The Vainfort was no place for a child but neither was any stretch of land that formed the Dreadlands for that matter.
However the Dreadlands were home to man, woman and child and all had learn to adapt or perish. Amaris Dugon was the living example of a person forged by the cruel, ruthless nature of the Dreadlands. Growing up in the South for most of his life did nothing but harden the boy and teach him a much needed lesson of life. It was cruel and remorseless. Along with possessing the standard persona of a person living in the Dreadlands, he also had the looks of one, despite being of Caerthan blood on his mother’s side.
Amaris had black hair, gray eyes and a serious face that revealing nothing, features which heavily contrasted the soft blond locks and innocent blue eyes of the Noble Clans of the North. Even though the boy had the appearance of a sixteen year old youth, his eyes, which unnerved most, were hardened and serious, signaling trauma of some sort. Mentally, the boy was definitely a man.
He stared at the man in the chopping block with a cold passiveness, before looking off at his foster mother, Sela Dugon. She nodded at him, her eyes possessing the same hardened look in them as well. Only the two of them, both heads of Dugon family, were allowed to be at the sacred grounds of execution.
Amaris drew his sword, Nightbane, a blade wider than a hand and taller than Amaris was in his early adolescence. The hilt was embedded with a single jewel and the ancestral symbols of Clan Dugon. He had forged it himself and his mother had congratulated him and said his father would be proud. The boy stabbed the sword into the dirt and looked down at the ground.
"For your crimes of the rape and murder of an innocent, in the name of my father, Michael Dugon, Lord Advisor to the King who rules in the North and his father, I Amaris Dugon, Lord of the South, Master of the Vainfort and Head of Clan Dugon, sentence you to death in the sight of Gods, Man and Nature." Amaris raised his blade and brought it back down upon the back of the man’s neck, removing his head in one clean stroke. Amaris sighed and sheathed his blade.
“You did well.” Sela Dugon said grimly walking up to him. Her pale skin was framed by dark hair which matched her dark eyes.
“Your father would be pleased.”
“I miss father.” Amaris said, linking arms with his mother to safely escort her back to the Vainfort Castle.
“As do we all,” Sela responded, “But you father is serving the realm, better than most can and more loyal that most will.”
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“Father is serving in a pit of vipers, the North is dangerous and dishonest, I could probably count the amount of loyal lords up there on my hand.”
Sela chuckled, “I have no doubt,” she responded, “but you must know that you father is not as blind to the corruption in the king’s court as most think.” It doesn't matter, Amaris thought, the North will still swallow him up.
“But King Rahne is dead and now a child is going to sit on the throne. Father is going to be surrounded by dangerous lords vying for the king’s attention.” Dangerous lords willing to kills especially since probably half the kingdom would probably sell their half their gold and lands to deface the righteous Clan Dugon. Amaris left the rest unsaid.
The sound of approaching horses ripped Amaris out of his thoughts, a riding party of about fifty men rode along the pathway. The lead horseman stopped his horse, signaling for the others to halt as well. “My lord.” He said removing his helmet, shoulder length raven hair spilled out.
Amaris already knew what was going on. “Problems in the west, Ethin?” He asked his commanding bannerman.
The boy nodded briskly. “Mercenaries with the crow sigil, my lord.” He answered. “An extra horse was brought along for you.”
Amaris looked down in contemplation before exhaling. “Spare a knight to escort my mother to the castle.” He commanded, “I will accompany you.” Ethin nodded and gestured to a knight, who rode up to Sela and helped on her on his horse.
“Be careful.” Sela said, her eyes filled with worry. Amaris climbed up on his horse and looked at his mother.
“I'll be fine.” He promised, grabbing the reins of the horse. She gave him one last glance before the knight yanked the reins and the horse began to gallop away.
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This chapter was just to introduce some important characters. Next chapter is where the true story will begin.
Some important plot points
-Micheal Dugon serves in the capital as advisor to the king.
-Amaris is the product of an affair between the Queen and someone else (who I will not name), he was sent to be fostered in secret with Micheal Dugon, a childhood friend of hers, so the king wouldn't find out.
-Since Micheal Dugon is in Merinium (the capital), Amaris serves as Lord Regent of the Dreadlands)
Thank you for reading and please make sure to comment. I apologize for any grammatical errors.