The Freedom chronicles: The War for Freedom

Chapter 1

Nicholas Alexander Arilias eyes flew open and he sat up in the large bed. Deep down, he had a feeling that something was wrong as his sapphire eyes scanned the large room for anything out of the ordinary. His desk by the window filled whit paperwork looked just like he left it the night before. A table with chairs in the other corner. A map rolled out on the table. And a door to a bathroom to the right of the bed. Nothing out of place, but Nicholas couldn't ignore the feeling in his stomach that something was wrong. His dog, Shadow, lifted his head and looked at him with his black eyes from where he lay at the foot at his bed. Tilting his head to the side. His black fur reflecting the light from the full moon that came inn threw the open balcony door. The sky was clear and a warm summer breeze came through the open balcony door. Nicholas brushed his raven black hair out of his eyes and listened for something out of the ordinary. There, in the distant, he heard something. Something that sounded like metal that hit metal. "Swords." Thought Nicholas as he threw the covers off him and rushed quietly over to the closet. He opened it and took out a dark blue tunic with silver edges. He pulled it on over his head and fastened a belt around his waist. Shadow came over to him and sat down while he stared at Nicholas who was pulling on his black leather boots over his black pants and fastening his sword to his hip. "Let's go see what's going on boy." Nicholas said quietly to Shadow. Shadow was given to him on his 13 birthday. The day he was named crown prince of Arilias. They were best friends and inseparable. Nicholas had used the last 3 years to train him, to do different tricks and to search for both things and people.

Shadow ran over to the door and waited patiently for Nicholas to come over to open the door. Nicholas placed his hand on the door handle and opened the door quietly. Just open enough for him and Shadow to sneak trough before he closed the door. He could hear the sound more clearly now. People scouting and swords hitting each other. Shadow tensed up and growled. "Down boy." Nicholas whispered. Shadow became quiet and walked close to Nicholas as he began to walk down the hall. As they walked the sounds became louder. Nicholas felt himself get tense and slowed down a bit and walked closer to the wall. He turned a corner and froze. On the floor, there were 3 bodies. Laying in a pool of blood of their own blood. Shadow walked slowly over to them and sniffed at them. Nicholas followed and inspected the scene. Two of them wore the traditional Arlilas armour whit the crest of the kingdom. A gold Griffin standing on its back legs and wings spread out, whit a blue background. He recognised them as patrol guards. Walking around the castle, and were the ones to chase him down when he snuck out during his lessons when he was younger. But the third person, he did not recognise. A man dressed in black from head to toe. Even his face was covered. Except for his eyes. Blue eyes that now were empty and lifeless. He had to move. To find out what was going on. "Come Shadow." He whispered as he pulled out his sword. It shined in the light from the torches at the wall. Reflecting the light. Sharp edges and a Griffin engraved in the blade close to the handle. The handle was black with a small sapphire gem at the end of the handle. A gift from his father at his 15 birthday. Since then, Nicolas had become better with a sword for each passing day. He was now seen as one of the best swordfighters in the kingdom, despite his young age. Nicholas turned more corners as he headed towards the throne room, and he felt like that for each corner he found either blood or a body. He walked faster now, Shadow beside him. Suddenly, Shadow ran and stopped right in front of his leg. A couple of seconds later, Nicholas understood why. He heard noises around the next corner. Slowly, he raised his sword and stepped towards the corner. In a switch motion, he turned the corner and held the sword to the throat of a person. "Gah! Gods! Nico!" A familiar voice said. "Don't scare me like that!" Nicholas relaxed a little when he saw who it was. "Sorry James." He said and lowered his sword. In front of him stood James Rodgers. With his messy dark brown hair, hazel eyes and tan skin. Broad shoulders and clear muscles. Nicholas's longtime childhood friend. His father was general Fredric Rodgers. Leader of the Arilias army and best friend of the king, Alexander John Arilias. Father to Nicholas. James and Nicholas grew up together almost like brothers. "What is going on?" Nicholas asked. "Honestly, I don't know." James answered and shook his head. "But I think we are being attacked by Elcarin." Nicholas frowned. "I knew they were desperate to win this war, but not desperate enough to sneak in and kill everyone." He said. Elcarin was close to losing the war. It was no secret. It had been going on for six years. The King of Elcarin, Gerald, wanted to unite the continent consisting of the lands Elcarin, Arilias and Orelgare, to one empire that he could rule. Everyone thought that the war was soon going to be over. Elcarin's moves had been desperate and sloppy lately. They had more and more losses and was gaining nothing. While Arilias was growing stronger. A loud, painfully scream was heard and Nicholas and James flinched at the sound. "His majesty told me to find you and get you out of the palace." He said. "I went to your room but you weren't there." Nicholas looked at him. "What about my parents?" He asked. James shrugged. "Your father said he will meet us later. He was going to find the queen and get her out." He said. "The one night I wished dad was here end not on the front lines. But now, we have to move." Nicholas did not move. "What about Selena?" He asked. "Nico, I..". "James." Nicholas said firmly. "Where is Selena?" James had a hint of panic in his eyes. "I don't know!" He said and took Nicholas's arm. "But we have to get you out." James tried to pull Nicholas whit him. "No, not without my sister. Find Selena and meet me by the Stables in thirty minutes." Nicholas said and pulled his arm back. "What? What about you?" James asked. Nicholas turned and looked at him whit serious eyes. "I am going to find my parents." He said. "You get my sister out of here. If I am not at the stables in thirty minutes, you leave. Get her out of here.". "But...". "James." Nicolas interrupted. "I am serious James. Get her out." James closed his mouth and studied his best friends face. A silent discussion going on. After a while, he nodded. "Alright." James said. "Just. Be careful." Nicholas nodded. "I will." He said and kneeled in front of Shadow. He placed a hand on his head. "Go whit James boy." He ordered. "Keep him and Selena safe." He said and stood up. Shadow barked once as if he was saying yes. He smiled and turned, running towards the throne room.