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I began gathering my stuff together. I didn't want to bring too much though; my trek would be a long one. A bedroll for when I'm required to sleep outside, an axe for cutting firewood, enough food and clothes for a few days, a map, and a sword. I couldn't help but examine the sword again; it was old and made of steel; but I had polished it up to make it shine brightly with pride.

I was startled when I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I immediately turned around and saw my brother, Jace. He, like I, was a river otter, but he was a bit taller than I was. That was to be expected, though, since he was three years older than I. As my heart settled, I said quietly, "I didn't mean to wake you, brother."

"No, it is fine," he replied kindly, "I wanted to be up to see you off." I couldn't help but smile at his kindness. He was always such a good brother to me.

I gave him a hug which he immediately returned. "That's very sweet of you." We had already said our goodbyes last night. He, my mother, and I had a small farewell party of a sorts. It wasn't anything big, but it was certainly enjoyable. That was when I was presented with the sword. It had belonged to my father, and my mother insisted that I take it with me. It was an appropriate gift considering...

Jace's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, "I wouldn't be a very good brother if I didn't see you off, now would I?" He gave a coy smile that always made me chuckle.

"I dunno," I replied with my own grin, "you've done much more than enough for me to consider the best brother I could have." That was no lie. He had gone above and beyond the duties of a brother for me. He would be who I would miss most during this journey. If my journey took me anywhere near my home again, I would certainly take the time to come back here to see him again.

"And I'm about to do even more," he said. He held up a pouch that jingled as it moved. As he opened it my jaw dropped slightly; it was full of silver coins. I don't know long he had been saving these up, but it must've be a fair amount of time.

"Jace," I said softly, "I can't accept that. It's too much." He strung it back up and placed it in my knapsack.

He gripped my hand caringly. "Consider it payment for what you're doing for me. For us. I don't know how you have the strength for this. You deserve this."

"I don't know what to say," I replied softly.

"Just do your best," he said, hugging me. "And be safe. I don't know what we would do if we lost you."

I hugged him back. "I'll make it back in one piece. I promise." He nuzzled my cheek affectionately before turning his head to look in my eyes. His bright green eyes seemed to shine with life. His lips met mine and we shared a brief kiss before we parted.

"Are you sure that you can't stay for one more morning?" Jace asked hopefully. I could see a spark of lust in his eyes, and I knew exactly what he meant by it.

"You know that I would love to, brother," I replied sadly, "but I fear that if I were to stay, I wouldn't have the will to leave afterwards."

He gave me a hug and stroked my back a bit. "I understand." He let go and stepped back, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You'll visit if your travels bring you back this way, right?"

I smiled and said, "I doubt I could resist if I tried." I hauled the knapsack onto my back. "Do me a favor and remind mom how much I love her, okay?"

He gave a small smile. "Of course. May the wind always be at you back."

"And may the seas bring you a bountiful harvest."

For the next four days I began traveling through the forest. There was a town that was only a week's hike from my town by going through the forest. It was actually quite pleasant. The foliage in the forest was lush and bright. I couldn't help but enjoy the scenery. I probably took a few too many breaks just because I wanted to take in the view. I always kept near the river that ran through both my home town and the nearest town. It was a good guide and the water was cool and fresh, great for drinking and swimming. I was able to catch plenty of fish to help make my meals a bit more filling, so I was in no trouble on running low on food.

It was getting late on the fifth night of my travel. I was searching for a good place to set up camp, but for some reason the trees were a bit denser than usual in the area that I was travelling. After a while of searching through the forest, I saw a large opening up ahead. As I pushed through the shrubs, I saw that the area was already occupied with three single-person tents, but no people.

'Perhaps it's a group of hunters who set up camp here,'_I thought to myself. _'I don't think they'd mind if I stayed here the night if I ask nicely.' With that line of thought, I sat down and fished out an apple I had picked from a tree and began munching on it. It was a bit small, but it was still tasty. I waited there for a while for the current occupants of the area.

I hadn't realized they had arrived from behind me until I felt something cold and sharp against my back. A low voice said in an aggressive tone, "Go for the sword and lose your hand." I reluctantly moved my hands up and away from my sword. "Smart boy." I felt the blade being pulled out of its scabbard.

A large, muscled lion with a gnarled red mane walks into my view, my father's blade in his dirty hand. He was wearing chainmail armor and some kind of amulet with a weird design on it. I still felt a blade on my back. The lion glared at me, "Don't try anything, runt. We have an archer with pin-point precision and he's aiming right at you. Anything stupid and you're dead. Understood." I nodded. "Good. Now what the hell are you doing in our camp?"

"I was just looking for a good place to sleep," I tried explaining. "I saw the tents and thought that you might be hunters. I was going to ask if you would mind sharing the space."

I heard a chuckling behind me; it was another man who had me at the point of his blade. The lion smirked as he spoke, "Well, we ain't no hunters. At least, not for animals."

I gulped. 'Just my luck,' I thought, 'Not even to the next town and I'm being attacked by bandits!' I asked hopefully, "Any chance you might just let me leave? I really wasn't looking for any trouble. I just was-" A pain vibrated through my skull as the lion struck me with the pummel of my own blade. I fell to my knees, the blade on my back scratched me and tore my shirt as I did, and my vision blurred for a few seconds.

"Did I say you could speak?!" he shouted at me. "I've got him. Check his stuff." The blade left my back and I heard the telltale rustling sound of someone rifling through my knapsack. I heard a chuckle and then the clinking sound of coins rubbing together.

"Found his coin purse, boss," a deep voice said.

"Anything else?" the lion asked.

More rustling. "Just a bit of food."

The lion grunted and look at me with malice. "Where's the rest of your stuff."

I shook my head and replied, "I don't have anything else." A boot to the face sent me on my back. I yelped in pain and I could feel blood dripping from my nose, wetting my fur.

The lion stepped on my chest and pressed down, making it hard for me to breathe. "Don't lie to me!"

Sputtering, I replied, "I'm not. I really don't have anything." He brought the tip of my sword to the front of my shoulder and pushed forwards, piercing my flesh enough to make me once again yelp in pain.

The lion looked annoyed. "Let's try this again, where's the rest?"

I cringed in pain and said pitifully, "Please don't..."

"Tch, tch, tch. That's not the right answer," he dragged the sword down my torso a few inches, making me yell in pain. He sighed and stepped off of me, taking my bloodied sword with him. He wiped the blood off on my clothes and turned away. "You really are worthless aren't you?"

_'If I don't do something soon, these guys are gonna kill me!'_I thought. I quietly reached down to my boot and grabbed my hidden hunting knife. Once it was in hand, I jumped up and swung at the lion. He must've been expecting that though. He was so swift with the blade. He swung with precision knocking the knife out of my hand. He swung again and struck my hand with the blunt of the blade. I gasped as pain shot through my hand.

The lion snorted, "Pathetic." He swung low and cut the upper part of my right leg, making me fall to my knees once again. "A weakling like you doesn't deserve to live." He swung at my head. I barely was able to move enough so that it only scratched my forehead instead of being a fatal blow. I was feeling really dizzy and weak. I could barely keep my eyes open.

I saw my blade coming straight for my face... I saw the lion suddenly fall over... I saw a blurred figure standing over my... I saw red and then only black.