Hey people this is my first fanfic, and I'm still new. Please read this and tell me what you think
Chapter 1, The golden knight.
Jake sighed as he trudged down the road leading from Castle Ostia. He had met with Lord Uther, the marquess of the land Ostia, asking for any kind of mercenary work that he could do to earn money for food. Uther had no work, but had sent Jake to Laus to deliver a message to marquess Darin. Jake had no idea what the message was, as Uther had sealed it and tied it, but he at least was getting paid for the trip. He had food, and spare money to buy lodging at an inn. Eh, at least it was better than staying out in the rain every night.
Jake wasn't very poor. He often did mercenary work for his meal money, but sometimes he couldn't find work, and that would mean going hungry. The reason for this lifestyle was Darin. He had fled the castle when Darin had ordered him to arrest a family on unprovable charges of treason. He had helped the family escape, then had been forced to fight his way to freedom: he had killed 5 of Darin's knights who had tried to stop him. Now he was faced with the ugly prospect of facing Darin again. He knew that it wouldn't go well, so he planned on sending a servant to the castle to deliver the message. He didn't want a scene as he tried to deliver a simple message. Oh well, no point in worrying about it until it happened.
Jake noticed that it was dusk, and that he should start making camp. He smiled as he saw a small bush that seemed a perfect cover for a bed. He knelt down and began to make a fire and set up for the night. He began to munch on dried food as he sat near the fire. After he finished his dinner, he began to clean his armor, which was crusted with mud from the road. He needed to buy some new armor… even though he was about 17 years old, his armor looked to be about 50 years old. His armor had been worn by some other knight, then given to him when he was knighted. As he was scrubbing away at the iron, he had the feeling that someone was watching him. He continued to clean his armor, but was more watchful. Jake heard horse hooves in the distance, but figured it was just some traveler. He put his armor away, then sat with his back against a boulder, keeping constant watch on the clearing he had made. He prayed to , as was his custom before falling asleep. He was religious to a degree, not a fanatic like those monks at the temples. Jake often prayed for safe passage, as well as for good payment and his good health. He finished his prayers, then sat, watching the clearing.
Jake began to doze, the clearing beginning to grow dark as the fire died. He was on the verge of passing out, when strong hands came out of nowhere , clamping down on his mouth. Jake, in a panic, grabbed his dagger and slashed up ward, hoping to hit someone's face. There was a howl of pain, then the hands released him. Jake dove for his sword, and upon pulling it from it's sheath, he saw what appeared to be twenty men gathered in a circle around him, cutting off any means of escape. He gripped his sword tightly, waiting for any one of the men to make a move. They must be brigands! They're trying to rob me! Jake thought.
One of the brigands stepped forward, and Jake recoiled slightly: the man was butt-ugly, with hair that merely sat on his head. He began speaking, his voice gravely. "Well now, looks like easy loot tonight boys! Tell you what kiddo… you give us everything you got, and I'll let you live. How does that sound?" He said, grinning smugly.
Jake pretended to think about the offer, then turned to the man. "As tempting as your offer is, I'm afraid I'm going to have to turn down your offer, as I like keeping all my stuff to myself. So if you could leave, we'll have no need for violence."He tried to talk the man down, but to no avail.
The brute's face turned beet red as he turned to his comrades. "He dares mock us, the Dark Blades?! Show him what we are! Tear that knight apart!!"he screamed. All the brigands rushed forward, eager for a part in the killing. Jake ducked under axes, lashing out with his sword here and there when he got the opportunity. He caught a glimpse of the man he had cut in the face… He was charging at Jake , with fury in his eyes. Jake sidestepped him and slashed him across the back. He dodged several more axes, but he was beginning to tire. He had cut down his seventh bandit when his foot slipped. An ax caught Jake in the chest carried him through the air, then threw him against the same boulder he had once been sitting against. He slid to the ground and sat there, unable to move, struggling for breath He looked down and saw blood flowing from the gash in his chest . Oddly , he couldn't feel any pain. So this is death .Not so bad then .Before he slid sideways, he grasped the necklace he always wore as whispered, " Elemine protect me…."