Chapter One:
Emotion
Voikrum paced on top of a hill in the midnight. He couldn't believe what he had seen that day. He was feeling so many emotions at once; it was all so confusing. Nothing felt real, and it was as if he was watching himself through another persons' eyes. Reality had struck him hard. His mother is one of the dead now.
His trail of thoughts faded away and he was left standing still. One thing left lingering in his mind, was this exploding want of vengeance.
He heaved a long sigh and started walking towards his house. It was bigger than any of the other villagers homes. His mother and father had both built the house way before he was born. Suddenly thoughts of his mother came shoving their way into his mind once more, but he resisted. He's already spent so much time brooding over death's natural course.
Leaving a note on the table for his father, he set off with a bow and quiver, and a sword he had acquired from the local smith. He didn't want to leave his father at all, especially at a time when he is needed the most.
"Where are you going?" Voikrum turned around to see his father, holding the note in his hands. "Voikrum, how can you leave when things are at a downfall right now?!" Voikrum's father, Jaco, had a pained and angry face. Voikrum then felt a stab of guilt.
"Voikrum, you may not go! I can't stand being apart from the only family I have left!" Although this was not true because Voikrum had a grandmother, he could only feel the guilt spreading.
" I haveto go! You don't understand! And I can't let you come with me. You need to take care of grandmother Lini. And- and I just can't bear losing you and mother in just a matter of days." Voikrum looked down onto the ground. For a boy of sixteen, he has been through too many.
" Then you know how I feel, I don't want you to go. You are forgetting where your mother inherited her powers. Grandmother Lini can take care of herself. And besides, why would I even think of pursuing the filthy Vrati?!" Jaco spat.
Voikrum felt hopelessness, If I can't get him to stop arguing with me, then there is no hope of reaching the Land of The Vrati in time! I'll have to ask Doru for help escaping. I was thinking of a better way than deceiving my father, but it's the only way out now. After thinking through his plan, he decided to wait until the next day. His plan was still unstable, but it was his only option.
***
Dawn awoke, and Voikrum was already up and about. He was determined. His focus was on that one thing. Escape. He quickly washed his face and ran down the stairs, out the door and into the quiet awakenings of the village. People were waking up, woodcutters and hunters have already started heading out into the woods. The sun was turning into lighter blue and green with a hint of yellow in the distance. It was peaceful, but its something he needed, wanted to get away from.
He made his way over to Doru's house. Doru was a smith - he was the bearded man at the battle- he always woke up early and he made the finest weapons and armor. He was also excellent at crafting with metal. Steel frames, shaped into wonderful shapes and twists, cluttered the floor as well as the worktops.
Doru was busy hammering a piece of hot metal when Voikrum arrived. Without looking up from his work, Doru spoke,
" Young lad, sorry for your loss. We did try our best in protecting your mother. She did, however, kill the Vrati's strongest member." Shamefaced Doru looked toward the floor. "And it leaves me guilty, for I have been stuck battling a female Vrati. What foolishness have I committed?"
Voikrum thought about the Vrati's strength. It seems the old tales and legends were still true, the Vrati possessed the power of The Entrusted.
Voikrum had never faced a Vrati before. He suddenly became uncertain of the path he had chosen.
"I was just wondering…would you help me get to the…" Voikrum thought of ways not to sound suspicious, and get Doru to agree on helping him escape. "If you could help me get away from here for a while."
Then I'd turn northeast…but it would probably take weeks!
"And why would you even plan on going there? Well, I suppose so. When do you plan on leaving?" Doru seemed concerned and gave Voikrum a look that says 'Are you planning on getting' yourself killed boy?!'
Ignoring Doru's facial expression, Voikrum answered,
"Right now."