1 Chapter 1: Rumors Of The Savage Lands

Duke Reinehre gazed up at the blood-red haze in the sky one more time before stepping into the small-town bar with a few of his soldiers. Rugged mercenaries lounged around the surprisingly packed bar, glaring at the newcomers in silence with unwelcoming eyes and a hand resting gently on their weapons of choice. Disregarding them, the duke strode up to the bartender and clicked one silver coin onto the counter.

"5 Ale's, one for each of my boys." His deep voice reverberated around the silent room. Hearing his reason for being here, the mercenaries returned their drinks as conversation drowned out the silence.

While the thrum of people enjoying themselves returned, the Duke clicked one more silver coin down on the counter as he leaned in closer to the rugged and scarred man behind the counter.

"Have you heard of the whereabouts of a group of soldiers much like these," The Duke jerked a thumb back at the men behind him as the bartender gave them a quick glance while preparing their drinks. "They were supposed to be hunting a beast in the Savage Lands but it's been a week since they should have returned."

The weathered bartender observed the Duke briefly before holding up two fingers. Understanding what he meant, Duke Reinehre placed a second silver coin on the countertop. One burly and scarred hand reached towards the coins carefully before scooping them towards himself.

"Saw a group much like yer selves 'ead into the Savage land four weeks ago. Warned 'em that it's not a good time fer a trip past the border but they insisted. If they 'aven't returned then there's little chance they're still alive."

The bartender noticed the Duke's hand start shaking before he dragged it back into his coat pocket.

"Why is it a bad time?" The Duke met the bartenders yellow eyes, but no answer came, so Reinehre clicked another silver coin down onto the wooden slab of counter.

"They say that another beast king 'as been born. The monster's movement 'as been strange fer a while now. The mercenaries refuse to travel too far past the border until things settle down."

"A beast king? Is there such think as order in the Savage Lands?" The bartender simply nodded, as he handed the group their drinks.

The soldiers took them in hand and sat down at a table as the Duke followed deep in thought.

"Did you hear? There's been some strange sightings under the red sky." A conversation at the table over caught the Duke's attention as he took a seat. "A boy was said to have been seen helping parties near death Valley. They say he has bright icy eyes that can tear into your soul and long snowy hair."

"And why would 'e do that? Death Valley is the most dangerous area in the Savage Lands."

"I don't know but he has saved many lives and death Valley has become safer recently. Some say he's a beast himself but what kind of beast saves others."

"If it's safer then why is everyone 'oled up in this shit hole?'

"Ah, that's because of the beast king. Those who have glimpsed his form and lived named him the white king. They say if you see him, all you can do is cower in fear."

"What is 'e? 'ow can a beast be so powerful?"

The man who had been sharing all the information glanced around and caught sight of the Duke eaves dropping. He leaned closer to his buddy and whispered something out of range of the Duke's hearing before leaning back and calling over to him. "Go back to the comfort of your mother's bosom city boy. Your kind don't fare well out here."

The Duke shook his head ignoring the man. He wasn't sure why he had been called boy since he obviously appeared old with the beginnings of grey hair seeping in amongst the black. His face aged and weathered but his body still held strong with the influence of mana. Forty years old and the father of three, he knew well enough that he was old. He pushed aside the insult and muddled over the new information.

Fortunately, his soldiers were well trained and didn't make a fuss either seeing as they would be severely outnumbered when the rest of the bar sided with the mercenaries.

Duke Reinehre turned his head to peer through the window at the red sky that blended with the normal blue he was used to in his city. His face turned to worry as he remembered the words of the bartender.

'Don't worry my sweet daughter. I will come save you.'

___

"AHHHH! DRAGON!" Lady Katarina Reinehre throwing off the blanket and grabbing at the sword that was no longer at her hip. Searching frantically, she realized she was no longer where she used to be, and all her soldiers were sleeping soundly next to her, so deep asleep that her outburst had not caused them to stir. Her sword lay beside her bed, unsheathed and obviously placed there by someone. Checking her other hip, the twin daggers were still with her as well.

"What the hell happened?" Katarina observed her surroundings, finding themselves inside a cave. The rocks of the tunnel were smooth as if it had been carved out by an experienced sculptor. Glancing to her right, the shadows of the cave deepened while to her left, the shadows of a dancing light swayed against the wall.

The last thing she remembered was walking into death Valley to find their target, but instead they met an enormous White dragon whose presence completely overwhelmed them. And the next thing she knew, she was inside this cave.

'Is the dragon preparing us for a meal? No we wouldn't even be considered a snack it was so big.' Katarina grabbed her sword off the ground, the familiar weight resting gently in her hand.

She snuck along the edge of the wall, attempting to dampen the clinking noise of her armour. Before she could round the corner though, she heard a young voice softly speaking the final words of a sentence.

"...so weak."

'A child?' Katarina questioned her hearing as she rounded the corner but her vision told her the same. A young boy, around the age of 13, with snow white hair sat beside a small fire. He had no weapons around or on him as Katarina became more confused.

The boy turned his head to face her as their eyes met. Katarina became entranced in his ice blue eyes that made her feel as though her entire being were being consumed by his gaze. The slightly elongated pupil, the icy colour that made her shiver, and the overbearing pressure she felt from simply meeting his gaze. This boy was not normal. But who could be if they lived in the Savage Lands. At least he didn't seem cannibalistic like those of the savage tribes.

"You're finally awake. The big guy must have gotten you pretty good." The boy turned back to face the fire, releasing her from her daze.

"U-um, he- hello child. Did you save us from that monstrous dragon?" Katarina stuttered for the first time in many years as the unfamiliar situation got to her.

The boy motioned for her to sit down by the fire as he responded. "In a way I did, though, if the dragon had wanted to kill you then you would be dead already. He must have seen something in your-" He paused, searching for the right word before tapping the left side of his chest.

"Heart?" Katarina filled in for him, realizing that he must not know the common tongue very well.

The boy turned back to face her, his cold eyes a little less sharp but still bearing the same overwhelming pressure that trapped her in his gaze. It was both fascinating and uncanny at the same time. "Yes, the heart."

'Who is this child. What must he have gone through.' Pity swelled inside Katarina as she slowly peeled her eyes away from the boys to observe his body. He wore beast hides as clothes for both warmth and protection. On his upper body, the red fur of a wolf like beast was draped over his shoulders while his lower half was covered by a scaled skirt. "Child, how long have you been living out here?"

The boy gazed towards the mouth of the cave around a final bend in the tunnel as he sighed. "As long as I can remember..." His voice trailed off, his expression still straight and serious, but his gaze appeared to be longing for something.

'Is there someone he misses? Or is it something he misses?' Lady Katarina observed the boy, noticing his handsome features despite his dirty and rugged look. 'With proper care, this child could become incredibly beautiful,' she thought as her eyes drifted to his somehow pristine white hair, then his conditioned body. 'Hmm, father might not be happy, but if this boy truly saved our lives then I must repay him somehow.'

"Child, do you wish to come home and become a part of my family? It's the only way I can think of repaying you for saving our lives." Katarina asked with a soft and comforting tone that she often used with her younger siblings.

The boy turned back to her as she felt his gaze burrow deep into her heart for a brief moment before withdrawing. Katarina wasn't sure what happened but her body told her that her true intentions had just been uncovered. Fortunately for her, those intentions were innocent and sincere. For her, it was just a test of virtue that the boy had conducted to see if she could be trusted.

"What is a family?" The boy asked, his expression sincere and curious.

Shocked by the question, Katarina realized the severity of the boys situation. Living alone in this dangerous land for as long as he can remember. How he survived in a place where veteran mercenaries and adventurers perished daily, she wasn't sure, but it meant that this boy could potentially raise the reputation of the Reinehre house. "A family is a place of warmth and comfort where everyone supports each other's growth. Haha, umm well that's an ideal family." Katarina fidgeted a little but the boy simply nodded.

"Nothing is ever ideal. The heart is what matters."

Katarina paused as she considered his words. 'This boy does not sound like a twelve year old. What secrets and experience lie behind those icy eyes?' Katarina was fascinated by him. She was certain he would truly benefit the family and he would be a welcome brother.

She waited as he considered her proposition to join the family, it meant leaving behind everything he was used to, but glancing around, she wasn't sure if there was anything here to miss.

"I will come." He stated, his expression neither excited nor dreading. But Katarina was the one who seemed the most excited.

"Wonderful! You'll be my little brother from now on. My name is Katarina Reinehre, but you can call me Kat or big sis. What's your name?" Katarina grinned at her new brother as she tried to make him and herself feel more at ease.

"I don't know, but I have been called Hayan by the people who come from over there." Hayan pointed through the stone wall, confusing Katarina. "You people came from over there." Hayan pointed in the opposite direction as Kat finally understood.

"You've met the Easterners before? What are they like? I've only heard that they are an evil group of people." Katarina exclaimed but Hayan shook his head.

"They look a little different but they have the same heart." Hayan affirmed as Katarina understood that he meant they were the same as her people despite a different appearance.

"Ah, I apologize. We got sidetracked. So, you will be known as Hayan Reinehre now. Do you like the name?"

A fraction of a smile formed on the boys lips as he nodded. Seeing it, Katarina was filled with joy that this cold boy was showing signs of warmth. "Wonderful! I'm happy I've got another little brother." She reached her hand out slowly towards her new brother's hair. Seeing no adverse reaction, she patted his head, but stopped after the first pat. His hair felt cold but it was soft like a kitten's fur. She stroked his hair again amazed by the feeling of it. "Wow" She whispered under her breath before withdrawing her hand. Glancing down, she noticed he was looking at her curiously, his icy eyes and long white eyelashes questioning what she was doing?

"Ah sorry, your hair was just so soft. Oh, how long was I asleep?" She changed the subject quickly, slightly embarassed by her actions. What was a twenty year old like her doing to this poor boy.

"Hmm, I think today makes it..." He paused again, searching for the word to no avail. He held up ten fingers, then put six down showing another four.

"Fourteen hours? That's so long. We should hurry." But the boy shook his head.

"Fourteen days." He stated plainly.

"Fourteen days!? We were only given three weeks and two were already spent searching for our target before we encountered that dragon. Shit we need to hurry back before father does something dangerous."

Katarina stood up swiftly and held out her hand towards Hayan. "Come little brother, we need to get home as quickly as possible. We'll wake up my soldiers and head out with haste." Hayan hesitated briefly before grabbing her hand. Katarina shivered at his touch, as she felt a small surge of energy course through her followed by cold. She disregarded it and pulled him up to his feet as she walked back to her soldiers, waking each of them as gently as she could though some required a firm slap.

After explaining the situation to them, the group set off, Katarina still holding Hayan's hand as they marched out under the red sky once again.