Prologue

Five Years Earlier

The castle walls stood high and seemed impenetrable. Three archers stood at the top. They were petty soldiers, pawns, used and battered for a "better cause". The sun beat down on them unmercifully, yet they stood watch and didn't complain. Vorak stood and watched these trained soldiers from afar. They were disciplined, but he could best them in combat.

This castle belonged to the great Warlord, Jariah. He was talented in the skills he possessed and was well known for showing no mercy in a battle. Rumors had it that he had killed thousands in the Great War of Herikesh. Vorak had heard stories of that war. It was an ungrateful one. Everyone he knew had died or changed in that war. This was to settle things.

He knew what had to be done. He had gone over the plans and blueprints for the castle and its defenses. He knew how to get to Jariah…and kill him. His only problem was reaching into the 'other' realm and acquiring the weapon when the time came.

Vorak left his perch and jumped to the bottom of the tree. He stood at a very tall six foot, two inches, and he had a powerful physique. Some told him he could take out an entire army with only a battalion of twelve to back him. He wore no armor this time. Stealth was an important factor here.

"Now, to dispatch those archers." He said. "The only problem is, when I do, more will come and the defenses will tighten." He pondered this a moment then, "Oh well, I'll have to be fast."

He ran silently towards the castle wall, pulled out his bow, knocked an arrow and let it loose. It hit the sentry above him and he fell off the wall toward Vorak. Next, Vorak prepped his grapple hook, spun it to get some momentum then let it loose. The three pronged grapple hooked and the chain rattled and Vorak scorned himself. Not wasting any time, he scaled the wall and got to the inner of the base.

The inner wall was elegant with crystal floors and white and granite marbled walls. Vorak took no time in checking the magnificence of the structure. Instead, he hid behind the nearest stack of barrels. Hoping that none of the guards had heard him break his entrance, he, again, steadied his bow with an arrow in place.

A deep breath rushed through his lungs and he leaned from the side of the barrels to survey his targets. One at the wall where he had come up, one on the ground floor below him, and four in other stations around the wall. His arm tensed as he pulled back the bowstring, took aim at the guard on the floor, and released. A direct hit to the center of the chest and the guard was down.

The five remaining guards had not heard the dying gasp of their comrade. They stood as they were. Another arrow flew into the back of the guard across from Vorak, and another to the one by his entrance.

"Three more." He said under his breath. "Then, who knows how many are inside…" his voice trailed as he readied another arrow.

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The guard stood at the inner doorway on the ground level. He stepped to adjust his footing and then regain his stance. From the view through the little window, he could see the rain start to fall. A sudden crash of thunder sounded and the flash of lightening after blinded him. When he could see again…Vorak stood in front of him. He raised his sword to attack but was stabbed in the stomach with the arrow in Vorak's hand.

Vorak retracted the arrow and the limp body fell to the floor. Vorak wiped the little blood spot off the arrow and replaced it in his quiver then stepped over the dispatched guard.

A voice broke in his head and spoke in the tongue of the elves. "You did well."It was his friend, Terra. She spoke in the Elven tongue again. "You are a skillful bowman. Where did you learn that?"

"That, Arwenamin, I learned from the best." He smirked. "How have you been?"

"I've been better but I can't complain now."

"And why is that?" he asked growing curious.

"Oh…No reason. Just, be careful.You are a mighty warrior, but still, don't look for trouble, it will come to you.

"It's too late for that. That's the whole reason I'm here. I live for trouble." He retaliated.

With that, she went silent and left him to his own. Vorak turned to the inner door that the guard was watching.

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Terra turned and left her quarters. She was an elegant Elven woman, tall but not towering. Her hair was a sleek blonde-white. She had strong facial features and a prominent jaw, though not obnoxiously prominent. She was the beauty of her race

"Good day." an Elven peasant remarked as she passed.

"Aye." Another complimented and saluted with his fist at his chest bringing his fist to his chin and bowing his head.

All the life in the place was buzzing and making their way to the outer ridge for a speech by the queen. When she got to the ridge of Southwall, or Harnram by her peoples language, she took her place at the podium.

"Hail. It has been long, my friends." She started. "How long? At last! Take this, for this is your life. Take this as your life and stand before your enemies. We shall not falter in this war. We shall RISE! We will take back what is ours. We shall take back our freedom and our land, and, above all, we shall take back our pride"

As she spoke, the crowd listened and cheered.

Terra's voice quieted and became more sincere. "Friends, ancient ones, loyal ones mighty ones, pure ones, short ones, tall ones, valiant ones, visionaries, wise ones, people of the Elven realm of Harnram. We as a nation, guild differences, personal differences, and social differences aside, must come together as one and become stronger. I, as your queen, shall stand at your side, even in battle."

One of the citizens raised his hands, saluted, and cried, "I stand by your side to the death."

Terra smiled and responded, "Aye. The next two moons are for preparations and travel, but tonight, We Feast! Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet. For when we meet next, we march for our pride."