Forums → Art, Music, and Writing → Book: City of Freedom: part two

Since it wouldn't take my whole book, I'm making a new one.
CHAPTER EIGHT:
Questions on the road


After a small meal of bread and water, Crian, James and Charles set off. The sun was now high in the sky. Crianâs wound was bandaged, and they set off. Finally, the road ended. There stood a steep hill covered in grass. The road ended there.
Crian sighed, and started up the hill.
âMister Crian!â James cried, as if trying to interrupt him.
Crian, now going up the hill, looked away from a scrap of paper he was reading and turned his gaze on James. âWhat?â He asked.
âI am hungry again.â He squeaked.
Crian scowled and went up the hill, reading the paper.
âSir? Did you hear me? I am hungry!â James shouted.
Charles looked at him like their mother used to look at them when they were five. Then he started up the hill.
James grumbled, but closely followed. It was a beautiful day- the sun was shining, the air was cool- but no bird sang. There was no quiet squeak of the dirt mice, or the scurrying of their small little paws. There was nothing but the sound of the breeze ruffling against the trees and the bushes, and the steady pace of Crian, followed by the uneven pace of the twins, jogging to keep up.
Crian was reading the map to notice a small rock, which he stumbled and tripped on.
âMister Crian! I see something behind us!â James exclaimed. Crian scowled, and got up to see the red helmeted soldiers following their trail. They were very far away, just leaving Tigerâs Eye city, but they could be seen.
âTroops,â Crian breathed. âWe have to move faster. NOW.â He and the twins started picking up speed.
âWe will have to walk tonight as well,â Crian announced, âif we are to outrun those Troops.â
âNo, we cannot!â James piped up, his voice high, panic vastly rising in him. âThe Troops have noses like bloodhounds. The second they pick up our scent we are doomed!â
Crian sighed. âI know that. This is why we must keep out of their way.â He cast a glance at the Troop. A blood red banner with a golden V was raised high. The banner of Seftis, he thought grimly. I guess my leaving is more serious than I thought.
âWhat are you reading?â James asked, looking at Crianâs map.
âNothing. Just a map.â Crian explained.
âI have a question,â Charles asked. âCan I ask you a question?â
âNo- fine. What is it?â Crian asked in a calm tone.
âWhere are we going?â Charles asked.
âYOU are going to safe place,â Crian said.
âWhat do you mean âyouâ?â James asked.
Crian sighed. âI might drop you off someplace safe on the way. I cannot have you the entire way and risk you getting hurt.â
Charles nodded. âCan I ask you another question?â he asked.
Crian groaned. Then he looked at him. âWhat?â he asked.
âThere were a group of hooded people who burned the shrine to King Anger,â Charles explained. âDo you have any idea who they might be?â
âIt is said there is one type of people who oppose Anger. People who travel in gangs to look more like outlaws and thieves than people who oppose him. They go around Mans-Telwar, destroying Angerâs shrines, and such. They do not hurt his empire much, but the Troops cannot do anything about it. They are harassing them, now, but soon they will have enough people to oppose Anger. And I am going to one spot in the resistance.â
âOhâ was Charlesâ only answer.
There was silence for a couple of minutes, when a there was a long shout of a horse, and a rider charged passed them, nearly knocking them off the path. They dare not even near it after the experience with Ekogodne`.
Crian shook his fist at him. Wind was powerful now, and his cloak flew like a cape, revealing his long, slick sword. The rider gasped and rode away. Crian gasped himself and used both hands to put the cloak over it, trying to conceal the four foot long sword. But the rider had seen it, for sure.
They got back and started on the road again. âI want to go to the resistance with you.â Charles said after a minute of walking.
Crian chuckled. âI do not think I can not survive traveling half a week let alone a whole year. We have been traveling, what, a day now? And now I have a massive headache because you disobeyed.â
Charles pointed a finger at James. âI had nothing to do with that,â He said. James rolled his eyes.
âNo,â Crian laughed, still unsmiling. I do not think he has ever smiled before, Charles thought. âThe headache you have given me from talking too much.â
Charles laughed. But then he realized Crian was not telling a joke.


The Troops slowly advanced up the hill, one at a time. Seftis sniffed the air. âI smell something- funny,â he said.
âProbably that smelly noble,â a Troop explained.
Seftis scowled at him, and then he saw a horse at the hill. âI have seen something!â the rider cried. âOn the rode ahead- a man and two boys- the man had broken city laws- he has a sword!â
Seftis frowned- and then smiled. âFresh meat, boys. We have fresh meat.â
The Troops started chanting. âFresh meat, fresh meat, fresh meat!â
The rider looked confused, then afraid. He rode away as fast as he could.
Seftis grinned. âWe have not had any fresh meat for years,â he said, looking at the rider in the distance. Then he looked at the Troop. âCOME ON BOYS! I think we have their sent!â
The Troops answered with the chant. âFresh meat! Fresh meat!â
The rider gulped and rode away. Seftis laughed, and then pointed at three Troops. âYou there,â he ordered. âYou go scout ahead while we rest. Come back when you have found something. But if you come back empty handedâ¦â Seftis did not finish his sentence. He did not need to. The three Troops gulped and then went forward. The Troops swiftly set up camp and started to feast on food.

âWell boys,â Seftis said, âWe have fresh meat!â
â



















CHAPTER NINE:
The Bridge


Crian and the boys sat down. Night was coming soon. They had to move to the nearest village soon. All have heard what terrors of the night await them.
The sun was starting to set. Crian sat down. The chasm was far in the distance. They were on a large hill, when they saw them- three Troops. All were charging towards them. They looked angry.
Crian ran down to meet them. âWell hello, fine Troops,â Crian said humbly. âKill any good children lately?â
The Troops drew their swords. âPrepare to die, blacksmith,â The leader said.
Crian drew his gleaming sword. One Troop surged forward, making a series of combinations of slashes, cuts and thrusts. Crian met all of them, countering with more offensive attacks. The Troop fell back towards the others. They began advancing forward, encircling him.
Crian may be a match for one or two Troops, but he could not take three alone! Charles thought. He picked up a rock. âJames! Throw rocks at them!â he ordered. They could get the attention of one of the Troops- Crian might possibly be a match for two- either way, it was worth a shot and they had no other choice.
James nodded and they started to throw rocks at them. One Troop ran towards the children. Crian fell the first Troop and started to fight the other. The third Troop started up the hill the kids were on. They started taunting him, until he was up the hill.
âSPLIT UP!â Charles roared, and they parted their own separate ways. The Troop went after Charles. Of course, he thought angrily. Go after me.
But Crian had taken down the other Troop and started hunting the last Troop. He started charging downhill towards Crian, but James tossed a rock, hitting home, on his head. The Troop stumbled, right onto Crianâs sword.
The Troop fell onto the ground, groaning his last.
Crian sheathed his sword. âWe must get to the chasm before the Troops do! Letâs go! But-â he went to two dead Troops and rounded up short swords. He tossed them to each kid. âUse them wisely.â He ordered, and they all started toward the chasm.


It took the whole night to walk, and the bridge to the chasm was in sight. James took a swig of water. âI am still hungry.â He complained. It was too dark to see anything, so they rested for a couple hours until the sun rose. The bridge was in sight- but someone was standing there. A man in dull grey armor, with a box shaped helmet and a T shaped visor. The man had a long decorated sword. The head turned to them. âWhat do you want?â the Knight asked. Crianâs eyes grew wide. Then he said âWe would like to pass.â He explained.
The knight shook his head. âSorry, but I am afraid only Troops may pass this bridge.â He said firmly.
Crian scowled. âWe are crossing. What do we have to do to cross- do I have to answer a riddle like in childrenâs stories?â
The knight shook his head. âNo- you are not to pass as long as I am here.
Crian drew his sword. âThen I am going to have to make you pass,â he growled.
The Knight drew his sword. âYou are making a big mistake,â he said.
Crian shook his head. âYOU are making a mistake.â He snarled. He charged the knight. The night dodged two blows and countered with a series of combinations. Crian dodged and parried them all.
The fighting went on for a few minutes, both not giving an inch, until Crian hesitated in one attack. The knight took his chance and sent another volley of attacks. Crian dodged most of them, but he let his guard down once and he had a bad cut on his leg. It was not bad, but Crian was furious. He was like a bull, oblivious to everything but his opponent. He roared and charged. The knight met all of them, until Crian knocked him off balance. Crian was about to cut him in two, but as fast as lightning the knightâs sword came to block the downward slash, and the knight started taking powerful attacks. Crian kept meeting each powerful attack with more counter attacks. Finally, the knight hesitated, for one second. It was just a second. But one second was all Crian needed. He swung his sword, knocking the knightâs out of his hand, and left the knight unarmed. The sword, amazingly, returned- but Crian already had him on his knees, his sword to his throat.
âNo one has ever defeated me before-â the knight began. Then he lowered his head. âKill me.â
Crian shook his head and sheathed his sword. âYou are a Shingan. A Knight of the West.â
The knight nodded. âI was captured- Anger put me in charge of this bridge, so no one could get out of this land- except Troops. I was placed against my own will.â
The knight rose. âI am free. You may pass.â
Crian nodded. The kids were by him, looking at the knight. âWow,â James exclaimed.
The knight chuckled.
Crian and the two kids were passing the bridge when the knight asked âWhat is your name, soldier?â the knight asked.
Crian turned. Charles bumped into him and fell down. âCrian. I am a blacksmith.â
The knight nodded. âGood travels Crian, Knight of the west.â
Crian nodded and continued on. Knight, he thought. He called me a knight.
To be a knight is something every boy of TâKeth, including Crian would dream of as a kid- but you must be of noble birth- not very noble, but noble as in âhigher than a blacksmithâ noble, like to be family member of a man who was a warrior. His father was never of noble birth, but he had the skill with a sword to be a knight. When Crian was young, every week they would leave Tigerâs Eye city into a circle of trees and fought with swords- it was play at first, then soon Crian had always tried to beat his father in a fight. It looked like it was impossible, though. He might have had a chance, but he would never actually beat him. He died, twenty years ago. He had also lost hope about his wife and children being okay. They were dead. It was hopeless to think that they were alive.
âHopelessâ¦â
âMister Crian?â
Crian looked up, back into reality. They were off the bridge now, and passing two mountains. A group of hills were in the distance. The road looked like it had not been used for years, for it was grey and rocks were littered here and there, and weeds were growing.
The bridge was far in the distance now; the knight was a dull grey blur in the distance.
They walked. For a while, nobody said a word. Finally, when they got to the end of the two mountains, James spoke.
âI am hungry.â
Crian put his face in his hands. âVery well,â he said. âWe should rest here.â
They sat down on a log as Crian went to get stones to make a fire.
Crian finally got it together, and his eyes lit up when they fire started to blaze.
They sat down until the sun started to set.
Charles yawned. James scratched his nose. Then he got bored, and James being James, spoke up. âI am bored.â He said.
Crianâs face was expressionless. Charles laid his head down, and with only his raggedy cloak as a blanket, he started to snore.
James, remembering something, went to see his new little present, as he thought of it.
He drew his sword. It was short, like three feet long, but it was a perfect size for someone like James.
It had the mark of anger on the hilt, though. âCharles and I used to play swordfight with branches we found,â he said.
Crianâs face remained expressionless.
âDo you ever smile?â James asked.
Crian sighed, looking at the fire. It was dying out, and they were out of wood. The sun was going to set soon. And it gets very cold at night in these parts.
Crian stood up. âI need to search for more wood. Do not go anywhere.â And with that, he left. James sighed. It was still daylight, but Charles was asleep like a baby. He sighed and started to talk to him. He had never thought that he would be on any kind of adventure.
Well, he thought. I guess I should wait until mister Crian comes back.
Night fell. Crian did not return.
MEANWHILE

Crian groaned with the weight of the wood on his arms. He was cursing himself for getting lost. His father used to teach him about how the sun set in the west and rose in the east- but there was no sun to see now. Nothing but pure darkness and the trees to keep him company. âI guess I will have to wait until dawn,â he muttered to himself. âI just hope he does not panic and come looking for me.â
Then he heard a noise. He dropped the bundle of wood. He saw a light. At first he thought it was his fire- and then he approached itâ¦
Troops surrounded a huge fire. They were drinking ale and singing a song.
Crian gasped as he saw an old rival get up, waving his hand to silence the crowd.
âTo King Anger!â Seftis roared. The crowd cheered, waving their mugs around. âAnd to fresh meat!â
The Troops howled, and started to sing. âOh, Fresh meat, fresh meat, fresh meat, FRESH MEAT!â
They chanted the lines over and over again. Barbaric, Crian thought.
He then realized- the Troops are here- that means they are way too close by for comfort! I NEED to find the kids! We need to take foot before they can catch up to us!
Crian darted away. The closest Troop heard the noise. âHey! Hey! What was that? I thought I heard something.â
âOh, shut up.â Another Troop said. âProbably just your stomach.â
âNo, I think I heard something!â The Troop said.
âJust keep here.â
Back at the camp, James had woken up Charles and both were afraid, and freezing. The fire was gone, and the coals were only showing a small glow.
Then, a figure burst through the bushes.
âAH!â James screamed, drawing his sword.
âIt is just me,â Crian said. âListen, we have to get out of here FAST. There is a Troop camp right next to us- come on, we need to leave!â
He trampled out the rest of the fire with his boot, took the kids and left.
They were sprinting until they reached the hills. There, a group of wild pigs were waiting for them there.
They were huge, about the size of a dog.
âBâOn Boars,â Crian breathed. âBack away, slowly. Towards the tree.â
The pigs charged. They climbed the closest tree, high enough so they could not get them.
The pigs circled the tree for a while, and then got tired of waiting and the group walked away.
They all climbed down, and started on their walk again. It was freezing. The air froze them to the bones. A thick fog surrounded them, engulfed them. Crian had drawn his sword and was waving it around threateningly in front of him. They were walking really fast now, for the pigs would come back. They would not be able to take four let alone twelve boars. And that was probably the least dangerous threat down this evil place. This land had used to be a village, but as Anger invaded, the soldiers were sent to fight Troops off of the homeland, not fight off pigs, wolves and bears. The village was completely overthrown by the animals. Now, they roam this land freely.
This land was dangerous to even the Troops. All the way to the forests, it was hostile territory.
Crian sighed relief as the fog cleared. (Slightly, at least.)
There, they saw a large group of big rats, best avoid them, he thought.
A Grey Vulture flew overhead.
Crian waved his sword again. His eyes then lit up. âI forgot!â he cried.
He searched his pack and found a torch and a flint. He lit it up, and the place lit up. The rats scattered away. Then, to Crianâs surprise, it was not the torch that scared them off. A huge figure loomed out of the forest in the distance. It was very wolf like, but had streaks of white on its back and had horrible staring orange-red eyes.
âRohia,â Crian whispered.
âWho is Rohia?â James asked Crian, his sword also in hand.
âThey say he is the protector of this land. He is like a god to the creatures, they say.â
Rohia roared and ran towards Crian.
Crian swung his sword, but the beast dodged and charged, knocking Crian off balance. It roared, looking at James and Charles. They cried, dropping their swords and took heel.
Rohia was way too quick for them. They were out like a light in a second.
Crian was upon Rohia like lightning, stabbing it in the neck with his knife. The creature roared in agony, threw Crian off, and was soon facing an unarmed Crian.
Rohia snarled. Crian knew he would have no chance unarmed against any wolf, let alone Rohia. The wounds in its neck healed slowly. Soon, it charged. Crian tried to get out of the way, but Rohia was too fast. It knocked him off balance, and was soon clamping on his arm. Blood gushed from his arm out onto Crianâs cheeks as the wolf tried to tear it off. âAH!â he cried. Soon, his arm WOULD come off, and then it would have a good clean chance against Crianâs throat. He bellowed as Rohia pulled at his skin.
Then, Charles came to the rescue, throwing a rock at Rohiaâs head. It let go of Crianâs bleeding arm and charged Charles.
âAh! Whoa! HELP!â he cried as Rohia charged him. Crian went to take his sword, and in his bad hand he took his sword. It seemed way heavier than it was. He waved it around menacingly to Rohia. It snarled, and charged Crian. This time, he was ready. He swung his sword, and in an instant Rohia backed away, aware that his opponent had a new advantage. Charles was up, his sword in his hands, guarding James. Rohia might have been able to beat them one on one, but together he could not do anything. It ran into the forest again. James was up now. The forest was silent now.
Crian put his knife away. âWe have a hard road ahead of us,â he said. The boys were nodding.















Chapter TEN:
DANGEROUS ROAD


The walk was long and tiresome. The two kids were dragging themselves forward. âWhen are we going to stop?â James complained. âI am tired!â
âWe are stopping at a village. Maybe I can drop you off there.â Crian answered.
James scowled. Then Crian groaned. âMaybe we should stop here. It will be better to rest now.â
They went off the road (about five feet off the road) and set up a small camp. The two kids then began to swordfight, this time with real swords.
âHey!â Crian called to them. âNot so hard! I do not want anyone hurt.â
The kids nodded and went back to their fight. James fought viciously, cutting and slashing as quickly as a cobra. Charles was using his wits as well as his strength. He knew that James was quicker and more agile. (He would not let a day go by without letting Charles know it!) So Charles kept his distance, carefully guarding every blow, countering when he had a chance, waiting until one time James would make a mistake.
Then he saw his chance. James let his guard down to do a downward slash. Charles immediately seized it and tried to get the sword to his neck, and he felt a feeling of Déjà Vu. James made a powerful slash almost knocking Charles off balance. He cried out and heard a voice.
âHEY!â Crian put his hand to James. âNo drawing blood.â
âWe are not drawing blood,â James said angrily.
Crian nodded. âWould you like me to teach you a little?â
James nodded, but Charles shook his head no, but then agreed after James shot him a scowl.
Crian showed them a little of the basics of sword fighting, and after a while they decided to try their skills out.
âIt is two against one,â James said. âThis will be easy.
Crian drew his sword. It was a whole foot longer than theirs. The kids went back. He will take advantage of his distance as well as we will take advantage of how it is two against one.
Crian made powerful series of slashes that drove the kids back. Charles tried sneaking to the back of him while James took the front. But Crian saw what they were doing and backed away so they could only see his front. He then reared up, put his sword in front of him, and charged. James and Charles separated, trying to each take his sides. Crian (seeing their plan) jumped toward James, knocking the sword out of his hands. Crian put a sword to his throat. James put his hands up in surrender. Crian shook his head. Then he felt a pinpoint on his back.
Charles had snuck up on him. âDrop your sword.â He said.
Crian dropped his sword and put his hands up. âYou are beaten.â He growled. Then he burst out laughing, so hard he dropped his sword. âI got you didnât I?â
Crian nodded. âYou beat me fairly. You win.â He said. Then he chuckled. âPretty good.â
James looked in awe. âWe beat him?â
âI beat him.â Charles said proudly.
Crian nodded again. âWell, I think we must be going. Come on, we have to get to the village before the day ends.

The village was in the distance. It was small, and probably crawling with thieves and cutthroats. The villages around here were covered in bandits. Smoke rose from the plaza. The gates were open. A guard stood there. He wore grey armor, a spear and a rectangular shield.
âWe would like to get into the city.â Crian said.
âYou need to be searched first,â the man said. âWe have nothing against weapons, but you must bring only one, and it must be in plain view.â
Crian nodded. âWill I be given my second weapon back at the end?â
The man laughed scornfully. âIf you could survive a stay at this city, you might.â
Crian frowned, but handed over his knife, the one he usually concealed.
The man nodded and searched him and the two boys. He was about to search Jamesâ pack when he protested. âYou are not getting your things on my stuff!â James yelled.
The guard shook his head. âFine. What could a kid do anyway? Alright, you may go in.â
The village was neutral, but a lot of the people would strip you clean without you even knowing it.
The village was compacted and all roads led to the plaza, where there was a gambling house and various shops that sold various items. Crian gasped as he saw three Troops drinking ale. Hopefully they are not part of the Troop with Seftis, Crian thought. But thankfully, they did not have the mark of Seftis. They were complaining about the brand of ale.
Crian led the two kids to a small house. He knocked on the door. A short bald man opened the door. He had pale skin and a short brown beard.
âWhat do you want?â The man said in a voice that did not fit his appearance.
âDiâAmor sent me.â Crian explained.
The manâs eyes widened. âDiâAmor! I have not seen him in long time. We good friends. Is he well?â
Crian nodded. âHe is well.â he confirmed.
The man smiled and beckoned them inside his house. âCome in, come in! You must be freezing out there!â
Inside the small house was really nice. A warm fireplace burned by two beds. A picture of a woman was held on the wall by the door. It was a two room house- the other room had a range on it, and there was a pot whistling.
âI am so glad he is all right. Hey, do you want some tea?â The man babbled.
âNo thank you.â Crian said.
âWell, did he tell you about-â The man began, but then he lowered his voice. âThe resistance?â he whispered.
Crian shook his head. âNothing special. He told me about it, and gave me this map.â He thrust the piece of paper at him. Crian was a hulk compared to the short bald man.
He studied it. âFrom DiâAmorâs own pocket.â He looked up. âAre you friends with DiâAmor, or something? Cause he is going a lot out of his way to help you.â
Crian shook his head. âHe looks familiar, but I do not think I have seen him before.â He admitted.
The man stood there in silence for a while. Then he said âI am Opne`.â He said. âNice to meet you.â So, tell Opneâ more about what happened. Your journey so far, I mean.â
After Crian finished the story of his journey, Opne` shrugged. âSo, you are going to The Vault.â
âThatâs right.â
âWell, do you have any type of plans when you get there?â He asked.
Crian shook his head. âNo.â
âThen why are you going, if you do not have any plans when you get there?â
âThere was nothing for me back at Tigerâs Eye city that I needed. I am nothing there. From the old Western quote, âI would be better off dead and free than alive and under suppression.ââ
Opneâ nodded. âWell, I will let you stay one night. But that is all you can get. I do not want to look suspicious. I could be harboring a rebel! Opneâ loves life more than death. Opneâ is not like fearless Voranites or western men. Well, you should rest.â
Crian went to lie down in the bed. Opneâ went into the other room.
âOpneâ-â
Opneâ went to see him. âWhat?â
âCan you take care of the kids while I go to the Vault?â
Opneâ shook his head. âOpneâ does not need kids. He needs peace and quiet. Sorry, but I cannot help you with that.â And he left into the other room.
The two kids were already asleep. Perhaps I should do the same, Crian thought. He closed his eyes and fell asleep right away.

Crian awoke to see James and Charles waiting at the door, fully ready. âWe need to go now,â James said.
So they said their goodbyes to Opneâ and were off, and soon were at the end of the city.
âHere is your dagger back.â The guard said, tossing it to him.
Crian tried to catch it, but it fell out of his grasp and hit the ground. Crian scowled, but picked it up and concealed it calmly.
After a while of walking James started to complain.
âI am hungry!â he wailed.
âWell if you complain more it will only make things worse,â Crian warned. âIf you complain anymore, we are skipping lunch.â
âBut I am hungry!â
Crian buried his face in his hands. âI give up.â He groaned.
Charles shook his head. James lifted his arms in defense. âI am just hungry.â
Crian started searching his pack for something. He was still on the move and tripped on a rock. He cursed and got up, still searching his pack.
âI am still hungry!â James cried. Crian tossed a small piece of bread at him. âCan I have more?â he asked.
âThat is all I have!â Crian threw his arms in the air.
âBut I am still hungry!â James wailed. Crian searched his pack, tripped again, and tossed him some dried up berries. âBut I do not like berries!â he cried.
Crian groaned. âCharles, make him stop, please!â
Charles shook his head. âHe will not stop until he gets what he wants. He does this a lot.â He said. âI had to get used to it.â
Crian roared. âI HAVE NOTHING LEFT!â
âBut I am hungry!â
âI will not give you anything because I have nothing to give you!â
âBut I am hungry!â
âFINE!â Crian growled. He tossed him an apple. âI was saving that for myself, by the way.â
James feasted on the apple. When he was done, he said âMister Crian?â
âWhat?â
âI am still hungry.â
Crian gave a long moan.






















CHAPTER ELEVEN:
Sergo

They had finally approached a large town that used to be called RiâTi, but is now called Sergo City, named after the noble that controls these parts. Inside the city they had to conceal their weapons, (Crian had found a guard who would give his back at the end of the city.) for a rule (Sergoâs rule, that is.) states that only the guards and Troops may hold weapons in the city.
Crian had told them that Ekogodneâ was a noble, Rohia was one too, and Sergo. Anger had hand picked them all himself to rule the land. Sergo is probably the least modest noble there is.
In the middle of the city was a large tower called The Tower of Sergo.
âHa,â Charles sneered. âHe sure likes to have his name heard a lot. Quite modest, is he not?â
âShush, be quiet!â Crian ordered quietly. âDo not insult him whatsoever. He will have you dead or worse in a second. Do not say anything. Now, wait here, and do not move.â He went into a shop.
Then, the twins heard bells and trumpets. âMake way for lord Sergo!â A Troop called with a touch of boredom in his voice. A man rode by on a chariot, covered completely in a hood so you could not see his face.
âHa!â James jeered. âFor someone whose name is posted everywhere, it seems he loves to conceal his face in public.â He knew what he said, and then he gasped and put his hands over his mouth.
But it was too late. Sergoâs head swiveled to Jamesâ direction. âSeize him!â he snarled.
Two Troops ran up and took the twins from behind. Kick and strain as they must, they could not get out of the Troopâs grasps.
Crian emerged from the shop. âGuess wha- hey! What are you doing?â He cried.
âHe has mocked the name of Sergo, and they must be punished.â The Troop holding James said calmly.
âHey, there must be some mistake! Those are my kids.â Crian said, worry rising inside his voice.
âThey must be punished.â The other Troop droned.
âWait- I assure you they will not do this again! And really, they are just kids! Can you hurt a kid?â Crian asked.
âYou can say that again,â he Troop said. âThey will not have a chance to.â
âNO! Just give them to me and I will leave the city. I promise!â Crian said, panic stricken.
The Troop dropped James, took out a club, and was ready to hit Crian, when Sergo spoke: âDo not!â he hissed. Then he turned to Crian. âYou take your little ⦠and leave this city and never come back to taint us with your unholy words. And if you and I cross paths once again, I will kill you, and your two little vermin.â
Crian nodded. âYes. I promise.â
The Troop unhanded Charles. âGet out of here.â He pointed to the far gates.
Then without further anything, they left.
âI am hungry!â James cried.
âSHUT UP!â Crian roared. âShut up! You are the one who got us into this mess! Now we will probably starve before getting to the next city. It is YOUR fault we had to leave so soon. You just HAD to disobey everything I ask you. And now you are asking for food after we just ate?â
James shrunk back. âIâm sorry.â He squeaked, timidly now.
Charles said nothing. Crian was muttering to himself. He regretted letting these kids come. Now we have not nearly enough supplies to make it to the Vault. And now he had to take them there. Now he had to take them there. Ad they have not been through almost any danger yetâ¦

MEANWHILE

Seftis and his Troops finally reached âSergo city.â The Troops jeered at the name. The Troops and Angerâs nobles never really got along that much. They approached Sergo. âWe are looking for someone,â he said. âOne man and two boys. You saw them?â
Sergo nodded. âThey brought with them tainted words that will hurt my city forever.â He hissed.
Seftis scowled. âSpare us your âholyâ words. Tell us where they went. The man has killed six Troops so far, gone past three nobles already: Ekogodneâ, Rohia, and now you. The two kids have burned the temple of Anger and killed a Troop captain. I am barely surprised, though, that they can pass nobles like you.â He said, saying nobles with disdain.
Sergo made a throaty growl. His bony hand reached to Seftisâ throat longingly. Then he said âAnger tells me the two children did not do it. He is very smart. Some people, he says, are not loyal to the king. He says that they are in hiding, and running.â
Seftis scratched the back of his neck. âI do not know why he did not tell me about that.â He said, wondering.
âDo you expect King Anger to tell even slight information to a lowly Hunter like you?â Sergo rasped.
Seftis was fuming now. âMy people are not lowly,â he snarled. âThe Hunters curse you for your words. Now you go crawl back to where you came from and let us do your dirty work.â
Sergo nodded. âThat is what Anger pays you for, to do dirty work.â
Seftis shook his head. âSave your childish talk for the next person to insult your looks. You sure have a nice enforced law here.â The Troops left. Sergoâs bodyguards (Troops) stared at him with scowls on their faces. Sergo scowled back and they went back to their work.
LATERâ¦
Seftis and his Troops came to a stop. He bent down and looked at the footprints that led east. He took a glove off and picked a little dirt off the ground. He sniffed it. âFresh meat,â he said. âWe have their scent! Come on!â his voice changed, it was deeper and more menacing, like there were two voices. âWE HAVE THEIR SCENT!â
The Troops started chanting their little song: âFresh meat,â they called, over and over and over.
âFRESH MEAT!â

Crian sniffed the air in the forest. The sun peaked through the trees and scattered in small parts across the ground. The trees ruffled to the breeze. Crian was feeling better now, and had tossed an apple to James, who just stared at it. âI am not hungry anymore,â he had said.
Crian felt afraid, with the Troops right on their tail. It was an entire Troop, probably at least a hundred men. And when they had their scent, hiding was their last priority. And the straight road made them easy targets.
Crian looked back. The road was (to his chagrin) very straight with only hills to cover them.
White rats scurried across the path. James chased them into the forest. Crian decided to focus on the path ahead. It was long and weedy, with barely any signs of anything, except maybe a few Troop leavings: coals from fires, old rags, and moldy leftover bones from meat. Off the path was (on both sides) covered with trees and plants. Soon, the forest went its different way. There was long yellow grass to their left and a long line of burnt, slightly smoking trees to the right. Probably a leftover fire some Troops were too lazy to care about, thought Crian. Jamesâ eyes were on a group of voles running around the leftover ashes of the trees. He charged off, chasing them away.
âHey!â Crian yelled. âGet back on the path!â
James was still chasing them around, but froze when he heard a long roar coming from the forest to his back. He charged onto the path. It sounded close by.
âBut I thought we left Rohia a long way back!â James cried. âYou do not think he is following us!â
Crian shook his head. âRohia probably isnât following us. He is known to be like an ant queen, and the forest is his anthill. He knows everything that is in his forest.
âBut Troops set a fire in the forest!â James exclaimed, brushing a fly off his shoulder. âAnd Rohia didnât punish them or anything.â
Crian scratched his head, and then swatted a fly on his head. âThe Troops and the Nobles are well known to have a powerful rivalry with eachother,â he explained. âThe Troops might have âaccidentallyâ set a tree on fire and just left it, maybe trying to make Rohia angry.â
Charles swatted another fly on his face. âSay, there are a lot of flies around here. Whatâs going on?â he asked.
Up ahead was a small swamp. It wasnât that big, but it was very time consuming to go around it- and they already have to beat the Troop following them.
Crian jumped into the shallow but dirty water. The path went around it- but they had no choice- Go off the path or risk losing a lot of time and face the Troops.
The flies were swarming him now. He felt a very uneasy feeling as cold dirty water poured slowly into his boots. Both kids were following him. James was splashing, obviously enjoying this more than Crian and Charles. The flies were coming in swarms now. They quickened their pace towards the end. Charles was however running too fast and the water seemed to grab at him as it got slightly shallower. He tripped and fell on his face into the cold water. He got up, muttering. James was ahead, but at the end he fell into deeper water- at first it was only knee deep for Crian, but now it was waist deep. He had to swim to shore, now. Flies were everywhere. Charles stood there, shivering.
âCome on!â Crian ordered.
âI canât.â Charles answered.
âWhy not?â Crian growled.
âI cannot swim like James.â He answered, obviously embarrassed.
Crian shook his head. âIt is only up to your neck. You can wade across.â
Charles nodded. âFine.â He said. âBut I am a little- err, ah-â
âYouâre afraid of the water.â
âUm, ah, I get a little uneasy, is all.â He said, shivering.
Crian groaned. But Charles then started to run, trying to make a running leap- but the land was obviously too far for someone like him. Also, he stumbled on a weed and fell face first into deep water. James was out of the water, and seeing the trouble his brother was in, leapt back in, and pulled him up. Crian went and lept onto the shore. âWell, that could have gone better,â he muttered. Charles nodded, shivering.
He heard an angry snarl. âWe should get back on the path!â he said.
The two shivering boys nodded.

MEANWHILE

Seftis kicked a rock at the forest. âWe shall camp here,â he said. âThey probably arenât too far anyway.
The Troops sat down. Two others went to get some wood. One took out an axe and prepared to chop a tree down.
âNOT SO FAST!â A hard voice like iron tore through the Troopsâ ears.
A large man went out of the woods. He had a grey beard and old ruined clothes, and cold yellow eyes.
âOh, good, here comes the second noble we see today.â Seftis said, obviously bored.
The Troop prepared to chop the tree again. But he dropped the off as the man looked at him angrily. He dropped it and walked behind Seftis. âYou get out of my forest, vermin.â He growled.
âWe can go anywhere we want,â Seftis said. âBesides, Anger has spoken. I have orders to bring three-â
âTwo kids and one man, I know.â The man said. âYour small little trip is nothing, now. I am going to stop them.â
Seftis laughed. âYou cannot harm anything outside your forest. We can. And if they can pass you once, they can pass you again.â
âThey are going into my forest, anyway.â He said.â
Seftis laughed.
The old man scowled. âGet out of my forest,â he said after a pause. âOr I will become angry.â
Seftis laughed again. âAnd that was your calm side.â He said.
âYes, if you will believe me.â He said.
There was a long pause. âNow GET OUT OF MY FOREST!â the old man snarled, followed by a non humanlike roar.
The Troops obeyed. Seftis scowled. The old man disappeared into the forest. âI think I like him better when he doesnât talk,â he said.
The sun set. The chase was now officially on.
































CHAPTER TWELVE:
THE FOREST


âThis place is not to my taste, if you get what I mean.â Crian said to himself. They were in the forest now. He was a western person. He missed the plains. He missed the open land of TâKeth. Greth wasnât much to his liking. The forest made him feel surrounded, gave him an uneasy feeling. He had been so tense that when he had seen a group of mice, he drew his sword. And not only that, but on the draw he went so close to cutting off Jamesâ head. He had flinched and saved his nose.
Crian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He took a mouthful of water. It felt great as it wet down his dry throat.
James was now five feet away now, anxiously avoiding Crian and his sword. Charles was silent.
They all knew that the Troops will be upon them soon. It would have to be fight or flight- and flight wouldnât work because the Troops do not run out of energy and could run for days on end. The only thing they could do was to hide in the forest and risk being seen by the all seeing Rohia.
James feet gave way and he almost passed out. They sat down, thinking a few days rest couldnât hurt them much. Crian went to see the view.
To his horror, the Troop was there. One of them pointed at them, and soon all of the Troops drew their swords and shouted.
âRun! Hide! The Troops are here!â Crian ordered.
James and Charles went off the path to the right, while Crian went to the left and hid in some bushes.
The Troop went by. Seftis stopped and started to sniff the air. âWhat is it?â A Troop asked.
âThey are hiding in the forest. Go and search!â he ordered.
Two Troops went to search the left, Seftis and a few others went to the right.
Crian was well hidden, for the bush masked his scent slightly.
James had his sword in hand, hiding behind a tree. He had no time to hide.
He sighed. A Troop (Seftis) snatched him by his cloak and lifted him off the ground. He lifted him up. âI have him and if you come out I will let him live!â he shouted.
Crian went up, his sword in hand. He charged Seftis, but half of the Troops surrounded him. âDrop your sword,â ordered a Troop. âNOW.â
Crian dropped his sword. Five Troops went and bound him with ropes. Charles was found soon after. They were now in the hands of the Troops. â
Seftis looked at Crian. âTake them out onto the path; we will stop and then ask them questions.â
The Troops walked for a while, and then stopped to rest.
Seftis turned to Crian. âLong time no see, eh?â he jeered.
âNot long enough.â Crian snarled.
Seftis laughed. âIt is time for your questioning,â he said.
He pulled Crian until they were face to face. âNow, where are you going?â he asked. âI mean, you went in such a hurry.â
Crian shook his head. âNowhere, to visit relatives. Nothing special.â He answered.
Seftis chuckled. âAnd so killing six Troops and turning people to take arms against their master is what you needed to do to see your relatives?â He laughed. Then his expression turned serious. âI want to know what you really did. Now tell me.â
Crian shook his head. âEven if you kill me, I will not tell you anything.â He said defiantly.
Seftis widened his eyes. âOh,â he said, taking his dagger out. âSo you probably wouldnât tell me if I kill-â he pressed the dagger to Charlesâ throat. âHim,â he said.
Crian gulped. Seftis pressed it harder until blood ran slowly down his neck. He closed his eyes, obviously in pain, but did nothing. He knew there was nothing he could do.
James couldnât take it anymore. âThere is a resistance!â he cried. âHe had a map leading to a place where the resistance is!â
Everyone looked at him in awe. Crian buried his face in his hands. Seftis put his dagger away. âWell, well, thank you.â He leaned next to him. âWhere is the map?â he asked.
âHe usually keeps it in his hands but when he isnât looking he puts it away.â He squeaked.
Seftis smiled. âI like this one.â He said. âNow go, find me the map.â He said to some Troops. They went looking through Crianâs pack.
âHere it is, sire!â A big bearded Troop said and handed him DiâAmorâs map. Crian felt awful. I have gone through pain and misery just to get to this one place, and I couldnât even get halfway there. And not only that, but he has ruined the last chance of freedom he had. He felt ashamed.
Seftis studied the map. âIt seems it is called âThe Vault.â Funny little name. Well, this has been a very successful mission. It is time to head south, to Angerâs land.
Crian gasped. He would be brought AWAY from his destination. He groaned.

The Troop walked for a couple of hours, and then stopped. The forest still loomed above them. The sun had set now.
Howls came into the distance. A Troop got up and ran into the forest. One sought after him, but Seftis held him back. âLet him go,â he said.
The Troops were sat down and began to snore.
James and Crian were already asleep. Charles thought he saw someone run past the forest. He was sure he saw it, but he decided to drop it. He himself fell asleep too.

The day the Troops advanced south. It was midday when they stopped to rest. A Troop went out to scout the area. They were in a column, a higher type of land on either side.
Crian hadnât talked since yesterday. He just sat and stared at the sky. He must have been deep in thought.
Charles sighed. âYou know what? I kind of miss Tigerâs Eye city. A couple of weeks ago I would have laughed at the thought of actually leaving the city finally. And now I really want to go home. Do you miss home too?â
James shook his head. Then he spat. âI never want to see that place again,â he said. âI would rather die.â
Charles looked away. He had never heard James say something like that. He felt regret. He had wished he would have just stayed back at Tigerâs Eye. Now they are in the hands of the Troops, a spot he has avoided for years.
He stared at Crian. What is he thinking about? He wondered.
Crian was thinking regretfully about this whole stupid trip. Angerâs eye is as farseeing as everyone had said. It might have gone better if the children had never come along. Then the Troops would never be following him. They would have never met Ekogodneâ or encounter the anger of Sergo. This quest was a desperate attempt for freedom.
âHopeless,â he said staring into the blue sky. Not one cloud was in sight. It was the one spot you could see the sky clearly in the Dark Forest.
Then, the Troop came rushing down the hill. He had an arrow in his back. âWe are-â he tried to talk, but he collapsed and moved no more.
They heard a sound. A group of people in ragged torn cloaks, holding bows, daggers, hatchets, spears and swords on each side of the hills.
One drew his sword. âFOR THE KING!â he roared and the Troops were charged on either side. Arrows whizzed past, hitting the Troopâs unarmored necks with deadly accuracy. The Troops were in chaos. âWhat will we do?â James cried.
Then he remembered. The Knife! The knife he had gotten from the Troop when the journey began. He had forgotten all about it. He reached until he found the knife in his boot. He took it out and started cutting his rope. After he was done he untied Crian, and then Charles. Crian saw Seftis fighting two opponents. He saw his sword on his back, which he looted from him. He sprinted, grabbed the sword, and ran away. A stray arrow whizzed past a Troop and went straight through his hand.
He bellowed in pain and agony, but went on. He took the kids and ran into a safe area away from the Troops.
âWhy can we not fight?â Charles asked. They had both found their swords.
Crian shook his head. âThey do not have enough men to take them down, it seems. It is an impossible battle.â He sighed. âWe have no map, no supplies- it seems we will die before we make it to the Vault.â
âWorse yet, the sun is setting.â Charles said.
Crian sighed. âI guess we shall have to brave the night alone.â

The night came swiftly. There were howls, closer to them.
James slowly approached forward. He ran, he ran as fast as he could- but Crian was faster. It took about two minutes to make him snap out of his trance.
But now, they heard the rough uneven pace of the Tiadal wolves. They were huge, the size of ponies at largest. They had yellow eyes that pierced the night. Most had black fur.
The three of them ran up the tree- the largest wolf, a black one with a red scar across its left eye bit off a piece of Jamesâ cloak. Crian tried to swing his sword, but the branch he held onto almost gave way, and his sword fell and clattered to the ground.
They circled the tree. They howled and snarled. Then, a new sound came. A new creature approached. It was black with streaks of white along the back. It was something Crian hoped never to see again.
âRohia,â Crian whispered.
Rohia answered with a long, evil howl. It took a running leap and jumped so high that its claws brushed Jamesâ boot.
âWe need to climb up!â Crian ordered. âNOW!â The three of them started climbing. Rohia howled in anger. The wolves joined in. As Rohia changed, his form began to change: its face turned into an old manâs, then a leopard, then back to the wolf like head. The howl never changed.
Charles held onto the tree for dear life. James had his eyes on the small tree branch that was the only thing that held him up- if the small thing snapped; he would be falling to his doom. It groaned under his weight.
Crian kept his eyes on the wolves. There were at least ten of them, excluding Rohia and the leader wolf.
Crian closed his eyes as the branch he was holding onto started to bend.
The wolves waited until morning and left.

Crian opened one eye. The wolves were long gone. He had a long sigh of relief.
He jumped down, picked up his sword, and looked at the kids. James saw Crian and jumped down, followed by Charles, who tried climbing down, but one of the branches snapped and he fell onto the ground. He got up, muttering to himself.
âWhere are we?â James asked.
Crian shook his head. âI have as much guess as you do.â He said. We are way off track, now. We need to get to the Vault without a map.â
He pointed forward. âThat is north,â he said. âIf we can get out of here, we can probably figure out where the city is. It is in the next forest after this one.â
James exclaimed aloud. âLook!â he pointed to something and ran into a circle of trees.
Crian sighed and started after him.

























CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
THE END OF THE FOREST

James was caught right away by a cursing Crian. âThis place is not Tigerâs Eye!â he growled. âYou are not to run around wherever you want. And you are never to leave my side without any permission.â
James nodded. âYes sir.â He said.
âAlright.â Crian said; the worry still in his voice. He then looked at the sky, pointing, making marks in the air with his finger.
âOkay,â he murmured to himself. âWe are going north, out of the forest. Then we will be able to make it to the Vaultâs forest. And that will be the problem, as not even Troops go there.â He started forward, and James ran after him.
âMister Crian! You left me out of my sights again!â he cried.
Crian groaned in exasperation.


Elsewhere, the battle between the Troops and the resistance soldiers was coming to an end.
The men began to falter and hesitate, and soon the Troops gained the upper hand. The Troops had taken many losses, but the men have taken more. Soon, they retreated. The Troops jeered as they were out of sight. Some waved and roared a victory cry. Seftis waved his hand.
âWhy did they attack us, with such poor numbers and weapons?â He asked.
One Troop shrugged. âI have seen one, spying at us, before we have caught Crian and those kids.â He said. âMaybe they saw them give away their secret.
âSpeaking of the prisoners, where are they?â Seftis wondered, scratching his head.
The Troops started to groan and roar in fury. âWe have lost the prisoners!â one snarled.
âWe are doomed! We need to find them again!â another yelled in panic. Soon the camp was full of uneasy murmurs.
âQuiet!â Seftis roared. The Troops all were silent. âWe have caught them once, we can catch them again,â he said.
âWe are Troops. We were the ones who shattered the three kingdoms. We were the ones who fought with the vicious Voranites and the swords of TâKeth. We were the ones who have undone the things that could not be undone!â
The Troops nodded, and soon they were all shouting and roaring in agreement. âNow,â he said. Then he roared. âWE HAVE FRESH MEAT TO CATCH!â
The Troops cheered, and started to sing.

Crian ran through the forest, the two kidsâ right behind him. James was panting like a dog, but Charles, however, remained silent.
The forest was as ugly as you could imagine. It was dark, crawling with strange insects that anyone would ever dare touch. The trees loomed before like dark giants, watching them closely as they walked by on the moist, mossy ground. The air was damp, but it was still very hard to breath. They could not tell if it was day or night, as the trees guarded the floor from the sun.
Charles was in the very back. He felt like he was being watched and occasionally looked back to see nothing. But he did now and again see something, but it was too hard to make out, as the figure disappeared every time he tried to focus on it.
They had been travelling for almost a week now, and the supplies was so low, they could only eat probably once a day, and they would have to share a cracker or something. James had stopped his whining a while back. Nobody usually said anything, but from time to time Crian would stop and look at the sun, see what direction he was going. The sun was about to set when Crian saw something and yelled âAHA!â
The two kids went to see what he was doing, and then started to groan and sigh in relief.
There, the forestâs end was in sight. It was about a mile away. They picked up their pace, as the sun was starting to set.
The forest had ended, finally. âThe light, at last!â James said.
âSavor it, for the sun is going to set,â Crian explained grimly.
Charles turned to the woods. Strange unseen sounds came closely. He backed away and ran to Crian.
He could have sworn he had heard some sort of sound, a low cackle.

âWhere are we?â James asked.
âI have no idea where we are!â Crian answered, exasperated. âI have no map, no directions, nothing!â
âWell, if we go straight, it might get us somewhere,â James pointed out.
âI doubt it,â said Crian, shaking his head. âOne way can go on for weeks. It could lead us to Voraia, for all we know. We have no where to go- unless you want to go back into the forest and try and find the trail again.â
Both kids shook their heads. âI am NOT going there again,â James said stubbornly.
Charles didnât say anything. He just looked back at the dark trees sullenly.