Frosty_Thundertrod
01-23-2005, 09:48 PM
The autobiography of Frosty Thundertrod.
Which contributions from Nafren Crezen, Bela, Hertin Crezen, Tila of Armen, and Ringwe Light hands.
Preface
Has I sit hear and write this I am in A peaceful time in my life with little to do but to sit and wait. Though there is more of this life’s story to tell it will be in the hands of other to do so. Most likely after my own demise a new age is communing for Ganareth. I shall be at the head of this new age but for better or worse that is the story for some else to tell.
I this book I shale tell my story up till now. Perhaps this is out of boredom at seeing the focus of the new age slowly pooling about me but not being able to do any thing but sit and wait for them to work. Perhaps it is out of fear of what will be written about me in the future, wanting to at least have part of my side of event to be recorded for all time.
Or finally it may be just ego that thinks that any one really has any idea of who I am or wood care about my life and action with it.
I wood also like to thank and dedicate this book to my Brothers Nafren and Hertin.
With out there help this book wood not be possible nor wood I still be alive to write it.
Chapter one Might has well start at the beginning.
I was borne 35 years prier to the publish date of this book. In the first farmstead west of the town of Two Paws. Half the farm was dedicated to Coulo* the other half to Dodo’s
There was the large house in which my family lived. And two smaller houses that were lived in by the Thorp and Hilgon families. They wood help on the farm in exchange for free rent. My parents Melben and Galina Crezen grew up has next door neighbors. They where good friends thought out there childhood in there teenage years they became more then friends.
My mother Galina is a kind hearted brave with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
She is also the single worst cook I have ever had the misfortune of eat from. Fortunately for most of my child hood my grandmothers lived with us and did most of the cooking. My mother though she lacked skill in the kitchen was a champion dodo rider and breeder.
Dodos she raised and trained where well known for the docile easy to handle nature.
My father Melben is a tall strong human with dark black hair and brown eyes.
He is the most resilient man I have ever meet he works all day every even if he does not need to never been sick a day in his life. He loves his farm and family with all his hart. He once told me that he knew from a very early age that he was meant to marry our mother and raise us three boys. He lives his life like some who exactly what they want and got it. Most of my life I envied him for that most of my life when I got what I thought I wanted it turned out I really did not want it I just wanted the challenge of getting it.
I was named Tremelious Crezen was general known has Trem during my child hood
The fallowing year Nafren was borne. Nafren is slight by human standards. But compared to Hertin and me he was tinny. With straight black hair and very pale skin
Some who see him for the first time thought him to be ill. Nafren always had A keen intellect and was a natural Trader. It was not uncommon for angry parents to show up at our house demanding that Nafren return what ever he had talked some else in to trading with him.
One year after Nafren Hertin was born.
Hertin is very tall but not has muscular has I am. Hertin has curly red hair and green eyes. He also have A very light completion but the contrast is not has sharp has with Nafren. Hertin was the wild one of the three. Hertin managed to break every one of his limbs at least twice do stupid stunts during his child hood.
Life was happy and good in Two Paws this was the height of the city stats war.
But Two Paws was not touched by the war for many years. The two closest city states where on good terms with each other so Two Paw had no strategic value. The town was large enough to support one of every kind of shop but not large enough to be considered a population center.
My brothers and I practical grew up on dodo back. But Hertin and I wanted a bit more.
We wanted to have a riding drake so that we could fly. We pestered our parents endlessly trying to get a drake. When I was 8 I had a thought it was a good idea at the time.
I knew that some wild drakes lived on the other side of wolf lake I reasoned that if I was to get a drake egg and stick it with the dodo eggs that I wood be allowed to keep the drake when it hatched. I enlisted the aid of one of my friends Galen Thorp.
We hurried threw or chose one morning and took off.
We spent about two hour walking around the lake till we found where the drakes lived.
Then about 45 mints to find a drake nest. We sat in the grass half a day till finally the drake left its nest. One the drake was out of sight we ran over to the nest to retrieve the egg to get one heck of a surprise. The egg had all ready hatched. The drakeling was not very old barley larger then the two of us. But it had claws and was hungry.
The two of us took off running and screaming for all we where worth with the drakeling in hot pursuit. Luckily for us Nafren knew what we where up to and told my father. Who came looking for us. The sight of a grown man on a dodo was A bit too much for the drakeling so it fled back to its nest. Once we got home neither Galen or I could sit for a week
Two years latter a new church to Aesir was built I remember when I first saw the painting of the beautiful young goddess. I developed quite the school boy crush on her I wood hang around the church staring at the painting when ever I could. Half listening to the teaching of the priests speaking of honor value and avenging wrongs done.
For years latter I 14 and done pining over goddess and was taking an interest in more tangible girls. That was the year that Treely moved to Two Paws. It was also the year that the war came to Two Paws and I went and chased it. Treely was A amazing girl sandy blond hair blue eyes. She just glowed with life and joy looking in to her eyes was like looking in the eye of a kitten playing with a ball of string. A more naturally joyous life filled person I have never meet.
The first few times we meet I was struck dome finally she came over and started talking to me. After a few stained paragraphs I began to calm down. Talking to her became easy and natural and some I looked forward to. Two months latter she was the first girl I kissed. I now knew what my father meant when he said that he know he was suppose to may my mother. A week after our first kiss the war came to two Paws.
The city of Brosena to the east had gone to war with Benzer the city north of Two Paws.
Brosena’s army decided to cercal around and attack Benzer from the south. Making camp in Two Paws one night. The army did not kill any one but they help them selves to any thing they wanted. Since we were A little way out of town my family got spared any hard ship. My parents still wood not let me or my brouther out of the house till two days after the Brosean army had left. Soon has they did I went straight and fast has A arrow to Treely’s house.
When I arrived I found the door had been smashed open inside I found Treely she has bruises and scratches on her face and hands. She looked like she had been crying so long and hard that she just to tired to cry any more. Her glow of life her joy was gone.
Her father took me out side and told me what the solders did to her. The anger formed in and grew soon my anger had boiled over to hatred. Overcome by anger and hate for those who had harmed my joy my Treely. I made the worst mistake of my life.
I should have gone to her held told her that I loved her and wood always stay with her.
But instead I went after the Brosean army no weapons no food no armor. Just an overwhelming desires to kill and kill them all no matter what. If had managed to find the Brosean army I wood certainly have died. Though I wood have taken a few with me.
Luckily for be the Benzer military though relatively small at the time was no slouch and had a firm fast ally in Cillia. The Benzer scouts found the Brosean army The Benzer and Cillian army meet the Brosean army in the field and soundly defeated them.
I arrived the day after the battle the Benzer army was still baring the dead and clearing the rubble. A Caption on A war DoDo saw me come and rode up what and asked what are you doing hear boy. I answered sincerely for all intent with all my hart. “I am here to kill the Broseans.” Caption said you’re a little late these are all ready dead. I asked “then can you tell me how to get to Brosena then I will just go there and kill Brosens.” The caption seemed a little shocked at that. He looked at me and said that is suicide but you are serious if I told you where Brosnea was you wood go there and kill has many has you could. Tell me why are you so intent on killing Broseans? I answered because they took away my woman’s innocents and her joy. I must kill them all so they can’t hurt her again.
To be honest since I am half brave and half human at this point I looked more Like a 18 year old human then A 14 year old brave. You look like your strong and you definitely have the right attitude. Why don’t you join the Benzer army you can kill has many Brosians has you want and still live to tell the tail. The caption said good help us clean up the battle field and I will take you to the recruiter and see that you get enlisted myself.
Three days latter the company arrived in Benzer true to his word.
He took me right to the recruiter and got me signed up for duration of hostilities.
And started my training
The next day I arrived at the training camp and got assigned to a catapult crew.
Latter I learned that the caption had sent word ahead and asked that I not be assigned to a infantry unit. I liked my assignment has we worked and drilled. I envisioned how many Brozeans wood be crushed by the rocks thrown from my catapult. My crew had the best fire rate in the camp. I finished my training just in tame to make it to The Battel of Ft. Milldorn. When we arrived my crew go assigned to tower 6 with was towed the center of the eastern outer wall. We disassembled out catapult and haled it up piece by piece. Has we where putting it back to gather The Brosian army came in to view.
Ours was the first catapult to be assembled and start firing.
And fire we did we kept up are rate of fire from the training camp even improved on it A little bit. The Brosians set up some trebuchets witch have A much longer range then our catapult so we could not reach them but we still rained stony death of there forward infantry from dawn to dusk that day. Soon has the sun came up the next day we resumed firing and the Brosian trebuchets where nor retuning fire. Sine we had the fastest fire rate our tower was the first to be attacked. For two hours we stayed and fired the catapult.
Has our tower shook from impacts. Finally the runt of our tower collapsed. The plat form that the catapult rested on did not fall but with only rear support we could not fire any more.
With our catapult unable to fire there was not much we could do any more.
It drove me crazy knowing there where Borsians out side the walls but I could not get at them in any way. My crew had been reassigned to one of the smaller wheeled catapults. The garrison commanded decided that it was time to break the sedge. My crew was given 10 javelins each and a wooden shield. The drakes riders normally used has messenger wood take us up and we wood take us up and we wood threw javelins at the enemy from the air has the war dodo’s charged.
The order came and the drake launched and stated to cercal an enema Phalanxes that was braced for the dodo charge. We circled and hurled our javelins down. Some crossbowmen stared firing at us My drake was hit and badly wounded. The handler was trying to guide the drake down when the next volley came and he slumped over in the saddle dead. The wounded drake laded behind the phalanxes. Seeing the crossbowmen drawing aim I slide of the drake taking shelter behind its body. That volley killed the drake.
A brosian wielding a axe came running at me I still had one javelin left.
I blocked his blow with my shield and stab him with my javelin. Javelins are not really meant for melee use so it broke but the damage was done my attacker was dead. I pulled his axe out of my shield I could see that the crossbowmen where reloading and that more axe men where running toward me. So I could not just hide behind the dead drake. So I ran toward the phalanx.
Phalanx have A huge weakness from the front there is only three ways to defeat them A better Phalanx archers or just overwhelming numbers. But with the pose that all of its members must stay in any attack from the back or side can be made unopposed. That is what I did I ran right into there formation. And started hacking chopping every one I saw. Since they had no defense to me has long has they where in formation I was racking up quite the kill list. Finally the formation could not take it any more between the javelins hurled from the sky and me chopping them down with my axe they broke formation.
To deal with me the Calvary officer seeing the formations break ordered a charge. I saw the Phalanx begin to rout but I was struck by the weighted end of a hoplite spear. I woke up after the battle was over with a nasty head ach.
When I came staggering back to Ft. Milldorn I was given a battle field commission has to sedge engineer and given command of one of the captured trebuchets. I saw action again at the battle Goodman redabout. The Brosians has set up some earthworks and breastworks to stop our advance we set and started firing while the infantry advanced under our fire. Our Calvary was screening the flanks but some Brosian got threw and attacked out sedge engines. The Brosians where not very disciplined when the other sedge crews fled and the Brosiand spread out to chase them. Only two war dodo came at my crew. Since my experience at Ft. Milldorn I had my crew keep some javelins around.
The two there was 10 men on my crew we all threw one javelins 4 out of the 10 hit.
We had less then one minute delay in our firing. Or Calvary arrived and dealt with the rest of the Brosian Calvary. After that battle I was promoted again to sedge officer and was given command of all three trebuchets and a company of pike men.
The battle of Brosnea was my last in the Benzer army. We pounded that city for a week before the walls collapsed. That night the wall was breached Brosna burned. The brosians army chose to burn there own city and slaughter there own people rather then surrender to us. With my enlistment over and an officer commission and pay in my pockets I returned to Two Paws.
It had been just over one year since I had left the first place I went was Treely’s house I had a sword from a brosian general. I planed to give her the sword and tell about all the brosians I had killed to avenge what they had done to her then ask her to marry me. Even though I was only 15 the officers commission made me A adult in the eyes of the law. And my pay was enough for us to live on for quite some time.
I arrived at her house and knocked at the door. Her father answered it he did not seam to happy to see me but invited me in. In there paler Treely’s mother came with a crumpled piece of paper. Both had very glaive expressions there faces. Her father said I know why you did what you did when I read the reports. From the war while I understand it I still cant forgive it. YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED YOU SON OF A. Treely’s mother put her hand on her husbands shoulder dear he does not even know what your talking about just look at him. She handed me the paper. I read it my hart just dropped in my feet. Trelly’s mother said she thought you left because you did not want her any more. I tried to tell her differently but she did not listen. She hung her self two days before your first letter arrived.
With those words my hart died I dropped the trophy sword and mumbled that I must go.
I wandered around town all day with such pain. Pain so bad that I could not even scream or cry to relive it. At the end of the day the pain was gone in its place was the numbness the cold. I embraced the cold since the cold did not hurt I became Ice blood.
I went home to see my parents my mother hugged my grandmothers made me my favorite meal but I felt nothing. My father lectured me about how stupid and dangerous it was. I felt nothing. My old friend told me jokes I could not laugh at them. The local girls came to flirt with the war hero I wondered why they acted so weird. I did not feel any thing towed any of them no matter how bold there advances where I did not even realize them.
One week latter I told my family I am leaving I don’t belong hear any more.
My father handed me the sword I dropped at Treely’s house. And said I thought has much. I reached out to take the sword but the pain came. I dropped my may arm and retreated to the cold. I said keep it I am not A swordsman. So I left I wondered for a bit but ended up where all wanders go Al Drifa. There was a new mercenary unit forming
I signed up with them since there headquarters was on the north side of Al Drifa it was named the Northern heavy foot.
My first wepon was great axe. About A year latter I switched to a pickaxe and shield.
I also bound to a mana tower for the first time gaining the semi immortality that that offers. I don’t know why I did it since I really did not care if I lived or died. I wood keep in touch with my family threw the post but it was many years before I saw them again.
Do to my unflinching nature of battle mercenaries took to calling me Iceblood.
I died for the first time when I was 19. I awake in the mana fountain looked down to see the large gash in my armor my only thought was how much wood it cost to repair. The Northern heavy foot counted to do well for its shelf. Soon there were two companies.
Then three I was in command of one of the companies now. A sedge company was added I was given command of that in addition to my normal company since we did not need the sedge equipment that much.
Hertin to no ones surprise became a free lance adventurer. Nafren surprised every one my attend Mage collage. Most thought he was a shoe in for the town’s next merchant Mongol. Hertin wood some time come and visit me he seemed to have picked up A fairy some where along his travels that fallows him ever where now.
Eight years after he had left Two Paws he hard some shouting from out in the court yard.
At first I just ignored it figured it was the men hearing around not terribly unusual. When I heard the sound of steal on steel that was a different matter I did not need my men ruining perfectly good weapons on stupid squabble when fist worked and I did not have to pay for then to be fixed after words. What I saw instead was fore of my better men face off ageist one woman with a glaive. I watched them fight and I saw that even though she was on the defense she was controlling the fight and could send the men. To the mana tower any time she chose to.
I yelled that is enough I looked at the woman and asked what is you name warrior?
She answered Tila of Armen. I asked what brings you hear then I hope you not beating the crap out of my men for the fun of it. Well while it was fun the reason I am here is to sign up. But these guys seem to think that women can’t fight. Herm well you seem to have dispelled that idea. Go inside and tell Qimbel Iceblood oked you.
Tila was assigned to the twin of my company with in a year she rose to command of it.
Since our two companies where sister companies that supported each other in battle we worked very closely together. We even shared the same tent when in the field most of the men probably thought we where a couple but that was not the case I did not see her has any different from any of the men in the regiment.
Tila was tall strong woman with dark hair and a deep tan. There was no doubt that between the two of us she was the better fighter. She was like me quite did not talk more then she had to and did not really socialize. When I was 26 she had been in command the second company for 3 years. We had developed such a close working relations ship that I told her any thing and every thing I know automatically. She had my complete trust has comrade and was probably the first person that I wood considered a friend in 11 years After one mission Tila and I where the only ones in the headquarters.
Tila asked is every one else out. I said yes I will probably have to round them up from the whore houses in the morning. She said you sound annoyed by that I know your not the puritan save your self for marriage type. Well I have been told its very pleasurable I do not hold that agents any one but I don’t see why the men spend all there gold on or some even more gold then they have on those women. She looked at me with a bit of surprise?
You have been told don’t you like women? I answered exactly what I thought. I do find women physical appealing but Treely was only one I ever desired to be with but she died when we where both so young we never got a chance to do any thing. When ever I consider being with a woman I always think of Treely.
I could not believe I had just said that. No one out side my family knows about Treely.
And for some reason it did not hurt to talk about her. What came next was a total surprise to me. She sat down next to me and said I have always wondered if I wood ever find some one who could understand how much I miss my first man. I so hate being alone. Please tell me about Treely. That was the moment the ice that my hart dwelt in broke. Now I saw Tila not has a comrade but has a attractive woman. I told her about Treely she told me about her wedding and how her husband had choked to death at the feast after words.
First has we talked we just held hands then soon has the story where complete we felt so alone so empty we embraced each other with all our might trying to fill the emptiness that we so long just accepted has normal. We loosened our embrace and kissed soon clothing was coming off and we made love with each other and for each other. Once we finished she started crying and whispering her husband’s name. I carried her to her room laid her on her bed covered her with her blanket. I told her it wood be better now. And I sat there with her until she fell asleep. I went to my room then out on to the balcony.
And just screamed with every think my lungs had when until my throat was sore and could no longer mange even half a shout I laid down in my bed and whispered I still Love You Treely. And fell asleep that night I dreamt of Treely but for once I was not hunted by her. I woke up late the next morning Tila had all ready left she left a note on my door saying Thank you and we need to talk. I did not feel like just sitting around the headquarters. So I went out and started walking around I found my way to the market.
There one of the booths where selling delta gliders. I remberd how I allwas wanted A drake to fly on has A kid and how it felt the one time I did ride one at the battle of Ft. Milldorn So I bought one on impulse the first time in my adult life I ever did any thing with out planning it out. Next I went to the booth that I buy potions from and got six healing potions. I went back to the headquarters Tila was all ready there when I got back se asked what is that? I told her it’s a glider. She said I thought you dismissed the glider has being to venerable to have any combat use. I said it is not for work I always wanted to fly has a kid so I thought it was about time I did. She said I see and the healing potions.
I replied well I really have no idea how to land this thing so I might want to be ready incase Injure myself.
She asked how do you feel about me after last night?
Well yesterday I thought of you has A comrade and A trusted companion about the same has I feel about my favorite war hammer. Last night I wanted just to be with to try and be like one person instead of two. But now I feel more attached to you but I don’t love you at least not the way I love Treely I guess your kind of a mix between friend and family to me now. Hum a brouther named Iceblood that will take some getting use to How about you just call me Frosty instead.
I like it are not has rigid but still only you wood plan ahead after making A impulse perches. So what are you going to do now. Well I think I am going to go tell the boss I am taking some time off then I am going to crash this glider a few times then go to Two Paws and visit Treely’s grave it is long over dew. She asked mind if I come with I said not at all I might has well introduce my new sister to the rest of the family.
Latter that day after crashing my glider 5 times I managed to lad it with out needing to drink a healing potion after words. The next morning Tila and I headed to Two Paws.
When we arrived we went to my parent’s house I introduced every one around. Nafren and Tila seemed to hit it off. I asked my father if he still had that sword I got back in the Bezer army he said yes what do you plan to do with it. I said I got has A trophy to give to Treely I think it is about time I gave it two her. The next morning I went to her grave.
I carefully cut the sod and dug down A few feet Placing the sword in the ground and refilling the hole finally placing the sod back in place.
Looking down at the grave with now barely looked disturbed. I said Treely.
It has been 1 years since I came to see you and I am so sorry for that. I have been one of the living dead all those years I have finally grown up enough to be able to feel the pain of losing you. I still love you. That sword came from the general who ordered the Brosian army to pass threw Two Paws I wanted to bring it to you to show you that no one wood be able to hurt you again. I wood say I wish it was me who had died and you lived. But I know that you wood have hurt just much has I did. If I had the power to go back in time to punch my younger self and tell him to get back where he belonged I wood. But for now I just hope that when the time comes that I join you deaths kingdom that you will be able to forgive me.
So I did not even notice all the people who had gathered around the grave.
My famly was there so was Treely’s and A few others I barley recognized has former class mates. Treely’s mother said I have worried all these years if my daughter was able to rest in peace. Now I know the she can you will be my son-in-law for now on.
Feeling rather embarrassed with so many people around I said ahh well thank you.
We stayed in two paws for a week the night before I was to leave Nafren approached.
He seamed nervous and said Trem can I ask you a very personnel question? I took a deep breath and said yes.
He said wee you see I like Tila A lot and she seems to like me but what abut your relationship. I exhaled and said. Nafren Tila saved me you know how I was after I found out Treely was dead. She had been threw some thing similar. She was able to crack the ice my hart was in. I wood like to think that I helped her to but part of me thinks she had all ready worked out her own grief. And was ready to reemerge has A truly Living person and decide to take me with her. We did make love once but will never do so again. I consider has much family has I do you. It wood please me if you two made each other happy.
In the next nine years Tila and me fount many battles together and each died A few times.
Finaly after 20 years I decided to retire from the Northern heavy foot. Tila did so has well. My family had moved from Two Paws to the Light mana kingdom. The city state wars where just too much in the neutral land now. Our retirement party turned in to a wedding has Nafren and Tila tied the knot. So we where gather trying what to do next Hertin said it was about time that we adventured to gather has a family. Tila and Nafren agrees Bela goes where ever Hertin goes so she agreed after getting the High elf cleric who performed the wedding ceremony drunk has A dwarf on all forges day Ringwe agreed to join us.
Very early we meet with The Sundered Guard and I started training to become a ranger.
My trainer said of me you walk like thunder in clouds you should walk like wind on grass
From hear on Hertin and bela started calling me Thundertrod Tila still called me frosty.
Over the next three years every one came to call me Frosty Thundertrod. Now we have gathered in the glades that host the guard. The winds of war are blowing but there is more while death and destruction are wafting for me like they always have. Now there is more Now I have A chance to build and grow to foster life instead of just take it. I am 38 years old now but due to the power of the mana fountains I feel more alive and ready then when I was 18.
I still have a life to lead and I shall live it well.
I am Natures Sword, the Peoples shield and Treely I still Love you
Which contributions from Nafren Crezen, Bela, Hertin Crezen, Tila of Armen, and Ringwe Light hands.
Preface
Has I sit hear and write this I am in A peaceful time in my life with little to do but to sit and wait. Though there is more of this life’s story to tell it will be in the hands of other to do so. Most likely after my own demise a new age is communing for Ganareth. I shall be at the head of this new age but for better or worse that is the story for some else to tell.
I this book I shale tell my story up till now. Perhaps this is out of boredom at seeing the focus of the new age slowly pooling about me but not being able to do any thing but sit and wait for them to work. Perhaps it is out of fear of what will be written about me in the future, wanting to at least have part of my side of event to be recorded for all time.
Or finally it may be just ego that thinks that any one really has any idea of who I am or wood care about my life and action with it.
I wood also like to thank and dedicate this book to my Brothers Nafren and Hertin.
With out there help this book wood not be possible nor wood I still be alive to write it.
Chapter one Might has well start at the beginning.
I was borne 35 years prier to the publish date of this book. In the first farmstead west of the town of Two Paws. Half the farm was dedicated to Coulo* the other half to Dodo’s
There was the large house in which my family lived. And two smaller houses that were lived in by the Thorp and Hilgon families. They wood help on the farm in exchange for free rent. My parents Melben and Galina Crezen grew up has next door neighbors. They where good friends thought out there childhood in there teenage years they became more then friends.
My mother Galina is a kind hearted brave with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
She is also the single worst cook I have ever had the misfortune of eat from. Fortunately for most of my child hood my grandmothers lived with us and did most of the cooking. My mother though she lacked skill in the kitchen was a champion dodo rider and breeder.
Dodos she raised and trained where well known for the docile easy to handle nature.
My father Melben is a tall strong human with dark black hair and brown eyes.
He is the most resilient man I have ever meet he works all day every even if he does not need to never been sick a day in his life. He loves his farm and family with all his hart. He once told me that he knew from a very early age that he was meant to marry our mother and raise us three boys. He lives his life like some who exactly what they want and got it. Most of my life I envied him for that most of my life when I got what I thought I wanted it turned out I really did not want it I just wanted the challenge of getting it.
I was named Tremelious Crezen was general known has Trem during my child hood
The fallowing year Nafren was borne. Nafren is slight by human standards. But compared to Hertin and me he was tinny. With straight black hair and very pale skin
Some who see him for the first time thought him to be ill. Nafren always had A keen intellect and was a natural Trader. It was not uncommon for angry parents to show up at our house demanding that Nafren return what ever he had talked some else in to trading with him.
One year after Nafren Hertin was born.
Hertin is very tall but not has muscular has I am. Hertin has curly red hair and green eyes. He also have A very light completion but the contrast is not has sharp has with Nafren. Hertin was the wild one of the three. Hertin managed to break every one of his limbs at least twice do stupid stunts during his child hood.
Life was happy and good in Two Paws this was the height of the city stats war.
But Two Paws was not touched by the war for many years. The two closest city states where on good terms with each other so Two Paw had no strategic value. The town was large enough to support one of every kind of shop but not large enough to be considered a population center.
My brothers and I practical grew up on dodo back. But Hertin and I wanted a bit more.
We wanted to have a riding drake so that we could fly. We pestered our parents endlessly trying to get a drake. When I was 8 I had a thought it was a good idea at the time.
I knew that some wild drakes lived on the other side of wolf lake I reasoned that if I was to get a drake egg and stick it with the dodo eggs that I wood be allowed to keep the drake when it hatched. I enlisted the aid of one of my friends Galen Thorp.
We hurried threw or chose one morning and took off.
We spent about two hour walking around the lake till we found where the drakes lived.
Then about 45 mints to find a drake nest. We sat in the grass half a day till finally the drake left its nest. One the drake was out of sight we ran over to the nest to retrieve the egg to get one heck of a surprise. The egg had all ready hatched. The drakeling was not very old barley larger then the two of us. But it had claws and was hungry.
The two of us took off running and screaming for all we where worth with the drakeling in hot pursuit. Luckily for us Nafren knew what we where up to and told my father. Who came looking for us. The sight of a grown man on a dodo was A bit too much for the drakeling so it fled back to its nest. Once we got home neither Galen or I could sit for a week
Two years latter a new church to Aesir was built I remember when I first saw the painting of the beautiful young goddess. I developed quite the school boy crush on her I wood hang around the church staring at the painting when ever I could. Half listening to the teaching of the priests speaking of honor value and avenging wrongs done.
For years latter I 14 and done pining over goddess and was taking an interest in more tangible girls. That was the year that Treely moved to Two Paws. It was also the year that the war came to Two Paws and I went and chased it. Treely was A amazing girl sandy blond hair blue eyes. She just glowed with life and joy looking in to her eyes was like looking in the eye of a kitten playing with a ball of string. A more naturally joyous life filled person I have never meet.
The first few times we meet I was struck dome finally she came over and started talking to me. After a few stained paragraphs I began to calm down. Talking to her became easy and natural and some I looked forward to. Two months latter she was the first girl I kissed. I now knew what my father meant when he said that he know he was suppose to may my mother. A week after our first kiss the war came to two Paws.
The city of Brosena to the east had gone to war with Benzer the city north of Two Paws.
Brosena’s army decided to cercal around and attack Benzer from the south. Making camp in Two Paws one night. The army did not kill any one but they help them selves to any thing they wanted. Since we were A little way out of town my family got spared any hard ship. My parents still wood not let me or my brouther out of the house till two days after the Brosean army had left. Soon has they did I went straight and fast has A arrow to Treely’s house.
When I arrived I found the door had been smashed open inside I found Treely she has bruises and scratches on her face and hands. She looked like she had been crying so long and hard that she just to tired to cry any more. Her glow of life her joy was gone.
Her father took me out side and told me what the solders did to her. The anger formed in and grew soon my anger had boiled over to hatred. Overcome by anger and hate for those who had harmed my joy my Treely. I made the worst mistake of my life.
I should have gone to her held told her that I loved her and wood always stay with her.
But instead I went after the Brosean army no weapons no food no armor. Just an overwhelming desires to kill and kill them all no matter what. If had managed to find the Brosean army I wood certainly have died. Though I wood have taken a few with me.
Luckily for be the Benzer military though relatively small at the time was no slouch and had a firm fast ally in Cillia. The Benzer scouts found the Brosean army The Benzer and Cillian army meet the Brosean army in the field and soundly defeated them.
I arrived the day after the battle the Benzer army was still baring the dead and clearing the rubble. A Caption on A war DoDo saw me come and rode up what and asked what are you doing hear boy. I answered sincerely for all intent with all my hart. “I am here to kill the Broseans.” Caption said you’re a little late these are all ready dead. I asked “then can you tell me how to get to Brosena then I will just go there and kill Brosens.” The caption seemed a little shocked at that. He looked at me and said that is suicide but you are serious if I told you where Brosnea was you wood go there and kill has many has you could. Tell me why are you so intent on killing Broseans? I answered because they took away my woman’s innocents and her joy. I must kill them all so they can’t hurt her again.
To be honest since I am half brave and half human at this point I looked more Like a 18 year old human then A 14 year old brave. You look like your strong and you definitely have the right attitude. Why don’t you join the Benzer army you can kill has many Brosians has you want and still live to tell the tail. The caption said good help us clean up the battle field and I will take you to the recruiter and see that you get enlisted myself.
Three days latter the company arrived in Benzer true to his word.
He took me right to the recruiter and got me signed up for duration of hostilities.
And started my training
The next day I arrived at the training camp and got assigned to a catapult crew.
Latter I learned that the caption had sent word ahead and asked that I not be assigned to a infantry unit. I liked my assignment has we worked and drilled. I envisioned how many Brozeans wood be crushed by the rocks thrown from my catapult. My crew had the best fire rate in the camp. I finished my training just in tame to make it to The Battel of Ft. Milldorn. When we arrived my crew go assigned to tower 6 with was towed the center of the eastern outer wall. We disassembled out catapult and haled it up piece by piece. Has we where putting it back to gather The Brosian army came in to view.
Ours was the first catapult to be assembled and start firing.
And fire we did we kept up are rate of fire from the training camp even improved on it A little bit. The Brosians set up some trebuchets witch have A much longer range then our catapult so we could not reach them but we still rained stony death of there forward infantry from dawn to dusk that day. Soon has the sun came up the next day we resumed firing and the Brosian trebuchets where nor retuning fire. Sine we had the fastest fire rate our tower was the first to be attacked. For two hours we stayed and fired the catapult.
Has our tower shook from impacts. Finally the runt of our tower collapsed. The plat form that the catapult rested on did not fall but with only rear support we could not fire any more.
With our catapult unable to fire there was not much we could do any more.
It drove me crazy knowing there where Borsians out side the walls but I could not get at them in any way. My crew had been reassigned to one of the smaller wheeled catapults. The garrison commanded decided that it was time to break the sedge. My crew was given 10 javelins each and a wooden shield. The drakes riders normally used has messenger wood take us up and we wood take us up and we wood threw javelins at the enemy from the air has the war dodo’s charged.
The order came and the drake launched and stated to cercal an enema Phalanxes that was braced for the dodo charge. We circled and hurled our javelins down. Some crossbowmen stared firing at us My drake was hit and badly wounded. The handler was trying to guide the drake down when the next volley came and he slumped over in the saddle dead. The wounded drake laded behind the phalanxes. Seeing the crossbowmen drawing aim I slide of the drake taking shelter behind its body. That volley killed the drake.
A brosian wielding a axe came running at me I still had one javelin left.
I blocked his blow with my shield and stab him with my javelin. Javelins are not really meant for melee use so it broke but the damage was done my attacker was dead. I pulled his axe out of my shield I could see that the crossbowmen where reloading and that more axe men where running toward me. So I could not just hide behind the dead drake. So I ran toward the phalanx.
Phalanx have A huge weakness from the front there is only three ways to defeat them A better Phalanx archers or just overwhelming numbers. But with the pose that all of its members must stay in any attack from the back or side can be made unopposed. That is what I did I ran right into there formation. And started hacking chopping every one I saw. Since they had no defense to me has long has they where in formation I was racking up quite the kill list. Finally the formation could not take it any more between the javelins hurled from the sky and me chopping them down with my axe they broke formation.
To deal with me the Calvary officer seeing the formations break ordered a charge. I saw the Phalanx begin to rout but I was struck by the weighted end of a hoplite spear. I woke up after the battle was over with a nasty head ach.
When I came staggering back to Ft. Milldorn I was given a battle field commission has to sedge engineer and given command of one of the captured trebuchets. I saw action again at the battle Goodman redabout. The Brosians has set up some earthworks and breastworks to stop our advance we set and started firing while the infantry advanced under our fire. Our Calvary was screening the flanks but some Brosian got threw and attacked out sedge engines. The Brosians where not very disciplined when the other sedge crews fled and the Brosiand spread out to chase them. Only two war dodo came at my crew. Since my experience at Ft. Milldorn I had my crew keep some javelins around.
The two there was 10 men on my crew we all threw one javelins 4 out of the 10 hit.
We had less then one minute delay in our firing. Or Calvary arrived and dealt with the rest of the Brosian Calvary. After that battle I was promoted again to sedge officer and was given command of all three trebuchets and a company of pike men.
The battle of Brosnea was my last in the Benzer army. We pounded that city for a week before the walls collapsed. That night the wall was breached Brosna burned. The brosians army chose to burn there own city and slaughter there own people rather then surrender to us. With my enlistment over and an officer commission and pay in my pockets I returned to Two Paws.
It had been just over one year since I had left the first place I went was Treely’s house I had a sword from a brosian general. I planed to give her the sword and tell about all the brosians I had killed to avenge what they had done to her then ask her to marry me. Even though I was only 15 the officers commission made me A adult in the eyes of the law. And my pay was enough for us to live on for quite some time.
I arrived at her house and knocked at the door. Her father answered it he did not seam to happy to see me but invited me in. In there paler Treely’s mother came with a crumpled piece of paper. Both had very glaive expressions there faces. Her father said I know why you did what you did when I read the reports. From the war while I understand it I still cant forgive it. YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED YOU SON OF A. Treely’s mother put her hand on her husbands shoulder dear he does not even know what your talking about just look at him. She handed me the paper. I read it my hart just dropped in my feet. Trelly’s mother said she thought you left because you did not want her any more. I tried to tell her differently but she did not listen. She hung her self two days before your first letter arrived.
With those words my hart died I dropped the trophy sword and mumbled that I must go.
I wandered around town all day with such pain. Pain so bad that I could not even scream or cry to relive it. At the end of the day the pain was gone in its place was the numbness the cold. I embraced the cold since the cold did not hurt I became Ice blood.
I went home to see my parents my mother hugged my grandmothers made me my favorite meal but I felt nothing. My father lectured me about how stupid and dangerous it was. I felt nothing. My old friend told me jokes I could not laugh at them. The local girls came to flirt with the war hero I wondered why they acted so weird. I did not feel any thing towed any of them no matter how bold there advances where I did not even realize them.
One week latter I told my family I am leaving I don’t belong hear any more.
My father handed me the sword I dropped at Treely’s house. And said I thought has much. I reached out to take the sword but the pain came. I dropped my may arm and retreated to the cold. I said keep it I am not A swordsman. So I left I wondered for a bit but ended up where all wanders go Al Drifa. There was a new mercenary unit forming
I signed up with them since there headquarters was on the north side of Al Drifa it was named the Northern heavy foot.
My first wepon was great axe. About A year latter I switched to a pickaxe and shield.
I also bound to a mana tower for the first time gaining the semi immortality that that offers. I don’t know why I did it since I really did not care if I lived or died. I wood keep in touch with my family threw the post but it was many years before I saw them again.
Do to my unflinching nature of battle mercenaries took to calling me Iceblood.
I died for the first time when I was 19. I awake in the mana fountain looked down to see the large gash in my armor my only thought was how much wood it cost to repair. The Northern heavy foot counted to do well for its shelf. Soon there were two companies.
Then three I was in command of one of the companies now. A sedge company was added I was given command of that in addition to my normal company since we did not need the sedge equipment that much.
Hertin to no ones surprise became a free lance adventurer. Nafren surprised every one my attend Mage collage. Most thought he was a shoe in for the town’s next merchant Mongol. Hertin wood some time come and visit me he seemed to have picked up A fairy some where along his travels that fallows him ever where now.
Eight years after he had left Two Paws he hard some shouting from out in the court yard.
At first I just ignored it figured it was the men hearing around not terribly unusual. When I heard the sound of steal on steel that was a different matter I did not need my men ruining perfectly good weapons on stupid squabble when fist worked and I did not have to pay for then to be fixed after words. What I saw instead was fore of my better men face off ageist one woman with a glaive. I watched them fight and I saw that even though she was on the defense she was controlling the fight and could send the men. To the mana tower any time she chose to.
I yelled that is enough I looked at the woman and asked what is you name warrior?
She answered Tila of Armen. I asked what brings you hear then I hope you not beating the crap out of my men for the fun of it. Well while it was fun the reason I am here is to sign up. But these guys seem to think that women can’t fight. Herm well you seem to have dispelled that idea. Go inside and tell Qimbel Iceblood oked you.
Tila was assigned to the twin of my company with in a year she rose to command of it.
Since our two companies where sister companies that supported each other in battle we worked very closely together. We even shared the same tent when in the field most of the men probably thought we where a couple but that was not the case I did not see her has any different from any of the men in the regiment.
Tila was tall strong woman with dark hair and a deep tan. There was no doubt that between the two of us she was the better fighter. She was like me quite did not talk more then she had to and did not really socialize. When I was 26 she had been in command the second company for 3 years. We had developed such a close working relations ship that I told her any thing and every thing I know automatically. She had my complete trust has comrade and was probably the first person that I wood considered a friend in 11 years After one mission Tila and I where the only ones in the headquarters.
Tila asked is every one else out. I said yes I will probably have to round them up from the whore houses in the morning. She said you sound annoyed by that I know your not the puritan save your self for marriage type. Well I have been told its very pleasurable I do not hold that agents any one but I don’t see why the men spend all there gold on or some even more gold then they have on those women. She looked at me with a bit of surprise?
You have been told don’t you like women? I answered exactly what I thought. I do find women physical appealing but Treely was only one I ever desired to be with but she died when we where both so young we never got a chance to do any thing. When ever I consider being with a woman I always think of Treely.
I could not believe I had just said that. No one out side my family knows about Treely.
And for some reason it did not hurt to talk about her. What came next was a total surprise to me. She sat down next to me and said I have always wondered if I wood ever find some one who could understand how much I miss my first man. I so hate being alone. Please tell me about Treely. That was the moment the ice that my hart dwelt in broke. Now I saw Tila not has a comrade but has a attractive woman. I told her about Treely she told me about her wedding and how her husband had choked to death at the feast after words.
First has we talked we just held hands then soon has the story where complete we felt so alone so empty we embraced each other with all our might trying to fill the emptiness that we so long just accepted has normal. We loosened our embrace and kissed soon clothing was coming off and we made love with each other and for each other. Once we finished she started crying and whispering her husband’s name. I carried her to her room laid her on her bed covered her with her blanket. I told her it wood be better now. And I sat there with her until she fell asleep. I went to my room then out on to the balcony.
And just screamed with every think my lungs had when until my throat was sore and could no longer mange even half a shout I laid down in my bed and whispered I still Love You Treely. And fell asleep that night I dreamt of Treely but for once I was not hunted by her. I woke up late the next morning Tila had all ready left she left a note on my door saying Thank you and we need to talk. I did not feel like just sitting around the headquarters. So I went out and started walking around I found my way to the market.
There one of the booths where selling delta gliders. I remberd how I allwas wanted A drake to fly on has A kid and how it felt the one time I did ride one at the battle of Ft. Milldorn So I bought one on impulse the first time in my adult life I ever did any thing with out planning it out. Next I went to the booth that I buy potions from and got six healing potions. I went back to the headquarters Tila was all ready there when I got back se asked what is that? I told her it’s a glider. She said I thought you dismissed the glider has being to venerable to have any combat use. I said it is not for work I always wanted to fly has a kid so I thought it was about time I did. She said I see and the healing potions.
I replied well I really have no idea how to land this thing so I might want to be ready incase Injure myself.
She asked how do you feel about me after last night?
Well yesterday I thought of you has A comrade and A trusted companion about the same has I feel about my favorite war hammer. Last night I wanted just to be with to try and be like one person instead of two. But now I feel more attached to you but I don’t love you at least not the way I love Treely I guess your kind of a mix between friend and family to me now. Hum a brouther named Iceblood that will take some getting use to How about you just call me Frosty instead.
I like it are not has rigid but still only you wood plan ahead after making A impulse perches. So what are you going to do now. Well I think I am going to go tell the boss I am taking some time off then I am going to crash this glider a few times then go to Two Paws and visit Treely’s grave it is long over dew. She asked mind if I come with I said not at all I might has well introduce my new sister to the rest of the family.
Latter that day after crashing my glider 5 times I managed to lad it with out needing to drink a healing potion after words. The next morning Tila and I headed to Two Paws.
When we arrived we went to my parent’s house I introduced every one around. Nafren and Tila seemed to hit it off. I asked my father if he still had that sword I got back in the Bezer army he said yes what do you plan to do with it. I said I got has A trophy to give to Treely I think it is about time I gave it two her. The next morning I went to her grave.
I carefully cut the sod and dug down A few feet Placing the sword in the ground and refilling the hole finally placing the sod back in place.
Looking down at the grave with now barely looked disturbed. I said Treely.
It has been 1 years since I came to see you and I am so sorry for that. I have been one of the living dead all those years I have finally grown up enough to be able to feel the pain of losing you. I still love you. That sword came from the general who ordered the Brosian army to pass threw Two Paws I wanted to bring it to you to show you that no one wood be able to hurt you again. I wood say I wish it was me who had died and you lived. But I know that you wood have hurt just much has I did. If I had the power to go back in time to punch my younger self and tell him to get back where he belonged I wood. But for now I just hope that when the time comes that I join you deaths kingdom that you will be able to forgive me.
So I did not even notice all the people who had gathered around the grave.
My famly was there so was Treely’s and A few others I barley recognized has former class mates. Treely’s mother said I have worried all these years if my daughter was able to rest in peace. Now I know the she can you will be my son-in-law for now on.
Feeling rather embarrassed with so many people around I said ahh well thank you.
We stayed in two paws for a week the night before I was to leave Nafren approached.
He seamed nervous and said Trem can I ask you a very personnel question? I took a deep breath and said yes.
He said wee you see I like Tila A lot and she seems to like me but what abut your relationship. I exhaled and said. Nafren Tila saved me you know how I was after I found out Treely was dead. She had been threw some thing similar. She was able to crack the ice my hart was in. I wood like to think that I helped her to but part of me thinks she had all ready worked out her own grief. And was ready to reemerge has A truly Living person and decide to take me with her. We did make love once but will never do so again. I consider has much family has I do you. It wood please me if you two made each other happy.
In the next nine years Tila and me fount many battles together and each died A few times.
Finaly after 20 years I decided to retire from the Northern heavy foot. Tila did so has well. My family had moved from Two Paws to the Light mana kingdom. The city state wars where just too much in the neutral land now. Our retirement party turned in to a wedding has Nafren and Tila tied the knot. So we where gather trying what to do next Hertin said it was about time that we adventured to gather has a family. Tila and Nafren agrees Bela goes where ever Hertin goes so she agreed after getting the High elf cleric who performed the wedding ceremony drunk has A dwarf on all forges day Ringwe agreed to join us.
Very early we meet with The Sundered Guard and I started training to become a ranger.
My trainer said of me you walk like thunder in clouds you should walk like wind on grass
From hear on Hertin and bela started calling me Thundertrod Tila still called me frosty.
Over the next three years every one came to call me Frosty Thundertrod. Now we have gathered in the glades that host the guard. The winds of war are blowing but there is more while death and destruction are wafting for me like they always have. Now there is more Now I have A chance to build and grow to foster life instead of just take it. I am 38 years old now but due to the power of the mana fountains I feel more alive and ready then when I was 18.
I still have a life to lead and I shall live it well.
I am Natures Sword, the Peoples shield and Treely I still Love you