It was war, or so many had imagined. The children would run around the village, throwing rocks and clashing sticks as if swords. They could be heard chanting, their feeble war cries resonating in the fine air. These were just games though, causing no harm to anyones well being. Just years before their brethren hath doth the same, for they spawned the interest. Alex and Adrian are their names.
They would clash swords at the break of dawn everyday, swiftly maneuvering around Mr. Dawson’s tree. Many would watch from Dawson’s cottage or further North to the crops. Some wonder why they do so. Dawson himself says it came from their childish ambitions. Ulysses the old would say it was in Alex’s blood to fight. For Adrian had always followed Alex in his

[This message has been edited by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (edited September 17, 2008).]

I'm not a expert by any stretch, but it might read better in straight-forward present tense without the archaic verbs. Such as: "The children ran around the village, throwing rocks and clashing sticks as if swords. The town heard their chanting and their feeble war cries resonating in the fine air." and "They clashed swords at the break of dawn every morning." And avoid "hath" or "doth."

The main thing: I wanted to keep reading and find out what it was that Alex did that made Adrian want to follow his example. You engaged me.

Hope this is helpful!

I would avoid the Old English spattering of "hath" and "doth." If you are going to use them, you have to use it throughout the entire novel to maintain consistency. I'm not sure what you think about that, but I would find it hampering to the creativity and flow of prose.