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RaspberrySpicefox — Villiage in the Mountains - Concrete Fox Prologue
Published: 2023-11-26 17:19:38 +0000 UTC; Views: 1731; Favourites: 3; Downloads: 0
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Prologue
The Village in the Mountains.
The small town of Halvier rested in the hills of mount Besan, it was a farming village, well know for its ale, which saw import to many places far and wide. The village was mostly inhabited by the Tillenver, the Lemur Spirits. Most of the towns people of Halvier kept to themselves, they created great works of art and prose, studied the teachings of the elders, and meditated. They worked, played, and prayed there, and it was a simple life but to the people who lived there it was paradise.
A young Lemur woman dressed in a simple earth tone robe with short lemur ears and long white hair walked with her child through the towns tiny market. Her young son looked up at her with a child’s admiration, gripping her much larger hands tightly. His hair was white matching his mothers but a spiky mess which defied taming. The woman stopped to speak to a local farmer who handed her a plump cabbage. The child looked around the market near his mother and noticed a small stand selling simple sculptures of wood and stone. He looked around with wide eyes from piece to piece, most depicting Trueanimals, which were smaller versions of the animal races with no humanoid form nor rational mind. The boy’s gaze fell upon a sculpture he liked more than the rest, he reached out and picked it up. It was a simple Truefox, carved of stone. He turned it over in his hands, admiring it, a wide smile grew on his face.
The boy’s mother rejoined him and bowed to the shopkeeper. "Please forgive my son, he is ever so curious."
The shopkeeper smiled, deep lines marking many years showing on her face. "It is quite alright, boys his age usually are. Tell you what Illadra, your husband did some work on our house earlier this season and we owe you. Your boy seems to like it so you can let him keep that stone fox."
The boy beamed up at the shopkeeper with a wide smile.
“What do we say Kayle?” Illadra asked, looking down at her son.
Kayle looked around nervously before answering “Thank you for the fox.”
Illadra stopped to fix Kayle’s ever messy hair when a familiar voice was heard behind her. “You might as well try to tame the mountain wind before getting his hair to behave my dear.”
Illadra turned and smiled, seeing her husband leaning against a staff by the entrance to the marketplace. He wore the simple robes of a monk and had messy hair similar to Kayle’s.
“Fernalis!” Illadra said as she ran up and hugged her husband close, running her fingers through his auburn hair. “I had not expected you to return for many days husband.”.
“The talks ended prematurely I am afraid.” Fernalis answered. “The Locust Spirits and Tiger Demons will not listen to diplomacy or reason.”
“The war will not come this far west, will it?” The shopkeeper interrupted. “The mountains will protect us?”
Fernalis looked at the shopkeeper with a solemn look. “I fear unless things are done to fix the situation, not even our remote peaks will remain untouched.”
“This may not be news for out in the open my friend.” Interjected a voice from the entrance to the shop.
Fernalis looked over to see his mentor, a slender older Lemur monk with a small grey topknot on an otherwise barren head. “Milen, the world has become a dangerous place of late, there is nothing to be served in protecting anyone from the truth.”
“You have an honest heart Fernalis.” Milen nodded. “But now is not the time to think of the worst, we should speak to the town elder and plan for the best.”
Fernalis turned to the shop keep, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Do not give into fear, but if you feel the need to prepare for the safety of you and your family, such preparations will not hurt anyone.”
The shopkeeper smiled warmly. “Thank you Fernalis.”
Fernalis smiled back as he picked Kayle up. “Milen please request an audience with the town elder. Invite him to dinner at my home, we will discuss matters then.”
Milen nodded and headed off into the village. Fernalis smiled again at his wife and messed up Kayle’s hair, undoing all of her work to fix it.
In the north end of the village was a small humble house, in this house Fernalis' father had lived, his father before him, and his father before that. It was nothing special, but it was home, containing a simple workshop for Fernalis to work between his pilgrimages, and a small storefront shop for Illandra’s garment making. In the back was a well stocked kitchen and a cozy dining room. Fernalis sat at the head of the table, Illadra to one side, Kayle to the other. With them was Milen and the town elder, a portly Lemur Spirit with curly black hair who was dressed in a fine tunic. Kayle played with his fox sculpture as the elder finished a second bowl of stew.
“Always a pleasure to sample your cooking Illadra.” The elder commented. “But I fear you are only trying to butter me up for bad news.”
Fernalis leaned forward, putting his hands under his chin. “You have an amazing sense for what is coming Gernai.”
Gernai smiled, placing his spoon into the now empty bowl. “Out with it then. All of it.”
Fernalis sighed. “It is bad my friend, worse than most people know. The Locust Spirits have signed a treaty of alliance with the Tiger Demons. They both hunger for war and the power it would deliver.”
“Is there absolutely no hope for diplomacy?” Gernai asked, concern plain on his voice.
“The situation is unfortunately far beyond the reach of diplomacy.” Milen answered sternly. “Their appearance at the talks were a declaration of what Fernalis just told you...nothing more.”
“They are marching.” Fernalis added. “The centipede clan has fled we know not where. The Tiger head north to engage the Plant kingdom.”
“What of the Locusts?” Gernai asked, playing with his bowl nervously.
“To the Feline kingdom to the west.” Milen answered. “Seemingly their intent is to strike the biggest threats, sending the other nations into disarray.”
Gernai let out a loud concerned sigh. “What of the Dragon Spirits or Fox Demons?”
“The Dragons are not so easily provoked.” Fernalis explained as he put an arm on Kayle's shoulder. Kayle looked down, his eyes resting momentarily on the carved statue, not entirely focused on his father’s words as he continued. “They are content in their northern fortresses and wait for the war to come to them. Neither the Locusts nor the Tigers are stupid enough to provoke the Fox Demons. They are hoping that their problems with the Umbra portal will keep them from joining the war.”
Gernai leaned back in his chair. “This is all so sudden. We have had a peace in the clans for generations. Why is this happening now?”
Milen put his hands together and breathed in deeply. “The Great Sages of the temple to the north speak of an upset in the fabrics of our world. An imbalance that is causing things that perch precariously to come toppling down.”
“You know I follow the teachings as closely as any elder.” Gernai answered. “But they could not possibly know this. The fabrics of our world are far beyond that of even their understanding.”
“Such disbelief in the omens doesn't change that there is an army headed this way.” Fernalis contested sternly.
Gernai shrugged, gathering his calm. “Our people and villages offer no strategic gain for the Locusts. It is likely they will pass to the south of us, paying us no heed at all.”
Fernalis looked at Gernai with intense eyes. “I hope you are right my friend.
A week later the village prepared for their spring festival. Tents were in the process of being erected, flowers were hung from ropes, the scent of exotic baked goods wafted through the streets. Illadra stood outside her small garment shop unravelling a bolt of colourful fabric for a customer. Behind her, Kayle sat on the doorstep, humming to himself.
“Oh yes this is the perfect colour.” The customer answered, a young Lemur spirit woman with long curly blonde hair. “Do you think you could have the shawl ready for the festival.”
Illadra smiled. “You are quite lucky I am so ahead on orders. I might just be able to squeeze it in. Come pick it up tomorrow evening.”
The woman smiled, once more stopping to admire the fabric. She was about to speak again when she was interrupted by a loud gong. She looked up to Illadra, her voice trailing off. “Is that?”
“The warning bell!” Illadra answered, trying to hide the panicked tone in her voice. "Hurry home and join with your family. This might just be a false alarm but if we need to retreat to the caves, it is better you are with them."
The woman nodded and ran off briskly. Illadra quickly picked up Kayle and stepped into the house, locking the door behind her. Kayle, too young to understand what was going on stared up at his mother, her face a forced calm. Outside, a buzzing sound could be heard, growing louder.
Illadra picked Kayle up and held him tightly she backed further into the room. The buzzing grew louder, and a creature crashed through the storefront window and landed in front of her. It was large and insectoid, it stood on its long hind legs and drew a sword from a scabbard at its waist. Its face was similar to the Lemurs but instead of soft skin it had ridged carapace. Dozens more of the Locust soldiers began to land in the streets, some breaking their way into other homes and businesses. Illadra put Kayle down and pulled him behind her, trying not to show her fear to the insectoid invader. More and more Locusts landed and began savagely attacking the villagers with no remorse.
The Locust solider in the shop stared at Illadra with its emotionless compound eyes. It raised a sword and swung at her, but a staff struck out, narrowly parrying the attack at the last moment. Illadra sighed relief as her husband forced the Locust back, using the staff with swift efficiency to keep him at bay as he stepped into the room through the destroyed window.
“Go out the back!” Fernalis cried out, swinging his staff in a lighting fast arc, crushing the head of the Locust soldier, killing him instantly. Illadra grabbed Kalye’s hand and dragged him through the house and out the back door where two more Locusts waited. Illadra looked up at the closest one as it swung a sword toward Kayle. Illadra, without hesitation jumped in the way of the attack and took the swords full might.
"Illadra!!!" Fernalis cried out, leaping to defend his son, striking his staff into the Locusts neck, sending him reeling back. Kayle fell to his knees, in complete shock of the terrors around him. Three more Locusts landed, advancing on Fernalis. He engaged them, fighting feverishly, one of them had managed to wound his leg and Fernalis started to get reckless, swinging and just trying to keep them back from his son.
A second Lemur Spirit leapt into the fight; it was Milen. The elder monk cracked his knuckles, different coloured rings decorating each of his fingers. He punched one of the Locusts and a sound like a bell rung out as the Locusts head was crushed under the blow. Milen engaged another of the Locusts, parrying his opponent’s blade with his bare hands.
Fernalis looked past the fight and saw a dozen more Locusts approaching them from above. He turned to his Master with a grave look on his face. "Milen! Take my son and get him to safety."
"I am not leaving you behind my friend." Milen answered, finishing off his opponent with another ring assisted strike.
"I am wounded and can not follow." Fernalis answered. "Take Kayle to the caves with the others. Please I beg of you."
"Alright.” Milen nodded. “It has been a pleasure serving with you Fernalis."
Fernalis nodded, looking at his son one last time. Milen scooped Kayle up, the fox figurine slipping from his hands, he looked back at his father as he was carried away. Several Locusts swarmed upon Fernalis, and he fought valiantly against them but could not defeat them all. Milen shifted Kayle in his arms so he could not look back any longer.
Milen looked down at Kayle. "Do not be scared Kayle, we are almost to the caves."
Kayle closed his eyes, tears streaming from the corners, his world had suddenly changed so fast around him, and it would never be the same again.
