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The Necromancer's Bookcase: Chapter 2
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The Necromancer's Bookcase: Chapter 2 |
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Kosetsu Member
since 2001-03-10
Posts 450Alabama, USA |
If not for her small sigh, one wouldn’t have known the child was there. Lydia Nicole DeMarco, child heir to the Toreni lordship, sat in a large high-backed chair outside the grand chamber of the Ancient Hall. Inside, her father met with an assortment of minor lords; dukes, barons, and the like. Her small feet swung slightly, not able to reach the floor easily. Child heir…she had elder brothers, of course; but Toreni tradition called for a woman to lead the nation. Had her mother still been alive, she would still be governing the country. According to the tradition, the country would officially be led by the joint rule of the Lady of Toren, and her husband. She would handle political affairs; he would handle the military matters. The girl closed her eyes, eyelids tipped in long lashes temporarily locking away the pretty emerald irises, and tried to bring to mind the image of her mother’s face. She’d seen pictures, of course, but little actual memory of the woman that bore her remained. She jumped slightly in her seat as the door to the Ancient Hall suddenly burst open, slamming back against its hinges and the wall. Her eyes snapped open, resting on the quickly retreating form of a young duke. Schyler Bornweyr, she believed her father had called him. He was a mere sixteen years old, and forced into the holding of his father’s estates after the old lord was killed in an accident. He was known for his dislike of violent matters. But what had upset him so? She slipped down from the seat, walking towards the doors of the Hall. She paused in the doorway, those calm, curious eyes of emerald green passing slowly along the room. No one seemed to notice her watching. A silence had fallen over the room, all eyes resting on Lydia’s father, Lord Anthony DeMarco. He stood at his place at the head of the long conference table, hands resting on the lacquered top. His head was bowed, and he was breathing softly. He’d been yelling. Most likely with young Duke Bornweyr. Lord Anthony took in a deep breath, then released it slowly. He rose to his full height, his eyes passing along the room slowly. “The Arch-Baron Daravon is a constant thorn in Toren’s foot. If he will not cease his raids along our northern borders, I will bring war against him.” Hushed whispered ran along the hallway. Bring war against the Arch-Baron’s hordes? Everyone knew of his armies. Stories at least. Since the Viper War, the man—if a man he was still—had risen into legend. It was said he commanded armies of demon soldiers. And when they fell, he brought them back from the shores of Toguroth, the Land of the Dead. During the Viper War, only the combined efforts of the Four Lands had succeeded in exiling him to the Dornval. It would be suicide to execute an assault on his forces. A soft frown crossed Lydia’s cherub face. So this was why Schyler had stormed out the way he had. The Viper War had claimed her mother’s life, six years ago, mere days after giving birth to the little Lady-Heir. Who would this war choose to take from her? Death was inevitable when war is involved. She’d learned that much. She turned away... ...and soft hand paused on her shoulder. She gave a start, then turned, emerald eyes flicking up at Owen’s face. She said not a word, though her eyes asked a thousand questions. Why would this happen? The Viper War had also taken the lives of two of her brothers, and a sister she’d never met. Who would war take this time around? A similar frown crossed Owen’s lips. He gave a solemn nod, then turned and walked back into the Hall. “My lord, is war the only alternative? Give me some more time. I’ve yet to receive word from the messenger I sent north.” Anthony’s eyes flicked to his advisor. He’d been watching his youngest child. What was he thinking? No one in the room could tell, aside from what he’d told them. “…Daravon will not make another treaty. Toren has defended the gates to the Dornval since the end of the war. The Arch-Baron has already broken through our first layer of barricades. He lies just beyond our first line of defense. He can, and will, take the chance to attack us. Tell me, Owen…if you were exiled, your dreams of power shattered, would you do as you were told? Or would you seek revenge? If it needs be, I want Toren to be prepared.” Owen’s frown tightened. Would the nations of the other three Lands join them again? In the six short years since that war, rivalries had developed among the nations. Would they really band back together to defend against the Arch-Baron’s armies? Lydia doubted it. She shook her head, emerald eyes resting on her father’s form. How could he do this? Feeling tears welling up, she turned, and darted down the corridor, her footsteps echoing down the hall behind her. Anthony’s eyes flicked to the form of his youngest. “Lydia…forgive me…” he whispered. Hands tightened slightly on the tabletop. “I want the Lady’s Guard mobilized. Double the number of soldiers stationed at Fort Gunther,” he said with a fierce air of command. War would come soon…little as he tried to stop it, war would come. "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." - Shakespeare |
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| © Copyright 2001 Adam Kamerer - All Rights Reserved | |||
Linc
since 2001-03-07
Posts 552The Backstreet Boy |
Hey, See chapter 1 for my reply and add I am so looking forward to more. You have to come through or I will hunt you down  just kidding but do post more-- Linc "Blood Moon" |
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Kosetsu Member
since 2001-03-10
Posts 450Alabama, USA |
eep! ..ok..I will...dun hurt me... I really like the way this story is going. The only thing is to see if it will stand the passage of time. I tend to stop work on most of my stories after the first few chapters, cuz when I post em on various sites, they tend not to get much feedback pushing me to do more. You want more of this one, then don't let me stop writing chapters 'til its done. -Kosetsu "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." - Shakespeare |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
On to Chapter 3. I see just a smidge of editing needed, but the content is working for me! |
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