Chapter One: Death, Love and the beginning of it all
The relationship between Lewis and his father had been a strong one, so the news that his father's troop had been attacked by bandits was not welcome. He had just arrived at the healer's home after he received a message telling him. The room was small, but comfortably furnished and there was a certain air of death about the place. There was one other person in the room, the healer's daughter Lola. He looked over at her, "How is he?" He asked, worry clear in his voice.
"He was stabbed badly in the chest. I'm sorry Lewis but there is nothing my father can do for him," was the sad reply.
Lewis fought to keep back the tears that were welling in his eyes and asked, "can I go and see him?"
"Yes, of course you can."
He hurried through a door that Lola had opened. The room was dominated by a bed and in that bed was his father. He was a highly trained soldier; strong, powerful and resilient. However now, for the first time he was physically weak. His skin was very pale, like a ghost and he struggled a half smile when he saw Lewis enter the room. On a chair next to him the healer sat. He was a middle aged man skilled in the magical arts of healing and he stood as Lewis entered and offered him his chair. He then left the room.
Lewis sucked up his tears; his father could not see him cry, before sitting down next to him and taking his hand in his own. It felt very cold and Lewis tried to rub some warmth into it. But the only parts of his father that still carried any warmth were his eyes. They seemed content even in this dark hour. Lewis spoke to his father briefly before he died. He had told him how proud he was of Lewis' training, how proud he was of the way he had grown up and how proud he was of Lewis. He also told Lewis about his mother. It was one thing he had never told him, one great secret that only the passing into death could yield.
"Lewis, it is time that you found out about your birth. Go and find your mother in the Marigatan forest. Her name is Selena. There is much she must tell you," said Lewis' father.
Lewis was left to soak in the words and watched as his father coughed twice, then passed into the embrace of death. He was gone. There was no more strength in Lewis' life, no more happiness and no more guidance. He had been left alone.
Lewis sat there for an age the tears finally falling from him. Eventually, another feeling overcame him, stopping the tears and replacing them with an anger and hatred of the bandits that had taken his father from him. It was anger like none he had ever felt, and behind it all was perpetual sorrow.
Lewis had been like this for a while when he heard light footsteps approaching him. A few steps later, an arm was flung around his shoulder. He looked up to see Lola comforting him, cradling him against her breast. They had been close friends since they started school together some eighteen years ago and Lola was the only person who could have comforted Lewis in his time of sadness. He did not realise this. He was ignorant of his true, deep feelings for her.
Her hair was a fiery shade of red and flowed in waves down to just below her shoulders. Slightly hidden behind the hair, the soft skin of her face seemed to glow slightly, even in the dim light of the room. At twenty two years of age she was well developed and where Lewis' head rested were two of the finest breasts you would ever find on a woman. They were not especially large but fitted Lola's lean body perfectly and were the perfect balance between firm and soft. Further down you could see her gorgeously smooth legs as she only had a mini-skirt on. She was just on the short side of 5 ft 5 making her shorter than Lewis who was approximately 6 feet tall.
Despite his sadness Lewis couldn't help but feel a little aroused when he realised how beautiful and sexy she looked. When he looked Lola in the eyes he felt something he had only ever felt with his father before. It was feeling of belonging, of light within the eternal darkness that had plagued Lewis' mind. She smiled reassuringly and reached over to his father's face and closed his eyelids.
"Now it looks like he's sleeping," she said before taking a deep breath and offering her hand to Lewis. She then led him out of the room.
Two days after the loss of his father, Lewis was almost ready to leave. He had decided there was nothing left for him here. And that he would seek out his mother as his father had suggested. He had already packed most of the food and equipment he needed but there were some things that would have to wait until he reached the next town. Last on his list was to fetch a sword. He picked up his rucksack and hurried to the armoury to meet his combat instructor Marcus who would be providing him with one.
"Ah, there you are Lewis. I have a good sword for you as one of my better students."
Marcus was a tall, muscular, solidly built ex-soldier. He had a wild face with a crooked nose that had been broken a few times and had plenty of scars, although he always referred to them as souvenirs. He smiled at Lewis as he pulled the sword he had produced for him out of its scabbard.
"It is almost perfectly balanced and very sharp. I believe it will serve you well."
He then sheathed the sword and handed over to Lewis.
"Good luck and good bye."
Those words held a lot of emotion as Marcus had been very fond of Lewis. They had spent many, many days together whilst Lewis training in the combat arts. He was the most successful student Marcus had ever had.
Lewis nodded at him and headed for the town gate. As he reached it he heard a voice from behind call his name. He turned around to see Lola walking up to him.
"Oh thank goodness I caught you. Come with me quickly."
She didn't wait for an answer and took him by his hand. Originally shocked at her action Lewis staggered behind for a moment before pulling into stride next to her.
"Where are we going?" he asked her.
