I stepped outside of the outdoor forge area and looked in shock. The entire village was in ashes, some houses still smouldering. My home was fine only some black marks and no major burning. Abril came out and she gasped loudly, saying nothing. I took her hand and pulled her down the wrong burnt path. We had to check her home. I had chills running up and down my spine seeing houses burned to the ground with remains in them. The crops of the little farms we had were dried brown and wilted.
A bunch of voices were heard as we came up the mayors house to find it half burned. The guards were franticly putting out the fires, while the mayor called to the rubble of the cooling debris.
Abril ran over calling for him and hugged him tightly. They separated for a moment and he began to say something that cause Abril to become ghostly white. She wailed on her knees and her father shed a few tears also. I then came to realize what had happened. Abril's mother and younger sister were dead...
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Soon after Mr. Smith stood up and walked over in a pained way only to work his way to a sprint furiously at me. Alarmed I took a few steps back before he tackled me and proceeded to let out his pain on my face screaming bloody murder.
"You did this!" He cried.
"I'll kill you for this."
He said those again and again, until I heard a Abril say something and attempt to get her father off me. In his rage Mr. Smith blindly backhanded Abril in the face knocking her to the ground.
Everyone froze their movements as did Mr. Smith. I pushed him off and stood up wincing in pain and walked to Abril. Abril was shocked, she got herself back on her feet and with tears and anger on her face she spoke to her father, "I hate you."
Mr. Smith's eyes widened in shock and she continued, "I'll be leaving with Karto. I don't want to see you again."
She walked away toward her burnt home to grab the bag she had stashed outside of the building. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at Abril's father. He was desheveled and remained motionless; the ash in the air littered his dark hair with white flakes making him look older than he was.
"Sir," I spoke, he looked up at me as I spoke, "I know that you think you've lost everything. You haven't. Get to your feet."
I told him sternly. He stood up weakly and looked at me with an ashamed expression.
"You know how you always said that you wanted to build this village with your hands," I spoke, "This is an opportunity for you to help those who are left and rebuild. Stay in the shop. It's still standing. I'll keep her safe that I can assure. Goodbye Mr. Smith."
I turned and walked away to grab my pack and waited for Abril to show up.
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Time went by slowly as I stood by the sign just outside the village. I whittled at a piece of nearly petrified spruce wood. It was given to me from my caretaker for me as a way for me to better my forging. I had to make a knife that was sharp enough to carve the stone-like wood. I had been working on it for over 5 years. I put the knife in its sheath on my belt and held up the wood in the rising sun. It was finished it's was simple but ornate. It's surface was smooth with ridges to help my hand grip it. I smirked with satisfaction, I had only one piece left before my sword would be complete. A hilt was all that was required.
Abril walked up to me in a simple ocean blue dress with a white blouse, she looked stunning in the common styled dress.
"Let's go." She spoke softly adjusting the pack she had on her back.
"Okay then," I responded, putting the handle away in my large pack. We turned to the road began to walk into the tunnel in the large hill. But just before we stepped into the tunnel, footsteps followed by a voice sounded for behind us. It was Mr. Smith, he had cleaned himself up and he carried a small wooden box.
"Wait! Wait!"
I turned around in surprise not expecting him. Abril didn't immediately turn around. She stood a bit behind me and looked annoyed.
"Thank you," he panted, "Karto, I want to thank you for your words. I know that I can't undo my transgressions again you and my daughter. But I wanted you to have these.."
He opened the box to reveal a set of three rings; one was a simple gold band while the other two were adorned each with a gemstone. I looked at him perplexed.
"Why?"
"I have use for these other than to give them to the man that will marry Abril. Please just take them and do with them as you will. I hope someday to meet you again as a better man than before," he spoke gently, holding his hand out.
I had no words, I took the gift without objection. He had changed his demeanor dramatically in a short time I could help but feel light. I held out my hand for a handshake. He looked at it and firmly took my hand and shook it.
I turned around and began to walk. Abril lagged behind for a moment, spoke something I couldn't quite hear, and walked quickly to catch up to me.
Unbeknownst to us we have begun a journey that would lead us down a road of fate that could not be undone.