Omens

[Thor.]

This is not the usual fanfic, once agin I am hoping that people will give me points for originality. I plan to continue the Jailtin Fanfic as well. I would appreciate any input that you could offer.

Chapter 1: A Hero of Sorts

A cold wind blew over the plains of Arin, blowing the trees and sending leaves skittering through the air. Wolves gathered their young and took them back into the safety of their dens. Birds nested holding onto their eggs. Travelers had stayed off the road that day. Days like that were considered by most a bad luck, and bad luck always led to bad Omens.

Elinia had seen no others on the road, it was understandable considering the weather but she had always found silence unnerving. She wrapped her cloak tightly around her. The biting wind managed to break through the Guarding she had set up. That was strange in itself but she had always been considered the weakest of her order. Her fire provided little heat but she kept herself occupied by writing in her notebook, there were years of vital information in that book, though the book was just a formality, Elinia never forgot anything, much less something important.

Under normal circumstances Elinia would have taken along one of the Adventurer’s from the Guild, but these were not normal circumstances. The Guild had her removed from the Crystal Fortress. She was no more friend to them now than a Seeker.

Elinia could hear the distant beating of hooves across the dirt road she had traveled in the hours before, she would her journey on even through the dangerous night hours under normal circumstances but once again. . . Elinia sighed as she stood, what she wouldn’t give for an adventurer. She readied herself as the horse got closer, it was possible it was a friend, no matter how few friends she had left they always seemed to come at the right time. But they were no excuse to be falsely secure, if her suspicions were correct then none of her allies could help her.

The midnight black stallion the stranger was riding had a dangerous glow to its eyes. The beast had not been tamed, though the Stranger seemed to be easy enough around it. She had recognized the man as a Stranger now, the dark cloak and power she sensed were both iconic of the knights of the Black Palace. The Stranger walked with an arrogance fit for a king. He moved like a viper ready to strike, though even a viper was a poor description for it was in no way tense. The Stranger was calm, amused even as he walked toward her, it must have known what she was, there was no other reason that a Stranger would stop in the middle of the night so. Even a Stranger would not stop on a night like this. The entire plain would be a breeding ground for Omens, and even a Stranger stood no chance against an Omen.

The Stranger no doubt wished to bring her to the Black Palace, to interrogate her, maybe even to turn her if things were as desperate as a she had heard. They would drag her into that nightmare they called a palace.
“You are Elinia?” the Stranger finally spoke, voice strained, as with all Strangers, she had heard that the Strangers suffered great physical pain at all times. The body refused to live on without the soul or some such thing, Others say that guilt held such a hold that they never spoke unless they must. That was a rumor that Elinia doubted had any basis. Strangers gave their souls to Chaos, a pledge of obedience for a lifetime of power.

“I am.” She replied trying to remain calm, usually she would not be worried about one Stranger. They were hard to handle but usually a trained Preistess would be able to overtake their power. But tonight, the night was black and Sorcery tended to attract Omens.

“You will come with me.” The Stranger said calmly, it was not a question yet there didn’t seem to be the usual calm in The Stranger’s voice.

There were distant hoof beats and judging by the reaction of the Stranger Elinia could assume that it was not reinforcement. The galloping became louder and the Stranger inched toward the wild stallion. The Stranger was ready to flee but it would most likely fight to its last breath. Strangers were too loyal for their own good and if this rider was any threat to Chaos then the Stranger would fight him to the bitter end.

The rider had reached the clearing, his bow drawn back the man had golden armor, no doubt one of the Great Elven Guards. Great Elve were closely allied with the Fortress. He would bring her back and her superiors would see to it that she saw her end.

“You. .” the Stranger was shaken. Shaken enough that it got on the horse and rode away. The feeling of fear went with it.

“You aren’t hurt are you?” the Elf asked, in a businesslike manner. A merchant wondering if his good were damaged.

“I am fine.” She responded, there was something else in his voice. . .hate maybe.

“Very well.” He responded, he looked over the area and as promptly as he had come he was gone.

This man had hated her, hated her for being a Sorceress. Perhaps he could be of some use to her.