Early History of the Hermit

Chapter one

The wind blowing in from the south was a warm wind. It wasn't exactly too hot but the humidity that accompanied it, made it slightly uncomfortable if it was blowing directly in one's face. Which it happened to be doing to me at this time as I walked along the road. My head was hot, though it had almost nothing to do with the wind. I was furious with my father and my brothers. Forcing me to choose between food, or freedom.

My father was a stone-builder, a rare new breed of person. Someone that relied on maths and general understanding to construct great towers, or humble homes alike. Being somewhat of a celebrity with the local government, it was made sure his craft and line would always continue. That's where the subject of me came in. I was his eighth son, of his eighth wife. His eighth apprentice, and as far as he was concerned that was one too many. I am not the best son there is. My father often called me a wild rascal for being mischievous and always disagreeing in every decision someone makes for me. So he gave me an ultimatum; leave his house, never to return, or stay, with the knowledge that I would forever be beholden to my older brothers, with no chance at ever getting a form of inheritance. With me walking along the road as I am I'm sure you could tell which one I chose.

Fuming as I was walking along that sparsely wooded road, I came upon a creek that passed over where the road should be, and decided to cool off, and think over what I would do for next. Near trembling with anger, I went to the old oak that sat next to the creek, dangling my feet in the cool waters to relieve some of the ache that had accumulated from the journey so far. The smell of the oak tree I was leaning on relaxing me, so I could calmly think after a few minutes.

“What do I need in this world? Food, water, shelter.” I said with a pause “Besides water, the rest will cost me.” after a bit I came to a conclusion. “I need a trade, a job of some kind. Something that will let me live with out this worry I have now.” my stomach growled at this point. “I fear hunger will be a large part of my travels if I don't. I should have at least grabbed some food before I left.” with the last rays of the dying sun disappearing behind the mountains to my right, I fell asleep next to that big oak. Only to be awoken awhile later in the dark by the rumblings of my stomach and the smell of roasting meat.

Spotting a small fire in the distance I decided to try my luck and see if whoever was making that delectable smell would happen to share.

The scent of the roasted chicken had my mouth watering as I neared the small encampment, and as I was at the dark edge of the firelight my stomach made the loudest sound it had made yet.

“Who's out there?!” the boy next to the fire yelled in my direction. “I am armed!”

With out stretched arms, to show I was no threat, I stepped into the light and said “I mean no harm traveler. My only wish is for you to share your firelight and maybe some of that wonderful bird.”

“Hmm” the other boy pondered. “If it is someone of your size I suppose I could share a bit, and not fear you would attack me.”

“The name is Selakan.” I said.

“Aldum is mine.”said the boy, now across the fire from me. It wasn't long after the introductions that me and Aldum started sharing our life stories, albeit as short as they were.

Aldum's story was a tale almost opposite of mine. Being the only son of an only son, when his father decided to not take up the family trade, Aldum was thrust into his grandfathers shop where he had learned all sorts of wood working as other staple crafts to keep a town running. Now with his grandfather getting past his prime, it was Aldum's chance to run the place. Which is why he had been on that road that particular night, traveling to another town to place an order of trees to use in his craft.