my book

[edwardkilmer]

This is the revised version of my book. enjoy if you like



�The Matrix at Rillad�
�Master Haddon�MASTER HADDON.� Walter shouted as he gazed upward at the magnificent black tower. �Master Haddon, are you there,� Walter announced again as he listened to his shrill voice reverberate off the smooth glassy surface of the incredible monument cast against the setting night sky.
�What does his young master desire?� A deep voice bellowed from behind Walter as he snapped about hastily to meet the gaze of the great sorcerer Haddon Brutt. �Well go on m�boy, what doth thou young squire desire.� The munificent and translucent headed Haddon reiterated to the young awe struck and slack-jawed page.
�Umm� King Thanis and the High Priest Runahl have sent for you. They await you in the great hall of Castle Rillad.� Walter exclaimed as he straightened his back to meet the angelic look of the white mage. �I have brought the two fastest steeds to aid us in our return.� The youthful page added as he noted the 2 horses tied to a tree about 20 feet away.
�Horses.� Scoffed the wizard as he turned back to Walter. �Horses are meant to be free, not to have their backs ridden on by the seats of man. Only those of the honored knighthood fly by the back of horse. We in the practice of enchantments fly by the will of the mind.� Haddon proclaimed as he closed his eyes and muttered something in the old language, a vocabulary known by few of modern times. As he uttered the words he rose from the ground and climbed to the height of his black tower so he himself was against the sky. �Return your steeds to your good king. I shall meet you at Castle Rillad.� The White summoner said as he began his swift flight across the tops of trees.
Walter remounted his mare and led the other back through the woods returning them to the stable at castle Rillad before he proceeded to the center courtyard to witness the arrival of the white-cloaked mage. Walter got to the courtyards main gate just as King Thanis emerged from the Great hall to greet the legendary wizard Haddon. �Hail great Haddon, most known summoner throughout all the land.� The king exclaimed as he moved down the white marble stairs of Castle Rillad to stand face to face with the distinguished spell caster.
�We have a problem and you are the closest mage to this old castle. We beg you, hear our pleas and come to our aid. Two of our scouts have returned from a border patrol and were barely on their mounts. They were slain by a barrage of arrows, and the arrow tips held a poison, but alas we are at a loss to cure it. We request your services to help them, and we will reward you greatly for your aid.� Thanis said as he put his arm around the white mage to lead him to the castles hospice.
As they moved the mage stopped dead, and turned to meet the kings sorrow-filled glare. �Good King, I will aid you in anyway I can, but I do not require any compensation for my services. The aid of a mage is free to whosoever may need it. Now if you may, please continue to the wounded guards.� Haddon replied as he motioned with an outstretched arm for the good king to retake the lead.
Upon their arrival at the long room where the two men lay strewn across cots, Haddon instantly noticed a dark and hazy aura of an evil incantation. �They were struck with arrows y�say?� He questioned as he examined the wound sustained by one of the guards between his 3rd and 4th rib on the left side. �This is no poison he was struck down with. This wound has the presence of an evil enchanters touch. The arrow that struck through this mans breastplate, do you have it?� Haddon asked to the king returning to his stout position beside Walter and King Thanis.
�Yes, I shall have Walter here fetch them for you to examine, if that is your request,� fair King Thanis exclaimed as he looked back at his poor guard potentially lying upon his deathbed. �Great Haddon in all your infinite wisdom, do you believe you can heal these men�s inflictions?� Thanis inquired with an indication of concern for the lives of his honored guards in his eyes. Turning back to Walter, the king continued �Walter me� lad, the arrows were extracted from these men by the guard at the front gate. I should trust he still has them. Will you aid this great summoner by retrieving them for his inspection? And do make haste.�
�Sir, there is not the slightest shadow of doubt in my mind that I can�t cure what ills your dignified knights,� the white sorcerer and healer decreed as he looked at the distraught king. �And as for you,� the mage continued as Walter fled from the room to go retrieve the arrows, �you are unlike any king of modern era. You show compassion towards your men that has not been seen since the days of old. I foresee you rising to reign as the greatest king of our time, for you are not as barbaric or merciless towards your people and your servants as the rest of the kings that exist this day and age,� Haddon concluded as he knelt at the bedside of one of the wounded men�s beds.
�Where is Walter? I commanded him to make haste,� King Thanis spoke just as Walter came bursting through the door, carrying 2 arrows with disturbingly black tips. �Here are the arrows you requested my liege,� Walter said as he handed the arrows to his king. �Thank you, young page,� the fair king remarked as he drew the arrows from his loyal pages hands and held them up. �Great master Haddon, I relinquish these deadly projectiles to your care, in a hope they may assist you in determining what ills my guards. I entrust that once you know the heart of their affliction, you can conjure up a way to mend their grief,� the king declared as he extended the arrows to the open palm of the shrewd summoner.
�Ok, for starters, this is no poison. This is an evil enchantment. Look at the tip of this arrow. Notice how it swims and dances. The darkness and evil that is emitted by this tip, its sort of chaotic and harmonic at the same time. It can be wielded by evil, but in the right hands it can bring justice to evil of any form,� Haddon said as he carefully examined the arrow, and noted every specific marking upon it. �I believe this is a wicked and destructive spell used by only those of evilest intents. If this is the spell I believe it to be, then it is designed to prevent the area impaled by this arrow from being healed. It essentially kills the victim slowly and painfully,� Haddon stated studying the arrow and the inflictions of both men.
�If it is what you claim it to be, can you heal them? Great Haddon exceptional to all conjurers I entreat you, heal my men,� great King Thanis said as he met the glare of the white wizard. �If it is what I believe it to be, of course I can cure your guard�s ills. What type of healer would I be if I could not save the lives of the innocent? Haddon stated as he knelt beside the first man and placed his hand upon the mans lacerated flesh.
Closing his eyes and uttering some words in the old language he pulled a vial out of his cloak, spread the wound apart with his fingers and poured some of the liquid upon the man�s infliction. Haddon removed his hand and rose again. He stepped to the bedside of the second wounded solider and did the same thing. Rising a second time, he turned to King Thanis, he spoke and his were reassuring and hopeful, �Your men will be fine, the incantation took like quicksilver in counteracting the dark hex placed upon them by those arrows. Give them a few days of rest and they can return to your services in full health,� Haddon said noting the glimpse of relief that consumed the good king�s eyes.
�Thank you, exalted Haddon. I had no doubt that you could cure that what ills my young squires. The castle Rillad and I are endowed to you. Our gates will always be open to one of such immense intellect as you. Again I say thank you, from the bottom of my soul,� King Thanis said as he shook the hand of Haddon quite vigorously.
�Master Haddon, although I protest the use of magic to the fullest extent, I thank you as well,� the voice of high priest Runahl rang out from a corner by the door. �You have done us a great service on this day. Wherever you are, you can always seek haven at Castle Rillad.�
�Why high priest Runahl, I failed to realize that you were still with us. You stand in the corner so distinguished like a shrewd dignitary at a congregation of his allies,� King Thanis commented as he spun towards the shadowed area where the great priest stood in astonishment that he didn�t perceive that Runahl was still among them. Moving out of the corner, Runahl spoke again �Master sorcerer it is the dead of night. I am afraid we kept you later than we had intended. We invite you to stay in our humble sanctuary tonight and join us come dawn to feast that is if it�s acceptable with King Thanis,� High Priest Runahl declared as he turned to the good king.
�Yes Runahl, that almost slipped my mind. Haddon, we welcome your company for the night, morning and however long you so wish to stay in our presence,� the good king said to Haddon and then motioned Walter over to where they stood. �Walter, will you please escort our proficient companion to the vacant room in the east tower,� King Thanis said to Walter as he proceeded to move to the door
�Yes good king, I shall lead Master Haddon to the east tower room as you demand. Is there anything else you wish I do tonight?� Walter questioned as he opened the fine crafted wood door for his king, Haddon, and the High Priest Runahl.
�No you are free to return to your bedroom after you escort our friend to the east tower, but tomorrow after breakfast, I want you to rejoin the other squires in the castle yard and continue your training,� King Thanis said as he passed Walter and continued to stroll down the hall towards his own chamber. Stopping he turned back �Walter I mean it make sure your out in that yard. Your father is one of my most loyal knights. You do wish to follow in his path do you not?�
�Yes your highness, I will be in the courtyard to train tomorrow after breakfast as you wish,� Walter said in a disappointed tone as he refocused his eyes upon the cold stone floor. �May I take my leave of you know and escort Master Haddon to the east tower?� Walter asked moving his eyes back up to meet his king�s gaze.
As the king turned once more to take his departure of the other he spoke once more �Yes Walter you may depart from us now. I will see you both at breakfast at dawn. Until then, may your minds think at clear on this night as they do during the day,� the king finished as he motioned the two off.
On the way to the east tower Haddon turned to Walter and said �Walter a sense that you do not desire the honor that comes with becoming a squire. I sense you desire more out of your life. What is your dream?� Haddon said, as he looked the young squire and potential knight in the eyes
�Well sir to tell you the truth, I have always wanted to be a mage. From a young age I have been able to tell that I am not made for the life of a knight. I have never held any desire to wield a sword against a foe in combat. I have always believed that I have the mental strength to cast the most powerful of spells,� Walter said as the reached the marble staircase that lead up the east tower.
As Walter took the hand carved maple railing in hand and preceded up the first three stairs, Haddon spoke again. �Walter wait. Turn around and look at me again. Just take a seat on the stairs and look at me,� Haddon finished as he grabbed the rope of his grayish white robe and tied it back out of this way.
�Alright?� Walter said in a confused tone, but did as he was told for the was taught not to disobey any elder. �Just sit here and look at you? Is this your request?� Walter said placing himself upon the stairs and against the wall.
�Yes, I am going to search your mind and soul,� Haddon said as he knelt beside Walter and stared intently into the young pages eyes �I can see that your words come from your heart which is as pure and white as this marble that you now sit upon. I can also see your mind is very strong and that you intend to let little deter you from your dreams. Ok rise,� Haddon commanded as he himself rose and placed a hand on Walters shoulder. �You have the potential to be a magnanimous summoner. With the consent of your father and your king, you may depart with me when I take leave of this old castles battlement. Its late tonight, ask them in the morn. You may return to your room no. I can find my way up the stairs with no trouble,� Haddon finished as he motioned Walter away and started his ascent up the stairway.

[edwardkilmer]

Chapeter 2

�Destiny Awaits�
At daybreak, Walter awoke to the sound of a cock in the distance. He met Haddon, the king, and the high priest in the hall outside the meal chamber. His friend Evan was standing besides the rest of them by the door. �Evan, good morning. Did you hear about this past eve?� Walter asked as he came running up to where his friend stood by the great wood door.
�Yea, so that was what the King wanted you for yesterday when he pulled you from our practice,� Evan said as he and Walter stepped aside to talk amongst themselves. �So what exactly happened yesterday? The king won�t tell me the full story. He said it is no concern of mine,� Evan continued with an exited expression on his face.
�Well the king sent me to the black tower in the woods, the one where Master Haddon resides. He told me to fetch the summoner and return here with him,� Walter said as he looked around to make sure no ears were prying in upon the conversation. �We returned to the castle. I returned by with the two stags I took, but Haddon returned by air. We met King Thanis and High Priest Runahl outside the great hall. King Thanis told of two knights who were on border guard yesterday and who returned here barely upon their mounts, and covered in blood. They had been shot with arrows containing a black magic that the king and high priest mistook for a poison at first.�
�Yea, what happened next,� Evan asked as he leaned in closer with a very intrigued expression on his face. �Don�t leave me in the dark. It must be good if Thanis called upon a wizard.� As Walter retold the events of last night in critically explicit detail, he noticed that he failed to eat breakfast thus far. He began to move towards the wooden door since they now were the only two in the hall.
�And that�s peaty much it,� Walter ended without mentioning anymore than what happened in the area of the castle where the two men were still getting bed rest. As he placed his hand upon the metal handle of the castles meal room and proceeded to heave it open, �Well we should probably get something to eat before it�s gone.�
�What that�s it! Haddon healed the men with some sort of magic liquid. I mean I was expecting something better than that when the king stated that it was none of my concern,� Evan commented as he followed his friend into the elongated room full of tables and a high ceiling resembling the rest of the ceilings in the castle. Upon taking their seats at one of the old but sturdy wooden tables Evan continued as he picked up a roll and began to butter it. �So what do you think old Pelieon will have us attempt during training today? Personally I wish he would get to some of the really technical moves soon.�
�Quite frankly I don�t care what we learn. I am no good at this swordplay and would rather spend my time reading one of the few texts my family owns.

[Tuvok8917]

hmmmmmmm....... sounds good.

[edwardkilmer]

thanks I will keep posting updates as I get them done