Fiction between 500 and 1000 words

[HeroWorshipper]

I've posted this on Legends already, but I wanted to put it here too, so... enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was early, just after dawn. The cold night air warmed as the sun shone over it, and the city seemed at peace. Some people couldn’t understand the beauty of Drenan; but then, they had probably never seen it just after dawn. The darkness that terrified the citizens gave way to light, which gave life to the city. These were possibly the only hours of silence Drenan ever saw; and these were the moments he liked the best.

Kaelannon grinned as he gazed out of the window to his room. He loved being Drenai, part of a proud nation with so much amazing history. Pulling aside the bed sheets, Kaelannon walked to the window and leant against it, trying to get as close as possible to the silence that encapsulated the city. It wouldn’t last, he knew, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

A woman’s voice floated up the stairs and to his room, and he grinned some more. He pulled on his clothes, and checked his hair in the reflection of the mirror. Another day in paradise, he thought, as he stole one more glance at the city. Sound accompanied the view now. Shops were opening, and peddlers were advertising their wares to people on their way to work. Kaelannon shook his head ruefully. This city will never change… The voice came up the stairs again, louder this time. Kaelannon sighed and made for the door.

“Coming Mom!” The thirteen year old yelled back as he made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen. A cheese sandwich was waiting for him on the side, which he took gratefully and ripped a huge chunk out in one bite.
“Haven’t I told you before to take smaller mouthfuls?” His mother stood in front of him, hands on hips, looking very unimpressed. Before Kaelannon could even open his mouth to answer, her hand whipped up and she said: “No talking with your mouth full, son. Didn’t I teach you any manners?” With that disappointed look that only mothers can perfect, she turned around, and busied herself with tidying the kitchen.
“You’d better get a move on,” she said over her shoulder, “Or you’ll be late for school!”

Kaelannon ran full tilt to make it to school on time; and even then, just made it before the first bell. He found a seat next to his best friend Skillin.
“Late again, Kael?” Skillin whispered to his friend with a wink. “You’re beginning to make a habit out of this.”
“Watch yourself, Skil.” Kael retorted with friendly smile. “Or you’ll start making a habit out of this!” Kael punched Skillin playfully in the arm, and the two chuckled whilst trying not to gain the attention of their history teacher, Treorus.

The rest of the day was uneventful, Kaelannon doing his best not to fall asleep in class; and he was eager to school coming to a close.
“Guess what Skil!” He said as they left maths class at the end of the day. “Dad’s started teaching me to fight!”
“No way!”
“It’s true!”
“That’s so not fair! When did you start?”
“Only last weekend, but Dad says I’m a natural.”
“So they’re training the mongrels as well are they?”
Boran deep, mocking voice came out of no where, before five fifteen year olds stepped out of the shadows, and right into Kaelannon’s and Skillin’s path. Boran stepped forward, and grinned evilly at the two boys.
“I think we should see if you’re worth it.”
“You don’t have to do it Kael…” Skillin said, backing away nervously.
“What do you care, runt?” Boran made to grab Skillin, but Kaelannon blocked his path.
“Leave him alone Boran.” He said threateningly “It’s me you want.”
“Alright then, ‘Kael’.” Boran hissed menacingly. “You want a beating that bad? I’ll give you one.”
Boran swung his fist at Kaelannon’s face, but the boy just swayed and watched the blow fly harmlessly by. Boran’s eyes narrowed as he swung again, and Kaelannon just smiled as once again the blow failed to land. Faster and harder Boran flung his punches, but Kaelannon was always one step ahead, avoiding every blow.
“Not that easy, eh?” Kael said; a cold smile on his face. Boran yelled in fury and leapt at the young boy, but this time Kaelannon didn’t side step. This time he stepped forward, leaned to the left slightly to avoid the blow, before slamming the palm of his hand into Boran’s jaw. Boran went down, and didn’t get up. His friends stood there, looking at his unconscious body, mouths gaping in shock. Kaelannon looked them each in the eye, before turning around and walking off, not once looking back. Skillin, as shocked as the Boran’s friends were, followed, in dumbstruck silence.

Kaelannon closed his eyes as he walked. So silence can be found at other times in this city; he thought with a smile.

[finalfunk]

hahaha...good stuff. I liked it.

[HeroWorshipper]

Cheers
It occurred to me while I was posting it that you would have to have read some of Kaelannon's posts on Legends to understand the character. There isn't much character description in it, and I felt that maybe people wouldn't really connect to Kael properly because of that.

[Blademaster]

Sorry HW copying you here! but heres mine of the Legends as well!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night was dark, cloud covered the star lite sky, the only light coming from the glowing embers of the dying fires, Blademaster was still sitting round the fire talking to the Khan of the Tall Spears. The Khan’s mixed breed son Tanka and daughter Tanika were in the tents, probably entertaining some members of their tribe.
“I am proud of most of my children,” Said the Khan drunkenly. “Except Hobscob, Khena and Juni. Hobscob was too big to ride a steppe pony, Khena is only good with his sword but is not as Good as Kenaka, and Juni is so stupid I think that he was sired by a round eyed goat!” Tsuanki looked at his fireside companion. “No offence my young friend, goats here are round eyed!”
Blademaster laughed
“What about your other children?” he asked while putting on a log on the fire giving it some new life
“Well Tanika is my little princess, she is strong and fearless, quite the fierce lioness, Tanka well hes just a little trickster, I let my twin brother Subida look after him too much, hes an awful womaniser. And Kenaka is a terrifying swordsman, nearly good enough to take you I think! Then again I think hes good enough to take his old man!”
“Yes Forty years old the grave beckons soon!” Said Blademaster with a grin on his face
“Phaw I am lucky to be this old, but my secret is too take each day like its your last and make sure you have a few wives ready to except the burden of me being hung like a Horse!”
Blademaster smiled and grabbed a waterskin and took a swallow and nearly gasped. The Khan laughed. Blademaster handed him the water skin, the khan took a gulp without gasping
“Lentrian Fire,” he said, his voice sounding a bit horse. “By the Gods of Stone and Water that is one hell of a drink!” Blademaster stood up as did the Khan. The Khan looked beyond Blademaster and dragged Blademaster forwards.
Blademaster heard a sword hiss down where he had been, Blademaster and the Khan sobred up and drew their swords, The Khan with his Sabre, and Blademaster with his short swords. Nadir raiders came out of the shadows charging the two. Blademaster began to dance, his short swords flicking and gliding through the air, toppling his oppenents and singing with his enimies blades.
“Awake Tall Spears! Awake We are under attack!” Shouted the Khan as he slashed his sabre across a face of an oncoming warrior. “Pack Rats! Did you not think that the beating we gave you earlier was good enough!” From the back of the raiders a Pack Rat shouted back
“We were hoping for more from you, old man, I might just send half of my force back to their tents!” The Khan laughed and as he hacked and parried , he shouted back
“You Dog Yuan! If your leading this rabble then I just woke up my tribe for no reason!” As he spoke Blademaster could see Tanka and Tanika moving amoung the pack rats killing with an economy of effort that impressed him as they fought as a team.
Blademaster parried two warriors and just managed to sway from an oncoming thrust
“Good Gods you actually have some skill!” Said Blademaster astonished at the fact that someone had used a thrust
“Dont raise their hopes up Blademaster! Thats just cruel!” Shouted Tanka as he slashed his axe right and left always hitting his mark. Blademaster smiled and continued in his deadly defense against the ferocious onslaught, Blademaster’s swords were still licking out cutting, thrusting and blocking. It felt like hours but out of no where the Pack Rats began to run away.
The Khan walked over to Blademaster, both men were breathing heavily.
“You fight good! I name you Hard Sword, You fight good for round eye. You have Nadir blood yes?”
“Not that I know of! But I thank you for the name! Now I stink of Pack rats, if you excuse me I need a bath!” Blademaster walked away in search for the rock pool.
Tanka stood by his father
“What if they are still out there?” Asked Tanka as he watched the warrior walk away
“Then they will be dead by morning! Just in case keep an eye on him.”