SHORT FICTION
Imaginative, fictional stories written by UPHS students!
If you have any you would like to submit, please send them via email to: [email protected]
If you have any you would like to submit, please send them via email to: [email protected]
Only Five Nights: Part One
By Anonymous
“Make sure you unpack all of your stuff.”, mom really never got any information out of me, but then again, I really didn’t tell her about the interview.
“Can’t, going to work”, I said as I made my way out of the door. I had never told her about my job it’s a good paying job I saw in the newspaper the other day, but I was the only applicant.
“Wait, I never said you could get a job!”, I ignored her as I made my way to the car and soon to my newfound job.
My hands were shaking as I arrived on the site being the first thing I saw was a big, rustic brown bear waving upon the parking lot as if it were greeting a good friend into their house, but no part of the building felt welcoming. I made my way through the alley as only the moon and a single strobing porchlight was there to help me. As I reach the back of the building, I spot a door that read “security room”. The building was still under construction, but the owners insisted on the furnishings to be placed and electrical systems to be installed first. As I pushed the door open, a loud THUNK echoed throughout the unfinished restaurant, fearing that someone might have heard it. Looking around the room, I find my eyes catching a flashing light on a home telephone, but as I start to explore I find a vent above a desk with a monitor and a tablet, and two doors to either side. The door slams shut. “Must have caught a draft” I whisper to myself as I notice my hands shaking. I spot a locker that is welded shut and another that contains a large mask of a bear. My hands shaking in anxiety, I press the voicemail button on the phone.
“Hey, sorry I couldn’t catch you for your first night…Kid problems… anyway, if you don’t know the map, there is a picture of it on your monitor. As you may know the restaurant has a ‘special’ kind of entertainment that gets a little restless at night. So the doors and vents shut. Be careful, shutting the doors also means shutting out any way of getting oxygen. Sorry, but tomorrow it will be fixed. Use the tablet to shut doors and check on the cameras there are abbreviations for each of the room names just tap on that name and it will send you to the camera in that room. The kitchen camera doesn’t seem to work very well, so all you will be able to observe is the audio. I almost forgot to mention, the whole building is on a budget, so if you use too much power we will be forced to shut it off. If you turn around there will be a closet on your right that contains a mask, if the power actually does shut off, put on the mask. Trust me, you’ll need it. That pretty much concludes the basics, so I will see you in the morning.” The call ended with a loud beep and with that came the fear of many things, but the only one that stood out happen to be the fear of dying.
I soon discovered that the cameras scanned the room each passing minute and found a pattern in checking each of the rooms, but as I moved to the stage cameras I found that the blue rabbit was staring at the camera, no, staring at ME.
“Can’t, going to work”, I said as I made my way out of the door. I had never told her about my job it’s a good paying job I saw in the newspaper the other day, but I was the only applicant.
“Wait, I never said you could get a job!”, I ignored her as I made my way to the car and soon to my newfound job.
My hands were shaking as I arrived on the site being the first thing I saw was a big, rustic brown bear waving upon the parking lot as if it were greeting a good friend into their house, but no part of the building felt welcoming. I made my way through the alley as only the moon and a single strobing porchlight was there to help me. As I reach the back of the building, I spot a door that read “security room”. The building was still under construction, but the owners insisted on the furnishings to be placed and electrical systems to be installed first. As I pushed the door open, a loud THUNK echoed throughout the unfinished restaurant, fearing that someone might have heard it. Looking around the room, I find my eyes catching a flashing light on a home telephone, but as I start to explore I find a vent above a desk with a monitor and a tablet, and two doors to either side. The door slams shut. “Must have caught a draft” I whisper to myself as I notice my hands shaking. I spot a locker that is welded shut and another that contains a large mask of a bear. My hands shaking in anxiety, I press the voicemail button on the phone.
“Hey, sorry I couldn’t catch you for your first night…Kid problems… anyway, if you don’t know the map, there is a picture of it on your monitor. As you may know the restaurant has a ‘special’ kind of entertainment that gets a little restless at night. So the doors and vents shut. Be careful, shutting the doors also means shutting out any way of getting oxygen. Sorry, but tomorrow it will be fixed. Use the tablet to shut doors and check on the cameras there are abbreviations for each of the room names just tap on that name and it will send you to the camera in that room. The kitchen camera doesn’t seem to work very well, so all you will be able to observe is the audio. I almost forgot to mention, the whole building is on a budget, so if you use too much power we will be forced to shut it off. If you turn around there will be a closet on your right that contains a mask, if the power actually does shut off, put on the mask. Trust me, you’ll need it. That pretty much concludes the basics, so I will see you in the morning.” The call ended with a loud beep and with that came the fear of many things, but the only one that stood out happen to be the fear of dying.
I soon discovered that the cameras scanned the room each passing minute and found a pattern in checking each of the rooms, but as I moved to the stage cameras I found that the blue rabbit was staring at the camera, no, staring at ME.
Night Shift
By Megan Lacy
Harper doesn’t really enjoy the night shift. Of course, there are a lot of things Harper doesn’t really enjoy, and at least the night shift gets her money. Or is it a morning shift? She’s not sure. The clock’s broken.
There’s a crash outside. Of course there’s a crash outside. There’s always a crash outside. Maybe it’s inside.
Harper grabs the broom beside her. It’s not like there are any customers. Lee’s not a customer, he’s a loiterer. Harper’s not sure if he has a home. She’s tried to ask him, but he says he has “his only desire, music.” Yeah right.
She pushes the back door open with the end of the broomstick. She doesn’t know what the stains on the door are, and she’d like it to stay that way. Harper grunts as she hears more rustling and clanging. She sticks her head out the door. Some weirdo is crouching on the asphalt. She’s not sure who they are, but she would really appreciate it if they would stop getting wax everywhere. Who do they think has to hose it off?
Well, Harper’s not quite sure who has to hose it off, but they’re probably not very happy about it. She smacks the broom against the trash can. Don’t look at the black thing seeping out of the trash can. It’s generally not a good idea to look at anything in the trash can. Harper’s not sure what the trash can is used for, but it sure isn’t trash. When Harper looks back at the weirdo, they’re gone. Thank god.
She’s back inside. Lee’s still there. He’s looking at a bag of chips. He’s always looking at the chips.
“You gonna buy something or what?” she yells at him. He just drops the chips and picks up a different bag. Oh well. She tried.
Harper still doesn’t enjoy the night shift.
There’s a crash outside. Of course there’s a crash outside. There’s always a crash outside. Maybe it’s inside.
Harper grabs the broom beside her. It’s not like there are any customers. Lee’s not a customer, he’s a loiterer. Harper’s not sure if he has a home. She’s tried to ask him, but he says he has “his only desire, music.” Yeah right.
She pushes the back door open with the end of the broomstick. She doesn’t know what the stains on the door are, and she’d like it to stay that way. Harper grunts as she hears more rustling and clanging. She sticks her head out the door. Some weirdo is crouching on the asphalt. She’s not sure who they are, but she would really appreciate it if they would stop getting wax everywhere. Who do they think has to hose it off?
Well, Harper’s not quite sure who has to hose it off, but they’re probably not very happy about it. She smacks the broom against the trash can. Don’t look at the black thing seeping out of the trash can. It’s generally not a good idea to look at anything in the trash can. Harper’s not sure what the trash can is used for, but it sure isn’t trash. When Harper looks back at the weirdo, they’re gone. Thank god.
She’s back inside. Lee’s still there. He’s looking at a bag of chips. He’s always looking at the chips.
“You gonna buy something or what?” she yells at him. He just drops the chips and picks up a different bag. Oh well. She tried.
Harper still doesn’t enjoy the night shift.
The Epic of Thuras - Book I: A Party of Forms
Chapter I: The Council of Light
By Anonymous
The castle surrounded Thuras as he walked in its halls.
“Why am I here?”
“You are required,” said The Dreamer, emotionless.
“At a school?”
“This is the School of the Visbapic,” The Dreamer said as if this cleared everything up.
“Exactly who or what is the Vispabic? I know their mark, but not the brotherhood.”
The Dreamer stopped in his tracks. “Make no mistake, Mr. Steelpine. The Vispabic is no mere brotherhood. The Vispabic is a very old organization formed after the First Magic War. They protect our cities and our people.”
“Our? I am none of your kind.”
“Mr. Steelpine. The core value of the Vispabic is peace and equality. Every being in this land is treated with the same respect.”
“Every being? Even the ants beneath your feet?”
The Dreamer got closer. “Especially them, Mr. Steelpine, for they can not defend themselves.”
“Not in my land.” spat Thuras. “In my land, the ruthless rule and the poor suffer. In my land, thieves, murderers, and liars are the powerful. In my land, magic is nonexistent. There are no guardians of cities. No keepers of men. Not in my land. So you will excuse me if I do not believe in your tales of magic and guardians and the well being of others.”
The Dreamer paused for a moment. “That feeling will not last for long,” he said, and they began walking again, this time in silence
Soon, the two men entered a room and Thuras froze. The room was octagonal and in six corners, there were golden braziers. In each brazier was a different colored flame. Above the braziers were banners each of different color and symbol. To Thuras’ left was a red banner with corresponding flame. The symbol in the middle was of fire. Following, grey clouds, black skull, blue water, purple lighting, and green ground.
Going clockwise, The Dreamer pointed to each brazier. “Fire, Air, Death, Water, Electricity, and Ground. The fundamental properties of life.” The Dreamer drew his sword, placed it in a slot on the wall, and turned. A large ornate door grew out of the wall. The Dreamer withdrew his sword, and spoke to the door: “Janus!”
Suddenly, a face grew out of the door. “Spe? Spe?”
“Speak plainly, Janus. Mr. Steelpine is here.”
The Door Man seemed to notice Thuras for the first time. “Hello, Mr. Steelpine.” he said as a hand stuck out from the door as well.
Thuras’ mouth gaped open.
“What is your business here?”
“We are here to see Cyrus.” said The Dreamer, stepping in for Thuras.
Janus’ face turned ashen. “Cyrus is out.”
“I know very well he is in a Council meeting, Janus. Let us through.”
“Cyrus explicitly told me-” spoke Janus rapidly.
“Janus, stand down!” The Dreamer shouted. A moment of silence passed. “Let us pass.” he said, this time more composed.
Janus took a moment to think. “Very well, but I take no responsibility for letting you through.”
Janus swung open and The Dreamer passed through the threshold. Thuras, still stunned, did not move.
“Thuras. We must be off.”
“Y-yeah. O-okay…” said Thuras absently. He took a step forward and passed through. Janus closed behind him, making the hallway dark.
“Poor fellow,” The Dreamer started. “He was caught sneaking about when the groundskeeper caught up with him. He’s served as our Door Guard for centuries.” The hall suddenly lit up and revealed golden sconces lining the wall filled with pure white light and a door at the end. The two men began walking down the hall.
“You guard doors here?”
“Only the important ones.”
They had reached the door. Thuras could hear shouting from behind it.
“Now,” said The Dreamer. “What you will see behind this door is probably the strangest assortment of people you will ever see. For both our sakes, do not look at the Goblins.”
Thuras laughed, probably for a bit too long. “Goblins do not scare me, Dreamer. You know, I am from Mishalary.”
“These Goblins might.” The Dreamer opened the door to a blinding white room. The only things that were in it was a long elliptical silver table, pointed on both ends, and the people that surrounded it. It appeared as if there was no floor, but certainly enough, The Dreamer stepped onto the light. At one end of the table were absolutely hideous Goblins. They had so many warts and scars on their face that their eyes were barely visible. One of them, dressed in a large yellow and purple robe was standing on the table and shouting at the men across the table with his hand on his weapon. His ugly red claws were gripped tightly around the hilt. The other men were all very tall and wore silvery rounds that rested behind their pointed ears. One had brown hair, the other black, and the last was fair-haired. They were all draped in very regal green robes and they too were shouting. The Dreamer and Thuras came to rest near a defeated looking man at their side of the table whose head was resting on his folded arms.
To the left of the Goblins was an armored man attended by a taller man with darker, fuller hair, and a younger, but still very important looking woman with long blonde hair. Both had similar facial features to the man they were with. To their left was a short looking person who had a long braided beard and a large face; he used the table to hold his axe which, according to the scrapes and dents in the table, looks like he had done often. The group next to him was also very tall, but shorter than the men at the head of the right. They were dark-skinned, but had very blonde hair. One was dressed in silver inlaid robes of regalia topped with a circlet of twigs and leaves; he was with two other men behind him holding staves; all of their ears were pointed. Then the next seat was empty.
“Enough!” shouted the man next to Thuras. Everybody quieted instantly. “That’s enough. Somebody get a stool for Milpas.” The man was the embodiment of gold. He wore a flowing robe made of golden silk with The Mark of Light embedded into the chest. His skin was a perfect golden brown and Thuras thought that he saw golden irises in his eyes. One of the tall men waved his hand and a stool appeared with a flash of violet. The Dreamer stepped up onto it.
“Your name is Milpas?” Thuras whispered to The Dreamer. He did not answer.
“Hello Thuras,” said the golden man. “My name is Cyrus. I hope your trip went well.”
“As well as it could have been, seeing as I was taken.”
“I apologize for that, but this is urgent.”
“So urgent apparently,” intejected the armor-clad Man to the left of the Goblins. “That you haven’t told us what the business is.”
“Erandas, this is a formality for all of you. This is The Champion.”At those words, everybody around the table erupted into laughter
“The Champion?” Erandas laughed. “This-this… boy?” Laughing erupted around the table.
“Hey!” protested Thuras. “I’m-”
“Thuras. No.” commanded Cyrus. Now he addressed the council. “Thuras is my champion. Does anyone have any objections.”
“Why?” said a tall dark man in the corner.
“Silhun, this does not concern you.”
He came out of the shadows. “Am I not the representative for the Wood-Elves?” He was tall, dark, and with dark hair
“Only the Ambrands, and only because the King is sick.” sneered the blonde, dark-skinned man.
“Our laws still allow me to make decisions,” retorted Silhun
Cyrus paused for a moment. “Very well,” he sighed. “What is your issue?”
“I am curious as to why you chose this… this cave dweller.” The man spat
“He has... potential.”
“Do not insult my intelligence, Cyrus,” mused Silhun. “One does not choose a hero based on potential. Especially one with no skill. You either have lost it completely, or you are hiding something.”
“I have chosen.” dismissed Cyrus. “Now, I need two more to make The Three.”
“A quest?” asked the Axe-Man. “For what, exactly?”
“The Primparri Gifts.”
“My daughter will go,” said Erandas immediately.
“Father!” protested the girl next to Erandas. “I am not-”
The girl tried to say more, but was drowned out by everyone else speaking at once.
“Quiet!” boomed Cyrus. “Dasbriel, do you accept the nomination?”
She started to say something, but her father was too quick “She accepts.” The man spoke then in a whisper to his daughter. The girl did not speak again, but she looked furious.
“Is there anyone else that will volunteer?” asked Cyrus.
Nobody even moved after he spoke.
“Surely, there is someone who can attend young Thuras.”
Silence again.
“I will go if no one will.” said Silhun.
“Silhun. I am not-”
“Cyrus, it is done. The King is getting better and Brother can manage, right?”
“Migritun?”
The blonde, dark-skinned man stared down Silhun. He closed his eyes and looked over at Cyrus. “I’m sure I can manage.”
Cyrus thought for a moment and said “Very well. It is so. Thuras Steelpine, Dasbriel
Rithas, and Silhun Bulgund, you will meet with me in my chamber after the meeting. Is there any other business required at this Council?” Cyrus did not stop. “No? Okay. Adjourned.” Everybody stared blankly at Cyrus. “Well? Be gone.” He pulled a stick out of his robes and waved it. Everybody disappeared except for Silhun, Dasbriel, The Dreamer, and Thuras. He waved his stick again and the white room dissolved. They were now positioned in front of a gold inlaid mahogany desk with Cyrus on the other side of them. His head was down.
“Cyrus?” started Thuras. “What did you mean by a quest?” As he said this, a bunch of golden letters started coming in from the chimney.
“Milpas, will you go with this party as their adviser?”
“Of course, Cyrus,” said The Dreamer.
“And both of you agree to go with Thuras?”
“Of course,” replied Silhun.
“Begrudgingly,” sneered Dasbriel.
“Here.” Cyrus reached into a drawer and pulled out a large smooth stone
Cyrus, Milpas, Silhun, and Dasbriel all put their hands on the stone. Thuras just stared at them.
“Thuras, you too.”
Everything started to hit Thuras. He felt an anger coming up to his head. He had been dragged against his will to a council, seen a man appear from a door, heard a bunch of important people ridicule and laugh at him, and now was asked to go on a quest for something that he didn’t even know about on a whim.
“What am I doing here?” As soon as he said this, everything started to spill out. “What is this? No one has explained anything to me! I just know that I was taken from my home and dragged to this castle and now I’m expected to put my hand on a stone and agree to what? To go on a quest? With three strangers?”
Silence followed.
After a few moments, Cyrus said “Please, give me a moment with Thuras.” Thuras watched everyone stood up and walked out. Silhun looked back at Thuras and winked. He turned back to Cyrus.
He leaned in and looked Thuras in the eye. “We have much to talk about.”
“Why am I here?”
“You are required,” said The Dreamer, emotionless.
“At a school?”
“This is the School of the Visbapic,” The Dreamer said as if this cleared everything up.
“Exactly who or what is the Vispabic? I know their mark, but not the brotherhood.”
The Dreamer stopped in his tracks. “Make no mistake, Mr. Steelpine. The Vispabic is no mere brotherhood. The Vispabic is a very old organization formed after the First Magic War. They protect our cities and our people.”
“Our? I am none of your kind.”
“Mr. Steelpine. The core value of the Vispabic is peace and equality. Every being in this land is treated with the same respect.”
“Every being? Even the ants beneath your feet?”
The Dreamer got closer. “Especially them, Mr. Steelpine, for they can not defend themselves.”
“Not in my land.” spat Thuras. “In my land, the ruthless rule and the poor suffer. In my land, thieves, murderers, and liars are the powerful. In my land, magic is nonexistent. There are no guardians of cities. No keepers of men. Not in my land. So you will excuse me if I do not believe in your tales of magic and guardians and the well being of others.”
The Dreamer paused for a moment. “That feeling will not last for long,” he said, and they began walking again, this time in silence
Soon, the two men entered a room and Thuras froze. The room was octagonal and in six corners, there were golden braziers. In each brazier was a different colored flame. Above the braziers were banners each of different color and symbol. To Thuras’ left was a red banner with corresponding flame. The symbol in the middle was of fire. Following, grey clouds, black skull, blue water, purple lighting, and green ground.
Going clockwise, The Dreamer pointed to each brazier. “Fire, Air, Death, Water, Electricity, and Ground. The fundamental properties of life.” The Dreamer drew his sword, placed it in a slot on the wall, and turned. A large ornate door grew out of the wall. The Dreamer withdrew his sword, and spoke to the door: “Janus!”
Suddenly, a face grew out of the door. “Spe? Spe?”
“Speak plainly, Janus. Mr. Steelpine is here.”
The Door Man seemed to notice Thuras for the first time. “Hello, Mr. Steelpine.” he said as a hand stuck out from the door as well.
Thuras’ mouth gaped open.
“What is your business here?”
“We are here to see Cyrus.” said The Dreamer, stepping in for Thuras.
Janus’ face turned ashen. “Cyrus is out.”
“I know very well he is in a Council meeting, Janus. Let us through.”
“Cyrus explicitly told me-” spoke Janus rapidly.
“Janus, stand down!” The Dreamer shouted. A moment of silence passed. “Let us pass.” he said, this time more composed.
Janus took a moment to think. “Very well, but I take no responsibility for letting you through.”
Janus swung open and The Dreamer passed through the threshold. Thuras, still stunned, did not move.
“Thuras. We must be off.”
“Y-yeah. O-okay…” said Thuras absently. He took a step forward and passed through. Janus closed behind him, making the hallway dark.
“Poor fellow,” The Dreamer started. “He was caught sneaking about when the groundskeeper caught up with him. He’s served as our Door Guard for centuries.” The hall suddenly lit up and revealed golden sconces lining the wall filled with pure white light and a door at the end. The two men began walking down the hall.
“You guard doors here?”
“Only the important ones.”
They had reached the door. Thuras could hear shouting from behind it.
“Now,” said The Dreamer. “What you will see behind this door is probably the strangest assortment of people you will ever see. For both our sakes, do not look at the Goblins.”
Thuras laughed, probably for a bit too long. “Goblins do not scare me, Dreamer. You know, I am from Mishalary.”
“These Goblins might.” The Dreamer opened the door to a blinding white room. The only things that were in it was a long elliptical silver table, pointed on both ends, and the people that surrounded it. It appeared as if there was no floor, but certainly enough, The Dreamer stepped onto the light. At one end of the table were absolutely hideous Goblins. They had so many warts and scars on their face that their eyes were barely visible. One of them, dressed in a large yellow and purple robe was standing on the table and shouting at the men across the table with his hand on his weapon. His ugly red claws were gripped tightly around the hilt. The other men were all very tall and wore silvery rounds that rested behind their pointed ears. One had brown hair, the other black, and the last was fair-haired. They were all draped in very regal green robes and they too were shouting. The Dreamer and Thuras came to rest near a defeated looking man at their side of the table whose head was resting on his folded arms.
To the left of the Goblins was an armored man attended by a taller man with darker, fuller hair, and a younger, but still very important looking woman with long blonde hair. Both had similar facial features to the man they were with. To their left was a short looking person who had a long braided beard and a large face; he used the table to hold his axe which, according to the scrapes and dents in the table, looks like he had done often. The group next to him was also very tall, but shorter than the men at the head of the right. They were dark-skinned, but had very blonde hair. One was dressed in silver inlaid robes of regalia topped with a circlet of twigs and leaves; he was with two other men behind him holding staves; all of their ears were pointed. Then the next seat was empty.
“Enough!” shouted the man next to Thuras. Everybody quieted instantly. “That’s enough. Somebody get a stool for Milpas.” The man was the embodiment of gold. He wore a flowing robe made of golden silk with The Mark of Light embedded into the chest. His skin was a perfect golden brown and Thuras thought that he saw golden irises in his eyes. One of the tall men waved his hand and a stool appeared with a flash of violet. The Dreamer stepped up onto it.
“Your name is Milpas?” Thuras whispered to The Dreamer. He did not answer.
“Hello Thuras,” said the golden man. “My name is Cyrus. I hope your trip went well.”
“As well as it could have been, seeing as I was taken.”
“I apologize for that, but this is urgent.”
“So urgent apparently,” intejected the armor-clad Man to the left of the Goblins. “That you haven’t told us what the business is.”
“Erandas, this is a formality for all of you. This is The Champion.”At those words, everybody around the table erupted into laughter
“The Champion?” Erandas laughed. “This-this… boy?” Laughing erupted around the table.
“Hey!” protested Thuras. “I’m-”
“Thuras. No.” commanded Cyrus. Now he addressed the council. “Thuras is my champion. Does anyone have any objections.”
“Why?” said a tall dark man in the corner.
“Silhun, this does not concern you.”
He came out of the shadows. “Am I not the representative for the Wood-Elves?” He was tall, dark, and with dark hair
“Only the Ambrands, and only because the King is sick.” sneered the blonde, dark-skinned man.
“Our laws still allow me to make decisions,” retorted Silhun
Cyrus paused for a moment. “Very well,” he sighed. “What is your issue?”
“I am curious as to why you chose this… this cave dweller.” The man spat
“He has... potential.”
“Do not insult my intelligence, Cyrus,” mused Silhun. “One does not choose a hero based on potential. Especially one with no skill. You either have lost it completely, or you are hiding something.”
“I have chosen.” dismissed Cyrus. “Now, I need two more to make The Three.”
“A quest?” asked the Axe-Man. “For what, exactly?”
“The Primparri Gifts.”
“My daughter will go,” said Erandas immediately.
“Father!” protested the girl next to Erandas. “I am not-”
The girl tried to say more, but was drowned out by everyone else speaking at once.
“Quiet!” boomed Cyrus. “Dasbriel, do you accept the nomination?”
She started to say something, but her father was too quick “She accepts.” The man spoke then in a whisper to his daughter. The girl did not speak again, but she looked furious.
“Is there anyone else that will volunteer?” asked Cyrus.
Nobody even moved after he spoke.
“Surely, there is someone who can attend young Thuras.”
Silence again.
“I will go if no one will.” said Silhun.
“Silhun. I am not-”
“Cyrus, it is done. The King is getting better and Brother can manage, right?”
“Migritun?”
The blonde, dark-skinned man stared down Silhun. He closed his eyes and looked over at Cyrus. “I’m sure I can manage.”
Cyrus thought for a moment and said “Very well. It is so. Thuras Steelpine, Dasbriel
Rithas, and Silhun Bulgund, you will meet with me in my chamber after the meeting. Is there any other business required at this Council?” Cyrus did not stop. “No? Okay. Adjourned.” Everybody stared blankly at Cyrus. “Well? Be gone.” He pulled a stick out of his robes and waved it. Everybody disappeared except for Silhun, Dasbriel, The Dreamer, and Thuras. He waved his stick again and the white room dissolved. They were now positioned in front of a gold inlaid mahogany desk with Cyrus on the other side of them. His head was down.
“Cyrus?” started Thuras. “What did you mean by a quest?” As he said this, a bunch of golden letters started coming in from the chimney.
“Milpas, will you go with this party as their adviser?”
“Of course, Cyrus,” said The Dreamer.
“And both of you agree to go with Thuras?”
“Of course,” replied Silhun.
“Begrudgingly,” sneered Dasbriel.
“Here.” Cyrus reached into a drawer and pulled out a large smooth stone
Cyrus, Milpas, Silhun, and Dasbriel all put their hands on the stone. Thuras just stared at them.
“Thuras, you too.”
Everything started to hit Thuras. He felt an anger coming up to his head. He had been dragged against his will to a council, seen a man appear from a door, heard a bunch of important people ridicule and laugh at him, and now was asked to go on a quest for something that he didn’t even know about on a whim.
“What am I doing here?” As soon as he said this, everything started to spill out. “What is this? No one has explained anything to me! I just know that I was taken from my home and dragged to this castle and now I’m expected to put my hand on a stone and agree to what? To go on a quest? With three strangers?”
Silence followed.
After a few moments, Cyrus said “Please, give me a moment with Thuras.” Thuras watched everyone stood up and walked out. Silhun looked back at Thuras and winked. He turned back to Cyrus.
He leaned in and looked Thuras in the eye. “We have much to talk about.”
The Epic of Thuras - Prologue
By Anonymous
On Solaster
The Elders created Easílu for The Contest between the Beings. The Elder Man created Man and gave him a wife, Woman. They drew lots among the Elves, Dwarves, and Goblins for the lands. They drew the Western Lands. They then had four children, Mishálary, Solmádily, Elman, and Solaster. They drew their lots as well when they came of age. Mishálary drew the North lot, Solmádily the East, Elman the South, and Solaster, the West.
Solaster travelled to his land and set boundaries. He ruled there until he died in 62 E.M. when his daughter Lishy took reign. In 78 E.M., the Mishálarians began a border dispute with the Northern Solasterians. Due to the Mishalarian’s weak government, the dispute died out quickly and Solaster’s borders expanded to the North. In 462 E.M., King Ewayn declared war on Solmádily due to their crime ravaging the various lands in the East. This prompted Ewayn to create provinces for his country. Now there are Thirteen Provinces. Two for the Children of Solaster: Solishy and Soluram, Three for the Goblin Lords: Wolomolok, Andok, and Raglok, Two for the Elvish Ambassadors: Mishtren and Shilma, One for Dwarves: Djufmar, and Five for Country: Solasteria, Solaspik, Solman, Solmid, and Solshalary.
On Species
In The Contest, The Elder Elf created Staktu which prompted all the other Beings to create their own species. The Elder Goblin created Muklug and Lugmuk, The Elder Dwarf created Dashmun and Jifdar, and The Elder Man created Man and Woman. The Elder Elf then created a wife for Staktu, Empuel.
When the species drew lots, Man drew the West, Goblins drew the South, Dwarves drew the North, and Elves drew the East. Muklug and Lugmuk had many children who also had many children, who also had many children. Dashmun and Jifdar had three children: Hishmak, Kiwer, and Gilshif. Staktu and Empuel had Ambrand, Bulgund, Ismal, Kalalizul, and Umpil. Ambrand and Bulgund moved away from the family and lived in the woods. Ismal, Kalalizul, and Umpil then formed the First Elvish Triumvirate. Their sons killed them and formed the Second Elvish Triumvirate and their sons killed them and formed the Third Elvish Triumvirate.
As of now, the subspecies include from the union of Dwarf and Goblin: Dwoblin, from Dwarf and Man: Orcs (who are exctinct), and from Dwarf and Elf: Dwarf-Elves. From the union of Goblin and Man: Pygmies, and Goblin and Elf have never procreated. From Man and Elf came Half-Elves. Through the punishment and reward of Man, the following were created: Centaurs, Cyclopes, Giants, Satyrs, and Shades.
Prologue
Deep in a cave in the Mukian Forest, Thuras awoke.
For a month now, Thuras had been having horrible dreams. This night was no different. This time, he had woken up on the floor of a dark stone temple to the sounds of agonizing wails. He stood up and in front of him, there were three silhouetted figures hunched over a blue light and a writhing body. The figure in the middle drew a sword from its scabbard. The sword glowed a sickly green as if it had been forged with acid. The figures on the side grasped the hilt of the sword and, together, they drove it into the body. Immediately the screaming ceased.
Thuras tried to move forward but found that he was bound to a table. Over him were the three figures. He could see their faces now. The middle was a woman; there was no mistaking that. She had long violet hair inside of a black hood, a sharp nose, and a scowl on her face. The other two figures looked like they could have been twins. Both with black, greasy hair, the left with red eyes, the right with magenta. They grinned stupidly as they looked down and put their hands on him. Thuras felt excruciating pain. He tried to scream, but no words came. The scowling woman again lifted her sword and all three grabbed the hilt and drove it through him.
Thuras snapped up in his bed panting and sweating. He noticed Cooper looking at him with perked ears.
"Sorry, boy." He said as he petted his dog behind the ear. Thuras rose out of bed and walked over to the entrance. He looked out over the forest and, in the light of the new morning, saw a deer below with three fawns drinking from the river. Thuras walked over to the side and grabbed his canteen and cloak. As he shrugged into it, he saw Cooper sitting and looking at him expectantly.
"You wanna go, boy?" asked Thuras. Cooper barked. "All right, C'mon!" Thuras walked out of the cave in his winter cloak and Cooper bounded after him. Thuras thought about his dream as Cooper chased a couple chipmunks and squirrels ahead. He thought about what they meant.
“I'm not qualified”, he thought, “Maybe I'll go and see The Dreamer today.” Thuras knew it wouldn't help, though. Supposedly, the Dreamers were a group of Vispabic Psychomancers who broke off from the organization around 1248 and now go around curing others' ailments. The true Dreamers died off long ago, though. It's still worth a shot thought Thuras.
They both reached the river and Thuras bent down to the water and let the force of it fill his canteen. Cooper was still running around chasing bugs when Thuras noticed a small rustling coming from a bush nearby. Thuras grabbed the hunting knife from his cloak and brandished it toward the bush. He snuck toward it slowly and when he got close enough, he lunged forward and slashed down onto a rabbit.
Thuras' hand plunged into his pocket and found a small hunting bag drawn closed with a string. He opened it and placed the rabbit in.
"C'mon Coop," said Thuras. Cooper ran up to his master’s side and they began walking back up to the cave.
Later that day, Thuras again shrugged into his cloak and moved towards the entrance of the cave.
"I'll be back, Coop." said Thuras as he began his trek into the mountain village, Shik'fal'muk. Stick in hand, Thuras moved down the path towards the river and made a left. Further down the path, Thuras followed the bend and as he swung around a bordering tree, he was attacked by a green robe. In a flash, Thuras went down on the ground with a thud.
"Oh! I'm so, so sorry!" A hand appeared extended in front of his face and Thuras grasped it. With a grunt, he was back up on his feet. When his faculties returned, Thuras instantly turned to the defensive. No one went up this road except for Thuras. In front of him was a short man, smaller than any goblin or dwarf he'd ever seen along with a wagon pulled by a pony.
"Are you alright?" the man asked
"Who are you? replied Thuras.
"I, good sir, am a Dreamer."
"And what are you?"
"What do you mean by that?
"What sort of Man are you?"
"Ah! Good sir, I am a Man."
"But you appear to me as a child would."
"Does that no less make me a Man?"
"I suppose. Why are you caravaning up this path today?"
"I am appointed to see a… Mr. Steelpine."
"I am a Steelpine. The only Steelpine to live on this path, in fact. For that matter, the only one on this path at all. What was this appointment for?"
"I was paid to evaluate him."
"From who did you receive payment?
"They wish to remain anonymous."
"Were they of Man or Goblin?"
"I must insist their anonymity remain intact."
Thuras paused for a moment. "Very well. How should this be done?"
"Follow me."
The two men stepped into the wagon and Thuras sat down on one side of a table. He had to duck and hold his head down so that it didn't hit the ceiling of the wagon. The man lowered his hood to reveal the Dreamer's mark: an eye.
"Grasp my hand." said the Dreamer. Thuras withdrew his hands, but the man grabbed them quickly and held them tight. "Do not pull away." Thuras noticed some candles surrounding them, and after a moment, they ignited with purple flame.
"Self-igniting candles I see."
"Doubtfulness leads to distrust. You should not hold that policy."
"I do not distrust you, I distrust your practice."
Without a word more, the Dreamer began chanting in Old Speech and the eye on his hood began to glow. Suddenly, the wagon melted away and Thuras was inside the stone temple. The Dreamer walked near Thuras.
"This is the place from your dream, yes?"
"Of course."
"I used the Revelation charm. It shows the place if it truly exists."
"This is a real place?"
"Apparently."
"I can see what happened." The Dreamer waved his hand and the table with the eerie blue light appeared along with the woman and men. "These are no ordinary Men, Mr. Steelpine. These are Vispabic." The two of them walked up to the table where the people stood hunched over and The Dreamer looked under their hoods.
He staggered back, gasping. "We must leave. Right away."
"What? Why?"
The temple dissolved away and they both were back in the wagon.
"The woman… she kills you in your dreams, yes?"
"Not usually."
"But last night?"
"Yes."
"They are coming."
"What do you mean?"
"We must go." The Dreamer began packing his things and exited the wagon.
"Wait a moment." Thuras followed him out "What do you mean, they are coming?"
"Is there anything in your cave that you require?"
"My dog."
“And he’ll be okay by himself?”
“Maybe, I’ve never left him alone.”
"Anything else?"
"No."
"We're leaving" The Dreamer went behind the wagon.
"Where are you going?" Thuras followed him and grabbed him by his hood. "Tell me what is happening."
"You are in grave danger. There is a war coming and you will be at the center. There is an ancient Vispabician prophecy that tells of a Great War and a great warrior with a pine made of steel. You see The Council's decision to target you."
"The Council?"
"The Vispabician Council of Light."
"But I live with no one. No one cares about me. I am of no significance."
"Then no one will miss you if you are gone."
"I refuse to go with you. I am perfectly happy here."
"I beg you sir. Go with me to The Council meeting. It is my career on the line."
"Your career?"
"As you know, I am a Dreamer-"
"What proof have you shown me?"
"I took you to the place from your dreams!"
"Which easily could have been done by a mushroom paste."
"The hood?"
"Imprint."
"What about this?" The Dreamer pulled out a sword from a box on the side of his wagon. He thrust the hilt toward Thuras. On the end of it, the Mark of Light. A seven tendriled Sun, the Crescent Moon, and the Four-Pointed Star.
"Is this… It can't be."
"The Mark of Light," The Dreamer said smugly.
"I still refuse"
"I must take you. It is an order of the High Priest."
“I have responsibilities here, Dreamer! I can not just pack up and leave!”
“Then I will take you by force.”
“I would pay to see a man of your stature take a man of mine by force.”
The Dreamer snapped his fingers and Thuras could not move. He tried to step forward but was bound by invisible chains.
“Unbind me!”
With silence, The Dreamer packed up the wagon and Thuras was thrown inside. He heard a whip crack and immediately, Thuras felt like he had been doused with water. The sky changed. It was twilight and the forest peeled away to a large Solasterian castle. People were buzzing about across the lawn and some were under trees with books open.
"Where have you taken me?"
"This, Mr. Steelpine is the School of the Vispabic."
The Elders created Easílu for The Contest between the Beings. The Elder Man created Man and gave him a wife, Woman. They drew lots among the Elves, Dwarves, and Goblins for the lands. They drew the Western Lands. They then had four children, Mishálary, Solmádily, Elman, and Solaster. They drew their lots as well when they came of age. Mishálary drew the North lot, Solmádily the East, Elman the South, and Solaster, the West.
Solaster travelled to his land and set boundaries. He ruled there until he died in 62 E.M. when his daughter Lishy took reign. In 78 E.M., the Mishálarians began a border dispute with the Northern Solasterians. Due to the Mishalarian’s weak government, the dispute died out quickly and Solaster’s borders expanded to the North. In 462 E.M., King Ewayn declared war on Solmádily due to their crime ravaging the various lands in the East. This prompted Ewayn to create provinces for his country. Now there are Thirteen Provinces. Two for the Children of Solaster: Solishy and Soluram, Three for the Goblin Lords: Wolomolok, Andok, and Raglok, Two for the Elvish Ambassadors: Mishtren and Shilma, One for Dwarves: Djufmar, and Five for Country: Solasteria, Solaspik, Solman, Solmid, and Solshalary.
On Species
In The Contest, The Elder Elf created Staktu which prompted all the other Beings to create their own species. The Elder Goblin created Muklug and Lugmuk, The Elder Dwarf created Dashmun and Jifdar, and The Elder Man created Man and Woman. The Elder Elf then created a wife for Staktu, Empuel.
When the species drew lots, Man drew the West, Goblins drew the South, Dwarves drew the North, and Elves drew the East. Muklug and Lugmuk had many children who also had many children, who also had many children. Dashmun and Jifdar had three children: Hishmak, Kiwer, and Gilshif. Staktu and Empuel had Ambrand, Bulgund, Ismal, Kalalizul, and Umpil. Ambrand and Bulgund moved away from the family and lived in the woods. Ismal, Kalalizul, and Umpil then formed the First Elvish Triumvirate. Their sons killed them and formed the Second Elvish Triumvirate and their sons killed them and formed the Third Elvish Triumvirate.
As of now, the subspecies include from the union of Dwarf and Goblin: Dwoblin, from Dwarf and Man: Orcs (who are exctinct), and from Dwarf and Elf: Dwarf-Elves. From the union of Goblin and Man: Pygmies, and Goblin and Elf have never procreated. From Man and Elf came Half-Elves. Through the punishment and reward of Man, the following were created: Centaurs, Cyclopes, Giants, Satyrs, and Shades.
Prologue
Deep in a cave in the Mukian Forest, Thuras awoke.
For a month now, Thuras had been having horrible dreams. This night was no different. This time, he had woken up on the floor of a dark stone temple to the sounds of agonizing wails. He stood up and in front of him, there were three silhouetted figures hunched over a blue light and a writhing body. The figure in the middle drew a sword from its scabbard. The sword glowed a sickly green as if it had been forged with acid. The figures on the side grasped the hilt of the sword and, together, they drove it into the body. Immediately the screaming ceased.
Thuras tried to move forward but found that he was bound to a table. Over him were the three figures. He could see their faces now. The middle was a woman; there was no mistaking that. She had long violet hair inside of a black hood, a sharp nose, and a scowl on her face. The other two figures looked like they could have been twins. Both with black, greasy hair, the left with red eyes, the right with magenta. They grinned stupidly as they looked down and put their hands on him. Thuras felt excruciating pain. He tried to scream, but no words came. The scowling woman again lifted her sword and all three grabbed the hilt and drove it through him.
Thuras snapped up in his bed panting and sweating. He noticed Cooper looking at him with perked ears.
"Sorry, boy." He said as he petted his dog behind the ear. Thuras rose out of bed and walked over to the entrance. He looked out over the forest and, in the light of the new morning, saw a deer below with three fawns drinking from the river. Thuras walked over to the side and grabbed his canteen and cloak. As he shrugged into it, he saw Cooper sitting and looking at him expectantly.
"You wanna go, boy?" asked Thuras. Cooper barked. "All right, C'mon!" Thuras walked out of the cave in his winter cloak and Cooper bounded after him. Thuras thought about his dream as Cooper chased a couple chipmunks and squirrels ahead. He thought about what they meant.
“I'm not qualified”, he thought, “Maybe I'll go and see The Dreamer today.” Thuras knew it wouldn't help, though. Supposedly, the Dreamers were a group of Vispabic Psychomancers who broke off from the organization around 1248 and now go around curing others' ailments. The true Dreamers died off long ago, though. It's still worth a shot thought Thuras.
They both reached the river and Thuras bent down to the water and let the force of it fill his canteen. Cooper was still running around chasing bugs when Thuras noticed a small rustling coming from a bush nearby. Thuras grabbed the hunting knife from his cloak and brandished it toward the bush. He snuck toward it slowly and when he got close enough, he lunged forward and slashed down onto a rabbit.
Thuras' hand plunged into his pocket and found a small hunting bag drawn closed with a string. He opened it and placed the rabbit in.
"C'mon Coop," said Thuras. Cooper ran up to his master’s side and they began walking back up to the cave.
Later that day, Thuras again shrugged into his cloak and moved towards the entrance of the cave.
"I'll be back, Coop." said Thuras as he began his trek into the mountain village, Shik'fal'muk. Stick in hand, Thuras moved down the path towards the river and made a left. Further down the path, Thuras followed the bend and as he swung around a bordering tree, he was attacked by a green robe. In a flash, Thuras went down on the ground with a thud.
"Oh! I'm so, so sorry!" A hand appeared extended in front of his face and Thuras grasped it. With a grunt, he was back up on his feet. When his faculties returned, Thuras instantly turned to the defensive. No one went up this road except for Thuras. In front of him was a short man, smaller than any goblin or dwarf he'd ever seen along with a wagon pulled by a pony.
"Are you alright?" the man asked
"Who are you? replied Thuras.
"I, good sir, am a Dreamer."
"And what are you?"
"What do you mean by that?
"What sort of Man are you?"
"Ah! Good sir, I am a Man."
"But you appear to me as a child would."
"Does that no less make me a Man?"
"I suppose. Why are you caravaning up this path today?"
"I am appointed to see a… Mr. Steelpine."
"I am a Steelpine. The only Steelpine to live on this path, in fact. For that matter, the only one on this path at all. What was this appointment for?"
"I was paid to evaluate him."
"From who did you receive payment?
"They wish to remain anonymous."
"Were they of Man or Goblin?"
"I must insist their anonymity remain intact."
Thuras paused for a moment. "Very well. How should this be done?"
"Follow me."
The two men stepped into the wagon and Thuras sat down on one side of a table. He had to duck and hold his head down so that it didn't hit the ceiling of the wagon. The man lowered his hood to reveal the Dreamer's mark: an eye.
"Grasp my hand." said the Dreamer. Thuras withdrew his hands, but the man grabbed them quickly and held them tight. "Do not pull away." Thuras noticed some candles surrounding them, and after a moment, they ignited with purple flame.
"Self-igniting candles I see."
"Doubtfulness leads to distrust. You should not hold that policy."
"I do not distrust you, I distrust your practice."
Without a word more, the Dreamer began chanting in Old Speech and the eye on his hood began to glow. Suddenly, the wagon melted away and Thuras was inside the stone temple. The Dreamer walked near Thuras.
"This is the place from your dream, yes?"
"Of course."
"I used the Revelation charm. It shows the place if it truly exists."
"This is a real place?"
"Apparently."
"I can see what happened." The Dreamer waved his hand and the table with the eerie blue light appeared along with the woman and men. "These are no ordinary Men, Mr. Steelpine. These are Vispabic." The two of them walked up to the table where the people stood hunched over and The Dreamer looked under their hoods.
He staggered back, gasping. "We must leave. Right away."
"What? Why?"
The temple dissolved away and they both were back in the wagon.
"The woman… she kills you in your dreams, yes?"
"Not usually."
"But last night?"
"Yes."
"They are coming."
"What do you mean?"
"We must go." The Dreamer began packing his things and exited the wagon.
"Wait a moment." Thuras followed him out "What do you mean, they are coming?"
"Is there anything in your cave that you require?"
"My dog."
“And he’ll be okay by himself?”
“Maybe, I’ve never left him alone.”
"Anything else?"
"No."
"We're leaving" The Dreamer went behind the wagon.
"Where are you going?" Thuras followed him and grabbed him by his hood. "Tell me what is happening."
"You are in grave danger. There is a war coming and you will be at the center. There is an ancient Vispabician prophecy that tells of a Great War and a great warrior with a pine made of steel. You see The Council's decision to target you."
"The Council?"
"The Vispabician Council of Light."
"But I live with no one. No one cares about me. I am of no significance."
"Then no one will miss you if you are gone."
"I refuse to go with you. I am perfectly happy here."
"I beg you sir. Go with me to The Council meeting. It is my career on the line."
"Your career?"
"As you know, I am a Dreamer-"
"What proof have you shown me?"
"I took you to the place from your dreams!"
"Which easily could have been done by a mushroom paste."
"The hood?"
"Imprint."
"What about this?" The Dreamer pulled out a sword from a box on the side of his wagon. He thrust the hilt toward Thuras. On the end of it, the Mark of Light. A seven tendriled Sun, the Crescent Moon, and the Four-Pointed Star.
"Is this… It can't be."
"The Mark of Light," The Dreamer said smugly.
"I still refuse"
"I must take you. It is an order of the High Priest."
“I have responsibilities here, Dreamer! I can not just pack up and leave!”
“Then I will take you by force.”
“I would pay to see a man of your stature take a man of mine by force.”
The Dreamer snapped his fingers and Thuras could not move. He tried to step forward but was bound by invisible chains.
“Unbind me!”
With silence, The Dreamer packed up the wagon and Thuras was thrown inside. He heard a whip crack and immediately, Thuras felt like he had been doused with water. The sky changed. It was twilight and the forest peeled away to a large Solasterian castle. People were buzzing about across the lawn and some were under trees with books open.
"Where have you taken me?"
"This, Mr. Steelpine is the School of the Vispabic."