When the gods are felled, there are three outcomes that can occur. One, the individual who felled the godling has the option to either leave the corpse be and nothing will happen and the godling will perish into the unknown. Two, be granted a wish or a boon all one must do is ingest a hair from their golden head. This is considered a sin but the godling is allowed to perish no longer bound to humanity. The last and Final sin is considered the ultimate sin and the first sin we as a race committed. I dare not record it here thus it may come to fruition once more. – Arniol the 43rd sin scholar
Chapter 1
Bran'Ish The Fishers Boy
"Go on son you'll do better there" , my father said lightly pushing me away, funny how the last thing I can recall from him is the most painful. The rider stood by the carriage beckoning me into the unknown, away from the one person I truly had left. Feeling numb, the only thing I could do now was to board the carriage and waved goodbye to the town that once held my future and will now hold my past. As the carriage rolled out, I stared at my father for hopefully not the last time. The tears came then I didn't want father to see so I looked away, but he always knew. He rushed to the side of the cart running with us
"Boy listen to me one last time, it may not seem like it, but this is something that will give you more than this little fishing hole ever did". The tears formed in his eyes, but he was smiling.
"Regardless of what may come my boy, I love you and I'm proud of you", he couldn't keep up with the cart anymore, so he stopped running and waved farewell to me. I've never viewed the village of Sul'mun from atop the hill before, the village that once contained the whole world suddenly seemed rather small. The coachdriver spoke to us as the village got gradually smaller till the old village was no more.
"Four is a good haul this far east, 'cademy gonna be a good home for you lot". He paused to spit. "Suppose anything's better than livin' rough and livin' 'ard". I grew tired of staring back and proceeded to turn around at the rest of the passengers. There were four of us in the back of the wooden carriage, two of them I knew. Tom'Stah being one of them. His short brown hair seemed to dance with the light breeze as the carriage continued its slow roll through the countryside. His dark brown eyes just oozed confidence. Rumor has it he makes a damn good chicken pie and all the girls in the village wanted a piece, or so my father said. He'd always say it with a chuckle. I never got the joke. Tom'Stah always wore a smug grin but for the first time it was nowhere to be seen. He'd seen fourteen summers to my nine 'twas reassuring to see the older boy felt the same way I did though he did not cry like I did. Pushed up against his right arm was a bundle of ginger locks everyone knew the Auber's by their bushy ginger hair and their freckled faces, Fye'Lme was the youngest at the grand age of thirteen. Her pale blue eyes held a gaze of determination in contradiction with pink puffed eyes. The last boy came with the carriage though at first glance he'd appear to be an older boy due to his bright bald head. He hadn't emerged from the carriage the day before and he hadn't shuffled up from his mess of cloaks. I must have pondered the stranger amongst others thoughts for far too long because the next thing I see is a freckled fist hitting me square in the eye. The result of the punch gave me ample time to admire the sky, had it always been this blue?
Fye shouted "Stay away from me you freak, did you see how long he was staring at me? Disgusting!" Grunting I pushed myself up and held my right eye. I tried to form a reply but all that escaped were the silent sobs I held in reserve. With pure disgust Fye'Lme spitted out "If they expect me to care for the fish boy they've got another thing coming!" Tom'Stah's wolf-like grin returned to his face as he draped his arm around her, seemingly all his reservations about leaving home vanished. "Maybe leave the poor babe alone, he's probably never seen a woman before, probably thinks you're his mother." He paused letting that last comment to fester.
It was no secret that I had no mother and it was just me and my pa growing up, what hurt more was all the snide remarks from the other children in the village. I got into a lot of fights over the years due to remarks like that the last beating I took was at the age of seven when a boy of sixteen dared to mention that my mother was probably a fish that my father fucked. He started to call me fish boy and I could no longer take it so I charged, got smacked, fell down and alas got beat; again. After this time father told me that there's no point fighting, your mother would hate to see you hurt. My rage still bubbled at that point and I lashed out "Then where is she!?" I still remember the shock on his face, be it from the question or be it from how it came out. His response still hurts me to this day "she's dead my boy nothing you do will change that make peace with it and make peace with yourself". His features softened. " She loved you though my boy, don't forget that." That was the last time we ever spoke about my mother, but the pang of loss was still there, it always will be.
I knew if I spoke my words would betray me so I settled on an angry glee and sat myself down next to the bald teen. Tom and Fye seemed to perk up and continued to chat amongst themselves. I heard the faint laughter and insults but turned away, It would do me no good to catch another beating now. The driver kept humming to himself, seemingly unaware of the fist I just caught. Avoiding eye contact I observed the bald teen I dubbed baldy. I poked his thigh, why? Well for starters I'm nine and secondly, I don't want to deal with the other two. The mess of blankets didn't move but a deep voice radiated from them "leave me alone young'un or I'll darken the other eye". His accent caught me off guard, I've never heard anyone speak in such a manner. Clearly Tom also was surprised because that stupid grin disappeared but it didn't stop his stupid voice from ringing out "just who are you anyway?" He leaned closer "Never seen you round 'ere 'fore." Fay nodded as if the words that fell out of Tom's mouth was the most enlightening thing ever to be spoken. Baldy let out a groan "you better change the way you speak, or you'll stick out worse than a whore at a library" he shifted and then sat up with his fingers rubbing his temple, eyes still closed. "I swear once I finish my penance I'm going to lock myself up in the tower and I never want to adventure this far from the city again". His hands dropped and he slowly opened his eyes. They were dark brown with even darker rings around his eyes. He looked like he'd been away for at least a day if not two. He fixed his gaze on Tom, my name is Harding I am the Mage-ling that was sent out for scouting and I found you three simpletons". He took yet another breath "Please no more questions we have another two weeks on the road and I'd rather the driver get paid for the full amount he's a good man after all". The Coach driver turned and winked at Harding. I spoke up because I don't know any better "Why would asking mean the driver wouldn't go without?" My voice got quieter towards the end. I swear I saw his left eye twitch a little as he blew out air. He slowly turned to me, staring daggers directly into my skull. "Well child I'll be inclined to throw the person out the carriage." The sun danced on his head, he didn't waiver. I gulped "Did my question count?" The next several seconds seemed to last for eternity in reality it was probably only about five seconds. His smile slowly drew itself across his face and he let out a laugh that would make an inn seem like a hope. "I think I like you little one". Then suddenly the driver lurched to a halt as there were five hooded figures standing in the road. They brandished axes. Harding sighed.