Sword of death (Thief of hope #1)

Chaper 2

Wolfhard stared blankly at Jon's back as they rode along the path, surrounded by melting snow. He was just now aware of what happened. He was leaving everything behind, starting a new life. He might never see his mother again. But he hadn't cried, and he didn't plan to. He didn't want Jon to think that he was weak. Jon once told him, as they were leaving the village, that he is surprised by his toughness. One more reason to keep his calm. 

Along with the overwhelming sadness, he felt excitement. He was going to train to be a warrior. He was going to fight against the monsters, to protect everyone that needed his help. He remember Jon saying that he expected much. And Wolfhard was aware of hard training in front of him, but he felt no fear. He felt no fear because his mentor had faith in him. Perhaps it was because he thought that Wolfhard would be like his father. But if he was at least half of him, as Jon said, Wolfhard would become a great Shadow. 

Nobody knew much about Shadows. They weren't like other classes, just fighting the whole night. Everyone knew that they were the most agile, and that they often had different missions than the others. But they often dissapeared, coming back years after.

Wolfhard was looking foraward to becoming one. He wanted to klill all the monsters, to help the people rule this world again.  

,,Thinking about glory already?" Jon asked him as Wolfhard told him his predictions of the future. ,,You will have to wok hard for that. Don't let those thoughts spoil your mind". At those words, Jon waved his hair from his eyes and jumped off the horse. 

,,I didn't expect it to get dark so soon. The choosing ceremony was longer then before. There is a House near here, I can just see it in the distance. We shall spend the night there, if the owners allow us.". Jon said, readying his wrist armor, for he always wanted to be ready.

,,And what if they don't let us?" Wolfhard dared to ask. Jon smiled.

,,I don't think it will come to that. I would just have to remind them who I am, and teach them there place" he said, his smile disappearing at the last sentence, turning into a blank expression.

Wolfhard dared not to ask anything more. He knew that Jon wasn't that easy to make angry, but he also knew that nobody would want to be on his bad side when it happens. Jon was friendly, yes, but he knew how to put someone in their place.

The sun was setting as they arrived in front of the house. It wasn't really big, made from both wood and stone. It had a garned, freshly watered by the looks of it. Jon told him to wait on the horse as he went to knock on the door. But Wolfhard wanted to be there, too, so he jumped of the horse, hoping that it wouldn't gallop away without it's master. 

As Jon saw him, he looked at him sternly and opened his mouth to say something when the door opened. A women, about the age of Wolfhard's father before he died, was standing on the door. She had light brown hair and a smiling, welcoming face. She reminded Wolfhard of his mother, and just as he forgot his grief, the wound felt raw again, making him feel like crying. 

,,The night is drawing close, my lady, and me and my apprentice have a long way yet to go. Would it be bad if I asked you to let us spend this night in your lovely house? I see you have a barn, where we could put the horse in. Your place is also well protected by runes.  The boy still isn't skilled enough to survive the night". At his last words, Wolfhard scowled, but said nothing.

The woman smiled, the smile Wolfhard's mother used to give him when she kissed him goodnight. 

,,Of course you may spend the night here. Call me by name, plese. I am Arriana. My son will see to your horse." Arriana said as a boy, about Wolfhard's age emerged from the house. He gave Jon a look full of hate, when he saw Wolfhard. He growled at him before taking their horse to the barn.

,,Oh, don't mind him. He wasn't chosen, so he's a little shaken and not in the mood" Arriana said with a worried look on her son. Wolfhard was suprised by the boy's reaction, but Jon seemed un bothered. 

,,Will you show us a place we can sleep?" Jon asked her.

,,Of course. Your boy can sleep with Aron, my son. You can sleep here, I will bring some furs on which you can sleep on." She said and went upstairs, probably for the furs. Jon was to sleep in a small living room, with nothing but a table and a fireplace.

,,A generous lady, she is" Jon said after moments of silence. 

,,I don't like that son of her's though" Wolfhard added, remembering the look he gave them.

Before Jon could respond, the boy entered the room. 

,,You come with me. You will sleep on the floor beside my bed" He said, motioning to Wolfhard, his eyes still full of hate as he watched him getting close to him. 

They walked upstairs into a small room. It had a bed and a worktable. Furs were put on the floor for Wolfhard to sleep on. He sat on his furs, legs aching for sitting on the horse for a whole day.

Wolfhard took of his boots and his shirt, deciding to sleep only in his pants, for it was hot from the fireplace that warmed the whole house. 

He lay in the furs, followed by the eyes of of the boy who hates him.

,,Why are you looking at me like that?" Wolfhard spat, the boy's behaviour raging him.

,,You think you are better than everyone, don't you? Just because you were chosen! Well, you know what I think? I think that you are as good as horse dung!" The boys spat. Wolfhard was unable to take control over himself as he leaped on the boy. The boy was unprepared, and Wolfhard managed to deliver a blow on his face before they fell to the the ground and started wrestling, neither managing to get hold of the other. They were interrupted by Jon's voice.

,,Everybody! Hide! The monsters are getting through the door!" Their hate forgotten, the boys stood up.

,,Follow me, I will show you the safe place if something like this happens" he said as his mother Arriana walked into the room.

,,Let's go, mother" Aron, the boys, said, taking her by arm. The walked down the stairs to see Jon already fighting some monsters. But more were coming. and Jon was overwhelmed.

,,Go! I will be behind!" he managed to say before another monster jumped at him. Arriana beckoned, her eyes full of terror. They ran to a small door full of runes. Arriana opened the door and went in. It was not a big room, it had only enough place for 5 people not to feel comfortable.

They saw Jon behind them, all bloody.Most of the blood was from monsters, but some was from Jon's wounds.

,,Get in and close the door. I will take care of the demons" he said. Wolfhard started to go towards him, wanted to help, but he didn't. He knew that he would only make it harder for Jon. So he went in with the others, closing the door behind him. Hours passed and Jon was still fighting. 

And at last, they heard the last demon die, his screams filling the air. Wolfhard was the first to get out, going strait for Jon.

,,Are you hurt? You have lots of wounds." was the only thing Wolfhard managed to think of when he saw his mentor all bloody.

Jon opened his mouth to reply, but then he fell to the floor, passing out. He lost to much blood to stay awake.