The Beginning

As the rumble of the hoard grew closer and louder, a tall muscular man stood from the balcony of his castle's tower. Over looking the great city before him, he takes in what is likely to be the final moments of his home.

'Father?' A soft voice from behind calls out to him. He turns sees a young girl about four to five years of age, with beautiful blond hair like his own and a pure white one piece dress.

'Sythia, come.' His deep but somewhat soothing voice replies to his daughter's call. Sythia leaves the wall from which she was hiding behind and runs into her father's embrace.

'There there, all will be fine do not worry' Sythia snuggled againts his father's broad chest.

'What is happening father? Why is everyone running around?' The man gives his daughter a despairing look before answering.

'Don't worry it will pass but you and your mother must leave here'

'But why, can't we stay with you?'

'No, you cannot'

'But I want to stay!'

The man looks at her daughter with great sorrow in him. He looks as if he would break down any moment and start to cry. Suddenly the door to the room with the balcony is opened abruptly.

'Lord Zash, the hoard is near the men are ready on the walls.' What seemed to be a soldier walked into the room addressing the man as Lord Zash. He realises Zash was with his daughter and is made aware of his mistake. Zash gives the soldier stern look.

'Very well captain, have my armour and weapon ready and summon my wife.'

'Yes lord Zash' the soldier hurries off. Zash reluctantly puts down Sythia.

'Father whats a hoard?'

'It's nothing go on back to your room, and wait for your mother'. As he watches his daughter leave down the hall he turns in the opposite direction and begins to stride down the hall.