The sun had just begun to rise. Rise over the kingdom of Trienoph, casting a warm golden glow over (...) the castle walls.
Story by O.P Chris
*All thanks to everyone who helped in the edit*
(...)
The castle walls adorned with the royal crest stood tall and proud, as a testament to the kingdom's richness and strength ... And history.
King Arin II stood on the parapet, gazing out at the waking landscape before him. By his side, Erian, the Golden Sorcerer, smiled warmly as he gazed at the king's profile. His eyes twinkled with deep wisdom.
The two men had been friends since childhood, bound by a shared dream of leading Trienoph into a new era of peace and prosperity. Though, the two friends are way far from each other in status. Arin as king and Erian as a magic servant of the king. Still, there's friendship, but... not too informal.
King Arin II, stood with his broad shoulders, in royal heavy attire with a cape adorned with royal designs.
"I'm telling you, Arin. Your era is filled with more peace and prosperity than that of your predecessors", Erian, his hairs and beards white, with white robes, said, holding a wooden staff.
Arin II chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You've always been the optimist, Erian. I do not share your confidence, but I do know one thing, with you by my side, Trienoph is safe and nothing can shake it. I will never allow unjust and unfairness rule the land, even after I pass away"
The king is in his mid 50's, but Erian appeared too much of an old man in his 90's. *You might be wondering, how they've been friends from childhood with what appears to be 40 years age difference...
'
As they spoke, a figure emerged from behind, her long, raven-black hair blowing in the gentle breeze. Princess Lirien, Arin II's sister, smiled as she approached the two men.
"Erian, I've been looking for you everywhere, " she said, her cheeks flushed. "I wanted to ask for your help. It's a small problem I'm having with a magic spell.
King Arin II switched glance from Erian to his sister. Princess Lirien looked down, and her cheeks flushed red.
Not everyone in Trienoph possesses magic, gifted to only few children born with different attributes and special abilities. The King for example has no magical ability and can't even use magic, yet, his sister can use some magic, same as his predecessors."
Erian's eyes lit up with interest when he saw and heard Lirien. He turned towards her with a warm smile and said "My Princess. I was only here with His Majesty, I thought we had something to discuss, but we have been here, appreciating the glorious view of the kingdom. Perhaps, if His Majesty has nothing to discuss and could free me, I'll be happy to help you on your magic".
The king grinned, facing the horizon, his smile concealed from Erian and Lirien. "There's nothing to discuss, sorcerer"
"Then, Let's find somewhere we can work on your magic together" Erian smiled, changing the wooden staff he had been holding with his left hand to his right and walked slowly of old age with her. Princess Lirien looked down and walked by his side.
As Erian and Lirien walked away talking, Arin II watched them with a glint in his eye. He'd long suspected that Erian harboured feelings for his sister, and he had seen them growing closer. But, that was before a particular incident that happened two years ago and Lirien is a beautiful and young woman in her thirties, while Erian is quite old, she just refused to fix herself with one of the handsome princes of the neighbouring kingdoms.
The hope of a perfect union between the two is less, not only because of age difference alone but status too and the prestige of royalty to a servant. King Arin II's pondered.
Just as Arin II was about to turn away and leave, he turns back slowly, hearing a rising noise and suddenly, (...)
"GBOOM!" A loud explosion rocked the castle walls, sending stones tumbling to the ground and guards shouting. The king bend down at the parapet immediately after the sound, his eyes widened in alarm when he saw what he saw.
Two men in black, on horses, running out of the castle through the hole they caused in the castle wall.
"What in the world...?" He muttered. A guard stood behind the king, stunned. After a while, King Arin II's head snapped toward the guard by his side who was staring down the parapet too, his voice firm and commanding.
"What are you standing there looking at? After them!
The guard sprang into action. The alarm was sound. King Arin watched intently, his eyes fixed on the chaos happening below, his thought raised "What's happening?
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King Arin walked down the aisle of the palace hurriedly. A soldier in armour walks to him. "Your Highness, two unidentified men are leaving the castle.We've got men at alert at the Coast waiting to ambush and arrest them, if they should try to cross to the city.
"Do what you have to do" King Arin walked with two guards holding spears, running behind him. "I want those men captured alive! He ordered. Suddenly, he stopped, turned and asked in a shout,
"...and Where the hell is Koven?
...
...
...
As the soldiers rushed off to relay the orders...,
The curtain blows. Koven, the Crimson Knight, emerged dramatically from the shadows, stepping into the view. His black armour gleaming in the fading light. The crimson Cape flows behind him like a fierce determination. As the captain of the guard and soldiers, he's renowned for his unwavering loyalty, unshakeable courage, and unrelenting pursuit of victory.
The black, sturdy horse 🐴 of his, raised it two front legs up and neighed.
As the Crimson Knight charged forward with his helmet on, with his horse 🏇, a dozen of soldiers followed behind him out of the castle. The sound of clanging steel and pounding hooves grew louder, echoing off the castle wall.
The Crimson Knight has taken the lead! A soldier shouted, pointing towards the gate. King Arin watched intently, his eyes narrowing as they vanished out of his sight, outside the castle.
(...)
(Jewels of Magic)
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The two unidentified men took their race into the forest, running in their horse, between trees and branches. The sound of hooves pounding the soil.
"Master would be very grateful for this", said the first man. The second one smiled and looked at the small leather pouch in his hand.
Meanwhile, soldiers of Trienoph in silver pectorals and brown uniform with swords, have been waiting with a trap set of a tree branch pulled behind into a catapult position.
And Koven, the Crimson Knight and the other soldiers are running right behind.
As the first rider crossed into the trap's deadly circumference, the tree branch sprang forth like a viper, striking him with unforgiving force. The sound of his pain echoed through the forest, accompanied by the terrified whinny of his horse. But, the horse did not stop running. The rider's body soared backward, crashing to the earth with a thud.
The second rider, narrowly escaping the trap's deadly grasp, reined in his horse, eyes wide with alarm. He stopped. The soldiers, lying where they hid, burst forth from their hiding places, pointing spears and shields. The fallen rider, clutching his battered chest, stumbled to his feet, while the soldiers surrounded him. The fallen rider's gaze darted wildly around the soldiers that surrounded him already.
Immediately, he tossed the leather pouch to his companion, shouting, "Ensure Master claims those Jewels!" The pouch was snatched from the air by the other man who nodded, turned his horse about, spurring it into a frantic gallop. "Hyyaaah!" The horse's thunderous hooves pounded the earth, leaving the soldiers to move away from it. The second rider ran away while soldiers prepare to pursue.
As the chaos unfolded..., the fallen rider's eyes blazed. He says a magic spell softly and a bolt of purple magic energy shot forth from his hands, sending the surrounding soldiers crashing to the ground. The soldiers on horses threw spears only to be dodged by the mysterious man. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed another blast of dark magic energy, sending the spear-wielding soldiers tumbling to the earth with their horses.
Seizing a horse, the rider mounted it. Just as he prepared to make his escape, Koven, the Crimson Knight, burst onto the scene, his majestic steed reared up in protest. The rider's eyes locked onto Koven, his hand outstretched, ready to unleash another deadly blast.
But,...
Koven was no ordinary knight. With lightning-quick reflexes, he reined in his horse,and rushed forward, narrowly avoiding the dark energy's deadly grasp and in a flash of steel, Koven drew his blade from his sheath, glinting in the dappled forest light, the rider's outstretched hand was severed at the wrist. His hand fell on the ground. His cry of agony echoed through the forest, sending birds fleeing in terror.
Chapter one ends.
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