Kingdom Karady
20th March 723 C.E
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Large grasslands are being swept by wind, and trees are being pushed occasionally, making a rattling noise. Birds chirping in the strong sunlight as they fly by. The field, which is occasionally shaded by clouds, is dotted with rabbits. The sound of water flowing into the stream and sheep grazing at distance creates a soothing atmoshphere.
Someone is resting under the shed of a huge banyan tree.
Soon after, a hawk's sound could be heard as it flew across the wide horizon. The Hawk swiftly closing its distance towards the lying down person. It dives and lands on the chest of the individual creating a chattering sound.
Astonished, the figure awakens. The Hawk leaps to the ground, staring at the person.
The figure stands up yawning and taking in the enourmous beautiful view of landscape.
The Hawk makes chirping sound trying to tell something.
The person kneels and strokes the hawk.
(RAWWWWRRRRRRRRR.....)
As the person was finishing his sentence there was a loud roar from the forest. The roar causes the person to freeze, and he automatically leaps to his feet, gazing down at the dark, dense forest beneath the hill.
Staggering he murmurs...
The person grabs the shepherd's crook and rushes towards the sound. He leaps, seemingly defying gravity, and snatches a tree trunk, propelling himself upward as if sprinting on it. As he reaches the top branch, he leaps from one to the next easily maneuvering through the forest. He uses the crook as a hook to swing across trees. The hawk was flying overhead, following him.
As he landed on the final branch, his breath caught at the sight before him. A small group of unidentified soldiers had formed a tight circle around the snarling RockBear, their spears poised and ready. Nearby, three other soldiers stood guard over a curtained palanquin, its silk drapes swaying gently in the breeze. Atop the palanquin, a flag bearing the symbol of a green wing fluttered in the air, hinting at an unknown allegiance. The RockBear growled low, its massive frame tensed, prepared to strike at any moment.
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He jumps from above between the RockBear and soldiers in a heroic stance making both of them startled.
Soldier : "What the....! Who are you boy? Stay away can't you see the beast behind you?!"
He rises to his feet, raising a hand to signal the soldiers to hold their ground. Without hesitation, he turns to face the RockBear, his steps measured as he begins to approach the snarling beast.
Soldier: "Hey! Are you insane?! Stay away from it!"
The RockBear growls, its eyes fixed on him as he carefully closes the distance. When he is finally within reach, he extends a trembling hand and cautiously places his palm on the RockBear's head.
Surprisingly RockBear stops it's growling and let him stroke her head. The RockBear turns around and disappears in forest. All the tensed soldiers give out a sigh of relief. The hawk lands on the boy's shoulder making a chirping sound.
One of the soldiers claims that he is the one who unleashed the beast on them in order to receive a reward. Upon hearing him few soldiers advance towards him to immobilize him.
One of the soldiers throws away his spear and tries to punch him. He ducks, dodging the punch, and lands his own uppercut on him, causing the soldier to stumble back, his nose bleeding.
Another Soldier pounces from a side. As he was about to catch him, the boy vanished before his eyes. He looked sideways, but was met with a kick to the head from above.
As the tension fades, the curtain of panalliqun slides back, revealing a beautiful middle-aged woman adorned with jewels. Seemingly she looked like someone belonging to nobility but not of this region. The soldiers take the boy to her. As you were walking a soldier whispered in his ears.
Soldier : "She is the wife of great noble from West. Her name is 'Nilote' so behave yourself."
Nilote : "Oh! You are just a kid. How were you able to face the beast and my soldiers with such bravery? Your actions are commendable. May I know your name dear?"
Alif : "My name is Alif. And please don't call me kid."
..........Alif.........
The women let's out a short laugh. The soldiers picked their injured comrades and took them into the cart behind pallenquin.
Nilote : "Thank you for saving me and my soldiers from that beast, so how can I repay you my dear? Tell me anything you wish for and I will fulfill it."
Alif little surprised from the sudden offer ponders few seconds and looks Niolet in eyes.
Alif : "No mam, I do not expect any reward for my actions. The RockBear there was a friend of mine. She is a mother and upahead the route is her den. She just wanted to keep her child safe and so she blocked your way."
Soldier : "But we were told that this route leads to 'Emerald Village'.
Alif: "I believe that you missed the village's path. The village is located beneath Emerald Mountain."
Nilote : "You seem to know these mountains very well.."
Alif : "I was raised here.
(The thought of the master runs through Alif's mind)
I believe I should leave, or the master will punish me to death."
Alif gave a slight bow and returned to the forest, the hawk perched on his shoulder.
Nilote calls from behind,
Nilote : "IF YOU EVER NEED ANY HELP COME TO LANGRES TOWN..."
Nilote smiles to herself as she thinks,
(That is no ordinary boy; I hope to meet him again)
.
.
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To Be Continued........................
(Coming up next : 'The Training By Hermit')