|
|
A storm was gathering upon the horizon. The kind that predicts danger. Lightning streaked across the sky. Thunder so loud, the dwarves of Thorbardin could here it. As the lightning lashed and the thunder rolled throughout the sky, a lone figure stood against it all. His piercing green eyes saw everything. His slightly pointed ears heard all. Atop a hill he stood and waited looking down. His sword blade first in the ground reflected the lightning on its mirrored blade.
“Must you do this?” Arianna asked in her elven voice.
“There are to many Wynter. We can hide in the woods.” She pleaded.
He looked back at her beautiful elven face. How long ago was it they met he thought. How long it took them to realize they loved each other. Wynter looked at her and sighed. He knew all to well what lay behind them. Darken Wood. He also knew it would be easier to fight the ogres then to chance entering Darken Wood.
“I must Arianna, I have no choice”, he said sadly. He hated to fight, and they both knew it. All he wanted in life was peace, and to study his magic. Wynter cursed those that forced him to take up the sword and fight.
“The woods behind us are evil, and we will not survive it”, he said strongly.
“Wynter, maybe the stories are wrong. Maybe they’ll be safe for us”, pleaded Arianna.
“No!” exclaimed Wynter, “We will not enter Darken Wood!”
Wynter turned around to face the ogres at the bottom of the hill. All five of them. He looked at them closely. He saw their rusty axes and makeshift armor. He heard their taunts and smelled their stench. Wynter saw and heard all and knew he had no choice but to fight.
“Damn the gods!” he muttered to himself, and prepared to fight.
Wynter’s sword reflected the rush of ogres coming toward him. . His muscled body tightened in anticipation of the coming battle. He was a half-elf. Half Kagonesti, half-human. He would be damned if he’d let those ogres call him a half-breed and get away with it. A hint of a smile spread on his lips as he reached into his bag of spell components. He drew out sand the color of the sun as words of magic resounded down the hill.
“Ast tasarak krynawi,” he spoke as he threw the sand into an arc. The release of magic exhilarated him. With a rush of energy, the spell was cast, sending four of the ogres asleep.
One by one the ogres fell. All but one. This one was smart. Smart for one born of a stupid race. This ogre held back while the others charged. As the others fell, the ogre charged. With a loud bellow of rage the ogre charged toward him. It’s wicked battle-axe blazing in the lightning streaked sky. The ogres armor shone like the axe. Wynter could smell its sickly stench as it ran closer. He took in every detail. Every strength, every weakness. The battle would soon be over.
Wynter knew battle. He knew it very well. Ever since this war with the ogres started he knew. He was ready for the rush. He crouched low with both hands on his sword. The ogre swung wide over his head leaving itself wide open.
“You stupid beast. Never leave yourself open!”, said Wynter.
“You’re the stupid one half-breed,” growled the ogre.
As the grin widened on Wynter’s face, he reared up swinging his sword with perfect precision across the ogre’s throat. Blood streamed down the ogre’s neck and chest. The ogre fell to the ground drowning in it’s own blood.
“Wynter,” said Arianna rushing over to hug him fiercely.
“You’re a strong one Wynter. Strong enough to fight,” she said running her hand through his long reddish brown hair.
Wynter looked down at her. Pushing her raven black hair to reveal the pointed ears of a Silvanesti elf. The lightning flashed again, reflecting of the platinum holy symbol of Paladine that hung around her neck. He looked into her deep blue eyes and smiled.
“You are my strength. Just like Paladine is yours. We’ll win this war together,” he said pulling her close. Feeling her warmth and love that warmed his frozen heart.
As he held Arianna close, he prayed to Paladine for the first time. Not just to win the war, but the war within his heart.
“Paladine, please grant me the strength to protect Arianna from this war,” prayed Wynter silently.
Just then a tear fell, as he realized his prayers were answered. And as the tear fell, so did the rain. It washed away all his fears that resided in his heart. The rain also washed away the blood of the ogre, leaving the land of Krynn once more fresh with hope.
The rain ended as soon as it began. It was over quickly. Like a flicker of hope it refreshed the soul of the world, bringing a rebirth of faith and promise. Wynter stood through it all, the rain, tears, and the melting of his frozen heart. He looked at what he did. All the ogres were asleep but one. Victims of a sleep spell he used to preserve life. All but one ogre was alive. One ogre lay on the ground. It’s body lay on the ground that was soaked with rain and blood. A painful grimace was set on its face. The ogre’s eyes still open in a surprise that ended in death.
Wynter kneeled down and searched the ogre. A few copper pieces were found in the ogre’s pouch. He also found some rotten strips of beef. Ogre’s will eat anything he though to himself. Wynter curled his lip in disgust as his hand came across the rotten beef strips. He finished the search of the dead ogre quickly, not wanting to take longer than what was necessary. As he was finishing, a shout from Arianna stole his attention.
“Wynter, the ogres are waking up!” she shouted to get his attention.
“Damn! They should still be asleep, I must have really angered Takhisis,” he said with a smile on his face on the last few words.
Wynter quickly realized their situation they both were in. One ogre was easy to beat, but four was too much. He grabbed Arianna’s arm and ran.
“Run to the woods! It’ll be easier to fight there,” he said.
Arianna looked back and saw the ogres in pursuit, and said, “They’re coming. We’re doomed.”
“No we are not. Run faster,” he said looking behind him
“The woods are close”, he said.
“Wynter, you said Darken wood was haunted. I don’t want to go in there”; she pleaded fearfully to Wynter.
“We either take our chances with the ghosts or become ghosts ourselves”, he said almost out of breath. He pushed Arianna into the woods and paused to look at the pursuing ogres. They were closing in slowly, and showing no signs of slowing down.
“I’ve got to slow them down for Arianna’s sake. The woods will protect her”, he said with a hint of desperation in his voice. A spell came quickly to his mind with a fire that threatened to burn without its release.
“Jal-anok cetu amba seli jal”, he chanted with a voice born for magic. As he stretched out his left arm, three arrows made of fire shot forth from his open hand and hit three of the ogres. Those three ogres fell back, erupting in flames as the fourth ogre stopped in fear and shock. Without thinking, Wynter ran into Darkenwood, oblivious as to what was happening with the ogres, or what will happen in the woods.
Wynter entered the wood. With apprehension he realized there was no noise. Just the sound of his heartbeat and his labored breathing told him that he made the only sound. After running a few feet, he stopped to catch his breath. Looking around, he saw no sign of Arianna. No footprints or broken twigs that would tell him which way she ran. It was if she had disappeared.
“Arianna”, he shouted with a touch of fear in his voice.
“Where are you Arianna”, he yelled again. This time fear was choking him off at the end.
Wynter ran further into the Darkenwood. He ran on and on, calling for Arianna. His lungs burned with lack of air and his legs were tiring quickly. Finally he collapsed onto the ground.
“Arianna”, he whispered, “Where are you?” he said between breaths.
“She is safe young warrior”, said a feminine voice as clear as crystal.
Wynter looked up and saw before him a magnificent creature. A unicorn stood before him, regarding him curiously. It’s silver main and tale seemed to blow in a breeze that wasn’t there. The unicorn’s horn gave off a pale light that glinted off eyes of pale blue.
“Who are you?” Wynter asked the unicorn.
“I am the Forestmaster. I am in charge of protecting Darkenwood,” she said. “Where is Arianna, you said she was safe”, said Wynter defensively.
“She is safe. She brought no evil here so she will remain unharmed. You on the other-hand must shed the darkness within you if you wish to leave Darkenwood alive,” she said gravely.
“What do you mean, the darkness inside of me”, asked Wynter.
“You know more than you wish to know Wynter. Face your fears and stand true, or fall like a tree from a woodcutter’s axe.” she replied.
“Know this Wynter Half-elven, if you fail, you will die”, she said cryptically as she ran off.
And those last few words echoed in his mind as the trees of Darkenwood closed around him.
Wynter's strong hands grasped his shoulders as the darkness threatened to engulf. He shudders with the cold emptiness that lived inside him. He brought his knees to his chest, fear paralyzing his will to fight the darkness attacking him. His eyes darted about, trying to find a way out of this dark madness that threatened to destroy his sanity. He rocked back and forth on the edge of sanity and madness as the trees of Darken Wood reached out for him with gnarled branches that resembled the arms of skeletons.
The branches grasped and pulled at his clothes trying to bare his flesh for a judgement that was to come soon. Their wooden, and gnarled limbs scraped across his flesh opening wounds physically and mentally, bringing down barriers he long since built The last barrier came down with a crash that made even the trees of Darken Wood shudder in fear. Out of Wynter's mind came pain and anguish he could not deal with. Fears that lay suppressed escaped causing him to fall off the edge of sanity into oblivion of madness.
Thoughts long since forgotten swarmed to the surface of his mind. Thoughts of hatred, fear, sadness, betrayal. For others and for him were these thoughts and emotions. They came together as if by magic and gave Wynter visions of his former life. Visions, he thought would drive him mad. Where are you daddy?” said Wynter, his short legs barely able to keep up with his will. Wynter looked around with the eyes of a child. To him it seemed it rained fire. Smoke hovered in the village bringing tears to his eyes.
"Wynter! Run away", said a tall figure in the armor of a Solamnic Knight. His face and armor were covered in soot and burned by the flames caused by the dragon. Wynter ran to the knight. His arms outstretched with relief at the sight of his father. Daddy will make it all right. He'll make everything better, he thought. Wynter then saw his dad defeating the dragon and standing over it in triumph.
The dragon looked at the knight with amusement. A small smile played upon its lips as it realized the situation. Father and son it thought. How nice. How lovely. He looked at the half-elf child and a malicious smile worked its way on the dragon’s mouth.
With an intake of air, the dragon breathed a jet of flame that engulfed the knight, killing him instantly. His sword lay on the ground untouched by the flame.
"DADDY! Don't die. Be alive.” Wynter screamed and cried at the site of his father being engulfed in the dragon’s breath.
"No, you can’t be dead. You promised you'd be with me forever. ", Said Wynter breaking down in tears and anger.
"You promised. You said you would always be there", said Wynter shouted at the ashes of his father.
The dragon looked on happily. He thought razing the village to the ground was great, but this was better. He liked this child.
"His promises were lies young one", said the dragon with words of honey yet laced with malice.
"He lied to you, he thought you were not worthy.” he said again, this time with more force.
Wynter looked up at the dragon with a tear stricken face. His anger and the words of the dragon were overwhelming his sadness.
"Not true. He didn't lie. ", Said Wynter defensively.
"Oh yes he did", said the dragon. "If he didn't lie, then why is he dead" he said with a smile on his scaly lips.
"He left you alone, by yourself in a world that hates those born like you, because he never liked you either." the dragon said again with words cutting deep into Wynters' emotional wounds.
"No", Wynter said shaking his head,"he said he loved me. He said I was only reason for living"
"Then why is he dead if he loved you. Look at him. He is dead, because he is a liar. ", Said the dragon maliciously.
"No, it can’t be. You're a liar. I hate you", said Wynter, tears streaming down his cheeks as he tried to choke them back.
"Am I. But who is still living young one. If your father spoke true, he would be alive", the dragon said.
"Then I hate him. I hate him for lying to me. I hate you dad. HATE YOU", he said screaming out the last line as a shard of anger as cold as ice stabbed his heart, send a glacier of hatred through his body.
The dragon looked at the child; this will be so good. The anger of this child, and his hatred will be like nectar to a bee. And I am the bee, he thought, letting his hunger for this child show. Wynter looked at the dragon and knew in an instant what the dragon wanted. He ran for his life. Fear was sending him to his knees as he felled constantly. The wicked laugh of the dragon Brimstone reached his ears as he felt the updraft of the dragon taking off towards him. The shadow of the dragon engulfed him as the sound of chanting could be heard. Words of magic reached Wynter's little pointy ears as an intense cold hit the dragon sending it reeling in pain. Wynter fell as he ran into a tall figure in robes of gold. He looked up to see an old man holding a staff of polished obsidian.
"He wont bother us for awhile", said the old man watching the dragon fly away."And who r u little one?” he said ruffling Wynter's white hair with his hand.
"I am nothing. That’s what I am. Nothing", cried Wynter. Tears rolled down his anger stricken face as his heart turned cold."No! I am not nothing! I am somebody", he shouted with a cry of anguish. Wynter fought against the encroaching trees of DarkenWood and of the darkness that was there.
"Then who are you?” said a voice as soft as the wind.
"I am Wynter. I am", he said choking on his last few words.
"Who are you then Wynter. Only you can tell yourself that", said the same soft voice.
"Daddy am so sorry. ", cried Wynter, his tears coming quickly. He looked around for the voice, and saw only darkness.
"I didn't mean the stuff I said. I was so angry. I was scared"; he said burying his face in his hands.
"I know now you never lied to me. It's myself I hate. It's what I have become because of my hate for myself. That is who I am. I am hatred turned to regret!” Wynter yelled at the darkness and to the voice he couldn't see.
"And why is that Wynter?” said the voice turning deep and compassionate.
"Why are you like that Wynter. Tell me” the voice, said reassuringly
Wynter looked around for the voice for help. His body shuddered in the grief and self-pity he was feeling.
"What I should have believed I didn't. For that I am sorry. I am so sorry", he said repeatedly, as he buried his head in hands and wept. The tears flowed with warmth he never felt before. The darkness receded till it was light again. As his tears fell, the ice in his heart cooled and melted. Like a hammer on glass, the ice shattered freeing him of the darkness he created for himself. He fell to his knees and cried not in sadness, but happiness. The sound of footsteps approached him. Wynter looked up to see a figure wearing the armor of a Solamnic Knight. His noble features resembled his own but without the elven blood. The figure reached for Wynter and spoke.
"Thank you Wynter, my son. Because of you I can now rest. Paladine will help you heal. So will your memories. Learn from them and go on. Always remember, I'll always be with you", said his father as he slowly disappeared.
"Father. I love you", said Wynter.
"I know my son, I know", said the voice as a warm breeze blew through Wynter warming him.
Wynter walked out of Darkenwood with his back straight and head held high. I have a new life he thought. I will have a new life with Arianna and my father. As walked out a promise spoken to him as a child drifted in the breeze.
"I will always be with you"
Storm clouds were gathering in the sky again. Another storm would soon come. This one would be really bad. The lightning flashed across the sky as thunder boomed in the distance. The air took on an electrifying quality, making it seem alive and with a purpose. The wind blew gently with the odor of ozone drifting in its presence.
The trees and grass danced in the wind of the coming storm. The dance they did seemed to be that of something wicked and dangerous as the branches grabbed the air for something that wasn't there. Wynter walked through quietly. Cautiousness taking over all feelings of Arianna when he heard the grunts and growls of the ogres nearby.
His nose wrinkled with the smell of burnt flesh when he came across an ogre that was burned to death by fire. He stepped over it carefully while looking around. The sounds he heard were close, but he was not sure where they were. As he moved on, the voices of the ogres reached his ears along with the voices of a woman. An elven woman's voice could be heard among the ogres
He walked on, his fear for Arianna causing him to move faster. As he made it to the border of Darken Wood he saw the ogres and Arianna. There were only two of them. One of the ogres held Arianna who was covered in torn robes revealing parts of her body. Her head hung low with her hand over her holy symbol. The other ogre grunted in satisfaction at the site he saw.
The storm seemed to come quickly then as Wynter narrowed his green eyes in anger. Lightning flashed in the sky lending a touch of drama to the coming battle. Thunder boomed as words of magic filled the air.
"Ajal nathorok ud malor gathmato agalorak", shout Wynter as a bolt of lightning shot from his hand hitting the ogre who held Arianna in the chest. The ogre was knocked backwards hitting the ground dead.
The other ogre responded quickly by drawing his sword. With a shout of anger Wynter leaped out the woods towards the ogre. The ogre saw Wynter coming and charged also. Their weapons clashed together as thunder boomed across the sky. Rain fell hard as the ogre and Wynter clashed swords. With a wicked slice of its sword, the ogre connected, slicing Wynter in the side. Wynter flinched in pain as his blood ran from his side.
Wynter stabbed forward with his sword catching the ogre in its sword arm and wounding it slightly. They both backed off from each other. The ogre looked at its wound as Wynter staggered backwards from his. His wound was deep. Too deep to his liking. The ogre looked at Wynter and his bloody side and grinned. Wynter readied his sword and chanted a spell. The ogre lunged towards him as an electric blue bolt of electricity enveloped Wynter’s sword. Wynter parried weakly from his loss of blood and counter attacked. His sword struck the ogre in the chest digging deeply into it. The lightning around his blade sent painful shocks of electricity through the ogre’s body, causing it to stagger. The ogre looked at Wynter evilly. Wynter looked back, struggling to keep standing from loss of blood.
"I will kill you ogre!” said Wynter
"Try if you can half-breed", the ogre retorted.
Wynter lunged towards the ogre. The ogre laughed as he deftly moved from the strike. Wynter smiled ruefully as he reversed his strike shoving his sword through the back of the ogre.
"Bad move. I saw the attack coming ogre.” said Wynter.
The ogre turned around to face Wynter. Its rotting teeth could be seen as it smiled at him. It slowly started pulling the sword from its back.
"Its you who made the bad move" the ogre said.
"I think not,” said Wynter as he started chanting.
"Ali valdonak cornac tsarak", he chanted as small darts of flame shot from his outstretched hands.
The ogre caught fire and screamed in pain as it died slowly from the fire. Wynter walked towards Arianna holding his bleeding side to stop the blood. She was sitting on the ground her long hair covering the upper part of her chest and holy symbol.
"Arianna, are you all right", he asked quietly wincing in pain.
"You're hurt Wynter. You got hurt because of me", she said.
"I'll be fine. It doesn't hurt that much." Wynter said as he dropped to his knees to look at Arianna.
"Hold me Wynter. I was so scared,” she said as tears flowed down her rain soaked face.
As Wynter held her, a burning sensation filled his chest. He backed off a bit to see what it was. Arianna's hair fell away to reveal the holy symbol of Takhisis, the Dark Queen. Wynter looked at her in shock.
"What’s wrong my love, you look a bit confused", said Arianna as she stroked his face softly.
"Why are you wearing that Arianna. It's evil." Said Wynter.
"That's what I am Wynter." said Arianna smiling as she drove a dagger into his chest.
Wynter fell backwards staring at the dagger in his chest wondering if this was real or not. His face was in shock as Arianna got up, her clothes reforming around her, taking on a dark and twisted style of her original. Her eyes grew dark and fathomless as the symbol around her throat pulsated with a black soulless light.
"You were my test Wynter. I had to prove my loyalty to Takhisis my killing what I love the most." Said Arianna coldly.
"Why", said Wynter in despair?
"Why you ask. Is it not there for you to see? I am a follower of Takhisis and not your precious god of light Paladine." she said with force, "I am now a full priestess of Takhisis, and with your death, I shall grow strong with her power"
"I loved you Arianna. How could you” Wynter said.
"I loved you to Wynter. But I couldn't allow myself to allow that to get in my way." Said Arianna as she gripped her holy symbol.
"Praise Takhisis, let her glory flow through the land and its people” she shouted into the raging storm.
Wynter pulled the dagger from his chest as she shouted her words of blasphemy. He had no choice in what he had to do. All he had was the dagger she stabbed him with.
"Arianna. You forgot one thing” he said
"And what would that be, my love" said Arianna mockingly.
"I'm still alive!" he said as he lunged towards her the dagger burying itself in her heart.
"Wynter don't do this. I love you,” she said as tears rolled down her face.
"I love you to, and that is the reason I do this. And for what you did." said Wynter with tears of his own.
"I sentence you to death Arianna for crime against the people and the world of Krynn and against Paladine"
"Please Wynter, forgive me. I can change,” said Arianna as she collapsed to her knees.
"You can’t change Arianna. Because Arianna, forgiveness for a person like you is not an option!" he said as he drove the dagger deeper into her heart. She fell forward onto Wynter dead. Wynter shed no tears because he was all cried out. Forgive me Arianna he thought as he collapsed onto his back staring up at the storm filled sky. I will find peace soon he thought. Forgive me Paladine as a light came towards him.