Every day he was learning.
The first word he ever learned was 'напиток.'
The second was 'мать.'
After that, the words and phrases came of their own accord, slipping from his throat with ease. Every day, this life became more effortless for him; he educated himself in his mother's shadow, in the freshly churned soil behind the plow. It had taken him months, but he had finally mastered self-restraint and perfect control. Now he was free to wander about their property, trailing his pull-toy duck behind him. Summer days, he traveled behind the oxen, their deep musky blood permiating the air. In the fall and winter months, he built his towers, pillars of smooth wood for his mother. Then, there were days, he would merely sit beneath the monsterous, needled trees and read, absorbing as much information as he was given.
Every day was another fresh experience.
Soon, too soon it seemed, other words crept into his vocabulary.
зло.
монстры.
смерть.
The last shook him to his core; sent him scurrying behind his mother's skirt, suddenly afraid of every strange pair of eyes, leery of any approaching party. He was a good boy. A good boy! He wanted to wail, to throw himself upon the dirt floor and cry. It would not have been out-of-character for his age, but for his intelligence-- well, it was extreme. They would run. They would hide with, like, the forrest vermin from their pursuers. His mother, his sweet, devoted mother would coo softly into his ear to quiet him, smooth his hair, lulling him into a sense of security.
мать.
мать.
It would be less than a week, he knew. Even the hushed murmurings from across the room could not be drowned by the roaring winds and pinging of the rain against the window panes. They could out run forever and still not have enough time. He would not let his mother suffer because of his existence. He snuck from the cramped shack, prepared to run, to save her at the very least.
He was too late.
The riders were coming for them.
мать.
мать.
Мать, спасите меня!
напиток -- drink
мать -- mother
зло -- evil
монстры -- monsters
смерть -- death
Мать, спасите меня! -- mother help me