One: Roan

A girl was kneeling beside the river, gathering water before guzzling it down greedily. Her long, auburn hair was lazily lifted by the gust of wind that began to blow. Her pack sat beside her, no weapons in sight even though she was alone in the middle of the forest with a bear cave not far from here. She didn't seem to have a care in the world at this moment in time. It was scary to see when so many people are killed for being naïve out on their own. 

A twig napped under my boot and the girl nearly dropped her waterskin. At  least she had some senses. Her hazel eyes scanned the forest, passing over me and my companion. She spun around to look behind her, but then went back to drinking water. After a moment, she filled it back up and shut  it tight. Then, she sat there, staring at the water as if it might give her answers. Her eyes went sad and her body began to shake, and before I knew it, she began crying silently. 

My companion nudged me and I glanced at her. She gestured it was time to go, but I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave the girl. I couldn't leave her crying and sad. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the person across the river. My companion tried to get me to leave again, but then gave up and left alone.

I have been watching this girl since she was born. She was tiny then, but she's grown into a beautiful young woman who is now alone with no one to guide her. She never knew I was there, her father was always keeping me a secret. She was a very quiet girl, whether by nature or no, I wasn't sure. But every time I saw her, she was playing in the dirt, obedient and polite to her father. 

She never saw me though. She never knew that her father and mother weren't  the only people who held her in their arms, but I had once as well. I  had once, and it was the best moment of my life. But that was a long time ago...about twenty years back to the first day she came into this world with just fuzz for hair. From that day on, I watched her, protecting her as much as my abilities allowed. 

The girl suddenly looks up and her eyes widen. I realize she sees me and blink once. She blinks and goes to stand, but I shake my head, knowing she's curious. She frowns then speaks. "Who are you?"

I smile even though she can't see it. It is the first time she has spoken today, and it was almost dark. But I don't say anything back, instead I tilt my head to the side as if asking a question. 

The  girl sighs and throws a stone into the river. "My father isn't here. He  hasn't been here, and I don't know if I'll ever see him again. I am hungry and scared."

I want to comfort her, but instincts tell me she'd be afraid, so I stay in place. 

She  goes on. "I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore. I don't know how to hunt or make weapons. I can't even build a shelter. My father could though."

Something  snaps behind me, and I spin around to see my companion. She's gesturing me to hurry and come with her. Her gray eyes are wide and frantic. I'm torn: I want to be here to give the girl comfort, but I want to see what is wrong with my friend. 

Not sure how to tell the girl that I'd be back soon, I hold up one finger in plain sight for her to see. She gasps but does nothing more. I hope she got the message and go with my companion. 

"What is it, Juniper?"

She continues running and I notice we are nearing the village of which I live. I hadn't realized the girl was so close. Just as we passed the stables that was the entrance, I saw Raven pass by with a boy in his arms. "He's back!"

I don't have to ask who he's talking about because there is only one person who I know that would do this. "Where did he go?" I demand.

"He's likely near your place. He asked for you." 

I run towards my shelter and see it torn apart as if a tornado had swept through. "About time! I sent June for you a long time ago!" 

I turn to see Aspen standing there, a malicious smile on his face. "You don't have to do this, Aspen. We can see that you're safe. We can see  that your father can't hurt you ever again."

He chuckles. "That's not what you were thinking when he came for me three years ago!" 

"I didn't know!" I hissed. "You never told me!"

Aspen waves me off and lazily looks around the room. "No matter. I'm here for  someone. I can't seem to find her and so I assume you've hidden her. My  father said she'd be here."

"Who?"

He glances at me, blue eyes glinting. "Zahra." I blink, the only sign of my surprise, but Aspen sighed. "Of course you don't know where she is. I told my father she wasn't here."

Going along with what he thought was confusion instead of shock, I say, "Who is Zahra?"

"My father won't say. He just wants her." Aspen locks his gaze on me and  his eyes turn mournful. "Roan, I have little time to find her and not much choice."

"You want me to help you find a woman who your father wants to torture?" I say, crossing my arms. "I don't think so."

"Please!"  he begs, and I can see he's in pain, but don't care. "You have to--"  Aspen cringes and falls to his knees, holding his stomach.

"I don't have to do anything when the people I care about are getting  hurt. I don't have to do anything when you betrayed me that day and went with your father, helped him murder innocent lives."

"Not -- My – Fault!" he gasps through groaning pain. 

"Prove it!" I spit. "Stay here and trust me to help you!"

"Can't!"

I sigh. "Then get out. Leave before I put a knife through your chest."

His blue eyes peer desperately up at me through tears. "Roan!"

"If you don't want to trust me, then I am not going to trust you. Leave. If I see you again, I will kill you on sight."

Stumbling to his feet, Aspen hobbles out of my shelter and out of the village.  Juniper walks in a moment later with a solemn expression. "You didn't hear him out."

I glare at her. "He wants to take a girl to his father. You think I should help him do that?"

"You should have listened to what he said."

"Which was he wouldn't trust me! June, I don't see how you can defend him after all this time!"

She shakes her head and walks back out. Before turning to go to her own  shelter, she says, "There was more to that day than you understand. Unseen events that made what happened, happen."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about your friend and brother by family, not by blood. Don't tell me you don't want that man back?"

"I do, but he doesn't want to come back!"

"How  do you know?" she says. "Just because a person says something, doesn't  always make it true, doesn't always mean they say it willingly."