~Prologue~ Ethan stood at the mouth of the forest. Frost was settling around him, owls were preparing for their nocturnal nightly flight, and rats scurried around his feet. Ethan's hand instinctively tightened on the hilt of his sword. It was not wise to be in such places at night. He swung his leg back up onto his black stallion, Tybalt, and rode away from the depts of the land. He was ready for the Elvin. After all, his name did mean 'eternal'. *** Ethan woke with a headache. Today was the day he travelled to the Elvin. He sighed, and swung his legs out of bed, before grabbing his chain link mail, and slipping it on. He picked up his sword and shield, and swung his bow and arrow over his back. 'This is it'. He thought. Ethan walked downstairs, and into the kitchen, where the maid was cooking. "Hello Martha." he said politely. She may be a servant, but that gave him no right to treat her like one. "Hello Ethan." She replied. "For breakfast it is bacon, porridge, eggs and mushrooms, and as a treat, I will let you drink some milk." "Thank you," I said honestly. I quickly ate my food, had a drink, and then went upstairs to say goodbye to mother and father. "Good bye, young one." My father said. "Complete that training, and then you will really be able to live up to your namesake." "Bye Ethan," my mother sobbed, "we cannot come up there, so please visit us! Please?" "Yes of course I will!" I laughed. My mother was such a worrier at times. I bid them farewell one last time, said goodbye to all of the other servants, and then walked out of my door, and closed it behind me. Tybalt was in a stable, waiting as patiently for me as ever. I stroked him for a couple of minute, then saddled him up, and began to ride him to the palace, where my escorts to Daema waited. This was going to be a long trip. I had assured my mother that I was going to visit. But I wouldn't be able to. I might not even come back alive. <><><><><><><><><> Hey guys! Please DON'T FEEDBACK HERE! on the post given! Anything else…oh yes! I WILL be continuing A Changing Personality. I just wanted to write two! Hope you enjoy!
~Chapter 1~ Tybalt was a fair horse. His mane shone in the winters sun coupled with snow white fur, and deep, dark eyes. Eyes that knew the history of the world, dark secrets of the forbidden, eyes that could see into your very soul. Ethan was weary. He had been riding for four days now, with only about 4 hours of sleep in-between. "Alright men," a soldier shouted, "time to set up camp. Two more days, and we will be in Elvin land!" Eruptions of cheers and shouts and woops came at Ethan from all angles. He and few others were on a horse, so he had no idea how tired the foot soldiers must be. He was tired from just sitting on a horse. He brought Tybalt to a halt, and began to help start a campfire in the dry desert. *** Ethan woke to something. It sounded like footsteps. Very big footsteps. He grabbed his sword and shield, and cautiously stepped out of his tent. There in front of him was the biggest Maenia he had ever seen. 8 metres tall and wing span of about 4 metres, this was one hell of a beast. "Here we go," Ethan muttered under his breath. "ALL MEN AWAKE. I REPEAT ALL MEN AWAKE. MAENIA REPORTED. MAENIA!" He shouted as loud as he could, which then caught the Maenia's attention. It turned it's long neck towards towards Ethan, and then let out a shrill cry He ran inside, and grabbed his bow and arrow. He deliberated about putting his armour on. He decided to, and slipped it on, before sprinting back outside. He got there just in time to hear the mangled cries of men, before the unmistakable crushing of their bones, before blood began to seep out from under the tent. Ethan grabbed his bow, nocked an arrow, and shot it straight at the Maenia. It caught the creature in the neck, but not deep enough to properly wound the creature. The Maenia howled, and turned it's yellow eyes towards Ethan. It began to charge, and before Ethan knew what was happening, Alliah jumped in front of him, and took the hit for Ethan. "ALLIAH!" shouted Ethan. But it was too late. The damage was done. He lay on the ground, not quite dead, but near enough. That got Ethan's blood boiling. He roared, and ran straight at the Maenia, which had it's back turned. It turned around quickly, but not quick enough, for Ethan drove his sword through the heart of the monster. As the Maenia died, he left his sword in the creature, knowing one of the soldiers would clean it for him, and rushed over to Alliah. "Alliah," he sobbed. "Why, why did it have to end this way?" "Hush," Alliah could barely whisper. "No tears Ethan, no tears. You will see me again, I promise of it." "But you needed to see Queen Daema of the Elves. You still do!" "I will see her one day too. From above. But Ethan, I ask of you one favour." "Anything, anything." As hard he tried, Ethan could not stop the salty liquid from running down his cheeks. "Care for Jenna and Thomas for me Ethan. You know them well, you have known them and I for 10 years now. Break the news gently, they are my wife and son. Please, I beg of you, feed and care for them. The only thing I ask." "Of course. I will send a pigeon to mother and father to say to look after them while I am away." "Thank you. Now, I think it is time I make my leave." "No, NO!" cried Ethan. "Alliah, stay with me! Please!" "Hush child. Don't cry. There is no need for crying. My body may rest in peace, but my spirit shall live on forever." And with one deep breath, he died in Ethan's arms. <><><><><><> Ok I tried to make it emotional! If any of you have ever lost a loved one, you will know the pain that comes. I have. For instance, my Grandad died of cancer R.I.P. So, hope you enjoyed it, and please feedback!