Kirba the North Sentinel

On a small island far in the north beyond the city of Cilath, there was a small town nested between towering pines and ice-cold lakes, Kirba, an intense smell of freshly cut wood mingled with the tangy smell of the nearby sea.

As the sun shines on the snow the sound of axes hitting the trees starts to echo in the woods, and near the coast, the laughter of men along with the creaking oars and dragging nets fills the air.

"Balti, we will all miss you so much, we love you!" Said his mother.

"You will make us proud!" Said his father, as he left in a small fishing boat towards Cilath. 

He was not alone, joining him was Arvid, another boy from Kirba who had also reached the age where he could go to Bethis the Capital; there they would be tested to see if they were fitting to become part of the country's army.

Arvid was patiently waiting for the ropes to be undone, with a distant gaze - in a mix of admiration and discontent as he heard the kind words Balti had been receiving. 

Just as the little sail is raised the boat is shaken up and a big thud as if something had fallen into the boat!

To their surprise, another boy had jumped into the boat.

The helmsman immediately recognises this boy: "What are you doing here you brat!"

Dálkr: "What? I won't bother you don't worry, I just wanted a lift"

The helmsman sighs and sits down without arguing with the boy.

Balti and Arvid have a puzzled look on their face, and silently they start discussing who this boy is and why he is there, Balti gains courage and decides to speak to the boy. 

"Hi, I'm Balti, and this is Ar..." 

Dálkr: "Shut it."

Angrily the helmsman said: "If you're going to come with us you should try to make friends, not enemies"

Dálkr replied: "I've been on my own my whole life. What makes you think it should be any different now? Huh? Just take us to Cilath in silence how about that?"

"You never change, do you?" said the helmsman with a soft tone...

Dálkr said: "You know what? fine. If you want me to introduce myself so much. I'm Dálkr the son of a prostitute, named after the dagger that my mom was stabbed with. Is that what you wanted me to say, old man?"

For a moment - even though the waters were calm the waves rang like an iron hammer, their echoes resonating across the open sea.

Silence.

*several hours later*

Cilath was a small city that connected Kirba to Bethis (the Capital) as they arrived they started to hear a commotion near the town square, where they found merchants from Bethis buying timber and fish from Cilath and Kirba to take into the capital.

Arvid: "This is a lot busier than our hometown I can't even imagine what the capital will be like."

Villager: "Welcome! Here! make yourself at home." He said, handing an apple to Balti.

Balti: "The people here seem very friendly"

The commotion stops. 

Silence. 

Balti questioned: "What's happening?" The villagers shushed him. Their smiles had dropped... 

A man walked to the centre, and as he stepped closer the villagers formed a semi-circle around him. The boys were still confused but noticed that these people felt insecure by this presence.

"People of Cilath! I am General Gorm, commander of the Capital's first squad. I have come here bearing some unfortunate news. Our enemies from Begur have invaded Dinan, they have conquered more than half their territory and are holding their resources."

The silent crowd was stirred up and whispers of disturbance were spread along the town square.

Gorm: "Soon there may be residents of the city of Dinan fleeing to the capital and your town, Cilath. I ask, please, those under favourable circumstances allow the refugees into your homes for a short period."

There was an uproar in the crowd, some people yelled: "How will we have food for all of us?!" others shouted: "If you care that much why don't they all go to the capital!" some even threw fruit at the General.

Gorm proclaimed: "Do as you wish. May God judge all that do not help your neighbour in need!" 

"My second announcement is that we will bring forward the date of the annual essence distribution. It will be in three days. That is all."

As Gorm takes his first step away from the crowd he hears a rage-filled cry that says: "TAKE ME TO DINAN!". Gorm scoffs, and with a soft grin, he says: "Are you out of your mind, boy?" the fuss in the crowd died out, and Dálkr replied: "It's him. I'll kill him. Take me there, then you won't have to worry about the refugees! I'll kill him!" 

Gorm: "You must have hit your head!"

Dálkr: "I will kill him! It's him!"

Gorm: "What makes you think you'll survive for even a minute? God, please forgive me." As the last word parted his lips, in the span of a blink, Gorm stood mere arm's length away from Dálkr. 

Balti and Arvid were shaking, spectating with a strange mixture of terror and awe.

Gorm kicks Dálkr's ankles from the side and with his hands drives his torso into the ground smashing his body against the solid stone ground. "You'd die as soon as you set foot in Dinan. If it is God's will, we shall meet again."

three days until the annual essence distribution.

To be continued...