chapter 1

It was a nice sunny day, the birds chirped as the trees danced to the wind.

*swish*

An arrow cuts the wind as it rushes across the field. Landing deep into its target.

*twang*

Scarlet squints her eyes in an attempt to get a better look at the target. She loads her last arrow. Taking a deep breath, she shifts her balance with her feet, shoulder-width apart. Her blue eyes are locked on her target, something not visible to the eyes of the ordinary. Strands of auburn hair that had escaped from her braids brushed against her cheeks. Tears start clouding her vision, she shoots.

*twang*

Sitting down, leaning his back against a tree, Philip watches as his sister gathers her arrows. He finishes the last of his egg sandwich.The house in front of him was bustling with people moving tirelessly. Loading the truck with boxes and cases of various sizes. Philip felt restless. His left arm was in a cast, Jane and Vivien each claimed one of his thighs as a make-shift pillow both deep asleep and his legs were getting tired.

Feeling quite thirsty, Philip took another look into the picnic basket. There was a bottle of lemonade, a few egg sandwiches, two cans of ginger beer, a couple of plastic cups, and three oat bars. He helped himself to another sandwich and one of the cans of ginger beer.

"Do you plan on eating all of it?" Scarlet asked her brother.

She sat down next to him, almost hitting his cast.

"Careful! You almost crushed my arm. Besides there is nothing I can really do." said Philip. A bit annoyed, showing his arm and nodding his head to the sleeping Jane and Vivien.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. I almost bumped into it." said scarlet sarcastically.

A gentle gust of wind swept away some stray dry grass. Philip and Scarlet looked directly forwards. Their eyes focused on the people that were still moving relentlessly going in and out of the house. Carrying furniture and suitcases into a big truck. Napoleon was already in the horse trailer.

"Let's say our goodbyes to mum and dad one last time before heading off." Scarlet said.

Philip solemnly nods. Scarlet gently nudged Vivien and Jane to wake them up. Jane slowly opens her eyes. The light tickled her eyes as she tried adjusting to the brightness. Jane stares into the familiar blue eyes of Scarlet. She smiles down at Jane, but Jane does not return a smile back.

Vivien on the other hand gave little squeals of displeasure. She did not like being awakened from her slumber, as she refers. Both of them sat up. Jane was calm, relaxed even, while Vivien was annoyed and grumpy. Almost crying, Philip could finally feel the blood flowing through his legs again. The feeling was not pleasant at all.

Scarlet helps Philip up to his feet. He leans against a tree, to help the blood flow. While he does that, Scarlet puts away the empty glasses and towels into the picnic basket. She folds the picnic cloth and then places her bow into her bow sling.

"Do you need more time?" asked Scarlet.

"No, I'm feeling alright. Let's go." responds Philip.

Scarlet picks up the picnic basket and holds Vivien with her right hand. Jane holds Philip's hand as the four make their way to the house. The people who were busy moving boxes finished. Only a few finishing touches remained. But now they were taking a break. Munching on sandwiches, drinking ginger beer and tea.

The door was left ajar due to many people going in and out, so they didn't really bother to close the door. As soon as you stepped a little past the doorway you could hear a serious discussion going on, two people arguing on the right side of the house, on the left you had the kitchen.

"We're back Tom." said Scarlet, announcing their presence while putting the picnic basket away.

The two men immediately stopped talking. You could hear them moving about in the parlor.

"Catch any rabbits, Scarlet?" asked Tom. A tall burly man, with the same blue eyes as Scarlet, clean shaven face, tanned skin and dark brown hair. Tom is their uncle from their father's side of the family.Currently iIn his mid 40's.

Tom was with a young lad, his name was Karl. He was just as tall as Tom, but not as burly or muscular. A clean shaven face. His brown hair, not too long, was tied in a ponytail. Eyes were brown. Scarlet complimented his smile saying it brightens up the dull mood.

"I only did some target practice. And I doubt I can take them into the woods in that state." says Scarlet hinting at her injured brother and little sisters that needed to be supervised.

"I can take care of myself just fine, thank you." says Philip.

"Sure you can. I was more worried about Vivien and Jane." Scarlet says as she gulps more ginger beer.

"Ah! Refreshing!!" Scarlet says pleased.

"I'm going to be missing this while we are in Khor." says Scarlet.

Scarlet frowns looking at the empty ginger beer can.

"You won't be needing to. We got some of that in Khor. Speaking of Khor, we better be leaving soon. Got a long drive ahead of us." says Tom.

Everyone went quiet. A miserable mood filled the room. A sense of loss and something much more. A constant pain that felt present, but unavoidable.

"Gather your bags, meet us outside. I'll have my men cover up the furniture and we'll be done." said Tom.

"We'll say our goodbyes to mum and dad before that. And Karl, could you get Charlotte for us please? Thank you." says Scarlet.

"She is already at the resting grounds." replied Karl.

"Thank you, Karl." says Scarlet.

"I'll go get my stuff and be right down." says Philip. He walks away without waiting for a response.

"Do you girls need my help with anything?" asks Scarlet.

"We already packed our bags, they're in the car." said vivien. Jane nods her head in silence.

Philip's heavy footsteps could be heard as he climbed down the stairs. Still in a sulky mood. He had with him a duffel bag loaded with his treasures. He pauses to look at the huge painting placed above the hearth.There he was with his family, everyone smiling. Scarlet and Philip stood behind their seated parents, whom each were holding a twin. He just stared at it for a moment before one of the men covered it with a white sheet. His focus shifts back..

"I've gotten my stuff. Let's go say bye to mum and dad."

They stopped by the flower garden their mother had so carefully maintained. There was also a cottage beside it for guests to stay. Two graves lay side by side a little away from the cottage. Charlotte was locking up the cottage. When she saw the kids, she joined them with a small bouquet of salvia and chastetree (flowers), esmeralda's favorites.

Here lay,

'Patrick Anderson year xxxx - xxxx'

And

'Esmeralda Anderson, year xxxx-xxxx'.

They bowed their heads in silence as they mourned the passing of their beloved parents, guardian and family. Vivien let her tears fall and sniffed uncontrollably. Each made a promise to themselves, in their hearts and to those that are now gone.

—

"Promise me, protect one another…" the wind carried a whisper. The same words his father last told him.

Uncle Tom came to get the children, "It's time." he said. Scarlet led the girls away and Charlotte followed along. The wind blew strongly, messing with the flower beds and trees. The scent of the flowers blended together, brushing against Philip, reaching his nose. It reminded him of his mother. He could feel his throat tightening. But he held himself back.

"We'll be back", said Philip.