Ahial's Quest

The sun rose on the morning of Day Thirteen of the Month of Cold Air to reveal a fire near burning up the Town of Shayas. Panic had spread through this neutral town on the border between the Gaerv and Iohayt Kingdoms. It had been forty years since the breakout of the war between these two kingdoms. It all began with the murder of King Gaerv the 19^{th by an Iohayt ambassador. Now, it was Gaerv’s war, but what could be done to salvage neutral towns being destroyed by Gaerv? Iohayt’s army was no match for the more powerful and much more disciplined Gaerv Military. Now, all Emperor Dasarai could do was hope to get people coming to join his army or all would be lost. This is the story of how that miracle happened.}

Fire engulfed another building and Gaerv troops stormed another section of this relatively small town. People pleaded with these troops, but nothing could be done. In a house that hadn’t been touched by the fire a father and his son prepared for a separation between themselves. Tebtatoo and his seventeen-year-old son Ahial knew that Tebtatoo had to leave for Iohayt’s capital city, Kyre, but Ahial wouldn’t let his father leave. Now, more than ever Ahial needed his father. Ahial begged, but to no avail, his father was going and was leaving after the attack of Gaerv was over with.

Tebtatoo was a tall standing barbaric and undisciplined man with amazing heart for fighting. His wife, Tides, had died three years ago during the Vvoa Mountain Massacre. Ever since that day Tebtatoo has vowed to avenge his wife’s death. Now, after three years of raising a boy to adulthood it was time for him to leave. Leave his son alone during these times of peril. Ahial, the one who is known as the great warrior would be born from this.

"Dad," said Ahial as he stood up, "Please! You can’t leave me here! I’ll die!"

Tebtatoo looked at his son and then said to him, "Look, I have to avenger yer mom’s death! I will defeat those scum who ruined our nice life. Sorry, son I gotta leave here immediately!" Tebtatoo looked out as the rest of his home burned down. He decided that Ahial should go with him, "Yah! You’re right Ahial! Ye’re comin’ with me!"

Ahial then said to his father, "Why? I’ll never see you. They’ll give me a one-room living space and you’ll be out fighting. Dad! I’ll avenge mom’s death!"

Tebtatoo then remembered the promise he made with Tides three days before her death. He would always protect her. He didn’t remember this until now. "No!" he exclaimed, "I broke the promise! I can’t avenge her death! I was supposed ta’ protect her from dyin’!!!" He kicked a table breaking off one of the legs.

"Dad!" exclaimed Ahial, "They’ll hear us! Just calmly tell me what you mean."

Tebtatoo remembered Gaerv troops were investigating the town’s ashes. He looked at his son and calmly said, "We gotta find a way outta here. They are probably searching the town. We can’t stay here. Ahial, follow me."

Ahial, confused at his father, said, "Dad, don’t you know they’re probably right outside? If we leave through the back they’ll find us. Dad, we’re not going to make."

Tebtatoo knew that already, but decided he had to try. He grabbed his pack and looked at Ahial. "Take this," he said, "I’ll let you ride Oheel. Ride to Kyre, I’ll hopefully meet you there." Tebtatoo handed his pack to Ahial and pulled a map out and gave it to him. "That map will lead ya there. Well, I’ll see ya soon." He smiled and then saw Ahial out.