the Chosen One
Part 1 The Tower of lynx
By will cooper
Chapter 1 The sword of Histll
chapter 2 Tisst Chapter 3 the getaway chapter 4 The rouge dragonfly chapter 5 the knighting ceremony chapter 6 The riders chapter 7 the good and the bad
Chapter 1 The sword of histll
Lester was a farmer ant. His life was an uneventful one even though he was a bug. He had always longed for adventure but for a farmer ant there was none. So he tended gathering the seeds and doing rounds still longing. He had a master named Histll. Histll had fought in the Great War against the Royal House of Termist (termites) years ago and suffered a blow the his leg that could not be healed. So he watched over Lester and the other farmers so not to rot away. "Lester there is a seed in that blade there." Said Histll to Lester. "Thanks!" Called Lester. Lester ran over to the blade of grass and began to climb it with ease. When he reached the top he began taking the seeds down. Each felt heavier than the last. Once he finished gathering the seeds for the day he hurried to his hut. Lester fell down in the chair his muscles relaxing. It was getting late when Lester heard a sound coming from Histll's hut. Lester jumped up, ran out the door and soon stood in front of the door of Histll's hut. He slowly pushed back the door and went inside. Histll's hut was full of books and nothing else. A large bed laid against the wall and a chest a drawers stood to Lester's left. As soon as Lester walked in he saw what had made the sound. A sword lay on the floor brightly lit with green light and buzzing hysterically. Lester stood there stupefied when the door burst open and in the doorway stood a figure. It was Histll. "Oh no." He said walking across the hut to the sword. Now one thing you must know is that swords in the ant world were made of thorns. A stem was cut and attached to a sharp thorn. This sword was a finely made one with an enchantment upon it. "Lynx, oh no Lynx." Histll murmured. "Who is Lynx." Asked Lester politely to Histll. "Oh Lynx, he is a dreaded creature who I though I slew, but apparently I have not." Lester stood their puzzled not knowing what to think. "You see my boy in the war Lynx had been attacking ant warriors that strode to far from a battalion." "So the General sent me and an ant enchanter to slay the beast. So we moved quietly threw the forest until we reached a tower. We did not know where the beast was so the enchanter put an enchantment on my sword, so when Lynx was near we would know. But unfortunately the beast attacked right after he put the enchantment on and killed the enchanter. But I stayed and fought him, until in the end I slashed him in the stinger. Lynx I thought ran away and died." "But now I fear he has come back for revenge." Finished Histll. "Lynx is near the farm, I must warn- but he was cut off by a scream outside. Histll and Lester ran outside. A huge green spider stood holding an ant in its mouth. The ant was Lester's best friend Gilwny who was a small ant who gathered water. "Help me!" Screamed Gilwny. "Ha!" Roared Lynx. "If you ever want to see this ant alive again come to my tower!" And with that he strode off quickly. Lester stood there not knowing what to do. A minute later Histll put his hand on Lester's shoulder and said, "We have work to do."
chapter 2 tisst
"Now the tower is here." Histll said as he pointed at a rectangle on the map.
"It will take up about two weeks to get their." Said Histll gloomily. "I hoped I would not have to deal with Lynx again but it looks like I will have to." Said Histll looking at Lester with heavy eyes.
The next morning they packed their things, food and sattled up the beetles.
"Lester." Said Histll motioning for Lester to come in the hut. As they walked inside Histll took out a key and opened up a secret closet. He unlocked the closet and they strode inside. It was full of swords and food.
"Histll what is this?" Asked Lester staring and one sword with great liking.
"This is my storeroom." Said Histll picking up the sword Lester was staring at. "This will be yours."
An hour later they were mounted on their beetles and ready to depart.
"Ready?" Asked Histll.
"Yes, I certainly am.." Said Lester getting comfortable on the beetle. That day they rode down the hill in which the farm was mounted on, already feeling homesick. When Lester had thought of having an adventure he never thought he would be homesick.
"Look ahead, we are coming to the Plains of Darathor." Said Histll.
"This is the land of the grasshopper, they are a friendly people so don't be scared.
They road for another hour and it began to grow dark. The plains were flat and not that exiting.
Lester had laid down to rest after tying up the beetles. Lester sprang up after hearing a rustle from behind, only to find Histll rolling over. Lester lay back down and fell asleep.
Lester woke early in the morning when the sun had just come up.
"Excuse me ant." Said a voice from behind. Lester spun around. A towering figure stood in front of Lester.
"Who are you?" Asked Lester hands on his sword.
"My name is Tisst." "I am going to take you to the mound, don't despair we are friendly." Lester eyed him suspiciously.
"May I wake my friend?" Asked Lester."
"Go ahead."
Lester turned around and roused Histll.
"Histll." "Wake up, someone is here." Said Lester nudging Histll. Histll got up and started talking to Tisst.
"Its ok Lester lets go." Said Histll. So with that they mounted their beetles and rode off.
It was near noon and they were approaching the great mound of Grassopia. When they reached the gate Lester looked staring at its greatness. It was a dark green color, Lester realized that it was just a very big blade of grass put into the ground.
"Open the gate!" Yelled Tisst.
The middle of the gate swung open and they strode in.
chapter 3
the Getaway
The inside was amazing. The mound was one huge room with a staircase that spiraled around to the top of the mound that was unusually the dungeon.
The beetles were drawn to the stables, while the ants were drawn to King Grasloc and Queen Giss. They bowed at the royal grasshoppers. King Grasloc was a plump very dark green grasshopper, while the Queen Ciss was a bright green skinny grasshopper.
"Rise rise." Said the booming voice of King Grasloc.
"My lord we are passing threw and ask just to stay here a night." Said Histll.
"Why only a day why don't you stay for a time longer." Boomed Grasloc.
"Well our task is urgent and-
"No you will stay here, I can't have you wandering aimlessly among my kingdom." Ordered Grasloc.
"You do not understand-
"You will not question my authority!" Yelled Grasloc. "Take them to the dungeon."
"No, don't do this I beg you." Pleaded Histll.
Three guards seized Histll and Lester.
"You will not take them Grasloc." Said Tisst. Tissit drew his sword. His sword was of an ordinary making. The guards let go of Histll and Lester and drew their swords. Lester drew his sword and so did Histll. One guard fought with Tisst, while the other two fought with Histll and Lester. One sword scraped Lester on the arm, while Tisst thrust his sword into a guard. Histll also killed his guard and they helped Lester with his. All of the sudden three more guards came up to them. They looked at each other and began to run up the stairs. It took about ten minutes to get to the top and climb to the roof. Once they all reached the roof they realized there was no way down. At that moment the grasshopper guards got to the roof. Lester looked over the side. There was a river at the bottom.
"Histll, Tisst jump!" Yelled Lester. Lester threw himself over the side into the water. Histll and Tisst followed suit. The water was iced over and when they fell in they broke holes in the ice. Lester tried to come up to the surface but to no avail. The ice blocked his way out. He thrust his sword up and broke the ice. He climbed out onto the land. It was nighttime and cold. Lester noticed Tisst laying on the shore shaking. He rushed over to him.
"Are you ok?" Asked Lester.
"I think so, but I'm just soaked." Tisst replied teeth chattering. Lester heard shouts. That meant the guards saw them and would be coming.
"Come on we have to get moving." Said Lester. It was just then that Lester realized that Histll was not among them.
chapter 4 The Rogue Dragonfly
They wandered aimlessly all night and finally rested near a forest edge. Lester had looked out over the horizon looking for Histll. He feared he had drowned, but did not lose hope before falling into a deep slumber. They woke in the early morning, to the sound of the forest. Lester ventured father into the forest looking for food. After wandering for quite a while he found a seed lying on the ground. As he dragged it back to Tisst he heard a buzzing overhead, but when he looked up nothing was there. Bewildered he wandered back to the camp. Tisst was sitting on a twig humming a song. "Oh hello did you find food?" "Yeah I sure did." They ate half of the seed and packed the other half. Buzz. There it was again where was is coming from? "Help me!" Screamed a voice overhead. Lester looked up. A huge purple dragonfly was circling overhead with a termite in its feet. "Help me!" Yelled the girl termite. Lester and Tisst drew their swords and got ready to fight. The dragonfly seeing this dropped the girl and swooped down. Tisst was knocked off his feet, but Lester slashed at the dragonfly's stomach making a slight cut. This angered the dragonfly so it landed and started toward him hissing. With one swoop he knocked Lester's sword out of his hand and knocked Lester down. All of the sudden a sword slashed at the dragonfly's face and pierced its eyes. Hurt the dragonfly flew off. Lester slowly got up to find an ant standing next to him. Histll stood sword in hand staring at Lester. "Jump indeed." Said Histll looking at Lester laughing. A figure moved in the distance. "Halt!" Yelled Lester. The figure halted and Lester realized it was the termite. She strode over to him bowed and said, "I am grateful to you, what are your names?" "I'm Lester, this is Histll, and that is Tisst." Said Lester. "What is your name?" Asked Lester. "My name is Tess." Said the girl. "We are on an important quest and if you would like to come you may." Said Lester. The termite glanced at him and quickly said, "Certainly!" As Tisst got up and strode over to them Lester and Histll made plans. "Ok this forest is the Forest of Antion, our real country." Said Histll. "The Royal Mound of Ants lies inside the forest, we will stay there tomorrow." "After that is the treacherous realm of The Evil Gustov, he is a mighty war lord with many termites on beetleback." "Then the tower of Lynx." Finished Histll. "Whats a Lynx?" Asked Tess and Tisst. Histll and Lester looked at each other and explained.
chapter 5 The knighting ceremony
The day after they made their plans they departed toward the mound of ants. Knowing the ants would welcome their kinsmen was an encouraging thought. As they walked through the woods little noises like twigs breaking and leaves rustling seemed new to Lester since he was raised on the farm. He was having the most fun he had ever had in his life. At noon they stopped to eat the other half of the seed. The stopped in an open area of the wood where the trees loomed overhead shading them from the sun. They moved out a little bit after. Histll lead the way then went Tess then Lester and finally Tisst. Finally after hours of walking the castle stood on the horizon. The sun was going down limiting their light so hurriedly they sped on toward the castle. When they arrived at the gate the sun had completely gone down. The gate was a giant stick the had been shaped and cut to make a gate. "Who goes there?!" Yelled the gatekeeper. "We are just passing through and would like entrance to your castle!" Lester yelled back. The gatekeeper muttered something to himself and opened the gate. Unlike the mound they had once been in they walked into a lobby. The floor and walls were made of padded dirt. An ant sat at a desk fumbling threw papers and suddenly looked up at them. "Do you wish to sleep here?" Asked the ant. "Yes we do." Said Tess. The ant gasped and yelled, "TERMITE!" Suddenly guards ran up, swords drawn.
"She is only a girl, she means you no harm." Said Histll. The guards looked at each other and put down their swords and dispersed. Suddenly a huge ant in a robe ran up to the ant at the desk. "Where is the termite?" He asked. The ant at the desk pointed at Tess. "It is just a girl." The man chuckled and motioned for them to follow him. They all followed him to the next room. "My name is King Antic." "What are your names?" he asked them. They told him their names and he stared at Lester. "Have you been knighted?" Asked Antic.. "No I have not but- "We must waste no time, come with me." Said Antic. He strode across the chamber into another one. The new chamber was made of cloth and a throne lay in the north part. King Antic picked up a sword and motioned to Lester. Lester kneeled down and listened. "Will you Lester serve the Royal House of Antion after your task is done?"
"Yes I will." "Will you never betray this Royal House?" "No I will not." He padded Lester on both shoulders and said, "I name you Lord Lester of Antion." And with that Lester stood up bowed and left the chamber.
chapter 6 The riders
After they slept the night at the mound they left for the land of the warlord. The journey through the rest of the forest was uneventful. When they finally reached the border Histll said, "This is a dangerous land, be keen and watchful." With that they began to wonder through the wilder land. The land was full of holes and marshes, which seemed to talk to each other. Thud. A tree near them fell and five figures stood behind them circling. "You are trespassing on the King Gustov's realm. These figures were all riding and dragonflies, their riders where termites. "We mean nothing by it." Said Histll staring at the lead rider. "The penalty for passing on our land is death." Said the lead rider drawing his sword. Lester and Tisst drew their swords but Histll did not draw his. A sound grew from behind them. Beetles galloped toward them, King Antic in the lead. "To war!" Yelled King Antic. The beetles flew up and fought the dragonflies. Thorn clanged on thorn, Histll ran toward the fray and said, "Lester, Tisst, Tess get out of here." And with that he killed a dragonfly. Reinforcements on both sides arrived and joined in the fight. The other party moved away from the fray further into the realm of Gustov. They moved silently through the realm knowing that their friend might be dead. They entered a red marsh (they did not want to know why it was red). "What's that noise?" Asked Tess looking around. Two dragonflies without riders flew down and attacked them. Lester drew his sword. Tisst tried to draw his sword but to no avail. The dragonflies attacked Tisst tearing at his limbs. Lester motioned for Tess to get down while he helped Tisst. Lester slashed one dragonfly in half. Surprised he went for another. Too and fro they fought. Lester thought he was winning until he was tossed backwards no sword in his hand. In pain he lay there helpless. The dragonfly crept over him and was about to slay Lester when a thorn went threw one of the dragonfly's eyes. The dragonfly fell with a thud whilst Lester stood up. Tisst stood over the dragonfly panting. "Nobody messes with a grasshopper."
chapter 7 The good and the bad Snores echoed on the border of the dark realm. Lester was roused by Tisst.
"Lester." Said Tisst rousing Lester. "What, what Tisst." "I have just been scouting ahead and I found that the tower is about seven human steps away." Said Tisst looking at Lester as though waiting for thanks. "Good, rouse Tess we make for it now." They wandered through the realm of Lynx not knowing what they would find. Tisst was as true as his word. The tower loomed in the distance. It was the blackest and tallest tower Lester had ever seen. So they made haste towards it. When they were upon its doorstep Lester spoke, "You two stay down here." "This is my battle." Lester looked at his friends and strode inside. It was made of a dark marble type substance. He also realized that webs loomed overhead, bees rapped in them. "Help!" Echoed a voice at the top of the tower. Lester, his hand on his sword hilt knew the voice was his friend Gilwny. Lester strode up the stairs as fast as he could wanting so much to slay Lynx. When he reached the top chamber, he though scared strode in. The room was a pale white made up of webs. Gilwny was in the middle of all the webs. "Lester how did you find me?" Asked Gilwny. "No time for4 that we must hurry." Behind Lester unknown Lynx hovered. "Lester look out!" Lester drew his sword, just as Lynx jumped upon him. His bright green stinger stabbed at him and his fangs bit at him over and over. Lester swung his sword aimlessly. He hit one of the legs of Lynx and dove under him and jabbed at his stinger. Lynx picked up Lester and hit him against the wall. Lester was stuck. Struggling Lester screamed. "No one here to help you this time you scrawny little ant- Uhgg." Lynx stumbled and fell beneath Lester. A figure stood in front of Lester. Histll was still clutching his sword when he ran over to Lester getting him off the wall. "Are you ok my boy?" "Well I think – Histll look out!" Lynx loomed over Histll. Time stood still as Lynx stabbed his stinger into Histll's gut. Histll, clutching his wound staggered and fell. "No!" Yelled Lester clutching his sword. And with one movement thrust his sword into Lynx's head. Lynx was slain, and that was that his task was done but at a terrible price. "Histll don't be slain." "My boy you have done well." Said Histll coughing up blood. "This a fatal wound, poison is now flowing threw my body." "Please Lester take my sword." Said Histll hand his sword to Lester who grasped it with all his strength. "Its name is Fandll." And with that Histll the warrior died. It was a while before Lester could get up. After unhooking Gilwny from the wall, he picked up Histll and started down the stairs. It was thus that Histll past from this earth. For all of them wept, but tears do not help heal wounds. So with heavy hearts they made back to the great mound of the ants.
the end of part 1
Part 1 The Tower of lynx
By will cooper
Chapter 1 The sword of Histll
chapter 2 Tisst Chapter 3 the getaway chapter 4 The rouge dragonfly chapter 5 the knighting ceremony chapter 6 The riders chapter 7 the good and the bad
Chapter 1 The sword of histll
Lester was a farmer ant. His life was an uneventful one even though he was a bug. He had always longed for adventure but for a farmer ant there was none. So he tended gathering the seeds and doing rounds still longing. He had a master named Histll. Histll had fought in the Great War against the Royal House of Termist (termites) years ago and suffered a blow the his leg that could not be healed. So he watched over Lester and the other farmers so not to rot away. "Lester there is a seed in that blade there." Said Histll to Lester. "Thanks!" Called Lester. Lester ran over to the blade of grass and began to climb it with ease. When he reached the top he began taking the seeds down. Each felt heavier than the last. Once he finished gathering the seeds for the day he hurried to his hut. Lester fell down in the chair his muscles relaxing. It was getting late when Lester heard a sound coming from Histll's hut. Lester jumped up, ran out the door and soon stood in front of the door of Histll's hut. He slowly pushed back the door and went inside. Histll's hut was full of books and nothing else. A large bed laid against the wall and a chest a drawers stood to Lester's left. As soon as Lester walked in he saw what had made the sound. A sword lay on the floor brightly lit with green light and buzzing hysterically. Lester stood there stupefied when the door burst open and in the doorway stood a figure. It was Histll. "Oh no." He said walking across the hut to the sword. Now one thing you must know is that swords in the ant world were made of thorns. A stem was cut and attached to a sharp thorn. This sword was a finely made one with an enchantment upon it. "Lynx, oh no Lynx." Histll murmured. "Who is Lynx." Asked Lester politely to Histll. "Oh Lynx, he is a dreaded creature who I though I slew, but apparently I have not." Lester stood their puzzled not knowing what to think. "You see my boy in the war Lynx had been attacking ant warriors that strode to far from a battalion." "So the General sent me and an ant enchanter to slay the beast. So we moved quietly threw the forest until we reached a tower. We did not know where the beast was so the enchanter put an enchantment on my sword, so when Lynx was near we would know. But unfortunately the beast attacked right after he put the enchantment on and killed the enchanter. But I stayed and fought him, until in the end I slashed him in the stinger. Lynx I thought ran away and died." "But now I fear he has come back for revenge." Finished Histll. "Lynx is near the farm, I must warn- but he was cut off by a scream outside. Histll and Lester ran outside. A huge green spider stood holding an ant in its mouth. The ant was Lester's best friend Gilwny who was a small ant who gathered water. "Help me!" Screamed Gilwny. "Ha!" Roared Lynx. "If you ever want to see this ant alive again come to my tower!" And with that he strode off quickly. Lester stood there not knowing what to do. A minute later Histll put his hand on Lester's shoulder and said, "We have work to do."
chapter 2 tisst
"Now the tower is here." Histll said as he pointed at a rectangle on the map.
"It will take up about two weeks to get their." Said Histll gloomily. "I hoped I would not have to deal with Lynx again but it looks like I will have to." Said Histll looking at Lester with heavy eyes.
The next morning they packed their things, food and sattled up the beetles.
"Lester." Said Histll motioning for Lester to come in the hut. As they walked inside Histll took out a key and opened up a secret closet. He unlocked the closet and they strode inside. It was full of swords and food.
"Histll what is this?" Asked Lester staring and one sword with great liking.
"This is my storeroom." Said Histll picking up the sword Lester was staring at. "This will be yours."
An hour later they were mounted on their beetles and ready to depart.
"Ready?" Asked Histll.
"Yes, I certainly am.." Said Lester getting comfortable on the beetle. That day they rode down the hill in which the farm was mounted on, already feeling homesick. When Lester had thought of having an adventure he never thought he would be homesick.
"Look ahead, we are coming to the Plains of Darathor." Said Histll.
"This is the land of the grasshopper, they are a friendly people so don't be scared.
They road for another hour and it began to grow dark. The plains were flat and not that exiting.
Lester had laid down to rest after tying up the beetles. Lester sprang up after hearing a rustle from behind, only to find Histll rolling over. Lester lay back down and fell asleep.
Lester woke early in the morning when the sun had just come up.
"Excuse me ant." Said a voice from behind. Lester spun around. A towering figure stood in front of Lester.
"Who are you?" Asked Lester hands on his sword.
"My name is Tisst." "I am going to take you to the mound, don't despair we are friendly." Lester eyed him suspiciously.
"May I wake my friend?" Asked Lester."
"Go ahead."
Lester turned around and roused Histll.
"Histll." "Wake up, someone is here." Said Lester nudging Histll. Histll got up and started talking to Tisst.
"Its ok Lester lets go." Said Histll. So with that they mounted their beetles and rode off.
It was near noon and they were approaching the great mound of Grassopia. When they reached the gate Lester looked staring at its greatness. It was a dark green color, Lester realized that it was just a very big blade of grass put into the ground.
"Open the gate!" Yelled Tisst.
The middle of the gate swung open and they strode in.
chapter 3
the Getaway
The inside was amazing. The mound was one huge room with a staircase that spiraled around to the top of the mound that was unusually the dungeon.
The beetles were drawn to the stables, while the ants were drawn to King Grasloc and Queen Giss. They bowed at the royal grasshoppers. King Grasloc was a plump very dark green grasshopper, while the Queen Ciss was a bright green skinny grasshopper.
"Rise rise." Said the booming voice of King Grasloc.
"My lord we are passing threw and ask just to stay here a night." Said Histll.
"Why only a day why don't you stay for a time longer." Boomed Grasloc.
"Well our task is urgent and-
"No you will stay here, I can't have you wandering aimlessly among my kingdom." Ordered Grasloc.
"You do not understand-
"You will not question my authority!" Yelled Grasloc. "Take them to the dungeon."
"No, don't do this I beg you." Pleaded Histll.
Three guards seized Histll and Lester.
"You will not take them Grasloc." Said Tisst. Tissit drew his sword. His sword was of an ordinary making. The guards let go of Histll and Lester and drew their swords. Lester drew his sword and so did Histll. One guard fought with Tisst, while the other two fought with Histll and Lester. One sword scraped Lester on the arm, while Tisst thrust his sword into a guard. Histll also killed his guard and they helped Lester with his. All of the sudden three more guards came up to them. They looked at each other and began to run up the stairs. It took about ten minutes to get to the top and climb to the roof. Once they all reached the roof they realized there was no way down. At that moment the grasshopper guards got to the roof. Lester looked over the side. There was a river at the bottom.
"Histll, Tisst jump!" Yelled Lester. Lester threw himself over the side into the water. Histll and Tisst followed suit. The water was iced over and when they fell in they broke holes in the ice. Lester tried to come up to the surface but to no avail. The ice blocked his way out. He thrust his sword up and broke the ice. He climbed out onto the land. It was nighttime and cold. Lester noticed Tisst laying on the shore shaking. He rushed over to him.
"Are you ok?" Asked Lester.
"I think so, but I'm just soaked." Tisst replied teeth chattering. Lester heard shouts. That meant the guards saw them and would be coming.
"Come on we have to get moving." Said Lester. It was just then that Lester realized that Histll was not among them.
chapter 4 The Rogue Dragonfly
They wandered aimlessly all night and finally rested near a forest edge. Lester had looked out over the horizon looking for Histll. He feared he had drowned, but did not lose hope before falling into a deep slumber. They woke in the early morning, to the sound of the forest. Lester ventured father into the forest looking for food. After wandering for quite a while he found a seed lying on the ground. As he dragged it back to Tisst he heard a buzzing overhead, but when he looked up nothing was there. Bewildered he wandered back to the camp. Tisst was sitting on a twig humming a song. "Oh hello did you find food?" "Yeah I sure did." They ate half of the seed and packed the other half. Buzz. There it was again where was is coming from? "Help me!" Screamed a voice overhead. Lester looked up. A huge purple dragonfly was circling overhead with a termite in its feet. "Help me!" Yelled the girl termite. Lester and Tisst drew their swords and got ready to fight. The dragonfly seeing this dropped the girl and swooped down. Tisst was knocked off his feet, but Lester slashed at the dragonfly's stomach making a slight cut. This angered the dragonfly so it landed and started toward him hissing. With one swoop he knocked Lester's sword out of his hand and knocked Lester down. All of the sudden a sword slashed at the dragonfly's face and pierced its eyes. Hurt the dragonfly flew off. Lester slowly got up to find an ant standing next to him. Histll stood sword in hand staring at Lester. "Jump indeed." Said Histll looking at Lester laughing. A figure moved in the distance. "Halt!" Yelled Lester. The figure halted and Lester realized it was the termite. She strode over to him bowed and said, "I am grateful to you, what are your names?" "I'm Lester, this is Histll, and that is Tisst." Said Lester. "What is your name?" Asked Lester. "My name is Tess." Said the girl. "We are on an important quest and if you would like to come you may." Said Lester. The termite glanced at him and quickly said, "Certainly!" As Tisst got up and strode over to them Lester and Histll made plans. "Ok this forest is the Forest of Antion, our real country." Said Histll. "The Royal Mound of Ants lies inside the forest, we will stay there tomorrow." "After that is the treacherous realm of The Evil Gustov, he is a mighty war lord with many termites on beetleback." "Then the tower of Lynx." Finished Histll. "Whats a Lynx?" Asked Tess and Tisst. Histll and Lester looked at each other and explained.
chapter 5 The knighting ceremony
The day after they made their plans they departed toward the mound of ants. Knowing the ants would welcome their kinsmen was an encouraging thought. As they walked through the woods little noises like twigs breaking and leaves rustling seemed new to Lester since he was raised on the farm. He was having the most fun he had ever had in his life. At noon they stopped to eat the other half of the seed. The stopped in an open area of the wood where the trees loomed overhead shading them from the sun. They moved out a little bit after. Histll lead the way then went Tess then Lester and finally Tisst. Finally after hours of walking the castle stood on the horizon. The sun was going down limiting their light so hurriedly they sped on toward the castle. When they arrived at the gate the sun had completely gone down. The gate was a giant stick the had been shaped and cut to make a gate. "Who goes there?!" Yelled the gatekeeper. "We are just passing through and would like entrance to your castle!" Lester yelled back. The gatekeeper muttered something to himself and opened the gate. Unlike the mound they had once been in they walked into a lobby. The floor and walls were made of padded dirt. An ant sat at a desk fumbling threw papers and suddenly looked up at them. "Do you wish to sleep here?" Asked the ant. "Yes we do." Said Tess. The ant gasped and yelled, "TERMITE!" Suddenly guards ran up, swords drawn.
"She is only a girl, she means you no harm." Said Histll. The guards looked at each other and put down their swords and dispersed. Suddenly a huge ant in a robe ran up to the ant at the desk. "Where is the termite?" He asked. The ant at the desk pointed at Tess. "It is just a girl." The man chuckled and motioned for them to follow him. They all followed him to the next room. "My name is King Antic." "What are your names?" he asked them. They told him their names and he stared at Lester. "Have you been knighted?" Asked Antic.. "No I have not but- "We must waste no time, come with me." Said Antic. He strode across the chamber into another one. The new chamber was made of cloth and a throne lay in the north part. King Antic picked up a sword and motioned to Lester. Lester kneeled down and listened. "Will you Lester serve the Royal House of Antion after your task is done?"
"Yes I will." "Will you never betray this Royal House?" "No I will not." He padded Lester on both shoulders and said, "I name you Lord Lester of Antion." And with that Lester stood up bowed and left the chamber.
chapter 6 The riders
After they slept the night at the mound they left for the land of the warlord. The journey through the rest of the forest was uneventful. When they finally reached the border Histll said, "This is a dangerous land, be keen and watchful." With that they began to wonder through the wilder land. The land was full of holes and marshes, which seemed to talk to each other. Thud. A tree near them fell and five figures stood behind them circling. "You are trespassing on the King Gustov's realm. These figures were all riding and dragonflies, their riders where termites. "We mean nothing by it." Said Histll staring at the lead rider. "The penalty for passing on our land is death." Said the lead rider drawing his sword. Lester and Tisst drew their swords but Histll did not draw his. A sound grew from behind them. Beetles galloped toward them, King Antic in the lead. "To war!" Yelled King Antic. The beetles flew up and fought the dragonflies. Thorn clanged on thorn, Histll ran toward the fray and said, "Lester, Tisst, Tess get out of here." And with that he killed a dragonfly. Reinforcements on both sides arrived and joined in the fight. The other party moved away from the fray further into the realm of Gustov. They moved silently through the realm knowing that their friend might be dead. They entered a red marsh (they did not want to know why it was red). "What's that noise?" Asked Tess looking around. Two dragonflies without riders flew down and attacked them. Lester drew his sword. Tisst tried to draw his sword but to no avail. The dragonflies attacked Tisst tearing at his limbs. Lester motioned for Tess to get down while he helped Tisst. Lester slashed one dragonfly in half. Surprised he went for another. Too and fro they fought. Lester thought he was winning until he was tossed backwards no sword in his hand. In pain he lay there helpless. The dragonfly crept over him and was about to slay Lester when a thorn went threw one of the dragonfly's eyes. The dragonfly fell with a thud whilst Lester stood up. Tisst stood over the dragonfly panting. "Nobody messes with a grasshopper."
chapter 7 The good and the bad Snores echoed on the border of the dark realm. Lester was roused by Tisst.
"Lester." Said Tisst rousing Lester. "What, what Tisst." "I have just been scouting ahead and I found that the tower is about seven human steps away." Said Tisst looking at Lester as though waiting for thanks. "Good, rouse Tess we make for it now." They wandered through the realm of Lynx not knowing what they would find. Tisst was as true as his word. The tower loomed in the distance. It was the blackest and tallest tower Lester had ever seen. So they made haste towards it. When they were upon its doorstep Lester spoke, "You two stay down here." "This is my battle." Lester looked at his friends and strode inside. It was made of a dark marble type substance. He also realized that webs loomed overhead, bees rapped in them. "Help!" Echoed a voice at the top of the tower. Lester, his hand on his sword hilt knew the voice was his friend Gilwny. Lester strode up the stairs as fast as he could wanting so much to slay Lynx. When he reached the top chamber, he though scared strode in. The room was a pale white made up of webs. Gilwny was in the middle of all the webs. "Lester how did you find me?" Asked Gilwny. "No time for4 that we must hurry." Behind Lester unknown Lynx hovered. "Lester look out!" Lester drew his sword, just as Lynx jumped upon him. His bright green stinger stabbed at him and his fangs bit at him over and over. Lester swung his sword aimlessly. He hit one of the legs of Lynx and dove under him and jabbed at his stinger. Lynx picked up Lester and hit him against the wall. Lester was stuck. Struggling Lester screamed. "No one here to help you this time you scrawny little ant- Uhgg." Lynx stumbled and fell beneath Lester. A figure stood in front of Lester. Histll was still clutching his sword when he ran over to Lester getting him off the wall. "Are you ok my boy?" "Well I think – Histll look out!" Lynx loomed over Histll. Time stood still as Lynx stabbed his stinger into Histll's gut. Histll, clutching his wound staggered and fell. "No!" Yelled Lester clutching his sword. And with one movement thrust his sword into Lynx's head. Lynx was slain, and that was that his task was done but at a terrible price. "Histll don't be slain." "My boy you have done well." Said Histll coughing up blood. "This a fatal wound, poison is now flowing threw my body." "Please Lester take my sword." Said Histll hand his sword to Lester who grasped it with all his strength. "Its name is Fandll." And with that Histll the warrior died. It was a while before Lester could get up. After unhooking Gilwny from the wall, he picked up Histll and started down the stairs. It was thus that Histll past from this earth. For all of them wept, but tears do not help heal wounds. So with heavy hearts they made back to the great mound of the ants.
the end of part 1