RuneScape Forum Archive | RoM Book 1: Chasm

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

<~REALM OF MIRRORS~>
A Caydock Story
~PROLOGUE~
The pale moon crept behind a cloud, its whitewashed gleam barely falling onto the trees and rolling hills of the countryside. A pearly dove sat in one of the nearby oaks. Under the cover of darkness, she warbled her sweet melody up to the star-filled, dark blue sky, which was marred only by the obscuring cloud. The dove paused her song to preen one unruly feather that had shifted from the desired position. She was interrupted as a small cry rent the night air. Straining her ears, the dove crooned a small note of curiosity. When all was quiet, she dismissed the disturbance and fluffed her feathers. She then lifted her orange beak to fill the world with her pleasant melody once more.
Then a disturbing, sickening cry echoed over the hills. The dove tucked her head under her wing and trembled, her wings shaking.
A shadow fell through the trees, quickly followed by its owner. A man, his hands outstretched and a panicked expression stamped on his face, charged out from the woods. He brushed away a lock of blond hair that masked his vision and pumped his legs harder. His booted feet stumbled over long, gnarly roots that stretched out in tricky arrangements, seemingly trying to trip him.
In his hand he clasped a mirror which fit comfortably in his palm. The mirror reflected his hazel eyes that glanced fearfully up at the moon. The cloud began to move bit by bit and the man held back a sob of horror that rose unbidden from his chest.
Sweat ran down from his face, tracking long lines that dropped onto his brown shirt. He reached into a pocket on his pants and withdrew a small canister. Without breaking stride he popped the lid of the rusted canteen, took a drink, returned the canister to his belt, and wiped his mouth with the back of his calloused hand.

23-Aug-2009 20:42:31 - Last edited on 28-Oct-2009 00:10:21 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

A glow of soft light appeared over the horizon. “The sun!* The man gasped; hope filling him for the first time that night. He willed his body to greater speeds, certain that he could hold out.
All at once, he collapsed. Gasping for breath, he planted his hands on the spongy grass and with trembling arms, lifted himself back up.
As he rose to his feet, his legs started to shake uncontrollably. He glanced out into the depths of the wood and felt a clammy claw grip his heart as disbelief and terror flooded his bloodstream.
A Shadow glided into view from behind a large tree and floated over to the man. It was wreathed in darkness, clothed with despair and a gray hood fell over its brow, just barely revealing two red eyes that burned cruelty and malice.
The exhausted man angled his mirror towards the Shadow and a beam of light shot from the surface. The Shadow whirled, dodged the beam, and kicked out with a wispy foot, knocking the man onto his back. Completely fatigued, the man gently laid his head back on the crisp, green grass. His irises glazed over from the mixed affect of pain that results from running too hard for too long and the fear the Shadow inspired in his heart. He closed his eyes.
The Shadow raised a hand. Darkness collected on its palm and grew to a raging fire of spinning black clouds. Purple streaks occasionally ripped through the vapors like static. But just as the Shadow prepared to hurl the mass of purple, it lifted its head, its crimson eyes widening in glee.
The moon began to appear from behind the dark cloud. A sliver of light touched down fifty yards away. A fearful intake of breath seemed to escape from the land as the moon once again made its presence known to the world.
A raspy chuckle came from the Shadow’s hood as it stepped back from the man, dissolving the purple clouds into its palm. The evil being threw his arms to the sky in worship of the celestial being as it crept closer and closer.

23-Aug-2009 20:42:36 - Last edited on 28-Oct-2009 00:07:50 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The man gave a soft cry as light seeped over the hills, slowly heading his way. He tried to get up, but his already weary body did*’t comply with his wishes. As the first beam of moonlight finally touched his foot, he shoved a fist into his mouth, stifling a scream.
The pastel shafts caressed his body, cleansing him with its soft glow. The man writhed on the ground, suffering pure agony as he was slowly consumed.
Panting, he grabbed two fistfuls of the grass and laid his blond head on the ground, giving in to the inevitable. His body slowly dissolved and, starting with his feet, he burst into streams of light that climbed high into the sky with a roar like thunder. The light absorbed into the moon, traveling on its path towards the heavenly body as the Shadow let loose with a rumbling laugh, filled with malevolence. Then the Shadow headed back to the woods, to live in the gloom of darkness again.
As the final lustrous rivulet departed, soaring into the air, silence fell over the land. The dove poked her head out from under her luminous wing. The moon disappeared behind another cloud and the dove burst into song, although there was no one to hear it. Save, that was, for the dark form that swept through the trees.
Always creeping, ever waiting, never sleeping…
Always watching…

~END OF PROLOGUE~

23-Aug-2009 20:48:52 - Last edited on 28-Oct-2009 00:09:02 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

~CHAPTER ONE~

“Come on, Cadoc! Reel him in!”
Cadoc grasped the fishing pole, his whole body taught with exertion. Perspiration broke out on his forehead, slowly trickling down to his lips where Cadoc swiped it away with the back of his tongue.
The fish, a shiny, shimmery trout, looked to weigh ten pounds to the bare eye. It splashed and leaped in the once tranquil but now frenzied waters, urgently trying to escape. Cadoc grunted and finally, with one last heave, he fell to the ground.
Cadoc scrambled to his feet, searching the bank wildly for any sign of his fish. He ran to where his pole lay and checked the hook. Realizing that there was no fish desperately trying to free itself, he let out a groan. “There goes dinner.”
“Cadoc! Help!”
Cadoc whirled and, with a loud laugh, saw his friend, Rupert, holding onto the fish, which was still trying to free itself. The fish slapped Rupert across his cheek with its glistening tail, leaving a bright red imprint.
Cadoc scooped up a thick log and charged to help his friend. Dealing the fish a hefty whack on its head, Cadoc grabbed its limp body and slung it over his shoulder. “Way to go, Rupert.”
Rupert looked down at his red shirt and touched his curly russet hair, now covered with shining scales. “Oh wait until my mother sees this!”
Cadoc chuckled, dropped the fish, and helped brush the scales onto the sandy shore. “There you go. No problem.”
“Thanks,” Rupert said, relief showing in his brown eyes, “at least the fish is dead. Dinner is saved.”
“Yep, and it’s a big one. It should suffice for at least two days.”
Cadoc turned towards the trail that headed away from the river towards his village. He opened his mouth to comment on the time, when his eyes caught sight of a small figure, hurrying along the path. Cadoc groaned, “Hey, Rupert, here comes Dan.”
Rupert turned from the fish and folded his arms across his broad chest. “Just ignore him.”
Cadoc rushed over to Rupert’s side. “Pretend we’re busy.”

23-Aug-2009 20:48:58 - Last edited on 28-Oct-2009 00:09:55 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“Got it,” Rupert mumbled out one side of his mouth, “it won’t work though.”
As Dan arrived at the riverbank, Cadoc turned his head, whistling a merry tune. Dan ran a hand through his sweaty hair, breathing heavily from his run. “Cadoc,” he gasped, “Brandon wishes to see you.”
Broken out of his act by this unexpected message, Cadoc whirled towards Dan. “What does that old man want with me?”
Dan shrugged his bony shoulders and stroked his gaunt chin, “I don’t know. Just get over there fast.”
Cadoc nodded and took off down the lane heading to the town. When he arrived, he yawned and looked around. Humble homes and small huts abounded, while nearby, wheat grew in the fields, preparing for the day of harvest. The buzz of insects filled the air and the sweet smell of corn floated through the summer breeze. A row of hills ran along the borderline of the rural dwellings, crowned with red and yellow flowers and large, oak trees. The occasional cart would roll down the well beaten dirt road that headed through the center of town, yet rarely, for the town was a small one. The road ran parallel with one small hut, which was Cadoc’s destination.
Veering from the path, he broke into a trot and entered the building, ducking under the flapping curtain that served as a door for this rustic structure.
Cadoc cleared his throat, his blue-eyed gaze gliding over the wooden table that sat in the middle of the room, to the roughly embroidered rugs that hung on the oaken walls to another door that stood at the end of the table, leading to the courtyard.
Then a voice came from the door, clear and pleasant to hear, “Over here, Cadoc.”
An old man, wrinkled and grey, peeked in from the doorway, “Come join me. It’s a wonderful day.”

23-Aug-2009 20:49:03 - Last edited on 31-Aug-2009 03:18:42 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Cadoc cleared his throat, staring at Brandon’* long flowing white hair that fell over his shoulders. Brandon’s hair was a stunning opposite of Cadoc’s black locks. Cadoc stepped forward, and passed through the door, blinking in the strong sunlight.
Cadoc shielded his eyes with the back of his hand, “Sir, why do you sit out here? It’s so bright!”
Brandon sat on a bench surrounded by flowers and bushes. He placed a withered hand next to his side, patting the bench as a silent command for Cadoc to sit. “Why do I sit out here in the wondrous glow?” Brandon threw back his head, his eyes closed to the brilliant rays, “Because light is a precious gift. Without light, we would live in the darkness forever. Without light, we would be nothing but empty shells; crawling and whimpering in the shadows. We must be light!”
Cadoc blinked; partly from the shafts of sun, and partly from confusion. “Whatever you say, sir,” he said timidly, “but I believe you sent for me.”
“Yes,” Brandon said as he looked away from the sun and towards Cadoc again. “I did call. How old are you, Cadoc?*
Cadoc looked confused as he sat down on the bench, “How old am I, sir?*
*Yes, boy, you’re the only Cadoc here.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I’m fifteen years of age.”
“Good, good,” Brandon mumbled, running his palm along the wooden bench, “well I have a job for you.”
Thoroughly confused by the change in subject and the unexpected question, Cadoc nodded warily. “What would you have me do, sir?*
*This boy, this,” Brandon reached under the bench and withdrew a small, leather wrapped package. “Take this to Ruben. You know him right… the hunter?”
Cadoc nodded, “He lives in the forest, right?”

23-Aug-2009 20:49:09 - Last edited on 24-Aug-2009 03:01:44 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Brandon chuckled, “Why do you ask me if you already know? Just hurry and get it there.” Brandon handed the package to Cadoc and stared out at his garden.
Cadoc hurried from the hut with the package held securely in the crook of his arm. Pumping his well-muscled arms, Cadoc hurried through the town, nodding in greeting to the shopkeepers and stall owners that he had known since he was a child.
He ran down the road, veering off into the woods, his boots pounding the well known trail. After about three minutes of running, a large tree loomed ahead. Cadoc sidestepped the tree and, leaping over a small stream, he stopped, panting in front of a large log cabin. Cadoc knocked on the polished wood door and tapped his foot while he waited for Ruben to answer.
“Who’s there?” a gruff, raspy voice asked irritably.
“It’s Cadoc, sir,” Cadoc said, staring at the colorful birds that were pecking and scavenging in the woods.
“Well come in then, but mind you, I don’t like visitors.”
Cadoc cautiously twisted the teak doorknob and shoved the door open with the side of his boot. Stepping in, he glanced around the room. It contained only the bare necessities-a lopsided table sat in one corner of the single room lodge, forlorn except for a matching chair that had one broken leg. A strong looking long bow rested in the corner, accompanied by a quiver of red-fletched arrows. Ruben sat in the chair, his large hands holding a piece of wood and a knife. He had long brown hair, a short graying moustache and he wore a forest green shirt that fell loosely over his strong shoulders. Three daggers in sheaths and a leather sling hung from his belt. He looked up at Cadoc, his eyes gleaming in the semi-dark room. “What is it, boy?”
Cadoc took two wary steps forward, tripped over his own feet, and fell, dropping the packet to the ground. Cadoc clambered to his feet, shame coloring his normally tanned cheeks a flaming scarlet. Ruben glared and grabbed at the package, “Give me that…”

23-Aug-2009 20:50:12 - Last edited on 24-Aug-2009 03:02:13 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Cadoc backed away, hoping the dim light was enough to hide his embarrassment, and watched as Ruben untied the leather and revealed an undersized handheld mirror. With a small, “Hmm…,” Ruben slid the mirror into the back pocket of his dirty pants and waved his sunburned hand at the door. “You may leave now.*
Cadoc bobbed his head respectfully and pivoted, heading towards the exit. Ruben watched him leave, “Something interesting about that boy,” he mused, returning to his block of wood.
~ ~ ~
Cadoc trudged through the woods, still obsessing over his foolish mistake at Ruben’s home. He kicked a pinecone and watched as it sailed through the air, landing with a muted thud as it touched down in a patch of pine needles. The sun peeked out from behind the boughs of a tree and fell into Cadoc’s eyes. He squinted, shielding his eyes with his hand as he jumped over a log. Then he heard a small, whispery noise from behind him.
Cadoc turned slowly, listening for anything out of the ordinary. The noise of the breeze moving slowly through the leaves of a large oak and the trickle of a small stream that merrily travelled along through the forest reached his ears, but nothing unusual.
He shrugged and returned his attention to the path, avoiding the reaching roots of the trees that snaked along the path, threatening to trip a careless traveler walking through the depths of the forest.
Cadoc hurried along the trail, listening to the noise of robins and songbirds in the trees. Suddenly, he felt a disturbance in the woodlands. A great hush fell over the land and the birds stopped singing as the forest was filled with dread. Even the stream, that seemed so carefree on its journey, seemed to now whisper malicious threats as the sun retreated behind a cloud.

23-Aug-2009 20:50:17 - Last edited on 24-Aug-2009 03:02:25 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Cadoc backed against a tree and bent over, grasping for a large branch that lay underfoot. His gaze roved over the surroundings as he held the stick in a battle-ready position. How long he stood there he did*’t know, although it seemed like hours. At long last, he mustered his courage and started off to the village, with the thought, ‘You’re just being paranoid’, echoing in his head.
A high pitched scream stopped him in his tracks and he whirled, holding the stick vertically. Cadoc glanced around furtively, his heart pounding wildly. He resolutely placed one foot in front of the other, heading towards the direction of the cry of terror.
An eerie laugh rose up from behind a nearby cluster of bushes, its tone laced with menace, bringing to mind thoughts of decaying flesh and other atrocities. Cadoc swallowed, his throat convulsing with fear as he parted the bushes. The sight that met his eyes was enough to make him stop in his tracks.
A shaded form stood concealed by a shadow that was cast from a nearby beech tree. A teenaged girl lay on the ground in a small puddle of blood that seemed to originate from her arm. The dark figure stared out from the shadows and hissed, slowly and evilly. Cadoc felt his mouth go dry and his legs started to shake uncontrollably. Then, out from the shadows, a blast of darkness came. It rammed into Cadoc’s ankles, knocking him flying into a large oak tree. His head ringing and ankles screaming in agony, he looked up just in time to see another blast—this one slightly smaller—heading at his face.

23-Aug-2009 20:50:22 - Last edited on 24-Aug-2009 03:02:50 by Caydock

Caydock

Posts: 6,279 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Chapter 2
-------------
Cadoc stared, aghast, as the stream of darkness descended upon him. Then, at the last possible moment, a shining square of light flew through the trees and blocked the torrent of death.
The black mass flew backwards, propelled by the glimmering object, and crashed into the figure in the woods. A hoarse, rasping laugh floated through the summer breeze as another blast, stronger than before, gusted through the bushes, ripping away leaves, branches and small insects, as the evil flow once again headed towards Cadoc.
Cadoc leaped up, caught hold of a hanging tree branch, and swung himself away from the attack. The tempest of black clouds swarmed through the forest and crashed into an ancient oak, which fell with a loud cracking groan.
As the tree collapsed to its eternal resting place, a loud war cry sounded out from the bushes and a man ran into the clearing clutching a bow. In one smooth motion the man reached to a quiver that swung loosely by his side and notched an arrow. Just before the man released, Cadoc saw that the sharp, deadly tip of the arrow gleamed even in the daylight. With a loud- twang- the arrow sped off into the trees. Then, a lingering, desperate cry floated up into the air, and all was silent.
Cadoc watched the glade where the darkness had originated in horrific fascination; as if waiting to hear if the being would once again make a sound. It did not.
Cadoc turned to the man, his rescuer, and stopped as he recognized him. “Ruben?”
Ruben nodded as he bent and retrieved the item he had thrown, “It is I. When my daughter did not show up at our home, I came looking for her.” With one smooth motion Ruben bent and scooped the girl into his arms. “I suggest you come with me. I am heading back to Brandon’s, and since you delivered the package I assume you were going there anyway.”

23-Aug-2009 20:50:27 - Last edited on 07-Oct-2009 03:15:29 by Caydock

Forums

RoM Book 1: Chasm