The Nine (Blood and Fire)

Chapter Two

SEVEWRYNN MORROSTARR - The Crucible (Home of the Eternal Flame)   

The Crucible was a large cave-like cut-out. A large metal cup sat in the middle of the entire place. The area was lit up by lava that flowed from beneath the cup, or crucible as it's called. Several Zaadians strode around, performing whatever tasks they did. One bumped into me, looking apologetic but I waved them off, telling them they were fine. I am Rogue-King Sevewrynn... And these were my people.  

  What was left of them.

I walked through the city, eyeing shops, smiths, and a house area. I made my way to the tavern. I didn't have a throne like an ordinary king, because the humans destroyed it. They destroyed my people and brought us to our knees. I was beginning to become angry, my head pounding with the thoughts. Blood rushed to my ears, they throbbed. I hated humans... I would end every single one of---. 

"Hey, Rogue-King!" Gottok The Tavern Master said, his eyes trailing to the cut on my face, 

"Where ya been? El's been a looking for ya."Gottok was one of three dwarves who decided to join the ranks of the Eternal Flame, instead of serving men as blacksmiths.

"Where is she?"

"In yee room. Wher' she 'lways is when she'sa mad at yee, laddie."

"Thanks, Gottok," I said making my way to my room upstairs. Each step had a loud "clop" noise as I walked up them. The bulk mass of The Crucible was built into the stone of the mountain, with very little showing the outer parts of the world. Though mine and El's room in the tavern had a small window outlooking the Darkwoods. 

     I opened the wooden door and walked in. The candles were blown out, meaning El was probably asleep. I unstrapped my chest plate and laid it on the ground, trying to be as quiet as possible. I hung my swords on the wall. Their dark blades glint in the candlelight. I turned to see El standing in the doorway of the bedroom. 

     El was around my age, and both of us witnessed the Siege of Zaadia firsthand. Her dark-grey hair was tied back, and her orange eyes glared into my soul. "Where were you?" She demanded to know.

"I stopped to rest... That orc fight winded me. It's been a while since we've done an ambush. It was only a few minutes..."

"Your form of 'a few minutes' was seven hours..."

Had it been seven hours that I was asleep....? 

"Well, I'm here now. " I said, walking to her. 

 "You worried me, Sevewrynn..." 

  I smirked, a thing that seemed to cheer her up, "Let's get to bed it's late." 

SEVEWRYNN MORROSTARR - Somewhere in the Darkwoods 

     I walked down a path, my sword at my side. The wind rattled the trees above me, crickets chirped in the dark reaches of the forests. Flies buzzed through the air. Rain dribbled off the leaves overhead. I heard boots crunch ahead of me. In an instant I rolled behind a wide-stumped tree, slowly drawing my blade. 

   Holding the sword at my side, I peeked over the edge of the tree. A tallish man walked down the rough path. It appeared to be a human, based on size. I smelled the air, but the rank aroma of man didn't come back to my nose. Instead, something far older did. 

  Once he got passed me, I ran up behind him and pressed my sword to his neck. "Thought you lizards never left your mountain..." 

  He wheezed, "N-Not all d-dragons follow the rules." He struggled beneath my strength. 

  The dragon squirmed to try and get the sword from his throat. "What are you doing in this area of Kaarstag?"

"J-Just strolling around. What are y-you?" His voice laced with sarcasism.