The sounds of the jungle blended with the soft murmur of the rain, creating a hypnotic melody, punctuated by the small droplets falling from the leaves. The echoes of nocturnal creatures accompanied this natural symphony, and everything in that night signaled an ill omen; even the darkness itself announced the arrival of something unsettling.
For those who dared venture into the great ebony forest, between the dark mountains, the stone walls of the castle would appear, imposing and silent from a distance.
Inside the castle, Cantu was born, the bastard of the Raven house. His white hair and pale skin reflected the moonlight that streamed through the tower window. Despite being a newborn, he did not cry, as if sensing that his arrival was unwelcome.
His mother, who had given birth alone, prayed for the event to go unnoticed. She wished for no one to know what had occurred. Her desire was for the bastard to grow up like the others, as a secondary child in the rigid family. However, this future would not be possible.
After the birth, the concubine, whose strength had been drained, slowly recovered.
The darkness of the room weighed on her shoulders, but the determination in her eyes revealed a firm resolve. With visible effort, she descended the stairs toward the castle's great hall. Each step was a push to continue.
With sweat and blood staining the steps illuminated by torches, the dance of flames cast flickering shadows over the child's face. Despite being determined in her purpose, she took those brief moments to engrave every detail of her son into her memory, knowing that she might never see him again.
At the location, the atmosphere was cold and austere. Near the stairs, the merchant Simão from the Broenni family waited, his expression grim.
Breathing with difficulty, the concubine, in a swift and desperate gesture, handed the child to Simão. Her only chance to ensure Cantu's survival was to send him far away, where he could grow up beyond the reach of the cruel traditions that surrounded him.
Simão carefully took the child, and upon seeing the color of his hair, his expression grew even graver. He knew that his mission was crucial, and time was running out. Without a word, he signaled to his men, who were waiting with a cart in the castle courtyard.
The concubine cast one last glance at her son before walking away with a silent moan.
Simão made his way to the exit, taking Cantu away from the walls that had witnessed his birth and the life he was destined never to know.
The clinking of armor, along with the creaking of the wooden cart wheels, marked the fate of the young raven. The path he would tread was uncertain, just like the night that surrounded him.
4o mini