PoeTheWriter's random book store discussion

Chapter 1 W.I.P: Junas Deracos, a young boy with a passion for old music, was walking through a pasture as the sun went up. He was humming a tune as he looked up at the old church on the hill, and then back at his dull cottage, sighing a bit. He carried an instrument, seeming to be a lyre, but it wasn’t, it was a violin. The land was in full bloom, pansies were opening, and the trees were green and full of small birds, nests full of chicks and mothers flying everywhere.
“Hello there, young one.” A strange voice said behind Junas, and he calmly turned to face who was speaking to him.
“Are you intending to speak with me?” He asked, before realizing it.
The person was a darkly cloaked figure, not normal for this era’s dress, under his cloak, only a slightly black beard was visible, it was obvious this man was an elder of some religion, because he wore some sort of symbol on an amulet around his neck, his gaze seemed cold though Junas could not see his eyes.
The figure spoke again. ‘Yes, I intend to speak with you, child.” His voice has harsh, and scratchy.
Junas’s sparkling green eyes flicked to the man’s belt, where it held an ancient sword, much like the ones hung on the wall of the province capitol. He tilted his head a bit and studied it a bit, before asking.
“Sir, how did you come across the sword at your side?” His voice held interest in it.
The man smiled beneath his hood, and his scarred hands went to the rim of it, and he pulled it down.
The man had long black hair that was graying at the roots, his eyes a deep purple, with a kind light in them. His jaw was chiseled and worn. Under his cloak he wore a worn tunic and trousers of a deep black color.

Chapter 1 continued:
He drew near to Junas, who stepped back a bit nervous.
“It is a long story young one, full of valor and terror, I would doubt you want to hear it.” The man said.
“Can I atleast have your name, sir?” Junas asked. “Or even the name of the sword. As it is a custom for a sword to have a name.”
“A, yes, my name.” The man thought about it. “I go by many names, but you may call me Trace, Trace Pruner. As for this sword, it’s name is Nightbane, though more commonly known as Timebender.”
“Nightbane…” Junas thought long and hard about it. “Thank you, Mr. Pruner!” He smiled at Trace, a wide grin.
Trace smiled back, warmly, before turning away to the setting sun, his deep purple eyes gleaming in the light of it, his posture seemed to change to be more relaxed. He looked back at the young boy.
“Have you no home, young one?” He asked. ‘Or do you wander, as I?”
“I have a home, but no parents.” Junas explained, pointing to the cottage. “They gave me that cottage down there, as well as this violin, when they passed.”
“I see, sadly I have no home, my home is where I go.” He sighed. “I have long wished for a traveling partner, though I have been granted one, he is quite annoying.”
“Oh?” Junas looked confused. “Why is he not with you at this moment?”
“I told him to wait at camp.” Trace explained. “I do not need him messing around in the city while I get what I need.”
“I see…” Junas sighed. “Do you mind if I accompany you?”
“No, I do not mind.” Trace smiled a touch. “I’d enjoy being in the presence of a youth once again.”
Junas smiled deeply and looked back at his cottage, thinking hard.
“Alright! Follow me!” He said cheerfully, running up the hill towards the province square.
Trace followed more slowly, and Junas kept looking back to be sure he was following. He finally reached the bustling Province Square, laughing in glee. He quickly noticed that the buildings seemed different today, they were decorated with color instead of the usual drab that the poor town had. He suddenly remembered, today was the Festival of Remembrance! The one day when it is said that the spirits of the past came to bless the town.
“Ho! Junas!” One of the merchants called. “You seem excited today, did you meet another traveler?”
“Yes I did Jake!” Junas grinned at the merchant.
Jake Krosel was a tall man with thick and curly blonde hair and came down to his neck, and glittering blue eyes filled with laughter, he had been a good friend of Junas since he was only just a child.
Jake grinned back and bent down to look at Junas more closely.
“You ready to perform at the festival?” Jake asked. “I talked the mayor into getting you a slot for the violin!”
“Wait, really!?” Junas’s eyes lit up at this.
“Well, your music always brings back memories, at least for me.” Jake chuckled. “I do believe your traveler is coming up now.”
Trace was bent over and catching his breath, but he smiled at Junas. “Young Junas! You are much too fast for my old bones to catch up with!”
“Oh! Mr. Pruner! I’m so sorry!” Junas cried out. “I didn’t mean to!”
Trace smirked a bit. “It is fine, young one.”
He ruffled Junas’s deep brown hair with vigor, grinning a bit, before looking over at Jake, whom was eyeing him with suspicion. To him he gave a irritated look but went back to paying attention to Junas.
“This land is in such beauty at the moment, is it perhaps a day of celebration?” Trace asked him.
Junas nodded and straightened his hair again. He looked at Jake again with a questioning looked.
“It’s the Festival of Remembrance.” Jake explained. “It’s a time when the province celebrates those whom lost their lives to protect this land.”
“Interesting…” Trace looked at the sky. “Is it tonight?”
Junas nodded smiling. “I’m performing!” He said proudly, before gently touching the violin strapped to his back, he had taken good care of it for ages, now he could finally play it for the people of the province!
Trace smiled brightly. “Then-”
An excited yell interrupted him and a young man flung himself onto Trace’s back, he was about Junas’s age, and grinned a bit, his eyes closed.
“Zal-” Trace said sternly. “I told you to stay at the camp.”
“But it got boring.” Zal, as Trace called him, whined. “And you were gone for more than an hour.”
Trace sighed. Zal had ginger hair and a spray of freckles across his face, he wore a red tunic with tan trousers, his eyes, a fiery yellow, like a tiger’s, seemed to glow. He added a feel to the air of burnt trees and ashes.
“Zal Numaro, I was about to come get you.” Trace snapped.
“I hate it when you pull the full name.” Zal huffed, biting his lip a bit.
Junas watched the two argue for a bit before hearing the bell, and running off to find the stage, he was bouncing a bit eagerly. Jake came and found him.
“Excited to finally be up there, eh, Junas?” Jake asked. “I’m sure you’ll do great up there, I’ll give you treat afterwards!”
“Ehhh I don’t need a treat, you’ve already given me one, the chance to be here instead of in my musty old cottage, eating bread like a child…” Junas said thoughtfully.
“My how you’ve grown!” Jake grinned.
Junas looked at him with a sad smile before turning back to the stage, looking at the banner with the province symbol, a large sundial with a ghost hovering over it. He sighed, looking back at Jake, who had a stressed look on his face. He put a hand on Jake’s shoulder, trying to comfort him.