Fate

Prologue

It all started with the apples. And the girl. Because there was always a girl involved, wasn't there?

It simply couldn't be helped. The baker's daughter had been a sight unseen, the pride of the town. The most beautiful girl for miles. And she had been staring straight at him.

But why wouldn't she? Tonius knew that he was attractive. They went crazy for his dark curls and the kicked dog look in his eyes. It was the kind of combination that made people want to help him, care for him.

It was also the kind of combination that usually led to him getting into trouble. It was most definitely the case in this situation.

A wild smile split across Tonius' face as he hurried through the forest, using his knowledge of the woods to escape the guardsmen chasing after him. His blood was singing from the thrill of the chase. He felt alive, despite the sun beating down on him through the gaps in the treetops, baking him. The other men thundered through the area, trampling plants and scaring off the local wildlife. All this effort for a couple of stolen apples and a handful of grapes. Seemed a bit much, really. But he wasn't one to complain about a little excitement in his life. Things had grown increasingly dull since he'd left Wentworth and the countless beautiful girls that had flocked the cobblestone streets.

However, even though it was the most fun he'd had since he'd arrived in the city, he was growing weary and really had to be moving on. He'd spent entirely too much time in there already, around all those people. He felt it stirring.

But first things first, he had to get rid of his entourage. He was no stranger to giving soldiers the slip. The only question was, how? All that seemed to be around were trees and... more trees.

Then he caught sight of it. The perfect hideaway. The one the city folk called "the Infinite Oak". It was something of a landmark to them, or so he'd heard several times during his brief stay. Something to do with the history of their people, or some other rubbish. But to Tonius, in that one moment, it might as well have been a gift sent straight from the Saints themselves. It was just what he needed right now to end this little game.

He changed directions towards it, pushing his legs to run faster, in spite of the ache beginning to settle deep in his bones. Running away was becoming an invaluable part of his skillset. It was all he ever seemed to do these days.

Vaulting over a fallen tree in his path, he slowed briefly, allowing his pursuers to catch a single glimpse of him—assuring them that they were still heading in the right direction—before picking up the pace once again. He heard their shouts echoing behind him, his own careless laugh booming back to them. Even after all this time, wasting the time of the guards was still amusing to him.

Sweat was dripping from every pore as he grew closer to the Oak, drenching his shirt, making it stick to his skin in a very uncomfortable manner, and matting his dark hair flat to his forehead. Without realizing it, he had once again slowed his stride, and this time not on purpose. The frustrated calls and heavy panting of the guard were getting louder, and he knew that it would only be a matter of time before they were on him.

Using his left hand to swing around to the front of the Infinite Oak, he wedged himself deep between the giant roots, tucking back into the shadows, covering his mouth with his hand to hide his rugged breathing, his smile refusing to cease. It was a tight squeeze, for he was quite lanky for his age and had long limbs, but he managed to fold himself up enough to stay hidden. Barely, but it would work in a pinch.

It was only after he had settled in that it hit him. Something stank. And he was 85% sure it wasn't him. Tonius couldn't actually recall the last time he'd had a wash, and he had just been racing full tilt through the woods. But no, this scent was sharp and bitter on his tongue. It smelled like when meat had been burned, left on the fire unattended for too long.