War of the rites

by IdiosyncraticFrogger

Secoria was a land of giant trees and magic. It was once a raging land that had ten factions as most of these stories do. The factions fought for power, a power. The strongest power in this world. It was called 'The War of the Rites'. It was during these times that the small folk referred to as the last days of light, and it would be the undoing of their world.

2. Chapter 1: Lahote River

The Northern Sea

Paul Lahote watched as the water flowed slowly from the palm of his tan hand toward the rest of the river that he had been named for. His icy blues watched as the water flowed slowly before his dark blond bangs obscured his view of the river. His breath huffed from his full lips as he clicked his tongue to the rhythm of the water that dripped into the larger body of water. The furs around his arm only kept the chill at bay for a `moment before his body would freeze once more. At age fifteen, Paul was the top healer in the Valley. He took pride in the fact that he could do so much for his people. He stood up and looked around. A stretch heard his back pop from staying in a crouched position for so long. At only fifteen his height had already surpassed his father's. Paul looked to the river and smiled thoughtfully. The Paulus River was the main source of water that flowed through the Valley Crescent. No matter which way you looked you'd see the Northern Mountains surrounded you. Beyond those mountains was the Green Sea, for which his people had been named. The Valley was warmer than the mountains, but still no matter what season you were in, your breath could still be seen. A shiver ran through his body before he released his hold on the water. He wasn't sure if his being out here was divine intervention of just his curious nature, but drawn here he was. Drawn to the river that birthed his people from nothingness. He turned away from the river to look at the mouth of the mountains that the road came from. His eyes watched as a shadow crept up to the entrance only to back away quickly.

He moved silently and made his way up to the road. His curiosity spurred him further than his fear of anything. His icy blue eyes followed the pattern that the shadow made as it zigged its way around the entrance of the mouth. Entranced he moved to the side of the mountain face that stood to the right. He watched with amazement as the shadow danced once more. It wasn't until the shadow stopped that Paul froze in place. He could feel its eyes on his person as the hair on the back of neck stood up straight.

He could see the whites of the eyes as they stared at him from below.

He shook off his fear and jumped from his spot to just inside of the road. Shadows could not pass the threshold of the mountain, he knew. He knew this shadow would try to gain favor with him. "Who are you?" He demanded, his voice slick, like the water he grew up in.

"The child has been born." The dark, deep raspy voice replied. "The Child of Shadows has been born."

Paul froze in his spot before the shadow dispersed and he stared into nothing. The child of prophecy had been born. The Child that would bring shadows to the world. He turned quickly and ran toward the head of the Valley's home.

A/N: Chapter 1 is done...Here you are. We'll see how my little story goes.