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]

Smallish update.

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As the sun set, Garren walked over with a worried expression. “My prince, should you really be doing this?”

Warrick’s face split into a grin as he slapped my back. I staggered under the blow, exhaustion causing me to falter slightly. “Torrin here is learning how to be a man, Garren! A little hard work now and then does a boy good. Isn’t that right, Torrin?”

I smiled slightly at him before replying, “If you say so, Warrick.”

“But I do, Torrin, but I do! Come, let’s wash up and get something to eat!”

I nodded as I set down the tools and followed him into the barracks to clean up before sitting down to a quiet dinner. We turned in shortly after dinner.

My sleep was dreamless and short as the sun soon rose over the mountains behind the beach and shown through my window. I propped an eye open as a fist pounded on the door and Warrick’s booming voice filled my room. “Time to rise, Torrin, the wall is not going to build itself!” I mumbled that I would be out soon as I rose from the bed and prepared for a new day of working. Breakfast was eaten in silence before we again started work on the East wall.

We worked on the East wall for a little over a week until it was finished and our compound secure. On the eve of our finishing, we held a banquet and ate to the memory of our fallen. Our revelry was interrupted by a brilliant flash of light followed by a large bang. The Ra Gada instantly sprung to life, unsheathing swords and hefting shields as Orcs upon Orcs poured into the courtyard. I heard Warrick shout for me to get down as he thrust his blade into the neck of an attacking Orc. As it fell, it pulled Warrick down with it. He let go of the blade rolled as he hit the ground, but he was stopped by the legs of another Orc, battle axe poised to strike. I thrust my sword through its spine and out its chest, pushing it to the side as I did so. I jerked my sword free and held out a hand for Warrick. “Remember, Warrick, I may not always be there to watch your back” I said with a wink. He laughed and sprung to his feet before retrieving his sword. “Don’t get cocky, boy, you merely go lucky. Now, how about we take are of these motherless sons of Sep?”