Peregrination- Chapter 1

No one knew the power, the Sophia stones contained. Except possibly the faeries. However, even they did not know the extent of their powers. What made these stones unique was the fact that they actually learned, allowing them to acquire unlimited power. By studying their opponents weaknesses and strong points, they weren't defeated easily. Nobody knew where they came from.

Oceanus, the blue powered stone, protected the European region, which was mainly surrounded by water. It kept mermaids, water nymphs, tsunami's, hurricanes, and other aquatic disastears from destroying the kingdom.

Coppice, the green powered stone, protected the Oriental region, which was located in the middle of the great forest. It protected its people from evil dryads, plants, and animals.




Lastly, the red power stone, Pyro. It protected the mountains in the Indian region. Preventing volcanos from eurpting, and goblins attacking the Dwarves and their mines.





Those three regions together made up most of the world of Tarigot. However, there was one piece a land that wasn't appointed to any of these regions and that was the Taroole, the Desert. Nothing protected the desert because there was nothing there to protect. The only reason one would want the power of it was because of the secrets it contained and of the World Portal. But nobody even knew where the world portal was, much less know where the anything else was there. Great Wyrms, and Faeries were the only ones brave enough to live there.


During the year 1300 E.Y., the stones myseriously disappeared with out notice. Except for the Oceanus stone, which had interestly stayed there. The stones have always kept peace and harmoy amongst the creature's and land regions in Tarigot. Their power protected everything and everyone.


CHAPTER ONE

Serena Starfire, Dauphiness of the European region, protected by the quickly fading Oceanus, of the Sophia Stones, was tired of all chaos and havoc that was going on. Not only was the Asia and India regions affected by the disappearance of the Sophia Stones, Coppice and Pyro, but now was the European region. The hurricanes were getting worse and the sea predators were becoming more vicious, not allowing even the most experienced sailors to go out onto the seas.

With out the stones, keeping unity in Tarigot was nearly impossible. War has been going on, through out the whole land. Many killed, even more wounded. Even her own father on his near death bed. That was when she caved, not being able to take anymore devastation. It had first hit her when she saw her father come in on stretcher with half his body covered in blood. From then on she vowed to herself she would find a way to bring peace to Tarigot once again. She grew up with only the stable boys and pages as her friends, being tutored by the castle's scholars. Her mother had disappeared with the stones long ago, allowing her to grow up independent. Now, 8 years later, at the age of 17, she decided it was the time to do something about this war.




"Father, I am going on a journey to retrieve the Sophia Stones and there is nothing you can do about it." Serena stated boldy when she bursted into her fathers chambers.




"Serena-! Are you mad? Have you been taken by a fever of some sort?" Said King Garmon, sitting up in bed, his face full of pain.





"No I have not! As soon as I'm able I will be departing to the desert." She said as she sat down, but was quickly to get up again and face the floor with her arguement.





"TAROOLE? No there is know way I'm going to allow it!"




"What are you going to do about it? All you do is lay here all day doing nothing!"




"You know if I could be out there on the front lines I would be! but I'm physically not able too!"





"I honestly want to do this! I will take upon myself full responsibilty for this expedition. I realize the dangers I will face,"




"BUT-"




"I will let you know when I shall depart." Serena said exiting the chambers. Usually she would be more respectful of elders, especially her father. When her mom had disappeared all those years ago she had grown up amongst the Parliament, making her strong and hardwilled.





She ran out into the courtyards where the knights were recruiting new young men to become knights and soldiers. All the young "men" were merely boys, as people referred them to, she sniffed, as ran up to the head of the Knights.



"Sir Laurie, I am in need of your assistances!"

A man about 6 1/2 tall turned around, he was balding with a fiery orange beard.

"How can I asist thee, Dauphiness?" Sir Laurie replied bowing.





"I need two young knights, as quickly as possible if you please. Preferably some with experience, I'm going to need them as quickly as possible." She said sternly, she meant business.


"All our knights are in battle right now, however there is some of our knights in training. What do you need with them?"




" Peregrination. I'm off to Taroole's world portal."

"Dauphiness! If you please, that is unsafe! However, something like that would have never stopped you before." He said looking at Serena scratching his head.




"I realize that and because I do not have the proper training in swordplay I require the assitance of two young knights."




Nodding He turned around calling to two young men practicing their swordplay. "This is Bard, he grew up as a merchants son, he has had 2 years of training and has succesfully came to the top of the jousting class." He said pointing to a young blonde fellow. "Now this is Eric, he grew up on a poor farm, learning early in life how to work hard." He finished gesturing to a tall lean, dark haired guy.




Serena looked at them up and down, as if to decide if they were worthy enough to work with her.




"Excellent, thank you Sir Laurie." She smiled. "Boys please come with me." She finished as she turned and walked off towards the stables.





Bard and Eric looked at Sir Laurie, who gestured them forward, then looking at each other shrugging they ran off after Serena.





"Excuse me-, erm Princess?" Bard panted as they caught up with her.




"You shall address me as Dauphiness or Serena.. none of this princess crap. Please and thank you." Serena said fiercely as she entered the stables.




"Well then.. Excuse me then... Serena?"




"Ah, good you catch on quickly. What is it that you want?" She sighed as she turned quickly to face him.




"What exactly are we doing?" He asked hesitantly.




"A Peregrination. We are heading to Taroole's world portal. Your Bard, am I correct?"




"Yes," He answered.




"And Eric- is it not?" She asked Eric who was catching up to them.




"Yes.." he said pantin heavily."It's Eric." Leaning over trying to catch his breath while talk at the same time, unsuccessfully one might see.





"Well, Eric here is going to help us find the faeries's mountain. They are the only one's who know where the world portal is located and with Eric here," nodding to Eric. "Is going to help us. Because only those who have actually seen faeries or are one can find the mountain. Got it Bardy oh boy?"




"umm-yeah?"




"Good. Now I'll need both of you to be ready to set of this coming fortnight. By then my female companion will have arrived. Also you guys are gonna need horses. Jame's will help you find some that you may like." Serena said as she walked away to her horses stall.

~.~

"Spinnweather!" Serena cried as she went up to her horse. Spinnweather was a gift from her father on her 10th birthday. He was a knabstrup horse, that basically looked like a dalmation but in horse form.


"How would you like some sugar cubes? I know their your favorite!" She said putting her hand out which was filled with sugar cubes that she had snatched from the kitchen earlier that day. Spinnweather whinnied taking the cubes gratefully.


"Are you ready to go on a long trip? It's not going to be pretty, but it will help Tarigot." Serena said suddenly becoming quiet.. She said farewell to Spinnweather, then left lugubrious heading back to her chambers to ready herself.

~.~


Eric and Bard looked at each other shrugging.

"Well atleast we dont hafta stay and do training for awhile.. how long do you think this is gonna last?" Asked Bard.


"I don't know.. I have a bad feeling about this. But atleast I can get out of fighting in this pathetic war."


"My friend that is the truest thing I have heard all day." Bard said walking off toward one of the stable hands..

"Excuse me? Are you James? Dauphiness Serena said we were to talk to James about getting us a couple steeds for this Peregrination she keeps talking about."


"Yes I am he. Hmm I believe I have the 2 perfect horses for you. Your both knights in training am I right?"


"Yes sir" Replied Eric.


"Excellent, come this way." James walked off towards the arena. "Over here we have newly broken horses that might suit your taste. Pick one anyone!"


"Brilliant!" Bard said as he trotted down to a pinto horse. Eric stood there for a moment looking around.


"How about that black horse over there?"


"OH WOW.. hmm well if you really want him. He is our newly 'almost' broke horses." James said hesitantly.


"Yes, i'm positive." Eric said firmly, yet thoughtfully. As a young child his father always had put him down saying he needed to be a man and try to do hard things. Eric grew up the youngest of 4 sons. When he ran away from home he came to the castle hoping to become a knight. At first they rejected him because he was to young and scrawny. However, King Garmon had allowed him to live at the castle with the other pages and squires until he had been old enough. Now he felt that it was his duty to go on this expedition with the Kings daughter.