A long low whistle sounded from the surrounding trees. A roost of birds flew up and into the sky, heading off towards the blinding light. The mist slowly crept over the bridge, engulfing the end in a white cloud of humindity and mystery. Another low whistle sounded from the trees. Closer now, to the edge of the brigde. Leaning over the side, Cobolt watched as a small group of huntsmen gathered. He was too young to join in but he often sat on the brigde and watched them pass by on their way back into the village.
None of the huntsmen took notice of Cobolt. They had grown used to the little boy watching them from above and when a hunt was particularly good they even brought him things from the hunt. But They only ever tossed the givings up to him from their place far down below. Though it seemed like today hadn't been good at all. They all looked too serious. To upset and they had nothing in hand. This was the thrid day Cobolt had noticed this. From what he had gathered at the egde of the village it seemed like the hunt was beginning to draw dry.
Pursing his lips, Cobolt got up from his crouch and looked at the end of the brigde. It lead the way deep into the forest, to the Temple of Ashinna, The Guardian Goddess of the Woods. As a Orcale of the Temple Cobolt wasn't allowed to wander out of the Temple gounds. But The Temple Wards got food from the village for their work and lately everyone at the Temple had been getting less and less. That's why Cobolt had ventured out here for the past few days. He was worried... And hungry. The looks on the adults faces around him scared him. He wanted to help. He truly did. He wanted to be like one of the Temple Monks who went out and helped people. He wanted to be useful.
Deciding to go against all odds. Cobolt made his way off the brigde and towards the Huntsmen. They tensed as they saw him approuch. It was sacreligious to be so close to the Oracle. Some men even backed up. Others looked away. Cobolt tried his best to hide the hurt expression. It's not like this was the first time anything has ever happened like this to him. Everytime he skirted the egdes of the Village he could see the people tense up and look around as if something was amiss. When he was seen milling about in the shadows, people often hurried inside and away. It always hurt him. A deep throbbing pain in his chest, threatening to well up and eat him.
As he was a mere ten paces away from the Huntsmen the Leader of the group motioned with his hand and the men began to quickly walk away. Never throwing a glance back at the dark haired little boy.
A long low whistle sounded from the surrounding trees. A roost of birds flew up and into the sky, heading off towards the blinding light. The mist slowly crept over the bridge, engulfing the end in a white cloud of humindity and mystery. Another low whistle sounded from the trees. Closer now, to the edge of the brigde. Leaning over the side, Cobolt watched as a small group of huntsmen gathered. He was too young to join in but he often sat on the brigde and watched them pass by on their way back into the village.
None of the huntsmen took notice of Cobolt. They had grown used to the little boy watching them from above and when a hunt was particularly good they even brought him things from the hunt. But They only ever tossed the givings up to him from their place far down below. Though it seemed like today hadn't been good at all. They all looked too serious. To upset and they had nothing in hand. This was the thrid day Cobolt had noticed this. From what he had gathered at the egde of the village it seemed like the hunt was beginning to draw dry.
Pursing his lips, Cobolt got up from his crouch and looked at the end of the brigde. It lead the way deep into the forest, to the Temple of Ashinna, The Guardian Goddess of the Woods. As a Orcale of the Temple Cobolt wasn't allowed to wander out of the Temple gounds. But The Temple Wards got food from the village for their work and lately everyone at the Temple had been getting less and less. That's why Cobolt had ventured out here for the past few days. He was worried... And hungry. The looks on the adults faces around him scared him. He wanted to help. He truly did. He wanted to be like one of the Temple Monks who went out and helped people. He wanted to be useful.
Deciding to go against all odds. Cobolt made his way off the brigde and towards the Huntsmen. They tensed as they saw him approuch. It was sacreligious to be so close to the Oracle. Some men even backed up. Others looked away. Cobolt tried his best to hide the hurt expression. It's not like this was the first time anything has ever happened like this to him. Everytime he skirted the egdes of the Village he could see the people tense up and look around as if something was amiss. When he was seen milling about in the shadows, people often hurried inside and away. It always hurt him. A deep throbbing pain in his chest, threatening to well up and eat him.
As he was a mere ten paces away from the Huntsmen the Leader of the group motioned with his hand and the men began to quickly walk away. Never throwing a glance back at the dark haired little boy.