The Ace's Revenge

chapter 1: Back Story? Well I Have One. (Willow)

“Well hello.”

Hi, I’m Willow Blackblade and I’m a very troubled person. As of three nights ago I'm seventeen, life should be great right? Wrong. Eight years ago I lost everything. Most can say “Don’t be dramatic!” Or, “Are you sure it was everything?” Well my friends (or enemies) my answer to you is yes. I’m not being dramatic. Eight fateful years ago my home kingdom and village was raided and burned. Everyone I knew and loved died from it. Go ahead and call me ‘dramatic’. I dare you.

But anyways less about me and more about the story of me. I was peacefully walking the ruins of Kiharn (The West kingdom that was raided) when I saw a fox, most times I had a leash or lead on me for them but I didn’t have it on me today. I slowly and calmly approached the fox.

“Hey bubs.” I cooed quietly as I crouched down to the little guy. Usually I was more closed off but somehow this one got my attention and affection. I gently pet the fox and scratched behind their ears. “Did you lose your family too?” I asked slowly, I knew the fox wouldn't answer but I could still feel sympathetic and bad for it right? The fox had looked up with a sad look, I looked back with the same sad look.

“I get it…” Someone said but I turned and nobody was there. I grabbed my Bow and Quiver. I drew an arrow and had the fox in a protected spot.

“Who’s there? Who are you?” I asked my guard highly as I looked around. “Hello?!” I called out. I felt my heart racing as I pushed the bushes out of the way to see a teen probably two years younger than me. I looked at her, she was scared. I slipped my arrow into the quiver and slung my bow over my shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I won't hurt you, I promise.” I stayed calm and gentle with her.

“I- I’m Mari” She said quietly as I went to reach out for her. She looked so small and young, how could anyone want to hurt her? “Just please don't hurt me…” She said quietly. There was a young boy with her. I looked over the two, the boy couldn't be any older than eleven and the girl was probably fourteen give or take.

“How old are you two Mari?” I asked gently, reaching out a hand for her to take. I wouldn’t hurt her, I swore it. She gently took my hand and then I helped her up and helped the little boy with her.

“I’m fifteen and my brother Salvito is ten.” She explained to me, I nodded, it made sense. They both looked younger than me, I mean sure, I can be confused for an adult at times but you could tell they were young. I pondered a long moment, not knowing what to do. Do I help them, Question them, take them with me? I didn’t know.

“How old are you?” The young boy, I think his name was salvito? Had asked me. I froze, never getting asked that question before from someone younger than me.

“I’m seventeen, Why do you ask?” I replied back, giving a question to answer his question. He had a look of pure concentration, for a moment I thought he was a lot older for the look he had.

“So you were here when the massive raid of king Axle came through? The one when the whole village burned?” He asked back, I didn’t want to lie but I also didn’t want to answer his question. I thought for a moment, how would I answer that question and tell him I was only nine when it happened?

“Yes, I was here when it happened.” I told him, pushing my braid behind my head. Mari had been wearing a white puffed sleeve tunic like I was, hers was just female, mine was more of a male scale of one. I had realized she had a hood or cloak that was an emerald green, it had darker brown and dark maroon stains too. I had noticed the mark of kafka (kafka is the kingdom we were in before it got raided.) I was one to know exactly what it meant, so I showed them mine.