(Working Title)
A/N: After a week of no Internet, I'm finally back. I'm going to try and update, with a fairly good chapter. Be forewarned: I may not update again until I have gotten at least 2 reviews. But maybe I'll find inspiration for a new chapter, and may update again, but that may not happen.
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Ch:2 Trouble Approaches
The closed quarters of the cave now seemed damp, and cold, as the many torches had now blown out. However, the one bearing the white cloak made no movements from the stone throne, until another form sauntered into the room.
"You summoned me, Master?" Said the tall and lean form. He wore what seemed to be a one-piece outfit: a white cloak of sorts, yet it was semi-tight, like a normal shirt. Silver plates of armor with blue stripes were strapped across his chest and torso, and two matching shoulder pads tied tight to his body. He wore no boots of any kind, yet had some of his hands taped up in black tapings. Platinum color hair flowed down into a ponytail that stopped just under his shoulder-line.
"Ah, Rinsharu," Spoke the cloaked one, "Come, sit. There is much I must explain to you." And extended a hand outward, though it remained hidden under the cloak.
Not waiting a moment, Rinsharu slowly stepped forward, and slid down into an Indian-style sitting position, hands cupping to his kneecaps. "What is it, my lord?"
"Rinsharu…you know why I created you and your siblings, correct?"
"Of course, my lord. You want to eliminate the new rulers of Magvel…" Replied the warrior.
"That is right. I have sent Nova and your elder brother Seymour out to assassinate King Ephraim, of Renais."
For a moment, Rinsharu glinted his eyes and stared off at nothing, looking disgusted at the names. 'Why Nova…? He is only a pitiful druid. He'll be slain far too easily! I should have been sent, not that foolhardy dastard…' He thought, but was interrupted when his master continued.
"But I have a new task for you. Before we can begin our campaign, we must know of our enemies. You are to go to Jehanna, and collect as much information about her king—Joshua—as you can."
"You wish to kill King Joshua? But why?" Rinsharu asked, seeming hesitant.
At the question, a low hiss came from beneath the cloak, "Rinsharu…are you questioning your lord and creator?"
A light sweat came to the back of the man's neck, and he swallowed hard. The damp, yet still humid temperature of the cave made it nearly difficult to breathe, and he felt nearly faint. "N-No my lord! I would never question your rule…"
The cloaked one seemed pleased, "You are young and ambitious, Rinsharu. You know not what powers I possess. I could return you to a lump of mud and flesh if I desired it."
"Master, you must at least tell me: why are we starting this campaign? What are you gaining from it?"
A pause. The man upon the throne didn't seem to wish to answer.
"Master, please!"
Yet another pause dragged on, then, "You will find out in all due time. For now, you will do what I command, or you will cease to exist. Before you leave, find your remaining brother and sister, and tell them to come to me. Now, go."
A light mutter came from the warrior's mouth, but he rose from his position, and bowed slowly, "As you command," then departed.
Outside the cave entrance, leaned against the wall was a stout figure, which wore an oversized one-piece robe of black-tissue. The sleeves were massive, the ends barely dangling half an inch from the stone ground. A vest of light blue clung to his chest, held together by three buckles in the front. Like the others, his hair was also silver, and fell loosely to the base of his neck.
As Rinsharu emerged, he turned to the figure, and nodded. "Master wishes to see you now, Darus."
Nodding in return, Darus pressed up from the wall as Rinsharu left to complete his duties.
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"My king, be aware! We're nearly a half mile from the reported stronghold of the bandits."
By now, the four had been riding for nearly half a day, chasing footprints, reports, and rumors of the bandits lair. Now, they had located their destination. Ephraim had readied the Raginlief, and now clutched it in one hand, the other holding the leather reins of the horse, and was guiding the creature up the mountain slope. "I understand, Seth. Let us prepare before storming the mountain."
It was a good thing they had decided to stop when they did. At the exact moment Ephraim's boots thunked against the mountain, a silver colored axe whizzed by his horse's head, and landed with a 'clang!' on the ground at Seth's feet.
Ephraim instinctively jumped back, reading his weapon, Kyle and Forde standing in front of him. They were ready to take a blow for their king. "Stay behind us until we can locate the enemy, sir!" Kyle shouted, a javelin readied and aimed toward the sky.
"Where did that axe come from?" Ephraim pondered yet never took his guard down.
"My king! Look, up there!" Came Seth's voice.
All eyes turned upward, to see a tower of a man, grasping a huge silver colored Killer Axe. He wore a helm with devil horns twisting backward, spiked bones of armor twisting from behind him, down his bare chest. (A/N: A Warrior class.)
"Who are you!" Ephraim shouted up the mountain. He received a staunch laughter, followed by gruff words,
"I am Zatch! The leader of this band! And you are Ephraim of Renais! Correct?" Came the mans voice from up high.
"That I am. What are you doing in my kingdom, terrorizing my people?" Ephraim replied.
"To lure you here, of course! You'd be surprised how many underground assassin and mercenary guilds want you dead!"
"Wretch! Come down here and face us! If you surrender, maybe we'll let you live!" Forde shouted, reading a blade of steel making.
"Forde, peace," Ephraim said, "And you!" He directed his voice to that of Zatch, "You will surrender to us, at once. Or fall here on this mountain!"
However, as he spoke those words, a loud whistle echoed across the mountain, and soon, many footsteps were carried along the slopes of the mountain. "King Ephraim be on your guard! The bandits approach!"
It was true, and it wasn't a very good situation. The group had been trapped halfway up the mountain, and it was only a single slope. To their right, was the rest of the mountain, and to their left, nearly one hundred feet of nothing, all the way to the jagged rocks below.
Behind them, flanks of axe and sword-wielding bandits rushed up from behind, from the front, came more axe-wielding foes. And up above, line-after-line of archers lined up behind Zatch, who was, by now, smirking. "Looks like you're outnumbered! Such a shame. To die all the way up here, and no one to know of your death!"
The four men closed together, Seth and Forde facing the back. Kyle and Ephraim to the front. Maybe they would die…but not without a fight. "You think you can win? I think you're in for a terrible surprise!" Ephraim shouted.
A second whistle followed, and the battle began.
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A little better than previous chapters, I think. Remember: two reviews to update.
R&R!