Prologue

"The City of Mysil, Capital Of Halfdirm Kingdom"

Year: 1205

People looked up towards the castle and discussed the fate of their home, fearing the worst.

The Mighty King Asldien Halfdirm, whose name once shook men in their boots was taking his final breaths, lying on his bed like a pile of bones.

There was regret in his eyes, for he had not given enough thought to succession in his lifetime. He had no children. Most of his wives were barren and others gave birth to Stillborns.

He believed he was cursed by the Gods for all the misery he brought upon people.

He conquered Kingdoms after Kingdoms and United them under the Mighty Halfdirm Kingdom, a creation of blood and steel.

Now all he wanted was to safeguard his Kingdom, he prayed to the gods.

"Don't let this kingdom fall, I beg of you" said the king to his councilmen.

"Rest assured my king, we will protect it with all our lives, you can rest now for you have done enough" said the Chief Advisor Davien, a man in his fifties, an old friend of the king.

"Is that so?" said the king with a sad smile as he closed his eyes never to be opened again. Bells started tolling throughout the city announcing the death of the king.

"The King, He's dead" shouted a boy running through the streets.

"God save us, it has begun" said a beggar in a grim voice as he limped towards the Castle.

Meanwhile at the castle;

"Goodbye old friend" whispered Davien. He knew that the fate of this kingdom was in his hands now, he couldn't trust anyone now.

Now that that the king is dead every kingdom on the continent would have it's eyes set on Halfdirm. Even the councilmen are hungry for the throne, he needed to do something quickly, before it was too late, before the rivers run red with blood.

"Chief Advisor Davien" said a voice from behind, Davien turned around to see a frail women, the wife of chancellor Albert Goldfin, the most powerful man in the kingdom after the king. His influence needed no introduction neither did his cruelty and greed.

"He was a great king, I can't even think of anyone else sitting on the throne other than him. " said the women with a heavy voice.

"Sure you can't" whispered Davien clenching his teeth. He had to make sure that Goldfin never laid his hands on the throne.

Suddenly a guard runs in "My lord, the city has been surrounded" he said gasping for breath.

"Surrounded???!!! What the hell are you talking about? By who?" shouted Davien

"We don't know, my lord. They carry no banners, they seem to be mercenaries. The West gate has already been overrun" said the guard.

Hundred of thoughts flooded Davien's mind. "How will I protect the kingdom now?" He thought to himself

"I think this situation calls for an early retirement, Chief Advisor" said a sinister voice from behind, in blink of an eye Davien feels a blade penetrating his back. His vision starts blurring as he falls to the ground.

Taking a last look at the figure, it was him, It was Goldfin. He stood grinning ear to ear with his wife as swords clashed in the background....

At the City Market:

Avalor, a blacksmith was closing his shop as he heard shouting and clashing of swords from the direction of city gates. Knowing fully well what it meant he grabbed a sword and ran straight towards his house, few streets away from the market.

His heart skipped a beat as he saw the door to his house open wide. He was in a state of panic now.

"Elena!!!, Where are y-" he stopped mid sentence as he saw his wife spread eagled on the floor, covered in blood.

Tears started welling up in his eyes, the women he loved all his life was lying lifeless on the floor, he was lost for words, he cursed the Gods as he lost control and fell down.

He wanted to die right at this spot, he had lost his will to live, but then...

He remembered his five months old son.

He sprang to his feet and ran to his room. and saw him lying in his cot, Avalor picked him up.

He was unconscious, with a blunt force wound on his head.

But thank the gods, he was alive.

As he looked around the room he saw another body there, with a knife stuck in the throat, it was a soldier.

Someone, probably his wife killed him to save her son.

He had a reason to live now, he had to make sure his son survived. He quickly grabbed eveything he could take and put it in a bag.

Then he looked at his wife, he did not have enough time to give her a proper burial, the shouts were getting closer now, "I'm sorry Elena, I have no choice" he clenched his jaw and ran out without looking back.

The streets were now full of soldiers fighting for their lives, he ran with all his strength avoiding swinging steel with the breadth of a hair.

He reached the Eastern Gate, gasping for air. Luckily there was no one at the gates, it looked abandoned and there was a horse in the stables.

"The gods are with us" whispered Avalon as he ran towards the horse.

He quickly saddled the horse and mounted it.

"Hey, that one is trying to run, catch him you fools" a large man shouted to some soldiers while pointing at Avalor

Wasting no time Avalor spurred the horse. A soldier tried to get in his way, but Avalor knew how to swing blade. He beheaded the solder in a single clean hit.

He was out of the gates now, his son was alive. There was still a hope for his future. Avalor sighed with releif.

"Your son lives Elena, you can rest in peace now" whispered Avalor with a heavy heart. As he rode off towards the mountains never looking back....

He had left this damned city behind and vowed never to comeback.

Though destiny had some other plans for his child......

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