Weiland / Spirit Orb / 284

THE SPIRIT ORB

by

J.D. Weiland

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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The Spirt Orb

Copyright © 2010 by J.D. Weiland

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

The Spirit Orb

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Prologue

A Historians First Words

Virceta, a world found and a world bent. It is a world that has seen more history then most other worlds in much less time. I have traveled the world for hundreds of years. My tales are of the history of this world. It seems that I have always had a knack for not only witnessing, but also being involved in the most influential times in the history of this world.

Enough about me though, this story is about one of the most surprising heroes of time, but this hero wasn’t like most. No, no…this person didn’t slay an evil emperor, or command the battle field with legions of troops. The hero wasn’t an impressive man with hulking strength or above natural charisma. In fact, SHE is the one that sparked the greatest war in Virceta history. Yes that’s right, one of the most influential people in this world was nothing but a young elf lass, an elf lass, which I had the opportunity to be among her influence.

Now, this story and world has much more to it than meets the eye, for it is the very first of my documented historical legends. That being noted, I will be more than happy to give any uneducated person a brief explanation of the persons involved as well as describe, in detail, this glorious world that I call my home. However, I wouldn’t want to spoil too much of the plot or any history of the characters involved, so you’ll just have to wait and see, rather wait and read. History is a story and there is no better way to tell history than in a story.

So enjoy this story and be educated on the history of this world, for when it concerns the world of Virceta, this is fact, not legend.

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Chapter 1

Tragedies & New Friendships

The merchant cart traveled down the dirt road at a steady pace. The night was closing in and the cool wind could be heard blowing softly against the treas.

You Idiot! I swear if you eat anything else you’ll starve us afore we get to Shallowarm! The rather lanky man said as he gave another crack on the whip.

Sorry Jarell, me stomach won’t stop it’s grumbling! The lad groaned.

Bulluk you bloke! I swear if we run out o' food I’ll skin ya up and cook YOU! We don’t have time to be stopping at all the towns on the way! The ship’ll be leaven afore we ever get there. I swear by Tylaerah yer even dumber than ye look lad. Jarell looked to the sky’s for answers as he contemplated the last 15 years with the lad, was the obligation of taking care of his less than intelligent nephew really worth it all? He shrugged and justified everything by telling himself that he was a good kind soul no matter how slow he was.

Well let’s go ahead and stop for the night anyhow…We’ll make outa Darkfir and make for Khoriark in the mourn. Now get your fat arse off the cart and fetch up some wood…and the woods for a fire ya idiot, not for scratchin' yer arse! Jarell spat on the ground as he glared at his nephew.

If I get wood can we cook? Bulluk said with a beaming smile ear to ear.

BAH! That reminds me. After ye get wood, go catch us some food, best not to waste our own. Jarell spat again.

OK...but umm...can you come to Jarell?

Damn ye lad, Yer damn nearin' 400 pounds. If anything comes to bite’cha just roll over in the direction it’s bitten ya from, now get ye gone! Jarell said, silently laughing inside.

But…But…what if... Bulluk tried to stutter

Oh for the love of…lad, could ya just get on with it? Jarell was no longer laughing inside; instead, a look of disappointment and frustration was displayed across his face.

Bulluk didn’t hesitate this time but rushed off into the woods blindly obviously more scared of his uncle behind him then what may lie ahead in the forest of Darkfir.

I swear ye take a lad in an….. Jarell rambled on obviously plagued by obligation.

Bulluk’s parents were killed in a Gorgan raid when he was only six. The village was utterly slaughtered. Very few survived at all. Bulluk was of the few that made it out alive. Jarell took pity on the poor lad when he found him on a dirt road going no where. This, however, put a hold on the big dream of becoming a guild master in Everport.

Now they were traveling merchants. Selling what they could where and when. This time was different though. This time Jarell decided to catch the last ship to Everport, with his stupid yet gentle adopted nephew. Finally, after fifteen long years he could pursue the goal he had coveted for so long. Power, fear, and respect, as a guild master in the only place to be a merchant lord. Who knows…maybe the big city might finally nock some sense in his nephew! Maybe even loosen a few brain cells that have been begging to start kicking for years.

Although it was a cool night, sweat still beaded of Bulluk’s forehead. Night beasts’ howled and small movements could be heard all about. Bulluk was determined to do what his uncle had instructed him. If there was one thing he was good at, it was doing what he was told to do. The forest was cold that night. Wind blew at a mild temperature, but even still, there was something evil in the air that night that made it chillingly cold. Bulluk could sense it. What he lacked in intelligence and common sense, he made up for in his ability to sense good and evil, and this night something evil had happened. He knew it.

Somethin' juss doesn’t smell right. he said to himself as he began his duty of picking out some dry pieces of firewood.

Just then he heard the howling of wolves in the distant night, not to far off from him he noticed. He reached behind and gave his spiked club a reassuring pat.

If they come, I’ll give 'em hell! Bulluk’s normal cheerful face took on a slight grimace uncommon to the gentle lad. He was focused and determined then. He couldn’t help but notice that it had been years since he had scowled so. Something evil was definitely about, and he was determined to stop it.

The howls grew closer….

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Starving wounded, and exhausted the young girl ran on. She didn’t know where she would go, all she new is that she had to get out of the forest. There was nothing left for her here, everything was gone now, and everyone was gone. She paused for a moment and sat upon a tree that had cracked and fallen from the ages, so also had her life been broken and taken from her. She cried for the first time since she began running. She hadn’t had the time to take everything in. All that had transpired. She cried for her family, her village, and her friends. Was she the only one who had survived?

The Demons had descended up them to fast. One minute they were dancing and singing, the next they were being slaughtered. She cried harder when the image of her mother came into her mind. A sword protruding from her chest as she looked into her eyes and could only whisper... Run child. She remembered looking at the evil grin of satisfaction on the demons face as it slowly slid its sword out of her mother and quickly plunged it back in. Her sisters, brother, and friends were being rounded up in a circle each being executed as they watched each other die. The very last image she saw was another one of the demons fall over her cousin, and then she ran. She didn’t stop running. She couldn’t stop. Stopping meant she would be forced to replay the unspeakable horrors repeatedly in her head.

Now she sat, crying. She was only thirty-seven years old, which was young for her race, but never had a child been more ready to die. She had nothing, she reminded herself. All she had left was to die in this forest.

Perhaps I should go back and beg the demons to take my life as well? She thought to herself.

NO! she screamed aloud.

I will have my revenge! She continued to run with passion to change the destiny that had befallen her. Unfortunately for her a pack of hungry shade wolves were fast on her heals.

Damn the gods for cursing me so! she spat. Anger welled up inside of her as she ran even harder, harder into the forest, hoping the end was near.

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The growls issuing from the pack were growing louder by the second. By this time Bulluk practically felt their hot drooling breath on the back of his neck.

Jarell…Come! We got some trouble! Just then a small form slammed hard against his bulked form and fell to the ground.

What’s this, a little elf girl? Bulluk, obviously excited, forgot entirely about the wolf pack closing in quickly.

H…Help me…please! the little elf cried. Bulluk always doing what he was told shrugged off his fear and focused on the task. He would kill the wolves and save his new friend.

Ok little elf girl, I will protect you and kill them. He grimaced for the second time that night. He had a feeling that this would be happening more in the future from the likes of it.

My name is Tsandrai, Thank you sir! she said with a smile of hope.

I’m Bulluk, nice to meet you Tsandrai, I’ll kill wolves now k?

Bulluk un-strapped his spiked club from his back and swung around his hulking 400-pound frame, the word HELL was etched on the side of the club. To any normal man, you wouldn’t be intimidated by the huge man. The sincere look of kindness and innocence was so overwhelming you couldn’t see but a kind child in the hulking form. He stood nearly 6 foot 10 inches tall, with a potbelly groan from eating whatever and whenever he desired. Nevertheless, that belly did nothing to sway his trunk like arms when swinging his club.

The wolves were circling around them now, by his count there were three of them. One swat should be good he told himself.

If only I can get at ‘em! he thought aloud.

The first wolf lunged from behind. Bulluk grimaced for the third time that night and tightened his grip on his spiked club. He was not quick enough, though, for the wolf latched onto his thigh, Jaws clenched around him as it shook vigorously. Pain shot through his leg and he gave a wicked bellow. However, the wolf made one mistake. It was now in one place for to long, and no place could have been worse for it. HELL came smashing down on its side sending the wolf crashing into a tree next to Tsandrai and falling limply to the ground without even a whimper.

Two left he told himself as he tried to block out the stinging pain in his left thigh. Good thing he didn’t know that with that huge swat of his club, the wolf took a decent sized chuck out of his thigh with him. Blood ran freely down his left leg as more needles of pain shot through his body, forcing him to favor his right leg. The second wolf made a move to charge in going for a full frontal assault. It would have had its kill too if it weren’t for the fact that a dagger shot through the night and took it in the leg. It whimpered and tried to make a desperate last attack at Bulluk. It lunged at him jaws barring wide inches from Bulluks' exposed belly. Not soon enough though, a second dagger split through the air and plunged deeply into the side of its neck. The dead wolf fell to the ground its lifeblood draining from the two-inch gash in its neck.

The third obviously out numbered hesitated and circled around back towards Tsandrai.

Bulluk Help me! she screamed when she realized its intentions.

Bulluk rushed over, wounded leg and all, as fast as he could. The wolf lunged out jaws in line straight for Tsandrai’s neck. Crack! Was the only sound heard as the spiked club smashed its head in, a spike driving straight through its skull.

You ok now little elf. I killed ‘em. Bulluk beamed with an open smile.

What in bloody Haedor have you got yerself into this time? Jarell hollered, as he went to grab his throwing daggers from the wolf carcass.

And to think, I thought we were lucky for not getting ambushed this close to Khoriark! Be sure lad there’s more trouble around these parts then stinkin' wolves to worry about. Jarell said obviously dreading to stop at the town of the infamous W.R.S. (world renowned Scientists) Gnomes

I was just trying to help the little girl elf. Bulluk face returned to a look of sincere concern.

A girl elf, what’s this? We don’t have time to be savin' no damsels in distress! Especially not a girl elf, lad! Trust me; elf women bring ya nothing but trouble. And look at this! You’ve got a gash in the side of your leg big'r then all hell. Jarell spat.

But she was so pretty, and hurt too, I had to help her! Bulluk was pleading for support from Jarell.

Well damn it all lets have a look at‘er then. Jarell jumped over a log and made his way over to Tsandrai.

"By Tylaerah, she’s hurt too. Looks Like she’s taken quite a few good falls.

By this time Tsandrai had fainted from not only grief, but hunger and exhaustion.

Poor girls sleeping like a rock, lets bring her back to camp then and keep her warm at least. I’ll go ahead an start skinning up the wolfy‘s, go build the fire lad. As Jarell spoke you could see, hidden beneath the hard man, a bit of compassion

Jarell rarely broke his strong demeanor. Strength and intimidation is the key to success! He always told Bulluk. Those few times that he did show some manner of kindness or compassion, he did his best to hide it. He honestly did love his nephew, despite his dreams being delayed. After all, he did raise him as if he was his own son. Despite his harshness on the lad, Bulluk had turned out to be the kindest and most honest young man he had ever met. Any time he felt like a horrible person all he had to do was look at Bulluk. He would then know that he had done some good in life.

* * * * *

The light from the fire woke her from a sleep filled with disturbing images. She groaned quietly and started to rise into a sitting position. She looked around for a second to gather her thoughts on what had happened. There sat Bulluk, her savior, and his friend, an older man in his middle life, conversing quietly. Bulluk’s leg was bandaged and the blood flow seemed to have been stemmed.

She’s awake, uncle. Bulluk said as he handed Tsandrai a piece of wolf meat and a cup of water.

The meats not bad, once you get past the fact that its wolf. Jarell said

Hey, waste not want not I always say. Tsandrai took the meal gratefully not arguing with that fact. After all, she was starving.

Thank you. Tsandrai said.

So wut’s a lil elf lass doin' wanderin' around the forest all alone like yerself? Jarell asked.

Tsandrai remained silent. Once again she was reminded of the tragedy that had taken place. A Tear formed and it wasn’t long before they were pouring free once again.

There now what's gotten into you, eh? Jarell said, If there’s one thing I can’t stand its crying. Eat your food then and tell us when you’re ready. Jarell filled his flagon with more ale and took a sip. Tsandrai started to eat the meat greedily. She was overcome with hunger and grief and it was the only thing that was temporarily sedating her nightmare.

I wonder where her family is. Bulluk asked quietly.

I’m guessing something along the same sort as yerself’s, lad. Jarell said.

Ohh… I hope not Bulluk looked to the ground then and sighed heavily. It had been 15 long years since his family had been slaughtered by a Korgrin raiding band. His village was slaughtered. Unlike Tsandrai’s small village though, at least a few more of his village had survived.

I’m sorry about your leg Bulluk, thank you for saving me. She said as she drank the last drop of water out of the cup he had given her.

Oh…its ok, I’m just glad you weren’t hurt badly. He said with once again a smile that went from one ear to the other.

And thank you Mr.….. Tsandrai began

It’s Jarell; just Jarell never liked the Mr. Stuff. Jarell cut her off.

Right Jarell, thank you. She stopped for a moment and tried to think of a way she could tell them of what had happened. How could she tell them without breaking down once again? My village was destroyed by demons. All my people were killed by those demons! Tsandrai couldn’t stop the tears again. But she did manage to stay in control of her emotions enough to hold her head up.

Demons you say? What kind of demons killed your people? Jarell asked.

Demon…I don’t know…they just looked dark and so evil, dark as the night with orange and violet eyes. Tsandrai cried

It couldn’t be… Jarell grabbed his cloak and reflexively put a hand on the hilt of his saber.

Yes Telygwar. Tsandrai said

That’s impossible…only half breeds exist, and even their kind is dying out.

It’s true I tell you! I saw them with my own eyes!

Ok, lass…settle down now. Tell me, where was your village? Jarell asked.

It was no more then a few miles into the woods I think, I...I really don’t know ...I just ran...I wasn’t thinking...It’s close to the mountains though. She replied. Did you see where they were heading? Jarell demanded

N...No...I...it was just so...I ran, I couldn’t see... Tsandrai stumbled over her words

Uncle! Be kind! Barked Bulluk. After a few moments Jarell seemed to calm down. He gave up his tightened grip on his saber and slowly sat back down. Yer right I'm sorry for getting all worked up about it. No use in wasting energy now anyhow. He pondered the possibilities of a Telygwar raiding party. A raiding party! That’s all. Probably went back to there damned holes under the ground. Sounds like Soul Wraiths…are you sure they weren’t Soul Wraiths…dark winged creatures?

Tsandrai, no…no wings…they were black as the night, and evil looking….demonic…they….they get inside your mind and….and…

I’ll…I’m going to kill them whispered Tsandrai.

What’s that lass? Jarell inquired.

I’m going to kill every last one of them! Tsandrai roared.

Now is not the time kiddo. Your to young and inexperienced. If your ambitions are real you will have your day, but not now. For now you can travel with us to Shallowarm, if ya like. We're headin' to Everport after that, but I'm sure ya can find some'o yer kin down there at least, and they should be able to help ya. Jarell said. Jarell could see the utter hopelessness on her face, and wasn't sure how he could help out here. Don'tcha be worryin', Bulluk here’ll protect ya from the worst of things! He said.

Once again that lovable grin spread across Bulluk’s face. He felt pride then. He felt like he had a purpose in life greater then helping his uncle or being a guard for him. Maybe by staying by her side he could find comfort in what had transpired in his early life. He would have a new purpose to help one who had gone through something so tragic and so similar. Tsandrai too, felt comfort in the inspiring words Jarell had spoke. Perhaps she would find her strength in Everport even. Perhaps she would return one day to have her revenge.

Thank you I will travel with you, I think I can trust you. Besides my family is gone and so is my village. I don’t have anywhere else to go, right? she asked more than answered.

Just promise me you won’t get in my way! I don’t want to be riskin' my neck anymore, I have things to do and many great plans. Jarell stated

Don’t mind uncle. He’s always like that, you’ll get use'ta it. Bulluk smiled.

So tomorrow we will head to Khoriark, which I hope we won’t be stayin' to long in. Those damned Science Gnomes are always up to no good. Jarell said

Science Gnomes? Tsandrai inquired.

Damn funny Gnomes. Always findin' something to stick there stinkin' noses into and more often then not, messin' it up! I just hope they don’t pay to much attention to us. Anyhow get some rest we got a long trip tomorrow.

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Intervention 1

Terribly sorry to interrupt so early, but I couldn’t help but give a little background for the naïve and uneducated. As it sits today, in year 3247, most would ask, What is a Telygwar, and when did it live in my world?

Well that answer is a bit more difficult to explain than what I can oblige. For now, I’ll simply tell you that it was one of the two ancient colonizers of this planet.

Now believe me, I understand that may be difficult too fully comprehend, but trust me on this one. They were a very dark and ambitious race with incredible innate abilities of the mind. They could be horrifying to look upon, and yet enticing at the same moment. They were completely black as night, and many said they took the appearance of a bat, depending on how ugly the Telygwar was that is. Now, don’t get me wrong, they were humanoid in size and stature, but they had ears that could make an elf jealous and the eldest of them even had bat like wings. Perhaps the most intriguing of all, besides their vampire style of teeth, were their eyes. Their eyes had a cat like appearance, except not as round, much more slanted, but that’s not the most interesting of features. The most interesting feature was the fact that you could tell their mood by the color of their eyes. They are the only race in history to have eyes that change color depending on their mood. Although, I know, I won’t spoil that secret for now. I’ll explain more in detail later, for now let’s get back to history.

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Chapter 2

The Darkness Within

That Night Tsandrai’s Slumber was broken and haunted by horrible nightmares.

Once again the terrible images came into her head.

"Run child" Her mother said as she was hacked to pieces at the end of the wicked Telygwar blade. Over and over again, the Telygwar slashed with an evil lust. Her mother was obviously mutilated far beyond life, yet she kept looking deep