Darkened Nightmares:
Dreams of Despair
Chapter One

“Nooooooo, let goooooo!” Wailed the young Tenchev boy, wrestling- Or trying to- a black stuffed cat from his little brother, who simply was not giving in. Kercien glared at the silver-haired head beneath him, mismatched eyes filling with distaste as the small set of fangs clamped onto the lifeless animal’s paw.

“EW! LET GO!” He shouted, shaking violently. With a soft plop, little Aurul, who was less that three years old, detached from the feline and  landed on his rear, promptly bursting into tears. Kercien gave a sigh of aggravation, brushing his midnight bangs out of his eyes, backing up. He didn’t back away very far, as he seemed to have met something rather solid. He looked up, red-and-black eyes being held by the disapproving glare of his father.

He was a tall man, or at least compared to the boy, he was. His arms were crossed over the simple shirt he wore, dark hair combed back, and bound in a short tail. A medallion rested on his chest- Not too thin, nor too broad- made of gold, the Tenchev family crest etched into it, dangling from a strip of black leather. Kercien could have sworn that those coal-black eyes were boring into his very soul.

“If I may be so bold as to ask…?”

“I…. Aurul… He tried to steal Rezilue, and he bit him. He’s j-“

“He’s too young to know any better, and you know it.”

“But…”

“No buts or it’ll be yours at stake.” At that, Kercien paled, edging away from his father as he knelt to pick up the still-bawling toddler. He quieted almost instantly, attention torn from his failure to secure ‘Rezilue’, and turned to the medallion. Freirin chuckled lightly, expression softening.

“Like that, do you? I should hope so. It’s yours as much as mine.” Holding Aurul with one arm, he took the piece from around his neck, placing it carefully around the much smaller one. It was instantly snatched up by chubby little hands and shoved in a mouth.

“Aren’t we forgetting something?” Freirin asked, prodding Aurul’s nose.

“Fnnnnk vooo Pmmmpmm.” Came the muffled reply.

“Good boy.” He praised, strolling over to a chair, seating himself. “That’s yours now, you know. Your big brother’s going to get something, too.”

“I am?” Kercien had not yet left, and was staring, feline in hand.

“Of c-“ Freirin was interrupted by a rapping at the door.

“No need to get up, Dearest.” A female voice called. The mother of the brothers flashed into view for a split second, silvery hair fluttering as she moved, golden eyes gleaming slightly. Aurul looked quite like her.

Silacia opened the door, blinking as her gaze roved over the two visitors. One was a slight man, cold blue eyes fixed on her, his dark hair slicked back, tucked behind a pointed ear on one side. The other was much taller, his shaggy black hair falling into his dull yellow eyes. He looked rather bored, though now and then he adjusted the large claymore on his back, seeming to juggle the lupine pup that he had in one arm.

“Good evening,” The more tidy man greeted, bowing. “I am Kyrus Dyran, and this is my traveling partn-

“Let’s just get this bloody over with.” The taller man growled, voice heavy with a British accent.

TO BE CONTINUED!