CHAPTER 1

SHADOWS OF SURVIVAL

Shanks village was a small village within the Valoria kingdom. One of four divided kingdoms in the empire, known for harbouring the poorest kinds.

Those who had no money or could barely provide for themselves a three square meal. These were the kinds of people who lived there. And because of this, the rate of corruption was extremely high as everyone would do anything just to survive be it stealing, or killing.

The nobles and many of those in power, use them to their advantage, using them for dirty works or extremely hard labour with very low pay. It was how things work and nobody complained, more like they couldn't dare to complain.

In a small shabby house, that stood admist many similar houses also in poor condition lived a family of four.

A couple and two kids, a boy and a girl. They were no better than the others, they too find it extremely hard to put food on their table.

Not to even talk of the thugs who enjoyed forcefully collecting money from the already poor people every now and then.

It was a daily occurrence and all villagers have grown accustomed to it.

Life was hard and didn't even show mercy on the six year old Amara, who now worked tirelessly along with her mother for the nobles just to earn a few shillings to survive, the tough living conditions didn't deter her from from pushing on, as long as she had her family by her side. it was all she wished for even though her father was a useless drunk who was very violent. He wasn't like this until he lost his job, now he just lazied around leaving Amara and her mother to provide for the family.

Amara being the smart girl, knew very well how to avoid the thugs so she had enough for her family to spend, but today she wasn't lucky at all.

infact she almost got hit by the thugs and now on getting home with the little amount another trouble which had now become a daily occurrence was about to take place

" You worthless woman " Their father was home again , the six year old Amara on seeing this quickly ran to where her mother was in the shabby yard.

" Mother father's back , hide " With laboured breaths she informed and, took her already trembling mother to go hide somewhere.

Their father had always been like this, whenever he got drunk he would come home to beat his wife or the kids, but his wife suffered the most, as a mother she would always shield her children taking all the hits. Eventually she fell sick, Coughing every now and then and Amara worried for her mother.

Her younger brother was already sobbing by corner, as they watched their father approaching in his drunken state. They knew what was next

" Jay , it's alright. I won't let him hurt you okay " She hugged him, tears pulling at the rim of her eyes but she didn't let it fall.

Girls her age were supposed to be carefree and playful, but with their father coming home drunk every day and pouring his frustration of not being able to live a better lifestyle on his poor family, it had taken a toll on them both mentally and emotionally.

She and her mother had gone out this afternoon to work for a certain noble, cleaning the dumps of the animals in his yard. The pay was low, but who were they to complain.

The village thugs had also mercilessly taken their own share, leaving them with very little amount to feed.

Now their father was home, she couldn't let him take the money, he would just go to drink more wine, leaving them with nothing.

She heard the shuffling of feets getting closer and she hugged her brother tighter, as usual she would shield him from taking the hits and suffer alone in pain.

" where's that worthless woman hiding, you think you can go out and meet men as you like? " He slurred, his crude words filling the children's ears.

He already brought a rod with him. Though Amara had disposed and hidden every dangerous objects he could use to hit them in the house, he still brought one from outside.

He stormed into their small room, the pugant stench of Alcohol filling the room.

" Foolish children, i might as well sell you into slavery " He hissed raising the rod to hit the children, Amara stiffened ready to take the hit, shielding her brother who was already shaking and sobbing endlessly.

" where's your mother ? " He instead pulled her by the hair, eliciting a scream from the year old girl. It seemed to him she had gotten used to being hit.

" I don't know " she lied, swallowing back the sob that almost burst out.

Back in the shed where her mother hid herself, she wept not liking the fact that the kids were now at the mercy of their drunk father.

She couldn't bear it anymore, hiding away caused her pain. Even though she had to admit her health was in the poorest condition she still needed to be with her kids, she must protect them even if it meant dying by the hands of her drunk husband. Her heart drummed at the thought of suffering another strike, but leaving her kids was even more disturbing.

She slipped out as her children's screams got louder and ran into the room.

what she saw made her heart clench.

Her husband was pulling his daughter by the head, striking her across the face as he questioned her.

" Amara ! " She yanked her child out of his grip, hugging her protectively.

" How could you do this ? , she's your daughter ! " She dared to raise her voice, glaring at him with teary eyes.

" where have you been hiding? , After going out to open your legs " He accused spitting out in disgust. His anger reaching the roof.

" Hand over the money you made whoring around " He reached where she was, grabbing her forcefully as she struggled against his firm grip.....