Eli Ordiano felt as if the looming trees were watching him, their branches outstretched like groping hands. The young man and his entourage had been riding through the Drakken Woods all day. Eli was a young Knight of the Emerald, about eighteen or so. The young knight was also part of a special strike force sent by Juliticus Val Amaron, lord of the nearby Castle Amaron. He and his comrades’ orders were to silently assault the armies that had sieged the castle and had taken up residency in the woods. They had stealthily assaulted several of the enemies’ camps.

Eli was nervous and his pale blue eyes darted back and forth anxiously as he shifted his weight around in his saddle. He had heard many stories about the evils of Drakken Woods. Nymphs, beautiful women that would seduce weary wanderers with their sweet song and then kill them with a poison kiss. Pyromancers, flaming beings that serve the element of fire, leaving nothing but ashes of travelers who wandered too near their territory, and vicious beasts that Eli could only begin to imagine. To make things worse the sun had set two hours ago, which added fuel to his already burning imagination.

The other two knights that were part of Eli’s special strike force were riding out in front; they were both middle-aged seasoned veterans, not fresh out of training like Eli. One was Gerik Redlance, Knight of the Opal. He was a tall, muscular man whose weapon was a large war hammer. The other was Dalton Strattlemier, Knight of the Amethyst. He was small and nimble with a broadsword as his weapon. The two radically contrasted each other but they worked well together and were paired together often on various missions for the Knighthood. Eli himself was 5' 11" of medium build and also had a broadsword as his weapon of choice.

“How goes it back there?” Gerik asked Eli and shot a glance at Eli over his shoulder.

“Fine, thank you.” he replied flatly.

“It’s nice having young blood with you on a mission like this,” Gerik laughed loudly. “It makes you feel young again yourself!”

“Quiet!” Dalton hissed. “You want the whole woods to find us out?” Dalton was easily irritated at times like this. He was also cautious and calculating though.

Maybe that’s why Lord Juliticus put him in charge. Eli thought. Up until now he couldn’t think of a reason why his lord would have put such a hot-tempered man as leader. True, Dalton had a short fuse but there was more to him then just that. Dalton was also honourable and trustworthy, some of the qualities a leader needs. This was living proof that first impressions aren’t always the right impressions.

Over the years the armies of the Dark Prince, Serfius Magnus had grown in strength and numbers. The armies struck mercilessly against the Avalonian Knights whenever possible. Serfius had corrupted many souls in his bid for power and his evil influence had spread over the land like a smothering fog of darkness. He had raised an army of demonic warriors made up of orcs, vampires, ogres, gargoyles, and many other hideous creatures of the night.

The only hope now to save the world from total destruction was the Avalonian Knights. Founded by the great king, Celesticus Maximus, they had risen up to meet and stop the Gothic army. The Avalonian Knights were divided into twelve sects, each bearing the name of the birthstones of each month.

“So when are we going to reach the next enemy encampment?” Eli questioned.

“Soon enough!” Snapped Dalton.

Eli fell into an awkward silence. After a few moments Gerik spoke up. “It’s like the woods are watching you.” He said in awe as he swept the woods with his gaze.

“Hush!” Dalton rose up a hand and halted the group. “Did you hear that? A twig snapped. Draw your weapons.” Dalton slowly unsheathed his broadsword, Eli did like-wise and Gerik pulled his giant war hammer from its holster. The group reigned in their mounts into a tight circle, their backs facing each other so as not to be surprised from behind. The three of them frantically looked in all directions for any sign of movement.

Just then a deafening screech emitted from overhead. The trio looked up just in time to see what looked like a gargoyle swoop down in front of Dalton and his steed. The spooked horse reared up and tossed Dalton from the saddle and galloped off further into the woods.

“We’re under attack!” Gerik shouted as he attempted a swing at the gargoyle still in mid-flight with his war hammer.

Dalton struggled to his feet favouring his left arm. “Damn!” Dalton cursed loudly. “Where the hell did that thing come from?” By this time the gargoyle had disappeared back into the night and the three of them were left waiting to see if another attack would ensue.

Through the trees the gargoyle swooped down low for another pass. This time it managed to slash open Gerik’s throat as it continued to rain havoc on the small party from above. The big man let out a choked off gurgle as his vital fluids spurted out his neck and frothed forth from his mouth. He slowly swayed in his saddle and fell from it but his right foot remained stuck in the stirrups. The stallion was spooked by the gargoyle, neighed, and shot off into the night dragging along the half-decapitated Gerik with it. The gargoyle continued on and shot out a clawed hand to slash Eli’s mount’s neck open as well. Eli was unable to jump free of the horse before the great beast tilted slowly and fell on Eli’s left leg. He heard a sicken crack as bone met stone. The knight clawed at the ground with the tips of his fingers and tried to free his leg to no avail.

The next thing Eli knew Dalton was at his side. “Come on rookie! Let’s get out of here while the gargoyle comes around for another pass.” he tugged Eli’s leg free, helped him up and placed Eli’s arm around his shoulder. Then Dalton half drug half-carried Eli into the brush, off the trial, and into the night.





Juliticus Amaron, Knight of the Ruby, was staring out the window of his bedchambers in Castle Amaron. Juliticus was 6' 1" tall and had black hair with blond streaks in it. His eyes were brown and his body was muscled but he was not a large man. He was now 137 years of age but because elves had incredible longevity he was only 26 by human standards. He was deep in thought as he gazed out the window at the Drakken Woods. The two moons, Luna and Lunatari, bathed everything in pale blue and white moonlight.

“Juliticus?” the sweet and sleepy voice of his wife called to him from across the room.

“Yes, my darling Gabrielle?” he tore his gaze from the outside and shifted it to where Gabrielle Amaron was sitting up in their bed. She was an elf like her husband and they both had the long pointed ears of the elven kind. They also had the oval-shaped, slightly slanted eyes of the elves. Her long silver hair cascaded down her back and her luminous green eyes with purple flecks in them glowed almost cat-like in the near darkness. She was wearing a white silk nightgown that matched her skin and reflected the blueish moonlight. Gabrielle stood 5' 7" tall and her body was lithe and well proportioned. She was 113 years old, only 24 by human standards though.

As Juliticus gazed upon her beautiful face he thought about how lucky he was to have her as his wife. Of course Juliticus loved Gabrielle for more reasons then just her looks. He loved her smiles, her personality, her warm embrace, and her passionate kisses. To him she seemed to love him just as much as he loved her.

“What are you doing up so late, my love?” she sounded tired and weak. Gabrielle had been a sickly child and that had taken its toll on her endurance and stamina in her adult years. That also probably explained why her skin was so white.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, I was going to get up and get a glass of water anyways. So, what are you doing?” Gabrielle repeated her question as she rose from the bed. This caused her nightgown to fall around her ankles when she moved towards her husband and stood at his side.

“I’m thinking.” he answered her question while they both stood at the window staring at the outside world.

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow and smiled impishly. “Oh? There’s something you haven’t done in a while.” She teased.

“I’m dwelling upon this siege. I don’t know how much longer we can hold out and the Gothics are bound to attack any time now.” Gabrielle stepped between him and the window, wrapped her arms around his waist. Then she rested her head on his chest and listened to the soothing, even beating of Juliticus’ heart.

“Don’t worry about it my lord and love. The reinforcements from Dunsinan Keep will get here the day after tomorrow.”

The Knight of the Ruby returned his wife’s embrace. “Yes, you’re right as always. What would I ever do without you Gabrielle?”

“Probably get yourself killed.” she smiled sweetly. “I also have something else to tell you too. I am with child.”

“Really?” he smiled and his whole face lit up with joy. “This is a joyous night!” Juliticus cupped Gabrielle’s chin and lifted her face to meet his lips and kissed her deeply and passionately on the lips.

“What shall we name the child?” Gabrielle asked.

Juliticus thought for a moment and responded. “How about Dende if it’s a boy and Shian if it’s a girl?”

“Those are wonderful names, worthy of the offspring of Juliticus Amaron.”

“This is one of the happiest nights of my life.” Juliticus sighed in content as he held his wife in his arms and stroked her waist-length silver hair.

“It could be made happier,” Gabrielle smiled softly and pulled Juliticus towards the bed. “Come now, let us sleep.”





Dalton and Eli were struggling through Drakken Woods slowly making their way back to Castle Amaron.

“Do you think we lost our friend back there?” Eli inquired.

“I’m not sure but stop talking and save your strength, rookie. We just might need it to get out of here alive.”

In the ambush Eli had sustained a broken leg and Dalton, a broken arm. Both of them regretted not going back to find Gerik’s body so that he might receive a proper burial, but it had been too dangerous. Also, Dalton had enough on his plate supporting Eli with his broken arm let a lone carrying the big man’s body too.

They trudged on their journey in silence until something that looked like living shadows flashed by in front of their path.

“What was that?” Eli sounded tense and frightened.

Before Dalton could answer something struck them both to the ground. Dalton scrambled to his feet and unsheathed his broadsword with his good arm at the same time. Eli on the other hand took longer to get to his feet. When he did manage to get to his feet and look around he saw Dalton battling the gargoyle that had attacked them earlier.

“Eli!” Dalton hollered as he flowed his body out of the way of one of the gargoyles punches. “Listen rookie, get to Castle Amaron and warn Lord Amaron! I’ll hold this bastard off.”

“But...” began Eli.

“Damn it rookie! Go, now!” Dalton bellowed.

“Yes, sir.” replied Eli. Dalton was his superior and had to obey him no matter how Eli felt about the situation. Then Eli, despite his broken leg, ran as best he could through the bush towards Castle Amaron.





The next morning Juliticus was standing on the battlements of Castle Amaron overlooking the happenings inside the castle courtyard. Gabrielle was at his side holding his hand.

Juliticus glanced up at the darkening sky. Black clouds had begun to gather overhead. “Looks like rain.” he commented.

“Yes, it does.” Gabrielle agreed. “But the farmers need it for their crops.” Gabrielle was wearing a white woolen cloak, underneath that she wore a long light blue dress that fit loosely on her body and was cut off just above her ankles.

Juliticus on the other hand was wearing the full body armour of the Avalonian Knights. The breastplate had various designs of dragons and flowers. It also had his birthstone, a ruby, embedded into the metal. His broadsword was sheathed in its scabbard hanging from his sword belt.

“Sometimes I wonder why we fight...” Juliticus said wistfully.

Gabrielle looked shocked. “We fight so that one day future generations won’t have to.”

“Yes, but it all seems so hopeless,” Juliticus sighed. “The Dark Prince’s forces and resources are limitless. I’m tired of fighting,” he paused for a moment then added. “Tired of killing needlessly. War only brings pain and suffering. I want it to end.”

“As do I but don’t lose heart my lord. One day this will end but only if we continue to fight against the evils of this world. We cannot give up hope for a future.” Gabrielle leaned over and rested her head on his arm. “I will be by your side in whatever you do.”

“That’s one of the reasons I love you so much,” Juliticus smiled gently then glanced to his right and saw a young Knight of the Aquamarine join them. “Yes ensign?”

“Sir!” the young man snapped to attention and gave the Knight’s Salute as was proper. “Eli Ordiano, Knight of the Emerald has returned from his mission with some rather disturbing news.”

“At ease soldier,” the young man relaxed. “Where is Eli now?”

“He’s in the infirmary.” he responded.

“Thank you ensign,” Juliticus nodded. “Dismissed.” the knight saluted again and went about his business.

“It looks like your fears might come true.” Gabrielle commented with less confidence then she felt.

“Yes, that is all I need right now.” he spoke with bitter sarcasm. Hand in hand they walked off the battlements towards the infirmary.





Eli had reached Castle Amaron at three in the morning and ever since then had been resting on a cot in the infirmary while healers tended to his broken leg and other wounds.

The journey had been one of the hardest Eli had ever taken. His leg had felt like it was on fire. His thoughts constantly wandered to Dalton and Gerik and what he could have done to save them. He wasn’t sure if Dalton was dead or not, his odds weren’t good. Branches had scraped his face and he had fallen more then once over logs and roots.

Eli was in rough shape and ached all over. He wished that the healer’s herbs would take effect soon.

“Ensign?” Eli heard a muddled voice and tried to form a face from the blob of colours that he saw standing in front of him. He closed his eyes, opened them again and everything came into focus once more.

“Yes, sir?” Eli said weakly. He now saw Juliticus and his wife, Gabrielle, standing before him in place of the blobs of colours.

“What happened to you?”

“Dalton, G-Gerik, and I were am-ambushed.” Eli struggled for breath and kept going. “Gerik never made it a-and I’m not sure about Dalton.”

Juliticus’ face contorted in sorrow at hearing this news. “This is most disturbing news. Pray, continue.”

“All the enemy encampments that we came across were ready for a full-scale invasion.”

“Are you saying that they’re going to attack the castle?” Gabrielle exclaimed.

Eli only nodded and said. “That is what I believe.”

“Thank you. Now you need your rest. We shall depart.” With that Juliticus and Gabrielle took their leave of him.





It had begun to rain while Juliticus had been in the infirmary and now he stepped outside with Gabrielle at his side. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head to keep out the rain.

“When do you think they’ll attack?” she spoke with more confidence then she felt.

“I don’t know.” the rain soaked through and wet Gabrielle’s hair anyways. The rain pasted the silver strands to the sides of her face. Her skin looked particularly white. “You look like a ghost. Maybe you should go inside.”

“No. I’m fine.” she assured him.

“Alright, I believe you,” just then Juliticus’ spotted his first officer, Doreen Kalabin, striding up to him. “What news?”

She approached and saluted. “Sir!” her face had a frightened expression on it. “The Dark Prince is outside the castle walls and he wants to talk to you!”

“What?! Serfius Magnus, himself, here?”

“Yes. He has a hostage with him too.”

“Who is it?”

“Dalton Strattlemier.”

“Well let’s go see him then,” Doreen led them up some stairs onto the battlements where Serfius Magnus was mounted and waiting just out of bowshot. Serfius had Dalton tied and bound beside him on foot. “I am Juliticus Amaron. I am the one you seek.”

“Ah, Lord Amaron. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” he hollered so as to be heard over the rain. Serfius was clad in jet-black armour and had a skull shaped helmet with horns coming out the sides.

“Let the man go!” Juliticus hollered back.

He ignored Juliticus’ plead. “Hmm... What shall I do with him? Burn him at the stake? Hang him upside down for a few years or simply decapitate him? He has been a pain in my side. Killed one of my gargoyles and sabotaged a few of my camps you know. I believe you sent him after me along with a few others,” Juliticus bit down on his lower lip drawing up a thin line of crimson blood. Gabrielle clung to his arm. “I think he shall be used as a reminder to all those who oppose me and I rather liked that last choice.” Serfius’ lips curled up in a vicious grin underneath his helmet. Slowly Serfius drew out his wickedly curved blade from its sheathe. He forced Dalton into a kneeling position, raised his sword and brought it screaming silently down upon Dalton’s neck severing his head from the rest of his body. The head rolled in the mud away from the body. The corpse fell forward almost immediately and lied still in the mud. Gabrielle looked away from the gruesome sight and buried her face in Juliticus’ arm.

“Don’t tell me that is the only reason why you came!” Juliticus shouted in anger and rage.

“No, it is not. I have come to give you a chance to surrender.” he said as he wiped the blood off of his sword on Dalton’s cloak.

“We will never surrender to you! We will fight you to the last, Serfius!”

“And to the last you will, Lord Amaron! You have until the sun sets to prepare for that is when I will attack!” his evil laughter echoed ominously off the castle walls. He turned an about face and rode off into the Drakken Woods, his evil laughter echoing after him.





Juliticus’ men had spent most of the day preparing for the oncoming attack. Sharpening arrows and swords, tending to the horses, and getting the boiling vats of tar ready to dump on intruders.

But now the time had come and the time for preparation had passed. By the time of the water clocks the sun was setting fast over the Drakken Woods. The weathered had cleared up for the most part of the day when they were preparing but it looked as if it would start raining again anytime soon.

The enemies had formed lines just outside of Drakken Woods and were ready to attack as soon as Serfius gave the order. There were siege engines, war hounds, and other monstrosities among Serfius’ ranks. Like-wise Juliticus’ men formed ranks on top of the castle battlements ready to repel intruders.

Juliticus was pacing the battlements. “Er... I wish me had more time to prepare. I could have done so much more!”

Gabrielle was at his side as always. She had changed into more suitable clothes for battle. “No, you could not of. We have been ready for a battle for a few months now since the siege began. There’s not much more we could have done.”

“Even so I wished he could have waited until tomorrow then our reinforcements would have arrived and we could have easily beaten him.”

“How can you be so sure? You don’t know the numbers of his army.”

“How many could he have hidden out there? The Drakken Woods are almost devoid of any game. How could he feed an army out there!? Besides I see his men lined up out there. There isn’t that many...”

“But that might not be the extent of his forces. He could be holding back.”

“I don’t believe he is.” Juliticus watched the enemy lines from the battlements. At least he better not be. I’m not sure with we can withstand that many men.

Serfius had one thousand men to Juliticus’ six hundred.

Juliticus spotted the jet-black armour of Serfius ride onto the battlefield to take his place in front of his men.

“Today Castle Amaron will fall! Forward to victory!” Serfius cried and gave the order to attack. He and his men surged forward like a black tidal wave of destruction.

“You should get to safety Gabrielle.”

“If they purge the castle walls then there will be no safe place within the castle,” she stated realistically. “No, I’m staying with you. Besides, I’m good with a quarter staff.” she patted her staff that she held in her hands.

“Okay, I understand.” he knew that Gabrielle wanted to help defend the castle and protect him with her life. “The enemy army is within range! Unleash hell!” he called orders to the archers on the battlements.

As soon as he gave the word the archers rained down death from above upon the enemy horde. The battle for Castle Amaron was now underway.

Juliticus and Gabrielle left the archers to their task and walked down the stairs to the main courtyard, there Doreen met them. “Sir! The enemy is attacking from the south as well!” Juliticus cursed under his breath. He had considered that possibility but hoped that it would not come to pass. The south wall was the most poorly defended.

“Send a third of the archers on the east wall to the south wall and prepare the footmen for breaches in the walls.”

Just then they heard a loud crash coming from the south wall. “They’re trying to break through!” Gabrielle cried.

“Go! Hurry!” Juliticus order and Doreen ran off to carry out his orders. There was a second thunderous crash.

By the time they had reached the wall the clouds had started to drizzle again and the scene was chaos. People were running every which way, footmen getting ready for the enemy to breach the wall. Another crash resounded through the air as Juliticus and Gabrielle sprinted to the south wall, this one louder then the other two. They heard cries that the enemy had breached the south wall. Whence they had reached the shattered wall the enemy army was pouring in through the rupture.

Juliticus unsheathed his broadsword and engaged an orc swordsman in battle. He easily parried the orc’s raised sword and counter-attacked with a thrust to the solar plexus. The sword slid between ribs and was forced out the other side. Juliticus placed a foot on the orc’s chest above where the sword entered and kicked the orc from off his sword. He whirled around just in time to see Gabrielle shove her quarterstaff into the nose of another orc effectively breaking his face.

Now the weather had worsened and the drizzle had become a down pour.

As the dust settled from the wall crumbling to the ground a figure in jet-black armour stepped over the debris. “Magnus!” Juliticus clenched his teeth. He stalked towards Serfius jabbing an orc in the neck and heaving the body out of his way. “I will destroy you!”

“Ha! You are welcome to try!” he said calling him on. The Dark Prince brandished his sword that he had used to decapitate Dalton.

Eyes blinded by rage, Juliticus charged Serfius with his sword rose high and brought it down upon the commander of the Gothic armies. Magnus easily raised his own sword to meet Juliticus’ for a while it was a power struggle between the two warriors. Each holding each other with their piercing gazes, each waiting for the other to give way first. With one mighty heave Serfius was able to throw Juliticus off balance. Serfius darted in for the kill and drove the blade towards Juliticus’ chest.

Before the blade struck, Juliticus saw a flash of white out of the corner of his eye and realized that it was Gabrielle’s cloak. She had gotten in the way of Serfius’ sword! He heard a tiny cry of pain escape her lips as the hot metal pierced her leather armour and protruded out her stomach. She was facing towards him and fell forwards into his arms. Juliticus caught her and slowly lowered her into the ground and turned her around so she was facing upwards.

“Gabrielle!” he cried out, tears swelling in his eyes.

“I’m sorry...,” her breath rasped in her lungs. She was deathly pale, the rain soaked her hair and it clung around her cheeks. She raised a ghostly white hand and touched his cheek. “That I was not able to bear our child my dear Juliticus.” She tried to say more but her voice failed her. Gabrielle’s body fell limp in the knight’s arms. Her crimson blood flowed from her wound and mingled oddly with the rain and mud underneath them.

Juliticus choked, tears streamed down his cheeks unchecked and mingled with the rain. He clutched her still form near his body and wept. Gabrielle would never again enjoy the feel of the sun as it caressed her cheeks. Never again would she laugh merrily, cuddle close against him on cold nights, or smell the sweet scent of a rose in bloom. Juliticus couldn’t describe the mix of emotions he felt. He felt unbearable sorrow but at the same time undeniable rage.

From that time on Juliticus vowed to fight. To fight forever, he did not care how long it took, to end the pain and suffering that war caused so many. To bring back lost loved ones is what everyone wants.