The greatest warrior of all time.
The original epic fantasy hero.
Chapter One : Forest of Shadows
Pale moonlight flooded the damp, dark pathway as a young man silently treaded towards the lavish stables owned by the town chieftain. He carefully scaled the high gates and softly landed onto the damp hay and moss covered wooden floor. Holding his dagger in his teeth, he proceeded to untie the binds of the target of his stealth, a proud black stallion. It was a horse of fine breeding, the very best the region could offer. Gently caressing the animal's fine brow the young thief led the animal out by the back door of the stables where he had already rendered the watchman unconscious. He then carefully mounted the proud beast and silently nudged it along, but the confused horse reared up neighing loudly... and thrashed at the wooden walls of the stable, knocking down some of the wooden boards to the floor with a loud clattering. Guards rushed out yelling with lit oil lamps and swords in hand.
A fat, ugly man yelled, "There..a horse thief! It's the hillbred scum of the north..... get him, men!"
The men, in armour hastily adorned, gave chase, but the young man had a good head start on the frightened black horse as it galloped like the wind. Its long black mane flowing as wildly as the long black hair of its excited rider. The stallion thundered out of the city gates and into the darkness of the night, heading straight for the dreaded forest of shadows far west. The town of Asulrim expanded from the sea coast to the high mountains and across, bordered by a dark forest of shadows where few were foolish enough to tread. The men who gave chase stopped short of the borders of the county, fearing even to get near the edge of the dark forest.
"This is as far as we go," said the fat man, "The demons of the shadow forest will have him now. They say that many young men have ventured into the accursed place and none have returned. If that horse thief does return this way, he will find us far more dangerous than those demons."
A tall thin man sneered, "Yes, come back to us and we will skin you alive and hang your hide to dry in the town centre for all to see... just you wait, Cimmerian."
Cimmerian urged the horse to gallop faster, his young heart pounding as loud as the thundering hooves of the animal. He was a young man of nineteen summers, the last son of a tribe of vanquished northern hill-bred barbarians. Thus far his life had little meaning, but he made the most of each day that he lived through. Thieving and vandalism took care of his daily bread, but in his heart he believed that he was destined for great things. Riding hard now into a dreaded forest of legend, the tall young man noticed for the first time the gloomy and foreboding atmosphere around him. The air grew chilly and damp with every pace but fear gave in to famine as he remembered that he was also hungry. He hadn't eaten anything since he stole that loaf of bread and leg of ham in the earlier that day.
Reining in the large stallion, Cimmerian noticed that his pursuers had long since given up. He then proceeded to lay a trap, then hid high up on a tree and waited. The stallion cantered off into the darkness to graze on some shrubs nearby. Shortly a wild pig ventured into the trap and squealed in fright at the sight of the huge barbarian flying down from the tree, his dagger raised and a hellish smile across his face. As Cimmerian plunged his pointed weapon into the squealing creature, it let out a wail that seemed all to disturbingly human than that of frightened animal. The bloodcurdling wail made the young man quickly drop the dying beast, but ravenous hunger took over his senses and he soon gave that strange occurrence no more thought as he proceeded to build a raging fire to roast the freshly killed meat.
The delicate roasting meat tempted Cimmerian as it began to turn deliciously edible over the fire, but he couldn't help thinking of the human like scream the animal had made upon being felled. Trying to relax by lying back on an old gnarled tree stump he found his mind hard pressed to be at peace for even this unschooled barbarian could tell that no forest could ever be so deathly quiet no matter how late at night it happened to be. The silence seemingly smothered everything around this dark eerie place. Then suddenly a twig snapped behind him. Leaping quickly to his feet, his longsword in hand, Cimmerian faced this new nemesis.
He gasped at what he saw, she was slender, yet formed like a goddess; at once lithe and voluptuous. Her only garment was a broad silken girdle. Her white ivory beauty drove a beat of fierce passion through Cimmerian's pulse. She turned toward him, her bosom heaving, her eyes flashing. Fierce fingers of wonder caught at his heart.... her rich hair, red as a blood-lit night, fell in rippling burnished clusters down her supple back. Her dark emerald eyes burned on Cimmerian. She appeared untamed as a desert wind, supple and dangerous as a she-panther.
"Put away your weapon," she uttered, with a voice that was a heady mixture of rich honey and a winter's night, "Or does the sight of a mere girl put one such as a wild barbarian to fear."
"Nay, not fear of you, but this forest has put my nerves at unrest." replied Cimmerian," But I see that a comely wench such as you merits better than the sword."
"Aye, outlander," the girl said, "but tell me what are you doing in my forest."
"Your forest?"
"Aye, outlander!" she laughed, a laughter that was sweeter than the rippling of silvery fountains and poisonous with cruel mockery.
"But then.." he began, but paused as he remembered stories of how young men, warriors and adventurers mostly, were lost in the forest of shadows and never heard of again.
But before he could speak further she was upon him, pushing him down to the ground, she kissed him on the lips and lay herself on top of him, he gasped, stunned and she hushed him, breathing heavily, "You have brought me the gift of company, outlander," she moaned,"And I intend to return the favour in kind. It has been a long time since I have seen a man."
Cimmerian did little else save succumb into this enchanting woman's grasp and to loose himself in a haze of passion and bliss.
The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 2
Chapter 2 - Demonic curses
Cimmerian awoke with a start, the fire had long gone out and cold maybe needs a comma? chilling winds blew across the vast empty plains where he lay. The black stallion stood silently a few paces away.
'She's gone," he blurted, still tasting her lips on his, "And she's taken the whole accursed forest with her."
He looked around in astonishment, there was no sign of a single tree for miles where there were hundreds of the night before. The early morning light reflected off the barren landscapes, Cimmerian could see for miles and he wasn't too far from the town.
"Well nothing amiss, save for the loss of a meal," he reasoned and walked over to the horse. His head felt heavy and his tongue felt like sand. Taking the reins he led the horse over to a watering hole, which was a vast lake the night before. He watered the animal and then jumped in to bathe. The cold water refreshed his mind and revived him from his stupor. He sat down, now hungrier than ever, but his mind dwelled on the events of the night before. He couldn't return to the town for now there was a price on his head there and there was also nowhere to find food where he was. The only thing to do was forget his hunger for a while and ride on ahead to lands new and strange. He smiled thinking of his short stay at the town, Asulrim they called it. He had spent a few days there, stealing what little he could until a greater opportunity presented itself, like this fine horse he was yet to name.
Mounting the fine steed, Cimmerian headed away from the direction of Asulrim, away from the rising sun. His mind played out fond memories amidst dreaded ones as he rode steadily onward. He thought of his earliest days, he remembered his father, a tall strong man with a large hammer. His father was a blacksmith and armourer whose hand made swords were the finest in the land, that was until he was killed by a ruthless greedy warlord. Cimmerian had with him one of the finest swords crafted by his father, a double edged blade with a swivelling head and metal that was hammered into it's finest form time and again. A savage weapon for a ruthless slayer, which his mother had gifted to him before she too was slain by the minions of this madman. A childhood out on the wilderness and fetid streets of civilisation made Cimmerian into the man he was this day. Hardened in this life of battle for survival, with wisdom beyond his mortal years, filled with a lust for revenge. All Cimmerian knew of this nemesis was his devilish armour and head dress from vague memories.
Hours passed and the miles widened between him and the vast landscapes. The sun was overhead now, but not as potent due to a thick mist that hung in the air. Cimmerian rode up to an old inn that was on the road. A few horses tethered outside told of business being undertaken in the premises. Riding up, he noticed a young girl busy herself by brushing down a fine velvet brown, well-toned mare.
"Hail, little girl," he said, "I trust that you work here. Will you take care of my horse and tell me, can I find a warm meal and some good drink in this place?"
The young girl looked up at the tall young man as he dismounted, "I am not a little girl," she said indignantly, "And I am well capable of caring for your fine horse."
"Oh really, and how old are you," laughed Cimmerian, tethering his horse to a post nearby.
"I will be of ten and four summers this fall," the girl answered looking him straight in the eye, "And you will find good food and drink at my father's inn."
She pouted and went about brushing down the mare.
Cimmerian smiled, "I am Cimmerian, what may I call you," he asked.
Still pouting, she looked at him for a while, sizing up this tall, dark haired, well muscled and bronzed man sporting a boyish grin.
"I am called Rosa," she said haughtily and resumed her task at hand.
Cimmerian laughed and said, "Quite a lovely name for a lovely young woman, probably a full stop here I look forward to having further conversations with you after I have put some food in my growling belly."
He walked into the inn and the girl smiled slightly and thought she would very much like that. Cimmerian strode up to the counter and slammed his fist on the wooden board. "A meal and some ale, innkeep," he drawled.
"And what will you pay for them with, vagrant ?" the surly man behind the counter asked.
'With these," Cimmerian motioned, holding up and jangling a leather pouch of coins.
"And whose throat did you slit for those," quipped a thin, small man who sat across from where he stood.
Cimmerian lashed out his well-muscled arm, catching the man's smug face in his ham-like fist and knocked him clean out of his seat and halfway across the room. He lay where he landed, motionless. The rest of the people resumed their business' after showing some interest as the barbarian heartily dove into a warm well cooked meal that was placed before him, eating in quick gulps amidst mouthfuls of ale he asked the innkeeper about the forest of shadows.
After some initial hesitation the innkeeper spoke, "It is a tale of legend, that a demoness casts an enchanted forest from which lures young men to her and seduces them to do her bidding. All who have gone there have never returned."
"But I was there all of last night, and I met this amazing woman... she was like a goddess," Cimmerian laughed, gulping down his ale.
The innkeeper's gasp was followed hushed silence all around. "Surely you jest," he asked the young man apprehensively.
"No, it was no dream or jest," assured Cimmerian.
"But..but then... you can't be alive..." the innkeeper stammered, "Any who have been with the demoness has not lived, so you are already dead ."
"Are you well, man?" asked Cimmerian, his patience at an end, "Enough with this old wives tale...I need a room for the day, I will leave by the night."
"Take a cot by the window for the day... but be gone by this night," said the innkeeper meekly.
Cimmerian dismissed him with a wave of his hand and disgustedly walked away toward the cot he was allotted. Lying down slowly he thought of what the innkeeper had said, but he soon drifted off into a deep sleep.
Edited by: Cimmerian at: 3/20/04 4:49 pm
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 3Chapter 3 - Shadowed Dreams
Cimmerian lay awake in bed and thought of the occurrences of the day and the night before. The strange cry from the wild pig he slew haunted his mind when suddenly he heard that cry again. Sitting upright, he noticed that it was well into the night now, he had overslept. But the cry of anguish rang out again, which none other could hear. Jumping out of bed, he drew his sword and there standing before him was the wild pig he had slain the night before in the forest of shadows.
"How is this possible...." he gasped, "Some kind of witchcraft or devilry."
The wild pig snorted and lunged at him with such ferocious speed that the young barbarian had little time to react, but before he could make good that time, the heavy head of the animal rammed into his midriff, taking all the breath out of his body. His sword fell out of his grasp with a loud clang. Now pinned to the bed post, Cimmerian tried to push the beast away, but it appeared to possess too much strength. Then the wild beast twisted it's head and it's savage tusks tore into the barbarian's abdomen, ripping through flesh to the bone. Blood spurting out of his ruptured midsection and gasping mouth, the young man screamed in agony.
A sharp slap across his face finally roused the flailing barbarian out of his trance. As he opened his weary eyes, he saw some concerned faces looking down at him.
'What..huh.." he babbled.
"You were screaming in your sleep, barbarian." said the young girl who held his face up, "A bad dream, my big strong man," she laughed.
"I would say you were bewitched. Be gone before you chase away all my customers." said the innkeeper dryly.
"But father, I think he's running a fever...his touch is so hot," pleaded the girl.
"Be quiet, Rosa," the innkeeper said coldly, "and go to your tasks. This outlander is of no concern to you."
Cimmerian held his face in his hands and wondered if what the man just said about the witchery was true. But being the wild, carefree soul that he was he rose up and gathered his belongings, the others moved away from him. "How much?" he asked the innkeeper.
"Keep it, vagrant," said the innkeeper, "I don't need your cursed money."
'Your loss," replied the young man and laughed as he walked out of the inn. On his way out, he noticed the young girl standing outside facing the dull evening sky, she appeared to be sobbing. Carefully placing his hand on her round shoulder, he asked, "Rosa, little lady..why do you weep, do your father's harsh words scar you?"
Quickly wiping her tears she said, "I am not weeping for what my father says to me, I hear it every day. But I fear what he says of you may be true. The evil curse of the forest demoness is upon you, brave Cimmerian."
"Hush, girl!' he replied, "That is an old wives tale and you have time aplenty yet to get into the telling of those."
Rosa smiled and then laughed, could do with a sentence break here again. she felt very excited talking to this outlander, his words were kind and amusing, unlike the harsh tone she was used to and sick of since her mother had been taken by the evil that plagued the lands where they had dwelt before her father took her and fled to this place where he built an inn on the roadway between the townships of Asulrim and Feruna. She longed to leave this place, but there would be no one to care for her hardworking father. Cimmerian caressed her flushed cheek and brought her out of her reverie.
"Deep in thought, my lady?" he asked smiling. She smiled back and handed him a small bundle. "Some food for the road," she said, looking away as tears welled up in her eyes again.
"My thanks to you, kind Rosa," replied Cimmerian, "Some day a fine young man will be blessed to have you as a loving wife. I pray to see you again before that happens." He laughed and untethered his horse.
Rosa blushed and waved.
Mounting the horse, he waved back smiling his farewells and spurred it on to ride away from the direction of the forests of shadows as the sun was on it's way down. The horse galloped ahead at full steam, having had much rest at the inn. Riding on hard for a few hours, the hard dry roads flying under him, Cimmerian thought of what the innkeeper and his kindly young daughter had said. His mind filled with a bleary stream of images.
Then suddenly the great stallion tripped and fell, hurling its rider headlong onto an outcropping of rock. Cimmerian hit the ground hard and passed out. Soon he awoke to find that he was back at the forest of shadows, indulging in carnal pleasure with the beautiful woman from the night before. He kissed her deeply and held on to her in a tight embrace of sensual passion. Looking up at her face he sighed, such beauty only a goddess could possess and a god could envy. He laughed with her, her laughter was exactly the same as the other night, but for one exception, there was a harder rougher sound emitting from certain parts of her laugh and then suddenly her embrace tightened and she slowly transformed into a snake like creature. Cimmerian gasped for air, but her grip tightened, she laughed a dry, raspy note and her face now no longer beautiful but savage with bloodlust. Large rattling skeletons weilding lengthy, rust coated swords rushed in toward them.
Cimmerian jumped up with a start, cold sweat dripped from his brow and heaving chest, his breath coming in short gasping bursts. It was dark now all around and he was having yet another dream and this time his head hurt from the nasty bump he took when he hit the rock wall. Feeling frustrated and angry, he resolved to get to the bottom of this cursed matter once and for all. The large black stallion had now recovered and calmed down and Cimmerian mounted him again, but this time he turned and faced the direction of the forest of shadows and kicked the horse into full flight.
Within hours he had reached the inn, no one was about as the black horse thundered past kicking up dust and dirt for miles. The cold night wind in his face, Cimmerian raced toward the lair of the Shadow Demoness. Edited by: Cimmerian at: 3/20/04 7:22 pm
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 4Chapter 4 - Sorceress unleashed
In his heart Cimmerian had hoped never again to see this valley, and as daylight died and death's shadow spread over the hollow, the forest of shadows took root, sprouting into a thick trunked copse of death. Here Cimmerian had to uproot that shadow or fall into it. Dismounting he walked on foot into the silent darkness.
"Witch!" he called out, "I have come for you."
The unholy silence hung in the air like a heavy suffocating blanket. The only sound came from his heavy footfalls and their eerie echoes. Suddenly a rich, haunting laugh rippled through the darkness, which was then followed by its alluring source.
"I am no witch," said the enchanting woman, melting out silently from the shadowed gloom, "Unless all daughters of Gaia are such."
"A hell-spawned demoness then," growled the young man.
"I am called Nevtalathal," said the woman, a sinister smile across her beautiful face, "and speak of why you raise arms against me."
"Mother of lies," snarled Cimmerian, "I know of how you entice boys from the nearby towns to be your pets and victims."
"You are wrong," she said, "they were to be my champions, much like you are now. To stand by me in my hour of reckoning, to fight for me and for my right . To rule by my side when I have my queendom.. but they all failed. And you might not where they have..."
"What have you done with them?"
"Oh, you see them all around me, my menagerie of pets as you have guessed."
"You vile creature! What is this unholy need of yours that young innocents had to suffer for?"
"To be my champion and wrest power from Sharkos, to bring me my rightful place as queen of Ahkosha."
"Why would I wish to do that, demoness."
"I am no demoness, but a mere woman well versed in the arts of dark sorcery. And when I am queen of all the lands, you shall be my king."
"Your vile magicks will not work on me for long, I am a hill-bred barbarian... my heart and mind will not subject to any."
"So I see, a pity... but where your mind will not bend, your body will." hissed Nevtalathal and suddenly there was a sound like distant thunder, a sound which burst into violent life... into the very wild boar that Cimmerian slew for a meal the night before. And Cimmerian already felt, I think his dreaded dreams rising up to slay him. But this time the barbarian was armed with bow and arrow, as well as sword and no matter how fast and deadly the animal was, Cimmerian's aim was quicker and deadlier. Blinded by two precise arrows that rapidly sank into its eyes, the wild animal kept on charging. Its savage momentum carrying its bulk forward long after its life had left it.
"I have died on those tusks before," yelled the young barbarian, "But I will not die on them again."
Cimmerian grabbed the enormous onrushing head of the wild boar, twisting its thick neck just in time to avoid its razor sharp tusks. But the incredible velocity of the animal rammed him into an old, gnarled tree and knocked him unconscious.
Nevtalathal laughed, "Another fine pet to play with later," she said, heaving a deep sigh, but her mirth soon turned to apprehension when the young barbarian unbelievably stirred and pushed the dead boar off himself, his sinews rippling like bronze spun coils.
"I'll ache, Nevtalathal... but I live." he said, rising to his full towering height.
"Not if my loyal children have anything to say about that," hissed the sorcerous witch.
And with a wave of her slender arm, a menagerie of wild beasts came surging out of the darkness and tore into the barbarian.
"If you think these will stop me," growled Cimmerian, his longsword weaving like lighting through fur, fang and feather, "you had best think again."
Laying waste all but those that fled, Cimmerian faced the vicious seductress.
"You slaughter well, my champion," laughed the woman, "But is your freedom worth the lives of my children?"
"No, wretched sorceress," snarled the young barbarian, "They should not bear the price for your evil deeds."
And he lunged at her, catching her by surprise and knocking the wind out of her sails as they hit the ground hard. Cimmerian instinctively grasped her slender throat with both his large, roughened hands and his fingers tightened their grip with the intention to stifle all life out of Nevtalathal.
Surprisingly she laughed and suddenly Cimmerian was battling scaly serpentine coils that tightened around his muscular frame rather than the soft, supple flesh of the seductive sorceress. She hissed and her newly formed reptilian features reflected her savage mood and anticipation but little did she know of this young barbarian.... who when fighting an animal, himself became an animal...as the light of human intelligence burned in the eyes of the beasts of Nevtalathal's menagerie, so now Cimmerian's eyes reflected bestial outrage. And though the veins on his forehead were close to bursting,. it was fingers and not fangs that bit deep and slew as Cimmerian's hands crushed the snake's skull inward.
Shedding her reptilian disguise, Nevtalathal screamed in agony, her human form now all but a battered wraith. Swearing vengeance through sobs of hate and despair she disappeared, taking her forest of shadows with her, this time for good. Cimmerian sat down on the dry open ground, exhausted and relieved. As the blood dried in his palms, a heavy cloud of darkness lifted from his being and his body collapsed in a heap. In the early light of a new dawn, Cimmerian slept. A far more deep and restful sleep than he'd have had in a long time.
Edited by: Cimmerian at: 3/20/04 7:23 pm
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 5Chapter 5 - Little girl left all alone
Rosa lay outside by the meadow, the innkeeper's daughter had a few minutes to herself in the late afternoon, having done all her chores till then. The evening would require her to resume them again, she sighed and held her pretty face in her palms, propping her elbows into the soft grass. Her eyes glazed in the dying light of the late midday sun as she daydreamed. She often longed for a more exciting life than the one that she was living and also of meeting a handsome young prince who would sweep her off her feet and into a life of adventures and excitement. It was a few days now since she had chanced to meet such a young man, but he was far from being a charming young prince of refined manners, yet already the brown haired, green eyed young maiden preferred his rugged, carefree company than that of the boring and dull people she knew all her life at the inn.
She sang softly to herself and rolled around playfully in the meadow, enjoying every minute of the free time she was allowed from her chores. Then she heard the sound of thundering hoofbeats. A feeling of joy stirred in her heart in hope of meeting Cimmerian again, for she hoped that the approaching rider would be him. Rosa lightly leapt to her feet and ran out ahead to get a better view. She then saw a cloud of dust far on the western horizon and clapped her hands. Little did she know that Cimmerian had last headed east passing the very inn her father owned and was yet to return. As the cloud of dust grew larger so did the feelings of joy and anticipation in Rosa.
Cimmerian woke up slowly, finding himself sprawled in a vast empty valley. He was alone and cold, not a creature stirred near him for miles. He remembered his battle with the sorceress of shadows, Nevtalathal and wondered if he was truly free of her spell. Fearing that he hadn't yet seen the last of her, he hurriedly got to his feet and looked around.
"Where has that horse got to... had the devilish woman taken himhe asked aloud in frustration. After a while of stumbling about, he realised that he had strayed a few miles north of the town of Asulrim, somewhere he shouldn't be for at least the next few summers. He was now a few hours walk away from the town and decided to make a move in the opposite direction as soon as possible. He didn't realise that he had been sleeping for the last eight days and that his horse was now a few miles west from where he stood. The people of Asulrim had given him up for dead when they heard of him seeking refuge in the forest of shadows in the dead of night. Hungry and cold, Cimmerian remembered the cosy little inn on the road due west. He smiled to himself and wondered if they would be surprised to see him, especially the haughty little girl, the innkeeper’s daughter.
Walking briskly he quickly put a few miles in as many hours from the place where he lay, when suddenly he came upon a familiar scent. Excited, he quickened his pace and there right in front of him was...
"Horse!" he cried, "My beautiful black stallion, my dear brother..."
The animal neighed fondly as the young man hugged his neck and caressed his flowing, dark mane.
"I must think of a name for you one day," he laughed and mounted the horse. The black stallion immediately leaped ahead and with a yell of delight, Cimmerian urged the magnificent beast into a full gallop towards his destination.
The sun had set deep into the earth and the dark moonless night cast a shroud of silence all around by the time Cimmerian neared the location of the inn. From afar he could see a dull, steady glow of orange and a thick plume of greyish white smoke rise into the dark sky. Fearing the worst, he urged the black stallion from its fast gallop into a tearaway dash.
Leaping off the horse, he ran towards the inn, which was now reduced to a few reddened embers and charred logs. Mutilated and decapitated bodies lay strewn all around. The stench of death hung heavily in the air around this once warm and hospitable place. Close to loosing his wits, Cimmerian frantically sifted through the burning and charred debris, calling out for Rosa.
After a while of frenzied searching, Cimmerian came upon a turned over bookshelf, faint whimpers were emitting from behind it. Using all the strength of his nineteen grim years, without thought of the possibility of failure the young barbarian put his mighty shoulders and broad back into moving the massive weighed down structure as charred and burning logs and beams fell about him. His veins and sinews near to bursting, Cimmerian felt the great wooden shelf move and then give in, as he heaved into it. Doing enough to dislodge the heavy furniture, Cimmerian quickly reached out and grabbed a limp and unconscious young girl, who had apparently hidden there to save herself from the ravaging marauders. She suffered minor cuts and appeared mostly in shock. A far better fate than all else in the premises.
He carried the seemingly lifeless body to a well and proceeded to carefully wash her face and hands with the cold, refreshing water. Rosa stirred after a little while and as her blurry eyes grew focused, she screamed. Cimmerian quickly hushed her and in soft, calm tones tried to console the frightened girl. Realising that she was safe now in the arms of a familiar face, she broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.
Cimmerian carried her to a safe distance from the sight of carnage and prepared to cook a rabbit he had hunted earlier. Coaxing her to eat in little mouthfuls, he was pleased to see the colour return to her whitened cheeks. Cimmerian knew how it felt to witness a horrific scene and live to have it haunt the mind. Memories of his own tragic past played out in his mind as he watched the young girl's detached and forlorn _expression. After the meal, Cimmerian gently persuaded Rosa to tell him what had transpired, he assured her that she would feel much better to have all that weight off her chest.
With tears in her large green eyes, she narrated, "It was late in the day in the day, the sun was on its way to rest and I was on my usual break from work. I was playing outside on the meadow when I saw a rider heading our way. I hoped that it was you but after a while I saw that it was a group of riders. When they were near enough, I saw their features, they were mean and evil looking men and they yelled in an obscene tongue.
"Fearing for our lives, I ran in as fast as I could to warn the others. Everyone was terrified, but my father said the most astonishing thing, he said that they were after me. I was shocked to hear this but he sat down and wrote this letter and he handed me this little box. Then he and a few other men, pushed me into a corner, and then trapped me under a heavy bookshelf.
"That's how they saved my life. From that hiding place I saw those evil men rush in and attack us, then they set fire everywhere. I thought I was going to be burned alive, I was so frightened I must have fainted... you saved me, Cimmerian."
"No, your father did, Rosa and he gave his life doing so." said the young man grimly. "What does the letter he wrote say?"
"I don't know, " said Rosa, sobbing loudly, ' I was.. I couldn't read it...I."
Placing his arm around the weeping girl, he opened the parchment and read, "Dear Rosa, I should be telling you this when you come of age at sixteen, but I fear that they have discovered us and it is necessary now that you know of your true heritage. I am not your father, but merely a guardian appointed by your real parents, the King and Queen of Byrtunica. An evil usurper took hold of the kingdom from your father and killed your parents, he has also been trying to kill you. We have been so far successful in keeping you hidden from his forces until now. Contained in the box are your royal seal, signet ring and emblem.
When you can escape from this place, try to find people who will help you to your rightful place as the princess. We all do fervently pray that you one day reclaim your crown and bring justice and peace to our people. Your humble servant, In... "
"That's it, it ends here... he couldn't finish it." said Cimmerian in wonder, "so you're a princess. Favours of Mystra!"
Rosa was too astonished to speak, and though the gravity of the situation weighed heavily down on her little shoulders, she couldn't help smiling. She was a princess and she already had her rugged knight in almost no armour to help her claim her crown. All this was a bit too much for the young girl and her exhausted frame collapsed into blissful sleep.
Cimmerian ruefully smiled, there was nothing left to bury of the charred and broken victims. He decided to place the peacefully sleeping Rosa on his horse and take her as far away from this place as possible. And presently the road led to the city of rogues, Feruna.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 6Chapter 6 - Rogues of a kind
Cimmerian knew that Crom had chosen him to undertake a quest of this magnitude, it was his calling to care for this orphaned young girl and see to it that she reclaimed her rightful place on this world. Feruna was their destination, for there Cimmerian would find an old mapmaker he had known, who could show then the way to the Byrtunican capital. The city of rogues was a good eight hours ride from the inn but with two riders astride, the black stallion was hard pressed to reach there in twelve.
On the way, Rosa sat huddled into the young man's strong and secure presence. She asked him about the curse and he laughed and narrated to the girl his adventure with the sorceress, Nevtalathal. Rosa was glad to hear of it, wiping away errant hairs from her face she placed her head on the barbarian's deep chest and sighed. The horse galloped on through the night, the young girl slowly drifted into sleep.
She awoke to the sound of busy voices and loud clattering of hooves and carts. It was well into the next day, with the sun shining high in the sky above. Cimmerian was on foot now, leading the black stallion by the reins as Rosa lay curled on the large saddle. She opened her large green eyes and rubbed the sleep out of them.
The filth infested, serpent alleyed streets of Feruna, the city of rogues was a new and repulsive experience for the young princess to be, a far cry from the sheltered life she had lived as an innkeeper's ward. She watched wide-eyed as a gigantic, bald man argued with another dressed in ragged robes over the price of some wine, while iin voices that had no love in them, surly men bartered with painted women for other pleasures. But Cimmerian, seemingly oblivious to the civilised decadence around them, strode casually ahead leading the black stallion, upon which Rosa sat, fear and apprehension written large on her pretty face.
"I will give you twenty coins for the young slave girl, barbarian." said a hooded figure stepping out of a darkened alley.
Cimmerian roughly pushed the man aside, snarling, "I have no slave, wretch."
Enraged the hooded man reached for his blade, but he soon noticed that the young barbarian already had his hand on his own sword hilt; and so the rogue just as soon withdrew his hand and disappeared into the stifling darkness from which he had appeared.
A few streets away, however, a man cried out as if in the grip of death. Cimmerian halted in his tracks unsure of what to do when suddenly three hooded figures dashed out of an alley, running wildly as prey would from a predator. Rosa shrieked in fear and still more padding of hurried feet approached them. Then a swarthy form hurtled headlong into Cimmerian, sprawling the tall barbarian across the filthy street.
"Hounds of Necros!" howled the barbarian youth, "No one takes the wind out of my sails...." and with a swift swipe he threw his assailant off himself and snapped his neck. In savage seething rage, Cimmerian leapt to his feet and found himself surrounded by the slain rogue's companions.
Rosa screamed as the black stallion reared up and moved away from the chaos.
"If it's a fight you want," snarled Cimmerian, "Step forward and join your sainted ancestors in dog heaven."
"Blasphemous insults," cried the leader of the band, "We'll carve him up for that."
"Carve did you say..." rasped the young barbarian hoarsely, as he deftly sank his long sword deep into one of the nearest rogues, killing him instantly, "...did you mean like this?"
"Or did you mean a backhand thrust like so?" he laughed cruelly as he slashed the next thug's throat with a wild backhanded swipe of his bloodied sword.
"He fights like a demon possessed," yelped one of the remaining rogues as he fled after another that preceded him. And Rosa took stock in his cry for she too witnessed the savage aggression of this young man who was always nice to her, her young heart beat faster as she watched Cimmerian square off with the large leader of the pack.
"You'd best regain you senses and follow your men's example," said Cimmerian. But Oglim, standing defiantly, looked the barbarian square in the eye and grinned. Cimmerian looked across to see where Rosa was and suddenly Oglim kicked one of his fallen comrades into the barbarian's path, tripping him to the ground. Oglim stood over the fallen man and raised his scimitar.
"You slipped, pig of the north." he leered, "and any man can see the Oglim is swift enough to take advantage...uuurkk"
Gasping for air and eyes bulging, the large man stumbled forward, a fine sharp steel sword point rupturing its way through his chest. He fell over, blood and phlegm spurting out of his gasping mouth.
"You!" bellowed a startled Cimmerian, looking up at the tall, dark haired woman who stood over him, one hand on hip and the other rested at the elbow on her sword that's point was still embedded into the fallen rogue chief.
Her hair was black, yet glinted like shimmering gold and her attire was all of armour. A slender scale mail girdle clung around her waist to a black leather belt, which also held her weapons, a longsword and some daggers. Scale mail shoulder and chest plates were all that adorned her upper body, flattering her well-formed physique. Silvered gauntlets extended from her wrist to her elbows in each hand and her heavy boots were of black leather.
"Who did you expect to rescue you," she laughed, her amber eyes twinkling mischievousley, "If not your old friend Elenna."
"Rescue me? Why I'd have gutted that pig in a second..." cried Cimmerian indignantly, "I was doing just fine by myself when I tripped over that corpse."
"Ahh, surely you were, a big strong barbarian like you." laughed the woman warrior.
"Find us a tavern and I'll pretend that I owe you a drink rather than a clout on that saucy chin," laughed the young barbarian, placing his hand on her slender, bare waist.
"I'll share a flagon of mead with you, Cimmerian," Elenna smiled, "But if you value your hands, you'll keep them to yourself."
"Same old Elenna, 'ey?" smirked Cimmerian.
Watching this show of familiarity between the two warriors, Rosa narrowed her large eyes and felt a strange sensation of hurt and resentment. She pouted and immediately decided that she disliked this Elenna right away
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 7Chapter 7 - In the company of good friends
The tavern that Elenna led them to was a festering hellhole, infested with lowlifes from every part of the city. Rosa had no idea that inns could be of this nature, everywhere she looked repulsed her. After securing the stallion next to Elenna's fine white firebrand steed in the tavern's stables, which apparently was better cared for then the inn itself, the three of them settled down to a table. Hefting large jugs of ale, the two warriors cheered as Rosa played with the bowl of soup that was placed before her. Her depressed mind wondered if the food at this place was safe for human consumption. She also longed for fresh goat milk, but a stinking mug of some foul drink was placed before her. Holding her nose, she regretted making fun of the fine ale that her foster father served at his inn. Her deep train of thought was interrupted by Elenna's rude laughter. Apparently she and Cimmerian had shared a private joke. But Elenna's question was directed at her.
"Who is your little companion, Cimmerian?" she asked, 'Why is she with you?"
"It's a long story," laughed the young man," But I have promised to take her home, where she is the pr... oww!"
Under the table, Rosa's little foot kicked him sharply in the shin, she didn't wish the warrior woman to know anymore about her for now. Cimmerian looked quizzically at the pouting girl and scratched his head.
"What?" asked Elenna.
"Her name is Rosa and I am helping her head home to Byrtunica." grinned Cimmerian sheepishly, pointing to a cat that crawled out of the table as the source of his sudden discomfort.
"Well Rosa, nice to know you little one." the wild eyed woman smiled.
"I am not little," said Rosa, glaring at Elenna and sitting back on her chair with pouted lips.
"A Byrtunican do you want a capital in here? Its capitalised later on, doesn’t matter either way but you should be consistent, hmm..?" mused Elenna, "There is one of such origin right here in Feruna... and of quite some prominence too."
"Here.. you should always have three …where?" asked Cimmerian, eagerly.
Elenna brushed some crumbs off her scant armour and began, "This morning I followed the sounds to the city square, sounds of a crowd in holiday mood... which I knew was either of coronation or execution... it was the latter. A wizard named Sharkos was being executed for performing certain nameless obscene rituals in the house of this Byrtunican..three dots again here - yep I’m still picky! Birtlinda."
"Sharkos.... you’ve got too many now! maybe if you average them it comes out right…J Sharkos, I have heard this name mentioned before...can't recall when and where ..." interrupted Cimmerian, "What did he look like?"
Running her hand through her silken tresses, Elenna continued, "Oh, he had the typical look of all wizards and shamans. Tall, thin and balding, with deep evil eyes and hallow features... a Bavalian, some say."
"And this Byrtunican?
"She is a woman who tends well to her beauty... to entice men and boys to maintain her upkeep, any way it was she who reported the crimes of Sharkos, though some believe they were in league. Sharkos accused her of betrayal and also of stealing his jewelled ring of power and some such horse's droppings, just before the executioner lopped his head off."
"So this Sharkos is dead?" mused Cimmerian.
"Aye, his head separated from his nether parts...., too many dots, and you don’t need the comma, but if you want it then still only 3 dots before it." said Elenna, "The public oohing and aahing over a beheading revolted me even more than usual, so I set off.... lots of dots here too, why are there so many dots in this chapter?! but not quicker than the Byrtunican who breathed a sigh of deep relief."
"So she has this ring of power.... again with the dots!! perhaps she may help us.. and now there’s too few…maybe one of these dots ran away to be with the dots at the other end of the sentence" thought Cimmerian aloud.
"I would not wager on that," smirked Elenna.
"Speaking of wagers, where did you disappear off to after our last outing together?"
"Ah, my darling Cimmerian, it wasn't that I wanted to desert you after we stole the emerald eye of Elkirk, I had my orders you see... yay! Finally, a happy little set of three dots together! orders which I eventually disregarded."
"So now you are a fugitive, no doubt, with a price on that pretty head. Well, if times get too hard, I guess I can always turn you in." laughed Cimmerian and Elenna joined him.
Rosa was getting extremely bored by all this and she was hungry too, having not touched any of the grisly food placed before her.
"Well, well, if it isn't the spendthrift from the frozen north." a silken, mocking voice suddenly sliced through their conversation. It belonged to a woman, of around thirty summers, dressed in the scanty attire suitable for women in her trade.
Rosa was shocked to witness such a strange sight but Elenna broke the silence, "Cimmerian, who is this old baggage?" she hissed.
"Just a friend of sorts... I sort of owe her a drink too," laughed the young barbarian.
"Never mind, barbarian." said the painted woman, "How could I be jealous, at least until I know that your companion is a woman or a veteran of foreign misadventures."
Cimmerian guffawed and Rosa suppressed a giggle, but Elenna rose up, nostrils flaring, "I don't like your tone, jezebel... so you keep a civil tongue in your head."
"Who says I should?" sneered the older woman.
"I say so, witch!" screamed Elenna, catching the street woman square on the jaw with a flashing left hook, effectively sprawling her to the floor, "and get your fat behind out of here before I loose my temper."
Clutching her swollen and bleeding face the woman ran out of the tavern as Elenna returned to her seat.
"Like I said, same old Elenna," laughed Cimmerian, "Did I say, I love your armour, what little of it there is."
Elenna smiled sweetly and said, "It keeps oafish brutes such as you distracted long enough to have them gutted."
Rosa beamed at Elenna with new-found respect. This girl knew how to take care of herself, she thought. And she decided that she had been mistaken earlier and would consider this wild, warrior like woman as a friend.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 8Chapter 8 - Wreak not the wrath of Wizards
The stale afternoon heat stifled the already congested air in the vermin ridden tavern as a hunched and hooded figure walked up to the innkeeper.
"Where is the abode of the Byrtunican woman... the one called Birtlinda?" the hooded man asked him in a voice seemingly from beyond the grave.
"Why it's on the outskirts of the city..." stammered the fat inn keeper, "due w... west of here.... a ... a big stone wall around it... you can't miss it."
"Ah yes!" said the inquiring stranger and slowly moved out of the tavern.
"... and then we rode all night to get here to the city of rogues," said Cimmerian, between gulps of his ale, "But come tomorrow and we'll be on the road again."
"The road to Byrtunica..." implied Elenna, fingering the hilt of her dagger.
"Aye, on our way to find this fair lass' home," said Cimmerian smiling at Rosa, "And mayhap you would like to accompany us, Elenna ?"
"I think I just may..." smiled Elenna, "Having you for company, Cimmerian, may work to my advantage right now."
Cimmerian laughed, but Rosa didn't like the sound of Elenna's last comment. Then suddenly the inn doors were thrown open and half a dozen soldiers of the royal guard came crashing in, led by the very woman whom Elenna had assailed.
"There they are," cried the woman, "That barbarian and the dark haired witch... they tried to murder me."
Elenna laughed and whipped out her exquisite longsword and Cimmerian joined her, his barbarian longsword in hand.
"A hard fight clear out of here," smirked Cimmerian.
"Aye, I hear these Ferunian guardsmen are able warriors." agreed Elenna, breathing hard with the anticipation of battle pounding in her veins.
"Can't you two barbarians ever solve anything without violence, this should be a question mark" cried Rosa in exasperation and the two of them turned to look at her in surprise. She smiled sweetly and pointed to a small window as a means of escape. Waving at them she swiftly jumped through it.
"She is right, you know," said Elenna and followed her as did Cimmerian, but with a little more effort and complaint, "Ungfh, these egresses were made for dwarves and children," he grunted.
Once outside Elenna quickly led them to the darkened stables and finding hiding places amidst the horses and mules, they lay silently in wait. The guards soon gave up their search and left, then Elenna mounted her horse and rode out into the darkening evening. Cimmerian followed, with Rosa seated behind him on the tall, black stallion.
"Now where to?" asked Elenna.
"To the ancient mapmaker or perhaps to the Byrtunican Birtlinda. Whichever is closer," replied Cimmerian.
"The mapmaker is dead, died in his sleep last week or so I have heard." said Elenna, with an air of indifference.
"So to the Byrtunican it is," reasoned Cimmerian.
After a while's ride they came upon a high walled lavishly constructed villa, which had seen some ruin given to the passage of time.
"This must be the place, but it's fallen into disrepair." said Cimmerian, dismounting, "The byrtunican must have fallen upon evil times."
"And betrayed Sharcoo to recoup her fortunes," added Elenna as she tethered her white horse to a nearby tree.
"This is an evil place," said Rosa, clutching tightly to the black horse’s flowing mane.
Making their way up the long flight of ancient stairs, they stepped into the old, wind torn house through the towering doorway, which was strangely left ajar and unguarded. Once inside, they carefully approached a doorway from where a faint light escaped. It also led through a flight of dimly lit stairs deep down into the bowels of the imposing villa. Making their way stealthily down, they held their breath when loud chanting of strange incantations rang out from the brightly lit room where the stairway ended. There a most bizarre sight awaited them. The room was wide and high with all manner of strange and evil equipment strewn around, while hooded men in long robes stood silent as statues in a semicircle and in the middle of it all, lying on an elevated platform that served as some kind of obscene altar, was the Byrtunian, Birtlinda chained and bound, attired in nothing save nature's bounty, fear and desperation on her once beautiful face. A man in hooded cloak and robes stood above her with a twisted dagger in hand and an insane smile across his face. His eyes were black as death. But he stopped his chanting as he looked up at the interlopers and shouted, "Who dares defile the sanctum of Sharcoo?"
Elenna quickly grabbed Rosa and pushed the girl up the stairway, "Quick, girl... run, run away from here. It is not safe."
Then turning to the young barbarian she cried. "He's alive, Cimmerian... but."
"Alive?" rasped the ancient wizard, "Did she say alive? Nay, wench... more undead than alive. An undead man come back to wreak vengeance upon the one who betrayed him."
"Maybe she did do wrong, Wizard... in her own way," yelled Cimmerian, leaping over the altar, sword in hand, "but she is still human, while you are what you are... and by Crom, I will side with the living against the undead every time." And he dove straight at the wizard, plunging his sword deep into he old man's chest.
"Mortal fool," rasped the fallen wizard, "I have come back from regions where time fears to tread...do you think you can stop me with mere metal?"
"Crom, my sword passes through him without harm," gasped the astonished young man.
"What's wrong, Cimmerian?" asked Elenna as she cut her way through the mass of hooded figures, "Does not your prey die fast enough for you? There is no such trouble with his lackeys, so don't get your black mane in an uproar, I will be with you as soon as I..." she continued, driving her blade to the hilt into an onrushing figure, "There that's the last one of them."
"His ring finger.... it's where his power lies," shrieked Birtlinda, regaining her senses, "...he can be maimed, cut off his ring finger."
That was enough for Cimmerian to know and as the wizard bore down on him, with a swift stroke of his sword he hacked the wizard's right hand clean off. The wizard's body collapsed to the floor, his once severed head free again, rolled away and settled down near the byrtunican, its eyes flashing it rasped, "You think you have had the better of me, fools...I am lord of all wizards." and then it disappeared into thin air along with its withered body but the arm stayed there on the floor, with the ring on its shrivelling fingers.
Cimmerian looked across at Elenna and shrugged as she shivered at the wizard's last warning.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 9Chapter 9 - The Legacy Unfolds
The insane wizard Sharcoo was gone but the stench of his evil clung to the air like a soaking blanket. Slain bodies of his underlings lay strewn across the marble floors, while the byrtunican fell back into her dazed trance.
"That's that, now let's get out of here," said Elenna, wiping the blood off her sword, "...before those guards catch up with us."
"Not so fast, woman," said Cimmerian, "we have a lady to take care of first. She's too shaken to speak and walk..."
Cimmerian lifted the naked woman up in his arms, walked out of the room and up the stairway. "The cool evening air might revive her..." he said.
"Put me down you brainless oaf," cried the byrtunican woman as she awakened out of her stupor, "I will not be hauled about like an ox's carcass."
"Oh yes, she's recovering nicely, I'd say." said Elenna, coldly.
"Alright, you slew that accursed Sharcoo, the danger is over...now I want to go back into my own house." screamed Birtlinda as she tried to cover her state of undress.
"Let her go, Cimmerian." said Elenna.
"But we need your help, Birtlinda!" pleaded Cimmerian as he gently placed her on her feet and draped a curtain around her.
"What kind of help?" asked the byrtunican suspiciously.
"Come here, Rosa," called Cimmerian, "And speak with Birtlinda."
Rosa peered out from behind the pillar she had been hiding, and asked, "Is it safe?"
"Yes, it is... come on." assured Elenna.
"Birtlinda, this is Rosa... she is a princess of Byrtunica... your homeland. We ask for your help in guiding us to the capital..." began Cimmerian, "And also aid us to overthrow the evil usurper who took over the country from Rosa's parents, the true King and Queen."
"You really wish me to believe that this peasant girl..." retorted Birtlinda, but stopped short as Rosa displayed the tokens of her true heritage. The royal seal, signet ring and emblem of Byrtunica.
"Believe you this?" asked Rosa, quite irritated.
"Alright..." stammered the Byrtunican woman, "I believe it... I cannot go with you but I will show you the way... I have detailed maps."
"Just as good." said Elenna, relieved to not have Birtlinda's company along.
"I am so honoured to have royalty in my humble home," said Birtlinda, kissing the hem of Rosa dress, "I pray for success of your mission, my queen."
"Um... that will do, lady," said Rosa, rather embarrassed.
"Let us be on our way, these maps are well constructed. Come!" said Cimmerian, not willing to waste anymore time in a place of sorcery.
"At long last," quipped Elenna, rushing out of the room and up the stairway.
Once outside the three of them mounted their horses and steadily cantered away. Byrtunica was further north-west of the Farachan city of Feruna and so they rode towards the northern exit of the city, there would be guards posted at the gates no doubt. Something they had to be wary of, for surely the events at the tavern were well known all round the city of rogues by then.
And just as they feared the northern gates were being heavily guarded, as four battle-armoured, hulking men stood tall and proud, large metal axes in hand. Hiding behind a wall, Cimmerian dismounted and motioned Elenna to follow, he then took her aside and whispered to her, something that Rosa could barely comprehend but Elenna took exception to it and vehemently showed her disapproval.
Agitatedly Cimmerian said, "Elenna, that is the closest thing to a plan we have... it is far too risky to battle four armoured guards by ourselves head on, especially since we have to keep Rosa away from harm. And by the time we slay two of them the others will surely raise the alarm, thus dooming us for good."
"What is the plan?" asked Rosa, irritated at being left out of it.
"You don't want to know, Rosa," grinned Cimmerian as Elenna muttered under her breath and proceeded to carry out the young barbarian's instructions. Draping a cloak around her, she walked out of their hiding place and headed for the gateway. The guards immediately stood to attention and watched her swaying approach, one of them grinned leeringly. Elenna stopped in front of the gate and the four men surrounded her as she flirted with them in her most seductive tone. Then much to surprise of the already spellbound men, she dropped her cloak and stood proudly in nothing more than her natural feminine charm. As the distracted men salivated and stumbled in closer, a large black stallion burst through a nearby stack of hay, spurred on by a wild barbarian wielding a longsword in each hand. Before the guardsmen could react, Cimmerian had already skewered two that were facing away from him. Throwing her bloodied sword to Elenna, he hacked off the head of the third guard with a wild swipe of his broadsword. Elenna reached out and grabbed the sword that was hurled at her and in that selfsame motion brought it down on the fourth dumbstruck guard, separating his head from his shoulders.
Rosa felt sick at the sight of all this bloodshed as the white horse she sat on came cantering up to where Cimmerian and Elenna had lain waste the city's sentinels. Elenna quickly threw the cloak around her and jumped up on her horse behind Rosa as Cimmerian threw open the gates. The three of them hurriedly rode out in fear of the reinforcements that had already began to roll towards the northern gates.
At a safe distance from the city, Cimmerian laughed, "Elenna, you were astounding."
"I felt terribly unclean doing that," retorted the dark haired warrior woman, "But I suppose it was worth it."
"As was the view," guffawed the young barbarian.
"I hope you enjoyed it as much as you could, you swine," laughed Elenna, "For that is all that you will ever get from me."
Cimmerian laughed aloud, but Rosa sat grimly in front of Elenna, with thoughts of her homeland and kingdom and the fate that awaited her there running through her troubled mind.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 10Chapter 10 - The Road to Byrtunica
The horses were ridden hard for most of the night and the three travellers put many a mile between them and the City of Rouges. In the early light of dawn, they decided to rest for a while. The terrain was dry, rough and rocky. Large outcroppings of rock formed small hillocks along the landscape and provided plenty of safe havens for hiding from the view of unwanted eyes.
Locating such a place, a deep cavern between two medium sized hillocks, Cimmerian led the horses and his two nubile companions to its safety.
Once settled, they lit a small fire and prepared some food, their hungry bellies would be replenished for the first time since they left the tavern at Feruna. They feasted on some meat and dry bread that they had taken from the tavern and washed it down with stale wine procured by force from a travelling merchant.
Too tired to sleep, they decided spend the night getting to know more about each other's stories. Rosa told them of how she grew up in the inn, where she thought she would have to spend the rest of her life. She saddened when narrating the tale of her foster father... the innkeeper, who sacrificed everything for her and his homeland. She smiled when Cimmerian said that she could build him a memorial once she was Queen of Byrtunica.
Then Elenna told of her tale. She was orphaned early in her childhood as Cimmerian was, life and the times hardened this young woman of seventeen summers into the cold, ruthless warrior she was now. Not much older than Rosa, she knew more of the world and the domineering ways of men than women twice her age ever could. Rosa felt compelled to hug the tough warrior woman, and she discovered that deep inside Elenna was a soft, sensitive soul as she wept while hugging Rosa back.
Cimmerian told of his tale as well, though he omitted some of the parts that left him a bitter man. Those were thoughts he shared with himself alone. Instead he narrated of his adventures as a thief and warrior and said that one day he would make his destiny as the greatest at what he did and people would sing songs of his legend years after he had gone.
Soon it was time to move on. The sun shone brightly as they gathered up and rode out. There was much distance to travel before they would reach the borders of Byrtunica and then about another day's ride to reach the capital. Having breakfasted on fresh eagle's eggs that Elenna found in a nesting site along the way, they rode on renewed in body and spirit. Late in the day, when the sun had begun to cast longer shadows due east, the weary travellers set up camp once more. This time their surroundings were a bit more hospitable, as the rolling lush fields provided much comfort.
Using his remarkable marksmanship with the bow, Cimmerian hunted some quail. The meat would provide much needed nourishment and give them the strength that the journey demanded. Apart from good housekeeping skills, Rosa was an excellent cook and she prepared a splendid repast out of the fowl Cimmerian had hunted. Fresh cool winds blew down the fields of lush green as they feasted. Chirping birds and colourful butterflies filled the air with a sense of tranquil bliss.
After the meal, Cimmerian decided to teach Rosa the fine art of sword fighting. But try as she might, the little lass could not even lift his heavy sword off the ground. Giggling to her heart's content, Rosa gave up trying. Cimmerian, displeased by this, dropped to the ground and rolled off to sleep.
"Neve mind him, Rosa," smiled Elenna as she handed her own sword to the girl. "I will teach you how to fight."
"Oh, thank you," said Rosa, apprehensively reaching out for the sword that Elenna held out. Once in her hand, she discovered that this sword was no heavier than the large soup ladle she used in the inn her late foster father had owned.
"Oh!" she gasped, as she attempted a few thrusts with it. "But that one was so heavy."
"Oh, you know men," laughed Elenna, "It always bigger, faster or stronger for them.. oh dear… the heavier the better...bah, swords such as mine are just as good for after all it is not the sword that kills but the hand that wields it." she continued grimly.
"Aye," said Rosa, as new sensations of confidence flowed through her with every stroke of the sword she attempted.
"Come, let us get some sleep... for there is a hard night's ride ahead." said Elenna.
The two women lay beside the lightly snoring barbarian and dozed off.
Cimmerian awoke to the sound of thundering hoof beats and loud angry voices. Jumping to his feet with his sword in hand, he found themselves surrounded by horsemen in armour, bearing the crest of Byrtunica. Elenna and Rosa were already up.
The leader of the men, a tall, grim man with greying hair looked down at the three travellers.
"Come with us without resistance and no harm will be done to you," his voice boomed, "We are the royal elite guardsmen of the King of Byrtunica."
"I am the..." began Rosa but Elenna hushed her up, "What for should we go with you?" asked the warrior woman, venom drenching her voice.
"You match the exact descriptions of the vandals that raided the home of a fellow Byrtunican in the city of Feruna," said the tall man, "And anyone who assaults a subject of Byrtunica must be punished under our law."
"You are mistaken..." hissed Elenna.
"We are not," said the leader of the horsemen, curtly.
"Enough talk!" yelled Cimmerian, hurling two daggers into two riders closest to him and then bearing his broadsword down on the third.
"Imbeciles!" snarled the tall leader, "Seize the girl..."
"The girl...you mean Rosa," hissed Elenna, whipping out her sword, "You have to go through me."
Cimmerian had slain six of the armoured riders by the time the guardsmen had taken hold of a terrified and screaming Rosa and Elenna had gutted three. A sharp blow to the back of her head rendered Elenna unconscious even as she drove her sword into the fourth horseman. The tall leader threw the unconscious woman upon his horse and ordered his men to ride on.
To a man the disciplined men on horseback rode out, leaving Cimmerian behind as he frantically ran to catch up with them. But the horsemen moved further and further away with Rosa and Elenna as their captives. Finally giving up the chase, the young barbarian fell to the ground exhausted.
There was no sign of his horse or of Elenna's white stallion either. Cimmerian lay on his back on the cool grass, wondering if the horses were driven away or slain... but no matter, he would go on foot if need be to rescue Rosa and Elenna from the clutches the King of Byrtunica.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 11Chapter 11 - Rue Byrtunica
To the west, the dying sun spilled its last life's blood over the grey hued peaks of the Carpashian range of mountains. To the east, the city called Okarahn lies equally far away, succumbing to the enveloping darkness of night. Yet in the frozen instant of time, it is neither to the west nor to the east that Cimmerian turned his steel blue eyes... they glared northward, and northward only.
Aye, northward where a dim, cloud of dust kept moving further away... towards the walled fortress of the capital of Byrtunica. Where the armoured riders, the imperial elite of that city were taking his friends, to a fate which would be worse than death for now Cimmerian feared that Rosa was identified as a threat by the pretender who sat on her kingdom's throne.
The hulking war-horse he snagged from one of the fallen riders rode hard and fast through the previous night and that very day. But its injury prevented the horse from keeping up with the barbarian's quarry. Cimmerian also donned the crested armour and helm adorned by the fallen rider.
Sometime earlier, the Byrtunican soldiers with their captives had reached the giant wooden gates of the city.
"No need to struggle and writhe any longer, little beauty," said the tall Captain of the guards as he held onto Elenna tightly, "You are welcome to the Byrtunican capital."
"And I'll be happy when I'm gone," the young warrior snarled. Her hands were bound and her weapons had been confiscated.
"A true fire breather of a wench, and at least part Amorican by your accent," leered her captor, "We like Amorican women here in Byrtunica, though only to warm our hearths so..."
'Let go of me, dog," spat Elenna, "Let! Go!" And she swung her bound arms, catching the man square in the jaw with a double fisted blow. By the time the two fell off the horse and landed on the floor, Elenna had freed her self and taken the Captain's dagger from his belt.
"Stop her, she has the Captain's knife," cried one of the riders.
"And I'll share it with the first one who takes a step near me," hissed Elenna.
"Fool! We have arrows," countered the rider.
"Fire them then, and be damned to you," growled the warrior woman, "Elenna is not afraid to dieeeeeeee.....uhhhh." She fell into dark oblivion as a metal baton struck her on the head from behind .
"You clumsy pack animals," growled a cold, hard voice, "You are fortunate that I was coming here to the gates to inspect you. Is this why I have trained you? To see you felled by a half naked gutter snipe?"
"Pardon us, great General!" whimpered the Captain, rising from the floor where he had been knocked down by Elenna.
"No excuses," snarled the General.
"Yes, General Stefanos," said the Captain.
"Now come, and bring the child to the baths," said Stefanos, slinging Elenna's limp form over his shoulders as he set off. Rosa cringed in fear as she was roughly shoved ahead by the Captain.
As the cold water hit them from turrets cut into the walls, Rosa squealed and then whimpered. Rousing from her stupor, Elenna groaned, "Oh... my head, feels as if the pillars of Nashtur had fallen on it..."
"Wisest for you, Elenna, to act as if that's what happened," said Rosa, sadly.
"Rosa! How are you...?" cried Elenna as the cold water splashed down on the girls.
"Silence!" boomed Stefanos, as he enjoyed watching the women cleanse themselves, "Bathe well! You cannot go before the great king of Byrtunica smelling of horses and roadside grime."
Shortly the captive women, dressed in fresh but ragged attire were taken in to the throne chamber of the King of Byrtunica.
"Hail, Mithadahm, great King of Byrtunica." bellowed Stefanos, 'We have done as you commanded, my liege."
"Well done, General Stefanos!" said the king, with an irritating drawl in his tone. He then turned to face Rosa. Looking into the girl's wide, green eyes he sneered, "Tell me, child...what makes you think you are the true crown of Byrtunica... Oh, yes! I know all about you... I have been searching everyday since you were hidden from me by those accursed followers of your father."
Rosa turned pale, but Elenna shouted, "You fiend, then it is true. You slew her parents and usurped the crown."
"Aye, woman." laughed Mithadahm, "and you would make a fine addition to my seraglio... long have I desired an Amorican wench to share my bed..."
"Lecherous swine!" yelled Elenna and was sharply admonished by Stefanos with a hard slap to her hind-quarters.
"But how did you know?" asked Rosa, dejectedly.
" Ah, one of your friends, turned out more loyal to me than you," gloated the vile monarch and clapped his hands.
The tall curtains that divided the high walled throne room parted and a woman dressed in silken finery and glittering ornaments stepped out. A cruel laugh followed her sly smile as she walked over and stood beside the king.
"Birtlinda!" gasped Elenna and Rosa together.
"Yes!" grinned the woman.
Rosa was too shaken to speak further, but Elenna screamed, "You filthy bitch, how could you do this?"
"Quite easily, really!" laughed Birtlinda, and then faced Rosa, "Being of service to the King was more rewarding than being so for you, little princess." She said, waving her well ornamented arms as she laughed hysterically.
"We saved you life, traitor... we saved you from Sharcoo," said Elenna with gritted teeth.
"Oh, I could have dealt with him easily," the woman grinned, "I was just humouring you and that oafish barbarian. Where is that buffoon anyway? Dead already? What a pity."
"You will wish you were dead when Cimmerian lays his sword on you," cried Rosa, tears of anger in her eyes.
'Oh, come on now... he's a mere man." sneered Birtlinda.
"Silence," yelled Mithadahm, then turning to face the young princess in rags, he said, "All is said and done, young Rosa. You leave me no choice, though it would have been easier to do this when you were a mere babe in swaddling, for now you have grown into a fine young woman. I will pity the loss."
Rosa blinked as the king turned to his guards, "Send for the Royal Axe-man."
"No!" cried Elenna.
"Ah yes... and prepare this one for my pleasure," leered the king, he laughed as Stefanos made his way toward Elenna, his grubby hands eager.
"Halt! This mockery must cease," a voice resonated around the huge, high walled palace throne room.
'What! Who dares cry halt in the throne chamber of Mithadahm," demanded the king.
Who would dare, save I," said a large imposing woman dressed in the attire suitable to lavish temple priests, her resolute footfalls echoing across the vast hallway. " Sumviese, high priestess of the Temple of Byrthia, after whom this land is named."
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 12
Chapter 12 - Sheep amongst Wolves
The high walls of the Byrtunican Royal palace reverberated with the powerful, resonating voice of the Temple High Priestess.
"You know fully well, Mithadahm, that we are co-monarchs of this land. You see to the land's security while I maintain the people's morale and their belief in you." she said, "It is not right to shed the blood of innocents. Give me the girl child for she will make a fine temple maiden, and none will know of her true lineage after she is tutored under me."
"Long have I searched for the last of King Odorf's line, to put an end his influence. And who are even you to deny the will of the land's warrior- king?" glowered Mithadahm.
'I am Sumviese, interpreter of dreams among other things and I say that shedding the blood of this innocent will bring about the downfall of this nation." said the Priestess, her voice booming and cracking like a whiplash. "Spare her... give her to me."
Elenna watched the two debaters with bated breath, looking for an opening to attack.
'You argue your case well, for a seer of gods, but I repeat, the girl child dies this day," snarled Mithadahm. "Deny me this and Byrtunica shall have but one monarch."
"You know that I can oppose you only with words, but the people of this land with pose a threat once I am not present to guide and reassure them," warned Sumviese, "You cannot rule the people with fear alone... forever."
Mithadahm sat silent for a while, deep in thought and then spoke, "Alright, take the girl and be off... I grow tired of this discussion."
"Thank you, but I will have much to say when we talk again, my king."
"As you ever do, Sumviese."
Rosa was led outside by Sumviese and her entourage of priests and helpers, out of the high palace walls and into a temple of equally immense proportions and grandeur. Elenna watched them leave and turned her fiery glare on Mithadahm.
"Get you gone," Mithadahm shouted to his personal guards, "Or do you think I need an honour guard against a mere girl, you offspring of sparrows."
"Perhaps, you do, Mithadahm," said Elenna.
"How dare you speak to me without averted eyes, woman?" barked the king.
"If I had my sword, you would be speaking to me castrated instead." retorted Elenna.
"Ah, save your fire for my bed chamber, Amorican," sneered Mithadahm, "It would serve you well to cater your favours to me."
Elenna gritted her teeth and took a step backward from the leering monarch.
As the last rays of sunlight were swallowed up by the yawning earth mother, Cimmerian came at last to the great walled city. A strange sight he, a tall, bronzed armoured rider striding mount-less up to the Byrtunican capital's barred gates. Cimmerian proceeded to try the tactic surest to gain him swift entrance to the city.
"YOU INSIDE, OPEN UP!" he yelled, pounding a massive fist onto the wooded gate.
"Who in the name of..." cried a face peering out of the little viewing hole cut into the massive door.
"My name is Mandalfo. I was on a mission when my horse died on me. Let me in," said Cimmerian.
"A mission? Why don't they tell us of these things?" lamented the sentinel as he opened the massive gates, "Enter, O, great rider."
But as soon as the tall, bronzed barbarian strode in....
'Hold! Those boots! You are no rider..." shrieked the second gatekeeper.
"Fools!" laughed Cimmerian cynically, as he crashed the two heads onto one another, "Next time you will pay more attention to a man's accent than his headgear and armour."
The avenues of the Byrtunican City were silent and dark as Cimmerian strode past large, stone carved idols that stared imposingly down. Most times Cimmerian would give such gods' temples an even wider berth, but he merely growled to himself that the Byrtunican gods will have corpses a-plenty to gaze down upon that night if anything had happened to Rosa or Elenna.
But inside the temple that Cimmerian shunned, in his search for the royal palace, Rosa sat on a seat by the side of Sumviese, high priestess of Byrthia as she prepared for the next ritual.
"Milady Sumviese! What will happen to me?" asked Rosa.
"You must forget your past and live well in the service to the temple of Byrthia," said the stately priestess with a smile.
"But I am to be the queen of this. "
"Hush, child! Say no more. Since when has a mere child ruled a kingdom?
"But you know that Mithadahm killed my parents... and that he is evil... so how can you serve him...?
"My child, he is the one whom I owe everything to," said Sumviese, misty eyed, "You see, King Odorf... your father had me imprisoned for preaching the word of Byrthia. But when Mithadahm seized power, he freed me and restored my place in this society. I have sworn to serve him and this counrty... for the greater good."
Rosa said no more, but she thought, "Yes, Sumviese! What greater good could there be for you than to have the heir of the man who opposed strongly to your faith, to serve you in expanding it."
"Mithadahm rules the country with an iron hand, keeping things secure. And I try to keep the people focused with my religious influence. If this balance tips, there will be anarchy and chaos."
Just then Rosa squealed as a sudden commotion was heard outside.
"A riot... down in the streets," cried Sumviese, panic-stricken.
And in the throne room of Mithadahm himself, "What in the name of the seven hells?" cried the monarch, looking out of his window down into the street.
Elenna's savage heart leapt at the sound of bloody strife from the courtyard below, for she already knew who alone could cause such a sudden uproar in a city which was deathly silent a moment since. And the real sight easily matched the imagined one.
"Up here, Cimmerian!" she screamed at the barbarian, who stood sword in hand surrounded by the very elite of Byrtunica's best.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 13Chapter 13 - Even Gods Fall...
"Come closer, byrtunican dogs," growled Cimmerian, waving his broadsword with a two handed grip, "and I will give you a taste of barbarian steel."
As the guards armed with spears and shields stepped forward.....
"Up here, barbarian!" yelled Elenna, from Mithadahm's throne room, "And Rosa is in the temple there."
"Guards!" yelled Mithadahm, "It seems my new chamber maid knows that mangy haired rabble down in the street. Take her in hand till his carcass is carted away."
"If there are any caracasses to be hauled, Mithadahm," hissed Elenna, as the guards tried to seize her, "They'll belong to your lowborn lackeys or to you if I can get my boot closer to your yapping mouth."
The few palace guards that surrounded her were large, swarthy men. But even they had much discomfort in subduing the hellcat, barely avoiding the sting of her lethal kicks.
Then, even as one uneven struggle took place in the palace itself, another one played out in the street below. The mere handful of byrtunican guardsmen that had surrounded Cimmerian had no way in suspecting that they had cornered a wounded lion. And by the time he strikes, his savage broadsword weaving through their ranks, gleaming a deadly pattern like summer lighting...... it was far too late.
But then hearing the sound of hurriedly approaching footfalls, Cimmerian knew that this new grouping would not underestimate him. For these Byrtunicans had seen what this one lone warrior had done to their comrades in arms, and they would not let him repeat the lesson.
Surrounding the barbarian warily and in larger numbers, they perhaps believed that so deadly a warrior would have some code against fleeing and they could easily wear him down. But Cimmerian swiftly disabused them of that notion, as he turned and rapidly scaled up the high, thick stoned wall that encompassed the palace, like a damned monkey. Yet even in headlong flight, Cimmerian proved to be a foe to beware as he kicked down the heavy flower pots made of hard clay on his persuers below.
Now running on the top of the wall, Cimmerian headed for the window from where Elenna had called out to him. But the wall ended a good distance away from the window sills, yet Cimmerian hurtled along like some unkown hybrid of raging tiger and lithe gazelle. Running out of wall, he wasted no time in lauching himself off and seemingly flew through the air toward the far window sill. Cimmerian scarely heard the halting gasps from below, for even as his feet touched the high bricked sill, he was off and running again. The windows of the Byrtunican palace were barred by iron grilling, which meant Cimmerian had to find another means of entrance. Then as his eyes darted from here to there as a beast at bay, he saw a sight that almost made him believe in the efficacy of prayer.
A massive stone idol of Byrthia, principal diety of Byrtalia, capital city of Byrtunica.
His astonished persuers were still milling about near the far side of the wall as he leapt down form the imposing height, where lesser men would pause to consider and remain to die. His sheer recklessness had given him a few precious extra seconds and he meant to use them well. Reaching the steps of the temple, Cimmerian ran up leaping over three to four of the large flag-stoned steps at a time. Steadying himself at the base of the idol, which was three times his height and possibly weighed a hundred fold more, he looked around. Byrtunican swords rolled toward the temple, far too many for him to stand against alone... unless he could make a suitable weapon out of a towering stone idol weighing tons.
And yet again, without bearing in mind the possibility of failure, Cimmerian put his strong back and mighty shoulders into the task of pushing the massive idol forward.... and he felt it move... slightly, almost imperceptively. His heart pumped blood near to bursting, all the power and fury of his nineteen grim years radiated outward from his straining sinews. He could feel the idol rocking, back and forth.... even as the leading persuers were almost upon him.
But suddenly they toppled forward, clutching arrows that protruded from their armoured chests. Cimmerian's surprise barely slowed him down as a few more of the onrushing soldiers were felled in similar fashion by the sniping strikes. Instead the barbarian's resolve grew firm as he put everything into a final explosive lunge into the idol.... and.....
It was not merely the fear of a toppling mass of carved stone which for a moment, made the Byrtunican guardsmen break and run. No, it was also their goddess who fell in earthly form; and the unbelievable sight filled those who survived, from being crushed under its great mass, with terror.
High up on the temple, the priestess Sumviese uttered an inarticulate cry, collapsing into unconciousness, and as Rosa's young heart beat to the rhythm of the scurrying feet of terrified onlookers, she was speechless with awe and fear.
And in the royal palace, Elenna, now bound down by the king's guards, too sat silent in disbelief at what she witnessed. Mithadahm, however, was unmoved. The idols of gods and goddesses meant little to him, but the inhuman-like feat of the savage barbarian spelt a threat. Calling out for his imperial elite, he led them out bedecked n his regal battle garb. The impudent intruder had to be made an example of, if he was ever to regain the people conifdence in his kingship.
Meanwhile, as chaos and cacophony raged on around the courtyard, Cimmerian lay collapsed on the hard stony floor, gasping and panting. A stealthy form silently slid beside him and held an arrow, tensed on a bow, at his heaving neck.
"You must be the shooter..." panted the young barbarian.
"Yes!" replied the hooded, lithe figure attired from head to foot in dark hued clothing, with gauntlets of black metal that glinted the pale moonlight into Cimmerians eyes, "Come with me, if you wish to keep your head."
Who are you?" aksed Cimmerian, as he scrambled to his feet. Rising to his full height, he noticed the stranger to be no more taller than Rosa, and possibly of the same age.
'You will know soon enough," replied the hooded archer, "Now come... make haste!" The figure melted into the darkening shadows of the city's dwelling houses and stone hovels.
Glancing over his shoulder, Cimmerian noticed the large contingent of well, desciplined soldiers marching towards him, led by one in gleaming armour. The leader, he assumed, of this strange nation and quickly followed the mysterious stranger into the darkness. He found himself being led through a maze of serpentine alleys and streets. The hooded figure, suddenly opened a doorway and stepped in, motioning for him to follow. Cimmerian obliged, he was tired and hungry...maybe he could find allies here amidst these miserable parts of the city to help him rescue Elenna and Rosa.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 14Chapter 14 - Heritage
Sumviese, the eccentric high priestess to Byrthia, sat distraught inside the temple as her followers milled around, clearing the smattering of debris. The impact such a sight this must have had on the superstitious minds of the people had to be devastating, she feared. And word of mouth was already twisting this feat out of proportion. The people could react in two ways to this. They could be angered by this effrontery against theor belief and bay for the barbarian's blood; or they could see this as an omen to an end of Mithadahm's rule. It would worsen if word got out that Odorf's heir was in the city for many of his sympathisers still hid in the dark and festering bowels of the Byrtunican capital city of Byrtalia.
Mithadahm digustedly kicked away the scattered stones and broken flesh that violated the temple courtyard. He already feared what such a occurence could mean. The barbarian would have to be captured, not quite an easy task considering where he chose to flee, into the heart of the city's underground, where many opposed to his rule lay. No wonder that they will aid in hiding him, for they see him as a means for them to finally get their way. It was too late into the night to have imperial troops marching into those regions of the city. Many a good man was lost there. The new day's light would prove another matter.
The mysterious stranger led Cimmerian through a maze of ill lit hovels and stables until they came to a clearing. There the stanger dropped to the floor and knocked on it with rhythmic raps. Cimmerian watched with amused interest as part of the floor moved and gave way inwardly as a trapdoor would. The hooded figure silently slipped in, then beckoned at Cimmerian to follow. He shrugged his broad shoulders and followed the stanger into a maze of undergrond passages that went on for lengthy distance. Finally the stranger stopped at an wider opening and turned to face Cimmerian.
"Welcome to the underground faction of Byrtunica's rightful citizens." said the hooded figure. "Our leader will meet you now."
Cimmerian laughed, "What has this got to do with me?"
"Barbarian," said the stranger, "You are lucky that your hand is strong and sword sharp, for your brain couldn't be duller."
"I'd assume that you didn't cart me through miles of filth and pestilence just to insult me." grunted the tall barbarian.
"Pardon your guide, young warrior," said an aging man, as he was helped out of the shadows by two younger men, "She is young and impertinent, but her aim is true. As is her heart."
"She?" said Cimmerian, amused.
"Yes!" said the archer, removing her hood and revealing a pretty young face as dark curls of sweat soaked hair slowly rolled out the sides, " I am Amanaduial."
"Impressive," said the barbarian, "You must be of twelve summers or so."
'Thirteen," replied the girl and walked away to stand beside the elder man, who now seated himself on a chair. The underground room was dank and dusty, but it didn't bother Cimmerian, he had seen worse.
"What is this all about," he asked, facing the elder man, "And who are you?"
"I am Doreloa," replied the elder, "I lead this party of rebels against the evil Mithadahm. Our spies reported that he had finally captured the true heir to the crown and intends to kill her."
"Rosa.... yes, but I think the temple woman holds her now." said Cimmerian grimly.
"The high priestess of Byrthia intends to influence the princess, no doubt," said Amandui, hate clearly evident in her tone.
'Hush, child," continued Doreloa, "Yes, her name is Rosa. Many summers gone, when she was but a toddler, my own son was entrusted to take her out of the city and keep her hidden. He did his task well, but alas, we have had reports of the unfortunate events that took place and brought you into this play."
"The innkeeper of the roadside inn between Feruna and Asulrim on the Farachan highway," said Cimmerian, pensively.
'Yes, my boy," nodded the aged man, "And he left behind his own child of similar age in my care and escaped with princess as his own from the swords of Mithadahm."
"And now I have returned the princess to her home land, but much more need be done. What have you to gain from this?" asked Cimmerian.
"We are the confidantes of King Odorf and all his line, our families have been in service to the royal house of Odorf for generations. I served Odorf's sire, as my son served him. And as will Amanaduial." said Domeloa.
"Amanaduial?" asked Cimmerian.
"Amanaduial is my granddaugther, warrior." replied the old man, smiling slightly.
'The child that was swapped to save the princess' life."
"Yes!" replied the young archer, "And we mean to keep her alive and well as long as we can."
"I must rescue her soon, before the King does much harm," said Cimmerian, "Will you aid me.... that is why you have brought me here, is it not?
"Aye, we will help, brave warrior" replied the old man, "We will make plans tomorrow at the morn."
"I fear that it may be too late," said Cimmerian.
"Nay, my friend," said Amanaduial, "The customs of our people do not allow any such blessed deeds to take place after sundown. The priestess Sumviese will see to that. Princess Rosa is safe till the next day. Come, we will take repast and then rest our tired limbs."
Cimmerian nodded in relief and the gnawing pain in his belly made him yearn for food, and then rest. The squalor and decadence of the Byrtalian back alleys rivalled the flith infested streets of Feruna, but the food was better. Sitting down to a meal of dry bread, roast fish and tepid wine, Amanaduial recounted the awe inspring events of the early night, as her companions looked with fear and awe at the tall, bronzed barbarian. But Cimmerian ate his food, oblivious to any and everything else that took place around him, in his usual barbaric manner.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 15Chapter 15 - Cimmerian against the City
The first hint of pale light streaked across the dark grey horizon as Cimmerian and his new found ally, Amanaduial crawled out of the underground chambers and onto the dry, dirty streets of Byrtalia, the capital city of Byrtunica. For the last hour since, they along with the rebel faction, had been devising a plan of action to rescue the princess. They set off at the brisk pace, wrapping large cloaks around them to keep out the biting chill in the morning air that blew in from the icy north.
Doreloa, the leader of the rebel faction that opposed Mithadahm's rule, and his followers were in the service of Odorf and his line for generations. To finally have the true heir to the crown returned to them, gave these people new hope and vision. They were ready to bear arms and challenge the might of the false king for the glory of Byrtunica.
While devising the plan, word had come to them that the people of Brytalia were losing faith in Mithadahm and his priestess Sumviese. The amazing feat they had witnessed the pervious evening gave them belief that the strong yoke that Mithadahm had thrown over them could be shaken off. Some of them even believed Cimmerian to be a kind of savior sent from their true gods to overthrow the pretenders. Cimmerian would have laughed at this, but he was in too grim a mood to do that. His mind was focused on rescuing Rosa from the fate he had brought on her.
But the situation that had developed did give them an advantage. Many more people now openly questioned the rule of Mithadahm, and as word of the return of the Princess, true heir to the crown was in the city spread like wildfire, their voices against the false king got louder still. Many of the elders on the rebel faction agreed to the plan Cimmerian proposed. Now that he was seen as some kind of liberator, some even gave him godly status. He would use it to his advantage. He would open walk into Mithadahm's court room and challenge him for the kingdom. A rash move, but the young barbarian was just as rash in nature to carry it out.
All the while, Amanaduial would be hiding in the shadows ready with her deadly aimed arrows. And most of the rebels would be prepared to launch an attack against the elite royal troops.
"I will head for the palace throne room. Most of the guards will be in the temple area. They would expect me to try and rescue Rosa. But instead I will try to free Elenna first." said Cimmerian, in a resolute voice.
Amanaduial agreed and added, "I will keep a sharp lookout for the princess and do not worry, I will also watch out for you, Cimmerian... you have given all of us hope."
Cimmerian grunted and set off toward the palace, walking hunched, with a cloak wrapped loosley around him, he moved through the narrow streets of Byrtalia undetected.
"Fare you well," whispered Amanaduial.
Meanwhile Elenna had spent the night in the Byrtunican King's harem. Mithadahm was in reality terrified of the fiery young woman and decided to keep from being alone with her just yet. A few weeks in his harem would soften her up, he assumed. He couldn't have been more wrong as Elenna, making a weapon out of the metal ornaments the harem girls adorned, stalked around the palace after having disposed of the few men that were on guard at the harem. She had to find Stefanos and retrieve her prized weapons and armour. The general of the Byrtalian army was stationed at the barracks by the foot of the palace.
Rosa, on the other side of the palace and in the vast temple, had spent a sleepless night. Her mind raced with thoughts of ill and despair. She feared at what might have happened to Cimmerian and Elenna. Had they given their lives away in vain for her. She felt very insecure and sad. Sumviese had not spoken to her since the sacred idol was destroyed. Rosa feared the worst as she heard the priestess' booming voice hurling instructions to the temple workers and builders as they made hasty plans to reconstruct her source of sustenance.
Cimmerian entered the palace unnoticed, and walked up the marbled stairway. The guards were too busy reviewing the events of the previous evening and also trying to keep the large crowds that had gathered to witness the violation at the Temple, in check. Passing a few well furnished rooms he came upon the royal kitchens. Cimmerian hadn't breakfasted as yet and the aroma coming from the royal cooking ovens was too much for the barbarian's hungry belly to bear. He entered the kitchen, punched out the cook and made off with a large, well roasted leg of mutton, some cheese and a small cask of wine. After feasting by the royal gardens, he threw off his cloak and strode straight for the throne room of Mithadahm.
The harem was a floor below the throne room and one above the court yard, and Cimmerian had to pass it on the way up. He was sure that Elenna would be in there so he strode in blatantly, alarming the semi-clad women and started asking them questions. He didn't care if they raised the alarm, but he couldn't find Elenna. Assured that Mithadahm wouldn't make the mistake of trying to force himself on the savage warrior woman, he headed straight up for the royal throne room.
Making short work of the two guards at the door, he barged into the room. Mithadahm had been expecting him and soon a horde of imperial warriors fell upon the young barbarian. But this time Cimmerian gave up meekly. Mithadahm wasn't amused and he suspected foulplay, yet he was glad to have the barbarian in chains. Intending to make this execution a public spectacle to teach the peole that none opposed his might, Mithadahm had Cimmerian dragged outside in chains and stood in front of the very temple courtyard the savage warrior had destroyed. The people that had been gathering from the early hours of the morning, roared their approval and dismay alike.
From high above the temple prayer chamber, Sumviese sighed deeply in relief.
"The King has captured the barbarous fool who had desecrated my temple," she said, her strong voice wavering.
"What will they do to him?" asked Rosa, apprehensively.
"Did you know him, child?" asked the priestess, "Forget him. If he is lucky, he will provide a days entertainment for the masses at the arena, before he is served up to the very goddess he so blatantly abused." Smawies' eyes flashed in anger.
Neither of the two in the temple room, noticed the stealthy, shadowed figure that slipped into the room behind them.
Amanaduial peered out from the dark corner and looked at Rosa. She was just a girl of her own age and dressed in rags. Amanaduial had assumed the princess would be radiating in regal splendour. Was this the right place, she wondered, had Cimmerian found the right maiden? She would have to make this certain herself, the young archer resolved.
While outside, Elenna hid up on a tree and watched her tall, barbarian friend being pushed around in chains. She gritted her teeth and restrained herself from launching into the crowd, but she had yet to locate Stefanos and recover her weapons. She then noticed a smug smile across Cimmerian's rough features and realised he had the situation well in hand. Elenna calmed herself and kept looking for her quarry, she would need her sword when Cimmerian played out his plan, come whenever it may.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 16Chapter 16 - Blood of Innocents
"Behold!" exclaimed Mithadahm, King of Brytunica, to the gathered crowds, "Behold, the barbarous miscreant who has dared to challenge the civilised sanctity of this kingdom. Bound in chains and kneeling before you."
With a wave of his regal sceptre, Mithadahm procliamed his magnificance as Sumviese stood beside him on the elevated platform in the temple courtyard. Cimmerian stood tall, a head above all the finely armoured sentinels, armed with long spears and wide shields, that formed a phalanx around him. The barbarian smiled to himself slyly and cast an impish look upon Mithadahm. The King looked back at him in contempt, being sure that the savage warrior was up to some trick, he was ready to expect anything.
Suddenly a strong voice sounded from the crowd of gathered onlookers, "Hail, the Princess Rosa, true heir to the crown of Byrtunica!"
A loud buzz of voices followed and a startled Mithadahm hollered, "Who dares?"
Then another voice from the opposite side of the first rang out, "Down with the false ones!"
Followed by a third from the centre of the amassing of peasants and nobles alike, "As false as stone idols that can be felled."
"Silence!" boomed Mithadahm, fearing that some kind of upheaval was imminent, he motioned his elite guard to take their positions as the crowd grew more and more boistrous. All that noise attracted even more people to gather around the assembled. Sumviese shuddered as the outcries tore into her psyche. All her hard work had come to naught, she feared as she cast pleading looks at a very frustrated Mithadahm.
"What manner of effrontery is this?' he shouted, "Do you wish to suffer the same fate as the barbaric outlander?"
"Free the barbarian! He is the savior." chanted a few more voices and soon the chant reverberated across the entire courtyard as more voices joined in, "He has delivered the true crown to it's rightful kingdom."
"Treachery!" cried Mithadahm in exasperation, "Where is this true crown that you wretches cry for?"
Cimmerian held up his chained hands and yelled, "I challenge you Mithadahm, for the right of the crown!" And immediately the soldiers guarding him, fell upon him raining down blows.
"Fool!" cried Mithadahm, "I am the true crown. Bring before me the so called princess and I shall deal with the imposter!"
'You are the imposter," rang out a voice all too familiar to Mithadahm, "Long have you and your priestess fooled the people of Byrtunica, but no more."
"Doreloa! You old serpent!" screamed Sumviese, and quickly fell back, embarrassed by her unholy outburst. But Mithadahm pointed at the old man, who stood in the crowd flanked by well-armed swarthy members of his rebel faction.
"You have evaded me long enough, old man. Now you die as the traitor you are!"
A loud roar erupted from the multitudes that kept gathering and Mithadahm's guards were forced to step backward.
"The people have had enough of you, Mithadahm... it is time they had their rightful monarch," said Doreloa, slight mirth in his voice. He enjoyed watching his nemesis squirm in all his regal splendour.
"Where is this true crown?" barked Mithadahm.
"Right here!" yelled Amanaduial, her voice high and excited as she held on to Rosa, high above in the temple chamber. She had swiftly disposed of the guards and gathered Rosa's items of authenticity that Sumviese had hidden away and then freed the princess from her confinement. The gathering crowds cheered and threw their hats up in the air.
'That is merely a slave girl," hissed Mithadahm, casting a clouded look at Sumviese, who had sat herself down on the platform floor in desperation.
"Nay, she is Princess Rosa, the heir of our beloved King Odorf," said Amandui as she fastened the frightened young Rosa to herself with strong bonding ropes and proceeded to swing themselves down. The crowds cheered in unision in hopes of finally being free of Mithadahm's iron rule.
If anything, Mithadahm was not going to give up without a fight. "Guards!" he yelled, "Shoot them down!"
But none of his men strung their long bows made of fine ebony wood, they merely gasped as the brave young maiden in black robes repelled herself down the high temple walls with another young one fastened to her back.
"Shoot them down, you damned fools!" yelled Mithadahm.
"But they are just children," replied one of his liuetenants, staring in awe at the boldness of the young rebel.
Down safely on the ground, Rosa was quickly whisked away by the tall men under Doreloa and soon her legacy was displayed to the gathered crowds. The people cheered and bayed for Mithadahm's head all at once, but Doreloa calmed them down.
Seeing the proof of Rosa's heritage, the armoured guards that had surrounded Cimmerian, stepped aside and freed him off his confining chains and stood beside him ready to defend the true crown against the false king and usurper Mithadahm.
Free of his chains at last and having his sword returned to him, Cimmerian stood tall and proud before Mithadahm, whose frustration made him lash out at Sumviese. The priestess went down in a heap with a shrill cry. The crowds roared again ready to burst upon the men still loyal to Mithadahm, but Doreloa stopped them, not wishing to have unnecessary bloodshed spilled amongst countrymen.
"I reaffirm my challenge, Mithadahm," said Cimmerian, holding out his sword, "Accept it and fight like a man or step down and face the consequences of your crimes."
"Not so fast, barbarian," cried Stefanos, stepping out of his tent, "Or much as I admire this pretty neck, I would not mind playing a sharp melody on it." He held Elenna before him, his sword upon her neck. Apparently he was not going to tarnish his loyalty to Mithadahm.
Elenna looked at Cimmerian and shrugged, "I tried to retrieve my sword, but they ambushed me."
Cimmerian nodded and stood firm, "What we have here is a stand-off," he laughed, holding his sword up at Mithadahm's chest.
"Wait!" cried Mithadahm, "I accept your challenge.... but Stefanos, my military adviser will fight you in my stead."
"Agreed!" said Cimmerian.
"But if he defeats you, I will reaffirm my rule!" said Mithadahm, rubbing his hands in glee.
"That depends on the people of this kingdom," grunted Cimmerian and a roar went up among the crowd.
"That will be fine by me," snarled Stefanos, 'I'll have you know that I am the most accomplished swordsman of this kingdom."
"Shove his sword down his throat, Cimmerian," cried Elenna, still being held captive by the soldiers who were loyal to Mithadahm.
Cimmerian smiled and brought his sword down slowly in a two handed grip.
Mithadahm could not have asked for a better situation as he was certain that his general and master swordsman, Stefanos would soon strike down this untrained barbarian. Thus ending the hopes and faith the people had in him, allowing Mithadahm to seize control of the people and also end the rebellin all in one move. He smiled and sat back to enjoy the duel.
The crowds fell silent as the two tall men squared off. Rosa now safe in the company of Amanaduial and Doreloa, holding their hands as she stood between them and watched fearfully. She was well aware of the savagery Cimmerian was capable of and the general of Mithadahm's army too was a cruel man. She tightened her grip on the old man's firm grasp.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 17Chapter 17 - My kingdom for a Rosa
The resounding clang of steel against steel rang out loud and echoed in the hushed atmosphere of the temple courtyard. Stefanos was indeed a master swordsman and Mithadahm had enough faith in his skills to sit smugly and watch as the two stawarts went about trying to spill each other's blood.
But in all his experience in the art of the sword fight, Stefanos had never come across an opponent as savage and determined as the young barbarian. Cimmerian tore into the general of Mithadahm's elite and with savage strokes of his broadsword, he wore the other man down.
The crowds gasped at the display of the barbaric bloodlust that played out before them.
"By Mystra's girdle, the barbarian is shieldless and yet he fights with such swiftness and unrestrained ferocity that it seems Lord Stefanos is the one who is all but defenseless," observed one.
"Aye, as if the outlander's possessed by war ravaged demons," cried another.
"Or perhaps the gods of truth and justice give him such strength and skill," said Doreloa calmly.
"Aye," replied the second man, "The gods favour the barbarian.... death to Stefanos!"
"Death to Stefanos!" agreed the first man.
And the call echoed around the courtyard, much to Mithadahm's discomfort. He glanced arond at his men and motioned them to get ready for action at any moment.
His faith in Stefanos, though strong, had been shaken a little when he saw that the General of his armies was mostly on the defensive for the first few minutes of the contest.
Wildly slashing his savage sword about, Cimmerian hammerd down on Stefanos battered shield. Hardly getting the opportunity to lay down a few strokes himself, Stefanos tried in vain to keep up his as well as Mithadahm's spirits.
"In just a few moments, sire..." he gasped, "I'll have this hill born barbarous cur down on his...uh..knees... begging for mercy..."
With swift powerful strokes, Cimmerian shattered the final remains of Stefanos' shield and the force of the impact travelled through the armoured gauntlet of the general and jarringly peaked at his shoulders. Dropping his sword he fell to the floor as the barbarian brought his flashing blade to bear down on the fallen man.
"Please don't kill me," he cried.
Cimmerian glanced across at Mithadahm who was now perplexed by his predicament. His trusted lackey had cost him a victory and the very people he had crushed underfoot for so long, raised their voices as one for his blood. Looking around frantically, he yelled to those who remained faithful, pointing to Elenna, "Sieze the Amorican wench and head for the western gates, I have allies in eastern Cerantes." Turning to Cimmerian he cried, "Have your kingdom for now, barbarian, but if you dare follow me.. your barbarous companion will suffer."
But as soon as he turned to head after his men, the sharp point of a bloodied sword stopped inches from his nose. He gasped to behold Elenna, as she stood one hand on hip and the other on the hilt of the sword. She had apparently made short work of his remaining loyals even as Cimmerian destroyed Mithadahm's empire.
"You were saying, your majesty," She mocked.
"But..but.." the fallen monarch babbled as he desperately searched for his men, and saddened when he saw them lying in a bloodied mess not far.
Strong arms, once under his very command escorted the usurper in chains to a comfinement chamber, albeit a decade too late. Doreloa leading Rosa by hand, approached the two outlanders as the people cheered on.
"My friends, indeed it is the gods who have sent you," he cried raising his hands aloft.
Cimmerian laughed and Elenna said, "If so then you must have some pretty lenient ones."
"Ah, you jest," said Doreloa, as his aging eyes scanned the warrior woman from head to foot. He smiled and said, "You perhaps live your lives without accordance to any of your gods, but we would like to believe that it was our gods who have sent you in our hour of need."
"And that too many a year late..." added Amandui, walking up to join them.
"And what is to happen now?" asked Rosa, confused and dazed by all that transpired .
"Why, my queen.... you coronation..." said Doreloa, his eyes twinkling.
Suddenly a roar of voices went up followed by a shrill cry for help. The gathered crowd, now charged up having witnessed Cimmerian's battle were seeking out any and all who were loyal to Mithadahm and dealing them fates far worse than the fallen monarch. A group of them had seized Sumviese and were about to have their way with the priestess, but Rosa shrieked, "No, they must not harm her...."
"But she served Mithadahm in oppressing them," objected Amanaduial.
"No, she was very kind to me..." said Rosa, nearly in tears, "She saved me from Mithadahm's axeman."
"Allright," said Doreloa and he hastened off to disperse the crowd. Rosa ran up to Sumviese and put an arm around her. "It's allright," she said to the older woman, softly, "I will let no one harm you."
"My queen..." blurted Sumviese in tears and kissed her hands.
Elenna scoffed but Cimmerian watched approvingly.
"I foresee a time of peace and prosperity in Byrtunica under Queen Rosa," smiled Doreloa.
"Aye!" said Cimmerian, 'It had better be so, or I may have to come back to set things right yet again."
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One - Chapter 18Chapter Eighteen - A Queen shall be Crowned
Rosa sat in the royal dressing chambers, at early dawn, confused and scared as Elenna smiled and walked up to the little queen to be. The young girl had been bathed with scented soaps and waters by four attendants and fragrant oils had been massaged onto her body.
She was dressed in the finest of silken robes. Pearly white, embroidered expensively in gold thread. Her arms were adorned with gold ringlets and laces. The delicate shoes on her feet were of fine leather and decorated with gold.
"I… I am scared," she whispered as Elenna put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't be," the swordswoman replied, smiling, "It is natural but you are among your own people now. I trust Doreloa and Amandui completely."
Rosa smiled back and looked around as a curtain parted and an attendant bowed, "It is time, you highness!"
Elenna helped the little girl up and walked along with her, out to the throne room, where Doreloa and other nobles waited to perform the coronation ceremony.
Rosa swallowed hard and then made up her mind with firm resolve. Holding her head up high, her rich brown hair, well adorned with gilded laces, she walked out alone to claim her destiny.
She saw Cimmerian standing proudly as he watched her enter, he smiled and she returned it sweetly. Elenna sidled up to the tall barbarian, " She's positively glowing!"
"Aye, and it's none whatsoever for all that gold she's wearing," the barbarian laughed, as he weathered a hard elbow to the ribs with a grunt.
"Come, fair Rosa!" Doreloa said, as the young queen to be approached the throne, Come, daughter of our beloved King Odorf." The old man smiled, "This day shall mark your last as a commoner and you first as a regal born."
A gathering of nobles, palace attendants and army commanders cheered.
"From this day forth Byrtunica is your home, and you are its ruler," Doreloa continued. " You are a queen, daugher of Byrtunica, embrace your queenship." The old man placed the jeweled crown on the young girls head, her large green eyes shone brightly.
"I stand beside all who came before me and bid farewell to the life I have to this day lived," Rosa calmly pledged, her dainty hands crossed over her chest, her ringed fingers touching her shoulders. "To them, I give my love and friendship!" She outstretched her hands toward Cimmerian and Elenna, "They have brought me here to where I now am, and never shall they be forgot."
"Princess Rosa, you shall make all Byrtunica proud. Stand now, for you are a Queen." Doreloa boomed. Sumviese called out along with him, "Long live the Queen!" and the chant reverberated around the crowded throne chamber long after.
Rosa, now a queen, sat on the throne and made her first judgment. She sentenced Mithadahm and his men to a life of imprisonment, deep in the darkest dungeons of the kingdom. Though, many including Cimmerian protested that he should be put to death.
Sumviese was offered a position of priestess to the temple of Byrthia again, though this time, her deity would be much less omnipotent and demanding. Doreloa scoffed, but he did not object. Queen Rosa was young and would soon learn the ways of being a monarch.
In the throne room, Queen Rosa announced Doreloa as the royal advisor to the court and prime minister of the kingdom. His granddaughter, Amanaduial, now great friends with Rosa, was named royal bodyguard to the Queen and chief of the assassin squad.
Elenna politely turned down the offer to lead Byrtunica's new female regiment divisions, citing that she had to get home. "I have my own kingdom and princess to pledge allegiance to, your highness." She had said, her heart breaking at the sight of Rosa's saddened face.
Turning to Cimmerian, Rosa barely held back her tears as she anticipated what he would say. An offer of commander of all of Byrtunica's regal elite forces awaited him, yet he looked grim. "I have my own life, and it calls for vengeance against my parents and my people. I cannot stay here or use your army for my own agendas, though I shall be here whenever you need of my sword arm." He stated.
"Cimmerian!" Rosa cried, not holding back the tears, she hugged his neck and whimpered. The huge barbarian youth comforted her, caressing her hair and whispering softly, "My queen, I shall always be there for you. I shall never let any harm come your way… this is a barbarian's solemn promise. I swear by the unmarked graves of my people!"
Amanaduial held on to the little queen as Elenna and Cimmerian mounted their horses and rode out towards the city gates. Staying back for the festivities would only prolong Rosa's agony.
Doreloa had managed to stuff much gold and jewels into the two saddlebags, secretly. For he knew no other way to repay the two warriors who had realized his long cherish dream. He stood beside his granddaughter and the young queen; smiling contentedly, he waved along with them and half the kingdom's nobility and military.
The sun shone brightly in the clear blue morning sky, signifying of new things to unfold all around.
Re: The Adventures of Cimmerian : Tale One Epilogue
The end of tale one, cool yahhh!
I wrote this stuff to impress one little Rosa Baggins of BD, way back in July 2002. Well, it was a start and now I have an entire series lined up. Woe is me!!!
Thanks to Gayalondiel for the proof-reads and for a reward I featured her as a pivotal character in my next tale. Just kidding, Gaya! You're the best.(Hope you get back to this forum sometime.)
This rendition of the tale is an earlier version and I have subsequently redrafted this adding a lot more text and detail. The plot remains the same. I will upload it shortly at fictionpress.net.
Thank You for reading and reviewing. It's been fun.
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