The Tale of the Dagger Cloven

[Dagger Cloven]

Jeera took a handful of twigs and threw them onto the fire, so it wouldn't die out so soon. The storyteller shifted in her chair, staring at the eager faces of children waiting to hear another story, as she told them every night.

"Alright, children. This is a story that is very close to my heart. 'Tis about a young rogue thief and his exploits and romance and how they changed his life. This thief was Dagger Cloven."

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The boy stirred in his bed. Something disturbed his sleep. His mind was conscious, but his eyes refused to open. He heard quiet talking and a closing of a door. The boy rubbed his eyes and opened them.

Slowly, young Jaik crept out of bed. Shouting and screaming could be heard, but the sounds seemed to come from far away. Slowly, he crept into the main room of the hovel. Seeing his mother, he walked over to her.

"Jaik, go back to bed. It isn't safe to be out of your room."

"Mother, what's happening? Where's Father?"

"He will be okay. Go back to bed."

Bending to his mother's will, the child hugged her and slowly returned to his room. Within a minute, he was back to sleep.

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"Mother, I made your breakfast."

It was three years since that dark day. Jaik's father, Raken Sageth, was now dead, buried in a grave next to a war memorial which reminded the villagers of the brigands that had attacked before. Raken's sword now hung above the hearth, now the only other thing left of him.

Just a month before, Taria, Jaik's mother, fell ill with a disease of the legs. Now, she was immobile. Jaik was forced to take care of her along with Sem and Reka, his sisters. Life was hectic for Jaik. He was the only one in the family that could truly work, for his sisters were not legally allowed to. The food stores would be only enough to last a single year. Unfortunately, Taria would not live to see the end of it.

Just a month after, Taria's condition took a turn for the worse, and a week after that, she passed away, buried in a grave next to Raken's. Now, Jaik, Sem, and Reka would have to work to save themselves.

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"Unfortunately, young'uns, that's all I can say, for your parents would not like you to be up this late. But if you are good, maybe you will hear more of the story tomorrow."

Jeera watched as the children left, disappointed by the fact that the story was cut short so abruptly. She settled back into her old chair and slowly dozed off, to dream about the one she lost.