Time went on for the kids as lived with Uncle Joe, in the winter they would sit around the fire as uncle joe read them the letters their father would send. Each day was filled with joy as they awaited his return, but weeks turned into months and months. until a chill far colder than winter began to seep into their hearts.

Their father had not sent back any letters in over a year at this point, uncle joe had managed to keep the children occupied. but they were growing more and more weary and dreary as the days went on, until one fateful night where a man in similar regalia to their father arrived at the hut. He was looking for uncle joe, it was a particularly rainy day and their chatter was indistinct.

Of the few words the children heard was

“Commander, you have been called back to serve at the wall”

uncle joe seemed like he had expected such a thing to happen and responded as such.

“Things have gotten that desperate huh, I suppose you have already sent word to Margeret. make sure that man’s kids do not go unguarded”

uncle joe then donned a cloak heading off into the storm leaving the kid’s behind. Not a single goodbye was uttered, though in truth it wouldn’t have helped, their god had long been in a deep slumber.

The next morning the children were greeted by Margeret’s smiles, but no matter how they worded it they could not get her to tell them. The questions ate away at them. who took uncle joe? why hadn’t their father come back yet? What was happening at the wall? Despite the many troubles Margeret managed to quell the children, bringing a few smiles to their faces during her stay.

The children’s unanswered questions finally came to head two weeks later when they were woken by a loud rumble that resounded throughout the valley. The three assembled outside and there they witnessed it. The sight was not one for children to behold, but there it was. The grand walls that had protected their lands for generations alight, abyssal smoke pluming from its soft white exterior. The flames mixed and painted the sky a crimson red.

Stuck in awe the three were welcomed by another THUD that resounded, crashing into their ears like a tidal wave. as pieces of the wall came crumbling down crashing into the ground, more and more thuds rang out and soon the source of the sound was seen. the wall gave way completely, half of its towering form shattering and falling to the ground.

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A ball of fire arched across the sky invading their sanctuary and crashing into the thick mountains. The wall had fought a valiant battle, and it had lost, its remains were but a fraction of its former glory, and its remains painted the river red with blood. Standing in witness as breath seemed to leave him, the boy brought his hands to his ears, he could hear it, FEEL IT, THEIR SCREAMS, THE PAIN. everything built within his mind but he was interrupted by the embrace of Margeret.

“Everything’s going to be okay, child don’t you cry.”

Margeret then picked up the boy bringing him into the house alongside the girl. Her breath was unsteady, and her actions rushed as she pulled out some floorboards, and placing the two children within. It was a safe compartment; one the children had never discovered in all their exploration and mischief.

“You stay in there, don’t come out and don’t make a peep, got it?”

Margaret’s voice was rushed but affectionate as she sealed the children within.

The children lived in the compartment for several days, Margeret kept watch above never letting them out. but one day they heard crashing from within the hut, and Margeret stopped checking on them.

When just two days’ worth of food was remaining, the compartment was forced open. The ragged breaths of their father filled the room, blood dripping from his forehead. seeing the children brought light to his eyes as he pulled them out, his actions hasty and awkward. The two were unsteady, as it was their first time on their feet in a week.

As the man stared at the boy, a feeling welled up within him and a serious look replaced his tears. He then fumbled, struggling to take off something from his neck before placing it around the boy’s.

“You keep this hidden now, you hear? Don’t let anybody touch it!”

After receiving a nod from the boy, the man picked both the boy and the girl up tucking them under one arm. Their father pushed open the door and sprinted out of the house, his bloody sword in his other hand.

The journey was awkward and painful, but the children didn’t have the energy to voice a complaint. Confusion and panic filled the boy as the children were squished, his breathing becoming shallow. The only insurance that kept the children grounded was the strength left in their father, his grip on them unrelenting.

The three reached the edge of the forest and the man set the two children down, his eyes lingering on the girl.

“You take care of him now, you are the eldest, you are strong, you hear? I will find you again, soon! but the house is no longer safe, no matter what you do, never go back, okay? NEVER GO BACK, NO MATTER WHAT!”

Their father’s voice was hasty as he urged them into the forest. It was a dangerous place, but it was the only one where they might have a chance to escape. The children looked back to witness their father running off in the direction of the capital. The children knew little of the capital, other than its opulence described to them by their father and the direction it lay in.