The boar looked to his side. Finally, he is old enough to explore the world. His mother gave him a backpack, full of all the necessary things he will need on his travel. They said their goodbyes. He was full of confidence when he crossed the village gate. To him there was, always, something terrifying about that gate. Now it was an ordinary gate, the same as all the rest of them. Tucos turned and looked, one more time, at the village.The village looked so small now. When he was little, the village looked so large. To him, it was the largest in the world. He giggled. He always answered the same about his village, now, the answer would be different.The road was straight, the sun bright. Everything was wonderful to him; everything was perfect.“Maybe, I am the first boar that went out of the village. It’s a small step for me, but, a large step for boarkind,” he said.Some two hundred meters, the road became even better. The old, dusty vil

Our story begins in December 455, Samhain is approaching, and the beauty Catherine pulls big sleigh full of soldiers “provisions on the hill in deep snow, to the highest point of the Crown for the Weavers” Bastion. Kids, her younger brothers and sisters are pushing sleds and Catherine drags, drags. He saw all this agony of a young beauty, Val Dragwer rushed to the rescue in front of his friends. Surprised the soldiers of his swagger, they looked at each other, it was too unlike Dragwer. Thus began one of the love stories of our hero, Val Dragwer and Katharina. Then Catherine was 17 and Dragwer 24. He was young, tall, thin, and incredibly attractive, with jet-black mustache and hair. His eyes were hard and imperious. In his view, was an expression of a moment, a deep and obvious interest. The man bowed, and continued to stare enchanting eyes, being at the mercy of unexpected feelings. Catherine knew that the only correct will be silently bow and go about their business, b

The day was warm. The bard, Aster, and his group walk down the steps that once were a place of significant importance for the late Irstiaran Empire. Centuries ago, this place was the capital of the same empire. The empire lasted for centuries, since it was first created, only to be destroyed by barbarians. What a lame way to end.Aster stops for a moment, looks at the magnificent ruins. He has an idea. The groups halts.“Are you thinking, which I am thinking?” he said, playing with his hat.“What?” said the drummer. She turned her head. “It isn't a good spot.”“We will find a better one.”“Are you sure?”“Of course.”“Lead the way, nosy.”They continued down the road. The violinist stopped, her gaze went up to the tall tower.“The only thing that remained for the Irstiaran Empire,” she said.“Are you sure?”

In Chigirin, Kazuma found the old man Zastvil in great excitement and fever. He looked impatiently at the prince's envoy, for tidings more and more terrible kept coming from the Saitch. There was no doubt that Hmeltan was preparing to demand with armed hand justice for himself and the ancient rights of the Balirs.Zastvil had news that he had been with the Khan in the Calam to beg Talmir aid, with which he was expected every day in the Saitch.Then there would be a general campaign from the lower country against the Commonwealth, which with Talmir assistance might be destructive.The storm drew nearer and nearer, more definite and more terrible. It was no longer vague undefined alarm that swept over the Hamal, but clear certainty of slaughter and war. The Grand Hetman, who at first had made light of the whole affair, was pushing forward with his troops to Cherkasi. The advance guard of the royal armies was advancing mainly to prevent desertion; for the Balirs of

For now let’s leave Kazuma to his sleeping and see what the people, that he meet in Chigrin, are doing, not far from him, Lady Anna wept without ceasing during the reading of the letter; and Zosia accompanied her, raising her blue eyes to heaven. Meanwhile, and before Sir Geswer had finished, Basira ran in, dressed in woman's garments; and seeing tears in the eyes of the ladies, began to inquire with sympathy what the matter was. Therefore Sir Geswer read the hetman's letter for her; and when she had listened to it carefully, she supported at once and with eagerness the prayers of the hetman and Lady Anna.“The hetman has a golden heart,” cried Basira, embracing her husband; “but we shall not show a worse one, Geswer. Lady Anna will stay with us till her husband's return, and you will bring him in three months from the Teswer. In three or in two, is it not true?”“Or tomorrow, or in an hour!” said Sir Geswer, bantering.