Blood Crest: So the Journey Begins

By Victoria N. Vance

Zorovana is an elf from Valasadona city ruled by evil Blood Guardians. For many years, Zorovanas family has sought to destroy the Blood Crest Dagger imprisoned inside a great temple, for it holds the power to kill every living being in the universe. Zorovana is her familys last hope. She must find and destroy the dagger, but she cannot do it alone. As she embarks on a journey to Armagon to find the only one who can help herher long-time friend KaitharZorovana realizes that she is the only elf who has ever escaped from Valasadon.

Kaithar is convinced that the journey to destroy the dagger will put both elves in extreme danger. But Zorovana is relentless and determined; after she finally persuades Kaithar to accompany her, they leave on a mission that has the potential to eliminate the Blood Guardians and bring back control of the cities to its citizens.

As the elves begin their long journey to the sanctum high in the mountains, they travel through forests full of trolls and hidden goblin citiesand unknowingly place themselves into the deathly grip of the Blood Guardians, who will stop at nothing to protect their powerful weapon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Dec 30, 2010
• ISBN: 9781426949357

Victoria N. Vance

Victoria Vance is inspired by movies and games when she writes. She attends high school near Santa Clarita, California. This is her first book.

Book preview

Chapter 1:

Everyone has something in their mind they’d like to escape to, but in this place, the one goal in anyone’s mind is to get the Blood Crest Dagger imprisoned deep inside the Great Temple of the Blood Sanctum. People want this item because it holds great power that could destroy every living being in the universe.

My family, for as long as it has been known, has been trying to get this item. But to get any chance of getting the Blood Crest, I myself must surpass the Blood Guardians of the temple. These Blood Guardians are undead creatures controlled by the dagger’s power to protect it.

My name is Zorovana I am an elf from the city of Valasadon, now ruled over by the Blood Guardians. My family and others like me are imprisoned within that city. So far, I am the only elf known from Valasadon who has escaped.

To stop all this madness I must obtain and destroy that dagger, but I can’t do it alone, I must find someone to assist me on this journey. There is one person I know who can help, but he is in another city, the city of Aramagon, Kaithar.

Chapter 2:

Approaching Aramagon, the city’s guards had stopped me before I entered. The guard had placed his sword before me. Halt. What business have you?

This was one of the few cities that haven’t been over run by Blood Guards, the security of the city has been a lot tighter in case a spy had to try and infiltrate this place. I just need to find someone, sir. Then I’ll take my leave. Suspiciously, the guard had looked at me. Who may you be looking for, miss?

Just Kaithar, do you know if he is here? The guard paused, thinking. You may enter, but once your business is complete be sure you notify your leave to me, we don’t need a spy walking about, and if you’re one of them I’ll be sure you’re killed on the spot.

Yes sir.

The guard had pulled back his sword, letting me pass. Wondering, I walked towards the blacksmith once I’d reached it, I entered, and then I saw an old buddy. Zorovana? Is that you? Urity approached me.

Urity was also an elf like I am, she had light skin, white eyes, and she was maybe one of the shortest elves I know. She had placed her gloves and work supplies down on a table. Yeah it’s me. Do you know where Kaithar may be? She turned around then back at me. Yeah he’s out back still, would you like me to get him for you. I nodded, Yes, please. Urity walked away, leaving me back in the main room, looking around I remembered all the good times I had here as a child with Urity and Kaithar. Everything seemed to be perfect back then; now greed for power has consumed most people.

I heard the back door close. Urity walked in, Kaithar followed. Kaithar’s skin was a little darker than Urity’s, he was pretty tall compared to both Urity and I, he had medium length, nearly white hair and his eyes were as white as snow.

Kaithar? I said. He had blankly stared at me for a second, and then he leaped out to me, hugging me. I thought you were trapped in Valasadon! How did you get out of there? Kaithar let go of me, waiting for me to talk. Well. I paused, I couldn’t seem to remember how I got out, I don’t know how I got out, I just remember waking up outside Valasadon, and I saw Blood Guards everywhere. When I woke up, I was along side the river behind the city, someone must have gotten me out, but going down the river I might have it my head, because I don’t remember much of anything. I paused. Kaithar? I suddenly looked down, I need your help. He looked at me curiously. With what? All I could do was look at him straight at his eyes and he knew. You don’t mean? I nodded, I need you help getting the Blood Crest Dagger, I can’t do it alone and you’re the only person who would even consider helping me do it. We need to find it, and destroy it. He raised his voice slightly, That’s a suicide mission!

No, I know we can do it, I know it! If we destroy the dagger, the Blood Guards will disappear and the cities that are under their control will be given back to us. Urity walked away, I’ll be in the back if you two need me.

Zorovana . . . You know I’d do anything if you asked me to, but are you sure you want to do this? You very well know we could both be killed, correct?

Yes, I know, but it’s worth it isn’t it? If we are successful we’ll set the valley free again. He sighed, Yes. He paused. So you are serious about this? I nodded. Yes.

Alright then, we’ll head out towards the Blood Sanctum tomorrow, but it won’t be easy, we’ll prepare a few things tonight and leave after the town is asleep, before they wake. We’ll have to go through the underground tunnel so the guards don’t see us.

Can I leave a message for a guard outside? Kaithar looked at me curiously. Why? Oh, did one of the guards accuse you of being a spy? I nodded, Yup.

Oh don’t worry about it, okay?

Alright, I’m going to go get Urity I left the room and went to the back and looked around for her, You guys done?

Yes, for now. Urity and I walked back inside; Kaithar was sitting in the middle of the room thinking to himself.

Urity, you can’t tell anyone either of our ware bouts, don’t tell anyone what we’re planning, where we’re going, nothing. I know I can trust you to keep us safe about this city.

She nodded and was silent, Kaithar stood up, and then Urity went upstairs and was quiet the rest of the night. We need to get supplies together.

Alright, what weapons do you have here? They will be useful on this trip.

Well what do you have in mind? I stood there and thought for a moment, I’m good with daggers. Kaithar smiled at me, turned around, walked forward and opened a closet full of daggers.

Daggers were his specialty as well so he had quite a few put away for him to use. Choose your pick. Kaithar said. I stared, surprised at how many different styles he had in here, I was amazed, and impressed. I walked up and looked through, I had chose two simple daggers, they didn’t look as cool as some others in that closet but they’re stronger than the ones with designs all over them. Kaithar had also grabbed two, and then he closed the closet and locked it up. He had also grabbed some food supplies and put it with the daggers, as well as extra money. Then he took everything to the back of the room, and we went through it all.

He gave me a bow, arrows, a quiver, boots, and a few other things. Then he had gone into his room and grabbed his own set. I’m glad he’s a blacksmith! But I’m also surprised all this stuff he gave me fit me, and I’m damn well glad I learned how to use a bow years ago. Everything was packed up for the time being. Get some rest. Kaithar said. What about you, aren’t you going to get some rest to before we leave?

Don’t worry I’ll be sure to get some rest tonight. I nodded, he left me in his room, I lay down on his bed I closed my eyes and I drifted off. Soon after, half conscious, I felt someone lay beside me, I felt a warm touch along the side of my face, and a whisper, I promise to protect you no matter what happens on this journey. The warm touch left my face and I was suddenly asleep.

Chapter 3:

It was three in the morning, everyone was asleep. Kaithar had awoken me, Get your things together we must head out. I nodded, sat up, and grabbed all of my belongings.

You know how to ride a Shadow Horse right?

Yeah, you have one of those horses? How did you get it? Kaithar just smiled at me and said, I have my ways.

He does, he always seems to surprise me with anything and all he can say is, I have my ways But hey, I don’t need to question it if it’s helpful!

When we got outside, I had seen two Shadow Horses. These horses were very dark, but they were probably the fastest steed you could find anywhere around here.

Their manes were blackened and waved as if it was black fire and their eyes had looked a red hot furnace.

Kaithar had put my things on the horse he said to be mine, and he put his belongings on his horse. He picked me up and put me on my horse then he got onto his. Last chance Zora, are you sure you still want to do this?

Yeah, I’m all on this. No turning back. I smiled and looked at Kaithar. We quietly headed back towards the tunnel leading out of the city, once we got there we opened the latched door and brought us and our steeds down, closed the latches and headed on out. After we left the city grounds, we headed out to the Blood Sanctum.

The Sanctum is a few days away on a horse, about a week or two by foot. This place we’re headed to is surrounded by mountain ranges. It’s a really hard place to find, and those who have found it, died soon after. We’re assuming that because those who were sent were never seen again.

After about an hour or so, we came across another city. What city is this? Kaithar looked at the city. I’m not sure, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this place before. I looked at him then the city. You want to go check it out? He nodded and we both rode towards the abandoned city.

We had arrived at the main gate of this place and then it opened on its own. I looked at the inside of what I could see, and then I saw something. Don’t move. Kaithar stared at me, I looked at him and whispered, There are Blood Guards in there, I saw one pass by but I didn’t see where it went after. I heard footsteps and swiftly gripped my dagger and Kaithar grabbed his as well, seeing as I took mine. I looked behind Kaithar Look out!

Kaithar looked behind him and the Shadow Horse ran, Kaithar and I had jumped off of our horses and faced what came before us.

This is our first fight against a Blood Guard. The Blood Guard was silent, sword and shield at hand. The Guard had charged at Kaithar he yelled, Get it down and crush its skull!

Kaithar defended himself as best as he could with this undead creature chasing him. I pulled out my bow and aimed for the undead creature’s head, I fired. Inches away from its skull, the creature turned itself and held up its shield, breaking the arrow. Kaithar charged back about to strike the Blood Guard, it turned itself at shocking speeds and it had forced Kaithar to the ground head first, knocking him unconscious. Again I had tried to shoot the creature’s head but I missed and hit its arm, the creature turning around as I yelled, Don’t touch him you monster!

Next thing I knew the creature was right in front of me, ready to strike, with my daggers at hand, I foolishly went after the monster. Dodging each blow from the Blood Guard I went and attempted to slash the skull, I’d been thrown to the ground and the Guard had put its foot onto my chest.

Thinking I was going to die, the Blood Guard had fallen to its knees, with an arrow in the back of its skull, I got up as fast as I could, knocked it over to the ground, and I stomped on its skull, shattering it to pieces. After I realized it was Kaithar who had shot the arrow, I fell back to my knees catching my breath after being thrown down.

Kaithar helped me up. Don’t you ever do that again. Never charge a Blood Guard straight up how I did. You’re just lucky I got up in time.

I’m sorry I just didn’t want him hurting you. He sighed. I understand that but please, I don’t want anything bad happening to you. I lightly jumped on him, and hugged him. Not letting