Sonavr
The sun was slowly drowning toward the horizon. Canopies and grass ruffled as a sudden, slow gust of wind drew over Aravan village.
Sonavr was training as usual in boiled leather, sweat dripping like the clear waters of the Capital. From a hilltop far from the village, he could see the forest to the far east, looming in the darkness. Even the brightest mornings did not seem to affect it; it was always dark, filled with dense wildlife and a thick canopy.
"Need to do more," he muttered.
For as long as he could remember, he had been chasing a single objective: to reach the Capital, become a sworn noble knight, and fight their wars.
"You cannot do it," many had told him.
People shamed him for his ambition. He was a herdsman, the son of a herdsman. Why did he want to travel all the way to that dangerous den of monsters they called the Capital? It gave him a purpose, something to look forward to. But the reality was far from easy.
On his travels with his father, they had gone from village to village and city to city, pleading for reprieve. The taxes of the Capital were too high lately. They demanded crops, food supplies, and any animals they could feast upon. They had traveled the Alam Road to Sori Harbour, where they bargained for a stout vessel to bear them across the waters of Shina.
Although the negotiations with the King had proven to be a venture in vain, Sonavr had gathered the ripest fruit from those travels. Though he had never crossed the gates of the Capital, he had glimpsed the colossal knights that roamed beyond it, their armor catching the sun like wandering giants of steel. He was fascinated by the sight. Ever since that journey, he wanted only one thing: to become a knight of the Capital.
He swung his sword with all the strength he could muster. The blade was of poor quality, its spirit having long since fled the iron, leaving it hollow and weak.
But it is enough for practice, Sonavr thought.
He practiced day and night, his grip firm and his eyes filled with the anger of ambition. No one believed he had it in him. He was a herdsman, after all, not a warrior of noble blood. Yet something told him that if he practiced enough, he could do it.
With the poor steel in his hand, he practiced a downward slash. Not quick enough, he thought. A side swing. Not graceful enough. Then he tried a thrust. "Well, this I can do."
"You lack skill, boy."
Sonavr glanced over his shoulder to see his father, Jemriah, climbing the steep, isolated hilltop.
"You could have sent Fronn," Sonavr said, lowering his weapon.
"I wanted to see for myself," Jemriah said. "You looked harried last night."
"I was not. Far from it," Sonavr replied. "If I want to become a sworn knight, I have to overlook small mockeries as a mere nuisance—a small stone compared to the boulders in my path."
"Look at you," Jemriah said with a hint of a smile. "Already talking like a knight or a prince."
"I am neither of those... yet."
"I want you to become a sworn knight of the Capital," Jemriah said. "The path ahead will be filled with stones and boulders, as you said. But even after you achieve the rank you desire, that must remain your objective."
Sonavr blinked, cocking his head. What does he mean? "Father, I am not sure I understand—"
"You will. Just keep your eyes up and pray to the old gods that they shower you with blessings," Jemriah said. "Understanding will come in time."
"Yes, I always pray to Aravan. Even though I don't see him, I feel his presence," Sonavr smiled. "It helps me, especially in the Aravan forest."
"I hope you achieve everything you want, boy," Jemriah said. "I want to give you everything you ask for, but sometimes I feel so hopeless."
"You did everything you could, father," Sonavr said. "Now it is my burden to look after your troubles."
World of Sumaka: Through the Eyes of the Common Folk
The Aravan Forest is quite scary. I feel sorry for the merchants and herdsmen who must travel there for timber or to trap animals for food. There is a rumor that several wolfhounds once surrounded an ancient tomb that possessed great power. The hounds' eyes were yellow, and they loomed like the giants of Traflr. It is mysterious and frightening. I have a newfound respect for those who brave it. Most travelers take the Alam Road east of the forest, leading to the harbour and the waters of Shina. It is the best route to avoid the woods entirely.