Prolouge

The setting sun's rays shone down on the greenery as the trees cast shadows on the land beneath, the grass was only disturbed by the slight wind that blew through the surroundings, disturbing the small pond by creating miniature waves along its surface.

A majestic creature stepped forward, bending its strong neck to take a drink. Its two antlers stood proudly, pointing to the heavens as it got its share and raised its head, starting to observe the surroundings for any kind of danger.

In the distance, covered by the shadows, two figures were observing the mighty creature. The two humans shared a connection, based on how one of them was a younger version of the other.

In their hands, bows were held, with arrows already in place, ready to be drawn. The younger of the two drew his bow as quietly as he could and aimed the tip of the arrow toward the solitary creature.

The deadly projectile was ready to be released, but fortunately for the creature, the little one hesitated.

It's not that he didn't understand why they needed to end the life of another being. Its silver fur sold for a good amount of copper, the antlers could be kept as a trophy, and the meat would provide for two days.

However, just imagining ending the life of another living, breathing creature, just didn't sit right with him. He didn't like it.

However, The older of the two was ready, unlike his younger counterpart, the bow was drawn swiftly and quietly and the arrow was released as soon as it was trained on the target.

The arrow flew cut through the air, the releasing of the string getting Silvastag's attention, but it was too late. The arrow pierced the stag's chest, entering its lungs.

The sudden pain made the animal jump and as soon as it landed, I dashed away, leaving a faint trail of blood in its wake.

"Go after it."

The deep voice of the boy's father sounded as he stood up, towering over the younger of the two as he nodded in the direction the stag ran from its hunters.

The younger of the two slumped his shoulders and stood up, walking closer to the pond where the stag drank moments ago. Looking at the direction it jumped, he spotted the prints of the stag's hooves and followed them deeper into the forest, followed by his father.

Drops of blood were spotted along the way and the prints changed directions, leading them to their prey.

As expected, the stag didn't last long with its lung pierced as it was wheezing through its nose as it lay on the grass, trying feebly to get enough air in its lungs to survive.

The boy's father stepped up next to his son, kneeling down and looking at the dying animal. Without a word, he motioned his son to come closer and he obeyed, taking a step forward and kneeling.

The father stared at him for a moment, his eyes searching his son's expression for something.

"Finish it."

The boy took a breath through his clenched teeth and placed the bow on the ground, between him and his father.

Taking out the knife that was sheathed on his waist, he placed the tip of the blade on the stag's chest, right where his heart should be. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at his father, who was looking at him with an expression he could not decipher.

Closing his eyes, he applied pressure on the knife, piercing the skin, entering the already dying stag and piercing its heart. The creature let out one last dying breath and finally closed its eyes.

Letting go of the handle of the knife, the boy stood up, taking a step back.

His father was still looking at him, observing him before sighing and standing up.

"Alright, Let's go home and drain the blood from it, you will skin it."

The voice was stern, causing the already disheartened boy to frown further as he nodded. He knew that wasn't a request, he would skin the stag, and he would not complain about it.

Nodding, the boy led the way, bow in hand in case another animal appeared while the father dragged the deer back to their house.

Finally breaching the tree line, the two spotted a small village they lived in. It was a small place, nothing remarkable, not even a name, and not even marked on the map. Ten small houses were scattered around the clearing, some had fences with animals contained inside, and some had tables with fruits displayed in wooden boxes in front of them, The owner was talking to a woman who was looking at the fruits with a basket in her hands.

People of the village preferred trading items instead of giving copper as payment, the said currency was used in case they needed guards to protect them, investigate odd occurrences around the area, or buy something that couldn't be made in here.

Walking into the village, the father-son duo, greeted the people they came across, until finally reaching their house. It was nothing remarkable, four walls with two rooms inside along with the area where he and his father would sit to eat and make food.

While his father was busy hanging up the deer to drain the blood from it, the boy looked at the setting sun, he would need to light the candles.

Walking inside the house, he placed his bow and quiver by the entrance and walked inside. It took a few minutes to get the fire started in the fireplace, but when it was done, he lit one of the candles and used it to light the others.

The door opened and his father walked in with a cooking pot full of water.

He must have washed it, the boy mused, as the older man left the pot on the table and walked over to grab the stored meat they started draining in the afternoon.

"I will cut up the meat, you heat up the water, Reylan."

The boy, Reylan, got to work immediately, picking up the cooking pot and hanging it over the fireplace, waiting for it to heat up.

It didn't take long for his father to return with the meat on a wooden board, cut into small pieces so that it would be enough for the both of them.

By the time the food was done, the sun had fully set and the outside of the house was pitch black, he couldn't even see anything if he tried.

Sitting down at the table after splitting the food, they ate in silence, Reylan knew he disappointed his father when hunting for the deer, and now he hoped not to make him madder than he already was.

The evening ended in silence, with neither of them wanting to start a conversation but Reylan felt that they would talk about it the next day since this was how it usually went.

When he went to sleep, he didn't expect to wake up to fire and screaming raging outside his house.