The smallest of decisions have the most profound effects on the future, changing it, crafting it into something new. At the origin, of these ripples,there is an event that at the time no doubt seemed inconsequential and was easily forgotten by the history books. However it's these seemingly unimportant events that start wars, inspire hope and irreversibly change nations and your place in them. This is easy to see now, such is the power of hindsight. What I am about to describe is one such event, an event that changed the course of the future.
A CHANCE MEETING - Deep in the evergreen forests in the shadow and foothills of the Canerbry Mountains, a few hours before twilight.
It all came to pass after a beautiful young woman, a healer named Annette, who lived in a small country side village road to the bedside of a perpetually ill patient. Annette was on the return journey after being summoned to the neighbouring valley, that Annette's chestnut mare became spooked. The mare's unease was clear to see , with eyes wide, nostrils flaring and hoofs stumping. She clicked to the horse, pulling the reigns but still it refused to move. The cause of the mare's discomfort was not clear, Annette could see no reason for the upset. So once again she tried to encourage the horse forward. The mare reared, violently, front hoofs high in the air. Annette was thrown backwards, landing on the wet, unforgiving earth with a mighty thump.
The impact left her dazed, black spots swimming through her vision, an unforgiving ache in her back was quickly established. When she came to her senses the situation only worsened. Her horse was no where to be seen. Dusk was already rapidly approaching and the chances of reaching the closest village before darkness fell were slim to none. Knowing the dangers that lurked in the lush green forest watching the sun to go down, there was only one option : Hike. Hike as fast as she could and hope she would reach the next village before the sun sank behind the looming mountains.
About an hour later she was climbing down a steep trail still making her way towards the nearest village, but she still felt no closer . As the sun sunk below the horizon cold seeped into her bones. It was going to be a long walk she mused. Suddenly on the very edge of her hearing she heard hoof beat. She ran towards the sound in hope of a friendly face. Upon seeing her the hooded rider halted his great black stallion and dismounted with fluid grace. It was strange, he thought, to see a young woman so far out in the trails at this time of night or at all for that matter. So he walked towards her filled with curiosity and concern.
"Are you all right?" He asked his eyes alight with intelligence . The tone of his voice was textured and rich; it was clear from the way he spoke that he was well educated, he undoubtedly came from money Annette thought. He was tall, broad and she had to admit, handsome with a mop of glossy black hair and fine clothes (She suspected that under those clothes he was a lean wall of muscle). Annette righted her wayward thoughts with a shake of her head.
As he stepped closer , he noted her torn muddy dress and fatigued expression . He instantly assumed the worse , what other reason was there for a young woman to be this far from home in such a state? He wondered.
"Did someone hurt you?" His jaw tightened at the concept, as if the idea of her coming to harm greatly upset him.
Annette looked down at her clothes, suddenly understating what he feared had become of her.
She jolted into speech , each of her words trying to reassure the stranger of her health as they stumbled from her lips. " No , no one has hurt me. I was ... it was my ..my damned horse. It bolted and I hit my head. I'm fine. I just need to get home" but as she said the words she swayed and shivered as she had been doing since the temperature had dropped. Thought she would question if it was only the cold causing this latest bout of swooning . As she looked up at the stranger he seemed to be silently weighing up what she had said, though his features made it clear that he did not think that she was fine.
