Cynthia Van Auken One Star Member
Number of posts : 25 Registration date : 2010-08-05 Location : Ohio
| Subject: The Split Ones chapter 1 Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:30 am | |
| This is the first chapter of Adder's Bite: The Split Ones. I'm no where close to being finished with the book, but it's coming along nicely. Any suggestions or comments are welcome! Chapter 1 “Curse the infernal days to come,” Darge had said at the guardians’ parting.He knew it would be difficult to return home, he had been gone far too long. Rumors were sure to spread throughout the goblin community, rumors that Zepkon’s king had abandoned her. What was a kingdom without a king? They could crown a new ruler, and surely Darge’s mate would join the new tyrant… or perhaps disorder would destroy the kingdom before a new king was to be found. There was a mess waiting for Darge and his son. How could they explain their long absence? Their friends couldn’t help… and Darge couldn’t reveal his identity as a guardian.The situation had proven worse than Darge thought. The effects would last for years to come, and the solution to regain normalcy had proven difficult to acquire. As Darge, Stabber, and Poldi had entered the kingdom of Zepkon, they found that chaos had taken the great city. Houses burned, murderers and thieves ruled the towns, and neighboring kingdoms had taken advantage of Zepkon’s lack of order, declaring war to gain the land. Darge and his comrades made their way quickly to the castle to find the queen and her daughter hiding in fear within the secret places. The townsfolk wanted their heads.It was difficult for Darge to return to power, many of the goblins didn’t want him as king again and others didn’t believe he truly was the past king. He worked his way through the towns gaining support and followers where he could, promising destruction to their enemies and order to the kingdom. After he had an adequate force, Darge had regained power cruelly and mercilessly. Once he had his crown again, Darge built up the army and fought against the enemies that threatened his kingdom.He never explained his reason for leaving or what had delayed his return, the current situation distracted his subjects from even caring. Darge tried to rebuild the city with order, but every time he came close, a rebellious goblin or faction would make it difficult. Everyone who fought against him was silenced. The threat of war never ceased, though, as more cities wanted to take the great goblin kingdom as territory. Some smaller kingdoms even tried to get involved, but they quickly retreated. *** Darge sat slumped, rubbing his temples, on the throne of granite. It had been two years, two very long years. Would these reports never cease? He held, in his hand, a scrap of leather, upon it were scribbled vulgar symbols… a message that Zilokamuzale had declared war. It had been a month since the battle with Zesiro and he had hoped it would have been the last. Guerrilla fights continued throughout the Sorrows. Would the land never see peace? He had thought that fighting as a guardian would have helped bring peace, but it had brought just the opposite. It was days like this that he regretted ever leaving.“Father,”Darge looked up to see his son covered in grime and dry blood. Darge stood and clapped a hand on his son’s shoulder. “You’ve returned.”Stabber smiled weakly. “But not without bad news. A third of the division has been lost.”“A third?” Darge asked, his eyes double in size.“Sadly.” Stabber’s hands clutched to fists. “This riot needs to end! It has evolved from a riot… Father, it’s a war out there.”Darge closed his eyes and sighed. “How could this happen? When will it END?” He shouted and then slouched back into his chair.“What do you want me to do?”“Whatever you can. I want this to stop.” Darge growled. His yellow eyes softened and he sighed. “I fear that this cannot be done by mere force… I am tired…” He drew his hand over his face. “I will be joining you on the battlefield tomorrow.”“Yes sir,” Stabber said gruffly.He marched away and left the castle to find the force waiting. They were a group of gruesome beasts, leather skinned goblins buried beneath layers of armor and fur. As they saw Stabber approach, they screeched and howled until he silenced them. He paced before his soldiers, trying to think of what he could do, and the goblins watched him anxiously. One coy goblin was pushed forward.“Sh’kinner ha’somepin’ t’ tell ya!” A goblin from the group shouted.Sh’kinner snarled, but when Stabber approached, his ears drooped and his white eyes intensified. “Sir,”“Sh’kinner, what’s the news?”The goblin was slender and traced with muscle, but his armor of bones was covered in grime. His appearance was especially frightful, but… appearances were deceiving, as Stabber well knew. Sh’kinner was a quiet goblin. “One of the rioters is willing to talk… for a certain price.” His low voice was raspy.Stabber spat. “A worthless rat should know not to test me.” He growled and then glanced back at Sh’kinner. “Where is he?”“He?” Sh’kinner chuckled. “He is a she; otherwise we would have killed her on the spot.”Stabber laughed. “Offering mercy to females… you’ve grown weak.”Sh’kinner’s eyes narrowed and were hesitant, but he dared not look away from his prince. Finally another goblin in the crowd shouted, “No mercy. We take the females for our enjoyment.” At his declaration, the other goblins cheered.Sh’kinner sneered. He would make no excuse. “Is it truly weak to value life, Sir?” His words were strong, and his eyes perceptive.The goblins stared at Sh’kinner in disbelief, and then they watched Stabber to see how he would respond. The bold goblin’s words pierced the prince like a knife. Had he grown so cold-hearted in the past two years? After all he had been through, after his travels with the fey and humans, had he forgotten what it was to treasure life? No. He hadn’t forgotten, he had masked it… he had forged a new identity. Stabber looked Sh’kinner in the eye and realized that he needed to remove his fake self.The soldiers stepped back in shock at what they saw. Stabber began to remove his furs and armor and garments, stripping naked before his subjects. He began to tear at his skin, making it raw and bleed as the outer layer started to peal from his flesh! He tore the old bloodied skin from his new pink skin. His ratted hair was soon covered in the filth of the old skin. Shedding so quickly and openly was a sign of great remorse and sorrow among the goblin community. A shameful act. It took great stress and emotion to cause one’s own skin to shed so fast.Stabber looked at Sh’kinner, his eyes were red with tears and blood. “You see me as I am, and you can hold me to this vow… I will do all in my power to free this kingdom, or I will die.”The goblin soldiers stared at their future king. Never had such a powerful goblin displayed himself before his subjects, it was considered weak. But now, it caused quite the opposite effect, making Stabber appear brave and strong. They were confused. Rulers were not known to feel guilt over their decisions or behavior, and they didn’t understand why Stabber would do such a thing now. And now, though they were confused, they admired Stabber.He couldn’t read Sh’kinner. Was the soldier frightened, confused… did he pity Stabber? Or perhaps he understood and was pleased. Those pearly white eyes were so cold. Finally, Sh’kinner spoke. “Sire, you have displayed far greater devotion to your people than even our king. You would pledge your life, even your death, to this kingdom?”“Your words have reminded me of something I learned a long time ago. And I realize that this kingdom should be my life, if I am to one day rule her.” Sh’kinner stared at Stabber for a while and it seemed a smile flickered on his face before it vanished. “Now,” Stabber said as he clothed himself. “Bring forth the female.”“Sir,” another goblin stepped forward. He was large and bulky and had a growling voice. “Sh’kinner was not able to capture the goblin female.”Stabber’s head twisted to glance at the goblin before him and he glowered at Sh’kinner. However, he showed no fear and said, “She is not like other females, sire, she was very elusive. She said that you will not find her, but she will find you.”Stabber cursed. Then he looked up at the soldiers, “We have accomplished very little this day, and there is nothing more we can do. Not today. Commander Faraji and his division are on duty for the daylight hours. I want you all to get rest.” Stabber walked back towards the castle and the soldiers parted and headed for camp. *** Meanwhile, Darge asked for his dear friend, Poldi, to keep him company. They had been through much together, and the experience had changed Darge’s attitude towards the loyal waif. Poldi walked into the throne room and bowed deeply before continuing to Darge’s side. Darge’s eyes were narrow and his eyebrows slightly furrowed, revealing a face full with fear and regret. Poldi placed his hand on the king’s shoulder.“My friend, what am I to do?” Poldi thought for a moment, sighed then said, “We’re dealing with goblins, sire. All you really can do is kill the rebellious.”Darge looked at Poldi sternly. “We’ve been through this before. I can’t do that. “Darge, fighting in the war did not change the fact that you are a goblin. You still have goblin blood running through your veins! You’re a fierce warrior, a cruel creature. The only way you can regain power over your kingdom is if you release the beast inside.”“I took power cruelly, and now that I have power again, I face aggression every day. Killing is doing nothing, but provoking them. I cannot take your advice this time, Poldi.” Darge sighed. “The war may not have changed my blood, but it changed me as a person.” Poldi spoke hesitantly, “Than… perhaps it’s time to end your reign as king and crown your son…”Darge slowly looked at his friend. Though he looked hurt, his eyes were soft. He didn’t know if he should respond in anger or humility. He opened his mouth to speak, but the doors opened and Stabber walked into the great hall. Darge was pleased to see that his son was unharmed, but then he noticed the raw pink flesh that covered Stabber’s body.Darge filled with anger. “What did you do?”Stabber gazed fearless at his father. “What I could, just as you told me to.”Darge didn’t breathe as he scanned his son’s body. “You forced yourself to shed.” He whispered. “How does this help the kingdom?”Stabber looked at his hands, there were still scraps of old skin clinging to his fingers. “A rioter is willing to speak to us, a female.”Darge blinked. “I don’t understand how this helps the kingdom?” He said sternly.“Within the last year, I ignored what I had learned from the war. I had learned about truth and the value of life. And so, in front of the soldiers, I tore my skin to show them my sorrow and humility.” Stabber said. He looked up in earnest. “Father, you should be pleased to know that I have devoted my life to free our people.”Darge looked at his son in astonishment. Again, he had no words; his feelings were a mystery to himself. Was this good news? So much had happened in that one day and he was overwhelmed. His best friend was advising that he end his reign and his son had made a public display of devotion… these were strange times indeed. Darge blinked. “I suppose… this is for the best. I hope you succeed.”Poldi looked from the prince to the king, both were unsure. Stabber thought his father was disappointed, and Darge felt as though he had lost his son’s loyalty. Poldi looked at the floor and spoke. “Perhaps, Stabber, we should leave your father in peace,” he looked at the king. “So he can think.”The two bowed before exiting the room. Darge sat, staring blankly at the floor where Stabber had stood. Was Poldi right, would it be best if Darge stepped down? Was his son ready to be king? Surely, he had grown to be a strong leader in the past few years, but Darge couldn’t help but think that his son was still a child. True, he was no longer an adolescent, but Darge couldn’t let go of the image in his head, the image of Stabber as a child. The events of the past years had forced his son to mature. The serious eyes and intelligence masked any spark of childhood left in Stabber… and Darge realized it was himself who wasn’t ready to let go.He sighed and drew his hands over his face. Strange things were occurring, what would happen next? Would Nealie magically appear from the dead? Darge’s heart lurched. Guilt stabbed him for disrespecting her in such a way. He brushed away his sorrow for the moment and thought of the present troubles. He knew he couldn’t be the king he had once been, he had learned too much and couldn’t disregard it. His new values conflicted with his old goblin lifestyle, conflicted with how he had been raised… but what he had learned seemed right, felt better. He took the crown from his head and stared into the mesmerizing ruby, and he realized that that ruby no longer charmed him, that the crown no longer controlled him. He didn’t feel a need for the crown. He didn’t desire it as he had before. The throne he sat upon, the granite throne that had once filled him with power now felt like an oppressive chair of chains. Rage filled him and he threw the crown away from him! It landed with a clang upon the stone floor and Darge buried his face against his palms.Queen Hexila entered the room and reverently lifted the crown from the floor. She walked towards Darge and placed the crown upon his head. “Sire, is all well?” She asked.“My queen, do you love me?”Hexila was taken aback. “Why do ask me this?”“I know it seems strange to ask, but I want to know.” Darge’s gruff voice softened. “I’ve learned things that I cannot forget, things that conflict with my goblin nature. And now I must make the hardest decision of my life—”“Sire, these past two years have put much stress on you,” Hexila said. “The stress plays tricks on your mind.”“No, Hexila. I was gone for months. I never told anyone, not one goblin has inquired about my absence… do you know why I was gone so long?”“You need rest.” She said, afraid of what he might tell her. “I’ll have Bork prepare your quarters. It’s been a long night.”He grabbed her wrists and held her where she stood. “Hexila, I fought in the war against Shike and his puppet Driscoll. I even battled Driscoll… he almost killed me. Did you wonder about my pain, about the scar on my side? Driscoll did that. I would have been slain if not for the human girl, Ashling, and the elf, Esequiel.” Darge’s face was stern, but then softened as he ran his fingers over Hexila’s arm. “I would have died convinced of your disloyalty.”Hexila stepped back from her king. “What is this decision you must make?”Darge looked away from her. “If I left, would you follow me? If I gave up the throne, would you devote yourself to me?”“Sire, why do you ask this of me?”“Hexila, call me by my name.” Darge looked at her with bright eyes. “I’ve learned to value life, even human and fey life. It was like learning to breathe… painful, difficult, but life giving.” He smiled and then whispered. “I have to decide if I am best for the kingdom or if our son would serve the kingdom better.”“Serve? Stabber?”Darge chuckled. “Yes. The best way to rule is to serve, this also I’ve learned.”“You’re no longer the goblin I knew…”“You’re right, I’m not.” Darge gingerly took Hexila’s hands. “Think about what I’ve told you.” *** It was late, the moon was low in the sky and the sun was beginning to rise. Stabber sat kneeling on the grass in the courtyard, before him were a few headstones. The writing on the headstones was uncouth, of the first goblin tongue. Those buried were the first king and his family. Only those of this bloodline were to rule and none had been brave enough to defile such tradition. Stabber looked at the graves with reverence, he would be the next to rule and he would be as great as the first king had been. Poldi had told Stabber about the conversation between Darge and himself, he even told Stabber that he had advised Darge to remove himself from the throne. Stabber wasn’t sure if his father would or even could do it. And if he were to step down, would it make him weak? Then, a hand brushed over his shoulder. Stabber jerked away and placed his blade against the intruder’s throat! She didn’t even quiver as the cold steel touched her skin, but she stood there unmoved and silent as a statue. Stabber gazed at the girl before him and cocked his head in wonder. She was the strangest most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. Her bone structure was similar to a goblin’s, but her skin and hair was of human characteristic. Her skin was of softest alabaster and her large shimmering eyes were amber. She had a loose pile of black curls upon her head and her goblin ears were adorned with pearls. She was dressed in a simple thigh length gown made of thick linen. She was captivating in her silence and Stabber was so mesmerized by her that he nearly forgot his voice.“Who are you?” He finally asked.She stood so very still and tall. A small smile lifted the corners of her pink lips. Her bright eyes flashed with mirth, as she studied the young goblin lord. When she finally spoke, her voice was sweet like honey, but commanded attention.“I have information for you,” she said softly.“But who, what are you?” Stabber lowered his sword. “You cannot be of goblin kin, you are too… fair-skinned.”She smiled. “My name is Didrika.”“Are you a rioter?”“Yes.”Stabber became angry. “Why all of this?”“Because of the coming war.” Didrika smiled weakly and though it was a sorrowful expression, it dazzled her features. “As long as your father is in power, we will die and this is the reason we riot.”“There is no war, but for the one you have caused.”“There will be a war… trust me.”“I will prevent it!” Stabber yelled.A singing laugh floated from her lips. “No. No matter how hard you try, this war is coming.” She looked at him. “But you can help us win.”“How do you know all this?”“I started the riot because I saw the war. I have seen the war and have known about it since before you and your father left for Krypt two years ago.” Didrika’s graceful face became serious. “Once you are king, appoint me a position beside you. My foresight will be your knowledge… an advantage no one else will have.”Stabber looked at the girl apprehensively, but before he could answer, she danced away and disappeared into the forest. |
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