Tales of Krynn
"Imagination is but the turn of a page"
Wynter's Rain : by Matthew Angelo
A storm was gathering upon the horizon. The kind that predicts danger. Lightning streaked across the sky. Thunder so loud, the dwarves of Thorbardin could here it. As the lightning lashed and the thunder rolled throughout the sky, a lone figure stood against it all. His piercing green eyes saw everything. His slightly pointed ears heard all. Atop a hill he stood and waited looking down. His sword blade first in the ground reflected the lightning on its mirrored blade.
“Must you do this?” Arianna asked in her elven voice.
“There are to many Wynter. We can hide in the woods.” She pleaded.
He looked back at her beautiful elven face. How long ago was it they met he thought. How long it took them to realize they loved each other. Wynter looked at her and sighed. He knew all to well what lay behind them. Darken Wood. He also knew it would be easier to fight the ogres then to chance entering Darken Wood.
“I must Arianna, I have no choice”, he said sadly. He hated to fight, and they both knew it. All he wanted in life was peace, and to study his magic. Wynter cursed those that forced him to take up the sword and fight.
“The woods behind us are evil, and we will not survive it”, he said strongly.
“Wynter, maybe the stories are wrong. Maybe they’ll be safe for us”, pleaded Arianna.
“No!” exclaimed Wynter, “We will not enter Darken Wood!”
Wynter turned around to face the ogres at the bottom of the hill. All five of them. He looked at them closely. He saw their rusty axes and makeshift armor. He heard their taunts and smelled their stench. Wynter saw and heard all and knew he had no choice but to fight.
“Damn the gods!” he muttered to himself, and prepared to fight.
Wynter’s sword reflected the rush of ogres coming toward him. . His muscled body tightened in anticipation of the coming battle. He was a half-elf. Half Kagonesti, half-human. He would be damned if he’d let those ogres call him a half-breed and get away with it. A hint of a smile spread on his lips as he reached into his bag of spell components. He drew out sand the color of the sun as words of magic resounded down the hill.
“Ast tasarak krynawi,” he spoke as he threw the sand into an arc. The release of magic exhilarated him. With a rush of energy, the spell was cast, sending four of the ogres asleep.
One by one the ogres fell. All but one. This one was smart. Smart for one born of a stupid race. This ogre held back while the others charged. As the others fell, the ogre charged. With a loud bellow of rage the ogre charged toward him. It’s wicked battle-axe blazing in the lightning streaked sky. The ogres armor shone like the axe. Wynter could smell its sickly stench as it ran closer. He took in every detail. Every strength, every weakness. The battle would soon be over.
Wynter knew battle. He knew it very well. Ever since this war with the ogres started he knew. He was ready for the rush. He crouched low with both hands on his sword. The ogre swung wide over his head leaving itself wide open.
“You stupid beast. Never leave yourself open!”, said Wynter.
“You’re the stupid one half-breed,” growled the ogre.
As the grin widened on Wynter’s face, he reared up swinging his sword with perfect precision across the ogre’s throat. Blood streamed down the ogre’s neck and chest. The ogre fell to the ground drowning in it’s own blood.
“Wynter,” said Arianna rushing over to hug him fiercely.
“You’re a strong one Wynter. Strong enough to fight,” she said running her hand through his long reddish brown hair.
Wynter looked down at her. Pushing her raven black hair to reveal the pointed ears of a Silvanesti elf. The lightning flashed again, reflecting of the platinum holy symbol of Paladine that hung around her neck. He looked into her deep blue eyes and smiled.
“You are my strength. Just like Paladine is yours. We’ll win this war together,” he said pulling her close. Feeling her warmth and love that warmed his frozen heart.
As he held Arianna close, he prayed to Paladine for the first time. Not just to win the war, but the war within his heart.
“Paladine, please grant me the strength to protect Arianna from this war,” prayed Wynter silently.
Just then a tear fell, as he realized his prayers were answered. And as the tear fell, so did the rain. It washed away all his fears that resided in his heart. The rain also washed away the blood of the ogre, leaving the land of Krynn once more fresh with hope.
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