The heat warmed his face as eyes of chocolate brown watched in horror as the intense bright red flames engulfed his village.
He was no older than 10 years old with a slightly muscular frame that was paralyzed.
Gone.  It's all gone.  That was the only thought that went over and over in his head stuck in a constant loop.
He didn't even hear the sound of many hooves nearing him or the thud of feet as someone dismounting or feel the hand on his shoulder.  He heard a sound, maybe, but the shock made it inaudible.

"Boy!" Came a booming voice snapping the boy back to reality.

He slowly turns the stranger to see a muscular man knelt down to get as close as to the same height as the boy as he could manage.  The man's upper body wore armor with the royal insignia of a tree on the chest.  He had blonde hair that seemed like the sun framed his face and kind blue eyes.

"Are you hurt?" the knight asks while other knights dismount and charge through the flames looking for survivors.

The boy shakes his head slowly but the knight gives him a once over just to be sure.  His blue eyes meet the chocolate orbs of the boy once more.

"No injuries.  Good.  Did you see what happened?" the knight asks.

The boy opens his mouth but no words come out.  He tries over and over but nothing.  Tears begin streaming down his face.  The knight reaches over wiping away the boy's tears.

"It's ok.  It must of been so scary seeing this happen to your home."

The knight picks up the boy and stands up to his full height as the other knights begin returning to him.  Each one shaking their head at him.  No survivors.  He holds the boy tightly.  The boy takes the knight's free hand and uses his finger to write letters on his palm.  The knight watches as he takes in each letter until the boy stopped writing.

"Conrad?" He says looking at the boy.  "Pleased to meet you Conrad.  I'm Xander.  I won't let anything happen to you.  You have my word as a royal knight.  Would you like to come back to the royal palace with me?"

Conrad watches Xander's face.  For the first time since he found his village burning he felt safe.  He relaxes, his exhaustion catching up with him.  He nods before he slumps in the knight's arms and sleep claims him.