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Shadow of Sohvan

By Shane C. Callow

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Shane C. Callow
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-3991-1

Chapter One

Church bells rang over the small village lying deep in the Iterian Mountains. School had concluded for the day. The church doors burst open heralding the shouts of children young and old. Some simply ran out across the short stalks of grass surrounding the old building while others casually walked together. One specific girl strode down the creaking steps beside her friends happily conversing as they strode across the meadows. "Do you think Nate likes me, Trina? I mean he keeps looking at me with those large teddy bear eyes during class," mentioned the girl with reddish hues on pecan brown hair to the older girl.

"I don't know ... But I could ask Michael and he could tell me. They are best friends after all," Trina answered while brushing away the bangs from her long brown hair. Moments later the teacher from the church called to Trina. Trina gave her friends short good byes and hurried to the waiting monk.

He stood tapping his sandal impatiently on the oak stairs in front of the structure. "Trina, you forgot your books ... again," he said impatiently. "If you don't bring them home, then how are you supposed to learn about today's lesson?"

"Brother Tomas," she mentioned sheepishly, "please, just this once can I skip our history lesson? Besides who wants to learn about a stupid, crusty, old wizard that no one has even heard of?" She paused for a second. "What kind of a name is Solaris anyway? Oh please ... can I not do it, just this once? I promise I'll read two chapters tomorrow." Trina's clear eyes fluttered after finishing her plea.

"Solaris named our town, Trina." He looked into her brown eyes hesitating. "Ohhhh ... just this once you can. But, don't tell any of the other students about this." He waved a menacing looking finger as he spoke, "If they did, how do you think they would react to your actions? They would run amuck and expect me to let them skip lessons too."

A broad smile crossed her face before she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you!" Trina squeaked, "You won't regret this!" Following her statement, she sprinted off.

Tomas muttered under his breath, "That's what I'm afraid of."

Her hair blew in the wind while she crossed the grassy hills. The purple hews of the sunset behind her cut out a silhouette of her shadow. As she passed over a rise, she thought to go spy on the boys in her village since they were still in their school right now.

She came bounding up the nearby hill and surveyed the students learning from the sword master, Cedric Muhr. The boys' school taught them how to defend the community and the ways of honor. Each boy followed an artistic drill where they lifted and swung their swords in the exact position as Master Muhr. Down each row blades would fall and rise to the bidding of the swordsman's movements.

These drills went on for some time before one boy stepped out from the crowd. Trina wasn't sure if he didn't like the idea of following all the strict rules of honor or if he just wanted to have a little fun. That boy was Geoff Stormsen. Trina giggled as Geoff lifted his sword into the air and mockingly tripped to his right flinging the blade right in front of Nate, the nearby boy's face. Trina watched Nate, the giant of a boy, roar before leaping into the nearby row in an attempt to dodge the wide arc from Geoff's sword. Chaos erupted from the young men trying to avoid blades being swung everywhere as Nate let loose a full rampage against Geoff. Geoff though, because he was smaller, easily dodged the older boy's swings. Trina watched as Sir Muhr ran between the boys deflecting Nate's sword and disarming Geoff of his. While their teacher started lecturing both of them, Trina just shook her head and started toward home again.

Birds sang and squirrels chattered while Trina passed by the forest surrounding her town. She turned, watching pine tree after pine tree go by. A cool breeze blew across her face catching her hair as it danced across the meadow at the edge of the forest.

A loud clang rang out from the forest. Trina stopped, turning toward the forest. She watched as birds flew out over the trees. The sound rang out again. She paused, listening for the noise. A third time metal could distinctly be heard clashing against metal. Her eyes held fixed on the tree line. She blinked once before wandering around the forest's edge. She pushed the branches away from each other before poking her head through a hole searching the woods beyond. She crouched listening again. There was an eerie silence around her. No animals in the forest were making any noise. Her heart began to pound as she stalked into the forest. While she drew deeper through the trees, clangs began to ring out. At first there was a slow rhythm to the sound, but then the clashing grew faster.

Trina approached the edge of a clearing. Some twigs snapped as she leaned down gazing out from under some brush. Two warriors were standing in a clearing staring each other down. One wore a wool shirt covered by a leather vest. This warrior held his hand clutching at his chest while his other held a large sword waving before his opponent. Trina brought her hand to her mouth upon gazing at the other fighter. This warrior was more a boy than a man. The tip of a katana rested on the ground while the handle fit easily in the youth's grip. Ungloved hands flowed up into a loose fitting black suit. His long silver hair draped across the shoulders of black silk. His green eyes, hiding behind locks of shimmering hair, remained uncaring while observing the other man.

A droplet splashed against the dirt. Crimson liquid slid from under the other man's hand. The man scowled while that hand clasped around his chest. Trina's eyes widened as the man pulled his hand away from the shirt revealing a mortal wound. Anguish wore heavily on his face as he attempted to thrust and swing at the boy who easily parried each strike. Eventually in desperation, the man swung his broad sword at the boy's head like a club. Trina covered her eyes. The whistle of the air sped through the grove as if being parted by an arrow. She felt a tear slide down her face. A quiet moaning emitted before she heard a dull thud. She peeked out between her fingers. The man laid sprawled, face first, across the forest floor with the green eyed boy standing over him.

She could hear the boy mumble something before he turned the body over with his boot. His hair shifted while his hand passed by it sheathing the sword across his back. He then knelt down looking closer at his opponent's face. A gentle hand pressed against the man's neck for a brief second. His eyes drooped for a moment before rising. Trina trembled as she locked vision with his unwavering gaze. She gasped before spinning around to flea.

In mid spin she stopped and fell back. The boy stood just in front of her looking down at her. He held his sight on her hazel eyes. "You never saw me." His voice was calm. "It would be better for your own good if you never remembered this incident." Following this remark he strode off, into the shadows of the trees. Trina remained quivering in the brush as she watched him disappear.

Chapter Two

Trina burst through a pair of wooden doors into her family's small cottage. Cold tears trickled down her face as she blindly stumbled about calling, "Mother! Mother!" In answer to her daughter's call, an older woman rushed to Trina, embracing the crying girl. Her mother held her daughter's head as she ran her fingers through Trina's long, silky hair.

"What is...