Prophecy of the Old King: Verse 1 The Gauntlet Prologue

Farm Trouble

"Rigato," someone calls and I turn. They arrive out of breath.

"Rigato, there you are," she sighs.

"What is it, Kalto?" I ask her.

"Outsider," Kalto gasps, "at the Farm."

I glance towards the Farm and see smoke blooming in a cloud over the fields.

"Kaly, what's the outsider done?" I demand, silently cursing myself for being away. If only I hadn't been adventuring in the wilds, I may have been able to help. Gahur always said I was selfish and should have pulled my weight at The Farm instead of going off "frolicking". But I just got so bored doing the same thing day in day out. When I was at The Farm I felt so confined and claustrophobic. The enormous number of members in The Family made me feel smothered. I had to get away from it all and into the vast deserted wilds.

"There's no time to explain Rig, we must hurry," she cries and I can see the fear on her face. This is really bad. I drop everything and rush towards the Farm. I stop when nearer, eyes wide in fear, the main building is aflame. I see the Family looking on as our home burns.

"Is everyone out, is everyone safe?" I ask Gahur who is trying to control the Family.

"Rig, yes everyone is fine, that man there told us to get out before he set it on fire," Gahur explained, pointing to a cloaked figure standing at the side of the building. This man has set my home alight for no reason, well I won't let him get away with this. I start to walk towards him.

"Be careful Rig, He's one of the King's men," Gahur warns.

"I don't care who he is, I am no coward and will make him pay for destroying our home," I reply.

"I don't think you get it Rig, you can't fight him," Gahur states grabbing my arm, "do you understand me Rig? It's not just because you would be arrested it's because it's too dangerous. You would understand if you had ever attended schooling instead of running off to the Wilds. Just trust me on this one Rig, no matter what you think, you can't fight him."

"I understand Gahur, I just want to go talk to him," I say, "now you should probably get the Family out of here."

"Yes you're right, well I suppose I'll never see you or Kalto again, so fairtide to you both and may fortune favour you," Gahur agrees letting me go and starts organising the family to leave.

"Fairtide Family and let your crop never fail," I reply and walk towards the figure by the house. Kalto said her goodbyes too and followed. As we approach him the man turns to stare at me. I notice his eyes are black globes, I back slightly away. There is something highly wrong with this man, darkness radiates from him and a whirring clicking noise resonates from the confines of his cloak. Maybe he has a gun and is going to shoot us, the thought makes me take a step to place myself between him and Kalto, I won't let him hurt her. But then he takes off his cloak and I see he has the face of a bug and two large sharp pincers.

"What in the name of Yakuch is that thing?" Kalto screams.