Thread: All Things Even

And another backstory story to my larger one. The Birth of Light The villages that surround the Citadel of Adnes the Awesome hadnt prospered in decades. The people had endured years of miniscule harvests and atrocious weather. Brutal winds would blow from the north of the Sea of Anthon, while sweltering heat within the Jungle of Jade made their labor of life even harder. Numerous villagers had perished and the survivors were in need of celebration. Happiness, if briefly was about to be lifted in the presence a birth. The pending arrival of the first born of Adnes the Awesome, and his gracious and graceful and petite wife Abigail was due to give birth. Adnes, a large bearded, giant of a man with a heart the size of his bulbous stomach. Adnes waited impatiently outside the elegant sleeping chamber. His voice boomed into the room. Im waiting right her my Abigail, assured Adnes Thank you, my dear, replied Abigail as her breath drew quickly. Shiny beads of sweat formed on her velvet like skin that adorned her face. Her screams arrived every couple of deep breaths as the future princess of the kingdom edged near. Waeser, a frecur, a blind woman with the gift of healing and curse comforted Abigail as she gripped her nails into the white satin sheets on her four poster bed. I thank you for your comfort and protection Waeser but get my baby out of me, the Abigail whimpered. The impatience princess was fighting her way out, punching every inch of the way. Waeser makes clicking sounds as she accesses the process of the birth. She glides closely to the Abigail and gently rests a hand on her stomach. Her hand started to glow a brilliant light of white. For a moment, the pain left Abigails body but raced back after Waeser removed her hand. I love this child but he needs to come out now, Abigail screamed as she pushed and panted. With a loud sigh, Abigail fell and planted her head backwards into her goose feathered pillow. Are you okay my Abigail? Adnes voice bellowed into the room. Through a grimaced smile, I am my King, for the kingdom! Abigail replied. For the kingdom! Adnes retorted. He means well but I wish he would just go away, the Abigail whispered to Waeser. A smile and a few more clicks emanated from Waeser as she positioned herself at the base of the bed. She glanced towards Abigail and nodded. With every ounce of energy still left in her tired body Abigail pushed, she screamed, then pushed again. Her screams echoed around the walls of the fortress but they faded away to be taken over by the angelic cries of a baby. Waeser wrapped the crying new born in a silk throw then and gently laid it on Abigails waiting bosom. Abigail wrapped her arms around her baby like heaven had been placed in her arms then closed slowly her eyes. The childs cries and tears quickly faded away. My sweet, sweet child, I promise to put the kingdom and all its power to make sure you stay safe, the Abigail whispered. Waeser clicked joyfully as the large wooden door slowly creaked open. A large bearded giant of a man peaked his way in. His size is mirrored only by the sword that hung on his hip. A broad smile appears across his face as he sees the Abigail cradling their baby. We can confirm its a beautiful baby girl? Adnes bellowed as a huge smile formed. Waeser clicked excitedly as she nodded her head. Adnes closed the door behind him as he strode into the room. I never doubted you for a moment, chuckled Adnes. Let me see my girl. The Abigail slowly opened her eyes. Abigail shook her head. Youre so impatient, can this not wait? she asked. Adnes paused his stride so he could consider his response. No, he laughed loudly. Adnes widened his long stride until he reached the royal bed. He gazed down at the precious child that he knew one day he would leave his kingdom. He reached out to his daughter but his motion is paused as a commotion started outside the door. The screams from outside the door sounded like someone was having their limbs removed. Stay behind me! ordered Adnes as he positioned his hefty framed between the large wooden door and his wife and child. He placed his hand on his sword and removed it from its sheath. A fearful Waeser glided to the side of the queen and princess as she clicked frantically. The noise outside the room became louder before it ended momentarily with a death scream. Seconds later, the wooden door splinted inwards as a blood-stained body of a soldier crashed through. Adnes had never feared for the loss of his life but the fear of losing his children raced through his veins. In the name of the Gods, who would dare deface the royal chamber? he ordered. A few moments after the Adnes words were spoken, an awentol, a shape-shifter in its true form stood seven-foot-tall that is covered in green scales lopped into the room. Blood dripped from its long talon like fingers. Its deep red eyes flicked back and forth from Adnes to the baby. Keep you devil eyes on me, the baby is not for you, I am your enemy, raged Adnes. Ulfang the Black, wishes to bless your childs birth with her death, hissed the awentol. The creature stepped closer towards the bed but not before Adnes positioned himself between death and his child. I am a kind man at heart but if you do not leave my kingdom and never to return all my might and power will swing through this sword and strike you down, commanded Adnes as he raised the giant sword above his head. I havent entered your liar to be bargained with. I am here to fulfil payment to Ulfang. He pays very well, sniggered the awentol. He takes a step towards Adnes. If you know who I am then you must know I am the greatest warrior in these or any lands? queried Adnes. That you are and you would very likely take my life if I was on my own, said the awentol. Luckily, I bought reinforcements. The awentol reached for a small leather pouch on his hip. He sliced the pouch with his talon and placed it on the floor. Three identical mice raced out of the pouch and scurried underneath he queens bed. Four against one seems a little unfair but I will take the distraction, said the awentol. In a flash the awentol transformed into a mirror image of the mice. It looked up at Adnes but moved swiftly as Adnes brought his sword crashing down on the floor. The speed of the mouse match Adnes and swiftly disappeared under the bed. Stay on the bed, stay on high ground! ordered Adnes as he looked towards his terrified wife. It will only take one scratch or bite and we will lose her. Adnes took a deep breath and lowered his massive frame down onto one knee. He lifted the lace skirt of the bed and peered underneath, he saw the four mice in a small huddle before they disappear to all sides of the bed. Adnes brings his giant hand down and thumped the floor angrily. I will skin them, and feed them to the dogs! growled Adnes as he rose to his feet. He scoured the room and spied one mouse scale a small table and sit on top as if to mock him. In a few strides and a mighty swing his sword crashed down on the mouse and shattered the table beneath it. Kill them quickly, order the queen as she gripped onto her unaware child. The child cooed at her mother oblivious to the danger that surrounded her. Waeser clicked loudly and grabbed Adnes attention. She pointed to the violet drapes that hung to the side of the large ornate window. A second mouse clung half way up the drape and squeaked. A few steps and Adnes was upon it. He pulled down the drape and wrapped the mouse inside it, he placed the drape beneath his gigantic foot and pounded it into the floor. Only two remain, then I kill Ulfang. This is the last time I forgive my brothers treachery, Andes said angrily. He turned back to face his Abigail just in time to see and mouse run out from beneath his daughters throw. Moment later, the child started to cry loudly. No! Adnes screamed as stomped towards the creature as it scurried down the side of the bed. It was too quick and disappeared out the door. Abigail tried to soothe the baby as she inspected the wound on the childs big toe. A small droplet of blood trickled out onto a napkin. Horror and the waiting doomed started to etch into the faces of the mortified parents. What can we do? asked Abigail as she rocked he daughter in her arms, Adnes sat heavily down onto the bed then rested his giant hand gently down on his daughters fragile head. The is no cure in the kingdom, or any kingdom to retract the poison, a distraught Adnes replied. There must be, we cant lose her so soon, she cried. We must accept the inevitable, and love her while we have her. The poison acts quickly, she will be gone soon, Adnes relayed. The sadness started to fill the room as the new-borns color paled in her face. Her breathe became shallow as tears fell from her parents eyes. Life isnt meant to be this short, we were supposed to protect her and now she will soon be gone, exclaimed Abigail as she stared into her fading daughters bright blue eyes. Waeser clicked quietly in the safe haven in the corner of the room. Adnes turned to her and begged for her help. Is there nothing you can do? he asked. With a nod of head and clicks that echoed around the room she glided towards Abigail as she sat distraught on the bed. Waeser placed her hand onto Abigails shoulder, a glow started to form Abigail and the fading child. Abigail fell into to a trance. They is something I can do but there will be a price, said Waeser as she used Abigail as a conduit. If I place a spell to bring her life then she will be good or evil, and her life can be no more than twenty-five cycles she continued. Then when she dies again, her future will be reborn and which side she chooses will not be of hers. This will be her life over and over, she explained. Adnes paused in thought for just a moment. For my wife and the kingdom I will accept that. Do as you wish and it will be our secret to keep. On her death, I will explain to the queen. He declared. Waeser release her hand from Abigail. Abigail fell gently back into the bed with the assistance of Adnes. Before she wakes, Adnes ordered. Waeser reached her hand and placed it on the babys heart. She clicked merrily for more than a moment and then it was done. The babys heart stopped for a beat then restarted with a glow that force Waeser hand away. Is it done? Adnes inquired. After a nod of her head Waeser glided out of the room. The baby started to cry as if it had entered the world. The cries woke from her slumber. My child, you are here! she exclaimed. It is a miracle my dear. Let us have her for as long as we are gifted and treasure every moment. For the kingdom, my love, Adnes spoke. For the kingdom, Abigail replied.