(I updated the prologue, so it gives more detail on how Radek grew up and to detail the war a bit more.)
The thunder of the galloping horses echo through the village. "The Swadians are here! Hope is lost! Run for your lives!", were just a couple of exclamations said by the terrified villagers. "Tidal! Get me my bow!", her father ordered her. Tidal was 24, but still wasn't married, as her betrothed died during the siege of Dhirim, 2 years before. The army of Jungdul Noyan, the lord of the village and the nearby town, Halmar. Most of the villagers, including Tidal's father, joined him in defending the village. Raids were common as the village was on the Khergit-Swadian border. The war lasted 3 years, which was longer than the most of the border incidents. The war was seen to go out of hand a year later, with the Khergit effort to besiege Dhirim, which ended up with the Khergits destroyed and the Swadian garrison starved. It was only a matter of time. Tidal hid behind the bed. The screams and the slashes completely took over the quiet village, but, alas. The Khergits were defeated, Tidal's father was dead, with a Swadian bolt in his neck. So, the Swadians started pillaging. Houses razed to the ground, all children murdered, and women running for their lives, not to be raped. Soon enough, a Swadian footman and a Swadian Man at Arms broke into the house. Tidal held her breath. The Footman found her Mother. The Man at Arms found Tidal. The Footman said: "What do we do with these?". "Let's leave them alone. Come on", the Man at Arms said. "No way! I'll have that pretty thing then! Out of my way!", the Footman shouted. "No.", the Man at Arms said before stabbing the footman with his sword. "Hide. I'll be back to check on you later", the Man at arms said, "Also, my name is Felmos. Now, keep hiding". Tidal was so shocked she couldn't say anything. The Swadians left. The village was still burning, and it was burning for days, but Tidal's home was the only one left untouched.
Felmos returned a couple of days later, on leave. After numerous visits, and a blessing from her mother, Tidal and Felmos started to fall in love. It wasn't long until Tidal was with child, and with her mother recently passed, she had to become a single mother, with Felmos coming every couple of months when his Count allows him. Somewhere in June 1040, their son was born. They gave him a Swadian name, Radek. Felmos used what little nobility he had to make a deal with his count not to raid the village, and Radek soon has a friend as well, a year younger than him, Nobuda. Radek had a good childhood. His image of the war was hidden by the masking from the Elder and her mother, and he almost always saw his father in armor, not even seeing his face. He only remembered the banner on his shield. One day when Felmos came, he said to the 6 year old Radek: "You'll be a good man when you grow up, Raddy. Take care of your mother for me, alright?". He rode away for the last time. It seemed as though his mother knew. Radek never asked. But he noticed a void. When he got older, he started questioning whether he was Swadian or Khergit. By law, your nationality is by your father, but the Khergits raised Radek. This was a question Radek would ponder endlessly. Tidal, soon enough, cought a cold, and it got out of hand. While she was on her deathbed, Radek finally asked: "Mother... Where did dad go?". "Well... My son... It's a long story. Your father... he had to deal with something back, with his lord" Tidal explained. "Who? Where? Is he even alive?", Radek asked, confused. "He is alive... It's a town, somewhere in Swadia... I cannot remember. Radek, my son. You are the last of my kin. Uphold the honor of yourself, and our family. We are of common birth, but honor is the most important thing we have. You know that. So please... Be like your father told of you. A good man", his mother said, before breathing her last. Radek turned his head down and tears fell from his eyes, but he knew that everything his family stood for was on his shoulders. So, he cleaned up the house, buried his mother, and started to live alone. But... Radek started to think about going out to find his father. He left this to think about another day, and time slowly passed...
It's morning. The village is mostly alive at this point, as most of the people went out to till the soil and milk the cows. Radek has been living alone for 2 months now. While sitting by the well, Nobuda, the village courier, galloped around with his horse yelling: "THE WAR IS OVER! THE WAR IS OVER!", with a piece of rolled up parchment in his hand. "Be calm now, Nobuda. Let these frail old eyes see.", the village elder said, and Nobuda delivered him the scroll. "Haha, Nobuda! The first time that you didn't bring tax notices or warnings of the Swadians attacking!", the village elder happily said, filled with joy that the war was over. Nobuda was 16, relatively young to be the courier, but he had to inherit the family business aged 14 as his father had been shot by a Swadian Skirmisher while delivering a letter. Nobuda hitched his horse and sat next to Radek. "What's up, Raddy? This is a time to celebrate!", Nobuda gleefully said, only to hear his response; "If it weren't for the war, I wouldn't have been born. But it was time. We've suffered enough". Nobuda was confused, and asked Radek: "Wait… you aren't going to go and find your father, right?" Radek calmly responded: "Well, let's just say that I have wanderlust". Nobuda left at that point. Radek had been thinking about this ever since his mother died. To go out, not just to find his father, but to meet the world. To see it in a completely new light, not just as a small farmer boy destined to work the soil until he dies. Radek didn't want to accept that fate. And he didn't. 2 weeks later Radek gathered up enough supplies, dressed in an appropriate leather jerkin, his standard khergit hat, and of course, his bow and his sword. He took a newly grown colt that recently reached adulthood, and who Radek tamed himself. The village elder was surprised to see Radek leave, but he knew that we can all choose our fates; "I hope you find what you are searching for out there, Radeke, but be wary, as death is lurking around Calradia, even after the war. Be careful." "Thank you, master. I will." Radek soon galloped away, heading westwards.
(Well, there's my introduction. Radek's journey will continue on in chapter 2!)