Awakening Book 1: Rebirth [Editing]

Part 1: William

13 years later

"Uhh . . . you know how the harvest festival is this friday?" The young man stuttered as he spoke.

"Yeah . . ." The girl replied, amused by his nervousness. Her golden hair fluttered about her shoulders as a slight breeze picked up. Her summber dress billowed breathing life into the flower design that was embroidered into it. She was the Duke's daughter, and the heir to the wealth of the little village.

Her family was barely nobility but no one else in the town was richer or had closer blood ties to the Lord of the Realm. Not that one still existed, for the Shadow Lords have ruled Valreighn ever since they took over centuries ago. They allowed the humans to play at nobility while they controlled the country. They had their fortress in Thorst, at the heart of the realm and the nobles had their keeps and hamlets scattered around the country. Those furthest from the heart felt less of the Shadow Lords' reign and fared far better than the cities that were closer. 

The Shadow Lords were not forgiving tyrants and enjoyed order and discipline. Their Black Knights stuck fear into the hearts of anyone who laid eyes on them. They kept everyone in line, and protected the citizens from harm. It was an easy compromise for the villagers since they had no other options. At least the realm had enjoyed peace ever since the take-over.

"Well, I uh . . . was wondering if you wanted to accompany me . . . uh . . . to the festival," The kid choked on his words. His face reddened from his own embarrassment. It was in stark contrast to the short  blonde hair atop his head. The boy wore a simple farmer's get-up. A leather vest over top of a white cotton shirt. His leather gloves poked out of his back pocket and his boots were still muddy from plodding through the fields. 

The girl chuckled softly, before she replied, "Sure, I'd love to Will,"

A smile appeared on William's face as he looked her in the eye. He saw that she was sincere and not making fun of him. He was afraid that she was going to decline because he was not noble, even though they had known each other for nearly ten years. 

"That's great! So Bethany, should I meet you at the manor, then we can walk to the grounds together?"

"Yeah, that sounds wonderful," Beth replied, a smile on her face.

Will just stood there, staring. He was astonished that Beth said yes. He had run it over in his head many times but always seemed to find a way for it to go wrong. He had had a good feeling but still envisioned the worst case scenario. He felt relieved and elated at the same time. 

He continued staring at Beth. At her pale blue eyes and the soft features of her face. At seventeen, she was the most beautiful girl in the whole town and every man wanted her as a wife. Not only to become noble but just out of sheer lust.

The girl coughed, breaking his thoughts. Will blushed again when he realized how long he had been staring.

"You know my father won't like this, right?" She said.

"I do, but it's not like I asked for your hand in marriage. It's just to a festival. You don't even have to tell him," He said, knowing he would get chewed out for that.

"Right, not tell him. Then when he sees us leave together he won't put two and two together. Or at the festival he won't see us dancing right? What are you saying? Of course I'll have to tell him. I think he likes you though, even if you aren't wealthy. He thinks you would be a good addition to the guard next year. You'll be old enough to join then,"

"Yeah, I'll be twenty next year. Man, I'm getting old," Will joked. Beth didn't laugh. 

"Don't change the subject, I have to tell my father or he'll kill me,"