Unfinished Stories

[RangerDeWood]

Well.. while I was searching through all my old stuff at my dad's house while on Christmas vacation I came across a lot of old DnD stuff. Among these were tow stories that I never finished, so I figured I put them here. One is your typical fantasy story, and the second is the second chapter (only one I could find ) of a futuristic one. Enjoy.

[RangerDeWood]

First Encounters

((I remember writing the first page's worth of this story, but saddly it's been lost, this picks up on the second page. The main character, Haustan, has just been saved from kidnappers by a dark figure who has introduced himself as Rhistel, a ranger.))

...his face mantled by shortly cropped brown hair. in the infrequent flashes of lightning Haustan could make out a scar on the right side of his rescuer's face that ran from the base of the jaw to just under his right eye. The boy accepts Rhistel's hand, a tear rolling down his face, and is helped to his feet. The two make their way to the driver's seat, carefully stepping over the corpse. Rhistel grabs a hold of the reins and Haustan stares out into the night. The rain has slowed to a steady drizzle, the full moon glistens between the drops, peeking through gaps in the disapating clouds. Rhistel lays the reins on his lap and removes his right glove, slowly, one finger at a time. Putting his forefinger and thumb into his mouth, he whistles loudly into the night. Seconds later a white speck can be seen against the bleak cloudy background. Haustan watches as the tiny speck grows closer and begins to take shape. Slowly, the dot forms into a hawk. Rhistel raises his forearm as a roost as the bird circles overhead.

"Ho, Faxus!" shouts Rhistel to the hawk.

The bird circles another time, wavering, waiting for the right moment to drop to his master. Suddenly, the bird drops like a stone, wings flat against its body. Haustan's eyes grow wide, his out agape, his heart begins to race as the hawk dives closer and faster through the failing rain. Moments before Faxus crashes into the wagon, he pulls up quickly and flutters down onto Rhistel's arm. Rhistel pulls a small something out of his pocket and feeds it to Faxus. teh hawk gobbles the bit of meat quickly and seems to smile as Rhistel pats him on the head. Quietly, the three sit there, not saying a word, for what seems like hourse until Haustan just can't take it anymore.

Head hung low, staring at his hands, the boy meekly pipes, "Why did you save me, Rhistel?" I mean, of all the places to be tonight... why were you here?"

"Calm down son," Rhistel replies in a melancholy tone, eyes watching the road ahead, "It's not as miraculous as you think. You see, I overheard those two guys at a tavern last night and decided to send Faxus here to follow them."

Rhistel pats Faxus on the head. The hawk lifts his head proudly and fluffs his chest. Rhistel smiles slightly and turns toward Haustan, moving the reins into one hand.

"Where were you headed son? And what's your name?"

The boy smiles meekly and replies, "My name is Haustan, and I was on my way to Candlekeep," his eyes drop and he turns toward the road, staring at his hand.

"Well, I was," the young man states, "until those bandits attacked this wagon and, well... here I am."

"Candlekeep, huh?" the ranger inquires curiously, "That's way over on the coast, isn't it? Lots of books?" Rhistel ponders his own question awhile, "Yeah, I know where that is. It's about 50 miles west of here."

He turns to the boy, "I could take you there if you want."

Haustan's eyes light up

((Here it abruptly ends))