Epoch of the Rune Part 1
Ethundova The spring sun rose in the eastern sky casting light across the vast peninsula of Highford. The bright morning star's reflection shimmering in the port waters of Ethundova. The docks bustling with activities as preparations for the celebration of Enaellual began. A time of year filled with Competition and tests of valor and strength. The sprawling city was filled with traveler in pilgrims come you join the festival held in for the holiday. As the sun rose slowly into the sky, light poured into the streets bringing them to life as shops opened and residents emerged from their houses. The port city itself was a cobbled together collection of stone and wood constructed buildings radiating out from the docks. Ethundova had grown from a small shipping dock for the local lumber to a major trade hub of the nation and now the centerpiece of the Enaellual festival. The feasts and games held arena were legendary. Warriors and athletes traveled from distant nations to compete and win glory and fame across the many nations. Among those seeking fame in the Enaellual Games was a young gladiator named Bytowen Crimsoneye. The gray furred feline male had long, luxurious, wavy, gray hair, narrow slanted red eyes and a graceful build. His ears were rounded and downturned. He had celebrated his sixteenth summer only two week before, making him of age to compete in Ethoudova's arena. Wearing his new polished studded leather chest piece, emblazoned with his national crest A crimson dragon in flight, his sword crudely fastened to his hip by an aged leather belt and scabbard. His sword was passed to him by his father, an honored hero from the War of Saints. He was now penniless having spent the last of his dunnom on his entry fee into the games set to commence in only three days on the spring equinox. Bytowen walked down the cobblestone street looking for The Singing Stallion Tavern. As the brightly painted wooden building came into view, his ears were assaulted by the sounds of its cheerful patrons and melodic music pouring out. He smiled widely as the place reminded him of home. He picked up his pace, almost running
to the door, weaving through the crowded street with the hopes of finding a bit of work for the board he was told of, or at least a beautiful girl to keep him company as so slowly starved to death waiting to fight in the arena. More than anything he just wanted to find a place to take the weight off his feet. The tavern fell silent as he burst through the free swinging pair of saloon style doors. He stood stunned, looking over the crowded room, all attention on him. His eyes finally meet those of the large grizzly behind the bar. Several moments later all interest in him was lost and the jovial conversations and music continued as if nothing had changed. Releasing the door he held, letting it swing lightly behind him, he walked into the room trying to maintain an air of elegance he lacked. His eyes scanning to room as he was moving through it. Much of the crowd dividing themselves into small groups chatting of anything that came to their minds. It was obvious that many of the groups were well acquainted and possibly actual residents of the city, while others were groups of competitors for the Enaellual games. As he reached the center of the room the instrumental music stopped replaced by the most enchanting voice he had ever heard. His gaze drawn to its source. She was standing on the stage, his jaw dropped open at the sight of her, and the feline woman was no older than he, her emerald green eye looking deep into his as she sang. The long straight white hair pulled into a tight braid cascading down her back. The thick white fur of her face seeming to glitter in the new sunlight streaming through the glass window. Her curvy build filled out her green presents dress, straining the lasing that held the bodies around her. Her paws, a bright shade of orange, softly damming the plans of the raised platform beneath her. He stood dumbfounded by her magical voice feeling as if she was singing only to his. Her ears flickers ar the band began playing a melodic tune once again. The music stopped again, the large grizzly shouting from behind the bat, "Get that witch out f my bar. You know your kind is not welcome here Jabyses, you will steal no souls today." Bytowen stood watching as two equines rushed the stage
grabbing the defenseless catgirl by her arms. The two bouncers wordlessly pulled her to the door through the crowded tavern, pas Bytowen, pushing him aside. As they throw her out into the street the patrons of the bar returned to their normal activities. With everything back to the way it was when he entered, he started to make his way to the bar, and the bear that was obviously in charge. "Hey, Barkeep." She shouted over the commotion of the other patrons. Coming over to the cat boy the bear leaned against the bar he asked, "What do you want boy?" "Who was that girl they just throughout? Why not let her sing? Her voice was enchanting?" Bytowen asked looking up at the bear. "HA!" Laughing the bear slapped the the bar repeatedly. "Enchanting more than you know boy, She is a witch. She used that voice of hers to suck out the souls of unsuspecting men. And lore them to her witches den to do unspeakable things to them. Best stay clear of that one if you value your live cub." "If she is such a thing how come the council has not banished her to the under city?" he asked as his mind ran through tales of the fabled dungeons beneath Ethundova. "Isn't that the fate of all who cross the council or the Emperor?" "Aye, that is the truth of the city. But, one must cross the powers that be to earn such a fate. She is a cunning one and only take those that will not be missed." glancing from side to side them leaning in closer the bear whispered, "I hear that she will take the soul of those fear well in the games but are of non-noble blood and sacrifice them to Anullaren to retain her youth and beauty. I would steer clear of her boy, or leave the City as soon as the festival is over. I saw the way she looked at you. Watch your back." Taking in the bears words and warning, Bytowen turned to look out the glass window where she stood looking in. 'Who is she truly?', he thought to himself. Something about the girl was pulling at him, had she really enchanted him to steal his soul? The Young Jabyses Landing hard on the cobblestone street, Jabyses looked back at the equines that had thrown her. Standing and brushing the dust off her dress she said to them, "If I were truly the witch everyone claims, would I not steal your souls just to be done with you?" Looking over she saw that they had already left her in the street. "To the Harbingers with all of you! She shouted at the tavern walls. Walking to the window she looked in, that Cat boy that she saw was standing at the bar. She was different, the way he looked at her when she was singing. it was as if she was being pulled to him. Why was she cursed with the melodic voice? She had never known a time when she was not feared as a witch trying to steal souls for unsuspecting travelers. The only one who had even not feared her voice was her mother, she remembered her velvety fur as she would tell the story of how the Gods had given her that voice for a reason. But even she was torn from Jabyses for fear of her. They had put her to death for witchcraft and dealing with demons. This city had buried her life and left her alone in the streets. Even singing for coins by her was forbidden by the city guards. She prayed to Titaxer, the God of music to bless her and bring her peace, yet her prayers had gone unanswered. She stood watching as he spoke to the Bear behind the bar, when he suddenly turned and looked directly at her. "Chull, have you finally sent me my champion my mother had promised? Is he the one?", she whispered to herself. Looking away from the male that had caught and brushing the dust from her dress she looked it over for any new mending that she may need to do. She still needs money for food. Walking to the free market she continues to scan the streets for the city guard. If they catch her again she will be taken in front of the council for punishment. Hearing her name shouted from the direction of the tavern caused her heart to quicken, the memories of the stonings and beating flooding into her mind. Without looking to find the source of the shout she panicked and ran into the growing morning crowd. She heard her name shouted again as she dodged out of the bright sun lit street into a still shadowy alley. Her nimble paws carried her into dark recess of the back city. Swiftly running through the Alleys and sliding through the narrow passages between the buildings. She moved into the older city, her sanctuary for those who hated her, who believed the rumors of witchcraft. With the safety of the abandoned decaying refuge, she stopped to catch her breath. Hearing footsteps behind her, she pressed her body close to wall. Looking into the main street she watched as the same gladiator cat she watched in the taverns walked past her hiding place. 'Why is he following me?', she thought to herself, 'Surely the barkeep had warned him of her, as he did all who came to the city.' Listening as his footsteps faded into the distance, she breathed a sigh of relief. Sliding down the wall she thought about her morning. She knew well that she was not welcome at The Singing Stallion. concentrating she could not remember setting out for the tavern or arriving. the first memory was his eye lock on hers as she sang... to him. 'Who is he,' she questioned again, 'and why am I drawn to him?' Looking to the sky she prayed, "Anullaren, goddess of memory, why have you clouded my mind? I beg you, give back this morning that you have taken from me, so that I may know what compels me so." Wager of the Gods Isilolom, A divinely beautiful bear, with brown fur stood before a great crystal cauldron in the center of a vast crystal cavern. His moonlight
colored eyes peared from beneath the hood of the dark clowning cloak into the mist that flowed from the great veal. From a distance behind him came a voice laced with the melodic sounds of rain. "What troubles you cousin?" As he turned his eyes were greeted by the shining black pearls of Areans, an eerily beautiful fox, with dark red fur, waist length, rippling bright red hair. She was tall and willowy, and is smiling of a fresh rain. She wore tattered cloak dyed grey-green and medium red. her bare paws struck the floor of the cave, her unkempt claws kicking against the stone as she walked toward him. "You look as a deer caught in the storm. What brings you heart low this day?""It is this one, she is a mockery of her bloodline." The bear growled. "She runs and hides. She begs and steals. She is unable to rise above the worlds she is in." He pointed into the mists ash the fox approached.Placing her paws on the rim of the mist fill cauldron, Areans leaned forward blowing into the cloud will space below. The mists swirled and parted before her, revealing a frightened young cat girls hiding in the shadows. "She is stronger than you think, cusin. She had yet to find that strength within herself. The day will come when she can take her place beside her father."A cruel grin crossed the bear's muzzles as he looked back to the fox. "The i will test this strength you say she has. You are growing old Areans. Is your vision fading, or do you trust it enough to place a wager?"Her black spheres looked up at him as she asked, "What are the stakes of your wagers?" Pride evident in her voice as she spoke.Reaching over the pool he waved his paw, agitating the mist to reveal a the young feline gladiator. "His life." He watched as the fox closed her eyes to the sight. "Your son has tampered with fate yet again Areans. He casts imbalance into the world for his pleasure. I offer you a fair wager. If she truly is as you have seen, then you lose nothing. But, if she is weak and unable to rise to my challenge, I will take his soul and from as my own.""Why? " She asked looking into his green eyes, "Why chose the boy as your reward?""For the same reason you now hesitate. The boy has been touched by Titaxer's will. Even now he runs after the song with no understanding of why.His actions are no longer his own. They are the actions a a mortal drunk on your son's melody." He walked closer to the fox with each word, till he was toe to toe with her, looking her in eyes. "For me to take him would be to free him." Turning to walk away he continued, "But , then again, If she is worth of her father's blood, as you say, Then there is no need to worry of this little wager.""I will not wager with the lives of mortals." She said sternly to the bear. Spinning on his paws to face her he spoke, venom and anger in his voice, "What do you care of the mortals, They have abandoned you for science. Even now, few farmers pray for your rain to nourish their crops. Your temples set in decay and ruin. They have forsaken you Areans, as they are forcing us all. Bygone are the days when we walked among them and they trembled in fear. We have become weak and lame. Chull has allowed them to fall away, to follow Oru and her ways science. They even now look for ways to disprove us, to show that the gods do not even exist.They war against us. I will not stand by and allow you to tell me of the value of the fragile mortal soul."Fury burned like small flames in her black orbs as she lock with his gaze. "She will crush your minions under foot, As all Starstalkers have." Areans pushed her way past the the bear as she stormed away.
Request from A Goddess Bytowen watch as the cat girl walked away from the window into the crowded street. He felt a pull in his core as she disappeared from his site. 'I must know who, and what she is.', he thought to himself, 'Her voice, I must hear it again.' His mind races with the strange feelings stirred within him by her song. 'Her voice was a gift from Titaxer, the God of music. to think of such a sound as anything else was to blaspheme the gods.', he nearly spoke the words aloud. Drawn by an unknown need, he stood and walked out the door he had just entered, the thought of work, money and food all but
gone from his mind. Turning to look in the direction she had gone, he caught a glimpse of the green dress in the crowd. Unable to control himself, he shouted her name "Jabyses", a word he could not remember only moments ago. Watching as she ran into the crowd without looking at him, he followed her. He followed the emerald green dress as it ducked into a dark alley. He chased his prey into the darkness of the back city, moving swiftly into the forgotten recesses of the old trade district. Stopping when he found himself in a wide abandoned street, he looked around. The young feline now lost to him. The street itself found no light from the early morning sun the surrounding building had been left years ago in favor of the newer locations closer to the free market and the arena. Slowly he walked the vacant street, his eyes roaming, looking for the girl that had drawn him to the location. His paw resting on the hilt of his father's sword, he watched the shadows cosiusly. Without thinking he had found himself doing exactly as his mother had warned him not to. He had followed a beautiful woman to a deserted area, where anything could lie in wait for it's next victim. Perhaps she had enchanted him with her song. Leading him here to steal his soul for her demonic dealings. "Be not a fool, young one." a woman's voice called to him, whirling on his paws she came face-to-face with a plain feline woman, with short fur, long, flowing auburn hair, and eyes the color of spring greenery. She was taller than he and of hearty build. She was wearing light and airy gray robes grey. "She is no threat to you, Bytowen, she is in need of you." "By all that is holy." he exclaimed looking into her leafy green eyes, "The goddess Laidaxah stands before my." dropping to one knee he bowed before the cat woman. "Rise my young warrior." she said to him, placing a paw on his shoulder, "I need you to heed this warning. The young Jabyses is but a pawn in a wager, and her father can do nothing to protect her, for his mother and father's brother
are the ones who have made the wager. I need you to warn her of the things to come." Not raising his head, unworthy to face a god as an equal he spoke, "My lady Liadaxah, I am unworthy of such a request. I have yet to prove my worth by the blade." "Hush young one," she told him, "I chose my heroes by their fate. Do you feel that the Goddess of Prophecy has chosen wrong? Tell me then wise young warrior, whom should I choose?" Her words and revelation of his foolish comment she spoke to her, "Forgive my rash word my lady. I mean no..." "Hush," she interrupted the young catboy, "Listen well my champion. You task is a simple one; You are to tell her only these words. 'The rune of truth is not carved in stone or metal, but flesh and bone.' do nothing more than tell her those words, or you shall both surely be taken from this life." "But my lady," he questioned still bowing to the cobblestone street, "How am I to find her? I have chased her and she had run. I now find myself lost." The silence weighed heavy in the empty street. Slowly raising his head he once again found himself alone, the goddess gone without a trace. "Isoulerus, father of all cities." he prayed, "Show me the way so that I may honor Laidaxah request." Slowly looking around and listening, Bytowen searched for the sign from the feline god of cities only to receive none." Why do the gods torment us so?"As bytowen shouted his question at the heavens A loud thunder clapped answered him. He watched as dark, ominous clouds rolled in from the sea.