Territory of the Wolf and Undead

[Rikugurl]

Stagwood Field Village

"Baaaaaaaa!!"
"Maaaaaaaaa!!!"
The sounds of hooves could be heard on the damp ground as the night came over the small village. Growls and howls filled the coming evening as dogs and shepherds gathered their sheep into the barns so they would be safe from night creatures.
Lining the area was a vast, dark forest, stranger howls coming from within but unseen eyes peered from the depths. It was still too early for the bedbugs to bite.
The crunching of another kind came near the wooden fences, on a damp man made path as a tall figure walked along it.

In tight black clothes, the only color spotted on him was his mess of red hair a top his head. A fashionable cane swept along the ground, though did not touch it as it would likely to get stuck in the mud. The other color was laid on his face, his bright green eye that had a narrow frame were exotic yet deadly. They shined bright as the moon above started to shine of silver.
If anyone were to see him in this hour, they wouldn't call him brave but foolish and mad.

His boots did finally hit the level grounds of brick however and the sounds of the howls and forest becoming alive were behind him as the sound of hooves of a larger creature and the clacking of wheels hit his ears now. Emerald eyes shifted, looking at the carriage yard to his right, the horses being put away for the night like everything else. As the man continued down the road, the shutters above were closing by wenches of the house.

Candle lights flickered in windows and lamps lightened larger rooms as many gathered around the table or at their desks, working on the things that must be done for the morrow.

The man turned the corner, walking down another road that was much narrower but as he did so, a woman, her cleavage almost spilling out from her top passes, her head bowing just slightly before a sweet voice escaped her overly red lips. "Good evening, Lord Xipil."
Long fingers reached up, doing some sort of salute as he passed her. "Evening~"

He continued until his boots reached mud once more but not for long as it was only a seven minute stroll to a wooden bridge then a five minute stroll to a humble farmhouse that was lit, it's shutters not drawn in yet. As he came closer, the front wooden door opened, a small boy with a mess of red hair a top his own head appeared before running towards the man. "Papa!!" The boy spread his arms as he rushed up, jumping into the man's arms as he man pull him up and before placing him back down. "Ello my boy~" The man smirked as he continued to walk towards, the little one at his side. The boy loved the smell of his father... for he always smelt like winter's ash.

As they entered, the house inside was small but quaint, warm and mostly cluttered with papers and decorations that the child most likely made. "You're studies, how are they fairing?" The man asked as he placed his cane away along with his sleek jacket that seemed to be tailored just for him.
"Well, father... but I haven't a clue of what to make of the last problem. I was hoping you could help me?"
"That I can boy, but I smell dinner so set the table first. All books off!"
The boy nodded before fixing up the cluttered table as the man walked through the house, going into a brighter and warmer room.

Inside was a woman over the fire, her dress much like that of the women in the place with bricks.
He man walked around towards her, placing his hands on her bare shoulders but oddly, she pulled away. "And where have you been?"
"Ophelia, you do know the bridge is out on the end of Masset and---"
"It doesn't take so long to get from Mulbury to home, I know the route well!" The woman looked back, her eyes fierce and her own red hair fell perfectly to make her look exceptionally wicked. "What else are you doing, Axel Xipil?"
The man frowned as the woman fully turned to him, her dress a bit ratty but her breast were almost exposed. "You have the money to get a horse!"
"And you have the money to make better meals for us than mutton!"

Before either could say another word, the young boy walked in, his face sad as he looked at them. "The table is ready..."


"Good night, son." The man spoke softly as he tucked the redhead boy under plush blankets. He leaned in, kissing the boy on the forehead before pulling away. "Night papa...." The boy smiled softly as his father stood and started walking out of the room.
Wooden boards creaked as he walked down the stairs and out the front door.
"Now where are you headed?" A bitter tone came from the study, the woman glaring from her chair.
"The tavern for a bit." And with that, the wooden door was closed as he headed back up the hill towards the village center.


The sounds of wood against a rough edge could be heard, sparks trying to ignite before a blade of fire was apparent at the edge of the match. Narrow eyes glanced around before the match was carelessly dropped, falling into a barrel of hay. It took no time for the hay to light up on fire and blaze throughout the barn as a tall figure rushed out the back door. His boots hit heavy as he ran across the field, the barn suddenly bursting into flames. The sound of crackling could be heard all throughout the night.


"Why would anyone want to burn down the Achterkamp's barn?" The boy frowned as he poked his breakfast of eggs and sausage. His father was reading the newspaper as his green eyes shifted to look down at the boy. "I could of went up on accident."
"I highly doubt it, father. There has been five fires in the last month and more throughout the year. Someone has to be doing it!"
The man grinned before placing his paper down on the table after folding it some. "You seem to be interested in solving the case. Tell me, you wish to be an constable when you're older?" The boy nodded before frowning, looking down at his plate.

A red eyebrow rose, as the man leaned in. "What is it?"
"Mother... she said she already knows who's doing it."
"Oh, does she now?"
"Yes... she said it was you, father."


The weather cleared over the months and the ground hardened. More crops and livestock were seen around the village and outer fields as life was starting up again. Everything was becoming lighter and more smiles could be seen on the faces of the people. Well... all except Lord Axel Xipil. Even though it was now spring and moods were lifted, the random fires started to increase around the area...

He would come home at night to see another man sneaking out the back door... and he had noticed that his wife had been wearing more revealing clothes. She denied it all though and her lips had become more poisonous. People would look at the lord as he walked down the streets, whispering to their arm pieces and snickering. A knowledge they kept hidden away from the tall man about his wife. She gained a lead hand when swigging alcohol back, her uncaring manners at the table made her husband have to bring the boy away for dinner at times.

Much like his surname and scent of ash, the lord was having a hard time swallowing the flames in his heart and gut. He knew what was going on, he was no fool... but he refused to call his wife out in front of his son. Refused to call her a drunken whore as she passed out before dinner was finished.
But what broke his heart more was that her words were affecting his son as well. Her cruel and cutting remarks about his father, how he was the one starting the fires and how her new catch would make a better father for him.

Questions filled the streets as the lord and wife hadn't shown up at church for many a Sunday nor to any of the town meetings. People were starting to avoid the Xipil's all together, their story unknown but a curious and dark one for sure.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon that Lord Xipil took his leave from the paper mill early to surprise his son at home... but when he came to the house, he found that no one was inside, nor outside for that manner. He headed back to the village, looking around in shop windows and at the church but there was no sign of his wife or child. As he headed for another destination where he might find them, he paused as he passed the park, slowly walking up behind a tree to look around it and saw a sight that made his very blood boil in his veins.

His wife was all dolled up, her best clothing fitting her form beautifully as his son was also dressed as a rich city boy. They were gathered around another man who was finely dressed. The man's arm rose, Ophelia taking it gently as she smiled happily. The man's other hand reached out and held onto the boy's before they walking down the way and around the pond.
It was like some happy fairytale... and it was leaving a horrible taste in the lord's mouth. But it was his wife who broke the last straw as she leaned up, planing a passionate kiss on the stranger's lips.

The night came and the two returned home, their clothes put away in their closets. The boy went to the table to study as his mother went to the kitchen to cook dinner. She was in high spirits, humming as she added spices to the chicken.

The sounds of howling in the forests nearby made them stop every now and then. It had been getting worse since winter and some of the villagers claimed they had seen many larger wolves in the area at night. With many barns being burned down, quite a bit of livestock were killed a week... but the creatures of the night didn't scare the man as he opened the shed, walking inside and letting the moonlight guide him to a wall where his tools were. His hand reached out, grabbing the handle of his hatchet.

The door to the back of the house through the kitchen was open and the first thing that filled the man's ears was "You're late again..." But it was her doom not to turn as the hatchet was drawn and suddenly slammed into her back. She screamed as she fell over the counter. The hatchet was raised again and slammed into flesh, over and over. Red liquid sprayed all over the counters and across the walls as the hatchet was pull into the air. It splattered on the lord's face, a hauntingly wicked grin being splattered as well as his green eyes narrowed and darkened.

Finally, after seven or eight blows, her body went limp on the counter and she didn't react as the blade was pulled from her carcass one last time. The lord panted as blood ran down his face, his eyes fixed on his dead wife before...
"F-father...?"
Psychotic green eyes shifted, his head slowly turning to see his young son with big green eyes looking at his mother's body.
"Son... haven't I told you not to bother you mother and I?" Slowly he started to more towards the boy but he was quick to run away and up the stairs.

Unfortunately, he should of known his father had a good arm after play ball so much. The bloody hatchet was thrown and landed smack into the middle of back. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
Long legs hiked up the stairs quickly, the hatchet being pulled from the boy's back before pushing him to lay on his back. Frightened and begging eyes looking those of his father before the blade came down through his windpipe and throat.


Weeks passed and the rain came down heavy on the bricks of the village. People were hurrying to get home from late jobs as others were setting up a gallows for the morning. There would be a public hanging at sunrise. The gloom of candle lights came from the cracks of shutters as a single figure walked down an alley, his clothes long and draping as he held a long staff, a lamp attached at the end. He wasn't new to this village at all... but many only saw him at night.

He showed up when there were deaths and hangings as he was the villages grave keeper and executioner. No one had ever seen his face but instead of wearing a black hood, he wore a mask resembling that of a crow or raven. He wasn't someone anyone would want to bump into on the streets and it was claimed that he had such a frightening appearance to make people think twice of committing heinous acts... or you might just have to face him and death itself.

The figure paused in the middle of the alley before he glanced down at a gated window near the gutters. Red was an easy color to stop even in such a low area. Slowly the figure shifted and leaned down, the lamp lightening the cell and made the redhead look up. "So, you will be the one I will be seeing tomorrow~?" Came a lighthearted question, though it chilled to the bone.
The man looked away, his shackles and chains sounding as he shifted. "Indeed..."
"Tell me... what drives a man to murder his own family so brutally?"
"How would a mad man explain it to another? I would do it again... but my son..."
"Fair enough... but tell me this at least... if you were to be freed of your crime, what would you do next?"
Green eyes darkened some before looking up at the other, noting that it was impossible to see his eyes through the mask. "I would kill the man that drove me to this state."

There was silence between the two before the man reached his hand in between the bars. His skin was paler than any the lord had ever seen and his nails were unkept. "I can give you that chance, just give me your hand."
The redhead glanced at the hand given, wondering what nonsense he was all about. Had he gone mad himself? "What will giving you my hand do any good?"
"You'll never know unless you try it out."
There was some more silence before the lord slowly rose his hand, the other coming up as well due to the shackles.

Before their skin could touch, the grave keeper gave a warning. "Beware... this offer will last forever and it cannot be changed."
"As long as I can see him dead, it would be worth anything."
"Of course... but I am disappointed that you didn't ask what the catch was."
"No catch would stop me from taking his life... for he took mine."
Fingers twitch, inviting the other and as his hand came closer, quicker than the human eye, the pale hand gripped the lord's wrist before turning it, sinking his nails into his wrists.
"A-AAH!!" The lord cried out as his hand was released. Bloody fingernails quickly pierced his own palm before snatching the lord's wrist once more, their blood mingling.

"What are you doing!?" The man cried out as he watched blood run down his arm before his eyes widened, a cold running down his own body and when it reached his heart, he jerked violently. His hand was let go and it reached for his heart, panting hard as he winced and fell onto his bed.
"See you in the morning~" Came a call from the window as the grave keeper stood, his mask lifting only a bit so his mouth was exposed. They were scared badly but it was his teeth that were extraordinary as he licked his wound palm... and the wounds quickly closed before he walked away.


In the morning, the sun rose over the little village as the birds sang their morning tune. The sky was clear and the are was crisp; perfect for a day of hanging.
Most of the village gathered in front of the church, in front of the gallows as a knot was made as a coffin was brought to the side. It was rather long, having been measured and built to custom. The meeting because silence as horses came up to the podium, a tall man with bright red hair being help down from the horse and walked up the stairs to the gallows. His wrists were bound behind his back and his feet were drawn close as well.

He was paler than usual... but that was normal for someone who knew that was going to die. It was unknown as well if he would die from a broken neck... or suffocate.
"Any last words?" Came a booming voice, the man with the crow mask coming close as he asked but the lord only shook his head before a bag was placed over it. The noose was them lowered around his neck and pulled tight.
The priest said a few words before the door under the lord's feet were dropped and down went the man's body. It jerked a bit, signifying that his neck had not snapped and that his death would be a painful one.

The body hung there for most of the day and by evening, it was taken down and unmasked, being placed in the coffin with few flowers. Two men carried it behind the grave keeper to the cemetery next to the church. There was a grave in front of a cross for the lord's tombstone was still getting ready. The coffin was lowered and the men started to shovel the dirt back inside.

As the night became older and the village was asleep, a lamp hung over the cross as a shovel started to dig out the dirt before the rain came in the morning. It took a good while until the coffin was reached again, the keeper dusting it off the best he could before placing the crowbar under the lid before popping it off. To one's surprise, the lord sat up and glanced around before seeing a hand offered to him. His pale skin reached up to now meet the hand of a same color and he was pulled up and out of the grave.

"Welcome... to you new life, Lord Xipil~~"
Once beautiful green eyes were now a moon-shade with dark black rims. His skin was ghostly pale as he looked around, the bruise around his neck slowly healing. It was the forest that made his eyes widen, seeing all that wasn't able to be seen by a human's naked eye. The forest moved, the branches seeming to reach for him. But as he took a look around, he came to face the keeper again before smiling, his canines as sharp as fangs.

82 Years Later
Esperanza
17 miles from Stagwood City

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! AAaaaaaaaaughAh!!" A woman cried as she was rushed down the dark street in a makeshift stretcher. Most of her dress was ripped off and stained in brown as she flailed but restrained the best the people carrying her could. They rushed up the stairs to the closest building which happened to be the court house. They burst through the doors and down the isle to the front on the room where a man was working at his table.
"What is the meaning of this!?" The man cried as he stood, his long blonde hair flowing behind him.

Of of the young men panted as he held the woman down. "We found her in the alley. She was crying hysterically! I believe she's in labor and acquired a horrible bite from some creature!"
The blonde man frowned as he walked up to the woman who was still crying out in pain as her body shook. "Enough! If you do not calm down, your child will be in grave danger!" The suddenly called, calming the woman as much as possible. "Here." The man handed one of the young man his handkerchief. "Press it hard against the bite." The young man did so as the other took out his own handkerchief and patted the silver haired woman's face from the sweat.

"Now breath and push..." The man directed as he took her shaking legs and pushed them apart some, pulling up her dress just enough for him to see but letting her keep her dignity. It was only normal for a woman already in so much pain with childbirth to cry let alone being bitten and bleeding profusely.
It didn't take long for the courtroom to be full of the screams of a newborn child, his body covered in all sorts of liquids. The dress was ripped and wrapped around the child before a clean knife severed the umbilical cord.

The blonde man looked down at the newborn, knowing instantly that it was a boy before drying him with the pieces of dress. His coat was pulled off him, wrapping that around the boy to keep him warm but as he was about to hand the boy to his mother, he paused.
The silverette woman was limp and his chest neither rose or fell... but it was her eyes that told him that she had already passed. The man held the boy close as his other hand reached out, pushing one of his helper's hands out of the way which made the cloth on her neck drop to the ground. Now slightly cleaned and dried, he could see the bite mark well before sighing. "I see..."Llooked down at the boy who was still crying, the man closed his eyes. "Bring the widowed woman to the morgue."
"Yes, sir" The two answered in unison as they lifted the deceased woman and carried her out of the court.

The blonde man stood, looking over his shoulder to see his servant. He was a young, peculiar man who looked rather ill, but he still bowed as he was noticed. "Sir, your carriage is ready for your departure to Stagwood City in the morning."
"Excellent. Please message the house that there will need to be an addition body among us."
"Ansem?"
"I will be bringing the boy along. The ride will be long enough for me to make up a name for him."
"Yes, sir."

[Reno]

1862: Addlestone Town
23 miles away from Esperanza

"Weady?" A shock of brown spikes bounced as a boy held onto a clear circular object, ten stones cleverly placed along the worn wooden floor. He was wearing little boots with long black socks that were a size too small. His pants, a deep blue, only fell a little after his knees. He had on a white-and-grey stripped undershirt and a jacket with a little bowtie on front and a sailor's hat was on the floor beside were he stood, ribbons trailing from the edge that were a yellow color.
Two boys sat on the floor on the other side of the stones, dressed precisely the same except their hats had either red or blue ribbons and their undershirts were black-and-white striped. They looked different from the first boy, their faces less rounded and their hair blonde and swirling.
"Rrrready Sora. It's ready. You're tongue needs to be on the roof of your mouth." Came a soft chastisement from the kitchen, the woman humming as she cleaned the dishes with the water she had gathered from the well.
"Llllleallly?" The boy, Sora, tried again, the tip of his tongue rolled against his teeth. The two blondes giggled at the other's weird expression.
The woman in the kitchen sighed and shook her head, her long blonde curls bouncing, murmuring to herself, "Honestly that child will never learn to pronounce his own name, lest have a decent vocabulary."
"GET EM!"

The woman turned her head seeing the ball go bouncing and all three of the boys pounced for the stones trying to snatch them all up at the same time before the ball hit the ground again and on the uneven ground went rolling away.
"Ah, no! It's wunnwing away!" Her eldest by only a few minutes cried as he went rushing after the ball, his precious stones falling all over the floor.

Though he thought she didn't notice, she saw her second boy, looking around conspicuously, before reaching up and snatching up a stone that was missed.
"Ventus."
Her boy froze looking at her though her back was turned as she cleaned, before blushing in shame as he set it back down. Beside him, her youngest was containing his giggles behind his hand. "Sorry mother..."
"There is no honor in cheating. Your father tells you that all the time."
"Yes, Mother."
"Ooooh you got in trrrrrouble." She heard her littlest stage-whisper to Ventus.
"Roxas! Don't tease your brother. Charles de Montesquieu says 'To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.' You will do well to remember this, especially with your condition."
"Y...yes mother..."
"Who's dat mama?" Sora asked as he joined his brother's once more having picked up his mess.
"He was an intellect from France who spent the better part of his years in school. He knew much about government and law. I hope you boys follow his example."
"There's no way I'll do that! I want to join the sea with Father!" Ventus cried, jumping to his feet. "I'm gonna explore everything!"
"Yeah me too!"
"Me too!!"
"You three aren't going to do anything of the sort without a good education on your minds! I'll send you three through university if it breaks my back!" The woman said, the sound of a plate hitting the wooden table nearby accenting her demand.
"But mother you have such a pretty back." Roxas said, looking at the back of his mother's dress and down at her waistline which was fashionably thin from tightlacing, at a nice 16 inches around, a beautiful green ribbon tied around it. The dress she wore - a delicate evening gown of rose pink with large ruffles around the shoulders and flowing down her legs only made her appear more stunning and her face was healthy in color. Their mother was painfully beautiful.
"Why thank you Roxas, but do not think your kindness will get you out of school!"
"Of course not, mother!"
"Good! Now you three pick up your toys and go to your room to do some reading. Dinner will be on the table by the turn of the moon." Her boys called an affirmative and she heard them hurrying off to their room but she knew she'd have to check up on them before the sun started to fall in the sky, for they had attention spans of squirrels.


The sun was beginning to fall over the country, mothers come to their doors and calling for their boys and girls as dinners of all sorts of foods were being placed on the tables. Many were just sitting at their tables, lowering their heads for prayer... when a light outside stronger then their oil lamps drew their attention.
Curious eyes looked out, before becoming wide, shutters shutting and children being ushered to their rooms as the family hid within their home, pretending they no longer existed. For outside was a troop of men, many of them holding up torches as they stomped down the cobblestone roads. Witch hunters sent by the king.
Someone was going to die tonight.
In that group of people, holding his own torch, was a man with gray eyes and short cut hair. His name was Gin and he was second-in-command of the guard, so he stood at the Captain, Captain Volkner's, right side. On his left was another man, his name escaping him at the moment though he remembered it being slightly feminine - Kishner perhaps? - holding a bucket full of water they had garnered from the church.
Gin's face was grave, looking up the path to the little countryside house he was leading the men too and only felt sick at the betrayal he would be handing out to a good friend.
"Halt!" Volkner called suddenly and everyone did immediately.
"Sir, is something the matter?" Gin asked in hopeful alarm. Maybe he was incorrect! Maybe they were headed for the wrong house after all.
"Yes. This water is all wrong." Volkner was saying as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a spicy pepper from the Asian trade market.
Gin felt sick to his stomach. "But sir, is that not... dishonest?"
"Are you questioning me soldier?!" Came a sharp bark in return.
Gin looked at Volkner silently, seeing the hate burning in those eyes. He always knew his superior disliked Jet's family. Rumor had it he had been in love with his mother Diliza but when his best friend Sorin heard that he was going to ask for her hand in marriage,after he came back from his voyage to Scotland,he stole her away. By the time Volkner returned, Diliza was already married. "No sir." He said and looked the other way as the pepper's juices was squeezed into the holy water. God would damn him for his silent tongue.


"Ventus what you doing? Mama said we should be weading!" Sora was saying from his bed watching his brother dig through his things, unsure what he was up to.
"Yes," The blonde identical to the other said, "If mother finds you up to this and tells papa when he comes home, he'll put the paddle on you! Or even worse, he'll give you lashes!"
"Daddy wouldn't do that!" The eldest argued.
Roxas shook his head. "Yes he will. Lilo told me her papa did it!"
"That was with a servant. It's different." Ven pitched in.
The brunette of the brothers frowned, "No its not! He's still a pewson and Uncle Gin shouldn't-a huwted him!"
"You're foolish brother. Everyone knows servants are servants and are less useful than cows! You know what father says, a servant can only milk a cow in life and give you nothing in death; A cow can give you milk in life, give you meat in death." Ven quoted, sounding quite intelligent.
"Right. Your sensitivity is foolish Sora. People will mistake you for a lady." Roxas murmured about to go back to his book.
"I-" Sora was about to argue... when there was a knocking on the door.

[Rikugurl]

Sound after sound could be heard from above and to their sides as the men marched the streets. Even in the night, it was impossible not to see them as some soldiers held torches up high. Some could even hear servants and mothers pulling the children away from the windows, whispering 'redcoats'.

At the head lead was a man who held himself high and straight, disciplined in the sense that made the rest look like shame except for the man that was at his right. He had a grayish silver tone to his hair that was a bit longer but well kept. His eyes were almost as light as his second hand man but not nearly as gentle. His hand dipped into supposed Holy water, rinsing it from the smell of pepper before placing it back into his pocket.
"Forward!" Volken ordered, him and his men pressing on towards the countryside house.

As they walked up the pathway towards the large house, indicating that this family had some riches, the captain dried his hand with his handkerchief before reaching the door. They paused at the front door and Volken held up his hand to pause them. "Guard the house. Make sure no one leaves. No children, no servants, not even a rat." He reached out for the door as the other soldiers surrounded the house, only Gin and Kishner at his side. The wooden door was opened, revealing the cozy insides of the home.

Volken glanced at the man to his right before nodding at the stair. "Gin, the children. Kishner, stay here. I'll deal with the wench..." He walked inside, inviting himself in as could smell the delicious smells of dinner. His boots creaked against the wooden floors as he walked around the house until he came to a closed door, the smell strong now. He opened the door, the sounds of it creaking catching the beautiful woman's attention. As their eyes met, the captain grinned and closed the door behind him.

"Good evening, Lady Runa." He walked closed to her as she babbled something out but his hands went behind his back as he stood at attention. She was wondering why he was here and fully dressed in the Queen's honor. "I have been sent here by persuasions of many reports in which have sighting of you and your household practicing witchcraft. I can see now why your beauty so so striking and you landed a very successful husband." He started to walk closer, cornering her easily. "And having the ability of thrice childbirth with hardly any complication. My dear, luck doesn't run that easily, especially not in these parts or time. People around the country are being killed mysteriously by disappearing or being bitten by creatures of the night... but here you are, you're doors unlocked. Why would a witch be afraid of anything that bumps in the night?"

His hands suddenly shot to the counter and the wall, pinning her up against the wall more as he pushed himself upon her. "But I'll give you an offer." He grinned, his face close to her so she could feel his breath. "If you pull up your fancy little dress and spread those pretty little legs for me... I might just let you get your children to safety."


Upstairs, unknowing what was about to happen, the feisty child with the red bows pulled out his toy gun from the toy box. He was never very fond of reading and wasn't all too happy that he would be attending so much schooling... but he would do it for his mother. He loved her and taught them so many things that other children didn't know how to do. She was smart and beautiful and all he knew, even at this age, was that he wanted a wife just as fair as her.

However, when he heard the knock at their door, he pointed his play gun at it, closing one eye as he 'aimed'. When the door was slowly opened, there was a 'pop' and a little wooden cork came from the barrel and dangled off a rope. His blue eyes went wide as he saw a familiar man all dressed up in his favorite color. "Uncle Gin?"

[Reno]

The woman hummed as she went about her cooking, cutting up a couple carrots for tonight's stew. They were nice a fresh, still having some of the dirt of God's earth on them. Her head picked up though when she heard the door opening and heard steps walking down the hall... and then coming towards her kitchen.

Was... Jet home early?

However when she heard the door open and closed and was ready to be 'surprised', she really was when she heard a voice almost completely unfamiliar to her. She spun around her eyes wide... before relaxing some at the sight of Volken. But only a little. She knew of him of course; Gin had told her husband much who was happy to share the information with her. And of course, rumors travel fast.

But moreso she knew him on a personal level, because this had been hounding her like a fox-dog for months now. He would appear randomly when she shopped or come to her door unannounced when he knew Jet was not in town.

There visits had always been harmless, maybe even a little pleasant but she was no fool. She knew what that look in his eye was, and she was not about to be unfaithful to Jet.

"Good evening." She responded as she set down her knife. She wished she hadn't. "What brings you to my abode this fine night Volken?" Her eyes widened when she heard the... accusations against her. She started to back away from him as he started to advance on her without her permission, feeling nervous as he eventually got her against the wall. He was accusing her of witchcraft?! How dare he! He knew she did nothing of the sort!

Her beautiful blue-green eyes only widened more when he announced his proposal... to spare her and her children's lives. Her blood boiled and she looked at him before spitting right in his face. "What a snake of a man you are Captain! I will never filthy my innocence for the likes of you! Now get out of my house - you are not welcome here!"


"Ven, Sora, Roxas. So good to see you." Gin said, cheer in his voice even as he stepped into the room, carefully closing the door behind him. Looking at the three young faces - the lives of three innocents that even get to start - he felt sick. Runa and Jet were his friends... he couldn't fail them.
"Unca Gin!" Sora cried happily, jumping from the bed and hurrying over to the man. "Dinna?"
The man shook his head, his face turning grave. "No I'm not staying for dinner." What was he going to do though? He glanced at the window. The house was surrounded... He did have some power with the guard but if someone called him on his deceit it would be his neck as well.

[Rikugurl]

He should of known he wasn't going to be so lucky... but it was such a waste to dispose of a woman so pretty. It was said pretty things weren't made to last. Young women would marry young because their beauty would be washed away by time and they didn't want to end up being alone. But Runa... her beauty only continued for years, even through and after her pregnancy. Such a waste...

Slowly, the captain pulled away, pulling out his handkerchief and wiped his face. "You're right, Lady Runa.... It was inappropriate of me...." He spoke softly, making her ease some but not for long. "to offer anything to a witch!" He cried before slapping her hard across the face, making her stumble to her side. As she did, he gripped her wrists and tugged her violently through her own home. "WITCH!" He cried, making the soldiers outside come to attention before some ran to the front as others kept their guard on the house.

The beautiful woman was dragged out the front door before he called again. "WITCH!"

The voice of the captain ran through town, making brave souls open their doors and look out to where all the lighted torches were. The poor lady of the house was dragged down the road towards the center square, her cries filling the streets as more people opened their windows and looked out. Some were shocked, hearing the accusations of Runa being a witch as others only narrowed their eyes, knowing that her beauty wasn't from this world.
She was thrown against the fountain that no longer gave water but was now used as a stake to burn witches.

"Kishner! Throw the holy water on this witch! We must know for sure!" Volken ordered as he pointed at her like some murder. His eyes however told the whole story as they met Runa's. Whether she was innocent or not... she would die tonight.


The toy gun was lowered and discarded on the floor without care as he rushed over to the man in red, smiling up at him. "Uncle Gin, can I wear your coat?" He always wanted to wear a coat like his since it was really classy and his favorite color... but his mother refused to get him one. He still didn't understand why...

They all paused when they heard a call from down stairs, the noise easily coming from the cracks in the floor. The boys all looked around confused as they heard their mother's cry. "Mother!?"

[Reno]

The mother breathed a little easier as the captain backed off, her speeding heart slowing just a little - until with a crack like Zeus' thunder she was brought to the floor with a cry. She hardly had time to recover though before she was being dragged from the house, Volken yelling loudly. "No, stop it!" She cried, trying to fight his grip. But she was a woman, she had no chance.

"Ah!!" She yelled winced as her legs scraped on the fountain's rough edges and the sound of her dress tearing some was a horrible noise. Her eyes widened as she looked up at the men surrounding her, her heart fluttering like a caged bird and fear consumed her. But what... what would happen to Sora, Ventus and Roxas?! "NO! NO WAIT! STOP IT! I HAVE CHILDREN!!"

Kishner threw the water and with a messy splash Runa was covered and she started to scream covering her face were the spicy water was burning her eyes.


Unlike his brother's enthusiasm, Roxas stood more slowly and carefully, before he started to walk over, his body jerking about like a puppet on a bad set of strings. The source of his strange behavior was his leg. Though his right leg seemed almost normal, the toes were turned in some and there was an obvious protrusion on his hip joint.

He had been born different then his brothers - unlike them he had come out legs first and the pressure of his mother's body as she pushed him out had displaced his hip bone and twisting his leg inward. There was nothing to be done for it, but the doctor offered to terminate him as he had been born so different it was surely a bad omen from God, his mother had refused vivaciously and his father could only agree.

He didn't get near his kin before their mother's cries started. "Mother!"
"Mama!!" Sora cried as well running to the door, but as he tried to open it, Gin placed his hand on it and snapped it close, holding in it place.
"Now, now don't you worry!" The soldier said, "Everything is going to be fine."

[Rikugurl]

More and more townspeople started to gather as they heard the cries, now knowing that they themselves were more than likely to be safe. They still kept their distance from the redcoats as they stood on toes and shifted their weight to see who had been dragged out now if they had not seen before. Concerned looks came from those who knew the young mother well and too had noticed Volken's hound dog manners around her when her husband was at sea.

Many grew wide eyes as they saw the bucket of holy water be sloshed upon her... and grew even wider as she called out in pain. Some women gasped as husbands held them and servants pulled stray children away but the majority of the town was not so forgiving. Fingers were suddenly pointed as they became bolder to come near the redcoats. "WITCH! WITCH! WITCH!" They chanted out into the night. If she had not been so beautiful or kind, having such noble husband, she would be lapidated right then and there.

Instead, the captain told her demise. "Burn the witch!" He ordered, his men pulling the screaming woman to her feet as the other started to pile firewood in the old fountain. Volken walked backwards as he watched his soldiers and some of the townsmen help strap the woman around the fountain. If she was able to see, she could of seen the look on the redcoats' face, one that seemed to say 'You should of taken my offer'.

He turned, his back facing the fountain as he moved through the crowd easily, heading back to the countryside home of the Wilkinson family. Or at least... that was what it once was. The house would be put up in flames soon and by morning, it would be nothing more than a ruin. It would be a lovely surprise for Jet when he returns.


Big blue eyes started to darken as he looked up at his trusted adult friend before rushing across the opposite side of the room to look out the shuttered windows. He stood on his tiptoes, easily spotting the huge crowd at the center of town. "What's going on!?" He cried, looking back at Gin who tried to keep the door closed from the two boys. Something wasn't right... guards were all around their house and... a familiar man was heading back towards their home.

But the cries of his mother were almost now muted from his ears, not knowing that she was crying in agony as she was now fully tied to the fountain and the soldier's torches were thrown against the fire wood at her feet.

[Reno]

"NO! NOOOOO!!!" Came the screams of the distraught and falsely accused woman, her body struggling as hands she no longer saw grabbed at her, pulled her cruelly against the wall and tied her without mercy as straw and wood was packed at her feet. "Stop this! I am not a witch!!! I have children!" She cried but everyone's yells overpowered her own. But the final cries happened that she knew with horror... sealed her fate.

"BURN THE WITCH!"
"PLEASE!"

No one listened... as a torch was thrown down and the dry tinder burst into rapid flames. She cried out at first from fear and the shock of heat, her body trying to inch back into the stone she was tied too. her dress caught flame quickly though and her shrieks of pain could be heard for miles.


"Listen you three!" Gin snapped, drawing the boy's attention from the yelling outside. "You're mother broke the law so she is being punished for it!"
"No! Mama wouldn't!" Sora cried.
The man frowned down at the boy feeling stricken by his stare full of innocence and confusion, and looked away his eyes and little darker, "Sometimes you don't need to do anything to get blamed... but! There's no time for this." He stared at the three boys, "You three need to get out of here and run... before they do the same to you!" But he could see in their watering eyes that they didn't understand. They didn't grasp how much danger they were in or that their mother was dying outside.
Finally Roxas mumbled, "I can't run..."
And he knew it had nothing to do with the blonde's strength of will.
As the laws of the guard stated, if your man can not get away... you leave him behind.

But these were not men of war. They were little boys - and triplet brothers no less. They would never be able to separate... he already knew that from having watched them. They hardly spent five minutes apart at a time.

But that gave him a new plan. It was crazy and if he had though it over carefully he would of realized he was risking his own neck and his family's safety. But it didn't matter at that second. "Alright then!" He snatched up Roxas into his arms, then looked at the other two brothers as they cried in alarm, "If you both want to stay with Roxas, you better come along!" He snapped open the door and hurried down the hall.
The blonde held onto his shirt confused and looked over his shoulder... and saw his brothers starting out the door, crying out for him. "T-The treasure box!!" He cried.

Sora seemed to hesitate at that cry, then turned around and hurried back to their room. His little hands reached out on the top of their small dresser, picking up a little wooden puzzle box that had been hand-carved by their father. He held it close to his chest hearing the ringing of them items inside before his little legs hurried after his brother's and Uncle Gin, finding them in the kitchen and standing at the back door.
"Listen to me... no matter what happens. You keep running. Don't stop. Don't look back. Just keep running until I tell you to stop. Do you both understand?"
Sora and Ven nodded.
"Good... let's go!" Gin held onto Roxas a little tighter before pushed the back door open with his shoulder and it swung open, hitting the guard near it right in the face as he suddenly took off at a run, and the two boys hurried after.

[Rikugurl]

The captain continued to walk up to the house where some guards waited for him. "Sire!" They went to attention before dark eyes looked up at the house. "Proceed to burn it." He ordered nonchalantly but the guards hardly moved. "But... Gin is in there and---"
Volken glance at the guard before narrowing his eyes. "I said," He spoke as he stepped closed, making the young guard swallow. "burn it."

The man was no fool. He knew Gin and Jet were good friends and Gin would become a traitor. His idea was to burn them all, hence why he sent Gin in. He didn't want any intelligent man confessing the truth of this burning... and he wasn't going to risk his own title. The young guard nodded before suddenly throwing his torch inside a window, the fire easily setting the table cloth ablaze. More guards followed the act, throwing their torches inside the beautiful home, the sound of fire roaring through the halls and rooms.

"AAAAH!!" The guard suddenly cried as he was suddenly hit in the face by a door, hardly knowing what hit him as he grabbed his face which was now bleeding.
Volken frowned as he quickly rushed to the cry and saw three figures run down the field towards the woods. "AFTER THEM! THEY AIDED THE WITCH! YOU MUSTN'T LET THEM LIVE!"
The guards who had finished throwing their torches started rushing after the man and two children, getting their guns ready to fire.

"Aaaah!! Haaaaa!!" The small blonde boy panted as he followed their 'uncle' across the dark field and into the forest. He heard horrible noises behind him but he was told not to look back... Was mother coming? Would she meet them wherever they were going? Would they meet father? He only slightly glanced back at his brother, making sure he was keeping up as he held the chest close.
"AAAAAAAAAAH!!" Ventus cried as he suddenly heard gunshots ring out as they reached the forest but continued to follow the path that Gin was taking.

Bullets pinged and dinged off the trees and pass their heads as they rushed through bushes, climbed over logs and pushed branches out of their way. Oddly... the forest was all lit up from behind. If only they knew that their home was now up in flames.
As the house burned, only one man stood by, watching over the field with a wicked smile on his face.

"SORA!" Ven cried as his brother tripped on an exposed root, the blonde skidding to a halt before rushing back and helping him up. As he did so, his eyes widened as he saw a redcoat catching up, his gun pointing right for them. "COME ON!" He cried, pulling Sora harsh as he got him to run again. They were able to catch up to Gin, hearing some more bullets and banging of guns behind them. If they weren't so out of breath, the would of asked why they were doing this.

A new sound filled their ears; that of horse hooves. They rushed to a road, where a carriage and wagon were being drawn down the road towards the highlands. To the boys shock, Gin ran after the wagon that had been covered, probably keeping their goods from spoiling in the sun during day... and shoved their youngest in it. As Sora and Ventus caught up, Gin grabbed the brunette boy as they continued to run and put him in the wagon as well. "Stay undercover until you are found! Don't let the redcoats see you and stay quiet no matter what!" Gin warned them as he pulled Ventus from the ground and shoved him with his brothers.

Then their uncle started to get further and further away before they realized that he stopped running and the carriage and wagon were still going. "WHA---" Ven's eyes widened as Sora put his hand on his mouth to quiet him but as they saw more and more soldiers coming from the forest, a loud bang man them cover their eyes, pulling the cloth down and brought them into darkness. Even still, it was easy for them to tell that their brothers were crying, the last memory of their uncle was him falling to the ground.

The small caravan outran the guards without even knowing it and never deemed to return to Addlestone Town.


Fog was thick in the morning, lacing Addlestone Town with a gloomy English vibe. The streets were mostly barren, the townspeople seeming to have a bitter taste in their mouth as they gazed out their window while breakfast was being prepared, seeing the ashes and burn body against the fountain. The once beautiful mother of three with long golden hair was no more. She wasn't the only one that was lost that night though. Her three innocent, smiling boys had gone up in flames with the beautiful manor on the hill.

Of course, on the outskirts of Addlestone Town, another family was torn apart as two soldiers reported to cottage, another beautiful woman falling to her knees as she cried, her daughter rushing to her side. Her husband and the girl's father had died last night in line of duty... As the guards looked at each other though, they missed the sight of a carrier pigeon that flew overhead. The white and black bird flew through the town before heading up the small hill to the ruins of a house that had stood the night prier.

It landed on the brick fireplace that was still intact before looking around. There was a a sort of bottle on it's back, which could be opened. Of course, there was a letter inside... one that told a grave but hopeful tale.


To my beautiful wife and children,

I knew this day would come, hence I am writing you this message now before it is too late. I am the captain of my ship and if you receive this letter, you will know that I am now under the sea with her. Though I see your faces everyday in my travels, I do not control the raging seas to allow me to return to you. It is God who decides my voyage. Please do not fret nor shed tears, I will still be with you and you must remember that we will all be together again one day. I will be watching you all from above and pray the heavens will treat you kinder.

Now that I no longer live on this plane, you are still safe. I give to you my riches so you will never go without. Though money cannot replace me, it will sooth your worries for the future. Under the boards of the office, there is a chest with a lock.

2-7-0-6

The floorboards had been burned, many patches showing the dirt floor of the basement. Where many papers were burned, there was even a larger hole were one could see a large chest... that was opened and empty, the lock being broken with force.

These riches should be able to fill your wants a needs for the rest of your life, for they have been passed down through my family. Get a new home, a new beautiful dress and the children some new clothes.

Do not fear being a widow my love, for I will never hold grudge against you if you wed again. As long as you and the boys are happy, I will be as well.

I love you all and remember me in your hearts.

Your loving husband and father,
Lord Jet Wilkinson

10 Years Later
Stagwood City

"Aaahh~~ Ooooooh~~~" The sound of a woman could be heard in the barn. It was old and rickety but it kept its purpose to house and shelter the horses. Behind a pile of hay, a woman leaned up against a closet in the wood, her chest exposed above her breast, the area shimmering from the wetness of saliva that covered it. About her was a blonde male, his hips close to her bloomers as they shifted in a feverish way. It was easy to tell that they were doing this in secret as their moments were naive and virgin.

"Hostler!?" A call came from outside the barn, making the young couple quickly pull away. The woman closed her blouse before dusting off her dress. As she corrected herself, the blonde male pulled on powdered wig and corrected himself as well. The woman smiled back at the man before she left the barn, heading to a beautiful black Berlin where another man in a powdered wig waited. Two beautiful speckled Warmbloods were pulled from their stables and helped over, the young man hooking them up to the carriage as the woman and elder man spoke.

When the horses were all set, the young man walked over to the door of the carriage and opened it, pulling out a small pillow before getting down on one knee to present it. "Enjoy your ride this afternoon, master." The elder man grunted as he stepped on the pillow the young man held, lifting himself into the carriage and was followed by the young woman. Eyes met before both blushed and the door was closed. The pillow was dusted and handed to the coachman who took it and snapped the horses off. The carriage moved down the road and away from the manor, the young man watching before glancing at the large city that this village had turned into.

But what was really on his mind was his brothers...

[Reno]

Present Time
Evard Manor

The duster paused on the shelves, before it was set down. The hand hesitated before reaching out, picking off a book from the shelves and wandering away. A young teen, dressed in a nice black frock coat, walked over to the large french window, looking out at the landscape. He could see from here a couple horses pulling a carriage, their bodies decorated with fancy adornments like bells and glittering gem-encrusted saddles. A family who could afford nice things even for their servants and horses were definitely on the north end of the money pool.

Even still was this really the life he was meant to live? He sighed and shut his eyes, placing a hand over his heart, thinking back on his past. Especially that night...

"What is this rubbish?" Their new caretaker said, his tongue sharp. He shook the box, hearing something within, but when he tried to open it, it would do nothing. "Hmph, useless." He threw it into the wastebasket, much to the boys' horror. "Now, you're rooms are down the hall in the west barracks. Get moving. hopefully you'll do me some use and be sold for decent prices."

The boys left quickly the fat, greedy man's office and hurried to their new room with was merely strips of cloth on the floor for bed and blankets with boys in the room not even of their color. The boys cuddled together, cold and lonely, and cried for hours into sleep not even rising for supper.

However, when the moon was in the sky, Sora was shaken awake by his twin Ven. He shush him with a movement before he could ask, and led him away from their bed. Sora had wished to stop for Roxas but whatever Ven had planned, he knew their triplet might only slow them if they got caught.

With boldness brought on from desperation, they snuck into the slave seller's office and dug out their precious treasure box and, with it safely in hand, hurried outside with it. They could go far, so Ven picked a tree and they dug quickly, hiding it under a space in the roots and covered it again, never knowing if they'd see it again or not.

When they got back to their room they found Roxas sitting up and crying into the sheets, thinking they had left him. With some comforting hugs the brothers all laid once more in their bed and fell asleep.

Three years later, Sora was sold.
Eight months after that, Ven was gone.
Two more years after that, Roxas was taken.

None of them ever dug up the treasure box.

He looked down at the book, flipping through it, recognizing it's title for he had picked up this text more then once. He had a limited vocabulary and even less skill at reading, but there was a small passage he could read.

"Above, not one people stand truly. To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them." He recited carefully, sounding out the words perfectly when he once had such difficulty. His mother would be proud he could now say his name.

If his name meant anything at all anymore.

"Charles de Montesquieu, was it not?"
He gasped and spun around, his face flushing in guilt in shame - but calmed visibly when he saw who it was. "M-Mistress Kairi. You startled me!"
"I am terribly sorry." The beautiful maiden of the manor said, a smile on her face. She was dressed in a lovely, well-adorned pink dress, the fabric soft and ruffled, with rose-like patterns sewed in. "It is The Spirit of the Laws is it not? I did not know you knew how to read."
"Ah- yes that is the title. And I do not mistress... I am only learned in so much. My mother taught me and my siblings the best she could."
"Well, for one of such youth, you remembered a great deal." Kairi stated as she swept over the carpet, her dress swishing across the plush to stand beside him, looking out. They stood there quietly for a few moments, just looking outside before Sora smiled a little, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"You are quite lovely this evening Mistress Kairi."
The beautiful red-haired girl glanced at him, a smile on her painted lips and was about to respond when-
"Daughter!" Kairi jumped and turned around, being stared down at her father. Sora did not turn,keeping his eyes dutifully on the floor as if to pretend he was not there. But internally his stomach was twisting in knots. If his master found him with the book... "What are you doing in here?"
"Just finding some reading material Father." A hand nudged him gently, holding it out in askance. Without a word Sora handed it over, the exchange hidden by her ruffled dress. She presented it to her father with a smile as if she had it all along.
"Ah, an excellent choice. But did you not remember today was your riding lessons? Comes, out of those clothes and prepare. To be prompt is to be successful."
"Yes father." Kairi said and if Sora did not know better... she seemed to be saddened to leave. The door shut behind them, not a word or even a glance spared the servant's way.

Sora sighed and went back to work.


Present Time
Quinsin Manor
7 miles away from Evard's South Gate

"Unn..." Roxas groaned softly, his eyes squinting open. His temples were pounding and their was scratchy hay in his face and sticking to his cheeks. He struggled to get up but found it near impossible, the pain rocketing down his spine and leaving a bad iron taste in his mouth. "Guuh...."
"Howzit Roxas!" A loud voice cried, making him cringe and whimper. "Oops, sorry ya know? Man, you made one blabs, getting near that horse like that. Kicked you clear across the stable it did! Surprised you're still giving air to your body."
The blonde opened his eyes again and squinted, the speaker slowly coming into focus. He knew him well. His name was Raijin, a slave like him. He was broad shouldered and well-muscled from years or yard work and Roxas had seen him easily lift 50 pounds of hay onto his shoulders. He was nice though his African tongue was often hard to understand. Raijin had grown pretty attached to him saying he reminded him of his sister who was a white tjommie like him. Obviously they weren't actually related. He never figured out what exactly happened to her.

"Mmm... Goa ge' bak to work..." Roxas slurred some, sounding drunk.
"Eish! How's your mind!?" Rai cried in shock, holding him down when he tried to get up. "You're worse then a dinge with a babalaas." Roxas squinted at him in confusion. "Ah how you say... after being dik with liquor..."
"Ah..." He was comparing him to a drunk with a hangover. He sighed and shut his eyes, remembering some of what happened. The new girl, a little slave who was barely six, Mikoto was her name. She had dropped something that rolled into the staple with Tigre, the new stallion who wasn't broken yet. He went wild when he saw her and Roxas, who had been milking the cows, remembered noticing and hurrying in after her, throwing her out of the pen. Then everything kind of went black after that. "Mi...Mikoto...?"
"Ah, she's a'right. Just had a skirk." That didn't seem to appease Roxas any and Rai tried again. "Ah.... a... scary time ya know? Not a scratch on her though! You're a bold kid Roxas, a bold kid. Naw it's time ta get ya to bed." Raijin said before he leaned over and even though Roxas was sure he weighed at least 80 or 90 pounds he was lifted without effort. He groaned in pain the movement making the world spin and he blacked out again.

When he woke up again he found himself in the barracks laying on nothing buy more hay and a light rag of a blanket thrown over him. The room was hot and stuffy with stream of light sneaking through the wooden roof, a source that was not so pleasant during a summer storm. The cold often brought sickness into the beds, and many had never made it past their first winter that way.

He wished he had not either. He wished to go to heaven and join his mother. Maybe his brothers were there too. And there would be no more pain there.
He had been adopted merely because of his limp... and he found out why when he got here. At least half of the other slaves did as well. If one did it was the sign of an attempted escape to the woods nearby and if they were unlucky to be caught (which most were since they knew nothing of the landscape and their skin tone was painfully obvious) a knife was taken to the backs of their ankles and the heel sliced through. The cut would heal leaving scars and limps, the Achilles heel cut through so they could never attempt to run again.
Despite his strength, Raijin had this limp as well. He had told him he had run years ago when he was merely nine. For some reason, this filled Roxas with disgust at his owners. And it made even more aware why he was called their 'bargain chip'. A kid barely a half-pence with a limp already - it saved them time and money rather then getting a fresh one from the docks that will probably just need to be ruined later.

He sighed and shut his eyes, knowing it would do little good to worry about it... and fell asleep shortly after.

Dimholt woods
3 miles west of Quinsin Manor

There was another reason few of Quinsin's slaves made it out alive, even if they did manage to avoid the horses and the guns. A form cast under the shadows of branches was running through the trees, and despite the lack of a path he had little trouble navigated around hidden roots and stumps and even around bushels of poison ivy. He seemed intent on his way but jerked to a stop so suddenly some of the leaves floated from the ground before landing around him once more at peace. Their had been no sound to of stopped him, but his stormy blue eyes seemed to look around as if their was something watching him before he tilted his head and snipped the air.

A wild look grew on his face and he licked his lips as if he smelt something delicious, sharper than normal teeth making his grin almost grotesque. He sped off in another direction and traveled for nearly a mile or two before he came upon a sad sight. A little brown hare was withering on the forest floor, one of his back legs cruelly caught in a bear trap. It looked up at the man that had appeared with wild eyes, it's body shaking with it's heavy breathes.

It hardly had time to make a move before the man's hands curled around his years and tugged him with great force. The hare's body jerked and their was a small snap near it's neck, quickly putting it out of it's misery. There was another tug and it was pulled from the trap, it's foot bleeding from being cut and torn from the traps jaw and this man's violent actions.

He looked down at it silently before chuckling in triumph, and hurried on his way, heading further west into the trees. He passed a running stream and with a leap he crossed the stream without an effort even though it was at least 13 feet wide. However he paused on the other side and carefully walked the length of the river and actually walked through the river to side he was originally at. Then he made another leap, touching down on a stone sticking out of the river. He gave one more leap and landed on a log that stretched across the river, probably from a fallen tree and walked the length of it back to the side he jumped across in the first place and continued on. He would do a similar pattern thrice more, like a fox it almost appeared he was very aware of his scent and the need to mask it from the hunting hounds.

But his path finally lead him to his destination. A large clearing in the woods where people had gathered, sitting in strange groupings all around and two people, a man with sharp red eyes and dark black hair a woman with blue eyes and brown hair much like the newcomer sat, seeming above the rest. No one seemed wary of his appearance or even surprised, as if they had heard him coming long ago. Few would of even paid him mind if the stench of blood was not strong on him. They all looked at him with rapt attention, some of them even drooling obviously - there was even a whine or two as they watched the man cross over and throw the creature at the feet of the man sitting on the rock. "A snack, father, mother." The brunette said with little ado before turning and head to the left, perching himself on a low hanging branch beside a woman with blue hair. She was quite a catch for the eyes... and she was just as stunning on four paws as well.

They had once been meant to be mates... but he remembered well what happened in the last few minutes of the fight.
Snarls ripped through his throat as he knocked a smaller brown wolf in the throat with his head, making him stumble and fall. Thinking no one was left to oppose him, he stood over him with fierce look in his eyes his tail raised high... and then gave a chopped yelp as teeth closed around it and yanked him back. His paws fumbled and he fell. Before he could get up, teeth closed around his throat and he looked up into the gold eyes of his own uncle, hearing his warning as he struggled and the teeth clamped harder. The threat was obvious.

With an inaudible sigh and knowing he had been beaten... his tail curled up against his belly in a sign of surrender.

His father had been furious at his loss of such a frisky and well-built mate; but luckily not quite as furious as he was at his brother for daring to threaten his son with death. It was why now the white-and-black colored wolf had one eye slashed right through and his rank taken. Unlike he, all he had to show for his father's disappointment was a few scars on his back - and he was the replacement gamma.

Just to get back at his uncle personally, he made his right-hand the blue-haired woman beside him.

The bunny was a small meal, quickly ripped through by the alpha and beta - and once gamma and delta, there was hardly much left but bones for the lesser wolves though Delta's mate got some special rights to her share.

[Rikugurl]

"You really think it's work? I'm telling you, she'll laugh." A criticizing voice came from behind the young man with the powered wig. Blue eyes widened before narrowing, glancing behind him to see another young man mounted on top of a riding horse. He had curly blonde hair with a grin on his face that only seemed to ruffle the hostler's feathers. "She will not laugh!" The man yelled as he walked over, grabbing the other's horse by the reins as he looked up at him. "She told me she wanted no one but myself!"

The other boy could only laugh again. "The count is coming tonight and you know it that he will ask for her hand tonight. You're mad enough to tell me that she will refuse his riches and royals to stay with a slave like you?"
"I am no slave, but a servant! You shouldn't talk so highly either, for you are just a footman yourself!"
"Ah, but I do not have affairs with my master's daughter. Some would say you were being a legend but most a royal fool. The Singh blood will have no spoilage in their line."

Singh Manor
5 miles away from Evard's West Gate
9 miles away from Quinsin's East Gate

"You'll see. She will refuse and call me out and I will be the one laughing!" He growled as the boy on the horse reached down, his hand swooping to grab the wig to reveal the swirly blonde once more. "We'll see who will be laughing at days end but for the while, get Verrill for we have a run, Ventus." The blonde with curly hair grinned as he pulled his reins back.
Ventus rose an eyebrow as he questioned the notion. "A run? For what?"
"Ay, a carrier came a few days ago to ask for one of our horses in a run. Though the man has horses of their own, we breed the best running, you know it."

Ventus pulled away from the horse, walking backwards some. "But Verrill is mine, I raised him since he was a cult. You picked him on purpose, Hayner...."
"It's just for riding, not a purchase. Now hurry or you'll miss your wedding night!" Hayner laughed again as he hit the horses flank with the reins, making the mare gallop to the West Gate.

Ventus frowned, letting the breeze sweep through his hair before he rushed back to the stable. He ran to the far end where a handsome dapple grey gelding was waiting, eating some grains that were still left in his troth. Only ten minutes later, Ventus was upon his back. As he rode down to meet the other at the gate, he paused, glancing up at an old dead tree by the gate, noting a pigeon. As they rode pass slowly, he watching the pigeon closely, seeing the unique colors. "You look like my father's..." He spoke softly before he heard his name called, looking out to see how far Hayner had gotten.

With one last look to the bird, he hurried off after.
He knew that they needed to get home before the count arrived... and before darkness fell.


Hayner led the way down the road in which Ventus had never been. It was away from the city and on lands that were unwatched by any patrol at night. They passed a graveyard and church that seemed to be abandoned along with a river they had to cross. It wasn't long until Ventus was able to see another manor up in the distance, it's gate's holding a name of Evard Manor.

OOC: I'll be on after my homework is finished!

[Reno]

The duster swept across the shelves catching the dust and spreading it off the fine black oak. He went about his laborious task, taking care not to miss a crevice or even one book. He heard time's past from another that a servant had been lashes five times for missing just a bit of dirt on the corner edge of a book. Their master, though lavish in his gifts to them, was also cruel with punishment.

Sora shuddered what the man would do to him when he discovered how he felt about his daughter. Or that he looked at her in the eye and did not respect her quite as the terms of the servant orated.

Of course that was if he ever noticed him. Servants spent their lives staying hidden in the shadows and saying as little as possible. His mother would have been happy... when he was a child his mouth was almost permanently open.
"The less men think, the more they talk." She would say to him again and again. Now all he did was think. About her. About his brother. About how unfortunate his life had become...

His head rose when he heard the clomping of loud horse hooves, realizing his master had called either for a racing partner or was thinking of buying her a new horse. What he did know, as he hurried to the window, was that Kairi was very cute in her riding clothes and from the safety of the window he could stare openly and never be noticed.

She was quite a sight, he sighed longingly. She was wearing a velvet crimson red dress that seemed to shine, gold buttons adorned the front of it down her bosom to her small waist. Even as such he was sure she wore that horrible corset. He remembered when she was young, wearing it used to make her faint. He had never realized what great lengths women went to to please men, even his mother. It seemed utterly strange to him because she was gorgeous regardless of the waist size. He glanced towards the horses almost disregarding, just to catch sight of whether they were servants or potential courters. When he recognized their dress of that of the servant market, he turned back to the gorgeous red-haired woman - then froze.

That... hair...

He jerked his head up, staring intently as the two men got off their horses. The sun caught swirls of blonde.
The duster hit the ground.
Feet rushed across the floor so fast, some other servants had little time to move and they grumbled in anger at the other for causing all the lumps and hills they would not have to straighten. Feet pounded on the stairs and he was lucky no other members of the house were there or he would of gotten lashes just for the noise.

He hesitated at the open door, looking out and seeing the first servant speaking with the man, explaining of the horse and then indicated the blonde beside him. Sora simply stared in silence at him, studying him as he spoke up. He didn't recognize him, not as in the way he recognized Kairi by her face and her voice. But somewhere, instinctively he knew...

"He is beautiful. Strong looking competition too." Kairi complimented as she stood in front of the horse, rubbing his long snout. "Very well."
The man of the house nodded to his daughter's consent before taking a small glance around - and his eyes landed on Sora leaning out of the door, gaping widely. "You. Do not stand looking so daft! Take my daughter's horse to the stables to be properly fitted." At any other time it would have been funny to Sora that he couldn't even recognize him from five minutes ago up in the library.
Instead, the brunette flinched a little, walking out on the walk and bowing to the man lowly. "As you wish, sir." He said, wish his voice too had not changed.

But as he came to the horse, taking the reins with shaking fingers they brushed along those of the other servants there eyes met.

Blue... the same shade of blue as his own. He couldn't mistake him any longer. His heart did a flip as he could only mouth, 'Ven...?' before his master yelled for him to hurry and he knew better then to disobey. He knew the sting of a whip well.

[Rikugurl]

Blue eyes searched the fields as they galloped along, going slower as they came closer to the manor. Ventus always enjoyed different sights, finding them wondrous and amusing at times. As a child, he wanted to see the world, explore places that no map had and maybe become a mapmaker himself. It seemed like it wasn't meant to be though, for he was now here, riding the only personal thing to him off to another destination. With the sound of a word, he could be ripped away from him and lose the only living creature that would listen to him.

What if Hayner was right? What if Miss Xion did laugh at him? If she were to become a countess? Would he grow and die alone?

His thoughts were interrupted as they came closer, seeing the young woman in her riding clothes and a man just like his own master standing at her side.
"Good afternoon, my Lord Evard. I do hope we came just in time." Hayner spoke as they came to a halt before dismounting from his horse, Ventus following suit. The boy with the swirly hair walked around Verrill to hold his reins.
"I am my master's footman and this is his hostler. We were the only ones who could deliver the Singh horses for our master and his daughter are out on their Sunday drive."

Blue eyes met blue, the Evard girl being as sweet as pie. "Good afternoon. I've brought to you our finest riding horse to you today. His name is Verrill, meaning Loyal in Ye Old French. J'espère qu'il vous sert bien~" He bowed, his French accent almost perfect. It seemed to impress the beautiful girl but her father saw right though it before he called upon his own servant. Ventus only looked back at the man's daughter, smiling softly before he rose a brow, feeling the man's servant touching his skin. He glanced over, about to give him a glare before his eyes widened.

Brunette hair....
Big blue eyes....
And voicing his name...

Ventus became memorized but he knew better than to say something out loud. All he could do was watch the boy as he walked the horse towards the stable before suddenly placing his hands flat on the side of his thighs and bowed. "Lord Evard, I wish for your permission to help your servant with the horse. I can see with the way he holds the reins that he is inexperienced and might need some help suiting the stallion."

Quinsin Manor

There was a sound of some boards coming loose before finally caving in, a figure stumbling into the barn. They caught themselves quickly on a beam before slowly shifting until they reached an alcove. It was where some saddles and horseshoes were mounted and it seemed that was where the figure was headed to.

[Reno]

"Very well. See to it. But if that horse is not properly secured and causes harm to my daughter it will be both your heads." The man warned sounding terse. Knowing now that they were only servants, he felt enraged by the Singh's audacity to not show up on their own. He was almost a whole rank above them!

Knowing her father was fuming about unimportant things again, Kairi merely smiled apologetically to the two teenagers who were probably her age, but the first blonde was off like a shot eager to do his job.

But it was not that that made him so rapid. It was the brunette pulling the horse, his legs shaking so badly he nearly collapsed on them as he led the horse into the stable. Instead he lent against the horse's flank, shakily running a hand through his hair. It would not do to fall as faint as a woman...

He heard the pounding of his heart, getting louder and louder with each passing second as he took in what had just happened. "It can not be... can it?" He wished softly. "Has God graced me, a lowly servant, with such luck as to reunite me with my brother?"
The answer he received was that of the sound of another entering the stable. He turned... and saw the blonde servant standing there once more.

They stared at one another for what seemed like ages across the space of the barn before Sora finally found the strength to move, crossing the distance. "Ventus... Ventus is that you?" The blonde didn't move, was utterly silent and almost motionless even when the brunette stopped in front of him. "Ven...? Answer me!" The brunette said, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him some, staring right in his eyes, his own watering with hope and fear.



"Mmm..." Blue eyes opened, the blonde breathing hard at a sudden pain that washed over him. Why had he awakened...?
He squinted at the ceiling, a streak of light now across his forehead and lightning the dried and crusty red blood from the almost deadly blow. But as he listened, he heard the rustling and then the sound of a milk tin hitting the floor - ah! Someone was in the barn!

And he had a feeling it was not one of his fellow slaves. He struggled to his feet, stumbling in the hay he was laying in. "W...Who's there?!" His vision swam and he caught himself against the wall, his stomach doing a nervous, sickening toss.

[Rikugurl]

At the instant that the lord excused him, he rose and rushed towards the stable where his horse was being drawn in. He knew, of course, that Verrill wasn't his horse. As a servant, he owned nothing, not even the clothes on his back but he still felt like the horse was his own child. He had been there when his mother gave birth to him and he was responsible to watch over the cult and train him well.... in which he did. He would of felt sick handing it to another servant if he wasn't so....famili---

The blonde paused as he walked inside the stable, having heard his name out loud by a complete stranger. He was no stranger though as he walked forward, turning Ventus into stone as he realized who he was. It was true and then feeling in his heart couldn't be overthrown. He swallowed not once but a few times, feeling his palms sweat as the other came closer and closer until he was suddenly shaking him!

"Naa!!" The blonde pulled away some before giving the other a good look and that was when the tears started to form in his own eyes. "I know we mustn't but---" He said softly before pulling the brunette into the shadows before wrapping his arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "S-sora? Is it really you? Can it really be?" He asked as he placed his chin on the other's shoulder, some tears escaping below his lashes.

When Sora confirmed, Ventus slowly pulled away, sniffing some loosened mucus back in before wiping his eyes. "What fools we've been! For all these years, we have been right under each other's noses! A horse ride away!"


The figure paused as a voice boomed over the barn before they rushed to the shadows. The mystery figure seemed to peer around the pillar they were hiding behind, glancing at the blonde servant that looked like he was going to heave probably his only meal. He was no threat at all...
That made the stranger a bit more comfortable as they slowly approached the blonde, still being hidden in the shadows before becoming exposed in the light they had brought in.

And to Roxas's shock, it was a pretty young woman... though she had much dirt on her face and clothes. Speaking of clothes, she didn't where the kind of clothes Roxas was use to seeing women in... but something more riskier and thrown about without much care. Her hair matched her clothes but it was her eyes that stood out the most, being big, bright and green.

"My, you got the life beaten out of you! A horse no doubt, I've seen it before! One got me right as well~" She chuckled cutely before helping him sit back on the ground. "Here, I've got just the thing." She spoke as he reached into one of her many pouches around her waist before pulling out some grounded bits. "Here, take some of this. It's mighty bitter but it will make your stomach tolerable." As he took the powder, she pulled something else out, some sort of green piece of plant before snapping it.

An ooze ran from its insides before she let it drip on her finger. When there was a good amount, she applied it to the swelling spots on the young servants face, hearing him wince but she knew the cooling sensation must of felt good.