Tirius Revan sat on the cobblestone steps leading up to the citadel. He looked out onto the city of Penerith. It was not a large city by any means, it's stone walls protected the city outside the security of the citadel. The city was a few centuries old when the first of the Revan family colonized the land. Tirius was the second born son in his family. His brother Efran would ascend to lordship of the kingdom once his father died, leaving him very little to inherit. Aside from his brother he had his younger sister Talia. She would be turning 12 this year. Tirius himself was no adult either, he would turn 19 in a few months. 'Time flies' he thought to himself as the late morning sun began to reach it's peak in the sky. He sighed, his brother was growing into his late twenties and his father was beginning to decline in his time. His hair had started to show patches of grey and he did not move as gracefully as he used to. In his thought Tirius noticed something behind him, he turned to see Talia. She walked over and sat next to Tirius.

They sat in silence for a moment until she said

"Father is still angry."

Tirius looked at her, she had blonde hair and he could smell the sweet fragrance of it. She had big blue eyes and he could see the sadness in them.

"It's good that you came out here then, it's best if we leave him alone for now." Tirius said to her.

His father was lord of the city and recently had a lot on his mind from the feud between the Revans and the Thallers. The city of Penerith was situated up against the Dhyinn mountains, a rich source for iron and precious gems. The Thaller family wanted those lands for themselves but the Revans already owned the land. Tirius could not understand why the Thallers continued to pressure his father to sell them over. Tirius knew that the smiths in Penerith were the best that you could find. They had learned to manipulate the iron from the mountains and mix it with the minerals in coal to produce something they called steel. Steel was stronger than iron and could keep blades razor sharp through the thickest of battles. No other kingdom that they knew to date, knew how to make steel. The Thallers wanted this, that much was obvious and they felt that they were entitled to it for some reason. That reason Tirius did not know. He embraced his sister for a short time.

"I am sorry that father is this way, it will be better someday." He said

"I know but I just wish that everything could be back to the way it was." Talia replied, her voice was distant.

Tirius remembered when they were all children, he remembered when he would play with Efran by the old grove just south of the city inside the woods around it. He remembered their games of hide and seek and their pretend games of becoming great heroes of battle. Then as the years went by both Tirius and Efran began to grow apart. Efran would soon be the lord of the house and Tirius would likely be sent into the army to fight for his brother or be married off to some other lord's daughter.

He felt Talia's hand touch his. He looked at her and she pointed up the steps, a man was descending towards them. His dark green tunic was emblazoned with the Revan family crest a black circle with three curved triangular white shapes converging on the center of the circle. The arms and chest were decorated with golden vine like designs. The man stopped in front of Tirius.

"The lord wishes to speak with you and your sister." He said

Tirius recognized the man, it was Emanar. He was the lord of the houses advisor and would often run small errands for the lord. Tirius paused, he could not find a reason for his father needing him at the time. They had just finished their late morning meal and his usual chores were already attended to.

"Sir its urgent' Emanar said, the urgentness was clear in his voice.

"Let's go we should not keep father waiting" Talia said rising and Tirius followed suit.

The trio proceeded up the steps into the citadel. It was an elegantly designed building with high stone walls with great designs carved into them. The gate into the citadel was an iron wrought portcullis with vine designs etched along the rails. The building itself was a long ebony structure with two grand oak doors standing adjacent to each other. The trio entered the citadel. Just inside was the great hall. It was huge, spanning the entire length of the building and nearly a third of the width. To their left and right would be the quarters for servants, advisers, the lord and his family. Today the throne room was vacant save a small crowd gathered in front of the throne. Tirius led the way with Talia following close behind, as they weaved their way through the crowd the sound of shouting voices could be made out among the low murmur of the crowd. Tirius emerged first and then Talia and they both gasped. It was Lord Thaller himself and standing behind him were four fully armored warriors. They were facing Tirius's father, mother, and Efran.

"I will never bend my knee to a snake like you" Tirius's father spat the phrase like an insult to lord Thaller. Lord Thaller's face twisted into a wry smile.

"You know this is not the way we treat each other around here" Lord Thaller said "I suppose I need to teach you Revans who is in charge here now!" He shouted.

Then Lord Thaller did the unspeakable. As quick as a flash he had drawn his dagger, lunged towards Tirius's father and plunged the dagger into his neck. Tirius's father sank to his knees, gasping at every breath. Time seemed to blur for Tirius as he watched the scene unfold. He saw Efran move to draw his sword when one of the warriors behind Lord Thaller drew his sword and held the blade at Efrans throat. Another rushed foreward, grabbed Talia and held his dagger at her throat as he retreated. Tirius rushed over to his father who lay in the lap of his mother. Efran knelt down and could barley contain his grief, Tirius rushed after Talia but was put in his place by a rough punch to his jaw that sent him stumbling back.

"Now I think that we understand each other, but just so that you don't try anything I will keep her with me until you agree to our terms." Lord Thaller said and he stood awaiting the Revans response.

"We will never surrender to you!" Efran shouted and Lord Thaller sighed a sigh of anger.

"Fucking Revans" He said and left.

The crowd stood in utter disbelief and they parted as Lord Thaller made his way for the door. Tirius could hear Talia kicking and screaming and he could not believe what had just happened. His disbelief turned to rage and he charged after Lord Thaller. A strong hand grabbed his shoulder and the other grabbed his arm before he could even reach the crowd. Efran held him back with all of his might as Tirius struggled as best he could. He wanted to go after Talia, he wanted revenge for what Lord Thaller had done to his father. He realized that if he went after her then she would end up dead along with him most likely.

Tirius relaxed, his anger had vanished and had been replaced with grief. He ran to his fathers side who was still gasping for air, his bright blue tunic was beginning to turn red as blood flowed from the wound. Then the gasping stopped and the rest of the Revan family was silent.

*Thanks for reading everyone! This is my first story to be published on this site. How did I do? Let me know in the comments and tell me what you think of the story so far. If I should continue this then show your support and Chapter 2 will be up before you know it!