Chapter One

The gate shuddered with the force of the cannon shot, the blast alarming the guards to jump back. The ball smashed into the wooden wall, silencing itself in a great burst of splintered bits and pieces. The men left their cover and rushed back to the gate. They lifted a wooden beam with their last resorts of strength and dropped the massive weight on the metal hooks. The last entrance had been sealed off.

            "That should  buy us some time," said Garen, as he swept away some sweat from his forehead.

            "I wouldn't count on it," reacted Auron, "those cannons will break through anything in its path, like a knife cutting through butter."

            "Then they haven't had a taste o' this butter," said Yoren, padding the metal bars in between the solid wood.

            Auron approached the old gatekeeper and dropped a gloved hand on his shoulder. "Your butter only ever tasted beggar's steel. How many assaults has it repelled?"

            "Three, my lord" answered Yoren, "that is, if you include this one. The gate wasn't built to withstand outsiders, but to contain those inside."

            Auron shot him a quick smile before turning around and stare into the darkness of the dungeons' inner halls. Garen joined him at his right side and raised a torch to illuminate the cave tunnel. The light casted shadows to dance on the ancient rocks. For centuries, their ancestors had walked through these tunnels to guard the cells that held the most evil criminals from all corners of the world. And today, they would save the skins of that lowborn breed of rapists, murderers and traitors from the army that camped in the scorching desert outside.

            "Will we stand a chance?" Asked Garen, his sapphire eyes giving Auron a questioning look. The boy was one of the newest recruits and fear could be read from his face.

            "We swore an oath to the Old Lion. To serve with life. It's not a question of standing a chance, but of serving a purpose." Auron took off his bicorn and long copper hair fell down loosely to his shoulders. "We will head back to the King's Hall and await new orders."

            Yoren picked up another torch and lit it to the flame Garen wielded, before joining them to the long walk back to the warm hearths. The dungeon had been carved ever deeper underground, with its labyrinth of tunnels and halls no sane man would try to escape. The passageways had collapsed and been extended so often, that maps rarely proved any help. Instead, the guards relied on their own knowledge to find their way around. As the small company marched ever deeper into the cave, their footsteps echoing off the walls, the air turned colder and the shadows danced around them in even darker shades of black.

            "Why is it even called the King's Hall if there's not a king, nor a throne?" Asked Garen to break the silence that had settled down.

            Yoren released a sigh before replying. "The hall was built in dedication to King Horus The Hasty, though the man never lived to see it completed."

            They turned a corner and the tunnel suddenly split apart into two tunnels. Auron remained still for a moment as he turned around and winked at Yoren.

            The gatekeeper took the hint. "So tell me, Garen, which way to the hall of his royalty?"

            Garen's eyes flashed from left to right as he tried to remember the correct answer. Just when Yoren wanted to react again, the boy mumbled an answer. "Left, I believe."

            "I can't hear you boy," said the gatekeeper.

            "Left."

            "You got lucky this time, but you will make a mistake sooner or later."

            Auron was impressed by the boy's navigation skills, he had learned the tunnels faster than anyone had done before. "Well done, there's yet hope for you."

            "Thank you, my lord." His voice filled with pride.

            They continued their way down the left tunnel and after a long walk reached a small opening opposite which stood a massive fortified door of dark stone. Two men were posted at either side and held their swords ready to strike. One of them stepped forward to meet them. "Welcome back, lord Auron, the Old Lion requests your council. Your men can wait outside."

            Auron instructed his two companions to ready the others and knocked on the massive stone door. A low voice barked from behind the solid stone. "Enter!"

            The guards pushed the door open and Auron entered the massive King's Hall. A long table cut from the same dark stone stood before him. Seated were several men whom acknowledged his presence with a curt nod. Some stood with their backs against the wall, swords dangling from their hips. But the most noteworthy man in the room sat upon a large chair at the end of the hall, on a small platform a few steps up. Even from a distance, it was apparent that the man was freakishly large. Wild red hair covered his head and a thick beard sprouted from his chin all around his lips. Thick arms surrounded his massive belly, hidden behind a black coat with golden knots. A richly decorated cloak hang from his shoulders.

            At the lord's side lay a lion, its claws shimmering in the candlelight. Its mane shook lightly as the giant cat opened his eyes, two golden brown orbs, to watch Auron approach the altar. The lion's tail lashed from left to right.

            Auron greeted several men and knelt before the giant man. "Lord father, I have done as you ordered. The Western Gate has been secured."

            The man answered with a voice made to command and question. "Rise, son, you did well. All entrances have been secured and the number of guards have been doubled."

            "We took heavy cannonfire. I am afraid the gate won't hold for long. They are using cannons that have a longer range than I have ever seen before."

            A small man in the back of the hall raised his voice. "Aye, the cannons are Tarosi craftsmanship, shipped all the way from the Shadow Isles."
            The Old Lion diverted his attention to the new speaker. "Crago, I didn't see you enter. What can you tell you us about this enemy knocking on our door uninvited?"

            The spy stepped forward and lowered his hood. A long scar ran from his left eyebrow down to his nose. A glass eye stared vaguely into the distance. "A band of mercenaries have allied with one of the nomadic tribes. They are heavily armed, with plenty of gunfire. Their force outnumbers us ten to one."

            Auron shot him a cold look. "Then we must fight ten times as fiercely."

            "Swords and arrows do little against such an army," replied Crago.

            "What would you have us do then, pray tell, have us bent the knee and weep for our lives?" Auron tried to withhold the venom in his voice.

            "We should take the fight to them. If we take a distracting force out through the gate  and march the main force around to the flank we can crush them." Crago dropped a fist on his open hand.

            Auron stepped up to the spy and raised a finger to his face. "Are you mad or simply stupid? You would have us abandon the safety of these walls only to run over open ground and have those cannons butcher us like common stock."

            Crago straightened his back, trying to look taller, and readjusted the scabbard on his hip. "I will not sit here and watch how we starve to death."

            Suddenly, the lion roared and a mouth full of sharp teeth opened up. The brutal sound of the beast's call silenced both men. The lion rose from the ground and stared threateningly at the meat before him.

            The giant man jumped out of his seat. "Silence!" He padded the lion on his back who bared his teeth. "Easy, Ellron, all is well."

            Crago lowered his head and shot a nervous glance at the lion.

            Auron couldn't leave the matter to rest. "Lord father, you cannot - "

            "I said silence!" The old man barked. "We have an army at our doorsteps, and yet I find my own men fighting among themselves." He diverted his eyes to the long table and locked eyes with a slender man. "Jojen, how long before our stores run empty?"

            "Two weeks." Jojen hesitated before continuing, "three weeks at most if we leave the prisoners to their own fate."

            "I entered this cursed hole alive and I mean to leave it that way. Auron, you must ride for Haecount and ask the baron for support."

            Auron almost nodded his head in agreement, but realized his name had been spoken. "What? My place is here at your side."

            The old man shot him an angry look. "Your place is wherever I order you to go. You're our fastest rider and you know this land like a blacksmith knows his hammer."

            "But father, you can't truly ask of me to abandon my post and let a chance to prove my honor slip through my fingers."

            "This isn't the time to argue. Your honor will mean little should we all perish. Take two men and ride out before sunset.  My decision is final."

            Auron opened his mouth to oppose, but thought better of it and bit his lip.

            "My lord, let me accompany Auron on this journey. I know the baron of Haecount and have met him before in person."

            Auron didn't believe a word the spy had just said. There was something about that man which made Auron's back shiver.

            "Very well, Crago, your request shall be granted."

            Crago shot Auron an insulting smile before bowing to the Old Lion. "Thank you, my lord."

            "That will be all." The Old Lion dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

            "As you wish, lord father." Auron brought a fist to his chest and bowed. He marched back to the massive doors which opened.

            Outside, Yoren awaited him with a retinue of soldiers behind him. "Lord Auron, what may your orders be?"

            "We have had a sudden change of plans. I am heading for the city of Haecount to request reinforcements. You will take first command."

            Yoren looked surprised but didn't question the matter any further, which Auron was very grateful of.

            "I will require one man to accompany me to Haecount."

            It remained silent for a moment. The men casted nervous glances to one another, but didn't dare to look Auron in the face. They're no fools. They would not abandon their brothers, thought Auron.

            One man wrestled himself to the front and spoke up. "I will ride with you, my lord!"

            Auron was lightly amused by the volunteer. "Pack your bags, we are leaving within the hour." Auron turned around but stood still for a moment. "One more thing, Garen. We are riding the Serpents."

            Garen dropped his sword. " You m-m-mean those things are ridden on?"

            Yoren slapped the recruit on his back. "No, the beast swallows you whole and spits you back out at Haecount."

            The boy's face got drained of all color.

            The gatekeeper burst out laughing. "Just kidding, soldier."

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Joan*Eckhart]

I love how you jumped right into this story, right into the action. The dialogue between the characters is witty and flows really easily. I enjoyed the banter. I couldn't help but think how polished this chapter was as I went through it. It reminded me almost of a scene from a movie, it was so descriptive! The only thing I can suggest at this point is to pace yourself with your story. Don't rush as it won't allow readers time to immerse themselves with the plot or connect with the characters.

[Acropolix]

Thank you! Such comments always put a smile on my face! You are right to warn me for the plot development, but I have yet to find the balance in pace. I will keep that in mind.

[Joan*Eckhart]

I really found this enjoyable and interesting. :)

[PureHeaven]

This is a great first chapter you've captured the era of time you're trying to express perfectly.
Good characters. Nice plot playing out.
Can't wait to read more.

[Acropolix]

Thank you for your positive comment. Chapter two is now posted and can be read.

[The dark story]

i just love this write! it's sounds sorely interesting and enthralling. the descriptions are really fantastic and are so vivid as if i can see the whole scene before me! Hats off to you! i even like the characters over here, especially Auron and Crago. this chapter is so impeccably well written that i can't just stop thinking what will happen next. please do post another one soon!

[Acropolix]

I do hope the coming chapters will be just as good as this one. I am glad to hear you are interested!

[MindIsAnOcean]

Wow, just wow. This was so very polished I was amazed. Can't wait to see where this story goes. Your descriptions are very good and I can clearly see the setting and surroundings of the characters and it fits in well with their situation. You have clearly put a lot of thought into your story.

[Acropolix]

Thank you for your praises. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the very first chapter. Let us hope the coming chapters will be as well!