Jeldin's Tale: Into Zure, #1

By Paul Springsteen

Jeldin is the son of a blacksmith.  He, with his father, is supposed to take a shipment of weapons to Testenvald.  There is talk of war.  However something else happens in this time that delays everything else.  An ancient evil awakes and poses a new threat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Springsteen
• Release date: Dec 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393843931

Paul Springsteen

Paul Springsteen is someone that grew up in a medium sized town in Texas located in the united states. He went into the military upon graduating high school.  Though it didn't last long he did get an honorable discharge because of medical reasons. After this he went to the local college of his home town.  There he got a master's degree in physics. Due to illness he had a hard time in the job market before he discovered the joys of writing and wishes to spend his time writing stories for the forseeable future.  This came about from a strange origin.  From D&D of all places.  He kept feeling like he was getting shafted from playing stories.  So he pushed himself to write his own stories and enjoyed it. His stance on writing though is that he doesn't write to whatever is the it thing in the market.  Instead he has a particular way the story is supposed to go in his head and follows that.  So the reader should be aware that even killing the protagonist and having the bad guy win is a possible way things could happen in the story in the future.

Book preview

Chapter 1

14 days.  Jeldin thought.  It would be 14 days until the shipment needed to be delivered to Testenvald.  Testenvald was a city that was about 6 days travel from Urian the city he was in.  Urian itself is a rather medium sized city of about 50,000 people.  The shipment was a weapon shipment for the Tamten military that ordered the weapons from his father Amros.  He was to oversee the transfer of goods to the city with his father.

Stories have been spreading around the city of a prepping of war.  Jeldin heard the King of Tamten was on guard because of a neighboring country Mestria was making claims that the Crynos valley belonged to them.  It was a fertile valley and has been Tamten's for centuries.  There were 3 of Tamten's Ten cities within that valley.  However Jeldin didn't know much of the situation because they didn't tell commoners any specifics.  Jeldin only knew that they were asking for weapons being made and he could only guess the purpose.  He had heard that 3 other blacksmiths in the city have received similar orders.  The trip to Testenvald was something routine at least that is what Jeldin thought at the time.

Hurry up and help me with the forge  Exclaimed Amros.  It is the 13th day of Sasren and we have until the 27th day to start to deliver the weapons to the imperial armory.  Sasren is the 1st month of the year followed by Sesren, Telren, Yedren, Gedren, Cylren, Kelren, Hodren, Xilren, Zetriren, and Uriten.  Uriten being named after the King Urite Mangel who formed the Kingdom of Tamten also where Urian gets its name.  The year is 324u.c. or 324th year of Urite's Creation of Tamten.

His father was a somewhat large man around 6 feet tall.  He had green eyes and black hair.  He always had something of a stern look on his face.  He had large muscles that covered his upper body.  He wore a plain white shirt.  Or at least it was that way a long time ago.  Nowadays they were mostly gray with smears of charcoal across them.  His pants were brown but covered in stains of charcoal and tiny bits of metal shavings from the forge as well.

Yes father Jeldin started to help in the forge his great grandfather had made.  His job was to work the bellows and get the get the charcoal to fuel the fire.  It is still hard work even though his father does most of the hammering.

The forge itself was in a wooden building that was separate from his house that he and his father had stayed in.  The heat from the forge is obviously kept from the wood of the building.

Let's get started Amros said to Jeldin.

It was around 9 in the morning when Jeldin heard a knock on the door outside the forge.  I'll see who it is said Jeldin to his father.  Jeldin walked out to see his friend Alton there with a bag of food.

Alton stood about 5'6".  He had brown eyes and brown hair.  He had slightly tanned skin.  His hair as always was a little unkempt but hang naturally down.  He had a slightly large nose and has a skinny frame.  His clothes were that of a commoner.  There wasn't any embroidery or gold or anything like that.  His clothes were made of cotton and had some holes in it.  He did smell like he bathed within the last month.  He was 17 years old.

Jeldin on the other hand was around 5'10".  He had green eyes and black hair.  He also had slighty tanned skin.  He had a decent amount of muscles that could be seen from a distance.  Helping his father all the time work the forge builds muscle.  He also has commoner clothes some of them with some burn damage.  He had a nice chiseled jaw.  He didn't see the need to bathe that much as he always smells like the forge.  The last time was about 2 months ago.  He was about 18 years old.

Sheesh you're bad said Alton.  If I hadn't delivered some fresh food from the market square you would probably forget to eat.  He saw a loaf of bread with some paste on it.  There was a fished that seemed cooked there too.

Jeldin glanced at the food and then at Alton.  This is a strange situation you don't usually bring food out to us  Said Jeldin.  You must have heard that we are going to Testenvald.

A big grin came across Altons face Ah yes well I thought I would make sure you have a safe trip with me along to protect you.

You don't know how to handle a sword why do you actually want to come along?  Jeldin looked directly into the eyes of Alton as if that would give him an answer.

Don't you think it is a pity?  Here I was born in Urian but obviously my love awaits for me in  Testenvald.  I hear the women there are more attractive in Testenvald and they don't require a kings ransom to spend time with.  Alton said looking into the sky like he could see a different possible reality that was different than what anyone else could see.  Don't think of me as tagging along, think of it as helping your dear friend meet the loves of his life.

That explained much.  Alton despite his looks or maybe because of it was pretty popular with some of the woman in the town.  3 times Alton's father had to talk down other fathers who were outraged that he took their daughters innocence.  Which as big of a deal in this country as it could be in others from the rumors that Jeldin has heard.  None of the women seemed to become pregnant so he didn't have to pay much for it or wed any of them.

Jeldin grabbed the food.  I'll ask my father but you probably have to pay your own way and bring your own food.

You would do that to a dear friend?  Alton looked at Jeldin.

You are my friend but the travel to Testenvald is a long one.  You will need food and other supplies.  We don't have the money to pay for your expenses but you can hitch a ride on the wagon there and back  Said Jeldin.

Well, I'll be happy to come along either way.  I can hunt for my own food.  I have some money saved up so it should be no problem.  I have to go tell the guys about this.  I'll see you later but definitely in 14 days. said Alton.

See you then  Said Jeldin.

Jeldin watched Alton for a little bit while he walked off and then carried the food inside to his father that probably hasn't eaten since late yesterday night.  He walked around the corner to see his pounding away at a soon to be sword.

Who was that? asked Amros.  He looked down and saw the basket of food that Jeldin was carrying.  Is that for us, I'm starving.  He walked over to a barrel full of water to cool off the heated blade.

Alton dropped these off... he wanted to come along on the trip to Testenvald.  Said Jeldin.

He can come but he has to pay his own way  Amros replied while reaching for a loaf of bread and breaking it in half.  Little tiny crumbs fell to the ground as he did so.

I have already told him so but I think he will be relieved to know that he can come.  Although his reasons don't seem very bright.  Jeldin replied.  He started to reach for the food as well.

Jeldin set the basket on a workbench and the two split the food amongst them.  The smell of the bread was slight but was overpowered by the smell of the seared fish and paste that covered the bread.  The paste was green in color.  The bread was white with a golden crust and the fish were already gutted with the main bones already removed.  The inner part of the fish looked like it was seared on a grill of some kind.  The bread tasted a bit dry but was still good.  The paste on the bread had the taste of herbs that left something of an earthy flavor.  It went well enough with the savory taste of the fish.  The fish themselves tasted delicious the meat came off in flakes.

I guess this was to be something of a bribe.  Said Jeldin

There was no response from his father who continued to eat which prompted  Jeldin to go back to his meal.

In about a quarter of an hour they had finished the meal and went back to smithing.  They needed to keep up with the order for Tamten's standing army.  Now was the more difficult job of making swords.  Later the spears would be a little easier.

They continued until about 1 hour after dusk.

It is too dark at the moment.  We will continue tomorrow.  said Amros to Jeldin.

Around 6 days later they had made considerable progress with the swords.  They had managed to make 7 swords in that time.  This was one of the reasons why his father was a well known smith.  The blades nice pattern welded steel.  So now they were onto the spears.

Spears would be made quicker as there is less steel that is needed for the blade.  Amros figured that he could get about 50 or so spears done with the 8 days that he had left.  There was a little bit of incentive because the crown was expecting about 30 spears.  If he were to show up with 50 they would pay him for the spear but they would also hold him in higher regard.  A man that would be able to make that many weapons for him that quickly would gain renown.  They would potentially go to him first if they needed something.

Jeldin, go out and fetch the wood that would be needed for the spears.  I will stay here and make the spear heads while you do so.  Amros told Jeldin.

Yes father Jeldin went out of the shed that housed the forge and past the house where they slept.  He went out into the dusty street that led to the inner parts of Urian.

His house was situated along the outskirts of Urian.  Urian is a medium sized city in this world.  It is the first city of Tamten.  It would've been the capitol if Tastenvald wasn't larger and situated in a better place.  Urian had mostly dirt roads but some of the roads in the inner city had cobblestone roads particularly around places of the rich and bigger businesses.

Along the corners of every major street about halfway in had these large lampposts.  The lampposts were shaped like giant spheres of glass with an opening on top where the glass curved outward.  They were situated on top of a large vertical pole with arms curved out and up to cradle the glass.  The volume inside the glass would be filled with a slow burning material that would burn throughout the night.  There was a weird looking top that almost made it look like the leaves of an apple to help reflect the light going up to the sides.

They weren't always lit but on days when the moon vanished from the night sky and it was darkest they were lit.  Even when they were all lit it wasn't very bright just not almost completely dark.  Since they were on the ends of the streets there was a dark patch in the middle of the street.  With the lampposts though even the darkness in the middle of the street was less.

Those in control of the city saw the lampposts to be a sign of civilization in the city and a form of security for the townsfolk.  It was one of the most expensive constructions in the city.  They also used it to raise the taxes on the city ever so slightly to pay for it.  Taxes which haven't gone down since.

The lumberyard was even more on the outskirts of the city but on the side of town where Jeldin needed to cut through part of the town to get there.  So as he was on the horse pulling the cart he saw that men were filling the lampposts with the strange milky clear substance that it uses as fuel.  He nodded to the man standing on the ladder pouring the substance in.  He had a hose that was connected to a large metal container that was being drawn by four horses on a cart.  There was another man at the bottom turning a crank.  The man on the ladder yelled out a heya and kept pouring.

The rest of the walk was a little uneventful.  He saw a vendor selling food; meat and vegetables on a stick.  He bought two of them.  He finished one on his way to the lumber yard.

When he arrived Alton was sitting on a bench and looked quite bored.  He perked up when he saw Jeldin.  Oh hey Jeldin, business or pleasure.  Alton said while making his eyebrows go up and down fanatically.

Hey Alton  Jeldin got off his horse to begin leading it.  He still had one of the sticks of meat and vegetables and handed it to Alton.  As payback for before.

Alton looked at the stick of meat and vegetables.  That is a little less than...  He stopped and just grabbed the stick of food and started eating it.  So I see you brought your horse, what do you want to buy.  My pap has all kinds of lumber to suit your needs.

Jeldin said "Quality lumber for spears and polearms.  My father wants to make a good impression with the crown.

Sure thing we will even cut it for you.  No extra cost... So what about the trip to Testenvald?  Alton asked with a look of anticipation waiting for Jeldins reply.

Father said you can come with us.  Aside from the free transportation you have to pay for your other expenses like food and anything else you want though.  Jeldin responded.

YESSSSS.  Alton jumped up in triumph pumping his arm with a fist up and down once.  I can't wait for all those beautiful Testenvald women.  They have no idea the man of their dreams is coming to their city.  Don't you think that it is great Jeldin.  Those women are going to me the man of their dreams.

Sure... uh the lumber. Jeldin said.

Oh yeah business, come this way.  Alton said leading his horse to a place for it to rest.  They both took the cart to the front of a large building that seemed to house the lumber that they found in the nearby forest in various piles.  This building seemed to house the finished product.  It was already cut up and ready to be shipped.  "Just wait right here I'll go tell my father.

Jeldin waited for about 3 hours.  Eventually Alton came out with his father and two other men.  They started piling wooden poles in the back of the cart.  They all looked to be of good quality but he wasn't an expert in matters dealing with wood.  He counted them out about 60 shafts perfect for spears.

If you are wondering why it was so quick we already knew about the order  Alton's father Jacab said.  The wood has already been treated and sanded down to be ready for being made into a spear.  You father mentioned it to me and already placed the order for it.  He has already paid as well.

Well thank you I guess I will take this back to my father  Jeldin said to the men.

Wait one more thing.  Alton ran up to Jeldin and got extremely close so that only they could hear each other. Me and some of the guys are meeting with some of the women of the city tonight.  If you can pry yourself away from being a blacksmith how about having some fun?  A little smile crept along Altons face.  Jessica the leatherworkers daughter will be there.

Jeldin thought of turning Alton down but he really wanted to talk to Jessica again.  His father already got the leather he needed for the grips for the swords that he made, so he had no excuse to talk to her.  Maybe I will take up on your offer, would be nice to see the guys again.

Alton smirked I'm sure that is why you are coming.  Anyway everybody will be meeting at Grim's pub.  I'm sure you remember where it is.  Meet us there around 8 a night.

Yea I will see you there.  Jeldin hitched the horse to lead the cart and went off back to his house.  It sas a slower trip back because of the weight of the wood in the back.  He turned around and waved before Alton disappeared from view.

It took about half an hour to get to the lumberyard.  He waited about 3 hours while he was there.  Then he wagered with the slower pace maybe an hour to get back.  It was around 2 in the afternoon when Jeldin arrived back at the forge.

You have the wood,  good.  Put it in the area over there protected from the rain by the roof of the forge.  Said Amros.  We still have some work to do and I want you to help me work the forge.  This time I will work the bellows and I want you to work on it with the hammer and anvil.

Um Father would you mind if I went somewhere later and stopped working a little early?  Jeldin asked.

Why, what would you be doing that is more important that the shipment?  Amros said.

Well, Alton is meeting some people at Grim's Pub around 8.  He wanted for me to come along too.  said Jeldin.

Days before a hidden moon tonight.  Last one was over 62 days ago.  Amros said.  He looked like he was thinking for a bit and asked, Are you supposed to meet women there?

Maybe  Jeldin said a little sheepishly looking to the side.

You can meet with friends, just don't drink more than one or two drinks.  Amros looked lost in thought for a second.  Deliver this sword to Alton when you meet him.  Newly finished but I know his father and want Alton to be armed when we travel to Testenvald.  Tell him to practice with it.  He looks like he can hold a sword for no longer than 15 minutes.

Yes I will.  Thanks father.  Jeldin said while starting to work the hammer and anvil.  Setting the sword to the side to lean again one of the walls of the forge.

He worked the forge for about 5 hours before realizing he was going to be late to the meeting at Grim's Pub.  So he told his father and then grabbed some money to buy drinks and the sword to give to Alton.  Then he head out into the street and hurried to Grim's Pub.

It was dark outside.  During and around a hidden moon the lamposts are lit and illuminate the streets of Urian.  However they were not lit today.  He could still see but not very well as only some light was coming from the moon.

He went down the streets of the city, passing by 7 before he encountered an obstacle.  A man wielding a knife stepped in front of him from hiding behind a bush.  He wasn't dressed in all black he