Chapter 1

My life turned upside down in a span of eight hours. My thirteen years of comfortable living ended abruptly after the second general claimed the throne and had my entire household killed. Just this morning I was swordfighting with my father, the first general of our tribe. I didn't want to stop because I was so determined to defeat him for once. But a messenger came and he then sent me to town to shop for clothes. Clothes? Really? As if he didn't live with me my entire life! He knew that despite being a girl I've never had much interest in clothes and jewelry. He knew I wanted to be a general like him even before I could walk. He said when I was a baby I chose to play with a wooden sword instead of a doll. Maybe because I grew up without a mother. She died giving birth to me andy father didn't have the heart to remarry. He said having a stubborn daughter is enough for his male brain to preoccupy. Hah! I know he had his eyes on my handmaid for some time. But he's not home that much. Or maybe he doesn't stay at home because he doesn't want to lose another love?

Yumi and I proceeded to the market despite my protests. But I did enjoy myself looking at the new books and swords being sold. It was late in the afternoon when I realized we had been away for so long. And that is the biggest regret of my life. For when we got home, all that remained of my house was a burning heap.

I frantically searched for my father and what sorrow it was to find his bloodied body lying lifeless by the well. Servants were found dead in the storehouse. And I could only stop myself from collapsing. I'm no stranger to deaths but to see dead people everywhere-people I know and care about-it ruins you.

My servant was wailing uncontrollably behind me as I searched for any sign of life. I was the opposite as no tear would fall from my eyes. All I felt was a dull ache that has turned to numbness after seeing my loving father's dead body.

I was slowly losing hope when from the corner of my eye, I saw movement. It was faint but my years of training in the jungle has made me conscious of any slight movement. I proceeded with caution as I signalled Yumi to be quiet. Upon nearing the edge of the compound, I saw the messenger from earlier today. He was fainting as he had lost a lot of blood from an arrow to his chest. He was saying something I couldn't understand. I pressed my ear to his lips and I managed to hear bits and pieces.

"You can't be...your father's daughter...", a gasp. "And live..."

"What do you mean?", I responded, bewildered at his words.

"They'll kill you...",he went on, fighting for his life.

"General Dula is Rajah...Your father was declared a traitor..."

"What about Rajah Sumakwel?",I asked,scared this time.

"Gone..." And with that, he took his final breath.

I could not believe it! General Dula is my father's friend. His wife was like a mother to me. How could he do this? He was there during my mother's funeral. He was there when I did the ceremony to announce my adulthood. He was always there! Yet he ruined everything.

Yumi was still weeping when I turned to look at her. Albeit, this time silently. Perhaps she has gotten tired of crying. Maybe she realized it didn't solve the mess we were in.

I quickly got up and looked for my father's dagger. We didn't have the time to bury everybody. General Dula's soldiers will be looking for me. I took one final sweep of my childhood home.

"Come on Yumi. We have to get as far away from here as possible."