The Story of Zedicus

By Zedicus

Outside the bright sun breaking through the horizon announces the beginning of another day. Standing at citywall of Hulga, the dew of the fresh morning mist gives off eye catching flashes like countless stars shining in the clear night sky. The smell of sweet rose blossoms fill the cold air as the bright, warm sunlight hits your eyes. But inside the city of Hulga, things were much different. The once sandy outer streets of Hulga's market place were now muddy and soaked. Soaked not with the heavenly rain water, but the blood of Hulga's citizens. Many bodies were found to be scattered all around the streets as the stench of death was staggering.

As Zedicus walked through the horrifying scene, death totally surrounded him. Children, used as targets, were pinned to the walls with throwing knives, arrows, and spears sticking out of their bloody eye sockets and all over thier badly cut bodies. Wild, flesh eating animals could be seen everywhere, chewing, ripping the body parts off the dead. The cold air stabs like countless swords cutting into the skin. Zedicus couldn't help but pull close his thick brown cape as his body began to shiver. He shivered, yet not of the cold air, but of the terrifying sights all around him.

Walking deeper into the ghostly city of Hulga, Zedicus could only couldn't help but pray for the dead, for he had seen what had been done to them. The clang of an once glorious iron gate, now bent and broken, broke the silent air. It was hanging from the ruins of the once busy Blossom Inn. Now destroyed like many of the other buildings in the city, not much more than the charred bodies remained.

Along the way, Zedicus uncovered countless number of women who had been ravaged by their attackers. Most of the blood came from the scalped heads of soldiers who still lay in plain sight. Dead, yet with their eyes open wide, they stared up towards heaven. The cuts were made from the edge of the right ear, around the forehead, connecting the left ear, and around back to the right. The white skulls were stained with red blood and pieces of the flesh were still left on the skull from the evil "monsters" who pulled the scalp free with their bare hands. Each face was covered with blood, the victim's own blood. It's like a bloodbath...... no, it was a bloodbath.

Unable to stand the sight of what seemed to be endless carnage, Zedicus had finally reached the grand city hall in the center of the Hulga city, his destination. The city hall was a five stories high building, constructed out of white marble. Statues standing all around like guardians, now all ruin and destroyed. The white marble made it lookas though it were a huge white palace. The once stately place was stained with both smoke and blood. Passing through the streets of Hulga, only life remainnig seemed to be wild animals. The ten feet high main door is melted down into a pile of golden copper. Without doubt a powerful wizard was on the side of the evil army who wiped out this city.

The guards were tortured and then killed, their fingers and toes removed and piled in a heap. Out of respect for the dead, he tried to close the widely opened eyes of the dead. It seemed like an endless task as the bodies wereas countless as the stars in the skies. He walked into the kitchen, hoping to find some sign of life. All he could see was food everywhere, and different wines spilled all over the floor. In his mind, he figured the attacking army must used this place as a partying spot. They must of had enjoyed themselves to all the food and wine in the kitchen, but from what Zedicus had seen, there must be more food on the walls and floors then in the stomach of the attacking army.

As he left the kitchen, he found the missing chief who he was looking for. The poor man was tied against the back of the door and butchered like a livestock. Fingers, eyes, guts, even his heart was all over the dusty kitchen floor. In tears, he turned away from the sight of the dead chief, his father. He found a feather of a raven on the floor. He picked it up, put it in his pocket and wondered where did it came from.

Right at that moment, the door burst open. A teenage girl, was standing there, watching Zedicus with her pale blue eyes. She had dark brown hair that flew up against her face from her shoulder when a cold breeze blew in from the broken window. With her beauty, she easily took Zedicus's breath as she could of all men. Her dress was golden and glamorous. Zedicus looked into her tear filled eyes, the eyes he had been searching for, and he moved close toward her.

"Why didn't you come earlier? Why?" She broke down in a cry as she dove into Zedicus's arms. She cried and sobbed like a little child in his arms. Zedicus didn't say anything, but simply held her tight against him. "You have no idea what they done to those poor people out there, no idea." Again Zedicus just held her and let her cry against his shoulder. "I missed you so much. I know what's been done to those people out there, because my father is that chief over there." Said Zedicus with a sandy voice and a broken heart when the girl finally stopped crying. "How did you survived this..... this ..... bloodbath? and who did it?" "They hid me in a little closet, when the Fey army came through. They all took their own life, in fear they might gave up on the torture and tell them where I am. I own them my life as well as theirs." Tears again fill the eyes of the girl when she finished her story. Zedicus took her soft hand in his, and gave her a little tap of understanding. "We must be out of here quick, for they might again come back." Standing face to face with her, he cupped his free hand on her tearful face. "I love you Colleen."

With a arm around her cold body, Zedicus and Colleen raced toward the city gate. Inside his heart he felt a thousand swords stabbing his inner soul, for he had lost his dear father, and seeing his only beloved in pain, mental and emotional pain. "Good thing you are not hurt. My men are just outside of the citywall. A few scouts told me the terrible tragic happened a night ago. We also tracked down the Fey army, they've been living off the blood from the citizens of Hulga city, my home city. They also managed to find out that a powerful wizard along with his three students where in charge of the large army of at least 50,000 men. Whether the army is willing or forced to follow him I don't know, but a wizard of his might could as well control them all through magic."

With the city gate in sight, Zedicus took a quick glance back into the eyes of Colleen, for she's the one who he value more than life itself. He could never live with himself if she had died in that attack. "I tried to come earlier but our forces were scattered all around the plains. So far I only managed to gather about 10,000 men and 500 Tellerium honor guards. For our number were small but we are well trained soldiers. We will get revenge." Seeing Zedicus' knuckle white and his fingers curl up into a tight fist, she could well tell that he was filled with anger, and not in a good mood. Inside her heart was filled with sorrow and pain but yet also of joy. Sorrow and pain of the citizens of Hulga, the one she knew so well. Her family, along with the others, were murdered by the cold blooded Wizard Frostpine, in an attempt to find her. She knew the location of the ancient scroll of powerful magic.

Joy came to her when she thought about being with her love, her life. Still holding on to Zedicus's hand she took in every detail of him while they ran up the hills toward the camp site of Zedicus's army. This Major in Tellerium's forces stole her heart with his dashing looks. Bright brown eyes shines in the light while his short trimmed brown hair blew in the wind. Cold steel armors covers his muscular and well built body. The golden band around his left wrist guard shows his rank in the army. For she had known him since she was still young, she thought this moment he looked most handsome, in his brown cape for she had mended for him. In the light she could see him wearing the silver necklace that she had given him when he left for Tellerium to join the cavalier forces.

"Major, scouts reported they found the location of our enemy. The honor guards found few more survivors around the city. Messengers from Tellerium and Templeton say that they are sending more troops to join us. In addition, the Mayor of Tellerium is greatly concerned about Lady Colleen and the secret location of the scrolls." Reported the young sergeant. "Thank you, Sergeant Amphel. Send someone back to Tellerium and Templeton to send our thanks for them coming to our aid, and that Lady Colleen is well. I'll protect her with my own life if necessary." Said Zedicus as they reached the camp. In Colleen's heart she knew Zedicus would protect her with his last breath. The sergeant gave a salute and left for his duty.

Turning to Colleen with his arms around her, Zedicus said with a loving voice, "You should get some rest Colleen. We'll catch up with our enemy tomorrow dawn, for their number were great and travels slow. We will get our revenge." The major lead Colleen into his own tent. "Why are you carrying that dagger? I never knew you could use a weapon." Said Zedicus as he pointed to the dagger at Colleen's waist. The dagger was silver and it's handle was wrapped with raven feathers. Much like the one he found at the Hulga city. Without another word she fell into his arms, his strong and safe arms. "Someone gave me this dagger, he wanted me to have something so I could defend myself if I'm found." looking up into his loving eyes, she softly reach her chin up to gave him a soft, tender, long lasting kiss.

"When the army swept through the city, I thought I could never see you again. I knew what they did to those women, I would kill myself before they could even touch me, because I belong to no one but you, my love." Softly stroking his hair with her soft hand, she gave him another breath taking kiss then said, "You have been riding long and hard to reach here, I can see the dark round shade around your eyes. Get some sleep, I'll be fine." It was more a demand than a suggestion. Zedicus took her hand in his, "Anything for you, anything." He bent over to gave her another kiss.

That's when painful screams ripped through the air outside his tent. Drawing his sword while putting a protective arm around Colleen, he raced outside to find what was the source for the screams. Blood began to spray all over his face as he saw a honor guard been ripped in half by the claws of a huge green scaled dragon. Roaring in his face, showing all its sharp, bloody teeth at Zedicus, it swing its claw toward him. With a roll he dodge the sharp claws. Before the claws passes over his head he stuck up his sharp sword and cut the hand off the mighty beast. Wounded, the dragon took to the air with it wing, diving toward Colleen. Zedicus saw the sight, he jumped up with all his might, raced toward Colleen and pulled her to the ground with him, the beast missed its target, but it's sharp teeth left three bloody cuts on Zedicus. Zedicus took a quick glance around, dead bodies were all he saw, over a hundred of his men were on the ground, either dead or seriously wounded.

"Stand back!" commanded Zedicus as he took to his feet with his sword is front of him. Soldiers were now gathering around the beast. "Legions, use your shields, form a circle around here. Cavaliers, standing behind the shields, point the pikes and the lances toward the beast so it couldn't get to the shield without any blood shed. Archers stand behind the cavaliers, aim for the beast, without my command no one shoots an arrow towards it." Standing in between Colleen and the beast, Zedicus uses his hurt arm to take hold of Colleen and held her behind him. Colleen ached to see Zedicus hurt, his blood gushes out of the wound and ran down his arm into her hand. "Release the arrows." Commanded Zedicus as he and Colleen bent down so the arrows could faultlessly fly toward the beast while missing them. The dragon blew out a breath of fire and burnt up the arrows, but not all were in doom, one arrow made its target and struck hard on the waist of the dragon. With a painful roar, it breath out another breath of flame, this time toward the soldiers. The soldiers were forced to move back a good ten steps. "Zedicus, watch out!" Screamed Colleen as she saw the tail of the green beast swinging toward her love.

But her warning came too late, Zedicus was knocked off his feet into the air leaving behind a trail of blood from his bleeding head. Landing back about six feet, soldiers started racing in to rescue him. Colleen in tears screams out Zedicus's name and dashed toward him with all her strength. When she's only two steps away from him, she felt a huge arm warp around her waist. Knocking the wind out of her lungs, she was taken by the dragon. the dragon looked into the brown eyes of the wounded Zedicus and gave him a grin as it took into the air with its prize. "No matter what happens, please remember. That I love you till the end of time, I love you this life, the next, and for every one after that's to come." Crying and yelling as she blew Zedicus one last kiss. In her heart she was dead, for she could not live without her beloved Zedicus.

"No..........." Screamed Zedicus as he tried to chase after the dragon, but his wounds were forcing him on the ground. Watching helplessly as Colleen and the Dragon turning smaller and smaller into a dot and finally gone into the cold winter air. Something warm filled his eyes, tears streams down his face along with the blood from his wound.

"Why! Why! She had done no wrong. Take me! Please, mighty gods of Alyria please let her be safe. Take my soul if you wish, but please let her be safe." shaking his fist in the air as he yells out toward the sky. "Major, I'm sorry for what just happened. But we need you right now. More people will suffer if we don't stop the Fey army that calls themselves the Crow. More couples like you will be hurt and separated, more children will be without their parents and love ones. More ladies like Lady Colleen will be raped and killed." Giving a pat on the back of Zedicus, Ikeris, Zedicus's right hand Captain tries to comfort Zedicus and rekindle the flame of anger inside him, hoping it will cover the pain of the lost of his love, his world, his life, and his soulmate.

"Thank you, Captain, we have been friends for years. Thank you for reminding me of my duty and my job. I'll make the Crow pay, oh yes, they will pay greatly." Speaking the words through his chattering teeth. Zedicus went over to the battleground where he had last seen Colleen after his wounds is all treated and dressed. He picked up the claw of the beast, using his sword he sliced off one of the nail and drilled a hole at the base of it. Then taking out a piece of leather thong, he hung the sharp five inch claw on it and then hung it around his neck. In his heart, he swore to death he'll find Colleen and no one will be able to stop him on his path.

"Ikeris, call a meeting of the whole army, I have something to say." Said Zedicus as he returns his fine sword to its scabard on his waist belt. "Yes Major, it shall be done in matters of minutes." Giving a salute and a bow, the Captain raced to finish his task. Torches were lit as the meeting started. On the plain grass, the crimson uniform of the soldiers show them to be of the city of Templeton, but a few, in golden uniforms showed that they were the honor guard of Tellerium. "Brothers, we are here for a purpose, and one purpose only. We must crush the evil Crow. Though they out number us, we must act now before they destroy others. As we all know, the scroll of the ancient can't be given to the wrong hands, so I'll take a hundred honor guard with me in the search for Lady Colleen. We will meet back at Tellerium when we complete our task. We will set out tonight and try for our enemy. Here's my last advice, attack during the day, for the Fey couldn't stand the light of the sun."

Days passed as Zedicus and his men went in search of Colleen. Zedicus had discovered a secret about the dragon claw around his neck. It enabled him to know the location of the dragon. It's like a link, guiding Zedicus to his love. It also increases his speed and strength in combat. Zedicus is worried about leaving his whole army behind, but he knew his trusted friend, Captain Ikeris, will be a good leader.

"Sergeant Amphel, what's the news from Ikeris? I saw the messenger this morning. Why didn't you report to me right away?" asked Zedicus, waiting for an answer. "Major, a sneak attack by our men, now the Crow is cut down into half of their number. But..... we also suffer great casualty. one third of our young soldiers were killed, mostly by the students of the wizard. But the Wizard Frostpine himself couldn't be seen anywhere. I didn't report this because I figured you have too much to worry about and this is small news." Reported Sergeant Amphel, who is in charge of all the honor guards with them next to Major Zedicus himself. "How far away is the Templeton and Tellerium reinforcement to our main force?" Asked Zedicus. "About four days." Was the answer.

Zedicus saw a raven fly up into the air as if it was trying tell them something. From where the raven flew up, Zedicus saw a flash. "Get your men ready, we are close to the dragon, I can feel it in the air." Just then fire balls ring through the air toward Zedicus and his men. Screams fills the air when over half of the honor guards were struck by thousands of fire balls. Zedicus knew it wasn't normal fire balls, but the fire balls of a wizard. After all the fireballs were gone, Zedicus and his remaining men dashed toward the enemy. "Amphel take all the men and break through the enemy line while I take care of the Wizard."

Holding the silver necklace Colleen had gave him, he swallow back a scream and charge forward, cutting down Fey soldiers as he break through the line. He saw the main command tent in the center of the circling soldiers. He also saw a man sitting on top of a green dragon just up top of the tent sending fireballs toward his men. Zedicus wanted to be with Colleen so bad, he fought the soldiers like he was death himself. Everywhere he went arms, legs, flew up in the air. Zedicus was covered in blood, but not of his own, but of his enemy's. He took a glance back as he saw his men fought as fierce as him, when he turn around he saw a blade swinging toward him. He dodged, but not fast enough, the blade pulled open a cut on his shoulder. Held back the pain, he concentrate his mind on getting to the commanding tent, getting to his love, getting to Colleen. Finally he broken through the line, standing in front of him is the green dragon, and Wizard Frostpine.

"Not bad for a non-magic user. If you join me, all the riches in the world could be yours. I had heard a great deal about you Zedicus. That girl Colleen was screaming for you to save her when I raped her, heh, she has the finest body I ever tasted." laughed the wizard as Zedicus's heart was ripped into pieces, his world ended, his soul striped from his body. "Oh what's wrong? Want me to tell you more?" Laughing the Wizard. "Where is she?" Demanded Zedicus through chattering teeth, as he burst into tears.

'To me Colleen was everything, how could this man do such a thing to her. He will pay, pay with his life.' that was the only thing running through his mind at that moment. "In the underworld, where your father is." laughed the Wizard, "Did you know that I was the one who killed him with my own hands?" Zedicus couldn't take it no more, he dove with the sword pointing at the Wizard, watching the tip only inches to the Wizard's heart Zedicus grinned. But soon his grin turn into horror. When he found himself stuck in mid air. It was like the air had thicken and he couldn't move an inch. A powerful for ce sent him back flying to the ground, knocking the winds out of his lungs.

"He's all yours my pet, get your revenge from him." Said the wizard to his green dragon. As he turned around and went inside the tent. 'Sorry, Colleen, I'm too late, I'll join you soon.' that was the last thought when Zedicus saw the dragon leaping toward him. 'I love you Colleen.' He closed his eyes, waiting for the teeth of the dragon, but nothing came. When he opened his eyes, he saw Colleen, pulling out a dagger from the back of the dragon. With a roar the dragon knock Colleen down to the ground. With anger Zedicus gripped the five inch claw at his neck and jammed it right at the heart of the dragon while the dragon was concentrating on Colleen. With a painful howl, the dragon went limp and hit the ground with a loud thump.

"Oh, I love you so much Colleen, when I heard that you were dead I gave up on everything. Now that you are with me, I couldn't be any happier." Hugging Colleen while whispering the words into her ear. Tears streamed down Colleen's face as she pushed Zedicus away. "My honor is taken by that doomed Frostpine, I'm not worthy for you. please leave me and find someone better." "No! You are mine, remember? 'No matter what, That I love you till the end of time, I love you this life, the next, and for every one after that's to come.' remember? You told me the words yourself, in my heart you are the best girl there is. no matter what happened." Giving her a soft, quick kiss, while speaking in tears. Zedicus's men broke through the enemy line and was now around protecting him and Colleen.

"Really? You still want me after I lost my honor to another man?" Colleen could bearly get the words out as she's crying and sobbing. "Yes, till the end of time, my love." Was the simply, but meaningful reply Zedicus gave back. "How did you come back to life I though you were dead." "Frostpine lied, I wasn't dead, I wounded his leg with my dagger and escaped. The weird thing is that a raven flew into the tent when I stabbed him, I could see fear in Frostpine's eyes, I don't know why but he tried everything he can to kill that raven, but all his magic turned into noting when it touched the raven." "Major, glad to see you still alive, but we couldn't hold them off long. We need to do something." Said Amphel as he struck down another Fey.

Zedicus took a look only about twenty honor guards were still left. They were all giving everything they've got to protect him and Colleen. Just then some Templeton Cavaliers charged in from behind. Among them Zedicus could see that the three students of Frostpine were helping the cavaliers killing the Fey troops with Frostpine. Zedicus took the chance and charged into the tent, but no one was there, Frostpine had fled, left behind all his men and his pet. "Why are you helping us? Frostpine is your master, you'll get skinned alive if he found out." Said Zedicus as he meet up with Kevl, one of the student of Frostpine. Colleen stepped close and didn't want to separated from Zedicus again. She could not lose her love again. For she didn't know how she managed to live through these day when Zedicus was wounded and not with her.

"We were forced to, Frostpine cast a spell over us and kept us loyal to him." The battle were turning around when a troop of Fey legions joined in the fight against Frostpine's men. "Most of us were unwillingly to be Frostpine's slave, so he casts spells over us. But these men with him were tempted by the huge wealth that Frostpine promise them. When a raven clawed me, Frostpine's spell disappeared like it fell into a deep hole. I caught the raven and let everyone feel its magic. Strangely the spells were all gone, and all of us who were against him in the beginning rebel against Frostpine. After we killed all the loyal followers of Frostpine, we surrendered to captain Ikeris. He treated us well and let us see who is really the keeper of peace. I told him that Frostpine was heading for the cave where the scrolls are. He then sent me with some of his men to come to your aid. I'll handle everything here, you must try to find a way to stop Frostpine before he gets his filthy hands on those scrolls." Zedicus thanked Kevl, and asked him to take care of Colleen while he went to stop Frostpine.

Colleen wanted to be with Zedicus, but Zedicus forced her to stay as he wanted her out of harm's gaze. Racing toward the cave on his horse, a thousand things were on his mind at once. Colleen, how to stop Frostpine, what if Frostpine got the scroll before him, and is Kevl telling him the truth about all this.

Before he realized it he was outside the cave, he saw another horse. He was too late, Frostpine was there before him. Zedicus went down the cave, sword drawn, in both of his hands. Shadows dances on the brown dirt wall as the torchlights flickers in the dark. Suddenly everything lit up, Zedicus took a peek toward the sources of the light. It was Frostpine, glowing with golden lights that blinds the eyes with its staggering brightness. He could hear Frostpine's laughter as he walks toward him, he could see the dangerous gaze on his face. "Well, well, come to be my first victim? With this new power I could destroy Templeton with a blink of an eye, I bet even the Immortals of the world of Alyria couldn't stop me. Then how could you, a nonmagic user even dream of stopping me." Grinning as he struck lighting toward Zedcius's way. Zedicus dodge it bearly, feeling the heat of it was dangerous enough, he wonder how would it be if it struck him.

"With this! A gift from the Immortals." A grin spread on Zedicus's face as he dove his sword toward the evil heart of Frostpine, the man who raped his love. Frostpine's laughter turned into panic screams when he saw what Zedicus got in his other hand, a feather of a raven where he found at the Hulga city. He sent fires, lighting his way, but each time Zedicus absorbed the magic with the feather and charge toward his target again. With a painful scream, Frostpine was stabbed in the heart. Frostpine kicked Zedicus back a few steps and uses magic to heal himself. "Ha, you could stop me but you couldn't kill me." Said Frostpine "Zedicus, catch, use this." Turning to the sound, Zedicus saw Colleen. He caught the dagger with raven feathers in his right hand. "I thought I told you to stay behind." With another try, Zedicus jammed the dagger in Frostpine's heart. But this time Frostpine was helpless, he wailed and collapsed to the ground. "Colleen, it's all over. Thanks to the gods of Alyria, we finally defeated this evil threat." That night peace returned to the world of Alyria.