Fantasy Writers Forum Journey of a Warrior

The light of the morning sun filled the valley. A soft chill breeze swept over the dew covered blades of grass that carpeted the damp earth. The cold steel of the Sabaton creaked as it set down on the blades with a splash. His breathing hampered by the journey thus far, he paused in the morning sun and looked up to the white clouds that filled the blue sky.Then to the treeline that still lay hours in the distance. He closed his peircing blue eyes and steadied himself. With a deep breath and a long exhale he dug down deep within himself and pulled forth the drive that drove him from his home. The purpose for his journey. His inner fire began to ignite as his thoughts fueled his rage. His scream shattered the peace of the morning as he tore the sword from the sheath that hung at his back. His footfalls thundered with each pounding splash. His long brown hair swept behind him as he rushed off into the distance. The temperature rose as the afternoon sun climbed higher in the nearly empty blue sky. Only a few clouds lazily hung over the vast forest. Beneath the dense cover of leaves. Leaning against the rough bark of a great Redwood, the wizard raised his wooden pipe to his mouth and took a long pull. Wisps danced from the red hot plug. Exhaleing, he pushed the thick white smoke from his lungs and gazed out past the forest line to the valley. He stood up straight. With a thin smile he stroked his long grey beard that hung from his face. His patience has payed off. Purpose overtaking his continence. He stuffed the pipe within his dark robes and grabbed hold of a thick staff that leaned on the tree next to him. Soft chanting fell from his lips as he moved through the barrier of brush and broke out onto the soft damp blades of grass that carpeted the valley floor. Thunder burst from the angry clouds that swept in on a fierce chill wind. Darkness fell over the valley and the leaves of the nearby forest shuttered as a spear of white, hot lightening struck the damp grass near where the warrior braced himself behind his shield. The ground sizzled and puffs of smoke mushroomed from where the bolt impacted the valley floor. Squeezing his sword in one hand and shield in the other, he let loose a howl of indignation. He raised his sword over his head and charged through the fierce winds that pushed back his ever slowing progress. With renewed assault the elements conspired together and poured out their wrath. Shards of ice formed in midair and buffeted the warriors exposed cheeks. The fire in his eyes burned brighter as he felt the cool stings. He fixed his eyes on his target in the distance. No more then twenty yards and closing. The wind howled and whistled as it beat against the hardened leather of his greaves to no avail. Ten yards and closing. Levitating over a bare spot of dirt where the valleys blades were burnt away. The dark robed wizard stretched out his arms. One hand clenched tight a Great Wooden staff thrust above towards the heavens. In his open hand a fiery ball of red and blue flames coalesced and grew. Yellow flames seemed to bust from his eyes. His very yell filled the valley. His chanting reverberated off the clouds and mingled with the booming of the thunder. Lightening sliced down between the two figures buffeting the ground with multiple strikes. The ball of flame leaped from the wizards clutches and shot out vanishing behind the rising smoke of the trembling ground. A deafening explosion seemed to silence the thunder and a burst of multi color flames whipped up into the air fanning away the smoke and exposing the stout warrior, shield in hand. The flames rolled off his steel and his sword cut through the distance. The wizard softly set down to brace himself for the melee to come. His Staff pulsed blue as it swept down to meet the oncoming attack. Sparks flew from the impact as if the staff too was cold steel. The wizard spun about. His robes fanning out and his great beard dragging behind his shoulder. With a crouching move he thrust out his empty hand at the warriors legs. The distance of air seemed to be covered by his magic. With a twitch of his wrist the warriors feet were kicked out from under him. His sword clattered on his shield as they fell across his chest. As quickly as his back hit the ground the warrior was rolling back up to his feet and turning to face the wizard. Backpedaling on thin air the wizards murmurings propelled him away from the fray. The wind shifted and again it assaulted the warrior. Gritting his teeth he growled beneath his breath and let loose a knife from his hip. The blade crackled with blue electricity that shot from its haft to its tip. It soared through the wind with ease. Negating the magic as it traveled. With a sickening thunk and a screech of pain from its victim it found its mark. The warrior picked his sword up off the blades of the valley and ran towards his fallen enemy.