Episode 1: The Trial of Akorrin (Part 1 of 6)

Episode 1: The Trial of Akorinn

Our story begins in the coastal town of Illias Upon the Sea, located on the southeastern coast of the island, Murrad. This town is home to two young townsfolk, who while different in many ways share a common bond: they both wish to be great intrepid heroes of our world. Little do they know that today, their journey to becoming adventurers in the realm of Heroism and Magic truly begins . . .

Locke stands in the middle of the bustling Merchant's Circle on a busy, sunny morning. His eyes scan the many people traveling around the Market stalls as he waits for his training partner, Lilanei.

"Where is she?" Locke asks, slightly annoyed. "She's late. She's usually never late; she's usually the responsible one—"

Before he can finish his sentence, a sudden puff of sparks explodes in front of his face. Shocked, he turns and sees Lil, standing with her arms folded over her chest.

"I heard that!" She bellowed.

"Well, excuse me!" Locke spits back. "When you tell me to meet at a certain time and I'm late, you always get on my Dragons' Tail!"

"Well, at least when I'm late, it's because I'm actually doing something productive, you dolt!" She cries.

Locke simply kicks the dirt beneath his feet, "So, what are we meeting for anyway?"

"Don't you remember, or are you hungover as always? We're supposed to be meeting Akorinn in a few minutes."

"Oh yeah!" Locke replies. "Where is the old lizard, anyway?"

"Where do you think?"

"Well, he's not here," Locke answers.

"Well, obviously(!)"

"He's right here," A gruff voice breaks out from the crowd.

With a big smile, Lil turns to Akorinn and innocently she says, "Oh, Master – just in time!"

"Hmm," Akorinn growls under his breath, causing Lil to gulp nervously. "You're both late," He sternly says.

"Late!" Locke cries. "I wasn't late; I was right here waiting for—"

Before Locke can finish, Lil elbows him in the ribs, "Anyway. . . "

"You were both supposed meet me at the Hall," Akorinn bellows. "Now come along; we have things to discuss."

Akorinn walks forth, with his students a constant two paces behind him in a show of respect. It takes the group 30 minutes to arrive at Akorinn's Hall, a medium-sized stone building with the interior resembling a Feudal Japanese training Dojo.

"Take a knee," Akorinn orders to his two students – to which Lil, gracefully as always, slowly kneels. Locke jumps and lands on a knee also. Akorinn simply looks down his snout at his students.

"How long have I been coaching you?" He asks to the pair.

"10 years!" Locke pipes up, expecting praise, to which Akorinn shakes his head, while Lil offers Locke a fiery glare.

"Correct," Akorinn replies. "It's been 10 long years, and I feel I have taught you everything I can. . ."

Lil looks on in surprise as Akorinn continues, "I know you both wish to be great Heroes. I feel your time is near."

"Yes!" Locke cries, receiving another stony glare from Lil.

"Shut up!" She whispers. Akorinn ignores them and carries on.

"Yes indeed. I feel I have taught you everything that I can in the confines of this town. To gain more experience, grow as adventurers, and become heroes you must realize there is more to this world than just this town. If your hearts are truly set on becoming heroes, I have a trial for you both."

"What's that then?" Locke asks.

"Deep within the Thorny Grove," Akorinn begins, "there is an abandoned mansion that no one dares approach for it is a stronghold to a band of treacherous Orcs. Unbeknownst to you two, they sometimes pillage the miners while on their way back home from the mines."

"How can we not know about that?"

"Yeah, isn't your dad a miner, Locke?" Lil asks.

"The reason you two don't know about it, is because victims never come back to the town alive!" Akorinn hisses.

Lil gulps once again, twiddling her fingers on her lap as she stares down at her knees.

"I have watched these Orcs, not yet confronting them. But last night, I followed them back to their lair – the Mansion! If you two wish to prove to me you have the mettle to become heroes, I want you to go to the Mansion, slay the Orcs, and return home with the goods they stole from their victims."

"Is that all?" Locke asks. "Sounds a bit easy."

Lil flicks him across the forehead, frowning angrily and asking, "Don't you ever shut up?"

"What?" Locke asks, rubbing his head. "It's easy for us, because we have such a great teacher!"

Akorinn simply growls under his breath. Lil also grumbles, "Teacher's pet. . ."

"Enough!" Akorinn roars. "Despite my teachings, Orcs are dangerous creatures, plus you don't know who or what collaborates with them! Head to their mansion, but heed caution and tap into all I have taught you. If you go into this ignorant, I fear you may never make it back. But if you don't, then you were never destined to be heroes, were you? So. . . You have nothing to say, Lil?"

Still on her knees, she bows as deeply as she can, "We'll do it."

Through Akorinn's deep frown, there comes a small smile at the corner of his lips, "Excellent. I knew you had the spirit! Go now, and come back restoring honour to the memories of the fallen miners of your town!"

"Horrah!" Locke cries, pumping his fist triumphantly in the air. "Let's do it!"