The Saga of Torrin Options

[Jac]

I wrote this for a mod I'm working on and would like some feedback if possible. It's short because it was meant to be a single book, but I'll add to it if anybody thinks there should be more. For that, I would need ideas, though. Thanks.

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The sun beat down on us as the waves crashed against our ship. I stood on the deck next to Warrick as he stared out across the ocean with his good eye, the other long since scarred shut from an old wound. He stood with his arms crossed against his bare chest, his bald head glistening with sweat and sea spray.

He smiled as he turned to me and spoke in that booming voice of his: “Soon, boy. Soon we shall see Hammerfell, our new home! Those spineless Hiradirge cannot take that away from us. Your father will be proud!”

I nodded at his words, wiping the salt spray from my face and hair. I checked the long sword on my back, ensuring it was loose in its scabbard. I looked over the horizon, trying to catch a glimpse of our new home. I had heard stories of Hammerfell, of the Orsimer and other savage beasts that populated the land. A Ra’Gada had been called; we were to show those beasts what a Redguard was made of. I knew this was my only chance to prove to my father that I was ready to be a man like my brother.

Warrick smacked me on the back, laughing. “Snap out of it, boy! You’ll have plenty of time for reflection after the battle is won. Unsheathe your sword; it’s time for another drill.”

I unsheathed my sword and backed away from Warrick, watching his every move. He laughed as he drew a large claymore before raising it to a guard position, his face going blank. We circled each other, trying to find a weakness in the other’s guard. The rocking of the ship caused me to slip slightly, but I didn’t want Warrick to notice that I had yet to master fighting aboard a ship. His eye told me he had as he lunged for me. I barely got my shield up in time to deflect his blow, but his elbow caught me in the jaw as he slid past. Though the blow was not very hard, it still staggered me. I shook my head as I recovered. Warrick stared hard at me. “Remember, Torrin that your whole body can be a weapon, not just the piece of steel you hold in your hands. If I had wanted to, I could have knocked you out and gutted you like a fish.” He raised his sword into a guard position. “Again.”

I grunted as I shook off the pain and raised my sword, standing ready for his next assault. We sparred until the sun lowered under the horizon and the stars blanketed the sky. Warrick called for a halt and sheathed his weapon. “You did good, boy, we may just make a warrior out of you yet!” He laughed and slapped me on the back, pushing me towards my cabin. “Go get cleaned up, Torrin, you have a busy day tomorrow.” I nodded and mumbled a “yes, sir” before staggering to my cabin on legs that barely kept me upright. I quickly washed and undressed, sinking gratefully into a soft bed. Soon I knew no more as sleep overtook me.

The morning came too quickly as I awoke to the sound of Warrick banging on my door. The wood shook under the force of his fists as his muffled voice filled my cabin. “Torrin! Get up, Torrin! We’re almost to Hammerfell and you still have much to learn!” I sighed and quickly dressed. I opened to door to Warrick’s beaming face. “Ah, so the prodigal son decides to grace us with his presence, does he? Get something to eat, Torrin, and then meet me on deck before the sun moves an inch in the sky.”

[Jac]

Thanks, Kiln.

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Warrick turned around and led me away from the beach. We stopped at a clearing about a hundred paces away. Timber littered the area and a hundred men or so were busy moving and setting the logs. Warrick led me down to where a large man was bent over a table reading plans and barking out orders to those around him. He looked up at us as we approached and saluted, fist over heart. In a deep voice, he addressed us “Welcome, my prince and welcome, Warrick. I would have thought you two would be overseeing the battlegrounds.”

Warrick’s face split into that huge grin of his before he replied, slapping my back and causing me to stumble slightly. “We would, Garren, but his highness requested that his son learn all there is to know about our people so he’s here to work!”

Garren looked at Warrick, then at me before returning to Warrick. “Work, you say? Are you sure about that, Warrick? I mean-“

Warrick cut off his words with a stern glare. “I meant what I said, Garren. Torrin is going to learn the ways of our people and this is a good way to do so. So, what do you want us to do?”

Garren looked at me warily before gesturing us over. He pointed at the plans and said “I need the post holes dug for the East wall before we can erect the fencing.”

“Good, good! Well, Torrin, let’s go dig some holes!”

I rolled my eyes and smiled at Garren as we gathered the shovels and started towards where the East wall would be. I looked up at Warrick and asked “Warrick, how is this going to help me become a better ruler?”

He looked down at me. “It’s simple, Torrin. Those you lead must know that you are willing to do anything that you ask of them. Would you dig a hole for a man who wouldn’t do it himself?”

“Well, no.”

“Then why should others do the same for you? You rule at the sufferance of our people, Torrin, don’t ever forget that. Also, this will help you hone your body into a better weapon, one that will serve you well in the coming battles.”

“Do you think the Orcs will attack us again?”

“Of course they will. Those motherless sons of Sep would be foolish not to. No matter, we beat them once and we’ll do so again.”

I nodded as we stopped by the first hole to be dug. The day was hot and stayed that way up until the evening. Sweat poured off of our bodies as we dug holes, stopping only for brief periods of time to rest and drink water.