Varrek is a 14 year old boy who lives in a kingdom called Valmere, the largest country on the island of Verdalis. The whole island is extremely religious and is home to many cults. So not beliving in God here results in death, unless you're below 15. Then you get exiled to the island of Skarhold, a dry, dead land which is said to be unlivable. Because of the lack of water, dangerous cults, creatures and many more. The two islands never had a good relation, Skarhold being jealous of Verdalis' fauna, starting many conflicts over it.
When Varrek came home after he was told to feed the pigs by his father he was startled when he saw his parents tied up and beaten. He saw two men wearing shiny armour with sheathed at their waists. Before he could speak, one of the men lunged at him and pinned him down. The other quickly bound his arms. Varrek and his parents were transported to the carriage and began the ride to the castle. The vechicle bumping a few times along the way. Not being to stand the silence, the boy decided to ask a question to one of the knights
- So, what exactly did me and my parents do?
-Your parents aren't belivers and spread lies amongst the village.-one of the knights answered coldy and went back to the conversation he was having with his comrade.
Varrek's heart immediately stopped at that, knowing that his parents will get executed and he'll get exiled and there's nothing he can do to stop it. He began to question if it's somehow his fault, did he say something he shouldn't to one of his friends? The sound of the nearby river combined with the noise of the wheels against the ground was suprisingly calming. He focused on it so he doesn't look week in front of the knights. Maybe him not crying will make them want him as a knight and they'll spare his parents..After a painful ride the carriage stopped before the castle. Varrek and his parents exited the carriage and started walking towards the castle, ready to face their fate. They were all put in seperate cells in the dungeon beneath the castle. The place was moist and stunk of dead rats and fiecies. The knights told them that they have 3 hours left before the execution and exile. Varrek spent the time thinking about his time on the island and about his future on the island of Skarhold. After what seemed like days the knights opened the cells and dragged him and his parents outside. After a while they saw a crowd gathering to see the execution, and once they got through the crowd the guillotine was right infront of them. First, his father. The boy could feel his stomach churning as he saw his father coming closer and closer to his death. The executioner forced him into the machine closed, it tight and before Varrek could blink, his father's head fell onto the ground. He felt like crying and puking at the same time. Was this really happening just because he doesn't belive in some fairytale? Then his mother faced the same faith. He looked at the bag in which his parent's heads were placed and his chest tightened. It pained the boy that the last time he sees his parents was when they're headless. The fact that he had to live with the sight carved into his mind made him wish he shared their faith instead of being exiled. The knights grabbed him by the ropes around his wrists and dragged him to a boat waiting in the harbour. The boat meant to transport him to the other island. He got thrown on board without any food and advice on survival. Skarhold wasn't like this island. It was different, rogue, full of dangerous animals and cults. And the people living there weren't exactly fond of the people coming from Verdalis. From now on he had to rely on his survival instincts.