The Rise of Their Dynasty

Chapter 1 - Timeline 2

He saw the sunshine through the big leaves of the massive oak and maple trees. It never crossed his mind that maybe he was dreaming at the moment. The wind breezed slowly overhead in the leaves making them talkative, the trees stretching their arms out to birds and other creatures of the world. The ground was buried in leaves from the past crispy, fall days, and the ponds were filled to the brim with algae. It was nice— at that time.

He leaned forward off of the oak tree and stood still, staring at a doe. The lips of his mouth formed a calm and gentle expression as he continued to look. He approached it with his hands stretched out to it. It walked closer to him and he hugged her and kissed her cheek. She didn't seem to understand the meaning of love but she did receive it.

"Hi Daisy," he said subduedly to her. The feeling of her body touching his hands made him feel relaxed and comfortable.

The leaves crinkled on the ground as she walked away from him in the direction of her home. Creatures came near him but never stayed for too long of a time. Trees and bushes chattered as the wind blew harder.

On the way back to his home, he needed to be careful. People were looking for him with their maces for killing, armor for defending, and arrows for hunting. He, Addi, and Elizabeth were the only ones who knew.

He could hear footsteps around a tree and he waited patiently for either striking or sneaking past. A knight came into view as he walked past in his heavy armor and mace at hand. He panned around a little, then continued walking.

It was getting dark and he still hadn't located home just yet. Then, he came across a creek that flowed downhill to a lake. He knew where he was now and made a run downhill and reached his small house. It was up in a tall tree that had small planks nailed to it, acting like a ladder. The warped wooden boards poked out from their position which led to additional warping. It was silent in the treehouse which frightened him and made him feel uncomfortable. The floorboards would freak every time someone would take a step in it, just the slightest.

"Addi?" He whispered, "Are you up there?"

There was only silence as a response.

"Addi this is serious!" He whispered a little louder, "Answer me, now."

Then he thought, Maybe Elizabeth?

"Liz, are you there?" Still no answer, "Ugh!"

He climbed up step by step to the house in the tree. He climbed in and looked in the darkroom of the place, and came to the conclusion that no one was there. He feared the worst and his hands flew to his head in panic. His head shook left and right struggling to breathe correctly as he was confused.

"Oh...No," the dark room made him feel cold and unwanted or unwelcome which made the matter no better. He wished he could feel his wife's young breath in his ear and cuddle with her. But, her body was no longer emanating heat. He pictured her lifeless eyes and pale body floating away in the deep water of the lake. And now? His two girls were left with him to be taken care of but he was always out looking for food and trying to survive the enforcers that were out to capture them.

"Daddy?" A little voice came from the darkness.

"Liz?" He said while looking at the ruckus and, in a heartbeat, he stood to his feet. "Is that you?"

"Yes!" A girl, no taller than a countertop, stepped into the moonlight and wore a white gown for sleeping in.

"Liz! Please come here!" He knelt and stretched his arms to her and held her tightly. Then he asked, "Where's your sister?"

"Umm," she started as she thought harder, "I think she said she was going to check the fishing nets for food and she'd be back. But, she's still not home."