Arodin Chronicles

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
A funeral.

Hi, my name is Fredrick. I lived in Lotherine all my life. Lotherine is a rather odd place. Well, my entire world is actually. You see in my world, Arodin, all the land floats in midair hundreds of miles above the sea. As far as anyone knows, there is no land down on the surface, only water. Nobody knows why the islands float, but as long as they don't plummet to the sea we're all safe. Our world is split up into about 5 different countries that we know of. My country, Lorthine. Minudragg, in the north. And the capital city of Ringstad out west. The east and south countries doesn't have a name. It's just know as "The East" or "The South" but some travelers call it the bad lands because at least half of it is desert, and the other half is foggy, overgrown, humid, swamp. I'm trailing off again, anyway I live by myself, mostly because my parents are, well...gone. They supposedly died in an airship crash on their way to Ringstad. These two people who apparently knew my parents took care of me for about two years then left me alone when I turned fifteen. Oh well, it's a one-person house anyway. Anyway I'm sixteen now and as I have found out, my grandfather, my last known living relative, has died. What a great way to start my story, huh? Anyway, everyone always thought that my grandfather was crazy and insane. I personally never knew too much about him. I spent some time with him when I was younger but that's about it. Anyway, I have recently found out that he wasn't crazy. He had just discovered something epic actually. And now, in turn, so have I. Okay I'm trailing off again. Let me tell you my story.

I stood there looking over my grandfather's body. He had died about a week ago If I remember correctly. I never really new him that much so I wasn't that upset, but I did miss him. I felt a large hand on my shoulder and a soft voice of my grandfathers friend Marcus behind me, "Fredrick? If you would please take your seat, we will begin the ceremony now." I stepped down from the ledge took a seat on the grass. I was given a strange look by my old caretaker and her husband, who honestly were rather sour people. Then again, I did sit on the ground instead of sitting on a perfectly comfortable chair, I always felt more connected to nature that way I guess. I saw my friend Iren and her dad sitting in the front row a crossed from me. Iren's mother was with my parents in the crash so we always had something in common I guess. Marcus came to the front pedestal and started speaking, "Greetings everyone, We have gathered here today to remember the life of Mister Daniel Krubwitz. A loving father and grandfather to the end of his days." Some of the people in the crowd mumbled then quieted down. Marcus continued with the ceremony. My grandfather always seemed kind of odd to me. Some people say that over the past couple years he went crazy, rambling on about creatures while he pointed towards the sky. I shook my head and started paying attention to the ceremony again. "And if no one else has anything to say we shall proceed with the send off tradition." Marcus walked over to me. Saying nothing I went over to my grandfathers burial airship, since I am the last member of my family I have to be the one to shove-off. As I walked over to the ship I heard a loud voice yelling out at me from across the bridge connected to the other side of the floating island. "This man has no right to an honorable burial!" I stopped and turned around quickly "What did you say?!" I snapped back. "This crazy old coot does not deserve any burial whatsoever." I started to slowly walk over to him, "Oh really? And why would that be exactly?" I walked faster with my fists clenched. "I'm surprised that you don't know, he went insane because he was using forbidden magi-." I grabbed him and hit him hard in the stomach. He fell to his knees and grabbed his stomach. I felt Marcus grab me and pull me back before I could punch him again. "Fredrick! Control yourself, don't let him get to you." The man stood up "Your grandfather is a criminal and you know it!" He said before running off. I started to chase after him but Marcus stopped me. "Don't let anger control you or you would be no better than him. Come, let's finish the ceremony." I sighed and walked with Marcus back to the airship and took hold of a side of it. With Marcus on the other side of it, we both pushed hard on the ship and it slowly took off over the side of the island and floated off into the distance. Marcus stretched and turned towards me and said "*Huff* People need to stop dying, I'm getting too old for this." We both chuckled and walked back down in between the chairs. "So Fredrick would you like to catch some lunch really quick? My treat." I nodded and said "That sounds great."