Spardon Campaign

Prologue

The crowd of soldiers part as a single man walks through their ranks. His blue and silver armor shines in the sun as he moves. Slight wispers and gasps are heard from the men as they watch. They all crowd around the market of a now ruined village. In the center of the market stands a wooden post. Tied to the post is the motionless form of a woman. The lone man steps out from the group and crosses the square slowly. When he reaches the center of the market and collapses upon his knees. Tears stream down his face as he looks at the woman tied to the post.
Two soldiers come forward with a makeshift stretcher and another cuts the ropes that hold the women's body to the post. Once the ropes are cut, the body is placed upon the stretcher and carried off to the local chapel, one of the few buildings undamaged in the battle. After the crowd clears, the lone man staggers to his feet and makes his way towards the chapel.
The doors to the chapel open and a monk in a brown robe and sandals greets the man who enters. The man nods slightly and moves towards the body laid upon the alter of Carmen, the goddess of nature. The man kneels before the altar and offers his prayers to carry the woman and her unborn child on to the next life.
Just as the man finishes, a hand falls upon his shoulder. The monk looks him in the eye and asks, "What was she to you, friend?"
"Wife" was all the man could choke out before he was overcome with grief once again. The monk looked at the man for a moment before he left the man and went down a stairwell in the rear of the church. A few minutes later, he returns, carrying a something wrapped in a large dark-green cloak of the finest weave.
"I'm truely sorry for your loss. She was a magnificent woman and you were blessed to have her." the monk says as he kneels beside the man. "Perhaps, if it is any condolance to you, you would like to meet your child." The man looks up as the monk offers him the bundle. Now the man can see a round, cheerful face petruding from the cloak. "We delivered him the day she passed. We've kept him safe in the chapel undercroft since then." the monk offers as the man caresses the baby. "He hasn't a name yet though" the monk added.
"Thomas" the man wispers. With one last look at his wife, the man carries his son out of the chapel. When he reaches the stables, a figure steps out of the shadows.
"Will you be back?" the new figure asked.
"No, William. This is all becoming to much for me. I'm leaving the kingdom and starting over." the man replies. William put his hand on the man's soldier.
"Good luck to you then. Perhaps we will meet again, gods willing." With a slight nod, the man mounts his horse and rides slowly to the East.

 

Bump

 

Prologue
The crowd of soldiers part as a single man walks through their ranks. His blue and silver armor shines in the sun as he moves. Slight wispers and gasps are heard from the men as they watch. They all crowd around the market of a now ruined village. In the center of the market stands a wooden post. Tied to the post is the motionless form of a woman. The lone man steps out from the group and crosses the square slowly. When he reaches the center of the market and collapses upon his knees. Tears stream down his face as he looks at the woman tied to the post.
Two soldiers come forward with a makeshift stretcher and another cuts the ropes that hold the women's body to the post. Once the ropes are cut, the body is placed upon the stretcher and carried off to the local chapel, one of the few buildings undamaged in the battle. After the crowd clears, the lone man staggers to his feet and makes his way towards the chapel.
The doors to the chapel open and a monk in a brown robe and sandals greets the man who enters. The man nods slightly and moves towards the body laid upon the alter of Carmen, the goddess of nature. The man kneels before the altar and offers his prayers to carry the woman and her unborn child on to the next life.
Just as the man finishes, a hand falls upon his shoulder. The monk looks him in the eye and asks, "What was she to you, friend?"
"Wife" was all the man could choke out before he was overcome with grief once again. The monk looked at the man for a moment before he left the man and went down a stairwell in the rear of the church. A few minutes later, he returns, carrying a something wrapped in a large dark-green cloak of the finest weave.
"I'm truely sorry for your loss. She was a magnificent woman and you were blessed to have her." the monk says as he kneels beside the man. "Perhaps, if it is any condolance to you, you would like to meet your child." The man looks up as the monk offers him the bundle. Now the man can see a round, cheerful face petruding from the cloak. "We delivered him the day she passed. We've kept him safe in the chapel undercroft since then." the monk offers as the man caresses the baby. "He hasn't a name yet though" the monk added.
"Thomas" the man wispers. With one last look at his wife, the man carries his son out of the chapel. When he reaches the stables, a figure steps out of the shadows.
"Will you be back?" the new figure asked.
"No, William. This is all becoming to much for me. I'm leaving the kingdom and starting over." the man replies. William put his hand on the man's soldier.
"Good luck to you then. Perhaps we will meet again, gods willing." With a slight nod, the man mounts his horse and rides slowly to the East.

Chapter 1 "Journey"
Thomas stared up at the dark ceiling. His dark green eyes moved across the darkness, but there was nothing but the black of night. The overwhelming feeling that there was more to life than simple farmwork had haunted him for as long as he could remember. No matter how many times he tried to get his father to let him go, he was always denied. It hard been the source of many argumements in their home.
One of these fights erupted during dinner that night and resulted in a broken dish. Since then, Thomas sat in his room pondering whether or not to sneak away from home. Eventually, his thoughts drifted from escape to life in the army. Glorious images of him fighting bandits and becoming a great hero filled his head. That was all he needed. He would leave tonight.
Around midnight, Thomas crept out of his bed and lit a candle. He moved quitely so that he would not wake his father in the next room. Grabing his rucksack, he crept into the kitchen area. As he rummaged through the kitchen, he began putting everything he could find in his sack. When he was satisfied with his stockpile, he jotted down a quick note to his father and left it on his favorite chair.
As Thomas moved silently towards the back door of the house, he stopped. Thinking about sleeping in a dirty alley in Port Royal was not something that he would look forward to. He would need to bring something to sell so he could rent a room at an inn. Scaning the common room of the house, he found nothing of value. Just as he was about to give up, the image of his father's armor came to him. With a slight grin, he set down his rucksack and crept into his fathers room.
His father's armor had not moved from the cabinet since he could remember. He inched the squeaky door to the cabinet open and marveled at the armor. It consisted of a blue cuirass, a chainmail coat that apperaed to be made of silver, greaves of the same material, wrist gauntlets with ornate carvings of foliage on them, and leather boots as black as the night.
Thomas had seen the armor before, but he had never truely appreciated it's craftsmanship until now. Pulling his father's rucksack from beside the cabinet he grabbed the armor piece-by-piece and placed it in the bag. He was suprised to find that the armor was quiet and light. Then he shouldered the bag and grabbed the cuirass.
As he made his way back towards the door, he tripped on something in the dark and stumbled into his fathers bed. A chill shot down his back as he watched his father stir under the covers. He almost gave a sigh of relief when his father finally stopped moving. After waiting another minute, he made his way to the door. After crossing through the common room of the house again, he collected his other bag and walked out the door.
The warm spring night was illuminated by a full moon. Thomas looked around the small clearing that had been his home for 14 years. Suddenly, Thomas felt a small sense of regret rising within himself. Adjusting his cumbersome load, he set off into the woodland that surrounded the clearing before he changed his mind.
Navigating through the trees and undergrowth was nearly impossible in the dark and Thomas cursed himself for not bring a lantern. A few hours into his journey, he was nearly exhausted. Deciding it would be best to sleep for a few hours before resuming his journey, he sat down with his back to the nearest tree. He was alseep almost instantly.
When Thomas awoke, he found the woods were no longer dark. Looking at the position of the sun, he judged it to be about noon. Cursing himself for oversleeping, he sat up and rummaged through his rucksack. After a quick breakfast of stale bread and a slice of ham, he set off once again.
By midday, Thomas judged that he was halfway to Port Royal and stopped once again for a meal. As he ate, he wondered if his father was worried about him or searching the woods for him. Eventually he shifted his thoughts back to life in the army. After Thomas finished eating, he gathered up his belongings and continued on his journey.
Within three hours, Thomas began to see the farms that shipped their crops out of Port Royal. In another hour the first lights from the city became visable. With a new-found modivation, he set off at a quicker pace towards the lights.
The city wall grew larger and larger as Thomas got closer. After another half-hour of walking, the city gate loomed over him. Thomas had been to the city once before when he was younger, but he was oblivious to the scale of everything. Now he stood in the middle of a crowded road staring in awe at the wall before him. Then a large hand clapped down on his shoulder from behind.
"Hey! Move it kid. You're holding up the traffic." said the man who now held his shoulder. Thomas spun around and saw that the man behind him was part of the city guard.
"Uhh...yes sir" Thomas stammered as he moved through the gate. The city was alive with foreign noises and smells. He took in everything from the beggers to the awful stench of the tanners somewhere in the city. Many of the people in the streets wore clothes of cheap fabric and the buildings were run-down. Thomas judged this to be the poor quater.
For hours, Thomas wandered the streets and took in every part of the city there was to see. He stared at the goods in the store windows, and was ejected from many stores by angry merchants. The sun now set on the Gold Sea and he tried to remember where he had seen an inn. Eventually, he came across a shabby inn called Woody's Tavern.
Thomas opened the door and was greeted by the a gust of alcohol and the odor of men after a hard day of work. A few tables were crammed full of big sweaty men and a single counter stood in the back of the inn. The crowded in was noisy and many of the men who occupied it eyed his possesions in a peculiar way.
After working through the maze of tables, Thomas reached the counter. A man in his mid-fifties stood behind it. His face was rough and intimidating, but his bright blue eyes were soft and caring.
"Hello there son. Name's Woody, how can I help you?" the man asked in a friendly tone.
"Well, I need a place to stay for a while. How much is a room." Thomas asked.
"Well, I usually run them at ten silver imperials per night, but I'm sure I can cut a good lad like you a deal." Woody replied in his friendly manner. Thomas produced all of the money he had brought with him and showed it to him.
"One gold imperial, two silvers and 17 coppers" said Thomas as he sorted the coins.
"Its close enough." said Woody with a smile. "There is a small ladder on the far side of the room that will take you to the guest rooms. Yours is the first on the right. You look like you have something important to take care of too, so why don't you stay as long as you need?"
"Really? Oh, thank you sir! I promise to pay you back some day!" Thomas replied buoyantly. With a smile, the barkeeper pointed out the ladder that Thomas should take. After stuggling to get his bags up the ladder, he went to the room that he was alloted. It was a simple room with a straw mattress, writing desk, stool, and a small window looking out upon the market below. Thomas dropped his bags and fell into the matress. Soon, he drifted into a deep sleep.
When Thomas awoke, the sun was shining through the small window. Crawled off the matress and dressed the best clothes he had packed with him. Then he combed the oil from his thick black hair. After folding the clothes he had worn the previous day, he left the room. The inn was nearly empty now. Only a pair of men sat at a table discussing their lives. With a wave to Woody behind the counter, he opened the door and exited the inn.
It was a hot day and more people traversed the wide streets than the previous day. Although he found it easier to move through the crowd without his bags, it was still a challenge. He slowly made his way across the market and onto a less crowded side street. Asking himself where he could enlist in the army, something caught his eye. Two city guards left the market and walked his way. "Excuse me!" he called.
The guards stopped and looked at him. The guard on the right then asked, "What do you want kid?"
"Where can I enlist in the army?" Thomas asked bluntly. The guards looked as if they were going to start laughing hysterically. "What is it?" asked Thomas.
"Nothing kid" said the other guard holding back laughter, "go down this road until you get to the next market area. There is a building there. It's the one with the Royal crest on it. Don't bother going until midday tomorrow though." Then the guards hurried along laughing out loud. Although he was not looking forward to a days wait, Thomas was still cheerful.
Hours of venturing around dark alleys and crowded roads that night left Thomas exhausted. At sunset, he ventured out of the city gates once more, only this time on the opposire end of the city. The docks were crowded with rough men in ragged clothing. Only a few dim lanterns lit the long wooden road that the docks branched off of. As many as thirty ships from Valoran to Azure were achored in the bay. One ship even boasted the crest of Alisto from across the Gold Sea. Thomas found a sonewhat clam section of the docks and stared out on the water. The sunset reflected off the surface of the sea, giving the allusion of golden water. The sight was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Once the sun had vanished along the horizon, Thomas started back to Woody's Tavern. The trip took nearly two hours and he felt as if he would fall asleep were he stood. The now familiar sight of the tavern greeted him as he opened the door, as well as a joyfull Woody. The bartender waved goodnight to Thomas as he acended the ladder to his room. He barely took time to remove his clothing before lying on the matress. Once again, he was asleep almost instantly.
At about midday, Thomas rose from his revitalizing sleep. He took care to scrub the dirt off of his better garments before wearing them again. Then his stomache sounded a deep growl, he had been so busy exploring the city that he had not eaten anything the day before. He snacked on the bread crusts he had left over from his journey to the city, but they were insufficient. Eventually, he decided to barter for some food, he traded Woody a leather belt that was far to big for his slim waste for a wholesome breakfast. With his stomache overly full, he tried to remember the guards directions. After doing so to the best of his ability, Thomas found himself in a less crowded market patrolled by men wearing tabbards of Spardon soldiers rather than the count of Port Royal's city guards. After a quick search, he found the building that the guards had indicated.
When Thomas opened the door to the building, a soldier stood up and asked, "What business do you have here, kid?"
"I would like to enlist...sir" Thomas replied.
"You? Ha! Kid, you wouldn't last five minutes out there." Thomas considered himself for a minute. He stood just under six foot in height, his shoulders and chest still hadn't filled out, and he was not very muscular either. "Maybe in a few years, kid." the soldier added. Thomas felt as if someone had hit him in the gut. Heat rose behind his eyes and he ran out of the building before the soldier could see him cry.
He didn't know where he ran, but he continued until his legs were burning. Then he stopped and sat upon a rotting crate. The alley that he was in was completely deserted. The buildings on both sides shrouded the passage in a thick darkness.
For hours, Thomas sat in a lonely alley and cried. His dreams had been crushed. As he contemplated what he would do now, a shadow moved across him. He looked up and found a man in a grey cloak standing over him. The mans features were hidden by a hood, but an ebony longbow hung on his back and a quiver of arrows at his side.
"Why do you sulk about in this dirty alley? Have you no place better to be?" the hooded man inquired. His voice was strong but reasurring. The sound of it lifted Thomas' spirits slightly.
"No, I do not have anywhere else to be. All I wanted has been taken away from me, and now I have no place that I belong." Thomas replied while wiping his eyes.
"Then we shall have to find you a place." replied the mysterious man, "After all, the gods do not take kindly upon those who abandon others in need." Thomas did not know how to respond to the man, so he simply nodded. The man pulled back his hood revealing shoulder length blonde hair. His face was light, and skin fair. His nose came to a slight point and his green eyes shone like lanterns in the darkness. "My name is Isaq Trisman, but you can just call me Trisman." the man added.
"I am Thomas." he replied as he wiped away the last of his tears.
"Come then, Thomas. Let us make haste from this squalid place." Trisman said as he helped Thomas to his feet. "Have you any possesions you wish to bring along?"
"Yes, Mr. Trisman." replied Thomas, "At Woody's tavern, it is not to far from here." With a nod, Trisman let him lead the way. They reached the in within ten minutes and Thomas was instucted to collect all he owned and return to Trisman.
After hurrying upstairs, Thomas began stuff all of his possesions into the rucksacks, then threw them over his shoulders. He was out the door as soon as he had grabbed his father's cuirass and began to decend the ladder.
When he reached the bar area, Trisman and Woody seemed to be discussing something quietly. Then, Trisman opened a large coin purse and emptied it's contents on the bartenders counter.
"I hope this is enough to cover the boy's debt." Trisman added as he pushed the pile of gold towards the man. Woody's mouth was agape and his eyes wide. He nodded as Trisman looked at him.
"Come, Thomas. I'd like to reach Winland before first light tomarrow." Trisman said as he moved away from the counter. Thomas followed him, and with a wave to Woody, he left the tavern. As they moved through the markets, he wondered how they would reach Winland before firstlight. It was at least a three day walk.
"Why do we travel for Winland?" Thomas asked.
"I live there." stated Trisman, "And I can't send you off without any knowledge or training can I?"
"No, sir, I suppose not." Replied Thomas as he wondered what Trisman meant by training. Silence followed for the next few blocks before Thomas tried once again to start a conversation, "How much gold did you give the bartender?"
Trisman looked at him and with a slight grin said, "Only about one hundred gold imperials and a few coppers." Thomas stopped.
"one hundred! That's more than the bar is worth!"
"Yes, well, we'll just say I dept to pay." Trisman added. They continued their walk. An about ten minutes, they reached the north gate. Trisman turned and asked Thomas, "Can you ride?" Thomas shrugged and an embarased grin crossed his face.
"No Mr. Trisman, I've never ridden before." Thomas replied.
"No problem. Let's hope you are a quick learner." Thomas' face flushed. Before he could respond, Trisman turned and began moving again. After passing through the gate, Thomas found himself at the stables. Trisman walked to the shack that served as an office and knocked on the door. Almost imediately, the door swung open. A man stood in the doorway wearing only a pair of tan breeches. A large tatoo covered most of his chest and greasy hair hung down to his shoulders. Thomas found this odd, as most men kept their hair cut short due to the heat.
"I am in need of another mount Gregory." Said Trisman, "Prefebly one of calm spirit, as the boy in inexperienced."
The man grunted and shut the door as Trisman walked away. Moments later, a bell rang from the shack, and two boys around Thomas' age began saddling two horses as Gregory shouted out a window.
When the horses were tacked, they were brought to the front where Trisman and Thomas waited. Trisman nimbly mounted the black horse while Thomas stuggled to pull himself on the chestnut horse's back. His hardship brought forth a serious of quiet laughs from the stable boys, but he eventually hoisted himself up. As soon as he had his possesions starpped to the saddle, Trisman began walking his horse along the Northern road.

Chapter 2: Winland
Trisman lead down the trail at a walk. They had tried to trot the horses before, but Thomas could barely stay upon the horses back. They had left Port Royal three hours before and would arive in Winland by midnight. The trail had become monotonous to Thomas and his legs were already sore from riding, but they did not stop.
As they rode, the light in the woodlands grew dim. They would arive in less than two hours. Then Trisman stopped his horse. As Thomas began to question, he raised his hand, signaling for silence. Thomas watched as he dismounted and drew his longbow from his back. There didn't appear to be anything in the dark woods, but as he looked around, a growl pierced the silence. His horse spooked and attempted to bolt down the trail, but was stopped by a harsh jerk of the reigns. Now he could see a pair of yellow eyes in the darkness. The creature snarled and lept from the darkness at Thomas. A cold chill raced down his back as he watched the grey animal lunge at him. As he closed his eyes, a dull thump sounded, and no attack came.
He opened his eyes and saw an arrow petruding from the creatures neck.
"What was that?" stammered Thomas as he tried to calm his terrified mount.
"That was simply a large wolf. If you look, you'll see that it was severely emaciated and near death. It was desperate for food, so it attacked." replied Trisman calmly. He then, with effort, pulled his arrow from the wolf's neck and wiped it off before returning it to his quiver. Thomas inspected the large wolf and found that his knees were shaking.
"Slow breaths. The shaking will stop." said trisman as he remounted his horse. As they set off again, Thomas realized what Trisman meant by training. He would teach him how to fight.
As predicted, they arived in a field less than a half-mile from Winland by midnight. The field was nearly overgrown with wild grasses except for a wide path. The two riders manuvered the path until it widened into a clearing. In the center of the clearing was an unpretentious house with welcoming smoke billowing from a stone chimney. The rest of the clearing was quite bare. A few straw targets, a wooden bench, and a large tree stump that Thomas assumed supplied building material for the house.
"This is home. It is not much, but it will be more than sufficient for our needs." Trisman said. Thomas nodded as they dismounted. They hitched the horses to a post and removed the saddles.
"I will take the tack inside. You stay here and brush the horses down before coming in." Trisman said.
"Yes, sir." Thomas replied while handing his tack to Trisman.
"Oh, and Thomas, please do not call me sir. I have had more than enough people do so and it becomes monotonous." Trisman added as he disappeared through the door.
Thomas sat against the house and starred into the night. He had finished his task a few minutes earlier and had taken the oportunity to take everything in. The smell of a freshly cooked dinner drifted through the single window on the side of the house and Thomas knew his solitude would not last long.
As he anticipated, Trisman exited the house and informed him that his food inside. Thonas stood and followed him inside. The house had one main area that served as a kitchen and living area and a single bedroom on the left side. There were few furnishings, only a large table, a wardrobe and a bedrole that Thomas assumed was his.
Two plates steamed from the meat on them as the two dined together, but they were both silent. As Thomas finished cleaning up, he unpacked his few belongings into the wardrobe. The armor glinted in the candle light as he placed it inside.
"If you don't mind me asking, where did aquire that armor?" Trisman asked from behind Thomas, who nearly jumped in suprise.
"It was my father's." He replied asfter recovering.
"That is a very special suit." Trisman said indicating the small ensign on the shoulder, "That is the mark of The Fox."
"What is The Fox?" Thomas inquired.
"The Fox is the King's personal army in Azure. Only the most skilled and loyal soldiers and mages are permitted to join. Odd that your father would not educate you on such things.
"He told me he was a soldier but said nothing of this!" Thomas said.
"Well, he must have had his reasons. You should probably go to sleep, it has been a long day and we have an early one tomarrow." Trisman said as he turned and left. Taking his advice, he snuffed the candles and went to bed.
Before sunrise, Thomas awoke to Trisman rummaging through a closet in his room. He sat up and watched as Trismsn came out with two longbows, one in each hand.
"Come on, before you sleep the day away." Tisman said. "Be outside as soon as your dressed."
Thomas' answer came out as more of a groan than words. He crawled from his bed role and dressed in his only clean clothing left. After rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he left the house.
Outside, trismsn waited. Two new targets were set up and a chest full of arrows sat open at his feet.
"Why all the arrows?" Asked Thomas as he yawned.

This is all I've got Zaln. I think it's to blunt myself, just post response here

 

It didn't put any indents in.