Prologue
In a world forged by a power, nearly forgotten but to the few who remember it. Darkness rises and falls as easily as the sun and moon battle over night and day. The civilized races struggle to maintain order within their kind. Scattered and without unity. Villages and towns are built and then destroyed. Either by the forces of darkness and evil or by the hands of other men. The elf kind keep to themselves, rarely venturing out to lend aid to man, a race so easily subdued by power and greed, unstable in all their ways. The old alliances, once honored by all races of peace no longer hold sway as few alliances remain.
Little knowledge of how things were and how they became what they are is known to men and even dwarves as the elf kind were always the keepers of knowledge and history. Their gift of immortality alone has been the soul means of knowledge that has passed down to one generation of elf kind after another. The dwarves choosing to dwell in the mountains and underground, digging and mining for riches, treasure, and a means of survival, trading off their jewels, metals, and rare treasures to men for grain, wheat, and rice. Living for red meat and a good mug of ale, the dwarves, like the elves, kept to themselves in their mountain halls. Most knowledge kept by the immortal races is rarely shared when some things that should never be forgotten, are lost in the depths of time and vaults of dwarves. The race of men, mortal with short years, go about the realm with only the knowledge of what they have encountered and seen, rarely given the glimpse or aid of the history of the world.
Little hope remained for men. The armies of orcs, goblins, and lizard folk from the north and south forever promised a threat to the survival of the races of the lands. However, for many years there was a group of men who fought for all the villages and townships. Fighting off the forces that came against them. Even fighting off others of their own race that fought for their own greed. They called themselves the Knights of the Black Rose. These Knights fought and fought hard, self proclaiming their order of justice and guardianship of all of the race of men. For a thousand years these knights were the closest thing to order that the race of men had. Villages and towns rising and falling, coming and going at the whims of the greedy men who built them. The Knights began to grow discouraged in their fight for order and greatness in their race.
Many of the men who were apart of the Knights of the Black Rose began to lose heart and returned to their home lands to be with the families they had seen very little of in the travels. Others were slain by the sudden march of thousands of orcs from the north. Orcs that bore the black tattooed symbol of an axe cleaving a stone. The knights and peoples learned these orcs were of a race called the Black Stone orcs from far in the deepest reaches of the northern Darklands. War began and came to men on all fronts and the Black Stone Orcs showed no mercy. The Knights of the Black Rose were forced to enlist men and boys from the scattered villages to aid in the fight against the orcs. For seventeen years this war raged on. After all those years of war, the battles became fewer and less between men and orc. It was believed, at that time, that both sides had sustained maximum losses and the drive for victory on all fronts had deminished. Little is known from those days about the orcs and their fewer attacks on men, but what is known is that the Knights were weakened severely. And the small armies they had drafted before were lessening in size as well as strength.
Sometime passed without major attacks and the Knights of the Black Rose parted. In a land with only twenty to thirty villages and towns, there were hardly enough Knights left to station two or three in each. Some villages didn't have any knights to return to them. So as it was, the knights all agreed to stick to their own homes and villages and if the need ever would arise for them to reunite for war, they would do so.
But the will of evil could not be undone. The attacks from the orcs continued. Some attacks even aided by goblins and lizard folk from the south, but none of the attacks were ever seen as a major cause for the knights to return to war. So each village was left to defend itself against enemy attacks with the aid of a few former soldiers or knights, if any, that lived in the village. This occured for several years, the building up of villages and then their destruction. Always the survivors would flee to other places and try and rebuild. The Knights of the Black Rose passed into legend and only those that were still active in their own villages and towns remained loyal to the creed of the Black Rose. Knowledge passed into rumors. Rumors passed into whispers. Whispers passed into myth and the Knights of the Black Rose were merely stories old men told their grand children about the hard but glorious days of their youth.
Much that once was, was forgotten, but the enemy perceived and a sudden uprising of orcs, goblins, and evil men brought about the wars that were later known as the War of Ages. The war that set in motion the forging and order brought to the realm.. A young man by the name of Gollan Vangor, son of Hargrom Vangor, took unto himself the duty to unite the race of men. Being the son of a former Knight of the Black Rose, Gollan took much unto himself and with the aid of a sorceror known as Morbeus the Wise, he grew to be a powerful and honorable leader of men. King Vangor as he later became, managed to make peaceful and beneficial ties with the Elf Lords and even some with the Dwarf Lords of the mountain halls. Vangor became the first King of the vast continent in which he dubbed Vangoria.
Gollan soon made new friends and one of his dearest friends was a man by the name of Viktor Hallania. Both men grew in strength for their valor and honor, all built on war and heroism. More men and villages pledged their loyalties to each of them. Soon Vangor built a kingdom in the eastern regions. A country he called Constantia. His castle was built in his greatest city and was called the Silver Halls of Validor. The city then took on the name, Validor. Viktor built a kingdom in the western regions in country in which he called Quaine. His capital city was called Hallanna. Through alliances and a great uprising of men, Gollan Vangor led his people to victory against the Orc Hordes and armies of evil and drove them all back into the north. The Lizard Folk were driven back into their southern regions where they, to this day, stay locked in war with the barbarian folk of the south. Those regions were later made forbidden to the people of Vangoria. King Vangor seperated those terriotories and called them the Barbarian Territories. Vangor married the Lady Rebecca and she became Queen. Viktor married a woman by the name of Laiwen, whom was raised by the Elves of Lyrunlia in the forests of Constantia.
The Knights of the Black Rose were not reintroduced as a body, but Vangor followed the laws and codes of the legendary knights in building his kingdom. In existance, by the time Vangor became a king, there was only one known individual that still lived whom was a Knight of the Black Rose and he had since rebuked the old ways and had taken up a command in Viktor Hallanna's army.
Soon after the wars ended, many cities were built. Many lands named and dubbed regions under the banners of Vangoria. The first council of kings which was called the Council of Justice erected. All kingdoms of men united under the banner of Vangor who became the first King of all Men. Elves, dwarves, and even celestial races joined the alliance to aid the kingdoms of men in keeping peace and ensuring the reign of justice prevailed throughout the lands of Vangoria. Unprecedented times began but as the stories of old always went, not all things were meant to last.
These are the stories of those times.......
Chapter One - The Past
The nights cool summer breeze shifted over Gollans flesh, bringing with it, a much needed relief of the stress from the days work. He laid in his hammock staring upon the stars that twinkled and shimmered in the deep dark vastness of space, a place that he was just beginning to understand. Gollan Vangor, a stout boy of thirteen, not quite a man in these days, had become interested in the stars and ways of the elves. The villages wiseman, Morbeus, had started explaining runes and astrological signs to him and he was learning things rather quickly. But for this night, he only stared at the magnificence of the night. A moments rest was greatly needed after all the trimming and cutting he had been doing in the early morning. It was nearing mid-eve on this Thursday and he had a great deal more left to finish, and by the grace of Naroseus he might be able to finish. He hoped he could finish so he would have Friday off to spend with his beloved Rebecca. However, he knew his uncle would only have more work for him to do if he finished the cutting and trimming of the verge so quickly.
Either way, Gollan finished his work by mid-eve and immediately headed for Morbeus for his nightly lessons in the runes of the elves. He had never met an elf. He had seen one in town once before doing business with a local merchant in trade of elverquisst for some of the merchants unfolded steel. Elverquist is a very formidable and rare elven wine, so it would have been quite a treat for the merchant and his family to partake of at evening supper. Short was his first and only sight of elf kind, but Gollan had hopes of adventure and dreams of glory dancing around in his head. A dream of most boys at that age who's fathers were men of swords and war.
Gollan moved through the village on foot today, not wanting to disturb his uncle in the stables, choosing to leave his steed, Dramis, behind. Morbeus' laboratory and home was on the farthest outskirts of the village to the southern side, so it took Gollan the better part of twenty minutes to get there. Running up to the front door, hand lifted, knuckles ripped to knock the moment he arrived, then abruptly haulted as Morbeus threw open the door. "Patience is a virtue, my young Gollan. One who rushes things ends up in messy situations. Not all tracks or lessons can be covered." Morbeus said deeply, however, hinting with playfulness in his tone. Gollan seemed awestruck and confussed.
"I was just trying to get here before uncle seen I was gone." he replied. The right half of Morbeus' face crooked in a smart grin, the long grey beard nearly covering it up.
"And did you stack up the days cut before you rushed off?"
Gollans face seemed blank for a moment as he remembered that he didn't stack the cut. He was in such a hurry to come to Morbeus' he forgot to stack the woodlings after cutting and trimming. "I see what you mean, Morbeus." He said. "I was in a hurry to arrive here and have tomorrow to spend with Rebecca."
The old man smiled again fully. "All things must be done efficiently and done to the best of our abilities or else we reap the consequences." Morbeus added, tipping his head in the direction of the village road. Gollan froze, sighed, and turned to see his uncle riding towards them upon his horse drawn wagon.
"I think you missed a few things before you ran off, Gollan." his uncle stated with a grin on his lips. Gollan didnt' see the smile and immediately thought the worst.
"I'm sorry uncle. I should have paid more attention to my duties." he exclaimed.
"It's alright, Gollan." he answered with a shake of his head and the smile more visible to Gollan now. "You can finish it up in the morning before you go see Rebecca".
Gollan sighed and simply nodded. He didn't want to finish it in the morning but he neglected his duties tonight so he had no choice. He would still have a great portion of a full day to spend with Rebecca anyhow. Gollan looked up to his uncle to speak when Morbeus took on a grim look.
"What is it, Morbeus?" Gollan asked looking up to him.
"Something stirs.. I must see to something. Excuse me." Morbeus answered and turned abruptly back inside his home, leaving the door wide open. Gollan had only seen him like this once before and that was the morning before the goblins attacked the village late last autumn. Gollan seemed worried, but then again, he thought, Morbeus was always sensing things that Gollan could not.
He simply shrugged it off with a mild snicker and looked back towards his uncle. "I apologize again, uncle. You were kind enough to take me in after mother and fathers passing in the goblin attack last year. I should be more greatful to you."
His uncle snickered lightly. "Fret not, nephew. I am not angry with you for tonights forgetings. And as for taking you, I was glad to do so. If your father could see you now, he would be as proud as I am." Gollan smiled and his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment, but at what, he did not know. He just knew he was happy and felt nearly overwhelmed that his uncle had stated his pride in Gollan.
"Thank you, uncle." Gollan replied not knowing what else he could say to that. He bowed his head slightly to his uncle. Like his father, Gollans uncle was a former Knight of the Black Rose. An order that had existed ever since the beginning of mans recorded history some ten generations passed, guarding the evil that came out of the north. To hear such words from his uncle, a man of former valor and honor, meant a great deal to him.
"No thanks is needed, nephew. Your father and mother loved you.. as do I." the former Knight responded kindly, flipping his left leg over to the right preparing to unboard the wagon. Suddenly, there was a sound of a light thud, Gollan lifted his head to look to his uncle to see if he fell from the wagon, but that was not the case. A blank expression stole away all emotion from his uncles features and he seemed frozen and unable to move.
"Uncle?" Gollan stepped from the front stairs before Morbeus' front door towards his uncle. At that instant, Morbeus rushed to the door, leaning upon the frame a moment, a glimpse of fear twinkled in his eye. Gollan saw Morbeus' expression and looked anxiously to his uncle.
"Uncle.. are you..." his words were cut short.
"Remember... your are the son of Knights. Live bravely.." the knights eyes rolled back in his head as his final words were deminished of breath. His form went limp and he slid from the side of the wagon to fall upon the ground, perished. A long stem, thick and black with a few ripped and jolted feathers at its end protruded from his back.
Gollan roared in anguish. "Uncle!" Tears beginning to fill his eyes, he ran for his slain uncle but a big hand gripped him strong upon his shoulder and pulled him back.
"We must get you out of here." Morbeus spoke calmly but with hesitation in his voice.
"What happened?! Who did that to my uncle?!" Gollan asked Morbeus.
"Orcs are in the village, we must leave swiftly!" Morbeus answered a bit anxiously.
"Orcs?" Gollan retorted with Morbeus only giving a brief nod in answer. Gollan had never seen orcs before. He knew they were similar to goblins but much bigger and more brutal. He had, however, seen the devistation an orc horde could create once before in the village some twenty miles east nearly three years ago. His father and uncle had road off in full armor to help fight off the creatures in those days.
Morbeus strapped a belt about his waist tightening in his robes, a long sheath bearing a sword dangled there at his hip once the belt was on. Then another grasp to the table just inside the door and a large traveling sack was pulled to view and Morbeus turned Gollan then placed the pack upon Gollans back. Morbeus then reached again, revealing a long white staff endowed with a green crystal atop it.
"Go! To the wagon! Quickly." Morbeus directed giving Gollan a push toward the wagon, following closely behind. That was when the first screams were heard from within the village. By the time they boarded the wagon and were off into the forests along the southern road, the village was beginning to burn and flames began to rise above the township walls.
"Morbeus! We can't leave. Rebecca is still in the village!" Gollan shouted. Before Morbeus could react, Gollan lunged for the sword at Morbeus' hip, drew it and lept from the wagon running back towards the village. Morbeus again, could not react. Gollan had spooked the two horses pulling the wagon and had begun to riddle about, one lifting up on its hind legs letting out a screeching neigh.
"Gollan! Come back here, she is lost!" Morbeus roared in contempt.
"Wait for us!" Gollan responded back still in his dead run for the village and moments later he was out of Morbeus line of sight and inside the village.
Gollan ran fearlessly into the village. Men, women, children alike all running and scattering for exits trying to escape the fury of the attack. Gollan still had not seen an orc yet, but he had seen many bodies lay strewn upon the ground. Some killed by arrows which protruded from backs, chests, stomachs and a few from the victims head. Blood was beginning to stain the dirt and light grass of the village roads. Buildings were burning and some fires had grown massive, crackling and igniting other buildings close by. Most of these sights were things that Gollan had never seen. A deep fear began to surface within his chest and he found it hard to keep breathing.
He then remembered Rebecca and he continued to run for her homestead. Somehow, he had made it all the way to her homestead where she had been living with her mother, he father killed in the orc attack on the eastern village three years ago. He had been lucky so far, not being bothered by orcs much less seeing one, but what he seen when he arrived to Rebeccas home caused him to buckle at the knees where he fell upon them on the ground. The wooded home was engulfed in flames and no sounds but the crackling and roaring of the fire were heard coming from the nearly destroyed building.
Gollan then seen three sleek dark green skinned creatures come out of the burning building. Dressed in tattered cloths of brown and black leather, some straw and wool hide, the creatures stopped when they seen him. Large in size, built, and all around horrible looking, but only around five to five and half foot tall, the two front creatures wailed a cry that ripped into Gollans ears, raising their massive steel swords. Weapons that thick and with broad blades which looked as though they could cleave through a mans skull like a knife to butter. These two orcs began their charge upon him. He couldn't move. He was frozen out of fear and his last hopes washing away. He looked up to the two charging orcs, some distance still between them. He wondered why the third wasn't charging as well. He looked beyond the two and saw the third, crouching a bit over a tattered body dressed in a white and light blue dress. Fair skin stained in a little bit of blood and bruises upon the face of the body.
His eyes widened, "Rebecca!", he shouted realizing it was his beloved in the grips of the orc. His mind suddenly changed and he nearly forgot himself. He stood fast readying the sword. Morbeus' longsword was almost too heavy for him but he managed to wield it just in time to lift to deflect the swing of the first orc. He spun swiftly as the first orc went by him from the momentum of the charge and swung in mid turn, his blade meeting across the gut of the second orc, splitting its belly. He turned then back to the first orc barely parrying the crushing blow that drove him to a sitting position upon the ground. Determination drove him and without thought or hestitation he pulled back and drove his blade up, impaling the monstrous orc through its chest. Both orcs being killed and laying dead upon the ground. Gollan stood to his feet once more and turned glaring at the orc that held his Rebecca. The orc glared back fiercely. A moment passed as both Gollan and the orc stared at eachother, Gollans only thought at the moment was retrieving Rebecca from the foul orcs grasp.
To Gollans surprise, the orc turned and began to flee carrying Rebecca still in its arms. The creature moved with a precise speed and he knew he would never catch it. Anger festered in him and he looked around upon the ground for something to throw. Whatever he could find, something strong enough to tip the orc and give him a moment to atleast catch up. He noticed a curved dagger at one of the dead orcs belts. He wasted no time ripping it from the creatures hide sewn belt. He stood tall, turned and barely took notice of his aim then let the dagger fly.
The orc was tipped. The dagger embedding into the orcs upper back between the shoulder blades. The orc was dead and Rebecca lay beneath the fallen creature. Gollan rushed to her, almost tossing the orc from her. He turned her to her back and supported her head. Her face was bruised and her white and blue dress was smeered in blood, dirt, and stained as well as ripped and cut up. He brushed his hand over her forehead, caressing back her brunette hair which usually was so well kept and beautiful, now stringy, wet, and tangled. He checked with his ear to her lips, listening and feeling for her breath. He shot up and began to wipe away with his shirt, the fresh and dried up blood upon her face and arms. She was alive!
"Rebecca.." he called to her softly, hesitation in his words as he heard orcs in the distance heading in their direction. He looked around a moment but did not see them, however they were nearing.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Rebecca," he called to her again but with more worry this time. Her forehead wrinkled up as she returned to consciousness, her hand lifting to her head as the pain of the attack began to set in. Her eyes fluttered a few times before she opened them to see Gollan holding her head in his hands. She smiled and said nothing.
"We have to get out of here. There's more orcs approaching and I don't know if Morbeus is still waiting on us at the south entrance." he said to her kindly but still with the seriousness of the situation.
She nodded and attempted to gain her footing with Gollans aid. Instantly she was knocked upon her back as was Gollan when an orc tackled them both to the ground. She fell with a scream but she kept it muffled a bit. Gollan, startled and confussed as to where the orc was, scrambled back to his feet with the sword in hand. The orc turned back and readied an attack but was cut down swiftly by Gollans faster swing. Gollan turned to check for safety but it was too late. He saw atleast a dozen orcs charging and he had no way of getting himself and Rebecca out safely. He growled under his breath and stood firm.
The first orc reaching him and killed by a slice across his chest. The second then fell as well from a spin attack which took its left arm clean off at the bicep. The third and the fourth fell at the same time as Gollan drove his blade into the third one and spun it around so its attempted swing ripped the fourths head from its shoulders. Then he was over run. The fifth orc managed a small swing to Gollans sword arm which cut into his shoulder deep. Gollan roared in pain but did not fall. The sixth orc attacked with a powerful driving punch which landed square upon Gollans nose and then the seventh orc attempted an over head swing with its thick blade, but Gollan saw that one and as he fell to the ground, he drove his sword upward into the seventh orcs direction, piercing through its neck, killing it almost instantly. As Gollan hit the ground, he felt lost and was ready to accept his fate.
Just as he thought he was to die trying to save his Rebecca, the orcs around him turned their attention away, then charged in the direction their attention was drawn. Gollan was surprised he was still alive and managed back to his knees. He looked to where the orcs had run to and he seen Morbeus with his staff. Lethal and precise, skilled and valorous. Each blow killing an orc. Gollan stood to his feet and helped Rebecca back to hers as well as he heard Morbeus call.
"The wagon! Get on the wagon! Flee!" Morbeus was beginning to be over run as well.
Orcs charging from all directions. Gollan grabbed Rebeccas hand and darted for the wagon which was no more than twenty yards from them. No interruptions came to them as he helped Rebecca quickly to the wagon and he himself jumped to the drivers seat, snagged the reigns and snapped them back. The horses jumped into a full trot immediately, Gollan turning them towards the fight.
"Jump on!" Gollan called out to Morbeus as the horses barreled into the crowd of orcs without a moments hesitation or sign of slowing. Morbeus jumped over the side of the wagon and into the wagons bed as the horses steamed the wagon through the group of orcs, paving a path way out of the battle. Morbeus recovered quickly and jumped to the drivers seat taking the reigns from Gollan.
"You and Rebecca get in the wagon bed and stay down until I tell you its safe." he ordered them as he snapped the reigns and forced the horses to move even faster. Gollan did as told without question as he and Rebecca covered themselves with a cover blanket that was there in the back.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
King Gollan Vangor sat up quickly within his bed, sweat upon his brow. "Gollan, are you alright?" Rebeccas soft voice came from his side as she turned over within the sattin sheets and sat up beside him, placing her hand upon his shoulder.
"Yes, my love. I'm fine." he answered half heartedly.
"It's that dream again, isn't it?" she asked of him.
"Aye...." he answered reluctantly.
She sighed and sat up in a better position as not to put too much pressure upon her belly. Her free hand rubbing once over it. Vangor saw her do this and he smiled.
"I can't wait till the baby is born. Everything we have lived for will be complete." he said.
Rebecca smiled. "Don't change the subject, Gollan. Your dreams are of things that happened twenty years ago. Those days no longer hold sway over us or our lives. Nor will they hold a burden upon our child. You musn't worry yourself with such things."
Vangor turned to her with a smile, laying his arms around her as they both fell gently back the silk covered feather stuffed pillows.
"I have to go to Hallanna. Viktor wanted to discuss a new trade agreement with the southern kingdoms of Zittona. The alliances in the south seem to be shaken by the reports of the Pirates from the Endless Seas coming and taking over the Zittonian Port City." Vangor added.
Rebecca sighed and caressed his arm as she tilted her head to his chest. "I hate it when you travel to Quaine. Dark Hammer Orcs patrol the norther shores of Lake Magnoble. Everytime you go that way, I fear for you." she responded in a quivering tone.
Vangor chuckled. "I will be traveling by way of the Southern shores, not the northern. Plus I will be escorted by a six wagon caravan with atleast twelve of my best Honor Guard riding along side. All will be well. Infact, Laiwen asked for you to come along for this ride. You both are withchild, carrying about the same. She misses you." He said.
"If you don't mind me coming with you, I would love to go." Rebecca replied.
"Of course you can come." Vangor smiled and pressed a tender kiss upon her lips just before they both fell back into their sleep within eachothers embrace.
The next morning the caravan set out west for the country of Quaine, home of Viktor Hallania and his wife Laiwen, whom was also expecting a child soon. Rebecca never enjoyed the distance of travel between the two kingdoms. It was a bumpy road and many dangers always placed a shadow in her mind, but the scenery was always grand. Vast plains of green overlooked by the peaks of silver tipped moutains off to the north, grand in scale dwarfing all other things around them. Then there was the southern road along the shores of the deep blue Lake Magnoble.
It was always a sight to travel by the lake. The lake itself could easily fit several cities within its shores and its blue waters were always moving, casting a soft sweet breeze in the air. Then the forest lined rivers that flowed west from Magnoble were the thing Rebecca looked forward to most of all. Traveling by the southern side of the rivers due west. The Foles of Northwood dwelled in that region. Black unicorns with golden spiraling horns. One of the rarest fair of unicorns in all of Vangoria. The Foles were known for the enchanting magic only known as the power of rememberance. The Foles were the more battle prone of all the unicorn breeds by their ability to simply stare into the eyes of their hunters and bring into their eyes their faults and crimes of the past, haunting them with guilt. Most Foles could bring their hunters and foes to their knees without even having to ensue combat. Legend always told of the Lyrunlian Elves of the Deep woods in Northern Constantia. It was said that the elves of Lyrunlia raised the first of the Fole, teaching them to speak and the art of battle without fighting. Perhaps such legends were true, perhaps not, but Rebecca did not care.
In the time her husband Gollan had been king, she had met many elves and become quite friendly with a few of the Nallanian Elves of the west. However, the Lyrunlian elves kept secret and only Vangor had obtained successful meetings with their kind. Rebecca had never seen or met a Lyrunlian, however descriptions from Vangor led her to believe there were a beautiful people of bright hair, fair complexions, and deep blue eyes. Rumors whispered that the Lyrunlians were the first of the elf kind to ever walk upon these lands. Others whispered that the Lyrunlians were the last of all living things that still had personal connection and contact with the gods of old. Many thoughts such as these were things Rebecca thought about in the journies of their campaign as King and Queen. The main thought of all was about her husband and having a family with him.
Nine days was the time it took to get from Validor in Constantia to Hallanna in Quaine. The nights were restless but for the sounds of the night. Crickets chirping, night fowl, and the evening breeze brushing within the tree canopy were always refreshing sounds to Rebecca. To her it always meant that nothing dangerous was afoot and all was safe. A strong woman she was, but always the shadow of danger lurked in her mind.
"We will be arriving by mid-day tomorrow, love." Vangor said to her as he stepped into their royal tent, getting ready for bed. He had just returned from a quick report from the caravans scouts.
"That is good news. This journey has turned out to be a bit rougher than I thought it would have been. I really looked forward to seeing the Fole of Northwood, but there were none along the river this time." she explained. Vangor hadn't noticed any on the way either. Usually that meant something evil was close by and Vangor knew this, but he paid no heed to the warning during the trip for only powerful evil things could cause the Fole of Northwood to remain hidden. Usually attacks came swiftly in such cases. Three days had passed since they left the river shores and nothing but bird and mammal had crossed their paths.
"We will see some on the way back home." Vangor assured her. Rebecca simply smiled and lay back against the divan bed.
Vangor turned to look at her, his heart melting at her delicate beauty. Fair skin, smooth and milky without defect. Long brunette hair that draped so carelessly over her shoulders but maintained a fairness within the locks. Bright green eyes that seemed to stare into his very soul every time he looked into them. Lips red and plush that tasted of honey with each kiss. Everything about her drove him into a frenzy of love when he studied her. Something he hadn't done in quite some time. And now even more precious she was to him in her tender state. He loved her very much and every time he thought of her in their love, he remembered his love of her. Nothing that he had become would have ever occured had he not loved her. Had he not loved her and returned into the burning village full of deadly orcs, had he not drew up a sword against the orcs that over powered him in his inexperience and fear, had he not saved her from the village and escaped with her and her unwavering love, then the lands would have never been saved and united and all would have been lost many years ago. He moved over to her side, placing his hand upon her belly as he lay beside her. Rebecca caressed her fingers through his sandy hair until he fell asleep. She then took rest listening to the sounds of the night spring.
