1 Michael and Fern
In a kingdom of darkness under a sky of what seemed constant ash, there lived a young man who's hope for a better world had gone from a contagious glow to a flickering flame.
The years had passed quicker than some of the days and this kingdom of darkness that had once been the poor man's land of hope was close to taking it's last breath. the last ten winters had been a consistent string of chaos, wreaking havoc on the poor man's harvest and while at first rations were plentiful and it brought out the good, helpful nature of the people of Barosnis but that quickly diminished and the once good people were now self serving and distrusting- but with good cause. The cold winters brought with them hushed stories of break-ins, suspicions and wariness of each other's neighbours rather than some of the close-knit decade old bonds that had been passed on from the first settlers. And the bonds and friendships that those had been. They lived on in the stories that Michaels grandmother told about his forefathers; sitting among the council of kings, old stories that old people told. Michael couldn't imagine the current king sitting beside a poor man. mighty king Edward with this thinning wisps of silver gold hair, possibly much more silver now than when Michael had seen him last five years ago, making an announcement, giving out rations and calling for the people to be strong, to survive these hard times. Michael questioned whether the kings voice would boom as strongly now as it had then, with rumours of his illness coiling around anyone who stayed in a tavern long enough to listen.
"I think that's it, isn't it pup?" Michael called out to his large friend. Fern could draw many names from many men, but 'pup' would scarcely cross the minds of any of them. On his hind legs Fern was larger than even the looming Michael, covered in matted gray and white furr that a child's hand could disappear into.
Suddenly the large canine let out a whimpers, moments before another low grumble errupted from the sky. "Yeah, I'm scared too pup." Michael said quietly, getting on his knee beside the uneasy animal. Ferns whimpering only stopped when Michaels fingers rubbed into the furr of his back. "You're not much good for the size of you." Michael carried on his tone carried noted of sadness. At a time when everyone was expected to pull their weight, Fern was only an extra mouth to feed. While Michael loved the great beast dearly he had yet to find anything he was good for.
Above them in their darkened sky flashes on white and echoing claps of thunder now escorting heavy rain and while the morning had only just begun it was already time to go and surrender into the safety of their own home.
