FIFTY-SIX YEARS LATER
The small town of Naebashi, home to no more than three thousand residents, lay near the farthest northern reaches of the Kuro Empire. Renowned for its pelts harvested from various wildlife and beasts roaming the northern forests, Naebashi served as the last bastion of civilization before the untamed wilds beyond the empire.
The trees of the great northern forest towered high, large enough for small villages to nestle among their branches. Their immense trunks resembled iron, sturdy and formidable. Deep within the forest, where the light filtered sparsely through the canopy, two cloaked figures waited in the underbrush. Scattered among the towering trees were smaller, more ordinary trees, their presence a reminder of nature's diversity.
Of the two figures, the larger man was in his late twenties, his back broad and powerful from years of drawing strong bows. His wrists were covered with gloves, each sporting small holes for his fingertips to protrude.
Crouching beside him was a young girl, no older than six. Her small frame appeared even smaller next to her father’s hulking figure. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail with a red ribbon gifted to her by her mother. Her most striking feature was her piercing ice-blue eyes, glaring fiercely at a clearing where their prey grazed.
The creature, known as a Dern in these parts, resembled a deer but bore antlers and a long, lizard-like tongue for snatching berries and other foods. It also had a long, whip-like tail for defense against threats. Typically herding animals, during mating season, the males would leave to establish new herds.
“Mei,” the man said, his gruff voice surprisingly gentle, a contrast to his imposing demeanor. Despite his size, he was a kind soul, slow to anger. Mei turned to him as he nocked an arrow to his bow, taller than she was. “Remember what I said about not hesitating when you have a chance to catch your prey?”
Mei nodded, a small grin spreading across her face. “Yes, Papa,” she replied, soaking in every word. In her eyes, her father was the wisest man alive, always leading and protecting their family.
“Good, because just like hunting, life doesn’t hesitate. If you don’t take your chance when it appears, you might miss it—and you may not get a second shot.” As he finished speaking, he pulled back the bowstring and released the arrow. It sailed through the air, striking the Dern's heart. The creature collapsed heavily, lifeless from the impact.
Her father smiled as he stood and moved toward the downed Dern. Kneeling beside it, he offered a quick prayer to Femir, the god of the hunt, before strapping the creature to his back. Though the Dern was large, her father’s solid frame made it easy for him to carry.
Mei examined the precision of his shot with admiration. She frequently begged him to teach her to use a bow, but he insisted she would have to wait until she was older. He was naturally overprotective of her, especially in a frontier village like Naebashi, where innocence was hard to maintain.
Yet, Mei had no desire to conform to traditional expectations. She dreamed of being a great hunter, just like her father. In the wilderness, there were no judgments based on the azure hue of her eyes—a trait that drew teasing from other children in the village. Though Naebashi was more tolerant than many places in the empire, the superstition surrounding blue eyes as a sign of a curse still lingered.
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
This unwillingness to conform concerned her mother, but Mei was fiercely determined. Many village women considered her domineering personality unsuitable for a traditional housewife, a role most aspired to in such a remote location.
After about two hours of walking, they reached the bustling edge of Naebashi. The village was alive with fur merchants arriving just before the spring hunting season. Mei loved hearing their stories of the outside world. Tales of wars and adventures filled the ears of eager children, instilling what their parents called delusions of grandeur.
Mei’s excitement bubbled as she remembered that her favorite visitor would be in town. Mr. Itakura, a merchant from unknown parts of the empire, collected Naebashi’s high-quality furs and had been a frequent presence in her life. He always shared captivating tales of life in the grand cities of Kuro.
“Papa! Can I see Mr. Itakura? He should be here by now!” she exclaimed, her large blue eyes sparkling with excitement. Her father felt his heart melt as her innocent gaze reached him.
Whoever said blue eyes were signs of a curse never saw such beautiful, innocent eyes looking up at them, he thought to himself.
With a hearty laugh, he waved her on. “Alright, you little rascal! You may go, but don’t be late for dinner, and don’t call Mr. Itakura an old man! Is that understood?” He patted her head, brushing her hair aside.
“Thanks, Papa!” Mei said, beaming as she dashed off toward where Mr. Itakura always set up his cart.
Her father watched her little figure sprinting down the street, a smile on his face.
At the corner of Naebashi, near the eastern entrance, an old man was setting up his slightly dilapidated wagon, which would serve as a makeshift shop. The old man had a short gray beard, with specks of black and a white base layer. His medium build bore no excess fat, a testament to a life of mobility—far from luxurious but sufficient for basic needs. Beside the wagon lay an enormous boar, as large as a horse, both pulling his wagon and acting as a deterrent for bandits.
“It’s a good day to be in the frontier, isn’t it, Borus?” he said affectionately, stroking the bristly head of the boar. Mr. Itakura cherished his visits to Naebashi, having discovered it many years ago. So many years, in fact, that he could no longer recall the exact date.
“Mr. Itakura!” a small voice called out from down the street, prompting Itakura to smile to himself. It was about time the little rascal showed up.
Turning toward the girl approaching with unexpected confidence, he was greeted by a big hug around the snout of Borus.
“If it isn’t Miss Seito Mei! What a lovely sight! You’ve grown even more beautiful since I last saw you last year!” He glanced behind her. “Where is your father?”
Borus snorted, blowing dust into the air and causing Mei to let out a soft sneeze. Aaaachoo!
“Sorry, Mr. Itakura! My father just got a Dern from today’s hunt and is going to clean it. I think he’ll come by tomorrow!” she replied.
“Eh, well, make sure you tell him to come by tomorrow morning so we can discuss the proper exchange.” Itakura’s voice was a gravelly mimicry of a cranky old man, but his kind nature made it sound more playful than harsh.
Mei nodded eagerly. “Of course, Mr. Itakura…” she paused, considering what to ask next. “Please tell me what is happening around the empire!”
But as soon as the words left her mouth, Itakura’s smile faded. “I’m afraid I don’t have much good news to share this year, Miss Mei. You may be a little young to understand, but the empire is on the brink of war with its neighbor, Kalimdah. Internally, there are factions opposing conflict that are vying for power within the empire itself.”
Mei furrowed her brow, sensing the seriousness in his tone. “Mr. Itakura, is it really that bad? Will something happen here as well?”
Itakura smiled, ruffling her hair affectionately. “Don’t worry, kiddo. I doubt this quiet little town on the opposite side of the conflict will experience much at all.”