The sky dimmed as Prince Richard of Oligarth rode into from the setting sun. His heart heavy with guilt, the prince strained to keep his eyes on the horizon, for he knew too well what happened when the eyes and mind wandered in the Dark Valley of the Einos. The sun began to hang lower and lower in the sky, drawing harsh shadows that spilled across the floor, racing toward the valiant prince. Prince Richard's breath hastened; he felt the chill of the night creeping farther and farther down his spine. He spurred his horse to a full gallop, racing to catch the feigning sunlight. Fearing he would not reach it in time, the prince again spurred his horse, but the mighty steed, unable to move any faster, stumbled and fell. Prince Richard toppled to the ground, realizing the danger he was soon to encounter.
"Curses! Curse it all! My horse must lose at a time like this?! And I have not the strength to remain in these shadows for very long! Oh gods, why must it be?!"
The prince slowly rose to his feet and walked to his horse's side. With a mighty blow he knocked the whinnying beast unconscious before slitting its throat. "Sleep well, my faithful steed. I have no wish for these foul creatures to deface thy honor." With these words he grabbed a handful of earth and spread it over the mighty creature's body.
The prince turned from his fallen beast and turned to catch the last dying rays of sunlight as they sank beneath the horizon. The shadows grew deeper by the second. He turned to face the shadows. Gripping his sword tightly, the valiant prince tried to forget every story he'd ever heard about the Einos. Suddenly, the shadows took form. The swift movement of black on black met Richard's eyes as he braced himself for battle.
He dug his heels into the dirt as the closest of the shadows lunged toward him. With one fell swing he destroyed the creature, turning his blade to meet the next of his mysterious foes. He carved a swath through the shadows, clearing a small avenue to the exit of the canyon. Richard made his move towards the exit, only to meet the fearsome master of the canyon, Irknes of the Dark Valley. The dark master ferociously eyed the prince, its tongue wet with the anticipation of a fresh meal.
Prince Richard's eyes met with the dark master and he became alight with fear. It soon passed, however, as he recalled his father's words. The prince squared himself to his new foe, ignoring the petty shadowlings as they fell to the wayside.
The dark master reeled upon seeing his foe prepare himself for battle. It had been aeons since he met a foe so brave...or so foolish. To the master of the Dark Valley, however, it mattered not, as he was already savoring the taste of the meal to come.
"Why have you come to my lair?" he snarled, baring teeth that had spilled the blood of centuries of wayward travelers. "Thy presence only bodes well for my appetite, young fool! I shall savor the flesh on your bones."
"I think not, foul beast! This darkness you have long presided over shall soon face the light of justice! My blade shall taste of your evil deeds as they bleed from your black chest!"
"Thy tongue is as swift as thy blade, young one," the dark master remarked. "But now we shall see which is the heavier! Have at you!"
...
to be continued...
n
