Blood and Silver [slash]

Part 1 - Hate

EDIT July 23rd, 2017: Dear readers, this story will now have illustrations! My dear friend Anna  drew these beautiful pictures to accompany the story. I'm so happy - thank you, Anna! ^^ I'll continue to "upgrade" this story with illustrations, but it will take some time. I'll write a message to you, dear followers, whenever new illustrations are online. Please have fun re-reading the story! ^^

The loud sounds of trampling hooves and shouting woke Kelron from his deep slumber. Grumbling, he rolled around in his bed and tried to ignore the racket, but it was futile. He had been on night watch duty for the past four days and had gone to bed only an hour ago, but obviously he wasn't even going to be granted that little bit of sleep this morning.

The uproar didn't die down, so finally Kelron rose with an impatient growl and pushed the woolen blanket away. It was no use; he had to go down and see what the fuss was all about. If Castle Northwall was being attacked, he had to hurry, although Kelron hadn't heard the usual warning signal. Aside from that, the bloodsuckers wouldn't dare to attack since it was day already.

Kelron went to the little wash stand, one of the few pieces of furniture in his frugal chamber except for the bed and an old, battered clothes chest. He splashed some water onto his face, slicking back his blonde hair that stood up from his head after rolling around on his pillow. The hasty washing didn't really liven him up, but it helped a bit to freshen his tired eyes.

Kelron was dressed quickly, since he had slept in his trousers, pulling on his shirt and lacing up his boots. For a moment, he contemplated donning his armor, but that would take too long, and it still wasn't clear if there was an emergency at all. His sword, however, was another matter. No paladin of the Order of the Silver Blade could ever be seen without his weapon, even in front of his comrades.

Kelron left his room and swiftly went through the long corridor of the living quarters to the stairs leading down to the vast central inner courtyard of Castle Northwall. Horses were neighing, and now Kelron could make out two familiar voices, raised in a heated argument. Obviously Master Waragus, warden of the paladins of Castle Northwall, and Master Mergil, Kelron's mentor, disagreed gravely about something.

"...not be risked! Do you have any idea how dangerous it would be to imprison it here?" Mergil shouted.

"That is a risk I'm willing to take! We need the information! And it won't get a chance to tell the others about us. When we know everything we need to, we'll kill it!" Waragus roared back at him. "I am the warden, and my orders will be obeyed!"

Kelron had reached the inner courtyard by now and spotted the two masters glaring at each other with grim faces. Their looks contrasted greatly: Waragus was tall and regal in the silver-lined cloak of his office and with an elegantly trimmed, graying beard, while Mergil was the ascetic type with a short, wiry stature and a bald head, wearing battered armor.