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Runecaster Volume One : LIGHT

By Rednal

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Chapter 1

The Princess and the Boy

“Boy! Get in here!” a girl called. A boy quietly walked into her bedroom. The room itself was nothing special; it was only filled to the brim with every conceivable comfort a person could ever possibly want. Gold trim lined the corners, gems were inlaid upon the door, and the finest cloth covered the windows. The bed was made of the best materials available, and spelled to be of supreme comfort to its user. Cushions lined all the places to sit, and there was a huge mirror on the wall opposite the door for one to gaze into.

A girl was reclining on the aforementioned bed, one of her hands lazily stretched out towards the door. Her hair, which was slightly messy at the moment, was a memorable bronze in color. Her eyes were the same. She was dressed in a gown, and looked very smug.

By contrast, the boy had plain dark brown hair, hazel eyes, rather ordinary black clothes, and a body-concealing black cloak. While the girl was striking enough that even at her age, fifteen as of today, she had a number of suitors lined up and waiting to court her, few girls would have gazed twice at the boy. He didn’t really care.

“Trim my nails.” The girl ordered. The boy quietly got out the nail trimming tools from a drawer and began to work on her left hand. Several minutes passed while he made sure that the job was as perfectly completed as it was ever going to get. “Good boy.” The girl said.

The boy sighed.

“Is there a problem?” the girl asked, narrowing her eyes. She gazed levelly at the boy, as if daring him to say that, in fact, there was a problem.

“No, Princess Arianna, there is not a problem.” The boy said quietly. “Is there anything else you need right now?” Arianna was silent for a few minutes, thinking is words over.

“Yes, there is. Tell me why for the last seven years you have unquestioningly and uncomplainingly done everything I have ever told you to.” Arianna replied. “No matter what it is, you always do it without a second thought. Why?” The boy was quiet for a moment.

“…My father told me to take care of you.” He finally said. “So that’s what I intend to do. He deserves that much, after all.” The boy quietly put the tools away and stood near the door, ready for his next task. After a few moments, something else occurred to him. “Oh, right. Happy Birthday.” He said quietly.

“Mmpf.” Arianna replied. She rolled onto her stomach and looked at the boy. “Why are you wishing me a happy birthday, James? We both know that today’s going to be nothing but boredom, princes who think I like them, and people who’re going to try and flatter me so I like them.”

The boy was silent.

“Fine, be that way.” Arianna said, sticking her tongue out at him. “And while you’re at it, go get me breakfast.” She nodded and rolled onto her back again. James quietly left the room. Several minutes passed before he returned, carrying a tray of food for the Princess. “Good boy.” Arianna said as James set the tray next to her bed. She quickly began eating.

“By the way, Princess, Bakat of Dobelia is already requesting an audience with you.” James said. Arianna choked, and the boy watched, somewhat concerned, as the girl coughed several times to clear her throat.

“That filth-ridden. money-grubbing, bad-tempered idiot is here!?” the girl yelped. “Great. That’s exactly what I needed to make my birthday complete. The world’s biggest jerk.” She groaned. “I’m not hungry anymore. Take the tray somewhere. And then clean up the spill.” She indicated a small bit of food on the floor that had fallen over when she had choked. James nodded and complied. “I have to find some way to delay him…” the girl muttered, looking annoyed.

Several long minutes later, there was a rapid series of knocks on the door to Arianna’s rooms.

“Your Highness, Prince Bakat of Dobelia.” A guard announced, opening the door. A tall, blonde, and exceptionally handsome Prince began to walk in, but was stopped by a very sharp blade. That blade was being held by James, and the edge was exactly aligned with Bakat’s neck.

“I’m sorry, but Princess Arianna decided to take an early bath in order to look her best for the celebrations later.” James said aplogetically. “She was also very clear about not letting anybody in, and to use any means necessary. You’ll have to wait with everybody else, I’m afraid.” Bakat glared at him.

“Oh, you. Arianna’s little servant boy.” Bakat said, sneering. James’ expression didn’t so much as flicker. “I don’t really care what you think. Her father gave me permission to see her, and that’s what I’m going to do. She’ll thank you later.” Bakat said smoothly. James merely rolled his eyes.

“Sure.” He said, unconvinced. “Somehow, I don’t believe you. She’d probably lock me in the dungeon for letting you through, not thank me. She’s done stuff like that before.”

“She must not like you very much.” Bakat replied, smirking. He began forming a plan.

“She may like me, she may not, but either way it doesn’t matter. You’re not getting through.” James said. “Now, please leave, before I have to actually use this sword on you.”

“Prince Bakat, you should do as he says…” the guard said quietly. “If the Princess left him orders to not let anybody through, then he’s not going to let anybody through, not even her own father, the King. She should be done in an hour or so, you can try again then.”

“…Humph.” Bakat said. He turned around and stalked off, and was followed by the Guard. James watched them go, then firmly closed the door.

“Whew…” Arianna said, stepping out of her closet. “I hate to say this, but thanks. He’ll leave me alone for awhile.” She jumped onto her bed, turned onto her back, and looked at the ceiling. “So, what should I do?”

“About what?” James asked quietly. Arianna looked at him, and sighed.

“About Bakat, of course. I’m going to have to talk to him sooner or later, and I know he’s going to be all greasy and slimy when he tries sucking up to me.” The girl said, sounding disgusted. “Oh, what am I asking you for? You’ll just advise me to order you to hurt him if he does anything even slightly improper, and as much as I’d like to do that, Father would kill me.” The girl looked at one of her room’s doors. “Go get me a really nice dress; I need to see Father.”

About forty minutes later, a gorgeously dressed Arianna swept into her father’s Audience chamber, and regally moved over to her throne. Everything about her screamed ROYALTY! It was beginning to hurt James’ ears, not that he would ever admit it.

“What is it, child?” King Helio asked, smiling fondly at his daughter as she sat down next to him.

“Is there any way you can get Prince Bakat to leave me alone?” Arianna asked, going straight to the point. “I’ve been having James scout the corridors to make sure he’s not there before I walk down them, but I can’t do that all day.”

“Well—“ the king began. He stopped, however, as an object trailing smoke was thrown into the room via a window.

“GET DOWN!!” James roared, tackling Arianna off her throne. Not bothering to be too careful, he pushed her to the ground, got on top of her, and made sure his cloak covered them both completely. There was a muffled explosion of sound, then a hissing noise. The boy quickly produced a cloth and held it over Arianna’s mouth. “Take a few deep breaths.” James said quietly. “The cloth’ll filter the gases.”

“What’s going on!?” Arianna hissed. “Why did you tackle me?”

“Be quiet.” James replied sharply. He raised the edge of his cloak, then stood up. Everybody besides Arianna and himself had been knocked unconscious by some sort of sleeping gas. “Get up, and hide behind your father’s throne.” The boy ordered. A moment after Arianna had hid herself, the doors slammed open, and a group of warriors entered.

“So, somebody’s still conscious.” The leader of the group said. “Attacking this place was far too easy. Where’s the Princess? Tell us, and we won’t hurt you.”

“So… You’re here for Princess Arianna, eh?” James said, raising a hand. “Well, then, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to get through me first.”

“Wise-guy, eh? Get him!” the leader of the intruders yelled. James smirked and concentrated for a moment. A glowing rune appeared in front of his hand.

“Elrian!” the boy called. Wind shot out of the room, literally slicing into his opponents. They stumbled backwards, wounds all over their bodies.

“W-what sort of trickery is this!?” one of them asked. James smirked.

“I’m a Runecaster.” The boy said. “There is no way you could ever defeat me, not at your pathetic levels of skill.” The intruders gaped.

“T-the Runecasters were wiped out over five hundred years ago!” the leader blurted out.

“No, that’s just what you were supposed to think.” James replied. Arianna stared. The boy who had obeyed her hand and foot for the last seven years was a Runecaster!? That was incredible! But, on the other hand, she had absolutely no idea what in the world a Runecaster actually was. “And since you’re here for Arianna, I must stop you.” He looked over his shoulder, then pointed at Arianna. A small rune formed on the end of the pointing finger. “Korath.” The boy said quietly. Arianna slumped over, unconscious.

About an hour later, the girl groggily awoke and looked around. The throne room was practically in ruins. But none of the castle’s residents were harmed. She and James were the only ones awake. The intruders were dead.

“What… happened?” the girl asked. “James… What the heck happened here?”

“We just had some intruders, and they used gas to knock everybody out.” The boy said firmly. “I know, because I used that cloth on the floor over there to cover my mouth and not breathe in the gas. The intruders are gone.”

“But—“ Arianna began. James glared at her.

“It’s a cover-up. Nobody here knows that I’m a Runecaster except for you, and we’re going to keep it that way. Understand?” James asked dangerously.

“Y-yes.” Arianna said meekly, somewhat scared. Her servant had never been so violent-sounding. Nobody else had woken up yet. The girl sighed, then looked very carefully at James. He didn’t seem fazed at all by what had happened. “I won’t tell anybody. If you promise to tell me what a Runecaster is later.”

“…Deal.” James said. “Now lie down on the floor and pretend like you’re sleeping until everybody else is waking up.” Arianna lay down on the floor, but kept her eyes open. A few moments passed, then James raised the hand of one of the intruders, which was clutching a dagger.

“What are you—“ Arianna began. Her eyes widened as James used the dagger to make several gashes on his body, then put the dagger back into its owner’s hand.

“Your father doesn’t know what I am.” James replied. “And we’re keeping it that way, remember?” he raised an eyebrow, then sat down by the king’s throne, like he had staggered backwards and plopped down. “Ssh…” People began stirring, and Arianna quickly closed her eyes.

“Ugh…” the King groaned. He slowly opened his eyes, and looked around the room. “What… What was that?”

“Gas bomb.” James grunted out, clenching his teeth. “Intruders. I managed to get a filter cloth out… They’ve been dealt with.”

“Good boy…” the King said, slowly sitting up. Arianna moaned quite convincingly. “Boy… You’re injured!”

“It’s nothing.” James replied, pulling off his shirt. He quickly ripped it into strips, and began bandaging his wounds. “Nothing that won’t heal soon enough, at any rate.”

“Mmm.” The King said. “Did anybody else get hurt?”

“Just them.” James replied. He continued bandaging himself. Arianna slowly sat up.

“What—“ she began.

“Later.” The King said. “But we’re safe now, dear. You should thank James, he’s the one who got rid of the assassins.”

“Assassins?” Arianna asked. “People wanted to kill me?” James rolled his eyes, but didn’t dare make a scathing comment in front of the King. The bronze-haired princess looked around the room, her eyes slowly widening more and more as she actually looked at the destruction. The right-hand wall now had a huge hole in it, and almost everything else was in tatters. “Must’ve been some Assassins.”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” James said, truthfully enough. “Are you feeling okay, Princess?”

“I’m fine.” The girl replied. “I just feel weird…”

“Yes…” the King said. Guards swarmed into the room a moment later, looking around frantically.

“There’s no trouble here.” James said, raising a hand. “We’re all fine.”

“Get His Majesty and Her Highness to the Infirmary!” a senior guard ordered. The two were quickly helped away. After their safety had been secured, somebody finally paid attention to James. “You fought them off?” the senior guard asked. James slowly nodded. “And you have no serious injuries?” this prompted another nod. “…Good job. We’ll remember this, kid.”

“Heh. Sure, if you want to.” James replied. He winced as he slowly got up. “Does this mean the party’s off?”

“For now, yes. It’s been delayed until this evening.” Another Guard said, nodding. “Prince Bakat was especially upset, as I recall. Said something about not wanting to wait for something. He’s got a one-track mind.”

“Thought so.” James said. He slowly began to walk away, wincing as he went. “Shouldn’t have been so careless…” he muttered.

At about ten o’ clock, James Ehtra quietly sat and read in his designated chair as maids and nurses hovered around Arianna. The girl had insisted on being allowed to stay in her own room, to nobody’s surprise. She was very selfish most of the time, and absolutely hated the Infirmary’s beds.

“Now, your highness, if you’re even slightly dizzy, make sure to tell us immediately.” A nurse said firmly.

“Yeah, yeah. But there’s nothing wrong with me.” Arianna said, waving the nurse away. “Stop bugging me and go make yourselves useful helping my father or whatever. I am fine. Or help James, he’s actually injured.”

“I’ve already been treated.” James said, not looking up from his book. Arianna sat up and glared at him.

“You had a doctor give you some normal bandages. That’s not treatment.” The girl said sharply.

“Other people got a lot more injuries by fighting off other intruders; they need the treatment more then I do.” James replied, turning the page in his book. “And don’t get mad, it’ll ruin your face.”

“WHAT WAS THAT, YOU SELFISH LITTLE BRAT!?”

“See? She’s feeling fine.” James pointed out. “Nobody sick can scream indignantly like that.” A few of the maids and all of the nurses grinned. “Other people need your help. If she gets dizzy or whatever, I’ll call for somebody, but for now you’ll be more useful elsewhere.” He pointed to the door. After a long moment, the maids and nurses filed out.

“…Not bad.” Arianna admitted. “I’m feeling perfectly fine, just in case you were planning on asking.”

“Yes, I was.”

“Oh no…” Arianna groaned. “Bakat, go away.” She glared at the Prince, for it was he who had just spoken. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Oh, you will be.” Bakat said, smirking nastily. James sighed and got to his feet. “Get out of here, servant boy. Arianna and I need some alone time. Several hours, in fact.” Arianna’s right eye twitched in anger.

“Out. Now.” She said, starting to get up.

“With your leave, I’ll deal with him.” James said, standing up. Bakat laughed and looked at the boy. After a few moments, he walked over and stared into James’ eyes.

“Oh, really? With all those bandages on, what could you possibly do to hurt me?” Bakat asked. James smiled cheerfully.

“This.” He said, slamming a fist into Bakat’s stomach. “You were told to get out, but didn’t want to go yourself. Sorry, but this is something you pretty much asked for.”

“I-I’ll have you hanged for this!” Bakat sputtered out, moving backwards. “But first, I’ll make it so you can’t move!”

“STOP IT!” Arianna yelled. “If you’re going to fight, take it outside! You are not going to get my nice rugs all blood-stained!”

“But—“ Bakat began.

“GUARDS!” Arianna yelled. A moment passed before the sound of rapidly approaching feet could be heard. A moment after that, fourteen castle guards swarmed into the room. “Get this pompous oaf out of my rooms!” James was instantly seized by his limbs, and the boy was dragged towards the door by five of the guards. “No, not that pompous oaf! The other one!”

“…Oh.” One of the guards muttered. Bakat was literally thrown from the room a moment later, and quickly escorted away.

“Good. Close the door.” Arianna ordered. James complied. “Now sit, right in front of me.” The girl directed. Again, James complied. “Okay… What’s a Runecaster? How did you come to be, and how the heck do your powers work?”

“Well… We’re like sorcerers.” James began. “It’s a bit of a long story… It’s not like there was just one event that shaped everything into what’s now history.”

“I’ve got time.” Arianna replied calmly.

“Okay, then.” James said, smiling. “I’ll tell you how the Runecasters came into the world as it’s Guardians. I think you’ll enjoy it a little more if I do it this way, though.” The boy said. A Rune appeared on his right index finger, and he slowly pressed it against Arianna’s forehead. “You can see for yourself how it all happened. See the story of the man I was named for, how our powers came to be, and a lot of other stuff nobody who’s not a Runecaster has seen for over a thousand years.”

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