The Gatekeeper - Chapter 2 At When We Leave

The morning sun cast her light on the land below where the trees shown red and the grass grew black. Men, women, and child could be seen hastily moving about in and out of their houses as they collected what they could carry. Besides one of the houses a thin boy could be seen crouching, with a stick in hand drawing on the dirt. A shadow of a man covered the boy so he had no choice but to look up, he sees an austere man with graying hair and gaunt eyes. The man in carry leather in one hand and black fur on the other.

“Father…where going, after we leave?” the boy asked as he stood up.

“We’ll go Ysath.” the man answered. “Take this to your mother.” he said as he handed a mass of folded leather to the boy. The boy carried the leather into the house, it was small with nothing but three rooms, he went into the furthest room from him. In that room there was a thin woman with long hair the color of ash and grey weary eyes, and to her left were bottles, cloths, herbs , and containers that were neatly arranged. She was sewing what seemed to be coats made of fur. The boy walked to where the woman was and sat next to her.

“Father told me to give this to you” the boy said while giving the pile of leather to the women.

“Thank you” the women responded weakly as she tucked the leather next to her.

“Go wake up Hild.” she said to the boy while wiping dirt from his curly crown.

He nodded then stood up and went out of the room to to the other side of the house where a second door was, the boy entered a room to see to two beds opposite each other. On one of the bed lay young thin girl she had short wavy ash hair and pale skin. He went next to the girls bed.

“Hild wake up.” the boy gently pushed the girl.

“Mund…I want to sleep some more.” the girl whined

“We can’t” Mund replayed. The girl struggled waking up but after a minuet she got out of her bed then looked straight in Mund’s dark eyes with her pale eyes.

“Who were those people yesterday? Hild asked as rubbed her eyes.

“….” silence hung in the air to Hilds’ question.

“We have to pack our things.” Mund quietly said as he rubbed Hilds’ head

*******

I stood still as best as I could, praying in my mind that the Emissary wouldn’t come close to me. I know I am not the only one who’s thinking that as my companions straighten their backs stiff as is they’re statues.

“State your name?” the Emissary says in my direction while he descended from the circular platform, he glides over the ground towards me. I see nothing but a black wooden mask that seem to swivel in a circular direction and three holes that seemed to have no light in them.

I don’t say anything, I feel empty inside and enter a daze.

“State you name?” the Emissary says again.

“G..Go…Gother!” I stuttered, fear engulfing me.

“Peace be upon thee.” the Emissary Whispers as he cups my head. I don’t resist although I want to.

“May peace be granted.” I say in hushed voice. Trying not to reveal any fear on my face.

“Thou art found favor in my eyes.” the Emissary said “Thou shalt be an apprentice unto me, to learn and to be as I am.” the Emissary murmured

“I…am not worthy” I stammered, trying my best not to show my uneasiness.

“Ohh, but thou art.” he reassured me as he let go of my head. My heart loosed, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off me.

“Remember to stay behind.” A voice sounds in my mind, terror griped my heart, but Emissary just like he came drifted away out of the Sanctuary. The moment that the Emissary left a hooded figure walked towards me.

“Raimer…” I said as I looked up to see a face covered by a hood.

“Gother what happened?” Raimer asked in a concerned way.

“The Emissary found favor in him.” a strong voice sounded behind me, as an arm wrapped around my my neck .

“What! You’ve found favor?” Raimer asked as he removed his hood, he had this gentle look that was always on his face and was young just like me, in fact we were all young. Raimer had this kinda short dark hair and dark brown eyes that was always bright, he was tall but thin, probably because of his instructor.

“You’re finally an apprentice!” a voice sounded besides me, it was my other friend Merek who had an arm wrapped around my neck, he to was also tall but he wasn’t thin like Raimer. He was brawny and had short bright hair, he had pious aura that was always on him, it especially showed on his piercing hazel eyes.

“We told you, you’d definitely be an Apprentice.” Raimer said while fidgeting his hands.

“Do you think the rumors are true?” Merek said while looking at both of us. “That he….”

“Those definitely have to be rumors! There’s no way the Church would allow such a person…” Raimer retorted, but I could see uncertainty in his eyes. I look at Raimer he looks back at me.

I shake my shoulders at him, telling him I don’t know. I look around to see some of the Apprentice leaving and I see that its dark out.

“I think you guys should go… its already dark out.” I tell them, Merek and Raimer both look at me.

“Why’r you staying?” Merek asks as his eyebrow’s bunches up.

“The Emissary.” I respond, they both nod and bid me farewell. All of the Apprentice have left except me. I go to sit at one of the stairs of the circular platform. Around me there is nothing but the yellow glow of candle light and empty pews that surround the platform, fear seeps in and I start to feel my heart pounding against my chest. I am alone.