Chosen

The Stranger

"Check Mate." I look up at Will.

His reaction didn't surprise me in the least. Will pushes the chess pieces and the board on the floor and yells, "I'm tired of this," He stabs a finger at me, "How is it that you win every time? There's no point in even playing you!" Then he turns and stomps over to the door. "I'm going to town, I don't care what Pa says." The door closes with a thump.

I sigh, bend down, and start picking up the scattered chess pieces that now cover the ground. A few minutes later the door opens again and I sit up straight to see who it is. Mr. Port, a short, chubby man with short, graying hair and mild eyes walks in, frowning. "Where's Will going? I told you both to stay here."

"He rode off to town."

Mr. Port shakes his head, "Sometimes I don't know what to do with that boy."

I look around, seeing if there are any more pieces on the floor, and say, "I hear tell there's a stranger in town."

Mr. Port cocks his head and looks at me curiously, probably wondering how I knew that. I don't tell him how I know and wait for an answer. "Yes... he is very strange indeed. He came into town and sat himself down in the saloon, hasn't left there since." Mr. Port shuffles his feet, "Stirrin' up trouble with talk of the empire expanding. Says it needs to be overthrown so a new leader can take our king's place. That's one of the reasons I didn't want you boys going in town. It's a dangerous subject, after all."

I nod, "Well, I guess I'll be off then." I stand and head for the door.

Mr. Port's frown returns, "Where are you going?"

"To town."

"But I just told you to stay here."

I turn, a slight smile pulling at my lips, "That was before Will ran off. Who knows what kind of trouble he'll get into, you know that. I can watch him; make sure he doesn't get into any trouble. Besides, I've been curious as to who this man is."

He smiles at me, "I see... well then, off you go." Then he calls back before I can close the door, "But be careful, he looks like he's looking for someone and it may not be wise to get in his way."

As I step outside a cold wind smacks me in the face and I can't help but think of how winter is almost here. It's getting colder out and almost all the leaves have fallen from the trees. Soon it will begin to snow and most people will have a harder time getting food for their families.

I saddle Quincy, a chestnut gelding I've had ever since I could remember, and zigzag my way around trees and onto the deep rooted, dirt road. I watch as Mr. Port's house slowly disappears from sight and the plain land he owns for farming quickly turns into forest. We live a few miles away from Welter Village; and I ride faster than usual, anxious to get there.

Welter Village is small, and not many people come to visit. Most of the time we live here with little to no fuss, we all get along. It was part of the reason that strangers always seem to draw so much attention to themselves. For a moment I recall the first time I came, the looks I got from everyone when they saw me. After a while I have gotten to know this place as... family. However, this man in particular sounds interesting. Not many people had the guts to talk about King Lorsan and the empire like that.

Everyone has the same thought of the empire. They know of the cruelty King Lorsan has forced upon us. Yet he has ruled over us for decades and he's grown so strong that none of us would ever think of trying to overthrow him. His soldiers patrol the streets night and day, no one ever feels safe with them lurking about. If they were to catch anyone talking about the King, than they would get thrown in jail, maybe even face a death term.