Chapter 1: Abandon
She sat in silence. The only sound was the piercing crackle of the fire before her. The flames danced like miniature crimson whips in the night, softly illuminating her young, tired face. At first, she was still, but finally she let loose a great sigh, willing the sorrow to exit her body.
The old iron gate that lay at the foot of the mountain was one of the two entrances to the village, its opposite border leading into the desert. On either side of the gate, a living wall of great oaks and vines spanned outwards beyond the reach of the eye, impenetrable by anything larger than a squirrel. In the tops of the trees ran multiple planks of wood tied down by thick cords, creating an intricate network of lookouts and posts. Ropes and vines were knotted here and there to allow mobility between the different levels of the network.
She glanced behind her through the open gate into the village, as if to verify that it was deserted, but she already knew she would find no one. It was wonderful, but saddening to see the village, that was usually teeming with energy in a state like this; completely empty and abandoned. Old barrels lay on their sides, doors were left open, broken crates littered the dirt street. And nothing moved. It was as if time had stopped.
Just hours earlier, it was children that had filled the streets and cats and dogs that were lain on their sides, their tongues suspended from their mouths, panting in the heat of the fine summer day. But the peace had been interrupted by the scout who ran like a wildcat through the open gates and into the village, searching frantically for the mayor. When he finally found him, he relayed his message as best as he could, being breathless from journey.
“I’ve come from the valley post. We’ve sighted a team of Gor making their way over the far mountain top. They are heading in our direction!”
Immediately a council was called into meeting and the elders of the village congregated in the city centre. Around them, the people buzzed with confusion, speculating at what could have occurred to require a council. The mayor took his spot, standing upon the gigantic tree stump, towering above the people that looked to him for answers. He took a moment, and then addressed the crowd with a booming, commanding voice.
“The Gor from the West are heading towards us. They are unfamiliar with our terrain, and were seen a far distance off, so, the mountain and forest will slow their advance, but we are still left with only hours before they will arrive here. We cannot stand and fight. Our only option is to flee to the east. We do not have much time. Gather only what you need and we will leave immediately..”
She looked to the hills, where a ripple of movement was passing quickly through the trees. But the wind was not blowing. Suddenly the realization set in. They have arrived she thought to herself as tremors of fear shot through her body, shaking her to the core. She reached for her lance and took hold of it. The cool steel slipped comfortably into her grasp. With her lance pointed the night sky, she looked to the mountaintop, ready.
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