The Lord of Oaks: Prologue
Being one of the Chronicles of Cyron
An icy wind howled through the cobbled streets of Northgaard. The frigid gale blew the thick blanket of snow covering the city into hefty banks against the tavern’s stone exterior where, inside, Talios the dark elf caroused with fellow travelers seeking refuge from the blizzard.
“Been to the castle yet?” the innkeeper asked Talios as he delivered a mug filled to the brim with frothy beer, as well as a warm hunk of brown bread and a steaming bowl of stew with a mouthwatering aroma wafting off its bubbling surface.
Talios nodded as he gratefully accepted the bounty from the man. “Aye. Seems there’s a village two days’ ride from here that’s been decimated by a witch. Apparently, several other Hunters have gone after her, only to disappear and never be heard from again. Same goes for the local Crusader garrison.”
“Ah, nasty business, that is,” the innkeeper mused, his usually cheerful demeanor replaced by grave earnestness. “Around here, they’ve taken to calling her the Witch of the Northern Wilds. Other villages out in the Wilds have felt her sting as well. People are starting to wonder what will happen if she’s not stopped. Some fear she’ll make it all the way here to the city.”
“Well, I’ll do my best to see that doesn’t happen. Your good Lord Arlynson has tasked me with putting an end to her.”
“You’re a skilled Hunter. You’ve never failed us Northern folk before.”
“And I certainly don’t intend to start now,” Talios reassured the man between mouthfuls of the hearty bread and stew. He washed the food down with an enthusiastic quaff of beer. “However, this witch sounds like quite the formidable adversary, which is why I’ve brought a friend with me.”
“A friend, eh? Where is he? And who, might I ask?” The innkeeper was mystified.
Talios smiled cagily. “You’ll meet him soon enough. He stayed behind at the castle to handle some diplomatic matters with Lord Arlynson. But he will join me here before the night is out.”
“I didn’t know you had any friends!” A young city guardsman named Edgar teased as he cheerfully clapped the dark elf on the back and sat down across from him. “What with you always brooding up here in the frozen North by yourself all the time.”
“You’d be surprised at some of the friends I’ve made over the years!” Talios rejoined. “Which reminds me: there’s one in particular who’s been on my mind quite a bit lately. A friend from many decades ago.”
“Oh? Do tell!” Edgar leaned in curiously.
“I suppose I have time enough to tell the tale,” the dark elf contemplated. His eyes swept over his fellow patrons as he raised his voice to ask, “Would you all like to hear a story?!”
The other tavern guests cheered enthusiastically. Talios was well known in the city, and the stories of his adventures were much loved.
“So be it! Now, have any of you heard the tale of Locke o’ the Wood, the greatest of all the Lords of Oaks?” Some nodded excitedly, while most shook their heads, enraptured by the mystery. “He lived many years ago in the Tanglewood, which is as far south as south goes in Lochven. A great man who performed many great deeds, his first involved a daring rescue and, of course, a damsel in distress…”
Author’s Note: This story, which takes place over multiple chapters, is inspired by
and their Sword & Saturday story prompt.Words so far: 560 out of somewhere between 10,000-20,000.
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A strong start to what will surely be another engaging story.