The Official Clan War series - A RuneScape Fanfiction by Manaphy (a.k.a Mana)

Chapter One: Taken for fools - Cleft and Mouse are taken for hostages to the Silver Serpents' base.

Disclaimer: I do not own RuneScape, Jagex or any of the programs in which it is controlled and functioned. I do, however, own Cleft and the other characters, and their personalities.

Author's Note: The chapters in this series are kept short, to avoid any confusion and keep them in neat episode-fashion.

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A buzz swept through the Great Hall as the trumpeteer announced his message. Attack? Now..? Cleft thought. Everyone knew that the Silver Serpents had recently been defeated by a fellow clan, the Scarlet Phoenixes - one of the toughest clans. So what were they thinking in attacking another clan right after! Something's not right..

However, her attention was soon grasped by the sudden uproar in gasps as a tall character made its way atop the Great Hall's stage area. Mouse staggered backwards a little, and Cleft swallowed hard. It was.. Saraneth, the Golden Dragon Clan's fabled leader! Saraneth had long black hair that reached his neck and a long beard, but in no way was he elderly. He was dressed in the red and black clan's colours, and his longsword rested on his shoulder. I wonder how many people he has killed with that blade!

' Loyal and fair Golden Dragons, I understand that we are soon to be under attack. Be courageous; our troops have already been sent to ward off the upstart! ' Saraneth called, his voice deep and bold. Neither Cleft, Mouse or probably any of the rest of the clan had ever heard him speak or seen him in person. Loud cheers erupted from the clan members that were inside the Great Hall, and even the Clan Guardians near Saraneth raised their long rune halberds in triumph. However, Saraneth raised his arms, and immediatly everyone else's voices died out in obedience. ' However; I warn you to be on your guard. They may have positioned spies around near camp. Please remember not to wander! '

Mouse cheered himself, violently whacking Cleft in the stomach as she did so. Growling, she stopped him before he caused any more harm. He laughed and shook his head.

' Don't worry, Cleft! I'm glad that we don't have to fight, ' he added wisely. Cleft nodded and the queues started forming and traipsing back to their dormitories. I'm glad that's all over.. Suddenly, she had an idea. Telling Mouse to go on without her, she rushed back into the Great Hall where Saraneth was talking to the Guardians. She made sure not to go too close in case he felt she was being disrespectful, and so bowed low before speaking.

' Great Saraneth, I have an idea, ' she squeaked, scolding herself for appearing weak in front of the clan leader. He turned towards her and raised an eyebrow, but nodded to signal for her to go on. ' Perhaps me and my friend could try and fend off some of the Silver Serpents that may be patrolling around the camp? We would be honoured to help protect the clan, sir! '

Saraneth chuckled, and Cleft looked down, her face reddening. But he turned to his Guardians all the same and asked them whether it would be alright. They laughed too, but shrugged, and Saraneth turned back.

' I.. suppose you could give it a try, ' he said. ' I will also let some of my Guardians help? ' Cleft nodded, her stomach twisting. ' Are you equipped? The ones that the Silver Serpents have dispersed over here will merely be scouts; they will not be too strong. I'm sure you would be able to handle them. ' Cleft nodded again, but more eagerly. Mouse will be overjoyed! After bowing again, she turned and raced back into the corridor, where Mouse had apparently been waiting. Forgetting that she had told him to go on ahead, she quickly told him of the plan. He gaped.

' Are you insane! ' he whispered hoarsly. ' We can't go out there! '

' Of course we can! ' she replied indignantly. ' Saraneth himself said that they were only weak scouts. You're not frightened of a bunch of scouts, are you? '

' No, but.. you're going to go anyway, aren't you? ' Cleft nodded. ' Then I suppose I'll have to come with you.. ' Sighing as Cleft beamed, he followed her as she started heading back towards the dormitory to get armoured up. The rest of the clan had already gone back, so they were alone in the tall corridors that were dressed in high clan logos, firey dragons chasing away mortal enemies.

Suddenly, Cleft cried out in surprise as she was grabbed by the ankle. Mouse stopped and immediatly attempted to help her. Someone from outside had been waiting for them! Dragging her down through the opening in the wall that let air through, Mouse's and her own strengths were simply not enough and they were taken through the window without anyone seeing. Bundled into a large black bag, they were both punched until they blacked out, and were then taken away by their attacker.

The first thing she saw as she opened her eyes was darkness. Groaning, she raised a hand to her head and winced as pain shot through her body. Remembering what had happened, she sunk down against the cold floor. Where am I? she thought, snuffling. I wish we had never asked Saraneth to help! I'm so stupid! Silently getting to her feet without much trouble, the only parts of her that hurt were her head and ankle. Gasping, she suddenly realised what was happening. They had been taken as hostages!

' Mouse? ' she whispered. The room was quite large, black and surrounded by bars similiar to that of a jail cell. She spotted another figure, a smaller boy standing near one of the windows, staring out. The poisoned black dagger he always kept sheathed at his waist was gone, and she realised that her weapons were gone too, her prized arrows and bow had been taken. Cursing silently, she made her way over to her friend. ' I'm sorry, Mouse. I never should have asked to go and help.. '

' It's ok, ' he replied, surprised at her apology. ' It's not your fault. If we hadn't been taken as hostages, somebody else would be here now. And nobody knows we're here, anyway. That's good, because we're not.. not that important anyway.. ' Cleft frowned, and shook her head.

' No, we have to be strong! Remember the clan motto? We're all in this together. That means that they will definatly come to find us! '

' I don't think so.. they'll just laugh. The Silver Serpents are so stupid. Why didn't they capture somebody powerful? Like a Guardian or something. Then we'd actually have a problem. But we're just some stupid little kids who tried to do something that we could never do! ' His voice wasn't angry, just like he was stating the obvious. Cleft opened her mouth to retort, but sighed and fell back. Turning to slide down the stone wall nearby, she curled up and tried to go to sleep, wondering what they had got themselves into.