Chapter 1: Just a Farm Boy
The sound of hooves clapping on dry soil woke me from my peaceful slumber under the apple tree that stood just in front our home. I quickly pulled myself up from the soft, green grass and nervously made my way to the fence that separated our property from the main road called Trotters Path.
Leaning over the fence, I identified the approaching traveller. "Oh no!" I yelped as I quickly ran back inside the house and closed the door behind me with gentle thud. I peered nervously from out the window as the stranger galloped by, and my fears were confirmed; She was not a horseman. No, she was what many of us would call a monster girl (a Centaur to be exact.) Even if she was just a traveller, going about her business, I wasn't to going to take any chances. Father told me to keep away from them, and I planned to do just that!
I should probably introduce myself. My name is Bain Kolf-Skot. Not really much to say about myself, to be honest. I'm just a ten year old boy living on a farm with my family. Said family consists of my Father, Mother, little sister and baby brother. I don't really do much at home other than help my Father with tending to the various crops and livestock that we either sell to passing merchants or eat at our table. When I'm not working im either running around in the fields with my sister Tania, or in the barn, practicing with a short, but powerful yew bow my Father made for me to hunt the rabbits and crows that plague our property.
I don't mind helping out at home and I'm getting better with the bow every day. But I'm starting to feel like I could do so much more with my life outside the farm. But, sadly, I've never even travelled past the front gate! Why you may ask? Well, it's quite simple really; the world I live in is filled with monsters that crave the flesh of men….. Sort of. They used to a long time ago. But Father told me some sort of magic has turned them into woman that look a lot more like us, and are able to talk and think creatively like we do. Despite this however, their still dangerous and regularly hunt humans (particularly men.) but every time I ask him what they would do to us if we were ever caught he just goes red in the face and tells me I will learn about it when I'm older. It doesn't really bother me as he always seems to know best. Taking good care of all of us and telling me so many tales of noble knights and fearless explorers, traveling to some of the most dangerous places in the known world. Rescuing princesses, and slaying vicious dragons and minotaur's with spells and steel.
My Mother's always been a gentle and loving woman. But she's been feeling very frail as of late. Some unknown illness has been affecting her from within. We try our best to keep her happy. But there are days when she can't even leave her bed. Requiring Tania and myself to do most of the house work ourselves. Fathers also tries his best to lighten the mood around the house with silly jokes, and annoying pranks. But to be honest, I'm starting to get worried about her.
Tania and I have been inseparable since the day she was born. Always running around during the day, looking for anything to pass the time. At night she would always bake cakes for the family to eat that always taste delicious. And we always talk about how exciting it would be to explore the world outside. But just like me, my sister would be considered prey to some of the monsters that lurk in the darkness of the forests, oceans and deserts.
The only one in this family that rubs me up the wrong way is my baby brother, Sherwin. Only two years old and he's already causing trouble! He cries almost every time he's put to bed or told off for something. And he's always following me around, annoying me with his half sentenced question on everything he sees! Everyone says he'll grow out of it. But mark my words. "He will cause me nothing but trouble."
