Legends of Caspian: Master Tage

"Caspian!" Master Tage exclaimed turning from a bubbling beaker. Caspian entered and returned the greeting. He looked around. The dome shaped hut was full of odd things. A suit of armor stood in a corner. In the opposite corner, an anvil rested next to a bellows and mallet. A round table went around the room with baskets of plants, thick worn books, flasks and beakers, and sketches of catapults and other systems stacked haphazardly all over it. Caspian began to tell him all that had happened, but Master Tage raised his hand. "I know it all," he said simply, "And I can help you." He turned to the table and pressed something underneath it. There was a creak and a hidden drawer popped out of the table. A golden glow seemed to rest in it. Master Tage smiled and lifted up a shining golden medallion.
"Wow," Caspian breathed looking at it. The design was two twin lions separated by a sword. Master Tage placed it over Caspian neck. Caspian flipped it over and saw one word engraved on the back. Gelon. Gelon. This was his fathers medallion!
"Do you know the story of this medallion?" Master Tage asked.
"No."
"I will tell you for I held your father on my lap when he was yet a babe. Many years ago there was a young man, about your age, who was one of the most able and good hearted warriors ever known to mankind. He fought the Turks far away in the Holy Land. Before he left, he gave this medallion to me, his school teacher. He said to guard it until he returned. Weeks turned into months, and months into years, and years into a decade. Then Gelon returned, but he was in chains. Far away in the Holy Land, wicked men working for the Usurper," with Usurper, Master Tage was referring to King John "convinced him that King Richard was an evil tyrant and managed to sway him to the Usurpers side. In prison he became even more corrupted, until King Richard left himself on a crusade and King John came to the throne. Then he was released along with his wife and young twins, you and Mardina." Caspian was silent.
"What does this medallion do for me?" he asked.
"It proves you are Gelon's heir. Keep it safe until your father dies, then you can come to the throne and set all to right."

Legends of Caspian: Flight of the Fugitives

More arrows hissed around them as Luke and Caspian raced through the forest! Luke whirled and fired an arrow into a flash of red and then continued his mad dash. A shriek split the air. Caspian grinned. Eagle eyed Luke never missed. THEW! THEW! Crossbow bolts zipped in front of them spraying up dirt as they smashed to earth. Suddenly, two soldiers leaped in front of the two friends! Luke and Caspian hurtled forward like a blazing thunderbolt too fast to change course! At the last possible moment Caspian drew his sword and brought it down like a plunging tree trunk onto the soldier's blade! SNAP! His enemies blade was cleaved in two as Caspian careened forward into the soldier. WHACK! Caspian head rang as he heavily hit the soldier breastplate. The soldier howled in rage and suddenly light glinted off a deadly dagger! The soldier threw the dazed Caspian after him and loomed over him his face twisted in an angry snarl and the dagger clutched in his hands! Caspian shook his head and grabbed the arm that was swinging toward him! He wrenched the dagger out of the soldiers hand, but the soldiers other arm wrapped around his neck in a deadly embrace. Caspian's vision began to cloud over! Suddenly, an arrow seemed to grow out of the soldiers back! The soldier groaned and fell lifeless to the floor. Caspian rose and picked up his sword. Luke was back in a cluster off bushes, another arrow already to the string of his bow.
"Quick Caspian! Back here!"
"Ugh... coming," Caspian called back clutching his head. He stumbled into the bushes. "How did you escape the soldier?"
"I just dodged his spear and ran into him," Luke shrugged. "I got him with my dagger. Must have just been out of training."
"Quiet," Caspian suddenly hissed. Soldiers. Lots of soldiers. They had been dashing blindly through the trees, but stopped in shock when they saw their dead comrades. They leaped forward ever on the pursuit and dashed away hoping to catch Luke and Caspian, who were already out of the bushes and creeping south. They walked through the trees to Master Tage's domed hut. As they approached the lake, dock, and hut, Caspian thought about the old whiskered man. Master Tage was extremely old, and had been the teacher of Gelon, Caspian, and Mardina. Nowadays he lived in his hut at the lake inventing things, which he often sold for money. He only went into town to sell his wares and buy food. Caspian smiled and flung open the door to the hut.  

Legends of Caspian: Hearing of New Allies

"We need more fighters," Caspian told Master Tage.
"Of course you do!" Master Tage exclaimed impatiently. "One cannot successfully operate a rebellion without warriors!" Master Tage crossed the room to another cupboard. Out of it he took a shining ring.
"Where'd that come from? Caspian's mother?" Luke joked. "How come you have all his heirlooms!"
Master Tage glared at Luke.
"I'll have you know I forged this along with various other articles." Master Tage drew out another ring after feeling about in the cupboard. He handed one to Caspian willingly and the other to Luke with obvious reluctance. On each silver ring was a symbol of a shattered chain.
"This is the symbol of the resistance!" Master Tage said.
"I will give you information on where to find a resistance member. He will help you get fighters and weapons." This Master Tage did telling them about a determined miner, who even though his mine was closed down because of excessive land slides caused by careless overseers, he kept working on it secretly and uncovered many ore, which he forged for the small resistance. Master Tage also told them that the resistance had been formed in their village when King John came to power and had spread through out the land, waiting for the day the Lion-heart would return.
"I have one more item for your quest," Master Tage said. He threw a tarp off some small barrels stacked neatly and carefully on a pallet.
"What is this?" Luke wondered picking up one of the barrels noticing a fuse.
"Careful!" Master Tage cried seizing the barrel. This is firepowder. A substance I have made using sulfur, charcoal and saltpeter. It is highly explosive! Do not EVER, and I really do mean EVER, keep it by fire or anything flammable. I have created a bomb with it to use against Gelon. Keep it safe my child. Now go! Stir up a fire in the midst of tyranny!"

Legends of Caspian: Embers of the Rebellion

Caspian brought his sword close to his body, and then suddenly leaped into the air! His blade shimmered like lightning and his war cry sounded like thunder! He brought his sword down on the one area the soldier least expected to be attacked. The sky. Clang! His sword struck the soldier's helmet casting up sparks! The soldier stumbled and collapsed unconscious. Caspian landed next to him, grabbed the soldier's spear, and threw it at his nearest enemy! He whirled as an arrow whirred next to him hitting another enemy! Luke had another arrow on his string immediately and he leaped forward light in his eyes. Caspian blocked an attacking stoke and stabbed at his opponent! The soldier retreated and Caspian was on him in a moment. A few quick strokes and the soldier lay still. Caspian whirled to find Luke fighting a knot of spearmen! Caspian shouted and leaped at the soldiers. Outnumbered, Luke and Caspian were forced to retreat! They zipped through the trees and to Forgotten Tower. Anastasia was muttering in a corner.
"We need to find allies in the village," Luke said.
"Agreed," Caspian said. "We need to be able to know what's going on in the village. They can tell us when things like this happen so we can avoid them."
"What are we going to do with her?" Luke asked gesturing to Anastasia.
"Leave her," Caspian said. "We can take her to the village. She'll be captured and put in prison, where she belongs. But not now." They refreshed themselves drinking wine and applying salves to their wounds. That night they slept fitfully. When the sun peaked over the trees they awoke. They ate a meager breakfast of stale bread that Caspian found in a rotting cupboard. They then rose to their feet. Anastasia was still sleeping in a corner mumbling.
"Where shall we go?" Luke asked.
"To Master Tage," Caspian said thinking fondly of the old whiskered inventor. Luke nodded his approval and they set off through the trees. Suddenly, Luke stopped short!
"Whats wrong Luke?" Caspian asked turning to him. Then he saw. Tacked to a tree was two papers. They both said "wanted" above a picture of Caspian and Luke. They moved closer to read the papers. "Father has declared me an outlaw!" Caspian cried with shock. His mind reeled and he sat down heavily onto a boulder. Hiss! Hiss! Hiss! Two arrows glanced off the boulder and another hit one of the posters!
"We have been found!"

Legends of Caspian: Lightning War

Anastasia limped off muttering courses Caspian knew would have made his mother, Lady Joan, cringe. He drew his blade, it shined in the sunlight for a brief moment before the sun seemed to be engulfed in a mass of black sinister storm clouds. It began to rain. He and Luke retreated into the tower shivering. Forgotten Tower was very drafty and the ghastly looking cauldrons and bottles filled with bubbling or smoking liquids made them nearly wretch. Anastasia had not been lazy. Caspian peered out the door. Suddenly, a glittering white spear shot from the clouds and smashed into the ground nearby! As thunder rolled, a ball of fire rose from the forest. "That sounded close!" Luke cried! Luke joined him at the door. A little while later, Anastasia limped into the clearing.
"I called down fire from the skies and killed the soldier I did!" She laughed in a high pitched shriek. Luke and Caspian drew their swords and grabbed Anastasia. "Let go of me or I will-" "Silence!" Luke said. They both threw Anastasia into the tower and locked the metal door. Luke pocketed the key. Anastasia's high pitched shrieks were muffled. They crept into the forest drawing their blades. They came to a clearing where a group of soldiers stood. They looked battered and somewhat scorched. A few bodies lay nearby. The rain stopped. A man stepped out of the group. He wore a normal soldier's uniform, but his armor was painted with the mark of a captain.
"Surrender Caspian!" he shouted.
"No Captain Kyle," Caspian said. "If there is still life in this body, I will fight for justice!" Luke and Caspian shouted their war cry and fell on the soldiers like lightning! Stepping deftly to one side, Kyle avoided a deadly sword thrust from Caspian! He leaped backwards and seemed to melt into the side of a tree. Stepping forward, Caspian searched for him, but was forced to wheel to defend himself from three soldiers armed with swords. He slashed at one forcing him back before wheeling to deal death to an unsuspecting soldier creeping up behind him with a dagger. He spun around and blocked a stroke from both soldiers at once before leaping up onto a stump and raining blows on them. His strikes knocked one unconscious. The last one retreated as crossbow bolts zipped through the air at Caspian. Caspian fell behind the stump slashing at a arrow and ducking. A arrow landed next to his face sending shards of wood jabbing into his face. Bleeding, Caspian rose back onto the stump with his sword raised prepare to meet the next assault, a wicked looking spear man. Caspian couldn't reach him with his blade. The soldier walked forward evilly grinning in triumph.

Legends of Caspian: A Sinister Sanctuary

Luke and Caspian left the meeting with Robin Hood relishing every moment they had spent with the legendary hero. They made their way quickly towards the South Forest using a map hastily thrust into their hands to navigate the twisting patterns of sun, shadow, and tree. Crack! Caspian halted his eyes darting around. Luke stopped too and quickly pulled his loaded bow string taut. Everything was quiet. Not even a bird twittered. Luke's sharp vision detected a small patched of red and black dart between a tree. Hiss! Luke fired his arrow and a shriek slipped out of the soldier's mouth before he collapsed from behind the tree a sword in his hand and an arrow in his throat. Caspian drew his blade as he and Luke sped away as cries rang out! "A bandit patrol must have found us!" Luke cried as he fired a warning arrow into a cluster of noisy trees. Another shriek rang out. Luke's eagle eyes had again seen what Caspian had not. Caspian sheathed his sword as the cries of the pursuers became fainter. They dashed around a water fall, through the cave hidden by it waves and to the top, where Forgotten Tower stood, shrouded and hidden by huge oaks. Caspian stepped up to the door as Luke watched for intruders.
Suddenly the door flung open and a hideous cackle rang out, "Thieves! Fiends! Rouges! Murderers!" A bent old woman stepped out onto the path her wild hair framing her even wilder eyes. She screamed out every possible threat and name Caspian had ever heard and a couple ones he hadn't heard either. Suddenly, Caspian recognized her.
"Anastasia!" he snarled. The woman turned to him silent.
"So ye know me name," she cackled, "And I know yours, Caspian! Son of my worst enemy!" Suddenly, she leaped forward a crooked dagger in her hand! Twang! An arrow sped through the air and hit the dagger causing it to spin out of the woman's hand and crash into a tree, where it cracked in half. Caspian silently thanked Luke. Anastasia was an old witch. Lord Gelon had exiled her from the village for attempting to steal herbs from the doctor, murdering livestock, and suspected murder. "Their coming," Luke said. Caspian did not need to know what the their met. A raindrop split on his nose. He glared at the darkening sky. Two black clouds were converging.
"Quick!" he hissed as he grabbed the old witch, who said nothing but had fear in her eyes. "Go distract the soldiers before they arrive! They will kill us all!"    

Legends of Caspian: Escape Part 3

"I will never submit to your tyranny Roderick!" Caspian shouted pointing his blade at him. "I challenge you to a duel!" Hiss! An arrow walloped Roderick's armor and he spun to the ground! A firm hand grabbed Caspian and Caspian realized that he was surrounded by archers and swordsman. The soldiers had their hands in the air. "We have to go!" a kind, but firm, voice said. The hand propelled Caspian away from the scene and it was not long after that when they were rejoined by the archers and swordsmen. "You two lads have got yourselves into a scrap," the man who had taken Caspian said. All of the archers and swordsmen laughed.
"And into another," Caspian said bitterly.
"We lived at the castle," Luke piped up.
"We can't go back there now," Caspian said.
"He's," Luke started, but  was stopped by a warning glance from Caspian. Whoever these people where, they most likely would take great joy in slaying Lord Gelon's heir. The men started to converse with each other. After awhile of whispered talk among themselves they turned to the boys.
"You can live in Forgotten Tower," their leader said.
"What is Forgotten Tower?" Caspian asked.
"It is a small old tower built in the South Forest. It was built as a outpost for the old Bandit Patrols, but that was many years ago. Now it has fallen into a wreck, but it is still livable, if not battle worthy."
"No one lives there?" Luke asked.
"Not a soul," a nearby fighter said.
"We have to leave on an important errand," their leader said. The fighters and archers sped away, their weapons glittering in the sunlight.
As they crested a hill, Caspian shouted, "Wait! You never told us your name!" The leader paused as the rest of his men descended down the hill.
"Robin Hood!"  

Legends of Caspian: Escape part 2

The spear was withdrawn as Mrs. Vanderdan's children shrieked!
Caspian drew his sword and yelled to Luke, "Mardina must have told Father!" Luke nodded as he also drew his sword. "Help me!" Caspian cried as he swung his sword into the cardboard thick wall! His shining blade cleaved the wall to pieces creating a gigantic hole. Suddenly, someone shouted and an arrow slammed into the wall next to Caspian! Caspian stumbled inside as soldiers ran up to the hole and the door to the hut was thrown down! Caspian whirled and charged the soldiers storming into the hut! His blade deftly repelled the glittering spearheads that were protruding from the door way! Luke leaped to his side as a white faced Mrs. Vanderdan hurled fiery brands at the intruders. Suddenly, there was a hiss and an arrow seemed to grow from a soldier neck! The soldier collapsed to the floor as two more hisses sounded and two arrows, apparently shot from the same bow, hit more soldiers! The remaining spearmen scrambled backwards and shouts resounded outside the hut. Caspian turned and saw a man dressed in Lincoln green far off on a distant hillside. He had a bow in his hand and was surrounded by several other archers. All were dressed in Lincoln green.
Suddenly, there was a great shout and Luke shouted, "Fire!" Indeed, it was fire. The soldiers had resorted to a new devious tactic. They threw torches onto the hut! The flame spread like wind and soon the hut was a towering pillar of flame, but Luke and Caspian were quicker. They each grabbed a pair of crying young ones and ran out as Mrs. Vanderdan and a scared nine year old herded the rest of the children out. Arrows whistled past as the archers on the hill opened fire on the soldiers, who were surprised that their victims had escaped the blazing inferno! Caspian dropped the toddlers in his hands and whirled as he drew his blade. He pointed it at the soldiers and charged them! He neared the first one and sliced across the soldier's chest and then whipped around to his left to cleave a spear shaft that had been jabbed at him.
Surprised at this sudden assault, the soldiers slowed, until a one eyed man wearing black armor with small wings sticking out of the shoulders approached. He drew his blade, also black, and pointed it at Caspian. "Surrender or die!" 

Legends of Capsian: Escape Part 1

Lord Gelon slammed his fist down on the table with a BANG! The coins stacked around the table quivered and collapsed under the furious Lord's rage. A nervous young man skidded into the room and asked, "What's wrong my Lord?" The Lord paced around the table his hands folded behind his back as the young man gathered up the coins off the many documents.
"The Vanderdan's have refused to pay taxes again! And with their father locked in the Dark Tower! I felt sure that would crack them Luke!" Gelon slammed his fist down on the table again and the neat stacks of coins collapsed again. He stormed out of the room muttering, "I'll order Roderick to arrest them tomorrow.". Luke bent down to search for a coin that had plunged off the edge of the table. As he saw it underneath a chair, a foot was softly placed by him. He looked up to see his friend, Caspian, who was the Lord's son. Luke's face flushed red and he quickly grabbed the coin and scrambled to his feet.
"Err, hello Caspian," Luke mumbled as he rapidly searched for an excuse of why he was on the floor. Caspian laughed and patted Luke's back.
"It's fine," Caspian said, "What news is there?" Luke brightened up as he placed the coin on top of a stack.
"Your father is sending the one eyed captain-Whats his name?- Roderick to arrest the Vanderdans." Caspian narrowed his eyes. "Why can't he leave these poor immigrants from the Netherlands alone?" he grumbled.
"Oh well we better worn them. Come with me Luke." Luke followed Caspian away. As they padded down the rugged stairs to the stable a voice halted them.
"Where are you going?" The boys turned to see Caspian's sister, Mardina, at the top of the stairs.
"It is of no concern of yours," Caspian said tersely. They all knew that Mardina would report them to Gelon.
"Oh brother," Mardina said sweetly, "Tell me what you are doing, or I'll tell father you got Captain Kyle to take your place when you had to led the bandit patrols." Caspian reddened.
"We were just going to visit the Vanderdans," Caspian tried. Mardina narrowed her eyes. Then she turned and flounced back up the stairs. Caspian shrugged and he and Luke quickly dashed to the stables. They zipped away on their stallions to the Vanderdan's squalid hut. Caspian knocked softly raising his foot to let a squealing piglet dash under his foot. Mrs. Vanderdan let them in and they conversed softly in the limited light. Suddenly, a heavy fist pounded the door!
"Open in the name of the law!" a harsh voice belonging to Captain Roderick ordered. To back it up, a spear head suddenly plunged through the wooden door blasting shards of wooden shavings all over the hut!

Welcome to Legends of Caspian

Legends of Caspian is a story I am developing alongside War in the Void: War Awakens, the book I am writing currently. It is similar to Robin Hood, in fact it is in the same story/time period. It is all about a young noble, named Caspian, who is inspired by Robin Hood to rise up against King John and all of King John's minions. Unfortunately, Caspian's father, Lord Gelon, is one of King John's closest associates. Look out for the first post in the series.