Prologue
Running.
Crashing.
Falling.
Careful! Watch out for that tree! Got to keep going. Can't stop now.
Running.
Crashing.
Falling.
With a struggled sigh Rider collapsed, too tired to move on; too afraid to stay put. He forced himself onto his hands and knees, panting. Each breath was a strangled gasp for air—each step a montage of new pains whizzing through his body.
What was that?
The boy raised his head and looked around, straining his ears against the sound of his racing heart and labored breathing. Was it possible that they were still after him? He had run a long distance, thinking of nothing other than the path ahead of him, and those in pursuit behind. With an involuntary shudder the young boy scrambled off the path and into the underbrush. It was cold. He was hungry. Weariness fogged his mind and made his eyelids heavy. What would it matter if they caught him? They might imprison him, yes. Kill him even, perhaps. But isn't that exactly what he wanted to do a few months back? Just lie down and die. What was life with no friends, no family, and nothing to call his own, worth living for?
Death.
The word had sounded pleasant when he spoke it. Inviting, even. But that point in his life was long since past. He had a new reason for living; a new light in the darkness that guided him, encouraged him. He had uncovered the truth to his existence.
He was a Paladin; the last in the line of these great warriors.
He was to be the hero; the one who delivered the people of Shacrazul. They would look up to him, shower him with praises that not even the greatest noble in the king's court could imagine. He would be thought of as the life-giver and soul-claimer; looked upon in fear and awe. There would be whispers of the great things he had accomplished and the dangers he had yet to face. All the girls in the village would crowd around him and gather together in their homes just to speak of him. All the men would no longer look on him as a lowly thief, but as their savior, for he would become the "Friend-Of-Dragon-And-Elf"; "Almighty-Giver-Of-Life-And-Freedom".
But Rider knew not of the great things he would accomplish throughout his lifetime. He knew only that his Uncle Rarmer had called him a "Paladin", and that ever since there had been evil creatures and shadowy beings he had never seen, only heard of, in constant pursuit over him. He had been forced to leave the village and flee to the farthest corner of the darkest part of the forest. This and nothing more occurred to him as he curled up in a tight ball, and slept.