Legend of Finvarra ch 1: the orphan

⚜ :snowflake: ⚜

The world of Finvarra is a land of heroes and monsters, humanity is afflicted with the scourge of demons beasts that can take many forms but all have one goal to kill humans to combat this threat the Paladin order was established by the seven great noble families and the royal family wielding magic that comes from within the human spirit, chosen gifts from the gods along with weapons and armor forged from defeated demons. With these tools the paladins can protect humanity from the waves of demons but these beasts are relentless and paladins are dying faster than they can be replaced, if something doesn’t change the humans won’t last much longer. Our story begins in the town of Stowe a settlement outside the keep of the great house Ryder and home of Christopher North a 17 year old hunter living on his own with a secret.

North woke with a start it was early the sun barely up, he looked around his rather plain room before jumping to his feet “damn today is the day” Chris muttered putting a hand on his forehead and starting to get dressed. A hunt with the royal family who were visiting Christopher’s lord due to their children attending academy together next month. Christopher was a hunter by trade and was insisted to by his leigh lord’s niece a girl nicknamed Moss. So he had to prove his worth today, taking a deep breath Chris stepped outside to find the rest of the town waking up “good morning Ms Allard, have any breakfast to trade for a squirrel? I killed it just yesterday” Chris asked the baker woman as she swept her front patio

“You skin it yet?” The plump woman asked eyes narrowed

“Of corse I know how you like it” the brown haired teen stated before seeing a small loaf of bread being thrown at him “woa hey” Chris muttered fumbling with the food before catching it before looking up to see Mr Allard a large man with a thick blonde mustache and bushy eyebrows

“There ya go boy, tha Royal party will be there soon saw them while getting water don’t keep them waiting” the gruff man stated as Chris gave them the game and ran off waiving his thanks.

Chris eventually made it to Thornhold the family house of the Ryder House, getting past the guards was easy enough they’ve seen his face enough to know he wasn’t going to cause trouble plus he also gave them duck whenever he was lucky enough to kill one. Positioning himself in a corner where he could watch the groups moving around while being out of the way, eventually he heard the sounds of horse hooves and not long after the Ryder family and company came to greet the king the royal carriage entered the yard. Chris knelt along with everyone when the King stepped off the coach, the king was a tall man with a full beard dark as night with a few specks of grey starting to appear he had green eyes and a pretty jolly face a smile on his face as he addressed everyone, following after him was the Queen a slim woman with dark hair as well and their two children twins the crowned prince with blue eyes and his father’s hair and the princess with Emerald green eyes. Both looked to be around his age and were looking around with interest before being introduced to the noble family. After introductions the party started to prepare for the hunt Chris was fine waiting picking at his loaf as the nobility mingled “Christopher” he heard called out as a curly green haired girl came running at him a smile on her face and in tow….. the prince and princess

“Oh god” North muttered looking around for a way to escape unsuccessfully “my prince, princess, lady Belle” Chris said bowing “I’m Christopher North a local hunter I’ll be helping lead the hunt today” North stated avoiding eye with the royals “thanks to lady Belle” he added giving the green haired girl a glance.

“It’s very nice to meet you” the princess stated smiling she wore a battle dress with portions of plate armor covering vital areas

“What kind of animals should we expect to find in the forest?” The prince asked adorned in white and gold scale mail armor with a sword at his back Chris raised an eyebrow at the blade swords weren’t the most ideal tool for hunting but he’s got magic probably gonna be fine if he chooses to use the sword.

“Lots of small game quail and squirrels mainly, deer have been scarce lately but if we’re lucky you might find a buck or a Boar wandering around” Christopher mused

“Any demons?” The male asked getting Chris out of his head

“….. I don’t really know it’s been awhile since we’ve had a scare but lord Ryder makes the area pretty safe so if there are any it’s nothing I’d assume you can’t handle especially with that sword” he remarked jesting to the weapon and the prince’s eyes lit up and smiled looking like he was about to ramble before lord Ryder’s son Jean approached

“Sorry to interrupt my prince but I have been asked to retrieve our hunter” Jean said coolly as the prince seemed to deflate. Chris followed close behind watching as gathered materials and packed carriages “I know you’re close with Moss and I but be careful how you talk North don’t want you to get in trouble and my father is already not a fan of you being here” the red haired noble stating looking back.

“I’ve got this Jean don’t worry and hey maybe I’ll impress today, gotta have someone here wanting my services after you and lady Moss leave to become paladins, kinda jealous” he muttered the red haired noble looked like he wanted to say something but before he could they entered the room where the adults were talking

“my king, father this is Christopher the hunter Belle insisted on inviting” Pyre stated his hands behind his back as he stood with perfect posture

“Your majesty, my lord I’m honored to be participating” Chris stated bowing this was gonna get old quick all this bowing and proper procedure was getting his head spinning. A few more lords were in the room and almost everyone barely gave him a second look except for the king himself and a slender male with similar features to the king in a black cloak. Chris finally got a good look at the king himself a very tall male with a strong frame bit of a gut but his arms were big and he could see a mace placed at his side ‘another weapon not great for hunting but hey what do I know I just do this every day’

“Well look at you bout as old as my children and you’re the best hunter around? Ha” the king burst out with a thunderous laugh.

“I try sir” Chris said sheepishly causing another thunderous laugh

“Now North since you do this often I feel like it’s best if you help point out the best places to find some entertaining game and if it’s successful later tonight you’ll be allowed to the feast for your efforts” Lord Ryder stated his eyes narrowed as always as he motioned for him to come forward to a map “go ahead” Chris looked at the map not entirely sure how to read a map but it was pretty detailed and he saw landmarks he recognized so he went off of that.

“So here I’ve found…” and Chris went to describe the different locations some he actively avoided due to dangerous terrain or animals like bears or wolf packs that like to linger but thanks to the larger groups it will be less of an issue. He could feel the other’s eyes on him and while he tried his best to hide it the tension was palpable. Once was finished there were markers on all the best points and lord Ryder seemed satisfied

“You’ve probably been in that forest more than I have patrolling I’m surprised you haven’t run into a demon” the lord stated watching Chris.

“Never have my lord they must be smart I’ve seen your magic before you’re something else” Chris stated eyes wide ing the demolishment of a demon by the hands of his Leigh lord.

“Hmm” the noble hummed as he turned away leaving for his preparations.

A few hours later the group would leave the keep Christopher given a horse to lead them to the first location. “North” Jean called out riding up next to him “here you forgot to take a spear once we get there Belle, the prince and princess will be going off they don’t want to wait for the set up and you’ll be coming with” the red haired male stated patting Chris on the shoulder

“Great that won’t go wrong” the commoner stated as he slumped his shoulders “it’s only a few days I’ll be fine”