Zerrol

First Chapter. Not sure how to submit real chaps.

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You can trap yourself, y’know? Put yourself in a place where you can’t quite reach the exit. Caught in a labyrinth of your own thoughts and feelings. Lost in a hell of your own making, filled with the demons who know more about you than you do. You made them after all. You’re all they can know.

As he broke free of the light around him into the shadow of the woods, Peren felt safer. But knew his pursuers would be hot on his trail. As such he had to use his superior knowledge of these trees to his advantage, but how much good would it do against the king's men? Were they not endless immortals of immeasurable power and tenacity unmatched by even the beastfolk of the Farlands? No, Peren thought to himself, The king's men are just that - men. He leapt off an old log onto one of the strong pines. Now, I doubt any horse the king could breed would manage to climb a tree after me.
Almost on cue James, the Silver Hand, in his bright steel armor and his blade in hand, along with his squad of lesser

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armed guardsmen, burst through the bushline on horseback. I’ve got to hurry the hell up.
“Surrender yourself now Shade, and the boys here may still consider letting your death be swift,” James said in an almost heroic voice. Peren decided it best to ignore him.
“If ya don’t I’m sure the slavers could make use of a scrawny bone pile of a man like you!” This voice was considerably more nasal and almost whimsical, however familiar to Peren. Peren thought the excess amount of saliva in his mouth was best used to a comedic effect. The swift CLANG of phlegm-filled spittle striking true onto the captain's helm sent a chuckle through his men. Even James had to hold back a snicker as the velocity of the spit sent the captains loose helm over his eyes, and the spit dribbling onto his lap.
“Wait till I get my hands on you, you filthy good for nothing-”
“Here I thought laying your hands on another man was still outlawed by both the king and the gods, or was there a reprimand to both divine and

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mortal law? It’s not something I keep up with in case you missed it cap,” Peren interrupted swiftly during his climb.
James decided it best to pick up where the captain had left off. “Shade, you’re just digging yourself a deeper hole, with that blade you’ve stolen you’re already off to a bad start. Come down and we can work this out like civil men.”
“Civil men eh Silver Hand? In case you forgot I’m one of the grubbiest, most worthless men Dran has ever had the misfortune of receiving the paperwork for. What's so important about this rusty pigsticker that the king would send out one of his high-born knights after little old me anyway?” Peren looked down and saw the guard, as well as James were sitting patiently on horseback looking up at him. Minus the captain, who was wiping the spit off his helm still. He felt renewed vigor and continued to climb.
“You know as well as I do Shade what that blade can do -- will do.” The thought of the blade made James shift uncomfortably in his saddle.

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“Haven’t the foggiest old boy. But perhaps we could pick this conversation back up another time? I have an important date to make,” Peren grew cocky knowing his climb would soon be over.
“No,” James regained his composure. “You will come down here and be put to death for your crimes against king and country.”
“No,” Peren mocked the Silver Hand. “I will fade away into the shade, as always.” And with those words Shade did what he did best, and disappeared.

~~~

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Genres:

Fantasy