Honor and Glory

Nikia and Jonas were led in, the two bowed deeply to Pekar and Peony. Pekar nodded in response and then headed into his questioning. “Peony and her rangers have been noticing strange activities in animals of the forest. Have either of you seen anything strange?”

“Strange sir?” Jonas asked.

“Perhaps the birds flying erratically or the animals moving away from the forest?” Peony hoped someone had seen something.

“I have seen nothing odd about the birds or animals of the plains,” Jonas crossed his arms and glared at Peony and her rangers. Clearly Jonas did not like to be disturbed during his easy job of standing guard at the camp.

“Two days ago I saw several flocks of birds heading in opposite directions. Many were flying north, toward the forest there and a few headed toward Hazqu.”

Peony nodded thoughtfully. The forest in the Realm was said to be the ancient realm of the immortals and once the home of King York and his brethren. It was considered the safest spot in times of danger. And Hazqu? If legends were true Artemis the Watcher in the Wood still resided there and protected any animal that came into her keep. Was it possible the animals around the river were seeking shelter in the two safest places in the four countries?

“Have you seen anything else, Nikia?” Pekar asked, genuinely interested in what she had to say.

“A few foxes and some rabbits were headed north as well, but aside from the birds I have seen few animals fleeing from the direction of the river.”

“Thank you both, keep your eyes peeled for any strange animal behavior, from wild creatures and our own horses. You are dismissed.”

Nikia and Jonas bowed and removed themselves from the tent. Pekar looked at his sister thoughtfully.

“Any idea what is happening?”

“I assume there must be something wicked near the river. But none of my rangers can place it. I have scouts along the borders and when we return to the forest I am hoping news will be coming in. I will send out a bird messenger before I leave your camp to father. If something is wrong with the river he should know and he should alert the other kings.”

“Send word to Pearce, perhaps he can send out a few of his scouts. He can go toward the Realm forest and look around.” Pekar said.

The siblings fell silent. Each knew that evil at the river meant trouble from Otanna as well as Sera, Mutar, and Archon. If they could prevent something terrible from happening they were going to.

* * * *
 
* * * *

The night air was cool and only a few clouds managed to obstruct the moon’s light. Peony’s rangers slept, but she stood outside to watch the stars. She lamented the fact she would not be among the rider for much longer, for at first light she was to leave and return to the forest. She had wanted to be among the Otannian Riders, to join their ranks and patrol the plains. But it was not to be. Her father had said no and though she took it in stride she had always harbored anger toward her father’s decision. Though life with the rangers was not bad by any means, she sometimes felt her talents could be used elsewhere, toward something with more purpose.

“You should be resting.” Pekar moved up next to Peony and smiled.

“I was able to find sleep.”

“The problem from the river is distressing, but it will do no good to skip sleep to worry about it.”

“I just wonder what is happening to our home. What could possibly cause the animals to fear it and flee in such a manner?”

Pekar took Peony by the shoulders and pointed her toward the tents. “Wait until morning to ask such questions. Perhaps all will be revealed.”

Peony finally heeded her brother’s urgings and took her first steps toward the tent. He was right; sleep was for the best now.”
 
A map... mmhh... that would be interesting. And I'm looking forward to know more about this story, though I'm now in the middle of Death Dealer.

What you said about the map reminded me about the one for my story... But, well, actually, I've had no time to scan it and post it on my thread. Besides, as you might guess, aside from the HUGE world that is Everdant (it isn't called EPIC for nothing), I have to post the whole world (save for the mysterious continent known as the Back of the World)

Of course, someone might think that I wrote this (and said it) with ease, but you don't know (unless you've created indeed a big world, and therefore, to draw it on a map) how hard, but joyful, to draw Everdant... all its continents: Prydain, Vardic, Deresim & Sraq. The forests and rivers, even I have versions with the political frontiers stated by those cultures in my book. And with 6 years (soon will be 7) of writing, in 6 years I've narrated and created perhaps 1000 years of history in Everdant.

By the way, how many characters had been portrayed aside from yourself and some friends?

And you must feel quite proud about what you've written, I can tell it by your signature. Who's she?
 
Maese Delta said:
By the way, how many characters had been portrayed aside from yourself and some friends?

And you must feel quite proud about what you've written, I can tell it by your signature. Who's she?
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Honor and Glory is the first part of the series I ever wrote and so I actually made my forum name from the character Nikia (whose role gets larger as the story progresses), rather than naming her after my forum name.

The woman in my signature (and sadly I did not draw her) is supposed to be Peony.
 
Nikia said:
Honor and Glory is the first part of the series I ever wrote and so I actually made my forum name from the character Nikia (whose role gets larger as the story progresses), rather than naming her after my forum name.
Click to expand...
I seem to have forgotten to add a little history on Kitanna, my now dearest friend. I say Honor and Glory is my oldest, but I have to give credit to Kitanna for without her help it would not be possible.

Two and a half years ago I had an idea for this epic and it involved mythology and good vs. evil, but I lacked the creativity in naming to create something. The Death Dealer was in its early stages and Grace was already taking on the role of hero. At this time I met Kitanna as nothing more than a girl who lived in my dorm next door to me.

Within a few weeks she had introduced me to Corine Huntley and her story The Last Motykain, which I began to help edit. Then she explained extra characters she had created, but didn't use including the lands Archon and Sera. Princess Peony was present as well and had an older brother, but no twin.

As our first semester of college progressed I began to take my idea and mix it with Kitanna's ideas and characters. And I feel horrible for not mentioning that sooner, given the fact she has been a huge help in forming Honor and Glory and providing the chief deity of Kitanna in the Death Dealer story.
 
King Pim’s Wife and the Demon Envy

(the second of the myths)

After the Earth was formed and breath was given to man, Queen Lothen went to King Pim. The Lady of Fire wished to give man life so that his life would not be shrouded in darkness and shadows. For though her fire was powerful it was not enough to thrive upon.

She asked Pim to help her hang a great fireball in the sky and the Lord of Earth happily agreed. The sun was placed high in the sky and there it stayed, unmoving, blessing the lands with eternal daylight.

But the sunlight gave no rest to man. Men elected King Cidnek of Mutar to speak to Lothen. They wished it to be taken down for a time so sleep could be achieved.

“Beloved Queen of Fire,” Cidnek said, “We are grateful for the gift of the sun, but it steals sleep from our weary heads. We must have some darkness to rest our tired bodies.”

Lothen heard and understood the pleas. Again she went to Pim, “Friend and Lord of the Earth,” she began, “The mortals need the darkness. Please craft them a beacon that will give the palest of light. Then they may never be in eternal darkness or eternal light.”

Pim agreed once more and crafted a great silver sphere. He hung it opposite the sun. And each day Lothen would take down the sun and Pim would bring up the moon.

One night Pim walked the forests of Mutar, for this was in a time before immortals withdrew to the sky. And as he walked the high king caught the sound of singing. He drew closer and saw the most beautiful woman dancing and singing in the moonlight. She twirled and floating among the rays of the moon to a beat that was within her entirely.

Pim called out to her, “Lady, who are you, who dances and sings fairest of all? An angel or a fairy from the Realm perhaps?”

The girl stopped her song and dance. Upon seeing who spoke, she fell to her knees. “No angel or fairy dances before you sir. I am merely the daughter of King Cidnek. I deserve no praise from one such as yourself.”

“Speak not such things, Lady.” Pim said gently. “I wish for your name.”

“Sana.”

“Then Princess Sana, daughter of King Cidnek of Mutar, sing for me again.” And she did. And with each verse Pim fell more in love with her.

He went to Cidnek and said he would take the princess as his bride. The king readily agreed. There could be no greater honor than having his daughter marry an immortal. So Pi mane wed in the moonlight in the area Pim first heard her song. Upon Sana immortality was placed and though sickness and age would never take her since she was still of man’s blood, man’s weapons could steal her life.

It was not long before Sana bore twins. The golden haired boy, Ciro, and the silvered haired girl, Kamaria. They would be ageless like their father, but weakness to man’s weapons would be their weakness.

Years passed in peace and Pim and Sana were happy. But evil was touching the lands. Some men’s hearts were becoming pits for evil and from this demons were allowed to spawn and come forth. Some men were became so wicked and so envious of the immortals that they formed alliances with the newly spawned demons.

It was the demon Envy, who was called Heset the first fallen angel, who became uncontrollable and wished to see the higher immortals robbed of happiness. Envy found and killed Pim’s beloved Sana as she bathed in the White River.

In Pim’s anger he led a legion of angels down to earth and they drove the demons into the underworld. He robbed Envy of his body, but as long as men harbor wicked thoughts the demon’s spirit could not be destroyed. He would be able to return if his body was replaced. Pim ignored all this and drove the demons and their spirits into a prison far below the surface. But it was too late for Sana.

King York and his sister, Lothen, took Sana’s spirit and body and hung it in the sky. Thus it was that she became the first star. Kamaria wished only to be close to her mother and begged York to take control of the moon. Not wanting to be parted from his twin Ciro asked for dominion over the sun. York granted their wishes gladly.

It was then that Pim became the first immortal to withdraw from the mortal world. His grief was too great to walk among men again. His children stayed hidden among the mortals to keep them at bay. But as time drew on men’s hearts grew darker and the demon Heset was allowed to be released upon the mortal world once more.
 
HHmm... quite interesting! This what I was hoping of you, Nikia! Now I understand more things about what you explained of your story and its origins.

Lothen heard and understood the pleas. Again she went to Pim, “Friend and Lord of the Earth,” she began, “The mortals need the darkness. Please craft them a beacon that will give the palest of light. Then they may never be in eternal darkness or eternal light.”

I liked pretty much this one... and eternal darkness?... mmmhh... that reminded me something, a story of mine here... but it's quite fell and ominous... to dark to be even told and read here... but I've risked for that X_X.

And you're getting familiar with epics, or at least this is your style. I praise it.
 
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Chapter Five

Two weeks had passed. King Laco of Mutar had been under Sage’s sway for years and with the help of her counterpart, Geoffrey as Laco knew him, the two had learned the many secrets of the castle in Mutar’s capital, Kasa, just ten miles from the White River. With the trust of Laco Sage and Geoffrey gained access to his youngest son, Lucan. The youth was fierce and strong, the perfect body to bring Heset back in. Their plans had been set and soon the demon would be allowed to return to the mortal world.

Sage had long been interested in the dark arts and found that the fallen angel was fascinating. And while she studied at the great university in Sera she met a sorcerer who had forsaken his mortal name and history and was nearly one with the magic of the world. He had seduced Sage from her studies and took her under his wing and taught her all he knew. He used her access to Sera’s university and library to dig deep into the archives to find the book of spells he had been seeking for years. Within the book was the spell to bring the dead back and to even summon demons.

A human body was needed in order to bring demons forth for the underworld and Sage convinced her sickly friend that she had a spell that would restore her vigor. Rogue had been hesitant, but Sage managed to draw her in. But Rogue’s sickness had ruined her as a vessel. The girl had been dragged through death and returned as a shade. No death would come to her, for in spirit she was dead though her body remained.

There were few options left to Sage and the sorcerer. Rogue would have run straight to the university and told them Sage’s plan. So her once friend had to be chained in her cellar like an animal while she worked at finding another vessel.

But finally all was ready. Sage had manipulated King Laco into allowing Lucan to study healing with her and the sorcerer in their home a day’s ride south of the castle. Sage had ridden ahead to prepare the spell. Soon the great demon Heset would return and she would be given immortal status as his sorceress.

Sage fingered the pages of the spell book. Geoffrey and Lucan would be there at any moment. She quivered with anticipation.

“Why do this?” Rogue moaned. She had been so quiet the last few hours Sage had forgotten her presence. “Power…you already…have such…great…power…why do this?”

“So that I may become an immortal, fool. So that the greatest immortal ever may rise and once again take his seat within the Realm.”

“Immortality…is not worth…the…ulti…ultimate loss…of your soul.” Sage hated when Rogue spoke. Geoffrey had cast a spell over Rogue so she was slowed. This way if she ever managed to escape the chains she would never make it from the cottage before she was caught. Unfortunately the spell slowed her speech as well. Sage assumed Rogue would talk less if it took all her energy, but the girl somehow managed to talk more.

“Silence! This matter is beyond your weak mind.” Sage crossed the cellar, spell book in hand. She produced a set of keys and dangled them in Rogue’s face. “Your chains must bind Lucan while he becomes our vessel. I trust you will not even dare to run off.”

Rogue shook her hand. Sage unlocked her from the chains that had kept her bound for so long. Once she was free of the wall she slumped to her knees. The spell placed on her body caused everything to feel as though it weighed a hundred pounds. She slowly crawled into a corner and drew her knees to her chest.

“And stay there like a good dog until we are done.” Rogue looked up at Sage with eyes that burned with her hatred. How had her childhood friend turned into such a monster?

The door upstairs opened. Geoffrey came into the cellar, bearing Lucan’s limp body over his back. “I knocked him out by the river while he bent to get a drink. Quickly, the spell will wear off soon.”

“Were you followed?”

“Of course not, stupid girl, now hurry up.” But unbeknownst to Geoffrey an alpha female wolf had been watching him with great interest. Even as he spoke she was digging her way through the floor under the kitchen.

But while the wolf worked furiously to get inside, Geoffrey stood Lucan up against the wall. Sage quickly clasped the iron shackles on his wrists. Rogue felt great sorrow for the handsome and strong man now unconscious and chained to the wall. His long hair fell into his eyes. His mighty chest rose and fell softly as though he were in the midst of a most wonderful sleep. Rogue felt a tear roll down her cheek for she knew in minutes he would be awakened to a nightmare. A demon would be in his body and his true self would be pushed out and die. She wondered what kind of man Lucan was and if the world would miss him.
 
Sage placed the spell book upon a large oaken table they had set before the wall that Lucan was chained to. Rogue lifted her head. She hated that table, that testament to her own oppression. Sage and Geoffrey’s spells and incantations were piled high upon it. They were joined by a bowl of bone fragments Sage used to predict the future. The bones had long been employed by the peace-loving Seraians to predict how the growing season would go. Now the sorceress turned the practice into a wicked thing that served only her cruel desires. The bones were placed next to various other items of significance. A wolf’s tooth to ward of evil from Otanna, a wooden rose to ensure success from Archon, and even a globe filled with red water to protect the holder from Mutar. All had been long held items of folklore, but Sage was managing to corrupt them to her and Geoffrey’s purpose. Now they were corrupting a young man whose only crime had been his strength, but even that strength would not help him resist their spell.

Sage opened the book and a half smile played wickedly across her lips. “It is ready.”

“Good,” Geoffrey took the wolf’s tooth from the table. He moved slowly toward Lucan’s chained figure. The sorcerer took hold of the prince’s arm and with a swift motion he used the tooth to cut deep into Lucan’s flesh.

The prince came almost immediately from unconsciousness. Geoffrey’s spell had worn off and now they would have to deal with the flailing prince. Lucan screamed in pain as the tooth was dragged along his forearm.

“Foul enchanter and serving wench!” Lucan fought against Geoffrey, but the sorcerer would not be stopped.

He was carving a strange symbol into Lucan’s skin. Rogue shuddered at the memory. She too bore the symbol of the demon Heset within her arm. If the spell was done correctly the demon would enter through his symbol carved in the flesh of the vessel.

“Stop your struggling,” Sage purred from the table. “You are about to achieve greatness.”

Geoffrey let go of Lucan’s arm. The prince’s tried to fly at Geoffrey as he backed away, but the chains only allowed him a foot of movement from the wall. His blood dripped into a pool by his feet.

“Keep…fighting…” Rogue said. The prince cast his eyes to the poor, pale, blacked haired woman sitting in the corner. If that was what would happen to him, Lucan would fight until they killed him.

The prince pulled against his chains and to Geoffrey’s horror the chains on the left side began to give way from the wall. Lucan was using all his strength to break free. The sorcerer had forgotten Rogue had been weak when she was chained to the wall. Lucan was strong and this could prove problematic.

“Sage, we must do it now!”

Sage began chanting the words from the spell book. Rogue’s ears burned as the memory flooded her mind. The words were from an ancient language, the first language. The words spoken were from the very tongue King York had used when the world was created. Rogue began thrashing about on the floor in pain. Since the failed attempt to make her the vessel she had been sensitive to their magic and to the language of old.

As Sage chanted Geoffrey produced a knife from within his robes. His voice carried as he spoke. “Heset! First among Demons! You who fell from the sky and gave Man the want for more, the want of knowledge and riches, you who was cast out from the Realm unfairly by the Angels. Your body was destroyed, but I provide you with a new one. Come forth and lead your armies once again so we may possess all the knowledge you have and the Angels have denied us.”

Lucan came to realize what was happening and his eyes grew large with fear. The prince doubled his efforts and struggled hard against the chains. The ones on the left were ready to give way if he pushed himself a little harder.

Sage chanted louder and Geoffrey drew closer. Lucan continued his struggle. But it would be to no avail. The sorcerer drove the knife deep into Lucan’s chest. As he did so the torches within the cellar extinguished themselves and the only light that was left set off an eerie green glow. Lucan screamed out and the bloody symbol on his arm began to produce the same green glow as the knife.

Rogue withered and continued thrashing about on the floor. The scarred symbol on her right arm flared. It too was glowing, but it glowed a strange pale purple. None but Rogue noticed her own scar glowing in the darkness of the cellar.

Suddenly Lucan silenced. Even Rogue stopped her thrashing. Sage had ended the chant and she moved from the table to stand by Geoffrey’s side. The knife still stuck out from Lucan’s chest where it had penetrated his flesh, but the prince was still breathing, although shallowly. Sage clutched the sorcerer’s arm in fright. Had it worked?

Lucan’s left hand punched out and the chain snapped free of the wall. He lifted his head and removed the knife from his chest. The open wound closed on its own, leaving a small scar where the knife has entered. The flames on the torches began to give light once more.

“Heset?” Geoffrey ventured to ask.

“You have called me forth to lead an army. We must march against the Realm.” Though it looked like Lucan, the voice was no longer that of the prince. It was deeper, scratchier.

“We must assembly an army for you,” Sage said.

“From the four nations I will gather my followers.” Heset sniffed the air. “You have allowed one from the Realm to enter.” He looked toward the cellar stairs with his lip curled up.

A large black wolf was upon the stairs, she growled at the three. Rogue felt the weakness leave her body. She was not tired and her body was no longer weighed down. The wolf’s presence had broken through Geoffrey’s spell. Perhaps the wolf could end the madness now before Heset left the cottage.

The she-wolf jumped from the stairs toward Heset. She landed upon him and bit deep into his neck. The attack was to no avail. The demon threw her off. The wolf shook it out and crouched low to the ground.

“I am strong. Just because I have a mortal body does not mean mortal weapons will harm me.”

The she-wolf seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. She growled and inched toward the door. Heset pulled his other arm free from the chains. Rogue took the chance and jumped to her feet. She grabbed the spell book from the table and took off running up the stairs and out of the cottage. The wolf wasted no time in following her. Geoffrey and Sage went to give chase, but Heset stopped them.

“Let the fools run.”

“But they have our spell book,” Sage protested.

“It is of no use now that I am among you.”

“Who was that wolf?” Geoffrey had never heard of a wolf from the Realm before. “And how did it ruin my spell over Rogue? That was one of my stronger spells.”

“None of your mortal spells will hold against that wolf’s mere presence. That was Kitanna, the Angel Faith’s daughter and nothing you mortals can contrive will stand against her.”

“So we simply let her go, an Immortal that could undo what we are trying?” Sage was becoming annoyed at Heset’s lack of concern toward this Kitanna.

“Only the weapons of the four may destroy me. And York, Lothen, Pim, and Sonya have already left this world. And unless I am mistaken their weapons went with them.”

“York’s sword remains on the border of the Realm, waiting for a strong heart to pull it.” Geoffrey said.

“The Angels and Kitanna will be unable to touch that sword and no mortal could ever possibly draw York’s ‘mighty’ sword. Nothing shall stand in our way.”

“What of Artemis?” Sage asked, “There are rumors she still dwells as the Watcher in the Woods’, can she draw the sword?”

“No, Artemis is a useless lover of animals and can be easily handled. Now, let us begin our plans. There is much to do in order to make our march on the Realm.”
* * * *
 
Excellent story, well read and wonderful world. I admire you miss. few people take the time to actually craft theyre own world, its a lost and dying process. I will admit you did borrow a few things from tolkien but on the other hand he thought up almost everything so nobody could help it. Bravo. excellent artwork btw did you draw it urself?
 
dwarven_crusader77 said:
I will admit you did borrow a few things from tolkien but on the other hand he thought up almost everything so nobody could help it. Bravo. excellent artwork btw did you draw it urself?
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Quite so, though Tolkien was one of many influences I had when crafting Honor and Glory. And I'd be willing to share the various influences for the places, history, and characters if you're interested.
As for the artwork, no I did not draw them, sadly, I can't draw beyond stick figures. I gathered the artwork from various places instead.
 
Hello there, Nikia.

I haven't read all this story (classes in University had become quite charged with duties and... vacations are near), and by what I've read from the post that mentioned your influences, I think I must read it all so I can figure it out where are the thing you show as an influence from Tolkien.

By the way, if you've read the new chapters of Epic in Everdant and Eternal Darkness, what do you think of them?

Oh, and also, what about your map?
 
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