Category : Stories

Sub Category : Fantasy

Chapter 1: Argoth

The air was humid and thick with moisture as dew dripd from the leaves. A muffled white noise of a waterfall can be heard in the distance. Ever so quiet that some thinks that the source is far away. The sun was rising up as the night's sky began to retreat from the risen light. Peering inside the open window as a soft gust of wind glides over the small room.

A faint, soft snore can be heard as the room was rather oddly large. Especially when the resident is no more than a twelve year old boy. It contains a set of stairs that climbs up to the second floor with cast-iron railing. The second floor contained a bookshelf nailed into the wall that contains at least a dozen books. Some of them contained about mortal knowledge of the gods. Others were history about the Qlink Region, the foundation of House Stormbane, the creation that led up to Storm Keep, and so on.

Next to it is a simple desk made from vandella wood which consists of a naturally dark color with a faded brown tint around the edges. Set on top of the desk is a small shelf that contains various scrolls and letters. At this desk is the young boy who has fallen asleep with his face resting on the closed, leather bound book. Papers and parchment can be seen spread all around the desk. Most contained forms of writing as the few remain blank.

A knock can be heard echoing from stone walls that stirred the boy awake from his dream. "Milord, your father wished to see you when light breaks out. May i enter?" A male voice that rang a familiar memory in the young master's mind. The boy sits up on his chair while stretching his arms and stifling a yawn. Since there was a few moments of silence, a dark, heavy wooden door opens from below. A sigh can be heard as the boy forgotten how quickly night can make the air very cold.

"Milord? Are you in here?" The voice spoke again followed by echoing steps climbing up the stone stairs. Finally the boy found his voice that sounded raspy from being dry. "I'm up here Jacob. Sorry i didn't realize i had fallen asleep." A lighthearted chuckle can be heard rising from the steps was a seasoned butler of sorts. His hair was blonde, but grey streaks made the blonde appear to be highlights. Even so he was dressed in a white tunic with a black velvet vest over the tunic. Brass buttons can be seen on said vest that has a hawk embossed onto the buttons. Jacob's hands were gloved with white silk.

A warm smile can be seen on the butler's face as his lavender eyes spot the half-asleep lord with his short, midnight black hair in a tangled mess while still wearing his dirty tunic and mud stained pants from yesterday. "Spent all night reading again young master?" Jacob raised a question which the yound lad answered with a nod before trying to rub the sleep from his eyes. "Fraid so Jacob. You mentioned my father wanted to see me. Did he tell you what for?"

The butler spoke as he walked up to the boy with eyes focused on the leather bound book that's on the desk. "Your father didn't give me much detail other than to meet him in the Twin Peaks. Now hurry on and get dress Argoth. You know the lord hates to be kept waiting for long." Argoth agreed on that note as he got up to his feet and climbed down the stairs. Where a queen sized bed untouched from last night with thick wooly blankets laid on top for comfort. Across from it is a wardrobe that Argoth walks up to and opens the doors. Discarding the old clothes, Argoth donned a clean short sleeved tunic of linen fabric with a set of pants also made from linen and fastened a pair of brown leather boots. Argoth had finally clasped a brooch on a grey wool cloak when Jacob closed the window.

"I hear you're to be trained as a steward. Not everyone gets to be trained especially not so young. Of course you won't actually become a steward until Lumin becomes lord, but still there's no shame in being a steward." Jacob attempted to encourage Argoth as recently the boy has been trying desperately to change his father's mind about making him steward while Argoth's twin brother, Lumin, is destined to become Lord of Storm Keep. Argoth wanted to do something exciting such as becoming a hunter, or even becoming an anointed knight like Ser Ruchard!

The boy hastily combed his hair with his small fingers to get the tangles out before responding. "But being a steward is stupid and boring! I want to take up the sword and fight battles with Lumin and father!" Jacob pressed his lips to maintain the smile as the butler turned towards the young lord. "Yes i imagine fighting battles with steel and blood can be exciting, but if-"

"I know. If the lord departs from Strom Keep there must always be a Stormbane to rule it until the lord comes back. You've told me so many times than i care to count." The boy finished Jacob's sentence with a sense of irritation in his voice. Jacob of course kept silent and lightly bowed at Argoth's direction.

Once fully dressed, Argoth was escorted by Jacob out of the room which actually happened to be a small tower connected to a well defended keep. There was still a chill in the morning air, but Argoth knew better since by midday it'll be warm like summer all over again. They remained quiet for the trip as guards in groups of three can be seen patrolling throughout the keep. They of course stepped to the side allowing the little lord pass, but Argoth could feel a discomfort from their gaze. It was like they had a fear inside of them that they can't completely hide from themselves.

Argoth was confused, but declined to question it as they make their way into the West Tower. Which is honestly a flight of stone stairs spiraling up the contains a balcony every twenty feet up. Where a guard can be seen as their navy blue coats get tugged by the wind. Banners can be seen on the keep and the wind was lightly lifting those heavy tapestries from their position.

They come upon the top of the West Tower as an arch corridor can be seen that has torches lighting up with carved windows on both sides. There were at least a dozen guards by now as the two cross the arch into a wide room decorated with a banner of hawk with lightning streaking behind it. A map of Qlink Region can be seen on the far wall while braziers can be seen on either side of the room. In the middle is a table that is seated by Ser Joff, a grizzly warrior who rather crack someone's skull open with his warhammer. Next to Joff was a strong man garbed in a leather jerkin with vandellan steel plates on the forearms and shin. Those piercing, stormy grey eyes were set on Argoth as his shoulder length, midnight black hair groomed till it shone.

"Father." Argoth simply said with a formal boy as he had not forgotten his courtesies. The grizzly man of course scoffs before gulping on his tankard of ale. The other, however, remained the same as Argoth felt rather intimidated. "I have news for you son. As Lord of Storm Keep, Edward Stormbane, bannerman of House Phoenix, i grant your wish. You won't become a steward, but it has come to my attention that you could be trained for something else."

That certainly gave the poor boy a scare. For a brief moment he was afraid that his father was going to exile him. Argoth could feel the tears starting to build up until Edward stated something else that wasn't exile. "Trained for something else?" Argoth repeated to confirm that he heard it true, but also confused on what that meant. Edward allowed a small smile curl up on his lips.

"About two days ago a traveler came to us and asked about harvesting Raiku for his own magical experiments. However he needs an extra hand, and offered to teach them a thing or two in magic should they have the aptitude for it." The lord that linger in silence to allow Argoth to sink into the information.

"I'd like for you to be the extra hand, and if possible try to get the wizard to take you as an apprentice. I will aid you however i can."

- To be continued