A notice

2005-10-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

This story is set in an alternate world, where technology such as guns exist, but transport, buildings and just the way of life are still more reminiscent of the medievil periods.
If you wish to skip to a chapter, just press Ctrl+F and type Chapter x, where x is the chapter number you want to read.
Lachlan Stevens

The Story

2005-10-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Prologue
The Man sat in wait as the doctor saw his wife. He felt a nervous sensation that something was terribly wrong with the woman that he loved. They had met 5 years ago at the wharf, at the gunsmith's hut, and that day he had made his finest weapon ever.

He had named it after her. And what a great weapon it had been to her. He nervously rubbed the holster of his Tanczos EF. It was only the 4th make of pistol he had designed. All his pistols bore his last name, it was the brand everyone in the kingdom of Steadlia had grown to trust in recent times. And the recent times were cold and bloody, ever since Steadlia began fighting the neighbouring kingdom of protonia.

The tall, wise doctor greeted him. 'John, I'm afraid It doesn't look good for Elizabeth. She only has a few months left. She appears to have contracted a strange disease, usually only seen in protonia. It is a rare for any of us to get this disease, but it seems that she has contracted due to something. Mr Tanczos, Elizabeth is pregnant.'
John searched his thoughts. She was bearing his child, but she was dying of an unknown disease. He shut his eyes for a moment, and tried to gather his thoughts. As his eyes opened a tear dripped down his face. 'Can we do anything for her at all? Please, you have to tell me something can heal her, please,' He choked back tears as he pleaded with the doctor.
'Well, it's a long shot, but if you go to our capital, Sedia. There is a man there who may be able to make a potion for you to give to Elizabeth. I, however, am not sure if this may even help her.'
'I'm willing to do anything for her. Even if it is in vain.' John stood up and walked into the room in which his wife lay unconscious. He gazed into her eyes. They were a beautiful blue. He walked closer, and sat beside on the bed. He stroked her forehead, and kissed her on the forehead. He stood up, took his coat from the corner of the room, threw some clothes into a bag haphazardly and began to walk towards the door. As he left, the doctor silently handed him a note. They left the house together, and he handed over his keys to the doctor. 'Take cake of her, Henry.' John whispered to the doctor, and climbed on his horse. The doctor nodded back. Then John began riding.

Chapter 1: Three Weeks Later...
'Finally, I'm here. It's Sedia. What a wonderful place.' John silently said to himself as his horse sauntered into the huge city. It was bustling, as with many merchants traveling through, it was an ideal stop and trade before continuing towards the outer cities of the kingdom. He quickly took a look at the letter that Elizabeth's doctor had given to him back at home. He opened it, and quick read it. He placed it back in his backpack, dismounted his horse, and walked to a cheap looking stable. He cleared his throat and began talking, 'Good sir, I'll pay you 47 dezen for the care of this horse, I sharn't be long at all.' The younger man grunted in return and took the horse. John then blindly walked through the city, not sure where to go and how to get there. He saw a passing patrol of soldiers, and decided to stop them and ask for directions. 'Hey Fellas, do you know where I can get to Dr Drexler's house?' One of the group turned, flinched, and punched the other two guards.
'My God, are you John Tanczos!? It is you isn't it? We here at the Sedia defense force use weapons made by you. Infact, your EF pistol is now our firearm of choice. It's light weight build and quick reload speed is great.' As one member of the squad talked, John pulled out his EF. It had gold detailing on it, unlike any of the other pistols he had ever made in his lifetime. The small group of soldiers gasped at the sight. The squad leader pointed towards a large hut. John put his weapon away and started walking towards it.

As he stepped inside, he was greeted by a wise looking man. He sported a patch on the side of his face. This must be Dr. Drexler. 'Hello there!' The man said.
'Morning, doctor. I have news from the town of tessua, from which I come. My name is John Tanczos, and my wife is ill, off a disease only found in the evil country of protonia usually. Dr Henry sent me to see if you could make something that my dear wife elizabeth could take to improve her condition.'
'How is Henry, anyway?'
'He is fine, sir. He sends his regards'
'Very well then. Now, I know many of the diseases present in the Protonian land. Do you have the name of this disease?'
'It is called Sleeping Death'
'Yes, I know much about this disease, it is serious if left untreated. I can mix up a solution of herbs, however, there will be a price...'
'I have the money here.' John then handed over a handful of coins to Dr Drexler. The wise man poked through the coins, nodded to himself and walked over to a cabinet. He pulled out several jars. John eyed him as he did so. Drexler led him outside, where a small fire was already burning, with a small pot atop. Drexler added a few cups of water, and began mixing in herbs. John watched carefully, but was distracted by a young man attempting to smith a small pistol. He was failing miserably. John walked across th street to meet him. 'Son, you are going about smithing the wrong way,'
The young man looked alarmed, but stopped to listen to John's advice. 'How else can I do it, then?'
'Wrap this piece around the side of the anvil, hit there, not in the middle. It will come out much better.'
The young man nodded at this and continued.

A duo of horse riders stormed into the town. One was wounded, the other riding behind to protect him. 'The Protonians have come to our very doorstep! How could they do such a thing! They are not far behind us, we must scramble our troops to meet this offensive!'
John turned to Drexler, 'Dr, I must be off now. I must be back home before the protonians can intercept me.'
'Please, call me Josef' Was the reply, as the doctor handed John a few small bottles of potion, 'Fly, now!' At this, John ran to the stable, threw the man the money that he had been promised, and mounted the horse, and left the city as fast he could.

The Wartime Chronicles: Contemporary Motives

A notice

The Story