Chapter 1)
Deacon was helping his older brother Leon mend the fence around his family’s farm. A small home among a little village called Seaside with the sea to the east and great mountains to the west. In a country called Ruthenya It was a peaceful and prosperous land there as no war. The chieftains all lived by a truce set down since the dark times when the lands were overwhelmed by war and hate a time of great suffering. That was over two thousand years ago. They still tell the story’s of it on the full moon gathering like the one happening tonight. That is why Deacon can’t stop thinking about the story’s he loved to learn any new thing he could.
“What time do you think the gathering will start Leon?” Deacon asked.
“Soon Little brother soon it’s nearly dark. Now please hold this timber so I may tie it down. Father will have our hides if we do not have this done before nightfall.” Leon replied.
Deacon just turned thirteen this month so this full moon gathering would be special he thought his first one as a man. At least in the old times he would be a man now. From the stories told of the old times when a boy turned thirteen his training started to become a warrior. But it’s not like that anymore there are not any warriors. There are wardens that keep the peace and punish people who break the law. There are cities to the north with small armies, but they are just to keep the peace as well.
“Done” Finally! We should go get changed and cleaned up for the gathering Deacon.” Leon exclaimed.
“Ok.” Deacon replied. He thought that Leon looked even more excited about the full moon gathering then he did. No doubt he was eager to see the Sadara young women he has been courting for almost a year now. They will be married soon.
We walked in to our cottage together. It was a small home with two rooms and a main outer room. The walls were timber, the roof was grass, and the floor was dirt but it was home and they were happy. Mother was standing in the main room listening to father speak of a rumor that he head from the peeks by the sea people were claiming to see hundreds of ships big enough to carry hundreds of men each.
Mother saw us and said,” Hurry up and get cleaned up the sun is down and the gathering is starting.” Then she turned to father and said” it must just be wild rumors.” But Deacon thought he saw fear in her and his father’s eyes.
Deacon was the last to leave for the gathering his parents and Leon had already left. He was only interested in the stories and they did not start late so he was in no hurry. He was walking towards the main village where the gathering was held still a good ways off enjoying the moonlit night when he heard a loud horn in the distance on the other side of the village.
Deacon’s mind could not register what was happening. He heard men, women, and children screaming. The next thing he knew he was running towards the village he had never ran so fast in his life. Then when the village was just in sight a strong hand grabbed him and pulled him down to the ground and griped a powerful hand over his mouth, Deacon struggled mightily but to no prevail.
“Be still and quiet yourself boy.” A man said as he removed his hand from Deacon’s mouth.
“But I have to help my family and the others.” Deacon pleaded.
“And just what are you going to do boy there are thousands of them. They will kill or enslave them all. The women should pray to the ancestors to be killed for it will be far worse for them. The same has already happened in the cities to the north. The nobles, their families, and some others got away. They are fleeing to the moutons and to the south.” The man said.
“But I must help them.” Deacon cried.
“No boy your family would want you to live now come we must leave. My name is Armos.” He said.
Armos pulled Deacon back and whistled. Two horses came running up he threw Deacon into the saddle of one of the mounted animals and mounted the other he took the leads to the horse Deacon was on and road away south west towards the great moutons leaving Deacon’s family and village everything he knew behind.
They road all night and the next day neither saying anything to each other. Armos was a tall muscular man he had a scar on his left cheek, a graying beard, and green eyes. He carried a sword at his left hip and another across his back he also had a long knife on his waist. He looked like what Deacon pictured in his mind of a warrior from the stories of old.
“We will make camp here tonight. Tomorrow we reach my village.” Armos said.
“I did not know that there were villages in the moutons.” Deacon said.
“What’s your name boy?” Armos asked.
“My name is Deacon.” He replied.
“Well Deacon you would not have. There are four villages like mine. We still live by the old ways.”
“What do you mean the old ways?” Deacon asked.
“I mean the way of the warriors.” Armos replied.
Deacon was quiet for a moment deep in his on dark thoughts thinking about his family, the invaders, and how much he hated that he could not do anything. Deacon wanted revenge.
“Will you train me to be a warrior? “Deacon asked. “I am thirteen and of the age to start my training. I promise if you teach me I will do whatever it takes until my last breath if I must to destroy the invaders who have plagued Ruthenya. I swear it in my blood to the ancestors.” He said.
Armos appraised him for a long time. Deacon saw hope and a slight glimmer of fear in his eyes that he did not quit understand. Then Armos gave a single nod and said. “I will train you. We must rest now young Deacon tomorrow you start your training.”
They woke at sunrise and broke camp. They arrived at the village by mid morning. The walls were stone and at least a hundred feet tall with archers on the top. A horn blew three times when we came into their sights then twice more when we got closer. A large wooden gate opened and we entered. It was unlike anything Deacon had ever dreamed of there were huge buildings most made of stone and some of fine wood. There were armed fierce looking men everywhere. He saw a training ground in the distance with young men training with swords, bows, and other weapons.
They dismounted their horses a man took them to the stables. A women ran up and kissed and embraced Armos after they parted each other the women said. “It’s good to have our chieftain home. You must not leave like that without your bodyguards. I have been beside myself with worry.” She stopped speaking when she noticed Deacon standing next to Armos. Deacon was thunderstruck to learn that the chieftain of this great village had saved his life.
“And just who might this young man be?” The women asked.
“This is Deacon.” Armos answered.
“Deacon this is my wife Eldora.” Armos muttered.
“Well it’s very nice to meet you Deacon.” Eldora said.
“It is nice to meet you as well.” Deacon replied with a bow. Then he turned to Armos an asked. “When can I start my training?”
Armos did not seem surprised by the question and answered. “Now if you would like Deacon.” Armos waved a man standing nearby over. “This is one of my captains. He oversees the training of new warriors; I place you in his very capable hands but I warn the training is brutal.”
“I’m prepared.” Deacon said without hesitation.
“Very well Captain Rayo he is all yours train him well.” Armos said


(Chapter 2)
As the years past Deacon trained hard and learned fast. He trained longer and harder than anyone else. Ten years had passed since he began and now no one in the village could match him. Deacon lived with Armos and Eldora. They became his family. Eldora could not have children so she thought of him and treated him like her son. Deacon came to love her as a mother as well. But he never forgot his real family or what he swore to the ancestors to do.
Tonight was the full moon gathering of his twenty third years. Tonight he became a full warrior. For some reason the full moon gathering was different tonight. The chieftains and the best warriors from the other three villages that fallow the old ways were coming to this full moon gathering. Deacon had no idea why. He had never seen anyone from the other villages but he was too busy training to care. Deacon really did not care about much else other than training. He was ready to take his vengeance and after tonight he would be free to leave the village and do so.
The invaders had occupied the cities and villages the people they did not kill they made slaves. The invaders called themselves the Serpent Order. Deacon thought that the first thing he would do when he left tomorrow would be to try and free as many slave as he could. Then he would kill every last person in the Serpent Order.
Deacon came out of his dark thoughts and realized it was dark and the full moon gathering had begun. He wore his finest armor and black hooded cloak. He also wore a short sword over his shoulder and a long knife at his waist. Armos told him not to where a sword at his hip tonight. He had no idea why.
Deacon started down the stairs and found Eldora waiting at the bottom for him. She had tears in her eyes. He embraced her in a hug not sure why she looked so worried.
“What is it? What’s wrong mother?” Deacon asked.
Eldora stepped back with a small sob then she composed herself a little. She pulled the aura of authority around her that she commanded as the chieftain’s wife. She smiled and said in a said voice. “That’s the first time you have ever called me mother.”
Deacon did not even realize he called her mother but it was no surprise to him he loved her like she was his mother.” Maybe not by blood but by love and sprit you are my mother Eldora.” Deacon said
A tear ran down her cheek. “Thank you Deacon my son.” She whispered.
“Tonight is a special night you can’t fade away into the shadows like you always do, at full moon gatherings. I know that full moon gatherings bring back dark memories for you. You must stand by Armos tonight. Tonight you will learn something about yourself, now let us be off the other chieftains will be here any moment.” Eldora said.
Deacon did as Eldora told him to do he stayed close to Armos but he still wore his hood up and faded into the shadows behind Armos’s throne. He was puzzled as to why Armos would want him near his side at this full moon gathering. There were a lot more people gathered then usual. Normally Eldora would be trying to talk Deacon into dancing with the young women gathered. He never did he was not interested in dancing he would rather be training. Lots of women tried to catch his eyes over the years but he fond no interest in any of them. Especially on full moon nights they just reminded him of the suffering his people and family went and are still going through.
The gathering was held in the great hall. It had a hole in the stone ceiling so that when the moon reached its highest point it shined through down to a stone alter with ancient symbols written all over it. There was lots of food of every sort. People were eating and chatting among themselves. Eldora set next to Armos at the head of the main table speaking in a whispered tone to Armos. Then all of a sudden the room started to fall silent. Eldora glanced back over her shoulder to look at Deacon for a brief moment with a worried look in her eyes. There was some thing else in her eyes as well a glint of pride.
Deacon then realized why the room had fallen silent the other chieftains and there warriors were entering the great hall. The first was a older man with a long white beard and a wolf fur cloak over his shoulders he had three warriors with him all wearing wolf fur cloaks with there hoods pulled up. The next was the biggest man Deacon had ever seen Deacon was tall and muscular but this man was huge. He had long black hair, penetrating blue eyes, and he wore a fierce scowl on his face. He also had three warriors with him all with the same long black hair and blue eyes. The warriors looked to be just slightly older the Deacon. The third was a short middle age man with short gray hair he wore a bright smile on his face. His three warriors were not smiling they looked ready to kill on a moments notice their eyes never settling on one thin but taking in everything.
Deacon wondered about the warriors with the wolf fur clocks he could not see their faces because they had their hoods up. One was smaller than the other two. The way the smaller warrior hung back by the shadows reminded Deacon of himself. The warrior also looked like he had no interest in being here.

Alaysa stood behind her father after they entered the great hall of Armos’s village. This was suppose to be some kind of special full moon gathering. She did not know what was going on but she could care less she was ready to strike agents the Serpent Order not party. This was the first time the four village chieftains had all been tighter in one place since before she was born and she was almost twenty four years old. She was the only women warrior of her village or any other village for that matter. Her father was the chieftain of her village so he allowed her to train to be a warrior. Now she was the best in her village and most likely the best in the others as well.
Alaysa glanced around from the under the shadows of her hood. The gathering was festive there were lots of people gathered and they all seemed in good sprits. Everyone had gone quiet when we entered the great hall. Now they were all waiting on Armos to greet the new arrivals.
Armos stood and said. “Welcome to my village.” He bowed to my father then the other chieftains said. “Welcome Sir Geron, Sir Jayra, and Sir Robert.” My father and the others all bowed and thanked him. Then we were all seated at the main table.
Alaysa sat next to her father to her left and a young noble women to her right from one of the fallen cities to the north to her left. She was a pretty girl with long blond hair and light green eyes. She must have been about same age as Alaysa maybe a little younger. Everyone started to make small talk and people began to dance and sing. Alaysa left her hood up to try and avoid conversation. She glanced at Armos as he spoke in whispered tones to my father and the other chieftains. Armos was a strong looking man with a short cut beard and a scar on his left cheek. Beside him sat his wife Eldora she was very beautiful for her age with long straight silver hair and light blue eyes that were kind of wet an sad but they also had a hint of hope and a bit of pride in them.
There was also someone else standing behind Armos in the shadows wearing a long black cloak with the hood pulled up. She could not tell who the person was or what they looked like so that only made her more interested. Alaysa’s hood must have slipped back enough for the young women to her left to notice that she was a female warrior and who she was staring at because she said. “That’s Deacon.”
Alaysa pulled her hood down to look at the young women who had just spoken to her and asked. “What did you say?”
“That man you are staring at that’s Deacon.” She said.
“I am Alaysa. And you are?” Alaysa muttered.
“My name is Layna.” She answered.
“So Layna why does Deacon stay in the shadows like that?” She asked.
“He always does I don’t think he likes full moon gatherings. I think that he would rather be training. He is a very fine looking man all the women try to catch his eye. He is kind to them but shows no interest. I have even tried myself to get his attention.” Layna replied
Alaysa could tell by the longing in her eyes that Layna had a lot of interest in this Deacon person. As a matter of fact looking around the room most of the young women were staring at the shadow of a man behind Armos. It made Alaysa interested in him any man that would rather train then enjoy a gathering or the charms of a women was a strange thing to her. She found herself staring at him. She tore her eyes away to find Eldora watching her. Eldora glanced back at Deacon then back at Alaysa and smiled.
Alaysa looked at Layna and asked. “Is he Armos and Eldora’s son?”
A sad look crossed Layna’s face and she shook her head. Then she said. “No Armos and Eldora can’t have children but Deacon is as good as their son. He was not born of this village or any of the four villages that follow the old ways.”
This surprised Alaysa. “So he is a noble that fled the cities like you and your family?” She asked.
Layna let out a soft laugh. “No he is from a small village called Seaside. He’s not a noble I think he was from a farming family. I think that might be why he does no like full moon gatherings. Ten years ago the Serpent Order attacked his village and killed his family. Armos found him and brought him back here. From the first day that he arrived he has been training to be a warrior. He’s the best fighter in the village now. Tonight is his twenty third year full moon gathering.”
Alaysa was thunderstruck no wonder he didn’t like full moon gatherings. It amazed her that Armos and Eldora had taken him in just a peasant boy from a small village. She looked back to the head of table an glanced at Deacon the shadowed figure behind Armos and saw him in a completely new light. Eldora caught her eye aging she had a bright smile on her face. Eldora glanced at the dance floor then looked back at Alaysa. Eldora leaned over and whispered something my father and Armos. They both smiled and nodded at whatever she said to them. Eldora glanced over her shoulder at Deacon and waved him forward.
Deacon stepped forward and leaned down to Eldora. She spoke something into his ear. Deacon straitened and gave Eldora a slight nod or Alaysa guessed it was a nod he still had his hood pulled up over his head. Deacon reached up and pulled his hood back and untied his cloak at the neck slipped it off and laid it over a chair. Alaysa’s breath caught and she feat her eyes go wide. He was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. He had sandy blond hair, dark brown eyes, and a smooth square jaw. Deacon was wearing a skin tight leather chest and back plate that fit his form perfectly. His right arm was covered in silver chain mail his left arm was bare. His muscles glistened in the torch light. He had on black leather pants and black boots. Deacon wore a short sword over his shoulder and a long knife at his waist. Deacon looked very noble to her.
When his eyes locked on hers, it made her gasp. It was like he was gazing into her soul. Alaysa felt her ears burning so she composed herself.
Eldora stood and clapped her hands twice. Everyone fell silent. She spoke with quiet command. “Please clear the dance floor. We have 2 great warriors here tonight, both are the best of their villages. We have Alaysa and we have Deacon. I think a battle dance is in order. The ancestors know Deacon would rather be doing something with a weapon in his hand rather than enjoying a party and Sir Giron says the same for his daughter. So, shall we have a show?”
Alaysa looked to her father and he nodded his approval. So she stood and removed her fur mantle. She did not want to embarrass Deacon by beating him too badly, so she figured she would take it easy on him. As she made her way around the tables to get to the center floor, someone lightly grabbed her arm. She looked back and recognized the man who had touched her arm from when he sometimes visited her village. He was the head training captain here at this village.
He spoke softly, “I have seen you train and I have seen Deacon train. Do not underestimate him. He will not go easy on you because you are a woman. Or for any other reason. Bring your best because he always does.”
Alaysa was amused by his lack of confidence in her, but she took his advice and kindly thanked him for it. She made it to the center of the main hall floor just as Deacon appeared. Alaysa wore her golden chain mail armor with a leather chest and back plate, two short swords across her back, and a long knife ate her waist. She bowed to Deacon and pulled one short sword and her long knife free from their holders. She held her sword in her right, ad her knife in her left. Deacon bowed and pulled his short sword. He closed his eyes for a moment then when he opened them Alaysa almost took a step back. The intensity in his eyes was so overwhelming she had to remind herself to breath. She had never seen anyone with a look so deadly in her entire life. Alaysa now new that the captain was not boosting she would have to bring her best.
Deacon spoke for the first time to her his voice was soft and deadly at the same time. “If you would prefer to use your other sword instead of your long knife please fill free to do so.”
He did not speak with arrogance or disrespect but on the contrary it was a solam respectful comment. It made her blood boil that he would assume she would need both of her swords to defeat him.
“This will do fine thank you.” Alaysa replied in a hard voice.
“Begin!” Armos said in a loud commanding tone.
Alaysa did not hesitate she was going for blood. She swung her sword and lunged with her knife at the same time only to find empty air. Somehow with more grace and speed than she thought possible Deacon whirled around behind her and taped her on the left shoulder with his blade. In just one move he had her she could not believe it. Alaysa spun in a rage unlike any she had ever felt she was not use to losing. Deacon was just standing there behind her waiting sword raised ready for battle.
“Again?” Deacon asked in a quiet calm voice.
Alaysa sheathed her long knife and pulled free her second sword. She would not let him get the best of her again Alaysa thought. Deacon swung his sword to her right but just as she went to block he spun around and went to her left. It took every thing Alaysa had to block his blade. She lunged at him only to find air where ever her blade landed he was already gone. Deacon moved like shadow. Alaysa tuned and ducked under his blade she thought she had him but the next thing she knew he was behind her again and he taped her on there shoulder with his blade. Alaysa came around in a hurry not even giving him a chance to gloat. She was deter mend to show him she was no novice fighter. But to her surprise he was prepared. Deacon quickly knocked the sword in her left hand to the ground. Alaysa tried to fight him off with the sword in her right hand. Deacon knocked it away just as quickly. Alaysa was not ready to submit so she pulled her long knife and lunged. Deacon simply side stepped and pushed her away. Then Deacon did something she did not expect he sheathed his sword and pulled free his long knife. Alaysa new that she had him now no one was better with a knife than her. She learned fast that she was wrong. Alaysa went to slice at his middle he did a back flip and on his way around his boot caught her hand and knocked her knife free. Deacon then swept her feet out from under her. Then out of no where he was on top of her with his blade at her neck.
“Do you submit?” Deacon asked.
“Yes.” Alaysa answered in a bitter tone.
Alaysa could not help but to realize that his entire body was pressed against hers and she could not say that she did not like it. To her Deacon felt hard and gentle at the same time. Then as her mind raced it ended to soon as he stood. Deacon walked around the main floor and picked up her weapons then held a hand out to give her a hand up. Alaysa accepted the hand and retrieved her weapons from him. Deacon gave her a small tight smile and bowed to her then walked back to the head of the table pulled his cloak back over himself and faded into the shadows.
The crowed erupted into wild cheers and praise. As she walked back to her seat she realized that most of the praise was for her. Alaysa did not understand why people were praising her after she just lost so badly. As she sat she leaned over and asked Layna why. Her answer was a moment in coming like she was trying to think of how to phrase it properly. “Because no one has ever lasted that long against Deacon before.” she whispered.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 21.01.2011

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