Seas of Ice
Seas of Ice - Part one
They had told me that the empire was expanding. We were moving westward and I was to scout out a good location. One that was safe... One that they would not be able to take. They sent me with a stone sword, ten arrows, and enough bread to last me a month... Well, that was a month ago.
All I have now is a hand-full of seeds, and a hatchet. I remember hearing tales and legends as a child about the great sea. And of, how come the great winter, that it would freeze over. Letting us cross it by foot.
I never believed these stories as I had never been more than a few miles from my home. I had never seen a body of water that could be called more than a stream, let alone a lake, or even a sea. And even then, on the coldest of nights, the water did not freeze, it did not even cool. It was the same as always. That is how I thought my life would always be. The same.
I had no desire to adventure. To lead. Or to create. I only wished to inherit my grandmother's farm, and live a simple life. However, I think fate had something else in mind. One day when I was sixteen (and only days away from getting the farm) I heard rumors being spread across the streets.
"War!" A woman dressed in a thick fur coat announced to another overly-dressed woman. "What in the world was she doing here?" I thought to my self. "Our town is nestled in the mountains well over a hundred miles from the city, why would a snobby, and selfish aristocrat be here?"
I pondered the question for a few seconds, but as I stood there thinking, the other woman asked her why she would be so far from the city. The Woman responded "My husband was sent to attack the encampment a few miles down."
"Well that explains that" I said, and began to walk back towards the farm. Leaving their annoying presence, hopefully for good. My Grandmother's farm was a few miles out of town, at the base of the mountain.
The road was long, and worn. What used to be a well paved highway, was now gravel, and dirt. I began to think about what that woman said... The word "War" echoed through my mind. I had only heard the anecdotes from my parents. About how brave young men charge into cities, with sword and bow, only to be killed or chased off.
I felt sorry for them, their stupidity was the cause of their death. Even though that was only half true. They had been fed lies by their commanders, and emperor. Out here we weren't fond of him. Sitting on a golden throne eating enough pork to feed a village. While the rest of us in the county side were living off of what we could find or grow.
I couldn't help but let out a sigh. How could one person have so much, yet another have so little. I began to feel depressed. I hate that feeling, and would do almost anything to prevent it. The one thing that does always work however is the view. But fate even denied me of my one and only luxury. I had not know true pain, but very soon I would know plenty.
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Seas of ice - Part two
Shock set in. My eyes widen to take in the full extent of the horror that had been laid before me. My home, all that I had ever called mine. It was no more. Fire spread rampant. The field I use to walk through as a child, burn. Right before my eyes, they catch fire.
My house, however, was still standing, but for who knows how long. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, I become weak. Horribly weak. My knees begin to shake and I fall to the ground. I prey to god, and beg of him that somehow the fire stops. I prayers go unanswered, as the flame pushes forward.
Just as I think the situation can't get any worse... It does. I hear the nagging of a horse only feet behind me. I have no interest in whom ever it may be... It's the clanking of armor and swords that concerns me. I hear a stern voice shoot from behind me "Take this man into custody!"
Without a thought in my mind, a fear, a concern, or even doubt, I dash down the sloped base of the mountain. I begin to run so fast that it is hard to tell if I am even still on the ground. My feet are moving so fast that I slip many a time on the rocky hill face, and almost begin to roll down.
I have no idea how close to me they are, but I kept running. After what had seemed to be a century I reach my house. I quickly look back, only to see that my pursuers were nearing me quickly. With little choice I kick my door down, and run up the stairs to my father's room. Slamming the door behind me does little good. I push the bed in front for extra support, and start searching.
"It has to be here somewhere!" I say to my self in frustration. And then I remember. My father was a soldier in the Phocidaean Military. I captain at that. He was given a specially designed sword from the previous Emperor (back when it was actually considered a good thing).
Even though he despised the army, and told anyone he knew to stay away from it, he never parted from that sword. He never left the house without it. And then one day, when I was only six, I found him in bed. His skin ice-cold. He wasn't breathing.
I hadn't know what happened, all I knew was he wouldn't wake up. I got my grand mother to help me wake him up. Next thing you know, the city of New Phocidaea was holding a funeral for the war hero who was poisoned in his sleep.
Thinking of my father brought a tear to my eye. But I'd have to save the crying for later. The soldiers were now at the door and they weren't too happy. But what do I do? If I jump from the window I'd break my legs, and be stuck... And If I try and fight, I might break more than just that.
I crawled into a dark corner, it was the best I could think of doing. Fighting back tears, I began to think; "what do I do?" but I had less time to think than I had first thought.
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Seas of Ice - Part three
I sat there in the corner, deep in thought. Do I flee, or do I fight. By now the fire was reaching the end of the fields, and nearing the farm house. To make matters worse, the soldiers were now pounding on the door, trying to force their way in. What choice did I have?
I got up, and walked over to the window. There was an old plank in the wall, one which had been weakened with age. I grip, sliding my fingers through, and outside the wall. I pulled back sharply, and swiftly, ripping it out of the wall, and falling flat on the floor.
I crawled to me knees and felt it's jagged edge... "This is perfect" I said to my self. It sounded as if the soldiers stopped for a second, to catch their breath. The perfect opportunity. Before my father charged into battle he always said the line "Fortune favors the bold" both to rally his troops, and to gather enough courage to not only stare death in the eyes, but to spit in it's face, and still walk away.
I flew through the door, and caught the soldiers off guard. I caught my footing as I flew through the passage, and quickly jabbed the board at one of them, hitting him in the center of his gut. He fell to the floor, choking on his own spit, I figured he was out of this fight for a bit.
I began to think that this was easy. I had just beaten a trained soldier! But that thought was short lived as I saw a metal blade, lit by the moon rapidly approaching my head. I didn't want to die! I didn't deserve it, what had I ever done wrong?
I thought my life was beginning to flash before my eyes, when my legs gave way, and I fell to the ground. My knees made a loud thud as I hit the floor. I felt something cold make it's way down my face... Blood?
My body became cold, very quickly... My vision faded... and I became horribly dizzy... Is this it? Has death descended from the heavens and freed my soul? I took one last gasp for air, hoping that it would give me the power to stand and fight, but instead of air, I took in only my blood, and nothing else.
The cold that had devoured my body only became worse. My head went numb just in time for my head to come slamming down to the floor. I heard one of the two soldiers who chased me let out a long sigh, and then nothing.
All I saw was darkness. No heaven. No angles. No god. Nothing.
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Seas of Ice - Part Four
Even if I had died, my body felt no less cold. And, even though there was none, I still felt blood running down my shoulders. The only thing I heard was the echo of my voice. "Is anyone here!?" I shout, no answer, spare my own, was to be heard... Until that is, I felt something pushing my shoulder...
I heard a faint voice in the distance... "Hey, are you alright? Hey, buddy, wake up your bleeding up a stream!" My eyes forced them selves open, but the pain is over whelming. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness of my closed eyelids, and so the daylight was blinding. A great flash of white blinded me.
I try to scream, as is expected when in extreme pain, but my through is still overflowing with blood. As I tried to open my airways, the blood forced it's way down, choking me. I'm weak, but if this keeps up I might really learn if there is a god. Using the last bit of energy I have, I force myself over onto my stomach.
I despise vomiting, gagging, or anything of the sort, but for once I was happy that I could. The man helped me up, as I could barely roll over for my life, let alone stand. He sat me on some hay that had been clotted up on what appears to be a merchant's cart. The stranger and I started the first no hostile dialog I'd had for what seemed to be days.
"What's you name stranger?" He said. As he was speaking I was able to get a good look at him. He was thin, with long brown hair. Even though he was a merchant (Who generally were wealthy) he was wearing torn, and ragged clothing. He was even more poor than myself, if that's possible.
"My name is Awkel Omech Windblade, great, great grandson of one of the Founders of Old Phocidaea, Gise Windblade." The stranger laughed and said "Is that how you always greet someone new?" slightly offended, and very curious, I asked him "Well then, what would your name be?"
He stopped laughing for a second (just barely it seemed) and responded: Flynn Core Thax, at your service. Also the great, great grandson of Apple core Thax, one of the founder of old Phocidaea." The last part, which would of been of some interest to me, was blotted out over the sound of my laughter.
"W... W... What the hell kind of nick name is core!?" I said struggling to get a letter out of my erratic laughter. He looked fairly angry now that I had insulted him. His face when from a pale white, to blood red in seconds. He shouted out to me in a voice that almost sounded the a hiss "What are you trying to say to a half creeper!!!"
At the mention that he was half creeper, my laughter reached a dead halt. What does he mean by half creeper?
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Seas of Ice - part Five
Creepers... They are a myth. Told to scare young children. No such thing exists that could contain some form of exploding appendage. And even if it did, the most common explanation as to why they kill is flat out absurd.
Who would expect any well educated man to believe that a kind and loving creature, has endured a hell of isolation so long that it has turned suicidal, and then when the cure finally DOES come to end it's age long suffering, it decided to explode. I thought the world was crazy enough believing such blatant lies, but now...
Now I have a grown man, enraged by my insults, claiming that he is part human, and part suicidal organic bomb. "You do know a creeper is a story told to scare children, right?" Yes, bu-" He tried to respond, but I cut him off, not wanting to hear another excuse "But nothing. Your a grown man acting like a child! There is no such thing as a creeper! That's it end of story!" I shout in a rage.
"Thank you for helping me, but I must be on my way." I tried to stand up, but I had lost so much blood that my body had shut down any non-life essential muscle. To put it simply, when I stood, I simply fell back onto the cart. "I don't think you leaving like that. Besides, you need medical attention. I'll take you to New Phocidaea, if that's alright with you."
"Fine. I was going there anyway." I replied. Exhausted I fell back onto the hay pile... Sleep should help. But I couldn't. I was still curious as to way a grown man would say something like that... "Why are you going to New Phocidaea" I asked. "You hear of the Empire's exodus?" He asked.
"No. What is it?" I responded, finally returning to a normal conversation. "Well, as you know the Emperor is a direct descendant of Sealy Star, the first emperor. That's a rare occurrence among the world's aristocracy. And with it comes great power." "Oh great a history lesson. What's it matter 'Sir Gunpowder'?" I asked, now trying to make him 'explode'.
"Well, as you know, the Empire has become the most powerful military force on this continent. Thus by default, the emperor is the most powerful person in the world. But, that is not enough for him. He has demanded over 200 men be sent across the great sea to the 'old world', Which you should know about if you know of creepers."
"Yeah, I've heard of it" I replied in a more calm tone, as if I forgot what he said. "The old world, a place of magic, and wonder. Organic sticks of dynamite walk freely, Spiders as large as a wolf, and Skeletal archers... who have not a muscle in their body, but can still shoot arrows faster than I..." I paused for a second... I hesitated to ask this, but I did anyway. "If your half human, and half creeper then doesn't that mean one of your parents is a creeper? Wouldn't they explode?"
He laughed, and quickly responded with one simple answer "Ever hear of Creeptopolis?"
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Seas of Ice - part Six
"Sorry to say I haven't. But I have a feeling it has to do with one of the countless fairy tales you claim to be a part of." He brushed it off as if I hadn't said anything and started the cart moving down the road. "Well, if the stories I have been told are right, Creeptopolis is a city of civilized and peaceful creepers created somewhere in the old world. Since most creepers kill on sight, it was shocking to find such a kind bunch, and all in one place no less." He said, in a much more cheerful mood now.
The sun beating down on my face was calming. Almost ironic considering only a few hours ago I was nearly killed. "How's your wound?" He said, in a slightly concerned voice. "It's fine. You don't need to ask every other minute." I said, starting to get frustrated again, but this time with his constant talking. "Well, it looks pretty bad. I wouldn't want my new friend to die, now would I? Especially not on my cart."
Was it really that bad? I only felt a little stinging around my cheek. I lightly put my finger against the spot where I had been cut. It was still raw, and stung horribly, but not bad enough that I would stop. I quickly slid my finger across the cut. It was a lot worse than I thought. A fairly deep scar had been cut across my face. From my cheek, and across my eyes. Well hey, now I have something to show off right?
The sword couldn't have gone too deep, else I would have bled to death before Flynn had found me. Oh well, at least today was nice. The air was warm, and the landscape beautiful. Perfectly flat, I could see for miles, and nothing to obstruct the view, spare the occasional tree along the road. To my right, however, trees come more often, and in the distance, maybe thirty or so miles away, I can see the mountains I had lived by. There were massive, took hours to climb, but out here, they're fairly small, and insignificant. Thought seeing their peaks cut through the clouds as if butter was no less impressive.
"So, what about Creeptopolis?" I asked Flynn. "Well, we believe that my father, Apple Core Thax, who was also a founder if you didn't hear, was half creeper, and supposedly came over during the great exodus. He soon fell in love with a human, and the rest is history." he replied only a few seconds later.
"And why are you heading to the old world?" I asked. "Well, one reason is that I wish to learn more about my past, and see if creeptopolis is real. I was also paid in an absurd amount of diamond to help scout out a safe location for the Capital for the Empire's old world expansion."
Suddenly I was interested. Diamond was rare these days, and was now worth hundreds of times more than it used to back in the days of early Phocidaea. One single diamond pick-axe could feed a family for life, with some to spare. "They're looking for more, if your interested." Flynn said. The offer was very seductive. "How much diamond is this?" I asked, quite intrigued with the offer...
"About 12 per person, not counting what you find". I was stunned. The only thing I could think to say was "When do we leave!"
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Seas of Ice - part Seven
Flynn chuckled and mentioned "You sure are quick to accept an offer. Anyway, were leaving in a few days. Only about a night after we arrive in Phocidaea were required to be on bored of the P.S.S Windblade."
"The P.S.S. Windblade? Named after my father?" I said slightly shocked. "Isn't that the oldest ship still in the navy!?" I almost shouted. There was an awkward pause. The autumn wind rustles the leaves of the few trees near by. An auburn sun slowly faded over the jagged edge of the mountains far away. Night would soon fall, but we would not be safe. Wolves come out, and they don't fear men any more.
As the warm air hits my face I hear Flynn say to me, in a solemn tone "Admiral Malreau Apnoir-" I cut him off "You mean the legendary Pirate!? Why the hell are going on a ship with him!" Flynn replied fairly quickly saying "He may have been a pirate in the past, but now he's changed. After all, his Great grandfather, Scooter, was also one of the founder of old Phocidaea."
"Really" I asked intrigued. "So, that makes 3 originals leaving for the new world... Why?". Flynn only responded with "I don't know. We all have one thing in common, and interest in our old homes. It's where our blood is from, and we have grown on legends and myths. A lust to discover, and learn more."
I leaned back on the hay in the back of the cart, and stared at the beautiful sun set, as it slowly descended the mountains. This possibly could be the last time I ever lay eyes on my home. It's the only home I've ever known, but that was all taken away. "Why must I risk my life?" I ask my self every second now. "Why must I do something stupid, simply to please my greed?"
"What is the point" I ask. "Why must I leave all I have ever known and loved, simply to learn more of my past, and the mystery that was my father, and of the old Empire."
The starry night that lies far above the clouds is calm. The fields are calm. The wind is calm. All is calm. It's an eerie silence. One that is so calm, you must question if you are awake, or dreaming. Not a sound, spare the mumbling of the horses, and spin of the wheels on the road can be heard...
It's soothing. Yet at the same time it brings an unbearable sense of melancholy. This world is perfect. I wish that I could stay here forever. I quickly fell to the powerful trance, and drifted to sleep. This night was perfect after all. What could happen.
After what seemed to be ages, I felt something shaking my shoulder. It was a voice, though fuzzy and hard to understand. I tried to come to my senses, and soon the voice became clearer. I could hear the sizzling of fire in the background.
The voice belonged to Flynn, he was telling me "Awkel, hurry, wake up already! The wo-" The voice soon became blurry again and I had trouble hearing anything he said. I was drifting to sleep again. I muttered "Good night" under my breath and soon began to sleep yet again.
Until that is I felt a sharp pain in my knee, as if an arrow had pierced the flesh, and had been halted at the bone. I shot up screaming in pain. This wasn't a regular arrow, it was even more sharp, and designed with small gears within. It slowly spun around in my knee, tearing the flesh to pieces.
My screaming was excessive, but not to be unexpected. I mean, I had a meat grinder in my knee. I saw a young woman with long brown hair, in a red hood and cloak that I was all to familiar with. She was a ranger. A soldier told to patrol the roads and protect fools like us from the wolves.
"My name is Amara Espeth. Daughter of Spinja, Founder of old Phocidaea." Another? Why in the world are there so many on this highway? And, more importantly, why the hell stick this pain in the... knee in me!? "I heard from Flynn here that you might be a good fighter. Mind helping?" The stranger threw a long sword my way, which I quickly caught and prepared to fight.
As I march towards the rings of burning logs around the cart we use to keep the wolves out, and I ask myself. "Why"? Well the answer is very simple. "Why not?"
They had told me that the empire was expanding. We were moving westward and I was to scout out a good location. One that was safe... One that they would not be able to take. They sent me with a stone sword, ten arrows, and enough bread to last me a month... Well, that was a month ago.
All I have now is a hand-full of seeds, and a hatchet. I remember hearing tales and legends as a child about the great sea. And of, how come the great winter, that it would freeze over. Letting us cross it by foot.
I never believed these stories as I had never been more than a few miles from my home. I had never seen a body of water that could be called more than a stream, let alone a lake, or even a sea. And even then, on the coldest of nights, the water did not freeze, it did not even cool. It was the same as always. That is how I thought my life would always be. The same.
I had no desire to adventure. To lead. Or to create. I only wished to inherit my grandmother's farm, and live a simple life. However, I think fate had something else in mind. One day when I was sixteen (and only days away from getting the farm) I heard rumors being spread across the streets.
"War!" A woman dressed in a thick fur coat announced to another overly-dressed woman. "What in the world was she doing here?" I thought to my self. "Our town is nestled in the mountains well over a hundred miles from the city, why would a snobby, and selfish aristocrat be here?"
I pondered the question for a few seconds, but as I stood there thinking, the other woman asked her why she would be so far from the city. The Woman responded "My husband was sent to attack the encampment a few miles down."
"Well that explains that" I said, and began to walk back towards the farm. Leaving their annoying presence, hopefully for good. My Grandmother's farm was a few miles out of town, at the base of the mountain.
The road was long, and worn. What used to be a well paved highway, was now gravel, and dirt. I began to think about what that woman said... The word "War" echoed through my mind. I had only heard the anecdotes from my parents. About how brave young men charge into cities, with sword and bow, only to be killed or chased off.
I felt sorry for them, their stupidity was the cause of their death. Even though that was only half true. They had been fed lies by their commanders, and emperor. Out here we weren't fond of him. Sitting on a golden throne eating enough pork to feed a village. While the rest of us in the county side were living off of what we could find or grow.
I couldn't help but let out a sigh. How could one person have so much, yet another have so little. I began to feel depressed. I hate that feeling, and would do almost anything to prevent it. The one thing that does always work however is the view. But fate even denied me of my one and only luxury. I had not know true pain, but very soon I would know plenty.
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Seas of ice - Part two
Shock set in. My eyes widen to take in the full extent of the horror that had been laid before me. My home, all that I had ever called mine. It was no more. Fire spread rampant. The field I use to walk through as a child, burn. Right before my eyes, they catch fire.
My house, however, was still standing, but for who knows how long. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, I become weak. Horribly weak. My knees begin to shake and I fall to the ground. I prey to god, and beg of him that somehow the fire stops. I prayers go unanswered, as the flame pushes forward.
Just as I think the situation can't get any worse... It does. I hear the nagging of a horse only feet behind me. I have no interest in whom ever it may be... It's the clanking of armor and swords that concerns me. I hear a stern voice shoot from behind me "Take this man into custody!"
Without a thought in my mind, a fear, a concern, or even doubt, I dash down the sloped base of the mountain. I begin to run so fast that it is hard to tell if I am even still on the ground. My feet are moving so fast that I slip many a time on the rocky hill face, and almost begin to roll down.
I have no idea how close to me they are, but I kept running. After what had seemed to be a century I reach my house. I quickly look back, only to see that my pursuers were nearing me quickly. With little choice I kick my door down, and run up the stairs to my father's room. Slamming the door behind me does little good. I push the bed in front for extra support, and start searching.
"It has to be here somewhere!" I say to my self in frustration. And then I remember. My father was a soldier in the Phocidaean Military. I captain at that. He was given a specially designed sword from the previous Emperor (back when it was actually considered a good thing).
Even though he despised the army, and told anyone he knew to stay away from it, he never parted from that sword. He never left the house without it. And then one day, when I was only six, I found him in bed. His skin ice-cold. He wasn't breathing.
I hadn't know what happened, all I knew was he wouldn't wake up. I got my grand mother to help me wake him up. Next thing you know, the city of New Phocidaea was holding a funeral for the war hero who was poisoned in his sleep.
Thinking of my father brought a tear to my eye. But I'd have to save the crying for later. The soldiers were now at the door and they weren't too happy. But what do I do? If I jump from the window I'd break my legs, and be stuck... And If I try and fight, I might break more than just that.
I crawled into a dark corner, it was the best I could think of doing. Fighting back tears, I began to think; "what do I do?" but I had less time to think than I had first thought.
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Seas of Ice - Part three
I sat there in the corner, deep in thought. Do I flee, or do I fight. By now the fire was reaching the end of the fields, and nearing the farm house. To make matters worse, the soldiers were now pounding on the door, trying to force their way in. What choice did I have?
I got up, and walked over to the window. There was an old plank in the wall, one which had been weakened with age. I grip, sliding my fingers through, and outside the wall. I pulled back sharply, and swiftly, ripping it out of the wall, and falling flat on the floor.
I crawled to me knees and felt it's jagged edge... "This is perfect" I said to my self. It sounded as if the soldiers stopped for a second, to catch their breath. The perfect opportunity. Before my father charged into battle he always said the line "Fortune favors the bold" both to rally his troops, and to gather enough courage to not only stare death in the eyes, but to spit in it's face, and still walk away.
I flew through the door, and caught the soldiers off guard. I caught my footing as I flew through the passage, and quickly jabbed the board at one of them, hitting him in the center of his gut. He fell to the floor, choking on his own spit, I figured he was out of this fight for a bit.
I began to think that this was easy. I had just beaten a trained soldier! But that thought was short lived as I saw a metal blade, lit by the moon rapidly approaching my head. I didn't want to die! I didn't deserve it, what had I ever done wrong?
I thought my life was beginning to flash before my eyes, when my legs gave way, and I fell to the ground. My knees made a loud thud as I hit the floor. I felt something cold make it's way down my face... Blood?
My body became cold, very quickly... My vision faded... and I became horribly dizzy... Is this it? Has death descended from the heavens and freed my soul? I took one last gasp for air, hoping that it would give me the power to stand and fight, but instead of air, I took in only my blood, and nothing else.
The cold that had devoured my body only became worse. My head went numb just in time for my head to come slamming down to the floor. I heard one of the two soldiers who chased me let out a long sigh, and then nothing.
All I saw was darkness. No heaven. No angles. No god. Nothing.
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Seas of Ice - Part Four
Even if I had died, my body felt no less cold. And, even though there was none, I still felt blood running down my shoulders. The only thing I heard was the echo of my voice. "Is anyone here!?" I shout, no answer, spare my own, was to be heard... Until that is, I felt something pushing my shoulder...
I heard a faint voice in the distance... "Hey, are you alright? Hey, buddy, wake up your bleeding up a stream!" My eyes forced them selves open, but the pain is over whelming. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness of my closed eyelids, and so the daylight was blinding. A great flash of white blinded me.
I try to scream, as is expected when in extreme pain, but my through is still overflowing with blood. As I tried to open my airways, the blood forced it's way down, choking me. I'm weak, but if this keeps up I might really learn if there is a god. Using the last bit of energy I have, I force myself over onto my stomach.
I despise vomiting, gagging, or anything of the sort, but for once I was happy that I could. The man helped me up, as I could barely roll over for my life, let alone stand. He sat me on some hay that had been clotted up on what appears to be a merchant's cart. The stranger and I started the first no hostile dialog I'd had for what seemed to be days.
"What's you name stranger?" He said. As he was speaking I was able to get a good look at him. He was thin, with long brown hair. Even though he was a merchant (Who generally were wealthy) he was wearing torn, and ragged clothing. He was even more poor than myself, if that's possible.
"My name is Awkel Omech Windblade, great, great grandson of one of the Founders of Old Phocidaea, Gise Windblade." The stranger laughed and said "Is that how you always greet someone new?" slightly offended, and very curious, I asked him "Well then, what would your name be?"
He stopped laughing for a second (just barely it seemed) and responded: Flynn Core Thax, at your service. Also the great, great grandson of Apple core Thax, one of the founder of old Phocidaea." The last part, which would of been of some interest to me, was blotted out over the sound of my laughter.
"W... W... What the hell kind of nick name is core!?" I said struggling to get a letter out of my erratic laughter. He looked fairly angry now that I had insulted him. His face when from a pale white, to blood red in seconds. He shouted out to me in a voice that almost sounded the a hiss "What are you trying to say to a half creeper!!!"
At the mention that he was half creeper, my laughter reached a dead halt. What does he mean by half creeper?
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Seas of Ice - part Five
Creepers... They are a myth. Told to scare young children. No such thing exists that could contain some form of exploding appendage. And even if it did, the most common explanation as to why they kill is flat out absurd.
Who would expect any well educated man to believe that a kind and loving creature, has endured a hell of isolation so long that it has turned suicidal, and then when the cure finally DOES come to end it's age long suffering, it decided to explode. I thought the world was crazy enough believing such blatant lies, but now...
Now I have a grown man, enraged by my insults, claiming that he is part human, and part suicidal organic bomb. "You do know a creeper is a story told to scare children, right?" Yes, bu-" He tried to respond, but I cut him off, not wanting to hear another excuse "But nothing. Your a grown man acting like a child! There is no such thing as a creeper! That's it end of story!" I shout in a rage.
"Thank you for helping me, but I must be on my way." I tried to stand up, but I had lost so much blood that my body had shut down any non-life essential muscle. To put it simply, when I stood, I simply fell back onto the cart. "I don't think you leaving like that. Besides, you need medical attention. I'll take you to New Phocidaea, if that's alright with you."
"Fine. I was going there anyway." I replied. Exhausted I fell back onto the hay pile... Sleep should help. But I couldn't. I was still curious as to way a grown man would say something like that... "Why are you going to New Phocidaea" I asked. "You hear of the Empire's exodus?" He asked.
"No. What is it?" I responded, finally returning to a normal conversation. "Well, as you know the Emperor is a direct descendant of Sealy Star, the first emperor. That's a rare occurrence among the world's aristocracy. And with it comes great power." "Oh great a history lesson. What's it matter 'Sir Gunpowder'?" I asked, now trying to make him 'explode'.
"Well, as you know, the Empire has become the most powerful military force on this continent. Thus by default, the emperor is the most powerful person in the world. But, that is not enough for him. He has demanded over 200 men be sent across the great sea to the 'old world', Which you should know about if you know of creepers."
"Yeah, I've heard of it" I replied in a more calm tone, as if I forgot what he said. "The old world, a place of magic, and wonder. Organic sticks of dynamite walk freely, Spiders as large as a wolf, and Skeletal archers... who have not a muscle in their body, but can still shoot arrows faster than I..." I paused for a second... I hesitated to ask this, but I did anyway. "If your half human, and half creeper then doesn't that mean one of your parents is a creeper? Wouldn't they explode?"
He laughed, and quickly responded with one simple answer "Ever hear of Creeptopolis?"
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Seas of Ice - part Six
"Sorry to say I haven't. But I have a feeling it has to do with one of the countless fairy tales you claim to be a part of." He brushed it off as if I hadn't said anything and started the cart moving down the road. "Well, if the stories I have been told are right, Creeptopolis is a city of civilized and peaceful creepers created somewhere in the old world. Since most creepers kill on sight, it was shocking to find such a kind bunch, and all in one place no less." He said, in a much more cheerful mood now.
The sun beating down on my face was calming. Almost ironic considering only a few hours ago I was nearly killed. "How's your wound?" He said, in a slightly concerned voice. "It's fine. You don't need to ask every other minute." I said, starting to get frustrated again, but this time with his constant talking. "Well, it looks pretty bad. I wouldn't want my new friend to die, now would I? Especially not on my cart."
Was it really that bad? I only felt a little stinging around my cheek. I lightly put my finger against the spot where I had been cut. It was still raw, and stung horribly, but not bad enough that I would stop. I quickly slid my finger across the cut. It was a lot worse than I thought. A fairly deep scar had been cut across my face. From my cheek, and across my eyes. Well hey, now I have something to show off right?
The sword couldn't have gone too deep, else I would have bled to death before Flynn had found me. Oh well, at least today was nice. The air was warm, and the landscape beautiful. Perfectly flat, I could see for miles, and nothing to obstruct the view, spare the occasional tree along the road. To my right, however, trees come more often, and in the distance, maybe thirty or so miles away, I can see the mountains I had lived by. There were massive, took hours to climb, but out here, they're fairly small, and insignificant. Thought seeing their peaks cut through the clouds as if butter was no less impressive.
"So, what about Creeptopolis?" I asked Flynn. "Well, we believe that my father, Apple Core Thax, who was also a founder if you didn't hear, was half creeper, and supposedly came over during the great exodus. He soon fell in love with a human, and the rest is history." he replied only a few seconds later.
"And why are you heading to the old world?" I asked. "Well, one reason is that I wish to learn more about my past, and see if creeptopolis is real. I was also paid in an absurd amount of diamond to help scout out a safe location for the Capital for the Empire's old world expansion."
Suddenly I was interested. Diamond was rare these days, and was now worth hundreds of times more than it used to back in the days of early Phocidaea. One single diamond pick-axe could feed a family for life, with some to spare. "They're looking for more, if your interested." Flynn said. The offer was very seductive. "How much diamond is this?" I asked, quite intrigued with the offer...
"About 12 per person, not counting what you find". I was stunned. The only thing I could think to say was "When do we leave!"
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Seas of Ice - part Seven
Flynn chuckled and mentioned "You sure are quick to accept an offer. Anyway, were leaving in a few days. Only about a night after we arrive in Phocidaea were required to be on bored of the P.S.S Windblade."
"The P.S.S. Windblade? Named after my father?" I said slightly shocked. "Isn't that the oldest ship still in the navy!?" I almost shouted. There was an awkward pause. The autumn wind rustles the leaves of the few trees near by. An auburn sun slowly faded over the jagged edge of the mountains far away. Night would soon fall, but we would not be safe. Wolves come out, and they don't fear men any more.
As the warm air hits my face I hear Flynn say to me, in a solemn tone "Admiral Malreau Apnoir-" I cut him off "You mean the legendary Pirate!? Why the hell are going on a ship with him!" Flynn replied fairly quickly saying "He may have been a pirate in the past, but now he's changed. After all, his Great grandfather, Scooter, was also one of the founder of old Phocidaea."
"Really" I asked intrigued. "So, that makes 3 originals leaving for the new world... Why?". Flynn only responded with "I don't know. We all have one thing in common, and interest in our old homes. It's where our blood is from, and we have grown on legends and myths. A lust to discover, and learn more."
I leaned back on the hay in the back of the cart, and stared at the beautiful sun set, as it slowly descended the mountains. This possibly could be the last time I ever lay eyes on my home. It's the only home I've ever known, but that was all taken away. "Why must I risk my life?" I ask my self every second now. "Why must I do something stupid, simply to please my greed?"
"What is the point" I ask. "Why must I leave all I have ever known and loved, simply to learn more of my past, and the mystery that was my father, and of the old Empire."
The starry night that lies far above the clouds is calm. The fields are calm. The wind is calm. All is calm. It's an eerie silence. One that is so calm, you must question if you are awake, or dreaming. Not a sound, spare the mumbling of the horses, and spin of the wheels on the road can be heard...
It's soothing. Yet at the same time it brings an unbearable sense of melancholy. This world is perfect. I wish that I could stay here forever. I quickly fell to the powerful trance, and drifted to sleep. This night was perfect after all. What could happen.
After what seemed to be ages, I felt something shaking my shoulder. It was a voice, though fuzzy and hard to understand. I tried to come to my senses, and soon the voice became clearer. I could hear the sizzling of fire in the background.
The voice belonged to Flynn, he was telling me "Awkel, hurry, wake up already! The wo-" The voice soon became blurry again and I had trouble hearing anything he said. I was drifting to sleep again. I muttered "Good night" under my breath and soon began to sleep yet again.
Until that is I felt a sharp pain in my knee, as if an arrow had pierced the flesh, and had been halted at the bone. I shot up screaming in pain. This wasn't a regular arrow, it was even more sharp, and designed with small gears within. It slowly spun around in my knee, tearing the flesh to pieces.
My screaming was excessive, but not to be unexpected. I mean, I had a meat grinder in my knee. I saw a young woman with long brown hair, in a red hood and cloak that I was all to familiar with. She was a ranger. A soldier told to patrol the roads and protect fools like us from the wolves.
"My name is Amara Espeth. Daughter of Spinja, Founder of old Phocidaea." Another? Why in the world are there so many on this highway? And, more importantly, why the hell stick this pain in the... knee in me!? "I heard from Flynn here that you might be a good fighter. Mind helping?" The stranger threw a long sword my way, which I quickly caught and prepared to fight.
As I march towards the rings of burning logs around the cart we use to keep the wolves out, and I ask myself. "Why"? Well the answer is very simple. "Why not?"
