Prologue He awoke with a soft and very tired yawn. The sun was ablaze in the sky and his father was hard at work outside, he could hear the slam of the axe on the wood. He moved to the side of his bed and cracked his neck. Slowly he stood up and stretched his arms above his head. Aidan was somewhat muscular for his age, and his body was full of life, his mind however, was full with the dream he had had about his mother, he shook the dream out of his mind for the time being, yawned again and looked at his mother picture above his bed. In his dream she had been hurt, he hoped in his heart it was not true. He pulled on his dirty shirt from the hard work that he had been doing yesterday and pulled up his old brown pants. The shirt was a short sleeve with a tie on the front. He never understood the tie up strings but it was his shirt and he knew he would have to work hard for sleeping in. He slipping on his boots that came about have away up his shine and where leather and cracked. Today was a special day, even though it didn’t feel like it. As he looked around the room he seen no presents, today was his fourteenth birthday, but when you live the common mans life, even if it is your birthday, you still have to work. There was a note left on his old deck that his father made him when he was five, the oak had faded and his little brother had carved into it with his pocket knife. His brother was one year younger then him, and tried the best he could to be him. He felt good having his little brother looking up to him and felt better having someone he could compete against and try to train. "Aidan," the loud deep voice of his dad echoed into the house. "Are you up yet?" "Yes father." Aidan replied. "Come out here and help me then son." He father barked back. "Yes sir." Aidan smiled to himself and he looked down at the note on his desk from his little brother and sister. It reed, Happy birthday brother, I hope you come and find us, if you want your presents. Love Tes and Will. His heart jumped at the thought that his little brother and sister had gotten him something. He moved to the door of the log house quickly and flung open the door. The light from outside assaulted his eyes and he had to squint to see. His father walked from around the counter of the house and smiled at his son. "Good morning." He said with a bright smile on his sweat covered face. His white shirt was see through from the sweat that was coming off his body and he hadn't shaved in a couple of days. His hair was cut short and was slowly changing color from a dark brown to a lighter, tan color. "How did you sleep?" "Fine." He said with a faint smile. "What's wrong son?" His father asked. "Nothing is wrong father. I just had a stupid dream." Aidan lied. He wanted presents and a chance to sleep in but knew it was an impossible task. Although it wasn’t all a lie his dream had scared him a lot. "About what ?" Aidan dropped his head and looked down at the old leather boots he wore on his feet. His mother had got them for him. "Your mother." Aidan nodded. "Tell me about it as we carry this wood to the shed." "Yes sir." Aidan walked around the corner to where his father had been cutting the wood and picked up a couple of blocks of wood. His arms where sore from the work he did the day before but he pushed himself through it. He carry three of the five for his father and his dad looked on in amazement. "You really have grown up Aidan." his father said as he picked the remaining two pieces of wood. "You will be great one day, son. But tell me more about this dream." "It was a stupid dream." Aidan replied as he dropped the wood down on the ground. After walking up the tiny hill to the shed. He lifted a couple of pieces up and put them on the top of the pile. "Mom was riding Jewel and suddenly an arrow struck the horse in the chest. Jewel rolled and mom was thrown off. Then four men moved up to her with the flash of steel mom was... " he stopped. "I see." His father replied. "Well, dreams can bring us pain but they are only dreams. Remember that, and you will be ok." “Yes sir.” Aidan replied as he finished putting the wood away. “What’s next?” “Well, you have to come with me into the seller, I have something for you.” As they walked down the hill back toward the old house Aidan bumped into his dad and the two started to push each other back an forth. Aidan stood a little shorter then his father standing at about five foot six and his father at five eight, but the two looked like old pals. As they re entered the house Aidan looked at his father. “Why couldn‘t you carry that wood up?” “I wanted you to get out of bed.” His father chuckled. “You old man.” He said jokingly. “Come on son.” His father said in a more serous tone. “Down we go.” They slowly started down the stairs into the dark cold seller. It was very small and cold. Aidan’s hated it down here, it was so haunting and scared the hell out of him. His father slowly opened an old wooden trunk, that arias didn’t even see as a trunk. He thought it was a pile of dirt from all the dust on it. His father looked back at him as he pulled out a set of twin blade. They where beautiful. They shined as though they where made of the finest silver, and they where placed inside magnificent scabbards. They where attached to a belt and where about as long as Aidan’s legs. It would be a few years let before he would wear then without having it strapped above his knee. “Father…” His father stayed silent for a moment staring at the swords. “These where your Great Great Grandfather. He pasted them down to My grand father who pasted then down to me, and I am Passing them down to you.” His father handed him the swords and the boy looked shocked. “It is said the Fourth generation can unlock the power of these swords and can wield them as if they are weightless.” His father smiled, as Arias looked at his father questionably. “What is wrong son?” “Father, the power of the swords?” Aidan chuckled. “It is true son. Your great great great grandfather was never once defeated in battle when he had these swords. The Fourth Generation of Dragunes, should be able to unlock the power and be able to defeat any evil that arises in front of him my son.” “Uh Huh. ” Aidan smiled as he tried to strap the belt on. The swords hung very low to the ground and the Belt hung just above his groin. “I‘ll Have to grow into them?” “That you will.” His father chuckled. He clasped his hand on arias’ Shoulder and the two headed back up into the light. ___________________________________ The sun was blazing down on him, it was later in the day and Aidan was milking the cow his father had bought many moons ago. His father was tired and had gone in for a nap. Aidan had told him to because his father looked on the point of collapsing. So Aidan picked up the rest of the cores. It wasn’t much really, Just milk the cows and feed the chickens. Give the horses hay and Chop the rest of the wood. He was use to doing it because his father was away lot. He smiled and stroked the cow. “Hey Babe, its ok. Thanks for the milk.” He patted the cow who turned and mooed at him. He smiled and picked up the bucket. “Arias,” an Out of breath girl yelled from down the road. “Aidan!” She exclaimed as she closed in. “Myra, what’s wrong?” She skidded to a stop and, breathing hard stared at him. “Richard,” She paused to catch her breath. “Brimster and the Gang have him… Cornered at the creek.” Aidan jumped the fence and hit the ground at a hard run, his fourteen year old legs pumping with anger and fear for his friends safety. Myra quickly followed but Aidan was to fast. HE was down the hill and through the small town of Pine Creek, running harder still as he spotted the boys cornering and advancing on his friends little brother. The guys that where advancing on him where around Aidan’s age but Richard, Myra’s little brother was only about seven. Richard always amazed Aidan, with six men advancing n him he showed no fear. Aidan reach for his swords but realized they where against the fence post. He had no time to run back and grab them. “Looks like its just me…” He said to himself as he veered his course toward a tree. He took flight, jumping and grabbing an old rope that had been used by children to swing themselves into the creak. The speed in which he hit the rope, almost made him miss it, but he held strong to it and swung around the tree, and planted his feet into an unsuspecting young mans face. The impact made his knee ache but he quickly recovered with a sidelong roll that propped him back onto his feet. “Hello Ronald,” Aidan smiled. “Picking on six year olds again.” A Long, red haired boy stepped forward. He looked more like and orc then a boy. His bottom jaw had been broken twice by Aidan in to different fights and now it stuck out. His nose hung crooked on his dirty face, and for a boy of sixteen years, he was huge. “Well if it isn‘t the protector of the weak, the hero of the brats, Aidan .” He growled. “You got lucky last time punk, Now I‘m going beat you senseless.” Aidan had to smile at the comment but was suddenly surprised at the speed in witch Ronald Brimstone came at him with. It was amazing for a boy of his size to have that much speed, but arias Knew this all to well. At the last possible second Aidan ducked under the right hand of his attacked and rolls to the side, landing a hard shot to the ribs the quickly rolling to his feet. Quickly Brimstone’s buddies had him. He wasn’t expecting then to jump into the fight but now he knew he was in trouble. He used all his strength and all his power but could break free. Ronald brimstone advanced on him and landed a shot the could have taken down a tree, into Aidan’s midsection, Aidan double over and quickly got a knee to the face. Followed by another rolling right. “Stop it.” Richard, the six year old boy yelled and quickly ran toward Ronald. Ron turns and spun kick the poor child in the face, sending him to the dirt and knocked out cold. “You will pay for…” Aidan started but was punched with a straight left. The world was spinning and everything was a blur. He could taste blood and feel the warm liquid running down his face. He was cut and bad he knew but he couldn’t do anything. The two guys holding him where strong and he could break their old. “Happy Birthday, Arias the weak.” Ronald said as he pulled his fist back for another shot. Out of know where, Myra pounce on his back and hold on. He laughed at her attempt and quickly slammed her to the ground, sending a cloud of dust from the dirt. Aidan clutched his fist as Myra grabbed her back. “You should of stayed out of this girly, but of course, you have to stick your nose in.” Myra gasped for air but it was no use. Ronald pulled to her feet and backhanded her hard, sending her falling beside her little brother. “NO!” Aidan cried and swiftly kicked out both of his legs, breaking the knees of the men that where holding him. As soon as her was free, he was on top of Brimstone, landing several punches to his face and staggering the man. The two of the fell into the creek and under the water. Brimstone came up first and scrambled to the waters edge, Aidan however didn’t surface, having taken the brunt of the fall he was still under. Myra looked at the still water and started to tear up. Brimston’s face was cut open and his eye swollen. “Some hero.” Brimstone muttered as he stood, still in the water up to his knees. Suddenly he was on his back with a flurry of punches landing square in his face. Aidan had stayed under to get the upper hand it would have seem. Brimstone used his massive body to roll Aidan over and pinned him under the water. Aidan’s legs quickly locked around the mans neck and his grasp weakened. Brimstone’s eyes rolled into the back of his head from lack of oxygen and suddenly he fell off to the side and into the water. Aidan coughed as Richard and Myra pulled him out from under the water, spitting up water and blood he crawled on his hands and knees. “Are you ok?” Richard asked, as Aidan collapsed onto the dirt. “Never better.” Aidan joked. He grabbed his ribs and looked at Myra. “Are you ok?” “I‘ll be ok.” She replied with a smile. She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.” Aidan tried to stand but his knees where weak. Myra helped him to his feet and the three stagger back to the farm, where his father now stood with his arms crossed and an angry looked on his face. “How many times Aidan ?” “I didn‘t want to fight him.” Aidan lied. He was glad when Brimstone didn’t back down he was glad because someone needed to teach him a lesson. “Don‘t you lie to me, You loved every minute of it.” His father shot back at him, his voice rising a little. “Father, I am…” Aidan stopped and looked at the ground. “Son,” His father started in a softer tone, “You don‘t always have to fight.” Richard, the brave little boy he was, stepped forward in Aidan’s defense. “Sir,” he started, “Aidan was protecting me. He saved me fro getting a beating.” “Why would they want to beat you up?” Aidan’s father asked shocked at the little boys braveness to stand and defend his friend. “Because, sir.” Myra cut in. “Because my Father and the brimstones are in a fued, they have been over what land is theirs and what is our.” “So they take it out on you‘re little brother?” Aidan’s Father asked, not believing a word. “No sir, they beat on Richard and I because they can. But ever since Aidan beat Ronny boy the first time. He was been coming after my brother more and more to try to get Aidan to come and prove himself. This is the second time Aidan has had to save my brother and every time my father seems to want to give in Aidan tell him not to give into the worthless cheap skates and they he would protect my brother. ” “It‘s True father.” Aidan added as his father looked at him. “It‘s been a long time since I have talked to old Bottle Cap.” Aidan father replied. “He doesn‘t like that name any more.” “Why?” “He has stopped drinking sir. No more ale for my father.” Myra replied. “Ok then I‘ll Go see Hakea.” “That‘s my Fathers real name?” “Yes.” Aidan’s father replied. “Now I know it.” They all laughed and Aidan looked at his father. Myra and Richard quickly left The two alone. “Go find your brother and sister. They have been waiting for you. They are out in the old corn field.” “Yes Father.” Aidan replied and started off at a slow jog. “Aidan,” his father called after him. “I‘m proud of you.” Aidan smiled, continued on his way. ___________________________________ The sound of metal hitting metal woke Aidan later that night. As he shook the sleep from his head he was abruptly on his guard. His father was gone as here his brother and sister. The door swung open and his father ran back in, a look on his face that scared Aidan, a look of fear. “Son, Grab your swords, the city is under attack.” Aidan looked horrified and quickly pulled on his pants and his swords. He slid a shirt on and rushed outside following his father, who was wielding a sword of his own. Aidan quickly drew both of his long slender swords out of their scabbards. They where lighter then he expected, but his body still ached from the fight with Ronald. Aidan quickly took a look around and noticed that everything was on fire. Every house every building was aflame. His father quickly ran off toward the forest to help a group of fighters. Aidan on the other hand headed straight west, toward his friends, toward Myra and Richards house. On his way he looked down the hill and noticed that the only house not on fire was the Brimstones. He question it in his mind but quickly shrugs it off and continued running. He found Myra and Richard, running toward the creek. “Myra,” He yelled. She stopped and looked back at him as he came down the hill and met up with them. “Myra, come with me, I will protect you.” he yelled as he come to her side. “Aidan,” Myra yelled back to him. He came up to her and her little brother who was crying. “They killed my father, they killed my mother.” “Don‘t worry I will prote…” He didn’t get a chance to finish as Myra’s Eyes grew large and her face pale. Aidan looked over his shoulder, his father was in a dead Run toward him. “RUN!” He yelled. “ORC!” Aidan turned and from the top of the hill for the first time in his life he saw a real life orc. The Orc was huge, bigger then he had imagined and looked utterly disgusting. The greenish ting of its, skin glowed in the light of the fire. It pulled a bow to bare with a long arrow strung. It aimed and fired, the arrow whistled and caught Aidan’s father in the back. “NO!” All three children yelled. The Orc Yelled with glee as it strung another arrow and Let it fly, catching Aidan’s father this time in the back of the skull, The arrows speed, it with such force that it pushed through his fathers skull in out of his fathers eye socket taking eyeball and all out. Blood shot everywhere and his father lay twitching, dead before he fell to the ground. Anger filled Aidan’s veins and his body started to shake. He turned his glare to Myra and Richard who looked horrified at him. “Run, find the nearest town, the currant will take you.” “What about you?” Myra asked. “Come with us.” Richard pleaded. “I said go, I will hold them off. I will die here.” “No.” Myra said. “I SAID GO!” He growled. She looked at him and then started off. “Aidan,” She called back. “I love you.” Aidan didn’t hear nor did he care. He quickly ran up toward the orc that had killed his father. He notched another arrow and launched it at Aidan. Aidan spun with his swords that felt weightless now and cut the arrow in half. The orc notched another and aimed at Aidan again. But Aidan was running to quickly, hitting the hill and coming up it quickly. The orc fired but it fell meters behind the teenager. He was up the hill in five strides swords leading the way. The orc swung the bow at him but Aidan, who had practiced with for most of his life with sticks and wooden swords, quickly parried the maneuver and grabbed both swords into the vial beast midsection, quickly pulling one out and driving it straight up under the breasts chin, and through the tiny brain that it had. It fell at his feet as blood flowed freely and the only sound that was heard was the gurgling of the creature. He pulled his swords from it and kicked in in the back, sending it rolling down the hill. He ran back toward the forest, back toward his house. As he made it there he looked into the deep dark forest and started in. A sound, a solitary sound made him stop and turn. A child no more then three walked around crying. From around the corner of his house, an orc strode out. Aidan turned to fight but suddenly the number of orc’s multiplied over and over again. A score and a half stood by their leader, his eyes looked off to the side where more where coming from the west. The leader picked the child up and smirked He lifted her toward his mouth and as he opened his maw, Aidan turned away, ran deep into the forest as the child’s crying stopped. He was alone and he was scared.