|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:53 pm
Kit stood and listened to Ari’s story. He heard his friend talk about rune magic, illegal rune magic, and about using it herself, which was also illegal. He looked at the scout who was now sitting on a rock waiting to see how he would respond. The fact that she told Kit meant she trusted him greatly and was hoping for a mild reaction.
“So, you used rune magic. Did anyone else see you do it?” Kit asked
Ari shook her head.
“Well all you did was open a door I see nothing wrong with that. I do think you should show me the place the door led into, but don’t worry Ari I would never turn you in, you know that. Anything you want me to keep secret I will. However this means you owe me one now, I’ll think of what later,” Kit smiled and walked over to Ari and held his hand out to help her up.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:13 pm
Ari let out her breath she was holding. This was probably the best reaction she could have hoped for, and now she felt confident about showing him what she discovered. Ari took his hand and nearly started running the rest of the way. She was glad Kit possessed the grace of a scout and did not stumble as they ran the treacherous tunnel. Finally a small light could be seen in front of them.
“Hurry, we are almost there,” she said with a huge smile on her face. She heard Kit let out a small chuckled at her excitement. The light grew brighter as they finally turned the last corner. Ari and Kit stopped running. They had entered a large open cavern with a tall ceiling, at least ten feet high. Ari looked around in wonder, just as she had when she first walked through here. Huge crystals jutted out of the ceiling and walls and glowed bright blue. The light shown down on rows and rows of freestanding shelves, each one filled with a plethora of books. There were also two desks in the room, each with its own chair and writing supplies.
“What is this place?” Kit asked in awe looking around. Ari giggled and to answer his question, some of the blue light seemed to concentrate itself into the image of a woman. She looked strangely like Mrs. Birdsong, but even more strict, if that is possible.
“This is the hidden library of Rune Magic, set under the Great Library by … after the Rune Wars were over. I am the Librarian if you have any other questions.” The woman dissipated back into normal light. Ari couldn’t help giggling again at the strange look on Kit’s face. She was sure it was the same look she had when she discovered this place not long ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:45 pm
Kit walked about the room not really knowing what to think. All of this had been hidden from them since the war. So many books and such an odd feel from the room, kit was having trouble making since of it all.
“I…don’t even know where to begin,” Kit composed himself and thought for a moment, “Librarian, what kind of…magic do these books contain, and who all knows of this place's location?”
Kit needed to get a few details out of the way. If he had just rushed head long into unknown territory both Mr. Maximas and his dad would knock him upside his head. A warrior always learned about his opponent, even if that opponent was an ally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:59 pm
The Librarian appeared once more to the question and responded. “One question at a time please, young man,” was her initial response. “These books are the culmination of the history of Rune Magic as well as the proper technique and spells to learning about Runes and their properties from a beginners level through its advanced stages.” The woman paused for a moment in thought and then concluded. “And to answer your other question, besides the two of you, only three others know of this room’s location who are still living, but I am not permitted to give out their names, just as I am not permitted to give your names out to anyone who asks.”
Once again she vanished after finishing her explanation. Ari looked at Kit with a worried expression. She thought that they would be the only ones who knew about this place. But if they weren’t, that meant that three other people knew Rune Magic, or at least enough to get into this room.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:13 pm
Kit nodded and the looked at Ari. He looked around the room and then smiled.
“If we are not the only ones who know of this place that means someone else has been here. If this place is full of magic then it might be possible someone was clumsy enough to leave something behind of them. I say we look around the room and see if we find anything,” Kit nodded as he began to look around the room.
After only a few seconds Kit stopped and snapped his fingers.
“Librarian could you tell us when the last time this room was used, excluding the two of us please?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:25 pm
“I am sorry, I do not have a concept of time because I am only conscious when someone asks me a question. I would not be able to give you an accurate date,” was all she said and vanished again. Ari saw Kit’s face wrinkle up as he thought of another question for the Librarian. Ari was still looking around the room, but seemed to find nothing out of place. This small library seemed in pristine condition. No books were out of place; no dust was on the tables. Everything looked brand new.
“Why is this room in such good condition even if it is so old? Does someone maintain it?” Ari asked the Librarian. She appeared and answered, “This library has a rejuvenation rune placed upon it. Every day it is revived as if it hasn’t aged at all.” Well, there goes any chance of us finding something unusual in here, Ari thought to herself. She looked at Kit for their next move, but found herself wanting so badly to pick up one of the books and read them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:40 pm
“Well if no one is going to know we’ve been in here we might as well learn something about this place. If that slip of paper had rune magic on it maybe the answer to our mysterious man in black is in here. However this place is big we will need to come back a few more times to learn anything,” Kit thought a minute while he looked around the room.
Kit did find himself curious about some of the ideas that might be hidden in these books. The hard part was going to be finding a time when both Kit and Ari could come back and continue to look through the books.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:46 pm
Ari wanted to grab every book in this room and begin reading the hidden knowledge almost lost to the world. She wanted to learn more about Rune Magic, more about how it works, what all it can do, what made it so dangerous that an entire civilization would forbid its use by law.
These thoughts sparked an interesting point Ari must share with Kit. “You know, I am basically now a fugitive. I have broken the law and you, by agreeing not to turn me in, are an accomplice. You are aware of that I hope? If anyone does find out that we were here, we would most likely be thrown in jail with no trial or questioning. With that in mind… it probably wouldn’t hurt if we went ahead and read some of these books, right? I mean we have already broken the law… we might as well understand why it was outlawed to begin with.”
Ari knew that the logic was flawed. She knew that they should just leave this place alone, that if they just ignored its existence, neither of them would be convicted nor even accused of meddling with Rune Magic. But, at the same time, Ari’s curiosity was getting the better of her. Maybe it is my traitorous blood, she thought sarcastically to herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:16 pm
“Well, I’m sure any of our parents or teachers wouldn’t see quiet like that, but we are here so we might as well read something. However it is getting late, the longer we do stay the harder it will be to come up with a reason. I say we come back another time to begin reading. It’s not like we don’t have the time to find a way to come back. We need to do it in a way that won’t cause suspicion.”
Kit looked around the room as he thought. Between school and their after school jobs it would take a well thought out plan to make sure they didn’t get caught. Plus with so many books it will take a long time to go through all of them and learn from them. It was going to be an interesting future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:34 pm
Kit was right. It had been a while since Mrs. Birdsong gave her the books to put away. Suspicion would surely rise if she didn’t return soon. The two returned to the Restricted Sections room. Ari opened the hole in the wall using the spell from before. Once the two students left the room. Ari locked the door behind them, then on a second thought, returned to the lock. She got out her lock pick set and tried to pick it. It was very complicated and took a while, but eventually she managed. This gave her confidence that they could return without needing the key. Time passed…Two years came and went. Kit and Ari visited the hidden library every weekend. They read all the books, sometimes twice. They learned Rune Magic, they practiced the techniques, they memorized the Runes, and they began to see things differently. By hiding this volatile secret, both children matured quickly. They learned control, far surpassing their fellow classmates in skill and intelligence. A strange side effect to using the Runes was a mark that became more apparent every time a spell was cast. The mark appeared to be a specific Rune that showed up on the palm of their hands. Eventually, to avoid suspicion, both Kit and Ari had to start wearing gloves with the fingers cut out all the time. Kit and Ari looked endlessly throughout their books trying to identify the symbols branded on them, but their efforts were fruitless.
During this time, Soltera was blind sighted by an unanticipated attack from the neighboring kingdom of Medorin, a harsh wintry land with equally harsh inhabitants. Invading forces began at the northern edge of Soltera and pushed their way two hundred miles into the kingdom before the defending armies could stop them. Villages were burned to the ground. Citizens of Soltera were taken as prisoners or enslaved. The attack was so massive that the king began to take final year students from classes and place them on active duty. Kit, being the top of his class was immediately drafted as well as Tanya Fireheart. Although Kit wasn’t sent to the front lines, Ari still felt a deep loss when her friend left the city. Her only consolation was returning to the hidden library and practicing her Rune Magic. She learned and mastered many spells of all kinds that she couldn’t wait to tell Kit about. According to the text, she was now considered a Mage of Rune Magic. There were only two more levels for her to attain, High Mage and Master.
Now she is eighteen and preparing to join Soltera’s army in the field. Kit used Mr. Fireheart’s influence to get Ari stationed among the three scouts in his unit, and she was leaving at daybreak. After a full year away from Kit, she couldn’t be more excited to see him again, even if the conditions were that of the war.
The Medorin army was fierce and brutal. Even after twelve months of fighting, they showed no signs of letting up on their attacks. The only intelligence that could be gathered as to the reason for the invasion was a grudge against King Askell of Soltera, and nothing more. The people of Soltera were outraged that this was not sorted out politically and fought with all their might against the savage people who forced their way into the land. *********** Ari turned over again in bed. The sun should be coming up soon and she hadn’t slept a wink. After tossing for another five minutes, she finally decided to get out of bed. Her things were all packed into one easily carried bag. She would leave by horseback and be at her unit’s side… at Kit’s side, in a day and a half. Ari walked onto the roof of the house. The rest of the city slept while she stood alone with her thoughts. The smell of the sea filled her nostrils, and the breeze wisped her hair about. She looked to the west. The ocean was calm under a sea of stars. There was no moon tonight, and only the starlight lit the surroundings. Ari heard a soft step on the adjacent rooftop. She did not need to look over to know it was the cloaked figure, whose identity still eluded her. As she looked out to sea, he looked at her. Ari had not seen him since that time in the training building when he had warned her, but she heard him quite often, moving about the city, watching her. She had come to view him as her guardian. He was a Rune Mage, of that she was certain, and she was sure he had been the one dropping clues to the secret library. “Thank you, for everything you have done for me,” Ari said still looking forward. “You were right, back then. All is not what it seems, but I fear that there is still more to uncover. There were two others who visited the secret library besides us, but I haven’t figured out who. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore, since I am to leave at daybreak. I assume that is why you are here… to say goodbye?” Now Ari did turn to the figure. He was still looking at her through his cloaked hood. The only sound in the air was the distant seagulls flying along the coast and the faint sound of waves washing up on shore. In the blink of an eye and without a sound, the man was by Ari’s side, looking into her face fully for the first time. Ari could tell he had blue eyes and a worn kind face. It was gruff, but strong and resolute. He said nothing, either because he couldn’t or he knew he didn’t have to. Strange tears filled Ari’s eyes at her first sight of his face. A big part of her life was about to change forever and she wasn’t sure she was ready, but she knew that she couldn’t stay here as her friends were risking their lives. “I don’t even know your name…” she said in a calm voice as small streams trickled down her cheeks. He did not speak, but instead, extended his arm and grabbed her shoulder. With his other hand he held out a small gift. Ari received the object; it was a book. This present almost made Ari break down, but she stood steadfast and nodded her appreciation. In the next second, the man was gone, leaving Ari alone as the light of the morning was just starting to break. Ari dried her face and went back into the house to say farewell to her mother. It was time to go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:44 pm
Yet another near defeat. Every time Kit’s unit went into battle they always came with in inches of defeat. Every time Kit and his unit had to pull back from their advancement and assist the other units who had been told to undertake another ludicrous plan by Tanya Fireheart. Tanya still held some odd fascination over Kit which had played to Kit’s advantage over the course of the war. Tanya basically gave Kit his own unit and the ability to do what he wanted on the battlefield.
The whole of Kit’s detachment was comprised of Tanya heading the whole rabble. From her she had given commands, like Kit’s, to none other than her old friends from school. Needless to say the detachment had seen better days. Each unit had one commander, two scouts, one ranger and one marksman, and a number of swordsman. The knights were all under Tanya’s command, for no knight would take order from a swordsman. Kit had earned the respect of his unit and learned how to utilize each one to their best abilities.
As Kit was talking with his unit about the previous encounter one of Soltera’s man runner scouts brought him a message. The message was about Kit’s request for another scout. Kit’s unit had been one scout shy for sometime now since Tanya had decided to send a massive scouting mission which got half of their scouts killed. Many of the units had decided to for go the uses of the scouts and just rush in where they needed to. Kit smiled as he saw Ari would be their replacement scout and immediately informed his unit who cheered. Kit had talked about Ari often to his unit and they all had hopped to meet the wondrous scout, and now they would get their chance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:49 pm
Ari rode hard. She had never ventured out of the city before, and the sights of the country tempted her, but the thought of seeing Kit again was stronger. The first day she had made excellent timing and stopped at a small farmhouse that had been turned into a checkpoint since the war started. She had a warm meal and slept in the barn, but come dawn, she was off again.
By mid-day she crested a hill and stared down upon her unit. Dozens of white tents were pitched in tidy lines with stables at the west side of the camps. She could see several soldiers walking about while others were practicing either combat or formations. Ari descended the hill into the camp. She was met at the edge of the camp by two swordsmen guarding the entrance. They seemed tense and grouchy.
“Halt, state your business,” said the middle-aged guard with a stern face. Ari reached into her pocket, pulled out her orders, and handed them over, stating her name and rank. “My name is Ari Morningstar. I am a new scout reporting to Swordsman Captain Kit Leafstorm.” The two men visibly relaxed and the younger one even smiled. “Welcome Ms. Morningstar. We have been expecting you and needless to say, Captain Leafstorm is excited about your arrival. You can find him on the North side of the camp, third tent from the east end.”
Ari thanked them and dismounted her steed. One of the stable keepers came and relieved her of the horse and Ari walked toward her destination. It two minutes she stood outside the designated tent. Ari’s stomach was in knots. On the other side of this cloth door was her Kit and she was both nervous and eager to see him. Her Kit? Where did that come from? They hadn’t even kissed before. No, not her Kit; she could not claim him.
Ari pushed these thoughts out of her mind, took a deep breath, and entered the tent. There was a long table set up in the middle of the tent and several people were surrounding it, looking at maps and talking strategy. One of them was Kit, and one of them was Tanya. She was standing next to him, leaning in against him. This sight made Ari burn with jealously and anger, but all that changed in an instant. All of them looked up as Ari walked into the room and Kit’s eyes lit up at the sight of her. “Ari Morningstar, reporting for duty, Captain Leafstorm.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:20 pm
Kit forgot what the others had been talking about when Ari came through the tent. It had been to long since he had seen his friend…friend? Was that the right word? Kit didn’t think much on it but walked over to Ari and gave her a bug hug, after which Kit turned to the other commanders.
“Tanya I’ll trust you already know what you want to do. Send word what you want my unit to do and we shall full fill our task,” Kit’s tone was more joyful then normal when he talked to Tanya but he hardly noticed as he turned back the Ari, “Come with me Ari, I’ll introduce you to the rest of the unit.
As the two friend left the main tent Kit relaxed more than he already had and gave a smile towards Ari, “Ok, now that we’re out of there we can talk. You have to tell me what you’ve been up to and I guess you should tell me if your orders came with anything else,” Kit and Ari began making their way towards the tent section that housed Kit’s unit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:00 pm
Ari wanted to tell him everything, but she knew that some things should be left for more private situations. Right now she told him all the news of the war. The Medorins were still hammering the lines of Soltera’s armies, but were successfully being held at bay. Unfortunately, nothing had been decided as how to drive them back. Where one Medorin fell, two took his place. It was an overpopulated kingdom with a chip on its shoulder and a stubborn streak as long as the coastline.
The two walked for what seemed like only a few minutes until they reached Kit’s unit. Ari wished she had more time to speak with Kit, but she understood the significance of meeting her new comrades. None of the faces she recognized, which made her nervous. She still wasn’t completely over her shyness, but being out here, she would need to form relationships with the each and every part of her unit in order to function efficiently in the war efforts. Kit began the introductions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:32 pm
As the two reached the camp area for Kit’s unit they saw the men and women sitting around resting themselves for the next encounter. Which they didn’t know when it would come, but they had started coming sooner and sooner. Kit found the group he was looking for sitting around a small fire with a kettle hanging over it. Six honor guards sat around the fire telling stories and poking fun at each other.
As Kit drew near The larger of the group saw him and stood. The others stood and gave a solute to their captain.
“How many times do I have to tell you guys? There is no need to solute me all the time, at ease already. Everyone I would like you to meet our replacement scout, my good friend Ari.” Kit smiled as he passed his hand over the group.
They all gave salutes and inviting smiles. The larger man made room for the two and they all sat down around the fire. Kit looked around the circle deciding where to start.
“Well, this big lug next to you is Valen Dragonheart. He’s my second in command here and has been here as long as me. He take care of the second group in the unit here.”
Valen nodded as he took a sip from his soup bowl and smiled at the woman. Valen was not a tall man but made up for it in width. The man was broad with muscle and girth and had a long black beard that came to his chest. On the man’s back was a two-handed battle axe that Valen preferred over his sword. Valen was one of the few swordsman trained to use a different weapon other than the sword, and he was good with that axe.
“Then there is Mist Truestaff, she’s been here awhile to now. She wields that sword of hers like it was a metal rod.”
Mist gave Kit a playful glare and then gave a warm smile to Ari. The woman was high spirited and took a general optimistic approach to life, even in the thick of battle. She kept her long blonde hair pinned up in a tight bun with several pins holding it. The sword Kit mentioned was a two-handed light sword. The weapon was good for taking down men on horse back and for defending against multiple attackers.
“Next is the new guy, in a way. He’s only been here a month but you actually might know him, Tiki Lightfoot. Says he’s related to the scout teacher. He’s a bit goofy but we love him.”
Tiki smiled and gave Ari a big wave even though they were right across from each other. Tiki was a skinny guy with long arms and legs. His short brown hair was always messy and he was starting to try and grow a small goatee, but it wasn’t coming in very well. Tiki wielded a long sword and a dagger and did so with well enough skill to have been moved to Kit’s unit.
“Then there’s our Marksman, Kal’daka Thunderarrow. He’s a bit on the quiet side but he really is a interesting guy when you get to know him. He can hit just about anything with that bow of his.”
Kal’daka just gave a small nod as he leaned on his bow looking at the fire. The Marksman did stay to himself mostly but to the present company he opened up more. His dark green hood was almost always drawn and hid his short black hair. Unlike Tiki Kal’daka had a nice goatee that came to a small point on his chin.
“And that’s Trisha Rogue, our Ranger and Kal’daka’s partner in crime. She’s darn good in the woods and sneaks almost as good as a scout.”
Trisha smiled at the complement and gave a ’hello’ to Ari. Trisha had short auburn hair with a few braids along the side of her face. She had her cross bow laying on her lap, and her short sword at her side. Trisha was a good tactician and often added Kit in deciding a course of action for the unit.
“Which leads to our other scout, Luna Dawn. You two can probably talk better than I could introduce her.”
Luna smiled and waved at her fellow scout. Luna seemed quiet, a bit like Ari except with black hair. Luna was kind to all her unit but was very good at what she did.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
