The Kingdom of Derk

Chapter One

  A cold wind blows over the kingdom of Derk. Lieutenant Nerbeth wraps her cloak closer to her frostbitten body. She watches as the flames of the torches dance as if  they are being passionately kissed by the cold. She looks out into the dark streets of the town far below. It is quiet. Only the occasional drunk wanders around muttering or singing old folk songs. Derk is such a quiet city at night. Yet, during the day, she is bustling with life. Local farmers leaving the safety of the city to tend the local crops across the land, traders opening their stands to sell their odds-and-ends, traveling gypsies and circuses that put on fabulous, flamboyant shows for the citizens to watch and enjoy. There is never a time when Derk is empty, even at night the guards of her Watch litter the walls in search of trouble. But there never is any. No one would dare bring ill will to Derk. Next to the kingdom of Aßhmúnd, Derk is the most prosperous and recognized kingdom in the seven realms.
  Remembering that she is on duty, Nerbeth steps up onto the edge of the wall that encircles Derk. It stands tall. Taller than the numerous houses that are lined around the town behind her. The ring of light from the torches stretch only about a hundred feet or so out into the fields. Beyond that, the only light source is that of the moon and her sisters, the stars.
  The rangy wheat stalks sway with the wind, making the fields look like an ocean under the sparse light. The trees of the forest surrounding the field are dark and ominous. Strange creatures lie in those trees. Strange dangerous creatures. Nerbeth knows of tales concerning the forest. Like how it got it's rather peculiar name. She shakes her head and looks back out into the field.

  Suddenly, she hears rustling in a bush below, just out of the range of the torchlight. She squints trying to see beyond the ring of light, but to no avail. She decides to grip the edge of the wall and fling herself over it, landing safely on the ground over fifty feet below, swiftly stalking towards the bush. As she nears, a pair of eyes catch the light and flash brightly. Quickly, a large creature, possibly an orc or a goblin of sorts, scurries out of the bush and towards the woods, snickering as it goes. Leaving Lieutenant Nerbeth standing in near shock.

"They have never come this close to the kingdom before..." She thinks to herself.

  Then she hears another movement on the path ahead of her. She jumps and quickly draws her sword. Peering into the darkness, she sees a tall dark figure making its way toward her. The shadow is cloaked in darkness, concealing the face of the figure.

"Who goes there?" She calls, trying to sound tough, but the previous encounter left her feeling less than at ease. The figure raises its hands.

"It's ok, Nerbeth. It is only me."

  A very tall man of noble features steps into the ring of light. His dark golden hair and piercingly blue eyes can be mistaken for none other than one person.

"Prince Lartez." She says, shock drenching her voice.

  Prince Lartez smiles and throws his silken cloak back over his shoulder. 
"You are quite jumpy tonight." His voice deep and commanding, yet kind as he draws nearer. "Is something amiss?"

  Nerbeth considers for a moment, telling him about the creature since he was the head of Derk's royal army.

"Ah, it's nothing." She replies with a smile.

  She decided against spilling the information to the Prince, and regulates that the current head of the army hear the report first. After all, Prince Lartez did resign, and by doing that, he forfeit the privileges that come with the job. And that includes being the first to know about possible issues at the walls.

"Having a fine evening, liege?" She asks.

"Why so formal? Why, you are practically family." Lartez replies.