Yay! 2 chapters! This one is going to be mostly dialogue and back story, with a bit of magic mixed in. and thanks EnderLady74 for the helpful review, it's been tough finding the drive to get this story really going, but that helped out. Anyways, read and review!
About one year ago…
"Yes, these are good mods to add to my AI world…" said a young voice. " They said I couldn't do it. They said it was impossible to make an AI good enough to make its own story, as if they were humans living in a world monitored by a greater being… But I did. I made the best AI known to mankind, and have given it the means to make its own ending. Now, to see how the "story" unfolds…"
Back to the present!
Willfalcon took a deep sip from his enchanted bottle of ale that constantly replenishes, made by Anika for him, and exhaled a gust of air, like a silent burp. "I don't know how you can drink that strong stuff without getting the slightest bit drunk." Said Cody, silently musing over that and the news about Gillian. "My kind has gotten used to it," replied Willfalcon, grinning slightly, "We drink to keep our blood pumping." "I think I have an idea," started Anika, tactfully steering away from the friendly bickering. "I could send off Slyther to go rest in Gillian's work place and keep silent watch over her, while we look through his eye with a magic window from somewhere nearby, ready to help when needed. Besides, there's an empty shelf he likes sitting on in her shop next to the blacksmith." "You know Anika," Cody started, "that just might work."
It was dusk, and the sun was setting behind the stone walls protecting the village. Normally, on a summer day like this, Cody and Anika would sit on the balcony and watch the sun set. But today, they were hidden in the back of the blacksmiths shop beside Gillian's work place, watching over her through Slythers eye. The one eyed bat like creature was perched on a shelf with a perfect view of the whole store, with 2 late shoppers browsing her wares looking for some of the totems that could help them with their everyday lives. One wore a straw hat and was chewing on a stalk of grain, browsing the strength totems, while the other was wearing all black and looking at alarm totems. The one in black kept looking over at Gillian, while she cleaned up her shop and put any totems she had crafted throughout the day on the shelves. It took some time and a bit of magic to get the totems working, so that they gave off a radiance of power, or silently waited to give off a signal when triggered.
It's been an hour since moon rise, and Gillian was starting to get impatient with the black clad shopper. The farmer had long since gone home after purchasing a strength totem for his farm, but the black clad one was still looking at totems. He seemed to be trying to decide whether to buy a totem with increased potency, or one with a wider range. "Alright," said Gillian, standing up, "it's time for me to leave. You've got to go now too. If you buy both, you could always return one tomorrow if you'd like. But for now, I really need some sleep." The shopper seemed to have made his decision, and came up to the counter with the alarm totem with a longer range. "200 coins please" asked Gillian tiredly, wishing to go home. The shopper produced a canvas sack, and counted out 20 gold pieces, worth 10 coins each. "Thanks for buying, and be careful with that thing. Make sure it knows the boundaries of your propriety, and who are your friends so it doesn't signal when it sees them."
Gillian had just locked the door to her shop when she heard a thump from inside. She opened the door again, and Slyther fluttered out. "You really love that shelf don't you bud?" said Gillian with a grin, watching Slyther fly over to the balcony of the castle. She relocked the door, and heard another thud. But this time, it wasn't from inside the shop. She turned around to see the black clad shopper in the street, who had stepped on a loose stone in the road, making a slight thud when it hit the side of another brick. The man sneered, and lunged at her with a knife in his hand. She jumped back, letting out a silent yelp, but just then, she saw a flash of steel coming from beside her, directed at the knifeman attacking Gillian. It was Cody, dressed in his steel chest plate and helmet. "Get back!" shouted Cody, raising his sword to parry a swipe at his shoulder. With lightning reflexes, he quickly made a counter strike at the man, knocking his inferior blade to the street. The man was surprised. He had never seen a man with such fast attacks, whose blade flew at his adversaries like a storm of steel. He had heard all about him though: the knight of living legends, who could ignite monsters and enemy's alike with his sword of flames. The man quickly thought about his chances. He could make a dash for a knife and try to throw it, or surrender. And he knew he had no skill throwing knives. He threw himself to his knees, hands raised. "I surrender!" he cried, in a voice pitched with fear. Cody looked down at his opponent, sword raised for a finishing blow. He then relaxed, seeing that the man was defenceless and had no way to fight back. "Alright then," he said with compassion, "Anika, would you please bind him?" she stepped out of the shadows, gave a nod, and bound his hands behind him with a spell. "Please, would you care to come with me?" Cody asked. "I have a few questions for you"
No added references today, sorry. The next chapter will probably have a fight scene. Also, I'm looking for someone who could make my cover for me. I will guarantee a major OC in the series, or a storyline of your decision. Just PM me if you have a cover, it'll be easier to find it from there. Anyways, I hope you liked, and please leave a Fav, Follow, or Review for me, and slay that pesky dragon for me!