Aldenaire Sample Scene

The sky was overcast that night; neither the stars nor the moon shone out. Most likely this was the reason Brett had managed to go this long without being found. But then Brett had a horrible thought come to his mind. How was he going to find his way back?
As Brett scanned the surrounding area he was surprised to see that he was no longer in the forest. In the distance he could see a small dim light, but besides that he could see nothing but a thick fog. As he approached the light he found it was coming from a lantern placed next to the water. Somehow Brett had accidentally wandered back to the docks. He had never been there at night and it was far different from what he had imagined it to be.
Brett had always expected the docks to liven up at night as everyone would head for the pub for drinking and socializing. Instead they were bare, and there was no sound to be heard but for the relaxing sound of water against the docks.
No one was outside on this dreary night. No one was singing or telling tales. From what he could tell, no one was even checking on their ships. Brett began to feel as if something was deeply wrong, though there was nothing on the docks to justify his fear. Almost subconsciously, Brett began to move backwards until suddenly he tripped over a long, soft object lying on the ground and landed on his back.
Brett picked himself up onto his knees, a little sore but mainly unhurt, and turned around to check what he had tripped over. Peering through the darkness, Brett was startled to find that he had tripped over a sailor who lay on the ground behind him.
"Are you alright?" Brett called out to the sailor to make sure he was okay but received no response. Thinking he must have fallen asleep from drunkenness, Brett shook the sailor calling, "I said, are you alright sir?"
Brett quickly jerked his hand back as he felt something wet on the sailor's shirt. The sailor still lay motionless. Moving over towards the lantern, Brett attempted to examine his hand. His felt his heart skip a beat as he saw his hand red, dripping in blood.
It was obvious now that something was quite wrong on the docks. As Brett peered through the darkness he realized that the bodies of dead sailors lay strewn all over the docks. He didn't know what had happened, but every emotion inside him told him to get out of there as fast as he could.
Dazed and confused Brett got up to leave. As he stood up he caught the sound of footsteps running towards him quickly. It was too late; whoever did this was now upon him. Desperate to get out of there, Brett began running. But not fast enough. Before he could get three steps away he fell to the ground as someone ran into him.
"Brett?" a familiar voice called out from on top of him.
Brett opened his eyes to see Griesh standing above him. The lantern light shone down on him and Brett could see that Griesh's clothes were torn and bloody.
"I thought I told you not to come here!" Griesh cried, more frightened than angry. "Don't you know that…" Before Griesh could finish his sentence there came a clicking sound in the distance like metal shoes on paved ground.
Griesh looked down at Brett as he lay on the ground. He stood there for a while, as if he were arguing with himself whether to flee or not. With a small sigh, he threw off his riding cape, turning in the direction the sound was coming from.
No sooner had Griesh turned then seven figures cloaked in black, hooded robes appeared a short distance away in the dense fog. Although the cloaks prevented Brett from seeing the faces of the figures, it was clear that they were giants. Each one easily surpassed eight feet in height despite their hunched stance.
The figure in the middle of the seven moved forward and stopped some distance from Brett and Griesh. He seemed somewhat surprised to see Brett moving on the ground. In a low, growling voice, the man ordered, "Kill the boy, but bring me the Aldenarian for questioning."
As quick as lightning Griesh drew his sword and shouted, "You will have the boy over my dead body you vile eater of rotting flesh!"
A laugh came from beneath the hood of the cloaked figure which would have caused Brett to run away if he had not been paralyzed with fear. "Very well," the figure replied seeming as if he had hoped for this response. The seven towering cloaked figures charged towards them.
Brett watched in amazement as Griesh took on the seven giants by himself. Still too terrified to move, Brett was left helplessly watching as the fight went on. At first the fight appeared to go to Griesh's favour as four figures fell to his blade. The figures fought viscously like wild animals but Griesh was far too powerful for them. Brett was about to let out a sigh of relief when the leader of the group brought something from his side which changed the tide of the battle.
A cracking sound which turned Brett's blood to ice in his veins echoed through the air closely followed by Griesh's cry as the leader caught hold of Griesh's arm with a whip which glowed like dying embers of a fire.
Griesh fell to the ground dropping his sword and grabbing his arm in agony. Another of the cloaked figures took this opportunity to charge at Griesh pouncing like a falcon after its prey. Brett gave a short shout and against his better judgement, ran to try to help his friend. No sooner did he start towards Griesh then he felt a heavy hit on the back of his head from a third shadowy figure who had snuck up behind him. Brett heard an inhuman shriek as the world around him went black.