“Orn are you coming?’ his father said following Uncle through the opening.

“Yes” Orn unrooted himself and started after them. Orn saw the actual gate hidden behind the stone facade, as he walked past it into the archway. Orn had to keep his eyes down as the light form the other side was much brighter than the forest gloom of the last couple days.

As his eyes adjusted to the light he took in the village before him. Large gardens filled the empty spaces around the cottages dotting a small hill. The open space was a sharp contrast to the forest that surrounded them. It was as if the village was a completely separate world from the forest behind him.

Two men in hunters garb smiled and waved drawing his attention from the village.

“Burick, Gar.” Orn’s father called smiling, “You are in charge of the walls now?”

The red haired teen spoke first, “Apprentices for now. But someday.”

“A year or two more and we will be journeymen.” the brown haired teen added puffing his chest out in self importance.

“We will see about that,” came a gruff voice from behind them. “No good gate-man leaves the gate open!”

An old, hunched man came out from a gatehouse on the wall. With a quick shove he sent the two teens towards the open gate.

“I worry about the future of this village.” He said looking at the backs of the two teens hurrying to secure the gate.

“I am sure it will be fine.” Orn’s father added diplomatically, “They are good boys at heart, they just need a bit of time to grow up. “

“They need a bit of their hides tanned for forgetting their jobs. Just because someone came to visit, it is no excuse.” Came a grumbled reply, as the old man watched the two work through narrowed eyes.

Turning back to Orn and his father the man added “Welcome home lads.” The warmth in the man’s words was a sharp contrast to his tone a moment before.

“Thank you, Tarn. It is good to be home. This is my son Orn.” Orn felt his father’s hand on his shoulder pulling him forward, so the older man could see him better.

The man looked Orn up and down. “Take quite a bit after your pa it seems. I hope you get into less trouble.” the man winked down his hooked nose at Orn, “You have no idea the number of times I caught him trying to sneak out of the village with girls from…”

“That is enough of that.” Orn’s father said pulling Orn back and turning him towards the village. “I will catch up with you later.”

The man laughed, “Until later then.”

Orn looked back to see the man talking to his apprentices, while his father ushered him forward.

Not that there was a point in rushing... since every few feet someone seemed to appear to exchange pleasantries with his father.

With nothing to do but listen to people he did not know, Orn tried to truly take in the village. It sat in a massive clearing with a small hill at the center. A wide path leading to the top seemed to wind its way up around the hill slowly, to a walled building at its top.

Scattered almost haphazardly among the gardens and homes were small pieces of walls, or walls of collapsed buildings. As the path lead them close to one of the cottages, Orn noticed the building seemed to be a combination of new and old masonry. Orn was filled with questions, but those greeting his father precluded Orn getting a word in edgewise.

When they reached the center of the village, Orn was tired. If he was honest with himself, it was more from meeting so many people, rather then the walk. Looking at the building he was approaching he could only describe it as a small fort. An iron bound door sat in a heavier wooden gate. The gate in-turn sat deeply in a heavy stone arch.

Orn’s father pushed on the door which swung open easily at his touch. As they passed through the arch, Orn looked up to see light trickling through holes above him. What is this place?

Following his father’s example, Orn took off his bag and began to walk across a packed earth yard to a square two-story stone building in its center.

They were greeted by a middle-aged woman in an apron who stepped out of the building’s doorway. She whipped her hands on her apron before hugging his father, “Welcome home, Toln. I heard that Mareen will not join us this year. How is she?”

His father returned the hug before stepping away. “She is well. She just wanted me to be able to spend more time with Orn”

The matronly woman laughed, “It probably did not hurt that she knew she would not have to heal my idiot brother or husband.”

“Not everyone is as tough as you Aunty.” Orn’s father replied laughing.

“True, but your wife comes close. Now are you going to introduce your son or just leave him standing there awkwardly?” She smiled at Orn, and moved a bit of hair that escaped her bun out of her face.

Orn’s father gestured with his head.

Taking the hint, Orn stepped forward, “I am Orn Vron Blackthorn, it is a pleasure to meet you.” as Orn introduced himself, he bent forward ever so slightly; just as he was taught in his etiquette lessons.

Aunty laughed again and playfully tussled his hair, “Enough of that boy, call me Aunty. Really, Toln what are you teaching him?”

“He has been learning to deal with nobles. The village’s ways cannot really be learned in my home.”

“Enough of that nonsense, this is your home and do not start thinking that anywhere else is. I heard you wanted to talk to us about having Orn follow the traditions this coming year. It is hard enough for children to get the skills.”Her voice was level but she was staring at his father’s face as if searching for something. “Asking to do it after getting a path is impossible and you should know that painfully well.”

“Do not worry about that.” Orn’s father shook his head, “Orn is special. He will shock you if you are not careful.”

“Oh really,” Aunty said leaning in to look at Orn more closely, “the only thing surprising is how he looks like you do not feed him enough.” Gently poking Orn in the middle she winked, “There are some snacks on the table inside if you want to head in.” Grabbing his pack, she gently pushed him through the door.