The third day of the conquered city. The militia within the city had already been disbanded and it’s leaders executed. The citizens habitations were being searched, any sign of hostility would be met with death. They arrested the earls of the fallen kingdom and transported them to the Empire’s dungeons, they then gave away the lands to their own lords.

The whole kingdom was in the middle of a reform, and now with their hands in the capital, the general population should be more obedient.

The boy, named “Raved”, considering his actions, wasn’t in anyway of moving freely. Not only he had assaulted a high-ranking officer, he stole his sword. It was clear that someone would be looking for him, however, only one person knew how he looked like.

Though he had planned to meet his savior’s family in order to thank him for his actions, it seemed he could not do it at the moment, without risking his own life. Even if the man, his deceased temporary leader, wasn’t an important person to him since he had only met him three days ago, it was important to show gratefulness for saving his life and giving him a chance at the future.

He first had to make sure he wasn’t caught with the sword, not because it was the sword of an imperial captain, but because it was a beautiful weapon with exquisite craftsmanship. Surely, if someone saw him carrying it, they would try to steal it and quite possibly killing him.

He searched for the nearest village, in order to acquire some new clothes. He wouldn’t want to be seen covered in blood and battle equipment, would he? Quite a suspicious sight that would be. He sneaked towards some clothes that were drying off and took them, and as he was leaving he noticed a white cloth waving in the rope. It would be better to cover the sword with something to avoid it rusting faster. So, he also took the cloth and cut the rope so he could use it later.

After switching to the stolen blouse and pants, he noticed that they were a bit to loose and with that in mind he folded the sleeves and used a portion of the rope to tighten it around his waist. He did the same with his pants.

He covered the sword with the with cloth and used the rest of the rope to tightly tie it. He then proceeded to bury it beside a large oak. He could use this tree as good location to hide it, since it was in a small peninsula of a large lake.

Having washed himself in the lake, as well as his previous clothes and armor. Having finished all of these actions, he stored them in a bag and went to a different village to sell them.

While nearing the village, a group of soldiers patrolling the roads, started walking towards towards him.

Raved suddenly stopped, looked at the group of men, and began slowly backing up. Really slowly.

“Hey! Kid! Stop!” The man in the vanguard of the group ordered.

The boy continued moving backwards. He could clearly see they wore imperial armor and he did not want to be questioned by them at anyway possible.

“Stop this instant!”

Raved stopped, he knew it would seem to suspicious to continue, and he didn’t want more trouble, but he also didn’t want to interact with Imperials by any means.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Did you not hear me?”

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. Please f-forgive me.”(Raved)

“What are you doing here? You are supposed to head to your village and join the gathering.”

Gathering? What is this all about?

“What gathering?” Raved said with a low voice.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“You didn’t get noticed? Wait, where were you just now?

Shit! They got suspicious. What do I do, what do I do?!

“I, huh, I was at the lake. Yes, the lake!” (Raved)

“You hesitated. Were you really at the lake?

Crap… They are getting me, think of something.

“I-I don’t feel comfortable interacting with, hmm, people.”(Raved)

“Do you feel afraid?”

Fuck yeah I do, but I can’t say it like that.

Why did they invade us, everything was going fine until these Imperial shits came and screwed it all up.

“I-I’m sorry, sir.”(Raved)

“Hmm. Well, it doesn’t matter. Just go to the village and gather up with the rest of the villagers, quick.”

“Yes, Sir! Thank you, sir!”(Raved)

Raved moved on to the village. Occasionally looking back, just to make sure.

Arriving at his destination, he observed a group of about a hundred people being gathered by soldiers.

What is this? They’re gathering people?

As he got closer and closer, he began to notice, the adults were being separated from the teens and children. Some soldiers noticed him and ordered him to join the younger group.

A soldier that seemed to led the village’s army, went into the middle of the gathering and shouted.

“Shut up. Everyone here must be wondering what’s the motive for this. You see, one of our captains carried a certain artifact and he was attacked during your kingdom’s retreat with coward tactics. However, it seems he still managed to kill all the attackers, but a certain child, stole the artifact while the captain was recovering.”

The villagers confused started to talk among each others, and then one of them shouted.

“Is that why you separated us from or children?”

They started panicking. What could happen to their sons and daughters? If they wanted just a boy why would they have the girls too?

Goddamn, so they are really looking for me. What if I just give them the sword? No, that would be bad for me, wouldn’t it?

“By the order of General Maximus, I hereby declare that your children are to be apprehended and transported to an Imperial institution, in order to reform the corrupted minds of such children to prevent more of these types of situations. And to also find the culprit of the artifact.”

What!? Is the reaction every villager, including me, had. They are just going to take away the children?

“What the hell?! I will not stand for this!” Said one of the male villagers.

It’s clear this behavior would come about, who would stand having their family taken away from them. However, this reaction would also lead to dangerous consequences.

Just as the villager stepped forward, an arrow, out of nowhere, hit the peasant’s chest.

“Boer!” A woman screamed.

“Do not take us lightly, we will act if you do not do as you are told.”

The imperial officer, then asked them to bury the man. Having his wife accompany him. The younger kids cried unaware of what was happening.

“Tell your goodbyes to your children, you won’t see them for awhile.”

Though they didn’t want the current situation to occur, if they attacked the soldiers, they would probably be massacred and have their children taken away either way. So, they went with the flow, and hoped their little ones would be keeped safe.

The officer went towards the group of the youngsters, and looked at every and each one of them.

“Boys, girls, follow me, nice and easy. Don’t stray.”

Their parents finished their farewells and asked them to listen to the man leading them. Though there were some giving me a confused look. Which is normal, considering I’m not from here and they don’t know me.

We followed the officer to some wagons. There were eight wagons in total, big enough to fit eleven people,excluding the driver.

“I’m scared, Nur.” Said a little girl to another girl of about twelve years old.

“Don’t worry Kin, everything will be okay. We will just follow this man and will be back to mom and d-dad in no time.”(Nur)

They were all extremely confused and worried.

We got into the wagons, and after a while the horses started moving. There were kids with five to thirteen years old. They didn’t knew me, they only knew the others, which made them look at me with a weird look, similar to their parents. Some cried, others talked with each other to calm down, and the rest just stayed quiet and looked at the road.

According with one of the soldiers, the facility is in land of the previous conquered city, Eller. We should reach it in a day or two.