by Devin Savarel

Created on: November 11, 2008

"Hey Dakyron, so I hear you're goin' on a trip or something?" shouted Savarel as he ran down the narrow path leading toward the practice yard.

Dakyron smiled, one way or another Savarel always knew what was going on. The half-human, half-elf had a real knack for it. Maybe it was his mixed heritage that allowed him to notice things both an elf and a human would miss. Maybe it was the fact that by claiming he knew everything people seemed to go out of their way to prove otherwise, often by telling him information they shouldn't. Well, whatever it was he always knew more than he should.

The two of them had grown up together here at the royal palace. Dakyron's father being the king of the small but proud nation of Varka, they had a rather easy life. Unlike many children, they had never had to milk cows, or plow farms, or help run the family store. And Dakyron having an older brother to learn about how to run a kingdom meant that he and Savarel had plenty of time to pursue other interests, such as swordplay. This is what Dakyron had been doing when Savarel had come running down the path.

He and Savarel were about the same age, both being adolescents. They looked remarkably similar considering they were barely related, Dakyron's cousin having married Savarel's mother nearly thirty years ago. Even though Savarel's mother had been human, not to mention being a peasant, there had been little objection to the marriage. Life was good here in Varka, and the mood of the people reflected that. The northern barbarians, a constant threat during the reign of Dakyron's ancestors, had not bothered the people of this small mountain kingdom in some time.

"Dak! You gonna tell me where you're going or what?", Savarel said, interrupting Dakyron's thoughts.

"I'm practicing right now, I'll tell you later.", Dakyron replied.

"I'll join you then, and you can tell me now." Dakyron sighed. He hated practicing with his friend. Savarel, being half human, was taller and stronger than Dakyron, yet being half elven, he was almost as quick. This meant he always won. That would not have been so bad if he didn't always gloat about it.

"Come on, tell me and I'll let you win once." Savarel said as he picked out a wooden practice sword. "In fact, if you tell me now I'll let you beat me in front of Keira. Maybe then she'll listen when you talk instead of just staring at me."

Dakyron sighed again. His boasting was always annoying, but today it was especially irritating. Earlier that day he had spoken

• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 8
• Next Page >>