The Red Moon Chronicles Book 1: The Crown Of Xenthos

The Storm

"Keenio..." Veronica whines.

"Yes?"

The sounds of hoofprints click and cling against the soft earth. The four of them ride through the great green forest. The sky was bright and the clouds kind. The scent of pines, and dogwood filled the air.

"We've been traveling for weeks now. Why does it take so long to reach Sparta?"

"It won't be too much longer..."

The 4 of them came to a place where the well worn path was forked. Keenio had the others stop behind him.

"Keenio. Why did we stop?" Elise hissed.

Keenio pulled out a map from his saddlebag. He opened it and began scanning it.

"Come he take this path..."

He pointed to the right most path. The girls followed him.

The Sun began to start setting. The calm blue sky turned into a heated shade of yellows, purples, and pinks.

"Elizabeth, do you see any clearings?"

"Why?"

"It is about time to build a fire."

"Are you sure?"

"If we camp now, we can make it to Brysiae by tomorrow morning."

"What is there?"

"A village, and a shrine to Dionysius..."

"Who is Dionysius?" Elise asked.

"One of the Greek gods, the god of fertility and wine." Keenio answered.

"I wish to pick up some supplies for us. It is a good trading center, as well as a good way of gathering information..."

"I see..."

Elizabeth found a small clearing in the woods, small enough for them to build a fire, and close enough to the path that they wouldn't get lost. It wasn't long until they set up camp. The next day they road into Brysiae.

As they road through the streets they saw a crowd of people gather in the town square. Many people shouted and cursed.

"Hang the Elf!!!" Many of the voices in the crowed cried out.

"Kill the thief!!!"

Keenio handed his reigns to Veronica and dismounted. He quickly moved through the crowd in the cobblestone square. As he made his way to the front he witnessed the gallows, standing firmly like a theater, standing tall as a small building. On the stage a man in a black hood holding a lever firmly in place oversaw the crowd.

Resting his neck in a noose was a thin, slightly tall, pointed ear man, with thick red hair, and a long bushy beard. He wore purple silken robes, and a leather breastplate. His shining green eyes looked as if he had no fear. Judging by his pale completion, the shape of his eyes, and a pointed nose, Keenio knew that this elf was a wood elf.

The people of the crowd threw cabbages, tomatoes, small rocks, and other objects at this elf. It was a sign of insult.

A man clothed in heavy black robes walked to the side of the elf. He held a scroll and opened it.

"Let it be known, that the crimes of one Zalpa if the Wolf tribe, a wood elf, has been found guilty if these following crimes, and is sentenced to die by hanging."

He overlooked the crowd.

"These crimes are as followed. 3 counts of thievery, 16 counts of drunken exposure. 2 counts of murder and 1 count of adultery with the mayor's daughter. For all of these crimes, one Zalpa is sentenced to death, so let it be said.."