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Introduction One morning, in the fair kingdom of Laedwyn, a sleek silver spaceship quietly landed in the center of a human village. As the plankway slowly lowered from beneath the spaceship, amazed humans formed a massive throng surrounding the vessel, murmuring with excitement and curiosity. A village elder suggested that the Gods had heard their prayers, and an age of enlightment was upon them. Other humans suggested that the silver vessel was a gift from distant neighbors. A few curious villagers perused the idea that the vessel was a sign that the end of the world was nigh. The plankway ground to a halt, and four strange reptilian creatures marched down from the vessel's glittering maw. The villagers became intensely quiet, focused upon their visitors. The creatures, adorned with shiny armor and blinking jewels, were like nothing ever seen before. For a moment, the wind rustled through the village, and the reptiles and humans regarded each other. Finally, a village elder stepped forward, clutching his gnarled oak staff and managing a humble bow before the reptiles. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but before one syllable could be uttered, the leader of the reptiles, growling in disappointment, lifted the long, iron rod at this side. From one end, the alien weapon glowed to life, and a crackling beam of energy lept forward. The elder's body disintegrated into a cloud of ash and smoke. The human throng erupted in panic. Women and children fled for safety in their wooden houses, and a few frightened souls headed for the nearby woods. The courageous of the men grabbed whatever weapons they could manage and assaulted the invaders. However, the reptiles produced weapons of their own -- crackling energy chains, seering laser rifles, and devastating grenades -- and fought back with bloodthirsty delight. Soon, the humans were scattered, tired, and defeated. Sensing their victory, the reptiles changed tactics. Floating platforms lowered from their silver vessels, and beasts began to load the wounded and captured humans into them. A few men tried to escape, but invisible walls pushed them back into the chaotic pile of villagers. When each platform was filled to the brim with the primitive humans, the reptiles loaded them back into their vessels and sped off toward the distant mountains where a thin, dark trail of smoke began to creep along the horizon. Miles away, a young man lounged beneath a short overhang, closing his eyes for a few minutes as clouds darkened overhead. In his right hand, a worn axe seemed poised, despite his slumber, and on his left arm, a battered wooden shield blocked the fading sun overhead. His long brown hair was tangled from sweat and dirt, and the fur vest draping him seemed to provide little protection from the cold mountain air. A rumble, however, bellowed from down the mountain side, and the barbarian's eyes fluttered open just quick enough to see the glittering silver ship rush overhead. Instinctively, the warrior rolled behind a jagged pile of stones, his muscles tensed as the glittering, other wordly object proceeded to circle and descend toward his resting spot. The barbarian had never seen such flying vehicles as this, but his heart sensed that it was somehow... evil. On board the silver ship, two reptile aliens bickered about the barbarian. One more human did not seem worth the effort, but orders from central command required that all living humans be reconcentrated to the mining camps. Finally, accepting full responsibility for the delay, the larger of two aliens lowered the plankway and pulled his shining rifle to his side. As he stepped out in the jagged mountain pass, the reptile wasted no time in pursuing his target, blasting the pile of stones which the young human had hid behind. After a brief explosion and a cloud of dust and debris settled, the alien stepped forward, looking for the battered body of the pathetic earthling. However, there was no body. Instead, a hurtling shadow lept from overhead, and a shining axe bit down toward the alien creature. The reptile screamed in pain, and the crude weapon lodged itself in between two plates of his dense, indestructible armor. Whirling to face the sly earthling, the reptile blasted again with his rifle. Another cloud of debris exploded from the rock wall. The barbarian had already circled, and with a shout of fury, lept into the alien's sight, tossing a jagged rock into the reptile's right eye. Once again, the alien warrior screamed in pain, dropping his laser rifle and clutching his face in agony. A curious idea overcame the barbarian, and he grabbed the strange weapon that lay at the reptile's feet. Holding it triumphly in the direction of the beastly alien, the barbarian grunted in victory. Though the pain wracked his body, the reptile regarded the barbarian with a hint of surprise. The rifle was pointed in the wrong direction. In his own bizarre tongue, the reptile urged the young human warrior to shoot and feigned a dying hiss. The barbarian fingered the trigger but stopped before firing, sensing the alien's confidence. Perhaps another lucky thought - the primitive human turned the weapon around, facing the barrel directly at the now frightened alien creature. The reptile thought about dodging, making a lunge at the human, or even begging for his pathetic life. Too late -- the barbarian pulled the trigger, and the reptile exploded into bits of jelly and charred flesh. The silver vessel had already fled by this time, carrying its human cargo toward the sprawling mining camp where thousands of reptiles and their ships had gathered. The news that there had been a casualty was shocking, but the aliens were already surprised by the ferocity and courage the humans had shown initially. A single loss was probable in the scheme of the invasion. The young barbarian swelled with pride, grabbing the charred head of his enemy and shouting his clan's name. His voice echoed through the mountains, and more of his kin began to appear, bounding across boulders and jagged stones. As they gathered about him, the young hero related his tale, describing the ferocious beast that he had killed. When his tale was finished, the young warrior puffed up his chest and nodded in silence. The onlookers were filled with awe and jealously. "You said the flying rock went that way?" One onlooker spoke up, pointing a grubby finger in direction of the dark trail of smoke along the horizon. The victorious barbarian nodded stoicly. "Good." replied the onlooker, heaving his heavy warhammer on his shoulder. "Maybe there's more. I want to kill one too!" The horde of barbarians erupted into shouts of approval, and weapons were raised in the air. Battle cries echoed down the mountain, and in seconds, the horde was rushing toward the distant line of smoke, leaping and loping down the rocky mountain side. Their rampage rolled down the mountain side, and a few reptiles, in charge of keeping watch for trouble, grew very afraid at the thunderous sound. The young barbarian, now alone, shrugged and lifted his axe from the carcass of his alien. He paused only to notch a kill in his faded leather belt before chasing after his kinsmen and their quest for honor. |