Leaves and snow crunched under my boots as I crouched behind a tree. The bark dug into my skin as I leaned against it, steadying my balance. The canopy of the trees kept me hidden in the shadows. I watched as my warm breath made clouds as I exhaled. My heart pounded in my chest as notched my arrow and drew it back.
The string bit into my skin as I pulled it taught, The bow groaned. I inhaled deeply, moving my hand slightly to the left, adjusting to the winds direction. I watched as the deer looked up alarmed. I waited, my breathing stopped until it resumed digging at the dirt. It was a beautiful dear with a chocolate brown coat pressed smoothly to his body. It gleamed against the sun's gaze. It's rack was white and reached for the sky like a lightening strike. I watched its leg muscles ripple as it dug in the dirt. A magnificent creature. It's too bad it had to die.
Another deep breath, making sure my aim was right and released the string. The arrow whistled loudly as it pierced through the air. With a solid thud I watched as the deer's leg buckled from underneath him. The arrow protruded just next to its leg, piercing the heart and killing it instantly. Please with my work I walked carefully over to the deer.
The crunching echoed off the trees, giving an illusion that there was another set off foot steps. I approached the deer, a red stain appearing in the snow as it bled out. I gripped my arrow tightly in my hand, pulling hard as it ripped out. Blood poured out from its wound.
"Thank you Mother Xiena for blessing me today with this food. I thank you for your sacrifice so I may eat and to live another day. Bless thee." Another set of steps approached from behind me as I tied a rope around the deer's front legs.
"Do you always pray after killing everything?" A male voice spoke from behind me, amusement evident in his tone. Sebastion always mocked me for praising the gods. I turned an handed him the rope, smiling. He was a tall pale man with platinum blonde hair. His blue eyes stood out brightly agaisnt his skin, and reflection of the snow. He wore leather black pants and a jacket with a pair of leather combat boots to match.
"The way I see it, we would not exist if not for them. Why not thank them providing for us?" I shoved past him, walking towards the way we entered.
"Oh Aria, if you think the gods cared, so you think we would be in the middle of a war?" He scoffed. I sighed, irritated. We have had this conversation so many times, it was getting old.
"Sebastion, the way of the gods is to not interfere. That is the privilidge of free will. They are only responsible for feeding us. What ever else we do is on us." I ran my hands over the rough tree bark as we continued through the ense woods. I heard him grunt as he struggled to pull the deer. Twigs snapped under his feet as he dug into the loose snow.
"Well, I think the gods are stupid to.....ignore the situations of the world. Why worship a bunch of deitys that do nothing more than laugh.....at our struggles? Are you gonna help me?" He grunted. I rolled my eyes and walked over to him, gripped the rope in my hands, and pulled. The deer traveled smoothly through the loose snow.
"They aren't entertained believe me. They weep as their creations kill each other. But as a sworn rule. They can not interfere. Free will." I said through gritted teeth as the rope bit into my skin. This thing really was heavy. I heard Sebastion breathe heavy next to me.
"Well you believe in your gods. I'll side with reason and continue my life cursing them bastards." I sighed and shook my head. It was sad to see such a lost soul, but it was expected with the hardships over our world. We have lost so much from this on going battle.
The War, caused by ignorant rich people who where greedy and hungered for power. At first it was just two Kingdoms. At first it was a squabble over territory borders. Then it turned into murder. Of course other Kingdoms had heard about this and immediately aided their allies in the war. If you didn't pick a side, you where immediately infiltrated. A least a handful of kindoms had fallen do to this greed. Its citizens would then be forced to choose a side.
That's what happened to us. I am part of a very small group that managed to sneak out of an invasion. Each one of us walked a different aspect of life, and I feel like that's how we survied so long. Sebastion was once a well known scout. He was a very careful and patient man. We may not see eye to eye on things, but I would trust him with my life.
Terra use to be a cook in the The Castle we served under. Her food was to die for. The King's personal cook. Good with food, but just as good with a blade. She has had the unfortunate luck of loosing her family to the battle. Her husband and twin daughters. Even though it's been a few years now, she still cries in her sleep. There was nothing we could do or say to ever make that pain go away.
Celeste was remarkable in her own way. We nicknamed her the snake because she could charm her way in and out of any situation. She has saved our hide numerous times. She wasn't always like this though. She was a medic on the front lines at the start of the war. She lost her only sister from an ambush at the very beginning. She likes to drink a lot to help with her pain.
Jameson, our leader, and the very man I served under for so many years, had his own traumatic experience. He was suppose to guard the King and his family from any attacks. But instead they where ambushed and distracted. They couldn't make it in time to save them. We don't blame him for what happened, but he took it very personally. He use to be a very happy man, newly wed and it was good. But he lost his pride, dignity, and the only love of his life during the siege.
I was a royal solider. The most revered. I was well known for my exceptional tracking skills and results in any situation. Just short of an assassin. But I was mostly known for my caring aspect. I would spend most of my time helping the citizens. It made for a lot of friends and family. Most of which I lost. I didnt have any siblings or parents, so any friends I made where family.
We finaly reached the camp amd dropped the deer at Terra's feet. She was currently starting a fire, brambles at her feet as she tried to strike two pieces of flint together. Her brown hair laid in tangles on her back. She wore a long tattered pink stained dress and a white apron. Her face, even though was still young, had dark bags and stress line. I watched her struggle, each strike harder than the last as she struggled.
I stilled her hands and took the flint. She looked up at me embarresed. I lined the rocky edges together and with a quick flick, ignited the brambles and twigs in the makeshift fire pit. I patted her on the back before rising to my feet.
"Jeez Aria, you planning a feast?" She asked, a tired smile pasted on her face.
"It's cold enough right now that it will keep the left overs preserved. Wildlife is scarce right now because of the snow. They are migrating to warmer weather. At least this waybwe won't have to worry about food." A hand clapped me on my shoulder.
"Good work Aria." Jameson stared down at the deer. He was taller than average. Black hair with gray streaks that was braided down his back. Much like Sebastion, he wore black. A belt sat on his shoulder, holding his blade. I nodded my head greatful for the compliment.
"Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to stay for very long. Soliders are moving in from the north and don't look to be changing direction." That wasn't anything unusual. Giving the location of the army. Malfathicus, a very ignorant and greedy bastard, was probably on his way to over throw Atticus. Lots of Kings during this time, use this oppertunity to kill because of power for themselves. Man eat man world.
"Then we better get packing. If it's Malfathicus's men, they will be at their destination by nightfall." Celeste muttered as she crawled from her tent. She was a pretty dirty blone with short cropped hair. She wore skin tight leather, giving her the appeal she needed to charm her way into the hearts of men.
"It doesn't get easier does it?" Sebastion ties the deer upside down in the tree. Blood dripped from it's open mouth, eyes glazed over.
"This is war Sebastion, nothing about this is easy. Not for anyone. We just need to make the best of it until we can figure this out." Jameson muttered.
"It's really only a matter of time until we are caught. The number of soliders has been increasing and their thirst for blood only grows." I said chewing on my nail.
"What would you have us do? Pray to your damn gods?" Sebastion spat. I glared at him. Jameson held out a hand, stopping us from arguing.
"Do you have an idea Aria?" I stopped cewing on my nail. I did have an idea, but theyvweren't going to like it.
"Yeah, find a kingdom not allianced with Malfaticus and try to plead for sanctuary. Ride it out until it's over." I suggested. Terra walked up to me and placed both hands on my face.
"Aria, alligences change all the time, there is no guarentee that we would be safe." I grittes me teeth together. It was better than living outside.
"I have to side with Aria. its only a matter of time before the winter does us in, or those damned soliders." Celeste took a whetstone to her blade. We looked towards Jameson, who was quiet. He had a far away look in face, pondering all the possibilities.
"We will sleep on it tonight and cast a vote in the morning. We leave tomorrow regardless. Head south towards Atticus and maybe find a neutral village for the time being." A solid plan by our leader, as usual. He was like a walking map. Atticus has always been well known for distatse against war, but recently he has been really pushing to get his nails into Malfathicus. Maybe we could use this to our advantage.
I walked to the tent and crawled in. It was a dark green tarp held up by a few sticks. It's not very reliable, but it's good for one night uses. Celeste crawled in shortly after me and laid down in the sleeping bag next to mine. I heard her sigh as I tossed my bow to the side.
"Do you think that after this war, things will get better?" She asked quietly. I was silent. I watched her close her eyes, tears rolling down her face. She was missing her sister. I placed a hand on her arm.
"I know it doesn't mean much Celeste, but I got your back." I whispered. She gave me a watery smile before settling into bed. Will tho war ever end? Would it matter at this at this point? There is so much damage that even if it did, nothing woud be the same. I laid down and rested my head on my hands.
I just know that I want peace, and there wouldn't be any if we just sit by and watch he'll unfold.