Role

Chapter 1

The words pierced the air clearly, 'Khumahk! Time for lessons!' He
looked to where the distant call came from and sighed. He quickly tucked
the scroll with his sketch and pen back into his pack and left the little
brook that had captured his attention so fully to head home. The calls for
him would just get louder until it disturbed others.

When he reached his home, he quickly rushed in to pick up two practice
swords and began his forms. His father, Varavhal, sighed but began to
make small corrections to his movements and swings as Khumahk fell into
the rhythm of training.

Khumahk took deep breaths hours later as he recovered. After taking a long
pull from the well, he looked at his father and steeled himself. He said
quickly, 'Father, just once can't we work the forms in the sea? or even the
forest?' He just felt so closed in while training in their small yard. His
father looked him over and sighed before shaking his head. He spoke simply
with no anger, 'We've discussed this enough, we will not inconvenience
others in the forest nor will we train where we worship. You will train
like this in the Fortress, so you must get used to it.' Khumahk sighed
again before nodding, finding no point to bring up more of the same
arguments.

Khumahk quietly went inside to begin his work with letters and numbers
with his mother, Kora. He went to bed tired of the rote routine of his
life. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, his body and
mind tired from the lessons of the day.