Chapter 1

  (1482)

  The large green pine forest, the village of Deersheild had not changed since Sonas’ arrival. Sonas was now 15. She was smart, and a beautiful young lady. She would always help the children of Deersheild and help at the church. Although the town was small and poor, she always made people’s lives a lot happier.

  Sonas walked down the street with some berries she picked from the bushes of the forest. Sweet juicy berries, that she was planning on turning into a sweet jam. She suddenly bumped into her bully, Matteo. He stood in front of her, blocking her path. “And where do you think you’re going?” He smirked mischievously, raising an eyebrow, His tall frame towering over her.

  Sonas was incredibly smart, and always outsmarted Matteo every time, yet he keeps coming back. Matteo was a tall man, at least 3-4 years older than her. He had brown skin and spiky long white hair that went down to his hips. He was one of the hunters of the village, strong and considered the town's pain in the ass. He was a hybrid, with black antlers. The two grew up together but didn’t really have a friendly relationship. Both had different opinions on each other, and their behaviours were different as well. Sonas was the smart and well-mannered one, with a kind and positive attitude. Matteo was an egoistic lover-boy, who always got around with the ladies. Well, he tries. In reality, no one loves a jerk, unless they’re retarded.

  Sonas sighed, replying to his answer. “Away from you. Now if you excuse me…”

  “Hm? Come on, Sonas. How about we have some fun, like the good ol’ days, eh?” He spoke, leaning close to her face. Sonas took a step back to keep her distance from Matteo.

  “Those ‘good ol’ days’ ended with you running away, Matteo.” Sonas scoffed. Matteo chuckles.

  “Oh yeah, that was good fun. Won’t forget that one, huh?” He laughed, throwing his head back.

  Sonas sighed and speed walked past him while he was too busy laughing. Matteo stopped after feeling the wind from Sonas flowing past him. He looked behind his back as Sonas walked away. He quickly follows.

  “Stop walking away when I’m trying to talk to you, Sonas. Don’t you know it’s rude?” He spoke, blocking Sonas’ path once more.

  Sonas tries to evade him, but he jumps in the way each time from side to side. Sonas bounced her shoulders up quickly before setting them down in frustration. She grunted. “Out of my way, Matteo.” She frowned

  “Or what? Come on, I want to have a fun time before I go off on my hunting shift.” He spoke, cornering her to back up against a wall next to the bar. He looked at the bar and suggested to Sonas “How about a drink?”

  Sonas shook her head and looked up at him, Matteo’s shadow looming over her small frame. “When goblins fly” She sneered.

  “It’ll be fun.” He chuckles, his arm blocking her as it pressed up on the wall, trapping her and keeping her from escaping.

  Suddenly, an arrow fired past the side of Matteo’s face and struck the wall. Sonas jolted. And gasped. Matteo’s eyes narrowed, and he turned his head around. Otis was standing on the other side of the dirt path with a crossbow, seeming pissed, but his voice was scratchy from his illness. “How many times have I told you to stop harassing my daughter, Matteo?”

  Sonas looked over Matteo’s shoulder and saw Otis with a hint of surprise. Matteo smirked and raised his hands slightly in the air, as if to say he meant no harm.

  “My apologies, Otis. I wouldn’t dream of harming your daughter, my friend. Just offering her a drink, and possibly a dance at the bar before my shift.”

  “Get out of my sight, Fopdoodle!” Otis shouted with frustration, before clearing his throat. He threatened Matteo with his crossbow. “If I ever see you with Sonas again like this, I’ll make sure not to miss a second time. You hear me, boy?”

  Matteo nods with a nervous smile. He never liked getting on Otis’ bad side. “Yes yes, very well. My mistake, Sonas. I will be taking my leave now, tata!” He said before bolting off.

  Sonas and Otis both sigh. Sonas was the first to break the small silence. “You don’t have to keep protecting me like this, Father. I can handle myself just fine.”

  “You know how I am when I hear you getting picked on, it breaks my heart. I deeply care for you, my dear.” Otis responds.

  “I know, I know. But you’re still sick. Let’s get you back inside the cottage, and I’ll make you some hot honey tea to help clear your sinuses.” Sonas walked up to Otis and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “I’d like that very much.” Otis smiled weakly and nodded.

  The two walked back to the cottage. The sounds of the river filled their ears as they got closer. A couple fishermen walked past from their long shifts. Otis waved at one of the men, whose name was Bob. He was a man a little younger than Otis, around 28 years old. His hair was short and bushy. He tipped his hat with a small smile.

  “Otis. Sonas. Good to see you. How are you holding up today, Otis?” Bob asked.

  Otis coughed and cleared his throat. “Getting a bit worse. I can’t see out of one eye properly. At this point I feel as if I’m half blind. Good thing my aiming eye is still functioning properly. But as I’ve said many times, I cannot continue to fish until I am better. I’ll be back to work in a short time. Don’t you worry.”

  Sonas frowned. He hated whenever he said that, because it was obvious he was lying. He was just trying to cheer everyone up. Bob frowned with a hint of sadness. “Don’t say that, Otis. You know damn well that you’re not getting better anytime soon. You’re a 36-year-old man with a terrible illness. It’s sadder hearing you lie than being honest.”

  Otis nodded. “Very well then…” He coughed. His condition was getting worse by the second. Sonas tried to keep him up on his feet.

  “Father, your condition is getting worse. Let’s get inside so you can rest up. You don’t have the energy to even walk properly…” Sonas stated. She was very worried for his health.

  “You should listen to Sonas, Otis. She’s a smart one, that one.” Bob spoke.

  “Alright, let’s head inside now.” Otis nodded slowly. Sonas supported him towards the wooden door to the cottage. Bob waved goodbye and frowned. He wasn’t the only one concerned for Otis’ health.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  As the door shut, the scent of burning firewood filled their noses. Otis slowly wandered to his bed, tucking himself in before letting out a violent cough. Sonas was quick when making the tea. She’d pour the tea into the cup and place a few drops of honey into it. The steam flowing like a calm stream from the hot tea. Sonas picked it up and placed it on its coaster. She quickly but carefully, walked over to Otis’ bed and placed the teacup onto his bedside table. Otis coughed, covering his mouth. He smiled slightly.

  “Thank you, Sonas.” He spoke. His voice was a little scratchy. Sonas placed a hand on his for support.

  “It’s alright. You need it. I can’t believe how your condition is getting worse so quickly in so little time. It worries me.” Sonas spoke, concerned and worried.

  “You don’t have to worry. I’ll be fine in no time. Just you wait.” Otis spoke with a small smile. Sonas frowned.

  “You’re lying again, Father. You can’t keep doing that. It’s obvious that you’re lying. You do it all the time now. Just tell me the truth.” Sonas shook her head. Otis sighed and coughed.

  “Fine…Sonas, if that’s what you want, fine…. I am dying.” Otis frowned. Sonas gasped and her eyes widened slightly. However, she wasn’t that surprised. The worse and worse his condition got, the more she was beginning to expect something like this would happen. Yet, it still saddened her deeply. Otis continued.

  “My condition is, of course, getting worse and worse each day. Eventually, I will die here. It is what it is, dear.” He spoke, carefully taking the teacup from its coaster and took a slow sip. He then placed it down back on the coaster.

  “I see…” Sonas had a couple tears form in her eyes.

  “Save your tears, Sonas. I promise you that everything will be just fine.” Otis placed a hand on her cheek for comfort.

  “I-I know…I’m just not ready to see you go yet…What am I even going to do when you’re gone? Where do I go?” She sniffled.

  “At this point, I don’t know…However…there is something I think you should know…Something that I’ve kept classified for your knowledge.” Otis added on.

  “Classified? What on earth do you mean, father?” Sonas raised an eyebrow, wiping away her tears.

  “Look through the top drawer at my desk.” He instructed her.

  “But you told me to never open it.” Sonas spoke.

  “Do it.” Otis spoke sternly.

  Sonas looked towards the desk curiously and walked over to it. She opened the top draw and looked inside. She saw a portrait. A portrait with a fetching golden ornate frame, with a beautiful pattern. Inside the frame, under the glass, was a picture, all in shades of brown. In the photo, there was a mother and father. Both had a crown symbolising their royalty. The male looked rather young and wise, with a beard and a curly short cut. The mother had long and slightly wavy hair, just like Sonas’. Her face was young and innocent. Both looked like they were in their 20’s or 30’s. The father was holding a child in his hands. A beautiful baby girl with the happiest smile on her face. Otis sighed.

  “That baby carried some of her father’s genes, giving her beautiful purple eyes, and the mother had long light rose hair. Just like you.” He spoke.

  Sonas’ eyes widened with surprise. She let out a small gasp and turned to face Otis.

  “Why did you hide this from me?” She asked.

  “Sit down, Sonas…” Otis gestured for her to take a seat on the edge of the bed as he coughed. Sonas slowly walked over to Otis’ bed and sat down by the edge. She was curious.

  “You see, when you were a baby, you were the child of a young king and queen. King Orilon, and Queen Maida of the capital, Orilon. A couple weeks after you were born, your parents were struggling to find a name for you. They wanted one that was so unique, something that’ll stand out. But, one night, the kingdom was ambushed by rogues.” Otis spoke.

  “Rogues? What did they want with my parents?” Sonas asked

  “Not them. You. After the word of King Orilon’s heir came out, the rogues were faced with a problem. Your father was a strong and powerful king, and if he obtained an heir, then they’ll be ruined. So, they planned on what would work best for them. It was to either take you or kill your family. When the rogues broke into the castle, one of them decided to set it all on fire, to get rid of you and your family, after standing zero chance against the guards and soldiers. Your mother tried to protect you, and her most trusted knight was there at the time. Before she died, she finally named you. She told me to keep it a secret. She named you ‘Sonas’. In the aftermath, your father survived, but lost your mother. Soon after, I received a letter from the knight, and heard about the news. You needed somewhere safe. Somewhere where you’re away and out of trouble. I was the knight’s younger brother, and he knew I was the right man for the job. A month later, you arrived at a very dark, loud and stormy midnight. I’ve raised you ever since, in this village. Since no one knew your name, except for me and my brother, your identity was safe. Not even the rogues will find you here.” Otis told her. That was a lot to take in for Sonas.

  “That’s a lot to take in…I-I can’t believe this whole time I’ve been a princess.” Sonas covered her mouth in shock. She was almost speechless by this sudden revelation.

  Otis started to cough violently. A couple drops of blood splattered onto his knuckles as he did so. Sonas gasped.

  “Dammit…I’m on my last legs…” Otis coughed, clearing his throat. It pained Sonas’ heart to see him like this, especially after discovering the truth about her identity. Otis spoke with a croaky voice. The volume was very quiet.

  “Sonas, word will soon go out that I died. That can draw attention to not my corpse, but towards you. Someone must know, but it can’t be the rogues. When I die, there will be no one to protect you in this village. You’ll be at risk. Which is why I need you to gather all the people you can trust. Gather your own allies and friends to help you along the way to travel back to your kingdom. You must return to Orilon.”

  “But I can’t do this alone. I have no experience. The people of Deersheild need me to-”

  “You’ll be fine. I know you’ll know what to do.”

  “But how do I know how to get there?” She asked.

  “You’ll find your way…. Now go…” He answered.

  Sonas sniffled and hugged Otis, before she gathered a couple resources. As much food as possible, some water, tools and the photo. She placed it into a sewn-up bag. She tied it up, nice and secure. She swung it over her shoulder and looked at Otis one last time.

  “Are you sure this is what you want me to do?” She asked, seeming unsure. Otis nodded and smiled slightly. Sonas was hesitant, before she nodded back, silently walking out of the cottage. She could hear the muffled sounds of violent coughing as she shut the door. With a couple tears in her eyes, she ran off.

  Halfway through the village, she stopped. She had no clue where to go. There was also her being put at risk if she were to travel alone. It would take a whole month for her to finally reach the capital. At this point, she was lost. If only she could find someone, she knew who could find their way to the city. Someone who goes out a lot. Like a hunter.

  “I’ve got it.”