~ONGARIA the Story~ Book 1: Beginning

Chapter the First
It was a dark and stormy night.

As the wind and thunder roared above, Nahtanoj and his father struggled to keep the horses from separating. Frantically, the boy ran, barely missing a tree, and finally grabbed his white horse’s mane. Soon, Nahtanoj, his father, and the two horses loaded with goods to trade ambled along the rough mountain path while the storm yet raged far above in the skies.



Four days later, Nahtanoj arrived at the wooden gate of the village of Desèrt , translated as Wilderness. This was the village nearest the border of the great wilderness and France, and the trading port from Germany. Excitedly, he called to his father, “Come join me! I have reached the town!” This is of course translated from the original language.



Nahtanoj Daens was a man of 13 years who was well-built for his age. He had a long, thin face and curly, short blond hair. He wore a long, faded red cloak and cape, as well as brown leather boots. His father held a prominent position as the trader of a well-known German castle, so he owned a sturdy white horse and a tall lance.



Soon, both Nahtanoj and his father were close to the bridge separating Desèrt from the great wilderness. There, they would go to the chief trader of the village and barter with him for goods. Nahtanoj would also get to see his friend in the village, who he only saw once a year. He hurried up the tall, curved bridge and over the hill, anxious to arrive in civilization after two long months of travel.



Chapter the Second
She immediately woke up from her daydream as she heard the sound of approaching horses.



The traders must be here already, she thought. I’ll be needed to help.



Anna Nalsra slowly rose and glanced at the traders from Germany who had come ever since she was a young child. She and the boy had become friends through their brief visits, for Anna helped her father with the trading business. Though women of her time stayed at home, she, living on the edge of the wilderness, chose to help with the trading instead. Many still looked upon her with contempt for doing a man’s job, but she had learned long ago to not mind what most other people thought of her job and appearance.



Soon, the traders greeted her father, Kram Nalsra, hoping to find a place to stay for the night after their lengthy journey. As it was nearly sunset, everyone would soon be returning to their dwellings for the night. Anna would too, but not before she talked with Nahtanoj.



Anna Nalsra was a maiden of 13 with fair skin and long brown hair. She always wore a man’s tan coat and pants, along with light brown boots. Anna wouldn’t go anywhere without her trusty satchel and scarf. She thought herself to be quite plain, but in reality, she possessed a kind of quiet beauty, with her deep brown eyes and her almost wistful expression.



The daydream mentioned previously was an illusion about running away from her home and building a new country. She had dreamt this many times, even knowing it could never be possible.