Legends of Ansulara

There will come a time when the pale Elves of Evermore and the Dark elves of Underdark will walk forth as brethren. There will come a time when men can walk sword-less through the Dragon fields of Ansulara, But until that time, Cross not my path with ill intent for my blade knoweth no fear... 

                                                                                                                        Soljourner Sigon

                                                            Prologue

"Crack" was the sound the shovel made when it struck the soft sand. Another bone, perhaps a skull or thigh, how odd he thought to himself at the idea of trying to distinguish which it were. There were so many here, he forgotten exactly where he'd put them all, and as he stood there wondering his mind slip back to the last he remembered... Not even the dogs were aware of the intruders presence. Stealthily using the darkened cover of night he slipped between the outer perimeter of the main buildings making not a sound. Effortlessly he moved past the twin guards who diligently stood post, breaching a locked door and a yet another pair of statuesque guards. "They're getting better" Storm thought to himself, for even though the skillful assassin thought himself the "hunter", without ever knowing it had actually become the "prey". Taught since he could hold a sword, in the art of the silent kill, trained by best the orient had to offer, even though he had been watching the family for weeks and believed what he thought was "everything" about this family was known, every habit, every movement, the one thing he didn't account for was Storm and tonight that mistake would cost him his life.

CHAPTER 1

"Uncle Strum, Uncle Strum!"

Storm paused in his work giving into his exhaustion, leaned on his shovel as he watched the young child run toward him. The child's name was Braeth Helmsplitter, son of Breggen, fallen King of the Shield Breaker clan and Nori Helmsplitter, a retired swordsman and now the mayor of the city of Tor. His fathers death was the reason for Storm being here and alive today. As the boy drew near Storm let his memory slip back, remembering the day a single arrow changed his fate and that of his dwarf compatriot Breggen forever. It was during the clan wars of 462AD. In his last moments, Breggen had asked for Storm's word in making sure his eldest son Hedi was raised in the warrior way, for it would be he, who would now claim the legacy and burdens of Clan leader. Their friendship, the blood they had drawn together had spanned centuries so for Storm this was not a simple request from a dying dwarf but a gift given to ones closest friend. But before Storm could acknowledge his agreement, Breggen Helmsplitter, leader of the noble Dwarf clan Shield Breaker had closed his eyes in death. "Noc anna tull raegru attoul", he recited the one phrase he had heard Breggen Helmsplitter utter each time he knelt in battle at the side of a fallen comrade, He made sure he remembered it. It meant..."rest well my friend".

"Uncle Strum!" Storm never got use to that name. The child was the youngest of four, and at the age of seven, he still had a hard time saying the name Storm. It was his parent's idea to shorten the name to Strum, Breggen told Storm once, "it gives your elven name dwarven strength". He had said Storm fought like a dwarf in battle, and although Storm, appreciative of the accolades, he still preferred the true pronunciation of his name, but this was after all his god son so he made acceptance.

Uncle Strum was a side of Storm that he himself had not known existed. Uncle Strum was not a killer. He was a hero, a much respected member of the dwarven community that had accepted him as one of their own. Uncle Strum had never drawn a weapon out of anger but Storm,....for those who had crossed his blades in battle was said to become a Daemon in human flesh and very few, lived to tell the tale and then only because Storm willed it so. Legend has it that when Storm slew the great Red wyrm Modak, he did it single handedly and some even say he slew the beast with a tooth from it's very own maw. Modak at the time was believed to be the eldest of the dragon-kin alive. Only Storm knew what really took place which meant the legend was all there would ever be. But, uncle Strum, he had become an honorary member and the only half elf as of note to be inducted into Clan Shield Breaker and he had long retired his armor and sword and more importantly, he no longer had the recurring nightmares that came with the assassin occupation.