My story

[Die Kaiserin]

“Is Tyris alive?” Magis stepped over to the beaten warrior. He had a look of regret and sadness. Kalin knew before he even said it.
“His body was spotted flowing down the mighty river that feeds into this moat. The stream is so powerful, that I doubt anything could go against it. From the looks of it, they said there was no way he was alive. I am deeply sorry Kalin, he was a good friend to all of us.” Kalin felt sorry too. He had killed him, not the fall. It was already over. Kalin let his head fall back into the grass. He tried to close his eyes, and push away the feeling of happiness that the battle was over, and the of sadness for his friend. But as always, he could not. It was as if Satin never let him get away, for Kalin heard a voice ring out, a strong and painful voice to here in the place he was at.
“He was good friend to all of us, Magis. But Kalin here was the one that killed him. I am not feeling sorry, I have gotten past that, instead I seek revenge!” Kalin looked up to see Valis standing there, his usual pants and no shirt. He looked determined.

“Kalin, stand. You fool no one, I know you can do it, you always can.” Kalin leaned forward with pain. He began to stand, his ribs and his wounds screaming at him not to. He pushed them aside and pulled a sword from the ground. Captain Katar ran between the fighter and the wounded captain.
“What are you doing to him? This battle is wrong! You will certainly kill Kalin! This is not acceptable!” Katar pulled his sword and charged at Valis holding his blade high in the air. Valis grabbed the man’s neck, swung him around, and snapped his neck two times with a loud crack. Katar’s body slid to the ground and Valis returned to a fighting position. Kalin shook his head with reluctance.
“Valis, we all have our own ideals. Mine and Tyris’ differed, that is all. He was the one to fight, not me. Since our ideals were at opposite ends of the spectrums, we had to fight, for everyone fights for there beliefs, one way or the other.” Valis shook off tears that threatened to give him weakness.
“If you say that Tyris’ ideals were different from yours, then so are mine. I believed in you, and then I believed in him. Now, its all over. I have only one thing left, and that is to kill you. You defiled my life and Tyris’. Because of you, and your loyalty to that barbarian, Tyris had to fight. He became a leader, and a guide! Now, prepare to die Kalin.” Kalin shook his head again, this time in disbelief.
“You speak of Tyris as some sort of prophet or deity! What has happened to you? If it is my blade you want, then allow me to purify you.” Kalin charged forward, and faked a slice and instead attacked down. Valis, who had taken the bait, barely had time to jump to avoid losing his leg. He too, dropped down and picked Kalin up by his neck. He punched him directly in the face, and then upper-cutted him in the stomach. He kicked him in the stomach, and allowed Kalin to bend over in pain as he brought him back up with an upper cut into Kalin’s face. Valis then backflipped, kicking Kalin in the chin with both feet. Kalin dropped his sword and swayed. His mind only held on by a thread. And through his blurred vision, he saw Valis charge at him and then seemingly shot back by an arrow through his heart. Kalin turned to see Kaehl standing on a rock, a hundred feet away.
Valis looked down to his chest and saw the arrow. He let his head go limp and began to laugh.
“Well, so much for my glorious battle! Kalin, this is goodbye, and I hope that you find the light. And....Kalin....Ty...ris...told...me....of...God...” With that Valis died, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. His eyes, blank and staring, and a smile on his face. Everyone else misinterpreted his words for bad, but Kalin knew, Valis had accepted Christ. In some ways, it eased the pain, knowing that he and Tyris were in heaven. He knew this was a result of him, and that was when he realized why Valis was smiling when he died, he knew that something much better was coming....
Kalin ran up to Kaehl, who was just standing there, not sad, but happy. He was proud of what he had done and Kalin could not see why.
“What have you done? You killed him!” Kaehl looked at Kalin with a puzzled face.
“What do you mean, ‘what have I done?’ I save you life! I made a difference! All my life I have looked up to you with envy, and the moment I do something recognizable, I am yelled at? Ecspecially the man whom I saved! Kalin is this the gratitude I get? Did I do something wrong by not letting him kill you? Maybe you want me to kill you now?” Kalin was angered, but saw the man’s face, he was serious. He wanted to be recognized, and now he was being reprimanded. He did not deserve to be criticized, and it was obvious to Kalin.
“Kaehl, I am sorry. I am in your debt now. I am just in shock of losing two friends, one practically a brother, in one day. It is a lot to handle. I just-” Kalin’s eyes rolled into his head, and he fell to the ground. He lost consciousness and everything went black. Kaehl called for a medic, but all had been killed. So he lifted him on a horse and strapped him into it. He then hopped in front of him. He galloped over to the worried Magis.
“Kalin needs a doctor, he is losing too much blood. I will take him, you control the army, or rather the group now. Lead them back at sunrise! Hyah!” Kaehl kicked off and shot down the grass. Each blade moved by so fast that it seemed as if they were riding through a green river. Dew soaked the horses feet as the brown stallion breathed in and out rhythmically. After a few hours, Kaehl stopped in Ardir, the town already rebuilding its structures. He ran to a doctor to get temporary help. The older man examined Kalin’s body and patched a few wounds.
“The blood runs slow, he has not much time. There is a shortcut through the mountains along the Right Bank Pass. If you turn left into a brush, there is a pass that will allow you to miss both the mountains, and the turns of the main road.” Kaehl thanked the man and strapped Kalin back onto the horse. Within ten minutes of grueling speed, they reached the pass. Kaehl turned and saw the brush and hopped off the horse. He led it through the tall bushes and thick trees. After that it was an easy dirt road. Kaehl once again tried the horse’s endurance as he shot down the pass. He avoided all the turns and mountains as the old doctor had said. They came out into a large forest of pine and spruce. The afternoon heat beating down on them with a wide grin on the sun’s face. Kaehl pushed the horse through the remaining pine and brought it out into an open field. About thirty acres away, the castle of King Farron stood. Kaehl mounted the horse for the last time and rushed towards the castle. Behind him, Kalin moaned. He was swaying back and forth on the horse, but staying on none the less.
After four hours, Kaehl led the horse and Kalin into the castle courtyard. When the captain came out to inquire the reason for the horse, he saw Kalin and jumped. He sprinted for the door and in a few minutes had a bed prepared for Kalin in the infirmary. Kaehl picked Kalin up by the neck and legs and carried him to his bed. The bandages leaked blood and Kalin looked pale. They put him down and allowed the doctor to examine him. He looked at the gash in his ribs, and he saw how they were broken. He could not amputate anything, and bleeding him would only kill him faster. The doctor looked up at Kaehl,
“All I can do is bandage him, wash him, and hope that by yet another miracle he survives. How was he hurt this much anyways?” Kaehl smiled,
“He fought to wars, and then faced Tyris the Renegade. After that he was brutally beaten by a man named Valis.” The doctor was astonished that the man was still alive, but from past experience, expected it. The two men left after Kalin had been saw to. Kalin swam in his mind. He saw Tyris, and he saw Valis. He was all the things they had done together, and all the memories that they had shared. His thoughts turned more personal and he dreamt of Cortinis. He thought of how everything they did, they did as brothers. Then Kalin finally dreamt of Crysts. Of how beautiful she was, and is. He thought of her hair and hew laugh. Of how whenever he saw her, he felt overwhelmed and spoiled. How he thought of her as the center of his life, but next to God. He hoped she understood that, and he knew she did. He hoped that it was the same with her.
He then began to think of all the great times they had experienced. His thoughts were always pure around her, and that was how he knew that she was the right one. She was the one God had selected for him. He then thought of all the bad times, the very few fights they had had. He remembered those arguments perfectly and how he changed because of them. He then thought of the with Umbra. He saw her run out infront of him...and be stabbed...

 

[Die Kaiserin]

“CRYSTS NO!” Kalin opened his eyes so sudden, that the light blinded him for minutes. He moved very little in his torment, but managed to look to the right side of his bed. On the other end of the room, Crysts lay on the other bed. She looked so peaceful, and in no pain at all. She no longer had bandages on, and was looking healed. Kalin spoke in a whisper,
“Crysts...Crysts...Wake up...Please...I need to here your voice, please, wake up...” With those words Crysts suddenly began to awaken. Her eyes opened, close, opened into slits, and then completely. She turned to Kalin and smiled. Tears filled her eyes and Kalin’s heart lept with joy. Her face showed only love and sympathy. Whatever pain that had existed was now gone. She smiled strongly as she spoke,
“Looks like you went and hurt yourself again Kalin.” Kalin smiled,
“Well, what can I say, I had my hands full.” Crysts laughed,
“Oh Kalin, as proud as ever I see. Well, my heart swells in seeing you again. You brought me out of the darkness I was in. It was awful, I dreamt of ruin and pain, and I could never stop thinking of you, in the end, it was you who brought me back. How-” Kalin spoke out of the blue and bluntly.
“I killed Tyris, and Kaehl shot Valis in the heart. It is almost unbearable, losing those two.” Crysts was stopped short, she saw the pain and agony in Kalin’s face. Tears came to her face, she knew how much Kalin cared for Tyris, and Tyris was as close to a brother that Crysts could find. She never stopped loving and caring for him, even when he did go to lead the Colossals. How could she?
“Kilik came in here a few days ago. Although I could not talk, I heard his words. He explained to me that for the longest time, he loved me. He thought that he hated you because I love you. It was then that he told me that he would start acting like my brother. I know this is from God, because we lost Tyris.” Kalin bit his lips, he was holding back a river of tears. Kilik had hated him? But now he felt that Kilik would be the person to fill the gap of pain, to fill the lost friendship. It was at that moment when Kilik came inside. With him was Gornin, Kaehl, and Raane. All three of them were astonished to see Crysts awake and talking. Kaehl ran to find the doctor as the five reunited. Kilik was the first to speak,
“Well, you managed to get yourself wounded didn’t you. How was battle?” Kalin’s expression faded to seriousness.
“It was terrible. We lost a lot of good men, a lot of young men. And, we lost Tyris and Valis both. I had a confrontation with both of them, but it was Kaehl who shot Valis. If not for him, I would not be here right now talking to all of you. I am in his debt, besides, what would you guys have done? The same thing, and you know it.” Kilik nodded, he understood, as did Raane and Gornin.
To lighten the mood, Raane began some small talk.
“So, Kalin, why didn’t you invite us? We wasted away, fighting off small groups of Crown Knights, while you stayed the hand of a renegade army! That is no fair!” Kalin had a good laugh, he was glad to have his friends.
“Well, first of all, out there, you would have been killed in a second with your inexperience! Then we would have to mourn over you, and who wants to take that kind of time?” Raane laughed hard, his silver hair and lightning aqua eyes glinted in the sunlight from the window. He was a strong and quick minded man. His personality was light hearted and care free. But, as with most fighters, when it came to battle, he was serious and on target. He was loyal and cunning, strong and trustworthy. Even though he was son to the King of the Raane empire. His parents had been killed when Vance had taken over their territory. The word of the invasion did not even reach King Farron before the it was in full motion. When the army came, only the last few castles and towns stood. And Raane’s castle was destroyed. He had barely fled with his sister with his life. On the open field his sister had been shot by an arrow, he was sixteen at the time. He had gone back with the army to Morning’s Breeze, and there he trained to become a knight. After six years, he has ten men under him. He was a spitting image of his father, both physical and mental. Raane had heard of the Underground Christian Church and began going. That was when he and Kalin first met, and Kalin ended up baptizing Raane.
Gornin stopped laughing when the doctor stepped in. He knew what he was known for in battle, but that did not bother him. Being crazy and eliminating all of your opponents was the way he had been taught. Out of battle, he could be very sophisticated and logical. He was a very nice and somewhat respectable person. Although he held a lot of grudges, he could get past them and begin to open up. His family, unlike most of his friends, got along just find, and no one was dead. He had chosen the way of the sword, and his family supported him. His father was a doctor in the town, and his mother was an excellent cook. Gornin’s brothers sparred with him, always encouraging and giving him skill. They too, had gone on to be knights at another castle, and Gornin recieved letters from them every week. Overall, his life was good.
He had met Kalin when he was drafted under his command and befriended him quickly. Ever since he has been loved and cared about, never left behind and never unwelcome. Gornin trained with Kalin regularly, that was until he was moved up and with the war going on, things were always busy for an officer. Gornin understood why Tyris and Valis were dead. They had both stood up for their beliefs and fought. But they fought against Kalin, the one who never loses. So Gornin knew that it would have to be like this. His thoughts were interupted as the doctor examined Crysts.
“Well, I have never seen this. One minute you are as unconscious as anyone person can be, and the next you are fine! This is truly remarkable, truly. Maybe Kalin’s miracles are rubbing off on you!” The doctor let out a laugh, and turned to Kalin.
“Feeling better? You look like it. Your bleeding has stopped, but your ribs are still...well, they are now just a little broken. You really are something, you defy all medical and rational thought!” With that the doctor got up and began to leave. “Oh, and Crysts, you are able to walk and get up. You look just fine to me.” Crysts jumped out of the bed at those words and ran over to Kalin. They embraced and kissed, reuniting with their feelings. Raane tapped the other men’s shoulders and cocked his head to the side, signalling that they should leave.
Crysts moved back from Kalin’s arms and looked him in the eyes.
“So,” she cocked her head playfully, “When is this wedding of ours?” Kalin let out a laugh.
“Soon, hopefully. This war is killing me, no pun intended. But, I do hope I can make the arrangements soon. I am sure that I can pull some strings for us. How soon, though, I cannot determine.” Crysts smiled and again they embraced.
“I am just glad to have you back, I missed you...So much...” Kalin stroked her hair and smiled, he too was glad to be back. The two held each other for several minutes and then finally went to sleep. Neither wanted to be seperated, not from this moment. Kalin smiled as he laid down next to Crysts, he was overwhelmed with being with her again, and so he let his head fall upon the pillow and sleep. He slept well that night, for the first time in a long time...
That morning, Kalin was awoken by a dreaded voice. It was full of hate and sarcasm, and it disgusted Kalin to here it.
“Ah, you two look so lovely. Kalin, wake up young Captain. His Majesty King Farron wishes to see you. Get up!” Kalin sat up and looked at Umbra. The shocking blue eyes cut through Kalin, as the man smiled. He wore chainmail over a black cotton shirt. His pants were a light shade of black. Kalin let all the signs of hatred flow from his mouth.
“Still as dark as always Umbra? The never ending shadow of a man.” Umbra bowed mockingly,
“As always Kalin, your words are kind and touch the void that is my heart. No, that would be your opinion wouldn’t it? Kalin you never cease to amuse me. Now, if you will with a shock and inquired what the problem was Kalin. Kalin calmed down and explained what happened.
“Umbra came in here and ah! He angers me so much!” In a few minutes Crysts finally got the whole story out of him. Crysts soaked in the whole thing and sighed. She did not understand how Umbra was so mean to Kalin, what reason does he have? Although she was against it, Crysts allowed Kalin to leave and go to the King. She noticed as he left that he was not as eager to see the King as usual. He seemed still depressed, but why worry? He was Kalin Dragonfire, the man that she truly loved. The man that she knew could overcome anything that stood in his path. She dismissed the whole thing and got up. She stretched and began to walk down the hall.
Kalin walked briskly down the long tunnel of stone. His mind wandered and his fists clenched at the thoughts. His mind laughed and mocked at him with constant replays of Tyris dying. He saw him begin to fall and then grab onto Kalin. He then saw Valis receive the strike of the arrow directly in the chest. He saw it over, and over, and over. By the time Kalin reached the throne room, he was fighting tears. His body sh ook with his emotions. When Kalin was told to enter, he saw the King, mighty and strong, noble and true, sitting on his throne. Next to him was the cunning Corlaane. The adviser always had the look of conspiracy about him. His entire being screamed evil. But the King trusted him none-the-less, so naturally, Kalin did too.
As Kalin entered the room, Corlaane noticed his weakened state. He saw his emotions and he saw his pain. Corlaane smiled and soaked it all in with pleasure. He enjoyed seeing the puppet feel sorry, feel sad. Corlaane thought of all the things this young man had already done. And would do in the future. His litttle “knight” was nothing more than a toy, that he could play with. Or to be more specific, Corlaane’s true pawn could play with, thinking that he controlled him. While he himself was controlled. Corlaane had already planted his seed in the King. He would never suspect his most loyal “servant” to go against his judgement! Corlaane bowed as Kalin finally looked up.

 

[Die Kaiserin]

“It is most pleasant to hear of your victory. A banquet will be held in your honor,” Corlaane read Kalin’s thoughts before he voiced them, “and those who fought with you. I know a lot of good men were lost, along with your supposed friend. But we must move on. Kalin, Tyris’ death was a true tragedy, that one with his skill and qualities must die for some rebel cause. I am deeply sorry.” Kalin shot an angered look at Corlaane,
“We all fight for our ideals, and I was more zealous. That is all.” His voice just barely stopped before breaking. Corlaane had to hold in a laugh as he saw the shattered emotions of his creation. Yes, thought Corlaane, I created him, and all of his abilities. His hopes and dreams, all of his ambition. His very skill is of my influence! Even the love in his life is of my doing...Ha! That parasite of a king has no idea what a pawn he is. Corlaane continued to get lost in his own ingeniousness. Finally he reaized what he was doing and snapped back to the moment. The King was already congratulating Kalin on winning the battles. He handed him the slip of paper for the blacksmith. This paper had been Farron’s own idea. He thought that letting Kalin make his own sword or armor would make him more pleased than being given some. So Kalin smiled weakly and asked the King a question,
“When will the next battle be? Will I be able to take a break Your Majesty?” Farron sat there a moment and pondered. He nodded to his own satisfaction,
“You indeed will take a break. But no more than a week. Our most desired knight must not be gone for long!” Kalin smiled and thanked the King many times before leaving. Corlaane immediately stepped forward but the King held up his hand.
“My overseer does not know everything. It was correct to let him relax. He needs it, you saw how destroyed he was. His very body was crippled. We are breaking him, we need to slow down.” Corlaane looked at the King in hatred and disgust. Don’t fool yourself Farron. I know much more than you do. It is time that I take matters into my own hands once again...
That night, a grand party took place in the castle coutyard. There was a great bonfire and pork. Meat and fruit were laid upon the many oaken tables. The great mass of people swarmed and danced around with pleasure. Some couples went off to their homes after drining a hefty amount. Musicians played their wooden instruments and and people for the most part were happy.
Kalin sat next to Crysts holding her hand underneath the table. He was seated as the Guest of Honor, right next to the King. In front of him was chicken and pork on a silver platter. They were gracious enough to give him water instead of wine. Kalin looked at Crysts and smiled. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear a small ‘I love you’. Crysts smiled back and replied the same. Kalin wore a white vest with a silver silk trimming. Underneath was a silver cotton shirt. He also was dressed in a white pant of sort. With all said and done, he hated the outfit. But, as usual, Crysts was majestic. She wore a slim, silver trimmed, white dress. She wore a small necklace of pure silver. Her dress was slinder and graceful, with a silk bottom that flowed as she walked. Kalin was enchanted by her beauty.
The King ate heartily next to Kalin in a high set golden chair. Kalin was disgusted by the way he ate, and vowed never to eat the same. Again Kalin scanned the hundreds of people, all dancing and eating, when he saw Kaehl and Magis talking. They looked up to see him and waved, and Kalin waved back. Finally the captain was in a good mood. He looked at Crysts and asked her to dance, and she nodded her head yes with joy. The two made their way out into the large group of people all dancing a twirling to some beat of their own. Kalin laughed as he took Crysts’ hand in his, and put his arm around her waist. They began to move back and forth in a graceful manner. Each one sticking to the other, mimicking the others moves as they did it. Kalin then spun Crysts out grabbed her other hand as she returned. They continued to dance in this manner until the music changed to a faster pace. The two then began to move faster and twirl faster. They moved around the courtyard, galloping and dancing. A beautiful sight of silver and white.
However, this happiness was short lived. The music stopped and Kalin looked up to see an assassin right behind King Farron. He had a knife around his neck and was shouting something Kalin could not understand. Everyone became quiet as he spoke out.
“Is there a Kalin among you?” Kalin shook his head, he could never escape it, could he?
“I am he. What is it you want?” The assassin smiled behind the mask,
“Do you cherish your King?” Kalin frowned, Where was he taking this?
“But of course. My loyalty and life is devoted to him.” Again the assassin smiled,
“Good answer, the one I wanted to hear. Then, if you are as devoted as you say, sacrifice yourself for the King!” The assassin backed up, still holding the knife to the King’s throat. He stared at the crowd of people, who’s eyes were either on the King or Kalin. The Captain was taken aback, he was not ready for that. All of his life was devoted to serving, but to die for the King, now? Kalin looked around for some answer, he saw the faces of his friends and then of his beloved Crysts. He finally made a decision, and with a little reluctance, pulled out a knife. A wave of fear and sadness swept through the crowd. People gasped and some only shook their heads in silent pity.
Crysts cried out sudenly and ran to Kalin. She grabbed his hands and tried to pull the knife from them.
“You can’t do this! No!” Tears ran down her face as she saw the look on Kalin’s. She saw the resolution, the pain, and the love. A face that would be as unforgettable as it would be haunting. The assassin laughed and mocked Kalin.
“Well, this is truly interesting, isn’t it Kalin? Are you going to go against the will of the one you love?” Kalin let one hand go of the handle and put a finger up to Crysts’ lips. He smiled but suddenly realized something, he had said the one you love. How did he know that? Could he have simply deducted it from when she ran out? No, it could be just a close friend. He finally resolved himself again.
Kalin smiled again at Crysts and lifted the knife in the air. As it reached the highest point in the air, the knife was dropped. It landed and sank into the dirt at Kalin’s feet. The knight looked up at the appalled assassin.
“Go ahead, kill him, or are you also loyal to him? Just because a women runs out does not mean that they are in love. There is no way that one would simply deduct that.” The man slowly loosened his grip on the knife,
“How can you be so sure? One could deduct anything from anything.” Kalin shook his head, but he was now going to fool the assassin.
“True, but how did you know her name was Crysts?” The assassin gripped the blade harder once again.
“You seek to fool me, but I cannot be fooled. The only time I have heard that name is now. I never once said that her name was Crysts. No, I think it is right that you do not kill yourself, I want to do it myself.” The assassin bashed Farron’s head, leaving him unconscious, and lept down from the table. He slowly approached Kalin and pulled out a second knife. His black clothing was illuminated by the fire, and his eyes mocked Kalin.
The Captain walked to the table and pulled out his sword. He twirled it around his hand and held it out. He smiled and gestured for the assassin to approach.
“What then, shall I call you when you are dying?” The mysterios man laughed, his voice muffled by the mask.
“You may have the pleasure of calling me Gale. It will be a swift death for you though, my friend.” Gale shot forward and spun in a circle, his name reflected his movement, quick and powerful. Using his two knives, he appeared as a swirl of metal. Kalin rolled to the left and brought his sword up. The attack was in vain, Gale flipped over the sword and again spun at his opponent. Kalin had to leap to the right this time, but while doing so, saw the abundance of the assassin’s knives. Seeing this warned Kalin of daggers being thrown his way.

 

[Die Kaiserin]

As Kalin stood, he backed up from the enemy. He watched his opponent move from side to side, and then as quick as blink, two daggers were sent flying past Kalin’s face as he dodged them. The knight took his chance and ran towards the assassin and attempted to drive his blade deep into his stomach, but failed misserably. Gale spun around, coming upon Kalin’s side and stopped his blade a heartbeat from Kalin’s face. The assassin stopped for a moment and then backed up.
“You are a most talented knight, Kalin, and I commend you. However, you are far from ready. The next time we meet, this will be different. Until then, farewell!” The assassin quickly dashed off into the forest, leaving behind only the power of his presence. King Farron was quick to react after recovering and sent out a search party within minutes. Kalin only stood in awe at his own life. Gale, or so he called himself, could have killed him, but he didn’t! The act went against all that he had done and said! Kalin could only think of one thing, the attack was more of a push in the right direction, or to be more exact, to confirm Kalin’s loyalty and wisdom. Kalin quickly thought of something else, King Farron. He went up to the King and knelt to one knee.
“Your Majesty, I am pleased that you are well.” The King showed no emotion or expression,he just looked strait at Kalin.
“What you did tonight was both loyal and betrayal. If I were to have died, you along with that assassin would be held to blame. However, you were right, he did not kill me. I will have Corlaane find out about this assassin. In the meantime,use that notice I gave you for the blacksmith and the time off to relax. You have plans to be married, correct?” Kalin smiled widely and nodded, “Well then! It looks like you have some planning to do. Remember, anything you need, anything at all, come to me. I will supply you with anything.” Kalin looked down sheepishly,
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I am truly in no place to ask of money from you. I am sure my years as a knight have long since paid off.” Kalin laughed alongside King Farron, once again all doubts were cleared, all loyalty regained. The once King that might be planning and conspiring was once again a loving and kind man. Kalin intended on taking him up on his offer. He already had plans for his next sword. His current one was bloody and stained, far from being cleaned...

 

[sydney]

great story!

~sydney

 

[Die Kaiserin]

Thanks! That makes me feel good!

 

[sydney]

good! now you got post another chapter dude!

 

[Die Kaiserin]

OKAY!!! Chapter seven it is....(getting to where I am now soon....)
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7.
A Wedding and a Funeral
Crysts galloped across the grassy plain. Along with Kalin, she was given time off from fighting. For the first time in her life, she saw the King as a nice man. It was weird being engaged to a man who life was killing. Although she was a knight, Crysts hated having to fight. Her parents had forced it upon her, hoping to gain some social status. She had been taken away, kicking and screaming, the whole time her parents were waving a happy good bye.
Her whole life she was pushed around, being treated as property of the captains and other knights. She was given no respect and had to defend her body form every disgusting man. But one day, a long time ago, she had met a boy. His name was Kalin. His last name, however, was long gone. All that remained was a title, Dragonfire. It was what struck fear in the hearts of enemies, and with good cause. The family bloodline had incredible skills and had powers from God. Even though Crysts told no one, she knew that it was divine protection. However, the accepted religion was one of pagan idol worship. Only knights were excempt from the daily gatherings of praying and wailing. People being possessed and running around wild. It really made her sick. But the fact that she was going to marry this boy that she once knew, stood out against all these other emotions. After being enlisted, Crysts had never dreamed of seeing Kalin again, let alone marry him! It was so great that Crysts began to laugh and cry tears of happiness, reliving that moment when he proposed.
She quickly kicked the side of her horse and sped up the hill and down into the town. She had taken a more scenic route of getting home, Crysts still held a grudge, and was in no hurry to see her parents. As she rode into the dusty streets, she smelled the bread and the sweat. Crysts was home, and she knew it. Each time it hit her hard, that she came out of this place, the most bustling city in Lalilce. She rode down the streets and dismounted, bringing her horse into a stable. She gave the keeper a silver coin and told him to watch the horse with special care. With that, Crysts began her walk home...

• • •
Kalin walked past the rushing crowd, his blue armor glistening with its knew shine. He carried in his hand the ticket to forge his sword, and in his old scabbard his old sword. He passed a couple kissing in an alley, and thought of Crysts. He smiled and his heart lept as he walked. He saw people yelling, cursing and then he saw people laughing and telling jokes. He saw the slaves doing the hard a vigorous work. Their backs bleeding from old whip wounds, there brows sweaty from never-ending work. It hurt Kalin, but what could he do? He shook his head and looked away from the sad eyes, and continued down the road. He constantly mumbled to himself, there is nothing you can do for them, just foget it.
Finally he came up to the blacksmith. It was an older building, the stone showing age. But that meant experience, and Kalin’s idea needed someone with just that. An oak counter was set up under the overhang. In the back, a large furnace with only a few people working. It just has to be slow, that’s all. Kalin kept getting these feeling of worry, but why? He tapped on the wood counter loudly to gain attention, and a burly man with a half-grin, half-snarling face appeared. His biceps bulged from his black leather tunic. And sweat poured down his bushy eyebrows. His brown eyes showed no affection, but also showed no hate.
“Eh? What do you want?” Kalin smiled widely, and presented the ticket. The man read through it and then read it again with widened eyes. “Mister Dragonfire sir! Oh, my deepest apologies, I did not recognize you! Yes, whatever you need, I will give it to you! I am the finest blacksmith in Lalilce, whatever you need, I can make it!” Kalin was happy to oblige. He brought out a scroll and began to trace the sword as he described it.
Kalin first traced the handle, the hilt was to be gold mixed with melted crystal, a very fine and strong mix. The handle would be wrapped with a nice leather, easy on the hands as to not cause callousing. And the tip would resemble a dragon’s mouth, wide open, the opposite ends were to be the top and bottom maw of the creature, and a piece of diamond for the eye. All the while, the blacksmith looked at the drawing with eagerness to get started.
Next came the blade. Kalin had thought and thought about what to make the metal out of, and came up with a mix of the two most powerful metals known, mognite and diamond. The blacksmith was stopped for a moment,
“How am I supposed to super-heat these metals in order to mix them?” Kalin bit his lip, he had hoped this wouldn’t happen.
“Well, that is up to you. If you are as good as you say you are, then I know I can trust you. But I wouldn’t worry about that, I would worry about the crafting of the blade.” Next, Kalin described the actual blade to the man. All the while the blacksmith nodding with delight. Kalin traced out three intertwining blades, each one, a jagged edge. However, the jaggedness of them was not the same, it had a smoothness to it. Then the blacksmith saw it, the blades were streams of fire. The blades were each two inches long, and varied as they intertwined with the others. The jagged blades were to be five feet long, a two-handed sword. The idea came from a creative mind, and would be incredibly deadly.
“Also, as you might expect, I want the metal to be stained like fire, I know that won’t be too hard. Well, that’s it.” Kalin smiled at the blacksmith, he had spent hours on this and he was hoping for the best craftsmanship. The blacksmith retured the grin and wiped sweat from his bushy eyebrows.
“Well, this is the first challenge I shall have had for a long time. I will get to work on it immediately. However, I can only work on the hilt, not the actual blade. To get that much diamond and mognite, will take some time.” Kalin was unaffected.
“I want the sword within the month if possible.” The man scratched his beard,
“Well, I will do the best I can.” The two men shook hands and as Kalin left, he heard the man yelling at the other crafters to get to work. Kalin hoped it was going to be a legendary blade, The Dragonfire Blade. There were only three known ‘legendary blades’. One, the White Clouds, King Farron’s swords. Two, the Emerald Spear, said to lie deep in the earth, in some unknown cave. Lastly, the Unity Knife. This knife was very mysterious and very spiritual. Some say it was made by the pagan God, but since there was no such thing, Kalin had an opinion that it was a Holy weapon, a weapon from God. Either way, it was said to wield great power. The man who holds the knife, was said to bring peace or emmense evil to the world. The tale goes that if a man obtains the knife with pure intentions, he will unite the people of the world. But if it is with evil intentions that a man obtains the knife, the opposite will happen, and evil will control the world.
The Emeral Spear was also said to have power surrounding it. The wielder is said to become the best lancer in all of the world. He will become some unspeakable hero, or unspeakable evil. The only other weapons are the White Clouds. These are even more mysterious than the Spear. They are said to hold great evil, but it has to be awakened. No one knows if Farron has unlocked this evil, but most have forgotten these tales. Knights, on the other hand, tell these tales around fires, they are fables that men constantly want to hear about. Kalin loved to be involved in this pass time.
No one knew how weapons become legendary, but Kalin was going to strive for it. He would make his family line even better known than it is now. The captain smiled as he walked through the twsting maze-like streets of the city. People selling things, and people bartering for them. Kalin constantly went back and forth, seeing it as when he was a child and then now. He saw the man selling the mognite, and how everybody did not believe him. Now, mognite, the most prized material known to man. It’s purple glow a prize among Kings and knights alike.
Kalin turned and for a split second, saw that same man, wearing rich clothes, and walking to the biggest house in the town. The knight could not help but laugh. He had sure shown these people! As Kalin pushed past people he thought to himself about money. How had his years paid off? With this thought fresh in his mind, Kalin moved his way through the wave of people and into a large stable. The captain walked up to the stable hand and gave him a silver coin to borrow a horse for an errand. The man smiled and led Kalin past a few stalls.
In one of the stalls Kalin noticed Crysts’ horse and stopped. He quickly turned to the stable hand and inquired about the horse.
“No, you can’t take this horse, it is a special horse. A very fine lady knight entrusted it to me.” Kalin smirked, he knew who’s it was! Kalin thanked the man and left the stable of horses, his sense of smell no longer plauged by the stench of manure. He ran down the streets, and past the houses of brick and wood. On long pieces of board were painted store names and inns, but none of these appealed to the young knight, only one house did.

 

[Die Kaiserin]

• • •
Crysts moved her way towards her house. She had stopped and looked at different stores, and even considered going to the blacksmith for some new equipment. All of this was just a distraction of her own making. She did not really know why she did not want to go to her home, maybe she just no longer thought of it as her home. Soon, she would be living with Kalin, Kalin...She smiled, his name made her smile.
Crysts shook all the fear away and finally pushed her way into the older part of town. The part that barely survived the war, and that was not funded to be rebuilt. The rickity homes of wood and broken stone were barely hanging on. But some of the people had gained enough money to either move to a new place, or to repair their current home. Crysts’ family chose to repair their house. With the money Crysts made from being a knight, she funded her family’s food and building costs.
Now that she was back, Crysts remembered everything from her childhood. All of the times that she had with Kalin and Tyris. Tyris, the man who’s house used to be just down the road, who stood up for his beliefs, and was beaten down. Was that what happens to radical thinkers? Is that what should happen? Just because you thought out of the box, you were treated as a vigilante, a danger to society. Crysts shook her head with a loss of hope. Her sense of pride was gone. But why? Because a man died that she knew? No, a brother was lost. But is that enough to lose everything for? Crysts’ final conclusion was no, it was not worth it.
Life itself is precious and is not something to lose over someone dying. Taking in experiences and living and learning from them is how one lives. Therefore, taking Tyris’ death and turning it into something to learn from, destroys the need for sadness. If you think about it as becoming stronger as to not need to be destroyed emotionally by a friend’s death, it is no longer something that should be mourned about, but just respected.
Crysts thought deeply about this philosophy and determined it the correct course of action. While she made this breakthrough, she heard a cry of hapiness and saw her mother running to her. Crysts decided to talk about it with Kalin later, and embraced her mother. She was almost a foot taller than her mother at five foot seven. Even though her parents had forced her to join the Kingdom Knights, she loved them just the same. They had introduced her to Kalin, Tyris, and God. It was because of them that she had come to this point. She thought of where she would be, had she not been drafted.
All thoughts were pushed aside for emotions, however, as her dad came out he was limping on a cane because his leg had been injured during the battle of Morning Breeze. Her whole life she had dreaded this moment, but now all she could do was cry. It is funny, how emotions work, one minute you hate your parents, the next you can’t help but cry tears of joy.
Crysts pulled back from her father and smiled. Tears were also streaming down his face, it truly had been a long time. Again she smiled and pulled herself together in order to speak the good news.
“Dad...”She wiped the last tear from her eyes, “I have something to tell you. I am engaged!” Her mother let out a yelp and grabbed her daughter.
“With who!?” Crysts was confused by the sudden change in personality her mother had just undergone.
“None other than Kalin Dragonfire.” Crysts smiled as if she had just done some great deed. Her mother gasped and hugged her daughter tightly. All fear was washed from her face, and Crysts knew that she had done a great thing indeed. Her father smiled,
“That is wonderful! We shall celebrate!” With that Crysts walked inside of the restored hut, and prepared for a night of celebration...

• • •
Kalin walked down the old dirt street of Morning Breeze, the town’s name was that of it’s castle. He was hoping to catch Crysts before nightfall, but it looked like he was spending the night in the town. He walked briskly towards the old houses and shacks that stood on the tainted dirt ground. He knew that his fiancé had gone to tell her parents of the wedding, so he figured it an excellent time to meet them again after all of his years being a knight. As Kalin made his way towards Crysts’ house, the dark moon rose on the horizon. It shed the first light of night upon the land. He saw the fullness of it, the strength and...for some reason....he felt fear, and evil coming from it...
He finally came upon one of the better houses in the area. The walls had been restored and repainted. A large oak door with a brass handle stood between Kalin and his future family, but he did not knock. He stared at it blankly for a while, and could not get the feeling of evil out from his heart. It worried him deeply, so he did what he thought he should, he began to pray...

• • •

 

[Die Kaiserin]

• • •
Inside Crysts’ house, her entire family was praying. They, too, felt the evil presence that night, and it scared them deeply. All over the town, the secret Christian Church prayed. They all felt the evil that night, but no one could identify it’s source. The feeling struck deep in the heart, and they knew it was Satin.
All over town, people had dreams of death and destruction. They dreamed of the things that scared them most, or some did not dream at all, for they were awake, begging for help from their pagan idol. If they were not begging, then they were sweat soaked and afraid. Some hugged bottles of alcohol and tried to forget it all in a drunken stupor. Darkness was no longer a part of night, but a tangible thing that began sweeping through the town. People saw the cloud and began screaming. All over the grand city, lights went on and people screamed. No one actually slept that night, only desired to. For the dreams and images only magnified when awake.
All these things happened while the King sat on his throne. In front of him sat the White Clouds, the legendary blades. They were placed upon a small stone slab, and the slab was surrounded by a circle of chanting magicians. Farron stood up, desire was in his eyes, and he was using any means to fulfill it. He walked up to the swords and kneeled down.
“Oh mighty god! Please release the great power stored up in these swords to me! Please grant me the power to crush the evil that tries to take your holy land. Give me the power that only you can rival! Make me as a god!” Suddenly the black cloud surged into the castle. Its opaqueness filled the hallways and rooms. Knights screamed and some even choked to death. The head of the cloud, bursting with evil energy was searching, going through the twisted hallways, up stairs until it finally came in front of the royal chamber. It moved back and forth, listening and then bursted through.
The Darkness surrounded the room, and enveloped it. A mighty voice boomed out from the center,
“I have come, my servant.” All of the magicians looked around and began screaming and thrashing to get out.
“What have we done!” The magi cried out in terror of the cloud. All of the magicians rushed to get out, some crushing others as they fell blindly in the darkness. Only two magicians stayed and endured the evol presence. The black cloud swirled around and spiralled into one spot, where it manifested into a demon. The black winged creature stood on top of the slab, it’s feet clawed at the swords with its talons. The thing’s body was a mix of black and red scales. The colors were always moving and changing. Red-hot breath came from it’s mouth. Horns curled out of it’s head, dripping in blood. The creatures eyes were an abyss of red. Never ending, it’s evil going on for all eternity. It stood about seven feet tall, and its terror made it much taller to the eye.
The last two mages ran for the door, but it was shut by the demon. They looked at the creature and cowered in fear. They both sank to the floor as it stared at them. However, to King Farron, the seven foot demon looked like a man. It was roughly six feet tall, and it wore a silver sash. Gold wings extended from it’s back and it wore and blue robe. It was the embodiment of the idols, an exact replication. King Farron looked with disgust at the remaining magi.
“Cower in awe of the wonderful god!” The King knelt down and looked up slowly at the winged being. “Will you grant me the power of the swords, the power to crush my enemies!” The floating apparition smiled and parted his lips to speak in his loud booming voice.
“You shall have this power! I shall release everything that is inside of these swords. And I will make you as I am.” The hidden demon spun around in the air and pushed an invisible energy at the swords. Around his hands light formed and a steady stream poured into the silver blades of the White Clouds. A music began to play, a soft resonance, that was responded in a higher pitch by the swords. First the demon’s hands glowed with the sound, then the swords.
Finally the two sounds became one melody and the swords began to float in the air. White light leaped out of the blades hilt and swirled around it. The light then returned into the blade as another began to swirl around. The white energy lept in and out of the swords. King Farron’s eyes grew wide as he felt the glorious power of the light. He felt it’s aura and couldn’t wait to be empowered...
The two magi began screaming as the demon moved his hands as if composing music. Out of the swords lept demons and minions of darkness. Black and red swirled around the two blades as they floated vertically, facing the King. The darkness eminated outward. The evil in the room intensified, and both the men were scared beyond thought. The ripped at the large oak doors, cutting at it with their blodied fingers. Suddenly, all of the energy stopped. The melody stopped. The evil paused. All time seemed to stand still. The White Clouds began to spin around each other, creating a vortex in the air. Then, while the magi breathed in, the vortex blew out.
All darkness exploded outward. Evil and pain spread throughout the land, grass withered, trees died. Animals mutated into creatured of carnage. And new creatured were added to the masses. People cried out in agony as people randomly fell dead. The two magi died, their fists a bloody mess. People screamed for their entire bodies caught fire. Chaos swept through Lalilce, and people thought it was the end. King Farron saw it as an unbearable light. He saw with only greedy eyes, but the light was to powerful, and the mighty warrior was blown back against the wall, knocking him out...
Although the night seemed the end of life itself, morning came. People found out not all was over, and rejoiced. Life had already began coming back, grass grew where it had withered. And shine was returned to the stone of the castle. The tainted darkness seem to draw back upon itself and disappear. King Farron woke up and looked at the two floating swords. He saw the smoldering bodies of the magi that had suddenly burst into flame. There, floating behind the swords, was the demon. In all his evil, he smiled, still using the disguise of the idol.
“It is time for you to receive your power. You endured a very hard test, one these magi could not handle. You have proven your strength and desire for the power, and now it is yours. Take it and crush our enemies!” With that, the demon flipped back and vanished. King Farron walked up to the swirling swords, and grasped their handles. Instantly his body was overtaken by a bright light. His armor was exchanged for black mail, with fire stained upon it’s brestplate and cape. The swords became black as night, and red as blood. The King heard a voice out of the light,
“In battle, this armor will change you. You will no longer be an ordinary fighter, but a god. Your two governing swords, the black to remind you to clear out the blackness that is your enemies. And the red to remind you of what courses through your veins, the blood of the gods! Take these gifts of power and defeat whatever stands in our path. Give these to your most trusted allies or friends, that they might share in you power...”
King Farron laughed as the light faded away. A long knife appeared, along with a long sword. Both black, stained like fire at the tips. The sword curved slightly inward at the base but came out to a rounded point at the tip. Immediately, the doors flung open and Corlaane charged through.
“Sire! Are you alright...? Sir? When did you receive a whole new suit of armor? And two new swords? What is this! Are you all right! Were you injured during the Chaos of last night?” The King laughed hard and long. He held up his hand as his laughter boomed out.
“Oh my dear Corlaane. I am fine. To answer all of your questions, I have released the power of the White Clouds! This is the result! Corlaane, as my most loyal servant, I want you to receive this knife. Take it, and bond with it. It holds the power of the gods!” Corlaane smiled and he too laughed.
“I will my lord, and I have found the assassin that attacked you! He has been executed already, you may sleep easily again sire.” The King immediately became sober,
“I fear no man. Especially an assassin. I look forward to the next battle Corlaane, I want to show them my power! Also, summon Kalin. He, too, deserves a sword from the gods.” Corlaane immediately went off. He sent all of the messengers out to find the captain. Corlaane smiled to himself, he was getting to the point where he would no longer need the King. But with this new power, he did not know how easy it would be to kill him...

• • •
Kalin staggered to his knees. The blast of darkness had caught him off guard. He had seen it all, the castle being surrounded by a swirling tornado of darkness, and then the outward blast of chaos. He had felt the evil in his heart, but it had left him alone, not wanting to fight the fight with a Christian. His mind was a frenzy with all of the things he heard and saw. Fire leaping from nowhere, and screams as people died. It was truly a demonic attack. Kalin managed to get to his feet and knock on the door. Crysts was slow to reply, but was able to reach the door. She gasped as she saw Kalin, his face was black, and his clothes were slightly burned.
“Were you there all night? Oh my goodness, father! Get some hot water!” Crysts helped Kalin stand and walked him into the house. His blue breastplate was burned in some places, but overall, he seemed fine. Crysts’ father, Joseph Sannda, a once wealthy man, stood up from the old wooden chair. He had owned a profitable blacksmith business, until King Vance had destryed it, Joseph had never been able to rebuild it. He spent most of his profits trying to, but in the end went broke and sent his daughter to become a knight. His last hope of becoming wealthy and well known had paid off. His daughter had fallen in love with one of the most well known knights in all of Lalilce.
“Are you okay? The darkness that flooded through this city last night was catastrophic! I felt the chaos in my heart, it is no wonder that you are burned!” Kalin smiled as they prepared a small bath for him. He was happy to oblige, he had done battle with a foe that he did not see, and had so many aches that they were uncountable. Kalin closed the door to the room and began to take off his armor. He stripped down and stepped into the water. His entire body reacted and thanked him and he was able to soak it all in. The aches faded away one by one, and his feeling was restored. He washed off the blackness from his face, and finally he felt refreshed again. He quickly dried off, and began to dress himself. He strapped on his blue leggings, and then his leg plates. He picked up his burned breastplate, and slipped his arms through the straps. He left all of his other armor on the chair and walked out.

 

[Die Kaiserin]

Crysts and Joseph smiled at him as he stepped out, and invited him to sit at the table with them. A small plate of eggs was set for him and he ate it heartily. Kalin noticed that no one else was eating and stopped. He sat back and looked at Crysts. He saw nothing but love in her eyes, and he returned the same look to her.
“Is something wrong? Why aren’t you eating? Joseph?” Crysts’ father just sighed and looked at Kalin. Crysts suddenly began to sob, and then she began to cry uncontrollably. She reached over and hugged Kalin for comfort, and Kalin held her close. She began to try to talk, but she didn’t need to, Kalin knew. Her mother had died.
Kalin looked up at Joseph, who was also holding back tears.
“I will help you bury her.” Joseph then began to cry also, and left the old oak table. Kalin continued to hold Crysts for a while longer and he, too, began to cry. However, he cried for a reason he did not even know. He pulled Crysts back, her eyes were red and wet with tears. She managed a smile, and so did Kalin.
“I am going to go check out how much I have in all, but I need you to start preparing for the wedding. Later today, I wanted to take you out to a place I think will be perfect for it. If you need me to be here, though, I will stay.” Crysts waved her hand. She stopped the flow of tears and wiped her eyes clean. Even after having cried, she was still beautiful.
“I will be fine. Go ahead, we don’t want to spend more than we have.” Kalin laughed,
“As if that is possible!” Crysts was able to smile and began to laugh. Not because Kalin was funny, but because she wanted to move on, no, she needed to move on.
Kalin walked out of the house and looked out at the old town. Houses that once stood were now large piles of rubble and dirt. Another reminder that last night had happened. He saw families walk around outside, their clothes a mix of blood, hot and sticky upon their bodies. Some cried, some just moped around. Others lost it and ran out of the town, the last shread of their existence torn. But as Kalin continued, he was confused. The rest of the town had returned to normal. The streets were still bustling, the people still walked in surging masses. The maze like streets were still lined with houses and businesses. The whole scene made a very convincing story about how last night did not happen.
It amazed Kalin how theses people were so easily distracted by life that they could forget the surge of evil that was that eve. The fact remained, that if Kalin turned around, he could clearly see the devastation, but if he looked forward, it was peaceful, forgetful. Never the less, Kalin traveled on. His perception of the world around him changing, like the entire town was a mirage. He was waiting for the moment when he would open his eyes to see that the tragedy had stricken this part of the city too. This moment never came, though, as if the evil had forgotten these few.
Kalin finally came upon the stable and retreaved his horse. He mounted it, and was off. Going out the back of the stable to avoid the mass of people. He moved past the wood stalls, horses neighing at him with satisfaction. He walked past the stall with Crysts’ horse and patted the horse on the head. He ruffled it’s mane and stroked it’s nose. It was a loyal horse and she had raised it from a calf. He then moved on, noticing the old wood that kept the stable together. He saw life that existed inside of it. As he emerged out of the back of the stable, his eyes betrayed him.
Kalin looked around and saw darkness. He saw that where people were, pillars of darkness stood in their place. Very few people had pillars of light. Businesses were surrounded by a cloud of evil and darkness. He saw the stain of black upon the nicest of homes. He saw the bleeding of each person’s heart, saw how it bled nothing but black. He knew then, at that moment, that he was seeing a sort of spiritual realm. He was seeing with the help of God. Those pillars of light were pillars of hope among the doomed masses, the doomed city, the doomed nation.
He knew then that whatever course he took, it would be a course taken in God’s guidance. Finally Kalin’s view of life was molded. All his life, he had lived with no reason, except he thought he lived for God. He then thought he lived for loyalty, but now it was finalized. The mold of his heart was now shapen. He lived for Christ, letting him guide him and be his light. As he had lived, he had forgotten the basic principle of being Christian. His whole concept changed of the people around him. He would always remember those pillars of light, the vision that he had just seen.
As Kalin kicked his heels into the side of the horse, he continued to look at the black pillars. It seemed that he would never have regular vision again. He continued to look up until he saw that the pillars all fed from the same black storm cloud. Lightning flashes, and thunder boomed within the cloud. Fire lept along it’s edges. The searing lips kissing the clouds with red light. Suddenly, a shape formed from the cloud, the swirling tornado pillars parted and made way as something emerged. The shape was contorted by heat waves, the mirage of water floating in air.
Finally the storm released the thing. It’s body was scaly, and red hot fire swirled around it. It’s wings fueled the flames and lifted the massive body in the air. It’s face was long and smoke plumed out from the nostrils. Purple eyes reflected an invisible storm on the dying sun’s horizon, the storm’s fury swallowing up the light and heat. The dragon-demon was hovered for a moment and then saw Kalin looking at him. He raced glowered at him and in a flash of fire, was coming at him. He breathed in and released white-hot fire into Kalin’s face. It scared the horse and sent it sprawling forward. Kalin grabbed at his face, feeling the flames but at the same time no being burned.
When he opened his eyes, the pillars were gone and all that was there was a tree branch. It knocked Kalin five feet from the horse because of the speed of the impact. Kalin slowly got up and realized that his face was not melted off, and that the branch had only scratched his armor. He pulled the horse by the reins and remounted it. He pushed his heels into the horses ribs and urged it forward. Kalin raced off towards the castle and towards the stable there. He mentally noted to spend time with his old friends.
The whole thing seemed funny to him. Now, after just a few months, he was a Captain First Class, had one hundred and fifty men under him, and his old officers were now Lieutenants themselves. He and his friends were all moving along now, and it seemed odd to have as much clout as Kalin did. Now, when he went into cities, he was a partial war hero. I am getting close dad, very close. I think I understand more of what it means now, to be an officer. Well...maybe not. Kalin thought of his brother and of his father. He made another note to go and put flowers at their graves. Suddenly it seemed that Kalin had a lot of responsibility. As he put the horse back in it’s stall, he walked past the barn hand. She was a young girl, maybe seventeen, with freckles, out of place teeth, and a very nice spirit. She was an old friend of Kalin’s and he had found that she had taken a ‘special’ liking to him.
She smiled at him as he passed and he half-smiled, half-grit his teeth. He did a little “Hi how are you, oh, I have got to go” and took his leave of her. He realized suddenly how rude he was and made another note to apologize on his way back. He entered the castle through the back gate, and strode forward. He walked through the the stone corridors, having memorized the castle, he knew where he was going. He turned left, then right, then left, then went strait, until finally he reached his room. All of the turning was second hand to him, nothing he even thought about. Turning the door handle, he stepped in to see a note on his table. He picked it up and read it out loud,
Kalin, please see me as soon as you finish your business, I have yet another present for you.
-Lord Farron
Kalin sighed, yet another thing to do. He crumpled the note up, and threw it on the table. He looked around for something, forgot what he was looking for, and then remembered the money. He knelt down and pulled out a large chest from under his feather bed. He opened the chest and rummaged through the items. When he felt a chain he pulled it out to see his necklace, or rather, his family necklace. The small dragon head with a ruby flame coming from it’s mouth. He hadn’t even realized it was off, ever since that fateful day, he even forgot how long ago it was. The day that triggered it all, his brother’s death, even the beginning of Tyris’ death.
Kalin kept rummaging until he reached found a the small jeweled box and he opened it. Inside, as he expected, was filled to the brim with gold and silver. He picked it up and placed it upon his bed. He then rummaged some more, and found a small oak box and pulled it out too. It was a little bigger than the jeweled box, and a lot heavier.Inside he found some things his father had left him. Pure emeral and crystal gems, and rubies. Diamonds and jewels of all sort, from all over. His father had become unbelievably wealthy from gifts from pleased lords that he had helped protect. Some say he even had a sword made from diamond. Kalin had even seen it. But at his funeral, Kalin had put the sword in his father’s hands inside his grave. No one knew it was diamond, they thought it was glass.
Afterwards, Kalin had taken to caring for his brother. He did not even touch the jewels, but he did tap into his gold and silver supply. It was after Kalin joined the knighthood, that the rest was stolen from Cortinis. After that, Kalin’s young brother desired to be a knight. After several more years, his brother joined. Kalin saw to it that he took him under his wing. Teaching him moves that Talfon had taught Kalin. Finally, just when Cortinis died, he had proven himself to be a knight. But I think that he was proud, knwoing that he had done it, he had finished his training. Even at the end of his life he wanted to be like Kalin.
The Captain returned from memory lane with tears in his eyes. He wiped them away brutally and stood up. He unclentched his fists and began the mindless walk to the King’s room. While walking, he noticed the shine on the stone and wood, and the freshness of the flowers, as if everything had been restored or replaced. Kalin had even forgotten about the black storm that had surrounded the castle. He reached the large oak doors and passed through after knocking.

 

[Die Kaiserin]

Kalin took a step back as he saw the King. No longer in his silver armor, but black and red armor, molded to his body, which also seemed restored. He seemed to have grown stronger. He had at his sides a black and a red sword. Kalin stared the swords for a long time, caught himself and kneeled.
“You summoned me, my lord?” The refreshed King laughed, his voice sounding younger, as if he took a step back ten years.
“Yes, Kalin, I did! I do have a present for you.” The king held out the sword that was given to him. It’s body secretly empowered with a dark force. Kalin looked up and was shocked. He felt a dark aura from the sword, but something was not right about the King, he was younger!
“Sire, if I may be so bold as to reject this gift. I have already submitted my plans for my new sword. I would rather use this sword.” The kings stopped for a moment and then nodded.
“You have spoken wisely, and I will permit this. Besides that, how are the wedding preparations?” Kalin enjoyed the change of subject, and the sword being put away. He talked with the King about the people he planned to invite, the King included of course, and allowed the King to bring those he wished. He told him of where he planned to hold the actual ceremony and the King clapped his hands with agreement. He stood and walked over to Kalin and shook his hand.
“Anywhere in the kingdom I will grant you the gift of leaving for a time. As for this ceremony, I will be most glad to attend! You are a fine soldier, and a very fine young-man. Your father was a lucky man. You are so much alike him, so exact it is fearful! Soon, you will hold his position as well. One might go as far as to say his spirit has entered your body!” Kalin squirmed, he did not like talking of things like that. It was even more hard for him to invite the King to the ceremony. It would no longer be able to be a Christian wedding! Kalin quickly thought of a way out of the mess and found one.
“Your majesty, I have rethought my request. With you at the ceremony, it may draw a crowd, something I did not intend to have. I also fear for another attack like the most recent one. Please, maybe it would be best if you did not attend.” He had hoped not ot sound desperate, but had failed miserably. The King looked at Kalin with a ‘what is that supposed to mean’ look on his face. But it lifted into seriousness.
“I will do as you request! If you do not want me to come, so be it.” Kalin smiled and forgot about anything that he might have felt about the King. He had a way about him of making you forget anything that might be causing doubt. With that, Kalin left and returned to his room. Grabbing the two boxes, he left out the south gate. As he passed the stable girl, he apologized about his rudeness before, but quickly added that he had to leave. He rode the horse down to the town, the sun half-way through it’s lazy cycle from noon to evening.
He raced through the town, digging his heels into the horse’s ribs. Finally Kalin came upon the same blacksmith that was making his sword. He walked up and waited for the man to come forward. The burly blacksmith laughed heartily,
“If you have another certificate, I am going to go out of business!” Kalin smiled in the man’s favor and shook his head.
“No, you will make quite a profit on this one. I need a full suit of armor. But on the breasplate needs to be an emblem,” he pulled the medallion from behind his armor, “this emblem here. I want the breastplate and the arm parts to be made out of mognite, and the leggings out of the lightest jewel you carry.” The blacksmith let out a roar of laughter.
“You want an entire upper-body armor peice made out of mognite! With a diamond dragon head on the brestplate and bicep pieces, plus ruby fire! Wow, are you willing to pay for this? Like I said, mognite is pricy now, and the lightest jewel I have would be crystal. Naturally, I expect you want durable leggings, so I will have to mix in some mognite...So....we are talking....one thousand pieces of gold. Or ten diamond shards.” Kalin thought it over, and opened up his jeweled box. He counted out one thousand pieces, and handed the man his money.
“Well, consider yourself a lucky man. Come back in say...three weeks, and I will have both your sword and armor ready for you. Any specific dye?” Kalin nodded and requested the leggings to be dyed like fire, and the top black as night, with the shoulders to have the fire-like dye. Again Kalin looked skyward, hoping to see the sun still up. He noticed the purple hew of the horizon. He saw the reddish orange of the sun as it set, half way under the edge of earth. It’s final light saying good night to the town. As Kalin looked at the sun, he thought he could make out a large, winged creature’s silhouette. But just like that, it was gone, never to be seen again...
The Captain raced towards his beloved’s house. He quickly galloped around back and saw Joseph wrapping the body in cloth. Kalin slid down from the side of his horse, and walked forward with silence. His soon-to-be father looked at him but covered his face as tears began to flow. Being emotional, Kalin analyzed, is not always a thing that needs to be hidden. It is a gift and should be treated as such. Kalin smiled at Joseph and looked quizically, mentally asking of Crysts’ whereabouts. The man nodded towards a small outcropping of elm and oak trees not far from the house. Kalin smiled and mounted, riding off towards the forest.
Inside of the small woods, Kalin felt a peace about him. As the final light whispered through the trees, allowing a green and orange hew to form. A cloud of mist was in the air, signal of a fog the next morning. Kalin left his horse and tied it to a short branch. The crisp wood was firm, but small. The whole place smelled of bark, and the smell welcomed Kalin. Brown and orange leaves hung among the green on the trees, yet another signal of the coming fall.
Kalin finally moved on, pressing through limbs and snapping twigs with his boots. He could not help but make noise. He felt like a disturbance to a perfectly calm place, a ripple amongst the water. He looked as trees began to fly home, offering dinner to their young. He saw owls begin to hoot in the early evening. Kalin witnesses a small elk galloping away from him. It’s brown fur dotted with white. Then the father stepped out and snorted at Kalin with prestige.
As he continued, Kalin heard a voice. At first it was quiet, then it grew louder, and finally Kalin recognized it as Crysts singing. The song was of love and loss. Happiness and sadness. Of how one could have so little, yet still lose more. It was sad but also made Kalin wonder if that was how she felt. Kalin never spoke of it, but he was relatively rich. She would be marrying into a wealthy and noble family. He finally emerged into a small opening. A little pond had been created by a stream that flowed from a nearby brook.
Rocks were scattered along the edges of the clear water, and small lily pads floated lazily amongst each other. Boulder were smoothed and protected the waters. The forest had literally given way to make this peaceful and quiet place. The trees just seemed to stop and then go on. The trees created a canopy of leaves which created amazing and wild shadows upon the ground. It was at this time that Kalin realized that the moon was half way in the sky already.
The thought of having walked for hourse baffled Kalin, but he did not care. For on one of the smoothed boulders sat Crysts. She wore a silk blue skirt, and then she wore a silver breastplate. She looked half-maid, and half- battle maiden. She was the manifestation of love and pain. In her hand she held a long blue sword. It was about three inches wide, and on it were pictures. It had wings and creatures that looked like seraphim from the book of Isaiah. Each with six wings, two covering their face and two covering their feet, and two to fly.
Crysts saw Kalin and stopped singing. In the song’s stead, tears began to fall into the small pond, ripples began to extend outward. Kalin ran up to her and together they embraced in the silence and solitude. The silence was endless, a never-ending trail of nothing hushed voices. Animals hushed their babies as they witnessed Kalin and Crysts, two pure people in love.
Kalin smiled as his tears mixed with those of Crysts. She, too smiled. And joy was returned to her spirit. Crysts pulled back from Kalin, and another tear fell into the water.
“I knew you would come. You always have. Whenever I think of you or of being alone, you appear. Let me ask you something, was it God’s plan that my mother died?” Kalin cocked his head a little in thought.
“I could not tell you. I am just a servant, and I cannot know the grandeur that is God’s plan. I can tell you one thing though, it will be for the very best. How do I explain it? Let me put it into words you will best understand. When Vance attacked the old castle of Morning Breeze, it was devastating. But when the new castle was built, everyone was united and the King was a good man. You see? It is because of that great tragedy that our people were united.” Crysts nodded in agreement.
“But what of Tyris? Why do you think he did what he did? You knew him best, so why did he go through with it even though he knew it would mean his life?” Kalin sighed, he had not thought of that. The fact that Tyris might have known what his rebellion might have meant.
“Tyris and I believed in the same thing.” a tear fell from Kalin’s face into the water, making a ripple. “It is like this tear drop. Even the smallest ripple will someday become a wave. Tyris knew his fate, but he also knew that it would lead to a great thing. As to what that is, I can never know.” Crysts accepted this and hugged Kalin. While they held each other tight, Crysts spoke into Kalin’s ear.
“Sleep will not come to me this night, show this spot for us to be wed.” Kalin took her hand and led her to where he came from. They ran for ten minutes, and were back to Kalin’s horse. The knight still wondered how the moon had risen so fast...

• • •

 

[Die Kaiserin]

• • •
Umbra stepped into the dark hall of the King’s chamber and strided towards the silhouette seated on the throne. The massive body stood and embraced the general. Farron laughed and finally his young face was shone by the light of the fire. His eyes reflected the flames and his teeth shone with the glint of fire.
“Son, I have a wish, no a gift for you.” Umbra smirked in the shadows.
“Son? You haven’t called me that for ten years. What is this gift?” The king stopped laughing and held out the sword. The blade seemed to react to the general as he looked at it. Umbra took it from his father’s hand and held it in the air. Blackness swirled from the blade and covered Umbra’s body. When it faded, he was dressed in black armor, full but light. His helmet was the face of a demon and only his eyes were visible.
“Thank you father...” He started to turn but his father grabbed him.
“I trust the sword has spoken to you, but you must not transfigure before anyone who will not die. It is a secret only those of godly blood deserve to see.” Umbra smiled behind the teeth of his helmet. He went out of the room having to still his urge to kill someone. Evil seethed from his eyes and mouth as he walked into his room and steadied the blade.
A black light flashed as Umbra unlocked the sword’s ability. His body was different, and he loved the feeling of strength and knowledge. He began to speak, but his voice was deep and evil.
“Hahahah! It this the power that my father spoke of? It is glorious! All will cower before my blade...”

• • •
As Kalin rode with Crysts, he saw the light flash from one of the towers in the castle. It lit up the sky but then faded, and for a second, Kalin thought he caught the sound of a demon speaking, but it faded with the wind. Then a second bright flash pulsated and was gone, then nothing but the dark night.
Kalin continued to gallop until he reached the maple forest. He led Crysts among the thick trees and beautiful leaves. He walked across the dry ground and he thought of hw long it had been since the last rain, he couldn’t even remember. Yet the trees and grass seemed to be thriving? Is it all because of the evil cloud? Kalin almost laughed, it was a funny thing to say, evil cloud. But once he thought of it, he was terrified.
Kalin finally reached the break in the thickness. It was a long opening and leaves covered the entire ground. Flowers grew in small bushes, and everything was in it’s natural state. Crysts clapped her hands in agreement and kissed Kalin.
“It’s perfect! Oh it is so wonderful! We can have the people sit here, and we can be up there...” Kalin was glad that she was happy, but other things were constantly plaguing his mind. The dark flashes, the King’s new armor, new weapons... But it was too much for him. Crysts tugged on his arm to lay down next to her. Kalin unstrapped his breasplate and bicep plates and set them aside. He laid down next to Crysts and they held each other and watched the night’s sky...
As morning came, the sun climbed up the sky’s ladder. It’s bright light pierced through the darkness of night and shone through the leaves of day. The beauty of the orchard during the day was breathtaking. The barrage of colors and smells made it a place of wonder. Crysts kissed Kalin and stood up, she looked down at the Captain and simply stated a fact.
“We will bury my mother today and be wed the next.” Kalin was surprised at her confidence. He knew that she was still sad, but he now saw how strong willed she was. He smiled and hugged her.
“I shall send out messengers immediately to invite those who we want at our wedding. As Christianity is not allowed in this country, we shall have to keep it in secret. Having it by torch light will be romantic, no?” Crysts began to frown, but smiled yet again. Her beautiful face was lit up by the morning light. Her emerald eyes, and black hair. Her smooth complexion, her high spirits, and her all around beauty.
“Yes, it will be romantic. But what if someone comes? What if we are caught?” Kalin’s face became solemn.
“Then we will be imprisoned for our love. Never will that make me challenge my faith. But that is tomorrow, today is a day of many tears. Let’s go your father and mother are waiting.”
Together, Kalin and Crysts ran out of the maple forest. They mounted on the horse and galloped off towards the town, there eyes always watching the castle. It’s walls seemign to loom up and curl back in a smile of mockery. Kalin’s mind always envisioned that dark blast last night, what could it have been? Was it the same evil that created the dark cloud? Or was it something more?
Kalin could not stop thinking of these things, and before he had even answered one of his questions, they had arrived at Crysts’ house. His father had gathered a small group of men to help dig the grave for his wife. They would bury her in the local graveyard, so they all set off on foot, beginning the actual ceremony.
People began to sing in low tones songs of anguish and sadness. They disgusted Kalin and so he stepped back to be with Joseph. The two began to talk about the wedding, how it would go. Kalin then turned the conversation to the dark cloud.
“What do you think it was?” Kalin asked finally.
“It is hard to say, but I think this town, the whole world is going to take a turn for the worse. Whatever it was, it was definitely satanic. It might have been a demon overlord, I don’t know. God will prevail, that is all I can be sure of at this point.” Kalin agreed with Joseph but then went on to describe the weird event of seeing the pillars of light and darkness. He then described the dark storm and the creature that emerged from it. He went into graphic detail of the fire that surrounded the thing. Finally Joseph stopped him short,
“Listen, son, this is definitely something that is out of our hands. What you saw was a vision from God of the spirit realm. You saw a demon, and that is something most people cannot confess has happened to them! Talk to God about it he will give you the answer, he always does.” Kalin smiled, putting on a fake mask to hide his anger and confusion. He had so many unanswered questions, how could he possibly have to wait on God? Suddenly felt Satan manipulating him. He saw how he was reacting to the correct advice, and the Father of lies did not want that. Kalin then knew that he did indeed need to pray, for that was what Satan did not want.
With this decided, Kalin continued to walk on, but in silence. The songs faded away, but thoughts kept him from concentrating. Finally Kalin was able to concentrate, and he began to pray:
God, it had been a while. I have been so drawn up in the stream, no, the river, of life that I was taken away from You. You are my life and my goal. I no longer want to be distracted by what life offers. Lord, I come to You now because I am angered and confused. I feel deceived by the Enemy. Lord I need to know what has befallen my king and our land. What evil was in that cloud? Why di-
Kalin was cut short by the stopping of the small caravan. Everybody was in two rows, two in front, two behind them, then the next four held the body on a makeshift-stretcher, and then four more after them. They all stopped in front of the graveyard, a lage grass area that was cut out of one of the large forests of pine and spruce trees. A small wooden fence encompassed the entire area, swords were placed in the ground, signifying a grave. Hundreds of wooden swords covered the ground, signifying the death of a peasant.
The classes of people had never been truly shown, noble blood was regarded with just a little more prestige than someone without. If you were skilled, one could become a knight. Only little things allowed people to see the difference, things like wooden swords instead of real. Rank as a knight was shown by how one was buried and by what type of sword he was represented with. Generals were shown by golden swords, Captains were shown by crystal, and Lieutenants were shown by silver. All other knights were buried with a normal sword, a wooden hilt, and a silver blade.

 

[Die Kaiserin]

Joseph, Kalin, and two other men from the Christian church began to dig in a spot that was set for Crysts’ mother. As they threw the dirt into a pile, Kalin could see the people who had come begin to cry, and pray. Finally one man stepped forward. He wore a small black shirt tied to black cloth pants. It was obviously a poorer man. But Kalin recognized him, he did not know where from, but he knew him. The man was getting old, in his fifties, and his gray hair was a crown upon his head. He finally spoke up after choking back his tears.
“We have all come here to see the burial of a godly women. She was loved and she is missed, even now. During her life, I was able to know this wonderful lady, this creation of God. She lived through travesty after travesty. Her family went through poverty, but that ended when she met a man. Joseph had come at a time that was of God’s planning. Her family falling apart, God managed to save Isaabel before her family brought her down. After years of happy memories, Joseph and Isaabel had a baby, that baby was Crysts. Crysts grew up to be a wonderful daughter. But when Satan saw their happiness, he was angered. So he sent poverty their way, and Joseph had nothing left to do than send Crysts to the academy.”
“However, as I have heard. God had a plan in this. Crysts met a bright and elegant young man while at the academy, who now, she will marry. God is going to use this marriage to bring the Sannda family out of poverty, and get their head above water. This man, this great young man, is none other than Kalin Dragonfire! I am sure we all remember him from before the academy, as well as his father.” At that moment it clicked, this man was the pastor from the Christian Church! He had even forgotten the pastor? Kalin continued to dig as the pastor spoke on. “With this, we want to say farewell to Isaabel Sannda. Remember all, that she is in a place glorious beyond our imagination. She is with the Lord on High now. Let us all bow for a moment of silence, and thank God for this woman.” All the people stopped digging and looked down, all of the crowd also looked down. In a matter of seconds Crysts and Joseph were crying, along with those they knew the most. Kalin stared at the pile of dirt beneath him. He stared at it, focusing on each grain of dirt, each molecule. He focused so hard that he did not start digging again. His mind was focused on only one thing, that creature in the cloud. Was that what had infected the town?
Kalin’s thoughts were diverted by Joseph’s hand on his shoulder. They had finished digging and the body needed to be placed in the hole. Kalin smiled, and agreed to walk it. The four men picked up the white wrapped body, and gently carried it over to the spot dug in the ground. They lightly placed Isaabel inside and stepped away. People came forward as tradition and dropped incense or various flowers on the body. When all this was done, they replaced the dirt and stepped back.
Crysts suddenly walked forth, in her hands she held a sword. It was a wooden handled, silver bladed sword. She walked up with confidence and turned to face the crowd. With determination in her eyes, she spun the sword around and shoved it deep into the earth. She held the small hilt with two hands wrapped tightly around it. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at all the people.
“My mother was a lot of the things you said. However, my mother did want me to leave. For a long time, I brought strife to her life, and she returned it with malice. I, being her detriment, wanted nothing more than happiness for her. After a long time of life, my desire for love, only grew into hatred. I hated my mother for hating me. Then when I was sent away, I saw the smile on her face, and I knew that I hated her truly. She disgusted me, but when I returned to tell her of Kalin and I, all of that pain was gone from my heart. And I am glad that I was able to love her before she died.”
“This is my testament! This is my act, showing that I will not stop fighting, even if it means fighting for Lord Vance. I will fight beside Kalin, in all that he does, I do also. I love him and I know he loves God.” Crysts looked at the sky. “Mother! This is for you that I go on! It is for God and you that I fight! I love you!” Crysts let go of the sword and ran to Kalin who put his arms around her. She shoved her face into Kalin’s shoulder and sobbed. Kalin smiled ever so slightly and spoke into her ear.
“And I will stand and fight with you, my love.” Together they hugged for several minutes, not listening as others stepped up to speak. It was nearly noon by the time the burial was done, and Crysts finally let go of Kalin. She smiled weakly and managed to say,
“Tomorrow we wed.”

• • •
• • •
Gornin ran through the woods as fast as he could. He just needed to break out of the treeline and he woud be safe. He felt it in his veins. His pulse jumped out of his neck, and sweat poured down his face. He could still hear the thing’s breath, feel it’s claws. The question was, who would believe him? He barely believed it himself. For some reason he just felt that it must stay in the darkness of the forest to survive. He just knew it within his heart.
Behind him he heard the trees snapping and limbs breaking. He heard the leaves rustle as the creature continued to pursue him. Gornin had stumbled upon it while looking for a certain type of root he needed to make a medicine to sanitize a wound. It was dark but it had an aura about it of power. He felt the darkness coming after him, like a wave consuming all that he left behind him. Finally, he felt it’s breath again, and he knew he would have to face it.
Gornin rolled forward, pulling his sword out, and shifted his body to look at the creature. It was relatively large, about the size of horse, only stronger built. It’s fur was completely black, and it’s eyes were a bone chilling blue. Upon it’s forhead, a glistening red horn glowed red-hot in the dark cover of the forest. The unicorn stomped at the ground with one hoove and snorted at Gornin. It swung it’s head around and stabbed the knight in the shoulder. The wound burned beyond anything he had felt before, and Gornin cursed the pain aloud.
Gornin swung at the beast and cut deeply into the side. As his blade touched the rib cage of the unicorn, it lashed out and stabbed all the way through his left thigh. The blow burned brightly, searing the wound close. Gornin shouted out in pain and stabbed strait into the neck of the horse. Pulling his sword to the side, the unicorn cried out and cut Gornin across the chest as he severed the neck from the body.
Pain, pain is all Gornin could feel. Pain and burning, intense burning. He looked down and saw the red of the horn slowly die out. Gornin could feel something move inside of him, and he knew it was poison. His vision blurred, but he continued to run. He ran, avoiding all the big, brown splotches that he saw. Finally he saw light pierce through the dark cover of leaves as the trees grew less thick. Never before did he see the forest so thick, especially in broad daylight.
The poison traveled faster, going strait for his heart. Gornin hopped on his horse and kicked it to move towards the castle. He had come out of the south forest and he would head strait for the south gate. His body began to slouch, his vision became nothing but a terrible water color painting. Blood flowed from the wounds and his left thigh pulsated with his heart beat. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he reached the courtyard, and he fell from his horse...

• • •

 

[Die Kaiserin]

I will post the rest later! I gotta go!

 

[sydney]

good stuff dude! (sorry i say dude too much)
~sydney