Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Two

The outskirts of Ferolan were teeming with wildlife. So many plants and animals were sure to capture the attention of all who passed through. One boy in particular found himself frequently stopping to examine the many living things in his surroundings as he made his way to the small farming village. The boy was dressed in a loose-fitting white shirt that draped over the top of his blue and green sarong. The strap of a light gray bag reached over his shoulder and across his chest, ending at his waist. The bag bounced against his hip as he walked, but he didn't seem to mind, or even notice. He wore no shoes, instead trodding down the trail to Ferolan completely barefoot. The hardened skin on his feet protected him from any soreness or discomfort the stony and uneven ground would cause. Mud and dirt caked his feet as well as much of his body, causing his light tan skin to look darker than it actually was. Despite all the dirt, however, his clothes were crisp and clean. His long, wavy hair - which was just as dusty as the rest of his body - was brown with a few lighter, almost golden strands. His hazel eyes held a kind gaze that seemed to captivate any animal that approached him. One such animal, a young fox, grew fond of the boy as he knelt to gently brush its fur with his hand upon its approach. As the boy stroked the fox's back, he heard rustling in the bushes behind him. The fox, frightened by whatever was hiding, rushed into the cover of the trees. 

"Hey, you there!" A menacing voice sounded behind the boy. "Turn around!"

The boy calmly stood up and obeyed. Before him now stood two men, both much larger and clearly stronger than him. Both of the men had swords in their possession; one already had his drawn. 

The man with his weapon drawn stuck out his hand, a hungry look in his eye. "Give us the bag and you can go."

The boy placed one of his hands on his possession. Other than that movement, he seemed completely undaunted by the threat the men posed. "I would rather keep it, thank you." Without waiting for a reply from either of them, the boy continued walking down the trail. After a few steps, a massive hand gripped his shoulder and forced him to turn around.

"I wasn't asking, boy" the man said. In one swift motion, he snatched the bag's strap and knocked the boy flat onto the ground. Both of the men turned to run, but they only managed a couple steps before the one holding the bag crumpled to the ground, crying out in pain. His leg had been encased in a shell made of stone.

The boy stood up and brushed dirt off his sarong. "I told you I'd rather keep it," he said. His eyes still held the same soft, and pleasant gaze, though his voice had grown more hardened. He held up his left hand, exposing the symbol that marked his palm - a triangle with curved corners. The symbol began to emit a bright green glow and the cries of pain from the robber grew louder as even more of his leg turned to stone. The other man stared at the boy in horror.

"What the hell...?"

The boy calmly walked towards his attackers. The uninjured man remained where he was, afraid that if he moved, he'd end up like his partner. The boy knelt down next to the other robber, completely ignoring the cries of pain, and picked up his bag. 

"I don't think you'd want this anyway." He opened the bag and pulled out the only thing in it: a green book with a silver triangle - much like the mark on the boy's hand - on the cover. "It's just a book - nothing special." 

The boy gently placed the book back in his bag then looked at the uninjured robber. "Have a nice day," he said with a genuine smile. The boy then turned and began to leave the two men. He clenched his fist as he walked, listening as the uninjured man suddenly cried out in pain as well.

After a few minutes of walking, he was rejoined by the young fox.

***

Lev watched Reif as he anxiously paced around. After leaving the shrine empty handed, Therias, Reif, and Lev had returned to the inn room Reif had rented to rest and regroup.