The Realm of Austur Episode 1: A New Light

Silver groaned as she rose to her feet. Oh, my head... That will leave a mark.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you to watch where you're going?" She chides the stranger.

As her vision clears, she blinks. Is that... A cat on that tree over there?

The angry shouting from behind grows louder, and Silver curses underneath her breath. "Well, it looks like our 'guests' will soon catch up."

Oh, confound it all... She might be able to outrun the bandits still, but the children don't have the stamina she does... And who the heck knows if this stranger has any at all. Besides, she'd just be leading the bandits straight home anyway... And that's something she can't allow. If she delayed the bandits somehow, she might be able to lead the children to Gorgath before the bandits caught up again... A controlled forest fire ought to do the trick. But... Would Master be okay with that? She can't exactly leave them out here to die, that goes against her nature... Forgive me father...

"You all better stand back!!" Silver warns her new 'friends', as she shifts into her dragon form, loosing a sky shaking roar. The bandits pause, wide eyed with fear, and as soon as the children scatter out of the way, she unleashes a powerful blast of condensed flame at the bandits.

"Why am I always the center of trouble?" Serlen mutters to himself.
He notices the man looking at him and feels a shiver run down his spine.

"Uh, can I help you?" He raises a brow.

He can feel Shalla elbowing him in the side, but ignores it.

"I really want to get back to Begonia... Serlen thinks.

"Hey wait!" Serlen yells after the dragon woman.

Don't think you're getting away...

He wastes no time in grabbing Shalla"s hand and sprinting in her direction.

"First off I did use my own flames" Baron shouted your flames just made it easier to manifest my own flames. He was about to say and who are you calling a mortal but before he could say anything his loyal guardian Sam came up and said "Probably wouldn't be a good idea to reveal your special gift just yet"

Things are already pretty tense as it is can you imagine going up to those strangers and say "high nice to meet you My name is Baron oh and I happen to be part vampire and I don't even know if the person responsible for giving me my powers is alive"

Yes I guess I can see your point. As he went to go check on everyone he noticed the dragon already left and the kids were chasing her.

As Baron and Sam were trying to figure out what to do Catie fold Baron something interesting "I noticed even after you and her destroyed the bandits she had a look of concern". Like something was still bothering her"

"I couldn't make out much but it sounded like she was conncerned about her master" You know how I would feel if anything happened to you master I mean Mr. Baron"

First off Catie you know how I feel about you calling me master. Second off you have a good point you said it yourself earlier today "That's why  we go on a journey to help those in need"

Before they took off Sam said to Baron with a concerned tone" In less than a few moments of meeting this group of strangers you got tackled by a dragon, chased by a group of bandits, and even got yelled at by her, and you want to chase after her" After he was done speaking he noticed Baron and Catie talking and then he just said to himself " sometimes I wonder why I even bother".

Baron glanced at his guardian and said "are you done with your nagging yet Whiskers?" After him and Sam were done arguing amongst themselves. He turned his attention towards Catie and "Asked were you able to locate there scent?"

"Yup!" she replied

Then Baron called after Sam " you coming or are you going to stay behind and be left all alone whiskers?"

With that Baron and Catie took off in the direction of the strangers. "Got to catch up with them at least I can do is heal that young ladies injury" She did kind of save us and that bruise does look pretty bad. Good thing I make sure to carry extra potions with me"

       Sam running after them thought to himself " great just great first sign of danger and he rushes right towards it thank the gods I have 9 lives I need with him". While chasing down Baron Sam thought "At least he admitted he was lost after all and who knows maybe these strangers can help us out"

Silver still isn't so sure about this. As such, she still glares at them. Wait a moment... How do they know about the journal and her master? Oh, crap... She accidentally let that slip, didn't she... She is so dead now.

"Listen," she replies cautiously. "Serlen, or whatever your name is... I'm not trying to be mean. But there's a lot I can't explain. My master... Well, he isn't the most sociable of people. And his home, my home... We can't allow outsiders in. I appreciate you wanting to help but..."

Actually... She doesn't really know where the journal is, and extra hands would certainly help... Silver takes a deep, calming breath. "Alright... Maybe we did start off on the wrong boot. My name is Silver. I'm looking for a journal those bandits stole. It's very important. If you could help me find it, I'll be in your debt."

Silver can't help but laugh at the youth's claim. "I'm sorry, but did you just call yourself an Emperor? Look boy, I'm not trying to offend you, but you're barely old enough to shave. And you think you're old enough to rule an entire people? Let me give you a brief lesson in reality, young Serlen. Even if it's true, even if you're the youngest ruler in the history of your homeland, that doesn't mean squat here. You're a long way from home. What exactly do you think you're Emperor of? Land? Your land is a long way away. No, an Emperor is nothing without his people. And somehow I don't think anyone will even know your name if you asked around any city. You have no title here, Serlen. Here you are just another boy."

Silver leaps from the tree branch, her wings briefly extending, and she lands right in front of the shocked youth. "A word of advice, Serlen, simply because you seem like a nice boy. Try to humble yourself. You're in a land full of powers you couldn't possibly comprehend. This so called 'Dragon God' you fought? Pa-lease. I could probably eat him for breakfast. And I look like a helpless kitten before my master. If you do have the honor to meet my master, and you call yourself 'Emperor Serlen' in front of him, you won't live very long."

Silver pauses her tirade and takes a deep breath. "Look, I'm really not trying to offend you. I wouldn't even have said anything if I didn't think you had potential. But it's the truth."

She then looks back towards the bandit encampment, where the miniature forest fire is slowly dying down. Small jets of black mist are gradually oozing from the ground in various places, containing and controlling the flames. "As for your earlier question... See that? That's one of the many magical defense systems my master created. The fire won't get very far. I wouldn't have used my flames in the first place if there was a possibility of a real forest fire. And I haven't seen the journal per say, I just know it's somewhere in the bandit camp. Probably in the Leader's tent."

She's about to head back to the camp, when the stranger she literally ran into before calls out for her to wait. Silver sighs. What now?

Finally I caught up to them as he closes in to the group of strangers. Since Baron was the first to arrive he went to the strangers and said "names Baron pant pant hold up one moment didn't know we were playing tag in the woods"

As Baron took his time to catch his breath and noticed no one was looking to run away he gathered his thoughts and was finally able to say. "Hello young lady, young man, and miss dragon my name is Baron and I never got a chance to explain that I am a traveler who always try to discover new things and goes where the winds take him.

Just then Sam which appears to be a normal black cat with white spots here and there appered. By traveler who goes where the wind takes him he means he has absolutely zero sense of direction " said Sam as he finally got close to Baron.

Sam then addresses the group my name is "Samuel Freeman and me and him are partners that have been together our entire life."

Finally a young lady who appears to be 19 appeared she has long pink hair with pointed ears she wears a sky blue skirt with basic leather armor over top of it, she also happens to have her tail wrapped around her like a belt. She has a raipor by her side which Baron gave her and trained her on how to use so she could defend herself. Finally there is beautiful necklace around her neck with a glowing blue stone.

"Master I mean Mr. Baron are they about to take off again I need to sit down for a bit" said an exhausted Catie

Come here as he waved her over "there not running this time so come introduce yourself to them."

A very timid Catie came up to the strangers and said "high nice to meet you my name is Catie"

"I noticed your head is still red here take this" as he took out the potion and tossed towards the dragon. "Don't worry it's a normal potion meant to take care of minor injuries and help fight fatigue."

"You did save us from a group of angry bandits its the least I can do." Baron told them very highly skeptical dragon. Don't worry got plenty for you two love birds he turned towards a very embarrassed young boy and girl.

So what's the deal with everyone as I mentioned earlier "I am a traveler always looking for the next adventure stated Baron.

"Those adventures of yours usually end up with me and Catie almost getting killed because we are lost for days or you happen to wander into someplace we don't belong" Sam made sure to add a little bit of attitude with that last word

"But we have plenty of good times too like remember if it wasn't for him" as Catie was saying that her eyes began to tear up

"It's OK I will take this from here" said Baron

You see when I first met Catie she wasn't exactly what you see now in fact she appeared to be a large wolf. Before I go any further let me explain Catie's tribe is a rare group of people by focusing there energy on that stone (as he pointed towards the necklace) they can assume the form of a wolf

"As I was saying these group of bandits had her locked up in a cage. There tauting and teasing this poor wolf. Me and Sam happen to be passing through when we noticed the commotion. I tried to reason with them maybe make a trade or give them gold in exchange for her freedom they brandish there weapons and said get lost if you know what's good for you and long story short I taught them a lesson they wouldn't soon forget as they were barely able to stand. When I went to unlock the cage Catie was scared and afraid but I assured her it was OK you can leave now."

"Imagine my surprise when this young lady walked out instead" said Baron. "Yeah his face was never so red before" said Sam while he was smirking.

Just then Catie after calming down stated that "I was alone and confused I was with my tribe when these bad men caught me in one of there traps. Mr.Baron said I can go with him til we find my tribe after he rescued me"

Catie went on to countinue after travelling around with Baron for quite some time "we did eventually find my people but but but Catie couldn't finish before she was breaking down in tears."

"Shh it's okay Catie I can take it from here" as he went over and pulled Catie into a tight embrace.

We found her people but it was too late to save them it looked liked Bandits or slave traders reached them first. The blood was everywhere, the stench and the scene of death and destruction Catie was a mess and all she could do was cry and she kept on saying I am alone my family and friends are all dead there is nobody left as teares were flowing down her white cheeks.

"I made a promise to her that day" said Baron as he went to remove his gauntlet and glove to reveal the scar on his right hand where he cut himself on that fateful fay. "I made a blood oath to always be there for her, that me and Sam would be her family and we would be there for her and that she would never be alone and that we would be her brothers and you can stay with us as long as you like"

She was still  crying but that seem to bring a smile to her face and she just got closer to me laid her head in my chest and very quietly said "thank you"

That's why when she told me how there was a look of concern on your face over your master I was determined to go with you and explain the situation. So that way you are not alone and you would someone around to be there for you. "I can see the sadness and anxiety written all over your face and like it or not I am coming with you so I can explain myself to your master. It looked like she wanted to object but Sam quickly told her " Once his mind is made up there is no changing it"

Besides we are hopelessly lost and any assistance you, that young couple, or your master can give us would be most appreciated.

Finally Catie with tears in her eyes said "We want to help that's how big brother has always been he wants to help those that need help he wants to protect those in can't protect themselves"

Serlen remained undaunted by the display of power.
He made his way past the tree and towards the bandits tent.
He threw off the cover to reveal a book of sorts.
Fighting the temptation to open it he exited the tent and made his way over to the dragon.

"I assume this is the book you're looking for? Found it under the covers."
He said cooly.

"Oh that's it alright," Silver replies grimly, taking the journal from the youth. "This accursed thing shouldn't be allowed to exist." Silver promptly incinerates the journal, letting the ash fall to the forest floor. She then turns to Baron and nods. "Follow me then. But I expect you to be true to your word."

Without another word, Silver starts the trek back home. On several occasions, she's very tempted to transform into a dragon and simply fly away. Now that the journal is no more, the band of fools following her would have no chance to find Gorgath. But she doesn't. That would be breaking her word, and that's not the kind of woman she is. For better or worse, there's nothing left to do but take them to meet master. The trek to the mountain city is brief. Silver halts the group right in front of the rock face. She presses her hand against the cool mountain stone, and immediately, the stone glows a bright golden. A jagged doorway forms, as a large stone slab slides aside with a deafening sound like thunder. She ushers the others in first, then walks in behind them and closes the portal.

"Welcome to the legendary city of Gorgath," Silver says, motioning to the vast city below. The group now stands on a wide stone balcony, with a single stone stairway leading down to the city below. The city is gargantuan, built of stone, marble, aged steel, and even gold. But perhaps the most breathtaking sight is the massive palace of gold and silver, visible even from here.