Balto held the sword awkwardly, turning it in his hands. He made a deep lunge, swinging it upward in a thrust like he had seen his older brother Marko do during training. Balto returned the sword to its scabbard and laid that gently in the corner of his room.
The sound of heavy hoof beats reached his ears and he glanced hesitantly out the window. Oh no! The Takers! They were coming toward the house! Balto dashed under his bed, where he had been told to hide when the Takers came.
It was not long before he heard a knock on the door and the muffled sounds of his parents and the Takers talking. Then it was quiet for awhile as they searched the house, taking what they pleased. This was the way of the Takers, as it had always been. Balto went ridged as the sound of heavy boots drew near. He could see them from under the bed as the man they belonged to paced around his room. The man picked up a small brass bell with elegant red ribbon tied around it, which Balt had gotten last Christmas.
It suddenly slipped from his hands and rolled under the bed. Balt held his breath as the man knelt down and felt around for the bell. His hands closed tight on Balto's collar instead. He was drug out and the Taker called one of his cronies into the room.
"Bring him," said the crony, laughing dryly, "he can serve Old Hoffman as another servant. Come on, let's go. Seth got another boy, down by the stables." Dragging Balto along, the group left the house, past his crying parents, and out into the road.
With a gasp, Balto saw that the Takers had another young captive, Tucker. Tucker's parent's had both died in a carriage accident long ago, but he was strong and could take care of himself. He had longing red-brown hair, and was very headstrong and full of vigor. He was about nineteen, older that Balto, who was fourteen as of three days before. Silently he prayed to the Gods that Tucker would not do anything stupid because of his pride.
They were both tied on the backs of horses as the Takers left the village. It was nightfall before they finally reached the camp. It was situated in a small clearing, with a small stream running the length of one side. The two captives' hands were bound before them and they were led into the biggest of the many tents jammed in the small area.
Inside there was a huge, angry looking man seated in an even larger chair. The guard left and they were left alone with the angry-looking man. He looked them each up and down with a critical eye before saying anything.