Chapter One

A Millennia After The Holy Cleanse

I feel someone with rough hands shaking me.

“Tristan wake up”

I try to ignore the disruption to my sleep.

“Fine Tristan, If you don't wake up i'll eat your breakfast”

How dare you!

I sit bolt upright and I stare at Hector.

Hector raises his hands as soon as he sees my glare.

“I was joking, I swear”

I say with a smile “I believe you”

Hector's ears twitch in what I have learned is relief.

“Okay, well now that your awake breakfast is ready”

I ask “Hard tack again?”

Hector hums in response. As he turns and walks over to get everything set up.

I stretch and I hear a popping noise. Ahh, it feels so good.

As I get up and start rolling up my bedroll.

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I take a deep breath. The air smells clean and invigorating. As I finish rolling up my bedroll, I take a look around at the clearing we are in. The grass is pretty short… probably a grazing area..

The trees are beautiful evergreens swaying in the gentle breeze, with the sun peeking through them casting a beautiful sunrise.

I pick up my rolled up bedroll and walk over to my backpack. I crouch down to attach my bedroll to my backpack.

I finish fiddling with my pack. I stand up and reach down to pick up my backpack.

Oh my it's heavy.. I smile in amusement at myself.. All those books, pretty expensive..

I put my backpack on. And I walk over to Hector and say:

“What's the plan for today?”

He tosses me some hard tack, I catch it and start nibbling on it.

Hector responds “I plan for us to get closer to the ruins.”

I ask “What ruins?” I know of no ruins around here but I'm not the woodsman who has been almost everywhere around these woods.

He replies to my question “Some old castle ruins.. I don't know the name of it, some kind of old religious battle between mythical creatures and humans.”

I ask “What kind of mythical creature?”

He answers “No idea, from what I know the creatures were ‘creatures of darkness’ and tried to suck your blood dry. And that they are weak to sacred metal and of all things garlic.”

I say “They're weak to garlic?”

With a smirk on my face.

Hector says with a smile “I know right, it's ridiculous. But enough talk we need to get a move on.”

I hum in response. Hector and I start packing up. It doesn't take long before we have everything in our packs. The clearing looks like we were never there.

Hector shifts the backpack on his back. And looks around and starts walking in a random direction.. as far as I can tell..

I follow him trying to mimic his movements.

I sigh, it's going to be another long trek.