Belford's Heart

Chapter 1: A Forest Bathed in White

Prologue

In the peaks of Hindren, the mighty Aukan clan ruled high above the lands of Avalonia. The Aukan were a clan of Goliath - towering men that struck fear into the hearts of all who lived beneath them. Their skin was like stone, so much so that hair did not grow anywhere on their bodies. Each stood eight feet or taller, and on the night of Belford's twentieth year all were gathered before him at the Altar of Marking. Five of them pounded a trancing beat into drums made of ox hide.

The All-Knower, Fulgrem Gurdenrock, stood before the knelt Belford. His eyes were focused deep into the gray face of the boy who had finally earned his markings. The sounds of the drums swelled as he dipped two fingers into a pool of black ink and held Belford's chin. First was the right side of his face, marked with three sharp lines that began thick at his jawline and ended at sharp points. The same was done to the left side—the markings of courage and strength. He lifted a torch resting above the pool of ink and held it close to both sides of Belford's face to burn the ink into his stone skin. Belford nearly flinched at the intense heat, but he remained still and waited until he felt two taps upon his forehead. He met Fulgrem's eyes and smiling face as he was told to stand before his people.

"Now standing before you, the newly marked!" Fulgrem raised his arms behind Belford and looked to the clear mountain sky above him. "You serve us until your final breath."

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The wind howled around Belford as he made haste into the snow-covered paths of Hindren. The sun told him it was two hours past noon. With his collection for the day now complete, he had plenty of time to bask in the chilled comfort of his mountains.

"Grifford!" Belford's voice echoed into the frozen valley. He raised a hand to his mouth and a sharp whistle followed close behind. What sounded back to him was the call of ten eagles and a crashing of wind beneath their wings. A griffon came quickly from the sky. Its hide was white and gleaming like the peaks that passed beneath its feet. It landed in a gust of snow and huffed through its nose. Its eyes were fixed upon Belford, each movement made close as it followed its prey. The goliath was not prey, however. No, he was its greatest friend.

"Good to see you." Belford's voice soothed the griffon as it embraced his hand. "Have you missed me?"

Grifford purred at the gentle touch of Belford. His stone-like hands reached the parts of his neck that his talons never could, and the griffon was sent into a state of peace. Belford let out a deep chuckle and reached into his pack for the treat he prepared for his favorite griffon. Roasted lamb wrapped in the petals of the glassblossom flowers that grow at the feet of the evergreen trees. There are many more of them in the plains of Avalonia, but in the mountains, they only grow beneath the trees. Those that grew in the mountains carried with them a unique sweetness and crunch. That is why it was always Grifford's favorite.

"I must be going now, friend." Belford patted Grifford on his head as he began for the snow-topped forest before them. "Same thing tomorrow, I promise." Grifford devoured his treat and gave Belford a nod before taking to the skies once again. Now, just as all days began for Belford, it was just him and his forest.

There was a warmth to his forest that none of his people could feel but him. Even the parts that the light of the sun could never reach were as warm as the lands below during summer. It was quiet that morning as Belford embraced the evergreens. None of the rodents he usually saw scurrying about were showing their faces that day. The quiet was welcome.

"You are of the chosen few who get to dwell among us, Belford." His chief, the All Knower's words echoed throughout his mind. "And you waste this time to speak to animals and pick flowers."