Looking out at the sunset the howls of those that fell the night before echoed in his head, The heat and smell of the burning wood and flesh surrounded the area. His eyes burned from exhaustion wanting nothing else but to rest after the days past. “
Sir… The king demands your audience. ” A voice came from behind words like daggers to an already sore, worn body. Turning his head to see a young soldier on the verge of adulthood, perhaps still in the teenage years dressed in leather armored clothing the look of seriousness stretched over the young ones face. “
Yeah yeah.. Lead on.” his voice harsh from his thirst soon turning, his whole body cut and scraped with wounds following the soldier to the king's tent untouched by the brutal battle that took place only yards away the king sitting in his tent overjoyed with the victory of battle. “
HAHA! Yes, another battle and splendid victory!" The king cried out with joy having a cup in hand drinking with delight.
Following the young soldier to the king's tent before walking inside as the tent flap was being held open by another soldier. Arriving inside of the tent the soldier knelled down, "
Sir as you requ-" The king interrupted the soldier as he gave out a happy greeting. "
You did it, many thanks an-" The king was interrupted as he spoke out, "
I would like to have, what was promised to be mine. I have done what was asked now it's time to bring up your part of the bargain" The soldier would stand up from being kneeled, "
You will address the king as your highness, and you wil-" The king stood up from his seat and walked over touching the soldiers shoulder "
Calm yourself.. he is correct, after all who wouldn't be eager to have what they earned." Walking with the cup of alcohol in his hand to the table set up with a long paper, the king would then write upon the piece of paper. "
Land was it? you wanted in the [name of forest] forest." The king asked, as he would soon follow watching the king writing and reading what was written. "
Yes.. the whole forest would be mine as agreed upon."
The king stopped writing for a moment and nodded on the table there were papers scattered all around the table one was a large map showed the land that was now apart of the growing kingdom. "
Hmm" the king would mumble to himself slightly while writing upon the parchment. The strokes of the ink and the swirls of the pen waved over the parchment like a breeze upon the water surface. "
That is a big part of land... You are wanting... but with your services I believe it.. may be worth it." a silence crept in the tent while the kings body guards were keeping watch. The king soon sat up and pushed the parchment towards him, "
as agreed... " Looking down at the parchment as he began reading then moved it back to the king nodding his head in silence. The king gave the parchment his seal lifting it up for him, "
and if we need you again" the king smirked wickedly, "
You'll have to come and get me then." he said snatching the parchment from the kings grasp and turned away walking out of the kings tent. "
Sir why do you let him get away talking to you like that?" The king scuffed and went back to his drink "
because you fool, one way or another he will be crawling back and another victory will be in sight once again."
Walking away from the battlefield as he gathered up his things, setting off to his new home. It wasn't going to be easy it took him many days to get back to the forest that was now his. Moving into the woods he knew what he was looking for and what he wanted something inside of him wanted this more than anything in the world. Soon coming to a small clearing with a large tree in the middle its roots would go deep into the ground, smiling to himself as he took what he needed and began drawing upon the ground different designs and styles for his home around the tree. He would then come up with a plan as he took out his axe and began to cut down the wood for his home.
Many months went by as the house was being built some attempts failed, and some seemed to go his way. He was no home maker, or warrior but his spirit would not rest as he continued building and rebuilding his home until it was perfect in his eyes. As a year had gone by he looked at his masterpiece and smiled happily. "
Home... It.. Is finished, Phew." he said to himself looking around not seeing anyone to pat him on the back for a job well done but all in all it was his and his alone.
As time went on the kingdom would continue building and expanding to other kingdoms fighting wars, battles won and lost with each passing day, month and year. Deep in the forest a single cottage had laid peaceful and calm. Almost forgotten as few roamed into the forest "
FATH'A!" A female child's voice called out, as two female children of two different species were fighting over a stuffed toy. "
FATH'A!" Both were calling out for him. Walking out of the kitchen area to see two of his children were fighting. In the living room near a large table, neither one looked like him nor did any of the other children, he had living along side him. Each one was different from the other as all eight children ranging from toddler to teenager were living in the same home. Each one had a story as to how they had come across him and now lived with him as his children. Though they all had the same story each one was either abandoned or their parents had passed away.
It was chaos and order in the home, as most days were good and most could have been better. Alone he would take care of them all, each one sometimes helping him with taking care of the others other times it was a hardship on his own. "
Are you two fighting, over that toy again?" He asked walking over wearing a pair of baggy pants and a gray shirt, "
Why don't you two try sharing sometime?" Stopping nearby while watching the two staring each other down, flailing the toy around to try and get the other to let it go. "
Because it's mine!" "
No it's not, it's mine!" A branch came crashing through the wall ripping a large hole into the home ceiling and wall. "
.." All three turned and stared at the branch then how much damage there was. Both girls ran behind their father, before looking up at him running out of the room. "
We didn't do it!" They both yelled out fleeing the scene in a hurry. He looked at the hole in the wall of his home, "
..." Silence was the only thing he could process what to do, his mouth opened wide. His mind was processing, what had just happened.
Three other children had popped out of the branch from the leaves. "Haha! that was fun let's do it again?!" two of them spoke, as the third had seen him staring blankly at the branch. His eyes shifted upward to the children, his eyes were soon locked onto all three. His eyes showed fiery anger before slowly calming down to worry, then acceptance the three seemed to be unharmed. The third cowered back behind a few leaves holding them up to try and hide. The other two children climbed down from the branch and began gossiping to each other about it. He walked over to the two children, as they froze feeling the presence of their father being right behind them. "H-he-hey.. You're looking well." One of them spoke holding their tail cowering down slowly to the floor. The other slowly turned around for a instant their color had fade to a light pale. "H-he-ha."
Neither one of them seemed to be able to put a full sentence together. His eyes were blazing with anger, but also with worry. "I'm so happy.. My children are safe." He said gritting his teeth reached down picking them both up.
