Chapter 2

Gwen was used to her father’s stealthy entrances and exits—it was the elven way. In the silence that followed, she pondered their conversation. Even though Gwen loved her father, the more she thought about it, the more she couldn’t help but question his decisions.

“Why wouldn’t Papa send to Gaborone for help? Everyone knows Kasane has the fiercest warriors, but we are so small we’ll never survive an attack by Tau… and even if we do, Mahalapye, Chobe and all the other cities are still in danger.”

Putting aside her strong commitment to her father, Gwen decided to go to Gaborone. “The others will be expecting me at home, so I can’t go back there… I’ll go to Lesedi’s to get what I need.”

Kgose the warrior captain had employed a trusted advisor since he gained his rank after the village was established. But Lesedi was more than just an employee; he was a dear friend, and had been close with the entire family for years. As Gwen came upon his dwelling, she could barely hear the quiet hum of his clear baritone voice coming from the back. She slid around the outside of the house to find him busy with something in his garden.

“Why is he at home instead of with Papa and the warriors?” thought Gwen. But Lesedi was intent on his task and had not noticed Gwen. She quietly crept over to the side door and eased it open slowly. Moving quickly, she leapt inside and began to fill her pockets with the necessary staples: cheese, cheese, and more cheese. If cheese were a liquid, it would be the nectar of the gods. Just for good measure, she grabbed a cloth out of the kitchen and wrapped up some more cheese in it. Double-checking that Lesedi was still occupied with his mysterious task in the garden, she took a huge bite out of a cheese block on the counter and squeezed her slender body out the door, gingerly picking her way to the edge of the forest.

It would be no easy feat to get across the forest border of Kasane, but Gwen knew there was no way she’d get through the main gate without a lot of questions, much less without detection. And even if she could make up a story that would allow her no resistance at the gate, once the gatekeepers discovered the truth they’d be after her like an elf after cheese.

As Gwen came closer and closer to the forest’s edge, she thought harder and harder to come up with a plan to get her across the border. She was so immersed in her thoughts she didn’t even noticed the young man who had emerged from the trees.

“And just what’s a young miss like you doing so close to the border when everyone else seems to be gathered especially close to the village center?”

“Young miss? I’m older than you think,” Gwen said with an annoyed and haughty air and kept walking, quickening her pace.

The man stepped directly in front of her, stopping her abruptly. His voice lowered as he looked piercingly into her eyes, “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Who are you?” Gwen demanded, ignoring his query.

“There are more important things you should be concerned about.”

“Such as…?” Gwen’s guard was up. She had never seen this man in Kasane and was sure she shouldn’t trust him. He spoke in such a cryptic manner… what could he be hiding?

“Such as the fate of your family.” He produced a delicate necklace with a large amber stone and began fingering it.

“What do you know about my family?” Gwen was now very nervous, and the sight of her mother’s necklace did not help. This man was up to no good, and she had the feeling that she was in grave danger.

“If you want them to live, you will come with me.” The man let out a shrill whistle and a beautiful, strong horse cantered into view. “I wish no harm on your family, but if you resist, you will leave me no choice. Come willingly and I can guarantee their safety… and yours.”

YOU CHOOSE:
Does Gwen resist the man and flee for her life, or go willingly with him in hopes of saving her family?

Chapter 1

The brilliant blue wings of the butterfly fluttered subtly as Gwen gently cupped her hand around it. The butterfly came to rest in her delicate elven hand as she gazed serenely at the intricate creation within her grasp. Gwen had a penchant for the finer details in life and the invisible village of Kasane was abundantly blessed with them.

Almost imperceptibly, a deep rumbling came from the heart of the green earth. The butterfly’s peaceful perch began to shake, and it darted away. Curious, Gwen rested her fair head softly against the ground listening… listening… The rumbling grew louder and louder, until it seemed that the pounding originated within her chest.

A huge smile spread across her face as the source of the poundings came into view over the hill: the entire Kasane army marching in unison. Gwen leapt up from the ground and gazed intently at the warriors as they passed by. Since she was a little girl Gwen’s father had captained the warriors of Kasane. There were many memories of the early mornings when she would watch with pride as the warriors passed through the village.

But something was different today. The battle-hardened faces of the elven army held a measure of intensity not usually present. Gwen bounded gracefully down the hillside towards the line of warriors, but was halted by her father’s sudden presence at her side.

“Gweniliere, you mustn’t follow us today. Go home to your mother and help her watch after your brothers and sisters. They need you.”

“Papa, what’s happening? Where are the troops moving to?”

“Tau has returned. Go home, Gwen.”

“Tau? He’s back? But that’s impossible! Lesedi placed a guard over the gates after Tau was vanquished. He would have no way of locating Kasane… how can he be back?!”

“Let us worry about that. He’s back, and there’s no time to lose. Return home and keep the peace as best you can.”

But the peace of the morning had been shattered, and Gwen’s heart plummeted. If Tau had located the city, he may already be within the borders!

“Will you be taking the warriors to meet him outside the city? Do Mahalapye and Chobe know of his return? You’re going to send someone to Gaborone and tell them to send help, right? If Kasane is captured, the rest of the cities will be in danger, too.”

“We can’t spare any of our warriors with Tau at our door!” The captain’s face softened as he held his oldest daughter’s gaze. “And right now I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that, mudiwa?”

Gwen felt uneasy at his response, but melted at the sound of her father’s name for her, “beloved.” “You know I’m strong enough, Papa.”

“That’s my girl. This will be over before you know it.” And with that, the warrior captain was gone.

YOU CHOOSE:

Does Gwen follow her father’s instructions and go home to help her family, or follow her instincts and go to Gaborone to get help?

Choose Your Own Adventure!

Welcome to the Choose Your Own Adventure web blog! I will write portions of a story, and at the end of each portion my readers get to choose which direction the story will go. There will be two options, and the whichever option has more comments by the designated cut-off point will be the direction the story goes. Yea! Get excited! Read, comment, and tell all your friends to do likewise!