Sonavr
The Path to the feast
Sometimes, I just wanted to be like my friend. He feared no one. He focused on his goals with utmost care, and his goals were the same as mine: to become a knight, a sworn knight of the Capital.
"Brumen deserves it," Sonavr said under his breath. "He works just as hard as me, but his attitude toward handling criticism is more appropriate for our present circumstances."
As he walked toward the east, a separate village came into view. It was a small perimeter of hovels with a single well in the center. Aravan village was said to be small, but it paled in comparison to this place. This was truly small in Sonavr's eyes.
Sonavr squinted, trying to find his companion, Brumen. There was no sign of him. He walked toward his left along a gravel thoroughfare where he found several deer running about. At the rustling of small branches and vines, Sonavr spun around to find the source of the noise.
A girl sat upon the high bough of an oak, smiling and observing. Sonavr blinked, glancing at her with his clear blue eyes. He was confused, not because of the girl herself, but because she was sitting at the very entrance of the Aravan Forest.
She looked no older than twenty. She had green eyes that matched her locks, which flowed gracefully around her collarbone. She wore several rings of multiple hues and a dress that looked strangely familiar to Sonavr.
"You are not of this place, are you?" Sonavr asked with a spark of curiosity.
She simply smiled, then eyed the forest as if gesturing for Sonavr to move inward, past the boundaries and the rumors.
"It is forbidden to go there without permission from my father. He is the head of the village," Sonavr said. "I would suggest that you..."
"About time you showed up!"
Sonavr spun in surprise as a familiar voice called out to him.
"Brumen, you are here. I looked around for you in the village and..." Sonavr trailed off as he moved his gaze back toward the tree.
"Where is she? I just saw her."
"So, are you finally listening to my advice?" Brumen asked. "Are you finally ready to step into the heart of the forest?"
"No, I was just talking," Sonavr sighed. "Anyway, where were you?"
"I was with my father doing what I always do: ploughing and grouting," Brumen bellowed. "A bit of advice: the best life is the one where you do what you want. Do not dwell on baseless rumors just because some old man spread them in jest while chugging mead in a shady tavern."
"My father believes those claims," Sonavr replied. "I have to honor him, even if I suspect the rumors are false."
"Exactly, Sonavr!" Brumen pleaded. "I say we go to the heart and see what all the anticipation is about."
Sonavr sighed. Brumen was always this eager, eager to prove he was afraid of no one. No one, perhaps, except his own father, who did not want him to be a knight.
"I came here to practice swordplay with you," Sonavr said, trying to change the topic. "It has already taken more of my time than I realized."
Brumen laughed. He was the same age as Sonavr, with long golden hair and a lean, tall build. At least he looks like a knight, Sonavr thought with a pang of jealousy.
"I must go," Sonavr announced, quickening his pace. "Jorath must have arrived by now."
Brumen's eyes widened in shock. "Your father's brother? King Jorath of Red Frost is here already? I heard he slew a dragon and kept it frozen above his kingdom to show his might! I thought you said he was not coming until the end of summer?"
"He is here early," Sonavr said. "It must be something important."
Brumen hurried to match Sonavr's stride.
"Can I come? I promise I won't interrupt. I will just listen to him talk of his battles and adventures."
He truly wants this, Sonavr thought. He is already a knight in his mind. He deserves this more than I do. I approach everything with trepidation, while Brumen is confident. I wish to be like him, but not at the cost of who I am, though I do not yet know who that is.
"Sure you can," Sonavr said with a smile.
"Just do not eat the pies. They are my favorite."
"This means a lot, Sonavr," Brumen said.
"Talking to a real knight, and a king, will help me reach my objective."
"I am glad. He is very experienced." Maybe I can learn, too, Sonavr realized. Maybe by talking to a knight, I can finally become one.
They traveled back toward Aravan village where the feast was to be held. But one doubt remained in Sonavr's mind. Who was that lady? How did she disappear? And what was she doing at the edge of that cursed forest?
World of Sumaka: Through the Eyes of Fishermen
Rumors. There are so many rumors lately. They say an entire kingdom was burned to the ground five years ago, along with every knight inside. They say it was the work of Amberia. She is a cunning one, and beautiful, too. King Aramzir of Ganesilla butchered millions in the kingdom of Forenhold, burning it all while King Foren fled and vanished. Amberia disappeared. Aramzir disappeared. Five years have passed, and I wonder what became of that land. Last I heard, a village appeared where the ashes were, surrounded by a scary, mysterious forest. What was it called? Arin... no, Arano... Aravan. Yes, the Aravan Forest. I wonder what really hides in those woods?