I write this mostly to improve my writing speed and to let my imagination run wild. this also helps me relax. All constructive comments welcome. Have a good read.
p.s. Harem or no harem? - Thats the question of the day!
p.p.s. first three chapters can be considered somewhat of a prologue and world setting up, i hope you my dear comrades will keep reading my story and will enjoy it :)
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Two armies clashes in a field in front of a medium sized town, one army belonged to a small kingdom of humans – the kingdom of Shield. Second army, the one that was trying to expand its territory was made out of many species – elves, dwarfs and some orcs all under the banner of the elven kingdom of Selvoks. For many years there have been small skirmishes across the borders of the two kingdoms happening, but only now did both of these kingdoms went out into an all out war, since Selvoks decided to expand, when a new ruler was crowned – the young princess Elona.
Powerful magical attacks were flying from one side to another, each sides mages trying to take out the others. Blasts of fire sent shock waves from the places they crashed into. Lightning zapped heavily armored soldiers to death and beasts summoned by their contractor mages battled the enemy soldiers spreading blood and gore with their claws.
A new wave of soldiers rushed into the battle from the Selvoks side, between them was a young elf man, who signed up just a few months ago... Aro Duskson was his name.
Aro running together with his battle brothers, who he trained together when he joined was a greenhorn to battle just like they. Armed lightly with leather armor and an axe of his father he ran into battle shouting like everyone else around him, trying to encourage himself and those around him.
Enemy soldiers made a shield wall to counter their incoming enemy assault, their spears sticking on top of their shields. Aro was nearing the shield wall and trying to jump over it, just like many others . Luckily for him he managed to jump in without getting pierced by one of the sticking spears. He chopped to left and right with his trusty axe taking out one enemy after another, trying to reach the mages who have been decimating their army from behind. Soon he was joined by a few more men all moving in the same direction, some mage from their side noticed what they were trying to do and blasted a nice big fireball a bit in front of them to clear them a path trying to help even a little bit.
Enemy mages werent sleeping either, they noticed a group of warriors moving towards them and began to concentrate on them. Soon Aro was left alone... Some of his battle brothers succumbing to arrows, others to enemy fighters. A man close to Aro just got incinerated by a fireball... leaving him all alone in his charge.
But Aro didnt give up, he was already so close to the mages! Just ten more meters and he will reach them! Adrenaline pumping in this young elfs blood pushing him forward he ran towards them, when a group of warriors tried to block his path – luckily for him a mage from his side blasted them to pieces with a wind bomb, leaving a clear path for Aro... if he could take out at least a single mage the tide of the battle might turn!
Reaching his targets Aro cut down one unaware mage with a swing from a side straight into the back of a mages head, he pushed the dead mages body into an incoming fireball shielding himself from it, while trying to reach the mage who sent it his way. As he rushed to the mage jumping the last few meters with his axe held high above his own head going for a sure kill attack, the mage he aimed for grinned...
Lightning! An elemental attack of Lightning struck him straight into the chest, blasting him back with his leather armor charred onto the ground. Aro crashed heavily into the ground, there his body began to spasm from lightning still running in his body rampant, soon he was still.
The mage who blasted Aro away laughed, thinking that he was now dead and turned back to cast his magic, but Aro wasnt dead... yet. Shaking he barely got up from the ground, his lungs burning from the damage caused by that lightning attack and crashing into the ground, blood was tricking from his mouth and his head hurt like never before. His vision blurry he found his axe – blade melted and now no more, than a blunt weapon. He barely stood there shaking on his week legs, the distance of merely five meters from his enemy, he sluggishly began to move forward slowly speeding up towards the enemy. When he swung at the mage aiming for the head... his strength failed him his body refusing to move how he wanted it to, all probably caused by that damn lightning. He didnt bash the mages skull in as he hoped, his swing going too low he shattered that damn mages shoulder bones into a bloody pulp.
That human mage screamed in pain a moment after he was hit, stumbling away from the force – letting Aro fall on the ground now all out of energy exhausted. Consumed by rage the mage moved close to Aro and kicked his ruined axe away an expression of anger and sinister joy on his face he lifted his right good arm and began to mutter an incantation trough his clenched teeth.
Soon small light glow began to spread around Aro and he began to feel pain like never before – the mage was a soul mage! And he was trying to take Aro's soul! That mage continued his dark spell still muttering the incantation, Aro's soul now could be clearly seen leaving his body – that will become nothing more but a soulless shell soon when the mage finishes.
A few moments later that human mage was holding Aro's soul in his palm, preparing yet another incantation to seal him within a pendant he was wearing, so he could torture him later, Aro's body was now just a living shell...
**Zwimbt...**
A lucky arrow released by one of the many Selvoks army archers managed to pierce trough weakened mages defenses and straight trough his skull. The mages knees buckles, its bodily strength leaving now dead body and Aro's soul still in his palm he fell on top of Aro's body, pressing his soul back into his body.
For a moment Aro's body shook with pain and then settled down Aro now out cold from such a shocking experience.
That day Selvoks warriors successfully expanded their territory and crushed most of the human kingdoms military forces, thus forcing them to surrender and enter negotiations of what will happen with them and their kingdom in the future.
After the battle, some humans taken prisoners Selvoks warriors that were less hurt together with healers were waling the fields looking for their comrades, who survived the battle even if hurt. Soon they stumbled upon Aro, who was in a very weak state a great wound evident in the very middle of his chest – luckily for him lightning burned his muscles not allowing any bleeding to begin... if he was hit by earth or wind attack he would be dead long ago.
Aro's body was quickly put onto stretchers and taken away into medical tents back at the Selvoks army camp, there he was places between many other injured soldiers, who were still clinging to life.
A month later.......
Aro coughed as he woke up, his chest hurt and his whole body was feeling quite numb. He groaned while trying to sit up, but his strength wasnt enough and he fell back into the bed groaning more form the pain in his chest that intensified more.
A young elf girl quickly walked over to him and held him in place not allowing him to move.
Stop right there! You are heavily wounded, its a miracle you survived a lightning attack straight into the chest, lie down and rest. Head doctor will see you soon. - She spoke to him.
Di.. Did..
Yes yes we won, now lie down and relax.
Hearing about victory Aro relaxed and didnt try to get up anymore, his confusion finally began to leave him as understanding that he is at a hospital began to down on his still clouded mind. As the nurse said soon an old beast-man of the fox tribes came to see him, he didnt speak at first and began to check Aro's condition. Nodding to himself the man worked on his body – checking everything. Finally after what seemed like eternity for Aro the man sat down on a chair the nurse brought close to Aro and looked at him, before beginning to speak.
Young man, you are very lucky to be alive with the damage you took, you will take a while to recover and for the time being will stay here at the capital's hospital. Unfortunately... your lungs are so heavily damaged, to tell the truth mostly burned from that lightning magic, that they will recover mostly to sixty maybe seventy percent – meaning days of a warrior are now gone for you. - The doctor spoke.
A nurse walked up to them again giving some papers to the doctor, who quickly red trough them and nodded.
The general approved of your early retirement with a veteran's pension together with a nice bonus for your heroic deeds during the battle. You will also receive a medal for your deeds.
Aro grunted at the words of retirement.. he was hoping to reach something in the army, only to be forcefully sent into retirement only because of damaged lungs. His hopes of gaining a status trough battle proves and earning himself a place in the kingdom all destroyed by this single injury... he knew what it meant to have barely working lungs... he might train his body to be strong, he might be a strong warrior, but he would be a warrior who tires out quick because his body wont be able to support him with enough air to do what needs to be done... A cripple.. he was now a cripple...
The doctor saw how Aro's eyes changed when understanding downed upon his mind. And could only feel sympathy to the young man, who in a single battle lost so much.
Do not worry so much young one, there are many things to do that you are still capable of. You might no longer be fit to be a warrior, but you can still become a teacher to other warriors, you can always get a job behind the desk in the army if you so desire. Look at your injury as a sign, maybe you were never meant to be a warrior and this is just a way gods are showing this to you – while one way got blocked for you many others are still open! - The old doctor spoke to Aro.
Doctor, other patients need your attention... - The elf nurse who was waiting for the doctor to finish said.
Ah.. yes... Rest well young one, you will be out of this hospital soon.
With those words the doctor and the nurse both left, leaving Aro with himself and his own demons.
A few days later, when Aro had recovered a little more a representative of the army came to him and gave him a medal for his actions during the battle... and that was it, with that and all the money deposited into his bank account he was left alone – a veteran cripple not needed anymore.
Days passed a week later Aro was finally able to move, while still feeling some lingering effects form the lightning and fully feeling the lack of air his damaged lungs now couldnt provide him with he was back on his feet. He still wasnt discharged, but that was just a matter of time – as that beast-man doctor said a week at most and he will be free to go.
It was the last evening that Aro will be staying at the hospital in the capital. He was sitting at the hospitals balcony, catching his breath after a little walk trough its empty corridors, now almost two months since the battle that allowed Selvoks kingdom to expand he was watching the sun hide behind the mountains in horizon. He was one of the last injured soldiers to be here, many didnt survive their injuries, many became cripples like him but he didnt care about them – he cared about himself...
'What would father say seeing me like this? A great warriors son became a cripple on his first battle... he would laugh and say that I am a mistake a stain without any honor in the family tree of wariors! What will I do now?...' Aro's thoughts were heavy and dark thinking about the future he was uncertain about.
Lost in his thought's he didnt hear how another man entered the balcony.
Ah, such a view.. the setting sun isnt it? - the man said his voice startling Aro.
Ugh, yes... it is quite a view.
I'm Thomas Leafwing, nice to meet you... ? - the man said.
Aro Duskson.
A pleasure to meed you Aro! So why so grim? Thinking about how your woman will scold you when you get back home? Hahaha... - Thomas laughed.
No... I have no one waiting for me. Nor do I have something to be cheerful about.
Come on man! Cheer up! It cant be that bad! - Again Thomas tried to list Aro's mood up.
Damaged lungs, mostly at fifty percent working... Doc expected them to work at least sixty to seventy, but you can never know he said... - was Aro's silent sad reply.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Oh... Shit man sorry.. So no more swinging for you anymore.. - Thomas seemed to be lost in thought for a moment while they both stared into the last light of the sun disappearing behind the mountains in the horizon. - So, have you thought what you will do in the future? I think I will go back to my family... we were always hunters a long bloodline of those.
Good for you. - Said Aro with a little sarcasm in his voice. - And yes I have thought about that, but just cant think of anything where half a man like me could do something.
Come on man, you are still alive and kicking! You will find something! - Again Thomas cheerful voice could be heard.
Aro didnt reply anymore, he left the balcony and moved back to his room to get some sleep, after all he will be leaving tomorrow. Thomas didnt say anything either when Aro left, only shaking his head silently..
The next day Aro was finally discharged form the hospital, he got some clean linen clothes ready for him upon leaving when he returned patients clothes, since all the equipment he wore during battle was army property and his axe was lost, not that anything much was left from it as much as he remembered.
He wandered the capital without much purpose, soon finding himself sitting near a fountain out of breath only after ten minutes of walking. He cast his gaze upon the water and looked at his own reflection. Looking back at him was a young elf youth, no more than thirty. His hair became white after that episode, when he got his soul separated from his body, his skin from light elvish skin turned dark and gray, no longer did he look healthy, his eyes too had lost that sharp look he had before. His colorless gray eyes gazed back at him from the reflection, his mind heavy and depressed not seeing any joy in his surroundings anymore. He sat there for quite a while even after he recovered his stamina – thinking, trying to find out what to do next.
Shit.. There really is no point in being so depressed over all of this, like the doc said there still are some roads open for me. - Having found some new determination not to give up so easily Aro stood up and looked around.
'If one swing doesnt cut it... Then swing more until the damn thing falls!' he remembered a quote that his late father used to say and silently smirked for himself.
'Sorry pops, looks like I can only swing once, so I will have to make that swing all that I need!' Aro's grin grew even wider a slight glint of madness could be seen in his eyes at that moment.
That evening Aro found himself a cheap inn and booked a room for a few night with and agreement from the owner, that he wont reserve that room for anybody, since he might decide to stay a bit longer than he plans. Aro had visited the bank after his small moment at the fountain and checked how much money he had received. Apparently, he got quite a nice veteran pension form the kingdom – seventy silver every month until he dies, wasnt a small amount. The bonus he was told about was a generous sum of twenty gold coins! With such money he could buy himself some land and live there for the rest of his life easily from some light farming or even heck, doing nothing just living from veterans pension if he wasnt wasteful.
But in his mind he had already began to formulate a plan – he was no farmer, after all he came from a line of warriors! So his plan was simple – get strong enough to so to say – one shot his enemies. If his fathers saying was swing until the enemy dies, he will now live by a new one – one swing – one kill. The path he chose will be hard, he understood that himself and for that he will need all the knowledge, all the help he can get.
Next morning, when Aro woke up at the inn he bathed, shaved his beard and shaved his head clean – 'a full fresh start' he thought. After some light breakfast he left the inn and went on his way to the open library of the capital – many said it was a gem of knowledge this library, for knowledge here was stored since ages forgotten.
At the library Aro began to spend his days, reading anything and everything he could find about how body works, how it functions and how to strengthen it. His main focus was to learn of a way to reduce the penalty that his damaged lungs placed upon his body, also he found valuable knowledge about how fragile and weak any body is – like where to cut to make your enemy easily bleed to death, where to strike to knock out your opponent, where to stab to disable your opponent and so much more. Aro read the books and sucked in all the knowledge into himself like a desert water.
When walking trough the capital city he would look at the people and try to imagine how he would strike one or another person to take them down in there was a need, trying to apply his theoretical knowledge. His gaze disturbed many people...
Aro was currently walking to a tailors shop. As he entered the little shop a small bell disturbed by the opened doors rang and a rustling noise could be heard from the back of the shop.
Coming! Just a moment dear customer! - a voice of a man at the sunset of his life could be heard.
Soon an old Orc walked to the counter from the back of the shop, his body still strong, but his age easily seen on his wrinkled face.
Welcome to my humble shop dear customer. How may I help you today? My name is Tarko.
Aro. I wish to order some clothes to be made, if possible some armor too. - Aro said in his silent and slow voice.
After having had his lungs injured, he fount that talking silently and slowly reduces the toll his lungs take while talking – since then he grew accustomed to speak like this.
At his voice the shopkeeper Tarko raised an eyebrow so a split second, but said nothing, just smiled.
What kind of clothes would you like to order? And while I cant help you with armor, I am sure I can point you to one of my friends who makes quite nice leather armor if that is what you are looking for. - Said Tarko in an unnaturally sweet voice for an orc.
I see, I need some dark clothes that would allow me to blend with the crowd, also they should be made with some extra pockets. I also want all shirts and coats made with hoods that would hide my face. - said Aro, hearing this Tarko just nodded.
Very well, what customer wishes will be made! Well then, come here please I need to take your measurements. - Again Tarko's voice resounded with its unnatural swatness.
An hour later after measurements were taken and after some haggling for the price Aro left, his clothes would be ready in a day, since Tarko didnt have much work. Aro again walked in the direction of the capitals library.
A few days later a hooded and darkly dressed figure could be seen sitting in the library, he spooked out some people with all that dark get up, but for Aro around being less people meant only an easier time to concentrate on the knowledge he was seeking. Right now he was reading a book about plants and their uses – looking for some kind of a miracle plant that could heal him or at least improve his condition, on a paper sheet near him he had scribbled a few names of the plants that could turn out useful for him.
A month had passed like this at the capital for Aro – learning from early morning to the late evening in the library, the practicing some alchemy at a little flat he managed to purchase cheaply for a few gold from a person who was moving out of the city because of some personal problems.
One of Aro's experiments failed again and angry he punched the table.
'So much time wasted! FUCK! Nothing works...' he cried silently there for how helpless his condition was. None of the potions he brewed had any noticeable effect, he was currently near a breaking point – even his studies of biology didnt reap too many results, yes he could improve his condition a little but at max by only five percent! Useless! For him it was useless...
Collecting himself and calming down he began to think anew, maybe, just maybe he was thinking wrong? He sat straight on his chair and began to with down what he studied and learned during this month, no not the knowledge but subjects themselves – looking for what he could have missed.
Looking at the sheet of paper where he wrote all the subjects on, a new slightly mad idea began to form in his mind.
'Who are the masters of plants and potions? Alchemists! And who knows more than anyone about biology than anyone else? Assassins... it is their way to strike down their enemies in a single strike. Yes, I was approaching this all wrong.. and magic – I have not researched any magic that would be able to help me!' he sat there pondering about all the options he hadnt tried yet.
' its just me myself and I.. solo ride until I die... ' a melody entered his mind together with words he hummed the melody and sang the song in his mind, his consciousness not registering the fact, that he had never heard such a strange song.
When the morning came Aro left his flat and was on his way to one of the alchemist shops in the town, hoping to get an apprenticeship there. Out of habit he was looking at people from under his dark hood imagining how he would kill one or another person by applying his new found knowledge of a persons body.
At the first place he wasnt accepted as an apprentice, not at the second, neither at the third... quite annoyed and angry he was making his way to the last alchemy shop in the capital, a one that had quite a shady reputation with his last hopes of getting a place as an apprentice there.
When Aro finally reached the place he could see and old sign hanging above the run down shop in no better condition, on ti “Harold's herbs and potions” was written. Sighing at his low chanched at becoming an apprentice he entered. Like in many shops at the capital a bell rang when he opened the doors, there he could see a figure in no less brighter clothes than his with a hood sitting behind a counter-desk and making something. With practiced and skilled movements the person was making something, looking oblivious to notice that a potential customer had entered.
Ehem. - Aro tried to be noticed by the person, but was left ignored. - Hello?
Yes, yes I hear you, wait a little need to finish here. Go browse the goods or something. - the person said in an annoyed voice.
Aro just shrugged, he wasnt going to throw away his last chance so easily, so he did as he was told and looked around. Many herbs and potions were placed on the shelves all around the store many dusty from no one buying them and one could only wonder how the shop could keep running if it sold nothing. Finally after a while the person seemed to be finished with what it was doing and just in time to say the least, for Aro was beginning to get annoyed and thought about leaving had just begun to sneak into his mind.
So what can I help you with? - The hooded person said.
I am Aro... - he wasnt allowed to finish.
And I am Harold, like the sign says, say what you need I have work to do. - Harold said not friendly at all.
I wish to become your apprentice at the art of alchemy and herbalism. - Said Aro a little annoyed, by Harold's tone.
Heh, none of the other oh so good alchemists took you in? So you decided to come to the good old Harold? First then take that hood of kid show me your face, no one speaks with me if they dont show their faces! - Said Harold.
Without any comments Aro took off his hood and looked Harold straight into the eyes under his hood.
A strong gaze you have there, but looks like that's the only thing healthy about you. If you want to learn alchemy – fine I will teach you, need some helping hands around here anyway. You will work for me here during the day, doing task I order you to do. In the evening I will waste an hour or two maybe on trying to teach you, you also pay for all the materials used during your training, also for all the ones you will ruin doing my tasks. Do we have a deal? - Harold asked without even blinking an eye.
Yes we do, when do I start? - said Aro being in a corner and having no more options.
Right now, come here into the back, need you to sign a few papers of silence that you wont sell out my secrets or customers who are buying what and so on and you can begin.
When signing the papers somehow Aro felt like he is selling his soul to the devil... he already had almost lost it once and believe the feeling wasnt good.
Once all the signing was done he was quickly shown where to sit down and how to cut some herbs, with a quick explanation why it needs to be that way, then he was left alone to his task and a few big sacks of herbs that will take him quite a while.
And so like this Aro began to climb the stairs onto becoming an alchemist, with his more than a little annoying master Harold.