Chapter 2
The Leaving
In another corner of the world, in a different time, the woods were eerily silent, but for the swaying of the trees.
"Now I have you ... you ... snake!" A voice shouted as a figure wearing a medallion and carrying a sword dashed out from the brush at the unsuspecting traveler.
"Ah, do you think that a Corsair could so easily sneak up on me, I think not! Feast on my blade!", said the traveler as he unsheathed his sword and met the attacker's blade. The two strangers locked eyes and blades before the traveler swiftly knocked the feet out from under the corsair. As his blade came down on the pirate, the foe quickly rolled out of the way - dogging the blade as it smacked onto the forest floor. The corsair quickly stood to his feet before dashing at his adversary. The traveler would have been doomed if not for two rocks hitting the pirate in the chest, bringing his assault to a halt. Giggles from behind a bush ensued, stinging more than the rocks. The traveler used this opportunity to stand back up before blocking the onslaught of attacks from the enraged corsair. On and on and on this went as the sound of wood clashing against wood and the occasional rocks hitting the two opponents sounded throughout the forest.
"You won't win brother! We Corsairs are too fast for you!", even if you have two allies who are really good at THROWING ROCKS!", Idro shouted.
"I have even more tricks up my sleeve that I know you won't like!", Imrahil shouted in reply.
"You'll never win!", Ivriniel and Finduilas shouted defiantly from behind their bush.
Imrahil chuckled at his sisters, diverting his attention away from the fight. At that moment Idro struck Imrahil's kneecaps with his stick as Imrahil fell down in dismay, tossing his sword up in the air.
"Ah, I have you know!". Idro triumphantly cheered.
As Idro went in for the kill Imrahil reached up and grabbed his brother's wrist, throwing the surprised Idro behind him. Idro landed flat on his back with the wind knocked out of his chest. Realizing his medallion was missing, Idro frantically searched for it, forgetting all about the battle. Feeling the medallion's chain in the grass, he smiled till he felt the wooden side of his sword pressed against his neck - bringing him back to the game.
"Fine, you win.", Idro said sorrowfully. "But after supper, you're on!", he said with a grin.
Imrahil helped Idro up to his feet and Ivriniel and Finduilas came out from their hiding spot laughing. All of a sudden, the laughter died, as Imrahil grinned mischievously before racing back to their family's summer cabin with his siblings in toe.
...
Knock, knock, knock. Prince Adrahil got up and kissed his wife, Tamalius as he went to open the door. Imrahil, Idro, Ivriniel and Finduilas looked up with delight.
It was their trusted servant, Eldrick. He had been a friend and servant of the family, but he was more like an uncle to Imrahil, Idro and his sisters. He always looked kindly on Idro when most people ignored him because he was not a "pure blood".
After bowing slightly, Eldrick said to the prince, "Adrahil, the city needs you, there has been a raid of Corsairs that tried to breach the main gate."
Imrahil felt a storm was coming upon their family getaway.
"They were pushed back easily enough by your men" -
Oh good, he thought –
"but the people are shaken up." –
Oh no, he felt the thunder rumble.
"As we have not experienced a raid attack from Corsairs since nearly 30 years ago, since your father …"
He looks away, but not before Imrahil can see a single tear run down his uncle's face.
"No worries my friend, I will be coming shortly after me and the family pack up", Adrahil said with a hint of sadness.
At once the storm shattered Imrahil's dream into a thousand pieces. Going back to the city meant endless council meetings with the elders, attending his father's endless speeches, with no time to be a kid: playing make-believe with his brother and sisters. As he looked wearily across the table at his comrades: Idro, Ivriniel, Finduilas; Imrahil could see the same childhood dismay etched in their faces.
Tamalius saw their dismay and asked, "Adrahil, I think the children would like to stay another night, why don't you go ahead and me and the kids will join you tomorrow". With a nod of understanding, Adrahil replied, "Of course". With that he kissed each one of them goodbye, strapped his sword hilt to his waist, slung his blue and white swan shield over his shoulder, and saddled his own horse. Adrahil and his faithful servant trodded up the valley surrounding the cottage, but as the father came to the top of the crest, he turned around and looked longingly toward his wife and his children as if saying a secret message to each one of them in the span of a moment. Then with a flick of the reins, he fell away from their sight, behind the hill.
For the rest of the meal, his father's empty chair gave Imrahil an uneasy feeling, but he didn't know why. Soon he understood, because the next time he saw his father was five days later, as he lay lifeless in his casket.