Peregrination- Chapter 3

There was a cold silence through must of the ride through out the fields to the forest with, of course, the occasional mumbling of "what have i got myself into?" or "ohh geez". But other than that they were silent. They crossed 2 small streams, one of which Blastride was scared to cross, mkaing him buck, and Eric getting all wet. But that was there one and only humor relief of the day, because after that things went down hill. When setting out the land scape and deciding where to go Anneliese forgot about one important thing to look into: the creatures that live and protect the forest. Her mistake was about to become very prominant when suddenly-


"Oh my gosh, what was that-?" Serena said looking around, there had been a large shadow that had passed of the quartet. The hair on her neck now standing.


"Thats probably nothing, just a cloud..." Bard started "that was moving pretty fast." He finished gulping thinking of all the worse things in the world it could possibly be.


"Or it could be a GRIFFIN!!!" Cried out Eric as Blastride came down recognizing danger, he started to buck. The group scattered about trying to get away from the griffin that was swooping down amongst them. Serena dodged the griffins claws just as it started heading to, Sereward Anneliese.


NO! Serena thinking quickly jumped off Spinnweather heading toward Anneliese who was on the ground curled up trying to protect her self from the griffin that was picking at her. Taking her sword, Serena stabbed the griffin taking off a talon. The griffin screeched backing off of Anneliese who was now covered in blood. Both hers and the griffins. Serena ran toward a windbreak, knowing the griffin wouldn't be able to get under the trees. Screeching the griffin was slwoing down because of blood loss. When Serena turned around with sword in stab position running full blast at the now landed griffin. She stabbed it, but only hard enough to wound it, but not kill it. The griffin laid there breathing heavily. Going up to the griffins head Serena looked at him saying: "You foul pitiful beast! Why doesth thou attack innocent people?" The griffin replied through telekinisis, "It has been my duty for many years to protect anyone from going into the Forbidden Forest, because of all the dangerous that lie there. When the Coppice stone disappeared the dryads and nymphs, including all the plants with any source of life started to over run the forest trails, where it was unsafe for anyone to get even close." Serena bowed her head as she kneeled all the way down to the griffin. "It is our mission to retrieve the Sophia Stones, and it requires us to go through there. Will you please allow us to pass?" The griffin closed his eyes as if to sleep and replied: "You may go ahead, but I must warn you, you will most likely not com out alive. Dauphiness, I am old in my years, will you do me a favor?" Serena leaned closer to listen. "remember me as Euphraim, protector of the Forbidden Forest, King of the Skies." Serena knodded silently, then said: "I will remember you, and we shall hold you a place of honor in the kingdom, Oceanus." Euphraim smiled as he laid down his head and fell into a deep sleep that he would never wake up from.


Serena returned to the group mourning the griffin.

"Well did you get rid of him," Anneliese asked nursing her arm where the griffins talons had cut her.


"He died, but he will be remembered in the Oceanus kingdom for eternity."


Questions popped up on the others faces. "He was the forest guardian protecting us from what was inside." Then suddenly they understood. They took a moment of silence before entering on into the woods.

Peregrination- Chapter 2

Trumpets blared signaling the bridge to come down to allow visitors into the castle.'Well here goes nothing.' Thought Serena. The Lady Anneliese had arrived. Serena was about to approach her about having her accompaning her on the journey. Anneliese was hard to break down, but eventually one could get her to do something if there was something for her to gain. One might ask, why would one want to have her part of this expedition if she was useless? But indeed she was not useless. She was one of the fortunate of those on the monarchy that was tutored by an elf. An Elfen tutor specialized in all languages and landscape. Making Anneliese quite useful when coming upon different areas that have been unexplored for many a long time.


A large black carrige pulled by Kelpies came into the courtyard. Serena who had been hiding in a secret cupboard in her chambers had finally came out to great her guest, and hopefully future expeditioner. Anneliese stepped out of the carrige with the assistance of a footman. Her long black hair was braided and twisted into a knot that was set on the back of her head. She was wearing a dark red dress w/ black trimmings.


"Dauphiness Serena," Anneliese said as she curtsied.


"Lady Anneliese," Serena said as she forced a smile, giving Anneliese a nod to get up.


"I Thank you for inviting me to your lovely castle!" Anneliese started as she and Serena started walking into the formal hall. "But do tell, there are rumors going around that you are leaving soon to search for the Sophia Stones. Fact or crap?"


"I can honestly say this is true." Serena said trying not to trip over the dress she was wearing.


"Interesting.. I'm guessing you had called me here to join you? Because of my knowledge in languages and land scape I'm a guessing?"


"Sheesh, you read my mind!" Serena said casually laughing. "Well.." Serema started up again. "will you consider joining?"


"If you must know," Anneliese started.


"Yes?"


"I have already came packed. Of course I shall join you! BUT"


Serena groaned.. of course there is but, there always is with Anneliese.


"I want credit for finding the Sophia Stones. Oh and I want to be there as an equal, not just a sidekick."


Serena innerly sighed. "Yes! Of course."


Anneliese smiled. "So when do we start?"


~.~


"WHOA!!" Eric cried as he was thrown off Blastride, the horse. Groaning he stood up, dusted himself off and was about to get back on when Bard came riding up behind him laughing.


"Ha ha! You make me laugh trying to attempt to ride that hardly broken in horse! Doesth thee want to die before this expedition?"


"Atleast i was brave enough to choose a challenge, not being safe with an old croon." Eric said smriking back.


"Pssh. Whatever," Bard said loping off towards the other side of the stable, calling it a day.


"Come on Blastride, you know I will be able to ride you properly by the next full moon! I won't let you get to me. Nothing ever has, and nothing ever will." Eric said hoping back onto the horse. "OKay lets try this again. YAH!"


~.~


With all the preparing it took the foursome thought that the day would never come when they are to set off. However when it did. It seemed like it had came in no time. Serena had been waiting for this day, but when they all gathered for them to start off she felt like there was something missing but didn't know what it was.


"Well guys today is the day we leave to retrieve the Sophia Stones!" Serena said with sigh. Some start off speach.. not exactly what she was going for. Not quite so encouraging. "Lets head off!" She tried saying cheerfully not succeeding.


"Which way Anneliese?"


"Through the woods would be best, since it goes straight through to Taroole."


"OH YES, right through the FORBIDDEN WOODS! There is a reason why they are FORBIDDEN ya know!" Bard said smartly.


"Shut up, child. I know what I'm talking about. Even if you are part elf, that doesn't mean you have the brains of one." Anneliese replied smirking.


"Man, you just got BURNED!!" Eric said laughing nearly falling off Blastride which had taken forever for him to get on her.


"We are going through the woods then," Serena stated heading into them. The others falling quickly behind. They had know idea what was about to unfold before them and the dangerous that were in store.

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.