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Our Protagonists
Basil
Age: 18
Background: There is not much to Basil's life besies that he is the son of a blacksmith and was sent, by his father, to Sorrel Academy with a mahogony box.

Other Characters

To Be Announced

Monsters

Sassafras
TBA

DISCLAIMED: GAH! I could get the 1.6k words, but I managed to get 1.3k, so... umm, enjoy.
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11/1/09
They said this box would change his life, but it looked like there was nothing special about it. No markings, no odd colors… nothing! It was just a simple, mahogany box with something heavy inside, hanging on his back like a rucksack. The boy wanted to open it, but he was told not to--never to open it. This was his first time away from home without his father to guide him, and everything felt so different as he passed through the countryside; it was quieter. The farmers had let the cows out into the field, which they shared, to graze and he could smell and hear all of the different meals being cooked for breakfast. His mind went back to what he had eaten earlier this morning, before the sun had risen:

"The farmers always get the nicer food, it seems." His father, a renowned blacksmith and master-swords-man, was not the best cook in the world. He shrugged his shoulders and let the box get into a more comfortable position on his back. "And what is in there?" he asked, looking back at the box. Just out of habit, he had to brush the blue fabric of the bandana he had folded and tied into a headband at the side of his head away from his face. The lid of the box was connected to the bottom by a metal lock that appeared golden, but the boy knew from his father's work that it was actually brass. "And they gave me the key too." The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a brass key with a depiction of a dragon on the bow with its tail going down the blade. He brought the key close to the lock, but then shook his head. "No, Basil, you can't do that." He put the blade back in his pocket as he mumbled, "It's still on your back." His destination was Sorrel Academy, located by, of course, the Sorrel Mountains, which could be reached by following the trail through this farm-field. Basil also recalled that his father had attended Sorrel, when he was a boy, and graduated. He did not know why he was being sent to the Academy; he was too old to be admitted. He just could not-- "Oof!" Basil lay facedown in the grass with his food caught under a root of a nearby tree. The box that sat on his back felt like an overweight child was sitting upon it.

"You okay, mister?" someone called, rushing to Basil's aid. It was a farm-girl, and when she helped Basil to his feet, the boy could not help by to stare into her eyes with his marine blue eyes. "You have to be careful around here," the girl said. "Where are you heading? The trail ain't the best road to travel on safely." She spoke with the accent stereotypical for the people living out in the country.

"Um, I'm heading to Sorrel Academy." Basil moved his hand back and looked at the girl. She wore a straw hat over her dirty blonde hair that was brushed away from her freckled face and green eyes.

"THE Sorrel Academy?" the girl asked. "Are you a student there?" The girl grabbed Basil's hand once more and tugged him off the trail and over to her mother who was working in the field. "Ma!" She rushed over to her.

"What is it, Anise?" her mother asked, lifting up the brim of a straw-hat that she also wore. She looked over a Basil and chuckled. "How many times have I told you to not bring in stray boys?"

"Never," Anise replied. Basil covered his face and Anise added, "Look! You embarrassed him, Ma!"

"Sorry, sorry," her mother responded, still chuckling. "He looks like he's one of the city folk." Indeed, Basil was from the city and he looked the part with how dressed. He wore a long sleeved, white cotton top with a short sleeved, dark brown, leather coat with the fur of some animal lining the collar and the seams. His dark brown trousers were tucked into the leather boots he wore-- all of his clothes appeared to be new.

"And he's a traveling swordsman!" Anise exclaimed, pointing to the second belt that hung around his waist. It slanted down on the left side, where a longsword hung in its leather scabbard. "He's heading to Sorrel Academy!"

"Really, now?" her mother asked. It was then that Basil realized that this woman and girl were not like most farmers, just like how he and his father were not ordinary blacksmiths. The woman had the face of an alumna. "Who taught you how to use a sword?"

"My father," Basil answered. "He went to Sorrel Academy, when he was young."

"I think I might know him," the mother replied. "But that's beside the point. You mind helping us farmers out?"

"I really should be--"

"Bandits will attack you on that road, boy. I know a safer route, but I need your help. My daughter knows how to use an axe, but she can't do this alone." The mother placed a hand on Anise's shoulder. "I graduated from Sorrel too!" Basil was not surprised by this in the slightest. Unlike Anise, she did not have an accent.

"And why can't you help her?" Basil asked.

"Ma had an injury a long time ago, so she can't swing an axe too much," Anise explained. "So, that's why she was looking for someone to help me."

"But I…" Basil then thought about what he could get in exchange for his help. He could get something nice to eat! "Okay, I'll help."

"Thank you," Anise's mother said.

"On the condition that you serve me breakfast, after this job is over," Basil added.

"Deal!" Anise's mother shook Basil's hand, sealing the deal, and introduced herself. "My name is Mint and this is my daughter." Anise approached Basil, spat on her hand and held it out to him.

"The name's Anise; you can call me Annie!" she said eagerly. Basil shook her hand without hesitation and gave his name in turn:

"Basil."
"Well, follow Anise, Basil." Mint stepped aside, revealing what could be assumed to be her farm. "She will show you our problem."

"You heard the woman, follow me!" Annie grabbed Basil's hand and pulled him into their fields, where in the distance a forest acted as a looming wall. As the two came close, Annie stopped and did not let Basil go any further.

"Okay, so is there something in the forest?" Basil asked.

"You bet! They call him the Sassafras!" Annie spread her arms out. "She's this big!"

"You mean this." Basil lifted his arms up sarcastically. "That's wide." Basil smiled ad crossed his arms as he peered into the forest, seeing what he could between the trees. He was rather curious to see what this Sassafras was; he had never heard of such a creature.

"Well, she's big! She's hairy! And she's mean!" Annie grabbed Basil wrist and pulled him back to the fields of her farm. "And she only comes out at night! So, you're going to be stuck here aaaaall day!"

"Well, you already had breakfast, right?" Basil asked. "So, doesn't that mean I'd have to wait until morning for my reward?" Basil was already fantasizing about the amazing taste of whatever these farm-ladies ate for breakfast. The first thing that popped into his mind was bacon.

"Yep!" Annie jumped as she held Basil's hand. Neither apparently saw any significance to it. They had just met and when making sure people don't get lost, the hand is easier to grab than the wrist or anything else-- at least that was Basil's opinion of it all.

"So, what am I supposed to do while I wait?" Basil asked.

"I don't know," Annie replied. "I didn't think of something, yet."