Chapter 1: The Companions

Somewhere in the Iserhaus castle within the dueling room, a human and a Took fought each other with swords flashing their steel and the clanging sounds of metal as they met with each strikes across the floor. Steel sparked as one of the sword caught the other blade and twirled it around with force that the human cried out in a slight pain with the sword itself twisted off his wrist. It clanged on the floor as the surprised human stared at the pig like humanoid. The Took looked at him with glee as he swished his sword around and responded heartily, "Me thinks you need more practice! Tis a heavy sword. You need more of an upper hand strength than I do!"

The strong, short Took flexed his arm showing his thick muscled bicep. Drew scowled at him and responded as he cracked his knuckles. He stretched out his arm muscles. He wasn't nearly as strong as his friend, but still he boasted as he picked up the sword again responding, "Tringo, my friend, do not underestimate me. I still have the advantage."

As they both stood head to head, they were the same size. Tringo was more of a muscle size and thicker than Drew however, but they weren't tall. Drew was still seventeen. Barely old enough to leave the kingdom of Iserhaus and he has never been as far as the darklands. He still didn't have the upper arm muscle strength to handle a heavy sword. Tringo spat back with a gleam in his eyes, "And pray tell, my sire, what has I missed?"

Drew pounded his armor on the chest and responded in a boastful tone, "I am no commoner! All will fall to their knees before me because I am mighty and powerful. And you, my dear old friend, will get on your knees and kiss my feet!"

The old Took's voice reverberated among the dueling room as he shouted with one word above all others, "HAH!"

"Sire" a loud voice came from the doorway at the end of the dueling room as the messenger came stumbling past.

Drew let go with an angry growl as he drew his sword and pointed inches away from the man's head as he fell to his knees and quivered, "Forgive me!"

The seventeen year old scowled at the messenger and responded harshly, "What is the meaning of this interruption? You know full well not to interrupt in the middle of training!"

The man averted his eyes and spoke in a quivering voice, "My lord, your father, has a message!"

Drew continued to scowl at the messenger not happy with the interruption. However, Tringo saw that the man was in need of a drink and grabbed a container filled with water that was hanging off a training post. Taking the sword, he pushed Drew's sword out of the way responding, "Sire, do not forget the words of your father. The needs of others are more important than yourself. Be selfless, not selfish."

Drew growled a bit still angry but he backed up letting his old friend tend to the needs of this servant. Tringo knelt before the man and lifted his chin as he offered him a drink. The messenger drank it gladly as the Took spoke, "You must be parched friend. A container goes a long way in satisfying you from a long journey. Say what you will in front of your lord's son. Whats the lord's message?"

The messenger thanked the Took and looked up to his prince. He then averted his eyes to escape his scowl as he responded, "Your father wants you in his chambers in fifteen minutes time before dinner."

Drew let out a snarl as he responded harshly waving his sword, "Begone, messenger. Leave my sight!"

"Sire!" The messenger shouted out as he bowed once before scampering out. Tringo let out a sigh holding out his container and was about to respond when a sword point went through the loop of his container.

Drew had lifted the container out of the old man's hand and took another drink out of it. Tringo shook his head as he stood and faced him speaking, "Your father wants you to mind your words. He…"

Drew took another gulp of his water and turned around spitting the drink with vengeance as he threw the container clear across the room. He yelled, "Mind your words, Took! His words mean nothing to me. He does not control my destiny. Only I do and I will do whatever the hell I want. Now pick your sword, old man! I got fifteen minutes and I want to vent!"

The boy picked his sword and started twirling it around him. Swishing it around cutting through the air as it made a whooshing noise. He was angrier than usual. Tringo let out a grunt and snorted as he picked his up yelling as he pointed the sword, "On guard!"

He charged in as he flashed his sword harshly putting Drew on his guard. He seemed stronger as he could hold back the sheer strength of his old friend. They continued fighting around the room with Drew using his vengeance as his strength against the strong but stout Took that would never back down.

In the upper floor somewhere near the throne room was the kitchens. It looked like it was overrun by pigs because the Tooks were in charge of dinner lead by a small, roundish of a Took known as Trudge. He was named after his favorite chocolate. Trudge, a mixture of Truffles and Fudge. He was different than the rest of his race as he followed the line of a cook. They needed no muscle strength. However, they still carried around 60 pounds of crates, but no more than that and because of their short stature, they relied more on their human counterparts to do all the heavy lifting for them. The kitchens were designed to be run by both human and Took.

For tonight though, was a special night for Trudge as he bustled about yelling out orders to his kitchen staff. He tasted from a large pan filled with hot steamy soup with a wooden ladle and shouted, "More dash of nutmeg. Take the turkey out of the oven. Its ready for braising. And Letty! Get off youre fat lazy bum! The glaze is ready! Take it out of the cooler!"

The lazy Took, Letty, yelled out, "Yah Chief!"

Trudge liked being called chief. Among his clan, it was the title of a leader. Trudge was a leader among his kitchen staff and with pride he showed it. Stumbling around in his stubby legs, the fat Took rushed the orders making sure they were ready and washed a few dishes. A human opened the door and called out, "Trudge!"

"Yah?" Trudge yelled out focusing his energetic energy toward the young human, "What is it now?"

He responded pointing to his wrist, "Time?"

Trudge bellowed with all his might as she shouted across the kitchen, "An hour, now git out of there and tell Lord Shiren to be patient!"

There was a deaden silence in the kitchen as all activities ceased. All eyes were upon their chief and Trudge's fear returned as he gulped stuttered a bit, "Um, uhh I mean, ask the Lord Shieren if he, erm, wants snacks to be served? First I mean!"

The human nodded as he responded, "Right…"

He left as the chatter continued with the kitchen staff back to their duties. Trudge stood there fearfully as he gulped a lump in his throat. He let out a sigh and a slight whimper sweating a little. His counterpart joined his side as he tapped his shoulder getting his attention, "Trudge, me mate, don't worry yer head."

Trudge looked at him and gulped as he wringed his hands a bit responding, "Worry? Moi? Pfft, what are you talking about? Its my first time taking the lead in the kitchens. Why should I worry?"

His friend pointed his finger toward him and smiled as he gave him a hearty clap on his back responding cheerfully, "Exactly mate! You have nutting to worry about. Keep up tha good work!"

Trudge gave him a weak smile and sighed still worried. Then he shook his head and shouted again as his brave, stout heart returned him to the state he needed to be, "Well then, get tha snacks ready! What are yore waiting for? Tha bell? Go on. Shoo!"

He motioned with his hand toward the three kitchen staff pushing a tray of snacks out of the kitchen and ran them out of the kitchen. Taking a cloth, he dabbed a sweat off his brow as he continued around the kitchens monitoring the food to make they were ready for supper.

Meanwhile, across the land from the castle and the keeps of Iserhaus, several towns were set around the land. Some were near the marshes, some were next to the Isenhiss river that lead toward the Strait of Freyr, and some were near the forests surrounding the Kingdom of Iserhaus. In one of the villages lived a Drehul named Tis'La God'ert. He was a two feet tall and a very strong farmer. Like his family, the Drehuls were the tall and strong race of people who only cared for their fields and provided food for their human counterparts and their friends. However, not only were they farmers but they were also fighters, warriors who tended to their crops and defended their family with fierceness. They were loyal to their lords who provided shelter for them.

Tis'La pulled with his strong, muscled back pulling at the hoe he held in his hand tiling the crops. They have no need for horse drawn tillers because they could pull their own weight. It was their way of getting stronger and more endurance. A way to keep them alive against whatever comes their way. Tis'La looked up with grunt as he heard the light, swift tapping of a Jumbilaya messenger. Their talons dug into the ground as it gave them a swift run across the path toward the farmer's house.

Putting the hoe on his side, Tis'La waved at the messenger as he came to a complete stop before the gate. He shouted out recognizing him, "Dro'dge! What brings you here, my friend?"

The strong legged Hypsilophodon like Jumbilaya responded never faltering from breath, "A message from the lord."

Dro'dge looked at him with his beady eyes, tilting his head sideways and lapped its tongue out. His claws rested on the wood post barring the gate. Tis'La approached him and offered him a flask, "Water?" The creature waved his claw turning down the water. The Drehul shrugged and took a gulp from his flask before continuing, "What's the news, my friend?"

The Jumbilaya messenger responded moving closer to his face, "My lord requests your presence at dinner tonight. He has a special invitation for you to join him."

Placing his flask down, Tis'La asked, "What for? This invitation don't come nearly often, but of course I am honored to attend."

The expressionless Dro'dge responded flashing his serrated teeth, "I don't know. You will see once you come. It's not for another hour or so."

Tis'la let out a sigh and responded nodding, "Thank you friend. Please tell our lord that I will be along shortly. Fair winds and steady speed, Dro'dge."

Dro'dge nodded responding, "Thank you, Tis'La. And tell your family hello from me."

He nodded watching his friend speed away back toward the castle. Opening the gate, he proceeded to put away his farm equipment and headed toward his house. It was going to be a long day at least for him.

Drew approached the doorway into the throne room. Before the seventeen year old stood two guards standing there side by side. One of them stood at his path. He was taller than Drew and stronger with heavy armor. He drew his sword halfway as he spoke in a gruff voice, "Who seeks the audience of Lord James Shiren?"

Drew scowled at the man and spat in a retort, "You know who you speak. It is I!"

The guard stood his ground as he spoke back with his hand still on the handle of his weapon, "I do not know I! Begone, knave and don't come round here again!"

The impatient young lord to be let out a snarl as he pounded his feet, "Get off it, Justin and come at me! I have no time for this! I just finished my training ages ago!"

The guard changed his tone as he slid his sword back down and bowed offering his hand, "Drew Shiren! It is you! I thought you were someone else!"

Drew growled as he retorted, "There is no one else but me! Now move aside at once!"

Justin nodded as he stepped aside and opened the door for him, "Sire, come then. With me. Your father summoned us both. It is an honor."

Drew rolled his eyes and responded as he shrugged past him, "Indeed, Justin. What are you waiting for then?"

Justin grinned at the other guard and nodded as he changed his expression turning serious, closed the door and hurried along toward the chair in the middle of the throne room. They walked along toward him. Brother for life and rivals till the end. They were good friends. Justin was only ten when he lost his family to a Hulks raid. Lord James adopted the boy and thrust the young two year old Drew onto his hands to guard and care for. To train as they grew up together in Lord James household while Tringo, their family friend and servant, watched after them. They became fast friends and rivals, always sparring against one another. Teasing each other but loyal till the end. Drew and Justin meant well.

They both stopped before the small steps and knelt down on one knee before their seated lord. Lord James, swaddled in gown and his uniform tunic, rose from his chair and approached his son and guard. He spoke, "Rise, my son. Rise Justin Tieron. I do not have much time, so I must be quick. I need your help."

Drew's eyes went wide when his father directly asked him this. He responded, "With what, father? Please tell me!"

James shook his head and responded, "Do not be hasty in your response, Drew. You are ready to leave the castle just like I was when I was your age. It is time for you to experience the lands beyond the castle. Because you are only seventeen, I put Justin in your care."

Drew scowled at his father as he responded while dismissing his adopted brother, "But father, I can handle myself. I don't need him."

James responded, "Do not be so quick to dismiss help. You still have much to learn, my son. Justin will aid you in your travels."

Drew let another low growl escape his throat but covered it quickly with clearing his throat as he nodded faithfully, "Yes father. What would you have me do? How can I lend aid?"

Justin watched them as he continued to listen. James continued, "There is a growing threat from the west. Something from the Darklands come seeking death. A town near the Crimson Ranges are constantly being under attack. The Drehuls live in this town called Rankes. They are holding themselves well, but its at some point where they will falter. They ask for our help and we must offer assistance. You must also reveal this dark threat because it does not have a name yet. Discover this for me, but you will not be alone."

Drew spoke up again, "Yes father, Justin and I will do this together."

James shook his head responding, "Not on your own. You need friends. People who can help. Tis'La, Trudge, Dro'dge and Janick will aid you. You are going to a Drehul village and you need a way through the dark forest. Tis'la can help you with this. Trudge knows whats out there and whats good to eat. He will provide you provisions during your journey. And you never leave home without speedy Jumbilayas. Who knows, you might need a messenger."

Drew spat back as he replied, "But they would slow us down. We need to find this threat and resolve this soon. We don't need…"

James looked back at him with a sad face as he responded tiredly, "Son, listen to me. Not everything is about you. This is your chance to lead. To explore whats out there and lead your friends to safety. They will rely on you for leadership. Offer it to them. Make sure they are safe and make sure you get to the village quickly."

Drew let out a sigh giving in as he responded, "Yes father."

Both Drew and Justin bowed before Lord James giving their respects. James responded, "Good. Now come to the dining table. Dinner is almost served and you will meet your companions there who will go with you on this trip."

Meanwhile far away from the castle and near the region of the Darkforests, there was a caravan trudging along the path. They were headed toward the castle. The caravan was filled with Trodon like Troods. Two were pulling a carriage filled with foodstuffs and other supplies. They were guarded by three more Troods. They were bigger and lightly armored to the teeth, literally as their teeth were sharper. They were the carnivorous of the Hypsilophodon relatives of the Jumbilayas. Two different clans. Not enemies, but just a general dislike of each other. The Troods weren't the messengers, but they were warriors. Better fighters than Jumbilayas were as well as a bit stronger in muscles.

In the center of the large wagon were two small Troods of three years. They were young but strong and kept close to their family. They were called Thodore and Jess, twin children and innocent. They continued playing as the Troods caravan continued along the road. It was getting darker and darker as the lamps were lit to show their way.

From within the darkness laid evil. Something was moving along the bushes, hiding as they did best. They were waiting, biding their time to strike. They continued to watch the unwary caravan with an evil glint on their dark eyes. Then all of a sudden the leader rose his hand and roar out a warcry. It startled the Trood caravan as they took positions to guard their wagon. The kids on the wagon stuffed themselves into a small compartment in the wagon to hide from the monsters of the night.

The nighttime monsters were unseen and the Troods never saw them coming as they roar with pain when they struck in the dark. One of the lamps fell loose from a notched arrow and onto the wagon as it set them ablaze. The little Troods were safe inside their compartments as the wagon came away with flame eating away the wood. The dark warriors fought fiercly against the Troods. The Troods fought bravely but in the end they were too much as they fell quickly.

The war band, the corpse makers, continued with their warcry rushing down the path as the sun set behind the mountains plunging the land into darkness. They left behind destruction as the flames continued to burn away the wood. One of the Troods moved. He inched his way painfully toward the secret compartment where his children was located. Grunting with pain as he was slowly dying from a festering wound left behind the corpse makers, he opened the compartment and let them out.

They were crying in fear and terror. The dying elder spoke calming them a bit, "Thodore, Jess. I'm sorry. You will have to survive on your own. You can take care of yourselves. Find the nearest camp and they will care for you. You must go."

Jess continued to cry as Thodore responded chitterling, "No, don't leave us, father. Don't die. Please! Don't go!"

Their father responded as he was on his last dying gasp, "Take care of your sister. Take care of yourselves. Don't forget your training."

The last guard of the caravan let out a final dying gasp and went limp. Jess continued to cry as Thodore hugged his sister close in the darkness. Watching the flames die down to its final gasp before leaving behind the burnt wood. The full moon was out and from a distance Thodore heard a loud crack in the air followed by an explosion. The war band had reached their first town. He squeezed his twin sister tight keeping her safe.