So, I've been writing a book in my free time. I thought maybe I'll just start putting up pieces of what I have done. I am so bored lately so maybe this will give me the motivation to continue writing! Probably not, but it is the thought that counts.
Prologue: The Keeper of the Fates
Part 1
The sound of the rain pouring down through the trees mixed loudly with the racing hooves of a sleek, black stallion. The hooded rider tucked expertly under the incoming branches from the foliage around, moving as one with the horse. The dark night made it even more difficult for her to see through the rain, still she pulled her hood down lower covering her eyes, almost blocking her sight completely. Leaning in toward the horse she edged it faster over the wooded terrain. She felt the flex of every muscle in the powerful animal’s body as it was pushed to the limit. The faster she could get there the faster this all would be over. They both would be able to rest.
The lightning flashed in the sky above, illuminating the realm around her. She began counting the seconds until she heard the sound of thunder. “One. Two. Three” She counted slowly, “Four. Five”. Thunder rolled in the near distance. The loud rumble lasted for what seemed like an eternity. The storm is close now. It will be on top of her soon, she knew the worst of it was yet to come. She leaned forward into her stallion again, “Please go faster, boy. I know you can do it. I know it’s hard but we will be there soon”. The horse snorted through his nostrils and pushed down harder into the soft ground, pressing faster into the darkness.
“It should be close now”, she thought aloud. She glanced up and squinted, straining to see through the rain. In the distance a cave was aglow with firelight, “There, that’s it.” The thunder clapped again nearly just over her head. “If I don’t get there tonight I won’t have another chance at this. A storm this size only happens once. Come on boy. Hiyah!” They raced forward quickly gaining on their destination.
Nearing their purpose in the mountainside, the rider began to slow her horse, “Easy boy, easy. You did it”. She pulled back the reigns bringing the mighty horse to a stop. He stomped his feet loudly, expressing his irritation for having been pushed so hard for so long in these dreary conditions. She rubbed his neck apologetically and pulled him toward the cave with caution. She had no choice; this had to be done tonight.
Hood still lowered she slowly approached the wide, open mouth of the cave. Next to the fire sat a hunched figure. Thunder clapped again. She jumped, startled at the abrupt sound breaking into her careful concentration. She had inadvertently let out a gasp as her body jolted along with the powerful crash. The hunched figure shuffled in its place and began to turn slowly to face her, her gasp had alerted the shadow-like form to her presence. She stopped suddenly as she saw the movement and held her breath, frightened. Her horse began shuffling back and forth, sensing her fear and reacting as if begging her to retreat. She stood still, waiting.
The figure was turned toward her now, face masked by the darkness and the flickering firelight behind it. Raising its arm it beckoned her closer. She began to move again into the shelter of the massive cavern. Her horse stood still, forcing his hooves into the ground. He sensed the danger in the approach and tried earnestly to prevent moving any closer. She tugged on the reigns, they both needed to be out of the rain. Hesitantly, he began to move. She pulled him closer to her. In case things went poorly she would need quick access to an escape.
