Chapter 1
Rhonin peeled open his eyes. Outside it was still dark, time for his chores. The boy struggled out of his bed, pushing himself out of the barn door. 'I am Rhonin' he though to himself, Rhonin, 'the farmer's son who sleeps with the hay and the pigs'. He reached around a wooden post and felt around for the tin bucket kept there. His cold fingers made contact with the colder metallic surface. He closed his hands around it and began to pace carefully across the field toward the cow shed. There, he sat on a stool with three legs, one much shorter than the other, and milked his fathers cow until the bucket was so full he could hardly carry it. With the full bucket in his hand, He trudged back across the field to the farm house, stopping periodically to insure the safety of his semi-precious cargo. The farmhouse was more like a shed, a humble dwelling (Still superior to the barn) that housed his "Parents". Like any other morning, Rhonin begrudgingly trod toward the shoddily built structure. The only difference this time was the slender figure clad in a flourishing brown cloak , a silhouette created by the newly dawning sun. The figure stood tall, a long slender package in its hand wrapped in a cloak of sorts as to disguise its true identity. The figure faced the door silently, as if waiting for an unheard reply. Rhonin stared at the intimidating figure wondering weather he should introduce himself or go back to his barn and sleep in. He never got to make that decision. In one precise movement, the figure moved in a 90 degree angle to face the direction rhonin was standing. On instinct, Rhonin placed his bucket on the ground and strode to greet the newcomer at his parents door.
"Good morning sir" He politely said, with forced enthusiasm
A female voice replied to his query.
"Good morning to you too young man" Said the newly acquainted lady, with a hint of sarcasm, "Though you may be sorely mistaken in your observation". A smirk crept across her face as it was illuminated by the moving sun. Rhonin observed the woman's pale features. A face that appeared to match a 25 year olds met him. Soft features and rough brown hair, the lady's face was unblemished. Rhonin moved forward as not to stare at the clearly attractive woman.
"I'm… Sorry madam" He let out with a stutter, feeling his cheeks turn to a deep crimson
"It does not matter" replied the mysterious young woman, "Though if you are those who live within this shack of sorts, You would do well to let me in!" the lady exclaimed almost humorously.
"Miss, I don't live here. I sleep in the shed" Blurted Rhonin
"But are you not their son?"
"Yes but… I have slept in the barn for most of my life.."
"Oh dearey me… this was not planned" she mumbled, obviously not expecting Rhonin to hear.
Rhonin unclipped a key attached to his rope-belt and opened the door….
And he was met by his father, plump face as red as a tomato, first with rage, then with embarrassment.
"Son,… who is this?!" Exclaimed his father, emotions of mixed embarrassment and rage
"She was waiting here for you father" Replied Rhonin nervously
"SESIL! LEAVE THIS BOY ALONE!" a firm female voice yelled.
"Or… or… Ortemis?" Replied the red faced man
"Sesil, I see your small incompetent mind has managed to grasp my being. Yes Sesil, who else would appear at your doorstep at this time in the morning, other than your enslaved 'Son'!"
On this note, the lady barged through the door, Brown coat flourishing behind her. She strode majestically through the middle of the farmhouse, sitting at his parents dinner table.
"Please sit" said Ortemis , in a nicer tone
Sesil began to approach the chair
"NOT YOU IMBECILE! RHONIN!"
Rhonin was shocked at how timid his father appeared in front of this domineering figure. Never before had Rhonin seen his father intimidated. He was always the figure who told him to graze the sheep, or till the fields. This was a welcome change. Rhonin did as he was asked, and sat by the young woman.
"Now, Rhonin, my incompetent friend here has been downright mean to you, has he not?"
Rhonin received a hard glare from his father
"Well…. Yes… But… this is my father"
"Squat!" yelled Ortemis "Did you neglect even to tell the boy his heritage, his roots!"
Sesil, Rhonin's ex-father stared in disbelief
"I never thought the day would come…" he muttered in shock "But alas, it is here. Take me old hag for what I am worth, please have mercy on a forgotten soul".
" I refuse to allow something so tainted to live!" she exclaimed.
With one swift strike, her hand clasped around a handle emerging from the package, she withdrew the massive broadsword and slashed it across Rhonin's former fathers chest, almost slicing him in two.
"WAI…" Rhonin began, but he was already too late.
The now known lady grabbed the boy by the arm and dragged him out the door.
"We must go now" she said calmly, almost completely shrugging off her murderous spree.
Rhonin simply stared and obeyed.