Prologue: A Girl

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Corinth, Colony 13 (what used to be North America), 6990 A.D.

"Her name will be Kaya Raven Locksley," the weary mother said as she looked down at the sleeping bundle in her arms.

"A fine name," the ruff voice of Roger Robin Locksley replied. He gently brushed the hair out of his beloveds' eyes, passing his calloused fingers over her sweaty forehead.

The sound of battle could be heard raging outside in the courtyard, but Roger had stayed to protect his wife and newborn baby girl. He had just gotten his girls back and wasn't about to lose them again. Roger looked down upon the serene face of the slumbering babe. A tuft of fair hair stuck to the side of her head as she slept on, wrapped safely in her mother's arms, not at all disturbed by the tumult around her. Just as Roger was bending down to rest his chapped lips against her tiny, warm, forehead, a man barged into the room holding a black compound bow and a notched arrow.

"Rog, they've gotten into the mansion. We must go," Jefferson Scarlet said in a rush, slamming the door shut as he strode in. He gave the well upholstered room a calculating glance, his gaze passing over the little family by the bed, and began to push heavy furniture against the door to barricade them in.

"Jeff, Lena cannot travel in this state. Nor can the baby," Roger said to his best friend, stone faced. Melina grabbed her husband's arm with a surprisingly strong grip, considering she'd just given birth not five minutes ago.

"Roger, go. Take Kaya. I will stay behind," Melina said as she closed her eyes, a silent tear escaping her closed lid.

"I will not leave you, my Lena," He said with a ferocity that came with being a husband as he looked upon her lovely face. Even with sweat running from her temples, matting her hair, and with tear tracks running down her pale cheeks, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

"I will only slow you down. So, yes, you will. Get our daughter to safety," Melina said, protectively holding the sleeping babe to her ample bosom.

"You always did know how to give orders," Roger said helplessly. He knew that she would not budge now that her mind was made. There was nothing he could do but acquiesce with her request. His heart broke as he looked at his helpless wife. He would be leaving her without protection, without support. Leaving her to her doom, because, if they found her, they would surely kill her. But he had to keep their daughter safe as well, so, he turned to leave with Jefferson.

"I love you both, so much," Melina said with feverish intensity, which halted Roger's progress and made him look back at her.

"We love you more," Roger said, reaching out to caress her warm cheek. The battle could be heard moving into the corridor that lead to the room where this heart breaking scene was taking place.

"Let her know about her family. About us," Melina said softly, as tears escaped her clear blue eyes.

"I will, my Lena," Roger answered as he bent to press a chaste kiss to her trembling lips.

"And Roger? Let no harm come to her," Melina said, stifling a sob that would tear her husband's heart out if he knew how scared she actually was.

"I won't, I promise," Roger pledged, running the shaking fingers of his free hand through her curly hair. His gaze roamed over her face, cementing her beauty into his memory. Melina, his wife, his heart, his soul, gazed back and gave him a watery smile, pulling him in for one last kiss.

When he straightened, there was a spark of steel in his dark eyes. He turned away from the love of his life for the last time, determined to keep his vow to her, and disappeared through the window behind Jefferson. He knew his new mission was to get Kaya away, to keep her safe, but he would never forgive himself for leaving Melina to die.

When the two men and the baby were safely concealed in the foliage of the forest, Roger looked up towards the room where his wife lay in their bed, recovering from childbirth. He could see nothing but the bright light that spilled from the second story window. For a long moment there was just the silence of the forest and the clash of steel against steel. Then a gunshot rang out in the now peaceful night. Roger knew then, that Melina had been killed.

"Rog, we have to go," Jefferson urged with grimace.

"Yeah," Roger answered looking down upon the face of his little girl who had yet to even whimper at the commotion. "Let's go." He told her, merging further into the forest on his estate.

Newbury, Colony 13, 6990 A.D.

The sun sank over the horizon as the lone driver directed his car to the north. The letter that he carried in his satchel was the most important of any that had ever been received. As the gates of the tall mansion grew more visible in the darkening sky, the messenger became excited about the prospect of the reward he was sure to receive for the valuable information he held. When he reached the gates, he told the guard his name, and, when he was given permission, drove around the circular drive way to park in front of the large building.

He jumped out of his car, ran up the steps to the front door, and knocked on the heavy Victorian wood. It was opened by a butler that he gave a curt nod to as he walked into the grand foyer. When he'd finally taken in what his eyes were telling his brain, he almost died from the shock of all of the riches that sat before him. He resisted the urge to stuff some of the silver on display into his satchel as he strode down the long, marble hallway. When he reached his destination, the guard at the door stopped him.

"Sherriff!! A currier is here to see you!" The guard announced to the closed door.

"Who is it?" An angry, male, voice asked, as the man inside the study made his way to the door, and opened it. "What?"

Standing before the messenger was a sort man, only barely reaching five feet tall, who had short black hair that was balding at the top. The man was plump and red faced with yellow teeth and breath that smelled of stale cigarette smoke. His eyes were as pricing and cunning as a snake.

"You told me to tell you when the child was born sir," the messenger said slowly.

"Yes. And..." The Sherriff of Newbury trailed off, waiting for the currier to fill in the blank.

"Well, it has entered the world. Also, this is for you," the messenger stated as he handed over the letter.

"Great!! The price on the infants head will be equal - no, greater - than that of his fathers. Roger Locksley will not have a son to plague the colonies with his family legacy!" The Sherriff exclaimed, his thin lips twisting into a gruesome smile.

"Oh, but the child is a female, sir," the currier replied with a grimace, as the Sherriff confirmed his statement by reading the note.

"A girl?" The Sherriff asked. The messenger nodded.

"Yes, sir. A female," he answered.

"A girl!" The Sherriff laughed, his chortling dark and ominous. The currier joined the mirth, laughing alongside his superior. "A girl!"

"Do you still wish a price on her head sir?" The messenger asked, after they had calmed.

"No, let Rogers daughter live," the Sherriff said. "After all, she's just a woman. What harm could she possibly do? A girl!! Ha!!"

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