The Protector

Chapter 1

Genevieve

The wind swept through her long, black hair and the forest became a blur as Genevieve ran through the forest, her big cyan eyes narrowed in concentration and her shoulders hunched.

The six years of life she had spent in this forest had been kind to her. She was growing into a strong and wise little girl and this was to be her first hunt. She quickly scanned the forest before setting her eyes on the rabbit. She knew father was watching and it gave her immense relief. She took the little handmade spear and as nimble as a fox, thrust it into the rabbit. As she sat and marveled at her first kill, she heard her father approach.

Darius looked at the little girl looking at him triumphantly, her big, bright, blue eyes shining with excitement. He was proud of her. She was a bundle of joy and he absolutely adored her. In the six years she had spent in the forest with him, she had become his everything. He had begun to teach her, and she was a quick learner. Soon she would be able to read and write just as well as she could wield a sword or shoot an arrow. She had grown up too quickly for a six year old, but that was her destiny. She had to become a strong warrior. They both had much to avenge.

After escaping from their homeland, they had washed ashore another kingdom, and had been accepted with open arms. Since then, Darius had taken refuge in a small cottage he had built in the forest along with Genevieve. He began farming and hunting for food, and selling his grain in the market in the nearby village. He had hidden her from the public eye with much care and rarely took her to the markets. The Carrough king had sent out spies to capture them, and there was only so much time before they were discovered, unless he kept her hidden somehow. Her face was characteristic of the Dortague bloodline. Even at such a tender age, she had sharp features and a tall, strong bony structure. Her cyan eyes would be a dead giveaway.

Genevieve laughed as Darius picked her up and swung her in the air before laughing and pulling her into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, little one."

"Can I hunt the big animals now?" She asked, excitedly.

"Not now.", He laughed."As of now, you must understand one thing."

She looked at him with her bright eyes, knowing what he was about to say.

"Never kill unless you absolutely must. No life is worth wasting away. Now let us go home and cook some roast rabbit for dinner."

She jumped down from his arms and picked up her spear. They walked back towards the cottage.

***
Three years later

Genevieve woke up from a nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep again. She lay on the little hay mattress her father had made for her. She knew she wasn't about to get any sleep, and looked at the sleeping form of her father on the other end of the room. He was sleeping soundly and gently snoring. She smiled to herself.

Genevieve got up and went outside. The colour of the sky told her that it would be sunrise quite soon. It was two years since she had hunted for the first time, yet Darius didn't let her go to the forest alone. Perhaps it was archery. Darius had commended her over her aim, but she knew it was a little sloppy. She decided she would practice some more at sunrise and would make some arrows before that. Darius had taught her how to make them. She needed some wood, though. She could sit by the fire and carve them.

Genevieve took her carving knife and opened the door quietly so she wouldn't awaken Darius. She stepped out and decided she would collect branches from the first line of trees illuminated by the glow from the cottage.

As she walked towards the forest, she saw a shadow. She stepped back, thinking it was a wild animal and wouldn't come close to the cottage.

As she began walking backwards, a man with a dark hood around his face emerged from the woods. She turned and ran towards the cottage, but the man was faster and gagged her mouth before she could yell.

A/N: What do you think of Genevieve? Please comment and let me know. And don't forget to vote!