The Legend of Mjornia

By Joshua Jackson

Our journey begins in a mystical realm called Mjornia. It lies in the darkest, farthest, most forgotten corner of existence just between the imagination and reality. Yet it violently flourishes with life. It is a plane of existence where thoughts, emotions, and even consciousness can affect the physical world and manifest around you whether you are aware of its presence or not. It is overflowing with magic, enchantment, and sheer fantasy around every turn and where, in some areas, nothing imaginable is impossible. While lush green forests and hills are the dominant nature for the most part, there are several places in Mjornia that are not so fortunateplaces that are beyond the reaches of what is considered safe and habitable lands like the swamps and marshes of Morvoria. Anyone that foolishly wandered in or around that place is neither seen nor heard from again. Then there is the far northeastern Kjolferdorn mountains. Beaten weekly with snowstorms, it is also home to some of the deepest ravines and crevices in all Mjornia. It has openings that stretched deep beneath the surface where numerous large caverns lie. Some stretched on for miles where none dare tread. Others led to ruined underground fortresses made entirely from clear quartz crystals along with other precious gems and minerals. Relics were formed by the most skilled enchanters and crafters in Mjornias ancient past. No matter where you find yourself in Mjornia, magic is inescapable, and the allure of such a place mesmerizes you with beauty and wonder. But for now, our story starts simple. It begins with the most innocent form in all Mjorniaa child. However, in this case, its actually several children who must discover their purpose and how it affects everything that exists in this realm, before all is lost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984525550

Joshua Jackson

Joshua jackson was born and raised in the heart of the apalachian mountains. He was born handicapped, with several physical deformities including severed fingers on his right hand and scars around his ankles that prevented them from growing any larger than that of a small child. However, rather than use these as a crutch, he instead looked at these obstacles as oppurtunities to learn how to overcome the many problems and adversities that we all face in life.Which is why one of the main themes of this book is "What doesn't kill you, simply makes you stronger." Growing up with less financial means than most, he spent most of his childhood at home reading and diving head first into any fantasy novel he came across and the worlds of imagination they provided. Once grown, and having such authors as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S.Lewis and in more modern times R.A. Salvatore as inpirations in the world of literature in his heart, he decided to try his own hand at being a writer, with "Legend of Mjornia" being his first attempt. Now very happily married with his beautiful wife Brittany supporting him as well as his friends and family, he hopes his stories will inpire future generations in the same way that he was inpired as a child the first time he first stumbled upon "The Hobbit" , which left him mesmerized by the world of fantasy, and has been ever since.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Kaiden and his brother Atlas was first brought to live with Beoric and had been living with him for several years when our story begins. Beoric was the man who took him in when they brought to the village as orphans. Neither of the boys knew how old they were, but from appearance you would have believed they was in their early teens give or take a few years. Although it was hard for anyone to say for sure, simply because neither remembered anything before their arrival. Probably due to the manner in which they arrived. Both injured, and both unconscious. They were brought from beyond the borderlands in the far north. They were found in the middle of a village that was attacked by an orcish raiding party and burned to the ground, led by some dark figure. The soldiers who found them said they were found lying in the rubble and ash remains, bruised and bloody. At first they were thought to be dead, but upon further inspection they soon realized that they was not dead, but were in need of dire medical attention. They were then taken to a temple that was inhabited by a handful of monks who tended to their wounds. Once they were well enough to be moved, they were then sent to a remote village called Golden Brook, a very large distance to the south with the leader of the soldiers who had found them. His name was Malthius. It was several months after they had arrived before they were both awake, and it was then that they had discovered that both boys had no recollection of what had truly happen before they were brought there. They were twins and the resemblance to one another was uncanny to the untrained eye, but for anyone who spent enough time around them soon learned, they were separated by a single birthmark in the lower outside corner of their eyes. At first glance it seemed like just a tiny freckle, but upon closer inspection one realized it somewhat resembled a dragon’s head. Kaiden’s was under his left eye and his brother’s was under his right. Of course being so small, both were hardly ever noticed by any that knew them and certainly overlooked by any who didn’t. However, while their appearance for the most part was identical, their personalities was as different as night and day. Kaiden was quiet, reserved, and good natured. His brother on the other hand, now that was a different story all together. He found humor and sarcasm in even the most serious of situations, always making jokes and irritating his brother, although he rarely allowed himself much more than a smirk or a light chuckle. He also had a quick temper and was usually the first to take a swing in almost any heated debate or whenever he and his brother didn’t see eye to eye, as brothers tend to do. Always spoiling for a fight, he often got reprimanded by Beoric for not showing the emotional restraint and discipline that he tried so desperately to instill in both boys. But while he did not share his brother’s sense of humility, he did have a sense of moral fiber when it came to justice and strongly believed in standing up for those that he felt suffered injustice. They were both slim but very toned and fair skinned with dark brown hair that on occasion looked almost black. As for Beoric, he was a larger framed man with muscular arms and brown wavy hair with a full beard that he kept trimmed and groomed. He gave off an almost regal appearance and persona which was a bit odd for a man of his profession. He was a woodcutter by trade and other than that both brothers knew very little about the man who had been raising them. Yet, every time they attempted to learn anything of his past before they arrived, he would just simply mutter some made up response under his breath before quickly changing the subject or giving them grueling chores that would soon take their mind off their own curiosities. After several failed attempts the boys began to realize he gave different answers to the same questions, therefore making it painfully obvious that they would only know what he chose for them to learn. So they agreed it was a wasted effort and hopelessly gave up trying to uncover his past. Which was not an easy decision, simply because there was so many qualities that he displayed that were so intriguing and unexplainable nor did it fit the lifestyle of your average woodcutter. One of such qualities was his abilities with a sword, axe, bow, or pretty much any weapon or arsenal of your choice. Such eloquent skill hardly suited a man who lived in the middle of the woods with nature, and who insisted that he had never seen anything of the outside world in which you would typically acquire such skills. Which brought forth more mystery. Of course he had warned the boys to tell no one in the villagers that he had frevealed such skills. Fortunately for their sakes atleast, he felt the need to teach the brothers these same skills. His only explanation was so they would be able to survive in the woods if something should befall him before they became grown. While neither brother much believed this (for Beoric was healthy as a bear and was probably more than capable of protecting himself than any man within a 100 leagues) they eagerly learned anything and everything that he was willing to pass on to them. Another intriguing trait was the scars he had which he never quite explained fully how he managed to acquire. The most interesting was the one that ran down his cheek that looked very much like a sword slash. Of course with his beard it too was easy to overlook, which was probably the reason why he grew one to begin with. Assuming his attempt to cover it with a beard meant he was insecure about it, the boys never asked and he never told. They lived deep in the Loredark forest, which Beoric had explained stretched for several miles west of their cottage, of course no one knew the exact distance because no one had ever explored much farther than their cottage and returned because the woods themselves were extremely dangerous. Even Beoric himself didn’t venture too far westward nor did he allow them to do so. It was a warm spring morning, and the boys were training, sparring against one another with two old swords that Beoric had given them when they was very young. However, he told them no one in the village was allowed to learn of their existence, nor was anyone to be told of their training with such weapons. Especially the village elder and leader Fredrick, more than anyone else. He seemed to be the main concern on Beorics list.That’s enough training for today boys. Wash up and ready the wagon, we have to go into town today. Beoric had a strong voice and was usually obeyed to the letter, except for the occasional sarcasm that proceeded out of the mouth of Atlas from time to time, in which case Beoric would then scold him and bring to an end, followed by a sincere apology from Atlas. Kaiden and his brother both loved and respected him very much. He had always been kind to them and loved them unconditionally without question. Several miles to the northeast was the very small, very remote village of Golden brook, in which Beoric visited every so often to trade for supplies and meet with his friend and village elder Fredrick. Beoric would always step inside his house and tell the boys to either wait outside or go visit their friends who lived in the village. They seemed to have a strange relationship, Fredrick and Beoric that is. It was painfully obvious that they had known each other a very long time, and was even close friends once, but there was also something hidden, and unspoken between them that caused strife and disagreement. Their eyes and grim faces after their meetings told this much. As for the brothers, most of the time they would go looking for the local boys their age that they ran with. Counting the twins there were five of them, and each one brought their own worth to the group. Gunther was the largest, and the strongest. His father was the local blacksmith and he often helped him at his shop, which accounted for his strength and size. It also made him pretty handy at swinging an axe or a hammer. He was large framed as well like his father. He had bright red hair that he kept trimmed rather short. He had dark brown eyes that at times had a reddish-orange glow to them when he bacame infuriated. When they were younger they teased him and joked about it to one another. Then there was Mark, whose name suited him well, because that’s something he never missed. He was quiet deadly with a bow, with a much smaller build and frame. He was also very skilled at stealth. In fact he was so quiet in the woods, that you would never know he was there till you heard the sound of an arrow being loosed from his bow. His family hunted and trapped for a living in the edges of the forest. Mark had straight dark brown hair that ran down his back, which he let hang loose or pulled behind one ear. His face was slender and stern, but his eyes were gentle and calm as well as his smile. Last, but certainly not least, was Jasper. Out of the five he was the smallest, yet his speed and agility proved him just as dangerous. He was also very skilled at stealth, but he much preferred daggers and light blades to the other members weapons of choice and had near perfect focus and preision with each thrust or stroke while using them not to mention the fact that he was ambidextrious. His ability to creep so silently and sneak up on animals earned him the nickname The Grim Fox among his friends whenever they were hunting small game. His Father ran the local tavern which would explain his sometimes rude manners at times, being raised around such a turbulent environment. He had dark black hair, and a very slim face with pale crystal blue eyes and the occasional smile that was both charming and devious. When Atlas and him were both smiling together, the others knew they were all in a heap of trouble. Him and Atlas was very close and often had similar views, which usually proved to be troublesome for the group, but for the most part it was harmless, adolescent mischief. Although, it had been awhile since the boys had gotten to see any of their friends, so hearing the news of a visit to Golden brook filled them with excitement to say the least. Running inside as fast as they could they began sheathing the swords and placing them under the boards in the corner of the cottage floor, Atlas turned to look at his brother who was now reaching him his sword as well, You are still hesitating on your advance you know he said to his brother. There was several times when you could have taken full advantage and put me on the defensive. Kaiden thinking about it for a second, responded Yes, I suppose there was chances for that, but I’m always afraid I’ll swing too hard or the wrong way and cut you for real. Don’t get me wrong Atlas, I love the fact that he wants to pass his skills on down to us, and I’m eternally grateful that he’s willing to do so, not to mention all that he has done to raise us, but what’s the point? I mean his reasoning is so that we can protect ourselves, but we never go into town without him, and even though these woods are hazardous, the side we live in is the least dangerous area in the whole forest. Looking up with the usual smirk Atlas replied Is that why you have been sneaking off to the western side of the wood? To look for a more dangerous setting? With a face of surprise that his brother knew of his secret wanderings, Kaiden began to stammer and struggle for a response, I…uh…um Looking down to slide the last board in place his brother let out a small chuckle, Don’t worry I haven’t let Beoric know, nor do I intend to. But do tell me, what do you do and where do you go when you venture off? I mean are you just wandering out of defiance to Beoric? Because that’s usually my area of expertise. This time it was Kaiden who let out laughing, No, never. I love him like a father, maybe because that’s what he’s always been to us, Atlas nodding in agreement but waiting patiently for his brother to finish, I suppose I wander out of curiosity, and to occasionally get some peace of mind to try and ponder things,. Ponder things…like what? replied Atlas. Like….why we are here, where did we come from, I mean all we know is we were found on the outskirts of nowhere in some burnt down village in the north. Then there’s Beoric,-Standing to his feet quickly to cut his brother off Atlas responded quickly, Wait, now we agreed to stop prying and trying to figure out anything to do with Beoric’s past. Remember last time we went asking questions? This time both brothers began to smile and chuckle, Yes I remember, he had us picking berries from Fanglethorn bushes for two weeks because he said he wanted to use them for jam. We dug out the thorns for over a month. Responded Kaiden. While trying not to laugh Atlas asked Did you even see so much as a spoonful of jam with all the Fanglethorn berries we gathered? Looking down trying to hide his laughter Kaiden answered No, I don’t remember seeing any jam, nor do I even know what he done with the berries. Exactly! shouted Atlas. So don’t even think about asking him anything! said Atlas while trying to hold back his laughter and smiling at his brother. Ok fair enough, but you got to admit, there’s something odd about the way him and the village elder interact with one another. It’s as if they both share some great secret that involves us and they just aren’t going to tell us. This quickly wiped the smile from both their faces and looking more serious now Atlas answered Yes, I have noticed it as well, only it’s not just them two. The whole village seems to be in on it. It’s like they all know more of the story than they’re sharing with us. But with Fredrick, it almost seems like resentment, or fear, like he’s afraid of us even living here being this close to him and the village. In fact I think he hates the idea of it, but he tolerates us out of respect for Beoric perhaps. Looking off to the side in thought Kaiden asked slowly Do you think maybe, that Gunther or our other friends might know anything? Sighing deeply as if it was a very good question that needed deeper thought Atlas answered I think they know that there’s something different about the way we are treated but I suspect they haven’t been told themselves and are afraid to ask their parents or any other adult in town and have been warned about doing so. As soon as Atlas had said that, the wind began to blow down through the chimney of the fireplace in an eerie way that sounded more like a low screeching or howling that you had to almost strain to hear. Except that they both did hear it, and began looking at one another. Do you hear that? asked Kaiden Of course I hear that, I’m not deaf! It’s just the wind! snapped Atlas, No besides that, the voice in with the wind, listen!Kaiden snapped back, "Voice? What