Shadow Dagger

Flashback

             You must never let the world keep you down. Those words were first told to Tripit when he was ten years old. Standing on a balcony overlooking the lush farmlands, Tripit had begun to enjoy his home. Greenfield Village was a small village of seventy-five villagers, but everyone kept busy and everyone pulled their weight. Greenfield Village was a minimum village with thatch covered roofs and mud brick that composed of the hills of the few houses that comprised of the village, but it was all that Tripit knew.

             Desert surrounded the village as the Wasteland shrouded any attempt to escape. The village rarely got visitors but when it did they were merchant travelers looking for a quick buck from the poor villagers who never obliged and sent them back on their way.

            Tripit made his way back into the house. It was a small two-bedroom thatched roof hut, with a small table and chairs upstairs that blended into the kitchen, his mother spent all day and night cooking and cleaning. The recent flood waters didn’t help the chalked-up dirt stay dry, but his mother cleaned without complaining as the sun splashed down her back and her auburn hair shined.

            She smiled when she saw Tripit make his way over to give her a hug. Her high cheek bones did little to hide the radiance that flowed from her skin. She was a small woman but strong willed and continued her work after a small kiss on the forehead.

            Tripit took the rickety wooden steps down to the basement, where his father was counting and cutting bushels of vegetables to sell to the neighboring villages. He said nothing as Tripit made his way into the crowded room. His scowl told Tripit that it was a bad day in the fields.

            Tripit had always feared his father. A big strong built man with a constant scowl had never showed Tripit any love. He fell in next to his father and started to help him cut bushels, but his father waved him away.

            Tripit kept himself busy in the fields. His father owned three vegetable fields, two fields brought in Tems, and the other allowed his father to put food on the table. He was quick at finding and picking the ripe vegetables. His father had taught him at an early age that field work was tiresome and long but for Tripit it came easily and year after year he became faster.

            He spent the time that he wasn’t working in the fields practicing sword arts with Forben. Forben was the same age as Tripit but he came from a blacksmith family and spent his days building and practicing with swords. Tripit was jealous of Forben but he was one of the few villagers that Tripit talked to. Every day around mid-day, Tripit sneaked off to the blacksmith where Forben lived and watched the natural movements as Forben swung the different swords that he made.

            “Ahoy there Tripit, get in here and help me practice,” Forben said laughing as he handed Tripit a basic silver sword. He was tall and muscular with auburn hair that was matted to his face with sweat. Forben swung his curved sword as he watched Tripit cautiously take his stance.

            “There you go. Keep your legs spread to help even out your weight.” Forben took a step toward Tripit as he swung his sword downward from over his head.

            Tripit barely got his sword up in time to parry it. The strike pushed him back causing his feet to slide on the slick mud.  “Are you trying to kill me? I’m still learning you know.”

            “You will be fine Tripit. Now come attack me.” Forben rushed towards Tripit as Tripit swiped to his left barely avoiding the blade of Forben’s sword. Tripit swung weakly but his sword clashed with Forben’s and made a loud clanking sound. Tripit’s shoulders dragged as he struggled to hang on to the sword but Forben relentlessly pursued him. Swing after swing their swords clashed. Tripit’s footwork was sketchy as he slipped and slid on the slick mud but Forben was solid as step after step his sword thrusts were more powerful than the last.

            The hours crept by as the two men were locked in the sword arts. Sweat poured down Tripit’s forehead as he hunched over to try and catch his breath. Forben was standing next to him leaning against the hilt of his sword.

            “You are getting better Trip. Still need to work on your stamina.” Forben smiled as he used his left hand to pat Tripit on the back. He placed his sword back on the sword rack as he got back to work.

            “You know I will never be as good as you,” Tripit still tried to catch his breath. “I still have a lot of practicing to accomplish but I should get back to work before my dad catches….”

            “It’s too late for that Tripit!” Forben was the first to turn around at these words. “What the hell are you doing here? You are f*******n to see this man again Tripit. Get back into the fields.” With those words Tripit’s father turned on his heel and disappeared.

            Tripit was left starring at the spot where his father once stood as Forben was laughing. “Ha-ha well that’s one man who will never let you grow up and will never be pleased. Sorry I got you in trouble Trip.”

            Tripit sulked as he made his way out the shop and back to the fields. “It’s ok Forb. I’ll see you later.”

            The sun was resting on the hillsides as Tripit made the slow dusty walk back to the fields. His house loomed over him as a lone candle burned brightly and shone through the kitchen window as a shadow paced back and forth.

            Tripit slammed the door behind him as he made his way into the kitchen, preparing to see his father waiting up for him but was surprised when he turned the corner and saw his mother. She had a mug of soup in her hand and food was waiting for him on the table as he quietly slid into his chair and starting eating.

            The sounds of his jaw cracking as he ate was the only sound that filled the room until his mother broke down into scattered sobs. Tripit turned in his chair to see his mother leaning against the sink and tears rolled down her cheeks and fell into the sink.

            “Mother what is going on? Why are you crying?” Tripit rose from his chair and went to console his mother.

            Tears choked her up as she struggled to get the words out, “Father…left…on a business trip and I fear he may not return.”

            “Why would he not return?” Tripit couldn’t help his jaw as it dropped in confusion.

            “My dear son, if you haven’t noticed when you were outside, but a storm is brewing. I feel it in my bones.”

            “I am sure that he will be fine mother. Come sit down. I’ll make you some tea.” Tripit proceeded to grab the tea pot and make tea but his mother was around walking down the hall and into her room.

            “I am just going to bed son. I’ll feel better with some sleep. Don’t stay up too late.” Sobs followed her words as the bedroom door closed softly behind her. Tripit stood in the kitchen for a few more minutes looking out the window.

            As the darkness started to caress the sky and wander over the house, Tripit stared into the sky. The buzzing of the Night Bugs was soothing to Tripit as he searched the black sky for any hint of a storm but could find none. Frustrated with his mother for causing so much worry and for his father for leaving and leaving him to fix his messes, Tripit decided it was time to get some sleep.

            As he made his way slowly to his room he stopped in front of his mother’s room and still heard sobs coming through. He rolled his eyes and stepped into his room and fell into his cot where he hit an instant sleep.

           Tripit awoke in a sweat as he rolled out of his cot. He placed his feet on the cold mud and shivered as he stumbled out of his room. He made his way to the hall and saw that his mother’s room door was open, so sleepily rubbed his eyes and went into the kitchen.

            His mother was making food when he arrived. She greeted Tripit with a smile and a kiss on the forehead as he sat down and eagerly waited for his food. “How are you feeling today mother?”

            “Much better son, I’m sorry that I worried you. I think that I was plagued with sleepiness. It certainly is a nice day out this morning.”

            “I will be in the fields if you need me today mother. Got to stay ready for father’s next visit home.”

            “You work too hard my son. Here eat this to get your strength.”

            The scent of barley and potatoes rose and hit his nostrils and Tripit immediately slurped loudly at his soup and finished it off with a loud burp. He got up from the table and gave his mother a kiss and thanked her for the soup and made his way outside.

            The sun burned his eyes as he adjusted to the sudden brightness that waited for him. He made the left turn from his house to the fields. As he walked down the dusty trail, Tripit noticed Forben working in the family shop and gave him a quick wave.

            “Ahoy there Trip hold up.” Forben waved back as he ran over to where Tripit was walking.

            “What is it Forb?”

            “Well it’s just been a few months since we last talked, and I miss our sword art practices. You were getting a lot better until…” His voice trailed off as Tripit glared at him.

            “It’s been a year since my father left us and everyday my mother acts like nothing has happened. Every night she says the same thing and every morning she feels better. How do you think that makes me feel? I don’t know what to do with her, she has to snap out of it at some point.”

            “I know it’s a sore subject for you, but I was just curious that’s all.”

            “Psh curious. You and half the village Forb,” Tripit snarled. “You think I don’t know that the villagers talk about me and my family when the sun goes down. Look at this guy.” Tripit pointed to an older villager who was trying to hide behind a wooden shed, clearly trying to catch up on the gossip. He scurried away when he realized that he had been spotted.

            “I’m going to go to the fields now. It’s the one thing that I am good at. I’ll see you later Forb.” Tripit left Forben standing there as he continued his way to the fields.

            Once at the fields, Tripit sat down on a makeshift bench and just stared into the surrounding hillsides. The work on the fields was done weeks ago but he still came to them every day just to get away from the noise and his mother.

            Why was this happening to me? Why did father really leave? Questions flooded into his head, but he tried not to become overwhelmed with them. He still wasn’t sure what was going on, but he knew he had to live every day like it was a normal day.

            Tripit got up from the bench after a few minutes and started walking to the south side of the village, maybe there answers would find him but if they didn’t it was still his favorite spot to escape.

            The sun was setting in the cold vast empty sky as it bled orange and splattered all around him as his feet dangled and splashed the water from the pier where he sat. The village was quiet as the villagers went inside their homes to cook food and escape the torturous heat of the long days.

            The water was still warm, but it helped relieve him from the hot nights that ran through Greenfield Village. The water still cooled his feet even though it was warm. The water came from a cracked well that ran towards the south side of the village.

            None of the villagers wandered towards the south side, it might have been the broken-down gate that led towards the Abandoned Woods or it might have been the noises that came from the woods, Tripit didn’t care. He found the woods and all the noises that came from it soothing and relaxing for he was alone with his thoughts.

            It was getting darker as the sun was busy setting deeper from the sky, Tripit could hear around him the chatter from the houses that surrounded him. He had his mother, but he hardly bothered to show up at home, she barely noticed him gone.

            Footsteps behind him startled Tripit as he jumped to his feet and scanned the area behind him. Nothing. “Forben is that you?” His voice shook with every word. “This isn’t funny.”

            He heard branches snap as he turned towards the Abandoned Woods. Still nothing. Tripit’s eyes tried to adjust to the dark around him as he glared into the woods. Noises still surrounded him as he backed away slowly from the woods frightened as tears streamed down his face.

            “You know you really do gotta toughen up.” A voice said to Tripit that was followed by a bird that hit him in the chest. He picked up the bird. It was a dead Blood Sparrow with a hole clean through its head.

            “Some food for you, I know how much you like the taste of Blood Sparrow.” A figure walked out of the woods. “You are going to have to learn how to hunt food for yourself Tripit.”

            “I know Forb, but I am not as strong as you or as brave as you,” Tripit said with downcast eyes.

            “It’s ok as long as I am here I will take care of you. Come, let us go eat in our spot.” Tripit followed Forben to their usual spot which was along the east edge of the Abandoned Woods. They walked together for a few minutes until they came to a low clearing. There they stopped and rested.

            The clearing had been the home of some badgers but Forben had slaughtered them and used their fur for clothing and their fat for adhesive for his bow. He melted the fat and filled in the cracks of the oak to build a solid bow that he still used.

            The two friends laid on piles of leaves that made for makeshift beds. The clearing wasn’t much but it was more of a home than Tripit was used to. The two dead birds that Forben had killed lay in between them as Tripit watched Forben skin and prepare them to cook.

            As Forben prepared the fire, he watched Tripit struggle with picking up the birds. “You really do gotta learn to fend for yourself. I’m not always going to be here for you Tripit.”

            He finally gave up on the birds and allowed Forben to handle the cooking. “I know I’m weak but no matter how much you try and teach me I can’t learn it. I am not like you Forben.”

            “Hey now, I’m not saying be like me but learn to take care of yourself and toughen up. What are you going to do when you finally leave this village like you talk about? I don’t want the same path as you. I am content with working as a blacksmith.”

            “You don’t want something bigger than that? You aren’t curious about what is outside of these hills?”

            “Of course, I am curious, but I have to take care of my family and take over the stables one day. I don’t have the luxury of living a care free life like you Tripit.”

            “You don’t understand what I have to deal with at home Forben. My father wants nothing to do with me and my mother is not in her right mind, so I have no choice but to be an outcast. It’s the only life I know.” Tripit started sniffling as tears filled his eyes.

            “I didn’t want to upset you. I enjoy your company and will be here for as long as you decide to stay here. Here eat up, you need your strength.” Forben handed Tripit a bird and the smell overwhelmed his senses as he started to devour the Blood Sparrow.

            After a few minutes of silence, the two friends finished their birds and sprawled out on the warm ground. It was near mid night as the moon light crept into the clearing and danced on the grassy walls.

            Tripit was the first to break the silence, “Forb, do you think you can teach me to fight again, I know it’s been a few months. You got me thinking it wouldn’t hurt if I prepare myself before I leave these walls.”

            “That’s no problem I could do it after I finish the work I have in the afternoon. I’m glad to hear you say that.”

            “I don’t want to lose you Forb and I will work hard to toughen up and make you proud of me.”

            Snoring was the only response Tripit got. He turned over to his right side and listened to the sounds coming from the woods before emotion and sleep overtook him. Within minutes he was in a deep sleep.

            The morning sun was bright and hot as Tripit slowly woke up. He stretched his limbs and turned over to see that he was alone. He knew Forben was working at this time, so he made his way out of the clearing. The Abandoned Woods didn’t look so menacing during the day, but the noises still came from there.

            Tripit greeted the sun light by rubbing his eyes. The villagers were running about with their daily chores. Children were, not wasting their youth, by running around and climbing onto the roofs of the houses and jumping from roof to roof. Stray animals were begging for food or trying find what little shade there was to lay down.

Tripit made his way through the village trying to avoid the strange looks he got from the villagers. It was mostly the elders or women who gave him strange and dirty looks. He didn’t understand why but he tried to carry on with his day.

            He saw some children playing and approached them. Tripit just wanted to make conversation for he missed the easy life of being a child with parents who cared about him.

            “Go away you outcast.”

            “You don’t belong here.”

            “Just leave the village already.”

            Tripit didn’t understand why they were talking to him this way. “Why are you saying these things about me?”

            “Our parents say that you are an outcast who wants to leave the village to pursue evil. We aren’t supposed to talk to you.”

            “You can’t honestly think that is true.”

            “Go away evil doer!”

            The children ran away from him as he stood there. I can’t believe this village thinks I want to do evil. Depressed he kept strolling around the village looking down at the ground.

            Still bothered by what the villagers had said to him, Tripit didn’t realize how far he had walked and walked right into Forben. “Whoa there are you okay? Watch where you are going Trip.”

            “Ya, sorry, I will.”

            “Is everything alright? You don’t look so good.”

            “I am just tired of being called an outcast and people shunning me for things that I haven’t done.” Tripit felt good complaining to his friend but knew it wouldn’t change anything.

            “You can’t let these poor villagers get to you Trip. They are like leeches. They try to deter you from leaving so you can experience the same poor lifestyle that they do.” Forben was sympathetic for his friend.

            “I know, it’s just so hard doing the same tedious chores day after day with the same results. Well I look forward to our training later friend.” With that Tripit bid Forben farewell and went back to the clearing and waited until dusk when his friend made his way to the clearing.

            “Here take this.” Forben said tossing a sword to Tripit.

            Tripit fumbled with catching the sword as it thudded to the ground. Embarrassed he picked it up and readied his stance. His right foot was in front and carried the most weight as he lifted the sword over his head and swung down.

            With ease Forben swept to his left and parried the sword strike, knocking Tripit off balance allowing Forben to strike with his full strength. Tripit, still off balance, fell to his knees as he rolled to his right and felt Forben’s sword graze his ribs.

            With a scream that filled the clearing, Tripit immediately clutched his ribs on his left side. Forben dropped his sword and ran to his friend’s side to examine the damage. “Trip it is just a little scratch, my sword didn’t even penetrate the flesh. It will just be bruised for a short time.”

            “You didn’t have to go so hard you know Forb.” Tripit tried sitting up against the grass covered walls.

            “How else are you going to learn how to fight? I can’t go easy on you when others won’t be easy on you as well.”

            “Humph just leave me alone. I want to rest.” Tripit crawled over to a pile of leaves and laid down.

            Without another sound Forben left the clearing and made his way towards his shop.

            Tripit could feel his ribs start to bruise as he closed his eyes and tried to sleep the pain off. Maybe I had overreacted to getting hit by the sword. No. Forben knows I can’t fight and yet hurts me anyways. Thoughts filled his head he struggled to get to sleep.

            Time passed slowly as Tripit finally drifted into an uneasy sleep. Dreams pummeled him nonstop. A vortex swirled around him as he was lifted into the sky. The sky was blackened as it caved in around him, crashed upon him as he struggled for breath.

            Around him he saw fire fly from the sky and penetrate through the strangling dark clouds that surrounded him. Smoke and ash filled the air as Tripit’s eyes adjusted to the chaos that took place below him. Below him lay a village crumbling and aflame as the flames danced and stumbled through the houses leaving them in heaps of ash and rubble.

            Screams filled the silent air as bodies of villagers were burned alive and trampled by other villagers as havoc surrounded the village that once was. Slowly one by one the villagers embraced their deaths.

            Tripit couldn’t bear to see anymore as he tried to avert his eyes but through the smoke and debris a figure caught his eyes. It was a young man, blood covered his hands and his face was blackened from the smoke. The figure stared directly at Tripit and dug deep into his eyes and then it hit him.

            The figure was Tripit.

            Tripit couldn’t believe his eyes as he tried to shake the figure out of his mind. The figure smiled a crooked smile and as smoke circled around him, the figure disappeared leaving Tripit floating in the blackened sky.

            Gathering his thoughts, Tripit was confused, “What did I just see? Why am I destroying the village?”

            Just as questions poured into his head, he felt a tug on his legs. He looked down and saw the other Tripit try to drag him down into the r****e. Kicking and cursing Tripit tried desperately to free himself from the figure’s grasp.

            With a look of fury in his eyes, the figure hissed at Tripit, “This is not the last that you have seen of me. I am always around.” A ball of flame shot out of the ground and devoured the figure, leaving the figure’s words embedded in Tripit’s mind.

            Tripit woke up in a sweat as he jumped off the pile of leaves and onto his feet. He had no idea what he experienced or what happened. It felt too real to be a dream. Maybe it wasn’t a dream. More questions filled his mind than he had the answers to.

            It was still two hours until dusk but Tripit could no longer sleep so he went to his favorite spot; the pier. He sat down and slid his feet into the cool water; it was cooler than it usually was during the night.

            Tripit’s feet splashed in the water as the noises of the Abandoned Woods circled around him. Moans and groans crept towards him, clawed at him, sending chills down his back. Thinking he was still paranoid from his dream, he withdrew his feet from the water and backed away from the pier.

            He felt a weight start to push down on his shoulders as he was drawn, almost pushed, toward the Abandoned Woods. Tripit grasped feverishly at the dark empty air around him. The seconds felt like minutes as he was dragged faster toward the vast woods.

            Pushing his legs deeper into the hard desert ground, Tripit tried to slow down his momentum. He grunted as sweat started to drip down his face and his back. He was able to bend over and grasp the hard dirt with his hands. But it wasn’t enough to stop him as his hands became bloodied from the dirt and in a flash, he was pulled into the woods.

            Branches whipped his body as the trees stalked him and his surroundings blurred by him. Blood dripped down Tripit’s face and chest as scratches covered him. Gasping for what little air surrounded him Tripit felt his grip on reality starting to slip away from him as his head and mind swirled away from him and blackness overtook him.