Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Shanara looked out at the bleak curtain of snow that surrounded her. She shivered, and pulled her cloak up around her light armor and mail, adjusting the two short swords to some place where they were accessible. Her white mare shuddered under her. It must be in her mind, but she could swear it was getting colder as each day went on.

Shanara was an ex-farm girl, a pretty 16-year-old brunette, of small stature. But she desired something more to do than just farm. And that was how she ended up as a scout of the Royal Majesty, running around the north part of the kingdom, the state of Arylia, governing the land. She was regretting her decision now. She could fight, certainly, unarmed or with her twin Elvish short swords, but she wished she could have gotten a better job than this with fighting. Hell, prostitution could've been better than this. At least she’d be warm.

Instead, she was freezing. With shivering fingers, she snapped, and a gleaming white arctic fox appeared a few feet away. She looked into its eyes, and thought silently find a dry place, and get some kindling. The fox ran off into the distance, and she was alone, shivering on her horse. After a few minutes, the fox came back, gave her a look that clearly said, “follow me”, and ran off. She spurred her horse, and took off after the fox. The fox led to a small cave, with maybe a seven-foot ceiling. The snow was falling gently now, making a blanket of snow. Fortunately, she thought to her self, the snow should die down soon. She shouldn’t get snowed in.

Shanara went in to the dark recess. It went back for about ten feet, and ended in a shallow pool of water. He fox had already set up some small sticks for a fire. He rushed back out of the cave, and then came back a little later, carrying a small log in his mouth. Shanara snapped again, and the fox became a huge towering white polar bear. He shambled back off in to the snow. Shanara looked down at the sticks, pulled out a small sheet of paper, said “Flamaria”, and a small flame sprung up in the middle of the sticks. She rubbed down the horse with her wool coat, trying to get the cold out of his sluggish muscles. The bear came back out of the wall of white with a small pile of logs, and Shanara soon had a roaring fire. She unraveled her map, and located where she should be. Getting out her compass, she started measuring. The nearest town, Arayst, was about fifteen miles away. Good, she thought, I can go there tomorrow and get some supplies. She rolled up the map, put her compass back in her pocket, and laid out her bedroll next to the warmth of the fire. She snapped, and the bear became a white wolf, lying next to her head. She could hear her horse snort outside, and come in the cave near the fire. She fell asleep, drowsy and warm.

She woke up the next morning, the fires coals still glowing lazily. It was early, judging from the darkness outside, and the slow trill of a nightingale drifting through the air. Maybe five, five thirty? Oh well, no matter. Might as well start heading in to town.

Shanara packed her belongings, and put them on her horse. She tightened her cloak about her, short swords sticking up on her back. The wolf had gotten up, and was drinking from the pool of water at the back. Shanara walked over and filled up her canteen. She let the horse drink a little, and then she mounted. She rode off to the town of Arayst.

At the horses slow, frosty pace, she reached the town at about dawn.

The entire town was burned to the ground. All around, bodies lay, soldiers clad in iron armor, townsfolk, women and children, everyone. Amongst them lay rotting corpses, showing recent battle wounds.

“What in the hell happened here? Look at the older bodies, they’re hacked to pieces…”

She walked around the town, looking at the bodies strewn about, looking for any wounded. She found a building that seemed to still be intact. She tapped on the heavy oak door. A slat in the door popped open with an arrow pointing out.

“Are you one of them?’ a gruff, male voice asked.

“One of who?”

“One of those, things. An army I have not seen the likes of before. They were of corpses, and they came through here like a wave on the ocean, burning all that they passed. This is the merchants shop, people took refuge in here and we held them off. I guess you ain’t one of them, seein’ as you haven’t tried to eat me yet. You’re a right sight for sore eyes. Come on in, we have a few tools we can spare.”

Shanara walked in, looking around at the huddled families, weapons at the ready.

“Now, we’ve got ourselves enough food to last us for months, or at least until we can build some shelters and start hunting. This was a merchants shop, so I suppose you can pick up weapons, armor, the like. We’ll give you some food, too. But please take message of this to the king, for we need his help. It is a good four or five day ride, and we have a few horses that are still okay, if you need one.”

“No, no, I’ll be fine without the horses,” Shanara insisted, “but I really don’t want to run into this army you spoke of. Does anyone know where they were headed?

“I’ll come with you to show you,” An average height redhead, roughly fifteen or sixteen, strode toward her with fire in her eyes. She had a kind of upturned nose, a small, slender figure, and a long metal spear in one hand. She wore a chain mail vest, a short metal plate skirt, and, despite the weather, she was sleeveless. Her skin seemed to radiate heat, and almost glowed. A small dagger hung loosely on her belt.

“Youre gonna need a scout. I know where they were headed. And if you do meet up with them, you might appreciate my assets,” said a confident female voice.

“If you don’t mind me asking, who are you?” asked Shanara, surprised at the boldness and dress of the girl.

“My name’s Pyria Raktas. And please let me go with you. Small town life is boring, especially when everyone is dead.”

“Let me get some supplies, and then we’ll be off.”

Shanara went to the back of the store, and into the dark cavernous cellar, Pyria following her closely. Pyria’s hand closed, and when it opened again, a small fire was springing from her palm. Shanara looked around at all the stores. She took a couple pounds of beef jerky, and some dried fruit. Then she went back upstairs, Pyria following her.

“Useful talent you’ve got there.”

“Lets just say it comes in handy sometimes…”

They both went to the merchant counter, looking at the wares. Pyria bought a couple of healing potions, and Shanara picked up a military short bow. Good strength, she thought to herself, as she pulled back the string. About forty-five, fifty pounds. She bought it and a quiver full of arrows, and slung both of these on the back of her horse with a grin on her face. I’m ready, she thought. I’m ready for anything.

“Ready to go, Pyria?”

“I think I’ve got everything. Lets go.” She said, a little more calm.

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to anyone? This is your town, after all.”

“My family lies out there with those killed in the attack. That is why I’m coming. For revenge.”

They saddled up their horses. That’s when the town came alive again.