Ch 28


I remember feeling scared that day I arrived. The giant oak doors were something I've only dreamt in dreams.

I was led by a man, a wizened fellow with markings that glowed bright blue on the skin of his face. He didn't smile, only sniffed in distaste, as if following some kind of order to bring me to this place, what did he call it? Oh yeah, the Guild of Heroes…

It was a warm summer's day with a crowd outside the path from new Bowerstone. I should have known something was wrong. I was receiving too much attention as it was, but now, with all these people, rumors would spread and my name would grow after this day.

Outside the gates to New Bowerstone, the guard posts were empty. Both the guardsmen left their post to stand to the sides with the crowd as I faced the path towards a dark forest leading up a hill.

"Well," the impatient voice of Thunder erupted behind me as I briefly glanced back at them.

Bill was still quiet while he stood next to Briar Rose. She was giving me a smirk which was akin to gloating before I spotted Lady Grey who was staring at me with interest. I think the big man Thunder noticed too as he narrowed his eyes at me and barked out, "get on with it!"

I shrugged and took my time by stretching my fingers…it infuriated him but brought a smile to my face.

"Alright then," I clapped my hands together and whispered ancient words that weren't spoken in thousands of years. Through my studies, I had found something beautiful with the ancient language. The words themselves are an art, probably a song of some sort that no one can really translate it to the language we speak today. The words actually vibrated in your mouth, it gave your tongue a buzzing sensation that would leave you wanting to say more because of the beauty you can actually feel. Yes, you can feel beautiful, but beside the point, it was just as addicting as the will in which we use.

The crowd gasped at the sight. Blue will energy glowed around the area and I had to concentrate on my will powers to make sure I don't summon a small army…maybe just one or two will do.

You see, minions, they are summoned through the will user's power. If they used dark magic, minions would turn out a different variation, reflecting the will energy of the user who summoned them.

My minions, three regular summoned ones, appeared wearing bright blue armor, one had a sword and shield in hand and another had a staff, and to my liking, one had a big bow who aimed it at the thunder giant.

'He is annoying but he is not an enemy.'

I sent the mental information to them as me and the crowd watched them slack for a moment before standing straight and waiting for my directions.

I turned to the others and did a small bow as they seemed too shocked for words.

'What is thy desire?'

I heard the voice that spoke to me and I stared back at my summons. It was hard stifling a laugh because to me, they appeared like lost puppies, just standing around, their solid stony, bird faces appeared to be confused. Smiling, I already knew what I wanted them to do.

The command was sent as all three of them briefly stared at me, and I wondered if they were capable of individual thought, maybe they thought I was joking. Never-the-less, they each moved out to the forest up ahead in the pathway and before long, they disappeared in the scenery, off to fulfill the task I have set out for them.

The crowd wondered what was going on, and I had a feeling they were starting to get uncomfortable.

"So Rune Master," it was the silky voice of, surprisingly, Lady Grey who was now standing behind me.

Her posture was slacked but I saw the twinkle in her eyes, the way her purple painted lips quirked up in interest. I backed away.

"What have you?"

Billy moved up, along with Briar Rose who was similarly curious along with the others. I just shrugged and stared into the forest up in the hills again.

"How long do we have to wait, little David," there was a mocking tone in his voice when he spoke my name. Thunder seemed un-impressed but I could sense he was equally curious.

I smiled before turning my backs to them, and I didn't disappoint.

My minions came back, each of them holding an item in their hands before approaching me. I nodded to them which signaled them to approach the other.

The first minion, the one that was equipped with a long staff that was usually wielded by typical will users, went up to Briar Rose. Its clawed blue gauntlet hands were held together, hiding something as it lifted it up to her. She briefly glanced at me, a look so curious on her face that I had to smile as she watched the hands open up…it revealed a shiny stone, something that seemed to have amused her.

She raised a brow, picked it up from the gauntlet hand. My minion retracted before heading towards me.

She stared at me again, wondering what it was but, I just shrugged and turned to Lady Grey.

Her eyes were surprised, really surprised as the Minion I made, equipped with a bow, gave her the darkest color rose. It even surprised me since I told it to give her a red one, but she seemed to love it.

She stared at me, her eyes staring intently as I felt myself become nervous once more.

"Why you little!"

We all turned back to the little display with Thunder.

My minion already had its giant sword out along with thunder as they both seemed to be ready for battle. In the floor, next to them, there was a pine cone and when I glanced onto Thunder's head, I could spot the smallest of bumps…I smiled before snapping my fingers.

The minions disappeared as Thunder twitched before glaring at me; he sheathed his sword but looked un- too pleased.

"So, have I passed this test?" I asked as I soon spotted the big man about to speak.

"Yes," it was Lady Grey who spoke before him as we all turned to face her.

She calmly headed towards my direction, there was a look in her eye, something I have seen before but can't seem to remember. Her hand was still holding onto that dark rose before she stopped in front of me.

"I, Lady Grey, Mayor of Bowerstone, do declare you re-known enough to pass through these gates," she turned to face the crowd, "let it be anyone who questions this, face me and its consequences," she calmly faced me once more, this time, there was a sort of devious smile on her face. She leaned in; her hands brushed my shoulders as I knew she was tiptoeing to reach my left ear.

"My Manor welcomes you Hero, come visit me anytime."

She moved back before winking at me, I turned away, my face already masked as I already started on the path ahead.

I glanced back once again to spot the hate filled eyes of Thunder, whether he heard or not, he certainly didn't like the contact.

"So David," I felt a light elbow to my sides as I spotted Bill.

He seemed to be grinning, "Quite an offer, isn't it."

My steps faltered as I stared at him in disbelief, "you heard that?"

His feral grin was no mistaking it, he had heard before pointing at his ears, oh right, Balverine boy has good hearing.

"What offer?" it was Briar Rose who spoke next as I waved it off.

"Nothing, can we just head over to the graveyard already," I pleaded as they seemed to smile. We waved back at the dispersing crowd and Lady Grey who was still standing there with that look on her face. Thunder didn't seem so happy, but I still waved.

"So Dave," Rose nudged my shoulder, "you gonna ex'plain what this stone is?"

"As I remembered, I promised I would give you some of my findings," I pointed at the shiny stone that glowed with different colors. Right now, it released a reddish blue glow when she held it, "and that, is a minion stone…"