Prologue
Morning in the city of Derc, and the dim light that had begun to climb over the looming mountains; bathed the city in a mellow gold. Only the city's' old quarter was still in darkness, save for sparse pin-pricks of light that broke through the canopy of the masonry above. Down in the old quarter of the city of Derc, the poor and destitute reside - hidden away from the wealth of the new city above, by pristine plateau and bridges.
It had been this way, ever since the small kingdom of Dercia began it's quest for empire. Ashamed of their nations' humble beginnings; the senate brushed their old culture aside, and renamed it "the loe-town" loe, being old Dercian for dirty.
Slowly, over time more and more laws were passed to restrict the movement of the poor within the city. Until the loe-town was completely sealed by armed guards and walls.
But there is a Dercian saying:"The wind of change find a way, and the loe will have their day".
Chapter one.
The Loe-town had just begun to wake, as vendors and traders readied their wares.
One by one lanterns in the windows of homes that lined the streets, popped into brilliance - flooding the allies and ways in a patch-work of colour.
Dan Kevalis, started his journey through the meandering streets of the Loe-town. Today he was seventeen, and he could begin his first day as an apprentice - his uncle had pulled a few strings to get the local blacksmith to take him on. Dan had no interest in becoming a blacksmith. Most folk down in the Loe-town could only afford practical tools, but if he was a good enough smith; he might have the chance of moving up to the new city.
That was what made Dan so enthusiastic.
However the position was not guaranteed, knowing this - he stopped at a window that was still darkened by the curtains on the other side. Dan licked his hand and wiped it over his hair, sweeping it to one side.
Looking at his reflection, in the slightly warped glass; Dan saw a young fair skinned man, with rich blonde hair. Dan knew he had fine facial features, but the glass distorted his reflection. He was of an average height, and slim but had broad shoulders for his age.
Satisfied that he looked somewhat tidy, he quickly straightened his shirt out and tidied the rolls in his sleeves. Before a face emerged on the other side of the window, as the curtains were drawn apart. Startled Dan jumped back and turned back into the street.
While Dan had been looking at his reflection, the street had started to become busy. As stores opened, and women made for the public fountains with buckets.
Dan cursed under his breath. He must be late now!
Breaking into a sprint, he navigated his way through the thickening crowds as quickly as he could.
Turning the corner, he arrived at "Crafts way", he searched the signs for an anvil, but he could find none. Only a small sign that read "Griffin's works". Bingo Dan thought to himself. Remembering the name of the smith.
Gingerly Dan made his way over to the workshop. He stopped at the entrance, where steam was escaping from the door hanging.
"Hello? Is this Griffin's blacksmiths?" Dan said in a shaky voice as he pulled the door hanging aside.
There was no answer, only the sound of the cracking embers in the fire, punctuated with the hiss of boiling water.
Dan ventured into the shop. It was dark, light only by the large fire in the centre of the room; which flickered - casting long shadows on the walls, and illuminating threatening looking tools.
going further into the shop, Dan found a small room at the side that was sparsely furnished with a simple bed and wardrobe.
"Like it?" A large, bear like paw landed on Dan's shoulder. Turning round, Dam saw a man more than six foot tall, with long black hair tussled and unkempt. He was broad, and had powerful arms from years of working steel. Dan could not see much of the man's face, as he was turned away from the fire.
"I'm sorry Sir, I didn't mean to intrude. I came to be an apprentice for Griffin" Dan said hurriedly.
" I know, and this is where you'll be staying - you'll be working long hours son. So you'll need a place to sleep" The man explained.
A sudden feeling of excitement and relief swept over Dan. Firstly he wasn't going to have his legs broken for trespassing, and secondly he had the job! Dan beamed at the man before him.
"Thank you sir! I promise, I'll work really hard and i won't let you down, and I'm a really hard worker..." Dan cut himself short, just as he had started to ramble.
Griffin released a deafening laugh, as he stepped away from the room and back toward the fire. Scooped up a bucket full of hot coals and retreated into the darkness at the back of the shop. Where, without a moment's break the sharp chime of metal being shaped commenced.
"So what's your name boy? You're Errin Kelavis' nephew right?" Griffin asked. His words punctuated with grunts as he struck steel.
"Dan. My name is Dan, and yes Errin's my uncle." Dan felt a little lost for words, he milled around the room; playing with the soot on a work bench.
A long silence passed, and the awkwardness grew. Dan had no idea of what he was expected to do, but didn't have the courage to interrupt Griffin while he was busy. Dan looked around the room for a chore that he could busy himself with. Spotting a broom, he seized it and began to sweep the metal filings and dieing embers into a corner.
"What are you doing there?"
"Sweeping" Replied Dan nervously.
"Sweeping?!" Griffin gave out another roar of laughter. "Come over here and make yourself useful".
A wave of embarrassment and awkwardness swept over Dan. Throwing the broom into a corner, he hurried over to the anvil at the back of the shop.
As he passed the great fire in the middle of the room, an agonising pang of pain seared through the left side of his body. The pain tore into his skin, biting at his flesh. Before he Dan could figure out what was wrong; he was on the cold ground looking up at Griffin, but he man's words were muted, and slowly everything faded to black.
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