The Great Empress Li

Chapter 1

“Papa,why are you looking so worried? Is it those people again?” Prez father looked at his eight year old daughter? he could not keep anything from her no matter how well he hid it.

Adela Vick, Prez father had five children, two girls and three boys, he loved them all so much but Prez was his favorite and they both knew each other deepest secrets even though Prez was just eight years of age.

“Prez dear, leave your father alone, let him rest? he has had a long and tiring day.” Her mother entered with a tray of food for her husband.

Prez shrugged “Okay mama, love you both"

Then she left the room to join her siblings outside where they were sitting with her childhood crush Xavier.

After Prez left,her parents started a serious discussion.

“Hmmm! What are we to do now? These thieves are bent on stealing and taking away our merchant group, why can’t we report to the authorities ehn?”

Prez mother asked worriedly. Adela Vick shook his head vehemently “They are Philnians, they won’t listen to us, even though we might be right, the fact that we are Skornians made us wrong"

They both sighed in unison. Their merchant group is a famous one being coveted by a Philnian. The Adela family were at a crossroad about what to do and the action to take.

        The days went by quickly and then the day of the festival came, Prez woke up early with her sister, they were ready to go.

Prez happiness spread like wide fire in their family so everyone was smiling that morning because of Prez. Little did they know tragedy will come knocking that very day.

After breakfast and saying the family prayer, Xavier came to take them to the Circus with the stern warning of proper behaviour and hugs and kisses.

They went out of the house into the streets, they watched different type of shows in the Circus and after that proceeded into the market.

They toured the market, buying and eating things, watching puppet shows, dancing and acrobatic performances, magic tricks performances etc, Before they knew it, night came calling.

Xavier called to them and they went back to the house.

On getting there, they were about to enter when they saw their father’s business rival and some fierce looking men leaving their house carrying swords and spears.

Xavier hid them until they had completely left. Then they ran inside. What they witnessed was horror.

Their father had been beheaded, their mother in a pool of her own blood naked,it was evident she was raped so many times until her private part dripped with blood, then she was stabbed to death.

Their brothers too were also stabbed to death,only one was barely alive. There was stench of blood mixed with fish oil. By then the house was burning. Xavier went and held him.

         Xavier went and held him. “Shama, Shama stay with me, don’t die, open your eyes” He opened his eyes slowly. “I don’t have much time left, listen carefully Shingu(my friend), protect my sisters, take them to the resistance camp in Young Village.

No one can find the place, stay there. Am so sorry for putting this on you. Take care my friend” He gasped and died.

Prez,Kat, and Xavier wept bitterly with hearts full of hatred for her father’s business rival, Lord Dang.

Their house was burnt to the ground with her family inside.

After the incident, Xavier moved to take them to Young Village but Kat wouldn’t have it.