The Sword Made of Ice

Chapter 1 - Calling

"98! 99! 100!" 

Ashton yelled as he swung his axe with all the weight he could gather. 9 other people had been cutting at this tree and never prevailed. This poor forest had heard nothing but loud thuds of metal against wood for 450 years without a day of rest. The tree that everybody called "Gigas Arbor" was sucking nutrients from the soil and therefore the town had been suffering with poor quality food that took months to grow. But, Ashton was sure, no matter how long it took, he would be the one to cut down this tree. He only needed two things; an axe, and hope. Though, the tree would surely come down faster if he used something better the axe he was using. After all, he was told this axe was made by the best blacksmith in Nix with the best materials the miners could get together.

Ashton wiped his forehead that glistened with sweat, looking around the forest to see if he could spot anything. But, of course, he couldn't spot anything different to what he had been seeing for the past 5 years. Every day of every week, he would see deer and rabbits that pranced and danced through the forest. Ashton only imagined being able to have as much fun in the crunchy, fluffy snow that the animals were having. However, for as long as he was stuck with this calling, he would have to cut and cut. 2500 strikes had to be struck against the Gigas Arbor every day or else Ashton would be punished for not completing his daily quota. Though, Ashton hated his calling, there was a part he did like. That was the money he would be given each day for helping with the demolition of the tree. Each day he would be given 25 gold coins from the town leader to spend on his own sustenance, and anything extra that he could buy with the savings. 

Ashton walked away from tree that towered over many, placing the sleek axe down beside the tree. Of course, he would be back here tomorrow, and the next day, and the next so there was no need to take the axe back to his home with him. He walked through the forest, watching as animals and leaves danced around the forest that was cluttered with trees much smaller than the Gigas Arbor. The tree loomed over the others like a curse, casting a doomfully dark shadow on the forest. Ashton walked for quite a while, until he soon arrived at the town of Nix. It was a peaceful town. No crime, no quarrels and no fuss. Everything was decently cheap and everybody was paid quite well for the work they did. Immediately, he went to the leader's building and knocked. a powerful wave of heat enveloped Ashton as an old lady opened the door, looking at him.

"Hello ma'am. I am here to collect my money for completing the quota I am given." Ashton pronounced.

"Of course young man. But first, would you mind coming with me to see the leader quickly? Don't worry, you are not in any trouble dear."

A talk with the leader? This can only mean two things, one good, one bad. But, he couldn't really say no. After all, if the leader has requested that he goes to see him, he cannot be cowardly and refuse. Ashton nodded his head to the old lady's question, and immediately the old woman opened a mahogany door, gesturing him to come inside. He took light steps towards the door, walking inside and standing in front of the leaders table with a soft leather chair in front of him.

"Please, take a seat Ashton."

The voice was soft and had somewhat of a stern tone to it. Ashton gulped, doing as he was commanded. He pulled the leather chair out, taking a seat and settling into the soft cushiony cloud of leather. The tone of the leader's voice only suggested that this was going to be a bad thing. He backtracked through his mind, trying to think if he had done anything wrong.

"I have decided to reduce your quota. You are working your socks off, and I am thankful to you for working so hard. But, what I hate to see is that once you have finished your quota, you go and grab some ingredients from the shops and head home. I understand that you are getting home so late, it is around 5PM that you finish swinging and around 5:30PM that you get back into town. So you work a late day and don not get to do much in the evening. So, I hereby announce that i will be reducing your quota from 2500 swings  to 1500 swings. And do not worry, you will be payed the same amount for your work. You may now leave and do whatever you feel like doing."

"Thank you sir." 

Ashton then got up from his seat, opening the expensive wooden door with a sweet sigh of relief. The old lady smiled at him and held a pouch that contained 25 gold coins inside. He gently took the woven pouch and opened the main doors to leave. He didn't hear his name so he supposed he could leave. He ran out into the streets, buying himself the regular ingredients and a honey bun as a treat for having his quota lowered. He then hurried back to his house, unlocking the door and walking inside. He put his ingredients atop a table in the kitchen and went upstairs and into his bedroom. As he undressed and redressed himself, a book on his bookshelf caught his eye. It was the fairy-tale his mother had bought for him before she passed away. He took the book off of the shelf, looking at the cover and then beginning to flip through the pages...