The Heir

(For a list of characters and history, see the discussion page.)

Chapter One: The Traders
In the kingdom of Armesia, northernmost of the kingdoms of man, there lived an aging fisherman named Jonas and his son, Ezra. They lived near the wharf of the prosperous port city of Certa, though they themselves were not so prosperous (fish were scarce this far north). Every day, Jonas would go out in his fishing boat and Ezra would stay home to mend the nets and cook and do other chores around their small hut. Then he would take Jonas' catch and sell it to Selom's market down the street.

One day, as Ezra was at Selom's market, he heard a group of traders coming down the street. He followed them as they stopped in at the local tavern, the Brown Bear. Ezra, having finished his chores for the day, sat down at a table nearby and listened to the stories the men told. "So anyway," said one, a rough-looking bearded man, "I was sneaking through the Arsam Pass, quietly as I could, but the goblins found me anyway. Suddenly, there was a whole horde of them surrounding the wagon!" He stopped and pounded the table for emphasis. "Luckily I had some of that new blasting powder in the wagon. I filled a couple of clay jars with it, then I used my lantern to light the fuses and I hurled 'em into the army! Let me tell you, those monsters scattered like cockroaches!" Ezra casually glanced over at the corner, and noticed a strange figure in the corner. He was cloaked and hooded, and had a long white beard. He saw the man's eyes from under his hood; and discovered that he was staring at him. Ezra attempted to avert his gaze.

"I've heard tale of a Phantom in these parts," said another trader. That got everyone's attention. "A Phantom?" asked a man incredulously. "There hasn't been any news of a Phantom in these parts for years!" He began to laugh, but the trader was serious. "I tell you, I even saw him myself. He had the most 'orrible appearance I ever did see!" His eyes bugged as he continued. "His eyes lacked any whites; they were completely black, as if there wasn't nothin' in 'em! His skin, if it was even skin, was pale and greenish, and I thought I could see his bones under it! He looked like a corpse, he did!" He looked around, but most of them waved him off. Ezra looked at the man in the corner again. The man nodded his head slowly. A trader sitting near Ezra leaned over and said, "That's old Kyle. Don't pay much attention to him; he joined up with our group awhile back. He seems fairly crazy to me."

Ezra continued watching the man for a little while, then turned back to the man telling the story. Another of the traders was questioning him. "Are you sure you saw this&mdash;this Phantom? They haven't been sighted around the Armesian Empire for centuries!" The trader nodded. "Mebbe so, but I saw him, I did! He was following our wagon for a good distance. Finally I stopped and tried to question him, but he was gone!" For a minute there was silence, then laughter broke out. "It was probably just some old fogey who wanted some entertainment," said another man. "Either that, or you're just inventin' a wild story, which is much more likely!"

Ezra decided it was a good time to leave, so he got up quietly and headed for the door. As he walked down the street, he glanced over his shoulder to see if he was being followed. It was empty, so, satisfied, he continued on to the wharf where he and Jonas' hut was located. He saw the fishing boat tied in with the others, meaning that the fisherman was home.

"Father," he said, opening the door, "I'm home! We made thirty-two circes [the Armesian currency, measured in gold coins] today. Selom really needed it!" The elderly fisherman looked up from where he was preparing a pot of fish stew. "Excellent work, son," he said. "You're home late. Did you happen to stop at the Brown Bear by chance?" Ezra nodded.

"There was a group of traders there. They came from way out east." Jonas looked up suddenly. "Was there anyone&mdash;er&mdash;unusual with them?"

"No," Ezra lied, "I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Why?"

"No reason," said Jonas. "Just being cautious is all."

Suddenly, there was a rap on the door. Ezra ventured to open it. There stood Kyle!

Chapter Two
Ezra stared in disbelief. How had this crazed old man managed to follow him? As if sensing the question, Kyle answered: "You're not observant enough, Ezra."

Ezra was shocked. "H-how do you know my name?" he asked shakily.

"I know all about you, Ezra," the old man replied. "Jonas," he said turning to the fisherman, "I believe you have something to tell this boy!"

Jonas nodded and took the stew to the table. He motioned for the two to sit. "It's a long story, but I'll try to put it in a nutshell. You see, you're the son of the assassinated King Elias!"