The lush, green grass felt soft and comforting under Kael’s feet, the tall blades yielding to his step. Normally, he found comfort in the sensation, but today, there was a pang of emptiness that accompanied the feeling. He lifted a hand to his cheek and realized with surprise that warm tears were rolling down his face.
Kael’s heart felt heavy, a strange and foreign feeling for someone so young. At only five years old, he had yet to truly experience pain or sorrow, but this unknown weight in his heart was a mystery to him. He couldn't place why he felt this way, his young mind struggling to understand the complex emotions stirring within him.
Just as he was wiping away the tears streaming down his face, the crunching sound of dry leaves nearby caught his attention, causing him to look up abruptly. The crisp sound echoed in the silence, a foreign disturbance to the contemplative solitude of the forest. Kael paused, his small body frozen, as he instinctively searched for the source of the noise.
Through the thick underbrush of the dense forest came Kael's father, his strong, imposing frame easily clearing the greenery in his path. Each step he took caused the dry leaves on the ground to crunch and crack under his weight, adding to the symphony of sounds that echoed through the woods. Kael's small face turned towards the noise, his tears momentarily forgotten in the presence of his father.
His father's face softened into a gentle smile as he approached Kael, the sight of the young boy clearly bringing a mixture of worry and affection to his expression. "Why did you run off again, boy?" His voice carried a note of lighthearted scolding, but there was no anger or harshness in his tone. He reached out and placed a large, calloused hand on Kael's small head, ruffling his hair affectionately.
Kael attempted to push his father's hand away, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, fighting against his attempt at maintaining a pout. "I'm sorry, Pa, Avery and I were playing hide and seek, but he still hasn't found me." Kael's little chest puffed out slightly as he said this with a hint of pride.
As Kael's father looked closely at his face, his knowing gaze taking in the dried tear marks, his expression softened further, concern now appearing in his eyes. "Why were you crying, boy?" he spoke, his voice laced with tenderness and curiosity. He knelt down to meet Kael's gaze, his large frame lowering to be at eye level with him.
Kael tried to rub away the tear stains on his face, smearing them further across his flushed cheeks. "I'm not sure, Pa," he said in a small voice. "They just started to fall." His was unable to put a reason or explanation to the tears that had inexplicably welled up in his eyes, leaving only a sense of bewildered confusion.
His father nodded in understanding, mistakenly thinking that Kael was simply trying to hide his true emotions. "It's okay to cry, boy," he said gently. "You are allowed to show your emotions. It's a myth that men don't cry." He placed a reassuring hand on Kael's shoulder, his large hand seemingly enveloping his small frame. "Crying doesn't make you weak or less of a man. It just means you feel things deeply."
Kael gave a slight nod in acknowledgement, absorbing his father's words. Then, quietly, he asked, "Do you ever cry, Pa?" His small face turned up towards his father, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of vulnerability. The concept of his strong, stern father crying was foreign and a little difficult for him to picture.
A hearty, full-bodied laugh echoed through the forest, the sound bouncing off the trees like a merry bell tolling in the quiet woods. His father stood up, still chuckling to himself, and playfully ruffled Kael's already messy hair once more. "Only when your ma gets really angry," he replied with a smile, his voice carrying a hint of affection. "For instance, when we return late for supper." He turned and began walking back through the underbrush, gesturing for Kael to follow.
Kael quickly dashed after his father's broad back, his small legs pumping as fast as they could. He managed to catch up, panting slightly but with a look of determination on his face. He matched his pace to his father's, a small hand reaching out to hold on to his shirt as they continued walking side by side through the dense forest.
The pair made their way out of the dense foliage and onto the cobbled path that cut through the forest towards the main town. The change from soft, spongy earth underfoot to the hard, unyielding cobblestones was stark. Kael walked alongside his father, his small hand still holding on to the edge of his shirt as they continued walking towards their home.
As they entered the cozy hovel, a warm and homely scent of freshly baked bread and a simmering stew filled the air. The combined aromas of wholesome cooking and the familiar surroundings wrapped around them like a comforting embrace. Kael followed his father inside, inhaling the pleasant fragrance with a sense of contentment. The small dwelling, with its warm, inviting atmosphere, felt like a safe haven after his earlier tears and confusing emotions.
His mother, with her back to them and her long, golden hair cascading down it in waves, remained focused on her work in the kitchen. Her voice, though even and controlled, carried a hint of sternness as she spoke. "You're late," she said, her words floating through the air like a gentle but firm rebuke.
His father gave Kael a quick wink, a silent message of understanding between them, before approaching his mother. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and planted a big, affectionate kiss on her cheek. Kael, pretending to be annoyed, made a show of rolling his eyes and groaning loudly at the display of affection. He then turned and headed up the creaking wooden stairs towards his room, his small feet thudding on the steps as he ascended.
Kael had just reached the top of the stairs when he heard his mother's voice calling out. "Pump some water, Kael," she said, stern but with a hint of laughter in her tone. "And then it's into the bath with you." Her giggling was followed by the sound of what was likely his father doing something he wasn't supposed to see. With a slightly exasperated sigh, Kael went to the well to fetch water for his bath.
Avery burst into the small bathing area, where Kael was in the middle of cleaning himself, his little body trying to scrub away the dirt of the day. Upon seeing him, Avery exclaimed triumphantly, "Found you!" A sly grin spread across his face as he quickly closed the door behind him, shutting himself in the small room with Kael.
Before Kael could respond, Avery started stripping off his own clothes, revealing his own thin, lanky frame that mirrored Kael's. It was a stark visual reminder of how similar they were in age and physique, even though their personalities were quite different.
Avery announced loudly, "Ma said we have to share the water," just before jumping straight into the small bathtub where Kael was already bathing. The sudden action caused a small splash, water sloshing against the sides of the tub and dousing the two boys in cold water.
Avery let out a small screech as the cold water splashed against his skin. "Hey, that's cold!" he exclaimed, his voice high-pitched in surprise. He quickly overcame the initial shock and turned his attention back to Kael. "Anyway, I found you," he repeated again, his tone smug and victorious.
Kael rolled his eyes and retorted, "You did not find me. It took you until sundown just to come home. I'm still the champ!" His voice was filled with bravado, a hint of friendly competition in his words. Water still dripped down his face from the bath, his damp hair sticking to his forehead comically.
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Avery splashed water at Kael, confident in his skills. "Please, I'll always be the best!" he declared, clearly enjoying their playful battle. In response, Kael spat out a spray of water straight into Avery's face, a cheeky grin on his own face. "Nah hah," he teased back, savoring the sweet taste of retaliation.
Their back-and-forth was interrupted abruptly as they heard their mother's voice calling out from downstairs. "Both of you get ready," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Supper is up." The pair let out a simultaneous groan, their water battle suddenly forgotten in favour of the promise of warm food awaiting them at the table.
The two boys were busy enjoying a hearty stew, their spoons clinking against the bowls and their bellies growing full. Their contented silence was abruptly shattered by a sharp knock at the door. The sudden sound made both of them jump slightly, their gazes turning towards the door in curiosity and surprise.
Kael’s father glanced at his mother, a silent exchange passing between them, before rising from his seat and striding towards the entrance. The small hovel fell quiet, all eyes turning to the door in anticipation, the sound of footsteps echoing through the room as he crossed the wooden floorboards.
Their father approached the door slowly, the hinges creaking loudly as he opened the entrance to their home. Kael and Avery, their small, curious faces pressed together, could barely contain their curiosity. They were positioned just out of sight but still within earshot, trying desperately to catch a glimpse of the visitor and catch a hint of the conversation.
Their father's expression turned grim, his mouth set in a somber, serious line. He stepped backwards, opening up the doorway for whoever was standing outside. It was a small, subtle motion, but the shift in his demeanor sent a shiver down Kael's spine and prompted a questioning look from Avery.
The loud clang of metal against the wooden floorboards was the only warning they had before a tall, burly man in full armor stepped through the doorway and into the room. His broad shoulders nearly filled the entrance, a stark contrast to the cozy, lived-in hovel. His face was deeply scarred, the lines running down his face giving him a fearsome look. The sword strapped to his waist and the helmet under his arm only increased Kael’s fears.
Kael's heart began to race, thudding furiously in his chest as his wide eyes met the dark, gaze of the armoured stranger. The sight of the man’s hand on the pommel of his sword, and his gaze fixed firmly on himself and Avery, sent a wave of fear through Kael's small body. His breath hitched in his throat, a silent gasp almost escaping his lips as he felt the weight of the man's stare.
Kael's father was already moving before the boys could react, placing himself firmly between the armoured soldier and the pair of them. His voice, low and hard, spoke up in a tone of firm authority. "What's this all about?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the soldier's imposing figure.
The soldier's dark gaze hardened as he spoke, his voice a deep, gravelly sound that seemed to fill the entire room. "By order of Emperor Azuko the First," he stated loudly, "all children under the age of 6 are hereby ceded and property of the Valorian Empire." The declaration echoed through the small hovel, each word feeling like a hammer blow against Kael's chest. His father's expression darkened, his face taking on a stoic, almost dangerous look as he took in the meaning of the soldier's words.
Kael's mother let out a sharp, panicked shriek as she shot up from her seat, her eyes wide with terror. Meanwhile, Kael's father took a menacing step forward, his face twisted into an expression of fury. "Like hell," he spat out, his voice taking on a threatening edge. His frame, while smaller than the soldier's, was poised for a fight, his body tensed and ready to defend his family.
Kael's heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest, his young mind filled with panic, fear, and confusion. His eyes darted around the room, searching for something, ANYTHING to stop what was happening. And then he saw Avery. His brother, always so strong and confident, now had tears in his eyes, mirroring the terror and helplessness that Kael was feeling.
Kael's gaze was pulled back to the soldier as the sound of metal sliding from its sheath filled the room. Panic gripped him once more as he watched the sword being drawn, the gleaming blade catching the light of the hovel. The soldier's voice boomed out loudly, "Guards!" The single word seemed to echo in the small space, and then suddenly, more men rushed into the room, filling the already cramped area and surrounding Kael and his family.
The soldier pointed directly at Kael and Avery, his voice commanding and cold. "Cease them!" he ordered, the command sending a shiver down Kael's spine. Five men clad in plated armor began to step forward, their footsteps heavy and threatening, until suddenly they froze in their tracks as his father stepped forward again, his body tense with determination. "I told you," he growled, "you're not taking my child." His father's expression was resolute, his eyes fixed on the soldiers with a fierce defiance.
The leader of the soldiers lifted his sword up high, the steel glinting in the dim light. "By order of the emperor," he declared, his voice harsh and unyielding, "any who oppose his authority shall be sentenced to death." With those words, he began to advance towards Kael's father, the threat of violence clear in his every step.
Kael let out a scream that tore from his throat as he watched the scene unfold. The soldier's sword sliced through the air, its sharp edge cutting a deadly arc. A spray of blood filled the room, the liquid spattering over him and his brother.
Kael's father's form dropped heavily to the floor, his body crumpled with a wet thump his head rolled across the now bloody flooring.
His mother's shrill scream was the only sound in the room, the cry filled with terror and despair. Meanwhile, his brother, Avery, was on his feet, charging towards the soldiers with a wild determination. There was a look of anger and defiance in his eyes, a silent promise of violence.
Kael observed with a sense of detachment and disbelief as Avery slipped on the blood of their father, his body sliding towards the feet of the soldiers. The soldiers could be heard laughing, their amusement at Avery's misfortune palpable as they kicked him in the stomach and sent him skidding over too their father's corpse. The scene unfolded before Kael's eyes, a gruesome tableau of violence and cruelty.
Kael watched as tears streamed down his face, his body frozen in place as he witnessed his mother rushing towards his father and brother, embracing Avery in a protective hold. The overwhelming emotions surging through him held him captive, rooting him to the ground as his mother held his brother close, shielding him from the horrors unfolding around them.
Kael was shaken from his stupor by the sound of his mother's desperate voice, his attention focused on her pleading words. "Please," she begged, her voice breaking through the soldiers' laughter, "Please, stop." The plea hung in the air, a desperate cry for mercy that fell on deaf ears as the soldiers continued their cruel torment.
The cold, unfeeling eyes of the leader met Kael's gaze, his cruel decree cutting through the air like a chilling, sharp knife. "By order of the emperor, all children under the age of six are hereby property of the empire,"
Kael's mother looked back and forth between her two sons, her tear-streaked face a mask of despair. She seemed to be mentally wrestling with a difficult decision, her eyes filled with heartbreaking resignation. After a long moment, she nodded to herself slowly, as though coming to a painful and reluctant acceptance of her choice.
Kael's mother pulled Avery even closer to her, her voice resolute as she made her choice. "He is eight," she stated firmly, her voice tremulous but determined. "He's too old." Though her words were filled with finality, a hint of pain and desperation still lingered in her tone, a mother forced to make a heart-wrenching decision.
Kael looked on in horror as his mother averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. The soldier stepped forward, displaying a piece of paper in his hand. "We are aware," he stated bluntly. "Only Kael, son of Kara, is to be taken." The words hit Kael like a cold shower, his heart sinking as he realized what was happening.
Kael felt himself being roughly seized by the scruff of his neck, the soldiers' hands grasping him firmly as they began to pull him towards the door. He struggled briefly, trying to pull away, but the soldiers' grip was too strong, and he was quickly dragged away from his mother and brother.
Kael turned back for one final glimpse of his mother and brother as he was hauled away by the soldiers. He caught sight of Avery, struggling desperately in his mother's grip, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. The sound of his brother's desperate screams echoed in his ears, imprinting the memory of their tearful separation in his mind.
Kael's vision blurred with tears as he was torn away from his home, his family, and everything he had ever known. The image of his father's decapitated head was the last visual impression he had of the tranquil countryside where he had been born. The sense of loss and loneliness enveloped him as the soldiers led him away, his world crumbled before his eyes.