Kharn dar Naleidn

Chapter the First As it is written, when one Gate closes, so must another open. –Excerpt from the sacred book, Balance and Perception. A deep voice called out in the frosty night air, “Sheldyyn? Where are you?” Sheldyyn straightened slightly as he looked towards the house through the open barn doors. Noticing how dark it was beyond the light of the barn’s lantern, he wondered just how late it really was. His chore, which had been to clear out the stalls of the stale, dirty hay, should not have taken very long but he had completely lost track of time. He was too busy thinking about seeing Hailey at the upcoming festival. The Ridgetown Festival, which began in two days, would be the first opportunity for him to see her again in over three moon-cycles . He glanced around as he threw the last shovel of matted straw into the wheelbarrow. The voice called out, disturbing the quiet air once more. “Just a minute Gad! I’m coming!” Sheldyyn yelled in response to Gadwin’s insistence as he brushed damp hair out of his face. Turning toward a wolf laying some distance away, he motioned for his c’ull to come over. Whiffer rose from his position on the floor and stretched his thick legs as he yawned, revealing opposing rows of three inch fangs. He was covered in white fur that rippled over corded muscle. His sharp claws clicked softly on the floorboards as he padded over, swishing his long tail lazily. By nudging Sheldyyn’s chest with his broad head, he indicated that he was going to go hunting instead of settling down in the house. “Well okay boy. Just be careful,” Sheldyyn said, scratching the massive wolf behind his tufted ears. “I will see you in the morning, probably before dawn. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.” Whiffer growled his understanding as he bound quickly out of the barn and disappeared into the darkness. Sheldyyn leaned the old shovel against the wall and walked over to the new unidden that Gadwin had just bought from a traveling herdsman. The skittish animal had been uneasy around the massive wolf but now seemed to finally calm down. Untying it from the center post, he led the stubborn unidden into its newly cleaned stall. The door to the stall was quiet as he pushed it closed on oiled hinges. Walking the length of the barn, he made sure each of the horses were well fed and watered. He sorted through the pile of firewood beside the large stove and picked out several thick logs that he thought would last through the night. Opening the furnace doors, he was forced to squint and shy away as a wave of heat surged out. It was several moments before he could step forward, toss the logs on the fire, and shut the blackened doors once again. He picked up a dark lantern and turned the rod that connected to a pair of stones made of flint within. He peered closely and was able to watch a tiny spark jump up to ignite the wick. Reaching up as he passed by, he closed the shutter to the large lantern hanging from the faded rafters in the middle of the barn. The flame within the glass casing quickly withered until it vanished with a wisp of smoke. He picked up an old towel and tried to wipe as much of the muck off of his hands as he could. A sudden tingling swept down his arms as if they were just waking up. His eyes widened as he realized his curse was awakening again. He really dreaded these inevitable moments when he would be overcome by yet another episode. His fingers began to itch just before the towel he held suddenly caught fire. Silvery tongues of flame quickly covered the dirty cloth even as he cast it away from him. Stamping the sputtering fires which resulted from the burning rag, he managed to snuff out the clinging flames before they spread. He tried to quell his rising panic while forcing his curse back down. With an effort he finally managed to lock it away once again. He took deep breaths to calm himself as he gathered up the burnt straw and threw it into the furnace. The flashes of light and crackles of sound from the disintegrating chaff helped to ease his mind. Spreading fresh straw over the bare spots on the barn floor, he covered up all evidence of what had happened. Satisfied, he straightened and picked up his hooded overcoat. He tugged his arms through the sleeves as he glanced around the barn once more. Each of the horses seemed content in their cozy stalls as they gazed lazily back at him.