My Kingdom Prompt 1 (book 2 spoilers)

(This ended up being way longer than I expected or intended. One idea led to another until I wrote two-and-a-half pages. I hope you enjoy! This is for @Artham Iggyfeather game)

Faolan raced through the trees, sidestepping a fallen branch. Looking behind, he noticed no sign of his pursuer. Good, he thought.

Up ahead, he saw a broad stream snaking across his path. Willing his legs to run faster, Faolan lept off the ground and tumbled onto the bank. He sat there on the other side of the water, panting, trying to regain his breath. Cool wind blew across his face, refreshing his tired and sweaty frame.

Glancing across the stream, Faolan eyed the bushes and trees, expecting them to be disturbed at any moment. As the minutes ticked by, hope rose in his chest. A laugh escaped his lips. Leaping into the air, he gave a shout of joy.

"Why the celebration?" A voice asked behind him.

Whirling around, Faolan was met by an arrow aimed directly at his chest. His shoulders slumped upon seeing his pursuer standing there.

"Oh, come on!" Faolan yelled in exasperation as he threw his hands in the air dramatically. "How did you beat me this time, sis?"

The woman lowered her bow and placed the arrow back inside the quiver. Smiling, she pointed down the stream to her left. "There's a fallen tree spanning the width of the sruth a mile up. If you paid more attention to your surroundings, then perhaps you might win one day."

Faolan glared at his sister in annoyance. "Líadan, sometimes you really irritate me."

Líadan grinned from ear to ear. "It's a gift."

Rolling his eyes, Faolan asked, "You going back now?"

"Yeah," Líadan answered. "It's almost time for dinner, and you know how much Father hates to cook."

Faolan laughed. "Indeed. He'd rather sew fifteen tunics than even touch the stove."

"You coming with, or are you going to wander again?"

Faolan smirked. "I think you know the answer to that."

Nodding, Líadan sighed. "I do. Just promise me you'll be more careful than last time."

"I was careful last time!" Faolan said defensively.

"You fell off a cliff!"

"But I wasn't hurt," he pointed out.

Líadan crossed her arms and huffed. "Don't be more than an hour, okay?"

"I won't," Faolan replied. He watched as his sister walked away towards home. Smiling to himself, he opened his canteen and took a drink, but no water passed his lips. Faolan sighed as he knelt beside the stream and filled his canteen. His reflection in the clear water caught his eye. Reaching up, he ran his hand through his loose grey hair. Not even nineteen years old, and his hair was already grey. As were his eyes.

A common family trait, or so he was told. Then why didn't his parents or Líadan have it, too? That question had bugged him ever since those kids in second grade made fun of him. Faolan had spent hours on his knees, begging the Maker to take it away. But no matter how hard he prayed, he still woke up every day with grey hair and grey eyes.

After taking a long draught of the cold water, he refilled the canteen one last time. Standing up, Faolan slung the canteen over his shoulder. There was no point dwelling on what he couldn't change. Now was the time to explore.

Making his way east, Faolan had walked for a mile when he noticed a shadow following him. His breath caught in his throat. There was never anyone in these woods. Quickly, Faolan ducked behind a giant tree. Peeking around the side, he saw an unbelievable sight.

Walking in front of him was a wolf standing on two legs! But this wasn't just a wolf. It wore clothes and bore a crown on its head. Faolan's eyes grew wide. It couldn't be! Literary characters weren't real. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Relief washed over him. There was nothing there. Perhaps the summer sun was playing tricks on his mind.

Closing his eyes, Faolan leaned against the tree and released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Slowly, he opened his eyes again. Faolan nearly jumped out of his skin. The wolf-boy stood directly in front of him, staring up into his eyes. Faolan couldn't help but stare back into the bright blue eyes. As unimaginable as it was, there was now no doubt about who this was.

"K-Kalmar?" Faolan asked incredulously.

The wolf-boy smiled, his fangs showing. "Who else?" He laughed as he grabbed Faolan's hand. "Come on. There's no time to waste. The others are dying to meet you."

"Others?" Faolan asked in confusion.

"You'll see soon enough," Kalmar said.

Once Kalmar's hand had fully grasped Faolan's, the green of the wood started to dim until all he saw was blackness around him.