Believers: Legends of Nohar

Chapter 1 (Part 1)

His Name

The Beginning

Century of Kings 1202

Odo secured a large hunting knife in his bootstrap. He patted the large knife for luck and ran his hand down the inside of the boot fingering two more nestled against his leg. He then reached for gloves on a nearby stable bench and tucked them into his pocket before standing up. The man was spent. Staring down at the ground his thoughts drifted, while he caressed opals inlaid into the hilt of his long sword. "I am a murderer," he whispered. After a moment he sighed adjusting his baldric now chuckling under his breath. "How many blades does it take ones king to kill one demon?" "

Looking around one last time he pulled his cowl over his head and left the stables on foot. It was time for the Hunt. Odo did everything with the proficiency of a seasoned watchman and king. He forgot nothing and despised early morning Hunts.

The search would start at White Reef, a beach minutes from Brun Manor. Brun was home. He headed towards a narrow moon lit path winding through the forest. Silver trees grew wild there. They shown more beautiful with the moon than sun, and their silvery shadow glistened on clear nights. It was too spectacular for words.

He felt confident to end the Hunt quickly, and return for tea and sweet bread by early light. Or he'd hoped. Demon Hunts, consumed time, involved negotiations, and required stripping the mind of the dead before removing Memory-Stones from the center of their still warm hearts. These rare stones were Odo's bargaining power. Stones kept his dreams alive, and prevented the genocide of his people.

With unlit lantern in hand Odo arrived to his meeting place and remained silent. He stood a tall handsome man with dark hair and blue eyes, sighing exhausted he peered down the trail for his trusted friend and healer. Soon a silhouette shown against the struggling dawn. Noble Zebious, Healer of Nohar, known as Healer or Zeb, was a village miracle man by day and demon butcher by night; both lived dual lives and Odo had no closer friend or ally.

They approached each other sedately quiet. "The demon is heading towards the Bay," the healer said in a voice barely over a whisper.

"Did you see him?"

He shook his head no. "Tracks." An owl hooted and both looked upward. "Your message said another demon with Fairy Jewels?" continued Zeb, motioning to walk.

Heading down the trail Odo felt irritated. "Indeed, third this month."

Zeb rubbed his chin continuing the pace. "Looks like another assassination, someone wants a whole nest eliminated?"

"The ignorant beasts have no idea the Jewels poison their blood."

"As you are aware, Siberal gives the poor wretches the Jewels claiming them to be the Rocks of Power then sends them on a goose chase. They believe Siberal protects them through the Jewels, and would do anything to keep their nest from starvation."

"It is Siberal who starves them in the first place. We must retrieve the Jewels this demon carries before he transports them to his nest. If we fail, the nest dies by a simple touch."

"I fail to understand. Siberal kills its own claiming disease ravished the nests. They could execute the nests covertly. Why torture their own people, the Jewels kill painfully and slow?"

Odo nodded. "In ignorance they die. Let us hope we can talk this one into rehabilitation and retrieve those Jewels." 

Zeb gave Odo a disbelieving sigh proceeding down the path quiet now. The wrong sounds would alert the forest and delay the Hunt. Neither relished a demon chase around the island to ruin a new day.