A Younger Daniel- 10 Years Ago 

Most nights are consumed by the quiet. On most nights, many souls find themselves in slumber as a new day awaits. For a young Daniel, this was not so. The night sky was filled with a violent storm that did not fear pouring rain throughout the kingdom. Sounds of thunder shook the great land, for Daniel was taken by the sight of the storm through his window.

"Son, why are you up at a late hour?" questioned his papa.

"I could not sleep." The poor boy could not take his eyes away. "Do you really need to leave tomorrow for the southern lands?" A deep sorrow was the voice of the young son.

"My boy, you know as well that I must, for the Asharanites have begun conquering the kingdoms of the south and a number of Ishmorites are in need of help escaping. The duty lies on us to save them."

With much of a great sigh, Daniel moved away from the window and unto his bed. The boy could not bear to look at the eyes of his papa who sat alongside him. Would this be the last time the boy would ever see his papa?

"But what of The Great Plague? Millions of souls in the northern and western lands are gone. Will it not reach the lands of the south? Will death not come for you? Will death not come for our island?" A number of tears formed in the boy's eyes.

"Son, you shall not worry," comforted his papa as a hand met a shoulder. "I shall be back in time before such sickness can find me. I shall be back in time before a great empire of evil men could conquer me."

"And if you do not?"

Well, if that is the case, you are in good hands with our new family. Your new stepmother and your step sisters shall keep you good company while I am gone. They are fearers of God and helped bring us out of the land of the undesirable. They believe in providing our people with a new chance for redemption. I will say it again, there is no need to worry."

The words of his papa showed no comfort and it had become apparent. Could any such thing bring comfort that roaring night? Perhaps not.

"Would you like to hear a story? This a story you have heard, but I would like to share greater details in case this indeed may be my last night with you. Perhaps it could get your mind off such matters." And the boy agreed and listened as he sat on his bed next to his papa.

"Long ago, the people of Ishmor flourished in a great land filled with prosperity and abundance. Each man had what he needed. No man had too much. No man had too little. One day, a wicked and great army known as the Asharanites savaged the great land in the north. These such men had great strength as no eye had ever seen. Day by day, innocent men were put to death. The innocent woman had been defiled from their purity. No such hope was in sight as they could not fight.

 Nearly six months later, a great leader who was the brother of the king named Luther arose. He was wise in not striking a powerful force. No, he gathered nearly a thousand men and a thousand women and led them out of their land with his divinely appointed compass. Others were left behind as other leaders arose and led those who were left to other lands. Luther knew he would find another land of good prosperity and abundance. The land was hard to reach for it was an island. Because of this, he knew the Asharanites would have great hardships if they had ever tried to reach their enemies."

"Do you mean the island we live on?" interrupted his son

"Yes son, You should know by now that I certainly do," the man responded with somewhat of annoyance "As I was saying, Luther and his people reached the island. Yet, there was already a kingdom that flourished on the island. With much wisdom, Luther requested an audience with the king and meant no harm. The king welcomed Luther and his people with open hands and offered the best of the land. 

As the years progressed, the king and Luther grew a good friendship. In later years, Luther and his people grew in greater numbers. Pride became a friend of Luther and he felt entitled to more. This greatly worried the king who was not in good health. He feared the loss of his kingdom once he passed. And rightly so.

One day, Luther held an audience with a few witches. In great sadness, he wedded one of these foul witches to form a greater alliance against the kingdom that he felt belonged to him. The prince was wise enough to show action once his father passed allowing him to become king. His first order was to banish the Ishmorites to the undesirable land of the island. His second order was to feed Luther to the monsters of the sea. 

Because the witches had already been in the undesirable land and were conceived as a great evil, Luther's people had become considered a great evil. In their evilness, his third act was to force Luther's people into slavery to punish them for their wickedness. It was truly a sad day in all the land as the new slaves mourned for the freedom they once held."

The silence between the papa and son grew upon them as words were not being shared. His papa sighed a mighty sigh at what he was going to share.

"Son, I have never shared this next part of the story with you. Do pay attention, for it is of great importance." And the boy listened. "A prophet arose among the people of Luther. The words of the prophet brought joy and hope to their souls. His very mouth proclaimed that someday a great ancestor of Luther would rise. The compass that held dear to Luther would appoint this ancestor who would be the righteous king. This very compass would lead the people out of slavery and back to the land that was once theirs. The kingdom holding the people under slavery will grant their freedom and join their cause in defeating the enemies that have captivated the good land as well as the many lands that they have taken from others. No longer will an evil empire rule. All will be restored. All."

Without the boy's knowledge, a smile endured his face. Perhaps there was hope for his papa. Perhaps he could return with much success and victory.

"Do you believe the prophecy?" asked the wondering lad.

In response, a kiss was placed on his forehead. "I surely do. Surely, I do."

"Swear before God that you will come back alive." He quickly asked before his papa could leave the room.

"My boy, you know I cannot swear a thing like that before God. Is my word that I shall be back not enough? Why do you ask me to swear an oath? Are you truly afraid for my death?"

A pair of shaken hands and a ravenous beating heart proclaimed everything. His papa did not need to ask another word.

"Son, I shall be back. If the prophecy is true and if are you in good hands, there is no need to worry.

"Swear you shall come back alive. For surely, God will grant you success if the prophecy is true."

"That it be so?" his papa sighed. I am not certain if swearing an oath is still wise, but yet I swear it to you that I shall safely return to you."   

I do hope you enjoyed this prologue. The first chapter arrives this Saturday. Expect a new chapter every Saturday! There are going to be over 80 chapters! 

Do comment and vote. Perhaps you could share this story with a friend or a stranger. 

Will Daniel's papa return safely?

What are your thoughts on papa's story and the prophecy?