In the farthest reaches of the continent of Draegorn, where the rugged mountains met the endless expanse of the Dark Sea, lay the small, forgotten village of Kaldrith. Surrounded by dense pine forests and jagged cliffs, Kaldrith was known for two things: its bitter winters and the ancient legend of the Emberstone.
Every child in Kaldrith grew up hearing the story: an immortal ember, hidden deep within the mountain, that once ignited the heart of a great civilization. The Emberstone was said to have brought warmth, light, and prosperity to the world, until a terrible betrayal shattered the peace, causing the Emberstone to vanish, leaving the world in darkness and cold. Many had sought the Emberstone, hoping to restore the lost warmth, but none had ever returned.
Lina Arvand, a young woman of twenty winters, sat on the edge of the village square, listening as the village storyteller, an elderly man named Eldric, wove the tale once again for the gathered children. The fire crackled before them, casting long shadows against the snow-covered huts.
“The Emberstone,” Eldric said in a voice that trembled with age, “is no mere treasure. It is a force, a flame that burns in the very soul of the world. Whoever holds the Emberstone holds the key to life itself.”
Lina had heard the story countless times before, but tonight, it felt different. A strange tension hung in the air, and a sense of unease gnawed at her. Winter had been particularly harsh this year, the cold relentless, and the village had barely enough provisions to last until the spring thaw. People whispered of unnatural storms and an unsettling darkness creeping in from the mountains.
“Lina,” a voice called, breaking her from her thoughts.
She turned to see her younger brother, Jakob, running toward her, his cheeks red from the cold, his breath visible in the freezing air.
“Mother’s asking for you,” he said, his voice a bit strained from the run. “She’s by the hearth. It’s… about Father.”
Lina’s heart tightened. Her father had gone into the forest two days ago to hunt, hoping to bring back enough food to sustain the village. He had not returned, and worry had settled over her like a shroud.
Nodding silently, Lina stood and made her way to the small hut she shared with her family. As she entered, the warmth from the fire greeted her, but it did little to ease her tension.
Her mother sat by the fire, her face lined with worry, her hands twisting the fabric of her apron. “There’s been no word,” she said softly, her eyes meeting Lina’s. “I fear the worst.”
“We’ll find him,” Lina said, though the doubt in her voice was hard to mask.
Jakob, who had followed her inside, stepped forward. “I’ll go with you. We’ll search the forest. Father’s strong. He’s survived worse winters.”
Lina hesitated, but she knew they couldn’t wait any longer. The forest was dangerous, especially in the dead of winter, but if there was a chance her father was still out there, they had to take it.
“We’ll leave at first light,” she said, her voice firm. “Get some rest, Jakob. We’ll need all our strength.”
Write a comment ...