The Zersha Chronicles

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 4 years prior

The day began similar to most other days, when I woke up I didn't concern myself with eating I just wanted to get my work over with. I ran outside to the hot humid morning and sprinted down the main road down past the other buildings, taverns and the like towards the small cornfield and O'Connor's farmhouse. The steep thatched roof stuck above the crops as I drew nearer. I rounded the corn rows end and saw O'Connor rocking back in forth in his chair. He turned to look at me at tipped his wide brimmed straw hat at me. As I ran past him towards the tool shed he called out to me in his old hoarse voice "Cyrus! Come here!" I stopped and turned around and while stepping onto his porch he continued. "You'll be doing no work in the fields today I have something for you to do." I stepped up to him and he turned around grabbing a clean leather satchel. "I know you've not seen your father in a many years, but I've got you an opportunity to change that. You see I have this package I need delivered to your father and the Courier is already out of town. So I've hooked you up with an escort to travel with you to the capital and deliver it." I was shocked, it was a lot to be throw upon me in an instant. I would get to have my own adventure, my own quest. My thought process was rather naïve but there is nothing I can do to change it. Only thing I was worried about was how seeing my father would go he had stopped even writing to me nine years ago.

"Of course I'll take it why wouldn't I, I only have one question who is my escort?" I was very interested in the prospect of adventure and too much so.

"She'll be waiting for you at the stables." O'Connor exclaimed with a light chuckle and as soon as he spoke that I knew who he was sending with me. "Make sure you pack everything you need. The journey should only take about five or six days." He had a happy grin but as is now I don't think it was for my benefit.

"Having heard Miss Krastov's side of the story I know what you mean."

At the time I made myself the talk of the town because I proceed to moronically sprint down the street shoving people away as I rushed home to pack for my "adventure" I ran into my door forcing it open, I caused quite a commotion as I could see, in old decorative mirror hanging in my living room, people in the street stopping what they were doing and staring. I didn't care at that time but I realize I must have been scrambling around like a blasted buffoon. I ran down my houses center hallway and swerved into my room. Picking up an old burlap sack, I threw open my cabinet door and tossed in a few outfits. After, that I left as intensely as I entered, I slammed my door behind me and shoved past the small group of townsfolk crowded outside my door peering in. I sprinted back down the road but made a left towards the stables. I slowed down as I neared them not seeing Isa.

I walked up to the large wooden doors of the stables, there was a note on the door. "Behind you." I turned around, expecting Isa to be there in an effort to frighten me, but she wasn't.

Suddenly the stable door flew open and Isa behind it. "You didn't think you'd be going to the capital without me did you!" The perky and happiness to her voice was infectious, but that still didn't keep me from being startled.

I took a breath and spoke "Not even for a second." The sarcasm that my response had was definitely caught.

"Oh shut up, anyways or horses will be back here." She lead be into the stables toward the back stalls. Animals of all kinds lived in the stables, sheep, pigs, cows, mule, and horses. As we walked by the stalls Isa stopped and gestured me to continue. I looked to see what she saw and found a sad sight. A young foal as unable to stand and its mother was trying to help it up which only caused it to fall and injure itself. The foal's mother eventually backed off with a huff of frustration and trotted out into the outside horse pen. "The foal should be fine if the mother just stops trying to push him along." She stood up and continued walking towards the back of the stables. "Apologies for the hold up just a bit worried about him especially since I'm going to be gone so long" The stopped at the back and opened a stall. Inside the stall was a healthy brown mare his hair comparable to oak bark. "This will be your horse for now." I could tell in her voice she was back to her overexcited self. "I'll meet you outside." She handed me the rains and vaulted over an oppisite stall. Her voice rang of giddiness and she made no effort to hide it. I walked outside leading the mare behind me. Moments later, Isa rode out on her horse he was a completely black horse. She dismounted and tied the reins to a nearby fence. She took the reins from my hand and quickly said "You need to go pack for the trip." I sprinted off without a second thought leaving the stables behind me. I created quite a scene and would have for sure been the talk of the town if it was still there. I rushed through the streets shoving people away and rushed through my house the same. I didn't even pack I just grabbed a rucksack and shoved several pairs of clothes and my lockbox into it. I ran back to the stables just as quickly, but once again Isa wasn't anywhere to be found. I approach my horse and noticed another note but this time on the reins. "Bring horses am at Scarlet's-Isa" I untied the two horse reins and lead them toward the gate and Scarlet's. As Scarlet's became closer I could hear music be played inside and see a small crowd through its open red door. I tied the horses onto a pole, threw my bag over my horse and walked inside.