I
Fereb, a few days later…
The warrior hid in the lower branches of the oak. He waited. The patrol went to the oak, turned and continued on their route. He waited a bit longer. The way was clear. With eagerness in his walk, the warrior was closing on the tower. He stopped at the base. The tower was something that he didn't see anywhere. There must be a way up. He stopped to look. There was a way. The top of the tower has a forked piece. The warrior searched in his backpack, a rope he must find. He knew that it was somewhere in the backpack. But, where was it? He started losing hope. At last, under his coat, he found the rope. He swung the rope upwards.
II
The city was asleep. The tower was strange. Most people thought that that type of a tower could never exist, let alone stand on its own. But, the tower stood high above the city. The new bailiff, Albin, looked at the tower. His night shift was almost
IGrasmere, a few days later…In the backyard behind his house, the merchant Masaru was spending time with his family. It was quiet outside. He, this majestic city, was never this much quiet. This must be the first time, that they heard this much silence, since they settled here. Always, from somewhere the noise of the men leaving or entering the inn could be heard or the voices of the samurai that were patrolling the streets. This night was special. It was too warm for their taste."Finally, I can't believe it! Peace and quiet! A man could get used to this,"said the merchant after a short break. He was watching the rooftops. There was no snow, which was odd; the snow always fell in this time of year."I can't get used to it,"his son said, lifting his head from the scroll."Me too,"said the daughter. In her hand, she was holding a calligraphy brush."At least, the humidity isn't high,"the
IKing Halbern stood up from his chair. His face was stern. A lot of things were going through his mind. He nervous moved his head.Where is that alchemist?the king thought. In his lab, no doubt, I'll go and see him.The stairs, which led to the lab, were spiral. The king took one step at time. The lab doors were widely opened. The king stopped, stood there for a moment and entered the lab. The alchemist was rearranging the volumes that stood on the tallest shelf."Your Grace,"the alchemist turned, "how may I help you?""What are you doing?"the king said, standing near him."I'm rearranging the volumes on my shelf.""Anything else you are planning to do?""In the nearest time, nothing planned.""Good. Then, I need your help.""With what, Your Grace?""We need to locate a person.""What person?""Someone, I hired.""Where is h
IThe old man stood near the willow tree. He stood there, alone, forgotten. He was more than helpless; he was stronger than most men of his age. His face was stern. His nose was a bit bigger, crooked near the tip. His jaw was strong, almost anvil-like. His hair went in waves down his back.The children left his storytelling to play. Will they return? There are always those who will listen to his tales. He waited. Nearby, the children were playing with their own hand-made wooden swords. The man still waited, nobody returned. It was time to go. He turned, waited a bit more and walked towards the large, moss covered, building. His sixth sense was working overtime. One of the children was running behind him. He turned."Where are you going?"the child asked."It's time to rest,"he replied."Not until you finish your story.""So, you didn't forget.""No.""Good to hear,"the man stopped in his track,
IYamato lay on the ground with his arms stretched in front of him. Sasaki turned, looked at the city in the distance. His step is light, but firm. He walks, without a thought about the world. There is no one stronger and faster than he is. He knows this. Yamato was considered a great sword-master, he easily defeated him. The road was new, made in the first days of the new empire; it changed a lot of things mostly for the better. The distance between towns was drastically shortened. Sasaki walked. The forest was quiet, calmly quiet. The large trees with their crowns made a perfect shade. Outside, of the shade, the temperate was warm, too warm, even for those who are used to it. He walked slowly, enjoying the shade. It was his way of relaxing. The trees were perfectly aligned like they were making columns for an amphitheater. Sasaki looked at one of the trees, he remembered than one; all those years ago he climbed to see the emperor's army that marched through
THE BOOKThe public library, in Lorth, was founded by a wealthy citizen Quertin, whom the family disowned do to his failed political campaign. Every book he had, he gave to the library as a gift. The workers are still cataloging then, even today. People say that in the endless piles of books, there are those that are rear, extremely rear.The building, itself, stood long before Quertin was born, in the beginning it was a command post, later it was dormitory of student of magic. It had many more usages, until the town decided to expand the previous library.At the end of his life, Quertin tried his hand, again, in politics. Even this time, fate had a different card to play. He could do little against full-day and guerilla campaigners. Did he have another option? It's hard to say. Whatever the case may be, Two figures slowly walked down the large hallway. They were searching for something or someone. It matters not, they are ne
THE EVE OF THE BATTLEAlbin moved up and down, in every direction on his mat. He had that strange feeling that something unexpected is going to happen, but unfortunately, he didn't know what. No matter how hard he tried, it was a constant problem that drilled somewhere deep in his mind, not giving him a single moment of peace.He stood up, looked through the tent door, it was still night, dark and unwelcoming.Jin Tian was nowhere to be found, as usual.A soldier slept, leaned on his spear. Slowly he lifted his head."I…I wasn't sleeping."he said."No you weren't, you were resting your eyes,"Albin replied."Yes, I was doing that. Everything is quiet.""True."Something moved in the tall grass. The soldier, insecure, slowly moved forward. He lifted his spear, searched through the grass. A sign of relief appeared on his face. It was nothing. He turned.The sound of crossbow bolts
WAYSThe King of Alban stood near the beginning of his castle, looking in distance across the Golbar plain to the High Mountains. The scene was more than idyllic, it was peaceful and tranquil. A man could rest his eyes for hours. Nothing has change this far. A shadowy figure walked across the lonely courtyard. The king turned:"I knew that you are alive, you are a hard man to kill.""True,"Albinreplied."Where have you been after the battle?""Lying low, even if was strange for me.""Strange, indeed, if I say so. Where are you planning now?""Who knows, maybe, I'll follow the ridge north to Tamasar?""Tamasar of all places?""Why not?""It's a strange place.""I know.""But you still intend to go there. Why?""I still plan to go west.""West, is there a reason?""Yes, the key is the west.""Where in the west?""That I don't know. B
THE WALKINear the battlefield, on top a high single tower, a man stood and waited for news, good or bad, it depended, but he preferred the bad ones. The wizard turned on the balcony, looked towards the mountains. He entered the brightly lit room, searched for possible source of the strange anomaly. He searched and searched, until he found."The battlefield,"he rattled, "Albinis still alive, it doesn't matter! My plan will succeed, no matter the cost!"His hands moved in a strange pattern, made a complex sign. Magic eliminated from of his fingers, a power so powerful that it shook the foundation of his tower.The tower shook periodically, at even interlopes.The head minister moved forward, from the shadow."What news do you have?"his voice was sarcastic."Not good, I'm afraid.""And they are?""Albinstill lives.""Great, you remember what happens t