Nestled in the unforgiving Blackice Mountains, there lies a city, hidden from the rest of the world. Only some people possess the will to see and enter this city. It is a utopia – a perfect society.
Night had fallen and the city was at rest. The large, muscular blacksmith had laid his forge’s fires to rest. Everyone was asleep, the only the occasional movement of a sentry atop the high walls were the only movement, after they had moved from the light and warmth of the brazier. All of the other guards were asleep, next to their wives, with their children safe abed as well. The occasional dogs bark or birds tweet was all that could be heard.
Morning broke. A young, pale face moved from under his covers at the sudden explosion of light into his chambers, as a light wind had picked up, and the curtains were opened. He opened his eyes to see the face of an old, kind looking man. “Jasper,” the boy said “you have to stop watching me sleep.” The old man laughed “I wasn’t watching you, sire, just merely about to raise you from you slumber.” “For God’s sake, jasper, call me jack, you’re the closest thing I’ve had to a father since father died.” Jack rose, and so did his covers. He started to stroke the covers. He stood up and went over to his wardrobe and picked out his clothes. While he was getting dressed, his covers jumped off the bed. Jasper grabbed them.
From underneath the covers, ran a black creature. “Stay!” Jack shouted. From the front of the creature, a small; cute wolf’s face looked up. Jack had finished getting dressed and bent down to pet the wolf. He barked, jumped around and rolled around on his back. Jack was playing with his wolf for about half an hour when a horn blew. Three short busts, then a long one. “What?” Jack asked, face in disbelief. Jasper ran to the window. “It is true, my liege, the horde is here.” Out of the window lay a vast sea of green and orange creatures, each with a crude club in their hand. They were goblins, hobgoblins, and grim goblins. And at the front of the horde, was the leader, a goblin that was twice the size of any man, who wore steel armour and had a human head tied around his neck. Even from a distance, Jack could tell who the head was. His mother, who was leading a hunting party, but obviously came across the horde, and was quickly dispatched.
There was a knock at the door. Jack ran over, while Jasper waited where he was; frozen with fear – eyes wide, mouth slightly open.
At the door was a young maiden of twenty years. She had long, burgundy hair and was wearing gold plated armour, with her helmet under her arm. She has bright yellow armour that burned like fire. Jack’s wolf growled “Easy Dusk” Jack said. From behind the girl, a faint red and yellow glow could be seen. An animal emerged from behind her.It looked like a wolf, but four times as fierce and it was on fire. The firewolf went over to his brother, and started to lick him. The woman bent down on one knee. “Emma, what’s going on?” “I need you to be strong, Jack, be the hero in the books you read.” “What is going on?!” Jack demanded. “It is time.” She said, gravely. “I need you to be brave. Go, now, take Dusk and go to the dungeon. Here boy!” she said. Dusk went over and sniffed the cloth she held out. “Follow him. He will take you to a city. We are great allies with the people there. It is called the Veiled City. Lady Ruby is queen there. Show her this,” she took of an amulet and put it round Jack’s neck, “she will understand. She has a lovely daughter, she twelve – like you. I know that you will love her. Make her love you, be her friend and above all else, be her sister. In five years, she will be kidnapped. Find her, with all the help you need, and she will lead you to me. Go now little brother, and goodbye, for now.” Tears started to well up in his eyes. Emma kissed his forehead, tears started to well up eyes. A shattered was heard. Jack turned to see Jasper fall to the ground, an arrow embedded in his neck. The sounds of swords clashing outside could be heard, with the occasional moan of a soldier dying.
Jack ran to the window, just as an arrow went through the window. Emma pushed Jack to the ground, the arrow rebounded off her armour. She didn’t move or even flinch. “I’ll be fine, just run!” Emma shouted at Jack. He took off after Dusk, looking back to see Emma nodding, with tears in the corners of her eyes. Jack looked down a corridor and a group of goblins, being held off by the captain of the guards. Jack made it to the kitchen, where Dusk was scratching at the wall. Jack punched it, to revel a hidden passage that he followed until he was outside.
He looked back and the last thing he saw was the city, his city, his lifeblood burning and crumbling.
Another horn blew, a low threatening tone. Two short burst and two long ones, the castle had been breached…
