CH 1: The Guild

A young boy ran around Hook Coast in the snow, playing. As he rounded a corner he ran into an elderly man, his father. As he fell to the ground his father stopped him. "Son I have something for you," he said as the boy dusted himself off.

The boy nodded and followed his father. "You're aware of what happened here many years ago, when Jack of Blades summoned the sword of Aeons?" The boy nodded and he continued. "And how Jack destroyed the guild and it was destroyed?" The boy nodded once more. "Well the guild was rebuilt many years ago and has changed a lot since then. Well as many people know this is where he found the key to the sword." The boy nodded once more. "What I am trying to say is that although it was many years ago, it is very important, especially to us."

The boy looked up at his father, wide eyed. Even at the age of ten, he had an idea of where this was going. He had overheard his parents talking at nigh, about having to leave Hook Coast. The truth was that they were the only living descendants of Jack of Blades, and the boy knew this.

It was very hard for his father to tell him this because he feared for his son. He and his wife had virtually no money and had tried to keep their bloodline a secret. Now that people were trying to uncover the mystery of what had happened to Jack, they had uncovered the secret of their bloodline. Now that people knew they were afraid that they had some of his power and would look to get revenge on all of Albion. The truth was that the boys family wanted it about as much as a dead skunk but what could they do? They had tried to keep it a secret but they couldn't keep it hidden anymore. They had to leave Hook Coast and fast, unfortunately they couldn't take their son with them.

They were too afraid to take him with them, for his sake. So they had paid for him to go to the Guild and train as a hero.

"Son look," said the old man. "You have to understand that your mother an I love you and only want the best for you. That is why we have decided to send you to the Hero's Guild, where you can be trained to protect yourself and those around you."

The boy looked at his father, "but this is my home, Hook Coast. Why do you want to send me away? Wasn't it you who always told me not to run from my problems?"

"Yes son, but," his father sighed. "You aren't the one running here, your mother and I are. We're just trying to save you from the fate that we'll be facing if you stay with us."

The boy turned away and ran back to his home. He ran into his room and grabbed his pack. He owned no toys so he only packed clothes. He knew that there was no arguing with his father so he packed.

He lifted up a floorboard under his bed and extracted a small sack, filled with a few gold coins. He knew, some how he knew, that someday he would need this. He had saved all of the money that he had ever found or been given in here. It wasn't much but it was the only thing that was his and he knew that.

He ran his hands over it and stuffed it in the bottom of his pack, under his clothes. He looked around his empty room and slung his pack over his shoulder, walking down the stairs. His father was standing in the door way, a cloak wrapped about his shoulders. "Here," he said as he threw him a cloak. "Put it on and follow me."

The boy did as he was told and followed his father. They walked out of the house and went up the road. They left the town and went up to the culis gate. They stepped into it and were instantly transported to the ancient culis gate in Darkwood.

The father drew a knife from his belt and hid it in his sleeve as they walked onward. "Damion, stay close to me."

The boy looked up at him in surprise, he had never been called by his name by either of his parents. He nodded his head and drew closer to his father. They walked through the forest together, staying alert. It was about midnight and Damion was growing tired. Only the unearthly howls and screams of the creatures that called this forest their home kept him awake.

As they left Darkwood and entered Greatwood, both of them breathed a sigh of relief as they made it through the nightmarish area, unscathed. They made their way through Greatwood, over the bridges and into the thick of the woods. They took the path through what remained of Orchard farm. It was not only a short cut, but also blocked them from being attacked by the bandits that often called Greatwood their home. They exited the farm and went through what was left of the forest.

They left the forest and went up the path that led to the guild. At the crossroads of the series of paths stood a large stone statue. Damion stood and looked at it for a moment, admiring it. "Come on, we need to get going, they're expecting us by dawn," said the father.

The boy nodded and moved on. They turned to the right and headed down a hill. Before them stood a large building with what seemed to be a stage in front of it. Two men stood out front and pushed open the doors as the father and son approached.

They entered into a large and circular room with many doors leading from it. In the centre stood a large model map of Albion. The boy glanced at it but was more awe-struck by the large room. He had never before seen a building as big as this. He went to move away but felt his father's hand clamp down upon his shoulder.

As the boy moved back to his father's side, a set of doors in one of the doorways flung open and an elderly man moved into the room. A hood covered the upper half of his face with shadow and a thick, white beard covered the lower half of his face. It was a long robe that touched the floor and was a mossy green with a black outline.

All that could be seen of the actual man were feeble and wrinkled hands with claw like nails. He grasped a walking stick and walked toward the boy. He turned to the father and spoke in a soft and calm voice. "Hello sir, this is the boy you spoke of when we met, your son."

The father nodded and a hand descended upon the boys shoulder. Damion was surprised at the strength that the man possessed despite his looks. The old man steered the boy over to a staircase and told a guard to show him around the guild while he spoke to the father.

The guard led the boy around the massive guild and out into the grounds. Inside the guildmaster and Damion's father were deep in conversation. "So you're sure that you want to leave him here?" Asked the guildmaster.

"Yes, I'm positive that its the best thing for him, he needs it."

"Ok, where will I be able to find you if something comes up?"

"I'm afraid you won't be able to, but don't worry, none of Jacks powers should appear in him. He does have more power than me or anyone in our bloodline since Jack for that matter. But he should be fine, he's a good boy."

"Well I hope for his sake that you're right. Now we should probably get him in here so that you can say your goodbyes."

The father nodded as the guard walked back in with his son. He motioned for Damion to follow him and he did so. They stepped into one of the many hallways of the guild. Damion's father kneeled down so that he was level with him. "Son I want you to forget about your mother and I for the time being. The guild is your home. These people will help you to become strong. After you have left the guild I will find you, but for now you need to concentrate on developing at the guild.

Damion saw tears well up in his father's eyes. He himself, even at his age was not an emotional person, he never had been. For a fact, neither was his father and it surprised him to see his father like this. As their eyes met, Damion looked away. Despite him having control over his emotions, he knew he wouldn't be able to help himself.

His father's arms wrapped around him, hugging him briefly and then he stood up. Damion looked up at him and smiled. His father rubbed the top of his head and left the hallway.

He heard the double doors of the guild open and close again before he bothered to move. With a sigh he walked into the map room and looked at the guild master. "I suppose that I have a room," he said as he yawned.

The guild master nodded as he motioned for the boy to follow him. "Welcome home lad, enjoy your time here and remember, we are your family now."

Damion couldn't help but smile at the effort to make him feel welcome, no matter how much of a failed attempt it was. He walked over to the old man and followed him up a set of stairs. The guild master led him into a fair-sized room with five beds in it. "You'll be sharing this room with some of our other apprentices. Get some sleep because tomorrow, you're training begins."