The Two Kings: Cursed Jade

tressful one, not at all how Bran pict

ghton was one thing, and to add to that he

s always "This is our home, this is where we belong and this is where we are safe". His mother, who had been a target of his questions, was quite meticulous with her answers, that no matter how many times he asked, her answers never changed. When he pestered, she us

of the Sunkiss River, and that was the only safe route back home. This was not the first time such had happened, but this was the first time

across it, he thought, but the crushing sound of a log against the riverbank made him swallow hard

ere on the other side of the river, seating at a spot as if someone had purposely gathered them around. The life in his eyes faded with all hope of crossing the Sunkiss river, washed away with the strong tide. There was onl

ared stepped foot into it. He remembered however that he had crossed the woods a few times with his father and had ne

for long. His father was only the bravest man

n back to the market where he had just escaped a mad man to ask for help. Between the mad man and rumors about red-eyed beast, seven foo

rumors" he convinced himself and quickly ran off to the wood

and if the woods weren't so dark all the time. The wind barely made any sound around here, and the

matter at all. He swung his basket up and down and

eating on a table with a napkin on his chest while he held on to a silver fork and knife, glaring down at a big tray of pie. His

n his sandals, but a footprint caught his gaze instead. He

these? Dog

as almost the size of his foot, even bigger since he smeared some parts of it. He quickly felt a chill

d his basket to his face as a weapon. He couldn't find who or what made the sound, b

t in a loud tone, hoping to

what direction to face, while at the same time

and behind a nearby tree came a big rat, half

and planted on his chest. There was really nothing to be afraid of, he told himself.

time here." he turned to leave and checked the pi

beast, snatched up the rat behind him from the shadow

spill on the ground soaked into the earth that it completely missed his gaze. He immediately assumed the rat ran off because of him that he felt sorry for the poor thing, b

stepped out into the light to reveal its 5ft height and silky black furs before spitting out the rat. Its bloodlust gaze focused on the boy and was stuck

nce and their chick followed behind. Beyond the protection of the fence was a farm, or little garden as they called it. It covered a good 50 meters to the east and

hing water from the well. They were usually the first to always spot and welcome him home whenever he ca

eir little farmhouse had fresh horse tracks on

ng at him with tongues out and a wagging tail. He knew exactly what she wanted and knew ignoring her would not get rid of her, so he squat down to her level

he threw a rock to the corner

scooped a hand full of water from a nearby bale to rinse his face. The touch of water on his skin felt like mel

rom inside the house. Someone was act

e knew exactly who it was. "Uncle Declan" the boy ran to the door forcefully opening it to see his Uncle and his mother laughing the afte

ered on seeing him. He opened up his arm and

watching the two. She understood their bond so she did not attempt to

ed him in his arms. "Yes, Uncle–" Bran nodded, "-I will soon be as st

practised, while they furt

s blue eyes. His hair was short, permed and always well combed. He could not remem

ler," his uncle uttered, "we s

root and nodded, "maybe I c

multiple times and failing multiple times. She was almost under the impression no one c

rd, a dream of Bran, it didn't take much for his Uncle to get him to do anything. As it stood he was wil

er plating of the kingdom's guard armour on him. "Did you leave them somewhere?" "Didn't

that's

she was standing there, with he

ter of the two, but she was nowhere near her brother in height 6ft 2in (1.88 meters) compared to her 5.5ft (1.6

y don't you go and freshen up Bran, we h

looked up at her and back at Bran, almost lost for words.

called him again, this time in a tyrannical tone. "Brande

me. She never did that unless he was in big trouble. At that moment he felt the sun'

tered before running outside to go grab his basket. Ho