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Dyrnwyn
Nov Member 2007

Dyrnwyn

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- CHAPTER ONE -

The inn was full that evening, and locals as well as travellers enjoyed the refreshing beverages that the barmaids had to offer. The wooden tavern sounded with idle conversation, and - despite the thick tobacco smoke in the air - the atmosphere was that of a warm and homely place. The flames burning merrily in the fireplace kept the shadows at bay and sent flickering rays of light through the taproom. As the late summer sun sank below the horizon, a wandering troubadour put the fingers to his lute and played a light tune, further adding to the cheerful atmosphere.

Suddenly the door was violently kicked open by a steel-plated boot. The troubadour stopped playing and moved his gaze upwards from the boot, only to find that most of the newcomer was actually covered in steel.

A helm hid the man's face, and a chainmail protected his chest. A crimson cape was draped over his shoulders and a sword was sheathed at his side. The customary uniform of an officer of the Imperial Legion. The legionnaire stepped inside, his every move closely monitored by the guests.

The newcomer's boots clanked as he made his way through the taproom. He stopped and sat down at the table farthest from the door, at which a hooded personage was already seated.

The talking, which had more or less subsided, began again, as the barguests decided that it would be best for their general health not to interfere with the legionnaire's business.

One man, however, was not afraid. His curiosity piqued, the troubadour stealthily moved closer to the table as to better hear the ensuing conversation. // Wordsmith ~ The Novelists' Guild // Viking //

15-Jul-2012 15:12:27 - Last edited on 15-Jul-2012 16:38:46 by Dyrnwyn

Dyrnwyn
Nov Member 2007

Dyrnwyn

Posts: 1,396 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
As the troubadour got in earshot of the two, he heard the legionnaire talking:

"... bring you back to Desburgh, and I'd prefer it if you went willingly. There's no escape this time, you know. I've got a dozen men stationed outside, and - even though Emperor Berulth would prefer to have you back alive - accidents happen."

The hooded man sighed almost regretfully.

"I'm terribly sorry, Taryn, but I don't intend to go back - no matter what that old madman says. There's a reason why I escaped in the first place."

The troubadour's eyes widened in excitement even as the legionnaire growled in anger. The armoured man rose and drew his sword.

"You're coming with me, Nemo!"

The hooded man agilely jumped to his feet, a vicious, curved dagger in hand.

"Let's agree to disagree!" he snarled.

The peaceful atmosphere turned into utter chaos as the legionnaire lunged at his opponent. The hooded man nimbly dived out of harm's way and made a move of his own. With cat-like agility he moved closer to the legionnaire and - with surgical precision - slid his blade through his enemy's maille and between his ribs.

The legionnaire made a horrible wheezing sound and dropped his blade. His body hit the floor soon after, blood trickling from his mouth.

One particularly brave guest threw a chair at the hooded man, but he dodged it and ran for the door. It took the troubadour a split-second to make up his mind. Quickly he followed the mysterious fugitive.

The hooded man, whose name apparently was Nemo, had already been able to subdue some of Taryn's legionnaires. In the soft, warm light of the inn's lanterns, the troubadour saw three men lying incapacitated on the bloody cobblestones. Whether or not their injuries were fatal, the troubadour could not say. // Wordsmith ~ The Novelists' Guild // Viking //

15-Jul-2012 15:13:02 - Last edited on 15-Jul-2012 16:39:07 by Dyrnwyn

Dyrnwyn
Nov Member 2007

Dyrnwyn

Posts: 1,396 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Despite his unmatched combat prowess, it seemed that the mysterious Nemo had bitten off more than he could chew. As he parried the vicious blow of yet another legionnaire, another one was sneaking up behind him.

Why the troubadour did what he did next would puzzle him for the rest of his life. Compelled by some unknown force, he firmly grasped his lute and ran to Nemo's aid, bashing the sneaky soldier over the head with the instrument, seemingly without regard for its well-being. It was a hard blow, and the legionnaire toppled over.

Nemo finished his opponent with a stab to his exposed throat, pulled his hood down and spun around, incredulously eyeing the troubadour. He made a gesture at the limp body on the ground.

"Your doing?"

The troubadour nodded.

"Thanks," said the mysterious man.

"Don't mention it."

There was no more time to talk, for at that moment more imperial soldiers, who had been stationed a few streets away, came to the aid of their fallen comrades.

Nemo's curved dagger and the troubadour's sturdy lute made short work of the rest of the legionnaires, although the troubadour did not go completely unharmed himself. He clutched his arm, blood slowly saturating his sleeve. He looked inquiringly at his new acquaintance.

"What now?"

Nemo frowned and then made a quick decision.

"Come with me. We have to get out of here. I'll tend to your wound as soon as we get some distance between ourselves and this town."

The two men made haste to the stables and Nemo saddled his horse.

"Um," the troubadour muttered, "I'm afraid that I don't own a horse."

The mysterious fellow sounded slightly irritated as he pointed out a grey stallion.

"Then take that one."

The troubadour gasped.

"But that's theft!" // Wordsmith ~ The Novelists' Guild // Viking //

15-Jul-2012 15:14:26 - Last edited on 15-Jul-2012 16:39:22 by Dyrnwyn

Dyrnwyn
Nov Member 2007

Dyrnwyn

Posts: 1,396 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Nemo's expression was that of a man whose patience is wearing thin.

"Why, yes, I do believe that some people call it that," he remarked sarcastically. "I'm quite convinced that stealing a horse is the least of our worries right now."

Just as a handful of men came outside to discover the mess, two horses bolted past them and disappeared into the night, leaving the town of Vrenn behind them. // Wordsmith ~ The Novelists' Guild // Viking //

15-Jul-2012 15:14:36 - Last edited on 09-Dec-2012 15:39:08 by Dyrnwyn

Cyun

Cyun

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Profiled.

A swift start to what will unfold to be an exciting tale, no doubt. Is the name Nemo significant? I know from somewhere it means "nobody" in Latin, it would fit his mysterious character.

EDIT: Have I disrupted your reserved posts? I saw that you were asking for comments of the Discussions, but now you have edited it off O_o

15-Jul-2012 16:36:16 - Last edited on 15-Jul-2012 16:39:04 by Cyun

Dyrnwyn
Nov Member 2007

Dyrnwyn

Posts: 1,396 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I'm terribly sorry about the confusion, Cyun, I found that what I'd posted here didn't quite fit as a prologue, so I'd more or less decided to write a new one instead. I discarded the idea, though, and merely changed the prologue to "chapter one". You are free to post, and thank you for reading! :)

Regarding his name, it bears some significance. All shall be revealed as the story progresses. ^_^ // Wordsmith ~ The Novelists' Guild // Viking //

15-Jul-2012 16:42:04 - Last edited on 15-Jul-2012 16:50:04 by Dyrnwyn

Areno3

Areno3

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I read what you have here and it's not too shabby. I liked it. I'm a fantasy buff though, and action adventure like this always makes me excited. I liked the dialogue when Nemo asked the troubador, "Your doing?" Made me chuckle for some reason.

Anyway, good luck with this story. Update me when you've added more. ;)

16-Jul-2012 01:04:30

Dyrnwyn
Nov Member 2007

Dyrnwyn

Posts: 1,396 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Thank you very much for taking time to read it, Delnaz. :)

I'm glad you liked the dialogue; one of my major focuses will be to keep it interesting.

At the moment I'm trying to decide whether or not to alternate between the troubadour's (don't worry, you'll get his name) and Nemo's point of view. I'd rather not unveil any of Nemo's secrets yet, but it would be interesting to see things from his perspective. // Wordsmith ~ The Novelists' Guild // Viking //

16-Jul-2012 14:46:22

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