Nikholas "goo" F. Toledo


	The kingdom of Hungenford was once part of the kingdom of Nisus.  
Discontented with the corruption plaguing their governing body, Duncan, a 
local lord, plus a handful of his followers set on a voyage to find a new 
place to live in.  After about half a year of sailing, they finally 
reached a new place.  It was covered by lush vegetation and a great river 
went through it.  The people founded a new kingdom and proclaimed Duncan 
as their king.  News of the kingdom spread like the flu.  When the news 
was heard by the king of Nisus, he ordered his men to capture that 
village.  They were unfamiliar with the terrain, so they lost to Duncan's 
troops, who were now used to it.  Fazed with his initial failure, the 
king ordered all hostilities to stop.  What he did next was to send 
boatloads of loyal followers to another part of the continent to set up a 
colony.  Only after ten generations did hostilities began to flare.  They 
started out as border disputes.  But the present king of Nisus wanted 
more than a few towns.  He wanted Hungenford's capital, Haven.  Most of 
his campaigns never did reach Haven, 'til ten years ago.  It took the 
combined power of the rebellion and nearby kingdoms to retake Haven.  
That was the only time Haven was infiltrated, 'til now.

Fire and Ice
chapter2


	Ryouga slowly opened his eyes.  The last thing he remembered was 
that he passed out after reaching the physician's office.  His side still 
hurt a bit, but he didn't care.

	The door slowly creaked open and the physician entered, accompanied 
by two royal guards.

	"Ah, you're awake - the king wishes that you attend the council 
meeting.  He is hoping that you can fill in a few blanks.  The guards 
will escort you."

	Ryouga managed a slight nod.

	On the way to the council chambers, the events that happened in the 
morning flashed in his mind in a never-ending cycle.  The princess tied 
and gagged, her abductor's face.  Searing pain at his side.

Council Chamber

	The council chamber opened from two huge doors.  The tables inside 
were arranged in semicircle.  Seated around the table were the ministers 
of defense, education, the royal advisor, the king with his dog, the 
minister of finance and a few local lords.

	"This is the second time this decade that someone has infiltrated 
our castle.  To think we call this place Haven.  With all our defenses 
and well-trained men, someone from the enemy managed to get deep into the 
castle.  Fortunately, someone saw the abduction and the abductor�s face.  
Guards, let him in."

	The two giant doors slowly opened to reveal a Ryouga frozen in his 
place.

	"He is a local blacksmith.  Son, tell us what you saw."

	Ryouga slowly moved to the center of the room and told them 
everything that he remembered.

	A man in his late sixties wearing an ornate armor stood up. 

	"His description resembles the son of King Archibald, Prince 
Malcolm.  They might be planning an assault and want a trump card, just 
in case."

	The Royal advisor then said to Ryouga, "You said that you saw him 
*leap* from the balcony of the east wing, right."

	"Yes."

	"The princess's room is three levels from the ground."

	"I only said what I saw."

	"Assuming what you said was true, how could have he gotten in 
without a scuffle?  Her room always has two of the home guards posted at 
her door at all times.  Aren't they supposed to be an elite group of 
fighters?"

	The minister of defense retorted, "Bevier and Kalten were the ones 
posted outside her door.  They are two of the best.  They were found at 
their posts, unconscious - they were apparently drugged.  Guards, let 
them enter."

	Two men clad in plate armor entered.  Both had a muscular built.  
As Bevier's hair was as dark as a moonless night, Kalten's was a platinum 
blonde.  Kalten was the designated speaker.

	"The last thing we remembered was that the maiden Saytica was 
delivering our meals and asking to see the princess.  The princess 
obliged her request, so we let her in.  Halfway through our meals, we 
both felt drowsy and apparently dropped."

	The king interjected.

	"Where is the maiden Saytica now?"

	"Nobody had seen her since the incident."

	The royal advisor then added, "Wait a minute, both of you say that 
a female went in.  This blacksmith said a while ago that the one he saw 
was definitely a man.  Sire, we have a problem here.  Who is telling the 
truth?"

	The three said in chorus:  "I am."

	"Okay, supposing you are all telling the truth, what shall we do?"

	To which Kalten responded:  "I propose that we go and try to save 
her.  It's our fault she was abducted, so it's our responsibility to save 
her."

	To which the minister of defense responded:  "It is not wise to do 
that.  Their defenses are as tough as ours, maybe even tougher.  The only 
way we could go in is if we had a very powerful weapon."

	The minister of education slowly stood up.

	"If you want a powerful weapon, I could probably get you a pair.  
In my readings, I found an ancient tome telling of a pair of swords used 
by a warrior who single-handedly fought a group of mages.  It is said 
that the entrance to the cave that houses the swords appears only a week 
at a time.  The week starts on a leap year that has a full moon.  Which 
coincidentally is three days from now.  And there lives a hermit within 
blackwood castle who people say know where the entrance is."

	"It's a waste of time, they might do something to the princess."

	The military head answered, "Sire, they will not harm her, she is 
too important to their plans.  If they harm her, she'll be a bit useless 
to them.

	"After hearing all of you, I approve of the quest. Who shall we 
send?"

	Ryouga, Bevier and Kalten shouted in unison.  "I'll go!"

	"Bevier and Kalten can go, however, blacksmith, you are too weak."

	"I have to go.  It's a matter of honor."

	"You leave at dawn."		

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I really do hope that people who have read this actually liked it.
C & C 's would greatly help me in writing the next parts.	 

Insert disclaimers here :>

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Nikholas F. Toledo Zu @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/mezza9.html
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