Fanfic:Caden Ives' Old Biography

From Grey Tower Library
Jump to: navigation, search
Caden Ives' Old Biography
Author(s)
  • Kenneth Edberg
Character(s)
Harp-icon.png This is a piece of fanfiction.
Only the original author(s) or Librarian(s) should make content changes to this page.




A wind began to rage among the waves of the Dead Sea. A wind woven by the shape of a destiny, blowing south towards its host across the dark waters of the Aryth Ocean. The water was not as dark here as it had been up by Worlds End, but still it was darker than any Ilian fisherman would mean be normal. Continuing its journey southwards, waves were summoned beneath it. Onward the wind blew, reaching the capitol of Arad Doman, the great town Bandar Eban. The wide gust stroked the city like a cold caress, making a few of the inhabitants regret their clothing they had chosen for the mild summer-day. It was indeed summer, or maybe the end of it some would say; the period of summer that everyone welcomed the sun that still shined upon them before the fall would descend. The wind faded among the houses but the last fringe of it touched the face of a young boy, who was sitting in the highest window of a tall house in the outskirts of the city.

The boy's name was Caden Ives. He was a blond boy with rather pale skin compared to other Domani children, but many who noticed him said that he would grow up to be a handsome man. His thoughts were far away from where he was himself; fantasying about life outside the city, dreaming of world beyond crowded streets.

When I grow up I am going to become someone whom will make a difference, someone who will stand out from the rest of these townspeople. I will not get imprisoned in the ordinary, everyday life, which all these people live in. I'm really gonna become someone to remember and read about. I'm going to become a great man who will help others in their struggle for a free life. Caden absently touched the back of his right hand while he thought of what he would do when he grew up. The hand had a mark on it, a sort of mysterious rune that no one recognised among those that he had met. Not that he had many grown up friends but still. It looked like an ancient letter from a long forgotten Age, and neither Caden himself nor his drunken uncle had a shadow of a clue what it meant. He had worn that rune on his hand when he was given birth, his uncle claimed, and Caden believed him since he had seen it on his hand for as long he could remember.

He had no mother or father that he knew. He had come to know that he was given birth twelve years ago and that his uncle had taken care of him since. Caden thought a lot about his parents. He wondered who they where and if they where alive at all. His uncle never said a word regarding the matter, even if Caden asked him. He had got tired of asking; always feeling different from other children since he had no past.

His thoughts were interrupted by a shout from the lower floor. It was his uncle who wanted him to come down. He was drunk again, and he wanted to rid some of his anger. He often used his cane to accomplish that. Caden got down from the window and walked slowly to the attic's rope that led downwards. He cleared his mind of any thoughts until it seemed to be burning a flame inside his mind. He had learned that as a sort of defence against the everyday beating he had to suffer. He was used to it now and didn't even give the feat a thought.

Completely emotionless he descended the rope.

Four Years Later

Winter, the snow fell and the coldness reached inside Caden's thick, brown cloak as he walked back home in the darkness, muscles aching and limbs sore after a day working in the docks. He carried goods for the traders, earning small coin for his great physical efforts. He owned no education, so the hard work was the only profit within reach.

There were few people out on the streets and he was almost alone. Returning to the house did not bring joy, since all his free time he had to take care of the house, and receive the beatings from his uncle. Thoughtless acceptance made his feelings numb as he strode on.

~ Kill him. ~

Caden seized walking. He looked around but saw none. Only the snow moved as it fell silently. There was no wind this cold night.

~ He deserves it, doesn't he? ~

"Where are you? Show yourself!" His voice echoed along the street. Glaring into the shadows, he tightened his fists. The docks had no reputation to hold friendly colleges.

A quiet giggle was heard.

~ Show myself? As you wish. Look upon your right hand, ~ the voice said. Unlike Caden's tone, it held no echo.

Caden lifted his right hand and stared at it. There was nothing but the rune there. Caden looked around again.

"Very funny. Show yourself I said!" He owned the wits to realise that if the one who spoke meant him direct harm, he would probably not hand out a warning first.

~ I'm not lying; I'm there, look again. If we are going to work together you have to know that I never lie. My word is nothing but the truth, ~ the voice said with emphasis.

"Work with me? What are you talking about? Where are you?" Caden said with a cold edge to his tone. This charade annoyed him.

~ I'm there on the back of your hand. My name is Zhain'Khar. ~

Caden looked at the rune on his hand. He said nothing.

~ You know what Tharenwo deserves right? After how he has treated you so badly all these years -sorry, let me rephrase that- all your life. As far as I am concerned, he deserves nothing but death. ~

"What do you hold against my uncle?" Caden didn't believe what was happening. He was standing there in the middle of the street, having a conversation with the back of his hand. Am I mad?

~ No you are not mad, and he is not your uncle. Didn't I address him as Tharenwo instead of 'your uncle'? ~

"Not my uncle? What are you saying? And how could you read my mind? I don't understand." He truly didn't. His whole world was turning upside down. He was hearing a voice coming from the rune, clearly as if the source was a man right in front of him. What was happening to him?

~ I said I speak only the truth, right? You have no family here in this cold city. You can leave whenever you want to. Kill Tharenwo and seek a life worthy a Runelord, ~ the rune's voice grew harder by the last words.

"Shut up! I'm not going to kill anyone!" Wasn't he? He didn't know what was happening anymore. A foul sensation of hate began to stir in his chest.

~ Kill him... He deserves it, doesn't he? Kill him, master. ~

"Shut up I said!" Caden shouted, resting his head in his hands and shaking it. The words were so tempting. He covered his ears and tried to ignore the voice. The hate was so close.

~ Kill him, master... Kill him now. ~ The voice came from inside his head. He could hear it ever so clearly despite the act of covering his ears.

"No! I'm not a murderer!" He could see himself tearing out his uncle's throat for all the years he had suffered under his rule.

~ It's not murder, it is vengeance. Kill him. Kill. Him. ~

Caden ran homewards, clutching his head and screaming in order to ignore the voice.


The door flew open and Tharenwo came awake when it hit the wall. Blinking he looked around; the small building he and Caden lived in was drained of the heat from the open fireplace. He stood up and looked at the young man, who leaned against the doorway, panting. He was covering his blonde head for some reason and snow dropped from his clothes. It looked like he had been running hard and even succeeded fall a couple of times.

"What in the Pit of Doom is the matter with you boy? Have you lost all your common sense?" Tharenwo coughed and drew a new breath. "That door is worth a fortune and I wouldn't like you to smash it against the wall!" He looked at the boy; he was resting his head against the palms of his hands. The little brat had the insolence not to answer him?

"What's the matter, you young fool? Have you been beaten up?" The old man laughed. "If you were, then it served you just right. It's becoming a burden to me, how I alone must beat respect into you every day. Some days I need to rest."

"Shut up! Shut up, I said!" Caden blurted out between ragged breaths. He was grabbing his hair.

Tharenwo blinked. What did the boy say? "Did you just tell me to shut up?" The old man smiled and picked up his cane. "Don't you remember the rules in this house? I'm the one who's in charge. I'm the one who tells you to shut up!"

The stick hit Caden in the head and he fell to the floor. The boy didn't seem to notice anything of it. The old man started to beat the boy with the stick over and over again. Tharenwo was not happy with what was done, but he knew he needed to keep the boy in place.

"Shut up! No! I won't kill him! No!" Caden's screams came fast between the quivers and screams that the cane drew.

Tharenwo stopped and looked at Caden.

"Have you gone mad little boy? What are you saying?" He kicked the boy in the ribs so that he rolled over on the back. Caden was still clutching his head and covering his ears. "Have you killed someone? If you have I'll throw you out!"

"No... I'm not a murderer, do you hear me? I'm not a murderer! I will not kill him!"

"Kill who?" A kick against Caden's head made him roll over again. Blood stained the wooden floor like wine on a cloth. "Who are you going to kill boy? You won't kill anyone! I have no use for you if you draw the attention of the civil guard. Burn you, I shouldn't have promised that damn traveller to take care of you! I should have dropped you in that well as I had planned from the beginning!"

Caden stopped moving. His hands dropped from his head. He looked up at Tharenwo. Tharenwo gazed down at the bleeding boy and smiled, feeling triumph over getting the boys attention at last. "Yes, I'm not your uncle... Light, I would feel sorry about being a relative of yours, you little pathetic fly!"

Caden said nothing. He looked at nothing as if his thoughts where far of. It was silent in the house until a cold winter-wind began to blow outside the doorway. Tharenwo grunted, he thought the boy had gotten enough for now.

"Get up and make me my food boy, and shut the door. It's bloody cold in here..." He walked away to the chair and sat down with his back against the boy, holding his hands towards the fireplace. "I will have chicken today. Get on with it," he said and reached for his pipe. Had the boy gone mad? Well I can always sell him as a slave in the docks tomorrow if I get a good offer. I think I can get by without him. Even how much money he can get me and how much he can do for me ain't worth it if he's mad to the point of killing someone? It can't be hard to cook food and clean. You just have to...

A sudden pain against his back-head interrupted the man's thoughts. He wondered what had hit him as he tried to turn around. Why was he lying on the floor all of a sudden?

He didn't get further before a strong fist gripped his throat and lifted him up. Tharenwo felt his back being slammed into the wall. His first reaction was to call for help. But two green eyes, burning with hate, stilled his tongue. Caden's grip strangled him; it felt like his wind-pipe was being crumpled. Panic came up his spine but he was helpless to the iron grip.

"So you are not my uncle," said Caden slowly in a menacing tone, his features were twisted in a sick way. "You have beaten me all my life without even being family! You have made me work to earn your living! I have fed you, taken care of you, cleaned your house, and treated you like a king! And all you have repaid me with..."

A smile came to his boy's twisted face. "...Is pain. Now it ends..."

Tharenwo's eyes widened as Caden threw him through the air. He felt himself land on top of the table and scattered it into small pieces. Trying to get air into his lungs, he saw Caden striding over the floor with his eyes fixed on him like a snake on its prey.

Tharenwo tried to defend himself with his cane but Caden quickly grabbed it and threw away. Before the stick had landed Tharenwo was lifted into the air again, the boy's fists holding his collar. "Wait! Caden! Stop this madness at once!"

"No, I'm enjoying this... This is the end of my madness."

Tharenwo flew through the air and hit another wall. He sank down towards it and then tried to crawl away, despite the pain that beamed in his back, but Caden gripped his clothes and dragged him over the floor as he paced towards the small fireplace.

When Tharenwo saw the fire panic came anew. He fought with every little ounce of strength in his body against the grip. He kicked and punched but to no result. "What are you doing? You can't do this!"

"I can't?" A blow landed over the back of his skull and the world moved around him. When everything came into place, he felt through the foggy pain how the boy he had raised grabbed his neck with two hands.

Then came the heat. It was so intense that he tried to open the eyes he had shut in pain. First he saw flames before his eyes. Then he realised that his head was held inside the fireplace. Tharenwo screamed as he fought again. He felt how his skin started to burn, how his hair was melting. The fire's sounds filled his ears as well as the sound of his own screaming voice. But above all that he heard Caden speak in a smooth and whispering voice. "Now my pain ends..."


It was still snowing outside. It was quiet. The screams had stopped a while ago. Caden was leaning against the wall and stared at the body which head still lay inside the fireplace, burning. The smell almost made Caden vomit.

"What have I done?" Caden's voice was now trembling, none of the rage he had expressed before was left. Only fear. "Light... what have I done?"

~ You did well, master... ~ said the voice in his head.

"No! I have killed the man that raised me!"

~ But... Wasn't that what you really wanted to do? ~

"No! I have never intended to kill anyone, and surely not him!" Caden knew he wasn't honest to himself, he had thought a lot about killing the one he thought had been his uncle, but always reasoned that out from his plans. The voice in his head maybe was right but he wouldn't admit it. "It was you! You made me kill him!"

~ In fact I didn't. It was all your action, and all your will. I just led the way. Are you not happy? ~

"Happy!? How can I bee glad when I just have killed a man!?"

~ But... it was your own wish. ~ The voice seemed to be confused.

"How in the name of the Creator can you know that?"

~ Because I know what you are thinking and feeling. I'm a part of you. I'm your other half. But I'm still under your command, master. ~

Caden looked at the rune. Thoughts whirled around in his head. "I'm... your master?"

~ Yes, didn't you know? Very well, I'll tell you later but now I suggest you leave before your neighbours come and ask why 'your uncle' was screaming so noisily. ~

Caden tried to think straight. The voice was right; he couldn't stay here much longer. He had to leave. Leave the city... to where? Never mind that now, he thought. He just had to leave the house and bring all that he needed for a long journey. He ran upstairs, to the attic-rope and climbed it. He lived up there in the attic for so long, he had all his belongings there and he began to pack them down in a bundle. It wasn't much and it went pretty fast. He then ran downstairs and shuffled down the bread and milk he and his uncle had in the small and dirty kitchen. Their scant savings he also nabbed on the way out. It wasn't much but it could last a while if he wasn't too generous.

~ Are you finished? ~ The voice was not mocking, just simply asking.

Caden hesitated. "Almost." Why did he talk to it? He ignored the voice and all the questions he had for it and went to Tharenwo's bedroom. There he pulled out a big chest from under the bed. He had to fetch a pan to smash the small lock. Tharenwo had all his belongings there, Caden knew that. What he found was the old mans lifesavings, which Caden took without hesitation. He also found something even more important, a sheathed dagger. When he pulled it out of the small scabbard, it proved to be a long dagger with a black hilt and a slightly curved blade. The small pommel must be silver, he thought.

~ Take it, you will probably need it. ~ The voice in his head said slowly.

"Shut up, I know what I'm doing!" Caden said as he fastened the dagger by his belt. When Caden was finished he ran to the door but stopped in the doorway. Several people were coming in the direction of the house.

~ Take the backdoor. Quickly! ~

"Shut up!"

A few seconds later, he stumbled into the small street at the back of the house. It was silent and the snow fell sideways in the new wind. Caden never stopped for a breath before he began to run. Where am I running? Where shall I go?

~ May I offer a suggestion, master? ~

Caden didn't answer at first. So it could really read his thoughts, it wasn't lying before. "Sure, go ahead."

~ The past three years you have worked in the docks right? You have made a few friends and contacts there if I remember it right? ~

"Yes, so?"

~ Get on a boat; it's the fastest and safest way away from this city and the ones that will hunt you. No one will ever find you unless you return. ~

Caden didn't say anything. He realised that the voice was right. He started to run the same way he walked every day to get to the harbour. He ran for all he could offer. The wind made tears run down his chins. He tripped and fell in the darkness several times. The houses fled by around him and his breath left clouds of white smoke behind him. He started panting early under his escape; the cold air was freezing his throat and lungs and the snow-wet clothes chilled his limbs.

He reached the inner city with its nice-looking houses, all the taverns and stores. It was much more crowded there. People were walking around, drunken or sober, young and old. The snow was no longer untouched like before; it was rather a mixture with wet mud. In the rush, Caden ran into someone and fell to the ground together with the one he had hit. He rose up very fast and apologised.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you... The Light illuminate you... I'm in a hurry..."

The one he had run rose to his full length, towering over Caden by a hand-breadth and glared at him. The first things that caught Caden's eye were that he had a red, probably expensive cloak and was wearing black gloves. His dark hair was held back at his neck by an unseen hair-band and his glare held a drunken haze.

"You're sorry? Look at what you did to my cloak, street-rat!" The man seized Caden's wrist and kicked him in the stomach. Caden lost his breath and fell down on one knee. "You will have to buy me a new one, beggar-boy! Do you have any money?"

"No... listen... I'm sorry, please forgive me... " Caden was close to panic. He could get stuck here forever and perhaps get beaten senseless by the nobleman. He had no time. He had to get away from the city. "I can't give you any money." He needed his money.

The nobleman was not alone. Two of his friends joined him by his side and laughed at Caden and his situation. The first one still held Caden's wrist hard and kicked him once more in he ribs so that he fell down on booth knees. What should he do? He struggled to regain his breath.

"I don't want you to touch my cloak again, you hear me! Do you even know who I am?!"

Time was running out. He had to do something.

Caden gathered the last strength that was left in his body after his long run and got up on his feet at the same time that he punched the nobleman over the face with his fist. He continued by kicking him in between the legs so that the man fell forward. The grip around Caden's wrist was gone before he knew it.

Caden grimaced as he unclenched his fist. When he lifted his gaze from the downed nobleman, people all around where shouting and pointing their fingers at him. He had been lucky, even if the months at the docks had earned him great physical strength, he did not know many things about fighting. And the nobleman's friends came over to his defence in a matter of seconds.

They ran Caden down and started to swing punches and kicks at him. He cried for help as he tried to crawl away. They laughed in amusement.

Caden felt every kick and punch. He began to have problems with focusing his eyes and knew that he was going to be unconscious within a short time. And then it would all be over. The City-guard would find him and he was going to get hung for murdering his 'uncle'. It was over. It would really gonna end that way.

~ ...I said, can I be of any help? ~ Caden didn't hear it the first time. The voice had probably been talking with him for a while.

He was kicked in the head by a black boot. Black spots danced in the edges of his vision. "What can you do? It's over," Caden said while he spitted out blood between his teeth.

~ Just relax and do nothing, I will take the control a while. ~

Caden was confused, what did the voice mean? Relax? Now?

~ Just do nothing and I will help. ~ The voice said slowly. Caden didn't have much choice than to obey. And as soon as he let go of crawling and simply did nothing he felt his body move.

Fast.

Suddenly he stood up again and was already kicking the noblemen to the right in the ribs. His body followed that with a spin around and kicked the same, now crouching, nobleman in the head so that he fell to the ground.

It was an odd feeling, to feel his own body move without giving it any commands. He stood before the last one, stood in the ring that the people on the street had formed around the four who was fighting. The second nobleman hesitated a second before he drew his sword. People began to mumble and back away from the two of them when they understood that it was going to be more than a fistfight.

Caden started to swear to the thing that controlled his body. No sounds passed his lips but the words came in thoughts. No! Run! We can't battle him if he has a sword! We are almost unarmed and I don't think the dagger will be of much help.

~ Do not worry, master... I will deal with it, ~ the voice replied, calm as if the nobleman was holding a fork in his hand.

Caden felt his body lift the arms, pointing both his fists at the man with the sword. While he wondered what was going to happen, the nobleman started to run against him. The sword was held high up in the air but Caden's body just stood there with its palms pointed against the fast approaching nobleman.

What are you doi...!! Caden didn't get further than that.

When it only was two spans between them, Caden's body opened his clenched fists. At the same moment as they unwrapped, a bright light flashed and a loud bang echoed along all the streets in the city. A thunderbolt shot out from Caden's palms and went right through the nobleman's chest. The man flew along the street while the bolt still beamed right through him. The white lightning struck a house far away and made its bottom floor shatter.

The nobleman landed in the snow, torched and with a huge hole in his chest. The darkness made it impossible to see if the thunderbolt had killed anyone else in its way but the chances were tremendously large.

"Light! What was that! What have you done!" Caden said aloud as he realised that he was back in control of his body. He immediately sank down on his knees when the pain from the beatings returned.

~ Never mind that now... I believe you're in a hurry, ~ the voice in his head replied.

Caden kept staring at the torched body and all the running people. Screams were heard everywhere and people were opening the windows on the upper floors to see what had happened.

~ Are you listening, master? I strongly advice you to run to the docks now, ~ the voice said. Caden seized his stalled mind again and slowly got on his feet, despite the pain.

"Yes..." was the only word he got through his lips. He started to run again, now in a limping way. He ran past other people that was screaming and running around like hens hunted by a fox. He tried to ignore the pain that beamed through his body by every move he made. He was sure that at least one rib was broken. What had he done? In less than an hour he had become a murderer. A murderer escaping from his crimes.

In a couple of minutes he had reached the docks. He looked around and failed to decide what to do. The Civil guard probably was searching this very minute and was soon going to come. The waters of the Aryth Ocean lied beyond the ships and their sails. Men were loading them in the snow. The water was not under ice yet; but it was not long gone. Because of that, there were many people there now and many boats were currently arriving and leaving the big harbour. Caden's heart sank. "So what now? It was your suggestion to run here. What are we going to do now?" Caden stiffened. When had he started calling himself 'we'?

~ Find a departing ship and sail, master, ~ the voice said.

Caden swept his eyes over the docks and the ships. Wait a minute... There! A small ship was just leaving the bridge it had been docked at. He knew it was his only chance.

"Oh, Light... despite my crimes, let me make it...!" Caden took off, running once more. The ship he was running at was a hundred spans away and was departing slowly. Faster. Caden ran down several men on his way. Faster. He ignored the pain that beamed in his body. Faster. He jumped over some wooden-boxes and landed on the other side without slowing down. Faster. The ship kept leaving. He reached the beginning of the bridge that would lead him to hope.

On his way out on the bridge he accidentally made a worker fall from it. He must make it! The end of the bridge came closer and the ship had made quite a distance between the bridge and itself. Caden leapt from the edge of the bridge flying during a few moments in the air. The time seemed to stay still. He felt his heart beating hard.

Silence.

No time.

No thoughts.

No regret.

Cold water hit him at the same time as he crashed into the side of the boat. He lost all orientations and directions; he didn't know what was up or down, finding himself under ice-cold water and couldn't breathe. Panic came. Thoughts flew through his mind. Was he about to die? Was this the end? Many had said that drowning was a pleasant death. No air.

Yet beyond all this, he came to realise that he had something in his hand. He tried to ignore everything but that and suddenly got air down in his lungs. He was holding a rope in his hand and clutched to it like if it was life itself, which it probably depended on. Slowly he understood that the rope was leading from the rail of the ship and felt life come back in his body. He nearly laughed in joy.

Caden began to climb the rope. The cold water was dripping from his body and it felt like he was wrapped in ice. Movements were slow but determined. He was going to make it, he was not going die like this, now when he was so close to regained freedom. His muscles ached like never before. His feet failed to gain footing on the side of the boat while he tried to heave himself upwards. The sight of the bulwark above made him keep up the fight. Finally he heaved himself over it.

He was shaking, it was so cold and his injuries ached. He wanted to close his eyes and sleep but he knew that he wouldn't wake up again if he did. Like through a long dark corridor, shouts and feet running on the wooden deck caught his ears. A feeling of being lifted up in his arms and dragged over away... Trying to see anything from behind frozen eyelids, he grinned in victory.

He saw a big man with an Ilianish beard coming towards him where he hung in the arms of two crewmen. "What in the Light are you doing boy? You could have drowned if we didn't pull up the rope for you! Have you lost your mind?"

"M... Maybe." Caden was still not sure if the voice was imagination or not. "I... I... I would...d like t...to travel with this ship wherever it... It will take me... I c...can pay for mys...self"

The one he supposed was the captain of the boat seemed to bee inspecting the boy hanging before him. "Are you escaping from something, son? Wait, it does not matter. I don't want to have something to do with your crimes. Throw him back in the water."

"No! I'm not escaping... f...from any crime... I'm escaping from my... uncle." Caden didn't like to lie but he sure enough did that instead of having to die. He settled for a reason half-true. "He... has beaten m...me since I was born... I couldn't s...stand it anymore... Please... Take m...my money and let me... Travel... with..."

"Don't lie to me boy!"

"I...I don't! I couldn't s...stand it anymore! D...Don't kill m... me!" The Captain seemed to think for a few moments. Then he nodded. "Do you really have any money, boy? If you have escaped from your uncle it's very unlikely that you have money enough for a trip to Tanchico."

Tanchico, Caden thought, a whole new city. "H...How much? I... have my savings ...with... m...me"

The Captain smiled and scratched his beard. "I'll set the price low for you, little fellow. Three silver."

"F...Fine... I'll pay... just let me go."

Surprised the Captain nodded to the crewmen who were holding Caden. They let go of him and he fell down on the deck. With some help he got up on his knees and began to produce the payment to the Captain. When all the coins had been exchanged the Captain took Caden's hand and lifted him up on his feet.

"Welcome aboard the Gale, boy. My name is Beyl Dom. You will sleep on the deck among the crew, food you will have to pay separately. But if you don't want to lose any of your fingers or toes I suggest you to take a warm bath." The man paused before he continued. "What's your name?"

"Caden. Caden I...Ives"

"Nice to meet you Cade, I'll send someone to prepare a bath for you." Beyl Dom seemed to hesitate before he bent forward and whispered so that none else could hear. "Don't take my hospitality for granted in the future, I have a reputation to think about. I just think that you remind me of someone. Take care."

Caden watched as the Captain walked away, shouting orders to his crew.

~ That wasn't so hard was it? ~ the voice said inside his head.

"Y.. You again?"

~ Yes, I believe you will have to get used to me. ~

"What..t are y...ou?" Caden saw a crewmember looking up at him like he was a madman. Caden was talking aloud.

~ You don't have to say the words with your mouth to speak to me. I can read your thoughts remember? You say the words in your own mind. ~

Caden avoided looking at the crewmember that had stared at him and walked away over the deck, all the way to the bow. He leaned against the railing there and looked at the ocean. Very well then, now I want you to explain what you are and how you can know so many things about me.

The voice waited a moment before it began to talk. ~ My name is Zhain'Khar and my kind has existed among your ancestors since the first Age. All your male ancestors have worn a rune somewhere on their body. We are a force and race created in the purpose of giving our hosts great chances of survival and power. You all have used us differently; some has used us for slaughter and some for knowledge. Heroes among your ancestors have used us for justice and to perform deeds none, not channelling, could. You can say that my kind is a legacy exclusive to your kinsfolk. I guess that answers the breadth of the question you posed, any more? ~

Hundreds! Caden was looking at the rune upon his hand. Does "your kind" have anything to do with the One Power considering what you did to that nobleman? Is that all you can do or can you do other things? And why in the Light did you want me to kill Tharenwo?

~ I don't give us abilities coming from the One Power, but the raw elements that already exist in the world. We use the Wind, Fire, Earth and Water to put it simple. If you use fire you take fire from somewhere else in the world. You don't have to worry about going mad if that's what you're wondering. The origin of the Runeforce are lost forever in time. And for making you kill your 'uncle' I can only explain it in the way that my kind is made in the purpose to gain and serve our hosts. I thought that killing Tharenwo would gain you in your life, simply building on the fact on how he treated you. ~

But you could have asked and not being so persistent!

~ I'm sorry. But that's the only way I know how to speak. We of my kind always inherit some of the mentality of our fathers, and I guess that my father -that is your father's rune- had a matching mentality to mine. Are you lost or is there anything you don't understand? ~

I think I follow you Caden said after some consideration. But... My father... I don't know him. You said you knew that Tharenwo didn't was my uncle. Do you know who my father or mother is or where they are?

~ No, I was born when you were. I know only that you been given to Tharenwo by a man in a cloak a night fifteen years ago. I don't remember what they said. Just like you humans we can't remember our first years because we haven't grown to a state powerful enough yet for those purposes. ~

Was it my father?

~ I don't know. ~

Caden sighed and continued look at the rune on his hand. Do you have any respect of human life? There was no need in killing Tharenwo, he was a old man and could not do much. After you helped me to realise my shortcoming, we could have left without doing harm. No killing. Do you understand that?

It was silent for a few moments. ~ Why? ~

Why? Because you don't kill someone without a reasonable cause. Defending freedom and mankind is probably the only cause. Even though you are not a man, you will respect life.

It was silent for some more time. ~ Why? ~

Caden sighed. Never mind that now. You just don't kill people like that, understand?

~ Yes, master ~

And this title 'master' you use. That should mean that I control you, right? But I don't think that I had so much control when you began throwing around lightning.

~ Yes, that.... ~ the voice began ~ ...In time we will be able to link together and work more freely when you like to. You will have the control just as much as I. And another thing that will come in time is that we're going to start resemble the other one in way of menatlity. ~

Caden's eyes widened. I'm going to become like you? Never!

~ Thank you, that is very flattering, master. Even if you refuse it, it will happen. Not that you will be just like me but you're going to get some mentality from me and I from you. It's useless to avoid it. ~

I can guarantee you that I will try. Hard! And I hope that you will start to figure out how to respect human life if you're going to stick to me during my life.

~ Yes, master. ~

Call me Caden by all means. No, wait! You call me master! I want you always to know who's in charge of my body you hear!

~ Yes, master. ~

Good. And you respect my decisions and our behaviour!

~ Yes, master. ~

I'm glad we understand each other.

Caden was freezing but he knew that he'd soon be in a warm bath. He thought about his new abilities and the future. He had no idea about his opinion at this stage. He had to know more, and he had a feeling his future had much more to offer. I have one more question for you... Zhain'Khar wasn't it?

~ Yes? ~

How come you just began to speak to me this night? Why didn't you speak to me in some of my earlier years? Why today?

~ Because I just learned how to do it. I'm in ever lasting evolution and will become stronger the older you become and the more you use me. ~

I see. Caden looked over his shoulder and saw two crewmembers stand and talk to each other. They talked about the thunder they had heard just before leaving Bandar Eban. They thought it was odd that thunder had come so quickly and only had sounded once. It didn't rain either and their weather predictions had not said anything about thunder. Caden turned away and buried his head in his shaking hands. He leaned his elbows on the railing.

He remembered Tharenwo's screams. The nobleman's torched body, the exploding house. Regret took his heart. Agony and pain roamed in his mind. He wanted to cry, but he has since long past no more tears to shed. "Never again... I will never kill people the way I did tonight. This will never happen again!"

~ Tharenwo deserved it. The nobleman was in self-defence. The house was an accident. ~ Zhain'Khar said defensively.

Shut up! We will never use these powers so wildly! Besides, if we do, it will draw suspicion from people, they would think that I could channel and they would fear me! Perhaps even kill me! Caden closed his eyes and swore to himself that he would go on. He would not think of these events again. He had to put it behind or he would never be able to live properly.

~ Yes, master. As you wish. My powers are to be used just in emergencies right? ~

Yes. You can say that, Caden replied.

~ Then you have to understand that I won't become as powerful as if I could be. I'll not become as the most powerful of your ancestors who ruled countries and at times even the whole world. You will have to trust your own skills and... ~

I don't care! I will not risk my life just in benefit of power! I'm not like that.

~ I understand. ~

Now leave me alone. I want to think for myself. It was silent.

Caden glanced out over the ocean's horizon. Now he was all alone. He had no relatives or anyone to turn to; he had to manage by his own. He didn't know where or who his parents were. Perhaps they were alive out there somewhere, but he didn't know and wasn't sure he wanted to meet them. They had abandoned him and if that were the way they wanted it he wouldn't deny them it.

He turned around and saw Bandar Eban's lights in the cold night. The boat was far away now, only the Ocean's sounds were heard over those of the ship. His past was in that city, but he didn't know where he was born or what nationality his parents owned. Tharenwo had said that he had received him from a traveller so he could have been born anywhere. He was not familiar enough with the world that he could determine where his blonde hair and green eyes where common. He had the mentality of a young Domani man, yet still...

Caden sighed and turned away from his hometown, the town he hated but still owned his past. Now he had to make something out of his life, like he had planned since his childhood. Yes, it was time to live the life he wanted. He was free to do as he wished to.

He was free from the pain. Free from the pain he every day had suffered. He looked at the horizon far ahead of the boat. His new life began now.

"The bath is ready!"

Three Years Later

Aringill in the middle of the fall. It was late night. Nica and his two friends, Jamar and Erez, were sitting at a table in the tavern called "The Traveller's Rest". It was pretty crowded, smoke and dust stained the air. They didn't talk to each other, watching all the ones that came in and out from the tavern. They all wore brown, outworn clothes and a variety of small weapons. Although they had travelled far, they still had some way left to go. Nica hated Aringill.

"Her. She look wealthy," whispered Jamar, the fat but strong one with greasy, black hair.

"Nay. She's with her husband over there," Erez observed, nodding towards a man by the stairs. Erez was slim and good at running. He had brown hair that hung down in front of his eyes.

Nica looked around a bit more. None of the people in the tavern seemed to bee worth the effort to rob.

He was giving up hope when the tavern's door opened and a tall, young man appeared. He looked about nineteen or twenty, handsome in his yellow-blond hair and unbuttoned black coat, embroidered with silver. It looked very expensive. Tairen, Nica thought. Under the coat he saw a white shirt, other than that he wore black breeches and black boots. The young man had a sword by his belt, an odd-looking, long sabre with a black hilt, encased in a scabbard layered in ornate silver. Other than that he had his saddlebags in his hand. Nica noticed something strange about the man. He sharpened his eyes at the man's right hand; a sort of tattoo could be seen at the back it.

That coat and sword must be worth a fortune. It is not wise to rob young noblemen, however we are far away from Tear now and we will leave for Caemlyn right away.

"Him, the blond one with the black coat," Nica said, drinking the last of his ale.

"Him? But he has a sword, is it really worth it?" Erez protested.

"Just that bloody sword can give us enough money to buy ourselves a decent house in Caemlyn. I say we wait until he goes outside again." Nica looked at his companions. Without risks, there is no point in noble art of theft.

"You're the boss..." Jamar sighed.

The three men watched the young man talk to the innkeeper. They watched as his saddlebags were sent up to his room and how he left into the night again without looking at anyone.

"Now," Nica said, putting down his jar.

The three rose from their table as one and walked towards the door. When they got out they looked around. The air was cold and the night dark. Sounds of laughter from other inns carried on the wind.

"There he is..." Erez whispered and pointed towards the back of the young man, who was walking down the street. They could barely see him in the night.

"Follow me." Nica pulled his almost black cloak tighter around him and followed the young man with his companions behind him.

Obviously the man didn't know the city to well, he wandered in circles forever looking at the houses and closed shops. Nica didn't care much, as soon as the noble took of in a small alley they would get him. And so the man did, turning to the left in an alley. Three followers came after.

"Get ready." Nica murmured slowly and drew a long dagger.

The others didn't say anything, Erez and Jamar just drew their daggers and followed Nica into the alley. It was dark in there but a few windows above made it possible to see their target. They all started to run against the young man's back. Their muddy boots echoed as they hit the stone underneath and the man slowly turned against them. In the same time he turned he drew the sabre, the blade was pale-white and glimmered in the light from the windows. In the other hand the young man held a dagger with a slightly curved blade.

Nica met the man's eyes, they were green but flamed like if they were of fire.

It was Nica himself that reached the man first; he stabbed against the young man's chest without slowing down his run. He hit nothing. Stumbling forward, he felt something hit him over his belly. After a few more steps he tripped and fell to the ground with the face down. He rolled over to his back and laid his hands over his abdomen. It was wet and besides that he felt something that had the consistency of old and slippery sausages between his fingers.

When he raised his head and looked down his body, he saw that he was wide-open above the belt and his guts hung down on both sides his waist. Panic came and he screamed. He raised his gaze from his gutted belly and saw the young man confronting his companions.

Erez was stumbling backwards and hit the wall behind him; he just dropped his dagger to the ground and lifted his hands to his throat. Blood was pumping out from it, all over his chest. He tried to stop the blood with his fingers. He tried to say something as he always did in the most unpleasant situations, but nothing came out and he fell down against the wall.

Nica moved his eyes to the blond, young man and Jamar. The man was driving his fat friend backwards with massive overhead-strikes. It was no sort of grace in the movements, no special skill or something that spoke of long-time training, just raw strikes pointed towards Jamar's gaps. His friend was doing pretty fine despite his shorter blade, yet after only a few moments, the sabre struck down at Jamar's right leg. Nica's companion screamed and stumbled backwards before the long sabre ran through him.

Nica felt hope running out matching the speed of his life. Leaning his head back against the stone, he blinked. The houses on each side of him raised up against the dark sky. Far away laughter was heard from some inn. He smiled faintly, eyes still.

"The stars, they're comming..." he whispered.


Caden Ives was standing in the dark alley. He took a deep breath and let go of the Void. None of the three bodies moved.

~ Well done, master ~ Zhain'Khar said inside his head.

Thank you, my friend. But they wouldn't even have accomplished to stab a sleeping cow even if they had aimed at great effort. He replied without joy. Caden had travelled in the past three years since he had left Bandar Eban. First he had stayed in Tanchico for a couple of months, trying to earn some money through working as a cleaner in an inn. It was a raw city, people died every day in that inn and he had to keep an eye on his savings all the time so that it would not get stolen. Finally he had decided to move on.

After leaving Tanchico he had travelled along the Shadow Coast, through Elmora and Amador. Sometimes he had travelled with others. Lawbreakers or mercenaries, trades- or gleemen, it depended on who he came in contact with.

Two years ago, when Caden reached Altara, and its capital - Ebou Dar, he was alone and he was hired as by a Tairen Lord by the name Varcan as a page. Varcan had been a kind man of great magnanimity and understanding. He and Varcan had become friends pretty fast and to Caden, he became the father he never had, although he already was seventeen back then. Caden didn't need to work for Varcan after a couple of months; instead he had become a friend that followed the lord on his journeys.

Varcan had taught Caden everything he knew about battle, from tactics and strategy to sword-play and hand-to-hand combat. Caden had spent many months in Tear and different finner palaces in the south. He missed the days with Varcan and his companions now. It was the first resemblance of a normal life that he had ever known.

Caden began to wipe of the blood from his sabre against the fat man's clothing. No one seemed to have noticed the fight from inside the houses.

~ I could have burned them if you just had let me to, it was unnecessary to use the sword now when no one was watching. ~ Zhain'Khar observed.

I needed the training. And besides, we don't use the Runeforce unless in emergencies, this was not an emergency, Caden replied.

~ Why did you go outside in the first place? I mean before you noticed that these rats where following you? ~ Zhain'Khar wondered.

Because I thought it was crowded in that inn. I wanted something more calm and quiet.

Caden turned to leave the alley, leaving the bodies that lay around him, barely giving them a look. He wondered if there was any nice place in Aringill to play some dice. Maybe he should...

"Well done, young man."

He spun around and producing his sabre once more. He stared into the alley's darkness. At the end of it, a man was standing with his hands behind his back. In the light from the windows above, Caden could see that the man was dressed in a blue coat and breezes and a black cloak. By his side a sword hung, a hand rested nonchalantly on the pommel. A tanned face framed blue eyes and dark, long hair fell behind his broad shoulders. Since the man appeared to bee middle-aged or somewhat older, the dark hair was stained with some grey by the temples. The face was very mature and solid, he looked like many of the army generals Caden had seen in Tear.

"Well thank you, sir." Caden said after a while, not altering his stance.

"Although you can't swing that sabre of yours to well I notice that you have an excellent sense of timing to make up with that. It might even resemble my own, and that without any training as it appears." The man did not move either. His eyes were fixed like an owl's.

"Compliment and scorn at the same time." Caden smiled. "What do you want?"

At first the man didn't say something. "What's your name?" finally echoed between the walls.

"Caden Ives."

"And your occupation?"

"In what way does that concern you?"

"I'm thinking about offering you a one time opportunity." The man slowly walked towards Caden, stepping over one of the dead men. Black boots echoed in the alley. When he came closer, Caden's eyes widened as he saw a Heron-mark at the hilt of the man's sword.

"Yes, I'm a Blademaster as you can see, and my name is Elrion Van'iral," he said, standing still again.

Caden thought for a moment. "Why do you want me to be your student? What is your gain? It should be me asking you of such a favour."

~ What are you doing, master? It's a great opportunity, ~ Zhain'Khar said in his mind. Caden ignored the rune for now.

"What I gain? I will have the opportunity to train a man that might overcome myself. If you have half the potential that I think you have you will be a great pupil and I'll have the pleasure of forming your swordsman-ship." Elrion sighed and adjusted his sword. "It is the greatest honor you can show the art these days, when everything is coming to a close."

Caden thought about it. Seconds passed.

"I accept your request Elrion. Thank you." Caden held out his opened hand towards the man and he shook it in return.

"I'm looking forward to train you." The man let his hand fall and looked at Caden's sabre. "Tell, me... Caden... Where did you get that sword? That blade is a masterpiece, its quality is really stunning."

"I got it from a very close friend. He didn't need it anymore so he gave it to me."

It was the truth. A few months ago, Varcan's party was attacked by a pack of brigands. Varcan, all his men and himself fought well. But when the battle was over, Varcan was deadly injured. Before he died he had told Caden to take his sword, and honour it. Caden did. The remains of Varcan's party returned to Tear with Varcan's body to bury it. Caden had chosen not to follow, saying goodbye to his friends, he sat out o find a new life once more. He still mourned Varcan's death.

"Very well, lets go and have ourselves a beer or two, student. I'm sure we can talk about a lot of things." Elrion began to walk down the street.

"As you wish... Master Elrion."

Seven Months Later

Summer, or perhaps beginning of fall. The sun had just risen and was sending its light against two men in a clearing, in the middle of a forest. They were walking in a circle, focusing their gaze at each other. They were bare-chested and held wooden training-swords. Both were wrapped in the Void and didn't feel the suns first rays coming.

Caden was one with the forest, one with Master Elrion, and one with his sabre. They had been up training all night and he was very tired, but he denied that he wanted to rest. He wouldn't give up before Elrion did.

Suddenly the middle-aged man moved. He came down at Caden like a hawk at its pray, moving like the water and crushing like a thrown boulder. Caden had to defend himself or lose at the moment. Master Elrion threw combination after combination at him and never hesitated or made a mistake.

At first, Caden had thought it was like trying to fight a huge wave coming at him, but after a month or two he started to learn... fast. Now he was better that good, he had even defeated Master Elrion a couple of times.

He moved around the Elrion's sword and did an attempt to strike him over the back. He failed and received a kick over his knee, making him fall at the instant.

The next moment, Elrion's sword-tip rested on top of Caden's neck. He was defeated again.

"Nice try, Caden. Little slow perhaps."

"I can do better," Caden said when he sat down, examining his knee.

"I know you can," said Elrion as he sheathed his sword.

~ You know that we can defeat the man in real combat. All we would need to do is simply to torch him before he comes close, to let lightning beam from the sword, to let the earth swallow him, or perhaps... ~ Zhain'Khar was interrupted by Caden.

But we won't. Even how much you like to, we won't.

~ You're very boring if I may say so, master. ~

Thank you, I'm sure I am.

The knee wasn't injured; it would only become a bruise.

"I say we take a break, my back is killing me." Elrion walked away to their stuff and wiped his body with a towel to get rid of most of the sweat. Caden didn't believe it; Master Elrion never gave up.

"Master?"

"Take it easy, don't master yourself. Even teachers must have a break sometimes."

"Yes, master Elrion."

"To come and think of it, there are a few things I want to talk about. For example, what are you going to use this training for, Caden?"

"Use?" Caden was stunned, he hadn't thought about it.

"Let's say you become a Blademaster in a year or two, what then? In which way are you going to use your skills? What are you going to do? Be a farmer?" Elrion talked while having his back towards Caden.

"What occupation I'm going to choose? ....I don't know."

"You don't know?" Elrion turned around and looked at Caden. "You don't know... then it's no use for you to train if you don't know what it's good for."

Caden didn't look at his master; he just stared at the grass in front of him. He remembered that he had made up plans when he was younger. He had stored them inside him for so long that he didn't remember them. He had forgotten what he wanted to accomplish in life. But suddenly something floated up in his mind, something that he recognised as he spoke the words..

"I'm going to become someone who will make a difference, someone who will stand out from the rest. I will not get imprisoned in the ordinary, everyday life, which most people live in. I'm really gonna become someone and make something out of my life. I'm going to become a great man who will help others in their struggle for a free life." Caden remembered. And now he could determine his wishes. But instead of speaking it, he wanted to know more.

"What do you know about Warders, Master Elrion?"

Three Years Later.... The Mountains of Mist

Caden's eyes rested at the Grey Tower. His life was to take another turn. He had taken farewell of Elrion more than two years ago. There had not been a sad farewell but he felt now, afterwards.

He had abandoned his training to seek the reason for fighting. Elrion had been proud, he had accomplished to make his knowledge survive himself, although he probably had wanted to see the Caden finish his service, Elrion knew what he had to do.

Caden had travelled far to get where he was now. Since the countdown to Tarmon Gai'don had begun and the Dragon had started to roam the world during the past three years, Caden felt his choice was the right one. The Shadow was stirring in the north and the world needed to take up arms. He felt that becoming a Warder was the best way he could serve man's freedom. These past years, he had searched for this truth.

Off-course, he knew no one in that tower, he would be all by himself in the beginning, but that wouldn't bee any problem, as long as he knew that this was his right path, it didn't matter. Convinced and for the first time, secure of himself, he walked the remaining league.

~ Can you speed it up a bit? ~

"Shut up."