"Was that gunfire at the back door," a tall, blonde woman asked, "who knows about the back door?"

"It could be Cherry," a lank blonde-haired man said, his impressive height making his spouse look up instead of down as she usually did, "we'll have to check."

"We haven't heard anything from Andriette regarding what has been happening outside of the home, Garan," the woman sighed, "perhaps we need to check in with her ... physically."

"You are right, Rilea," the man sighed, "we have done everything she has asked of us, but my concern is she may need our help."

"Good, we are in agreement," Rilea said, smiling, "now, where did she really go?"

"I believe she is up there," Garan said, pointing toward a row of long windows at the top of a set of stairs which brought them to the level above, "she hasn't been down here all morning; therefore, we have to assume she it up there."

"Fair enough," Rilea said, sighing, "we climb the stairs and enter her fortress."

"You make her sound like she is some foe from years ago," Garan said, shaking his head, "she is our friend."

"Then she should behave as such," Rilea said as she climbed the stone stairs pushing open the heavy wooden door to a high-tech room. It was built into the side of the mountain and was secured against any attack; it could be a literal fortress if needed. Looking around, Rilea spotted and moved toward a tall woman with raven colour hair hanging in a long sheet down her back, "there you are, Andriette. We've been worried. What is happening outside? You've sent no update."

The woman turned toward them, her face unnaturally pale, her eyes large and swimming in tears, "They are here."

"Who is here?" Garan asked, handing her a large white handkerchief.

"Samantha, your daughter ..." she wiped at her face, "and ...my sons."

"The Tenderhook brothers are on our doorstep," Rilea's tender expression turned hard, "they will want to kill my daughter."

Andriette nodded, "I have done everything I can to stop my offspring, but they keep coming."

"You must know they will do as their father bids them," Garan said, "he cruelly took them from you at a very tender age and has raised them in the world that you despised. I'm surprised you feel emotional about them, considering how they were conceived."

"You may be surprised, but they are my sons, and I had them until they were taken away at four years of age," Andriette sighed, "it was meant as a punishment for saving the Headrow line ... but they were their father's children even then."

"Are you saying ..." Rilea frowned before shaking her head, "Samantha was one of the babies you saved?"

Andriette nodded, "How was I supposed to know what ... that man and his brother were planning to do or were doing without my knowledge. I tried to find the humanity in them, but ..." she shook her head, wiping her eyes again, "they would not listen, wouldn't hear what I was saying, their greed was too much."

"At least they did not get the formula," Rilea said, "our lines have always been required to protect the vault with everything known to give life and prosperity."

"I know," Andriette smiled, "we have been privileged to help those who require it. At least one of our lines will continue with the work ..." her words trailed off as lights began to flash, "Cherry is opening the backdoor," Andriette said, typing on a keyboard, an image flickered to life on a nearby screen, "there is a man with them ... he is badly injured and what is Samantha doing?"

"She is preparing to defend them against whoever is coming their way," Garan said, "her parents would be so proud of her."

Rilea nodded, "I loved the catchphrase her father used to say ... what is it now?"

"Designed to survive," chuckled Garan, "he was a strong man who was brutally betrayed and murdered."

Andriette shifted, glancing at them, "You thought that was a catchphrase?"

"Wasn't it?" Rilea asked, narrowing her gaze on her old friend.

"Not ... exactly," Andriette said, shifting uncomfortably, "we will have to put that explanation on hold because these three will need our guardians and us very soon."

The three looked at the split screen and moved into action.

"They are going to need medical assistance," Andriette said, "Garan, can you get the guardians on standby should they require assistance ... the door requirements need to be met, but I'm not willing to allow my offspring to annihilate them."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Garan nodded, "It will be my pleasure to assist, Lady Andriette," he gave a slight bow before leaving the room.

"What are you not saying?" Rilea asked, taking Andriette's hands, "what is it that you wait for Garan to leave."

"Their father and Uncle are on the mountain," Andreiette whispered, grasping Rilea's hands, "they are here, and I quake at their coming."

"We will not allow the treatment you received at their hands to go unpunished, and it will not be allowed to happen again," Rilea said, "you are a strong woman who has many fights left in her. Dig until you find that woman again. Many years have passed since it happened, and you have had time to heal. You're whole. This is akin to the referral of pain, a memory that can spur you into action or leave you crippled, but you have to decide. Either way, your life will be protected."

"You cannot promise that," Andriette said, stifling a fearful sob, "you know what they are."

"Did I not save you once?" Rilea asked, "allow me to do so again and revenge myself on those awful specimens from the species of man."

"You are older," Andriette said, "it's been years since that happened ... can you? Will you be able to?"

"Of course, my friend," Rilea grinned, "I have not been idle while keeping this place a secret from those who would exploit the tome of health and vault of knowledge."

Andriette hugged Rilea, "Thank you," smiling through her tears, she nodded, "go ... get your gear on and wait with the guardians."

"Thank you for this opportunity ... my friend," Rilea said, leaving the room as well as a distressed woman behind her Rilea moved quickly toward her chambers and the man she shared her life with, "Garan, are you here?"

"Yes, Rilea," he called from their walk-in closet, "what was it that Andriette could not say in front of me?"

"They are here," Rilea said, "not just the sons but that ugly pair as well."

"Father, brother and sons," Garan nodded, "they are indeed desperate. Is it truly Samantha with Cherry?"

"It is," Rilea nodded, "come, we need to get into position to end this and save our line."

"To the victory," Garan said, presenting his hand face up in the air as though he wished to arm wrestle. Rilea clasped his hand in the same manner, "and the end of the evil that has dogged us for centuries."

"Agreed, to all and the perishing of a long line of sadistic men," Rilea said, as Garan nodded in agreement, "let's win this war."

The two strode from the large room toward activity at the end of a broad, stone passage. Side by side, they entered an area used for many things, but lately, it was a training room. Garan and Rilea stepped onto the raised stone stage and waited until silence had fallen.

"Today is the day we will, once again, defend our home and heritage," Garan said, nodding to Rilea.

"The difference between today and other occasions is that the enemy is literally at our backdoor about to attack the last of our line," Rilea said, her voice ringing out over the heads of the men and woman listening, "the last of our line hold their own at the moment, but their deaths are not permitted to happen. They are currently attempting to meet the requirements of the door, which must be fulfilled but not at the expense of their lives."

Understanding nods fluttered around the room, and someone near the middle raised their hand.

"Yes," Garan said, indicating for the person to speak.

"Is it true that all the Tenderhook men are either on their way here or on the mountain?" the voice was that of a young woman.

"It is true, and no doubt they will all be heading to the back door if they are not already there," Rilea said, "Samantha Headrow, the daughter of your slain brethren, is outside with Cherry now. She prepares to defend the trio while the door is opened. We have been notified one requirement has been filled because their companion is critically injured and will need assistance. If you see any of the Tenderhook men ..." Rilea sighed, shaking her head, "please comply with the rules of engagement. Should they not be threatening an innocent life, do not engage; however, should they be doing so or trying to coerce one of the three or someone of the Eldership to do something to gain entrance to our home ... you may engage in fulfilling your duty and obligation to the Eldership, preservation of the line and your family."

"Are there any more questions?" Garan asked, looking around the room as their heads shook, "then prepare for the battle that will end this war. We do not give up, give in or give our home or the precious knowledge and ways we have protected for centuries away."

Silently fisted right hands were raised in understanding and agreement before everyone continued their preparations.

"Do you think this will work?" Rilea whispered to her husband, worry showing her eyes as she met his gaze.

"It has to," Garan whispered, "otherwise everything we have done has been for nothing, and everything Cherry has suffered at the hands of those barbarians has been for nothing."

"Very true," Rilea said, "we've sacrificed too much to allow them to continue in their ways. It ends ... today."

"To positions," Garan called as he pulled his quiver of long, sharp arrows over his head and onto his shoulder and picked up a strange-looking wood and metal bow, "Today, we take back our freedom ... and our choice to survive. I call all who were designed to survive ..." he looked around as men and women came to attention, "let us go to war ... who are we?"

"We are the O Gremio de Protectores, and we are designed to survive," everyone said in unison; turning together, they filed out of the room, moving in different directions as they came to the doorway.

"Well, we haven't heard that one for a long time," Rilea whispered, "I'm worried about those young people outside, and Cherry's birth time arrives in just over two hours from now. Will she be able to do the coming-of-age ceremony?"

"If we carry her to the lake, she will do it," Garan said, "be strong, my love, our offspring will survive this, and she will continue with the legacy she will come to know."

Nodding, Rilea sighed, "Thank you for standing by me ... us all these years. I know you could have gone back to your people; instead, you taught my people your ways, and we joined the two ..." Rilea grinned, "making something stronger, more formidable and hopefully lasting."

"No matter what happens today," Garan said, "the people you addressed today are our people, not only mine or yours. We will win ... together."

"Rilea, Garan, it's time," Andriette called from the doorway, "we will have minutes to save them from death."

"Acknowledged," Garan said, striding across the room, "let us finish this and celebrate together on the other side."