Finally, Ethan was back to alley which was none other than their new home. His heist ended with no stress, no struggle compared to other days. Ethan walked to his sister who was still sleeping on the trash bags, dropped the bag containing the feedings close to her. He knelt down, stretched his hand and caressed Licia's jaw. She smiled instinctively as she felt her brother's warmth even in her sleep. Just seeing Licia smile everyday was all he wanted for the rest of his life.
Ethan looked up to the sky, which was dull, clouds not allowing rays of the radiant sun fall upon this small village. It was always like this, they hardly had a feel of sunrays here. But who cares about that anymore, the villagers had accepted their fate, having cold nights with rains constantly falling upon their heads.
"We will survive Kiddo, I will take care of you, I will feed you everyday of my life. All you have to do is eat and let me see that cute smile of yours. That's all I ask from you, that will be my motivation to remain as determined as possible and never give up. Trust me as always, big brother got everything in hand" Ethan said to his sleeping sister, voice full of hope, determination and resilience.
As if hearing what he was saying, Licia mumbled in her sleep "I love you brother"
Ethan heard that perfectly, he turned his turn to her, with glistening eyes, happiness in them. Those words were more than enough to make his day. After giving a peck on his sister jaw, Ethan stood and looked at her with a smile on his face.
"I will be back, just wait for me here" He said before leaving. Slowly and cautionsly leaving the alley, he still had to be careful, who knows, maybe his chasers followed him to his hidding spot waiting for the good moment to strike.
Ethan walked towards the nearby dense forest, he knew this forest like his own pocket. It was his training ground for the past 4years. He forged his speed, agility and strength in the inners of the forest. Every path, every shortcut, every dangerous spots, he knew them at his fingertips. The dense forest was made of great and tall towering trees, piercing the sky.
The forest was dull, not emitting life as it used to do and the trees were dry and dieing, loosing their leaves every second that passed by, struggling to survive as well all the inhabitants of this region. Thankful to the great Kingdom, the beasts here have been cleared, leavings only some animals like rabbits, foxes, antelopes and all the like which were of no interest to them.
Ethan was currently following a path he knew well. It was a routine for him to use this path. After some minutes of walking, he arrived where he was heading to. It was a small river which was once dry but start flowing again two days ago when he was taking a walk. What a relief, this was a great discovery, his sister wouldn't be so much thirsty again. Opening the sack-like bottle he took with him, he filled them to the brim after he had a good drink of the fresh cold water. He fell rejuvenated recovering part of his once lost energy during the chase.
He proceeded in looking for dry tree branches which he needed to make something nice for Licia when she wakes up. He found a more than sufficient bunch, tied it up and took it along with him and the water, heading out of the forest. Upon reaching his sister, he dropped the branches and the sack-like bottle of water to the side and walked up to her, caressing her cheeks again.
"She is still sleeping, let me make something ready for her when she wakes up, she must be hungry. I'm impatient to see her beautiful smile when she wakes and see all what her sweet brother made for her" Ethan said with a smile all over his face. One could say he was obsessed with his sister but it's just too much love. She was all he has left, who could blame him?
They had some utensils like two wooden bowls, wooden spoon, a small pot, a bucket and some small other stuffs. Eventually all these where stolen by Ethan from the villagers. He went to the forest again and fetched a bucket of water. He proceeded in making the fire after which he let it to lit up and have more burning intensity. He took out the mushrooms, some carrots he got from his earlier heist, washed them and cut them into small pieces in the pot. Adding some water, he placed the pot on the fire which was perfectly burning. He added some flavors he had in stock, of course they were stolen as well. He then watched over the soup he was making for Licia. They hardly ate but today was going to be festive for Licia who hadn't eaten for four days now.
Ethan has always been fighting for her since their parents died 4years ago. They lived in their small house, which was sufficient for them. The family reigned with peace, love, laughters and harmony. Though they were not that wealthy, they had a better life, better cloths, they ate at their stomach's capacity and were happy with the small they had. Though the house wasn't looking good, old with some cracks her and there on the wall, leaking when rain was falling but it was better than nothing.
It was a night like others, an 11years old Ethan and a 5years old Licia were seated at the table with their parents, ready to take their dinner. Their mother served them and they all started eating after a little prayer thanking the gods for their meal. Few minutes after they started eating, they suddenly heard a knock at the door
"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK"
Not expecting anybody this late in the night, Ethan's dad stood from his chair and walked towards the door carefully. He didn't open it immediately, he held the handle and said "Who are you and what do you want so late in the night" Getting ready to take down who ever it was that was at the other side of the door.
"It's the Great Kingdom's army, I'm Marshall Jones, my men and I are here to collect the taxes" The Marshall said in an authoritative and cold voice, void of any form of emotion.
He was pissed that this individual didn't open him the door and was starting to lost his patience, he would surely barge in if this continuous. Ethan's dad who heard who they were and the reason for their visit was startled and surprised as for why they were still here
"But we paid the taxes like all the other villagers three days ago, we don't have anything left to pay for whatever it is for now" Ethan's dad said. Leaving the door and walking towards the dining table.
Thinking it was all done after he said that. Marshall Jones who was already pissed off, talking from outside to these scums of villagers, he couldn't hold his rage any longer, within a fraction of seconds, he destroyed the door with a simple kick of his. Startling Ethan's father who fell the floor, protecting his head. The Marshall went straight to pick him up and served him a heavy punch on his stomach, which made him fall the floor, spitting out what he just eat mixed with blood.
"STEVEN..." Ethan's mother shouted, as she walked over to her agonizing husband on the floor but was stop by the Marshall's men. They were five plus the Marshall which made six. The Marshall was clad in a Bloodred armor with dark stripes running from his armpits, laterally to his waist. On his chest was a large emblem of a dragon with it's wings spread out and two swords forming and X in front of it. His spikey well combed brown hairs laced from front to back with a small pony tail. Well chiseled face with brown eyes, and a scar that ran from his left eyebrows vertically down to his left eye and to the cheek, but misteriously, his left eye was fine. With a grand sword tired to his waist in its sheath, one could say it was vibrating and emmiting a menacing aura.
The other five men were all clad in dark Armor. Their armor could be said to be regular but it was a certain tier and was emitting a dark repulsive aura. Though the aura wasn't compared to that which was emitted by the Marshall's armor and sword, they were still sending shivers down ones spine.
"Woman you stay here and let our boss do his job"
She immediately froze in place, knowing well what will happen if she didn't listen. Ethan and Licia went down the table and Licia was already trembling from fright. Ethan always being protective with her, hugged her tight to console her. The Marshall who had an evil grin on his face like a devil looking at an inferior creature, squat closed to Steven, pulled his head up by the hair and looked at his directly in the eye.
"Do not make this harder than it is already. I am already pissed to be in the presence of the scum that you villagers are, don't piss me further dear...Steven, call I call you that?" He paused "I guess I can. I just want a little thing... Pay your taxes and I will leave with my men. Or we could still do things the hard way"
Steven had no choice but to agree for the safety of his wife and children
"I will pay the taxe but please don't hurt my wife and children"