"There, there Elvina, everything's going to be alright."

"Sob, my sweet Alfreda, my darling daughter is missing!"

Elvina cries with her hands on her face, Anna trying to comfort her on the living room couch.

"We have to gather a search party and go look for them in the forest."

Eric says in a serious and concerned tone while looking out of the kitchen window.

"Why do you suspect they're in the forest?"

Finriel asks from the kitchen table, drinking tea made by Anna.

"He asked me for a log for training but i didn't give him one. I told him to either get, or buy one himself, but since he didn't, i suspect he went to the forest to get one. It's still just a guess because he didn't take any tools with him."

"But why would Alfreda be with him?"

"He's her only friend right? She spends quite a bit of time with him."

"That's true. There aren't that many other children in the village."

"Their friendship makes me wonder sometimes. I'm surprised Alfreda is friends with him despite his personality."

"She does talk about him quite often back home."

"Is that so? Mm, anyway, i will go around the village to gather some volunteers."

"I want to come with you but my..."

Eric puts his hand on Finriel's shoulder with a face of determination.

"Don't worry, i'll look for them for the both of us. You'll be with us in spirit."

"Thank you, Eric. It's a blessing to have such a strong and dependable person in the village. Me and my wife will be forever grateful."

"I don't know much about blessings but i'll do my best. I won't rest until they're both found."

Finriel goes to his wife in the living room.

"Come, dear. Let's go home so you can get some rest. It's going to be okay, Eric will look for them."

"Sob, really? Thank you!"

"Don't you worry Elvina, i'll make sure she returns home safe and sound."

Anna waves them goodbye as they leave the property.

"Do you think they're alright Eric? I'm starting to fear the worst..."

Eric puts on a cloak and hugs her.

"They've been gone for only a night. I don't think Alex would be reckless enough to get them in danger."

"I hope you're right."

"Well, i'm off to gather volunteers. I want to get the search party ready for tomorrow morning."

Anna watches Eric leave.

Ava comes to Anna and hugs her leg.

"Mom, where's big brother?"

Anna picks her up.

"He'll be home soon. Let's go to the living room, i'll read you a story."

We are woken up by bandits putting down crates and sacks next to our cage.

It's noon so we managed to get some sleep.

I sit up and Alfreda seeks refuge behind me.

"Alex..."

She says with a worried tone.

I observe what the bandits are doing.

They seem to be in a good mood for some reason.

"Man, i'm so excited for tonight!"

A bandit speaks loudly and i take a closer look.

Three men seem to be talking to each other about something.

"What's got you in such a good mood? What's happening tonight?"

Second man asks.

"Oh, you don't know?"

Third man answers.

"Know what?"

"You didn't hear the rumors?"

"What fucking rumors! Spit it out already or i will cave your skull in!"

"The raid! The raid happens tonight when the sun goes down!"

"What raid?"

"We will raid the village near the forest. The boss didn't want to send scouts to survey the area but now we have accurate information."

"It's been a while since we did a proper raid. I don't have any money left from the previous one."

"Of course you don't dumbass! You spent it all on women."

"And i might so do again, haha!"

The three men laugh loudly and walk away.

A raid?

Village?

They can't possibly mean Hillcrest?

I begin to get uneasy.

If they do plan to attack hillcrest, what kind of damage will they inflict?

What will happen to our families?

Will blood be spilled?

I've seen that these bandits don't care about any other lives than their own.

Especially Grem, is he planning something?

Was the map on his table for finding out the location of our village?

I look at Alfreda, and she returns my gaze.

Her eyes show fear, worry and sadness.

Is that why he asked her all those questions?

Hillcrest is in danger because of her?

No.

It was my own fucking stupidity for following the lights.

If only I hadn't let her follow me into the forest.

We have to escape this place and return to Hillcrest to warn them.

I won't allow them to interrupt my training, i'm not ready yet!

And i won't have the blood of our families on my hands!

"Shit..."

I curse silently.

I'll keep this information for myself, i don't want to increase Alfreda's worry in case Grem decides to have another talk with her.

"Hehe, come here little elf."

We look to our side and see the overweight man we saw yesterday approaching our cage.

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"Look what i got you!"

He squats down and takes out an apple.

Alfreda looks away from him in fear.

He extends his hand through the bars with a disgusting grin and breathing heavily.

"It's okay, you must be hung...!?"

Before he can finish his sentence, i leap towards him and strike him in the face with my left fist with all my strength.

Through my fist, i can feel cartilage and bone breaking.

The force sends him flying quite far.

Stunned, he lifts his face off the ground, his nose bleeding profusely.

"Ah! He broke my fucking nose!"

The bandits around him begin laughing hysterically.

"Hahaha! The boy got you too!"

"Fucking idiot, haha!"

He tries to get up but falls back on the ground, causing the bandits to laugh harder.

Alfreda grabs the back of my shirt.

"T-Thank you, Alex."

"Sure."

I take a look at my fist.

It's been a long time since i've struck flesh.

It felt... satisfying, i can't help but to grin a little.

I'm surprised by the amount of power behind that punch.

The results of my training are beginning to show.

"Ah, damn it."

I wince a little from the pain on my hand.

The wound has reopened and is bleeding again.

"Alex! What happened to you?"

She takes my hand to look at it.

"Ngh, Grem cut it open with his weapon."

"What weapon? I didn't see any weapons?"

Of course she didn't, he probably hid his weapon to appear more friendly towards Alfreda.

She begins unwrap the bandage but i stop her.

"Don't, it's fine. You don't like the sight of blood anyway."

"But i want to! I-I can heal you!"

I raise my eyebrow at her.

"Can you do it here?"

"I-I believe so."

"...Fine then."

I give my hand back to her and she takes the bandage off.

"Ah!"

She sees the wound across my palm and holds my hand with both of hers.

"Seeing you hurt... it makes me so sad."

"You don't need to concern yourself about me."

She closes her eyes, she must be saying a prayer.

"Heal."

Her hands and my wound begin glowing with golden light.

Few drops of sweat form on her face as she tries to concentrate, pushing past her fear and worry.

She must've practiced her holy magic on her own.

The pain goes away and the wound begins slowly sealing up.

Once healed the glowing stops and i take a look at my hand.

"D-Did i do it?"

"Yeah, there isn't even a scar left."

"Whew, i'm glad then."

Suddenly her stomach groans.

"I'm hungry..."

"They haven't given us anything to eat and i doubt they will."

I see the sack and crates next to our cage and make my way there, trying not to get noticed.

The box is sealed shut but the sack has a small hole in it.

I reach through the bars and rip it open.

Jackpot, some bread, cheese and an apple fall through it.

I grab them and bring them to Alfreda.

"Let's eat fast before they notice."

She nods and we split the food between us, then eat.

I finish eating my food first and i move to the back of the cage.

I pick up the large rock i've been using to continue hacking at something.

Tap, tap, tap.

"What are you doing?"

Alfreda asks curiously.

"Nothing, just keep an eye out for anyone approaching the cage."

"Oh, okay."

She sits on her knees behind me, observing the bandits doing different tasks around the camp.

Some are cooking, taking inventory, preparing or lazying around like drinking or sleeping.

A tap on my shoulder.

"Alex, Rolund is coming this way."

"Already?"

I put the rock away and face the cage door.

Rolund unlocks the door and opens it.

"Girl, the boss wants to talk to you."

"Mm..."

Before Alfreda gets up, i whisper to her.

"Don't tell him anything about Hillcrest."

"Wha-"

Rolund grabs her arm and pulls her to him.

"Get a move on!"

"Kyaa!"

He puts shackles on her and drags her away, locking the door behind him.

I watch as she is led to Grem's tent.

Hopefully she understood what i said to her and doesn't tell him anything.

Unless he threatens her with mental and physical harm, which i know she won't be able to handle.

He was willing hurt me so i doubt he will hold back against her.

This only means that i have to hurry and prepare for our escape.

Tap, tap, tap.

After sometime Alfreda is brought back by Rolund.

He takes the shackles off her and opens the door.

"Get in there. Boy! You're next."

Alfreda doesn't look like she's hurt, just nervous.

"I-I didn't tell him anything, Alex."

She whispers to me when i get up.

"Good."

I give up my hands to be cuffed when suddenly Rolund punches me in the cheek.

"AH!"

I fall on the ground and Alfreda rushes to my side.

"Alex!"

Rolund pats his hands a few times.

"Nothing personal kid, that was from the boss. Now get moving."

"Ngh!"

I get up and step out of the cage.

"I'm not going to cuff you but if you even think about running i'll cut your legs off."

Alfreda watches us walk away, holding on to the bars.

"Get in."

Rolund pushes me inside the tent.

"Ngh, stop fucking pushing me around!"

"Shut up!"

He strikes my cheek again and i fall on the ground.

"Gah!"

"That's enough Rolund. I'll take it from here."

"Sir."

Rolund gives him a nod and leaves the tent.

Grem sits and leans on his chair.

"Now then, have a seat."

"Grunt!"

My head is still spinning a little but i manage to take a seat in front of him.

I taste blood in my mouth.

"Hmm, not only can you handle pain, you're tough too."

I refuse to look him in the eye.

"Hmph."

"Arrogant and stubborn. Ignorant even."

"Well, i don't give a shit about your opinions."

I spit a little blood on the ground.

"I thought so. You aren't exactly a model kid."

I roll my eyes at him.

"Tell me something about that, Alfreda girl. What is she to you?"

My eye twitches.

"...What's it to you?"

"She's awfully attached to you, considering the kind of person you've shown yourself to be."

"She's... just a friend."

"Tsk, tsk. A lie. You know you can't lie to me. She considers you as a friend, but you don't."

He gets up and walks over to a stack of boxers.

On them is a kettle and a cup.

From the kettle he pours black liquid in the cup, which i assume to be coffee.

"But i can sense that you do care about her. Why do you pretend to be her friend?"

"..."

Why does he want to ask me these questions?

What can he possibly gain from all this?

Is he trying to taunt me, get under my skin?

Is this just some game to him!?

"...My reasons are my own."

THUD!

Grem punches the side of my head and i fall off the chair.

"Gah!"

Shit, i didn't notice him approaching me!

"Sit."

"What do you want from me?!"

I shout at him as i try to get on my hands and knees.

I taste blood again in my mouth and i spit.

He walks over to his cup of coffee and takes it to the table.

He sits down and takes a sip before setting it down.

"I want to get to know you better, how your head works."

I climb back on the chair, my head spinning from the blow, which was much stronger compared to Rolund's.

"So i ask again, what is she to you?"

"I saved her okay!? She was being harassed by bullies so i beat them up!"

He takes a sip of his coffee.

"Hmm, interesting. So, she sees you as her hero. Heh, how amusing. But why pretend?"

"Ngh, i'm being her friend until she finds new ones."

"Is that so? I don't put much value on friendships either, so i don't have much use for people who don't benefit me."

He drinks the rest of his coffee and continues.

"This group of, low-life bandits, they can all die for all i care. To me they're just pawns to further my goals."

"What about Rolund? He seems to respect you."

"I admit, compared to the rest of the band, he's the most useful one. I do value loyalty, but in the end he's still a pawn."

"Why are you leading a bandit group to begin with?"

"Hmm, i guess i can tell you. Do you know what mercenaries are?"

"Yes."

"Well, i was part of a powerful mercenary company led by my brother. It was called "The Black Marauders Company". It fell apart when he was killed, i'm using this group to gather capital so that i can hire proper mercenaries."

"How powerful were you?"

I'm slightly relieved that the topic of discussion has changed, for now.

He stands up excitedly.

"Hah, our company was powerful enough to potentially topple kingdoms! That much power we had! At the company's peak, our strength was at 20,000 men, but was usually around 15,000. The coordination, planning and logistics involved in running such a force was overwhelming, but my brother did it with ease."

I don't know if he's talking bullshit or not, but i'm intrigued.

"Who killed your brother?"

Grem gets visibly angry.

"Tsk! This one fucking general, one of my brother's most successful men in his inner circle. I was my brother's right hand man, but he threatened that position ever since he was recognized by my brother. He wasn't the strongest, but the way he wielded his sword got results. Consistency, my brother said."

He shakes his head and returns to his seat.

"But enough about that. Let's return to you and your friend.

Damn it.

"You talked to her before she came here. She refused to talk to me. You know something, don't you?"

"I overheard a conversation about a raid. You plan to attack Hillcrest. That's why you asked her all those questions."

"Hmm, quite observant, and you aren't as stupid as i thought. You're capable of other things than just untamed aggression."

"Hmph, whatever."

"She told me that you live in the same village as her. Tell me, what are your parents like? Do they treat you badly? I doubt you were born the way you are."

"...They take care of me."

"Ah! So, you only care about them as long as they benefit you."

I slam my fist on the table.

"What's with all the probing questions!? Tell me what you want!"

"I want you."

"WHAT!?"

"I want to take you under my wing. I could use someone like you in the band. You don't care much about your friend or your family. You have no attachments."

"Like hell i would join you!"

"Heh, i wasn't asking. I'm telling you."

"I refuse."

"Even if i kill your friend?"

My heart skips a beat.

"We'll make her join too. I'll put her under your care. You slip up, she dies. Her blood will be on your hands."

I may have truly fucked up.

"...Why me?"

"You're not like the other kids i've tried to recruit. They all broke down at some point so i had to discard them and abandon that idea. But you, I can sense your potential, your capacity for violence. With my training, i could mold you into a powerful warrior."

"And be a pawn you can discard when i've outlived my usefulness?

"Not necessarily, if you prove your worth, i'll let you join the future company."

"What about Alfreda?"

"She can join too, if you have managed to keep her alive until then."

He suddenly claps his hands.

"Let's make it official! Tomorrow you and your friend will become newest members of our bandit band."

He snaps his fingers and Rolund enters the tent.

"Sir?"

"Take him away. They have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes, sir. Get a move on!"

Rolund grabs my neck and drags me out of the tent.

His rough treatment doesn't stop when he tosses me in the cage.

He locks the door and walks away.

Alfreda comes to me and helps me sit up.

"You're hurt again, Alex."

My mind is racing and i don't fully acknowledge her presence.

We'll be stuck as prisoners in this band?

Grem will train me to become a warrior?

Will i be disposed off if i don't meet his expectations?

I raise my eyes to look at Alfreda.

What about her?

She will never get to see her parents again?

If something happens to her, i will be at fault.

If she dies, her blood will be on my hands.

No!

I will refuse that to happen!

I grab her shoulders.

"Ah, Alex?"

"Alfreda, listen to me. We will escape tomorrow, by any means necessary."

She sees the intensity in my eyes.

"H-How are we going to do that?"

"I don't know, but be prepared. If something happens and i tell you to run, you run. Understood?"

"But what about you? I can't leave you!"

"Don't worry about me, but if you have to leave me behind, try to find our parents and come back for me."

"Sob, o-okay."

"Now, get some rest."

I pick up the large rock once again and strike with it.

Tap, tap, tap!

I don't care about making noise anymore, this is the only thing that i can think of that might help us.

Tap, tap, tap!

If Grem makes our initiation into an event, that is our chance.

He wanted to make it official.

Tap, tap, klink!

A wide grin creeps on my face.

With this, we just might escape.