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The Unknown Betrayal

No longer had I lost my mother than I had become a slave. My long years of captivity kept my hopes of freedom low and worthless to me. How could I escape when all my brothers who had tried failed time and time again? The gate was as if it were a demon, which could watch all day and all night, knowing before hand if you would attempt. The very last man who had tried had gotten caught before he had the chance to even make a dash for his freedom. Day after day the guards made sure we knew that no one could escape. They brought vicious dogs, who would much rather you dead than alive, to show you just how seemingly stupid it would be to try to escape. However, we all wanted to escape, dead or alive. That was when my closest friend offered me an opportunity I could not resist. His great grandfather, who had had no money to free his grandchild thirteen years ago was going to break him out. As foolish as it sounded to us, we were ready to try to escape. Work here was bone breaking, shoveling dirt and sand from one spot to the next. Our backs were lined with scars from the ends of the guard’s whips.
That night marked both our history books. It was the night we would either escape, or face the wrath of the guards who already were displeased with having to work near us.
“Mathias,” My closest friend, James, whispered. “It is almost sun set.”
I looked up into the bright red clouds. “Yeah, where did you say he was going to break us out from again?” I asked.
He seemed to be disappointed in me and did not answer. I looked from him to where he watched, longingly.
“Stop staring!” I whispered more intently, anxious. “If you stare the wall will know!”
Sighing, James returned to looking down at the ground. “Sorry Mathias, you might be right. I’m getting second thoughts.” He said, sitting cross-legged.
I joined him, very close to the now roaring fire. That fire was the only reason we lived through the night during the winter. Around the fire were shacks that kept the snow off the ground, if it ever did occur to snow. Every once and awhile the fire would crackle and James would look up in excitement, only to grow more anxious. Then something occurred that hadn’t in a very long time. The forest started to sing out with incredible force. I looked at James, wondering if this was his great grandfather was to blame, but he looked back in confusion. Perhaps, I thought, he didn’t notice the forest.
Then, swift as a lion chasing its prey, came a crack from the wall. A huge section had been blown to pieces. Guards sprang into action, holding up their long swords that gleamed in the remaining sunlight. Two horses paraded from the wall strait for our fire. James smiled for perhaps the first time since I had met him so long ago, and stood up. His great grandfather brought the horse to his side and helped him up onto it. James looked at me, but chose to say nothing. They both galloped away, without me. Tears ran down my cheeks, it was then that I decided to make my final escape. As if invisible, I ran past the guards who now held back the escaping prisoners. I looked towards the town, and saw a brigade of men coming my way on their steeds. No longer was the town a safe route.
Turning to my only escape route, I plummeted headlong into the forest which seemed be incredibly easy to move around in. It was then, that I lost my footing and dropped like a rock to the ground, my head smashing into a fallen tree. A burning sensation coursed throughout my neck and it was then that blackness seemed to take me over.
Much later, it seemed, did I waken. My head throbbed with pain and felt moist as if I had been sweating. My muscles ached as I turned my body around to face the clear blue sky of the morning. I wiped the sweat away with my hand, then noticed that it was not sweat but blood that I had wiped away. The burning had increased and a deep desire to sleep had washed over me. I remained awake, but barley able to hold my head up. The forest seemed to be oddly quiet now, as if listening to my every breath. Animals would stop and stare at me, before they passed on, all leaving me in the same direction. When the sun had risen fully, and my frost bitten skin had started to warm again, I followed where the animals had walked off to, my every desire hoping for some water to satisfy my craving.
I followed the deer tracks through the forest, which lead me strait to a large river. My body trembled and shook as I got on my hands and knees, bending as low as I could to drink. The forest seemed to grow in sound, chirping birds flew all around me, but nowhere near me. A wolf in the distant howled, as if the moon had been full. I looked in the water, and two fish, larger than full loaves of bread seemed to be staring up at me. I had no time to think before I jumped in after them, hoping with all my heart that I would catch one. I was no match, though, for the coldness of the water. As my upper torso mixed with the water, a quick spike of coldness knocked the wind out of me. My body writhed with the sudden coldness and I locked up. In fear and the urge to survive I opened my eyes and bolted upwards but was not tall enough to reach the top of the water. Something in my body told me to flap my arms like a bird, and run like I was on tiptoe. Miraculously I seemed to be able to break the surface of the water and breath. However, another shock of pure cold water stunned my legs and I was swept under by the current.
My eyes opened, I thought this was it. I saw a gleaming light and I knew I must be inches from meeting my maker in heaven. This would be paradise at last! However, the light seemed to pass under me. My heart wrenched in fear. If I missed the light would I be banished to hell? I then, with whatever strength I had, did everything in my power to go back to the light. I wanted heaven, eternal paradise! The current, I thought, was Satan pushing me back, wanting my soul to eat and burn in his body. My head spun and my chest began to spasm, I wanted to breathe in, but water surrounded my mouth. Just as I wanted to give up, I was within reaching distance of the light! With every ounce of strength left in my body I reached out and grabbed the light, closing my eyes.
A terrible realization came to me as I noticed it was only a stone. My lungs felt unbearably heavy, as if a large man had sat on my chest. I had no strength left to do anything. I wanted to see the sky for the very last time, to watch how beautifully the clouds had formed. I clenched onto the stone, the stone that I thought would save my life, feeling foolish. My vision blurred and my head burned even worse now. I felt, as my body gave way to my command, branches that held me down in the water. A memory popped into my head of my mother’s smile, then darkness.
The memory of my mother seemed to stick into my thoughts. She moved, but only slightly back and forth. I was looking up at her, I seemed to be happy, and giggled. Her finger looked huge and nuzzled my stomach. Again, I giggled and felt my arms and legs moving up and down, side to side. But then, the door smashed open, revealing a large figure who I had not remembered before. They spoke, but their words were unrecognizable. I burst out into tears and screamed uncontrollably. My view changed to over her shoulder. I still cried, but felt a soft couple of pats on my back. Feeling comfortable I stopped. She started to sing a very familiar song, one that made me want to sleep. My vision, as clear as it was, slowly faded inwards, until all I saw or heard was her song.
I slowly came too. A warm feeling had come over my body. Cracks and pops resounded in the near area.
“Mathias! I thought… well… I thought you might be dead!” a familiar voice said.
I raised my head from the soft pillow that had been comforting my head. A large piece of cloth had been tied around my head. Opening my burning eyes I looked at James, who was fully dressed in the finest clothes.
“When I heard you had escaped I came looking for you in the forest. My conscience, guilty, I did not stop searching for you, even after nightfall. I am so sorry, brother, for leaving you astray!” James cried aloud.
I coughed, trying to speak. My throat was soar and felt as if it had been sanded on with the toughest sandpaper.
“Do not talk, I had to pump the water out of your lungs. You had swallowed quite a bit of it! Let it heal, and dry out.” James said, his tone unchanged.
My vision was very blurry, in-fact I could barley pick out James from the trees. I sat back again, resting my head that felt numb, and yawned.
“Mathias, I need to report to my grandfather, will you be alright?” James asked quickly.
I tried to piece words together, but without a doubt I knew that he was already mounting his horse.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise!” James said, a swat resonated from his position. The horses’ hooves kicked the ground and I felt the rhythm die down as he paraded off into the unknown. I sat there, thinking not only of my pain but also of the one memory that had stuck in my head. My mother had been very beautiful; I didn’t know why she had been killed. I knew nothing of my father, not even a spec of my memory showed him in it. I thought perhaps he had been enlisted in the army and had no time to see me.
Then it occurred to me. I was still clenching the stone that I had found at the very bottom of the river. The stone that deceived me into believing I was going to heaven. My eyelids spread open and I once again raised my neck. The fire seemed to be a haze of red that dashed up and down. Angrily I threw the stone into the fire, or best I could. I heard a couple taps as it bounced around on the various pieces of wood that had been set up to create the blazing fire. Again the picture of my mother appeared, this time stronger and clearer than ever. As she held me up on her shoulder and patted my back, I heard again the song she had sang. Silently I mumbled it to myself. My throat was in no condition to sing at her level, or at any level to be specific. The words came out as if they were an ordinary simple sentence. As I finished, the forest grew to a loudness I had never witnessed before in my life.
From the biggest predator to the smallest predator sang in rhythm a melody unlike any other. The melody was soft and smooth, a melody that seemed to make all else fade away. The fire, as blurry as it was, danced to the rhythm. Inside the fire, shone a brighter light than any other. The fire was sizzling, as if someone had put water on it, yet the flames stood high and tall. Then, as the melody increased, so did the flames. The flames started to create a humanistic figure, a female. The forest drowned out my thoughts entirely as the sound got more intense to the point where I could feel my skin vibrating. It was as if every animal was standing around me, doing whatever sound it was making strait into my ears. The image of this female grew stronger and stronger until the fire flashed and died and at the same time the fire flashed and died, the forest itself died in sound. A buzzing sound stuck in my head, irritating me. I noticed just then that the figure had stayed put. The figure moved, frightening me. I tried to stand up but my body was drained as if I had just run for my life. I breathed quickly, fearing the worst. A hand touched my head, and a soothing relaxation came over me. I was not able to think, speak, or control any of my body. I just stared endlessly up into the sky.
The hand was removed, and a female voice broke the silence.
“Rest, friend.” She said, softly. “You are safe now.”
I thought to stay awake, but as the time progressed my eyelids began to bare the weight of the day’s trials. Slowly I fell asleep, knowing fully well that whatever had appeared out of the fire was right at my side.
As I started to awaken, a deep fear sprang to life within my heart. I had witnessed a girl appear out of the fire, fire that would burn your skin if you dared to touch it. I acted as if I was asleep, but peered around through a crack in my eyelids. As my eyes fell upon the rekindled fire, I saw the woman’s back. She had tattered clothing that had resemblance of a very fine, very tight, green dress. Her strait dirty blond hair stretched to the middle of her back. My heart dulled a little and a wave of courage overwhelmed me. Opening my eyes, I sat upright to view her and the fire.
“Hello?” I said boldly.
She spun around surprised with a look of horror. “W-where am I?” She said, her dashing green eyes glaring at me.
“In the forest, I don’t know which one…” I sighed.
She wore a look of complete confusion, her eyes darted from me to the wild life which seemed to be more quiet than ever.
“Are you a warrior?” She asked, her eyes wandered to my arms.
“No…” I paused, “I was to be a slave for all my life.”
She looked slightly appalled. “Slave?” She asked, “We… We fought for freedom, we won that battle! Why have we slaves?” Her voice cracked.
The forest grew louder, and a look of terror griped her face.
“Who did you serve?” She asked, her every breath more intense.
“No one really knows besides the higher chain of command. Most of us are told what to do and they do not accept questions.” I paused to think of anything I knew of this king whom had enslaved me. Then it came to me. “He is a very fat man who has riches beyond any mans wildest dreams! He is the keeper of the most sacred and valuable stones, Elf Stones.”
Her eyes closed and her knees bent. Her body came rushing down to the ground, tears built up in her eyes until they came tumbling down. Her hands gently wiped away her tears and for a brief moment there was only the sound of the fire dashing about inside the circle of rocks.
“How…?” She asked aloud.
Several minutes passed before she gained herself again and sat back. Her soft face wore a completely devastated look, as if she had just lost a close friend. Confusion struck me; there had been slaves now for a couple thousand years. How could she have fought for slavery? As I peered into her beautiful face, I noticed that her ears were longer than usual. Her body, though skinny, looked very strong. The fire… why did she appear in the fire? Then I remembered chucking the stone in the fire! Were stones like the one I found some kind of time portals? She must have noticed my confusion because she smiled at me. Her teeth were as brightly white as the snow that layered some of the forest ground. The smile intrigued me.
She stood again, “Who are you?” She asked, walking closer to me.
“I’m Mathias,” I paused for a few seconds as she got closer to me, “Who are you?”
“My name is Maria.” She said a few feet from my side.
I was tempted to stand up, but laid there on the soft pillow. She bent down on her knee and placed her hand upon my chest.
“I’m going to try to mend your wounds, this might hurt a little.” She said, her eyes glowing slightly green.
She squinted and her eyes glowed fiercer. That was when I noticed a trickle of pain in my chest. A couple seconds later the pain had grown immensely, but my body would not allow me to move. The glow of her eyes seemed to travel down her neck, to her arm, and finally down through my chest. As soon as the glow strengthened the pain stopped, though I could feel my bones popping back into place, and my skin stretching over my gashes.
The glow dimmed quickly. Her eyes relaxed and looked at mine. “That will be good enough until we can find someone who can really heal you. I am without much training.” Maria said, lifting her hand from my chest.
My body felt renewed in certain areas but in others I was still hurting, just not as much. I could not stop staring into Maria’s green eyes. I could not for a moment grasp what had just occurred. What was she and where was she from? She looked from my face to the ground, as if she had made a poor decision.
Quickly though I smiled, “Thank you.”
She stood, holding a hand out for me. “Do you know where the nearest town is?” She asked as she heaved me up to my feet.
“Well, kind of. If we get to the river all we need to do is travel north until we find the foot path and travel east. They will be looking for me though. If I go back…” I paused, feeling disappointed. “If I go back, they will kill me.”
She smiled as the forest started to chirp. “The forest thinks differently.”
I looked at her, and simply nodded my head. Taking nearby gravel and snow to put out the fire. After I had done so, a chill ran over my body. I was cold! I looked at her, though, and noticed she had no protection either. I looked around at the surroundings and saw the pillow that I had been propped on.
Tearing a hole through the top I handed it to Maria who laughed. “I am not cold, in fact I am quite used to this weather. You need it.” She said, and would not accept it even after I tried to force her to grab it.
The empty pillow provided some warmth, but would not last long in this weather. I waved for Maria to follow me and we traveled through the forest on a deer path. Soon we found the river and started heading north. Maria insisted on being in front. I was curious but not enough to ask why she insisted. The sun seemed to set itself behind the clouds today, creating winds that chilled my spine. My face burnt as if it was on fire, but I knew full well that it was colder than ice. We trudged onwards though, not stopping for water or food. As the sky seemed to darken a little we found the path leading into town, though we were a long ways from it. We traveled east for some time, then she finally decided to stop. She plopped down on the side of the road, and patted the ground next to her.
I sat next to her, but kept my distance. She sighed and moved towards me, then rapped her arm around my waste. “If we keep together we will be warmer.”
Understanding what she meant I moved in closer towards her. It was still cold, but it was not as bad this way.
“What are we going to do when we get to town? We have no money.” I said aloud.
She stayed silent for a couple of moments. “

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This story lead me to creating "The Unknown Betrayal" D'Slaved

D’slaved

A cool breeze swept over my bare chest. Tired and wishing for death I picked myself up off the ground. My muscles twitched and ached from the day before. The bell tolled and as much as I wished I could ignore it I started towards the middle square. The sun with its light rested as if on the horizon. The mountains, however beautiful, looked awful.
“Get a move on!” a guard yelled from afar and the men around me started to walk faster.
A man that looked as if he had never touched a shovel in his life stood on the podium waiting to speak. Though I had never seen him before in my life.
The man coughed into the microphone then started, “Due to the unfortunate increase in slaves I will be releasing an eighth of you. When your name is called you may exit to my left.” He pointed to the gate.
Men all around cheered until he held up his hand. A silence unlike any other crept along us. He read several names off, none of which were mine, but as men were called they jumped in excitement and ran over to the gate. Soon the man on the podium curled up his peace of parchment and looked to the gate.
“You may let them go.” He said.

A cool breeze swept over my bare chest. Tired and wishing for death I picked myself up off the ground. My muscles twitched and ached from the day before. The bell tolled and as much as I wished I could ignore it I started towards the middle square. The sun with its light rested as if on the horizon. The mountains, however beautiful, looked awful.
“Get a move on!” a guard yelled from afar and the men around me started to walk faster.
A man that looked as if he had never touched a shovel in his life stood on the podium waiting to speak. Though I had never seen him before in my life.
The man coughed into the microphone then started, “Due to the unfortunate increase in slaves I will be releasing an eighth of you. When your name is called you may exit to my left.” He pointed to the gate.
Men all around cheered until he held up his hand. A silence unlike any other crept along us. He read several names off, none of which were mine, but as men were called they jumped in excitement and ran over to the gate. Soon the man on the podium curled up his peace of parchment and looked to the gate.
“You may let them go.” He said.
My heart was torn, freedom had just barley escaped me. Or had it?
Guns blazed from the other end of the wall. People screamed and ducked for cover. We all knew the ones who had been temporarily freed had been killed on the spot as they crossed the border.
My heart envied those men. I had tried multiple times to kill myself but I never had gone through with any of my plans.
“Get to work.” The man called out.
Grabbing a shovel, I started to load barrel after barrel full of rock and dirt. A guard at midday came to me and asked if I would be willing to go help deep underground. I knew, however, that when a guard asks, he is more or less telling you what to do.
After some time I entered the lowest chamber of the mine. Rumors had spread around that if we got too far, the devil himself would be released out of hell, and anyone who had done so would be banished to hell.
“Wives tales,” I would say.
Long after my muscles had showed they were exhausted did I get a break. They would work us all night and day if they could but laws were laws and in this land you did not break them.
Just before I started up the long chamber I saw something that glinted in the semi-dark chamber. Walking over to it and reaching down, I found a large red jewel. I spit on my hands and washed away the dirt that had formed around the jewel. It almost had a glow to itself!
Quickly I pocketed it, showing no change in thought. I knew very well, though, that I could be killed for keeping such a large jewel a secret from my captives. We entered our tents just before the sun had sunk beneath the horizon. I heard groans from the men who I worked with all day long. Their muscles would be aching just as mine did.
In my pocket I fumbled with the jewel. When I thought all the men were totally asleep I started to dig a little hole to bury the jewel. Sure with my work I positioned myself so that I would be sleeping with my back to it, guarding it from anyone who might want it for them-selves.
Morning came swiftly, as if I had not slept for any time at all. I sat up quickly and turned to look to make sure no one had messed with the stone. Then, as if the temperature around me had begun to freeze, my heart started to race. Where the hole had been sat a small parchment of paper. I read it as best as I could.
To who… found my stone and …something.. me, I will protect …something… all the time.
It was signed by Mariella.

My heart wrenched at the realization that I would not be getting my stone back. The people who took it, I figured, were just playing a rude joke on me. Who the hell was Mariella, if he even existed. The name sounded particularly Spanish.
The usual day started with the bell, and ended with the dimming of the day. I had not found any trace of any other stones of precious value while stuck deep in the mine.
My body shivered from the cold earth that I laid on. My bare chest had a hard time producing heat. The nothingness around me consumed me. I was nothing to absolutely no one out in this huge world. I wanted to just end. To go and never be again, but something deep within me told me there was something to live for. Something so deep and so quiet that I could almost mistake it for the scooping sound that I heard day to day. It was a pathetic life, but something said there was more…
Day came and I hadn’t gotten any rest. Tried as I might have sleep would not come. A paranoia of some sort had fully taken my thoughts, it was as if someone was watching me, as if someone was picking me out of all the different people around me.
My work ethics that day were incredibly dull. It had also come to the attention to the guards who singled me out at the first possible chance. They raised a whip, aimed at me, and with full force snapped it across my back. Screaming in pain and agony, I dropped my shovel.
“Pick that up now!” The guard screemed, whipping me across my back again.
Tears traveled down my eyes and I did not move. After a couple more slices on my back, the guard pulled away, leaving my trembling body sprawled on the ground. I knew if I did not get up soon they would be back to finish me off. This mine did not take kindly to anyone who didn’t work his share. Every man who did not work to their potential would be slain in front of all the others to scare and make sure the point was clear that we could not, for any reason, stop working.
I did not work hard at all, but everyone understood why. That night came slowly, my back scratched from the mounds of dry blood that in the heat started to break up. I laid down where I slept, looking up at the stars. My back was bursting in pain, but I was used to taking more than I would normally take. A sad thought crossed my mind. What if I would never escape this camp? It made me tear up.
I tried to get to bed, but the pain would just not allow it. The stars dimmed until they could not be seen any longer. I rolled onto my side and tried for a final time to sleep. I did not go fully asleep, but I felt fully rested when the bells tolled for us to report.
Suddenly a guard grabbed me shoulder and asked,
“What the hell, your back!” he yelled.
Another man screamed from the distant houses. He was in full sprint towards the gate. When he got in he called for all the guards.
“Dead?” A guard yelled out in anger.
“Sir, they both are!” the other guard commented.
Two men headed towards me, guns drawn.
“This the man?” the men called out.
My fellow miners backed away, singling me out. The guard in the distance nodded and one of the men put the gun to my head.
“You have been sentenced to death for killing two guards! You shall never be free, and you are deemed to hell you demon!” he said, and a sharp click resonated through my brain before my body was wrenched away from my control. Something had a strong grip on me, and my muscles in my neck would not seem to let me view what had hold of me. A thick punch to my stomach made me slouch over, regaining total control of my muscles and everything.
“Do not look up,” a woman’s voice whispered. “You saved me, and therefor I am in your dept.” She paused for a few seconds, slightly sighing to her-self. “According to ancient traditions we are both equally in each others debt and bound by a great curse if we do not own up to our debts.” She paused, sighing even deeper this time. “My name…” She whispered even quieter. “is… and you mustn’t ever call me by it unless you are in the mightiest trouble… is…” she paused again, this time it felt really awkward. “Zanurva… You are the first human to know it so do not tell anyone, or they might find the same outcome as those guards who whipped you. You are to call me Maria.” She finished.
I wanted ever so badly to look up at who had freed me but chose not to, due to her calling me human. I was expecting to see some kind of green skinned girl who would disgust me in every way. I decided, however, to play along with her.
“My name is…” I started, but was rudely interrupted by Maria.
“Mathias, yes I know all about you. You work in a mine and have for some time. Your muscles show me all I need to know. I have things to attend to. If you are in dire need call me in your mind using my real name. Otherwise I will come to you!” She said in such a controlling way it wasn’t even funny.
I nodded best I could still looking at the ground. The ground flashed green and the wind at that moment knocked me over. I looked up and Maria was nowhere to be found. I looked at my hands, then to where I had been gripped with incredible strength. Not even a tiny scratch was apparent from my skin. I looked at my surroundings. A small cottage lay there in the thick of the forest, its wood looked unstable and in bad shape.
I walked into the cottage and found to my amazement, it was much larger than it appeared having more than two floors. As I stepped down to the second floor, there stood an iron door with three keyholes. I sighed, all hope dimmed from my heart for food and a place to rest.
That was until the door made a loud clicking noise, green fog spilled from the keyhole. I thought about not going into the fog that now cascaded out from the door as if water falling off a cliff. From somewhere deep inside me something pushed me through that door. After I had gotten through what appeared to be a thin layer of fog I was met by a wonderful sight. Gold filled every corner of this room and around it. A silver door was the only part of the wall that wasn’t filled to the ceiling. Another feeling from deep within me told me not to touch the gold, and so I listened. I walked up to the silver door, and pushed on it.
Slowly it opened to reveal a large circular room. The room held a bed and several shelves. All shelves were filled with different kinds of foods, from bread to potatoes, even to fish that did not seem to rot. My stomach hurt so badly at the sight of food, I wanted to eat it all.
I walked over to the bread and in front of me appeared a knife. With that knife I cut a hunk off the end of the bread and started to eat it. After I had eaten, an unbearable tiredness overwhelmed me. Everything in my body was telling me to rest, and so I did.
I woke, but did not open my eyes. This bed was seducing in the way it comforted me. I could barely remember the last time I had slept on a bed that was made with softness. I knew it must have been just getting light, because for the past 14 years I had been waking up at exactly the time the sun had reached the horizon.
There, on the ground, laid a girl who was unfamiliar. She was obviously tired and had slept on the ground. I wondered if this woman was Maria, but could not place a strong grip from those delicately created hands. She was your typical fantasy girl in that she was a dirty blonde with piercing blue eyes. Her face was soft and pure. No wrinkles, no red dots, nothing. Her eyebrows looked as if they were perfectly kept, no hair out of place. Her body was slim, yet showed perfect posture even when lying on the ground. Her long legs were covered by loose cloth pants, which reached down almost below her feet. The cloth mostly covered her feet but from the amount you could see you could tell that they were very muscular, as if she used them in excess.
I softly got out of the bed, trying not to wake who ever was lying in front of me. I decided it might be best if I just left al-together and came back later. As my hand touched the door, I heard a familiar voice.
“Where are you going?”
I was taken fully aback, and my heart raced. Was this the same woman who had saved me from my captives? I turned slowly, until Maria was in full view. She looked betrayed, as if I had done something wrong. Nothing came to my mind as to what to say, so I stayed silent. For a long time both of us did not speak. Then she suddenly burst out into laughter.
“Mathias, you should see your face sometime. You look terrified.” She said, slapping her thigh.
I wasn’t as she thought I had been, but I took this outburst to be an ice-breaker.
“Is this yours?” I started.
She smiled, a smile that rendered my heart numb. Her dimples made her smile even more entrancing. “Yes, this has been my cottage for ages of time. None but you and I can see it or find it.”
A question edged to the top of my head… What was she? I thought it would be a rude question, so put it to the back of my head. While thinking of another question, she started to speak.
“In simplest of terms, I am human. Though, I am more ancient than most humans in your history are. They called me by what my race of people were millions of years ago, an Elf. Elves were the start to human race.” She paused, held her hand up, and a glass of water appeared in it. Shocked, I gasped. She smiled but went on. “I was there when dinosaurs were living among us, there when that meteor struck my family, there when only a couple humans and I lived. I have been cursed, living forever, knowing I will never be able to have any children of my own.” She said, a tear crawled down her cheek, until she wiped it with her finger.
I felt deeply for her, and she seemed to know it.
“Mathias, stay safe. The bond between you and I will kill me if you are killed.” She said, walking for the door.
I sighed, and replied, “I will stay out of trouble. What should I do?”
“Venture around the woods, when you wish to return think of the cottage and you will walk right into it no matter where you are in this forest.” She said, and was off.
A deep feeling for her had eased into my heart, but sadness also eased into my heart. If she had been able to love a human, she would have long ago, not now.
I did as she said, and went to explore the forest around me.To whomever found my stone and awakened me, I will protect thee always.

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One of the older stories I have available

“Half the people who go never come back!”

What my dad had said stuck to the very front of my mind as the last of my crew died in my hands. I was alone now, waiting my death as well.
“I should have listened to him!” I yelled out loud for the world to hear.
Jay, the explosive expert had set off a charge that brought us crashing to the depths of the ice. Somehow the wall of densely packed snow had pinned on the wall, therefor not crushing us. The crew and I had been badly injured from the fall, and most of our equipment was missing or not present. Two hours after the fall, I had finally made a cast type object from materials around me. I stood up and looked for any escape. Then I saw it.
A voice in the back of my head started, “Pick me up, hold me tight, pick me up, for your delight…”
I picked up a sampling shovel, and started picking off the ice that surrounded the object. The closer I got to it the louder the voice in the back of my head was. I was only feet from it when I heard a crack and looked up. The ceiling was not going to hold for long, I thought. I put every ounce of strength into the sampling shovel until I heard a feint knock as the object hit the ground. I threw down the shovel and grabbed the object. It was so warm I wanted to drop it, but I didn’t. I held it tightly in my hands as the ceiling gave way. I prayed to god, and hoped that in some idiotic way I would live. Then, everything went silent.
“Wake up already and get my breakfast ready!” A voice yelled
I opened my eyes to find a hideous looking beast staring down at me.
“I swear, if I got to ask you one more time to get up I will have your head on my dinner plate!” he yelled
“Where am I?” I asked
It laughed as if I was mocking him.
“Yeah, that’s why I bought you, you foolish human!”
I got up, and looked him in the eye and asked, “What do you want me to do?”
He froze still looking at me as if I had said a swear word.
“You don’t know what you need to do?” he asked as if he couldn’t even answer it himself.
He took me by my shirt and dragged me through the room to a door.
“I don’t want to ever see you again! You are better dead than a slave! Pup will have a nice lunch for once in a long while! Get goin scoundrel!” He yelled and shoved me, and slammed his door shut.
“It’s warm?” I asked myself out loud.
I got up and noticed my leg was no longer broken. Then I looked at my clothing. I was wearing rags? I had no shoes, my nails hadn’t been trimmed in a long time, my teeth they weren’t strait! What was going on? I looked around me at my surroundings. The trees were gigantic, bigger than any I had ever seen in my entire life. I then noticed something that set my mind off, it was a large dog looking creature. However this creature was not of earthly kind. This was pup, a dog I had once dreamt of having. But it didn’t actually exist in the world. Then, It all came together, like adding one and one to get two. I was either, sleeping and dreaming, or the object I had taken changed the world into my dreams! But this couldn’t be a dream, I would be powerful, a hero! I would be married and have a huge house, a couple of dogs, children! But I was a slave and was about to be eaten by a dog! What in the world is going on? Was this a nightmare that I had to live in?
I started to walk off into the woods, not knowing where I would go. I started noticing sounds creeping toward me. Steps my mind presumed, but I had no idea. It could just be the woods playing tricks on me. Then, all at once, a dog leaped out at me and an arrow shot from out of nowhere, hitting the dog and saving my life. The dogs body tumbled over me and pinned me to the ground. A man stepped from a large bush with a barrel in his hands.
“Fancy seeing anotha human out in these woods! Only been told that I was out here!” He said, and pushed the gigantic dog off of me.
“Thanks?” I said, looking at the gun.
“Oh, I’m Beerbeard!” He chuckled
He was a dwarf. He showed a great amount of age.
“I’m Matt, can you tell me where we are?” I asked
“You are in the middle of the Juahvos Forest, one of the most dangerous forests on the continent. Say, are ya lookin for the town of Brownsville?” He asked
“Yes, I am, could you lead me there or point me in the direction?” I asked
I looked at me as if he had just recalled something.
“Say, do I know ya?” he asked
“I don’t know, do you?”
“Huh, I don’t know, you look awfully similar to someone I guess.” He said, then turned around, “Follow me!”
I followed him for what I thought was an hour. The trees started to shorten in their length until we finally breached the tree line. It wasn’t until another thirty or so minutes when we first saw the town.
“Here she is! Brownsville, the last human town in existence.” He said with a mighty sigh.
I looked into his sad face. “What as happened to the others?”
“Destroyed by the Alliance of the Undead. We brought it against ourselves though! Tried to kill the elf who was the only one keeping the bloody gate shut. Wish I could shoot the man who drove her insane enough to just let it all out on us. But enough said! You can find yourself a home here, or you can join the army when they come recruitin. I must be off, I need to get that dog cleaned up and ready to eat for my two children! Keep safe!” Bearbeard said, and trundled away.
I was at a lost of what to do. I was being introduced to a world I had no knowledge of. I never knew I could dream in such detail and not recall but tiny bits and pieces of it. I started to walk around the town, it was more a village than anything else. The paths were gravel, and everything was dirty. There were mounds of waste everywhere. Horses neighed as I got closer to them and attracted unwanted attention.
“You trying to steal my horse? I haven’t seen you around these parts! Are you new?” a man asked
“I’m new.” I said, then thought up a plan, “I have been a slave, a slave to that mad beast in the middle of the forest for my whole life!” I lied.
“Oh dear god! You have no home? It’s getting very late!” He said as he peered around
“Look, come to my place. It is a miracle you escaped his grasp without death! Follow me.”
I followed him to a big house that was in the center of the town. It was half church, half home. He led me to a room with a tiny bed. It would barley be my size but as far as I cared it was fine.
“This is the only room I have left in this old place! If I was not so busy with keeping those Orcs out of this town I would have time to build some new houses! Say, you look young and strong enough, would you like to be trained as my assistant?” He asked.
“If it will earn me a living I could.” I said, not fond of being some ones apprentice.
He smiled, “You’ll make a great warrior some day, I just hope you won’t be like all the rest of them and sit and do nothing about our situation!”
I looked up at him, “What situation?”
“We are the only town left of humans, our race is dieing out. Its because we can’t get to the queen to tell her that her soldiers are dealing with the enemy. She only sees that we are prospering. We say this is the last town.” He paused, “But it isn’t. The queen has her own town. There it is perfect, humans, elves and dwarves all getting along. The problem is that her warriors don’t let her out of this town, and don’t let her hear anything but from her town. Just about anyone who tries to get into the town is killed on sight. In thirty years not a soul has gotten into the town.”
“Wait, elves? There are elves?” I asked
“Oh yeah, tons of em! If not for the Alliance of the Undead the elves would rule the world. The queen herself is an elf. They aren’t any different from us, other than the fact that they live for thousands of years and we live for a hundred or two years. Oh and they have a better tie with magic, but that’s all. They love us just like we love them! However, we are in the center of where the Undead controls. That means that even if the elves wanted to help us they couldn’t.” He said, then peered at me, “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“No, but I’ve been asked that now two times. There must be someone that looks similar to me…”
“Ah, well get some rest, tomorrow we will have some tea and I will formally introduce myself to you!” He said and left the room.
I sat on the bed and prayed to god. Then I got into my bed sheets, and tried to sleep. However all I did was think. What was I doing here? Was I sleeping? Am I going to die to this nightmare? Was I truly going to become powerful?
“Up an at em Sir.” A voice yelled into my room, “Meet me in the chapel.”
I got out of the covers, my eyes watered from lack of sleep. I stretched and went out into the chapel, where the man who had brought me here was standing.
He held out his hand, “I’m Steve, and your name is?”
“I’m Matt.” I said, and shook his hand.
“Nice to meet ya.” He smiled, “So do you truly want to be my assistant?” He asked
“Yeah, I might as well start off with something I can use for the future.” I said yawning
“Smart man! Have you ever wielded a sword before?” He asked
I looked at him quizzically “No?”
He grabbed up a sword that was lying on the table and threw it at me so that the blade was facing his way. I caught it and if by instinct latched it to my clothing and pulled it out.
“Never used a sword aye?” he questioned
“I don’t ever remember wielding one…” I paused, “I guess I have though…” I said honestly.
He sighed, and looked down. “Very few people, and I mean very few, have the ability to use any weapon they wield without ever touching it. The magics in this world work in various ways, and that’s one of the ways they can work.
I had no idea what to say, and my looks must have told him that because he picked a wooden sword and said, “Here, block yourself, but don’t strike back.”
He bolted forward at me with his sword high in the air ready to attack me. When he had gotten with in a few feet of me he swung down on it. My sword was ready and right up on his, blocking his attack. I had no idea how to do any of this, but I just let whatever force, that was blocking, do its thing. He attacked me again and again, and still I blocked each and every one of them, leaving him tired. He stood there for a second and gained his breath.
“Switch me and attack me!” He said in a grunt
I gave him my sword and he gave me his. I swung to his right side, but before I had reached it I turned my entire body the other way and hit him on his left side, knocking the air out of him and causing him to drop his sword.
“I’m so sorry!” I said as I bent over and helped him up.
He looked into my face and smiled. “You have the spirits running inside you! You shall be a great warrior!”
He bowed to me, and I bowed a half bow to him.
“You’re going to need a sword, I don’t have an extra, but I can get the blacksmith to create you one soon. Why don’t we go down there and introduce you to him?” He said
I followed him down the dirt roads, and finally to the blacksmith.
“John, this is my new assistant Matt, Matt, this is John, the towns one and only blacksmith!” Steve said
“Nice to meet you!” John said as he extended his hand
“Yeah, you too.” I replied shaking his hand
“What can I do for you two?” John asked
“How long would it take to create a sword for my assistant?” Steve asked
“Well, about four weeks, however…” He stopped and looked around super spaciously, “Well… come back here.” John said
We followed him into a dimly lit room. There he moved some items around until he pulled out a large box.
“Lads, this here is something someone who I will not name stole from the leader of the Undead.” John said
He opened the box, and there sat a glowing red sword.
“It hadn’t glowed until you arrived Matt. That’s why I’ve never shown this to no one since. It won’t even let me wield it anymore!”
“May I pick it up?” I asked
“Only if you can.” John said
I reached into the box, and felt a prick on my skin. I picked the sword up and swung it lightly. It itself was very light and I gripped it as if it had been mine in the past.
“Amazing, you truly are its owner then!” John said, “That will cost you two pounds.” He said
“That’s too cheap, a sword like that ought to cost four!” Steve said
“I can’t use it, so I might as well give it to ya for less!” John said laughing
“Thank you.” I said
“Yes, thank you.” Steve said and we exited the back room, “Your payment will be here tomorrow.”
“Thanks, and nice doing business with you!” John said
We walked back to the church silently. Each of us thinking about our own affairs. Then I heard bells.
“What do those mean?” I asked
“Time to get some fresh blood on that blade!” He said
He grabbed up a suit of steel, put it on, then equipped his sword.
“Dang! We will need to get you some armor next time!” Steve said
“I’ll be ok,” I said unsure of myself.
I grabbed up my sword and equipped it. The sword was decently lengthened and was almost as light as a feather. I was a little unsure of what kind of damage I could do with it but I had no other choice than to use it.
“Come quickly!” Steve yelled as he threw me a shield.
I ran after him. He sure was quick because I could barley keep up with him. Came to the towns border and stopped. He pressed his index finger to his lips asking for silent.
Another minute or two went by and a giant came running out of the forest with a club the size of a full-grown tree!
“Oh lord have mercy on us!” Steve yelled as he charged the monster.
I charged with him. However something told me to relax. I did as my body said and something took control of me yet again. My arm flung forward releasing my blade. It spiraled until it hit dead center in the giant’s head. His whole body shook for a second, then dropped to the ground. I resumed command of my body and ran to get my blade. Steve stared at me.
“How in the world did you manage to do that?” He asked
“Just let whatever is guiding me guide me.” I replied
“Never in my life have I seen a giant this big!” He said
“Why didn’t you run? He coulda killed you!” I said
He sighed and nodded his head. “Because I’m this towns only defense. If I didn’t it would have destroyed the town.”
“You really are the last hope then?”
“Yes. Until now I haven’t even thought it possible to move our town closer to the elves for their protection…” He said
“Do you think its possible?” I asked
He replied with a smile, “Yea, I really do.”
“Gather everyone up, tell em to grab all their essentials and lets get going before another one of those things comes for us!” I said
“Yes, I’ll do that. Go to the church and rest, you need to be wide awake if we are going to risk this.” He said, noting my grogginess.
I went to the church like he instructed and found my bed. I slept until Steve woke me up.
“Were ready.” He said

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First Entry

This is where I will be posting my stories and updating my old ones!
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