The village was in a deep fog. It was hard to see anything, Rethian was a bit nervous. Today was his 14th birthday. At 14 it is custom that the men would be givin a sword to train for later days they would experience. A power was rising high. In the north a shadow crept across the territory of Heidoran. A man named Elriligh rose to power. His men were not exactly...humans. They were a mix of elf and orc. His armies grew greatly every year. Heidoran is a realm of man next to Elriligh's lands. Elves and men were trained by the age of 14. By the time they were 20 they were sent to an elite camp for further training. Then they would be sent to war. Rethian was nervous about this."It's time to go!" said Ellie, Reithan's mother. "Your sword is already down here, lets go!" Rethian rushed out of his home. "Good luck son." However this was not the time for that. Rethian's father, Aerthan arrived. Aerthan is famed with the elves, he is nicknamed Aerthan the Valiant. Past deeds he had done for the elves increased his popularity greatly. "I have great news for Rethian, and bad news for all." said Aerthan. "A dragon egg has been found in the forest by a local hunter." Good news it was indeed. Dragon eggs were of most value, and absolutly rare. Anyone who befriends one gains entry into an ancient clan. They are called the Terthiash. They are very unique, they have the ability to befriend and work with animals of all sorts. The dragon is that person, and clans guardian. There are 5 dragons to guard them. "The bad news is...I'm being sent to the borders of Heidoran. Elves amd men have been mustering the strength to oppose an oncoming onslaught from Elriligh himself." Rethian trembled. A battle, aggainst the Elriligh's armies? Many who went to battle have not returned. Rethian's house, the house of Herthia, suffered for many years due to the loss of men. A host of men came riding to the house of Aerthan suddenly. It was the host of the Herthia ready to head to Heidoran. "My lord, the elves of Similthius have already made it to the borders and are waiting for us." said one of the calvary. "Alright, we set out at once!" Aerthan put on his helmet and raised their banner. "If i should not return Ellie, flee to the west, the elves will accept my family under their wing." Then they were off. Tears rolled down Rethian's cheeks. Then he remembered about the training. "Goodbye mother!" he said. He was off to the village recruitment camp. He nearly tripped on a stone due to his sight through this heavy fog. He arrived just on time. "Ah! Rethian son of Aerthan, are you ready?" said the instructor. "I am" Rethian responded. He trained for hours on end. When he finally arrived home he was exhausted. He ate quickly and ran straight ot his bed after his meal. He was fast asleep within moments. He dreamed of the dragon egg that night. But it all suddenly turned to fire. He woke up to see a red glow in the hall next to his room. He stepped out to see fire. A window was near. He ran and leaped out of the little hole. What he saw after that was pure terror to his heart. The village under attack? Rethian saw his mother approach. "My dear, You must flee!" she said. "Take your sword and head to the fort Das'Methil. The elves will guide you to their fortress were you will be fostered. You should remeber the way to the fort." "Whats going on mother!?" Rethian said with great fear. "Just flee!" Rethian ran, but looked upon his home and mother one last time. Tears flooded his face. He turn and ran from the destruction taking place. If the elves can help me, i will avenge my home!

Rethian decided to turn back and take a last look at his village. It wasn't all burnt down, and people were still there. Then he remembered his mothers words. Plus he knew it would be dangerous to stay.

The road was long and harsh. Winter was here and he wasn't sure of the road anymore. He knew were to look for the elves, but he wasn't confident of his childhood body.

He went along a long way, and his efforts were rewarded. He stumbled across an elven outpost near the fort. The elves guided Rethian to the one who would bring him to the elven kingdom, the fortress Dras'Elrilen. That is where he would spend the rest of his childhood and learn the art of war, and the ways of the wild.

They found the guide within 20 minutes. The two were givin supplies and so it was that the next road continued for Rethian.

He longed for his mother back in the village. Thus is the first sorrow of Rethian in this story.

After a few days relief came to Rethian. "We are almost there, the fortress is hiddin from all except the elves of our realm." said the guide. His name was Gilweand. He was Rethian's guide and guardian for the trip.

An hour passed and Rethian made out a large structure. It was a gate, openening for the newcomers.

To Rethian it was an alien experience. He had never been inside such fortification. The elves looked so peaceful. What is this place, it so graceful, i dont understand after he thought that he heard a faint wisper in his mind. Confusion settled in again.

The two ventured to the hall of the king, Nirmathae. "Lord, i bear with me the son of Aerthan. His village was attacked and it was to dangerous for such a person." said Gilweand. "The son of Aerthan you say? If he has no home i will gladly foster the boy. Here he shall prosper as he learns our ways and other crafts he will need." and so it was that the son of Aerthan became the fosterling of Nirmathae. Honor and valour would soon belong to Rethian as he enters manhood later on in the story.

"Fetch me Therael. Rethian, this elf will be your mentor in the ways of the wild, the art of war, and the ways of our people." Therael was famed by the elves. In the defence of the elven realm deeds he has done earned him valour and glory. "Rethian, once you reach manhood, there will be a great honor bestowed upon you, considering your human you will recieve it when your 18. Now off with you, your training begins today young one." Rethian ran merely to Therael. would could this be? if must be something honorable if the elven king himself will bestow it ot me. again he heard a faint wisper in his mind.

(to be continued)

"Come Rethian, time to teach you of our realm." said Therael. Rethian grunted, he wasn't every interested."Don't worry, you'll live through it."

Therael led Rethian to a large garden. A fountain in the middle with dirt paths , it was beautiful to Rethian. Never before had he seen this."This is perfect for your lessons on our realm, Ellrimere. Our king you have met, his queen is Eralian."

It was a while before Therael was finished teaching him elven lore."Now we will go to your personal favorite, i will teach you how to fight." Rethian was happy and displeased."I already know how to fight." he grunted.Therael laughed."Truly in our realm you don't.What your kin may of provided in your age isn't enough.You will learn from true master of the bow and sword.For now since you are already 13 years of age you will use a shortsword, but first you need to be accustomed to it. I will give you time to practice on that tree as i observe."

Rethian wielded the shortsword immediatly. It felt a little alien to him. He went straight for a tree. For and hour he swang at it, and still felt he needed more of this."That is enough, i now see your flaws with a sword. You need a new and more effective technique." said Therael.He is still young, this could be a bit more difficult if he can't get this in his mind Therael thought to himself.

They trained with the sword for most of the day. Through out the week."You've improved, now we will move on to the bow.

The days grew longer and shorter. Winter turned into spring, then spring into summer. Rethian turned 14 soon. He trained, learned, and became higher among the ranks of the elves. Years passed and yet he yearned for something more. He remembered his father and his mother. Rethian grew and grew. His skills were soon beyond many of his kin.

"Summon Rethian, it is time i bestowed him with his gifts." said Nirmathae. Today was Rethian's 18th birthday. Today is when Nirmathae will bestow the gifts i learned of so long ago though Rethian. He saw a large gathering in the hall. He knew who these were. They were different clans of men and elves.

"Silence! All of us know why we have come today.Today is my fosterling's, the son of Aerthan himself. It is his 18th birthday. According to men this is when humans reach manhood.Before the celebration, i have great gifts, worth more than all our gold.Now first i give to you Rethian, Mail armor and a sword." Rethian was full of glee of the recieving of Nirmathae's gifts."Now for the last one, admisssion." what,admission into what? Rethian suddenly thought."A dragon has hatched in the realm of his kin. It flew here seeking someone.That person is Rethian." announced Nimrathae. Rethian gasped in great shock.That is very correct Rethian,the dragons have always chosen members to join this clan.The person i chose is you Rethian thought he had gone mad.He fainted in all the confusion.The elves weren''t shocked, they knew what had taken place."Rethian must meet the dragon, he must do so when he awakes."