The Exiles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS9uv2h0dE8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGxeZ8TSPxo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8HcMqIu2N4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JggHl4rnsnA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTjjaVAj6gw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ_4Mt6DYIg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljLE7Qk6q2k
Peter Huang
Words checked = [6538] Words in Oxford 3000™ = [90%]
Contents
About the Arthur............................................................ 1 Character ........................................................................... 2 Prologues ........................................................................... 3 Chapter One: First Sight ............................................. 5 Chapter Two: The Sword ........................................ 18 Chapter Three: The Newcomer............................ 31 Chapter Four: Capture .............................................. 44 Chapter Five: Captives .............................................. 53 Chapter Six: The Rescue .......................................... 63 Chapter Seven: Last Battle ..................................... 71 References ...................................................................... 84
About the Author I’m Peter Huang a fourth grader of five year college at Wenzao College of languages. This book was written as a homework given to us by Mr. Smith, but I have to say I put much effort into it. I really hope you guys enjoyed it, as it’s my first English novel
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Character
Riven: A soldier who was blasted through the boundary of dimension.
Morrigan: A talented sorcerer, and the only pupil of the pre-leader of the secret council.
Dargon: A Dragonborn summoned by Morrigan accidentally
Aaron: A knight full of thought of justice
John: A Dragonborn fallen for power and greed.
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Prologue A young woman who looked like she’s in her early twenties with dark hair and golden eyes, sat in a wooden chair, a book written with beautiful curving floated in front of her. The book was old but well cared of, its parchment was slightly crumpled and yellow, the cover was a fading brown. The woman sighed, rubbed her eyes and suddenly looked up, the fire crackled. The air was suddenly aroused by elements, she 3
rushed out and felt a wave of energy past through her the same feeling when she had first summoned a creature from another dimension. Morrigan frowned, ‘what on earth could have caused that’ she thought. For further information she gathered her staff and stepped into the forest, an hour later she came back, behind her something covered in blood floated.
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Chapter One: First Sight Morrigan sat in her study, rubbed her sour eyes and continued to read the notes left to her by her teacher; who had passed away a few years ago leaving her alone in this cottage. Morrigan sighed, even after these years she still had not completely understand the notes her teacher had left her. Her teacher was very talented at magic the youngest sorcerer who had earned a place in ‘the secret council’, an 5
association of the best sorcerers even the empire didn't dare to offend. Morrigan frowned at the notes; it was a note talking about dimension, which was the hardest of all magic. She believed that the huge wave of energy must be from this kind of magic manmade or not. After sometime she got up pouring herself a cup of water when her bedroom door opened. “Ah, I was wondering when you would wake up.� She said putting her 6
waterbottle down. Her voice soft but powerful which seemed to stir the surroundings of her presence.“Uh, Where am I? Who are you? Why am I here?” the stranger asked looking confused. This voice was deep and hoarse like a man’s with a touch of tenderness only a woman’s possesses. Morrigan said nothing. She just studied the stranger. The stranger had white hair, clean refined face, and blood red eyes, on her slender body she wore a 7
sounder on her left arm and a gauntlet on her right, she looked young, no older than 22. But yet, Morrigan can see that she was an experienced warrior, both her hands were cocooned from using a sword. “One question at a time, we’ve got all night.� she said lazily, and with a flick of her wand a chair move forward and she indicate the stranger to sit down, the stranger hesitated but sat down. The woman frowned, surprised in the fact 8
that this stranger is not even a little bit shocked, in fact she sat naturally as if she was used to this. After a long silence she said “My name is Morrigan”, the stranger nodded “I’m Riven”. “I found you in a crater, unconscious but alive so I carried you back to my house.” An image came into Riven’s mind, she was surrounded by soldiers, her troop was nearly completely annihilated by the enemy, she was kneeling on one leg with her blade piercing into the 9
ground in front of her, a man stood before her both hand raised ready to give her the final blow. Suddenly after a blinding light, all was left were pieces of flesh, and a strong force hit her from the front and sent her flying along with pieces of her blade, and an agonizing pain ran through her body, after that she could remember nothing. She shook her head trying to forget this piece of memory. Morrigan watched her amazed; she 10
couldn’t believe that three days ago the girl in front was covered with deep cuts and bruises. Most of them were fresh and oozing, but the deadliest of all was her burns, even steam came from the red angry blisters, the burns covered fifty percent of her strong and muscled body. Even with the help of her potion and magic, she was afraid that the girl might not make it, but here she is standing in front of her all injuries healed leaving no scars. 11
“Did you see my blade?”, Riven asked finally recovered from her memory, disrupting Morrigan’s thought “No, but I can take you to where you were found.” Morrigan stood up, there was a knock on the door, Morrigan sighed “come in” the door opened, outside stood a farmer, breathless from running, “Please can you come and see my wife, she’s sick”. Morrigan look at Riven apologetically “Sorry, but I’ll be back soon”. She took some flasks filled 12
with strange colored potions; she looked at the farmer and said, “Lead the way”. After they left, Riven studied the room, now she noticed that the writing on the cover of the book Morrigan was reading, was of no language she could recognize they resembled the writings which were called runes on her blade but yet they’re slightly different from the runes she have known, she studied it, she know all about runes, their 13
affects and their meanings. But these, these are different, as if from different worlds, she laughed at the conclusion she had made, not knowing that this was exactly the truth. Then she stood up and walked out of the cottage. The cottage was on a hill, behind it was the outskirt of a forest, in front, was a small field of herbs surrounded by a fence with a well nearby, a road ran-through the field and stretched out to the bottom of the hill, which a town 14
could be seen vaguely, she watched the peaceful scenery for a moment, she couldn’t remember when was the last time when she can enjoy the scenery peacefully without war destroying it. She blinked. “Beautiful isn’t it” she turned sharply, hands curled into fists, ready for a fight. A black haired boy stood there with a slight grin on his face, he walked slowly toward Riven, his eyes gleamed with a non-human light. As he came 15
near, Riven felt something washed through her like she just walked into a mist, her body tensed with sudden pain, but she couldn’t move, not even a muscle. She tried to gather the runic energy inside her to strike back, but to her horror she can’t, then every thing started to blur. “Stop it” she heard a cry and the next second everything cleared, she saw the boy siting on the ground, eyes glowed with fury looking at someone behind her. Riven turned and 16
saw Morrigan looking angrily at the boy, “Why did you attacked her with your mana flow”, the boy glared at Morrigan and reply, “I was not attacking her” with these words he slowly melted into a shadow and was gone. Morrigan sighed then looked at Riven, “He never explains his actions. Now let’s go.”
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Chapter Two: The Sword “Before we go you need a weapon, we might encounter some difficulties along the way�, Morrigan reached into the air and pulled out a hand and a half sword, Its pale blue edges was elegantly curved and met at the sharpest point. Its hilt was covered with black leather, two curves stretch out from where the hilt and the blade met forming a guard. Riven took the sword, checked the balance but shook her head and handed 18
the sword back “I’m not used to this kind of swords, thank you�. Morrigan frowned, this sword was forged by mithril, tough enough to withstand the strongest force, light enough for a sorcerer and sharp enough to cut through steel. This is a sword is forged by the dwarves in the golden age, and is wielded by her family ever since the fall of Gandalf, the first and the greatest swordcerer; a sorcerer who have mastered both the art of sword 19
and magic. Morrigan started leading the way, and Riven followed holding a mace; the only weapon she could find that suited her taste, she smiled when she recall seeing Morrigan’s jaw drop when she chose the weapon and fling it with ease. Once they got into the forest Riven asked about the boy, Morrigan answered “His name is Dargon, he’s a Dragonborn; a Dragonborn in the form of a human” she added hastily sensing 20
Riven’s bewilderment, “and was summoned here accidentally”, Riven nodded and they kept on walking. It started getting darker and darker as they went further into the forest, the trees grew wilder, they were still on the outer part of the forest, but Riven could already feel the air filled with moisture. Morrigan took out her wand and the tip of the wand started glowing, driving away the darkness. Suddenly she drew out the sword she had offer Riven from 21
thin air, Riven clenched her mace tighter, then flung sideways as a wolf jumped out a bush. The mace crushed the wolf ’s head, but at the same time six wolves appeared and block the front and back, they glared at Riven and Morrigan but didn’t dare advance, feared that they would be like the first wolf. Morrigan and Riven looked at each other, then they attacked, Riven thrust her mace forward then swiped sideways knocking two wolves off their feet and parried the 22
attack of the third wolf. At the same time Morrigan sent out a bolt of lightning, which made one wolf jumped back, then slashed out, cutting a wolf in half in mid jump before kicking aside the sixth wolf. Riven squashed the third wolf and rolled sideways just in time to dodge the first wolf, she could almost felt the claws tearing her neck, she came back to her feet and elbowed the second wolf. Morrigan stabbed at the sixth wolf’s head only to got knocked back by 23
the forth. Riven saw this and helped swipe aside the wolf on top of Morrigan but left her back open for attacks, Morrigan aimed and flicked her wand sending out a bolt of energy which fried the first wolf, then thrust her sword forward, the sword went through the sixth wolf, which tried to take a bite out of Riven. Riven turned and with all her might flung the mace at full speed and collided with the second wolf sending it flying into a boulder then slid to the 24
ground lifeless. The last wolf then fled into the darkness, the battle ended as quickly as it had begun. Riven pulled up Morrigan and waited for her to catch her breath before going on. On the way Morrigan said, “You don’t seem to be afraid of magic”. “Why should I be?” “Why not?”, “Magic is only worth afraid of only when it’s against you”. Morrigan thought about this. Finally they arrived at a clearing 25
where the ground was covered with herbs, In the middle of the clearing there was a crater. “This is where you were found” Morrigan said, indicating to the crater. Riven started to look around. “Looking for this?” It was Dargon, in his hand was a shattered sword, and all it had left was a hilt and a foot long runed blade, nothing more. Riven looked dumb struck, “my sword, my sword” Riven muttered taking the sword from Dargon. “It was like this when I found it lying on 26
the ground. I can’t do anything about it…”. Riven sighed looking depressed “No matter, I can still use it”, she felt for her strength within this time it respond, then she guide it into the sword and started channeling it into the sword. The rune on the sword started to glow, three other pieces appeared forming a huge sword as heavy as a kite shield and nearly as broad, The body was roughly made from smooth black stone with four runes carved into it, the single 27
blade curved out forming a round edge, at the sharpest point it doubled back and curved toward the spine, like an axe’s. The hilt was not in the middle, but near the spine so the blade could be swung with crushing force. The guard was plain but slightly longer than the shoulder, it is a sword made for the battlefield, a sword made to take lives, from it a savage beauty shun. Dargon smiled, amazed about Riven’s ability. Riven aimed at the trees and slashed, 28
three green crescent shot out from the three pieces made of energy, they cut through the air cone like, growing larger and larger before fading into the air, leaving behind nothing but trunks on the ground. ‘A runefencer’ Morrigan thought amazed. Runefencer is a special kind of warrior who had combined both magic and fending together into something different from both. Riven’s body fall forward, she pushed her sword into the ground to prevent herself from 29
collapsing, but her sword dissolved into the air and she fall face first onto the ground. After seeing this Morrigan laughed, Dargon grinned. Finally they pull Riven to her feet and started their way back to the cottage.
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Chapter Three: The Newcomer Days past peacefully, Riven practiced and tried to get use to her now broken sword, meanwhile learning to avoid wasting her energy on her attacks at the back of the cottage. Where she had built a practice range with the approval of Morrigan. Morrigan on the other hand often help the villagers with her potions and sometimes with magic, the villagers gave her fruits, vegetables, milk, bread and cheese in return. As for 31
Dargon, He wandered inside the forest; sometimes bringing them meat from his hunts, other days he would come and help Riven get use to the new fighting style she is now using. One day while Riven was sparing against Dargon. A knight blundered through the forest covered in blood, in his right hand he held an old but quant sword, in his left a dented shield, He tripped right at the edge, he fall, banged his head against a rock and was left 32
unconscious. Vines shot out from the forest bound his ankles and dragged him back into the forest, Riven dashed toward the vine and with a twist of her wrist cut the vines loose, Dargon raised his hand white flame shot out from his palm and quickly formed a spear, Dargon took hold of the spear, aimed at the woods where the vines had disappeared and lunged, sending the spear straight into the forest like a shooting star. Then they examined the 33
knight. He wore full armor, and on his chest was a red cross that indicated he was a he was a knight of the empire. Dargon had told Riven about the empire when they were resting from on of their fights, in those days the empire was hunting loose witches and wizards. When caught, they will be sentence to death if they don’t bow and serve the authority. Here was still in the territory of the Empire but due to the forests, mountains and oceans that surrounded 34
it, the empire had difficulty coming here, so it was a forgotten part of the empire. Dargon and Riven ran to the knight, after they had discovered the red cross on his plate armor, Riven held her sword up ready to pierce the knight, but Dargon stopped her. “Why did you stop me? If he reported to the empire we’ll be doomed”. “I know, but Morrigan won’t tolerate this especially when he hadn’t done us any harm”, “What Morrigan don’t know won’t hurt her”, 35
“But I do know”, Morrigan appeared out of thin air with eyebrows tight together. “And just as Dargon had said, I won’t let you kill him”. Riven slashed her sword against a tree cutting it in half showing her frustration. “Suit yourselves, it’s you who would bear the consequences”, after saying that she left toward the woods, Dargon followed her. Morrigan closed her eyes and her hand hovered over the knight’s chest, a simple drawing of a magic circle appeared, and 36
the wound started to heal, after a few second when all the major injuries were not fatal, Morrigan stopped and coated the other wounds with her healing potion to disguise her true identity against the soldier. Than with a wave of her wand she carried the soldier to a bed in her cottage. She flicked her wand; all the stuff she used which showed that she was a witch was sheltered. Later that night Riven returned, covered in wounds. Morrigan looked at 37
her bewildered but took out some potions and gave it to Riven without asking. She took it and ate her dinner quietly then went to sleep. Morrigan sighed; she looked at the moon and wondered where Riven had been to have so much wounds. Dawn broke the dark and landed on the cottage. Behind it, Riven was dueling with imaginary enemies. She stood still, holding her sword tilted in front of her, suddenly she pounced, driving the blade 38
forward, then twisted the blade sideways, as if tearing her opponent into two, turned and blocked with her sword. Clapping sound appeared behind her. Riven tightened then turned toward the sound, the soldier was clapping, and seemed awed by the smooth moves. He took off his helmet and bowed “Fair lady, my name is Aaron, Aaron Arc a knight of the empire”, Riven paused, didn’t know how she should act, “Thank you for saving me” Aeron continued noticing 39
the awkward silence, “My troop were all lost and killed in that wood…”. Just then Morrigan’s voice yelled “breakfast”. Riven hurried toward Morrigan. Aaron smiled, what a shy girl he thought, he seemed to have taken Riven as a girl who was fond of being a warrior. Later at the breakfast Aaron was amazed at the beauty of Morrigan, after he learned that it was Morrigan who had saved him, he thanked her. Later that day he went to the town trying to 40
get replenishment. That night he didn’t return, Riven and Morrigan had an unpleasant feeling that something was wrong but they ignored it. At midnight Riven was awakened by a strong tug from her feet, it was Dargon “Gather your things we have to go”. Riven got up and saw Morrigan hurried here and there. Riven got up without another thought took her sword, and went out of the cottage. The village was on fire, which spread quickly from 41
houses to houses. A ship was on the coast, she saw infantries carrying weapons swarming from the ship slowly coming this way. She dashed back into the cottage quickly grabbed a back sack and started putting smoked meat, bread and cheese inside it. After that she grabbed for a frying pan and a blanket, which she tied under the sack. When she comes out from the cottage, Morrigan and Dargon were waiting, Morrigan had a beech wood staff tied 42
behind her, and on her waist there was a belt with several bottles filled with different color liquid and a small sack. Dargon didn’t bring anything. After Riven got out, Dargon lifted his hand and ignited the cottage with his white flame, then they ran into the forest, by the time the army appeared, all that was left was ashes and foot prints leading into the woods.
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Chapter Four: Capture Riven and Morrigan ran faster then they had ever ran before, branches cut their faces. Dargon however ran swiftly not even slightly affected by the jolty canopy under their feet. Twice Morrigan nearly fall down tripped by the roots, once Riven nearly bashed her head against a tree trunk, but they ran as fast as they can, until Morrigan is breathless. “Are they still behind us” Morrigan asked panting, “No, I don’t think so” 44
Riven replied breathing a little bit more rapidly. Dargon said nothing but lie down on the ground putting his right ear against the floor. A few second later he got up and shook his head, “But we better not stay here too long, they might catch up�. After Morrigan caught her breath she lit her wand and they went on walking. Days past and they still wanders inside the forest, the trees were ancient and must have been over thousands of 45
years, for they couldn’t even see through the leaves. For a long time it stayed like this, sometimes they encountered bizarre creatures. Some even tried to attack them but those that did became their food replenishing their strength, once or twice they ran from creatures that can even hurt Dargon when he was covered in dragon scales. Suddenly they heard something treaded over the leaves, all three of them tensed up. Dargon was injured 46
heavily in the last fight, even now when he’s much better he still was not in condition of fighting. But nothing appeared, Morrigan felt tired. They had walked for days and only rested for a few hours to sleep. Morrigan was already at her limit, she was a witch after all, half of her time was spent on practicing magic and making potions, the rest was used to practice her sword skill or doing some heavy chores around the house, this caused her to be 47
stronger compare to most half trained soldiers but far weaker than her two companions. They stopped to rest, Morrigan cleared the leaves and lit a fire, then she lay on the ground and was soon fast asleep, Dargon climbed up a tree and stayed there, Riven took on first watch. She waited, after what must have been midnight she heard howls of wolves. She woke her companions, without making so much a noise they readied 48
themselves, ready for battle. A wolf pounced, no, not a wolf, a werewolf. Riven parried the attack, while Morrigan took her staff from behind her and murmured an incantation, suddenly all was swallowed by a strong light, blinded Riven pushed her foe forward than stabbed, hot liquid covered her fingers, when all was cleared the corpse of the werewolf was leaning weak against her, she pulled out her sword than wiped the blood against 49
the fur. Rustling sound came from all around them, ‘they must have been brought here by the light’ Riven thought. “Morrigan, stay close to me” Dargon said, both his hands and face started to get covered by scales. Riven re-forged her blade, gripping the hilt with both hands, eyes narrowed. The fight didn’t broke out as they had expected, instead three nets dropped down from the trees, They cut the net loose, but before they could defend themselves, stings shot out 50
from the trunks then all turned black. People emerged from behind the trees, they examined them, “So they’re the ones who threatened the empire”, one captor said, “Can’t see how these two girls and this boy could possibly threaten those corrupted bastards, even if they are excellent fighters and sorceress”, said the other, “I suppose they just wanted them”, the third sighed. This wouldn’t be the first time the nobles accused the innocents with some 51
ridiculous charges, just for them to be sent to their houses and to be tortured until they got bored of them. “Alright, Lord John said we only have to take the girls to him, let’s leave the boy here, he can’t survive anyway”, the man who seemed to be the leader said obviously didn’t noticed that Dargon had scale on his hand a moment before, nor the fact that Dargon was faking. The men then carried the two girls toward where they had left their caged cart and was gone. 52
Chapter Five: Captives Once they had gone, Dargon opened his eyes, his pupils had turned into slits. He rubbed his neck and found the poisonous dart, which made him powerless for a few second. He stood up looked around and found Riven’s sword and her back sack laying on the ground, he picked them up, he then examined the footprints, frowning he slowly followed it until he reached the clearing, where the footprints had been replaced 53
by wheel tracks. Wings and tail sprung out his back and he flew high up into the sky; so high that he could be mistaken as a bird, then he started following the cart track with his dragon eyes. When Riven awoke, she found herself swaying in a caged cart. She blinked, and found that they were captured. She sat up feeling dazed. Dragon, her weapon and back sack was nowhere to be seen, but fortunately Morrigan was still there. ‘Dargon can 54
survive without us, he can even help us if he’s not caught, but what if they’ve killed him’ she thought, she soundlessly hope that Dargon is safe. She then tried to summon her runic power; even though her power work best with her runic sword combined, she would feel more at ease knowing that that this ability hadn’t abandoned her. But to her horror she can’t go deep enough to summon it, then she noticed that her limbs were numb and without any 55
strength, ‘blast it, they must had given us drugs’ she thought. Morrigan slowly awakened. “Where are we” she asked, Riven replied, “We must have been caught by the slavers, if only I had my sword” but Riven knew she can’t lift her sword even if she had any chance of retrieving it. Morrigan tried to summon the power of the elements, but just like Riven she can’t reach for her power. By noon they were given dried bread and water, they noticed that the 56
water was a bit cloudy, they rejected but was forced down the foods by the men. Days had passed and they can’t think of a way to escape. Every time they past a town they felt a leap in their stomach, waiting to be let out so that the onlookers can examined them, then maybe they would had a chance to escape, but to their disappointment they were never let out. Each time when a buyer asked about their prices the answer was the same, “they weren’t for 57
sell�. Weeks had passed until they arrived at a castle. They were let down, hands tied together, they were driven hastily by the slavers. Once they got in the castle the gate shut up and the bridge was lifted, they looked ahead; three stone pillars standing each side of the room, a red carpet was spread from their feet, well trained soldiers standing against the pillars. At the end was a throne, and to their surprise, though they had anticipated it, Aaron Ark was 58
beside King John, Aaron tried not to make eye contact with them, Riven glared at him, Morrigan watched Aaron expressionless. King John sat on the throne having lunch. He ate the foods not looking at them, Riven seize the chance and look around trying to find a way to escape, she had got accustomed to the drug the slavers had given them; after all she was trained against drugs, but to her dismay all the soldiers were well armed and 59
wore full plate armor. Morrigan stood calmly by Riven’s side waiting for King John to finish his meal. At last John finished his meal, he took a drink from his goblet, then he stood up looking at his captives. “You were right, they are beautiful creatures” he said to Aaron, Aaron bowed his head. King John then walked towards them, “If you kneel and vowed to me, I would spare your lives and make you my knight and sorcerer of the court. If 60
you don’t you’ll have to bare the marks of hot steel forever”. “In your dreams” Riven spat on the floor, immediately she was forced down with swords pointed at her neck, King John walked toward her and look into her eyes, “courageous, but foolish”, he kicked her stomach so hard that she coughed blood. “Take her to the dungeon, you can do whatever you like with her after you have imprinted her with the mark”. Two of the soldiers took her by the arm and 61
smiled wickedly. He then looked at Morrigan, “and you, my beautiful witch, what says you?”, “I won’t bow to you even if it’s the only thing I can do”. King John smiled, then slap her on the face, “take her to the jail, and make sure she has nothing to eat, guard her with caution, tomorrow, she’ll meet her death”. Morrigan was then taken and thrown into the jails.
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Chapter Six: The Rescue After Riven was taken, she tried to remember all the passageway she was taken through. When they have reached the dungeon she was forced on the table, one soldier went to take the sizzling steel from the fire to mark her. She grabbed the back of the soldier and flung him forward onto the table, then pulls out a sword from the scabbard of the soldier, she then thrust the sword into the second soldier’s back, before 63
the soldier could get up from the table she cut his throat. She cleaned the scene and dressed herself with one of the armor wore by one of the soldiers. She walked through the pavement without being recognized. After a few turns she saw Morrigan, just when Morrigan was threw into the jail. The soldier turned and pointed at her, “Hey, you” Riven tensed, “guard her well”. Riven relaxed “I will” she replied mimicking a man’s voice as she had 64
done many times in missions. Once the soldier walked out of the room she turned to Morrigan, “Psst, hey, it’s Riven”, Morrigan looked up sharply “How… how…” “Long story, what about you?” “My execution will be tomorrow” “WHAT” Riven let out a small cry. ‘Testing, testing, can you hear me? Riven? Morrigan?’, suddenly a voice spoke inside Riven’s head. Riven jumped “Dargon?” Riven asked quietly rising to her feet, “Think your reply in you head 65
Riven”, Morrigan said realizing Dargon had contacted Riven. ‘Dargon is that you?’ ‘Yes it’s me, how are you and Morrigan? And why isn’t Morrigan replying?’ ‘I’m fine, Morrigan, however is not; she had been sentenced to death, and she was drugged, she can’t use magic or anything else. Listen do you have my sword?’ ‘Yes it’s with me, we had to get Morrigan out tonight listen closely…’. That night, after dinner with the 66
other soldiers, Riven volunteered to do the mid night watch. She patrolled everywhere with another companion. Dargon flew overhead and dropped Riven’s sword in a bush, Riven pretended to be grabbed into the bush the other night watch came, Riven pulled the soldier into the bush and slit his throat, then she pretended to be the soldier who have survived and ran to the castle for help. Dargon dropped into the bushes, waiting for the soldiers to 67
come. Soon soldiers came out, one by one he assassinated everyone of them, more and more came out of the castle, when all the attention are on Dargon. Riven released Morrigan and took off the armor, she tell Morrigan to followed her. First they went to the armory, Riven killed five soldiers on the way there, in the armory Morrigan found her sack and her staff, her eyes glided toward an ancient staff made of English Oak next 68
to hers, the wood separated into four and twirled together at the top forming a hollowed cone at the top, the body of the staff was smooth and light but strong, she took the staff and the staff itself glowed, a sign made of light shot into Morrigan’s forehead and disappeared without a sight, at once her head cleared and she felt full of power, more than she had ever had. She gasped knowing that in her hand held Merlin’s staff, the first and strongest wizard. 69
Riven cried “Hurry”, she then took both staff and put them into her small sack and took out her wand and hurried out. They both ran through corridors and corridors, no soldiers were seen. Then they went up into the west tower and jumped, straight into the cold, black water, and swam to shore. Riven then tried to contact Dargon but can’t. They heard a roar inside the castle, “Dargon” they both yelled and sprinted to the front gate. 70
Chapter Seven: Last Battle There at the gate they saw two Dragons fighting one another, each trying to tear one another’s throat. Dargon was a blue dragon with armor like scales in the outer part of his body, and fish like scales inside. His bat like wings was bloody from the spears thrown by the soldiers, his golden eyes filled with rage mouth opened and white flames lit up the surroundings. The other dragon was black and evil 71
looking, scales scattered over his body without order As soon as Morrigan saw this she started murmuring an incantation in an ancient language, drawings started to cover the sky, the surroundings seemed to respond toward her spell. King John noticed Morrigan and tried to stop the spell, Dargon’s mouth opened and white flames lit up the surroundings stopping the black dragon from approaching further. King John returned Dargon’s 72
flame with his black one looking frustrated, but within the black flame white souls howled inside. ‘Traitor!!’ Dargon roared and his voice ran through everybody’s heart angrier than ever, ‘King John, a Dragonborn learning necromancy’! Hearing this Morrigan shivered and nearly broke her spell. Necromancy is the darkest and the only magic which considered to be evil, it can summon warriors from graves, black knights and even dragons, the corpse 73
don’t have thought they were entirely in the command of the one who summoned them, only on special occasions could the creature being summoned have thoughts, and even if the summoner was killed, the dead would still lurks the place where it was summoned. As soon as Dargon revealed the king’s magic, dead soldiers started to rise from the ground killing other soldiers and turning them into zombies. 74
Then King John opened up a portal, from which swarmed thousands of undead. Finally Morrigan finished her incantation the magic circle in the sky was also completed and stated to glow white, both Dargon and John both turned back into human form, both covered in blood, zombies swarm toward Dargon, Riven and Morrigan ran toward Dargon knowing he was badly injured, but before they reached Dargon a light shown within the crowd of 75
zombies, many were destroyed, Aaron Arc stood there eyes burned with fury, ‘A paladin’ Morrigan thought feeling dazed, this was too much for her, in her life she had heard of legends of swordcerer, runefencer and paladin. Only swordcerer can be trained but they rarely mastered both arts, the other two need talent to be one, and over a thousand year none was seen, but now these legendary warriors surrounded her. 76
Aaron came and kneel on one knee, “I wanted to apologize to you once I saw you caught in the castle, I never thought they would try and find you so desperately”, Riven said “we’ll deal this after we defeat that abomination”. Aaron sighed but get up, pulling out his sword; Excalibur was its name, once worn by King Arthur himself, the sword was the bane of dark creatures, in the legend the those who have the scabbard of Excalibur in had would never bleed but 77
atlas it was never found. Riven reformed her sword and dashed toward the nearest enemy, Aaron followed, Morrigan took out Merlin’s staff and Gandalf’s sword, she raised the staff high over her head, at once the staff shown with brilliant light as if sun had risen, instantly a circle was cleared, zombies shrilled and most of them became ashes, only the elites remained, those that were left were the strongest. After lowering the staff Morrgan started 78
to heal Dargon’s wounds, Dargon winced when her hand touched his back, seconds later the terrible wound was healed, Dargon then transformed and so did John they flew up into the sky trying to let the other one fell down from he sky. Morrigan joined the fight, sending sparks flying everywhere, while lashing out with her sword. The three of them fought, but to their dismay the undead just keep coming. Less and less was wiped out by Morrigan’s powerful white 79
magic, soon all was left was king skeletons, lord zombies, wraith and dark riders. Their arms tired from hours of swinging their weapons, then they heard flapping sound, they turned and in their horror they saw a dragon without flesh and veins, the dragon’s head came through the portal. Even when its platagium was gone, and it only rely on magic to fly its’ wing still flaps like as if it’s alive. At normal circumstances they could have fought 80
and might even won against the powerful creature. But now they’re tired and despair filled their heart, they let their weapons dropped from their hand feeling too tired to hold them in their hands, when they turned to face one another they saw the same feeling in each other’s eye. Just then a dragon dropped from the sky onto the bone dragon, it was King John, dead with organs falling out its stomach, the bone dragon crushed 81
before it can let out a roar. Dargon flew down and blew his white fire on to the earth scorching everything it touches, even the strongest of the undead didn't survived the scorch. Seconds past and everything in front of them was gone, the victory came so suddenly they can’t believe it was true, and then they yelled and whooped into the air. Dargon fall from the sky after burning everything, he turned back into human form and fall into Riven’s arm; who was just in time 82
to catch him in mid fall. She hugged him tightly as if ready to crush Dargon. Dargon winced but smiled, they had won.
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References http://pichost.me/1615019/
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Riven disagrees with Morrigan’s idea of helping others even if they might turn their back on her. But in the end Aaron helped them and if Riven killed him there and then, they might not have such a strong helper at their side. For the truth of ones identity can’t stay a secret forever. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday she would be discovered.
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