SilverBear Books

Hey,

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this page so I thought I’d give a writing update.

Although it’s Technically been discontinued this year, I am still going to go ahead and work on my National Novel Writers Month for this year. I have had a blast so far working through backstory and plotting it all out, getting my characters ready and even working through some character models which have been a whole lot of fun.

I have decided to share small portions of my work on here, just as a way to document the process. I have jumped the gun a little and started writing, and so far I have 10,000 words of preamble and backstory that likely won’t make it into the final cut, and about 25,000 words in my actual first draft.

I’d forgotten how much I loved writing and I am so glad to be creating something that is so heavily inspired by the things that I loved when I was a kid.

But without further ado, here is my Prologue, I generally won’t share full chapters here, but I think this is a fun way to start. This isn’t edited, proofread, or anything like that, so please excuse… literally all of the grammar. I’m much more of a get things down on paper and fix it all later kind of person.

Prologue

The Queen stood before the altar, the LifeTree towering over her head, lush green and deep chocolate brown. Her gown was as delicate as her face was of stone. Seven great warriors stood, three on one side of the aisle and two on the other, each with a great beast at their side. Each of them was very aware of the fact that there should have been twelve of them, and twelve beasts, if not for the man that they were now waiting impatiently for.

“He isn’t going to come” muttered Bonnie, a short woman with dark close cropped hair in armour of soft blue leather.

“Dukhan is a liar, but the one thing I am confident that has never been dishonest about is his affection for Queen Iranyei” replied an elderly man beside a elephantine tortoise, its shell encrusted with jade “He turned his back on us and has torn our world to shreds because our Queen refused to marry him, he won’t pass up this chance”

The time of the invitation had already come and gone but Dukhan wasn’t one to worry about being late. It wasn’t until Horace, a giant bearded man with his equally shaggy looking bull Drole at this side, was about to ask them how long they intended to wait until they gave up that a billowing cloud of smoke began to appear on the horizon.

Blacker than the darkest thundercloud and spread as far as the eye could see in all directions, the cloud began to funnel into a small tornado as it descended to the ground. The LifeTree was whipped back and forth under the gale force winds, sending a spiral of leaves to surround the acrid black smoke, the leaves withering and dying in its toxic mist.

From the cloud above an immense eagle larger than most horses burst from the smoke, its feathers hazy and grey as if they were made of the cloud. Its topaz beak glinted in what little sun broke through the clouds as it dove like a meteor towards them, pulling up just short and beating its wings fiercely, clearing the mini-tornado and revealing a tall, thin man with a beaming smile.

He was dressed in fine black robes that bulged slightly as if he wore something underneath them, with a round broad brimmed hat plumed with black feathers sitting crooked on his head, and he carried under his arm a long black cane that was topped with a scorpion that had a shining brown topaz in place of a stinger.

Dukhan had arrived.

“Hali, if you wouldn’t mind” he said politely, looking over at the eagle.

“Of course, my love” the eagle replied, in a voice that sounded almost like an eagles whistle. She rose into the sky and beat her wings so furiously that the black cloud began to part, and within a moment was gone entirely leaving the warm sun beaming down on them.

“Thank you, dearest”

Dukhan stepped casually forward, flouncing his cane with each step as he approached the gathered warriors and their Queen.

“It is so nice to see you all again, my brothers and sisters, or… at least those of you that remain…”

A woman in deep aquamarine plate armour stepped forward, along with her followed a dolphin that floated through the air as if it were water, her hand reached for the sword buckled to her waist.

“Aleisha!” the Queen’s voice came firm and strong, causing the warrior to step back and take her hand from the hilt of her sword. Her face made it clear she would like nothing more than to slice this man to pieces.

“Ah, yes, best listen to mother on this one children, after all, this is supposed to be a happy day!” Dukhan chuckled to himself and nearly skipped as walked down the aisle, blowing kisses to the warriors as he passed.

The Queen stood rigid in her flowing white gown, as Dukhan took his place opposite her, reaching for her hands which she quickly pulled away.

“Don’t touch me” she hissed, as his smile quickly dropped away, replaced quickly by a sneer to hide his displeasure.

“Now, now, it’s the slow one over there with electric hands” he drawled, gesturing towards Horace “Now, if you please, Marriage does involve some degree of physical contact, or so I’m told”

He reached back over to the Queen who reluctantly took his hands, forcing herself to look him in the eyes before a smile quirked at the corners of her own mouth.

“As if I would ever marry someone like you!”

With a gesture as sudden as a thunderclap Horace swung his Warhammer as the bull Drole charged at Dukhan as if he was a matador with a red cape. But too slow, even then, as Dukhan turned to mist and each attack passed straight through him. He rose into the air, and made himself appear massive, almost blocking out the sky.

“Too good to be true, as I had assumed. Do you honestly believe that I expected you to follow through?” Dukhan barked a laugh before reforming himself a little way away from the gathered warriors, who had all drawn their weapons and were positioning themselves in front of him.

“Then why show up at all?” the voice was Bonnie’s, the smallest of the warriors with a hummingbird the size of an owl beside her “If you knew she wouldn’t follow through?”

“Access to the LifeTree without all the pesky barriers? How long do you think it would have taken me to figure out a way through without an invitation?”

Horace and Drole charged again, this time blasting a small bolt of lightning overhead to prevent Dukhan from retreating. Sighing, Dukhan raised his open palm to his mouth and blew lightly, sending a wave of smog straight into Horace’s eyes, who bellowed as Dukhan sidestepped simply and struck him in the back of the head with his cane. The crack of the blow echoed loudly, and the sickening thud sent Horace sprawling to the ground unconscious.

Sensing the approaching Drole, Dukhan spun and cocked his finger, taunting. Drole groaned in anger. He moved even faster before a flash of grey crashed into his legs, sending him crashing into Horace on the ground.

Hali pulled up and landed next to Dukhan who looked bored. All of this had taken less than six heartbeats. Dukhan examined his fingernails as Aleisha drew her sword and prepared to charge. Adam and Aurelie – Along with their beasts, a flying manta ray and a Bullhound respectively, drew their weapons to join her before they something pulled each of them into the sky. Looking up, Aleisha could see why Dukhan had bothered with all the theatrics.

He hadn’t come alone.

“Oh dear, I thought I was allowed a plus one?” he asked innocently “Well, I suppose I’ve taken it a bit far…”

From above, dozens of creatures that were somewhere between a bat and a man circled, some of them landing on the ground and flanking Dukhan. Kharafi raiders were rare, since the Queen’s soldiers had all but destroyed them more than a thousand years before. And this many in one place hadn’t been seen since that day. Each one would be a problem alone.

Cornelius, Bonnie, and Felix all circled the Queen, keeping her protected from all sides. Adam and Aurelie managed to break free of their attackers, and Adam’s manta Feather guided them to the ground where they were quickly swarmed by Kharafi.

Aleisha turned her attention back to Dukhan and charged, skidding beneath his swinging cane and bringing her sword up to slash at his throat. He parried quickly with his cane and opened his mouth. Acrid smoke gushed, creating a blackened cloud that blinded her. Her Dolphin Noeleen blasted water into the air, creating a drizzle which helped clear the smoke. From above, a Kharafi raider latched itself onto the Noeleen’s back, bringing her to the ground where Hali swiftly dropped Horace’s Warhammer on her, pinning her to the ground.

With Noeleen trapped, Aleisha attempted to create steam of her own, but there was not enough water in the air around her and slowly she fell to her knees, and then to the ground unconscious.

“Pity, I always liked that one. She had so much more sense than the others.” Dukhan spoke to himself as if he had slightly overcooked his meat “Oh well, Hali, I think the Queen is waiting”

Approaching the Queen and her soldiers slowly, he paused at the emergence of a buzzing noise. With a sudden glint of bronze, the Kharafi raiders were suddenly attacked by flying automatons, shaped like small soldiers, clicking and whirring mechanically.

“You dare use my own designs!” Dukhan screeched, his face turning red as he stretched his body to appear taller “My own inventions, that the likes of you could never begin to conceive!”

He swung his cane and a blast of air knocked down a handful of automatons but also knocked down nearly as many Kharafi raiders who turned to look at him hesitantly.

“My love, if you take this approach, the Kharafi may decide that we aren’t the better choice here” came Hali’s voice from beside him “It may be best if we let them handle this threat”

Dukhan seethed but nodded agreement, turning back to the Queen who was still surrounded by three of her warriors, who were all positioned to keep her safe. Each of them batted down approaching enemies, as their beasts fought wildly around them.

“It’s time to finish this, the Thirteen warriors, reduced to just one!”

At his approach the three warriors breathed deeply before clutching at various pieces of jewellery.

“Cornelius, Capricorn!” called the wizened old man who stood in front of the queen, a beam of light burst from the Garnet he wore on his wrist and struck the Jade shell elephant sized tortoise that was currently crushing Kharafi under its flat feet.

“Bonnie, Libra!” cried Bonnie, a blast of light bursting from the opal ring on her finger and striking the hummingbird.

“Felix, Leo!” bellowed the third man, a short man who was nearly as wide as he was tall, another beam of light erupting from a thin coronet he wore on his brow and connecting with the horse sized Panther that was tearing a Kharafi’s wing to shreds.

Each of the creatures were pulled as if by a magnet towards their partners and upon contact they glowed so brightly that well present were blinded. As the light dimmed, the three warriors and their familiars were no more, instead stood three gods.

The first was a man covered in dense green shell, armour to protect. The second was a woman covered in feathers, with wings beating so fast at her back they were impossible to see. The third was a man, sleek and powerful, with claws like daggers and teeth to match.

“You must be very desperate to use the binding” Dukhan breathed, although he looked slightly concerned.

“What greater threat is there to wait for?” the Queen stood ready, her own dagger raised in her hands.

Dukhan had opened his mouth to reply when Bonnie’s feathers hit him in the cheek, their razor-sharp edges drawing a long gash along his face. Dukhan hissed as Felix pounced with unbelievable speed, drawing his claws along Dukhan’s back and tearing his long black robes to ribbons. He spun on his heel and swung his cane at Bonnie’s skull when it met instead with a barrier of pure energy. Turning to face Cornelius, he could see the old man grimacing in concentration.

Curse the old fool and his magic.

He was met with several sharp blows as Bonnie zipped past him, only to turn into ferocious slashes from Felix’s claws. Dukhan stumble back and fall to his backside  as Hali attempted to aid him, only to be met either by Cornelius’ shield or Bonnie blocking her flight path.

“You can’t defeat all of us, Dukhan” Cornelius called from the Queen’s side. A Kharafi raider attempted to swoop down and pluck the queen from above when a shell of energy appeared overhead, leaving only the sound of a loud crack and a crater where his head used to be.

Dukhan rose to his feet, running his fingers along the ruined remains of his robe. A glint of shining leather showed from beneath, and Dukhan sighed. Slowly he tore off the remaining shreds of his tattered robe and dropped them to the ground, leaving him dressed in only a suit of leather armour.

“I suppose the cat is out of the bag then” Dukhan muttered, before lifting his eyes to face the assembled warriors. He knew he would have to be quick, if the others regained consciousness or managed to defeat enough of the Kharafi to rejoin the fight, even his suit might not be enough.

Lifting his cane, he drew a line threw the air that caused the suit to glow a deep gold, then grinned to himself before he launched. He moved with such speed that Felix scarcely had time to move before Dukhan struck his ribs with his cane. There was a loud crack, and Dukhan swung again, this time meeting the resistance of Cornelius’ shield, which shattered when Dukhan swung a third time. One final blow sent Felix to the ground, clutching at his chest and struggling to breathe. Bonnie was swatted aside as she attempted to lift Dukhan into the air and landed with a loud thud.

Dukhan approached Cornelius, who stood in front of the Queen like a statue, brave despite his enemy. Without a word he sprung, surprisingly fast considering he was partly a tortoise. He swung his weapon, a kusarigama (a blade on a chain), towards Dukhan, who became smoke and allowed it to pass through him. Dukhan became solid as he stood just in front of Cornelius sending a cloud of smoke into his mouth and nose, causing the old man to gasp desperately for air. He collapsed to the ground and Dukhan pulled the smoke back.

“I don’t want to kill you just yet” he sneered stepping on Cornelius as he strode towards the Queen.

From nowhere, Bonnie crashed into Dukhan sending him stumbling until he turned to smoke and righted himself.

“NO!” the Queen raised a hand, and Bonnie was drawn to her “You have to run!”

“I’m sworn to protect you, my Queen… My sister….”

“By the end of this fight, you might be the last of our blood. You have two children; they can carry on our legacy!” the Queens eyes shone with tears “Go to the place we always discussed, you can hide there until it’s safe, take the relics with you and pray that enough magic remains for us to re-awaken the LifeTree”

“I can’t leave you! We can still win!”

“I think it’s clear that we cannot, not without sacrifice” The Queen glanced up at the tree and tears began to fall.

“You can’t! The magic will break; we will lose everything!” Bonnie felt her hummingbird Eaen land on her shoulder and nuzzle into her.

“And what we lose, so too will he” the Queen replied softly, resting her hand on her sister’s shoulder and with one shuddering blast of magic, her sister vanished into the air.

Dukhan roared as he charged, eyes wide with fear, Hali by his side. But he was repelled. As if he had been hit by a charging horse, he flew away landing in a muddled heap three lengths away, with Hali on the ground beside him.

The Queen glowed with power, her hair rising and her delicate white gown billowing around her.

“You forget my power, Dukhan, the Thirteen are blessed by the gods that watch over us, each of the twelve signs giving a sliver of their might to the warriors, and a sliver to me!” she extended a hand and blaster Dukhan a second time. He attempted to form smoke but found his body unable to shift. The Queen moved towards the tree, Kharafi swooping down and vaporising, like drops of rain falling into the ocean.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? IF YOU DESTROY THE TREE, THE ENTIRE KINGDOM LOSES ITS PROTECTIONS! YOUR MAGIC WILL DIE AND WITH IT YOUR PEOPLE!” Dukhan was screaming now, desperate and pleading.

“No, my people will live, and you will go back to what you were before, a broken man with bones of glass, and a bird that picks up your mail” the Queen retorted, tears still falling.

“If you ever had love for me, you would not do this!” he was begging now, falling to his knees in the knowledge that there was nothing he could do to stop what was coming.

“You know I loved you, as I loved all the Thirteen. But I love my people beyond anything else, and I will see them live, even if I cannot” The Queen knelt and placed a hand on the tree. She glowed brighter still, her body beginning to scatter in the wind “Dukhan, by the power of the LifeTree, and by the Twelve gods, and the warriors that they have blessed, I bind you. I bind you to the dead lands that you call home, I bind you to the broken form in which you were born, I bind you until the day that the Twelve reawaken to unite as one and end you completely. I bind you!”

And with that, the Queen too faded, dust on the wind. As Dukhan looked on in horror.

“You know not what I have done! You know not the bargains I have made! You cannot lock me away! I will never rest, until I destroy every last man, woman, and child of your kingdom, I WILL NEVER REST!” Dukhan burst into a cloud of smoke, returned to the dead lands that were once the land of Erryth, the lands of his families, corrupted and destroyed.

Where he remains to this day. 

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Okay, I hope you enjoyed that. I certainly had fun writing it, please feel free to share any thoughts, feedback or whatnot (again, considering that I haven’t proof read it at all haha).

See you all next time,
SilverBear.