chapter three & four

(first and second chapter)

CHAPTER THREE

“Leo!” called Aria, his mother. “We really need some more meat. Would you mind going hunting soon?” Leo nodded, adding one final rub to the new bow he had just finished. He was a tall boy of eighteen, lean, energetic, and quick. His hair was blonde, bleached even lighter by the sun. 

“Yes mother. I‘ll stay out until I have caught enough for a few meals.” 

 Aria smiled. “Thank you, my dear boy. I don’t think we could get on without you. And…if you could…” she glanced down at little Mary, who was playing with a straw doll, and lowered her voice. “It’s Mary’s sixth birthday tomorrow, November 7^th, you know. If you see some late berries or anything nice…” 

Leo smiled, and nodded, picking up his knife for whittling rough arrows. “Your father’d be proud of you,” added his mother, quietly. Leo looked back, and half smiled, then exited the cottage to start making his arrows. 

Father. Leo hadn’t seen him for 5 years.  He had fought for East Listra, and been captured. At least, that was what they always hoped. Locked up somewhere in West Listra. Who knew, though? He might be dead, by now. Leo wished for the thousandth time that he was free to go fight in the East Listran army. He could help turn the tide. East Listra would win the war! His father would be found, and released, and his mother would be happy, his sister would grow up with a father… Leo shook his head free of daydreams, and focused on his task. Where to find some good sturdy wood...

CHAPTER FOUR

The morning of November 7^th was bright and clear. The sky was a pale blue, and clouds floated lazily through it, watching the leaves and grass rustle gently, while the lakes and rivers sparkled in the sun.   The world seemed peaceful and calm. But many plans were afoot..

In the castle in East Listra, the princess put on her green cloak, took her bundle of food, and set out to find the Woods of Worden, which she had found, lay near the middle of East Listra.

In the fortress of West Listra, the king led his entire army out to cross the border between West and East Listra. They would hide in the trees bordering the Great River, and wait for the fateful red cloth to wave from the window of the castle.

In the village to north of the East Listran fortress, Leo set off at the crack of dawn, hoping for good luck and a lot of meat. “I’ll try the Woods of Worden. Haven’t been there in a while,” he said to himself, as he whistled a cheerful country tune, and walked purposefully off toward the woods.