First off, let me just say a quick thanks to Rose for looking out for things for me here on BI-transferring all my fics to the new forum and making updates-you truly are one of a kind! I don't know what we would all do without you! *hugs*
Secondly, I just want to say that this is the latest of my current (and unfinished) works, but I would like to thank everyone for the kind and enthusiastic responses to Legacies of Victory and Defeat and War's Restitution. The past year and a half placed a few too many demands on my time, and I unfortunately lost sight of where my fics were going. I am in the process now of rereading them so that I can hopefully get back to finishing them as well.
However, in the meantime, I began this little project a few months back, but had slacked off in posting it here. My Apologies! It is strongly AU, based off of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. I hope you all enjoy!
Wayward Travelers
By Luvspook
Prologue
…To the many eyes around me, I am but a child.
A child who, in the deliberation of my solitude, has born silent witness to a darkness all-consuming. So pure and unwavering is this darkness that no light dares to penetrate its depths.
It has swept across the land like the breath of the densest fog, blanketing all of Vellistan-my homeland- and erasing it from my view. Shrouded in that darkness, the misshapen forms known as the Yuan-ti have forced my people into hiding, scattering their once vast numbers across the plains, the deserts, and woodlands. These abominations, born of both man and snake, have crept from the bowels of Aergothe- their piercing reptilian eyes, fangs, and forked tongues, little more than twisted visages embodying evil’s truest nature.
They have lain all they touch in ruin, leaving in their wake a bleak and desolate wasteland, baptized in the blood of the innocent…
The young bard stopped writing as the rapidly fading sunlight seized his vision, serving as a subtle reminder that nightfall would soon be upon him. Hastening his pace, he dropped the long feather-tipped quill pen into the inky vial before him and set to the task of gathering the scant handful of items he could afford to carry with him on his journey.
Undoubtedly, it would prove a long and difficult one…the first he would ever embark on alone. The youngest of countless children, he had never really had to do anything for himself. He felt a smile creep to his lips as he thought of his family, but quickly forced them from his mind. Surely, they would not understand, and seeing them again now would only weaken his resolve. He couldn’t allow himself such a distraction…not with all of Aergothe at stake.
Tossing a meager supply of rations, a change of clothing, and the small leather bound book which served as his journal into a satchel, he once again dropped into the uncomfortable wooden chair at his desk. The words floated across the weathered parchment, ornamenting its surface with the young man’s farewell, just as the first beams of moonlight crept across the floor.
Rising to his feet, he haphazardly threw his cloak around his shoulders, fixing the hood so his face would be obscured in the depth of its shadow. Grabbing his pack full of belongings, he fastened a fist-sized velvet pouch full of coins onto his belt, tucking a cumbersome, yet quite necessary, dagger and sheath directly beside it. With one last fond glance around the room, he stole away under the dark cover of night, leaving only the words he inscribed behind.
…I can no longer remain blind and deaf to the violent cries of this dying world. Though these abominations walk on two legs as a man, they have abandoned that which makes them at all human-compassion and empathy for any living thing. I can no longer hide from these creatures, feigning ignorance of their horrible and ruthless misdeeds. I must make a stand…and I am certain that I will not stand alone.
Quatre Raberba Winner
That's all for now, folks! But more is on the way...the next two will be up shortly!
*hugs to all* and thanks for reading!
This is cool!!! I like D & D and play it too!! I luv Gundam Wing or I think I would'nt be here!!! It's really good !! Can't wait for the other chapter!!