THE BATTLE OF AOHORN

CHAPTER FIVE: LERRICK

Lerrick was a randy-rough looking fellow, he was red-haired and thick skinned. With a short ginger beard. His father was Malcolm, one of the first people that migrated from the Orchardlands during the first invasion of the orcs and settled in the plains. Malcolm and his wife Leila were one of the few that found solace and solitude in the marinalands. They were peasant farmers and made of their living in farming. Built a little hatchet and have been living in for years. As much as Malcolm was a farmer he was also a good swordman, he has been part of King Roland's father (Lord Giron) infantry and has fought so many orcs in battle before the creation of the Peace Treaty.

Lerrick was as skilled as his father and being the only child he was perfect in handling the sword and even more better he was good in accuracy and timing. Lerrick once split a fine linen of silk thrown to him into two tiny halves. He was so skilled that he threw a dagger at an apple on a man's head ;the dagger flew through the air,split the apple into halves and got stuck on the opposite tree without the man having sustaining any scratch.

Today Lerrick was busy on one of his father's farm, tilling the grounds. The sun was bright and shining like ball of fiery fire. The young man skin was already burning from the radiation of the sun, but despite the odds Lerrick was enjoying the work, he was so strong he could stay under sun and work for a long time with little water. That was the way he was trained. And once he was out maybe going to Caldburn to buy supplies he would hangout with his fellows and drink wine till night....

***

"Oh-ho", Galz demeanour startled the young man" Galz the soothsayer, long time friend to what do I owe this visit".

'Hmmm, wont you mind taking me to your home and giving a perfect welcome' Galz was standing with a staff on his hands and Lystere was just beside him, carrying a medium sized bag. The horses were tied to a tree some distance away and both mages chooses to walk to the Malcolm's fields.

'I pray you should meet my fellow mage and student...Lystere known as little-dimpy the smartest of we all". Galz shouldn't have introduced him this way;Lystere thought in his head. Now, see what he caused him, he is feeling a bit shy.

"Hello", Little-dimpy gave Lerrick a swift wave of his hand.

'Well hi" , Lerrick came close to him stretched out his hand, " I am Lerrick I know Galz must have told you about me"

"Em..alittle" was the reply.

Both shocked hands.

'Follow me you two and I have got something I prepared at home you would love,barley bread and some pomegranate wine" Lerrick started picking his farm tools.

"Wow I love the sound of that, I think I would love some barley" Lystere said with enthusiasm.

'Hohoh...of course you will little-dimpy". Galz chuckled with laughter.

Both men trailed behind Lerrick, he tells them the latest advertures of what is happening in the plains.

"What is the place called anyway." Lystere wanted to know.

"Aye it's called the plain of Morrij at the far East/North Neveranda while crossing that cliff over there " Lerrick pointed at a big hill that was visible but far from where they are."just it's other side you would be heading towards Rogmar".

"Aye. The mining lands of the orcs. That reminds me Lerrick have you gotten any sight of some vicious orcs passing through this paths" Galz stared rather observing Lerrick's reaction.

"Yes. I think I have seen some scores of them passing through this path but whence they go I can't tell" .

When they reached Lerrick's home both parents were not around like Lerrick said they left to Caldburn for trade.

Lerrick served both mages a tray full of barley and a jug filled with wine. After they might have all eaten and drank till their filled.

"So Galz you haven't told me why you are here" . Lerrick repeated the question.

"You know I asked you earlier before if there was orcs who are passing through the channels with swords and all"

"Yes. And I told you few days ago..." Lerrick was cut mid way.

"Alas. War is coming. You and two more others will be part of it. And all of five of us will be warriors of Aohorn" Galz spoke with so great a personality of a mage than he could have ever been.

"Aohorn the selecting of unique and skilled gallant patriots against the revolting darkness" Lerrick said. Passively.

"Yes. We need to stop Heragon. He has raisen a dark force that is spreading all over the lands and seas. The council of wizards and council of kings from all realms are preparing for an attack against Rogmar and stop that dark magic....and I Galz the soothsayer beacon you to join the 'Orderly' and fight against Heragon and his evil cohorts and restore order and light to all lands."

"Yes I will sire " Lerrick agreed "I have sworn to protect my parents and all races and beings and lands and that is what I will do".

"Good" Galz was glad. " I know you would agree".

"But first I am coming ". Lerrick walked outside like he saw something that caught his attention in the fields.

All this while Lystere was looking at one speaker to the other. Was Galz doing all this on his own accord or was he under a spell; oh naw how silly of him to think that a master of the mystic art would be under a controlling malevolent force. This was Galz whole idea to get the smartest and strongest fellows and use their help to fight or better still kill Heragon on a single combat.

'So we have one two more places to go go Dimpy....and my goodness you have been extremely quiet anything bothering" Galz wasnt the one to care less to his dear student and favourite mage.

"No sire I am fine. Just had stomach-full of those barleys and fresh wine am good as good could be". Little-dimpy was self as he always was. " where you say we are going again?"

"Ay..We are going to two places. First we have to go the marinalands there is a cave there lived by an hunter who prefers solitude and nature. She is royal blood -".

"Princess Minea." Little-dimpy was very much excited to meet one of the Royal blood he very much has heard about but haven't met before. " I would be so glad to meet her".

" Yes.yes but, we need Lerrick to come with us. And bless my thoughts where went he" Galz threw the question openly at Lystere. Lerrick just left and hasn't been back.

Lystere looked through the window and knocked.

"I think he is coming"

" I saw this chap sneaking behind the trees"Lerrick was holding up a decapitated orc's head. " I am sure he is Heragon's informant"

Galz stood up took the head from him and studied the hideous creature's face some time.

"Lerrick we need to go. Get all you can and lets go" Galz instructed.

In his room. Lerrick wrote a letter to his parents informing them of the perilous adventure ahead of him that he must embark on to save the realms and how the fate of the otherlands depends on him and a few others. After finishing writing he sealed the letter and kept it very much were he knows his both parents will find it on one of the birds nest he father build for him when he was small.

Taking his sword a few cloths and a little strap bag. The young man and the two mages set course to find the remaining two of the 'ORDERLY.