Friend

At the tender age of six, I was introduced to Thalon Krauss for the first time.

The village had strict rules, and one of them was that I was never allowed outside the house. According to Mother Orvi, the roads were rough and rugged, with sharp pieces of glass mixed in with the gravel that could easily cut through even my shoes. As a naive child, I took her words at face value and believed her without question. 

She told me a lot of things. She tells me how the sky goes dark and lightning can sometimes hit people. She warned me about the rickety bridges connecting the cabins in our village, Levabonne, and the danger of falling if I stepped on them. She explained to me how the Dragon God plays a vital role in the villagers' lives, ensuring their safety and prosperity.

And without fail, she reminds me every day that I must offer my life to the Dragon God and become a savior to our people when I turn 21. 

The thought of being afraid never crossed my mind because I saw myself as the one who could rescue others. When I was younger, I believed that being given away simply meant moving to a new place. I was relieved at the prospect of leaving, since I had grown weary of the routine of staying in the house, interacting with the same individuals, and performing the same activities.

But then one day, my hairdresser brought someone with her.

“Please forgive me, Mother Orvi.” With a worried expression on her face, she pushed someone behind her protectively as she spoke. “With the rations becoming more expensive, my husband has had to take on extra work. I'm left with no one else to take care of my boy.”

I knew the conversation wasn't meant for my ears, but I couldn't resist the temptation to listen in. As I peeked through the small space at the door, I could hear their hushed whispers. In all my life, I've never come across another kid my age. Seeing him was a new experience for me, and I couldn't help but feel intrigued.

With a groan, Mother Orvi shook her head, causing her long braid to swish behind her. 

“Our rules are in place for a reason, and they cannot be ignored. Arva Latimer is meant to be kept hidden from everyone except her caretakers. Much so a boy.”

I was taken aback by this new rule, and I cocked my head to the side in confusion.

“My boy can wear a blindfold.”

Stepping aside, my hairdresser revealed a boy wearing a blindfold standing behind her. He was so unusual that I couldn't help but stare at him with wide eyes. With scraped knees and dirt-streaked clothes, the boy appeared thin and unkempt. I couldn't help but notice the boy’s hair, which looked like a tangle of messy black spikes.

He was allowed to stay, much to Mother Orvi's chagrin, since he had not technically broken any rules. 

“Arva, this is Thalon Krauss,” Mother Orvi tells me, oblivious to the fact that I had already heard their discussion. “Today, you have the chance to play with your hairdresser's son.” 

I distinctly remember recoiling at the sight of the boy's smile, which showed two front teeth missing. I couldn't bring myself to shake his hand when I saw the dirt under his nails, so I simply lifted my chin and walked away. Mother Orvi believes that as the future bride of the Dragon God, my personality is inconsequential and therefore, doesn't apologize for my behavior.

With some effort, Thalon is able to draw me out of my shell and get me talking. Our conversations cover a range of topics, but it's mostly him doing the talking. Being alone most days has made me feel exhausted after conversations with others. It was clear to everyone that Thalon had more energy than he knew what to do with. To this day, I'm still deliberating whether I appreciate his energy or not.

He was granted permission to come and go as he pleased, so long as he wore a blindfold and did not interfere with my daily routine. During the Spring and Summer, Thalon becomes my constant shadow. He tells me that he and his family travel for two weeks during the Fall to reach a nation where they spend the Winter since no one else stays at Levabonne during that time except for me and my caretakers.

When the cold winds of winter blow, the Dragon God is said to make its presence known.

“That’s not true,” I tell him, tugging at his hair to tease him. I've been doing it a lot lately. Thalon often becomes frustrated, but he knows he cannot act against me since I am the Dragon God's bride. “Levabonne is watched over by the omnipresent Dragon God everyday.”

“You're only saying that 'cause you're the sacrifice.”

I give a nonchalant shrug, at a loss for words. I always avoid discussing the Dragon God with Thalon, as it always leads to a heated argument. From his subtle movements, I could tell that he harbored a deep resentment towards the Dragon God, even with the blindfold on. When I asked him why he held such animosity towards the Dragon God, he explained that his father's absence was due to the Dragon God's influence.

I told him that their poverty was the cause, and he refused to speak to me for two weeks straight.

A brief silence passes before Thalon speaks once more.

“Do you get scared sometimes?”

“I have no fear, as the Dragon God will provide me with protection.”

“That's not what I'm trying to say,” As Thalon spoke, he absentmindedly scratched the side of his head beneath the blindfold. His skin often itched when he wore the blindfold, especially during the hot summer months, and I watched him fidget with it. “You know you'll get sacrificed when you're old, right? You ever get scared of that?”

“What reason would there be for me to be afraid of being sacrificed? Our people will be saved, and it is thanks to me.”

Thalon pressed his lips together, his jaw tense.

“Death doesn't scare you?”

The question catches me off guard. The sun's rays reflecting on a water puddle right ahead of us catch my attention, and I take a moment to answer. “Given that I will not die, why should I be afraid of death?”

“You’re going to be sacrificed, Avara.”

“And?”

“Do you… have any idea what that means?”

“Are you suggesting that I am foolish?!”

My temper is immediate, and I struggle to control it when I'm angry. In a moment of panic, I grabbed the closest object, which happened to be a book, and used it to repeatedly hit Thalon on the head. Without the ability to see, he has no way of avoiding my blow. He stands there, taking my hits without complaint. I take advantage of the situation, knowing he’s forbidden to touch me.

“You have the understanding that once you turn 21, you'll be forsaken at the temple, left to endure the entire Winter? The temple is empty, Avara. You will have to fend for yourself, you will have to prepare your own meals. Should Dragon God prove to be non-existent, your fate will be death. Are you not scared of that?”

“My fate…” The book slips from my hands as I mumble under my breath. “…is death?”

At the tender age of six, Thalon Krauss was the one who told me the truth that the adults had hidden from me. 

I was not going to live past the age of 21.