Legends of Belariath
Riley Starn
I lived in a male dominated household, I had dreams of becoming something, and I thought I was on track to getting what I wanted. I turned out though, what I was getting was something that still turns my stomach inside out.
Riley Starn, I lived in a small port town with my younger brother, my father and mother. My father was a once wealthy merchant, living off the earnings that had made him a notiable figure amongst the community. We had long settled down into life and he had dreams for his son to be a knight in the growing armies that scattered over the land.
While traders recieved some regard, he wanted the honor and prestigue that only having a famous knight battling for honor could recieve. I remember staying up long nights, hearing his stories through the wall.
My father spent a great deal of money on Caleb's training, he recieved the best armour and swords that money could buy. I don't hate Caleb for reciewing everything I had wanted, he was always nice to me, watching out for my interests. He even convinced father to have me signed up for knighthood.
I started almost a year after Caleb, I worked with him, and did many of his tasks that he had done in order to become a knight. This was normal, this was how things were and for a while I believed that I was really making progress.
It all changed one day, Caleb had told me to meet him in the stronghold, it had been months of hard training to that point, and I could have only assume that it was my armour, horse and sword that would be waiting for me.
The fortress was silent, the knights had been sent off to battle and would not return for several days. Caleb had left me a package, it was too small to hold anything I had imagined up to this point. There was a note inside, and below it a leather collar with my brothers Intials.
Dearest Riley,
I regret not being able to place this upon you myself, this ruse has come to an end, and father has indeed approved since the beginning. I've always looked out for you, and you've served me well the last few months during the time you believed was your training to become a knight.
I have a more honorable place for you my dear sister, at my feet as I march off for glory of our small town. From hense forth, you will be my possesion, and I expect you to await my arrival in my chambers.
In truth, I never tried to convince father to allow you knighthood, I knew from the start where your true place lay. As a prized slave, an adoring sister, my Riley.
Most Sincerely, your master, Caleb Starn
My world fell appart, the dream land of which I had made for myself pummetted at my feet like so much food that forced it's way passed my lips. I couldn't stand, all I could do was shake, tremble and cry over something that seemed so out of my control.
My mind submitted for a moment, I lay in his bed chambers and waited. I wore the collar snuggly around my neck with his initials engraved so proudly upon it. I couldn't feel more dirty then that, as much as I had washed, it seemed as if they collar itself spewed more taint over my body.
I grew sick, the days passed and my health declined, I was kept still by the knowledge that my father was finally proud of me. I watched through the window as the knights practiced, the collar felt so tight then, like it was drawnig in on me
A week had passed, and the news was that the knights were victorious, and Caleb was returning home. The collar seemed to tighten still, I was constantly cleaning myself and it had begun to constrict around me. I was ill all the time, pale, weakening.
It was when I paused by the mirror, when I saw what I was becoming that my hands finally went to that thing that was holding me down, causing this illness to spread. I removed the collar and casted it onto the bed.
Perhaps my senses had left me, I stole a horse, a shield and a sword and I rode off in the opposing direction. The feeling of illness, the dirt that could not be washed began to fade in time.
Did I leave for my health? Out of fear? Out of disgust? In the end I just left, as fast as I could travel and as far from my home as possible. So I've come to Nanthalion, in search of a dream, to escape a nightmare.