Heart of An Exile

The silver light of the full moon was raining down on the hills beyond Sedahra. The cold light kept me awake and I ventured outside my father's village against his constant protests and warnings. Since my early days the secrets and thrillingly unknown nature lured me to explore, take a dip in the dangerous waters and inhale the scent of foreign flowers. My heart was beating each time I stepped on the sharp rocks defending the life inside the Wahrlenn, it's people and me.

This night was no different. I savored the excitement and thrill for things I might see and experience. Something new, something I had never faced before - the true world beyond, the mythical creatures that lurked in shadows.

I inhaled the fresh air that came down from the tall mountains, the mist that slowly ascended on the plains as a thick blanket, awaited by life thirsting for it. My knees felt the cold on the damp, mossy carpet of plants. Just a little longer before the sun rises...

I wished to enjoy freedom.

As the distant howls of the wolves serenade the peaceful life, I noticed the dark shadows emerge from the fog. Those were people... few of them, but none look liked my kin, not even resembled the northern inhabitants. Who were they? What were they doing here?

I plastered my body closer to the cool earth all the while trying to suppress the erratic beating of my heart. The enormous will to join the men was overwhelming my common sense, but I kept myself still, I pushed myself not to move an inch. They might be dangerous, murderers, thieves... exiles...

Two of them were wearing armor, made of fur and bone. Their faces concealed by a skull of unknown animal and eyes hidden in the shadow of the black, hollowed sockets, reminding me beasts from my nightmares, demons I feared as a child.

Should I be fearing them now?

The third man was different. His armor was shining blue in the moonlight, the crown was emitting the power of its wearer - manly and alluring. I could get a glimpse of fine fur lining, but not enough to point out the origin or animal it's been taken from. The same as his opponents, the face was hidden in the shadow. I wanted to see it, I wanted to know who he was. The other two seemed insignificant to me.

He dodged the powerful lunge that came from the demonic man. My mouth stayed open when I saw him draw his sword. It looked beautiful, nothing I had seen before, nothing I had heard or read about. The shining weapon seemed to be made of ice or a metal... It was hard to tell. All I could see was the blue light reflected from the shards pouring out the energy of menace, pain, suffering. I shuddered and crawled a few feet back to avoid the unpleasant feeling and them spotting me.

It was hard to force myself back, my eyes could not be taken away from the mysterious man, he looked godly, powerful and strong.

With few swift motions, he got the advantage over his opponents and sliced the abdomen of the one and as fast, he took the head of another. I barely suppressed a scream. A hand was keeping the terrifying sounds inside my throat, but something kept my eyes peeled on the remaining warrior.

His chest heaved taking deep breaths and he was looking over the dead corpses under his feet. The sword in his hand was gripped hard, though I saw no danger to suggest he should be on guard. This man looked like a mythical being in his shining armor and sword made of coldest of materials. His movements seemed out of this world. Never in my life, I have seen the fighting style so different from people living in Sedahra.

Despite the cruel disposal of his enemies, I struggled to view him as an enemy or a man to fear and stay away from. It felt like he had put a spell on me, taken my heart and captured my mind to keep captive and locked in his grasp.

For a second I forgot about the ruthlessly killed man, but when the realization came back to me, my body was overtaken by shivers of fear. This was the life, the land we were living in, the magnificent, sinister and beautiful island of Sedahra where danger lurked behind each corner. Animals, the severe weather, the savage human tribes and exiled men from lands beyond the sea - the greatest threat to those who were born here and not seen the world beyond the turmoiling waters.

When I lifted my eyes to see the warrior again, he was gone, like a mist that was slowly dispersing and fading away as the morning came closer. My body went stiff of the uncertainty of his location, he could be anywhere now... behind my back... to deal with my soul the same way as he robbed the strange beasts of their precious lives.

The air was humid and I listened in the ghostly sounds of the night. Not a step nor rustling leaves made the existence of life noticeable and I inhaled the cool air to calm my nerves.

Again and again, I saw what my father warned me about, but in the end, I always gave up to my curious nature. Just like tonight, I will keep sneaking out in the darkness to see the neverending wonders of this world as well as alluring danger.

On the way back to the warmth and comfort of my village I kept replaying tonight's events in my mind like some kind of fairy tale about the prince in shining armor. The strong and talented man who captured my heart. I will be waiting for him, to see this warrior another time and be a part of his life.

He will be here, on this island if the forces do not take his life first.