The Chronicles of the Tower -1-

Chapter 1 -Kai- (pt.1)

The wind whipped without mercy the tree branches. And it's terrible roar enveloped restlessly the farm. Which endured the shakes with heroism, letting go a small occasional crunch during the strongest hits. 

The sky was completely clear, but there was no moon, and that precisely made the night even darker.

The family slept peacefully. There had been other nights like such in their inhospitable land, and they knew for sure that the ceiling wouldn't collapse on their heads. Although, the animals were restless. Their instinct told them that that night wasn't just another one.

They were right.

Just when the walls of the house grimaced again, complaining because of the wind's strength, a sudden shout ripped the night's music. And quickly the whole farm was awake. Just moments later a lad came out, nearly flying towards the town. 

He had a very specific mission to carry out. His new sibling was about to be born, and he had to warn the midwife the fastest he could.

Confusion reigned in the house. The mother was not supposed to give birth until two months later, and besides, her pain was becoming more intense than usual. She was the first one scared: she had brought five children to the world before this one, but she had never suffered that much. 

Something was wrong, and soon everyone in the farm feared for the lives of the woman and her baby. 

When the midwife finally arrived huffing, and everyone gave her space leaving her alone with the suffering woman, as she commanded. The midwife then,  closed the door behind the two women. 

Outside, time seemed to go on forever, and the tension could have been cut with a knife, until finally a cry shook the entrails of the night, defying the roar of the wind.

My son! shouted the father, and rushed into the room. The scene that greeted him stopped him in his tracks a few steps from the bed.

The mother was still alive; exhausted and sweaty, but alive. Yet, sideways, the midwife lifted the weeping creature into her arms and stared at her, a strange expression on her face.

She was a girl with deep blue eyes and a tiny and wrinkled body. A single lock of black hair adorned a head that seemed too big for her.

What happened? asked the mother, feeling that something was not it was going well. Isn't she healthy?

None of the three paid attention to the man who had just come in. The old woman shuddered, but tried to reassure her.

The girl is well. She never told anyone what she had seen in that blue gaze that was peering into the world for the first time.

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They called her Dana, and she grew up alongside her brothers and sisters as if she was one of them. She learned things quickly and did her work diligently. 

Because the family's survival during winter depended on the joint work of all its members, the girl soon knew her place and understood the importance of what she did.

They never treated her in a special way, and yet everyone could see that she was different. They noticed it in her withdrawn character and in her serious and thoughtful appearance. 

She also preferred to be alone than to play with the other children.She was as stealthy as a cat and barely spoke.

Until she met Kai. 

Dana was six years old at the time. That day was especially hot, and she had gotten up early to finish her job as soon as possible. Then she would be able to spend the sunniest hours sitting in the shade. 

She was picking raspberries to make jam when she felt that there was someone behind her, so she turned around.

Hello, said the boy. He had sat on the fence and was looking at her smiling. Dana hadn't heard him arrive. He would be approximately her age, but the girl did not remember seeing him around, so she studied him carefully. 

He was very thin, and blond hair fell over his shoulders in messy locks. All in all, his green eyes sparkled friendly, and there was something about his smile that inspired trust.

However, Dana did not respond to the greeting, she turned around and went on with her work.

My name is Kai, said the boy behind him. Dana turned to look at him again. He smiled again. She hesitated. 

I am Dana, she finally said, and smiled to him. That was the beginning of a great friendship.

At first they saw each other occasionally. It was he who visited the farm, and Dana never asked him where he lived, or who his parents were. Kai was there, and that was enough.

 After some time they began to see each other every day. Kai appeared early in the morning to help her with her work: that's how she finished it early, and had free time until lunchtime. Then they would both run to the forest, laughing, and they would get lost in it. 

Kai taught her a thousand things she didn't know, and together they whistled at birds, spied on deer, climbed the tallest trees and they explored the most hidden, beautiful and wild corners of the forest.

One day they were chatting in the stable while they fed the horses, when they were surprised by her mother and older sister, who were returning from the fields, where all the adults were helping to plant for the harvest.

Who are you talking to, Dana? asked her mother, surprised.

With Kai, she replied, and turned to her friend; but she discovered with surprise that he was no longer there.

Who's Kai? asked her mother, intrigued. Then Dana realized that, in all that time, she had never spoken to her family about Kai, nor had they seen him, because he always showed up when she was alone.

The girl turned in all directions and called her elusive friend but there was no reply.

He was here a moment ago! she exclaimed when she saw the look of disappointment in her mother's face. She shook her head with a sigh, and her sister laughed. 

Dana wanted to add something else, but didn't find the strength to do so. She stared as both women left the stable to enter the house. 

It was the first time that Dana was angry at Kai. The first thing she did was to search for him all morning, thinking about scolding him for leaving so suddenly, but couldn't find him. 

She waited all the afternoon for him to show up again, and then decided that, if he reappeared, she wouldn't speak to him.