I still do not own.
My journey was not easy, of course, not least because of my need to hide from the sun. Oh, I could travel during the day, if I chose, but then I would be red, and likely have blisters and possible infection to deal with, none of which I had the patience for. And so I traveled exclusively at night, and got along well enough. I reached the edge of the blank area on my map after about a week, and near dawn.
There was a forest, deep and cool and green. I entered only the fringe of the trees, and watched the sky. As the sun began to rise in the east, I looked to the north, to the heart of the forest. My eyes began to tear from the brilliance, and I retreated some ways further into the shadow of the woods. As the sky lightened, until blue shown even to the west, the sky to the north remained dark.
Almost shouting in joy, eyes still streaming from the light and skin beginning to burn after even so short a time, I ran to the north, to the endless night it promised. As the forest thickened, the light grew dim and defused, but even so, it was obvious where the day ended and the unnatural night began. I gleefully crossed the border, thinking only that now I had found a place where I could live as I wished, where I could wake when I wanted. A place where my nightlife would not be strange, for it would be shared by everything I met.
I lived my new life alone in the woods for some time, I don't know how long. There were difficulties, here as everywhere, for I had never lived in a forest before, never depended on nature for my food and shelter, and never engaged in gentlemanly pursuits such and hunting. Still, I made my way without any feelings of depravation. I did not even miss human company, for I'd had little enough as a youth.
The moon, always full, shone on the lake where I was bathing that night, or evening, or whichever hour it was. I shivered slightly as I submerged in the water that had never known the sun's touch. When I surfaced, there was a man on the shore, a big man, with a full dark cloak and blood-red hair. He was watching me curiously, and I did the same, waiting for him to speak. He was as full of colour as I was empty, and I smiled at the dichotomy. He must have thought I was smiling at him, for he broke the silence with a question.
"So, you find me pleasing?" he asked, seeming pleased himself.
"I find you confusing," I corrected.
"Did you not know onto whose land you wandered?"
I shrugged. "I knew of no man in this forest but myself," I replied, walking to shore. The strange man studied me as I dressed, and I found myself blushing at his appraisal. I spoke to cover my unease. "I am Joachim Armster."
He bowed in recognition of my introduction. "And I am Walter Bernhard, Master of this forest. Perhaps you would do me the honor of guesting at my castle?"
I knew of no reason to refuse, though I suspected that there were in fact many. I nodded my assent, and only then noticed that Walter's eyes seemed as red as my own, though he obviously did not share my condition. I resolved to ask him about it at some latter date, when I knew his moods better. For now, I simply followed him to his castle.
And now, time to respond to reviews.
MekkaBabble: Yes, I DID try to get the tone right. Thanks. I might do another story about Joachim's childhood... Should I?
Kitala: Nice name. Glad you like
Pluto: In word, single spaces, 12-pt, Times New Roman, each chapter is one page long, except for two which are two pages long. I did this on purpose, as a challange to myself. Normally, my chapters ARE longer, just not this time. Don't worry, I will fininsh this.
Daenis TooShy: No, there's not, is there? Yes, I will keep writing.
Anyone else, review! Now! smiles
