Beyond Immortality

CHAPTER ONE

When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change, at such a moment there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait, life will not look back and see your mistakes or regrets, just the state of your current self and the legacy held in the hearts of your fellow men. Challenges turn into obstacles if we bow down to them.

Yet the sun shone ever so brightly high up in the sky that remained as blue as the Circassian sea. The clouds countable as they seemed to have left for a different destination. The birds chirping wildly and melodiously, flying ever so freely high up. Yet past the deep, dark forest, in a clearing, sat a very quiet hamlet. The day dawned slowly, filled with nothing but laughter from children playing around, women chatting and men working their backs off in an attempt to fend for their families. Far ahead towards the mountain were farmers tending to their lands ready to harvest their dried crops.

Yet among them, an angelic being played, running around her mother at the market. Her long black curly yet silky hair was neatly plaited into pigtails whose edges were held firmly by colorful ribbons each. Her mother always tried to keep her hidden away from the villagers and from the world. Protected her with all she had to make sure that her angel was safe from the evils of the universe or so. However being her nature the, little angel nagged her mother too much. She couldn't stay locked up in the house all her life.

What she failed to understand was that her mother treasured her like a rare jewel, she just couldn't let her lose to the world. A world that had grown so dangerous. People thrived through their greed by venturing into dirty business such as slave trade which was at the peak of all other abominable things going on. Children and teenagers were the most targeted especially when they wandered off into the woods all alone. They were the most preferred as they were still young, growing, strong and productive, as for the adults if you showed promise you would be taken down too.

Being the youngest in the family with only two older siblings made her get the most attention and love every child would want. This treatment led to enmity between her and the other children who envied how well she was taken care of. Their parents did try their best to treat them equally but that never dawned on the rest of their children, they still wanted more and the jewel was causing one hell of a distraction for them

"Mummy, why are they staring at me?" She asked innocently

"Who? "her mother asked. The little girl pointed at two women standing next to a small cottage that sold vegetables whispering amongst themselves casting their eyes at them behind her mother. Her mother followed her fingers and saw the women, slowly, she stooped to level with her daughter cupping the child's pointing hand with her very own.

"Sweetheart, it's not polite to point at people." she corrected.

"Why are they looking at me mother, I am not scary, or am I? Huh! Do I smell?" her mother giggled

"No, you don't. They are staring because you are beautiful my darling. Don't mind them let them admire you." With that, she went back to buying the linen she had purchased but not before glaring at the two gossiping women. If you were keen enough you could catch the uncomfortable look in her eyes. Hastily she left to complete her tasks at the market.

"People have started talking," Aelid said to her husband as she cleared up the table. He was a strong hairy man who preferred to keep his black beards a bit conspicuous with a very rich British accent. He was a stern father but a caring one too. He never once failed his family. He was known throughout the village for his great farm produce and how kind of a man he was.

"They will always talk. Don't let them get to your head."

"I don't want them getting into my daughters either with their stupid gossip,"