Swords clashed loudly outside the tent, never ceasing. The young man inside the tent never looked up from the letter he was reading. Everything around him, except the echoing words that laid on the parchment, was blocked out, never once hearing the raging cries. The letter was eight years old, but nevertheless, it still haunted the young man.
His father had written to Brian, telling him about his sister Leila's disappearance. When she was ten years old, one of the kings who had come to arrange a marriage between their son and Leila had kidnapped her, and she had not been seen since. Ever since he had received the news, Brian was very angry at himself. If only he had not gone off to war. He should have stayed home and protected her. He completely blamed himself and when he started to carry all that guilt, he stopped talking.
This happened eight years ago.
He tried to lift the weight that crushed him, but it kept whispering, "It's all your fault. You should have been with her. None of this would have happened if you had stayed home."
He swore to himself that once the war was over, he was going to do everything to save his sister and his best friend.
He was the oldest in the family. He had three brothers: Charles, Benjamin, and Joseph. All four of them had left for war nine years ago. A year ago, Benjamin had been severely wounded and had died two months later. Joseph had been taken captive a month ago, and Charlie was outside fighting the enemy. Brian's officer told him that he was not allowed to fight anymore because no one could get Brian to say a word, so they had no way to communicate with him. He was asked stayed at the camp, though, to help the wounded soldiers. His brothers had never seen the letter before. Brian thought it was best that they did not know because he did not want them to carry the burden and the guilt too.
It wasn't their fault, so why should they suffer?
Suddenly, Brian heard a rustling sound. He quickly tucked the letter into his coat pocket. He sat very still, carefully listening for the noise again. He heard it again, this time louder. He was about get up to peek out when a stranger popped into the tent. Brian did not recognize the man.
"Sir, come quietly with me, or I will shoot you."
Brian walked over to him without any hesitation. They walked outside, with Brian in front, and as he looked around, Brian understood exactly what was going on.
They had lost the war and he was now a prisoner.
YOU ARE READING
Hidden Secrets, Hidden Past, Hidden Lives
SpiritualA lost princess, a soldier who has not spoken in eight years, and a rebellious young leader. When a blizzard brings the three of them together, their lives are changed forever as secrets from their pasts are revealed. Can they help each other find...
