The council watches as the dark silhouettes appear in the distance of eleven visitors. The dark, wise eyes of Jub Jub peered at them as he pondered the test they must face. Without a word he got up and walked down the dark path to decide the fate for those of the visitors who wish to become part of the Brotherhood of the Circle of Fallen Spears.
After many a hour of visiting with the visitors Jub Jub returned.
“I have made a quest for you… now I will meet with the council to make sure we all agree on it.”
The council: Drufis, from the isle of brit, Banjor the Screech, the Jackal, Jameberwakey the WindleWookie, Jub Jub, Keeper of the stories, Mattathor, and Shule Bane of the House of Reckoning and Algalo, keeper of the darkness (who was currently absent in a battle with the dark spirits of the underworld) They met to decide what the test should be for the visitors who wish to become members. After many a hour of discussion the council had decided their conclusion. They armed the new comers with swords and shields. The crowd fell silent as Jub Jub spoke. “This is your quest: You must journey through the deepest, darkest fields and woods of the Wright land. First you must go The Valley of Shadows and through the Castle of Shadows. You must send your people through it one by one until they have all faced the perils of the darkness (shadow spirits). If you make it through that, then you must follow the road up to the field of Destitute.”
Suddenly the bold yet careless voice of Eric Laughlin interrupted “What about the whistlers?”
Hanging his head in shame Jub Jub replies, “Never speak of the whistlers again. Harsh luck it will bring if they are once again mentioned! Now as I was saying, you must follow the path into the field of destitute where… an ill fate awaits you. Follow the road through past the field and into the White Straits where you must walk ten feet apart in a single file… from there you must go into the Rolling Fields of Sadness where your final trial awaits.”
As soon as the last words were said the six members went to prepare the tests for the newcomers and Mattathor stayed behind to lead the not yet worthy of acceptance crowd through their challenge of faith.
At last the call came for them to depart from the warm comfort of the fire and face the trial. They walked down the dark… far ahead they could see the Castle of Shadows looming, imp like, out of the darkness. As they approached it they could hear faint whispers of the spirits. The small company stood outside as the eerie screech of the wind through the branches frightened the new comers. As the first victim (Eric Fesmire) cautiously, nervously knocked his sword upon the gate and stepped past into the castle the company fell into the silence like death. His heart beat faster as he followed the light of the doorway on the other side through the darkness. Every time one foot went in front of the other… he could feel his death getting closer. Suddenly a spirit flew out of the darkness. the brave lad got a glimpse of the infamous Hay Ba-al. The hideous spirit screamed and then fell back into the darkness, leaving him alone with an unseen terror lurking in the darkness, waiting to snatch him from the earth with one foul swoop and leave nothing of him but memories. In a frenzy he ran to the door, on the other side, but just as he was about to exit the dark figure of Drufis, from the isle of Brit, stepped into his path blocking his exit. He heaved with his nearly non-existent strength to bring his sword to fight but Drufis stopped his blow and said in a whisper “Be silent, and you are safe.” Drufis slowly lead him to The Jackal on the path, where they would find sanctuary until the rest of the company had faced the test.
One after another the newcomers passed the minute test of fear and a crowd of bravery, soon to be warriors, stood with Jackal in the path. After the last of the tested was led to the sanctuary Jackal and Drufis swept silently away into the castle of shadows leaving the company once again in danger. The brotherhood took off silently through the woods to prepare the next test for the people under trial.
The tested stood in a circle, once again overcome with fear pondering on the words of Drufis: “Be silent, elsewhere or your doom is near.” without any noise the company slowly walked down the path where the past of many a warriors seemed to torment their minds. The past of which many warriors fate was sealed into an eternal realm by doors made of metal five times stronger than steel.
The fear eaten men and women stood shivering in the cold of the night. To their despair Mattathor led them on the road through the forest until they reached the Field of Destitute. At this moment Caroline looked to the sky to see a shooting star fall gracefully through the clear sky, but this light moment was soon overpowered by the dreaded whistles shimmering through the field. They hovered in the air and sent relentless chills up the spines of the visitors. Then suddenly they could make out the dark figures of council charging them. They drew their swords and prepared to fight. Just as the two bodies of people met in battle two men, Drufis and Shule, leapt out of the woods to the left of the company and jumped unto the unsuspecting people. Nick, enraged at the growing chaos turned on Drufis like a Komodo dragon and with one well landed stroke cut part of the great warrior’s thumb off. The greatly enraged Drufis nearly fell to his instinct to slay the feeble Nick but he withdrew from the battle and retreated with the rest of the council into the White Straights where they would prepare yet another test for the tested.
The company chased the council down the road until the giant trees of the White Straights seemed to spring up out of the mist. The Brotherhood vanished into the dark path and left the company once again alone. They hesitated and then, in a single file, went one by one, ten feet apart, into the dark White Straights. As they followed the path through the dreaded forest their eyes ventured into the woods where yellow eyes watched them. At the growing suspense they drew their swords and continued to walk. Suddenly, as the company had expected, Shule and Jub Jub leapt out of the woods and attacked the company. Screeches from far down the path swept over the visitors as the rest of the Brotherhood charged down the path to join in the battle. The fight went on until Jub Jub and Shule finally found who they were looking for… Eric Fesmire, the coward. Shule wrestled him but suddenly a fire went into the soul of Eric the coward and gave him an unusual strength. He Whipped his sword and shield around wildly hitting Jub Jub in the face with the dull end. Finally after the unexpected struggle Jub Jub knocked him unconscious with the hilt of his sword. Blood ran down Eric’s face from the wound… the First Blood spilled of the company that night. Jub Jub picked the limp figure, never again to be known as Eric the coward, off of the ground and took him away from the battle as a captive. He ordered the rest of the council to fall back with him to the Rolling Fields of Sadness.
As they retreated Eric once again became conscious and began screaming for help from his fellow people. The company, driven by rage and the painful screams of Eric, charged down the White Straights with no more fear of eyes watching them, no more fear of the Whistlers, no more fear of the Brotherhood assaulting them, no more fear of a death by an unknown evil ready the rip them apart, just pure will and determination to save their captive brother. When they reached the Rolling Fields of Sadness, Mattathor went to join his Brotherhood and told the company to stand at the entrance for they were not yet permitted to enter. They could make out under the star light dark figures beating a man on the ground. Eric couldn’t get up or even move in this enchanted field for that is the effect of the Rolling feilds of sadness for those who are not free in there souls, will be captives of their souls. His pitiful screams reigned in the night dominating every other sound.
“Form ranks and prepare for battle!” Eric Laughlin yelled above Eric’s tortured screams.
The company drew their swords and yelled a battle cry but their chant was interrupted by the shout of the great Jub Jub. “Silence!” he yelled and all was quiet. Not a groan slipped from the throat of the tormented Eric Fesmire nor a cry of hate from the company.
“Your quest ends here.” said Jub Jub but suddenly the silence was broken by shouts from the crowd.
“Prepare to charge!” Eric’s voice broke out through the shouts.
“You do not want to do that.” Jub Jub spat and all was silent once again. “If you ever wish to see your friend again then you must do as I say.”
“What do you want?” Eric shouted at him.
“I require… the least of you.”
“How many?”
“Just one.”
There was a moment of silence and then the least was sent. When he drew near the council surrounded him and beat the youth to the ground. They then took him and threw him next to Eric to join in with his moaning chorus.
The Brotherhood reformed the line in front of the captives. Once again the company was rattled and ready to fight. But Jub Jub told them to stop if they ever wanted to see their friends again.
“What more do you want from me.” Eric cried out in rage at the cult leader.
“I require… the least of you.”
Again the least was sent and again the least was defeated and thrown into the pitiful heap of groaning, defeated warriors. The company was required to do this three times.
“No more!” Eric cried “We will no longer send our men away to their doom. We will face you as a whole.”
“You will not be accepted if you do not obey my commands! I require three of the least of you! No more and no less! Your quest is lost if you do not pass this field, and it will all be for nothing!”
“I will send you no more!”
“Then surly you are not one with the Brotherhood of the Circle of Fallen Spears!”
“I send you three.” Eric complied in defeat.
Again the company was defeated. One more set of three was sent and they were also defeated. Now only Nick and Eric stood as Jub Jub once again spoke.
“I require… the least of you.”
“No!” Eric screamed. “Many have I sent away to doom. I will send you no more! I have failed them all.”
“That is my command” Jub Jub snapped back.
“Well your command will not be met. We will face you together!”
“Well then you have failed. Turn back and return to your tribes. You are not worthy of the Brotherhood.”
Suddenly there was a cry and Nick came charging into the line. He engaged in a fight with Banjor but was brutally defeated.
“Come Eric… and face the Brotherhood.”
But he was only answered with sobs. “I have sent all of my men to their death. One by one, three by three, they were depleted under my command. I didn’t send the least of them, for I am the least of them. I should never have let Ben go, we should have stayed together surely I have failed! I am not worthy to fight you… just take me.” At this he dropped to his knees letting is sword fall to the dew softened grass.
“It would be wise to fight. Come!” commanded Jub Jub.
With a short hesitation Eric picked up his sword and charged. He knocked aside Banjor, The Jackle and Drufis and went right for Jub Jub. Jub Jub easily blocked the furious blows and with one stoke sent Eric sputtering to the ground. He picked himself and went again at Jub Jub but was knocked again into the mud by the dull end of the Keeper of the Stories blade. He was dragged over with the rest of his half conscious company and laid in the unforgiving soil.
As the all the prisoners looked up at Jub Jub he told them “None can live with out first being defeated. You are not all one with the brotherhood!” the magical bonds on the captives souls were released and fully healed from the many a battle. The overjoyed members ran unfearfully through all of the trials they had faced back to the warm fire, but to their surprise there had been made a bon fire thirty feet in height and a great She Behemoth roasting near it. After the great feast the council chose names for the new members. Here they are as follows:
Eric Laughlin; Erich the Unnamed,
Nick; Nicholas The Great Spartan Komodo,
Caroline; Caro the Fallen Star,
Adam; The Unpoisnable Apple,
Ben; the shadow keeper,
Josh; Jashuwa Plower of Men,
Faith Ann; The Iron Faith of the Reichenboch,
Phillip; Chain Clever,
Velek; Strong Blade,
Kyle; Kamelidon,
and Eric Fesmire; First Blood…..
Credits:
Drew Britt (Drufis): Author
Joey Wright (Banjor): Editor
Deborah Jones: Advertisement
"We would like to thank all of our fellow circle members for letting us write this! Big thanks to all of our readers for putting in the time to admire our work. We would also thank the Bush Administration… what they did for The Legend II… we do not know, but thanks anyway."
- Drew Britt | 
