Heroes of the Sylvan Glade Chapter 1

A nation crumbing in feudalism, where monarchy rules, and wars wage. One person strives to end this fighting, hate, and needless war. This man is named Rhydian Strongarde! Noble Elven Lord, commanding his army and the "Heroes of the Sylvan Glade"! Trakor, noble Human fighter. Spiritbain, holy Human cleric. Kenvas, Dark Elven mage. Sylvina, Elven Mage. Silviar, sneaky Half-Elven thief. Syne, Elven Ranger and Archer. And Tyrannon, peaceful Halfling alchemist. These heroes will battle against all odds! For Justice and Peace. To the death.....

Heroes of the Sylvan Glade

By Daniel Chotpiraponk

Chapter 1: The Beginning

A group of mounted warriors pulls up at a local tavern. It's a small tavern, located in the Unclaimed lands of "Malose Terranon". "Wait here, I'm going in for some water." A young armored elf says. Rhydian is a fairly young elf, far too young to be in charge of a great empire. Armored in finely crafted golden plate armor, and wearing it proudly with a red cape made of Elven Silk... he strides into the tavern.

He walks up to the bar, where a human barkeeper stands. He orders, "4 buckets of water please." The barkeeper raises his eyebrow, "Only water?"

He nods with a sly elven smile on his face. Then responds, "Please."

The barkeeper scoops up some water and places it on the bar, he holds his hand out then says, "Five silver coins." Rhydian nods and smiles. He tosses the barkeeper 2 gold coins. "Two gold!" The barkeeper gasps. "Thank you!" He says happily.

A robed druid then turns away form a group of Druids, a proud female voice penetrates the room. "2 gold for water? It seems we have an pitiful elven lord in this tavern, you are known for big tips Rhydian." He reaches over to his sheath, and draws one of the most powerful blades in the lands. The Sylvan Longsword. Made from a rare elven metal called "Sylvanite" razor sharp and deadly, but it is most powerful by the fact it absorbs magic, increasing the power of the blade.

Rhydian responds, "Are you insulting my race? Druid..." She lifts up her hood, revealing her face, and responds, "Of course not..."

Rhydian scoffs at her and says coldly, "A Dark Elf, and the worst of all.... Gydra..."

She cackles and says, "Now Rhydian, put away that sword, you are bound to hurt someone." She smiles evilly.

Rhydian narrows his eyes and responds, "I suggest you draw now so you can defend yourself..."

She shakes her head and smirks as she says, "I don't think I will be doing that."

Rhydian growls and slices at her, the blade goes into the table, she jumps away and draws twin daggers, intricately carved and beautiful, obviously elven work. She throws in a jab and he bats it away with his longsword. The two begin to fight, Rhydian slices repeatedly but Gydra stays defensive, throwing in a jab once in a while. The two fight for a while, then finally the fight ends when Rhydian does a forceful slice, knocking one dagger into the other and smashing them both into the table. He then kneels and pushes forward in one smooth movement, cutting her stomach. She sinks to the ground wounded. A strange robed figure then stands and teleports Gydra and the rest of the Druids out of the room.

Rhydian growls at the figure and says, "Why did you do that?"

The figure leans back and says casually, "She is of personal intrest to me, I can't allow her to die can I?"

Rhydian charges at the figure but the figure side steps turns around and strikes Rhydian in the back sending him sprawling to the ground. Which isn't usual since Rhydian is in full plate armor. The figure then draws a crossbow and points it at Rhydian. He chuckles and says, "Too easy." And teleports out.

Rhydian moans and stands, dusts himself off and unties the Halfling. "What is your name?" Rhydian asks.

The shaken Halfling responds, "My name is Tyrannon... I'm just a simple Alchemist... you're not going harm me are you?"

Rhydian ponders for a moment. "An alchemist eh? I think we can use you, if you are willing to join."

Tyrannon nods and responds , "Perhaps I can survey your land and what would be my lab?"

Rhydian smiles and responds, "Very well, let's go."

They exit the tavern. Trakor raises his eyebrow and asks, "It took you that long to get water?"

Rhydian slaps his forehead and says, "I forgot about the water, I'll be right back." He rushes in and returns with 4 buckets of water, 2 in each hand. The heroes feed the horses and Tyrannon walks to the side.

"What's with the Halfling?" Trakor asks.

Rhydian says, "Oh yes! This is Tyrannon, he was a prisoner of Gydra's. But I freed him."

Trakor responds in shock, "GYDRA?! You encountered her?"

Rhydian smiles and responds in his usual fashion, "Yup, cut her pretty bad too."

Sylvina whines, "You might have started a war!"

Spiritbain adds, "A war would not be good right now..."

Rhydian says with a sly elven smile on his face, "Non-sense!" He then adds, "Don't worry about Gydra, her Dark Clans shouldn't be too much of a hassle."

Trakor grumbles, "Only that they have already conquered half of Evisha."

Rhydian responds, "Yes, but they have tried to conquer our land on Valishia many times! But we defend well. And the Valishian Defense is weak compared to our Evishan defense."

Trakor sighs and responds, "It's too late now, I just hope you know what you're doing."

They arrive at the Sylvan Castle, Tyrannon's jaw drops, "I will be working here? It's beautiful!" And it is, the large castled is surrounded by wall, with one large keep, standing at least thirty feet wide and fifty feet tall set exactly in the center. And two small keeps at each side. The two keeps are the armory, and the center is where the heroes rest. A large wooden gate is set at the north side, which is used as the main entrance. And to the West, there is the Barracks, where regular troops rest. To the east, is the library and the training grounds. To the south, is the infirmary and the south gate, which is used as a retreating exit. But the pride and joy of the Sylvan Castle, lies on top of the center Keep, at the very top. The Throne Room and the Table of Heroes. The Throne is heavily ornate and beautiful, a single Throne sits near the back. And behind the Throne is a large double door, leading into a back room, there lies the Table of Heroes. It can seat twelve, two and the ends and ten across from each other. Legend says when a Hero fills each chair, they will be considered the true "Heroes of the Sylvan Glade."

Right now the heroes sit at the table, having a conversation. Trakor brings up a few points, "What will we do if Gydra does declare war?"

Rhydian sighs, "We'll do what it takes."

At that point Tyrannon is escorted in by a few guards. Rhydian nods in recognition, "So Tyrannon, what is your decision?"

Tyrannon smiles and responds, "I wish to join."

Rhydian grins from ear to ear, "Very good! Another seat is filled! Now to introduce you to the rest of the Heroes." He points to a young armored fighter, "This is Trakor Kyneth, he is successor of the throne. He has been my best friend since childhood, we actually began our training together." He then points to a robed man. "This is Spiritbain Stelantha, he came to me eager to practice the holy magic. I started his training." He then points to a casual dark elf, tilting in his chair. "This is Kenvas Grim, he's a mage, I captured him when I took over part of the Dark Elven forest. He was an evil druid until I set him straight." He smiles at an Elven woman, "This is my love Sylvina Thrushias, we grew up in the same area." He grins at a half Elven woman, he pokes her playfully, "This! Is Silviar Swift, I caught her picking' my pocket, I gave her an ultimatum and she decided to join me" She scoffs playfully at Rhydian. Rhydian then points at an Elven man, "This is Syne Santion, he was impressed with my archery skill and asked me to train him." He smiles, "Take a moment to get to know each other."

After a while of talking a staggering guard enters the room. "Gydra is attacking... she has declared war..." He falls dead. Rhydian looks at the guard in shock.

Trakor slaps his forehead and says, "I told you Rhydian! Look what you got us into!"

Rhydian shakes his head and responds, "If it's a war she wants she'll get it, come heroes." They draw their swords and goes to the stables, they leave on horseback to meet her. They approch Gydra on a hill, she is occompanied by 5 druids on horseback and a small army of ground infantry. Rhydian yells out, "I give you a warning now Gydra, leave and go back to your ruined lands and leave the glade."

Gydra chuckles and yells back, "I'm sure that'll be good for you, since you're gonna die and your empire will fall to me."

Rhydian draws his weapon and the Heroes follow by drawing theirs. Then Rhydian calls out, "Okay, one last time Gydra, leave or be slaughtered."

Gydra just cackles and gestures towards Trakor and a Bright beam of energy ripps towards Trakor striking him off his horse.

Rhydian calls out, "That was your last chance Gydra! CHARGE!" The heroes fly towards Gydra, Rhydian goes melee head to head with Gydra. They swing at each other in a rage of combat. Meanwhile Trakor is strugling to stand. Kenvas stays in front of Sylvina guarding her since Syl doesn't use a weapon. Silviar jumps off her horse and into hiding. While Syne stays back and aims at the approching troops in back, picking them off one by one.

Gydra struggling in combat says, "I underestimated you Rhydian, but I hold the trump card." Suddenly a raging Metoer starts forming above a mage's head as it hurdles towards Rhydian's heroes.

Rhydian gasps, "An Arch Mage? Kenvas and Syl! Hold back the meteor please!"

Sylvina and Kenvas struggle to keep it back with thier magic, causing the metoer to crumble and rain fiery rocks upon the battle field. The field sets aflame but neither sides move from their spots. The mage is still casting small fireballs at each hero and Kenvas and Syl struggle to block each fireball.

Spiritbain charges in on his horse swinging his Mace at the enemy infantry, cracking bones and armor with each swing. He then pulls back to help heal the injured.

The enemy druids start chanting, focusing their power. A large Bright ball forms above them as mini beams fly at each Hero. Rhydian still focusing on his attention on Gydra is struck by many, he flinches in pain at each strike.

Gydra laughs evily and says, "Looks like we're winning Elf Boy."

Rhydian growls, not willing to accept defeat. He parries a few of the beams, charging up his sword, then swings at Gydra fiercely. Gydra can't keep up with the powerd up Sylvanite and loses grip on her daggers. Rhydian strikes them out of her hands and knocks her off her horse.

Gydra grabs her daggers and leaps back from Rhydian. She hides behind her druids.

Meanwhile Trakor is still knocked out. Syl and Kenvas are still countering the Arch Mage's spells. Syne then finally picks off the Arch Mage, lodging an arrow into the Mage's Stomach. The Mage falls to the ground.

Silviar finally jumps out of hiding into the most far back Druid and jabs a dagger into his back. The Druid falls off the horse.

Gydra snaps her head backwards staring coldy at the injured Druid. She shakes her head and says, "Looks like we have to pull back...." The Druids gasp, "No Master! We can't!" She growls, "I said we have to pull back, we can't risk losing any druid, let's go." She teleports all the druids out, leaving only the injured mage and the infantry begin to retreat.

The Heroes cheer loadly at their first victory. Fully aware it was only the beginning of the fight.

LockeTHF Productions is owned and opperated by Daniel Chotpiraponk.

This story may be used only by direct permission of LockeTHF Productions.