He didn't have a lot of things to pack before he left- food rations, a supply of water. A medicine pack and a traveling cloak. A small handmade pouch and a purse of coins. Everything he owned was inside the pack. He closed the pack and tied the string tightly.
It was dark outside without the moon illuminating the streets. If he was going to leave, it had to be tonight. Moonless nights meant bad luck, but he had to risk it. If he missed this chance, there wouldn't be another one for a long time. Nights like this were very rare.
He sat down to tie his boots. His heart was beating rapidly and he was sweating despite the cool breeze that came through the small window.
He wondered if there would be a search party for him if he disappeared. He was an outcast boy, no real family and no name to call himself. He was the Heretic Child, The Crazy Boy in the woods, The Spirit of the Forests, Guardian of Nature…He knew all about the stories that were made up about him to amuse the children at bedtime. He was literally a living legend, often hunted down by the village boys with hopes of rich rewards and bragging rights for bringing his head to the King.
He finished tying up his boots and stood up. He tied his cloak around his slim shoulders. He looked at his home for the last time. It wasn't much, a simple hut in the deep woods with two rooms. His room was barely big enough for him to fit in, and he slept outside most of the time. He dusted and cleaned for the last time. It felt good to do these familiar things. His eyes swept the area to see if he'd forgotten anything, and suddenly he felt sadness. His home, like everyone else's was supposed to be with his family. He knew where his biological parents lived and he often looked at the home that he felt could have been his. He looked at the parents that he could have loved, the brother that he could have cared for. It was too much for him to think about, and he stepped outside. He slung his pack on his shoulder he held his arms out. 'May the Mother Earth and Father Sky protect me!' he whispered, hoping that the wind would carry his voice to wherever it should go. He turned and left, but not without looking back several times.
-
He knew they'd be there before he arrived. They did not look up when he approached and finally he stood before the two figures.
'Took you long enough,' said the taller one. 'We've been waiting.' The smaller figure beside him stepped forward and they came into a three-way hug.
She was tall for her age, had long electric blue hair and eyes that flashed violet. Although she was clever and kind, QueenAlexandra was far too young to rule. He remembered the day they first met in the forests, when he'd held a knife against her throat (hair and eye of her color were very rare, and of course, he had no idea he was dealing with the Princess- she still a princess then- at that time). She'd smirked at him, saying that even if he slit her throat then and there, he would not have time to boast because he would be suffering too badly from the injuries she would inflict on him as she died (and he found out later on that she could've done just that). They'd been the best of friends since then.
Her younger brother's features were almost identical to his sister's, so identical that they could've been twins. Leon was taller than Alexandra, well-built from constant training and had short dark blue hair and eyes. He was serious and quiet, very different from his outspoken older sister. He and Leon were rivals in combat and closer than brothers.
Both he and Alexandra were his best friends in the whole world, his only friends. He didn't need to say anything, they understood his feelings so well. That was why they did not try to stop him when he told them that he wanted to leave. They both understood what was best for him and didn't hold him back. He would miss them so much.
'We'll miss you. A lot. Don't forget us ever. Come back' said Leon, voicing the words that Alexandra could not form. He nodded, but he knew that he was probably not ever going to come back. And looking into Leon's eyes, he was sure he thought the same.
'I'll see you later,' said Alexandra. 'I will see you again sometime.' It wasn't a request or a demand, but a statement. It nearly broke his heart. He looked at them as if he were preserving their image in his mind. They didn't need words to communicate, they already understood. His brother and his sister, he was leaving them behind forever. There were no words that he could say to ease the pain. He held on to Alexandra's and Leon's hands and squeezed them tightly, as if to communicate his feelings to them through touch. The three of them stood in each others' arms for what felt like eternity. Finally Leon broke off and put his arm around Alexandra's shoulder and led her back down the path where they came from. They all knew that to see him off would be too much for their emotions to bear. They didn't look back as they left, and for that he was grateful. He didn't want either of them to see the tears coming out of his eyes.