RivalGates.com
  • Home
  • News
  • Quest
    • Prologue
    • Chapter 1
  • Crucible
    • Chapter 1
  • Revenge
    • Chapter 1
  • Blog
  • Buy

Have a thought? Add to the Blog.

Excerpt, "Crucible" @solsticepublish

5/31/2017

0 Comments

 
The montage of days passed with the landscape before their eyes as the caravan followed the road north. Vineyards eventually gave way to livestock farms and small towns or villages. The people here were fearful of their own forces, having been overtaxed and treated with brutality by the impudent goblins. Townspeople peered through their windows at the elves. Linvin observed their faces as they passed. Each one wore the expression of someone looking at a person about to die.
Parents pulled children out of the streets to clear the path for the passing soldiers. Anything of value was quickly hidden. Kegs of wine were left in the center of town as an offering so the soldiers might take them and leave their home in peace. The ploy was successful as the goblins took up the kegs and continued on their way.
In particular, the goblins were wary of Anvar. From their statements and actions they revealed they were fully aware of his magical abilities. If an escape were to occur, Anvar would take no part in its success.
As the days passed autumn was revealed by slowly dropping temperatures. The sky only seemed to vary in shades of gray. Each passing day leached the family of might and hope. Their spirits were low and the only good thing about being in the cage was it kept the rain off of them as it began a daily ritual of soaking the land.
Towns became larger and more frequent. The road became smoother. Farms that had lain sporadically along the way grew more numerous and close in proximity. Before long they were right by one another. The population was becoming denser as they moved further into the empire.
People would line the road in order to view the prisoners as they passed. Some heckled and jeered. Others cried at the sight. The disheartening scene played out before the captives as they steadily rolled forward.
Contrasted against the farmers harvesting their crops, the goblins looked alien and out of place. They felt ill at ease in the environment and quickened their pace.
After many days and nights the party’s destination came into view. From a flat plain rose a relatively small castle with a great city surrounding its walls. As they drew closer it became clear the castle and in particular the walls were not finished being constructed. Huge gaps had yet to be filled on all sides of the barriers. The four towers connecting them appeared to be done. The sight was most odd with the four spires stretching to the sky with little between them.
Within the walls was the castle itself. It too was a paradox. Rather than being built as a fortification, it was made to be a palace. Undoubtedly, the structure was being constructed to proclaim someone’s glory rather than protect it.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Fantasy fiction is my passion.  This series embodies my love for a good story and action.  You will find it to be many things, but not boring!  Read what you love and love what you read...

    Archives

    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.