Fan Fiction ❯ Brekken ❯ Brekken ( Prologue )

Brekken

Brekken was born in a land sheltered from the rest of the world by high mountains reaching to heaven and a big lake, although Brekken always used to believe that it was a big mirror, hung there by the Gods so they could revel in there own glory. Brekken´s parents where special people. Like most dwarves in that particular clan their marriage was a pre-arranged one. Nardan and Ardila, Brekken´s parents, knew that they where to marry even when they where young. This one thing was their certainty all through the hardships of live. Nardan and Ardila lost their parents at the same mining accident in the mountains surrounding the land. The young dwarves who were not much more than baby's at the time where bonded by destiny, as the elder dwarves still say, from that moment on. The elder dwarves, now their guardians, arranged for them to get married when they would grow up the same day. Both Nardan and Ardila hated the mountains for taking their parents with such cruelty and therefore both disided to become something else then the usual which was miner. Nardan became a blacksmith strong he had always been, but now his arm could lift the heaviest of materials without even breaking a sweat. Nardan learned everything there was to know about blacksmithing, determined to share the knowledge with his future offspring so they would never have to descend down into the mines. Meanwhile Ardila learned the only thing she could do, while she waited for the day the marriage between her and Nardan would finally be there. She became a fighter. Some people might have been amazed if someone other than Ardila had joined the combat forces, but every dwarf in miles around knew about Ardila and her strong mind. Ardila learned a lot about handling a battle axe and was on the way of becoming a very good fighter when one of the elders summoned both her and Nardan from their work. He had seen an omen and told them that their marriage could take place the moment they where ready. The next full moon, in the middle of the night, one of the most beautiful things happened at the shores of the lake. Two dwarves filled with love for each other promised that they would spend the rest of their lives together no matter what. The full moon glistening in the water seemed to enchant everyone at the ceremony and bless the two souls who just bonded thousands of miles beneath its surface.

Time passed and one day Ardila discovered that she carried life in her womb. The home she and Nardan lived in was adjusted to the needs of another life. One small and precious.

It was the midst of winter and the wind howled round the house where at that moment a woman was in labour. Her husband send away by the midwives because he couldn't see this magic of woman. Ardila was in great pain and the herbs she had been given to chew on to ease the pain weren´t helping. Another contraction made her body shiver but her hearth strengthened as she heard the cry of her firstborn child. Nardan was quickly summoned and both kissed the child and called her Brekken, the name the dwarves of that clan used to indicate the moon, to remind them of the wonder of their marriage and the wondrous things that had sprung from it.

Brekken was engaged at birth to Steldan, the son of the local merchant. Knowing that this marriage would bind the two clans in a strong pact her parents made this choice. But they weren't unkind to their still young daughter. Steldans clan was rich and loved throughout the country because of their known generosity and fair justice system. Steldan was sure to grow up a good and kind dwarf with the shop of his father that he is to inherit at the age of 120.

Time passed and Brekken turned out to be a very healthy child with a friendly soul. She survived all the diseases that roamed the lands in that time and never seemed to get even slightly sick. Her father taught her a lot about working in the black smith and Brekken although not very good at it could forge helmets, shields, axes and horseshoes at an age of 30. Minor repairs to armour and weapons are within her capability but her work will not be as good as that of a real dwarven blacksmith. Brekken even at a young age was very curious and loved to play at the lake. She learned swimming and fishing at a very young age and learned a lot about what lived in the deep, dark entrails of the lake. Playing at the shores she would often sit there until midnight. Talking to the moon and whispering secrets to it. Nardan en Ardila had many nights where they would climb out of bed and crawl to the lake, watching over Brekken even though she would never know that someone was there. They know that there was no actual need to worry because the moon would watch over her, but it made them feel safe. When she got older her parents took her to the mountains and told the tale of the grandparents Brekken had never known. Brekken never let know that she was afraid of the mountains and indeed she, like every other dwarf, was a master in hiding in tunnels and playing treasure hunter in the passages that lay hidden deep in the earth. But she did seem to prefer the lake and forests more than the other dwarves did. At various moments in time her mother and father where called on to report for duty as defenders of their country. Brekken would never cry as she had always found that a waste of time, but the only thing that would comfort her in her parent's absence was the shining of the moon on the lake. When she became old enough to raise a battleaxe she begged to follow her mother and father in the battle for the borderlines. Every time her parents rejected her offer Brekken would sit in the moonlight for hours and then decide to become a great sword fighter so she would never be left alone by her parents again. She and Steldan (the dwarf she was to marry when she grew up) became friends and began loving each other. Many happy hours she spend at his side, not wanting him to go on the trips he had to make because his father was a merchant. Steldan and Brekken made a great couple despite of the arguments they had over his journeys, and both knew that when the time was there they would have a happy marriage. When time passed her mother saw that if she didn't learn her child to battle, Brekken would be forced to work in the mines, as she had to deliver work for the good of the community. Not wanting one of her children to go into the mines she disided that Brekken had grown old enough to learn about battle and use the knowledge to defend the clan. Brekken learned a lot under the watchful eyes of her mother and soon became good enough to follow her kin into battle. The sounds and smells of the first battle she joined in will haunt her forever she fears.

It was dark and rainy so even the dwarves couldn't see much. Brekken raised the hilt of her own battleaxe to the moon and began howling the battle cry of her people. Soon a whole chorus of bloodcurdling cries began washing over the fields. On the other side of the hill the dwarves where standing on, a deeper howling weakened the hearths of even the bravest as the opponent became clear… wolves, orcs and even some very nasty looking trolls began taunting them and challenging them. That moment, the smells and the sounds still wake Brekken on nights when she has eaten too much blood pie (dwarfish recipe.) Strangely enough she cant remember the precise moment when the battle really started but time seemed to freeze as hundreds of dwarves ran down the hill swinging their battle axes with a fury never witnessed. The fog on the fields made it even more complicated to see something for Brekken. That is why she did not see the orc that quickly made her trip, thereby making her drop her battle axe, and plunged his sword in her side (trusty studded leather preventing it from piercing the vital organs.) Never having yielded a weapon besides a battleaxe Brekken did the only thing she could think of. She pulled the sword out before the orc (surprised she was not dead yet) could react and stabbed it through his eye socket. Amazed about her first kill and dazed because off blood loss, she struggled to find her parents, and regain her axe, in the midst of battle. She was not the least bit surprised finding them in the middle of the greatest battle. She limped to them and was barely able to take a stand at their side. The only thing she knew was that she would die close to the people she loved most and the only persons she would give her life for, her parents. A short sword cut open her arm before she had time to react and the only thing that saved her was the quick thinking of her mother who quickly disarmed (literally) and killed the orc responsible. The next thing after that, that she remembers is waking up at home with some very nasty looking scars but pretty much healed up. Her dad told her she had proven herself a real fighter, Brekken of course denied it saying she nearly got killed, but Nardan told that a lot of dwarves had seen her rising up and killing at least 7 orcs after her arm got cut open. Not remembering anything she tried to wriggle out of the responsibility she knew her father was about to give her. To no avail alas. Brekken was send to the council who sent her to the barracks in Dweomer (capital of the land) to become an even greater axe fighter. After 2 years of training Brekken returned a healthy looking dwarf, holding knowledge over her enemies and over the most common of weaponry's which she was now able to use. Standing on the edge between child and adult. She had learned much but still was not satisfied with everything. So she kissed her mum and dad goodbye, and told them that she was going to explore the world. She hugged Steldan and promised to be back within 4 years to marry him and defend her country once more. Wandering ever since Brekken has now 2 years left and has dedicated them to making a fortune and fighting evil where she thinks she stands a chance. She has teamed up with a band of adventurers to stand stronger but will always remain a loner until she is back in her hometown and can see the moon glistening in the water at midnight once more.

Brekkens appearance

Now the age of 136 she would be considered pretty by most dwarves, with her long fire red hair, plump body and rosy cheeks if not for her eyes. Most dwarves in her clan had black eyes as the coals they dug up, but Brekken seemed to have been marked by the lake at whose shores she grew up. Piercing blue eyes that seemed to look down at ones soul and judge it prevented people from calling her pretty. And indeed her gaze was very unnerving. When she got mad her eyes shifted from their usual blue to a dark, hard, black-blue and dwarves who knew her and saw this would get out of her way as Brekkens temperament was far known. Races other than dwarves who never consider dwarves to be pretty will find Brekken unattractive and will, at least until they get to know her better, sometimes take offence by her gaze. There are three kinds of moments in which Brekkens eyes will light up and will show little sparkles. The first is when she is enjoying herself, the second is when she is beyond normal rage and has entered a state in which she is determined to kill anything that gets between her and whatever it is she wants at that moment. The third is when she is near any large amount of water (lake or sea etc.) and can see the moon shine down into it. At these moments she will be overwhelmed with homesickness. She does not wear any kind of make-up, as she knows that when she gets home she is to marry Steldan. And doesn't want to betray their love by making herself beautiful without him near her. When people get to know Brekken better they will probably like her because she is a good friend and a strong allie in battle. Brekken will do almost anything for a real friend but will demand the exact same in return at any time she might need it. The one thing about Brekken is that she will never cut hr hair until she is back in her hometown.

Alondala

Brekken was enjoying herself, her pony was a sturdy beast and the forest seemed to be filled with the songs of birds. Every time she took a deep breath she could almost smell the dew on the leaves left by this mornings rain and the golden sun rays who made their way through the leaves high above the party thus making all kinds of beautiful images on the wet forest floor. The only thing that disturbed the magnificence of these woods was Richard. Richard was the spell weaver of the group and had got them all out of some serious trouble a couple of months before when an angry merchant send out his guards to capture them. Richard casted a spell which he likes to call jelly. Quickly all the guards learned that there legs had somehow lost the capability to support them. This of course gave them all a good time to escape what they quickly did. But…that was then and this was now. Richard was cursing through the serenity of the woods. As far as Brekken could understand his curses in a number of languages, he was pointing out that his horse was the child of a rock and a troll and that his saddle was made out of a thousand needles and a flask of…perfume? She shouted to the back of the party were Richard was currently riding. "Perfume and a thousand needles? What did you say?"

Richard looked up from his horse.

"Boiling oil, my dear, My saddle is made out of a thousand needles and a barrel of boiling oil"

"Very well…oil then, may I say that some of us haven't spend all their lives in books studying the languages of foul dark creatures"

"Of course you can mention that to me…it only shows a lack of education and of course denies you the pleasure of hearing me cursing about my horse…may him and his offspring be damned to all eternity!"

Barkor, not looking too happy on his own pony, joined in the conversation: "Pray tell o wuss one. What might be the trouble disturbing you this minute? (Barkor had been harassing the mage ever since last week when they got into a brawl in a tavern and Richard used his favoured spell jelly legs on the dwarf, hereby rendering him helpless.)

" I am not happy with my horse (giving it a look as though it was The Dark God itself) because it is a peasant horse and not as well trained I am used to!"

Eleven, the only elf in the group now spoke: "Every one shut up! We are at the gates of Alondala at last!"

As the party looked up their eyes showed them the most beautiful sight that weary adventurers could imagine. The gates of Alondala were made out of oak wood and had the story of the city carved into it. First there was nothing but the forest, then came the elves making a home in the living wood. The dwarves came next and added their skills like stonecutting, tunnelling and working in the blacksmith. Then the humans came. Still young this race had nothing to add said the elves and dwarves, and denied them the right to come into the city. But the Gods made the humans with determination and the humans camped outside the city for 7 times 7 generations. Then the elves and dwarves disided to let the humans in. The next carving in the gate revealed the humans working hard and expanding the city because they needed to house their offspring. Brekken looked to last picture and her eyes quickly read the information; the humans build a gigantic wall around Alondala to protect it from the evil of the land around them. But because they didn't ask the Gods for permission and because they didn't sacrifice even one thing, the city was cursed. It is said that everybody who comes through the city gates must give a possession to the Gods. Brekken checked her pocket again; the little gem was still there. She had found it a couple of weeks before in a hidden room where the party had killed off an evil mage, and her first impulse was to sell it. Its perfect round shape would have made a good price, but then the party disided to go to Alondala and she knew she just had to give this to the Gods. Richard had advised everybody to be generous, as there were a lot of tales going around that the Gods judged you on the gift you sacrificed to them. Brekken couldn't wait to see what the others presented as their sacrifices. She knew that Eleven was going to give a small gem as well, but the rest…?

The dismounted and walked up to the gates holding the horses and pony's with a firm grip as the smell of so many creatures coming from the city was not very appealing to the mounts. The elven guards looked at them and began their routine.

"Who are you and what is the business that brings you to the gates of the fair Alondala?"

Eleven was the spokesman whenever they ran into elves so it was he, who replied,

" We are Eleven Moonshimmer, Richard la Coin, Brekken Himmersfell and Barkor of the Mountainland. The business that brings us here is that we are seeking work for our blades and that we want to see the beautiful Alondala that we have heard so much about."

"Very well… you will each make a sacrifice to please the Gods before you may enter!"

Eleven gestured to indicate that everyone had to give him their sacrifice. Brekken trusted Eleven even though he was an elf and quickly gave him her gem.

"Be sure to mention to the Gods that this is mine," she whispered when she saw the look of awe on Eleven's face. All the others handed over their offerings too, except for Richard who at the last minute seemed to have second thoughts over handing over a beautiful dagger. Eleven's look made him diside however and before long the guards could be handed over the sacrifices. Brekkens gem, Richards dagger, Eleven's gem, and a little box made of rosewood from Barkor. The guards looked at the things presented and smiled,

"Perfect offerings for the Gods, you are all welcome to enter and enjoy the wondrous things that Alondala has to offer you!"

The offerings were hastily put out of sight and as far as Brekken could see they were being brought to the east side of town. As she was quite thirsty and was indeed finally in the fair city of Alondala, which she had heard so much about she disided that it was, time to seek out a nice inn.

" You may all follow me as usual of course," she said," but I have every intention to seek out the Red Dragon Inn people have told me so much about." "And anybody who wants to do something else with me will have to wait until I have had my beauty sleep."

Richard looked up, "Though I don't say so often, the dwarf has a point. I have been to Alondala a couple of times and the best Inn here is the Red Dragon!"

Barkor agreed:" The fame of that particular Inn has spread a great deal, I can think of no better way to break in our visit than taking a room there. It is said not to be to expensive either!" looking at Eleven who had been known to go to any lengths to save the occasional copperpiece. "Hello Eleven? We are talking to you….Eh! Fairy boy!"

Eleven looked up," I told you not to call me that ankle biter!"

"Then pay attention! We were discussing what Inn to go to…our vote goes to the Red Dragon Inn!"

" Very well…of course…I mean… why not…never mind…just lead the way," Somehow Eleven looked a great deal disturbed to Brekken, she tried to find out what he had been looking at but couldn't see anything that drew her attention. "Ah well, "she thought," Its just the magic of this place." As they travelled through the city they saw things most people never even dreamed about. Acrobats and jugglers, bards and magi, everyone in Alondala seemed to be influenced by the fire of passion in the town. Never before had anyone seen acts and performances so inspired and driven. They stooped for a while to listen to the song of a bard, he sang about the first years of the city and his words seemed to mesmerise the crowd listening. Much to their relieve the Red Dragon Inn wasn't hard to find. Actually it was easy to find. All the people on the street seemed happy to give directions to strangers even though no one asked them for it. The whole party felt better just looking at the faces of people who seemed to know no grief. Brekken was painfully struck by the thought that her life would have locked a whole lot different if she had been raised here. No battles behind every corner, no idea of the horrors that lie beyond the walls, the walls that would have protected her for a lifetime. Barkor seemed to share her thoughts.

" Don't look at it that way Brekken, just think of all the experiences missed, the friends never met and the tales of heroes that can never be told."

Richard however didn't seem to share this view;" O yeah, poor, poor people Barkor, they will never know the pleasure of burying those that stood by you in battle, they will never know the joys of seeing an orc with bloodlust in his eyes charging at them. I must say I pity these people that apparently don't have the higher pleasures of life we get from it."

Brekken looked at both Barkor and Richard and suddenly felt an anger with the both of them she hadn't felt in a long time. Both turned very silent as they saw Brekken turn around.

" Are you two quite finished?"

Richard looked as a disgruntled child as he said," I am if he is."

" Fine then both of you shut up and now I will not hear another word from the two of you before you ruin my mood!"

Without further ado they made it to the Red Dragon Inn. The inn had been painted in a bright red colour, and the colour seemed to sparkle in the fading sunlight. Strange shimmers appeared on the walls and the red colour began dancing in front of their eyes until nobody could tell anymore if they were looking at the colour or if the colour was looking at them. As the sun set everyone heaved a sigh.

"I forgot how the colours seem to live her," whispered Richard," Seeing it is the only way of keeping it in your mind."

As the sun had finally set the light had faded and the streets seemed colder. A bit of the magic of the city seemed to disappear with the sunlight. Barkor regained his senses quickest.

" I don't know about you guys but I thought we came here for a room and by the Gods that is what I am going do here…sleep, sleep and…"
"Wash up no doubt?" Richard said," Not that I am being a critic but any decent Inn would refuse to let someone with such a stench sleep in one of their rooms."

Before any further comments could be made Eleven jumped in.

" Shut up Richard, we are going to get some rooms here and we will leave you by yourself to get washed up, but don't complain about stench to us. Our noses are as I am quite sure lots better then yours and we can smell it ourselves. Now I am going in to get us all rooms, who stays with the horses and who comes with me?" The others looked at him, just minutes ago he was looking dazed and only half awake and now he seemed full of energy… even though he was using his energy to rave at them. "I will come with you," Barkor replied, "the air is getting chilly and I want to make sure I get the best room this Inn has because I am planning on atleast 24 hours of sleeping." Barkor looked so content with the thought of sleeping it was hard for Brekken to feel irritated anymore, and she laughed with the others. "You are a dwarf Barkor!" She reminded him, "We do not sleep in, we sleep while our bodies require it and then get a move on again, no sense in dawdling like a human!" She turned around as she realised what she said. "I am sorry Richard…it´s only an expression." He kind of smirked at her "We are not lazy, were not…really!"

Brekken looked at him, even though he was one f the most irritating persons she had ever met and he tried to avoid his responsibilities, he was there when he was really needed. "I know Richard she said…I know you are not lazy!"

His old grin came back as he asked "Could you give me that black on white?"

Brekken laughed out loud "Not even if I could read and write would I, you are a deviant!"

Richard began laughing as well. "That my dear lady, is why you are so madly in love with me!"

And from that point on the atmosphere seemed to clear and once again, as it had always been they laughed and kidded with each other. The hurt seemed to wash of them, and they felt as if a rain gentle and friendly stretched out fingers of coolness and yet warm as the spring sun. They felt it caressing there bodies and taking away the impurities that had fought there way out of there bodies in the form of fights, the feeling lingered long after and they would not forget the wondrous feeling for a long time to come.

Brekken opened her eyes again looking as if she had had to much ale (hard thing to do if you're a dwarf) She felt happy and content and looked at the others to see her feelings reflect in their gazes…all looked muggy and blissfully serene.

The innkeeper had been a round man with a red face and a hawks nose. His plump daughter was probably going to inherit his nose, which she already tried to mask; she wore a veil around her head covering everything but her glistening eyes. The last night they had all set down and spent a fair deal of their money drinking something called Elminsters Choice Beer… Brekken felt very happy at the thought that she could handle her drink's better than Richard and Eleven who where in a bad mood the entire morning. The innkeeper had promised them all warm water for a bath and it had been a relief to finally wash the dust of.

After breakfast consisting of bread, cheese and some kind of bitter beer they had decided to go and find the general store to go shopping for some supplies.

After asking directions Richard opened the door to a wondrous little shop. On the outside it didnt seem that large, but inside every bit of space was crammed full of rope, rations. oil, maps, books, tinderboxes, wood, hooks, fishing gear and other stuff. Richard and Eleven where soon making the purchases needed while Barkor and Brekken tried out different types of rope and browsed along the shops. Richard began haggling and Eleven just tried to do his normal routine…looking at someone until they gave in. She could hear Richard talk about his hardships as an adventurer and the shopkeeper about his wife and children. Barkor beckoned her to come and look out of the window and when she did she saw the city guards dragging along a couple of orcs on a rope. The orcs had been beaten and their tusks had been ripped out. Their green flesh was beginning to look even more disgusting by the bruises and bloodstains that were on it. She shivered and turned away wondering why Barkor wanted her to see that, when she asked him he told her to look again to the other side of the street in the crowd.

Looking once more she tried to find out what he meant. Just when she was going to ask him once more she saw the lady… rapped in a light brown cloak she could have been easily missed by anyone but the true observer. Fortunately most adventurers don't live long if they cant see that what most cant. She kept looking and noticed she had to squint her eyes to keep the lady in focus…even though she was looking straight at her the vision seemed to escape her attention. The lady was best to be viewed from the corners of Brekkens eyes… as if she wasnt looking at all. Barkor had not figured this out yet and