The Ace's Revenge

Chapter 2: Do They Also Have a Bad Story? (Willow)

"Didn't you know?"

After a long time of pondering and talking to the other kids, I decided to take them to my small cottage in the woods. Before you try and assume, I unfortunately am not a witch. Honestly I got lucky though, at least I wouldn’t get burned at the stakes for reading a book or showing ankles. I didn’t know the same for Mari or Salvito though.

“So how did everything affect you two? And what was life before then?” I asked the two of them, if their ages of what they told me were true then Mari was going to be around seven and Salvito was three.

“Well.” Mari started, she took a deep breath. “Me and Salvito's parents died from the flames that engulfed our house. I had got Salvito out and tried to get my mom or dad but by the time I got back in they were already with Saltar. (Saltar, the god of death and the underworld.) I got back out and saw the chariot soldiers and I took Salvito and ran to the woods so we didn't die.” She explained her story in a way that even hurt me. I had known how bad the raid was but for a seven and three year old to be the only in the family to live? That was bad… “What about you?” She asked quietly.

“W-well, I was nine when it happened. I lived with my parents Lian and Maddison Blackblade. We had been baking and the fire took over from the outside of the village. I tried to get my dad and mom out of the flames. I had gone to the woods and it's been years of searching for them. I had lost everything but my hope and a new revenge that needs to be fulfilled.” I explained my backstory anc current in a way that made sense to drive them to a confusion.

“What do you mean revenge?” Salvito asked quietly, the boy looked so small compared to his story.

“Well. I mean I want to get revenge on Axle, He ruined my life and your guy’s lives too.” I explained, I lived by a few mottos, one being ‘The ace always beats the king in the games of war and life.’ “We need to get back at what he did, don’t you agree?” I asked them both.

“I personally do agree.” Mari told the two of us, Salvito looked a bit scared or confused that his sister agreed to vengeance and revenge.

“But what about-” Salvito started but got cut off abruptly.

“I don’t care for the promise of peace! I care for what will help us and give us a better future! Would mom and dad want us to be scared or cower in fear because of Axle’s reign? No, they would want us to fight.” Mari went off on Salvito, I felt bad for the kid. He quietly hid behind me. I gently held Mari’s hand to calm her.

“Hey, hey. Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves and argue or yell, but yes it’s a good idea for revenge.” I told them, Salvito still looked scared. I gently held his hand too. I did a small prayer to Abuhanen (Abuhanen god of peace and prosperity) “Dear Abuhanen hear this prayer, I need peace for these two children, give them your wisdom. Amost.” (amost word to end a prayer. Like amen)

We had waited for a long time to do anything out of the ordinary. Mari and Salvito were hungry so I made food out of the sheep you could rarely find in the wild here. It took a long while to cook over the fire with some herbs I found for tea. I let that cook while we talked.

“So…” Salvito mumbled to try and strike up a conversation.

“So dinner will be done soon.” I told them both as we sat there in my cabin. I sighed as I got the lamb meat off the fire. I cut it and got it on plates for them, I fixed up a few potatoes on the fire for a side to the meal and to get them some sort of vegetable.

“Why are you being so kind to us?” Mari asked me, I froze up as it took me a moment to process what she just asked me.

“Well, you guys also suffered through the raid. I wouldn't even wish anyone to lose everything then not getting any help after, no matter the time. I swear on the Lydis.” (Lydis the river the dead cross, like the river styx in greek)

I told them that because I didn’t want them to feel unsafe or unsecure with me so that they knew they had someone to ask for help even if I was barely two years older than Mari. I sighed as they did a small prayer to whatever gods they wanted and ate,  I had just laid down. I ensured they had beds to sleep before I went to sleep.