dawn of ancient fire

prologue

Cadoc didn't think about pleasant things anymore. As he pulled his blade from the man's stomach he only thought of the life the man lived. The family he may have had. The man was tall and muscularly built, much like himself. both from the north and bearing the marks of their clan. The gods had not favored the man as he fell to the ground, his lifeblood already soaking into the moss.

cadoc noticed the silence first. always silence after a battle. releasing his breath, cadoc rocked back on his heels, surveying the field. He inhaled the smell of pine and blood and dirt. so little earth was visible under the blood and gore. Bodies littered the ground like fallen leaves. Sheathing his sword he made his way toward the large crystal smooth lake, toward the woman crouched on its shores. The only movement was the sound of his steps and the shifting of her hair in the slight mountain breeze. He kept his attention on his feet. taking care not to trample the bodies of the fallen that littered the clearing. he noted the number of fallen warriors gave way to singed earth around her. He rolled his shoulders, trying to release the ache building there. He crouched beside her, scanning for injuries and finding minimal cuts and a split lip.

Slowly, as if still in the fog of battle she looked up at him. Her hands were into the moss. a breath shuddered out of her as she closed her eyes and began to stand. wiping her hands on her leathers she returned her gaze upon his face. more focused and clear this time. She looked at him the way a disapproving mother would a child. He knew he wouldn't like what she had to say.he prepared himself for the verbal lashing he was to receive. she simply turned away and called over her shoulder

" you're late".

* hello! Welcome to my story, if you enjoy what your reading feel free to leave a comment and share it with your friends! I post updates and sneak peeks at new chapters on Instagram @kyliegardnerauthor*