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Date Posted: 03:50:17 01/22/02 Tue
Author: novae
Subject: Currently untitled part 1

Here is something i wrote while ago. This is only the first part i will write mor e if anyone is interested. It hasent been checked fully, so if you notice something please tell me.



“…Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl…”
-- Jimi Hendrix, 1968.


The moon shone, despite the clouds. Leaves rustled across the ancient cobble path. The rain came in heavy sheets, coming fast, only to disappear again. Dim lights flickered from the city gates. Casting gray shadows, they swayed like eerie silent ghosts. A guard sat in his squat tower, his thick cloak wrapped tightly around him. He looked young, probably new to adulthood. The wind licked at his face, it was icy cold this night.

What a night to get stuck on watch, the guard thought. Why did I ever join the army, he thought bitterly. I could have been a shoemaker, just like my father. But no, I wanted a life of adventure and excitement. Bah! Excitement, instead I remain here guarding this city. I don’t even need to be here. When was the last time we had to close the gates? Never in my lifetime! He slumped on his stool and sighed.
The guard sat for a long time watching the shadows leap and twist on the cobble road. His head began to nod, and his eyes began to droop, then there was a noise. His head shot up and his eyes flicked open. The young man stepped out of the small shelter, which was barley more than four posts holding up a heavy wooden roof. And looked out off the battlements. He stood for a moment, a wildcat sent its raspy grow into the night. His eyes slowly trailed over the road. A gust of wind blew down the road and with it the soft sound of horse’s hooves. Slowly two shadows appeared in the moonlight.

The Rain suddenly picked up and the wind began to howl. The guard held his breath. Who would be out at this hour in such weather? He rushed inside the building and leapt down the stairs. His clothes saturated by the fierce rain. The guard, frightened now, ran into the middle of the road underneath the arch that the sturdy iron gates were attached. He drew his sword and shouted into the night. ‘Who goes there! Who wishes to pass into Tenell at this hour,’ his voice not showing any trace of his fear. There was no reply apart from the continuous beat of the horse’s hooves. Two dark figures materialized out of the night, they galloped up to the guard. ‘Let us through man! We bear grave tidings. Put away your sword, we mean no harm.’

The men looked tattered and tired. They spoke with strange accents that the guard was not familiar with. But something about these men seemed urgent. ‘Very well, you may pass.’ He put away his sword and stepped aside. ‘Yes,’ one of the men spoke, ‘take us to the lord of Tenell, we must see him.’
‘I cannot simply let you see the lord-‘
‘Take us man! We bear tidings that the lord must hear’ Something about the way he spoke made the guard move. He nodded. ‘Follow me.’ He started towards the lord’s castle, and left the gates unguarded.

The riders followed him. After the sounds of the hooves had echoed out of existence two shadowy figures slipped silently into the town.

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