"Slow down, sweetie. You might trip!"
A grown woman chased down an exact copy of herself, shrunk down to that of a child. Bright smiles on their faces, their raven black hair flying out behind them. The smaller of the two was shrieking and smiling as she dashed about.
Rounding a corner, slipping out of her mother's sight, she grew quiet until her mother came around. Without a word, a bear of a man reached down and lifted the mother up.
"Th-Thorin! My love, you are so evil!"
She struggled until her daughter peeked over Thorin's shoulder.
"Hi Mama."
Her eyes fluttered with delight as she watched her mother's dumbstruck face.
"Ugh... planning against your mother. The audacity... it breaks my heart!"
Fake sobs began to come from her as her hair fell into her face. Crawling down Thorin's arm, the young girl began to peek through her mother's hair. Blue eyes sparkled between the two of them as the mother smiled.
"Hey there, sweetie. I got you."
Her smile became a smirk as she wrenched her arms free and grabbed her daughter. She began to tickle her and leave tiny kisses across her face. Her daughter squealed and struggled.
"Mama no! Papa help me!"
Thorin smiled down and laughed softly.
"I can't help, my sweet. Your Mama gave me the look. I'd rather not get in trouble."
Struggling against the onslaught, the small one finally broke free and scurried up her father's shoulder.
"No fair! Mama, you can't make Papa on your side."
Giving a tiny pout, she climbed down her father with skill built over time. As she hit the ground, her feet kicked up dust when she booked it back around the corner.
"Good boy."
"Nilly, you're a menace."
Thorin kissed his wife softly before letting her feet touch the ground.
"Make sure you wash your feet before the others get here. Meetings and discussions, always a bother."
Nilly poked her husband.
"Well, get used to it Duke Thorin Synclair. It's stupid to me as well, but we need to make sure our little Aveline doesn't have a hard time. She deserves the best."
Aveline scurried further away, sliding to a halt as she realized she wasn't being pursued.
"Did Mama get lost?"
Ducking behind a corner, Aveline got dirt all over her dress. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes were watching from near the back entrance of the villa.
"So Kyra, think we should..."
Her glare was venomous, silencing the man.
"I will gut you. Master Synclair was kind enough to employ us after the guild collapsed. Do NOT make me kill you."
Her eyes did enough, keeping the man from moving. He grit his teeth, dissatisfied. Watching Aveline, he could only glare with hatred.
Choosing to ignore her companion, Kyra decided to approach Aveline. Her new occupation as a maid kept her in a beautiful maid's dress that flowed with each step, but her boots underneath were showing her days with the guild. She knelt beside Aveline and whispered to her.
"Lady Nilly is coming from the other side."
She gave Aveline a playful wink, hiding her in time for the lady of the house to appear.
"Kyra dear, have you seen my little one? I can't play for much longer, so I wanted a hug before I got too busy for the day."
Kyra gave a small nod before stepping sideways.
"Betrayer!"
Aveline was still smiling, but didn't run. She knew her parents were busy people, so she didn't complain. Darting forward, she embraced her crouching mother.
"Don't be late for dinner. Zeke said he was gonna make something yummy!"
Her excited chatter left Nilly with nothing but giggles.
"Of course, sweetie. You can play with Miss Kyra and Isaac."
Peeking at Isaac, Aveline shook her head.
"Scary. I'll play with Kyra! Time for payback, Betrayer!"
Kyra smiled, her eyes alight. Being an only child and growing up without other girls made her particularly enjoy the young Aveline's company.
"So how old are you again, Kyra? I never got an answer from my husband."
"I'm fourteen, ma'am. I was with the guild for four years."
Nilly just nodded slowly.
"Well, I hope you get used to work here quickly. I'll be checking in with you frequently."
Nilly walked away, leaving the girls to spend their time together.
The two played for a time before the Sun began to drop in the sky. Looking away for a second, Kyra didn't see Aveline disappear from sight. Even Aveline wasn't paying attention as she ran through the ever-darkening garden.
"Hehe. Someone finally came to play with me!"
His hand was over her mouth before she could scream. A thin cold piece of steel against her neck. Aveline's eyes grew wide in shock and fear.
"Now keep quiet. I'm making much better money of you than this damn family."
Leading her backwards, Isaac could only laugh to himself as he peeked backwards. He froze, then whipped Aveline around as a sharp breath escaped his lips.
"Ehehe. You found us quickly."
Her golden eyes wild with rage, two gleaming blades in her hands, Kyra stared daggers into Isaac's body.
"Let. Her. Go."
Aveline shook wildly, the knife against her neck pressing harder. She trembled, tears falling from her eyes.
"H-help me!"
Isaac glared down at Aveline, his blade beginning to dig into her skin. Blood slowly covered the very thinnest edge of the blade. Her eyes suddenly lost their light as she felt the blade pierce her skin.
"No..."
Her voice trembled and died out a she fell limp.