food or water. The forest was a silent waste land with nothing but dead trees and the stench of death. As they went Rorma taught Thanatos all that was in the book without handing it to him, things the boy did not know.
“So the old King is dead, like gone?” he asked Rorma.
“Not exactly Thanatos, though he is your father as you know. Your mother found out he was a Prince of the old after you were conceived and she sent a group of riders out to kill him. The prince was able to get to his teacher before the Queen could get his hands on him. The guardian taught the Prince what he will eventually teach you. Since that night your Father has worked for the guardian.” Rorma smiled.
“Rorma? What is my father’s name?” Rorma looked at the boy, he didn’t want to lie to the kid and he wasn’t about to.
“Your father’s name is Nathanael, Prince Nathanael.” Thanatos looked up to Rorma, he had heard that name before but it didn’t click as to where.
“Can you tell me about him Rorma? What is he like?”
“Why don’t you ask him when you see him next by the Guardians side?” Rorma asked wanting to change the subject.

After weeks of walking through the forest the finally came to the tree line edge to where the city of Fullina.
“When we enter Fullina you are not to say a word ok” Rorma said looking at Thanatos then towards the white washed buildings in front of them. Thanatos nodded and they continued on. After awhile Rorma stopped Thanatos and passed him a black cape a hood just like his own.
“Put this on” He waited till it was on properly and the hood covered the boys face before putting his own hood on.

Rorma took the boys hand and started to walk toward the town when two men of big build stopped them at the gates.
“Show us you faces, please.” The guard said not even looking up from the page of notes, he was looking at. The other guard stood with his hand firmly on the hilt of his sword watching them carefully.
“What is the special occasion? Is the queen coming for a feast in the fort?” Rorma asked being smart and resting a hand on Thanatos’s shoulder.
“The prince has been stolen, and because you won’t show us your faces you shall be thrown into the forts cells,” the guard grinned as he said that and signaled for the other guard to step forward and block their exit. Rorma looked at Thanatos then at the guard and smiled.
“step back Thanatos” Rorma said into the boys mind and Thanatos did as he was told by taking a step back and in doing so he stepped on the guards foot that stood behind him and the guard frowned and grabbed Thanatos’s arm tightly. Rorma grinned as he called on his power and spooked a horse that a man was riding in the line behind them, which made the guard duck out of the way of the rearing horse, and grab its rains. Rorma then barged at the guard in front of them and grabbed Thanatos’s arm running into the town.
“This way” a strange short man in a white robe said and led them down a series of alleyways to a small temple at the end of the town. Once they were in the temple, the man turned and looked at them. “We had word of your arrival from The Guardian himself Lord Rorma, you are safe here for a few days, but then you will have to find your way out,” the man explained his tone bland as he fixed up his robe. “Thank you Edward, it was nice of you to help” Rorma stated.
“I shall show you to the chambers you may use for as long wish” he said as he took them down a brightly lit corridor with high and beautiful stained glass windows on one of the walls and many doors on the opposite side. They soon came to a dead end, Edward knocked seven times just under a fire lantern, and the wall opened. Thanatos looked at the new hole where the wall had once been with wide and excited eyes. “What is this place Rorma?” the boy asked with a curious tone in his voice. Rorma just smiled and refused to say anything about the strange place.
Edward led them down a dark corridor and Thanatos thought he was back at castle Emioria again with his mother. They soon came to a large door and Edward let them in.
“I will send someone down with food, you will be safe here.” He said and walked out closing the door behind him. Thanatos looked at Rorma in the darkness of the room.
Thanatos was about to ask where a light was when Rorma conjured up a green ball that glowed in his hand. They looked around the small room with only two beds, a table and two chairs; Rorma walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. “Thanatos I want you to have some rest please. It is dark enough in here for you to have a sleep.” Rorma said and willed the child to bed.
It was Market day in Fullina and Edward went to buy the supplies for the next two weeks, Pulling on his white cloak before he hobbled out of the temple and into the morning sun in the streets. Edward was only a lowly priest loyal to one person: The Guardian. He had never been in love or in a battle let alone a fight. To Edward, his life was paradise, though others would think it boring.

Edward hobbled through the crowded streets towards the even more crowded Market Square. His eyes widened when he noticed guards surrounding the market, it looked as though they were seeking the man and boy who that were able to sneak into the town late yesterday when the sun was high in the sky. Edward put his thoughts about them away and continued to hobble into the market with the bag of coins. Edward walked, smiled and continued though the square looking for the items he needed for the week. After he had collected everything Edward started back towards the temple. After a while some of the city’s guards started to follow him, he had been seen leading the man and young boy though the streets, but Edward remained oblivious.
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Thanatos looked up with sleepy eyes; he looked around the dark room until he found Rorma drifting in and out of sleep as he sat in a chair, the same chair as before.
“Rorma, what do we do now?” he questioned while in the middle of a yawn. Rorma looked at the boy.
“Now we wai…” he stopped as an urgent knock came from the door. Rorma stood up and opened the door and a young priest stepped in.
“You need to leave now Lord Rorma, something devastating has happened I’m sure of it.” Rorma looked at the priest then at Thanatos.
“Get your cloak on boy.” He said as he grabbed his own cloak and headed for the door.
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Edward continued to walk as two guards stepped in front of him to block him.
“Where are you going you lowly priest” one of them spat grabbed Edwards arm. Edward looked surprised.
“I’m Edward, what can I do for you?” he asked politely. Another guard grabbed him by the other arm.
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“Rorma, what is happening?” Thanatos asked as the priest rushed them down the corridor and out of the back door. Rorma did not answer. They had their hoods over their heads and stopped behind a building.
“I just got message that the guards have Edward. I think it best if you leave town now” the priest said, then turned and ran back to the temple.
Rorma looked at Thanatos, grabbing his wrist and pulled him down a small deserted street towards the wall.
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The guards pulled Edward into a holding cell in the fort and looked him in the eye.
“There was a rumor that a lowly priest oddly looking like you led a young man and boy though the streets last night” said a big built guard who wore a large war tunic and an embodied clock showing him as a general within the queen’s army.
“I-I-I, w-what do you mean?” he asked looking the guard in the eye, trying to act as innocent as he could, yet he had the feeling he didn’t quite pull it off.
“Did you lead the prince and the man who has kidnapped him somewhere?” the guard asked and pulled his dagger from the sheath that was on his belt. Edward looked at the guard with a puzzled look in his eyes as he tried to hide that he knew more then he was letting on.

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When they got to the wall, they continued until they came to a set of stairs going up to the top of the wall. Rorma crouched down and looked at Thanatos.
“Thanatos I want you to climb onto my back and hold on tight, ok.” Thanatos hesitated and looked behind them. No one had seen them yet so he climbed onto Rorma’s back and did as he was told. Rorma stood up and looked around before he started to climb the stairs to the top of the walls. As they ascended, a small group of guards spotted them from below.
“Towards the wall!” one of them yelled as they drew their swords and ran after them up the stairs towards the top of the wall. Rorma looked down at the guards rushing at them and sped up.

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The guard’s face that wielded the dagger was creased with a smile, as his hard eyes stared into Edward’s freighted face before questioning him some more.
“Where are they?” he asked again as he gently dug the dagger into Edwards’s neck making it hard for him to breath.
“t-t-the t-temple” Edward rasped trying to get breath but the guard dug it in further as Edward spoke. The guard signaled for five guards before giving them orders.
“Bring me the boy alive and his capturer dead,” he growled. The men ran out not wanting to get in the way of their captains anger. Edward’s eyes were coated with fear as he watched the guard grin.
“I have no need for you now father,” the guard informed him as he addressed him with his proper title. The guard gripped the dagger harder. Edward cried out in pain as the dagger slid into his throat.

The light in Edward’s green eyes dimmed as the guard stepped back to watch the priest slowly die. Then the door opened and one of the men that had gone off to get the prince returned to report,
“The prince and the man were not at the temple Captain.” The guard reported trying to mask his fear of the man. The Captain was not happy. His face was creased with anger as he turned to look at the guard.
“Then why are you here?” The captain yelled, “GO NOW! Find the prince and bring him to me, make sure the wizards head is on your spear” the captain spat.
The guard spun around and ran for the door almost falling over a few times. The last of the light in Edward’s eyes diminish as he took his last, painful breath, slipping into a lifetime of endless darkness.
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Rorma got to the top of the wall and looked at the guards as they charged towards them from every side. Their swords ready to hack into his flesh to bring the prince and Rorma to their captain, gaining his respect. Rorma looked around as best as he could to Thanatos. “The only way out of this is down” he uttered looking down the other side of the wall at the sloping edge before it met the daunting dead trees that rose high into the sky.

Rorma leaped up onto the boundary wall that stopped people from fall off the edge, yelling could be herd from every direction.
“Don’t let them jump” one guard yelled,
“Don’t harm the boy,” another cried. Thanatos looked around wanting to be out of this mess. Rorma looked down not wanting to jump but he knew he needed to. Rorma jumped…

The silence was daunting as The Guardian walked though the dark corredors of the once abandoned Monastery of Angels. His long white hair was draped over his shoulders and his dark tunic. His eyes looked over the passage, thinking to himself, wondering in what way he was going to train the large amount of people that had chosen to follow him. He walked into a largely lit room and out the large carved oak doors. He closed his eyes as the fresh midnight air blew against his old features.
The beat of hooves on the old trodden dirt path came to his attention in the silence. His eyes opened suddenly looking towards the monastery’s gates just as a lone rider rode though them.
"Gorda" The Guardian said as the rider came to a halt before him.
"The job has been done Guardian, just as you asked" he said as he slid off the horse and into a bow all at the same time.
"And your brother and the Prince?" he asked.
"Safe" he said with a smile, "I seen them huddling in the grass not far from where the other riders were killed." The Guardian nodded with a smile of relief came across his face. The silver griffin landed beside The Guardian with a loud thump and roar. Saturnin smiled and scratched the griffin behind its head.
"Gorda, I need a way to teach these people. Would you like to teach a group with the magic of the old way, your father would be proud if you do" Saturnin inquired. Gorda looked at him with a slight smile of disbelieve.
"Really? You would wish me to teach my own mass of warriors?" Gorda asked his voice clearly showing his disbelieve.
"Yes, yes Gorda, the group I am asigning you to are in the old barracks, there is about one hundred there and they are all yours" Saturnin said with a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gorda walked though the courtyard towards the barracks to examine his soon to be warriors. The stars shine brightly above him showing him the way through the over grown gardens.
'This place would have once been the most magnificent garden in the world' Gorda thought.
He came to the old barracks, some of the wooden planks were split, some nails were poking out and there were several holes in the walls. He stops and examines the barracks before stepping inside. A group of men sat around a small fire talking amongst themselves.
"My good people. My name is Lord Gorda, I will be your commanding officer and trainer. You are to follow my orders, instructions and to let me teach you how to fight with both, sword and bow. The trail ahead will be hard, but it can be won if you work hard to achieve" Gorda spoke calmly but loudly.
The men stood up and saluted their new captain. They had been told somewhat the same thing as well as a bit more before Gorda had arrived back into the Monastery.
"We have several jobs to do as well as training. When we are not training we are ether sleeping eating or getting this place fit for the soon to be King, you hear?" He spoke louder.
"Sir Yes Sir" the chorus of men sounded.

Gorda left his warriors and walked back though the gardens to talk to the Guardian. He walked into the main building, down the long cobwebbed corridors towards the hearing chamber. He stopped at the door, waited for a moment before continuing in.
“Guardian, What do you reckon will happen if we lose?” Gorda inquired.
Saturnin looked at him with a sad smile.
“I do not know Gorda. All we can do is hope that, that does not happen.” He stood up and walked over to the old water feature which the water had recently been replenished. He placed the tip of his finger beneath the surface and swelled it around. Soon a picture of the prince and Rorma fleeing across the wall, Gorda watched them with wide eyes.
“We need to do something.” Gorda almost yelled at him.
“There is nothing we can do that has not already been done, now go get some rest” The guardian looked at Gorda and smiled sadly.
Gorda nodded and walked to his chambers to settle in for the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The night passed and the sun rose to the beating of drum and bells all over the monastery. It was time for work, Gorda and his warriors started on getting the barracks fixed and presentable, while the other generals worked on the monastery and the few mages that were there in the gardens with the women and children helping as well.
Saturnin stood on one of the balconies watching the process taking place below. “My Prince your castle awaits you” He said.
Prossess was well under way, the gardens were starting to look like gardens, the wood of the barracks were getting replaced with stone, the Monastery walls were being reinforced and patched up. In no time the monastery would be a castle fit for the new king when he is old enough to rule.
~~~~~~~
Rorma knew what he was doing when he jumped off the walls with the prince on his back. The wind flew past them and the ground was getting closer. Arrows were flying all around them, every single was missed its target. Rorma had his eyes closed tightly until he landed within the soft feathers of the guardians gryphon. Rorma smiled and scratched the creatures head he watched the men on the walls eyes open wide in terror and surprise. Soon the walls were flooded with people wanting to look as well as the furious face of the general, his hands still red with blood. The gryphon screeched as it sped away flying this way and that so no one could follow him. He soon landed in a large clearing for the night with plenty of cover from prying eyes Rorma lifted Thanatos down as the boy looked at the gryphon wide eyed and scared, he had thought them only myths but he had thought wrong. Rorma smiled at the boy and sat with his back against the warmth of the gryphon’s belly. “Come Thanatos, he wont hurt you” Thanatos hesertated before joing Rorma with the warmth.
“Rorma what do we do now?” the boy asked half asleep.
“First we rest then we ride Hunter back to the Guardian. Well that is my plan anyway, do you agree Hunter?” He said talking to the gryphon who just stared at him.