The Forest's Chosen

Chapter 6: The Dream

The little city of Rempool was a few days ride from Lorod, a little shorter from Callum's training castle. Inside the city was a market area for people to shop and for people to relax. In the middle of the market was a fountain with a statue the king himself holding a rose. South of the marketplace was the blacksmith shop where Eli lived. When Eli, his sister, and Anders finally returned they were tired. They walked into their house and rested. After a short rest they decided to talk about what happened.

"Did you get anything?" Anders said with a low raspy voice. Leah spoke up.

"There wasn't much, just a few gold pieces and books. Nothing that we can sell off." Anders sighed and looked at Eli. "And what about you? Did you find anything?" Eli looked down embarrassed to say what happened.

"Speak boy!" Anders yelled "Did you find anything useful?" Eli shook his head.

"The general found out I wasn't a noble. We made a deal, to beat his students and he'll knight me."

"And you fell for that?" Eli nodded, "I can not believe you Eli, I thought you better than that." Eli said nothing, not only feeling embarrassed but disgraced as well. He was taught to fight only for protection and stealing not to bet with a general. Anders sighed and looked at him.

"Did you win?" Eli looked up with a confused look on his face. Anders repeated himself, "Did. You. Win?" Eli nodded and he smiled, "Good, at least I know you can beat a noble." They all laughed and relaxed. Eli got up and started to make dinner with his sister.

Later on in the day Eli and Leah started working in the forge. Leah worked on heating the metal and Eli hammered it making a sword. Anders sat and watched in the back of the room knowing that they know how to make a fine sword. They are blacksmiths after all. After putting the pommel, hilt, and guard on the sun was setting, and night would soon rise. Eli put his mark on the sword, a symbol of a flame, making sure anyone who sees the sword would know who made it. After the sword was finally finished they all went to bed and slept.

Eli woke up to find that he was in the middle of the forest. After looking at his surroundings he got up and started walking in a direction. After a few minutes of wondering he comes across a stream. In the middle of the stream was a moss covered hill. On top of the hill was a peculiar sword, a rapier maybe? Wrapped around it was a large vine from pommel to the tip of the sword. Instinctively Eli tries to grab it. As soon as he grabs the hilt a wave of energy blasts right through him. He staggered a bit, almost falling to the ground. Once he regains his balance Eli tries to lift the rapier. Surprisingly it was easy to lift, It's very light, he things to himself. Then he hears a voice in his head.

"I am Vine, rapier of the forest, protector of nature itself. You are destined to wield me. You are destined to be the protector of life." When the voice stops talking the rapier glows a blinding light and all Eli sees is light. He then hears someone call out to him. His sister, then Anders, then finally his parents.

Eli wakes up from the his dream. He slowly gets up and prepares for the day. When he walks in the living room he sees Leah and Anders eating breakfast. He sits down and joins them.

"What's the matter Eli?" Anders finally spoke, "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Something like that. I'm not really sure." Eli hold onto his head feeling dizzy. "I saw a magical weapon. It's name was Vine. . . It said I was was destined for something." As soon as Eli said magical Anders stood up. He was about to say something, but a loud knock could be heard.

"Open up," said the mysterious voice, "I am a general and I am not afraid to knock this door down!"