Chapter 1: Tides of War
It was a cold windy day; the town seemed almost empty now as everyone gathered in one place. The sun had begun to lower itself in the sky and gave off an orange and pink light through the sky. In a small village caught up in a war between two kingdoms a man realized nothing is sacred in the flames of hatred.
Derek stood in the middle of the group of townspeople, wearing formal clothing. He stood in front of a newly filled grave, which read the name of his father. "We didn't deserve this..." He thought to himself as his eyes wandered to all the newly filled spaces in the ground. "None of us were soldiers..." His face twisted from despair to anger as he walked away. He didn't know what he would do, but something told him that he had to make something change. He wandered the empty streets lost in his thoughts before a man approached him. "Are you the eldest son of Lord Nephilim?" He asked in a serious tone. Derek stopped and nodded to the man. "Yes. Yes I am." The strange man shrouded in a cloak, most obviously a shaman held out a sword-his father's treasured blade. "This was written to be yours upon his death. Take it with honor." Derek regretfully reached out and grasped the sheath of his new blade; a single tear ran down his face. "My father died two days ago...and your already giving his stuff away...vultures never cease to amaze me..." The man laughed. "His will read to deliver this as soon as he were buried." with that he left silently, leaving Derek alone and holding the one item his father cherished most.
Back at the gravesite.
A young girl around the same age as Derek watched him leave. She was crying heavily for both the grief of the Lord's death, and for seeing the man she loved her entire life turn his back and walk away. She wanted to follow him, her fingers played with the bottom of her purple tunic, her hair hung in her face caked to her cheeks from the moisture of her tears. After several minutes she decided to go after Derek and console him. She searched to no avail and had given up when she saw the two men talking. Upon realizing who it was she ran to him and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry for your loss..." She still was sobbing.
"It's fine; it's not really your concern Bethany." Derek mumbled as he pushed her away from him. "And I told you not to touch me..." He looked at her emotionlessly. "S...sorry...I just want you to know your not alone." she replied sadly as she looked to the ground. "I'm not alone...but I have nothing left either." He said before walking away, leaving the girl as she dropped to her knees and cried harder.
Derek returned to his large home and immediately began packing clothes and rations. He made sure to bring plenty of vulnaries incase he had to fight at anytime. He planned to walked to both countries and settle this war in any way necessary. Once he was finished packing he got dinner and then went to bed.
The next morning.
Derek awoke to a loud thud. He quickly jumped up and opened the curtains and ran down stairs. He saw Bethany sitting under the window rubbing her backside. "Ouch..." she mumbled."I just know he heard that too!" She looked up to see Derek already dressed and heading quickly for the door. "Hey! Wait! She screamed and went after him. "You don't plan to travel alone do you?" she asked curiously, her hands behind her back. "Yeah...it was the plan." He answered, walking faster. "Well you can't!" she exclaimed, fighting to keep up. "You'll just get in trouble and fights every step of the way. You need someone that knows how to talk to people so that you stay out of trouble." she grinned. "And let me guess..." Bethany cut him off. "I'm perfect for this!" she waved a finger. "But you know...you should bring at least one mounted knight so they can ride ahead and scout for you!" Derek just sighed. "You're enjoying this way too much..."