The quiet village of Elaris was surrounded by gentle hills and the expansive Forest of Ashgrove, located near the busy city of Havenbrook in the Vallaris Kingdom. It was a sanctuary from the rest of the world, with its charm being in its simplicity and the close bonds that its people shared. It was a village where time seemed to stand still, untouched by the conflicts and turmoil that stirred elsewhere.
Every morning, the rays of the sun would break upon the horizon, painting light upon the treetops. The village would stir about, and the rhythmic crowing of roosters mixed with the sounds of clinking metal being pounded into shape at Eldrin's forge. Elaris was a place in which life moved slowly, predictable, just the way people there liked it.
08-year-old Kai slowly opened his eyes in a small cottage on the outskirts of the village, roused by the gentle warmth of sunlight filtering through his window. He lay there for a moment, taking in the familiar sounds of the village awakening around him: birds chirping, leaves rustling in the breeze, and the faint hum of voices as neighbors began their day. It was the kind of peaceful morning Kai had always known.
But something was in the air today-an itch, a restlessness in his limbs stretching beneath the soft, worn blanket that covered his bed.
Kai's room was small but cozy, the kind of space that felt like home. A cot bed had been pushed against the wall and a wooden chest beside it at the foot contained most of his few belongings - spare clothes and a few small treasures he had collected on his adventures with Lia. Beside the bed, a window showed him the edge of the Ashgrove Forest and the tall, ancient trees stood like silent sentinels over the village.
"Kai! Breakfast's ready!"
His mother's voice rose from the bottom of the stairs, warm and familiar as always, every morning.
He grinned and pulled his tunic on, pushing through his brown hair once and for all, although that didn't do a thing to tame it. He always seemed to have some magic in his hair: whatever he did, his curls always found their way across his face. Still, he liked it; that was part of him, anyway.
By the time he reached downstairs, he smelt the warm smell of newly baked bread. He could even hear his stomach growling in anticipation.
"There you are," Mira greeted him as he came into the kitchen, her lips curving up in a smile. She stood beside the table, her long dark hair pulled back from her face as always, and there sat a loaf of fresh bread and a bowl of fresh fruit waiting for him. She had a sort of calm, purposeful energy about her, always moving with a quiet grace.
"Morning, Mom," Kai said, plopping down at the table and reaching immediately for the bread.
"Hmph, you're going to get tired of this if I make it every day," she teased, sitting across from him.
Kai grinned through a mouthful of bread. "Never!" He swallowed quickly, grabbing a handful of berries next. "Besides, it's better than anything I could make."
Mira chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You'd survive, though."
He looked up at her, his eyes finding hers. He didn't know if he would do without her. He didn't say these things much aloud, but they were always there, just beneath the surface. His mom was everything—his protector, his guide, the person who made this small world feel safe.
"So, what are your plans for today?" Mira asked, breaking into his thoughts.
"Lia and I are going to the forest again," Kai said, excited once more. "She said she found a new trail that leads to a hidden clearing. I want to see if it's as cool as she says."
Mira arched an eyebrow, her mouth curving into a small smile. "The forest again, hmm? You two are always finding new places, aren't you?"
Kai shrugged. "There's so much to explore. Besides, it's not like there's much else to do around here."
Her face softened though a hint of unease lingered in her eyes. "Just be careful. You know the forest can be unpredictable."
"We will be," Kai assured, already standing from the table. "We never go too far in."
Mira nodded but didn't say anything more. There was always a quiet worry in her gaze whenever he and Lia talked about their adventures in the forest, but she trusted them to be responsible.
Before leaving, he turned back to his mother. "I'll be back before dinner," he assured her.
"Alright. Have fun, and give Lia my best."
Kai stepped outside, and the cool morning air welcomed him as an old friend. Already, the village bustled with activity: sounds of people chatting, distant clanging from Eldrin's forge, blending in a comforting hum.
He passed through the village, waving to various familiar faces. Eldrin-the village blacksmith-was already hard at work by this time, his hammer ringing out in sharp rhythmic strikes against glowing metal, and the sound had now become part of the heartbeat of the village: constant and steady, like beating heart.
"Good morning, Kai!" Eldrin shouted out, looking up from his anvil. He was covered in soot, and his thick arms moved with practiced precision as he worked the forge. Eldrin was a broad-shouldered man in his early forties, with a gruff demeanor that hid a gentle heart. He had always looked out for Kai and Lia, treating them almost like apprentices, even though neither of them knew a thing about blacksmithing.
"Morning, Eldrin!" Kai waved back as he slowed his pace by. "What are you working on today?"
"Just another horseshoe," grunted Eldrin, showing the glowing piece of metal for a moment before tucking it back onto the anvil. "You and Lia off to explore again, I suppose?"
"Yeah! Lia says she found a new spot in the forest."
Eldrin chuckled and shook his head. "You two are always off on some adventure. Just watch yourselves, okay? You know how deep that forest gets."
Kai nodded. They weren't planning to head into the middle of Ashgrove or anything. Still, it was nice of him to care. Eldrin had this thing where even a normal precaution felt like he genuinely cared.
"We'll be alright. I'll fill you in when we return," Kai promised.
"Good lad," Eldrin nodded, returning to his work. "You kids always bring back the best stories."
Kai smiled to himself as he continued on his way. Even though life here was simple, it was the people that made it special.
He spotted Lia standing by the edge of the village, waiting for him; her hair was pulled back in an untidy braid. Her dark tresses would swing wildly as she shifted back and forth on her feet. She was clearly irritated, but the bright spark dancing in her blue eyes proved that Kai hadn't worried for nothing. Lia really wasn't annoyed with him, but impatient.
"We're late!" Lia chirped, planting her hands on her hips, once Kai reached her.
He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "I had to eat first. And I'm not exactly late, anyway."
"Hurry up, hurry up!" She grabbed his arm and yanked him along, already infusing him with her infectious energy. "I found the most fabulous place yesterday, Kai! It's like a secret clearing, and you have to see it."
"Okay, okay!" Kai laughed, letting himself be pulled along. "You're always finding some new place."
They walked down the track to the forest, the dust of their footsteps kicking up small clouds into the air. The trees of Ashgrove loomed forward before them, their big boughs intertwined with ancient sentinels standing watch over the floor of the forest. Almost before they went into the woods, the world around grew quiet. There was but the rustle of the leaves and the soft calling of birds in the distance.
Such were the times she spent with Lia. Free, she considered herself, far away from the forced rhythms of the village.
"So, what's the big deal about this place?" Kai asked, walking further into the woods.
Lia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You'll see! Trust me, it is great."
After walking for a few more minutes, they crossed a little stream to arrive at a hidden clearing nestled between two thick oaks. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves of grass and wildflowers that dot the area and radiated a soft, golden glow over them. It really was a small paradise, untouched and serene.
He took a breath, feeling fresh air fill his lungs. 'Yeah, I could get accustomed to this,' he thought as he looked around.
"You were right," he admitted, looking at Lia.
"This place is amazing."
Lia smiled, plopping down into the grass, stretching her arms out. "I told you! We should come here more often."
Kai sat next to her, reclining on his hands as he looked up at the sky through the branches. Everything was perfect for a moment—simple, peaceful, and right. Maybe that's what makes this place special, he thought. There's always something new to discover, but it's always the same, too.
There they lay in the clearing, and nothing else but wind whispers through the leaves in the trees, reminding Kai that these were his treasures: these simple moments of quiet. And he would be fine, so long as he had his friends and the village of Elaris.