Six years ago.
In the dead of the night, Agora stood in the precipice of the border between sand and snow, its black luster shone like an iron shield. Beyond the west lied the forest that converged with the northern mountains. The thick, dense trees made it impossible for daily traversing, which meant even more overgrowth.
Except the trees rustled and parted, as a horse broke out of the foliage with a carriage behind it.
The soturis guarding the gate stood vigilant and prepared to point their weapons against the intruder.
"State your business."
The horse huffed and an old man got down with shaking hands, handing a rolled parchment from his vest to the man. It looked worn and crumpled, but the seal of the Lord of the castle meant that they could not turn him away outright.
Both men had neither courage nor authority to open the letter, but the seal itself meant that the old man's entry was permitted.
"I... will not be venturing inside." The old man spoke in a raspy voice, devoid of any moisture in his throat. "Instead, please take the child." He collapsed on his knees as he coughed. His tone, almost begging, made it clear that the journey had been far from easy.
The other man, whose sharp face softened, turned to his companion and said, "This..."
"Let us see the child." His companion ordered.
The old man turned back and carefully parted the curtains to reveal a thin and unkempt boy with rashes all over his body, an unpleasant aura around him.
"I know it's wrong! But please, he needs the headmaster's help." The old man pleaded again. "He promised!"
"...You brought a zabiya?"
"A zabiya? But there are hardly any left in the main continent. What sort of madman would bring a zabiya, much less a young one, in a cold climate?"
The old man bowed in shame, still shaking from either nervousness or fear, the soturis weren't sure.
History wasn't really sure about where they came from. The most prominent urban legend seemed to be that they had been personally blessed by Eos. But what made them strong was also what made them feared. Strength that should've been admired made them outcasts and persecuted, made to die out in a place where the sun never set.
"Where is this child from?"
The soturi looked at him for an answer, but even then the stubborn old man refused. He was not privy enough to such clandestine.
"Very well then." The guard didn't force him. "Let the boy down and I will escort him."
The old man beckoned the child forward and let him down from the carriage. He whispered a few words in his ear and looked unwilling to part with the child. Nevertheless, his role was done.
Further interactions would prove to be dangerous and a threat to the child's life. Sensing his resoluteness, the boy nodded. He wasn't sure what was going to happen to him, but he also knew that he couldn't afford to be fussy. His mother would be disappointed.
After saying their farewells, the soturis escorted him inside the fortress. In the north wing, he knocked on the door of the Lord's study. A woman opened it, dressed in splendid armor.
She looked solemn, not surprised, already expecting their arrival. Stepping aside, the two entered without a word as the woman retreated to serve tea.
"Good evening, Lord Ragnall."
Lord Ragnall, the Lord of Agora, a fortress that has withstood the test of time. Rugged face, piercing blue eyes, an imposing stature resembling an immovable mountain.
The boy shivered as the Lord gazed upon him, a pressure in his chest so great he almost could not bring himself to breathe.
He smiled. "Is this the boy, Soj?"
The taciturn soturi nodded, handing him the parchment from the old man. Ragnall took and unfurled it, reading the contents with a contemplative look. He rolled it up again and set it down on his desk.
He knew that a boy would be coming. But he was too young, not to mention that he was a zabiya. Well... almost. He could not truly be considered one.
When the Civil War ended five decades ago, most of them scattered throughout the continent. Some had settled in remote places, others chose to live a nomadic life. You will hardly ever see one in the cities.
This boy though... Ragnall had a complicated look. Innocently, the child looked around the room full of trinkets. It was no larger than an average living room of a modest family, with the aged look of a library and the smell of lavender incense that provided comfort.
Ragnall sat down on the sofa and said, "I've been informed by your mother. For the foreseeable future, you will be under my care. I will endeavor to take care of things that should be taken care of, but beyond that will be up to you."
The boy stopped, fiddling with his fingers. In reality, a boy who had been thrust upon a scary fortress was counterproductive to building trust, no child would ever feel comfortable in such a setting.
Ragnall sighed. "Why don't you come and sit down?"
The boy hesitated for a bit, as if he didn't want to soil the soft, velvet couch with his dirty body. But the Lord did not mind and smiled reassuringly. He sat down and marveled at how soft it was.
There was nothing free in this world. Even as young as he was, he knew the importance of working hard. Ragnall took out a necklace from his pouch.
"It is fortunate you don't seem to be a pure blood. Zabiyas who are pure blood don't often meet very good ends. This can be considered my first gift to you." Ragnall held out the necklace and placed it in the boy's hands.
"It is nothing much, only a slight altering of your appearance. If you're not comfortable with your eyes, you can always hide it with this. Simply imbue a bit of vitalis every now and then for it to work."
He nodded and wore the necklace under his clothes. Slowly, his eyes turned a normal shade of brown. Nothing special and no different from a normal child.
Soj suddenly remembered something. "Sir, did you not admit another child like him? Won't you consider keeping them together? So the child will not feel lonely."
But the Lord shook his head. "No. I can understand why you would think so but that child is different. They are not willing. Forget that matter, it's best we leave it be."
The boy did not take it to heart, but grew curious and kept the truth close to his heart. Somewhere in this fortress is a child just like him. But with how many people there were, would he ever find out who it is?
Soj felt it a pity but didn't speak more on the matter. It may have been for the best. It's not as if he hasn't seen the child before, they did not seem to be the friendliest person either.
Ragnall put the matter to rest and asked, "What is your name, child? We can't have you stay here without a name."
The boy looked up, his deep eyes gazing into his, one that could almost pierce his soul. A purity that Ragnall could not seem to fathom made him faintly tremble.
"Kassis."
A protector. A guardian.
"Alright. I'll let Grace handle the rest." He stood up and dismissed them all.