The House Of Blood and Dust, Book One: Darkness Rising

I Say That The Gods Are Dead

My eyes open to see water rushing over my arm. On a beach which I have never seen with sand sticking to my naked body,

          “Where the hell have my clothes gone?” I stand and look around this new place, no war has ravaged its lands and people walk freely. Its building are made of cobblestone, it’s like an old medieval town from the third era. Horse and carriage’s move along the road. No cars, just horses. “This looks like a little piece of heaven… surely I am dead.” I walk forward towards the town, where the people are shopping in the market place and the noise suddenly escalates into voices.

          “Excuse me sir, would you like some clothes?” I see an elderly woman looking at me and I smile.

          “I guess I would yes.” The elderly woman comes to me, she has black hair and her eyes are black and have red irises and she gives me the clothes, which I put on; they are just normal clothes: linen trousers and a purple tunic. 

          “Here you are. I am guessing you are new to Falahee.” Falahee, that’s a name I’ve heard before, but that’s a small mining village and has a shit beach now.

          “I guess I am, yes… thank you for the clothes.” She bows to me and goes back to her clothing stall. I now have my dignity back and my dick is no longer exposed. I walk through the crowded streets of Falahee. I slip through the people and sudden claustrophobia sets in, I have to gain speed to get on of this crowd. As I break out of the market street, I breathe and look around; more horses and drunkards wobbling about the place. I walk over to the inn, simply named: The Broken Axe, which still remains there at the present time. I open the door and walk on in. The place is filled with humans, dwarves and elves; behind the bar is an oxo, a female lizard person. I sit at the bar,

          “What can I get you?” She asks and her husband looks at me whilst he cleans the tankards.

          “He can get out.”

          “I haven’t done anything to offend you, sir.” The lizardman looks at me with tight glares.

          “No but you will do, you blood mage.” That’s a new one on me.

          “I don’t even know magic; I don’t know how I could be a blood mage.” He continues to glare, his wife turns to look at him and he stops staring.

          “Don’t worry, he believes you are because of that tunic, but we know the woman on the market sells them.”

          “I am guessing she’s a blood mage?” the lizard nods, “I’ll avoid her then.” She smiles and all her sharp teeth reveal themselves.

          “So do you want a drink?”

          “I don’t have any money… I was just exploring.” The woman looks at me the same way her husband did.

          “So you’re a peasant come looking for free stuff?”

          “No, I am just here because there is nowhere else to go.” Her face is quizzical.

          “I’ll buy this young man a drink.” A blonde haired man sits next to me, his face covered with a beard. His eyes are a pale grey and his hair is long and tied back. He hands the lizard-woman three golden coins and she brings me a tankard or ale.

          “Thanks, who exactly are you?”

          “Tayovason Arkness is who I am exactly… and you are Avenji Arkness, I heard of your arrival here.” I stare into his eyes and he smiles, one hell of a smug smile.