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Nico couldn't remember the last time it's rained in the Elven kingdom.

His people had been suffering from a drought for over a decade but Nico and his family have nothing to worry about since they have plenty stored away.

The drought had gotten so bad that their leader had to send out some guards to search for any sources of water. The Elven Kingdom is in the north, where the summers are scorching and winters are short. 

They were surrounded by thick forests full of trees of all kinds, thick undergrowth, and edible plants. It was home to many species of animals.

Nico was down in the busy market hoping to get something for his parents' anniversary. Like always, the place is packed with families out for a stroll. Men wore loose garments in the heat and the women wore bright flowy dresses.

A little boy raced past Nico almost barreling into him, holding up a bag.

"Ori!" a woman wearing a purple dress cries, "Come back with that!" the lady gave chase and Nico laughed to himself. He turned and weaved in and out of the crowds in an attempt to get to the flower stall.

When he got there, Marcus was standing behind the counter helping an elderly woman who seemed to be struggling between choosing sunflowers and lilies.

Marcus was a middle-aged man with black stubble and greying hair, and perched on the tip of his nose were a pair of spectacles. He was a tall man with a slight gut, not someone you'd expect to see in a flower stall.

Nico spotted a display of bright flowers and he went over to inspect it. It was a mixture of Calliandra, Camellia, Ixora, and some plants he didn't recognize.

"Nicholas! How have you been?" Marcus boomed, coming over wearing a large grin.

Nico smiled. "I've been surviving, doing my best." he looked around at the other customers. "Business is blooming, yeah?"

"Oh, yes! Much more than we could've hoped for. My wife was afraid we'd have to close down." Marcus sighs. "But, hey, we're still here. So, what are you lookin' for? Something for a lover?"

"A lover?!"

Marcus threw his head back and laughed. "You're not too young for a lover, kiddo."

Nico gawped at him. "I'm only thirteen!"

"Hm. Very nearly a man."

"Anyway. I'm here for something for my parents. It's their anniversary." Nico chuckled. "What do you think about these?"

Marcus tapped his chin. "That's a good choice. Very colorful."

"How much?"

Marcus blinked folding his arms. "I keep telling you that you and your family can shop for free!"

"I insist." Nico reached for his coin bag. "For helping my sister start a garden."

"Nicholas."

"What's the price?"

Marcus sighed. "2.15 Sed."

Nico dug in his bag for two Sone worth a hundred each and fifteen sed. He pulled out the amount and put it in Marcus's hand.

He thanked him and then grabbed the vase. Nico stepped back out into the busy markets and made his way back to his home.

Nico and his family lived in the Diamond sector where the high income families live.

When he got to his sector he saw elves out playing and their parents sitting out in chairs soaking up the sun. Nico's parents were sitting on their lawn while his sister, Cammi, performed a little dance for them.

His mom was wearing a teal dress and her hair fell over her shoulders in waves. His dad had gotten to his feet and joined Cammi in her performance.

Nico snuck up behind his dad and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Happy anniversary!!"

His dad stumbled and yelped. Cammi and Nico burst out laughing, their mom covered her mouth to muffle her giggles.

"That's not funny!" his dad cried, though he was laughing himself. He picked Nico up and spun him in a circle. "Thanks for the gift though."

"It won't be much of a git when you two are through." his mom stood to take the flowers. "They're beautiful."

Cammi tapped Nico on the arm. "Did you get me anything?"

"Hm. I dunno. Did I?"

"Nicoooo!" Cammi whined.

Nico laughed and ruffled her hair. "I'll get you something tomorrow."

"But you promise!"

Their parents exchange a look before sighing. "Nicholas, take your sister back with you and get her a toy." their mom said, kissing his forehead. "We'll be here when you get back."

...

The market was just as busy when they went back. Nico was constantly chasing after Cammi when she took off into random stalls.

Though it took him a while to convince her that a pet was much too expensive for him, she agreed to get the stuffed animal.

On the way back, the ground began to shake and Nico wrapped his arms around Cammi.

"What's going on?" vendors cried, scrambling to save anything that was fragile.

Nico scooped Cammi up and ducked into a tent just as a fleet of horses came through, led by a man wearing a cloak and crown.

"You kids shouldn't be here." came a voice. "That man is dangerous."

Nico glanced over in the corner where a woman sat with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her grey hair was everywhere falling out of the knot on her head.

"Who is he? Who are you?" Nico asked, pulling Cammi closer. 

"That is King Kojo and his army." the woman sniffled. "I'm Amie."

Cammi blinked. "Why is the king of the Kingdom of Men dangerous?"

"He's the reason things are this way. Before, humans and elves lived in harmony. Now we're enemies." Amie bared her teeth at a passing guard. "I hate them. Humans. Disgusting."

Nico turned and swallowed when the king stopped right where the three of them were hiding.

"Neighbors of the North, I see that mother nature hasn't been kind to you lot." King Kojo snorts. "But then again, what have you..creatures done to deserve anything? Exactly. Nothing."

The silence that followed was deafening. Cammi trembled against him. A moment later King Melson and his family were dragged into view. 

Angry cried started but when a guard held a blade to their king's throat silence fell again.

The king's oldest daughter was struggling against her guard, growling and baring her teeth.

Nico got to his feet, ready to do something. Anything to protect his king.

He studied King Kojo sitting high up on his horse with a smug look on his face. Nico wanted so badly to reach up and smack him.

This is what his teachers were talking about. Humans were cruel.

Amie released a cry and threw something in the direction of the kind. It hit him right in the chest.

Nico knew what it was- horse dung.

"Piece of scum," Amie grumbled.

Seconds later the three of them were yanked from the tent and thrown to the ground.

The king dismounted his horse. "Who was it?"

Nico reached from Cammi pulling her in close. He made no eye contact and kept his head down.

"look at me, boy." Kojo spat.

Nico lifted his head. "Sir?"

"Who threw the dung?"

"I-I don't know sir." Nico stammered, tightening his grip on his sister.

Kojo nodded at one of the guards. The man moved so fast that all Nico saw was a flash of metal. Cammi screamed and hid behind the stuffed animal. Nico felt the blood drain from his face when his king slumped forward, lifeless.

His daughters were screaming, but their mom looked eerily calm, as though bloodshed and death had no effect on her.

Nico spotted his parents stepping into view.

Kojo grabbed Cammi, startled she dropped her toy. Nico stood to grab her but was quickly held down by guards.

"No!"

His mom screamed. "She's just a girl! A child! Have mercy!" she couldn't move any closer because the guards were trying to push them back.

Cammi was sobbing in the king's grip, her whole body was shaking. Nico whirled toward Amie who watched this with a blank expression.

He spat, enraged. "Say something, you dolt!"

With a quick move, he snapped Cammi's neck. Tossing the small body aside, Kojo looked around.

"We'll keep doing this until someone confesses. Who's next?"