Secrets from the Past - Part 3

The cold night wind whipped through the village of Forwend. Forwend was about a 2 days ride directly east of the town of Yela. It was quite small and only about 15 people lived here, 4 of which were only children. The town was built near the forest for protection in case of invaders. This might be the place that they flee to when trouble would come about. The town was surrounded by a large wall on all sides and a tall tower stood in the middle. The tower overlooked the entire town and the surrounding area.1

This very night was where a young boy named Saldir was on the job of being an outlook. He was fairly small and about the age of 10 or 11. He wore dark clothes and his hair was cut short for that was the way his parents liked it. He stood there in the darkness of the night looking out over the land. No one could suspect what was about to unfold that night that could change the lives of many.2

Saldir wasn’t much of an outlook, though, for his mind often wondered to other places. He imagined himself as a fierce night, climbing up the tower of a castle to save a princess. People often teased him of his “wild imagination” because it sometimes got him in trouble. On this very night, the night that he was needed most as an outlook, his mind wandered. 3

His eyes suddenly shot open. Saldir realized he was sitting on the floor of the tower. He must have dozed off. As he stretched out his arms, he heard a booming noise. The constant beat of a large drum could be heard. He jumped to his feat, searching the land around the village for any sign of an intruder, but he didn’t have to look hard. About a hundred people were standing in formation outside the north eastern direction. That was where the booming noise was coming from.4

Fear swept into his mind, knowing how foolish he was for dozing off. What should I do? Doubt and anger came from within him and then without thinking, he quickly rung the warning bell. He quickly climbed down the ladder, only fearing for his own life. Running to his house, he awoke his mother and father, quickly telling them what was about to happen. The booming suddenly stopped and his father quickly took him into the other room.5

“We don’t have much time,” his father said. He opened up a large, wooden closet and pulled out an object that was long, but not wide. Handing it to Saldir, he said, “Take this, quickly. This is for you to keep. Now, you must take the underground passage into the forest before it is too late.”6

Saldir unwrapped the object, discovering that it was the sword his father had used when he was a swordsman. A tear trickled down his face. “You must come too, father! You must come too…”7

“No… I cannot. But go! Go now!” His father almost pushed him out of the room; his mother was standing there holding open the cellar door, holding a bag.8

“Take this bag with you. It has some provisions and a few clothes,” she said.9

Saldir’s mind raced with fear as he knew his mother and father would surely be killed. All of a sudden loud cries came up from outside. Shouting. And so it had begun. Saldir grabbed the bag and ran down into cellar as the door closed behind him. Darkness surrounded him and he felt around for the door which was his path to safety. His hands found their way around a large pull handle and he began to pull with all of his might.10

The door slowly slid open. After Saldir was inside, he closed it shut. Then he began to run down the long tunnel. He had never been down there, but from what his parents had told him about it, it would take him about a half a mile into the forest. He tripped a few times, but he quickly got up and kept running as blood tricked down his legs. The skin was torn around his knees and his hands. It seemed like forever before he reached the other end. He gasped for breath, as he wasn’t use to running for his life. His felt around and felt wood. He pushed as hard as he could, but nothing happened.11

He slumped to the floor as he started to tremble. His whole body shook. Sometimes, things just can’t be explained - they just happen. Then anger filled him. How dare they enter my village and attack us! He got up and pushed against the wood again. It started to give way and then there was an opening. The sun was just starting to peak its way over the horizon. He crawled out of the hole and looked towards his city. Smoke rose from it.12

He turned his back with a sigh. He looked down at the sword and then and there swore to get revenge – some day, some how.13

By: Sharcu(Tim)14