Awarkle
Fledgling Freddie
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,131
Found this story i started a while ago on my hard disk drive, the grammer may be poor (im a fast typist) but see if you think i should change or even finish it 
The Maiden Shores
Chapter One Sea Mists.
"Captain it seems we are falling behind the others" the look out called from the crows nest, let out more sail, there was a sigh from a large grey boulder by the stern of the ship. The captain turned to look " I fear our enemy is sending us into a trap already we are lost ". we must bring the maiden to the fight our troops will be lost without her", the captain grabbed a crewman by the arm "ask the maiden if she would come up on deck its important" the crewman nodded and went below decks.
In the cramped cabin the maiden looked at her armour worn by many maidens before her it was fabled to have been touched by the first, a young Norseman banged on the door "maiden the captain wishes to see you". She nodded and grabbing the blanket from the bed she pulled it around her".
The deck rolled around underneath her feet but she remained standing, "captain what is it you want" the captain spoke "look my lady to the distant horizon the last of the boats has gone from our sight and I fear a storm is brewing that will send us all to the bottom."
"captain" the old shaman stood up " here the maiden must drink this " handing a cracked and worn sapphire blue bottle to the captain "what is it shaman", "you would not know but this bottle comes from the lands of the atlantians it was a gift from an apprentice. It tastes foul but it will allow you to breath underwater and swim like a fish".
The captain held it up to the light "but shaman there is only a drop left" the old troll nodded "yes it’s a rare potion" maiden you don’t have long get into your battle armour and tie your sword to your back, I see the storm now it has been sent not by Hibernian druids, nor the god of albion. It comes from another land or even another realm they want you maiden and you must not fall.
The maiden rushed below decks and looked at the armour wrapped in silks to protect it from the sea salt, kneeling by it she spoke quickly "Odin protect this ship" and donning the armour quickly she felt energy course through her muscles her vision was heightened and the great sword that sang when she gripped it felt light. Standing in full glory she wove the spells of protection she had been taught and turning to the sailor smiled "fear not sailor this vessel is strong and your captain wise I will see your face again, and if you shall fall Odin will welcome you to Valhalla for your sacrifice. " the young man bowed. "Quickly my lady the storm approaches".
On deck the captain was holding the blue bottle the old troll had moved to the front of the ship, "my lady the storm it will be upon us in moments, drink the potion", "Shaman what of my armour it must weigh too much surely ill sink to the bottom," a crag appeared in the trolls face " fear not lady the atlantians were incredibly gifted the potion will keep you afloat and you will swim faster than you ever swam before" the boat was suddenly swamped by a large wave. "quickly now drink it all we shall see you soon".
The maiden looked back to the faces of the sailors on the boat they were scared she could see that in there eyes but they were strong. She held her spear in one hand and leaping into the cold ocean she let out a single note.
The small vessel did not survive the storm even as she swam down she saw timbers and rope it seemed as if the ocean had swallowed her companions of the troll she didn’t know if they would drown or just have a long trip back to land. The water seemed crystal clear like a summers morning and it wasn’t cold even her armour didn’t seem to be weighing her down. She said a silent prayer to Odin "guide me to shore and to victory"
Chapter two New shores.
The sand was gritty against her cheek but she came too the last thing she remembered was the storm and the cold of the ocean. Thanking Odin she got to her hands this wasn’t the lands of Hibernia or Albion she couldn’t see the watch towers beacons or keeps that dotted the lands of those places. This was somewhere different some where she had never send, "Odin where have you sent me" In all directions there was beech further up drift wood had been piled by the tides in the distance a great forest lay on the horizon, this couldn’t be a distant shore of albion they had cut down most of their trees for the great battle. It must be Hibernia and she must be on her guard it was written that even the trees of Hibernia came alive and attacked invaders.
She must have been walking for hours her armour shined with an inner light that even the ocean and the night on the beech couldn’t extinguish. She heard a cry and saw her first inhabitant a child like creature running along the dunes, drawing her sword she made sure that it wasn’t a Halfling of the magical lurikeens many a warrior had been felled mistaking those beings for children, it wasn’t a lurikeen it was a celt child. Her sword suddenly felt heavy in her hand it had been blessed by the gothis of odin to fell any enemy but now she could barely lift it. Then she saw what the child was running from a beast had dragged itself from the depths of the ocean, the sword in her hand sang for a moment indicating it had found a worthy target, at this moment the child slipped on the shifting sand, the praises of Odin filling the air the maiden lept into battle.
The beast raised its clawed like hands above its head to smash down on the stricken child, however its claws skitted along the embellished shield, its blow diverted it turned its attention fully to the maiden sensing a stronger fight. It backed off to get a running jump the maiden changed her stance then turning to the celt child she spoke "run" the child stood staring at her for a moment when the maiden shouted again the child didn’t need telling a third breaking off down the beach at full speed the maiden turned back towards the beast. It had begun to circle around trying to find a weakness in the maidens defensive stance.
The battle was going well already the beast was covered in a score of gashes from its great snout to its forlimbs, the maiden was wearing it down, the battle was mighty and maybe the beasts head could adorn her home in erikstead. She heard another noise behind her turning she saw the celt child returning however behind her came the giant figure of a firbolg a great cat was following, the child pointed and the fibolg raised its hands, distracted the maiden turned and did not see the claw it smacked into her chest plate and threw her down the beach " Odin had a plan and she had failed it" Blackness took her.
Chapter three the home by the sea
The nightmare woke her for a moment she thought she was home the bed was soft and warm a fire blazed by the hearth. However things were different the home was neat the panes in the window showed rain against and every now and again the fire crackled as rain splattered against it, she tried to move but there was a searing pain across her chest. Reaching under the bed clothes she could feel the bandages her ribs must have broken in that last lunge.
Something stired by the fire the small child got to her feet and went into the next room the maiden could hear voices, then the giantess came back into the room the firbolg pointed into the corner her armour and sword had been placed against a set of much older armour with a sword the large cat was lying in front its green eyes watched her.
"I speak your language norse" the accent was poor but the maiden understood "im older than you would believe I remember a time when midgard albion and Hibernia lived in harmony, the child has told me of what you did and for that im in your debt". She picked a bowl from the side and went to the fire a large cooking pot was attached to a great iron spike. The firbolg spooned some mixture, she handed it to the maiden "be careful it is hot, but it will do you good , the lusus's claws are poisonous this will help you get better. "why have you rescued me, our peoples are at war". The firbolg sat down into a large chair while the child came over to the large cat and started to stroke its great mane.
"I have already told you I remember a time of peace among the three realms when trade not war was our way, ive seen the cobbled streets of Camelot and the great halls of jordheim. This darkness that has thrown our lands into war is not one I wanted to be apart of I chose to come here to live away from those that would corrupt my ways. This is the lands of hybrasil far from civilization. The sylvans granted me a place to live for services long ago and cast protection around it before they cut themselves off from Hibernia, although word has reached me even here I hear that they have once again asked for help from the council, they have kept my location secret as I’m sure the council will want me to fight.
The maiden listened while the giantess spoke of great deeds and rewards of long ago alliances, then she sighed "your armour and sword I have met them before a maiden like yourself I once knew" the maiden looked about the room, the firbolg laughed "no she never came here this was my retreat when I left Hibernia however her and I used to fight along side even Calisto my cat knew her and she knows the sword and armour, which is why you were not torn to shreds the first time we saw you." There was a pause "so maiden how have you come to my home, the maiden thought then spoke slowly. "there was a call to arms a battle along the coast of Albion was going badly and they needed my blessings, however a storm beset the ship I was on and all but myself was lost. I woke to find myself on your shores, the rest you know."
The firbolg stood up "the young girl who you saved her name is Erinda an orphan I rescued from a similar wreck along the same beach. You should rest now it will be many days before you are well enough to stand, we shall leave you now to sleep.
It was many days and nights before the firbolg allowed the maiden to stand. Here take my arm I shall show you the rest of the house, although still weakened the maiden felt better than before, the small home overlooked a great forest which even from where she stood looked forbidding even to the greatest of warriors. Behind it stood a great tree although no leaves grew on its branches, a great shadow seemed to fall across her soul, the firbolg followed the maidens eyes. "galladoria a corrupted and evil place I see warriors and great parties set forth to cleanse it of its evil and none of them have returned. Every time it takes one of them it grows taller soon even my home will not be protected by its evil.
The young celt girl was off with a basket although she seemed alone the maiden always saw the great cat watching her, the firbolg smiled "yes my companion watches over Erinda like a wayward kitten, although I don’t know why she wasn’t with her by the beech although she never has liked water much. She paused and then said "I do not know your name but I call you maiden"
The Maiden Shores
Chapter One Sea Mists.
"Captain it seems we are falling behind the others" the look out called from the crows nest, let out more sail, there was a sigh from a large grey boulder by the stern of the ship. The captain turned to look " I fear our enemy is sending us into a trap already we are lost ". we must bring the maiden to the fight our troops will be lost without her", the captain grabbed a crewman by the arm "ask the maiden if she would come up on deck its important" the crewman nodded and went below decks.
In the cramped cabin the maiden looked at her armour worn by many maidens before her it was fabled to have been touched by the first, a young Norseman banged on the door "maiden the captain wishes to see you". She nodded and grabbing the blanket from the bed she pulled it around her".
The deck rolled around underneath her feet but she remained standing, "captain what is it you want" the captain spoke "look my lady to the distant horizon the last of the boats has gone from our sight and I fear a storm is brewing that will send us all to the bottom."
"captain" the old shaman stood up " here the maiden must drink this " handing a cracked and worn sapphire blue bottle to the captain "what is it shaman", "you would not know but this bottle comes from the lands of the atlantians it was a gift from an apprentice. It tastes foul but it will allow you to breath underwater and swim like a fish".
The captain held it up to the light "but shaman there is only a drop left" the old troll nodded "yes it’s a rare potion" maiden you don’t have long get into your battle armour and tie your sword to your back, I see the storm now it has been sent not by Hibernian druids, nor the god of albion. It comes from another land or even another realm they want you maiden and you must not fall.
The maiden rushed below decks and looked at the armour wrapped in silks to protect it from the sea salt, kneeling by it she spoke quickly "Odin protect this ship" and donning the armour quickly she felt energy course through her muscles her vision was heightened and the great sword that sang when she gripped it felt light. Standing in full glory she wove the spells of protection she had been taught and turning to the sailor smiled "fear not sailor this vessel is strong and your captain wise I will see your face again, and if you shall fall Odin will welcome you to Valhalla for your sacrifice. " the young man bowed. "Quickly my lady the storm approaches".
On deck the captain was holding the blue bottle the old troll had moved to the front of the ship, "my lady the storm it will be upon us in moments, drink the potion", "Shaman what of my armour it must weigh too much surely ill sink to the bottom," a crag appeared in the trolls face " fear not lady the atlantians were incredibly gifted the potion will keep you afloat and you will swim faster than you ever swam before" the boat was suddenly swamped by a large wave. "quickly now drink it all we shall see you soon".
The maiden looked back to the faces of the sailors on the boat they were scared she could see that in there eyes but they were strong. She held her spear in one hand and leaping into the cold ocean she let out a single note.
The small vessel did not survive the storm even as she swam down she saw timbers and rope it seemed as if the ocean had swallowed her companions of the troll she didn’t know if they would drown or just have a long trip back to land. The water seemed crystal clear like a summers morning and it wasn’t cold even her armour didn’t seem to be weighing her down. She said a silent prayer to Odin "guide me to shore and to victory"
Chapter two New shores.
The sand was gritty against her cheek but she came too the last thing she remembered was the storm and the cold of the ocean. Thanking Odin she got to her hands this wasn’t the lands of Hibernia or Albion she couldn’t see the watch towers beacons or keeps that dotted the lands of those places. This was somewhere different some where she had never send, "Odin where have you sent me" In all directions there was beech further up drift wood had been piled by the tides in the distance a great forest lay on the horizon, this couldn’t be a distant shore of albion they had cut down most of their trees for the great battle. It must be Hibernia and she must be on her guard it was written that even the trees of Hibernia came alive and attacked invaders.
She must have been walking for hours her armour shined with an inner light that even the ocean and the night on the beech couldn’t extinguish. She heard a cry and saw her first inhabitant a child like creature running along the dunes, drawing her sword she made sure that it wasn’t a Halfling of the magical lurikeens many a warrior had been felled mistaking those beings for children, it wasn’t a lurikeen it was a celt child. Her sword suddenly felt heavy in her hand it had been blessed by the gothis of odin to fell any enemy but now she could barely lift it. Then she saw what the child was running from a beast had dragged itself from the depths of the ocean, the sword in her hand sang for a moment indicating it had found a worthy target, at this moment the child slipped on the shifting sand, the praises of Odin filling the air the maiden lept into battle.
The beast raised its clawed like hands above its head to smash down on the stricken child, however its claws skitted along the embellished shield, its blow diverted it turned its attention fully to the maiden sensing a stronger fight. It backed off to get a running jump the maiden changed her stance then turning to the celt child she spoke "run" the child stood staring at her for a moment when the maiden shouted again the child didn’t need telling a third breaking off down the beach at full speed the maiden turned back towards the beast. It had begun to circle around trying to find a weakness in the maidens defensive stance.
The battle was going well already the beast was covered in a score of gashes from its great snout to its forlimbs, the maiden was wearing it down, the battle was mighty and maybe the beasts head could adorn her home in erikstead. She heard another noise behind her turning she saw the celt child returning however behind her came the giant figure of a firbolg a great cat was following, the child pointed and the fibolg raised its hands, distracted the maiden turned and did not see the claw it smacked into her chest plate and threw her down the beach " Odin had a plan and she had failed it" Blackness took her.
Chapter three the home by the sea
The nightmare woke her for a moment she thought she was home the bed was soft and warm a fire blazed by the hearth. However things were different the home was neat the panes in the window showed rain against and every now and again the fire crackled as rain splattered against it, she tried to move but there was a searing pain across her chest. Reaching under the bed clothes she could feel the bandages her ribs must have broken in that last lunge.
Something stired by the fire the small child got to her feet and went into the next room the maiden could hear voices, then the giantess came back into the room the firbolg pointed into the corner her armour and sword had been placed against a set of much older armour with a sword the large cat was lying in front its green eyes watched her.
"I speak your language norse" the accent was poor but the maiden understood "im older than you would believe I remember a time when midgard albion and Hibernia lived in harmony, the child has told me of what you did and for that im in your debt". She picked a bowl from the side and went to the fire a large cooking pot was attached to a great iron spike. The firbolg spooned some mixture, she handed it to the maiden "be careful it is hot, but it will do you good , the lusus's claws are poisonous this will help you get better. "why have you rescued me, our peoples are at war". The firbolg sat down into a large chair while the child came over to the large cat and started to stroke its great mane.
"I have already told you I remember a time of peace among the three realms when trade not war was our way, ive seen the cobbled streets of Camelot and the great halls of jordheim. This darkness that has thrown our lands into war is not one I wanted to be apart of I chose to come here to live away from those that would corrupt my ways. This is the lands of hybrasil far from civilization. The sylvans granted me a place to live for services long ago and cast protection around it before they cut themselves off from Hibernia, although word has reached me even here I hear that they have once again asked for help from the council, they have kept my location secret as I’m sure the council will want me to fight.
The maiden listened while the giantess spoke of great deeds and rewards of long ago alliances, then she sighed "your armour and sword I have met them before a maiden like yourself I once knew" the maiden looked about the room, the firbolg laughed "no she never came here this was my retreat when I left Hibernia however her and I used to fight along side even Calisto my cat knew her and she knows the sword and armour, which is why you were not torn to shreds the first time we saw you." There was a pause "so maiden how have you come to my home, the maiden thought then spoke slowly. "there was a call to arms a battle along the coast of Albion was going badly and they needed my blessings, however a storm beset the ship I was on and all but myself was lost. I woke to find myself on your shores, the rest you know."
The firbolg stood up "the young girl who you saved her name is Erinda an orphan I rescued from a similar wreck along the same beach. You should rest now it will be many days before you are well enough to stand, we shall leave you now to sleep.
It was many days and nights before the firbolg allowed the maiden to stand. Here take my arm I shall show you the rest of the house, although still weakened the maiden felt better than before, the small home overlooked a great forest which even from where she stood looked forbidding even to the greatest of warriors. Behind it stood a great tree although no leaves grew on its branches, a great shadow seemed to fall across her soul, the firbolg followed the maidens eyes. "galladoria a corrupted and evil place I see warriors and great parties set forth to cleanse it of its evil and none of them have returned. Every time it takes one of them it grows taller soon even my home will not be protected by its evil.
The young celt girl was off with a basket although she seemed alone the maiden always saw the great cat watching her, the firbolg smiled "yes my companion watches over Erinda like a wayward kitten, although I don’t know why she wasn’t with her by the beech although she never has liked water much. She paused and then said "I do not know your name but I call you maiden"