The Bane of Everin

Chapter three

"You forgot to tell me where we are going and why I can't wear armor" I growled, getting agitated about being blind from everything that has anything to do with my family as of late. Grama quietly humed to herself as my anger slowly boiled while I ripped my gaze from the old lady and to the rising fog of the early morning. The fog laced around the castle in the distance making something about its stout and broad demeanor celestial. Something in me felt bad for the castle, the poor structure being forced to house such a worthless human.

"I guess you do deserve to know...something" grandma finally sighed, bringing my hope soaring. I agreed with her as I looked down feeling naked. I was wearing a tight gambeson with cut off sleeves and padded leggings and merely thin socks for my feet. The lady didn't even let me wear shoes. So, pretty much what I wear under my armor.

"Like your brother and grandpa did, I am going to tell you about our family history" grandma smiled as my smile turned to a scowl. What's up with people and history? It's either remember everything or forget your past. Make up your minds.

. . .

Feyra looked down at the six year old Everin whose legs were gushing blood from running through the thorn bushes just outside of Lothic.

"Again" Freya commanded, wanting to increase the child's pain tolerance. The twinkle that lived in Everins eyes faded just a little. The puzzled child didn't understand why she was getting punished, what had she done? With struggle Everin turned around trying her best to control her wobbly legs. Slowly Everin took another lap in the thick thorn bushes without shoes. Cuts soon found their way up to the young child's thighs after most of her skirt had been torn off from the endless running. Thorns had found their way up into the soft skin of her feet leaving prints of crimson blood behind.

"Your ancestors did this every month. Think of them now, they must be ashamed" Everins mother's shouting about Everins ancestors thinking she was a disgrace. So Everin wasn't in trouble, but she still wanted to know why her ancestors would be ashamed from the grave. Little did Everin know that the thorns were just the beginning. Even if she didn't understand why they put her through so much pain Everin would show her ancestors a blood line to be proud of. The twinkle in Everins eye came back but with a different shine.

. . .

"Yeah I know our history. Endless sessions of abusive exercises" I growled as grandma just let out a chuckle as if every kid had gone through what the Draken children did.

"We do that to make warriors, the Draken house does not produce knights for a king or soldiers for an empire. We train elite soldiers of an infallible bloodline" grandmas voice sounded proud and strong as her wrinkled smile widened. But I wasn't impressed, I half heartedly wanted my childhood back. I wanted to play in the streets like the children now, but I also looked up to my childhood self. I scoffed as we entered the square where shop owners prepped for the day.

"Out early are we?" Gon announced as he pierced his new fresh kill on a meat hook hanging from the roof of his market stand. Blood dripped from the venison as the younger darker man whipped his hands on his once white apron.

"Yeah I want to be asleep too" I groaned replying to his noticeable voice change on the word early. He let out a hearty laugh as me and grandma stopped.

"I hear you every morning out practicing with your brother. Don't sell yourself short" he grinned as his deep voice continued to surprise me. Gon was a big man, possibly even bigger than the town blacksmith. Broad shoulders and toned muscles, a fine man.

"Yeah this was my morning off..." I winked as grandma hit my hand with a perky scoff to follow.

"You two ladies be safe now" he said, giving us a little nod as we returned it. Once we had turned our back a large grin appeared on my face.