Chronicles of Contessa: Shadows of the Heart

All was quiet and dark, he was awake though his eyes stay closed he was afraid of what may lay before them. After a short while he could hear the soft crackle of a fire, and the hum of the flames. Lucca opened his eyes and saw the fire, just beyond sat the evil forest where the witch was lingering forevermore. The mist ended with the trees and looked an odd blue, it was dusk however and the grass was dark, the light of the pale moon was bright and made the trees shadows reach out to him. Lucca then turned to the stranger that sat not far off, he was sharpening a stick with his back to Lucca a rather large brow hat sat on his head. The tan colour matched the rest of his outfit, leather and straps with a backpack at his side, Lucca’s eyes focused on the short and long swords that glimmered in the firelight. The man turned and looked at Lucca who stared right back at him. The man was wearing a firm steel mask that covered his face from his nose to his chin, loose hair fell from the sides of his head.
Lucca sat up and looked into the fire and the man continued to look at him with direct eyes, they both knew what they were waiting for, but Lucca was not one to give a compliment. After an unbearable silence Lucca sighed, “Thank you… “ he said and the man turned to the fire continuing to sharpen the stick as though he were paused in that moment, returning to life at the words. There was a silence again and the man looked at the stick, lightly blowing to remove the shavings from the branch.
“You do not know much about this land young one… anyone with half a mind wouldn’t venture into those woods. Look now, even the shadows from the trees are trying to escape her evil” the man said. Lucca looked at the shadows, they stretched beyond what they should and the branches writhed. Lucca did indeed recognise the voice from the steel mask, he couldn’t place it because it was so concealed.
The man placed the stick beside him and took some bread from the backpack, Lucca took it and studied the man’s motions.
“Why did you help me?”
”Because you are a fool, fool’s do not live long with another to guide them”
“It is daring of you to mock me stranger”
“You’re not in your kingdom right now boy, your father isn’t going to punish me here”
“How do you-“ it was then Lucca realised who he was. The man loosed the rope from the steel mask and his face was revealed. The stubble on his chin was a dead giveaway, he always had a short beard on his face after all his travels. Lucca’s eyes moved to the sword, now that he was sitting up he could see the elegant winding metal that shielded the users hand while in swordplay. He had only ever seen one like it.
Abraham Brunelle took his hat off and set it near his pack and blades, Lucca scowled softly at him Brunelle met his gaze without a wince, which made Lucca all the more angry.
“Why did you come”
“I already told you… or ARE those ears on the sides of your head?” Brunelle jested and stirred the fire.
“I never asked for you to watch over me”
“I’m glad I got the “thank-you” before, because I may have never gotten it now…”
“I was toying with that creature”
“Well your screams were very convincing”
“Be silent!” Lucca said.
“Now, now don’t get excited you knew you were vaulting off into the unknown to escape the kingdom, and if this is what you wanted then so be it, a rather untimely death at eighteen however”
“It was my decision… unlike the way things were at that place”
“You are old enough to make your own decisions… I may not agree with them but they are yours, though walking into the wilderness with no map, four day’s provisions and a dagger will not get you far in Thosaea”
“I was… only going to…” Lucca hushed himself but Brunelle’s curiosity was piqued, his raised eyebrow was enough of a hint.
“I know that you read all the books, you are an intelligent one, though Lizaberia is a land not even I have ventured into and their Shadows are not the most delightful of people” Brunelle said, Lucca’s head turned sharply at the mention of Lizaberia, he looked back at the fire.
“How do you know these things, I never told-“
“You never talk to anyone… you left the pages on the unknown lands with bookmarks, the writings in your chambers on swordplay and the mystic powers of the Shadows, even when you were young you would look off into that world… a world you would never have seen if you stayed there”
“You understand then?”
“I knew the rashness of youth… though you are an exceptional case of recklessness”
Brunelle smiled and even Lucca did slightly, “you may have wanted to plan it out a little more, a note for your loved ones would have been kind” Brunelle said sliding two pieces of meat on the skewer he crafted and setting it over the flames. Lucca grew slightly angry again at the mention of his family, Enea was the only one he truly cared for… and his mother.
“They do not miss me…”
“Alexandria cries every night… a mother and brother gone is too much for so young a child, I pray you still have half a heart when you go to Lizaberia”
“The heart does not make one strong… they only halt your swing, your stride forward, and the voices of politics and land are not what I want, I never asked to be a prince or an eventual king for this land. Destiny should not be controlled”
“Neither should emotion… and you have snuffed it too much Lucca, it is what drives us… what separates us from the beasts and the dragons and the witches. We are strong because we’re like this… you will know in time, there will be a day when you protect and fight for another and only then will you unlock this power you so dream of”
“We shall see” Lucca said and they were both silent for a time.
The fire crackled and grew dimmer and they both talked on of Lucca’s path and things to be weary of. And then they slept, dreaming of more pleasant things but Lucca now had one more nightmare to keep his eyes company in the night. His head in a cauldron hot, with teeth that would make one scream…
Morning came and the sun cast away the evil mist of the witch, Lucca awakened and Brunelle was already half-packed his sword in place.
“That one is for you” he said pointing to the pack with the short sword. Lucca pulled the sword and practiced for a moment, he then sheathed it and lifted his pack.
“There is also a number of changes of clothes, in case your royal robe draws the eyes of a few thieves… you are not royalty here my prince, just another traveler” he said and Lucca sighed.
“Perhaps we could start with my name being Lucca yes?” he said and Brunelle laughed.
“Yes boy… a good start” Brunelle took his walking stick in hand and stepped forward.
After Lucca changed the two walked together in the next forest, Lucca felt slightly uncomfortable, he was never clad in this rough leather before, his skin was used to the soft garments and silks of the kingdom and his flexibility was greatly reduced. He fell a number of times to Brunelle’s amusement, after the third strong words were bellowed to silence his guide as they trekked onward over the mountains.

They walked onward, ever forward and Lucca kept his selfish eyes on the road ahead. His red eye beaming with thoughts of power, he gripped the short sword at his side just thinking about the Shadow warriors. Abraham had placed his steel muzzle back over his face, unseen enemies might not recognize that it was in fact he, “the” Abraham Brunelle. A swindler of the wicked, and saviour of young virgins whom in his stories were not virgins much longer at least when he told his tales to Lucca’s father. Lucca smiled to himself quietly on thinking of those nights when he would listen the King and Brunelle talk forever on end about the sordid state of the world and the things the adventurer had seen.
Lucca rarely smiled, he was suddenly thinking to himself about how he never really felt happy at the kingdom, especially after the death of his mother. His sour disposition revisited him instantly and a blank expression resumed its place on his face. The red eyes fitting the mixture, he followed Brunelle closely as the passed through the thickest parts of the wood. This forest seemed endless to him, the squeaks and squawks of the forest did little for his comfort in these leather trappings.
Abraham guided him into the deepest depths, to where the sun did not reach and the air was cool as autumn winds. Lucca followed thinking only of Lizaberia and their dark blades. Then all at once Abraham stopped and Lucca did also looking hard at Abraham’s hat, as though he were trying to look through his eyes. Brunelle turned and looked into the darkness, a rising wind was on the air. He took Lucca swiftly and they hid inside the base of an old tree, looking out at the rays of moon, and shadow.
Then they came, men in black robes with silver emblems on their shoulders leaping like cats from tree to tree hopping and running faster then the water-walking lizards. Lucca looked in disbelief at their speed,
“What are they?” Lucca asked quietly but not quietly enough. Brunelle seized the prince’s mouth and covered it with his thick leather glove. Lucca struggled slightly but not before seeing one of these dark soldiers stop as swiftly as his lightning strides would allow. The creature looked at the tree where the two hid so very oddly, his head cocked low like an animal. The face… was not a face at all but a white mask with a plain expression, though the markings were very intricate. Then he ran off into the night, the wind from his speed tossed around him as he vanished.




Lucca and Brunelle stepped out from the tree, Brunelle had his sword ready but knew the men were long gone.
“They were your comrades…. Eventually” Brunelle said sheathing the blade and picking up his stick.
“Why did you hide me? They were Shadows, they could have taken me with them” Lucca said angrily
“They do not let things stand in their way… I say “things” because that is how they see people, they kill anyone boy, even one who wishes to join them” he said, “come along then, you won’t have to put up with my talk much longer” Brunelle walked a little ahead. Lucca followed in question.


They arrived in a small village, somewhat desolate with few establishments aside from a quaint tavern. There was always a tavern Lucca thought, somewhere everyone needed to go when life did not suit their fancy. Drink could make all that go away, when it was really sending them further back. They entered the tavern and Brunelle pulled his mask off placing it in the small pouch on his pack, the eyes turned all at once, Lucca became slightly embarrassed he did not enjoy begin the center of attention. Brunelle walked inward as though he did not notice, such an attitude would only anger the bar dwellers.
Lucca looked at them as he followed Brunelle, various creatures and races all gulping down their various ales and liquors. Brunelle sat at a small table with two chairs, looked at the tavern owner and gestured for two drinks. Lucca sat next to him, Brunelle studied the room and looked at the door then some of the prying eyes amongst the flickers of light from the dim lanterns. Lucca looked at his accomplice,
“What are we doing here?”
“We part ways soon, I have friends in this area”
“Part ways?”
“I can’t go to Lizaberia… it’s a dangerous land, that and I don’t have a very good repertoire with the Shadows”
“Why not?” Lucca asked
“I trespassed once and barely escaped with my life… those devils have good memories” Brunelle chuckled as the drinks were brought to the table.
Lucca took a small sip and avoided spitting it back into his cup by swallowing swiftly, Brunelle smiled. A shadow from the wall moved slightly then walked, despite the size of this creature it walked without a sound. It was nine feet tall at the least, a reptilian face with a lizards snout and cruel eyes, his sword was unsheathed but hung at his side. It was wavy like a vine reaching for the sunlight, and even in the dim light Lucca could see dried blood stained on the steel. With ears adorned with many rings of gold and silver, making him look more the mercenary.
When he drew close enough, in a flash of snake-like speed a small dagger was on Brunelle’s throat and the reptile’s face moved to his ear. Lucca was dumbstruck but Brunelle didn’t look the least bit surprised.
“A traveler who passes into such familiar territory mustn’t be forgetting his debts” the reptile hissed putting some pressure on Brunelle’s throat with his dull knife.
“There are some of your kin who’ve pressed a knife to my throat before and did not live to tell the tale, familiar territory you call it?” Brunelle said taking a swig of his brew.
The reptile’s eyes grew wide as he felt cold steel on his already cold flesh. Lucca had stood and stood next to the lizard with his short sword at it’s neck, the room was silent. The reptile smiled,
“Your pupil is well adverse in speed Brunelle” he said and Lucca’s eyes looked at his mentor with suspicion.
“He did learn from the master, it’s too bad you didn’t notice my speed as well” Brunelle said, the reptile looked at his blade, some small strands of a metallic thread were weaved around the knife. It would not move from that position, Brunelle’s hand held the thread tightly. Then the reptile looked downward still smiling as Brunelle’s dagger tapped at the lizards abdomen lightly.
“You never learn Lanzon”, Brunelle said sheathing his sword, “it’s alright Lucca” he motioned for Lucca to lower the sword. Lucca did so, the reptile patted the boy’s shoulder,
“A swift hand young one… I can see a true warrior in you” Lanzon said sitting next to Brunelle, Lucca sat also.
“Lanzon has been my friend for many years Lucca”
“You know… you do owe me” Lanzon said grinning his reptilian grin, and Brunelle sighed.
“I told you I would pay you back did I not?”
“Working for a king… one would presume you had more weight to your pockets” Lanzon said sipping from his cup.
“I know I know… Lanzon will take you from here to the water’s edge and from there you will be on your own” Brunelle said and Lucca nodded.
“We needn’t worry of the boy, he looks strong” Lanzon says.
“I am…” Lucca replies, Lanzon blinks with both eyelids.
“Not very modest though…” they both laugh but Lucca’s red eyes remain firm. And so it was, that a Lizard and the philosophe would assist the young prince in his quest to not be assisted by anyone.
He knew he was selfish, deep in his soul and he did not doubt his siblings would no longer cry for him but scowl and pray for his swift demise. He lost his mother and his father held him in high favour before he cast it all aside, no one tells any other creature what he is to be and that is how it is. There was no such thing as a destiny, and Lucca would fight to keep that mindset.

It was morning in the small town, Lanzon was outside sharpening his sword the long strides of his hand against the metal had woken Lucca from his slumber. Lucca dressed swiftly and stepped into the morning fog, there sat the lizard with his blade resting on his knee.
“Do you take the place of the sandman when he is ready to sleep for the day?” Lucca asked the warrior. Lanzon smiled but continued to slide the blade on his stone.
“No… rather I wish to have a sharp blade when I should meet him” the reptile replied.
“You wish to defeat the king of dreams with that?”
“I owe him for some terrible nightmares child, and do not insult the weapon of a swordsmen… grudges are held in this land especially among the Regnar’s” he stopped sharpening the sword and stood, holding it forward and examining the steel.
Once he was content he sheathed it and walked to Lucca,
“Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll be” Lucca said and let his red eyes look into the lizards. Lanzon smiled as best his reptile face could allow.
“Come then” he said and the two set forth.