Chapter 1 Tristan: Gain and Loss

Our town had always been ravished by war. Ever since I was small, I always remembered soldiers marching in and out of the village. They were either kind to us or they would rob and burn everything to the ground. There were many nights that I would watch the faint red glow from my father's trading post. My mother would freak out if I stood too close to the window, in fear a stray arrow would break it, killing her only child.

My father would travel to far-off lands to make whatever he could to support us. While he was away, my mother and I would take care of the shop. It was fun working it with her. I was able to meet many interesting people who taught me skills, many of which would aid me later in life.

Traders from the Mesmoewana would often teach me swordsmithing, how to repair damaged equipment as well as how to fight. Traders from the East would come in and demonstrate their skills for hunting with a bow and arrow as well as gathering food. They claimed that this was a basic skill all traders, young and old, should know. I grew fond of many of the traders from the outskirts of Ocril. And, if they could make it through the mountains to my village, traders from the Aplos would teach me about herbs and medicine as those from the Echos told me tales of Gods and Valkyries.

I taught many of these back to my friend Caldon. He was the only child from the village below that would scale the mountain face to come to play with me. Similar in age, Caldon was a bright and energetic boy with blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes. Mother was very fond of him and would often praise him whenever he showed up. I remember one night when Caldon was staying over; the news of my father's capture and ransom was delivered to our door. We were not expecting any more visitors that night so the lowly raps on our door surprised us. My mother, still in her work clothes, had been patching up one of our customer's torn shirts by the fire. She walked cautiously to the front door and opened it a crack; making sure no threatening presence dared to invade our abode.

But not a single person was in sight.

She unlocked the door further, curious now as to how and why someone would wish to play tricks on the traders' door; who were so far away from society. I remember as I walked up behind her, rubbing my tired eyes, and grabbed onto her dress.

"Momma, what's wrong? Who's at the door?" I asked through my yawn.

"Now, now Tristan dear. Momma is checking." Mother said, gently pushing me behind her.

My mother opened the door further and suddenly stepped back in shock. She quickly turned around to cover my eyes from whatever was there. But it was too late. As the cool mountain air rushed in, a piece of paper fluttered. For if it were not the arrow and my father's severed ear, it would have flown away.

For a few days, my mother would not leave her room. Word spread down the mountain that my father had been attacked and kidnapped by bandits who ordered a hefty fee for his safe return. Though the number was something we could pay off, it would mean having my mother and I starve until my father's return. During this time, Caldon could not visit and I grew lonely.

After a short time, my mother made a decision and paid the full ransom fee to the bandits. She sent it off with a friendly trader and prayed for both his and my father's safe return.

For weeks, my mother and I waited. Running the shop grew lonesome and more agitated for my mother by the day. On one beautiful spring day, my mother came to me and said,

"Son, let us go down to the village today. I will buy you whatever you want. Just pack some clothing and a few toys."

"Will I be able to stay at Caldon's house?" I asked excitedly.

My mother's face turned grim but it soon lit up again. "Yes, my dear. We wouldn't want to stay at the inn. It's just too costly."

I ran upstairs at the fullest speed my 6-year-old legs could carry. I grabbed the leather satchel that sat near my bed, which was once my father's, and filled it with all my belongings. I ran back down to my mother's side. Several large bags were slung over her shoulders as she calmly tied her dark brown hair into a delicate braid, smiling brightly as I hurriedly pulled on my shoes.

"I want the biggest shiniest toy we can find!" I giggled happily. My mother did not look to me, instead, she looked out beyond the wilderness from the open front door.

Mother picked me up when I was finished and carried me for most of the way. During that time, I fell asleep in her arms; dreaming of staying over at Caldon's house and playing with him. Soon night fell. My mother stopped, set up a campfire, made my bed, and then told me to get some rest.

"Momma, why are we not in the village right now?" I asked curiously.

"We are not going to the village right now my dear. Momma has to grab some special herbs from this part of the forest." Was her quick reply.

"But why? Couldn't you get them before we left?" I questioned, my eyes getting heavy.

My mother clenched her fists. Her dark eyes tearing up as she tried to force out her words.

"Tristan, baby, momma can only get these herbs on special nights." She put a trembling but caring hand on my head. "Now momma doesn't know how long she will be gone. But Tristan, always remember that no matter what happens, momma will always love you. No matter how far apart you, momma, and papa are...We will always be with you."

With tears streaming down her face, she gave my forehead a kiss before she grabbed her bag and got up.

"Remember Tristan, papa and I love you very much. Now get some sleep."

I laid down on my makeshift bed and watched as mother slowly faded into the darkness.

"Night night momma. I love you too."

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I was so innocent back then. Had I known what my mother was planning to do and how long she had planned it out; I would've begged for her to reconsider her choice. Begged her to find another way and spare both of us the heartbreak.

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The next morning I woke up all alone in that emerald green forest. It was the most quiet and peaceful thing I had ever felt. I wandered around the perimeter of our campsite, watching the bugs crawl up leaves, listening to the birds chirp bright songs that were suited for such a spring day.

I kept waiting. Hoping my mother would return soon. But as night fell and hunger arose, I quickly grew fearful in the fading light. I searched my belongings in hopes of finding something that would alleviate the pain. Quickly rummaging through my satchel, I noticed a small brown package sitting on the ground. As I picked it up, I spotted a silver chain keeping the package together. I inspected the outside further and discovered a strange pendant, dangling from the chain at the bottom.

I gently removed the necklace and held it up to the light. The silver pendant sparkled brightly. Its unique shape reminded me of a weeping eye. The blue jewel that sat in the middle resembled an iris of said eye. I put the chain around my neck; it dangled low on me due to my small size.

I finished opening the rest of the brown paper package to find a small loaf of bread, a piece of smoked meat, and a small block of cheese. There was writing on the inside of the paper that stopped me from immediately devouring the small meal.

Tristan,

I am very sorry to have to leave you there, all alone, but I could not bear to take care of the shop and you as well. After all the hardships that have happened during these weeks and the grief and sorrow that has struck our beloved family; I feel I can trust no one. So my dear child, I trust that you are more capable of taking care of yourself than anyone else. You are an intelligent boy and I am proud that you are my son.

Take care. I love you.

Mother.

My hands shook as I finished reading the letter. I looked up at the night sky, with the round full moon in view, calling my mother's name. Tears flooded my eyes as I fell to the ground. I sat there for hours, sobbing into my hands until my voice was nothing but sore hiccups.

My own mother had abandoned me. I felt alone and lost in this world. I cried so much that night that the grief caused me to pass out. Not caring whether the night would swallow me up or the wolves would do that themselves.

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During that night I dreamt I was riding on a brilliant white horse through a crowd of people. I was suited up as a gallant knight, my entourage at my feet. I was being led to the town square where my mother sat, kneeling beneath a scarecrow. Raven's pecked and clawed at its straw body, tearing and eating the bits. I got off my horse and walked over to my mother who was sobbing quietly.

"We didn't need to pay. It was going to happen. We didn't need to pay…" She moaned.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, but as I did, she turned into sand and drifted into the wind.

"I wish it was me and not him." The words, an agonized sob, drifted off as I turned to the scarecrow. I stepped back, my heart catching in my throat as I realized that it wasn't a scarecrow.

But the decapitated and bloody remains of my father.

It would be a nightmare that would haunt me for the rest of my life.

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My body lurched suddenly, causing me to stir from my sleep. I felt lighter than normal. As I looked down, the ground appeared farther from me than before. I opened my eyes fully to find I was being carried on someone's back.

"Ah, Tristan my boy! Good to see you're alive and awake." A familiar rough voice chuckled

"P-papa?" I asked, feeling a mix of tiredness as well as dazed from the nightmare.

"Sadly no child. I am not your dear father. I'm Caldon's father, remember?" The voice said somberly.

I looked up at the sun-beaten, leathery face of the lumberjack that was Caldon's father. His hair and eyes were the same color as Caldon's, showing that his son looked very much like his own father. He had come up to our shop a bunch of times to either sharpen his axes, spend the night after long days of cutting wood, or buy something special to take home to Caldon's mother. He was a nice man who was always eager to help mother with the shop or to bring Caldon up to play during the winter months.

I lifted my head from him and looked in the direction in which we were headed. In front of us the trees parted to a familiar cliff face I knew too well.

"Mister, how did you find me?" I asked, confused.

"That spot is commonplace for me to cut down trees. I would have found you eventually even if you weren't there." His words were kind and reassuring, putting me at ease.

A familiar building came into view.

"Now tell me, Tristan, did your mom ever tell you what happened or what she was planning to do?" Caldon's father's voice grew somber as we reached the door of the now empty shop.

"No sir, she only said that we were going to the village and that she would buy me anything I wanted," I replied.

Caldon's father turned away, biting his lip. He turned back and caught the glimmer from the necklace Mother had given me from the brown package.

"Tristan, I think your mother already got you that." He pointed at my necklace as I looked down. "That was your father's. Treasure it and it will always bring you good luck."

He stopped as he reached the front door of the shop. He set me down; taking out the spare key that mother had given him before and unlocked the heavy maple door.

"Now go inside and collect all your, your mother's and your father's belongings. We'll put it in my cart and take it home with us." He ordered.

I looked up at him, my eyes filling with tears. "Y-you mean I get to go to the village with you?"

"Yes my boy, you get to live with Caldon and us; as his new brother." He smiled and patted my head.

I hugged his leg and sobbed into his pants. For the rest of that day, Caldon's father and I packed up all my family's belongings and hauled them to his cart. As we did, Caldon's father tried to lighten the mood by telling me stories about my parents when they were children. Tales about their lives playing in the village that we were now headed towards.

We entered the village a little after nightfall. The candle lights in many of the villagers' houses were either gone or slowly being put out one by one. The cart rolled up to a two-story stone house with a straw-thatched roof and small windows. A single-lit candle flickered in one of the upstairs windows.

"Go up and get yourself ready for bed. I will place your things in the back." Caldon's father said as he pointed up towards the lit window.

I nodded quietly in response and walked towards the house. Silently, I opened the withered pine door. The inside reflected just how small the abode was. An old fireplace and washbasin sat on the left-hand side of the room. A homemade set of tables and chairs sat not too far from it with an older table behind it used by Caldon's mother to prepare food on. I made my way towards the wooden stairs, trying to be careful so as to not wake up Caldon's mother who was sleeping peacefully on a homemade bed on the other side of the room, from what I could tell. The stairs were dark and my eyes had trouble adjusting until I made it to the top. Since the space was open, I had no trouble finding Caldon's bed. In the dim light, I slipped in beneath the covers beside him. I could hardly sleep that night as my vision played back over the memories of the past few months. I could not get comfortable in my new bed either, so sleep was unachievable for that night. A few moments later, I sat up in bed and looked out into the night sky. The black mountain range of my home was but a silhouette against the approaching waning crescent.

I could hear the whispering of Caldon's parents from the main floor. Curious as to what they knew about my situation, I crawled out of bed and crept down the stairs.

"What do you mean his mother left him in the woods? Why would she do that?" Caldon's mother asked, annoyance lining her tone.

"My dear wife, imagine how you would feel if bandits posted my severed ear to our door, demanded a price that would break our home, and then once you pay it; you're rewarded with my severed head delivered to your door after morning chores. Would that not drive you insane?" Caldon's father said remorsefully.

"I understand my dear husband, but we cannot afford another mouth to feed." She said, wringing her hands in worry.

"I know my wife, but he is the son of my beloved friend. I cannot leave him on his own. He is only but a child." Caldon's father pleaded with his wife.

"Does he not have any skills? Will he be able to pay his share for our home?" Caldon's mother said coldly. Her green eyes hardened into solid jewels.

"He is a quick learner. I can teach him the tricks of my trade and bring him with me where I work." Caldon's dad bargained with his wife.

"Fine. But I will not keep a leech in my home if he cannot bring something back for us." She said, fixing the tie that held back her long blond hair before getting up from her chair.

I stepped back up the stairs. I knew that this would happen, but I was willing to repay them in any way I could. I crawled back into bed; hoping sleep would be merciful to me for the days to come.

As soon as the first light broke through the window, Caldon's father gently shaking my shoulder awakened me.

"Come my boy. I would like to get you to work in order to help the family." He said quietly so as not to wake his sleeping son.

I nodded quietly and got out of bed. His father took me to the back shed and told me to grab an ax that was around my size and anything else that would be a necessity while we were in the woods. I grabbed my father's hand-carved dagger. Its handle was etched with deers and rabbits, a charm to bring luck and quick action to those who wield it. I retrieved a handmade bow with a quiver with twenty arrows and some trapping wire. If I was able to pay Caldon's family back for their kindness then I would pay them back tenfold.

From there we traveled back up the mountain taking the same path in which he carried me from before. The cool mountain air rustled the trees surrounding our path as we carried on. The shadows dancing in and out, reminding me of the times my father would play his mandolin. How mother would sing tunes taught to her when she too traveled with father across the country. Our path veered off and away from the now-abandoned shop as we inched our way into the underbrush.

"Now Tristan, I know it has been not but a day since you entered our home but you must understand that we are not wealthy and cannot afford to feed many mouths." Caldon's father said, turning to me.

"I understand sir. I'll prove my worth, just leave it to me." I said confidently.

Caldon's father smirked, "My boy, I only wish for you to help me carry twigs and lumber down the mountain in order to sell them. That is really all I ask of you at this time."

I nodded in acknowledgment and shook my head. "I know mister, but I want to do more. Just give me half of the day on my own and I'll show you just that."

Caldon's father laughed. "Alright my boy. I will give you till the sun is in the middle of the sky to finish what you need. If you need help, please, don't hesitate to call."

I smiled brightly at him and ran off into the middle of the forest to find anything I could think of.

Wanting to impress Caldon's father with my skills, I ventured into the darkest part of the woods. The colder air of that side raised goosebumps on my arms. My instincts rose as I moved quietly around the threshold of leaves and twigs, damp from the morning dew.

I climbed over a fallen tree that blocked my path only to stumble into a bright and flowery meadow. Warm sunlight streamed from the break in the trees and danced on the white and purple petals of the flowers within. A small family of deer grazed in the middle of the meadow.

I pulled out an arrow from my quiver and set it. The clinking of wood drew attention to the eldest deer. A male with a large rack of antlers bigger than any I have ever seen, who only looked up, twitched his ear, and continued to eat. I could hear my heart pounding wildly, but having done this before with a small game, I immediately steadied my breathing before taking my aim at the stag's left eye.

Remembering what the traders from the East had taught me on their days off, I stood up straight. Steadied my hand and aimed the arrow. Slowly, I pulled the string back with all my might, calculating wind speed into my draw. The stag turned towards me again. Taking my chance I released the arrow, watching it fly and piercing its eye with acute accuracy.

A spray of blood flew in the open-air staining the pristine petals with crimson. The other two deer ran as the stag fell to the ground with a muffled thud. I relaxed my shoulders and smiled proudly at the biggest game I had ever caught. I ran over to the body that slowly twitched as the life drained from its body. I rummaged through my bag, looking for the twine that I had brought with me. Pulling out the beige rope, I unraveled it and tied it around the deer's back legs. Unsheathing my dagger, I cut a nice thick slice in the animal's throat, to drain out the blood as I dragged it down the mountain.

Grabbing my stuff, I threw the rope over my shoulder and prepared myself for the journey back. I huffed and moved forward, only to be stopped by the rope. The deer was much heavier than I had thought. I kept pulling but to no avail.

After a few more tries, I flopped down on the ground sighing in defeat. How am I going to get this animal down the mountain before the afternoon? I thought. I looked up at the sky, watching the clouds float by. I sighed again and dropped my head.

"What a fine animal you caught there, child."

An unfamiliar voice caught my attention among the silent trees. I looked in the voice's direction to see a young man standing in the middle of the sunny meadow. He wore a poet's shirt that was contained under a deep purple velvet vest with silver buckles. Sitting atop of his black slacks, a well-aged belt holding what seemed like a sword of some kind rested on his hip. The tip of the sword hiding behind his black cavalier boots. His chestnut hair fell in waves down to his shoulders, a purple streak falling in front of brilliant violet eyes. He smiled gently at me and gestured with his hand.

"Would you like me to carry that for you?"

I stared back at him in shock. How did this princely person get here? Why did I not see him before? I pushed those questions aside as time was of the essence and nodded, accepting the man's offer.

In a few short strides, the man was beside the now cold carcass. He bent over and lifted it over his shoulder. He made it seem like the animal weighed no more than a penny as he walked ahead of me.

"Come child. Do you not have to meet your caregiver by mid-afternoon?" He said, a smirk crossing his face as he glanced my way.

My eyes widened in shock. How did this man know? Who was he?

I got up from the ground and rushed beside him. Calmly we both started walking in the direction of where I had left Caldon's father. For a while, the strange man and I walked in silence. I finally got up my nerves to ask him some questions.

"Um, who are you, sir?" My voice quivered as I broke the silence.

"Consider me an estranged traveler of sorts. But who I am should not mean a lot to you at this time." Came his strange reply.

"Then what's your name?" I asked again, gaining confidence.

"My dear child, there are only three special people who know my name; The God above, The Devil below, and the woman I love on this earth." He stated, dodging the question.

"I guess I'm not that special, huh?" I said rather glum.

"Nonsense child, you are quite special. For the time that I have been alive, I have learned that every being in this beautiful universe has a goal set for them that they will soon accomplish by the end of their lifetime. No matter how big or how little, immoral or moral, the stars have set up a wonderful plan that only fate can tie together." He smiled as he looked up at the sky.

"So what do the stars have aligned for me?" I asked as a child-like wonder filled me.

The man chuckled to himself at the curious question. "My child, your fate will bind many together for the sole purpose of the one you love. It will even bring mine and my beloved together again. But I will say no more of that."

"Oh, okay. Well...Could you tell me who your beloved is?" I asked out of childish curiosity. The man chuckled to himself, then ran his free hand through his bangs.

"My, are children ever curious these days. I will not say her true name but I can tell you that her name reminds me of the beautiful crimson flower with sharp yet, even more, beautiful thorns." He glanced over at me, smiling with the brightest twinkle in his eyes.

"So, her name is rose," I stated.

"U-uh...I cannot confirm or deny that." The man stammered, his face growing red as he tried hard to not get caught in his slip-up.

"Tristan!" A familiar deep voice called from the path below us. Caldon's father, carrying his ax in one hand strode over to where the man was standing.

"Tristan, where have you been my boy? I've been wondering where you've disappeared to." Caldon's father said, running up to us.

"I-I was out hunting. I caught this for us." I stammered and pointed to the stag.

Caldon's father looked at me in shock. He took a moment to process his words before he could finally ask.

"If you were up in the mountains, how were you able to bring such an animal down to here?" Eying the carcass with a bewildered look.

"Oh, this man-" I stopped as I looked over to my right to find the man had disappeared. I looked all around me to see where he could have run off so quickly. But there was nothing as the woods stayed silent. Looking back down at the deer carcass, I noticed a single purple flower and a small brown feather.

"Uh, I dragged it down," I said after a moment of disbelief. Caldon's father seemed to buy it. Bending over, he picked up the carcass and slung it over his shoulder.

"Are you sure you dragged it, Tristan? It's rather heavy, even for myself and I've been a lumberjack for nearly twenty years." He huffed.

I nodded as I quickly scooped up the feather. The rose disintegrated on my touch and the pieces drifted off into the distance, carried by the warm wind.

That night, Caldon's family and I had a wonderful meal. Caldon's mother and father discussed what would be the best job for me to do while I was with them. It was soon established that I would be in charge of hunting for food as well as sharpening and repairing axes for Caldon's father at the local blacksmith shop. The role made me happy and relieved I finally had a place to stay and people who cared for me.

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Meet my characters!

Tristan:

https://ibb.co/KqpnWGW

Rose:

https://ibb.co/syz1FvL