1 Chapter 1 - Kaburn

As the carriage creaked to a halt, a guard approached, he spoke simply.

"Purpose?"

"Tavern ordered ale and bedding from the town over, I'm here to deliver." The driver wished to hurry inside, it was his hometown after all. He began to reminisce of all his favorite memories not caring much for the guard who glared at him with suspicion

"New driver?"

"Huh? Oh. Yes, I actually grew up here, I'm very excited to be back. Maybe you grew up with me, 'names Geck."

Though this clearly didn't clear Geck of suspicions the guards expression eased as he nodded.

As the guard was about to continue a second guard came from behind and the carriage and gave him an okay sign.

Nodding the guard looked back at the driver, he seemed to approve of the man's character.

"Well welcome back Geck! You can go on ahead."

Geck smiled brightly and nodded, he whipped his reigns in order to get his oxen moving.

This village isn't wealthy, there aren't walls, and there isn't a castle, or any symbol of wealth nearby.

The carriage passed by the two guards with a gleeful driver seated on top. As Geck first entered the village he noticed the people in the streets were more than when he was there.

As he looked to the people passing by on the streets he was greeted with warm smiles and waves. He of course returned the favor.

"Oh Kaburn, always so welcoming, I might just move back…"

His thoughts were interrupted by a worrying site. A fancy carriage.

Nobles never came to these villages with good intentions. They use these villages as vacations, using their women as whores in a brothel and the men as expendable slaves. Geck, unfortunately, has been victim to this, he wished nothing more than to ring out nobles like wet rags.

Sighing at the sight he attempted to look on the bright side. He could visit his brothers and his mother!

This work was successful until he saw something that brought him to reality.

He witnessed a girl, who seemed to be 16 years of age, clutching at her side which was soaked in blood. She seemed to be catching her breath when she saw a man turn a corner, which caused her to run away.

Geck, of course, wished to intervene until he saw a badge on the man's chest. This badge signifies he was of noble blood, and after seeing this Geck had to stop himself. If he intervened he would be killed for 'attacking' a noble. He wouldn't sacrifice himself for some random girl who he had never met. He could only pray for her safety.

~

Stumbling out of the seemingly quaint village, Erida did not dare to look back, she had to escape. She earned some pitiful stares from the nearby guards. Attempting to run, a great pain struck her, all over, her suffering was amplified. She wanted to scream, but she didn't know if they had followed her yet. She took a brief moment to strengthen her resolve, and began once again to stumble forward.

The pain would not however leave, so she looked at her greatest regret. A gash on her side, which she had been clutching this entire time, her clothes were soaked in her own blood. It was then the severity of the situation was realized.

Seeing the wound her body froze, her strength depleted, she collapsed. Erida's mind was working as hard as possible, she wanted to live.

'Why would they do this over food!? Not even a meal's worth!'

Tears overwhelmed her eyes, they fell in waterfalls. She would really die over a small portion of food. Her vision began to blur.

Through her blurred vision she saw a figure walk from the village, one which she knew all too well. The guards who had previously stared at Erida were now being spoken to by this figure.

"Bitch! Don't die yet! We're not done yet!" The figure seemed to chuckle after seeing the girl bathed in her own blood.

Knowing she had been followed, she let out a shriek, one that would be heard throughout this village. The pain felt no better, the only reason Erida was still alive was due to her powerful will to live.

Her vision was darkening, a will could only do so much. The figure, who had been leisurely approaching the dying girl, laughed seeing her life leave her eyes.

With the last of her strength she muttered, "I will get my revenge, I don't know how but I will." With her final words being said, her consciousness faded.

If one was here to witness this they would see the figure shrug and mutter, "At least she's fresh, father might like her." He then picked the dead girl up and tossed her over shoulder, he then began his return to the village.