Chapter 22: Ominous Prelude

This time, at least, they were given actual riding horses. Master Hagstone was quite irritated at the latest turn of events, coming just a lttle short of blaming them if the fields weren't ready for late fall and the approaching winter. Old Hagstone figured since they broke it, they could fix it. Angrily, he sent them off to Knoll's Ridge, for it was there where Ash had his blacksmith shop. Ash was Valdemaran born, but seemed to prefer living in the Holderlands these days.

While Fenix and Jewellyn were at the farm, preparing for their relatively short journey, they had heard from Master Hagstone about some of the Bandit's raids which, for now, were taking place further south near Karse. The Bandits, claiming allegiance to no-one, were beginning to invade the Holderlands. Master Hagstone warned them to stay alert, but he figured they would be about as safe as they usually would be since the Heralds were beginning to establish outposts nearby to keep an eye on the situation.

So now, they were on their way because though Master Hagstone had some of the tools, he did not have the parts necessary to fix the plow. He had intended to get them soon, he had told them, just in case something like this would happen. Jewellyn could still picture the look on his face as he told them he didn't think he would have to get the parts this soon yet. Thus implying it was they, through their carelessness and inattentiveness, that was the cause of the whole problem.

Jewellyn figured out just what it was that was troubling her, besides the overall scheme of things she felt were lurking in the background, it was Fenix; he seemed to be so unsure of himself and easily agitated these days. It was out of character for him compared to just not too long ago.

Out of nowhere, Jewellyn spoke. "I think you need a sense of purpose, Fenix. Something to give your life impetus. Something to fight for."

(Phoenix's note: something like love, to protect and fight for, love in accordance with the prologue and the end of the story. Love fought for, secured, then enjoyed and shared is the best kind of love there is, It's worth fighting for...give up on that and all is lost...end of note)

Fenix paused on his horse, they were on their way to procure some tools and parts for the broken plow, which now would have to be fixed the following morning. He looked at her askance, saying, "Huh? What are you trying to say here, Jewellyn? Are you trying to say I'm lacking somehow?"

They both resumed a steady gait down the path towards the Holderlands' village of Knoll's Ridge, just a few leagues distance from the border of Valdemar. From Knoll's Ridge the nearest burg was Sensolding, a little further southeast.

Jewellyn couldn't resist answering a question with a question, "Are you trying to imply that you weren't aware of anything lacking, Fenix?" She smiled coyly.

Fenix paused his horse again. Jewellyn pulled up next to him, halting her horse too. "Um, no…but I can figure these things out for myself, Jewellyn. I don't need you to lecture me." Fenix said with mild irritation, then gazed sullenly in her direction.

"I think you're becoming increasingly irritated as time goes on here, I think you are the type who needs a clearly defined goal and the means to achieve it. In case you hadn't noticed Fenix, I really like you and I want to help you too; just simply because, and not because I think you are inadequate."

Fenix, startled a little at the mention of her word 'like', softened his gaze. "I need to develop my skills. Whether it be as a Bard or whatever, I want to fight for, or at least help to defend our country, especially after some of the things I've been hearing lately. " He paused, drawing his hand through his hair, "Normally I am a pacifist though. I wonder if I could come through should the need arise?"

He gazed out at the horizon, the sun was beginning to set. A few hours and it would be dark. They resumed a steady gait towards Knoll's Ridge. "Do you mean, could you go for the killif it were necessary to save someone or to help defend the country?" Jewellyn asked with a slight concern on her face.

"Yes I mean exactly that. Whatever I become, whatever my destiny, I want to be out there helping, not just being idle; so you are right after all. I am becoming more annoyed as time goes on. Something will have to happen one way or another. I'll have to do something." Suddenly, Fenix felt himself thinking about tall trees, one in particular...

"Well Fenix, let's just hope it's not too soon or too tragic."

They came to the top of a hill and stopped their horses. The rest of the trail led downwards to the village of Knoll's Ridge...something wasn't right, they noted. Apparently, it was all to be sooner than they had thought.

"Jewellyn, something isn't right down there, there's way too much smoke, way too much activity."

Jewellyn's stomach gave that uneasy turn when you know something bad is probably going to happen. She could sense a growing urgency in Fenix.

Fenix kicked his horse into a full gallop and took off down towards the village, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

"Wait Fenix! You have no idea what's going on down there!" She took off after him.

:AAAAAIIIIIIIINNNNNNEEEEEEE:

Upon seeing some of the carnage and mayhem, Fenix sent out that alarm almost instinctively, hoping Aine or some of the other Heralds would 'hear' his call and get here fast. In addition to the Heralds here, there were Heralds scattered about in the area, either scouting or riding circuit in the surrounding countryside. Then, Fenix got down there to the bottom of the path as the carnage was intensifying and coming a little closer this way; this was no small raid. It was a fairly large village, but wide open and thus hard to defend.. A few brave souls from the village and a small squadron of Valdemar's best were attempting to at least hold off the Bandit's rout of looting and carnage. From there on in, things began to happen very fast...

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On Xirthan, Aine, much to her astonishment, found herself in the lead of this advancing troop of Herald Guards and Trainees, mostly, she figured, because she seemed to be the only one at this point who could sense and focus in on the nearby danger. Her FarSight was beginning to grow and develop a little more by the simple act of using it. As they thundered forward on their Companions, leaving behind clouds of dust, something seemed to 'shout' in on them, though nothing was actually heard by the ears. It seemed to come out of the very air, bringing everyone to a halt by its' vital force:

:AAAAAIIIIIIIINNNNNNEEEEEEE:

Shocked, Aine knew exactly who the mindspeaker was. It was Fenix, and coming from a clearly defined direction.

:The time has come, Chosen: Xirthan was ready and eager to go.

"Okay, that way!" she yelled, pointing in a southeasterly direction. Everyone else followed suit, and the thundering horde was now well on it's way.

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Koromiel: Another chapter completed! So now I'm gonna be mean as a co-author. We know we're getting hits, but we're not seeing the comments! I want at least ONE comment before I post the next chapter. (hehe.) Prefferably two or three...maybe four...

--Phoenix just drops his head and sighs--

Koromiel: ;; eh heh...so anyway, show us the love and we'll love you back!

REVIEWER LOVE: Thanks for the comments Sean! We're glad you're enjoying it!