The year was 1844.
The two men showed up on a sunny day in June, clad in garments too plain to be royals, but too fine to be civilian wear. The first was older and small of stature, with black hair and dark, beady eyes. He much resembled a crow. The second was larger, quiet and sullen, and looked to be a few years younger than his companion. Annie had no clue as to what they wanted, but they gave off an air that kept her on the alert.
"Hello, sir. May we have a word with you?" the first began, and his voice was calm and as thin as his figure.
Her father was less than keen to entertain the discussion.
"Sorry. I'm not interested." He made to close the door. The thin man gave a subtle nod, and his companion reached forward and caught the door in mid-swing.
"I insist ― I'll have but a few minutes of your time."
Her father regarded the pair for a moment before he threw a sharp look to her. The message was clear: Stay inside.
Annie stepped into the house and he moved past her, closing the door in his stead. Curious, she pressed her ear to the door and strained to listen. She could make out her father's voice.
"What do you want, then?"
Annie could practically feel the other man's smile in his tone.
"Well, Mister Leonhardt, we've come to your house because we believe your daughter has potential."
Her father remained imperturbable. "For what, exactly?"
"For great things. We've heard quite a few tales from the locals."
There was a pause.
"I've no interest," her father said coldly.
"On the contrary, Mister Leonhardt, I think you'll find this to be an offer you can't refuse." The thin man's voice was cordial, but there was a danger lurking beneath his words. "We'll be back to run some tests next week. Your contribution is much appreciated."
They left shortly afterwards. Annie scrambled out of the way as the door opened again.
"Who were they?" she asked.
Her father shook his head.
"I don't know."
And she knew that was the end of that.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The same men did not return again; however, true to their word, it was a week later that another pair came back. The first was not noteworthy, studying her movements with quiet precision. The second man was a little more ordinary, brown haired, sporting a thin beard and dressed in a suit that displayed the beginnings of shabbiness, surveying the surroundings over thin spectacles, exuding a hint of warmth.
They conducted multiple tests over the course of two weeks. Agility, aptitude, endurance and the like.
So she ran. She fought. She demonstrated her techniques.
She could tell they were impressed as they discussed this with her father and left soon after.
"They've accepted you into their organization," he stated.
Annie did not fully understand the reason for his lack of enthusiasm until later.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Five days later, her life changed.
Annie woke to see moonlight shining through the window, illuminating a figure by her bedside. She looked up into the face of her father, obscured in shadow.
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When the Hunter Met the Lionheart
FanfictionA boy and a girl met, fell in love, broke apart, and found love again at the very worst of times. The chaos that ensued in the wake of their newfound connection would change the world as they knew it. Alliances were forged and abandoned, battles wag...
