The peace of the quiet woodlands was shattered as a boy of fourteen smashed through the underbrush. Panting, he searched for a place to hide. Hearing sounds of pursuit, he dodged into the bushes. He tried to calm his breath as a party of eight men crashed into the clearing.

"I thought I heard him come this way!" One of them shouted. Then they were gone. Crouched, the boy made his way out of the bushes. Shoving his blonde hair out of his eyes, he looked around. He noticed a thin column of smoke to his left and made some headway for it.

After two hours of walking, he arived at the door of a small cottage. He collapsed, panting, at the doorway, and found it impossible to get up. He knocked weakly on the door, and waited for someone to open it. A girl of about his age finally came and ushered him in.

"Come in! Come in! You must be the one they were looking for. Some men came by just a little while ago looking for you!" While she spoke, she laid the boy on a bed and handed him a cup of water. He nodded his thanks and gulped it down. She left the room, and he fell into a pool of peaceful sleep.