Ara and Rhedros Draft

It was a bright, sunny day in Auderel, and the shores of the Western Sea filled the air with a cool breeze of ocean air. On days like this, many people of the Barony would come to the palace to enjoy its sprawling gardens, and perhaps ask the Baron about the various happenings of the land. And, indeed, Lord Doros walked the grounds and greeted each visitor with a name and a smile. He spoke with them of the soon-to-be plentiful harvest and listened with patience to even the most rambling of townsfolk. Yet as he walked the grounds, he noted with secret dissatisfaction the obvious isolation of his people. 'Yes, they live pleasurable lives,' the Baron thought to himself ',but the people of Auderel need more.' It was true, for though the palace with its Houses of Knowledge was filled with much wisdom, there was little use of it in this small self-sustaining community.

At that moment, in strode Rhedros. "My boy!" shouted Doros with extended arms "How good it is to see you! Your return has been much anticipated!" The townsfolk gathered around to hear news of the Inner Lands. "What have you found for us in your travels? Perhaps another barrel of flamefruit?" The crowed roared in laughter at the Baron's joke.

"Nay, Father, nothing quite of that unique nature" said the prince with a wry grin "I have only a tree." The assemblage paused in confusement, but then Rhedros revealed to them a magnificent sapling laden with glistening red fruit, and the excitement was greater than even the long-anticipated arrival of the prince. Plucking a fine red fruit from the tree's laden branches, Rhedros told his listeners of its unrivaled taste, and cut for each a small slice. As the clamour for a taste of the exotic fruit grew, Rhedros proclaimed, "Fear not, for there is fruit enough for all!" And in from the garden arch there came a cart carrying four barrels of the strange fruit.

From the secluded shade of a nearby tree, Doros watched with great joy the excited talk of the people below, and as his son joined him, he said, " You serve us well, Rhedros. And yet... "

"'And yet what, Father?"

"And yet it is not enough. We are too... isolated.

"Father, many a time have you asked me this, and I have always refused. I will not marry for an alliance with another Barony.

"I know, I know, but it is not simply that," Doros sighed as his spine bent into a rare slouch, "of late, I have not felt the young man I once was. I must say, my years have not escaped me, and I should like to become a grandfather before I die."

Protesting still, Rhedros said weakly, "But father, I yearn for love!"

As he looked into the heartbroken eyes of his son, Doros could not help but give in. But not entirely. "Very well. Yet I shall say to you this: on Donei, Laevos, I shall Invite the rulers of all the surrounding Baronies, and I shall announce that you are searching for a wife. You may search for love amongst them."

"Very well," the Prince retorted, "or rather what you mean by 'very well.' You shall invite also all of our own people to come as well, and I shall look for love among them also."

"But of course! How can we refuse our own people?" The Baron chuckled knowingly. He might as well allow Rhedros some fun, and he knew full well that Rhedros could not refuse the hand of every princess without endangering Auderel. However, Lord Doros was not the only one of the two who had kept secret his full plans

Ara

Archanan wiped the sweat of labor from his brow. The Sun was not as kind to the dwellers of the outer city than to those of the Houses of Knowledge. Archanan yeared to cross the tantalizingly small span of earth that lay between the forest and his family's farm, yet he had work to do. Ever since the death of his father and two brothers, it had been up to Archanan to provide for his grandmother, mother and five sisters. And when his grandmother and three of his sisters fell it, the need for the strength of a young man grew yet more still. Even more so now with the spreading of the sickness in his household. Archanan pulled harder at the heavy plow. If he was to journey to the Houses of Knowledge the next day, he must finish tilling the earth and sowing the seeds by sunset.

Before the Sun could reach his first fingers of light over the horizon, Archanan awoke. As he packed the trading fabrics into his sack, he gazed affectionately upon the dreaming faces of his family. Even in her sleep, his mother hugged her two healthy daughters with a fierce protectiveness, and her face did not lose entirely its worried frown. Grandmother Dolonoi

[stuff happens]

Archanan raced blindly through the forest.