chapter one Forrest Guardians

The Warlock Brethren

(c) 2008 Jessica Minor

By Jessica Minor

Far away in a reality much like our own were the warlock brethren. They were a brotherhood of magical warriors, spending their days and nights protecting the enchanted lands and everyone in it. There were four members to the warlocks, and they all worked well with each other. Daniel was the intellectual. If he didn't know something, he obsessed until he understood it completely. He would know things at random that amazed his friends. He had a good spirited nature about him. Daniel was tall and thin with shaggy sandy blonde hair and dark blue eyes. He used his wit to keep his life long pals out of trouble.

One of the brethren Richard, loved to meet trouble head on. He was the brute, the muscle of the warlock clan. He was big and strong, harboring the strength of three warriors of battle instead of just one. He loved the adrenaline rush of a fight, even a good old fashioned brawl. The next warlock is Jim who's a master warlock with spells and conjuring magic. Jim had studied magic through most of his life and still to this day. There were even a few he could perform in his sleep. Jim was average sized with a great sense of humor, dark wavy hair and light hazel eyes.

Our last of the warlocks is Yorku, very young compared to the others. He was a hard worker and very well educated in the ways of the gods. His magical talents were still forming from within. He had a strange connection with the forest, the animals and the magical races of people in the area. It was as if he had a kindred spirit with all of it. The four of them were protective warriors of the land. They kept the Nacandu forest secure and protected. The four of them enjoyed being the protectors of the forest. It seemed to suit each of them in their own special way. The Brethren would hold meetings far from the village along the edge of the darkest part of the forest. It was covered with swampland, dark trails through a thickening fog. Their last meeting had gone fairly well, no mishaps, all were safe for the time being.

On his morning stroll through the forest, Daniel was lost in his own mind. He hadn't noticed how far through town he had walked, or anyone else until he heard someone shout his name a few times. It had snapped his thoughts back to reality. He turned around and smiled.

"Richard, how are you? "

"Things are going well on this side of the forest, the gnomes and trolls were at it again, but no harm done." He informed his close friend.

"Is that all?" Daniel asked, chuckling about the gnomes. They fought with the trolls once a week, like feuding neighbors.

"There was a slight incident with the fairy princess, got stuck in the ancient maple tree again but otherwise no action." Replied Richard, looking slightly disappointed.

'That is good news, no action means no harm has been done."

"Where's Jim? I haven't seen him today." He inquired.

"He is on the other side of the forest picking herbs. Shall we walk through the forest?" Daniel asked with a smirk across his face.

"Sure, why not?" He replied.

The two of them proceeded to the village, just to make sure there wasn't anything going on. They had almost reached the village when Daniel asked Richard about their youngest of the warlocks.

"Im not sure, I haven't seen him all morning."

Once the two of them reached the center of the village they watched as people rushed in and out of the market, the shops and surrounding stores. People greeted each other like only a small community could. It was nice and peaceful. All seemed well for the village as well as the warlocks on a beautiful morning.

"Hello Daniel." Spoke a female voice as he spun around to see who the familiar sounding voice belonged to. He smiled at the young girl.

"Young Sara Beth how are you this morning?" He asked with a wink and smile spread across his face. She immediately began to blush a dark shade of crimson.

"I'm doing fine and you?" She asked in a shy nervous tone of voice.

"I'm doing just fine. It was good to see you again." Daniel replied as he and Richard headed off in the other direction. When they had gotten for enough away from the young girl Richard started laughing.

Daniel gave him a look of confusion. When Richard finally stopped laughing he looked over at his long time compadre.

"You really don't get it, do you?"

"What in the known universe are you taking about?" Daniel replied, more confused by the minute.

"For above average intelligence you sure are stupid when it comes to women." Richard told him flatly.

"Now I'm lost, what?"

"Sara Beth likes you. That's why her face turns deep red whenever she sees you." He explained.

By the look on Daniels face, he knew the information had finally sunk in. Richard just shook his head. They circled the village a few times and found nothing out of the ordinary when Daniel spoke up.

"Why don't we go to the pub? All seems to be well with the village."

" You don't have to ask me twice." The other warlock replied and the two headed for Smitty's pub. The closer they got the more they could hear drinking laughter and merriment coming from the tavern. As they opened the creaky wood door they could see there were more than a few patrons. Right away they recognized Tommy and Bill, they were hard working guys who came in on occasion. The two looked like they just pulled an eighteen hour shift at the lumber yard again. Richard went up to the barkeep and grabbed a pint for both of them as Daniel found a nice booth in the corner. They took a gulp of the lager and then Daniel turned around and thought he recognized someone.

"Hey is that our buddy over there completely drunk?"

"Yes it's Yorku. Let him have his fun, it'll hurt tomorrow." Richard commented as he took another sip of the pint. They were enjoying seeing some of their friends and villagers coming in and out of the pub. The large wooden door swung open and a few more people came in, crowding the place.

"Hey guys mind if I sit a spell?" Jim joked over the noise of the crowd escalating behind him.

"So long as you save those horrid jokes for after we get a few pints down you." Richard teased his fellow brethren. He loved to mess with everybody, especially Jim.

"I'll return in a minute." Jim told them as he went to get a drink for them. He waited as the bar keep ran frantic taking orders. He then grabbed the pints and headed back to the table. He sat there having a good time when he looked and saw a small drunken man slumped in a corner.

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