I was born in Neriak on the <>. I remember that day, or so I think I do.
My mother died giving birth to me. It was decided by the Guards that since I was a male, and had no relations who would present themselves to claim me that I was to stay at the Shadow Knight compound with Ulrazz: to be his squire, and learn the way of the Shadow Knight.
*Five year time lapse*
“Utelen, get up you lazy sack of bones! The sun is almost down and you have yet to start your training!”
I know this voice, I hear it everyday, it belongs to my trainer Ulrazz. By Innoruuk I hate him, and he knows this, he tells me this is good, ‘That it feeds the fire within my blackened soul and heart.’
I only have one set of clothes.
He gave them to me.
I am too big for them now.
*WHACK*
Ulrazz has hit me with staff, it hurts quite a lot, but if I complain about it, more will surely follow.
“Get up you ungrateful whelp!”
He is close to me, I can feel his presence.
*CRACK*
I block the blow from the staff with my forearm. I don’t feel the pain, I don’t even have my eyes open. I am trying to concentrate on ‘feeling’ his presence around me. I have only done this once, but if I can focus hard enough, I don’t have to open my eyes to see. I can feel.
I get up.
I am unarmed and unarmored.
He tells me that this will make me stronger.
I am a child, I know this. I don’t understand why Ulrazz treats me the way he does. I’ve seen him do somewhat ‘nice’ things with the other training Shadow Knights.
I asked him about this once.
My answer was,
‘How dare you complain about the life I have given you! Get back inside and do 100 push-ups!’
I don’t speak anymore.
I learned my lesson.
I do not like being beaten.
Ulrazz seems to like to beat me though.
Perhaps this is good?
*Two year time lapse*
“Utelen, get up you lazy sack of bones! The sun is almost down and you have yet to start your training!”
I know this voice, it belongs to my master, Ulrazz. He says this to me everyday. He trains me personally, aside from the others. He is the only person I have seen for a very long time.
I get up.
My rags for clothing barely keep me warm.
I feel rage.
“Today is your last day under my guidance. I have been instructed to walk you to the outer gate. You can no longer stay here.”
What am I feeling?
Rage is building.
I hate Ulrazz.
Suddenly, almost instinctively, I lunge, and punch him in the throat.
I run.
I run until I get to the outer gate.
I have never left the compound before.
I am doomed.
Fleeing past the ghouls and around the corner I run off the edge of the road. I land in an icy cold river. Being as I can’t swim, I frantically try to keep my head above the surface.
I am sinking.
I black out.
***This concludes the first instalment. This is a look into the mind of Utelen. Why he does the things he does in the present. More will come***
