The Kahan

In the midst of the woods was a small remote town. It was overshadowed by a massive cobblestone castle. The walls stood strong, cutting it of completely from the town’s folk. The guards wore heavy armour, dark charcoal in colour, and helmets that covered their face completely, so that all you could see were their eyes. Each of them had a blood red crest. In the centre of the crest was a roaring lion sitting proudly upon a rock. 

They guards, known as the dark ones because of their charcoal armour, patrolled the town. Their presence ever heavy. Their hands on the hilt of their lavish swords, that were bigger and better then the normal broad sword. If it was drawn on you -you would not live to tell the tale. 

Ever since the slaughter, the dark ones patrol these paths ever relentless in their quest. The town‘s folk watch them with wary glances, eyes only meeting their chests. They steer clear. Knowing that if they were to even try and approach they may be met with a silver blade. 

After the slaughter, the rumour was that the Fae people were now no more. The Fae were said to have the gift of kahan and were sought after and killed for their gift.

Those of the Fae who were seen close to an animal were said to be ‘conspiring with the devil.’ For that crime you were either hung or burnt to death where everyone could watch. 

The times were hard and it would continue as long as the King sat upon his throne, behind those impenetrable walls. 

I myself preferred to be away from all that fear. I would sneak away into the woods, to the best kept secret of all. It was behind a waterfall, that fell so brilliantly. That alone was a sight to behold. It falls silently into a pool of crystal clear water. The sun glistens off each drop splaying blues and greens from the shrub around. 

I pass through the water climbing over some rocks and jumping down from a small ledge into the darkness below. Even though you had to walk through the darkness it was worth the outcome. I come to the entrance; sun splayed across the floor as I step into it. I’m met with a small space, there was a circle of pure Emerald green grass. Through it was a babbling brook, it was a perfect symphony. It hummed and splashed, echoing through the never ending cave above.

At this time of day the sun was right above the gaping hole that allowed for the plants and an array of blooming flowers to grow. In the middle of this circle sits a great weeping willow, it swings in the wind. 

I loved to sit under this tree, and as you sit there the sun spikes through the leaves as they swing. I feel like I’m the only one who knows about this place, and for that reason it was special. 

I pull my sleeve up, examining my birthmark. It was shaped like a wolf. I wish I knew what it meant. I was alone with no one to ask . My family had passed away a while ago. 

My memory, though very blurry is that my family had the same mark, including my older sister. She had died also, I don’t particularly remember how, as I was too young. But I do know that I had run fast into the woods. 

I gently brush my fingers across my mark with a small sigh leaning against the bark of the tree, legs crossed. I look up, a smile creeping across my lips at this serenity. 

“Hello?” I hear a small whisper coming from not too far away, I jump up and scramble to get behind the tree. Worried someone had followed me to this beautiful place. 

“I won’t hurt you” it calls out to me. “I just haven’t seen someone like you in a very long time.” I could tell that its voice was closer now. I peek around the tree, looking around trying to figure out where the sound is coming from. My eyes passing a beautiful silver stallion. I pause to examine it having not seen this kind of steed in a while. 

I step out from behind the tree not seeing any threat, coming closer to the animal. It’s long white mane flew effortlessly through the wind, its kind eyes look right into mine. Almost with recognition and familiarity. 

“I’m Galleth” I jump as the voice comes from right in front of me. I walk around the horse trying to find the location but coming up with nothing. 

“Who’s there?” I ask with a shaky voice, my eyes trying to find something logical to pin this voice to. It surely wasn’t the horse, how impossible would that be?  Very. 

“No body except me, the horse standing in front of you.” It answers with a sweet tone turning to face me, it gently brushes my hand with its nose sniffing at it curiously. 

“But that’s not possible...” I gasp slightly taken aback at this news. The horse nuzzles my hand a little more its piercing blue eyes still looking into mine.

“You have the Kahan.” It simply responds now nuzzling at my birthmark. “This is a symbol, a sign. It means you can converse with animals like myself.” The horse explains, it’s tone silvery and smooth as it gently nudges my hand. 

I look aghast standing there in complete and utter silence. Mulling through what had just been told to me. All this time this is what it’s meant. Of course it makes so much sense now, why my family were all dead.

I gently brush my hand over the horses neck and play with the pure white hair. “No body can know about this. The King wants all of my kind dead.” I whisper with a small sigh. I didn’t really understand why he’d want us dead. Though to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason was that he was jealous. 

“No body can know, yes.” The horse agrees with me nodding its head slightly. I think for a moment watching the horse with interest. 

“This can be our spot.” I suggest with a hopeful smile on my face. “I‘d like to see you again,” My eyes meet the horse‘s as I hope it wanted to see me again.

“Yes, that would be nice. I would love to see you again” it says with a cheerful ring to its tone. My smile widens even more at that answer. It’s nice to be able to have someone who understands me to talk to. 

I watch on as the horse gallops away. I never thought I would be talking to an animal. Better yet I never thought I’d organise a time to speak to them either. Honestly this was a little daunting, as my kind had been brutally slaughtered. Keeping a secret like this to myself will prove to be difficult, but it would be an easy choice nevertheless. I didn’t want to die after all. 

I look up to the sky seeing that it had turned into oranges and pinks signalling that it would be night soon. So, I start to head back to town. Coming the same way I had entered, I meander taking my time enjoying the smell of the woods. It was a mix between of damp earth that had just been rained on, and sweet honey from the flowers that dotted the path. 

Finally, I come to the edge of the woods and to the cobble path that lead back to town. I keep my head down as I start to walk down the path, guards passing by me as I walk. I pull my sleeves down to cover the wolf birthmark, and pull a hood over my face to keep attention from me. 

The walk back to town wasn’t too long. I continue down the path taking my time as I wasn’t in a rush to get home. If I could even call it that. I was so alone. More somewhere to shelter than a home. I walk on the complete opposite side of the path to the guards feeling their gaze watching me. I arrived home. 

The next day was the same routine as all others. I would get up, get changed into clean clothes ,have breakfast, brush my blonde hair and put it up in a bun. I would pack a small bag with some food and water, except now I would pack an extra apple for the horse. I would then look out my window to see where the guards were positioned, though I know they would be in their usual assigned places. But, with these times you’d never know. I notice they’re in the usual position.

I grab my bag and pull my hood over my head. I walk outside and start to go the way I usually do, where there were no guards on watch. I continue to walk down the path I had traveled last night, not paying much attention.

A guard starts to follow at a good distance behind me. He had noticed that I seem to be taking this same path with the same bag each day. No sign of anything to trade and nothing to do work with. So he followed. I didn’t notice as I head through the opening in the woods, heading to the same place as before. The guard stays hidden as he examines this beautiful place, he takes a mental note. Continuing to watch on with suspicion.

I sit down at the tree once more taking out the apple that I planned to give to the horse. I wait patiently watching the leaves move like a dance in the wind. “Hello!” I hear an excited voice and I look seeing the horse, smiling I get up and walk closer offering the apple. The guard could only hear it neighing. He watched on, anger welling up in him. 

“Hello. It’s good to see you again.” I respond back, gently patting the horse as it eats the apple. The guard gasps very quietly as he hears me talk to the horse. He talks quietly to himself “it couldn’t be could it? We thought we had killed every last one” He stays low as he quickly walks to the exit and back to town. I hear a twig snap and look over seeing nothing but shadows of trees. I shake my head a little and look back to the horse. 

I didn’t know what was to come, but it made me wish I’d never learned of who I was. The next few days were the same, we’d meet up and a guard without us noticing watched on. Once they had my routine noted down, they could execute their flawless plan. 

It was the next day. I followed my usual plan, coming back to the usual meetup spot. Meeting the horse there, and once we had come together the guards jumped us, it happened so quickly. Blood splattered everywhere over the ground from what seemed to be the friend I had come to know. I scream, tears streaming down my face as I’m dragged away. I knew what my fate was. It was to either be hung, or burnt. So this is where I bid you farewell.