The Choosing

The sound of church bells filled the air, waking the village from its deep sleep. It was dawn, but the market was already bustling with the sounds of vendors and buyers. Making your way through the town center, you held up the fabric of your skirt, hoping to keep it clean. Your father, the blacksmith, had worked hard for the chief's weapons to afford you this dress, yet you wished you were with Matthew and the other boys, running freely.

Laughter and cheers drew your attention to your left, where Matthew and his friends were returning from a hunt, laden with dead animals. Watching them, a familiar ache settled in your chest – you wished you could follow in your father's footsteps, but he insisted on teaching you to be a proper woman, destined to marry into Matthew's family. Your heart, however, belonged to a memory, a fleeting encounter with a traveling boy with silver eyes.

Running towards the field near the village gates, a grand carriage pulled by a white horse caught your eye. An older man, tall and imposing with a fearful aura, stepped out, followed by a beautiful, dark-haired woman whose grace was unsettling. Then, a young boy with short black hair jumped out. As he turned and his silver eyes locked with yours, a shiver ran down your spine. They seemed to glow. Swallowing the fear, you turned back towards the market, the image of those silver eyes seared into your mind, a forgotten connection stirring.