I've started this story so often I think I've lost focus on my original intent, but this is probably my best work of any I've written. I've not gotten to the 'burning' part just yet, I need some time away from the interwebs to concentrate if I ever want to finish it.
"The Burning of Ouster-Bronus"
The evening sun sank in the still October sky, casting the last of it's reddish-orange light across the dry farmlands and rolling hills of Ouster-Bronus. The calm waters of Lake Tersha reflected the late autumn sunset with mirror-like precision. Erames, the blue moon, was fully visible on the lake's unbroken surface. A handful of lustrous stars surrounded her like a company of eager suitors.
Despite the passing of summer weeks before, the weather was inexorably stiffling. Sweat ran off the grim faces of the half-hearted farmers in steady streams, disappearing instantly into the deprived soil. The wilted crops and sparse rainfall were promising to make the upcoming winter very harsh. Many of the struggling farmers could been seen at the end of the day, staring listlessly at their land, as if by doing so they could will it to flourish. With heavy sighs and even heavier hearts, the hard-working men and women would finally turn, softly cursing the traitorous vegetation, return home to eat a cheerless supper, then fall in to a dreamless sleep. Even the children sensed the uneasiness and worries their parents strived to disguise with weak laughter and forced smiles. But try as they might, the Falonian adults could not hide every sad glance passing from husband to wife, as a child, when asking for seconds, had to be turned down, nor could they hide the tight, guant look that too many parents began to aquire for the sake of their children's hunger. For a people who'd never worried before about where their next meal would come from, hard times were fast approaching. If a change did not occur soon, many inhabitants would not be around to see the inevitable winter. With their final good night hugs and kisses, children were sent to bed, more likely than not with growling tummies, followed shortly by the parents. Ouster-Bronus went to sleep.
Livestock shifted and lowed nervously in their overly warm barn-stalls, but soon fell quiet as shadows faded from the land. Even the wolves and wild cats of the forest ceased their mournful yowlings when Erames, as if responding to some unseen danger, drew back her light, and held it to her breast, refusing to shine from her place in the cloudless heavens. Silence raged in Ouster-Bronus.
The croaking of the marsh toads stilled, as did the repetative songs from the crickets and circada. Very few of the townfolk sensed any change, wrapped up in their own problems to wonder about the silent circada. As it was, only two people felt it strongly. A third would soon notice, but by then, she would be too late.
The first to notice, a cruel, dark wizard; evil to the core with a power surging around him as old as the hills themselves. He felt it the strongest, perhaps because he was one cause of it...
The second, a strong, young Lakvidian warrior; although unsure in his abilities, his unwillingness to back down left him exposed to the potent evil surrounding the once quaint little town. His mission, though his knowledge of it was vague at best, would change his life forever.
The third, a misguided and unfortunate woman; a pawn of the heartless mage, playing a game she didn't and couldn't understand. Decieved, trapped, she made a choice for which the repercusions demanded the price be paid for in blood...
"The Burning of Ouster-Bronus"
The evening sun sank in the still October sky, casting the last of it's reddish-orange light across the dry farmlands and rolling hills of Ouster-Bronus. The calm waters of Lake Tersha reflected the late autumn sunset with mirror-like precision. Erames, the blue moon, was fully visible on the lake's unbroken surface. A handful of lustrous stars surrounded her like a company of eager suitors.
Despite the passing of summer weeks before, the weather was inexorably stiffling. Sweat ran off the grim faces of the half-hearted farmers in steady streams, disappearing instantly into the deprived soil. The wilted crops and sparse rainfall were promising to make the upcoming winter very harsh. Many of the struggling farmers could been seen at the end of the day, staring listlessly at their land, as if by doing so they could will it to flourish. With heavy sighs and even heavier hearts, the hard-working men and women would finally turn, softly cursing the traitorous vegetation, return home to eat a cheerless supper, then fall in to a dreamless sleep. Even the children sensed the uneasiness and worries their parents strived to disguise with weak laughter and forced smiles. But try as they might, the Falonian adults could not hide every sad glance passing from husband to wife, as a child, when asking for seconds, had to be turned down, nor could they hide the tight, guant look that too many parents began to aquire for the sake of their children's hunger. For a people who'd never worried before about where their next meal would come from, hard times were fast approaching. If a change did not occur soon, many inhabitants would not be around to see the inevitable winter. With their final good night hugs and kisses, children were sent to bed, more likely than not with growling tummies, followed shortly by the parents. Ouster-Bronus went to sleep.
Livestock shifted and lowed nervously in their overly warm barn-stalls, but soon fell quiet as shadows faded from the land. Even the wolves and wild cats of the forest ceased their mournful yowlings when Erames, as if responding to some unseen danger, drew back her light, and held it to her breast, refusing to shine from her place in the cloudless heavens. Silence raged in Ouster-Bronus.
The croaking of the marsh toads stilled, as did the repetative songs from the crickets and circada. Very few of the townfolk sensed any change, wrapped up in their own problems to wonder about the silent circada. As it was, only two people felt it strongly. A third would soon notice, but by then, she would be too late.
The first to notice, a cruel, dark wizard; evil to the core with a power surging around him as old as the hills themselves. He felt it the strongest, perhaps because he was one cause of it...
The second, a strong, young Lakvidian warrior; although unsure in his abilities, his unwillingness to back down left him exposed to the potent evil surrounding the once quaint little town. His mission, though his knowledge of it was vague at best, would change his life forever.
The third, a misguided and unfortunate woman; a pawn of the heartless mage, playing a game she didn't and couldn't understand. Decieved, trapped, she made a choice for which the repercusions demanded the price be paid for in blood...
