Shades

Chapter 2 -No one in particular

A/N 

Oh God, I feel terrible because I haven't continued this story in a frikin' long while :/  but whoever still hopes for other chapters of this story, well I AM going to keep writing.

These last couple of months was total chaos for me, to the point where it got really hard to just sit down and write. 

I probably sound too serious right now lol ^_^ 

the point is, i'm going to do my hardest to keep writing this. And for those of you who still read this, you guys are awesome. much love <3

here you go:

Chapter 2 -the Known World

The land of the Known World was divided into eight kingdoms, each one governed by their own accord. The Southern Kingdoms, for instance, were ruled by kings who once had come from three original brothers. This bloodline without doubts had faded beyond recognition, for these kings were avaricious, eager to start wars amongst one another to gain no other thing than power over those lands. 

The other kingdoms in these places were slightly better governed, though each one had its flaws. Most of them were ruled by more than one Lord who had a certain portion of land within their domains. These were the ones who gave protection to their peasants when needed, came with ways on how to solve certain problems, and other Lordish deeds.

Aphild, the far northern kingdom, was known to be the most peaceful one. Yithal was the cultural one. Rowen was known by many for the richness in their forests and mountains. And so it went, with all other kingdoms. Each had their good and bad things for which they were known.

Kayel had been brought up in one of these kingdoms. But she had been no Lord's daughter—quite the contrary. Her parents lived a modest life, moving from town to town until the mother gave birth to a copper-haired girl. Then they decided to keep to one place and opened a quaint inn shortly after, in a town called Chothuz, in the central kingdom of Kyarhd.

Kayel grew up among her father's teachings—for she had had no other type of education. He had made a hobby to read to her at an early age, recite to her passages from famous thinkers, even acting parts of stories which he had memorized from his own childhood. 

She hadn't realized until later, but that had been as good a source of education as any. If not, even better. 

She remembered her mother to be pacient and kind and quiet. The extravagant was without doubts her father. 

But that was a thing of the past, Kayel reminded herself quite often. Now she was the one with no particular place to be, only miles and miles of dirt roads and warm summer breezes. 

Her mind-numbing walking still hadn't been able to dispel thoughts of her dear friend. Because of that reason alone, she wanted to be as far from that town as she could manage that night. Making a stop there had been a clear mistake. Now unwelcome thoughts from the past haunted her.

One of her daggers was clutched in her hand. Her other ones were carefully hidden inside her clothing. She only needed one if a Shade was to cross her path.

Looking up, she realized with dismay that tonight was a night with no moon in the sky. It was not a good night to be walking alone, of that she was sure of.

Soon she reached a path where the woods thickened around her, the tall treetops blotting out the stars above. Despite the darkness, there was no trace of fear within her. That feeling had been long absent. There was really no reason to fear anymore, just as there was no reason to try to find the shape of the wind. Fear didn't exist in her, the wind was shapeless.

Two easy facts. Two things she was very certain of.  

A few silent minutes later, as she walked through the road that weaved among the dense foliage, she heard something. It was not a sound you could hear and instantly know. It was not a sound that made you remember pleasant thoughts. It was a sound only years and years of walking and sad memories made you recognize.

As for the sound itself, it was as shapeless as the wind, it was as soft and fluttery as a warm whisper. If you were a skilled listener and your ears perked up willingly enough, after a few hours of listening you would start to understand the corners of it—the mere idea of it. 

It was a sound she knew. It was the sound of a Shade making its appearance somewhere in the woods.

This was it—it was the time for her to act. It was the time for her to get rid of one of those nasty, wicked creatures. 

She stepped out of the road, holding her breath. She gritted her teeth at the same time that she positioned her dagger to strike. She looked around, and suddenly there it was—just a few paces in front of her. 

Her dagger sliced through the air. She threw it in the way she had done many, many times.

The blade dug itself straight and true in the Shade's lower back, making the creature writhe and howl a scream that was utterly non-human. It was guttural and wild. It was strong and beastly. It was a sound that made you lock the doors at night. It was a sound that made you tremble like a light twig in a fearce wind. 

And just like that, it finished. The apparition lost its life in a final shriek of surprise and landed on the forest floor. Kayel smiled grimly and made her way toward the Shade, noticing its faceless features. The Shade in itself was as dark as the bottom of a well. 

Shades were part of legends not even children believed. And now here she was—looking down at one she had killed herself. This, she repeated to herself, was for Nathare—or rather, for the memory of him. 

She got the dagger out of the body and cleaned it with a few fallen leaves. Her deed was done—there was nothing else to do other than to keep walking or setting camp. 

She made her silent way toward the road again. She had no intention of making her camp anywhere near that evil-spirited creature. The kill had been strangely easy that night. 

She brought up her hood to conceal her face and walked. She was nothing but a shadowed form in the night. She was no one in particular.