Chapter 1: Punishment

 

       The midmorning sun shined brightly in the clear blue sky. It was warm out like it usually was in the large city and calm winds occasionally swept through the cobblestone streets that were lined on either side by Victorian-styled buildings. Adults talking and the laughter of children running through the streets filled the air as people walked to and fro through the city.

       One of these particular people was a young man the age of eighteen named Haven. He had short brown hair and blue eyes that had the same warmth that his smile possessed. He wore a white silken tunic that fell to his waist, brown pants, and brown boots.

       Haven looked around some as he weaved his way through all the people that were also walking around Fallcrest to get to where they needed to go. He was currently making his way to the hospital like he did everyday in the morning to do the work that needed to be done there.

       “Hello Haven,” came a masculine voice.

       The brown-haired boy looked to his right to see a boy the same age as him walking beside him. He was a few inches taller than what Haven was and he had short blond hair and green eyes. He wore a green tunic made out of the same fabric as Haven's, brown pants, and black boots.

       “Hello Lucas,” Haven said, the smile that was already plastered on his face growing a tad wider upon recognizing his friend.

       “Have you went to the church to give your offering to Deus yet?” the blond asked.

       Deus was the god that Fallcrest worshiped and was the foundation of the city's theocracy. On the first day of every month citizens were required to offer gifts to Deus at the church. It was a part of their religion and it was considered as a sin if you failed to do so.

       “No,” replied Haven, “I haven't had time yet.”

       “That's odd, I thought you usually always took care of that before you headed to work?”

       “I usually do, but I woke up a little late today. I didn't know how long it would take for my turn to offer a gift and I don't want to be late for work, so I'll just have to do it later when I get the chance.”

       “Well, just as long as you don't forget. You know what happens if you don't do it.”

       “Yes, I know, but don't worry, I'll get the gift there before sunset.”

       The two friends continued on down the street a little ways before parting. After passing a few more buildings, Haven finally reached the hospital. When he got inside, he greeted the nurses before climbing the flight of stairs to get to the second floor where the patients' rooms were located. The youth entered the first room on his left that was occupied by an elderly woman. The two exchanged greetings as Haven took a seat in a wooden chair next to the bed.

       After briefly discussing what was wrong and assuring the woman that she would be fine soon, Haven bowed his head and put his hands together so that the palms and fingers were aligned like someone would for praying. His eyes closed as he muttered a chant for the healing spell he knew. There wasn't too many people in the world who were capable of using magic. It was considered as an ability Deus only blessed certain people with. These people were usually believed to have pure hearts to be entrusted with this power and everyone highly respected magic users because of their extraordinary gift.

       The ailment that the woman had been suffering from gradually began to heal as Haven continued to chant, which was evidential by the look on her face. When it was finally cured, the youth ceased the chanting and let his hands fall into his lap. The elderly woman thanked him heartily before getting up from the bed and leaving.

       Hours rolled by a bit slowly for Haven as he continued to go about the second floor, healing the patients. It was a lot of work for one boy to do by himself, but it had to be done and Haven was the only person in Fallcrest who was capable of using healing arts. It didn't bother him though; he liked this job.

       By the time Haven was finally allowed to leave the hospital, the sun was already setting. A small yawn escaped his mouth as he stared ahead through half-opened eyes while he walked through the city. Even though he enjoyed working at the hospital, it always made him exhausted. Using magic took a lot of energy and since he always had to use it the entire time he worked everyday, it always left him drained.

       On his way to his house, Haven noticed a wanted poster that was up on a building. He slowed down his pace a tad so he could get a glimpse of who was on it as he passed. The picture was an artist's sketch of a man's head that had spiky hair and a cocky grin plastered on the face.

       Haven was already able to tell who the criminal was before reading the name that sat beneath the picture. It was Lucifer, the greatest criminal alive in the northern half of the continent. Haven had heard and read many things about the man. Apparently he was a part of Malum, a group of criminals that were well-known for the havoc they caused throughout the northern half of the continent. Like all the other members, Lucifer had killed many people and had stolen a lot of things – the majority of it being money. However, the other members of Malum had all faced execution, and now Lucifer was the only one left.

       According to the wanted poster, there was a large sum of money as the reward for whoever handed him over to the officials dead or alive. It didn't surprise Haven a single bit due to all the crimes the man had committed. He just hoped that someone would turn him in soon so that the world could be rid of someone as evil as him. The entire world would be a much better place once he underwent capital punishment like the rest of Malum.

       When Haven finally passed the wanted poster, he looked straight ahead through his heavy eyelids as he continued on his way. It wasn't too much longer until the youth finally arrived at his home, which was a fairly big mansion that sat in the section of the city where the rest of the upper-class resided. He walked into the well-furnished home and was told that supper was ready upon entrance. Haven walked into the dining room and took a seat at the table with his parents to eat.

       By the time dinner was over, Haven headed to his room. As he did so though, he couldn't help but to feel as though he had forgotten to do something, though he couldn't exactly place his finger on it. Exhaustion had completely clouded his mind to where it was almost impossible to really remember anything. He pondered over it a bit longer as he subconsciously laid on his bed, and within seconds he entered a deep slumber.

 

       Haven awoke a bit early the following morning. He didn't waste any time laying there, but instead got dressed before heading downstairs. After eating a small breakfast, Haven left his house and began making his way through the city to get to the hospital. The streets were crowded like usual and the skies were clear and sunny like they were the previous day.

       “Oi, Haven!”

       The brown-haired youth stopped before turning around to see Lucas running over to him.

       “Hello Lucas,” greeted Haven.

       “The Priest wants to see you at the church,” said Lucas.

       “All right, I guess I'll go see what he wants.”

       Haven began to walk in the direction of where the church was and Lucas walked alongside him.

       “He didn't seem to be very pleased when he told me to go look for you.”

       It was then when it dawned on Haven. He had forgotten to make an offering at the alter yesterday and he knew that what the Priest was going to say wasn't going to be good. Lucas had seen the look on Haven's face when he realized what the Priest wanted, and that was enough for him to know what his friend did wrong without him having to ask. The two boys didn't say anything to each other as they made their way to the center of the city.

       When they finally reached the enormous church, Haven opened the fairly large ornate doors before both of them entered. The church contained numerous pews that sat on either side of the middle aisle that led up to the alter where the Priest was currently standing. Haven slowly walked towards the middle-aged man with Lucas behind him. When he saw the cold look that was on the Priest's face, Haven quickly looked down towards the floor as he slowed to a stop, not able to keep eye contact.

       “I am sure you are already aware of what I am about to tell you,” the Priest began.

       “Yes sir,” replied Haven as he slowly lifted his gaze from the floor to look at the Priest. “And I apologize for not making an offering. I know it is very important to our religion, but you see, I was too busy at the hospital yesterday that I didn't have a chance to come here. By the time I left the hospital, I was so tired that it didn't cross my mind.”

       “I will not tolerate excuses,” the Priest said sternly. “The law requires everyone to give an offering on the first day of every month. Due to this violation, you are hereby sentenced to jail where you'll await your execution.”

       “Please sir, you have to understand,” Haven cried. “It was all an accident. Surely Deus can understand if someone forgets to make an offering once.”

       “But alas he doesn't. And now I am through with arguing. Lucas, please take this filth and get him out of my sight.”

       The Priest turned around and began to walk away. Before Haven was able to argue his case further, Lucas grabbed his hands and put them behind his back before handcuffing them. He then grabbed Haven by the arm and led him out of the church.

Author's Note

I know the consequence for not offering a gift might be a little farfetched, but I needed something that a theocracy might have as a law and I wanted it to be something that was rather stupid.

Reviews

[Clark]

Tunics are, by definition, longer than waist-length. They usually go at least to your hips, and that's considered short.

"There wasn't too many people" should be "There weren't".

When you say Haven puts his hands together for praying, I think it's conflicting that you describe it so detailed yet give it a simile, assuming we know how one prays. I think it should either be assumed or described, but not both.

When you say he subconsciously lays on his bed, I think you meant he's pondering subconsciously, because it seems like he's very much laying on his bed physically.

I don't think the consequence is far-fetched, either. I think it makes for interesting backdrop, such a drastic culture. It's absurdly different, yet alarmingly similar to many cultures, so your reader can make a couple connections, find a couple meanings.

[Eidolon Michael]

I really like the description at the very beginning. It really puts the setting in the reader's mind perfectly. I really liked this chapter ^_^ Nice beginning chapter to a book

[D[any] Is [provocative]]

I love your story so dont worry :)

[courtney]

no i dont think its very farfetched at all. i agree with amund

[Amund Schofield]

The law isn't far fetched. The Christian church would execute people for several reasons, one of them being if a farmer were to plant two different crops in the same field, he would be stoned to death.