The Great-Wood, Home of the Folkin.
It had taken the party several hours to reach the home of the Folkin. They spent much of that time weaving and dodging between giant trees and beasts. Upon reaching the village, Cassius nearly stopped in his tracks; he was looking at the most beautiful place he'd ever seen. Wooden homes were literally built in the tops of the trees, like giant treehouses. The homes were interconnected by board bridges and tree branches. From his position on the ground, he could see thousands of Folkin going each way about their lives. Little Folkin children ran here and there, playing in bliss in the treetops.
Cassius turned to Sh'Ma with awe filled eyes, "T-this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!" He exclaimed, causing Sh'Ma and the other Folkin who accompanied them to blush. It wasn't everyday and Ancient One made such a comment about your humble dwelling.
"Thank you Ancient One." She smiled with pride. "Now let's fine the Elders and discuss what happened today. Just be warned; we Folkin worship the Ancient Ones." She raised her eyebrow. "It would also be wise for us to mask your entrance. Even in our humble village, word travels quickly."
Cassius nodded and he accepted a cloak from one of the Folkin. After he was covered, even snuggly, they proceeded to what looked to be a giant gate built from an evergreen; behind it stood a huge spiral staircase leading into the tree village. Two muscular, male Folkin, stood guard. As they approached, the guards' eyes scanned them; and the bigger one on the right nodded his head in acknowledgment, "Senior, welcome back." Sh'Ma returned this greeting and the Folkin all walked through the gate, leaving Cassius to bring up the rear.
The guards finally noticed him, their eyes scanned the cloaked human warily. They nodded to him and allowed to to enter unmolested. "Why would Senior Sh'Ma allow an outsider into our abode, especially a human?" Said the left guard.
The right guard's face took on a thoughtful expression, "I trust Senior's judgement, if she deems him trustworthy; then who am I to question her?" He paused to watch the large man as he ascended the stairs, "Best be cautious though." They both watched him leave, warily.
It took several minutes to scale the giant staircase, and Cassius found himself becoming grateful for this new body; it seemed his stamina was immense. As they stepped off the last stair and onto the main pavilion, several Folkin guards ran up to assist with the dead and wounded. After this was saw to, Sh'Ma led Cassius through the crowd of suspicious Folkin. Many of them whispered about the outsider and wondering what purpose the Senior would have in bringing him to their hidden village.
They walked for half an hour through the busy village and beautiful scenery. Along the way, Sh'Ma described the Folkin's history and their lifestyles. Folkin were distantly related to the Elves, which Cassius assumed were similar to the ones in the folk tales he was told as a child. He also learned that while Elves had magical powers; Folkin were able to communicate with the forest and it's calmer beasts, hence the creatures that he saw everywhere.
The Folkin also had a tribe caste system. The common folk did the remedial task, the warriors and rangers were respected greatly, and the Elder's were the supreme authority; just under the Chief. He had already determined that Sh'Ma was not only a Ranger, but a Senior Ranger; this granted her more authority and a future seat as an Elder.
After a while, they had passed through most of the village, and were now approaching what appeared to be a large wooden building somehow grown into a tree. Cassius shot Sh'Ma a questioning look and she quickly explained that the Elders had asked the mother tree of the village to 'grow' them a capital of sorts. On the outside of the building several warriors stood guard, they held gleaming short-swords in their hands. It was the first time he had noticed that their weapons were not made from steel, iron, or bronze; instead they were light brown in appearance. Cassius decided to ask Sh'Ma about them later, because they had passed the guards and were being permitted to speak with the Elders. This was sped along as the guards bowed to Sh'Ma and quickly alerted the Elders.
As they entered the tree building, Cassius nervously scanned the gloomy hallway. This did not go unnoticed by Sh'Ma, "Nervous?"
Cassius's frowned, "Just slightly. It seems your people do not trust outsiders."
Sh'Ma nodded, "They do not. We used to be a much more populous and open people. We actively traded and socialized with other people, but that changed when a prejudiced human betrayed our people and slaughtered many of our innocents. After that, we retreated deep into the Great-Wood and became wary of outsiders; especially human."
Cassius nodded understandingly and stepped into a large room. It smelled of nature and fresh tea. The floor dipped down, allowing for the speaker or guest to be seen by all; above, on a circular dais, sat seven older Folkin. Four men and three women; the women all wore kind expressions on their faces, whilst the men bore wariness. A deep, stern voice spoke as they approached the dais from an eight seat higher up; that Cassius had previously missed. "Daughter, what is it that demands our attention so untimely." He paused as Cassius exited the gloom, slight anger creeping into his voice. "And who is this human outsider you deigned to show our hidden community?"
Sh'Ma bowed to her father and nodded to each of the Elders. She then looked at her father sitting rigidly on his 'throne'. Her father was a tall male, with grey hair and multiple scars. "Father, I would advise you to show our guest more respect."
The Chief's face contorted in annoyance, "And why exactly would I show this, human, respect?"
Cassius frowned, he'd never been treated so rudely in his life. Yet, he still found himself grudgingly respecting the Chief for his concern over his people. His revere was broken when Sh'M turned to Cassius, "Remove the cloak, Cassius."
He nodded and slid the cloak off his body, revealing runes that glowed crimson across his whole body. Several gasps escaped from the mouths of the Elders and the occasional , "Ancient One." Even the Chief's face shifted in surprise, but he quickly hid it and resumed his cold expression.
"Daughter, you know as well as I do. That there are no more Ancient Ones; this man is clearly an imposter!" The Chief said coldly, causing the Elders to whisper amongst themselves in concern.
Sh'Ma's confidence never wavered, "I have seen him in battle, Father. He felled an Alpha Troll with nothing but his fists and strength."
"And a fuck-ton of luck." Cassius's mumbled your hi self. He felt that Sh'Ma was giving him too much praise; besides, he still had no idea how he was an 'Ancient One' and what exactly that meant!
"He was struck by the Alpha Troll and suffered no injury, in fact, he was able to break it's neck." Sh'Ma said proudly for some reason.
The Chief looked at Cassius thoughtfully, but still in doubt, "There is only one way to determine the truth; even now I am hesitant to invoke this ancient ritual. Elder Bu'Dun."
In response a withered old man stood, his hand pushing on a wood staff for support. "Yes Chief Yu'Ma?"
"Prepare the grounds for the Rite of the Ancients; tomorrow night, this human Cassius, shall undergo it. If he survives his claim will be confirmed and we will be in his debt for our mistrust, but if he doesn't; well, there won't be much left to speak too." He then turned to a burly man, with long silver hair. "Ta'Gun, have your men prepare housing and a watch for Cassius here. He must not leave for any matter, we cannot endanger our people."
The burly man, Ta'Gun, bowed obediently. "As you command, Chief Yu'Ma."
The Chief then returned his focus to both Cassius and his daughter, "As for you Sh'Ma, I will have a word after this meeting." His look killed any protest Sh'Ma was about to give. "And you, Cassius. If what my daughter claims is true, and you are not willingly to oblige. I presume we will all die from your anger, seeing as there is no mortal means of slaying or subduing the Ancient Ones. So I ask for your cooperation, for the safety of my people."
Cassius nodded in understanding and respect, "I will do as you ask. I respect a man who cares for those under his command." He also respected the fact that this Chief got straight to the point and didn't beat around the bush; it was very effective.
The Chief nodded, "Good, then we will meet again tomorrow for the Rite." Cassius was then escorted out by several warriors, while Sh'Ma stayed behind to speak with her father.
Cassius was taken to an empty house, that was quiet small, but comfortable. He was given a pillow, blankets, and some food; he was then told that someone would come later to speak with him. Not knowing what else to do, he laid down on his blanket and reminisced over the last several days. Yet, for some reason it seemed exceptionally hard to remember what he was doing before being brought here. The more he thought about it, the harder it became. The faces of his men blurred and the memory of the crimson stone became less clear.
"What the hell am I doing? I'm here three days: already forgetting Earth and my men, forced into participating in some sort of 'ritual' that would either kill him or he'd miraculously survive. For what? To prove that he was some Ancient One? What the fuck was that, and why did they think he was one. All these questions and he was getting no closer to finding answers, worse; would he even be able to return? And if he could, what would command do with him; either presumed dead or AWOL. He sighed and closed his eyes, he wasn't getting any closer to answering these questions; might as well catch some shut-eye.
That night he had a strange dream: "You will pass the Rite, but you are more then they will know; we are more. Soon you will be free, you must then find the Crimson Blade. It will soon call out to you, but others may hear it as well. You must hurry to find it; without it, we are a shadow and the story of Irian will end. Remember your name Cassius White, Irian, and Dragon. Now hurry, the game has begun, and this time; we cannot afford to lose."
****
The Wastelands, Outskirts of the Kingdom of Pelemonte.
He clutched the wound in his side and clenched his teeth. Blood seeped through his hands, displaying the severity of his injury. "Shit," he cursed and clutch his sword tighter with his left hand. "Can't take much more of this." His thoughts returned to the task at hand when a large man swung a giant axe at his head. He barely deflected it from taking his neck, just a second later and he would be gone; his people doomed to lives of slavery and pain.
He dodged another of the man's wild swings and quickly thrust his sword out, striking the large and scale covered man through his chest. The man's hatred never left his face as he slid off the cold blade, dead. He sighed and stood to his full height, causing his wound to sting. A loud voice broke through to him, "'My Prince! My Prince!"
The Prince looked up and gritted his teeth; across the field of corpses and blood, where several Knights on winged mounts killed off the last of the enemy. With great strain the Prince called out, "Over here, Commander Locke!"
The wiry and handsome commander looked across the field and spotted his injured liege. He quickly rushed across the field, stepping around the numerous bodies. He and several of his men surrounded the injured Prince, and quickly set about giving him first aid. Locke let out a sigh when the healers said the Prince would make a quick recovery, they couldn't afford to lose the last of the Elder Guard. "My Prince, what happened?"
The Prince looked at the concerned Commander, "It was as we thought, the Tribes have closed in on us. We went out to respond to reports of bandits in the Wastes, when we were surprised and ambushed by these Wyrmkin. The guards were able to slay most of them before they died. If you hadn't arrived when you did Locke, I surely would have joined them."
Locke nodded absently and stared off into the Wasteland, a concerned look on his face. "I fear the organization of the Wyrmkin for the first time in thousands of years is the least of our worries."
The Prince who held his bandaged side tenderly, stood up to join Locke and see what disturbed his usually fearless commander. The Prince's emerald green eyes narrowed and his dark face paled, "Well fuck..."