HEART OF A HERO The City of Ages
by
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The smell of freshly baked goods blew across the marketplace on the swift wind that made dust fly through the hot Gahondaran marketplace. The city was home to people from every walk of life and seemed to be getting more lawless as time went on. The market was always busy with the many shops and booths having people moving in an endless cycle of buying, selling and trading. Captain Mezrenden and Captain Tassandria walked swiftly through the marketplace followed by their retinue of heavily armoured guards and Knights of the Pure Heart. The metropolis had a strong justice system that once in a while surveyed the poorer section of the city to assess how lawless it was becoming. The two guard captains were discussing ways in which they could alter the current guard or knight structure to ensure the safety of the inhabitants of the city were and to make it more efficient. Fradaran was trying to hear his superiors moving through the market the noise was intense as citizens talked and mumbled. Although it seemed only peaceful trading was going on there was an underside to Gahondaran society that few noticed unless they were directly involved. Fradaran, Knight of the Pure Heart, and follower of Forseti knew there were injustices being committed against the poor citizens of the greatest city state on the continent. The Pavakan network and the Kadamari were warring against one another attempting to seize control of the darker side of Gahondar and in the middle stood the peaceful people that made it what it was today. It seems one of the Kadamari, Selnareth, a bold villain had stolen some horses from the horse rancher Brawnel Buckstar near the edge of the Terahn River within the city limits. Fradaran had been given the assignment to track the rogue down and bring him to proper judgement in the eyes of Forseti and Gahondar. Currently the rogue was known to frequent the Journey’s End Inn so that would be the start of the knight’s search. For now the captain’s of the city were speaking of how to better enforce the law in this seemingly disorganized marketplace. Unfortunately the circumstances had it that the city would never truly rid itself of these rogues, mere annoyances. The idea of arresting them and putting them in jail or making them fight until they died in the arena seemed an endless task. The leaders of these rogues networks and their affiliates would likely recruit more people from the poorer sections of the city. The downtrodden were usually so desperate that they would do anything to get ahead. Light glinted into his eyes from on top of his caravan. Squinting Fradaran determined the source to be an arrowhead with a rogue dressed in baggy clothes behind a bow. It seemed the bow was drawn and locked on Captain Tassandria. The two captains engaged in conversation seemed oblivious to the fact that an assassin stood behind the Khorza’kalar’s merchant’s wagon. Two arrows in rapid succession fired at Captain Tassandria right for her chest. “Look out!” Fradaran yelled; its volume was so loud it seemed as though Forseti was yelling down from the heavens. Fradaran pushing the other surprised guardsmen out of the way ran to protect the most beautiful woman from the onslaught. As the arrows nearly reached their destination Fradaran jumped with his shield in the air. Two arrows thudded into his steel shield bouncing harmlessly away. Another which Fradaran didn’t see struck him in the thigh, right through his chain armor. The assassin must have been good Fradaran thought as he landed on the ground. Quickly he was on his feet breaking the arrow off. The assembled knights and guards were in a panic and couldn’t figure out where the arrows came from and Captain Mezrenden looked around in the direction of where the arrows came from. Fradaran grimacing from the pain started to run towards the assassin who started down the road at an astonishing pace despite the fact people filled the market. Fradaran forced his way through the crowd sweat dripping off him determined to catch the assassin. While the assembled law enforcement agents stood around gasping Fradaran was nearly across the marketplace pursuing the rogue. Some of the crowd parted for the armoured knight others were pushed out of the way or trampled. Fradaran heard the rest of the retinue followed behind at a slower pace tripping over themselves and some of the citizens. The rogue started down a busy road Fradaran a little ways behind him. Wagons and people littered the road making travel for the bulky knight difficult. The rogue on the other hand moved swiftly and easily through the throngs of people. Fradaran watched as the rogue turned arrow knocked and fired on him. The arrow sailed past him grazing his cheek, Fradaran’s head arched back. Fradaran nearly stopped for a moment expecting another arrow to come, none came. As Fradaran continued to pursue the rogue further down the crowded street towards the seedier docks section the wooden walkways that were in place to keep people dry in case of a high tide came into view with a patrol of guardsmen walking on it. They turned on the road and started towards the assassin that Fradaran was chasing. “Arrest that man!” Fradaran yelled. The patrol stopped to regard Fradaran’s request and realized he was chasing the man in baggy clothes. Fradaran watched them start running towards the assassin sounds from behind him indicated that the retinue was close behind him. The assassin was trapped with no where to run but, it seemed almost natural for him to run down an alley. Fradaran pursued him drawing his sword as he went. Fradaran saw the back of the rogue as he entered the alley running towards the other side of the alley. Heaving his sword over his head he let it fly with all his strength spinning through the air. The rogues back arched as the sword impaled the assassin. Who fell face first in to the offal that littered the alleyway. Quickly Fradaran ran towards the rogue and turned him over not knowing what to make of him. Briefly he wondered what rogues guild to which he belonged. “That looks like one dead Kadamari! Good throw! I’ve never seen anything like it before.” A guard remarked from behind him looking over his shoulder. “The Kadamari grow bolder with every day that passes.” Captain Mezrenden observed. Fradaran looked behind and saw that the patrol and the captain’s with their retinue stood behind him weapons drawn. They all were looking around the refuse littered alleyway trying to determine if there were any potential threats. The area was rumoured to be infested with rogues. New to the southern side of Gahondar Fradaran felt lucky to be alive. “What is a Kadamari? Fradaran asked. All of the knights in the alleyway roared with laughter, it echoed throughout the network of alleyways that snaked through the southern section. Captain Mezrenden and Tassandria both laughed but, did so under their breath as Fradaran was feeling embarassed about the whole situation. A few of the guards slapped Fradaran on the back and rolled on the ground. Captain Tassandria’s stern voice rang out over the laughter. “That’s Enough! We have to figure out what we can do about this incident.” The assembled guards and knights all went quiet and stepped back. They straightened their stance and whispered apologies to Fradaran. Likely they were just doing it because of Captain Tassandria’s orders and not because they actually meant it. “Yes he certainly is a Kadamari.” Tassandria said. Fradaran didn’t know what to say, it was his first week on duty in the southern half and already he had killed someone. It was the first time he had killed anyone and he didn’t know the particulars or anything about the Kadamari or Pavakans or any organization in the south half for that matter. “I-I-I didn’t mean to kill him!” Fradaran stammered upset. The other guards and knights were smirking and giggling in the background. Tassandria fixed them all with her trademark authoritative glare and they froz
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About the Book
Drazeryn a rogue from the streets who works as a stable boy finds himself embroiled into the life of a rogue’s network of spies, assassins and enforcers who force him to enter their ranks and become a deadly assassin. During the course of it all he finds love and many allies. The allies he finds are mostly of a nefarious sort. As he contemplates the meaning of everything he finds himself with few answers. Later on when the city takes on a new form he must ally with many people that normally a rogue would never deign to notice. Meeting the son of the high councillor, a Knight of the Pure Heart, A Battleguard, a whimsical bard and the love of his life take him to new heights and conclusions of the meaning of love and life. The companions find an evil rogue’s guild, called the Kadamari, which is much too disruptive for their liking. The idea of rogues fighting rogues is not an uncommon concept. The Pavakans fighting the Kadamari has been happening for a very long time in The City of Ages. Will the rogues destroy themselves or destroy the city trying to eradicate one another?
About the Author
Brantford, Ontario is a small city of around 100 000 people. It's a town I love and cherish despite the fact that many dislike it. There are many endeavors that have enveloped my life. Heart of Hero; the City of Ages is one of my first works; it's part of a five book series. The second one is nearly finished called The Haunted Hamlet and the Watchful Arm. More of works include Ode to Ardor and Order a book of poetics, philosophies and theories of all sorts. Including politics, creation, science and culture. I enjoy taking walks by the river in the summertime and in the winter I love the fresh crisp feel of newly fallen snow. The air of any season invigorates my soul with the grace of the world.