Re: Fable , the unofficial novel... and soon to be official!
Sorry for the extreme double posting, but I don't like to wait for comments... Anyway, here's Chapter 4...
Chapter 4
End One Day, And Start Another
A lone apprentice crept across a dirt path, amidst the many trees and undergrowth of the Guild Woods. On his guard, he held a crossbow in one hand, and an arrow, painted blue with green stripes, in the other hand. He surveyed the scene. Silence. There was an unnatural quietness flowing through this part of the Woods. All a bit too much, in fact. He blew a strand of jet-black hair out of his face, crouching his muscular posture, slightly. He had grown by a small number of inches, but not by a lot. Still, he was very skilled in his melee, particularly concerning his ability to wield a steel longsword.
He slowed to a crawl, waiting for a sound. Still, nothing. He pressed on, notching the arrow into place. Nothing…nothing…not-
There was a noise of moving leaves from above him. He aimed upwards and pulled the bowstring back until its elastic string touched his cheek. The thing in the treetops looked at him and bounced away. Damn. It was the Guildmaster’s squirrel. He sighed and lowered his bow.
“Got you, boy!”
A long and mighty staff, made of an azure metal, appeared at the edge of his eyesight’s range. He dodged and rolled away, just missed by millimetres. He recovered and shot a quick arrow at the advancing figure. The man deflected it off his staff. “Come on, boy! You can do better than that!”
Maze aimed his hand at Dominic, making it pulse with Will. Lightning shot and hit Dominic’s bow, perishing it away. Dominic stumbled backwards, trying to ignore the burn on his palm. “Ouch… Nicely done, Maze. That wasn’t my bow.” The man, with no mercy to show, threw a long string of lightning, which Dominic managed to catch with his untouched hand. He smiled and, with the connection still intact, thrust his hand forward, thus reversing the flow. There was a bright but small explosion, which propelled Maze off his feet. He landed on a fallen tree trunk and quickly pushed himself up. Smirking, he ran at Dominic. The apprentice drew his steel longsword and parried Maze’s attack away. He rolled under another of his swings, spun around and kicked Maze in the back, sending him to the ground again. Maze dodged his next attack and grabbed the sword, sending a wave of electricity through it. Dominic, slightly shocked, let go of the blade.
“This isn’t looking too well, Dominic!”
“Remind me to beat up the guy who forgot the leather handle for-” he ducked the staff “-this sword.” He thrust his fist into Maze’s gut, making him double over. With another kick to the face, Dominic pulled at the staff, but as soon as he did this, he realised his mistake. Maze loaded the staff with electricity and so blasted Dominic back. Stunned, he raised his hand in an attempt to throw some Will around. Maze spun the staff and swept Dominic off his feet, then thrust the sharp end downwards, stopping just a mere hair’s breath from Dominic’s Adams apple.
“End of examination.”
Maze pulled his staff away and sheathed in onto his back. Dominic smiled nervously, trying to push himself up. “Well, did I pass?”
Maze helped him up, half-smiling. “With flying colours, boy. All you had to do was hit me once.”
“What?! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to see your full potential,” putting his hand on Dominic’s shoulder, he nodded in respect. “You are very good for someone of your age, Dominic. It makes me- It makes me proud to see you here with my own eyes.”
“Wow, since when did the ‘Great Maze’ get so sappy?”
Maze laughed and slugged him in his arm. Dominic, not ready for the hit, fell over, making the old man laugh even more. “Come on, boy,” he finally managed to say, while the apprentice picked his longsword up. “We have to finish your last bit of training-”
“Yeah, there’s that Archery competition tomorrow, right? Which reminds me… You owe Visa a crossbow.”
“Whatever, Dominic. Remember, you need to be in the Chamber of Fate this Friday. Your graduation ceremony will be held there,” Maze beckoned him to walk back to the Guild with him.
“Oh, finally…”
“Yes, finally. After nine long years of hard training, you are finally ready for Albion. This Friday, you will be given your long-awaited title: Hero…”
The Chamber of Fate was located at the very heart of the Guild, under the courtyard. It was accessible only via an underground tunnel, which started from a back passage in the Guild’s Library. It was a large, circular chamber, with a high ceiling that was covered in many murals. A small ray of sunlight fell from a hole at the very top (this hole was actually right in the centre of the courtyard, in between the four statues of the deceased Heroes). On the walls, were the drawings and paintings of the many famous Heroes and their greatest deeds. Baldric Graden was shown fist fighting the largest horde of Hobbes the people of Albion had seen, as Agrias the Paladin struck an ancient demon’s heart with her jewelled mace. On the other side, the scene where a young Scarlet Robe fought off a dozen Balverines with only a wooden stake was painted onto canvas. Right next to that was an oil painting, marking three powerful Heroes, who protected Bowerstone from a vortex, down to their last breath. Quigley the Quick shot a golden arrow at a Banshee, John of Ash (the First) crushed a Scorpion King with his greathammer, and Ezelea the Intelligence blasted a million disturbed souls back to their resting places with a single wave of Will-magic. There were many more all around, and a few vacant frames hanging here and there. On normal days, the Chamber of Fate would be left silent and still, but that day wasn’t a normal day. The Annual Graduation Ceremony was taking place, and so the Chamber was filled with every guildsman. Apprentices crowded the edges of the Chamber, pushing for better views of their departing seniors. Just outside the Chamber, waiting in lines in the tunnel, were the seniors.
Alex had grown several more inches, by height and hair. No longer did she wear her hair in a ponytail. Instead, she let it flow down her back where it reached the back of her legs. Sporting an acolyte tiara that was very much similar to Elizabeth’s, she was quickly catching up on her superior in beauty. Since Quigley the Quick, she was easily the best Archer the Guild had seen, her skill only matched by Dominic’s might in melee.
Maze was still the best Will-User, but Donaven was also extremely adept in the arts of magic. His hair had grown to touch his shoulders, copper-red and dazzling. He had grown a small goatee that defined his face even more. His body had grown several inches more, adding to his already tall figure, besides being far more muscular than before. Over the past three years, he gained many admirers, stalkers, and fans, who would sometimes chase him all over the grounds. Back in training, he carried a pair of katanas, one red and the other black, for emergencies. He had trained with them for the past two and a half years, and had become very skilled at duel wielding.
Whisper, though not as tall as her friends, still had her spear, and also had weird balls of explosive powder attached to her belt. These balls (which she called ‘bombs’) were brought by Thunder, after he discovered the powder in a distant land he had visited a year ago. The country’s name sounded like Hwang Ho… or something like that.
Dominic and Donaven had become very close friends, ever since their midnight encounter three years ago, which at first baffled many. How could sworn enemies turn into best friends overnight? It didn’t matter, though. Since then, they would accompany each other everywhere (“Hey, I thought Dominic was after Alex?”) and had become sparring partners, which was how Donaven got so good with his two blades. Donaven was extremely quick in mastering both blade and Will. In fact, he was fast enough to cut his training syllabus down from eight years to three.
Donaven high-fived Dominic. “Well, this is it!”
“Yes, farmboy, we’re finally-”
Alex jumped in joy. “Heroes!” She hugged Dominic, as Donaven looked away.
From the front of the line, Chad gave them a thumbs-up. The other seniors were chatting among themselves, only to be shooed by the Guildmaster, who had just arrived. Everyone got back in line, watching the old man walk into the Chamber to the applause. He walked to the centre of the Chamber, accompanied by Maze, Elizabeth, Thunder and another Hero that had similar features to the man in the picture with the many Hobbes. The Guildmaster held his hand up, silencing everyone. “Now, we are gathered here today to mark a very special occasion. For the past few years, these apprentices have trained persistently to achieve their final lessons. And after many years of hard work, these apprentices have achieved their new titles. All of the Heroes Guild, we are proud to announce these apprentices’ graduation as Heroes. May you bring both honour and valour to all of Albion, with your brave heroics and kinds deeds.”
He nodded to signal the end of his speech, which was closely followed by an applause. “Step forward as I call your names.” He turned to Elizabeth, who handed him a long scroll. The Guildmaster adjusted his spectacles and read out loud. “Chadwick McMillan, a great warrior of Will and strength, proof that the slow can still be dangerous with a warhammer.”
Chad took a very deep breath, and almost ran to the centre. He stopped in front of Gradin, shook his hand and accepted a small seal customized with the Guild’s symbol. The Guild Seal, they called it. After a second of staring, there was an applause and he walked around to stand a few metres behind the Guildmaster. “Marilynn Scott…” a fuzzy-haired girl walked up. One by one, their names were called, and one by one, apprentices walked up to accept their Guild Seals. Each time a name was called, a volley of clapping followed, its strength differing from the famous to the not-so-famous.
“Alexandra Mylsova, easily the best Archer the Guild has seen since Quigley Hearth, is well renowned for her amazing skill with a bow and for her charming loyalty. May she keep her radiance jolly.” A huge applause.
“Whisper of Samarkand, sister of a great warrior, and with Excellency and Courage, shall also become one.” A great deal of clapping as Whisper shook hands with her brother (“Show the world what you got!”).
“Donaven Vangard of Indus, great in all forms of matter-bending, completed his training in the quick, breaking even Agrias the Paladin’s record time of five years. May he use his Will to protect two nations.” Instead of the usual applause, girls screamed and shouted his name out like the fan-girls they were. As he walked past them, a band of young female apprentices giggled. He flashed a pearly-white grin at them, making them giggle even more.
“Oh, please, is that all he can do?” Whisper asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
“It don’t matter if you’re black or white!”
“Wh- Alex, are you alright?”
She shrugged, smiling ****ily.
“Dominic the Sabre, famous for his awesome weapon-wielding, has successfully completed every training method this Guild has to offer. May he rid the world of all things dark and corrupted.”
Everyone, save Thunder, including the Guildmaster, Maze, Elizabeth, Graden and all the other graduated apprentices, applauded him. A couple of girls screamed out loud, while a group of older students shouted, “Sabre! Sabre!” Dominic casually walked to Maze, and as they shook hands, the mage whispered, “Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
As soon as Dominic joined the others, the Guildmaster raised his hand again, ushering everyone into silence again. Maze took a step forward, smiling. “All of these apprentices have mastered their branch of combat styles, with determination, skill and teamwork. Through trial and trouble have they struggled, to raise themselves and their abilities. They are the practical proof that there is no limit to cap the spirit’s capabilities,” he turned around to face the newly graduated. “I am proud to call you… the Heroes of Albion!” He bowed to them. Both the Guildmaster, Elizabeth and Graden followed his lead, leaving Thunder to stand, alone.
The apprentices bowed back, respectfully, as a cheer broke through the Chamber. The Guildmaster straightened up and held both his hands up. “May you begin your quest through Albion!”
Everyone was no longer wearing their apprentice uniforms, but instead had their new set of garments and clothing on. New armour were strapped on, as their old training weapons were replaced by those supplied by the Guild’s weaponry. Dominic had gotten himself a new longsword made out of freshly-mined shining metal, completed with lightning-resistant leather for the handle.
“Aren’t you gonna pick one, yet?” He asked Donaven, who hadn’t chosen his weapon. Only the two were still at the weaponry because of Donaven’s delay. For the past twenty minutes, he picked weapons up at random, scanned them for a while, and then replaced them. Every time he put one back, he would mutter something like, “No way,” or ,“Not my type.”
“None of these suit me.”
Dominic waited for him as he grabbed a jewelled pickhammer. “Isn’t that obvious? You’re a mage! You don’t need weapons!”
“Yeah, but- Will isn’t exactly full proof.”
“It isn’t fool-proof either…” Dominic added under his breath.
He threw the pickhammer back into its compartment, and lightly touched a warhammer, mumbling. “Hmm… I don’t think I’m that strong…”
Dominic sighed. This was going to take forever, unless he did something about it. “Hey, why can’t you just take the katanas you trained with?”
“They’re for training purposes only. You can’t take them out of the Guild. It’s a major rule. Don’t you know that, already?”
Dominic ignored him, looking around for something that might satisfy Donaven… There. On a top shelf, was a golden katana, its blade still shining from the forgeries. “Donaven, I know you like dual-wielding and all but… you won’t mind having only one blade this time, right?”
Donaven dropped a dagger into its chest. “Umm… right. Why?”
“Then how ‘bout having that?”
“How about having what?”
“That, you idiot, that katana!” He pointed at the shelf.
“Oh…” Donaven jumped over a crate of bows and tried to reach it. “Bugger, too high…”
“Okay… but would the Guildmaster mind the absence of one shelf?” Dominic said with a wink.
“Wh- Ah… I get you,” Donaven pointed a hand at the shelf and concentrated on it. He couldn’t make a bright flash or a loud noise for it might alarm any passing acolytes, so he had to try something new. With his mind, he loosened the links between the shelf’s molecules, separating them. With a soft crack, the shelf broke apart and vanished into dust, leaving the katana to fall. Donaven stretched his other hand out to catch it. “Got it!”
“Yes, and now that you have a weapon, can we go?” Dominic turned to follow the others to the map-room.
“Wait!”
Dominic sighed. “What now?!”
“I don’t think I like this one…”
Dominic swore in frustration, unsheathing his new longsword.
“Whoa! Chill! I was just kidding!” Donaven slid the katana into his belt. “There, see?”
Dominic sheathed his sword, glaring at the mage. “Idiot…”
Later, in the map-room, a handful of Heroes were still standing around, some of them waiting for a certain swordsman and mage. Many of the other new Heroes have left already and as the two walked into the map-room, a spiked-haired Hero (James Levianne) left. Whisper got to her feet, still caressing her new orange spear. She now wore a perfect orange battle uniform (which included an armoured top and pants set) and a matching headband around her head. “Ah… look who finally turned up… What took you so long, farmboy?”
Dominic point an accusing finger at Donaven’s chest. “He couldn’t pick his own stationary.”
Whisper smiled. “Should have guessed it… He might be quick in his studies and his girls, but Mr Dreamy was slow to do anything else-”
“Hey! I can…Uhh…I can…” he went off for a moment. “… Let me think…”
The Guildmaster entered. “Heroes, why are you still he- Isn’t that the Katana Hiryu?” He asked, spotting the golden katana in Donaven’s belt.
“It has a name?”
The Guildmaster walked closer, taking the blade from him. It had a golden blade, and a handle made out of an emerald-green substance. “Oh, sure it does. It’s a legendary weapon! Made out of folded metal of different densities, it is incredibly strong for a katana, not to mention deadly. A Hero left it here in the Guild thirty years ago, but it disappeared when he died of a Balverine attack. According to legend, it shall reveal itself only in the presence of an East Lander and can only be used to its fullest potential by an East Lander. You are from the East lands, right?”
“Yeah, Indus is in the East, but it doesn’t look like anything from there…”
Dominic stepped forwards. “Is there a way to test its genuinity?”
“Good thinking, Dominic. For all we know, it might be a fake. Chadwick, may we borrow your apple?”
“What apple?”
“The one in your pocket. The one you stole from the kitchens.”
Grumpily (“stupid squirrel…”), Chad took a perfectly cooked apple, red and shining, out and tossed it at the Guildmaster. The Guildmaster held the katana out. “Who wants to test it? Dominic, would you do the honours?”
“Gladly,” he took the blade. It felt light, but unusually cold to the touch.
“How does it feel?”
“Cold, strangely.”
“What?” Donaven scratched his head. “It’s not cold… It was warm when I had it…”
“Hmm… that’s a good sign. Now, try to cut this fruit in half,” the Guildmaster threw it into the air. Dominic swung the blade. It hit the apple on target, but couldn’t penetrate through its skin. Instead, the katana batted the apple away with its edge, making the apple hit Chad on the head.
“Oops. Sorry, Chad.”
Chad held his head, feeling a small bit dizzy. “I’m- I’m okay…”
“Alexandra, may you fetch the apple?” The Guildmaster asked Alex. She jumped slightly, happily, and passed the apple. It didn’t change one bit, showing that the blade had no effect on it. “Donaven, take the katana from your friend, and try it yourself.”
Donaven caught it and readied himself. “Okay.”
“Here’s the apple.”
Again, the apple was thrown into the air but, unlike Dominic’s try, did not go the other way when struck by the blade. Instead, it continued its way, as the blade sliced it into two smooth halves. The apple fell to the ground… in two. “Wow.”
“There you have it, the Katana Hiryu. Use it well, Donaven,” the Guildmaster continued his way to the Library, leaving the five Heroes alone. As soon as the Guildmaster was out of hearing distance, Chad groaned.
“When will I get things my way?”
Alex appeared behind him. “But Chad, it was wrong of you to steal!”
Whisper, ignoring Chad, turned to Dominic. “ So, what are you going to do now?”
“Don’t know. Training for nine years was really tiresome, so I think I’ll grab myself an easy first mission.”
“Yeah, we should all get our quests!” Alex frog leaped Chad, causing him to lose his balance and fall onto his nose. “Chad! Are you okay?”
“Great, just great…”
“Oh, thank goodness!” She winked, and Donaven nodded, unthinkingly. He stared off, apparently looking at something that wasn’t there, then shook his senses back into his head. He flinched, and recovered before anyone could notice, but unfortunately, Dominic did. Still, he kept it a secret, knowing that he might lose his greatest partner, if he did. So, he turned to survey the map-table instead.
Throughout the map-table, were quest cards among quest cards, sorted into compartments that each represented one town, station or point of interest in Albion. At that moment the number of cards available were below than average, mainly due to the sudden increase in Heroes. Only a handful remained, with not more than two cards to each place. Most of the compartments were empty, in fact. There were three different types of quest cards, and each were coloured with a different colour. The bronzed ones were for any Hero; no matter if they were greenhorns or legendaries as there isn’t any real urgency involved. The silver ones were for those of mild renown and skill. These were trusted to those who have the experience. The final, golden cards were strictly for the great and the powerful, for the stakes were high. Normally, these quests would include abnormally imposing creature attacks or highly important escort missions.
Scanning the table, Donaven’s eye was caught by a shiny glint. His hand darted across like a falcon and grabbed a card from the Hook Coast region, a place in the far north. He cleared his throat and read the card’s contents out loud. “Protect the main town of Hook Coast from a wild Snow Troll attack. Urgency: Gold.”
“Doesn’t sound easy…”said Dominic with an uneasy tint in his voice.
Whisper smacked her cheek with her palm. “Easy?! It’s a GOLD quest, for God’s sake! What are you thinking, Mr Dreamy?!”
“Hey! Its my wish-”
“You could get yourself hurt-or-or killed! Why don’t you leave the quest for someone else. Someone like… Thunder or-”
Donaven put his foot down and took Hiryu out by the hilt, letting the fire from the hanging torches nearby to glint along its blade. “I want this quest, and I shall bloody take it! You take your novice missions, I’m going to put myself to the real test. No more straw dummies for me!”
Whisper kept quiet, edging away with her hand on her spear’s handle. She swore at Donaven, and turned for the Guild’s front entrance.
Dominic rushed forwards. “Wait! Where are you going?”
“Bowerstone. I’ve been saving for the past few years, so I’m going to equip myself. At the very least, I’ll be ready for my quests, unlike someone…” she glared at Donaven, and exited, leaving Dominic to stare. He turned swiftly and glared at Donaven. Donaven glared back.
“Oh, you too?!”
Dominic opened his mouth to reply but did not know what to say, so he shut up. There was a very queer silence, in which Chad decided to get out of. He picked his two apple pieces, cleaned one and bit it. Seemingly satisfied, he walked out of the map-room and into the library. After he left, the silence continued, till it was broken momentarily afterwards by Alex. “Donaven? Can I… go with you?”
Donaven, surprised, flinched again. He stood up. “Uh…”he looked to Dominic with a mention-less question mark. Dominic saw the look in his eyes, and nodded, though with only half a heart. He did know of the possibility of this quest’s danger, but at the same time, he didn’t want two more of his friends fighting with each other.
The mage smiled. “Sure, Alex. You’ll be the best kind of help I can get!”
“Alright! Snow Troll, you’re going down! You’re no match to the two of us,” she almost jumped into the air, as she pompously cheered. Donaven’s grin grew.
“C’mon, let’s get that Troll before it gets away!” Alex held onto his arm, making him flinch even more. He smirked and took his Guild Seal out. Besides being the Heroes sign, the Seal serves as a hand-held Cullis Gate, if you knew how to concentrate. Donaven focused his thoughts onto it (but it was hard to do if the person you had a crush on was holding onto your arm) and thought of Hook Coast. From what he knew of it, it was a coastal town in the North, so it snowed there. Beach and snow. He concentrated on the picture made in his head, and activated the Seal. The two Heroes were blanketed in a layer of blue light, before they vanished together, leaving Dominic alone. He smiled for a second at the spot where they disappeared, and turned to the map-table.
“Hmm… where are you, bronzy…Hah!” He slid a card from a point that was relatively close to the Guild, and read it.
Location: On the border between Bowerstone and Greatwood, also known as the Picnic Area.
Time reported: Sunrise, Friday
Crisis: A wild swarm of Giant Wasps have infested this quiet area, and are constantly attacking visitors from Bowerstone. Multiple deaths were reported.
Procedure: Drive the whole swarm out, preferably dead, and bring the Wasp Queen’s head to Maze. You have one day from the time reported.
Urgency: Bronze
Reward: 770 gold. Complimentary drinks from The Cow & Corset, Bowerstone South.
Looking back at the map, he realised that this Picnic Area was only a half-mile away, but then, his eye was caught by a glint. He looked down his chest, his Guild Seal aglinting in a very tempting way… the heck with walking! He activated his Guild Seal and vanished as well.
Dominic appeared on a dirt path just before the Picnic Area. Behind him was a large statue of the Great Archon, an ancient king who, according to legend, ruled the Old Kingdom. But ahead of him, were the sounds of a disaster. Screaming and yelling tainted the silence of the trees that grew on both of the path’s sides, as lines of buzzing followed each other. He pulled his sword out and ran. The path widened into a clearing. There were picnic tables randomly placed all over for the picnickers, but at that instance, there were dead bodies and fleeing civilians instead.
“Help! Help! The wasps are attacking!” A man ran at him, pursued by three of the biggest wasps Dominic ever saw. They were twice the size of the beetles that lived in the Guild Woods, many years ago. Their buzzing wings were a forearm’s length, their stingers the size of wide knives. Dominic stepped forwards and sliced through the wasps. They fell, wings severed. The man thanked him and fled. One by one, Dominic helped the people run away, leaving only the wasps and the dead picnickers. Since there were no live humans, aside from himself, left, Dominic raised his hand and shot multiple, chained lightning across the entire clearing. The bolts flew, back and forth, from one wasp to another, before vaporizing the flying insects. After a while, he stopped and looked around, seeing no more in sight.
“That was ‘highly’ overrated…”
He sheathed his sword and headed back to the path between the trees. But he stopped, perking his ears to hear something distant. There was a new sound, much like the buzzing of the wasps, only noisier. Dominic pulled his longsword out, slowly and carefully. The noises got louder, as the thing got closer. Dominic could feel something huge, floating towards his back. He pulled the leather off the sword’s handle, baring all its steel. The thing behind him shrilled in a high tone. He turned at once, forcing lightning down his blade. There it was, a huge wasp, much, much bigger than the others. It was roughly three times his size, its wings caused a strong breeze with every flap, like a vicious chopper. Its armoured hide shined a sick mix of grey and yellow, while its eyes were no more than dim red orbs.
The Wasp Queen charged at him, its stinger pointed at his chest. Dominic dodged to the side and added more electricity to his blade. He swung it at the Queen, sending a strong bolt of lightning at it. As it struck, the Queen’s wings faltered, making it fall. Another bright bolt fried its wings. It squirmed, hitting the ground hardly. Dominic walked up to it, and casually sliced at its neck, beheading it. He caught his breath, and smiled.
“Now that’s just lame…”
He grabbed the Queen’s head by its antennae, and dragged it to the statue of the Archon. There, a few picnickers who had escaped, thanked him and even cheered, “Hurray! Sabre!”
“My pleasure.”
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