The Newcomer

The Newcomer

Prologue

10 years ago…

Falin carried his prize of meat back home through the woods of Kalthrak, in the Ganthrip district. His parents, grandparents, and younger sisters were waiting for him back home, only a mile away. He was fifteen, and he was already a huge figure, taller than most of the boys in town, but even though most people would judge him too big and too awkward on his feet at first glance, he was very agile, and knew more than most people about hunting.

The doe on his shoulders was his best kill yet. He'd killed it without it noticing, so the flesh was very tender. If he'd been noticed, the doe would've bunched its muscles, and then the meat would be tough.

Falin broke into a run as he subconsciously decided that his family would be pleased at his kill, his bow on his back.

When he'd left his small country home, the sounds of his sisters' squeals of delight while his father played with them.

And when he returned, he saw flames. Huge red flames, and the sound of soft crackling. No screams of pain.

Just the sight of his house burning down. And his sisters and father dead on the front lawn. A tear rolled down Falin's cheek. He looked to his right to see the riders galloping away across the grassy plains.

He looked at the flames and something inside him died.

And something else found a place to fester and grow.

* * * * *

Falin remembered the time when he'd lost all he held dear. He was 25 now and he'd had his revenge. Just 15 minutes ago he'd slain the last of the men that had killed his family.

'Do you know why I'm going to kill you?' he asked the man who lay in his bed.

The man, Defter, shook his head, a blank look in his eyes.

Falin curled his lip. '10 years ago you murdered my family.'

'I don't remember,' Defter said, his eyes focused on the knife at his throat.

And Defter died without a scream.

Falin felt empty. He expected revenge to be fulfilling, but he was just a murderer. A petty criminal.

Now he was the villain.

Falin walked out of the city, shocked at his thoughts.

He entered the forest around the city, and walked on for miles. And he decided to make camp somewhere, but he couldn't make a fire, as all of the wood he found was wet.

Then he saw the Zane tree, a twisted plant with holes on its bark.

He walked closer to it and saw that it was hollow.

'Perfect,' he thought.

Falin climbed inside the tree and sat down on the soft dry earth. There was a lot of space in the tree, enough to make a comfortable home.

He ran his hand through his soft grey hair, and heard a voice that came from inside the tree.

'And you must be Falin.' Falin surged to his feet and drew his dagger.

The dark tree suddenly lit up and Falin saw an old woman sitting at a table.

'Put away your weapon, child, and sit down.'

Falin did so and pulled up a chair at the table.

'Who are you?' Falin asked the woman. She lifted her head and looked at Falin.

'Guess.' Falin saw the old woman's ears. They were…

Round. And her hair was the strangest colour for hair he'd ever seen. It was black.

'You are Morlfan, the woman of the woods,' Falin said.

'Indeed I am.' Morlfan was someone from legend, who supposedly came from another world. Or not so much another world, another reality, where the technological and biological evolution was different. That would explain the round ears and black hair. She was also said to be a great magicker.

'I have waited for you for a long time,' she said, still looking at Falin. Her face was beautiful, and so unlike anything he'd ever seen. 'I have a favour to ask of you.'

'What is it?' Falin replied, gaping at her face.

'I must ask you to travel to my world and defeat a demon that will surely overcome it without your help. Four people will aid you. They are all like me. One male, three female. The male is an angel of sorts, and the females are all witches. One can halt time, one has telekinetic powers, and the other has limited abilities of being able to see into the future.'

'I will help you,' he said without realizing it.

Morlfan smiled at him. 'I knew you would.'