The Beginning

A tall, dark figure stood atop an enormous tower of pitch black stones, raising it's arm holding a long sword high, it's blade dripping with golden blood. Just then, there was a bright sapphire flash of light, jerking the young man awake. Leon woke suddenly from his deep sleep, startled by the vision. Why had it come? What did it mean? He didn't know the answers.Absently, he dragged himself out of bed and stood up quickly.This day would become one of the most important in his lifetime, this was his first day as a recruit of King Talenmare's army. He stumbled into his clothing, pulling on long black pants and yanking on a shirt over his bare skin. Yawning, he walked to the corner of his bedroom and grabbed his knee-high boots and put them on, bending to strap them on. Leon walked out into his family's dining room. The table his father had made stood in the middle of the room, bare and wooden. His family was already preparing for breakfast. While his mother stood over the wood stove, cooking, his bright eyed little sister, was teasing their dog with a scrap of bread,her laugh full of energy. As his mother turned, full cast iron pan in hand, the girl tossed the bread and the dog eagerly chased after it. His mother piled a mix of meat; bacon, beef, and pork, onto Alisandes's plate, and smiled at him as she placed a loaf of hard bread on the table.

"Good morning, my soldier." she said sadly."I still don't think you are ready for such a step yet. You're barely sixteen. I think you should wait till next year."

"And I think he is stronger than he lets on." His sister said, thirteen in years, but not in mind. "He's made of tougher stuff than most boys his age." She smiled at him. She was a smart child, just becoming a woman, in fact her first bleeding had come not three months before.She'd been so proud. "Thanks kiddo."Leo said. Turning to his mother he said," She's right mother, I'll be fine.Let's eat."

They sat at the table quietly, and without a word, ate quickly. When they finished and the dog was given a few scraps, they said their goodbyes. His mother handed him something cold. It was a small chunk of metallic blue crystal, wrapped elegantly in silver on a thin silver chain. As Leon put it on his mother explained why she had given it to him. 

"It belonged to your father and his before him. It gave them hope and courage when it was needed most. Don't lose it!" she said, on the verge of tears.

"I won't mother, thank you."He gave both his mother and sister a hug. Both were crying.

"You'd better hurry or you'll be late." his sister said, mother was too hysterical to speak. He nodded and ran out of the door into the sunlight. He breathed in deeply. The day was perfect.

"Thanks kiddo." Leon said. Then he turn to his mothe." !other, she's right 

Author's Note

Sorry about the typo, Tablet problems.