The beginning of my new book!

Introduction

The old man lifted his tired eyes towards the setting sun, that was sailing behind the proud mountains. Beside him was a young boy, who looked at his grandpa, with a boyishly adventurous expression on his face.

“What are we doing grandpa?”

The old man looked into his grandson's innocent eyes.

“I have to go. I made a promise with a sinister man, and I broke it. I’m afraid I might never return. I am so sorry.”

The boy felt as if all light was drained out of him. His world seemed empty and lifeless.

“You all I have left,” The boy sobbed, “you can’t leave!”

“Death is waiting to swallow us all, but he who lives rooted in fertile soil will soar beyond eternal darkness.”

The old man smiled, while tears fell from the boy's dark brown eyes.

“I love you, grandpa.” The boy said, falling into the old man’s arms.

“I love you too, Talon. Be strong, and even when the whole world is falling into the shadows, be the flame that never stops burning.

Chapter I

Years passed, and young Talon was getting older. After his grandpa departed, Talon left his village and spent his days wandering through the Fog Swallow Mountains, searching for peace. Every time he thought his swollen heart was finally at rest, the Darkness seemed to hover over him, like a burden of pain. In his misery, there was a single memory that gave him peace before the Darkness came back to haunt him. Talon remembered a song his grandpa used to sing to him during their exciting adventures. It went like this:

Behind the river

Beyond the streams

In a quiet wood

Where sunlight beams.

Within the wonder

Into the spring

Upon the rock

Where your heart still sings.

Above the sorrow

Beneath the stars

Across the struggle

Out of the bars.

Talon realized he was singing to himself (not an unusual thing to realize when you are wandering through the woods.) Once he finished singing he picked up his pace and journeyed on. The sun was pleasant and warm on this particular day, and the birds seemed to be full of a new joy as if the season of cold was over.

Oddly enough, it was still winter, and the occasional breeze was an unpleasant reminder. Talon was feeling slightly better than normal and he even thanked the Kings for the lovely weather, and simple wonders.

Suddenly, out of the foliage came a girl not much younger than Talon. She was running and wore clothes that would normally be worn by a boy. Talon looked past her and in a moment she ran into him and they both found themselves together on the forest floor. After the shock subsided, Talon gazed toward the girl. Her expression was that of one who looked exhausted, surprised and embarrassed. She had eyes that were clear, and blue, eyes that seemed to make the world around them look black and white. Her face was young, and fair and the dirt over her rosy cheeks made her look both wild and beautiful. Her long hair was brown with a red tint, and was golden at the ends.

“Oh, hello.” The girl said with a precious smile that gave her a dimple on her cheek. Talon pushed his thick, wavy brown hair out of his face, revealing his gentle tree bark eyes.

“Hi, I, um am Talon. What's your name?”

“Annalise. It’s nice to meet someone else out here, in, well the Fog Swallow Forest.”