The Journey of a Lifetime
Everything has a Beginning
The great fiery sun rose with all its glory and shot a ray of perpetual light upon the world of Albion making the land glow with all of its purity, for the second age has come. Albion was at peace, with no conflict except for those that are of mere personal quarrels between people who live on Albion. Albion, being made up of four Islands, is full of it's own mysterious cultures, different beings, creatures, weather, and governments, but also, there are those evils that lurk in the shadows waiting to disrupt Albion's balance of peace and order. The largest land mass that supports most of Albion's people is known as Ether Island, and the one closest to it is known as WoodFall Island, and the one above it is known as Hook Island.
On Ether Island there is a mountain range to the east known as Death Mountains. The reason for this is because people go through the mountain range on a river, but never return. Many myths, legends and stories are generated because of this, the most popular one is the tale of the sea demon. Where a Kraken guards the pass from those who whish to make it to the east. At a time people did travel through the mountains along the river, back during the first age when there was no "Demon" guarding the pass. The people that traveled through were an odd people who's skin was of the colour yellow. They seemed to like the style of beard which was a single strange of hair on there chin that was long and there hair was in a pony tale. They wore what they call Samurai Armor that was very tough as well as versatile. They traded goods with us for their weapons which they called Katana's. You can still find Katana's in Albion, but the samurai armor no longer is present in Albion. That was all a long time ago, there are some samurai's that still remain on Albion but noone has seen one for decades and their culture and rituals are still practiced to this day, but only by very few people. In the middle of Ether Island there is a very large forest that covers a good percent of the land. The rest of the land is grassy hilly plains with one small mountain range.
The land of WoodFall is a small Island full of trees and one mountain range. The land forms may not be very impressive, but it makes up for it by having the most dangerous creatures and the most interesting culture in Albion. The KnoteHole Gladians are the most brutal people, but there are also some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Most people see them as savages but this is not true. Most of the exports of wood come from them and the wood is the strongest that Albion has. Their economy is very good considering they have ships constantly coming in and out of their harbor. WoodFall is also home to the most fierce beast, known as the Balvarines. Aside from all of that they contain some of the ruins from the first age which can be quite the archaeologic discovery for those who enjoy such things.
Hook Island is a desolate island covered by a constant never-ending winter that makes a good portion of the island uninhabitable by people. In fact there is only one town on the coast of Hook known as Hook Coast. There are a few people who travel out into the white abyss and make shelters to get away from people. They are better known as hermits.
There is also another Island above Hook that bears no name except for no mans land. No one is known to live there but perhaps there is a society that supports itself and is cut off from the rest of the world.
And know this brings us to a place in Greatwood near a city called Bowerstone. Near a river rests a peaceful home. A Log Cabin decorated on the inside with homey pleasures such as curtains, cupboards, fireplace, beds, and some windows. This beautiful home is inhabited by Three carefree people, a Father, Mother, and Son. The ground is grassy green and still fresh with dew from the early morn and a new day has begun for the small and happy family
A boy wakes, slowly opening his eyes he realizes that he is no longer dreaming a wonderful dream. He rubs his eyes as he slides out of bed and shuffles his feet across the floor, shielding his eyes from the bright sun since his eyes have not yet adjusted, making his way to the dinner table where he see's no breakfast. Nothing. Not even an apple, no grapes, no cups no nothing. Moaning the boy drops his head on the wooden table in disappointment and hunger. He soon begins to drool on the table nearly falling asleep again until his mother wakes him up. She slaps the boy on the back of his head making him fully alert.
"Ow! What the-"exclaimed the boy scrambling around in the chair freaking out and wondering what hit him since he was half asleep. Only does he realize that it was his mother, after he falls out of his seat and looks up at her, that had hit him.
"What on earth was that for!" Shouted the boy in frustration and anger rubbing the back of his head.
"You were drooling on the table. Your making a mess, this is the third time Avren. Am I gonna have to keep your jaw shut for-" said his mother before she was interrupted by Avren.
"All right, all right, just stop I understand..." rubbing his head, "..jeez..." muttered Avren.
"What!" yelled his mother thinking he cursed under his breath.
"I didn't say anything!" said Avren trying to explain to himself in hopes his mother doesn't get mad.
"Well ok then. Could you change out of your shorts please." said his mother with her hands on her hips with a spatchula in one hand.
Avren then looked down at his shorts and looked up at his mother, "Uhh...laundry is done. I thought you just washed them in the river this morning or at least you said you were going to." said Avren in disbelief.
"Of course I did them, their hanging on the laundry line." said his mother rolling her eyes.
"Ok then. I'll go get them be right back." said Avren getting up from the floor.
He grabbed his sandal shoes and went outside to go check the laundry line. He was in doubt that they would be done. Then he thought of another possibility. "They had better be dry." he said to himself. Approaching the laundry line his fears seemed to be founded. It looked like they were still wet, so Avren felt them and they were soaking wet. "WOW!" he shouted.
He licked his finger and held it up as high as he could, he felt no breeze the wind was no where to be found. "Stupid Wind." he muttered to himself. Realizing he is either going to have to wear wet clothes or his underwear he became a little angry and disappointed. That is until his mother called for breakfast, that lifted a little bit of relief off of him.
Running into the house, attracted by the smell of fresh food he almost was carried by the scent straight into the house. His father followed along straight to the source of the food right from the fishing dock. When they had arrived to the house they looked in aw as they say a meal fit for a king.
"Sausages..." said his father his eyes begin to tear up from the scent.
"Yes their gourmet." added Avren's mother.
"Bacon..." said Avren taking in a good wiff with his nose.
"Fresh from the market place." added his mother.
"Garlic toast..." said both Avren and his father in glee.
"My special recipe." said Avren's Mother proudly.
Avren then thanked Avo for bringing his mother the culinary skills of a true chef. He guess' that's why she cooked for the mayor of Bowerstone once back in the day. She would get paid a lot to serve the Mayor his breakfast, lunch, and supper. It was once her profession, but she met Avren's father and she became pregnant. So she couldn't work and left, soon they had a child and a small cottage just south of Bowerstone in Greatwood and a happy life. Avren's father took up fishing and caught a lot of fish with his fishing rod that was passed down to him from his father. He makes enough gold to pay for food and a few other luxuries that brings his family a little bit of excitement.
For example Avren's slingshot he got when he was eight. He had some fun breaking his parents windows, every time he let a rock fly into a window he let out a little evil miscreant laugh. As well as killing a beetle and wasp every so often, but he sort of stays away from wasps since he got stung. His slingshot soon became his arm, even though his parents loathed seeing their child with a ballistic launching tool. But as Avren got older he lost interest in it, but he still gets a kick out of it.
"Mi' boy, your mother can make some of the finest foods that Albion has ever seen. You know I pretty much married your mother because of her cooking. I guess you could say her cooking saved my life..." said his father very proud of his wife, "...when I was..er..out of a job and begging on the streets of Bowerstone your mother was the only one that took me in and fed me. Im still glad you did dear."
"Oh it was nothing, I've said that over a million times now." said Avren's mother giggling.
"Hey, mom" asked Avren after finishing off a glass of milk.
"What is it, dear." asked his mother curiously.
"Do we have any left overs?" Questioned Avren.
"Of course, there's some near the fire place." said his mother collecting the plates and cups.
Now it was time for the annual left over battle between Avren and his father. They looked at each other with ferocity and never took their eyes off one another. Then the inevitable question was raised.
"You ready boy.' asked his father getting ready to get out off his seat.
"I know..." getting up from his seat, "..YOU AREN'T" shouted Avren dashing for the food. Followed closely by his father.
Avren leapt for it, but his father grabbed his ankle and pulled him down. His father began to chuckle and reached for the food when he tripped...
His hand landed in the fire place while the fire was still roaring and soon so was he. With his glove on fire his dad tries to get it off frantically but he can't manage to dispose of the burning glove. Quickly thinking he rushes for the river with his hand in the air and him screaming on the entire way there in pain. Lunging towards the water with his hand stretched out and he stuck it into the water and quelled the hungry fire.
Avren and his mother burst out laughing as hard as they could and rolling on the floor holding their sides hoping they wouldn't burst. When Avren's father looked behind him he saw them both laughing at his misfortune. He let out a little grunt as he yanked his hand out of the water.
"Oh my Avo -laughs- that was the funniest thing -laughs- I ever laid eyes on." squeaked out Avren's mother.
"Oh my lord!" were all the words that he could manage while pulling on his youngster style black hair trying to keep himself from laughing so he could apologize and ask if he was alright.
"-fake laughs- Alright, well lets see you stick your hand in the fire then?" asked his father angrily.
"...idiot..." was all that Avren could manage to squeeze out of his lungs from after the laughter.
"Arg!" said his father grasping his the base of his wrist, "Let me go soak this some more."
"Are you gonna be okay father?" asked Avren concerned.
"Yes, I'll just soak this for a bit then go to the market. I'll be fine don't worry." said his father trying to relieve Avren from his worries.
"Never mind soaking it, I have some medical herbs come with me dear." said Avren's mother beckoning him to follow her.
Avren sat in the short grass wondering how serious the burn is. Maybe his father wouldn't be able to reel in any fish. What would they do for the next few weeks while he healed, would he have to fish for his dad? He didn't want to, he was too much of a lazy child to do hardly any labor. The most he would ever do is help his mother clean the dishes. He soon realized that he was still in his boxer shorts, he walked up towards the clothes line and grabbed them and ripped them right off the line expressing a bit off anger.
He looked around the yard, observing it very intently looking for a stick just long enough to put his wet clothes on. Then he noticed a piece of thin lumber on the ground "Perfect" he thought to himself. He grabbed it off the ground and examined it, after he threw his clothes on it he returned to his house. Upon entering his home he saw his father trying not to scream after his mother put on a paste made from the herbs she was talking about earlier.
Avren remembered when his mom would put that on him when he had scrapes or cuts. It was a disinfectant type thing that stung terrible when you would put it on wounds. Avren knows how to do it himself, but he tries to avoid using it when he hurts himself.
Hovering the log stick above the hot yellow fire he let his clothes dry, after grabbing his chair he looked into the fire with lethargic eyes. Losing all focus on his remedial task he gazed into the fire and ventured off into a distant land. Filled full of creatures to be slain and him being the hero of course. After his mother finished wrapping a bandage around his fathers hand she looked towards Avren with concern.
"Avren your going to burn your clothes like that." stated his mother
Avren still was focused on his fantasies and dreams of becoming a hero of Albion. He looked like as if he was at peace just gazing into the fire of his hopes.
"AVREN!" shouted his mother.
Avren then became fully alert and looked around the room multiple times since he was surprised, if not scared, form the loud noise. "Oh, sorry I kinda drifted off." said Avren pulling out his clothes from the fireplace.
He felt his clothes with the tips of his fingers gently, feeling the warmth of the fires job well done. He slipped on his white shirt and reddish orange shorts and continued outside to see his father. He was over at the fishing docks, tying a hook to the end of his fishing line. Avren approached him and sat down next to him.
"Yes mi' boy." asked his father looking down at him.
"Oh, it's nothing...are you sure your going to be able to fish." asked Avren concerned about his fathers hand.
"Im sure that I'll be fine boy." said his father being optimistic about his current situation.
"Well that's good to hear. When do you plan on going to the market?" asked Avren
"If I don't catch a fish soon then I'll be heading off." stated his father.
"Oh.." asked Avren looking into the water.
His father noticed that Avren was a little depressed, he then remembered that he had some apple cider from orchard farm right beside the docks. He reached for it and grabbed two green coloured bottles out of a wooden crate. He threw one over to Avren and Avren caught it and looked at it wondering what it was.
"What is this?" asked Avren looking at the bottle, noticing his reflection in the bottle.
"Well a day or two ago on my way to the market I ran into a trader. I noticed he was carrying a crate so I asked about it. And he said it was full of the top notch cider from orchard farm. And I knew that it was good because I mean Its from Orchard Farm it must be good cider. So I gave him a few gold coins for the whole lot of it. It was quite a bargain." stated his father.
Avren and his father both opened them and started to drink cautiously, trying to savor the taste. They both finished off the bottles with great delight and for Avren he had discovered a great drink. All of a sudden his fathers fishing line began to jerk about, he panicked and lunged forward and grabbed the fishing rod and so did Avren. They pulled back on it together and yanked out an enormous fish.
"Oy, that's a beut aint it." stated his father, "Looks like it weighs about twelve pounds.
"How much do you think you'll get for it at the market place?" enquired Avren.
"Im not entirely sure..." said his father examining the fish more thoroughly.
Avren's father got up and ripped the fish off of the hook, put against the wooden boards, grabbed his club, and wacked it over the head. He then strung it over his shoulder and coninued off to the market place.
"I'll see you soon, be back in about half an hour." said his father moving on into Greatwood.
Avren followed a little bit behind until he was in the short grass, he then took a small rest on the green bed. On his backside he put his hands behind his head and looked up into the sky, in between the trees that hovered above him. He looked at the clouds and decided which one looked like what. He saw a rabbit, dog, sail boat, sword, and a wolf. The sky was blue as the ocean, it made Avren feel...relaxed somehow. Maybe it was the colour or maybe it was the sky itself, he wasn't sure but it made him feel like noting bad could ever happen.
He gazed into the sky for a long time, so long that he didn't even realize his father had returned until he heard him walking. Avren sat up and asked his father what he brought back from the market, but he didn't answer him he just went straight into the house. He expressed no emotion on his face as he entered the cabin. Avren wondered what was going on, he could faintly hear some murmurs from the house.
He figured he should get closer and eavesdrop on them. He was curious as to why his father looked like he was in a state of shock. Avren pushed his back up against the outside wall, under a window, of the cabin and strained his ear to listen to the conversation.
"What do you mean 'followed'?" asked his mother.
Avren raised an eyebrow and wondered why his father would be followed, he wasn't a rich man nor a trader. He didn't poses anything of value, he then continued to listen.
"Yes im sure of it! I saw someone behind me, I guess once he noticed me he quickly hid. I think that I lost him though." said his father.
"Could you tell who it was?" enquired his mother.
"Im not entirely sure, but who ever it was they were armed. He had a blade." stated his father
Avren's eyes nearly popped out of his skull, what his father said had frightened him a bit. He knew that if weapons were involved nothing good could come of it.
"A blade?" asked his mother concerned, "Do you think that they know?"
Avren wondered what his mother meant by that...
"I hope to the great Avo that they do not, for if they do then we are in serious trouble." said his father.
Avren's heart began to race, it felt like it was going to leap out of his chest.
"We need to leave now, just for the safety of our child." said Avren's father in a concerned tone of voice.
Avren was frightened from what he had heard from the conversation, many thoughts passed through his mind. What if someone is coming to kill his entire family, what if he was an assassin. No why would they want to kill such a family, there is nothing special about them. Avren calmed himself down not letting his overactive imagination run loose.
His father walked outside and called for Avren, "Avren, come inside please!"
Avren ran into the house straight past his father and into the house, Avren thought that by acting normally they wouldn't know he was eavesdropping. But this was difficult, he just heard his father say that someone with a weapon was following him. Avren sat down in his chair and asked what was for dinner.
"We aren't going to be having dinner here, we are going to you Aunty Sherry's house for a little while." said his father.
Avren took a large gulp and asked, trying not to sound scared, "Why?"
"Well we figured it's been a while since we've seen your Auntie and Uncle so we are going to go spend some time with them in Bowerstone." replied his father.
Avren, being only 14, was very overanxious since even his parents had a worried look on their face and talk of running away to the city only made it worse for Avren. But things only kept on getting worse...
"OY! GET OUT 'ERE YOU 'ORRIBLE LOT!" screamed a man outside of the cabin.
With all possible haste everyone turned as white as a ghost. Avren and his mother hid in the cabin while his father grabbed an axe from underneath a bed and answered the voice.
"What is it that you want, I am busy and am in no mood to deal with strangers!" shouted Avren's father.
"Just come out 'ere before.." said the voice losing patience, "I BURN THE WHOLE PLACE DOWN!"
Sweat poured of off Avren's father's face, he slowly but surely dragged himself outside for the sake of his own family. He looked upon four bandits, all equipped with weapons. The one that did all the shouting appeared to be a Bandit Chief who carried a long blade. The other three were scrawny bandits with crossbows.
"You...w-w-will not take the boy." stuttered his father in fear, he knew that he didn't stand a chance against four bandits heavily armed.
"And...do you truly think that you can stop us!" shouted the Bandit Chief.
"...I do." replied Avren's father.
"Well, I think that there has been enough talk. Someone needs to die." implied the Bandit Chief.
Avren had heard what the Bandit had said, his heart was stricken with the most unimaginable fear and anxiety. Avren watched as a bolt pierced his father's chest, his mother immediately averted Avren's eyes from his father.
"Arg!" screamed Avren's father. He grasped the arrow in his chest, but he knew he had to protect his family. He kept on walking towards the Bandits with his axe high up in the air.
"Looks like someone isn't going down without a fight." stated the Bandit Crossing his arms.
And another bolt lodged itself into Avren's father's chest, this time he only gave out a weeze as blood spilt from his mouth. But still his father continued to walk forward.
"Man, this guy just won't go down." stated the Bandit Chief.
Stopping Avren's father in his tracks was a third bolt in his chest. His facepointed downwards at the green, now red, grass.
"Ha! He wasn't so tough." said the bandit Chief.
Then he looked up at the Bandit with anger...
"WHAT! How is this guy still alive!" shouted the Bandit Chief, "Alright enough of this hero bullshit time to die!"
The Bandit Chief raised his sword up high and prepared to strike, "Any last words?"
"...Im sorry...I...failed you..." murmured Avren's father
The Chief then swung his sword against the back off the victims neck, decapitating him. "Well boys, that's one down. Now lets go get the child." He then proceeded to walk towards the cabin with a grim smile on his face. At first he took his sword and let out a grunt jamming his blade into the window causing a loud crashing noise making Avren and his mother scream.
'Oy, there in 'ere!" shouted the Bandit looking at the other three.
Avren's mother got up and braced to door with a chair, panicking she grabbed a frying pan and smashed the window, another window, open on the side of the house. "Avren, you have to go through, I know that there is still some shards of glass but if you don't make it through you'll be killed for sure." said Avren's mother.
A bolt of fear struck Avren's heart, he never would have thought that his life would be in danger at such an age. He nodded at his mother, expressing no emotion his face since he was still in shock from the tragic death from his father.
"You must make it to the canoe at the fishing docks," Avren's mother was then interrupted by slams at the door, "-you must then -slam- travel up the ri-slam-ver and continue -slam- until you make it to Bowerstone -slam- Avren...-slam- be strong."
Avren then climbed out of the window letting out a little sigh of pain from the glass puncturing his hand and scraping his arms. He then dashed for the docks as fast as he could, straight to the boat. He ran on the docks and got momentum and speed so that he could jump into the boat. Once he landed he immediately grabbed the ores and began to paddle, of course this hurt him since his hands had open wounds.
While he paddled down the river he heard a horrible scream from the cabin. Avren knew then that his mother was in trouble, but he had to be strong and keep moving for their sake. Their deaths will not be in vain.
In a few moments the handle of the ore was soaked in Avren's blood, he couldn't take the pain any more. He let go of the paddle and fell back in the boat. Tears slowly streamed down his face and his throat developed a lump in it.
"W-w-w-why!" he said beginning to cry out.
He then abruptly stopped, his sorrow was then replaced with rage. He sat up, beginning to realize that he was not an ordinary boy and that he couldn't give up, no matter what the reason. His parents sacrificed their lives so that he could live. He grabbed the ore's and began to paddle again. His destination; Bowerstone.
A dark blanket soon covered the sky and the moon came out faintly covered by a few clouds. Sounds of wildlife and predators cam from the shores, this scared Avren but still at the same time kept him conscious for fear kept his pain at bay.
He couldn't take much more of this sharp, never ending pain in his hands. He was losing a lot of blood and was soon about to loose consciousness. He became weary and tired, but he then heard the sounds of city life. This lifted his spirit and gave him hope that he would make it. Civilization was getting closer and closer until he could see the docks. He pulled up to them and tied his boat to it.
He then hoped out and once he did he started to feel light headed and dizzy. His vision then became blurred as he looked at his red hands. His body just couldn't endure it anymore. He attempted to yell out, but all he got was a whimper. He then fell upon the grass and became unconscious...
Authors Note : This is how I wanted the first chapter too be, im pretty proud of it since it's been I while since I have written. I hope you've enjoyed reading it and any positive feed back would be great and if you've got any stories that you would like me to check out then just tell me and I'll take a look.
- Lord Revan