Published: 25 Jan 2021

Winterhaven

As sunlight broke over the Western Mountains, Niro, Hoddie. Sima, Ranjer, and Rowyn rode out of the forest on the road to Winterhaven. Hoddie looked at the shining city in wonder. He had never seen anything like this before. All the buildings had a shine on them like they were made of diamonds.

“That’s the city’s magic,” Niro said.”It is an amazing city.”

“Have you been here before?” Hoddie asked.

“Yeah,” Niro answered. “My father took me here for testing.”

“Testing for what?” Rowyn asked.

“Entrance into the Academy,” Niro said.

“You failed your entrance exam?” Ranjer asked him.

“No, I passed.”

“You passed?” Ranjer shook his head. “I don’t understand. You passed, but you didn’t get in? What happened?

“After my testing and the tour of the Academy,” Niro said. “My father and I were taken to meet the headmaster.”

“Professor Insa,” Ranjer said.”What happened? The professor is a nice guy.”

Yeah,” Niro said. “We liked him. He showed us different things in his library and demonstrated their magic. He told us stories about cadets and some of the amazing things they have done. Then he gave my father my class assignment and reached out to shake my hand. I had never done this before. When I reached out to take his hand, he took my hand and turned it over.”

“What was wrong with your hand?” Rowyn asked.

“All this,” He said. “The professor saw something in my hand that stopped him from letting me in. He said the academy wasn’t in my future. I was meant for something else.”

“And he didn’t say what, did he?” Ranjer smiled at Niro. “He did the same thing to me. He said my uncle Jandar would make a better teacher.”

“Jandar”?” Hoddie said.

“Quyyn’s father,” Ranjer said. “We’ll be meeting him I’m sure.”

As they rode down the lane. Something howled from in the forest.

Hoddie stopped and turned around.

“What was that?” Hoddie asked as his pony reared up. Ranjer looked back at the forest, then turned and started to run.

“RUN FOR IT!”

Rowyn jumped into the air and started for the city’s gates. Niro slapped Ankrua’s back urging him to run. Hoddie followed right behind them. As he turned to look back. He saw these big hairy lumbering beasts charging out after them. Hoddie slapped his reins urging Cyanno to go faster. Rowyn flew up to the city wall and screamed for them to open the gates. After looking out to the road, the Captain of the gate guards yelled for them to open the gates. Archers ran out on the wall and fired arrows at the beast. Arrows zipped down and into some of the hairy beasts. Rowyn flew down and blasted beasts that had come too close to her friends. As the gates swung open, they rode in. As the gates closed shut behind them, there was a loud crash as the beast slammed into the gate.

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF RIMNAR WAS THAT?” Hoddie yelled as he jumped from Cyanno’s back.

“The Beastmen of Gorak,” The Captain said. “They have been haunting our forest for a long time. I’m Captain Morganz Eventide. Welcome to our city.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Ranjer said as he stepped out and held out his hand to the Captain.

“Ranjer!,” Captain Morganz grabbed his hand then clapped him on the back. “How have you been?”

“I’m doing Okay,” Ranjer said as he scratched his head. “These are friends of mine. We’re here to see Professor Insa.”

“Classes have just started at the Academy,” He said. “I’m not sure if he has any morning classes, but you can go on over and ask if he’s busy.”

“Can we get something to eat first?” Hoddie asked. “I’m starving.”

“I think we should hurry,” Rowyn as she fluttered her wings. “I have this bad feeling something is coming.”

“Bram?” Ranjer asked her.

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Captain Morganz asked them.

“Elemental warlock,” Ranjer said. “He went on a rampage a few sun turns ago. He’s a crazy old man. He talks to himself.”

“Bram Thorne?”

“Yes,” Ranjer said shocked to hear he knew him. “You knew him?”

“Yes,” The Captain said. “I better come with you. Insa may what me there.”

For this season, the Academy was back in its place in Winterhaven. Candidates had come from all over Taggitia and a few kingdoms overseas to try and get a place in the Academy. As the Captain led them through the city, he pointed out many of the tall buildings that housed mystical clubs and the largest elven library in Taggitia. The Tigarens and the Pantherens of Aspana had a small palace here where Prince Kenji lived while he was at school. The last place he showed them was a tall structure that looked like an anthill. Niro asked what it was.

“It’s the home of Lord Maru of Pentanthin,” Ranjer said. “He’s a visitor that came back from the planet Pentanthin with Shayn and Ono.”

“And he lives there?” Hoddie pointed and the huge stack built of mud, bricks, and wood.

“The Savonti are a race of reptilian warriors,” He explained. “They are really proud and noble with a strict code of conduct. They used to think humans were nothing but mindless beasts that were only good for slave labor and food. Shayn and Ono changed that. They joined the humans in the war, then made a few friends out of the Savonti. Now Pentanthin is at peace. They learned to share their world as equals.”

“We’re here.” Captain Morganz said. They were standing in front of a tall gate with an iron trellis that wrapped around the entire complex. Out in the yard, they saw cadets reading, eating lunch and sitting in groups for an outdoor lesson. As the Captain opened the gate, a Savonti warrior came over to greet them.

“Aiya Captain Eventide,” He stuck his hand out for Captain Morganz to shake. “Who are your friends?”

“Lord Maru,” Morganz shook his hand then stepped aside for Ranjer and his friends. “This is Ranjer Zlenka, the crown prince of Yadessa and these are his friends, Rowyn Windstar, Niro Herkalus, Hoddie Fearfist, and Sima.”

“Aiya my young friends,” Lord Maru slapped his chest with his fist in salute. “I am honored to meet you.”

Each of them came forward to shake his reptilian hand. As he shook Niro’s hand he noticed the hammer at his side.

“That is a marvelous weapon,” Maru’s green eyes lit up with infatuation. “Would you mind if I hold it for a tik?”

“I guess so,” Niro unhooked it from his belt and passed it over to the Savonti lord.

“Hmmmm!” He held it for a second then turned it over. “It has a perfect weight. It’s a very powerful weapon. This weapon was made for you. Use it carefully.”

Lord Maru passed it back to Niro.

“Lord Insa is waiting for you in his office,” He said. He waved a cadet over to them. “This cadet will take you to his library. Nazum my friends.”

Lord Maru turned and headed out of the gate into the city. Hoddie stepped over to Ranjer.

“How did he know we were here to see the Professor?”

“Lord Maru is wise,” Ranjer said. “He knows things that would turn your hair red.”

“Follow me,” The cadet said. “The Professor is waiting.”

From the front gate, the cadet led them in through the main doors. They passed the full cafeteria and went down the hall passed the front office and the infirmary. At the end of the hall, there were two of the new transport stones. The left would take you to any floor of the Academy and the right would take you to any place in Winterhaven that had a stone. As they got to the end of the hall, The cadet, Bryce told them to hold hands. Ranjer and Niro had used a travel stone before, but Hoddie and Rowyn had never seen one before.

“What about Sima,” Niro asked the cadet.

“Wrap your arms around her,” He said. “Mr. Hodgoggle, take the Princess’s hand and touch Mr. Herkalus on his back. Are you ready?”

“Yeah,” Hoddie said as he placed his hand on Niro’s back.

“Professor Insa’s library.”

Lights flashed as the magic in the stones was activated. For a second, the world took a twisted turn and they were standing at the door to the Professor’s library loft.

“You may enter,”

The door swung open and Bryce ushered them in. The Professor’s library loft was filled with twenty feet tall racks of magical text. Against the right wall stood another rack of rolled up parchments. There was a desk covered with maps and writing utensils, a high chair and a long couch. Sitting at the desk there was an elderly man dressed in grey robes. He had long hair tied back in a long braid and a diamond ring on the ring finger of his right hand.

As they entered, Professor Insa got up from the desk and moved over to his high backed chair.

“Aiya my friends,” Professor Insa bowed down to them. “Welcome to Winterhaven. Come and join me by the fire. Thank you, Bryce, you can go. I’ll call if I need you. Now, what can I do for you?”

As Cadet Bryce left, Ranjer, Niro, Hoddie, Rowyn, walked in from the entrance and went over to the chairs by the fire and sat down. Sima went over and laid down at Niro’s side. Now that they were comfortable, Niro spoke up.

“Professor, have you ever heard of an elemental warlock named Bramble Thorne?”

The Professor sat back and crossed his fingers. Niro thought he was about to say no when he surprised him.

“Yes,” he said. “I have known and battled him since we both were young. He is a very powerful warlock. He stole the powers and knowledge of many masters in his sun turns. But why are you asking about him? He’s dead.”

“No Professor,” Ranjer said. “He’s alive. We’re not sure how, but he’s back and he’s looking for revenge.”

As Ranjer finished, the Professor turned and looked up toward the sunroof of his loft. He grabbed the armrest on his chair and pushed himself up.

“I’m sorry but I have to cut this meeting short,” As smoke started to wrap itself around the Professor, he stepped back to a clearing in his loft. “I have to ask you to hurry off the academy grounds. We’re about to move to another location. I know why you’re here and I will send someone to help. Stand together and I will send you out into the city.”

Ranjer moved over to stand next to Niro and Hoddie with Sima right in front of them. Rowyn lifted off and flew over to the Professor.

“Professor,” She said. “I have a question.”

With a swing of his arm, the Professor sent them out beyond the gate. As the magic faded and the stars stopped spinning. Ranjer, Niro, Hoddie, and Sima watched as the Academy disappeared.

“That was a waste of time,” Hoddie said. As he looked around, he realized the Princess wasn’t there with them. “Where’s Rowyn?”

“Oh no!” Ranjer said. “She flew over to the Professor. She’s disappeared with the Academy.”

“Where did it go?” Niro asked.

“I don’t know,” Ranjer said. “But I do know she won’t be back until the Academy comes back.”

“What do we do?” Hoddie asked them. “We may need her magic.”

“We’ll think of something,” Niro said. “Right now we get some rest and wait for the others to catch up. Do you know where there is a hotel we can use?”

“No,” Ranjer said. “But we’re close to Tir Na. we can go there.”

“What’s Tir Na?” Hoddie asked.

“Home,” Ranjer smiled.

Niro could see how relaxed Ranjer was when he mentioned his home. He would be glad to have somewhere safe to sleep. But where had the Academy gone? Would Rowyn be ok? Somehow they would have to find her. She was one of them. This wouldn’t be over until they were all safe back at home.

As Ranjer led Niro and Hoddie through the forest of Blackmore, he relished the smells of the land of his youth. He was home in Tir Na. Soon he would be back with his family. Ono and Shayn would be there with Tof waiting to welcome him back. They would all be glad to see him back thinking his quest was over. Unfortunately, they would be wrong.

With Sima at his side, Ranjer ran down an old trail. The run felt good. He hadn’t done this in a long time. As they ran, Sima’s nose alerted her to something ahead in the forest. Ranjer wondered what she had found.

[Trolls.] Sima snarled as the hair on the back of her neck rose.

Trolls?

[Niro!] Ranjer sent. [We have trouble coming. You and Hoddie hide!

Sima, come.]

As Sima stepped over to Ranjer, he mumbled a few words and they disappeared into the shadow of a group of boulders. With Sima beside him, Ranjer’s spell pulled them into the shadows field of darkness. Holding onto Sima tightly, Ranjer watched as six Trolls came stumbling around the stack of boulders carrying a young wolf over the lead Troll’s shoulder. Sima started to growl at them. Ranjer hushed her with a gentle urging to her mind.

The sound of Troll laughter came rolling out from the group of Trolls. The lead Troll was tall, fat and ugly. Its skin was mottled, gray and hairy. It was wearing old pieces of rusty armor on its chest and legs.

As the Troll laughed, Ranjer could hear the wolf crying. This was not some common wolf. It was one of the young ones from Tir Na. A werewolf. The Trolls must have caught it out running with friends somewhere outside of the Wolf’s Lair.

[Do you know her?] Hoddie sent.

[Yes,] Ranjer sent. [She’s the daughter of one of my brothers’ nobles. Her name is Jewel.]

[What do you want to do?] Niro asked.

[I want to take her home to her parents.] Ranjer sent. They could hear the anger in his heart. [Kill the Trolls.]

As the Trolls advanced toward the pile of boulders, Ranjer and Sima leaped out of the darkness and attacked. Ranjer pulled his sword and thrust it up into the Trolls stomach. It screamed a gurgling noise is Ranjer pulled his sword out, spun around and caught Jewel as she fell from its shoulder. As Ranjer faded away into a mist, Sima leaped on the next Troll and ripped its throat out. As the Troll fell, Sima jumped onto the next ones back as it tried to run away. Seeing the great cat ravage the Troll, the last three grabbed their weapons and started for the Sima. Niro and Hoddie came running of hiding. Niro spun his hammer on its leather handle and brought the hammerhead up hard into a Troll’s chin. There was a crunch as teeth flew and the Troll was thrown back into the boulder stack. With only two Trolls left, Hoddie pulled his knives and challenged a Troll.

The Troll’s club smashed down at Hoddie. He jumped up on its shoulder and stabbed down into its neck. The Troll screamed and grabbed at Hoddie. Hoddie leaped up and kicked the Troll in the side of its head. It reached up and smacked at the Goblin on its shoulder. Hoddie jumped up on its club and brought it down on its head. Dizzy, the Troll spun around and fell smashing its head against a boulder cracking its head open. As Hoddie, Sima, and Niro advanced on the last Troll, it backed away from them and dropped its club. Hoddie jumped forward.

“BOO!”

The Troll screamed and turned and bolted away. Confused with fear, it slammed right into the boulder stack and fell dead to the forest floor. As the Troll fell, they turned to look for Ranjer and found him trying to wake Jewel.

“Is she alright?” Niro asked Ranjer.

“She’s knocked out,” Ranjer said. “We should get her home to her family. I’ll take her and fly her back to the Wolf’s Lair. You follow me.”

Grabbing the reins of their horses, they urged their mounts on as Ranjer took off into the sky.

As Ranjer flew over the Wolf’s Lair, Tof felt his approach and ran out of the family’s main house. Looking up, he saw Ranjer fly in carrying something in his arms.

[Ranjer, what are you doing here?] He sent. [What’s that your carrying?]

[It’s Jewel Carras,] He sent as he came down to land. [She was attacked by Trolls. We found them in the forest.]

“Who is we?” Just then, Niro, Hoddie, and Sima came running into town. Tof took Jewel from Ranjer’s arms and sent out a message for a healer to come and meet them at the Manor.

“These are my friends,” Ranjer said. “This is Hoddie Fearfist, Niro Herkalus, and Sima.”

As they made their way to the Manor, Sharone came out to greet Ranjer. She saw Tof carrying Jewel.

“What’s wrong with her?” She asked.

“Trolls,” Ranjer said as he hugged her. “We caught them carrying her off. My question is, what are Trolls doing in our forest?”

[It’s an invasion.] Aggar said as he came running from the west in his Timberwolf form. [I’ve been tracking a tribe of Trolls from Yetu. They came in from the south and they’re moving in on the Wolf’s Lair. They should be here by tomorrow morning.]

“How many?] Tof asked as they entered the Manor. From the front entry hall, they moved in and upstairs to a guest room where Tof laid Jewel down as the healer came in to examine her. He checked her pulse then said a spell that revealed any injuries.

“She has a mild concussion and two broken ribs which I can easily fix,” Simon the healer gave her a sip of a healing draught, then he pulled a blanket up to cover her wolf form. “That should make her feel better. Just let her sleep and she should be fine.”

“Thank you, Master Simon,” Tof shook his hand and walked him to the door. “Sharone, stay with her. Everyone else, follow me.”

From the guest room, Tof led them all to his study. Once there, they grabbed chairs and gathered around Tof’s desk.

“First I want to welcome Ranjer’s guest to our home.” Tof bowed to Niro and Hoddie and gave Sima a short nod. “Now I need to hear from Aggar just how bad this Troll situation is.”

[I wish I had better news for you,] Aggar said as he changed forms. “But my scouts have picked up a trail from two more Troll tribes as they advance through Tir Na.”

“That means the Yetu and two other tribes,” Ranjer said. “Are they all heading here?”

“Yetu is coming in from the south,” Aggar said. “Zullkis is in the east while Regi comes out of our western border.”

“They hope to drive us into the north,” Tof said. “We’ll send a small force to each Troll camp. They’ll never know what hit them. They’ll think our forces in the north are weak, but we’ll teach them not to invade our home.”

Aggar put together two five-man teams.

“Ranjer, can you and your friends handle the Yetu in the north?”

“Yes,” Ranjer nodded as he looked at Niro and Hoddie.

“Quyyn Sky and Cutter should be here by morning,” Yarden said as he and Myor were shown into the study. “Aiya my friends.”

Aggar jumped up when he heard the Yetsian. When he saw the albino man in white and the crimson attired Casthorian, he looked over to Ranjer.

“Relax,” Ranjer said as he went over and shook their hands. “They’re with us.”

“Have your teams ready in a tok,” Tof said as he got up from his desk. “Be careful, all of you.”

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