Chapter 2

Shhhing! Shhhing! Shhhing!

There it was again…

Shhhing!

The raspy sound of metal grinding on stone.

Shhhing!

Grunting in aggravation, a young girl sat up in her cot. Looking around the bedroom in the early morning light, she spied her own father's bed. Empty.

'Great.' She thought, 'He's at it again…'

She got up, stripped off her thin nightgown and changed quickly, shivering lightly. It was becoming colder, a clear sign fall was coming. Deep azure colored hair brushed and dressed in her regular wool garments and a warm jacket, she walked out of the small bedroom she shared with her father and went into the only other room in the cottage where they lived.

There her father sat in front of the fire, sharpening a hunting knife. Beside him lay a bundle of new arrows and his bow, which was freshly polished and had a new string hanging from one end.

"…Dad?"

He stopped his work and turned to smile wearily at her. "Hello, Atlah. How did you sleep?"

She frowned. "I slept just fine, thank you, though I wish I could ask you the same."

Her father looked perplexed. "What ever do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb! Your bed wasn't even slept in!" her face suddenly softened into sadness, "Dad… what are you up to?"

Her father turned away and didn't speak.

"You drag me all the way to the Gold's capital city, force us both into hiding in this little hut in the slums for weeks, you hardly sleep a wink and when you do it's only for a few hours…"

Her father still refused to acknowledge her.

"Dad… what's wrong?" she walked forward and wrapped her little arms around him, face buried in his back. "Why are we here? What's going on?"

"What I am doing…" he finally spoke, "is for the good of all our race, Atlah." He turned and lifted her onto his lap. He held her tight in a hug, and continued. "It is for the good of all Silvers… but most of all… it's for you."

"…I don't understand." She whispered.

"I hope you don't have to sweetheart. Ever." He set her down gently. "Now, let's eat some breakfast, yes?" He smiled another tired smile. Which Atlah returned.

"Okay."

'Yes.' He thought bitterly. 'I must enjoy my time with her while I can… If something goes wrong, I may have less time than I would want.'

With one last look at his equipment, he set the knife down and began cooking a meal for them both. What could very well be his last….