First section of: Prologue Arc^1101, Mordlok Territory (Arc^ means year) The long grasses of the Great Expanse whispered in the salty ocean breeze, making soft music with the waves crashing onto the coast beyond the dunes. Hills, nearly unbroken by stands of trees, rolled off into the north like the waves lapping the shore no far from there. A sliver from one of the moons slowly rose on the darkening horizon, while the smallest moon seemed to follow the sun down. The third moon hadnt risen yet, but would be shortly. What are you all smiley about? little Kaaja asked as she followed Roen. He stopped walking and turned to look at her pretty round face and short-cropped hair, no older than himself, and his only true friend. Im not smiling. Staring seriously, he tried not prove her right. A smile kept trying to turn up the corner of his mouth. When he failed to hold it back, he grinned and said, Im just happy your mother let you come with me. Let me? she said indignantly. If she knew I was with you, I would be tied to the cooking post. She growled like a beast. I don’t understand how my older brothers get to play outside, but Im too old. Now that Im ten, I need to learn how to become a woman. Her voice reflected the disgust on her face. Well… you are a girl, Roen put on a big grin. Kaaja scrunched her face up and punched him in the arm. Ow, that hurt, he whined while rubbing his arm where she hit. I may be a girl, she said, pointing her finger in his face, but Im not a woman. Why do I need to learn now? Trust me; no one thinks you are a woman. He shook his braided hair emphatically and then continued walking in the tall grasses. Just be happy you are out with me. Where are we going? Her soft footfalls followed in the grass behind him. Just to the top of the hill. He gestured, pointing to the ridge just above them. Now shhh… we need to be quiet. The sunlight lit the sky into golden hues as they climbed up the hill. Once at the top, Roen stooped lower in the grass and motioned that she should follow suit. Not much further and he stopped, gently pulling the grasses apart so she could see. Its beautiful, she breathed in a whisper. Dozens of campfires and white tents lit up inside were scattered in small bunches as if the sunset had sprinkled tears across the flat valley below them. What are they? another whisper tickled his ear. People. Tall, pale people that came across the Endless Waters. The Reply brought a gasp of fear. The Harrows? Kaajas voice trembled with trepidation. Of course not. His reply did little to alleviate the fear in her eyes. He moved the grasses again and pointed out to the ocean bay. Eight huge, lumbering vessels, rested off shore, too large to land on the beach. Look at their ships. They look nothing like the flat ships of the white, beastly creatures. Besides, we would already be attacked if it was the Harrows. He opened the grasses back up to the giant camp. I heard Father saying these are a new people. He looked back at her and smiled comfortingly. Are they peaceful? So far they are. My dad isnt really sure yet because we don’t know where they came from. The grasses slid back into place as he let them go. I wanted to show you how beautiful their cloth homes look at night, but now we need to return home before our parents become upset. After giving one last peak through the grass, she gave him a smile that made his heart sing.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:53:12 +0000
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