1001: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

A/N: Finally starting this. A multi-chaptered Ragnarok Online story.

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"Young Master! Young Master!" The frantic, annoyed calls of a wizened old man were the first shouts resounding in the mansion's corridors. Loud, quick footsteps echoed off the walls, overpowering the more timid steps of the maids and squires bustling about with the day's work.

"Young Master! This is no time to be playing games! It is time for your morning lessons with Senora Cora!"

The child fought the urge to roll his eyes as he remained crouched in his place. Hidden in the shadows of the undergrowth, he kept as silent and as still as a statue. The footsteps got closer and he tensed as it stopped right before him. He felt his heart thudding in his chest as he heard no sound coming from the old man standing a mere arm's reach from his hiding spot.

"... Lad! Have you seen master Lugh?" He heard the frantic voice of the manservant asking whoever he had stopped.

"No, sir. Haven't seen hide nor hair of the boy today." The servant boy answered, voice filled with nervousness. A grunt of frustration from the man nearly made the younger servant jump back. To his relief, the old man simply turned and quickly walked away. As soon as he was out of sight, the servant boy wasted no time in returning to his own tasks.

Lugh waited until he was sure the man wasn't returning, before he shuffled and cautiously peeked through the bushes. He saw no one in sight. He chuckled with a wolfish grin before he turned and made his way across the garden, still mindful of keeping his presence hidden from the gardeners watering and preening the plants. The small rusty gate located against the eastern wall was his favorite escape route. It saw little use in the present time and was overrun with vines and covered by bushes. Aside from him stumbling upon it one time, he was sure no one else knew about it.

His hands grabbed at the rusted hand bar and pushed it outward. The gate gave a shuddering creak, else it offered little resistance. He quickly passed through it, closing it behind him. He gave a small whoop of excitement as he turned and raced out into the world. For even a few hours today, he wanted to be free. He could deal with the old man and his lectures later.

***

It was a fine day out. The sun shone down on the land as clouds floated across the sky. The gentle breeze rustled through the trees as birds merrily sang, filling the sky with their songs.

He ran as far as his legs could take him, not once stopping for fear that someone would recognize him and give chase. They were getting smarter to his escapades. So he had no choice but to keep one step ahead of them. Once he had reached the hill some distance from the walls of his home, he stopped. He leaned against one of the trees, panting and waiting until his heart calmed down.

Once he had his breath back, he let loose a loud chuckle. "Hah! I stand triumphant once again!" He beamed to himself.

He couldn't remember how long it had been since he was by himself. The past month had him constantly surrounded by his tutors and servants, saying this and that without ever stopping to breath.

The only thing he was ever interested in was swordplay, or rather the spear. It never failed to fascinate him to see the soldiers wielding the halberds so fluidly in the spars he got to witness. Sometimes he had to sneak out to the barracks, but every time it was worth the trouble.

It was not to say he was dull and boorish as many would have defined a little imp like him. Yes, he did enjoy books. His nature and upbringing demanded that he be well-rounded. But to be so dull and waste one's life away behind the pages of a book. He didn't even understand why his father and mother insisted on so much reading. He wasn't a boy growing up to be a mage. He wanted to be a swordsman!

A few more years. He made himself think. Just endure a few more years before his coming of age and he was finally free to be the man he dreamed of becoming. Lugh grinned. He could just imagine it now. He, a young swordsman wielding his trusted spear, defeating all his enemies without blinking at the same time saving damsels in distresses from their pli-

"Heads up down there!"

He was only able to see a huge bundle of brown, white and yellow before it came crashing down on him.

To be continued...