Above Kings, first chapter

By Doodstormer · Jan 12, 2009 ·
  1. I've been working on this for a couple months, I'm planning to publish it sometime. I only have a few chapters done, much of it is fragments of chapters still needing completion.

    I guess it would be okay to show y'all the first chapter, I'd like to get a bit of feedback on this while it's still getting started.
    Edit: Okay, you'll have to settle for half a chapter. I'm too wordy for this blog to handle :p
    The art is by Calling Cthulhu on Deviant Art, I think pictures can help you envision things in a story.
    If you want to see the rest of the chapter you can PM me and I'll send it to you, 'cause I'm a pushover.


    Chapter 1

    The courtyard was beautiful to behold. Cobblestone pathways twisted and turned around and through the well kept garden, overlooked by finely crafted stone balconies. A large mural was carved into the wall around the garden, depicting brave heroes of old fighting long-dead evils. The castle guard in their colorful uniforms patrolled along the balconies, and commoners and gardeners milled about in the garden.

    The King had paid to have all this built, the People’s Garden. He had hired the finest carpenters and sculptors, and it had paid off. He made this garden free to all the citizens of his kingdom, and maintained it out of his own pocket. The people loved their king, and he loved his people.

    Arthur was a captain in the King’s Army, in charge of the 27th Legion. He had a well built frame, and long, clean brown hair and a well trimmed beard. He was known amongst his men for his unorthodox methods of fighting, and had been nicknamed “the Clever Fox”.
    A heavy rain was falling this autumn day, as Arthur darted down the path, weaving his way between commoners and gardeners, leaping over a gardener’s cart along the way. He came to a stop at a large wooden door, and hurriedly put his bold blue and white soldier’s uniform into order, straightening his scabbard and tightening his belt. After taking a minute to catch his breath, he pounded on the door.

    “Who’sit?” barked the voice from behind.

    “It’s Arthur, sergeant. Let me in!”

    “Oi! Why didn’t ya say so Cap’n?”

    A loud thump was heard as the sergeant unbarred the barracks doors, and shoved them open. Arthur quickly shuffled in, and the sergeant slammed the doors shut behind him hastily.

    Several soldiers lounged about in the Inner Barracks, sitting around the fireplace munching on their plentiful rations, provided by the King of course. A large yew log burned in the fireplace, and provided both warmth and light for the entire room. Some of the soldiers saw Arthur enter and saluted him quickly. He nodded his head in greeting and headed for the stairwell that led up to the balconies. Arthur scaled the steps and walked along the balcony, stopping at a door being guarded by two armed soldiers. He quickly saluted the men and entered.

    The War Room was a very cramped room. Maps and charts covered the carved stone walls, and even these were covered in notes and scribbling from the various commanders who had been in here. A large oak table sat in the center of the room. Upon it were several stains and impurities, papers and documents of war, and a few more maps, as well as a few half burnt candles, which provided sufficient light for the room. A long dagger was stuck in the table, almost 3 inches deep. Apparently no one had ever bothered to remove it. Around the table were several wooden chairs, each in various condition and appearance.

    Arthur selected one of the slightly less damaged chairs, and took a seat. This was an unusual happenstance for him; a captain was very seldom called into the War Room. As he pondered the possible reason for this, he heard the General approaching.

    [​IMG]
    General Lukas was a tall, aged man. He had a wiry build, and a thin, rugged face. His coarse white hair, streaked with black, came just at his shoulders. His sharp nose complemented his cold, grey eyes. His left leg had been lost long ago in a distant war, and now was replaced with a sturdy pine peg. Due to this, he had to walk with a thin ivory cane. His cane clicked with his every step, followed by the thump of his wooden leg. His presence sent chills down Arthur’s spine.

    The General entered the room, and sat down in the first chair that he came upon. He turned a cold gaze toward Arthur, then turned to the table and began rummaging through the notes and documents, casting many of them to the floor in disinterest.

    “You called for me, sir?” asked Arthur, breaking the chilling silence.

    “Yes,” the General replied, not looking away from the papers.

    “Can I ask what for, sir?”

    “Not right now, you have to wait for the others to get here.”

    “The others, sir?” asked Arthur, now somewhat interested. The General ignored Arthur’s question, and continued to rummage through the papers.

    “Sir?” persisted Arthur.

    “You sure ask a lot of questions, Captain Arthur.”

    “It’s not every day an ordinary captain is called to the War Room, sir.”

    “It makes no difference whether it’s happened before.”

    “You said something about ‘Others’, sir?”

    “You’ll see.”

    “Sir, with all due respect-“

    General Lukas cut him off. “Do you ever shut up?” He glared at Arthur coldly. “They’ll get here eventually, just give it a rest.” He gestured towards a pitcher at the far end of the table, with a few wooden goblets discarded around it. “Get something to drink, it might be a while.” As Arthur got up, the General muttered under his breath. “Cunning Fox? More like Chattering Squirrel.”

    Arthur thirstily grabbed the pitcher and poured himself a drink. As he brought the goblet to his lips, he almost immediately spit the drink back out. Arthur hated the taste of aged grog.

    He heard a wooden tapping sound down the hall. It was unmistakable as the Wizard’s wizened old staff. The Wizard was a short fellow, clothed in heavy, tattered blue robes and a large, pointed, and somewhat worn hat. His long curly white beard almost touched the ground as he shuffled into the room. The Wizard looked over Arthur, and then carefully sat down in one of the more cushiony chairs. He propped his staff against the table and removed his hat, letting his unkempt long hair fall about him.

    Arthur had only heard about the Wizard from old housewives’ tales and the dusty old tomes the Librarian fussed over so much and kept in such good condition. He was a crafty inventor, a wise scholar, and a great master of magic as well. Every one of his deeds was considered legendary by most standards, and, indeed, he was a marvelous man.

    The Wizard was followed into the room by the burly Lord Hector, who clattered into the room in his full armor. His long, deep blue cloak seemed to fill the room as he walked, billowing and twisting with each step he took. He strode to one of the chairs at the far end of the table, and dropped into a chair. Much to Arthur’s surprise, the rickety chair did not collapse under the weight of Hector’s armor. After taking his seat, he reached up and began to undo his helmet. After a brief struggle with the chinstrap, he took off his helmet and carefully placed it on the table, exposing his face to the dim light provided by the candle.

    Sir Hector had lost an eye long ago, as was apparent by his weathered leather eye patch, and the long, jagged scar running down his face. His one good eye was of an unearthly, sickly green, gleaming like an emerald in the dark room. He ran his fingers through his black hair, glancing over the items of the room. The “Old Raven”, he was called.

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