Fan Fiction ❯ Overture ❯ One ( Chapter 1 )

Overture

Book I

RACHEL KORZEP

The Arrow and the Song

I shot an arrow into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where:

For so swiftly it flew, the sight

Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,

It fell to earth I knew not where;

For who has sight so keen and strong,

That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak,

I found the arrow still unbroke;

And the song, from beginning to end,

I found again in the heart of a friend.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Eastern Lands

Far to the East of the fair kingdoms an empire was built. It, like its ruler, was strong and great but even emperors fall to the hands of death, their mortal hands cannot stay the clutches of darkness. Like the emperor before him, Deis conceded to the clutches of clammy death and let his son take his place as Emperor of the Eastern Lands.

Jonathan IV stifled a groan as another advisor smiled at him. His father, in his opinion, kept far too many of the greedy souls around to be of any use to any one. He nodded to those of the court he knew and eyed the ones he didn't, quickly measuring their strengths and weaknesses that could be obtained though sight alone.

He marched up to a simple throne, a man named Faren following him preciously two steps behind his overlord's. Faren had served his family all his life as his is ancestors before him, and also as his descendents would do after him. A loyal man no doubt there but one must wonder why was he so loyal? Jonathan shook his head dismissing the thought it was one question he could only think of in his spare time.

"Sir," Faren bowed slightly as his overlord sat down.

The nobles and such bowed and curtsied as due to their social status, and Jonathan mentally twitched and sighed. It was never in his plans to become emperor so quickly but he would be thrice damned before he gave up his crown.

A swarm then surrounded the steps, each of the swarming nobles had their own personal reasons for being there whether it was for reassurance or to gain favor he did not know but he had a sneaking suspicion that it was the latter.

A board sat to his left various pieces strewn orderly about it. It was named Lyewnyn an elvish word that when translated to Plains Speach meant to strategize. It was his first guide to warfare and for some reason he felt better about making decisions while in it presence.

The crowd about the dais soon flocked to other places and he was left to his thoughts until more came but this time with such various documents as trade routes and peace treaties. He scanned them but only one caught his eye, a peace treaty with Sarwryen a whimsical country in the West. Upon further readings he came upon the statement that if his father died the treaty would become void and that the only possibly way to reinstate the treaty was to have a counsel between the two countries.

He cursed mentally and looked at Faren, "This treaty with the Sarwryens is void." He took a quill and clean sheet of parchment out of the nearest set of hands and quickly drew a letter ignoring the indignant squeal of protest of the lost of the two items. "Who currently at the messenger station is the best?"

Faren paused thoughtfully before responding, "Weis sire, a bit young but the best. You wish for me to send to him to pick up the letter?"

At the nod of Jonathan IV Faren called for the messenger while the new emperor moved a dark green messenger onto the board and into play the messenger carrying a note of importance across unfamiliar lines. Unbeknownst to him, a figure among the shadows dressed in black garb smirked and mocked saluted the new emperor departing only to set his own plan into motion.

Silver-Eyed Mortal

With a glance down the hall a girl of seemingly timeless age walks down the hall. Her steps were calculated and perfect as was every other movement. Her gaze remains unwavering as she approaches two doors and at her approach the two doors open simultaneously. A faint murmur is heard within as the doors open but the girl continues on uncaring kneeling only when she reaches her destination: the front of the throne room. Black robes rest about the figure and slowly the girl lifts her head, her sapphire eyes meeting silver ones unquestionably.

"Raven K'treava K'staru you have been asked to appear to this audience as an equal please rise."

The girl, Raven, rose and so suddenly appeared to be twice her age she was. "As you wish."

"Two days ago a messenger arrived here with a letter from the new emperor of the Eastern Lands. He wishes to renew to peace treaty and so I have constructed a group of envoys to go to the Eastern Lands. The people-"

"Your Highness," Raven lifted up a hand beautifully defined and decorated only with a single band of silver. "Are you asking for me to accompany these people?"

A slight quirk of the mouth was the only display of amusement on the royalty's face, "Something like that spell weaver."

A nod of acknowledgement, "Send for me when the envoys are ready. With your leave though I would very much like to speak with the messenger."

Nodding, the Queen motioned for a young man dressed in foreign clothes to step forward. Raven coughed trying to cover a smile and turned around the messenger uncertainly following her.

"Miss K'staru…"

"You needn't address me as a noble or anything else Raven will do."

The boy sputtered uncertainly then grinned impishly, "I like ya Raven. Your not like most blood hounds, no disrespect towards you or your people here."

"I stay because of my sworn allegiance to Jedisea."

"Er..Jedisea?"

"The Queen, you know Your Majesty, or Your Royal Highness…" She waved her right hand in the air in some exotic gesture. "I only use her title when I deem it appropriate."

"Oh! I get ya by the way my name is Pipen but I'd prefer it if yas would call me Pip. You what are you anyway? A seer?"

Raven drew a slow breath and picked her robes up slightly so they wouldn't trip her walking up the stairs, "Not exactly but I can See some things if I want to that is."

Pip raised an eyebrow but asked no more questions.

* * * * *

"Rav! Rav! Rav!"

"Aunty Raven!"

Raven braced herself for an attack and allowed herself to be drugged to the floor of her room. "Come on brats let me up your getting to big and I'm getting to old to be your leaching post."

Kira grinned gleefully and with her brother the two of them helped her "aunt" get up. "We wanted to say goodbye before you left since mother said she didn't know when you would be back."

"Worried about me?'

"No Aunt Raven…We're just going to miss you. Your not going to be gone too long are you?"

Poor brats, Raven thought absently before answering. "I'll be as long as it takes but never fear, a cehnt will always arrive at the perfect moment neither early nor late.

Obviously satisfied the twins grinned and volunteered their help for the task of carrying her belongings down saying of course they were a lot stronger. Raven drew a breath and but on a brave face for the two youths in front of her grinning wider every second. "How about this…Kira you go get my weather gear for me and Hiro you check the saddle and also outfit Storm for me. I'll met both of you in the stable yard. If it was possible their grins widened even more and made a mad dash for the door.

She glanced about the room and content that she had left nothing behind in her room she closed the door taking extra precautions that no one, especially two certain siblings, would be able to enter her room.

Seeing as how the messenger left maybe a candle mark before Jedisea hoped that that would give the emperor enough time to prepare for his guests.

"How come I always end up going on these diplomatic missions of yours?" Raven walked up quietly and stood beside the one of the few people in the world that she could call a friend.

Jedisea smiled cheerfully and shrugged, "I don't ask you to pay for you meals, your room…Shall I go on?"

Raven crossed her arms and watched the approach of Kira holding the requested gear. A carriage also approached deep down some where in her gut Raven knew that this would not be luxury trip. "No, I rather you wouldn't."

Jedisea turned to her friend abruptly who was now watching Hiro help Kira attach the gear to Storm's packs. Brushing the mass of dark hair away from her sensitive silver eyes she studied the person next to her. "You don't have to go."

Raven smiled slightly, nodded to Hiro and Kira as they walked over and gave her the reins. With no effort she seated her self in the saddle, "I would go anyway my friend you always need someone you can trust on these missions." Storm then became restless and Raven stood up in the saddle to gain a bit more control, "I'll contact you at the first chance. May the stars light your path my friend."

The carriage followed the rider moments later and the twins waved vigorously. Aye, Jedisea thought as she raised a hand in silent farewell, and may they light your path as well friend.

Shadow Fiend

A hundred years, a thousand years, since the moment he was born he had been ready for this moment. For centuries the barrier had kept the people of this world safe in their blissful ignorance. No more, he decided. No more will he sit back in the landscapes awaiting his chance.

The men shifted in their steps uneasy in his presence. Good. At least they know how to recognize power in its very essence. He closed his mind allowing his spirit to travel the lines of the ancients. It was almost too simple. Almost.

As the fire as his sword, the shadows as his shield, the darkness as his cloak, and the dawar as his helm he plunged face first into the seemingly bottomless abyss. No cry, no clash, only a quirk of the mouth to mark his success. His sword plunged and burned the lines of the ancients. The flames licked and seared the green life lines the quirk of his mouth dropped but he was still pleased.

The men saw him drop but knew better than to touch him. They were intelligent….Too bad that their death was necessary, he would though let their leader survive. The leader could always train more worthies. The minions dropped as their essences were slowly sucked out of their cores their bodies falling to the ground. No, never mind that. They are only scrapes of bone now. Not even worth the thought.

Leader adverted his eyes for his overlord's momentary weakness. With weakness overcome he mounted the dark stallion that stood patiently. He admired his work using the Sight to See. It was burned, not much but it would have to do. The mark work spread and this innocent masquerade would fall away.

They moved away silently as they had come, and yet even quieter. He was satisfied with this captain and he would allow him to live. Of course, he would live only to serve him.

"Find more men and train them. You will be called when I need you."

No more words were spoken and the Shadow Fiend simply rode away. No spells, no incantations, no slur of words to bewitch them mind. Just a figure on a horse riding away into the shadowed darkness ironic it is that the Shadow Fiend almost seemed harmless.

Ways We May Part

Raven had not realized that she had fallen asleep until the throaty voice of the captain of the guard awakened her from her slumber.

"We have company Mistress." He stood beside her form ready to unsheathe his Master blade at a single notice from her.

"How many strong are they?"

"Ten at the most Mistress. Our presence here has not been noticed." He settled into a crouch his hand gently but firmly holding onto the hilt of his chosen weapon.

"Are the ambassadors safe?"

"Still asleep."

She smiled faintly and stood up. "I'll take care of it. If I go to sleep and its time to continue on the road just throw me in Storm's saddle." The blanket was piled about her feet and her hands were stretched out palm ward. "You may go to sleep captain I'll take over the night watch."

He tipped his head and moved away settling himself down by the fire. Welcomed to it Mistress, he crossed himself, a sign of protection against evil. Not that the Mistress was evil, he reasoned, but who's to say that her craft isn't?

Fools, she realized as she watched the would-be thieves.

"I swear Locus, 'Twas a whole company of 'em. Horses, carriages, the pot!"

She smirked and closed her eyes palms still stretched out. A veil deeper than the one that was there before drew itself over the camp. You have urgent business elsewhere. Locus, your comrade was drunk and anxious to please himself. Take yourself and your company elsewhere.

"A great chase you left us on Mich. You stupid bastard." A faint thump was heard, "Get your lazy arse on that damned donkey hide so we can get home. We've spent enough time on you."

The sound leather hitting a horse and a holler was heard and slowly the sounds dimmed. She waited till way after dawn until she allowed herself to drop the veil. Dropping to the ground Raven realized that the Captain of the Guard, Curt, had stayed awake all night. She felt better in a way…"Goodmorn Curt. I leave the dawn to you."

"Many thanks Mistress."

* * * * *

Raven jerked herself awake her joints ached. From sleep riding she supposed as she looked at the company around her. Curt had not yet noticed her consciousness and rode beside her she had ever seen him do. The saddle straps had done their job by safely letting her ride even though she was asleep by just letting her sit on the saddle without the fear of falling out.

The scenery about had dramatically changed through the course of the day and now the area seemed like some exotic desert. She noticed a town ahead and scowled, she hoped that they would not plan to be spending the rest of the day here.

"Curt," her voice cracked. "Could I have some water?"

He smiled and handed her his own flask. "Drink up Mistress, its bound to get hotter." He watched her drink out of the corner of his eye but his awareness always focused on the area about. "I plan to break at the town then spur forward. Do you know this land?"

Raven licked her lips then hesitantly pulled her outer clothing off leaving a black tunic and riding pants her hair now uncovered by the outer clothing stretched down to the small of her back. "A little. I must admit I never took a particular interest in this land. Actually, I stayed as far as away from it at all possible."

"Any particular reason why?"

She assessed the distance between the company and town wondering in what sort of detail she should go in. "You know what I did before right?"

"Of sorts. Her Highness said that in some way you were connected with her brother and his master that actually you were their ally…She also said that in a way you had been brain washed." Curt raised an eyebrow and slowed his pace gesturing the same time for the first carriage behind him, which was roughly 15 meters back, to slow time as well.

"Well, that's the nice version. But anyway, the rumors of this place have always haunted me I suppose. Its in my nature to be associate with the arcane art but here in the eastern lands in where the first…" She stumbled along her words. "There are certain devises that have been created to either drain a user of the arcane arts, or stop them from using them all together. Many people died some of them I knew I did not shed tears so to speak over their deaths but their demise would not be one I would want. The rumors of this place were centered upon a place were these acts were set into place, they were very graphic, and very disturbing."

"What happened to the people?"

"Many died. The devices were later banned but to my knowledge some survive. Of those who only were drained and such…a small percentage suffered minimal side effects but due to complications others went to comas, or wasted away. Magic is either a tool or a part of you. To a mundane it would as if your soul or essence was stripped away."

Grinning he glanced at her, "There seems to be many laws and disadvantages concerning magic but it's the same with weapons too. Will you ride into town with me?"

Surprised at his sudden companionship she accepted and donned her outerwear. The carriages she heard were now stopping out of town if anything to keep the possibilities of a misunderstanding between the natives and the outlanders down to a bare minimum. But she wouldn't be surprised if the nobles also wanted to keep the lower class away from their precious silk robes. Nobles, she thought with a little disgust, they don't realize that their ancestors were also poor at one time.

Curt nudged his mount into a trot and Raven willingly did the same horses keeping pace next to each other. "Why do you wear your robes?"

"Habit," She admitted. "My robes signify that I'm a wielder of magic and if I belong to a order my order's signature would be about my robe. I wear silver lined black robes with no signature meaning that I belong to no order I'm my own self and also that my magic is or at least was firstly based on black magic. It's also good to let others know that you do have abilities that could injure them. Not only that but I guess you could say that its also courtesy."

Curt watched the raven-haired girl no woman beside him. He had never known how to act around her but now he had idea. She wasn't the vicious killer rumored to be though he admitted she may have been at one point in time but she also wasn't some innocent. Although her physical age might be that of a young adult she was through her actions, her eyes, and words centuries old.

He watched her as they circulated the town picking up supplies, news, and information about the land. She never dismounted but would hold on to his horse when he did. He was careful to note that no matter what she never touched anyone if it could be helped. That puzzled him slightly. Why would someone if fact, how could someone dislike physical contact so much?

"We'd better head back. Would you like some food?"

She looked at him and smiled, "After we get back to camp Curt."

The Emperor

Jonathan could not believe that his advisors were against him in signing another treaty with the Sarwryens. It was as if they wanted a free opportunity to attack them. He shook his head. Although he had no great love for them and had spilt their blood along with many others in his lifetime he wasn't willing to put his people in danger. No matter how much those bastards hate the idea of another treaty…It was getting quite near to be a month since he had sent the messenger, and two weeks since he had heard news of the ambassadors. It worried him not for being concerned about their safety but what they might be doing while they approached his city. His Mages only told him that they weren't far off and that they had great power.

As of late, he had started to distrust his mages more and more. He had little to none of the magic and used his blade as much as he could. But still there was something about those mages that made him feel as if he could not trust him and he was determined to find out.

He walked swiftly down his halls towards his mage shops seeking for his answers. Several of the mages kept their "toys" in this wing and he was well aware of the fact that he was being watched.

"You are well away from your throne little master. It may be perhaps better if you return to it." A man clothed as a mage approached.

"I know those mages you reside here but I do not know you. What is your name?"

He smirked as if something greatly amused him. "I am called Elkins. What is your need that you need to walk in these halls?"

"I search for answers."

He laughed throwing his head back. "We all seek answers Young Emperor but not all receive their answers or the answers that they desire. What are your questions?"

"I wish to know if my mages are loyal to me and only me."

Elkins judged the youth before him. "It would do you best not to. They know of your hate for magic even if you posses it and they fear your hate of magic will turn on them."

"The ambassadors what of them?"

"They are a day off. They do wish for a treaty as you do. Their country is still recovering from their last war, and as all countries are they need time to recover. A great mage travels with them. Cloaked with darkness and secrecy this one is."

"Mage Elkins, why is it that I have not seen you before?"

"I do not beholden myself to masters and my brothers and sisters in craft do."

"You are the first of these mages here to give me a true answer and I feel as if I must trust you."

From a hidden pocket a sapphire ring was produced and Jonathan looked at. "You must trust me. I am your only friend here. Go now we will talk later you endanger yourself by coming here." Jonathan watched as the mage walked off feeling as if he has seen a ghost and shivered.

He had not known that so many knew of his hate of magic and was surprised to hear it. He would trust this mage though he thought as he slipped the ring onto his left forefinger and departed.

Stupid! Elkins Aleu cursed and sat down. Unconscious bodies of mages littered the room. The mages had lost the trust of their master and even more they had never tried to lessen the hate of their master towards magic. Aleu had waited for a long time to get this far and wasn't about to let the foolish ruin his chances. With skill he planted his will in each of the mages, and with precision he grasped his control over them forcing them to awaken.

"Go and prepare yourselves for the arrival of the ambassadors when finish create the strongest set of mage bounds. Do not let any aware of what you are attempting." They left leaving him alone to his thoughts. Finally, the gates will open once more…

Raven was not at ease as she rode the city that encircled the Emperor's Place. She felt as if eyes were watching her and wished desperately that she was somewhere else. The rest of the party seemed to be having the time of their lives decked out in their finest clothes and forming a parade that made Raven feel as if she was street mage. She caught Curt once watching her as if he was expecting her to just run away or blow every thing to pieces. She had already thought of both options at least once.

They encountered the steps and Raven maneuvered Storm so she was beside him. "I will see to their rooms, and our things. Do not have me introduced to their court."

"What will the nobles think?"

"A candle mark from now they will be too drunk to realize that I'm not there. I'll be in the shadows though watching."

Curt had no time to respond for the doors were open and the soon-to-be-drunks were hurrying indoors.

Jonathan was surprised to find that not one of the ambassadors was wearing robes. He mingled among them and his own people until his curiosity was for a few moments satisfied. He found a glass of wine on a table that had yet to be touched and stood in a shadowed corner. He nearly spilt it on his finery when a blade was pressed against him then with drawn.

A woman's voice soft but clear at the same time came out from beside the one post. "Sorry, thought you were someone else."

"Bloody Hells! What was that about?!"

"You would do better to lower your voice before some finds you and approaches you once more."

He hissed but lowered his voice, "How is it that you do not know me? Are you not from here?"

"Yes."

His senses rose. She must be the mage! "Come out into the light so that I may see you."

A sigh was heard and Jonathan thought that she might not come out. A young woman then appeared. She was younger in year than him but there was something about her that said she was not what she seemed. "You're the mage." She eyes narrowed and she attempted to move back into the shadows. Anxious to see her more he grabbed her arm and was surprised when she dropped almost to her knees an expression of pain streaked across her face.

"What's wrong with you?"

With a gloved hand she tore at his bare one. "Let me go."

Jonathan stared her for a moment and release her expecting her to slump to the floor. What she did next was most unexpected. With sped and agility that must have been brought about by magic she fled from the room her robes billowing behind her.

Expecting to find her at the negations he arrived earlier to have a chance to speak with her. His advisors, who were already present, glowered most likely from their headaches. The outlanders arrived looking much the same. The Mage was not among them.

"You look as if you were expecting someone."

Jonathan looked at the man before him before answering, "It is of little importance."

The negotiations started then and preceded on. Food and drink was brought in as advisors from both countries started arguing over the current topic.

"The Queen has two children. The male can rule and the female can become wife to the emperor!" Jonathan looked at his subjects who seemed to have the opinion that he should marry the Sarwryen Princess. Personally, he didn't think it was good match, but then again who else would he marry? He had killed many a person and many of them has those who they supposedly loved but in all his years he had never found someone who loved him let alone he loving them in return.

"The Princess is much too young to be even betrothed."

His eyes widen as the new voice joined the argument. The mage…He looked up and saw her looking sternly at the opposing side. She was leaning again the wall behind her countrymen as if she had been there the whole time.

"She is young and will not mature for many a year. The Emperor would find a much more acceptable wife in someone else. Sarwryens take a long time to age and mature."

Her statement settled the argument and then the two sides began debating on some other topic that concerned only them.

Jonathan was only interested in the woman that seemed totally indifferent. It was true that he distrusted mages but it wasn't because of their powers, he had those same powers in him, it was for their arrogance and their belief that they were above any other life form. He stood up abruptly ignoring the sliding of chairs as the others stood up as well. Only the woman remained as she was before, and her gaze was the only one brave enough to follow his movements and look him into the eye.

Dinner that night consisted of strained conversations, underlying threats, and a sense of something that was completely wrong. As the bards started their songs many couples made their way to the center of the room to dance. It was at this point did Raven sense what was wrong. Throughout the whole night behind the emperor and in the shadows was a person whose powers she had not sense in a long while.

"Mistress Raven."

She looked to the voice and saw the one person she was dreading to speak to that night.

"My Lord." She desperately wished that she could run away from this person who always scattered her calm façade to the four winds. "You honor me with your presence."

"It's always a pleasure to speak with you."

"Tell me my Lord, do you know that you have had a mage behind your back all evening?"

"Yes. He's a new addition. Elkins has become my most trusted mage here. Would you like to met him?" He slid his chair closer to her.

"I believe that you're under a spell."