Weaver of Shadows

This is the book I’ve been writing, I decided that if I’m going to be posting updates I might as well share it with you guys.

 Prologue to The Shaper
 

“Mother, why do I have to go to bed, it’s only sundown,” Levi cried.

    “It’s your bedtime, you stayed up last night. Anson’s parents made him go to bed over an hour ago and I didn’t hear him whining from across the block.”

“Fine mother,” Levi said glumly, starting up the stairs. He watched his mother sit down, exhausted. She seemed worried about something. Levi might have only been six, but he could tell when his mother was worried. Something was very wrong. He went up to his room hoping that if he obeyed maybe she would be less worried. A couple of minutes later, Levi heard a knock and his mother sigh in relief. 

“You’re back, I was worried, you were away for so long!” she said. 

“It’s okay, we should have safety for a short time,” Levi’s father said. “I’m not sure how long my distraction will last, but we need to go now. Knowing Isaac, it won’t take him long to find us.”

“I’ll go get Levi,” his mother said, sounding urgent. What is going on? Levi thought, confused. His mother entered his room, looking even more worried than before.

“Levi, we need to go now,” she said in a hushed tone. Levi could tell that this wasn’t something to complain about. He followed her out the door, stopping only to grab Scales, his stuffed lizard. He followed his mother down the stairs where he saw his father packing a small rucksack with food. And… was that a sword on his belt?

“Tom, I’m worried,” Levi’s mother said. “Something doesn’t feel right about all of this,” she said.

“I know, that’s why we’re leaving,” Levi’s father said. He tied his rucksack and slung it over his shoulder. “Let’s go.” He was taking a step towards the door when it was knocked off its hinges. A tall, thin man stood outside, flanked by a man and a woman.

“Isaac,” Levi’s father hissed.

“Thomas,” the man said curtly. “You know why I’m here. You and your wife can come with me and I will spare your son. Or, you can force my hand and make me kill you.”

What was going on? Levi’s mind raced, but he couldn’t make sense of any of it. Everything was happening so fast. Levi’s father glanced at Levi’s mother, who nodded her head. “It’s alright Tom,” she said consolingly. “We have to go with him.”

“I know,” he said.

“Excellent choice, my friend. However, I must say I wish you would have fought. I would have liked to see the look on your son’s face when I killed you both. But, my word is the one thing you can trust about me. Your son will be safe.”

“He will be safe, but not because of your word. We already learned not to trust that. You know what power he has and want to use it for yourself. You have no right to call me friend,” Levi’s father said. He turned and looked at Levi. “I love you my son. Stay safe.” He winced as the woman clamped chains around his arms, studded with glass. They did the same to his mother. She looked at him just before she was forced out of the house.

“I will see you again.”

    Levi’s parents were taken away, leaving him with the strange man called Isaac.

    “I will see that you are taken care of, just like your little friend from across the street. Madame Florence’s orphanage should do the trick.”

    He grabbed Levi, who shuddered at the man’s icy cold grip. Levi was taken to a strange house with other small children, including Anson.

    Levi’s parents were publicly executed the next day. His mother had been right, he did see her one last time. Duke Galahad’s conquest started the day after that.