As War Unfolds: an act of valor

Prolouge

I leave the old school house, a few of the kids yelling "freak" at my back.

I ignore them, this happened often and I've learned to ignore them. Even since I was little, I've always been different. I have... abilities, magic if you will. Magic is considered a rare gift, which is why I'm the only one. They consider me a freak of nature, a monster if they're feeling particularly rude.

I make my way through the bustling streets of HallowStone. Many people give me rude looks, another thing I've grown used to.

The sound of trumpets pierce the air, announcing that a message has come for the town. It's rather eerie at how the noise level dropped from high to none.

The entire town in hearing range moves towards the pavilion like a large wave. A knight stands in the center of the pavilion, other knights sitting at a table behind him.

"Greetings people of HallowStone, I am Sir Gai Galith of the capital." the main knight informs us. "I have grave news from King Victor. The people of Lowendal have become hostile to those who are loyal citizens of Adwyllan like ourselves. They believe that the Holy Lands belong to Ezriah and that worshipers of Talath should be flogged and beaten. Recently their King, King Olaf, has declared war upon us Talath worshipers. We are is grave need of soldiers on the front lines. That is why," he gestures to the knights sitting behind him. "We are taking any able bodied man above the age of 17, man or mage, we're in great need of both. The soldiers' families will be paid 10 pounds per month each. Is there any one of you willing to be the first?"

"I volunteer!" a familiar voice shouts to Sir Gai.

My brother, Randall, pushes through the crowd to the pavilion.

Fear strikes my heart, I can't let him do this. I shove my way through the still silent crowd, each of them standing in shock of the news. Randall makes it to the pavilion before I do, but not much earlier.

I climb the stairs to the pavilion, only to be blocked off by knights.

"Please, Randall, don't do this!" I plead, my eyes filling with tears.

"Alaine, think of Mother," Randall gazes into my eyes, "we need money for the doctor's visits."

"Randall!" I scream, tears now streaking down my cheeks. I don't care if I'm breaking down in front of the entire village. "You can't leave us! We need you!"

"I'm sorry, Alaine," his voice lined with guilt, "I have to do this. Mother will die without the doctor's care, and this is the only way to pay for it." he then turns to Sir Gai.

Sir Gai glances to me, an apologetic look in his eyes. He hands the inked quill to Randall.

I try to push past the knights but to no avail, they're too strong. I don't care, I keep struggling to move forward. Randall gives me one last look before signing his name on an enrollment paper. The three knights exchange glances before they let me through.

I run to Randall, tears dropping to the wooden floor. He hands the quill to Sir Gai before opening his arms. I rush into him and he embraces me, trying to calm me.

He takes me off the pavilion and walks me home, his arm wrapped around my shoulders the whole time.

My only brother, the only one who I know would to anything for me, is leaving me, going to war.