It was far pass their bedtime, but the two little siblings were too caught up in their imaginary adventures to notice. Chris, a sprightly six-year-old boy, was older than his bubbly sister, Ellie, who was four. The two kids were so engaged in their imaginary game, that they didn’t notice their mother walking into their room.

      “Okay kids, time for bed.” Spoke the mother, just as her foot passed the doorway.

      “But mom,” complained Ellie while holding her favorite doll. “We still have to save the princess.”

      “You know the rules,” their mother replied “You have school tomorrow.”

      “Okay,” said Chris with a disappointed sigh.

      The crestfallen children climbed into their beds. Noticing thier saddened natures, thier mother reached to the top of a shelf next to their toy box and grabbed a large book with a bright colorful cover.

      “I’ll tell you what.” She said as she walked over to their beds and sat on the end of Ellie's mattress. “What if I tell you two a bed time story?”

      “Okay!” said Ellie as she sat up in her bed with great enthusiasm.

      “Ooo; Tell us something scary!” Chris exclaimed.

      “NO!” Objected Ellie with a cry as she pulled her blanket up to her chin. “I don’t like scary stories.”

      The mother laughed as she opened the book she had picked out. “Don’t worry, I have a story you two will both like. It’s called “The Legend of Alrum.”

      “Does it have action?” asked Chris with anticipation.

      “Yes.” The mother replied before turning toward Ellie. “And it has a beautiful, friendly Princess.”

      Ellie then smiled as her blanket slowly came down.

      “But after this you both have to go straight to sleep okay?” asked the mother.

      “Okay!” exclaimed both of the children.

      The mother positioned herself comfortably on the bed as she took a deep breath and began to read the words on the first page.

      Echoes of tiny footsteps bounced across the castle walls, accompanied by the happy giggles of a child. A young Alex Sith raced through the gray stoned halls of the castle turning from corner to corner with excitement. He finally burst through an old wooden door leading to a spiral stair-case. The little boy looked up with a radiant smile on his soft round face, before sprinting up the steps towards another wooden at the very top of the stairs.

      Alex burst out onto a small balcony, mesmerized by the bright moonlight. He slowly walked out and lifted himself up on his toes as he held onto a short stone wall, trying to defeat its height.

      As quickly as he had gotten caught up in the sight of his vast kingdom, he was taken from it by an older man’s voice calling out to him, “Alex, I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

      Young Alex Sith quickly turned towards the voice to see his father, the king, standing behind him. The king joyfully bent down as he brushed Alex’s long black hair from his soft gray eyes. “How are you this evening son?” he asked.

      “I was just looking at the view father.” Alex answered with an excited hop.

“Then, let us enjoy it together.”

      The king lifted his son up onto his shoulders, giving him a clearer view as they both begun to gaze upon the kingdom together. Before the castle was a clear lake that reflected the moon with dozens of villages visible beyond the moat.

      To their right, was a large forest spanned far into the horizon. To their left were grassy hills with large mountains in the distance that towered over the tiny villages of the kingdom

      “This is amazing!” said Alex still taken by the site of the kingdom. “How was Alrum built?”

      “Our ancestors build it son. The Sith family has sat on the throne for dozens of generations, and one day it’ll be your turn to wear the crown.”

      The young prince quickly grew an enthusiastic smile, “Father, I’ll be the greatest king ever.”

      “Ha, ha, I know you will son.” replied the king with a laugh.

      “I’ll protect my people and defeat anyone who opposes me. I’ll make sure my kingdom stays a wonderful place.”

      Mother - “Prince Alex was a happy and ambitious young boy, who loved his father dearly. However, the ignorance of his youth blinded him from seeing the type of man his father really was. He was a brutal tyrant, who ruled his people with an iron fist. So much so, that at that very moment his people were preparing a great rebellion against him, and struck the following night. The attack was swift and caught the castle by surprise, leaving Alex an orphan. Hiding in the forest with the others who were most loyal the king, was only way he survived. The young prince vowed to one day return to Alrum, retake the throne and avenge his father’s death. Twenty years later, they became known as the infamous Knights of the Old Order. They would stop at nothing to rid Alrum of its new King, Mana Wist, and restore the kingdom to the Sith family name. As for Alex, being stripped of his family and birthright, being force to survive in the cruel forest of Alrum, and fighting everyday just to see the next, has turned him into a man just as ruthless as his father.”

      “Prince Alex!” called the voice of an elderly man riding him of the flash back from his childhood. “My prince, are you okay?”

      Alex looked to his right and addressed the older man who was kneeing beside him. “Yes Jacob, just thinking.”

      “About what, my prince?”

      “Nothing important,” Alex looked around the dark forest to spot some of his men; however, they well hidden within the trees. “Are all the men in position?”

      “Yes, my prince but are you sure you want to get involved.” Jacob asked with concern for his young leader. “I hardly think your assistance is required for this.”

      “I’m not one to hide behind my men Jacob, even for petty assaults.”

      “As you wish,” replied Jacob with a sigh. “Like always, I will guard you with my life.”

      The sky, over a small village, was dark with the only light coming from lanterns strategically posted among several tall posts. Its residents were retired in their straw homes while a few guards walked about the village keeping the peace. In the center of the village, was a tall watch tower that stood towering over the homes. A single guard stood in the tower watching over his peaceful village.

      The guard in the watch tower stood patiently, with a bow at his side and quiver on his back. He cautiously stared out into the forest, until he heard the sounds of another guard climbing up to meet him.

      “How’s the night?” asked the relieving guard.

      “Peaceful,” answered the first guard before giving an exhausted yarn.

      The relieving guard gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Well you can retire now old friend.”

      The guard showed gratitude with a slight bow; and began to leave but was stopped by a faint site in the distance. “There’s something in the forest,” he said as he pointed.

      They suddenly saw several small spots of light, dancing in the forest.

      “Yes, I see it as well.” Spoke the relieving guard. “It looks like flames.”

      They then heard dozens of springing sounds as two flaming arrows flew from the forest and into their chests. Shortly after, more flaming arrows began jumping from the forest and rained down on the village. The straw houses quickly ignited and forced the peaceful residents from their homes.

      In the next moment, there was a sudden battle cry and a small army of men raced from the forest with swords and shields lead by the now twenty-five years old prince Alex Sith. The guards quickly turned their attention to the attackers and tried their best to defend the innocent people of the village.

      The citizens tried to evacuate as the guards held off the raid, but the attackers greatly outnumbered the guards. All of their efforts to defend their homes only allowed them to but up five minutes fight, before the attention of the attackers were turned towards the villagers and their homes. They showed no mercy and within hours the village was reduced to ruble and the villagers had either fled or were defeated by the cruel raiders.

 

Ellie - “I don't like this story mommy, everyone keeps dying.”

Chris - “No, it's cool, keep reading.”

Mother - “Don't worry Ellie it's still the beginning. Things will get better, you'll see.”

Ellie - “Where's the princess?”

Mother – “She's coming, just be patient. It's still the first chapter.”

Ellie – sighs “Okay.”

Mother - “Now where were we?”

      The attack was over, and Alex was walking slowly around the site, admiring the work of his men. At his side, was his mentor and good friend Jacob. Alex had a light muscular body, and wore a red tunic with worn brown pants. This wasn’t the typical attire of a prince. He may have not worn no crown, but what he lacked in image, he made up for in brutality and narcissism. He carried his long sword on his back and a dagger on his waist.

      Alex may have been young and reckless, but he was always kept in line by his old mentor Jacob. Jacob was the only one Alex had trusted. He raised Alex from a boy, once his father was killed, and taught him to survive. Jacob was a man past his prime yet had an abundance of knowledge and wisdom. He always wore a black cloak, with brown pants and kept his sword close to his side.

      One of the other attackers walked up to the two and knelled respectfully as he made his report, “My Prince, the village is clear, we are now searching the homes for food and valuables.”

      “Good,” replied Alex.

      “Alex,” called Jacob. “these people are poor and didn't have much to begin with.”

“This is exactly the reason to invade such a place.” Alex replied. “Mana promises a carefree life for all of his people despite their stature. I’m simply proving him wrong.”

      As they continued to talk, a single villager had risen from the ashes of his home. He began to look around and notice his village burning and his house now in ruin. Tears filled his eyes and anger filled his heart.

      Across his ruined home, he notice the infamous Alex Sith standing a few yards away with his back turned, distracted in a conversation with one of his men. He then looked down and took notice of a sharp stick in the ruins of his home. The old man knew that he wouldn’t stand a chance but the pain of losing his family was too much to bare.

      He quickly picked up the stick and sprinted towards Alex. Once he got close he thrust it towards Alex’s back, but Alex quickly drew his dagger and swung it around slicing off the man’s hand. The man fell to his knees in pain holding his blood soaked arm.

      Alex then held his dagger to the man’s neck as he began to scold him, “This is your lucky day. I usually wouldn’t have tolerance for someone attempts to, un-honorably, stab me in the back.”

      “How dare you speak to me of honor,” replied the man angrily. “You’ve just slaughtered a village of innocent people, to satisfy your ambitions.”

      “As long as Mana sits on my father’s throne, no village in Alrum is innocent.” Alex then kicked the old man, causing him to fall back. “Now go and tell your king everything we've done here, and that until he returns the crown there will be more to come.”

      Alex walked to his horse jumped on it and shouted to his men, “SALVAGE WHAT SUPPLIES YOU CAN THEN RETURN TO THE CAMP!”

      He kicked horse and road off, leaving Jacob puzzled as to why he made such a hasty exit.