Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Key to Darkness ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

As the secondary sun Ixos set over the hills sheltering the small village, the mercenary stood regarding the collection of crude houses. His red eyes seemed to reflect the pink in the sky as the second sun set, giving them an unearthly glow. His hand idly petted at the neck of his midnight black horse, the beast shifting restlessly, wanting to get to a warm stall and some hay. His master was frowning, wondering why this place. It looked like nothing, and yet he had been drawn here inexorably, in a way he could not explain. All that he knew was that he was meant to be here.

 

He pushed white shaggy hair out of his eyes as the wind blew, considering for the umpteenth time that he really should do something about the long snow white mane, that even when tied off his face could not be completely tamed. The damn thing seemingly has a mind of its own. And yet he could never seem to bear to have it cut. Long hair was a mark of his order, as was his armour, the closely fitted and contoured plates coloured black like the horse. But he had left that order long ago, knowing that his place was not amongst them. He had been searching for his place for five years, and that search had brought him here, a back water settlement on the outskirts of the province's capital, an impressive castle on the horizon.

 

“I wonder if I have gone mad sometimes Maxor.” He said to his beast, though his gut instinct about these things was never wrong.

 

The horse tossed his head impatiently.

 

“Alright, I'll find you a stable already, come on.”

 

The horse happily went of his own accord, his master still in thought as they rode into the settlement. The mercenary ignored the looks he got. His colouring was unusual, but not that unusual, it was his garb that drew attention. None wore black armour; and the twin swords on his back, now they drew attention. They appeared to be the typical swords of his order, but his order forbade members to own more than one blade, and anyone sensitive to magic would sense the strange aura emanating from the steel. But their reactions just washed over him. He was long used to this reception by now. Wherever he went everyone agreed that there was something strange about him.

 

As he reached a clearing at the centre of the settlement he was rather puzzled to find a young woman stood there waiting for him.

 

“It's about time.” She said pleasantly. “I was beginning to think that you were going to be late.”

 

Now this was a reception he was definitely not used to.