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Chapter I

Green. Circle. Trees. A hidden glade. “Run! Run!” a voice yelled from somewhere. The forest was awake. Standing in a clearing, Raven could not see the source of the voice. Rustling in the woods. Raven began to approach, sword drawn. It was happening again, just like last time. Before he reached the edge of the clearing, a giant shape lunged out of the trees and attacked him. The thing caught Raven by surprise and knocked him to the ground, flinging his sword away. The thing appeared human, but made of shadow. Slowly, the thing raised it’s arm and in it’s hand Raven saw the glint of a dagger. The arm dropped.

Raven's eyes snapped open as he flung himself upright, drenched in a cold sweat. He looked around his environment, breathing heavily. As his mind became more and more awake he saw that he was in his room, lying on his bed. The familiar objects brought a comfort to his panic ridden mind. Even so, he was still recovering from his nightly ordeal. It was the same every time, and Raven woke in the same place every night. His sleep pattern was completely destroyed and he was working on less sleep every day. He thought back to yesterday afternoon, and seeing himself in a water trough. His dark brown eyes were ringed by bags, giving the appearance of a mask. His matted brown hair had dropped into his face again, making him move the locks back into place. He was going to turn 18 that year, and then he could move out of the house and start his own life. But until then, only his father's work and the dream were important to him.

‘This dream has got to mean something,’ he thought, as he rubbed his tired eyes. Slowly Raven raised himself from his cot and walked to the window. ‘I should talk to my father about it.’

As he gazed out the window, he groaned, realizing by the shades of dark blue and black that the sun would not be rising for a while. Not wanting to face the creature from his dream again, he decided to go for a walk. Quietly he pulled on his clothes, throwing a hunting cloak over the top as he headed for the foyer. He stealthily left his room, tiptoeing his way down the hall. As he passed his father's room he heard the steady snore of a man in a deep sleep. Raven relaxed a little, knowing that nothing shy of a cave troll knocking the house down would disturb his father. He entered the spacious foyer and looked around. A large fireplace to his left glowed red and orange as the last few embers from the night fire shone into the dark. The wavering light cast the room into moving shadow, and gave the normally welcoming room, a menacing feeling. He jaunted quickly to the door and looked at the wall next to it.

There was his sword, resting in it’s holding rack. A beautiful piece of work, his sword. It was made specially for Raven on his 15 birthday. His father had contracted the blacksmith to make a blade that was balanced perfectly for Raven, and slim enough for him to use. the blacksmith had worked night and day, building the sword up, and then hammering it down, until it was perfect. Raven had named his sword 'The Claw,' thinking it a silly pun. Slowly, he lifted it from it’s cradle and strapped it around his waist, drawing comfort from The Claw's familiar weight at his side. He slowly lifted the rusting latch on the door, and slipped outside. He gently pulled the door shut behind himself, and strode out into the forest. Nothing moved this early in the morning, except the crickets, who serenaded his approach and departure.

Raven Felder loved the forest. Most of his chores involved something with the forest. Clearing brush, gathering firewood, or going through the forest to the nearest town to get supplies. This made his dream all the more disturbing, because of the location of it. He didn't like to think that his dream might come true while he was at his chores. However today was special, because he would start learning his father’s trade. Raven’s father, Cray, was a handyman. He could make anything a person could need, and fix anything a person could have. For years Cray had been doing this, and now, the tradition and skills would be passed on to the next generation. Raven wasn't too enthused about it though. He was grateful to his father for giving him the opportunity, but he thought that his skills could be put to better use. What that use was, he did not know as yet. Suddenly, as if waking from a dream, Raven realized that he was in a part of the forest he had never explored before.

Wonder filled his mind as to how this had happened. He had never wandered aimlessly before. A little way in front of him, the shrubbery and trees seemed to stop. He walked towards it, trying to get a better look at the spot. It was a clearing, just like the one from his nightmares. Sweat started to form on his brow as he quietly withdrew his sword from it’s scabbard, noting movement to his left. Slowly he drew himself to his full height of 5’ 5’’ and attempted to not look scared. Rustling behind. Raven spun around only to see nothing. Sweat was pouring down his forehead, and then he felt a blade at his throat.

“You should never let your guard down unless you know your enemy has withdrawn,” whispers a voice in his ear. “Drop your sword and turn around slowly.”

Raven dropped his sword to the ground, and the person relaxed his blade from Raven’s throat. Finally realizing why he trained with his friend so much, Raven quickly rocked his head back, allowing him some leeway between his attacker and the blade. He dropped below it, turned and kicked his leg out, only to find nothing where the assailant had been.

“Cute,” comes the voice from behind him, “but I could see that move coming from a mile away, especially since I helped you perfect it.”

“Haylon?” Raven asked, turning. His assailant pulled back the hood of his cloak and there was the smiling face of Haylon, Raven’s best friend and trainer.

“Of course it’s me, who else would have been able to avoid that counter?”

“What are you doing out here?”

“I should be asking that question. It’s not yet dawn and here you are in the middle of the forest, near The Dead Glade. Not just any old glade, the dead one. What are you doing?”

“The Dead Glade? That’s what this is? I had no idea I had wandered that far. It’s almost as if I were drawn to it,” Raven replied with terror in his eyes.

“That’s all well and good, but again, what are you doing?”

“I had a nightmare. It was midday, and I was in a clearing. I had a sword with me and, I think I was hunting something. I heard a noise from the trees in front of me and so I walked toward them. I got to maybe within three feet of the edge when a giant shadow jumped me. I lost hold of my sword when it pinned me. I try to break free, try to move, but I'm paralyzed. As I watched, the thing raised it’s arm and I see the glint of a dagger in it’s hand. Just before it strikes, I wake up. I didn’t want to fight that loosing battle again, so I decided to go for a walk.”

“This dream has happened more than once I take it?” Raven nodded his head in admittance. “From what you've told me, I believe it has some sort of meaning.”

“That’s what I think too. I’m going to tell my father today. He should know.”

Haylon raised his eyebrows in sudden realization. “Hey, I’m really sorry! I must have scared the living daylights out of you!”

“No no no! It’s OK. You didn’t know. If you had know however, then it would be a different story. I forgive you. Thanks.”

Haylon nodded and looked up at the sky. He realized that the sun would be rising in an hour, and that it would take about that long to get back to Raven's house. “I think that I’ll walk you home,” he announced and began to walk off, “You could use the company.”

“Thanks, but you don’t need to do that. I’ll be fin...” Raven trailed off as the other turned. “Fine with the company. Besides, I could use someone to talk to.” With that, they proceeded to Raven's home.

A little more than an hour later, the two companions arrived at Raven’s home. A delicious smell was emanating from inside. Smoked ham, bacon, eggs, and flapjacks could all be found in the smell. Without a second of hesitation, Raven opened the door and walked in.

“Raven! What are you doing up?" Cray asked as he looked up. "I thought you were still in bed.”

“Come on in Haylon. Sorry dad, but I needed to go for a walk. Haylon found me and we talked for a while. I didn’t mean to be gone for so long. Time just slipped from me.”

“Yes, well, you can’t go for a walk when you’re on the job. Next time, ask, or leave a note." He finished the final touches on the flapjacks, and set all the food on the table. "So, you boys want some food?”

“I don’t know about Raven, but I’m starved. This looks superb Cray! I had no idea that a royal chef lived in the woodlands,” Haylon exclaimed.

“This is your first time eating with us, isn’t it Haylon?” Cray inquired.

“Yes, it is,” Haylon answered, as he got his food.

“Don’t you think that a little strange son? You’ve known Haylon for quite some time, and yet he’s never had a meal with us,” said Cray as Raven finished fishing for his food. He slowly returned his plate to it's place, and took a big bite of ham.

“Not as strange as you think,” said Haylon. Cray began setting an extra place for him, and he continued. “Raven has never had a proper meal with me either.”

“Yeah, but that’s different. As far as I know, you’ve never actually been in our house to eat.”

“Well, I was never invited in.”

They all laughed at the last comment, and began concentrating on eating. Soon, all the food was gone, and Haylon left, leaving father and son alone.

"So Raven, why'd you go for a walk?"