《The Wargs》


 Chapter 1 - The beginning

    Cool evening, Rakmir, a 15-year-old boy standing on the outer defensive wall. The wall was 50 meters high and provided protection for the whole outer layer of the city of Sil. From the wall he could see the second wall and the city buildings. Sil was the capital of Eri it had approximately 6 million habitats. It was divided in three layers each with its own protective structures. The first and the smallest was designated for nobles and wealthy merchants, the second had stores and big squares which during the day where full of people. Less wealthy merchants and townsmen lived there. Buildings like barracks and granaries all city offices were located here as well. The third layer was for the poorest. Being the biggest one of the three layers it had people with the lowest status. Rakmir couldn''t see his home from where he was standing, the slums where the place for all unwanted citizens as well as the location of his house. Looking around he could see a lot of big archer, and smaller alarm towers it gave the majestic feeling for merchants and travelers that saw it first time. There were four gates on each side of the city. Rakmir was assigned to the East gate outer defensive wall. His beautiful blue eyes fixed on the landscape, on his left hand a round big shield, in the right hand spear, on his chest he has a lightweight metal armor, but that most distinguished him from other guards were two short steel swords on both sides of the hips. Both look identical, with one exception, black handle, gently rounded edges, both bore different inscriptions: the right "amor patriae nostra lex" on the left "audaces fortune iuvat". Rakmir know what these inscriptions mean, that fateful day, his parents gave these two extraordinary swords to him as a present, hoping that they will be guardians of life of their son.


    As 15 year old boy Rakmir showed a remarkable physique, 178 cm tall, short dark hair, beautiful blue eyes that would capture the hearts of any woman, rarely appearing smile on his face that he showed only to his relatives, had the power to melt the ice in every heart. Athletic muscular body, if not signs of malnutrition could be seen as reincarnations of the god of war.


    That day there where less travelers passing through the gate in the wall. The few who have turned to look on Rakmir, saw marks on his body demonstrating the hard life of a boy, those who knew him did not pay attention or pretending that they are blind.


    ¡°How is it possible that such a young boy began working as a guard in this troubled times in which power and money were the determinants of existence.¡±- some of them thought


    Wars between cities, wars between principalities, and finally wars between empires, on every step death, pain, suffering. Such a young guard was an exception, the only reason he got this job as a 15-year-old was the greed of his captain. Brum the captain of west wall guards at the first informal meeting said that 60 percent of Rakmir''s earnings are expected to come to Brum''s pocket. The boy did not protest but not because he did not want to, his whole body wanted to tear the captain of the guards apart, not even afraid of stout construction of the above, but because he had no other option, as a 15 year old and "traitor''s son" he had to obey.


    Everyone in town knew that, despite the fact that military service can take only the young men upon reaching 18 years of age, no one paid attention thinking, "well, maybe finally this scum will disappear from our city."


    Rakmir did not care about those taunts, he was used to them, but he remembered, remembered, every hurt, every insult, not so much at him as at his family. Already as a young man he suffered harm from residents of Sil city.


    Although he and his family had little, somehow they managed to make ends meet. Looking at it from the side you could see fists clenched on the handle of the shield and spear which he was holding. This event when he was 8 years old and was playing at home with his 4 months old sister Kira, even today, his memories, made his blood lust increased enormously.


    The image of a weeping young blond hair, beautiful little girl who he loved above all made his heart  pain. On this day the doors to their modest little two room house opened with a bang, in their eyes a little boy and very young girls saw their mother face covered in bruises with signs of wiped blood, on her body tattered clothes.


    The boy for his age, was very intelligent, he loved to hear stories about his father''s great battles, massive armies, and things that happened in the war which to his father surprise he understood and frequently asked rational questions, so he knew the situation was not good.


    He tried to remain calm. Looking at his mother, he could see places which still had small traces of blood left on them, on her beautiful face that she tried to hide from her children one could see the reflection of pain that she experienced.


    Rakmir understood why she was trying so hard to hide it, she was doing it for them, trying to calm her children and not to show any weakness, but he knew, he heard the taunts of neighbors, he saw every day the new bruises on the body of his mother. Even if she tried to hide this behind wonderful smile, smile that was just for them ... He knew it.


    Sara, their mother was walking image of perfection, with the face of an angel, beautiful blonde hair which were falling on her back, blue eyes, perfect feminine physique and the smile that aroused envy in women and desire in men ...


    Sarah briskly walked over to the children and with all the strength hugged them together. Rakmir heard her beautiful voice whispering to them:


    Sarah: "For all the time will come."


    Rakmir to this day repeated these words in his mind a million times. You could say that they were his mantra, a talisman that blocked outbursts of anger and blood lust.


    That evening after feeling something was wrong young Kira was crying, even four month old child could feel the tension without yet understanding what was happening, seeing this she was quickly calm dawn and put to bed. After crying her hart out in the arms of her mother she went to sleep.


    A few hours later, Wolf, Rakmir''s father returned home. Wolf was once commanding officer serving in the best army in the country. Eri cavalry was the most elite force across the continent. Wolf repeatedly told stories of battles to Rakmir, but not as you normally tell bedtime stories.Seeing his son sparkling eyes and hearing the questions that where logical and deserved to be answered Wolf was discussing tactics, formations, numbers, armament, logistics, terrain and all aspects of the military in these battles and many other campaigns.


    One of Rakmir''s favorite stories was when Wolf with 200 of his cavalry subordinates defended the gates of the city for 7 hours in front of 30 000 joined forces from two principalities. It was one of the reasons why in the the young man bore the picture of Wolf as a hero and role model, the fact that his father not only defended the city, but after these 7 hours when he received reinforcements in the number of 300 cavalry riders, he was able to continue battle forcing the joined armies to withdraw from the siege.


    Wolf saw his wife, who even after cleaning herself still had traces of attack, he could not stop himself from falling on his knees and with tears in his eyes several times whisper "I''m sorry".


    Sarah slowly walked over to her husband and hugged his head to her bosom, stroking his hair, and saying that nothing has happened, that everything will be fine. Rakmir also approached them, with sad eyes watching the situation. He did not understand why they are treated like this, why the whole  Sil seeing members of their families spits under their feet.


    Hearing the gentle quiet weeping of their son, Wolf and Sarah looked at the young man that with all of his strength tried to hold back the tears clutching his hands on the legs of his trousers.


    Wolf recovering, signaled Sarah to leave them alone, and taking Rakmir on his hand he sat down at the wooden chair next to the table putting him on his lap. Sarah upon seeing the whole situation gave them her warmest smiled as she could, knowing the day came where the young learn the truth, and moved to a smaller room. When Wolf heard the sound of Sarah laying down beside Kira, he looked at his son and said with heavy voice.


    Wolf: "Rakmir what I''m about to say to you must stay between us, your mother knows this, but never, I repeat never tell anyone about it, especially people outside the family"


    Said his father with seriousness on his face.


    Wolf: "The reason why we are in such a situation occurred when I was the commanding officer of the Cavalry. My elite troops where under supervision of the king. Only he could give us his orders no one else. I was then charged with treason by noble families, knowing me well know that I would never betrayed my country, that''s how i was brought up by my parents and grandparents. You should know from my stories, that my cavalry received only the best and most promising and loyal fighters. It was an honor for all those elites to join my unit."


    Rakmir hearing these words showed surprise on his face, looking questioningly at his father.


    Rakmir: "Betraying !?"


    He could not believe that someone as honorable as his father would have done such a shameful act.


    Wolf: "This situation occurred 10 years before your birth when I was under the command of 100,000 elites, not only cavalry, we had masters in every military branch¡±


    He stopped for a second thinking how to put it in words.


    Wolf: "All loyal and devoted to their king. As a warrior I was never interested in politics and I had never taken part in all these disgusting games. "


    He said with clear distaste on his face


    Wolf: "I have always faithfully served Eri, first putting the good of his nation, king, and lastly our clan, and each of my subordinates was a great soldier, they were skilled, faithful and courageous. You need to know that for to step into our ranks one had to go through the mass of deadly tests and trials, sometimes the price was ones life, in some cases the loss of limbs. The battles in which we have participated tempered us and combined us with bond of brotherhood that I can not describe in words. "


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    With a clear fondness said his father reaching for a jug of water. After a few sips continued


    Wolf: "At that time then ruler of our country was disposed of by the nobility, which put his son on the throne, thinking that he will be a puppet. Fearing our intervention, they organized a conspiracy aimed at depriving me of command, knowing that we are loyal only to the king. You''re too young to know all the details, for now I just want you to know and never forget the dedication of soldiers, my brothers, who defended our country with honor and pride not once paying the ultimate price. Since that day my hundred thousandth army ceased to exist. "


    Huge pain could be felt in his voice.


    Wolf: "Most of my commanding officers were executed, soldiers scattered around the country, and I with the stigma of traitor was deprived of rank, condemned to eternal ridicule, but that was not enough for them, our whole clan including your grandparents were all wiped out. What I;m about to tell might be a shock to you but at that time by my side served your older brother Slav ... My biggest punishment in life was to look when in front of the eyes of all our soldiers and your mother he was murdered for something he did not do. We could not do anything because before we were disarmed and enemy forces where escorting us and made us watch this bestiality. Before your brother died he looked at us with a smile on his face, smiling in a situation like this just before his throat was cut he managed to shout to his privet guard and all our men our family creed"Amor Patriae Nostra Lex!¡±. He died in the company of 100 000 throats responding him with the same, and saluting for the last time. The name of our family who for thousands of years bravely fought alongside the king was erased from the history and branded as traitors of the nation. "


    At this moment in disbelief Rakmir interrupted his father


    Rakmir: "Brother? Clan? How can this be? You never even said anything "


    Wolf: "Let me finish, I''ll explain every detail when you''re strong enough, and you alone can decide what to do next¡±


    His son, clutching his hands to his mouth had shock in his eyes, now he understood why his father had not mentioned to him about it at all. It was just too overwhelming. As a 8 year old boy Rakmir was no longer able to gasp all these sensations, his brother''s death, dethronement of the king, his noble clan destroyed.


    Wolf: "That day a part of me died, your mother despite the pain in the heart decided that after all, this is our country and here is where we''ll live our end''s. Fortunately, as a teenager, everyone in our lineage had to learn everything needed to be elite fighter, such as horse riding, sword, spear, axe or bow, our clan even invented our own martial arts for fighting with all those types of weapons or barehanded combat. It didn''t matter if you use stealth tactics. shield or if you''re fighting while riding on a horse all those skills where taught to us, and now i will teach them to you. Remember that the warrior''s don''t always need to be skilled and talented, they need to also depend on their equipment that they need to care for and supervise, because of this I will also teach you blacksmiths art. For now, however, you have to be strong, persevering despite all spit in our face I want you to continued the tradition of our great clan! The Warg clan."


    To hear that Rakmir could not control all the thoughts that emerged in his head, all the sensations spoke by his father where the proof that his youthful childhood years came to an end.


    Although he was only eight years old in his heart lighted a flame, a flame fueled by hatred of criminals who harmed his family, loss of a brother whom he had never met. At this time, a young boy decided that one day he will restore his father and Warg clan to favor.


    Rakmir: "Everyone must be accounted for their actions," - he said in a whisper


    Rakmir After the confessions of his father being aware that he was too young, had decided to exercise his body and mind. Knowing more techniques which his ancestors had perfected thousands of years will help him to achieve his goal.


    Lying in bed he could not sleep a wink. After talking with Wolf he entered the room where were his mother and sister where sleeping. In the room he looked at his mother and sister.


    "How strong must be this woman," he thought.


    His eyes bore the admiration and respect of the same grade he showed to his father. For he knew that it was his mother who suffered the most. From day to day she lost everything, her son and prosperous life in a family environment, but most he was worried about his sister.


    Sarah saw that Wolf had finished  conversation with Rakmir after slowly standing up from bed she kissed her son and giving him time to think all thru without saying a word went back to the living room where his father was waiting for her.


    That night, Rakmir vowed that it would never allow his sister to go thru what they had.


    Time passed slowly taking into account all the sensations of the evening Rakmir was rolling in his bed from side to side. Some might think that is a big burden for a eight-years old boy, but for him who from early age was brought up by his father''s words that  honor and strength are things that can protect the family it was just something he had to deal with either way, or as he saw as something to motivate him and gave a purpose to his existence in this cruel word.


    Hearing the gentle cry of his mother in the living room, his heart could not calm down


    Wolf: "Sarah tell me what happened? Who did this to you? "


    Sarah bowed her head, trying to calm tears in her eyes, but looking at Wolf she knew that whatever she did, she will not be able to hide it from her husband, the love of her life that''s why she decided to tell him everything that happened that night.


    Sarah: "You know very well that it is difficult for us to live, that''s why I let them treat me like this, when I finished work"


    Sarah looking at her husband and continued.


    Sarah: ¡°Despite all the difficulties that I meet, I need to take up work from people like this, even if I am exploited, even if some do not pay as much as promised, or at all. You know we still need to do this. Rakmir and Kara are just children they didn''t do anything wrong. Even if it means being like this, for them I am willing¡±


    Wolf knew that was the case but still what could he do? With first signs of his protest he would be out in jail or killed leaving his family alone, and this he could not bear. That is why he had to bite his tang and calm his nerves, as a warrior he needed to be his children protector. Sarah didn''t tell him everything knowing the temperament of old general if he knew that others tried to touch her during her work, and when she protested threatened her with words that they will not pay her at all he would already go and tear them to pieces. But Sarah never allowed to touch another man than her husband. For her keeping her and her family''s dignity was more important, besides if she would let them do it one there would be no turning back. That''s why she was always physically abused by men frustrated by her response, or by women jealous of her. That was as well why that night they made their move.


    Sarah: "Returning the work I was pulled into an alley, but please don''t worry, nothing happened. Someone scared them off, they wanted ... They wanted to... "


    She could not articulate what happened. No longer holding in her tears this strong woman who smiled at the children, could relay only on her husband, and only to him she could open her heart.


    She snuggled into her husband''s arms, where she felt safe. Nobody can describe the pain that an old warrior felt, in spite of many years of hard living, continuous humiliation and discrimination against he had to endure.


    The spark in his eye never faded. He knew that his family suffers often, his wife and son abused to this degree, he himself as well. The only happiness he could feel was that they managed to protect their little daughter Kira from this. But that is now. What will happen later he thought?


    At least once a month, someone tried to raise a brawl in which Wolf would get hurt. Wolf knew that this cases are not coincident, he knew that someone must be behind this.


    That''s why he was trying not to give anyone a reason to attack. From previous years, and with his career in the army, his body was still enough athletic, living in privation did not improve his situation. Wolf as head of the family worked from dawn to dusk but he could not be a soldier, noble families did everything that they could to make his life miserable so he could not even be hired as a mercenary. What he had left was to work as a blacksmith, on what went rest of their savings.


    He became a blacksmith. His wife filled with grief over the loss of her son needed his support. Normally Wolf honor would not allow him to continue living, but he knew that he must be strong, know that the time will come when everything will change, and may it sound like a clich¨¦, that ¡°justice will come¡±.


    Hearing the story of Sarah''s anger reached its zenith. But Sarah calmed him


    Sarah: "Dear it''s all going to change, it will all pass away, calm down, if not for me then for children"


    She spoke quietly.


    Rakmir hear everything he said to himself "I will get revenge for every time my family cries? How is it life if you do not have anything to eat? If my mother is treated like dirt and, if my father after all these years when he gave all his years to his country is treated like a criminal and a traitor. You just wait... I will make you more miserable than that!"- he thought as he drifted into land of dreams.

 Chapter 2 - Attack

    The next day at dawn, Rakmir saw through the window as his father walked to their smithy which was located at the back of the house. Without waiting he dressed his tattered clothe and looked at his sister Kira, stroking her hair and kissing her forehead he left the room. In the kitchen, he looked at his mother, her red eyes and hunched posture spoke of a heavy, sleepless night.


    Sarah: "Rakmir your father and I want to give you something, go to the forge."


    Said his mother with a calm voice. Noding Rakmir with a slow pace walked toward where his father went.


    It was a large building, but it was obvious that it was old. the equipment that his father used his parents purchased for nearly all their remaining assets, not because it was wort it, but because people selling it to them wanted to exploit them. Even knowing this the didn''t have a choice.


    However they did not have a lot of customers, no one wanted to buy from "traitors", so their main income was from trade with merchants from outside the principality as well as odd jobs his mother did.


    All the neighbors treated them like cattle, with contempt doing everything they can to make The life of Wargs as difficult as possible. Entering the forge Rakmir felt so familiar blow of hot air, he looked at his father''s old scarred body, but still a warrior posture which he practiced for so many years could be seen. His eyes despite the wrinkles still showed a sharp look. Seeing this Rakmir feel proud to know that his clan had to be powerful if one of his sons, despite many obstacles still evokes respect in the eyes of the young man.


    Wolf turned his head in the door seeing Rakmir he said,


    Wolf: "Rakmir, son with your mother, we would like to give you something. You have yet to begin your to practice but in accordance with the tradition of our family on eight birthday every fighter from our clan is given the opportunity to choose their first weapons."


    Seeing his son exited face he continued.


    Wolf: "From today every morning before dawn you practice your body and techniques of our clan, which once where thought to me by my father like to him by his father, and what I hope will be thought by you to your children. However, if you do not want to say so now, because there will be no turning back. If you do not want to you don''t have to and nor me, nor your mother will think less of you. The most important for us is your happiness, your and Kira, we do not want you to be tethered by our faults."


    Rakmir hearing it without hesitation said,


    Rakmir: " Dad, I will make you both proud!"


    Looking at weapons that where produced by his father Rakmir did not know what to choose. Seeing his hesitation his father took out two swords from the box.


    Wolf: "Rakmir these two swords belonged to your brother Slava when he was starting his training like you do now, with his skills he saved my life and only gods how many lives of my soldiers during our battles. It would be an honor for me as your father if you would chose the sword of your brother as your first weapons. Both were presented to him by me and your mother."


    Hearing this he could not control his excitement. Grasping the sword he felt proud of his brother.


    Rakmir: "Father What was my brother like?"


    Wolf: "Slav? Well ... Just like you. From an early age we knew that his life will be full of opportunities, combat techniques he could learn faster than anyone else in our lineage, and you must know that you we are the caste of warriors in who wear at the top in the whole continent. Although not so numerous with every generation we produced geniuses that later on lead the army. At the age of nine he mastered the two swords style and archery. As soon as he learned the skill to perfect ride a horse I took him with me to our cavalry. These were turbulent times like now, but I never once saw fear in his eyes, my hope is that it will be so for you as well."


    Seeing at the same time proud and painful expression of his father Rakmir did not continued to ask questions about his brother.


    Rakmir: "Father, what is engraved on the sword?"


    Wolf: "The first is our motto, the motto of our family"


    Rakmir: "What does it mean?"


    Wolf: "Amor patriae Nostra lex its in old language, in our it means ¡°Love of the Fatherland is our law.¡± It''s suppose to remind us and our warriors that the good of the homeland is above everything."".


    Said Wolf looking in the direction of their yard.


    Wolf: "On the other, well I let your mother tell you."


    Saying that the door to forge opened, Sarah confidently stepped inside.


    Sarah: "On the second sword are the words that i have always kept saying to your brother, it means ¡°Luck favors Brave¡±. We wanted to make these two swords guard the life of your brother ... But by despicable betrayal and deception... "


    Saying the last sentence her hands began to tremble.


    Sarah: "I know that it was our fault, your brother was not guilty of anything and we were to blind to see the danger, he always faithfully follow the orders he lived in accordance with our clans motto that guided him in his life."


    Sarah with obvious effort had tried to master the tears while mention that tragic day.


    "These words your mother used to your brother before all of our expeditions... Luck favors Brave" - ended the Wolf.


    That''s when Rakmir began his training under the watchful eye of his father. Because of him helping in the forge his body was strong enough to train the technique. Training like crazy in every free moment of his time he could feel joy in fighting, especially while sparring with his father.


    The years passed. Years of pain and suffering. Sometimes it was so they did not have enough to eat, but father and mother, despite hunger saw to it that their children have not experienced the unpleasantness.


    Now the 15-year-old Rakmir already mastered most of the knowledge shared to him by his father. The above average intelligence and talent for learning martial arts, helped to improve his skills at astounding pace.


    To help his parents, just as soon as he was sure of success Rakmir enlisted as a guard despite the opposition of Sarah the young man could not be drive from its decision. Although money where not very big and even though he had to give 60% of what he earn to his captain, still without any complain day in day he perform his duties.


    Suddenly a blow in his face woke him from his reverie


    Brum: "Rakmir bastard why a little shit like you cant carry out orders!?"


    Screamed Brum, who now was massaging the fat around your belly.


    However, Rakmir knew that all captains orders were done correctly, and he, as usual, had not overlooked nothing. He knew that Brum will not let go of even one situation to  show to the boy who is the boss, and how much Rakmir is worth to him.


    Brum: "For today its over, here is this months wage"


    Giving him small sack of money said the captain showing his pig fat smile on and licking his lips said.


    Brum: "Of course, my portion was received and now fuck off outta here, unless you want to earn more, but then invite your whore of a mother! With pleasure I would stick my dick in her, in the last resort it can be your sister! Ahh that little body of hers! "


    Said Brum licking his lips and massaging his crotch.


    Rakmir with a calm expression on his face saluted and passing few guards went down from the wall. Walking home he could see the dirty streets and smell the stench, the part of the Sil they where living in without a second thought could be called the worst part of town. Whorehouses, bars where the paradise for thieves and murderers but he did not mind, in the end he lived here all his life.


    Walking inside his house he saw his mother, Sarah although opposed to his service knew her son was doing it for them, every time he came home tired she felt pain.


    Sarah: "Rakmir breakfast will be soon after night watch you''re probably tired" said his mother with eyes full of sorrow and love.


    Rakmir: "I''m not tired mom. Do you need help?"


    Sarah: "For now go lie down, I''ll wake you up when the breakfast is ready¡±


    Rakmir stepped quietly into the room, and saw sleeping Kira. Kira now 7-year-old  girl was a beauty like her mother. Not wanting to wake her up he quietly lay on his bed. Turning a blind eye sleep came quickly.


    Rakmir suddenly felt someone shaking him, opening his eyes he saw his sister Kira standing next to the bed.


    Kira: "Sorry brother for waking you up but mom told me to get you, breakfast is almost ready."


    Rakmir: "Thanks Kira"


    Getting up he saw his sister still looking at him.


    Rakmir: ¡°Everything''s alright?¡±


    Kira: ¡°Yes but you''re never home and you''re always beat up and tired, I don''t want you to go there anymore¡±


    Kira said, sitting down beside him on the bed


    Rakmir: "I''m sorry little sister, I promise I will take better care of myself, if you want I stay whoooole day today with you"


    Stroking her head with a smile replied Rakmir. Seeing her face brightening up he felt all his tiredness going away. At the same time from the second room they heard voice


    Sarah: "Children breakfast!"


    Rakmir and Kira went into the kitchen to look at modestly laid table. Although they did not have much, their mother always thanks to her talent in cooking made something delicious. Being with his family, one could not see all the negative feelings directed to others. To his sister and mother he was always showing a beautiful smile. After breakfast Rakmir spend time with his sister talking to her about everything and answering all her questions. Kira was not aloud to go outside alone that''s why most of her time she was home reading books provided to her by her brother or parents. When she went to take a nap Rakmir kissed his sister and mother, and walked toward the smithy.


    Rakmir: "Father, I came to help you."


    Rakmir showed talent in all activities connected with the military, be it a tactic of war or martial arts, even in the forge where he helped his father and cared about equipment.


    Wolf: "Rakmir there is not much to do today, how was yours watch?"


    Rakmir: "Relax dad nothing really happened, as usual, merchants, and several brawls"


    Wolf: "Son, do not let your guard dawn, the danger does not always come from the outside, we of all should always remember that. The nobles know that we are alive. Although they may not take any action now, the day they do will come.¡±


    Rakmir: "I know Father"


    The weeks passed. Considering that the Principality of Eri was not the greatest and most powerful but with the cavalry and the old fame it maintained its borders. That day Rakmir as usual, was keeping  watch on the walls, the capital of the Eri was located in the central-eastern part of the Principality and was surrounded on the south, east and west by other principalities, from the north by sea. However, it did not have a big navy. Rakmir knew that Eri mainly focused on ground forces, under an incompetent king and advisers it power mostly deteriorated. For them more important were the status and their dark interests than the country.


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    That night before dawn Rakmir heard something below his position on the wall. As soon as he poked his head out he saw several postures climbing the ropes.


    Rakmir: "Alarm! Alarm!"


    Shouted Rakmir. Thick captain ran to the young man. When Brum was a meter away, Rakmir saw a dagger halfway toward his heart. Briskly jumping to the right he felt he blade on his body. He felt a deep wound on his left shoulder.


    Rakmir: "What are you doing!"


    Brum: "What do you mean what? I''m killing the traitor that opened the gated for the enemies! "- He


    Rakmir guessed what the captain did, because even after his cries he did not see any sign of the other guards.


    Rakmir started laughing what surprised Brum. In all the time he bulled this youngster he never saw any emotion on the boys face.


    Rakmir: ¡°You don''t even know how happy I am that you said that!¡±


    Saying this he took a fighting position. His blood boiled finally he could let out his anger and killing intent directed at the fat captain. Analyzing the situation he slowly stepped toward Brum.


    Being close to him with a shield on his left hand he attacked and struck in the chest of the man who shocked because of the youngster speed lost his balance, at the same time Rakmir attacked with a spear directed at the chest of the captain. However, despite his weight Brum had not received this position without a reason, regaining balance he kicked the shield sending boy flying two meters away.


    Rakmir quickly recovered from the exchange, he knew now that if he lose here he will be finished. Life or death, as was taught by his father. Seeing the attackers figure almost on a wall, he change the grip on his spear and threw it in the direction of the first person who just climbed upstairs. Hearing a groan from the pain of the first attacker Rakmir pulled the sword from his left side.


    "Fortune favors brave¡± thought Rakmir. This is the first time he killed but thanks to his training he had remained calm and again taken position to fight with his former commander.


    Brum seeing it with eyes full of hatred directed toward Rakmir.


    Brum: "You little shit, you die here as befits a traitor! No one would have suspected me! I will kill you and then your father, and finally have some fun with your mother and sister! As the time we will be finished with them they will be begging  us to kill them! Your mother as a whore will be given to rape by soldiers in the barracks and your sister after we will finish with her we will give to dogs and beggars to play with!"


    Rakmir: ¡° HA HA HA that''s good, very good. But please tell me... How will you do it when you''re dead?¡±


    After saying this Rakmir just watched with a calm gaze. Listening to captain insults was for him nothing more than a fig screaming before its death. He had realized that it was not more than taunts which aim was to make him angry, for the shocked Brum he was only trash that could not fight, but he didn''t know that for 7 years, every day Rakmir was training with a former general of the elite unit. His father.


    Now, with his long sword Brum attacked Rakmir, despite him being just 15 years old boy his body was train from the beginning. Working in smithy with his father, training every day an experienced warrior could see the hard work and sweat in training. Brum just didn''t pay attention and Rakmir being malnourished didn''t give the vibe of a warrior. Rakmir quickly parried the sword and stab his sword toward the attacker throat. He felt a slight resistance. That''s when he knew that with his speed he was able to survive his first fight to the death. The last look in Brum eyes was full of disbelief. He never expected that this trash that he bullied and exploited was so strong.


    Holding his throat Brum still wanted to protest but instead of spitting out words only dark blood came out.


    Rakmir: "What now? I told you it all ends when you''re dead" whispered Rakmir.


    "Not the time for that," he thought. Checking his surroundings, not seeing any other guard in the area he thought correctly that Brum killed them. Suddenly he had an idea. For each of the walls the are placed small towers with alarm bells announcing danger. Rakmir decided to head for the nearest one. With a shield and a sword in his hand he saw a person had just climbed the wall, he decided to attack first.


    To the persons misfortune he did not yet managed to catch the balance upon climbed over the wall, when Rakmir''s shield hit him in the chest. With the power of youth to get rid of the first one did not pose much of a problem, and moments after the incident there was only the screams of the falling man.


    At the same time 3 consecutive attackers already ran toward Rakmir. Remembering the lessons of his father and attacked the nearest pinning him to the wall. Hearing the sound of breaking ribs with a smooth motion  he threw the sword into the next nearest target.


    The sword stuck in the next closest attacker chest giving Rakmir time to finish of pinned enemy and to prepare for the last obstacle between him and alarm bell. On the so far silent wall one could heard moaning in pain, the sound was coming from behind Rakmir''s shield. Seeing that his attack has reached the desired effect Rakmir pulled out a sword and a with a swift movement cut throat of the crushed to the a wall enemy. During this action his eyes did not wonder, all this time he was concentrated on the third man.


    All this ended in 3 seconds. Rakmir now took a defensive position with knees bent and his sword  above the shield leveled while  hiding behind his shield. However, the attacker was not an amateur.


    Pulling out his sword and dagger he calmly walked toward the boy. Being half meter away from his destination  he quickly jumped to Rakmir hitting young guard shield with his sword and with the  dagger targeting Rakmir''s legs. The boy felt a pain in his left thigh, as he jumped away, but when he transferred his body weight on  his injured leg he lost his balance and felt. Without losing the opportunity striker jumped on his hand with the shield. A second later the young man heard a cracking noise of broken bones accompanied by terrible pain. Getting rid of the shield Rakmir kicked toward the legs of  the attacker.


    Now, with a broken arm, deep wound in the left thigh and left shoulder and blood seeping through his clothing his situation looked grim. But even this did not perturb the concentration of youth! Well   aware that because of the blood loss he can no longer drag the fight he attacked. With quick blows, cut and thrusts he took the initiative, despite the clumsy footwork he was moving steadily forward towards the bell, thereby making his hunter become the hunted.


    Seeing a gap in the enemy defense young guard attacked with full force. Starting to spin left he wanted to cut open enemy''s stomach, but it was a trap prepared by more experienced enemy. Seeing boy movement black clothed person with the end of the foot hit the boy''s wrist with full force. Rakmir sword felt to the ground from his numb hand. Thinking that it was the end but at the moment he noticed the second sword sticking from the chest of one of the victims, the same sword he received from his mother, ¡°my last chance¡± he thought and with a big step forward immediately after the end of his spinning move he began his last desperate attack.


    With his action he managed to surprised the enemy soldier who had to either jumped away be knocked to the ground with this attack. Seeing that his target decided to jump, Rakmir face had a small smile on it. Before the enemy touched the ground Rakmir''s right hand grabbed the sword stuck in the body on his left side. Despite the terrible pain with the help of adrenaline in his body he managed to mobilize all arm muscles and snatch it out of the dead soldier''s body while continuing rotation.


    Stunned by this unexpected action, the enemy couldn''t do anything about it, while still in the air he started to getting ready to launch an attack just after touching the ground. However, the attack did not came.


    Rakmir with fluid motion bounced off the ground, and all his weight plunged his sword into left side of black clothed man just below the ribs and pierce the enemy through the chest. Looking closer he could see his sword tip sticking out from the right shoulder. Striker died on the spot.


    Rakmir: ¡°You forgot to watch your environment¡±


    Said the boy with a bitter smile remembering all the times his father told him the same while sparring.


    Rakmir continued in the direction of the small tower. While climbing the stairs, because of blood loss he felt faint, he knew of the imminent loss of consciousness but did not give up grabbing the rope connected to alarm bell. He pulled strongly. Influenced by the sound of a bell the city began to wake up. He could hear the second bell tower nearby, then a third soon all the east bells rang. Rakmir looking from the windows of the building was pleased with himself. Seeing the guard troops heading for the wall he went down the stairs.


    In the faint feeling made him stumbled few times, and finally failing to regain balance he tumbled down the last few steps. Getting up from the ground he slowly went to the soldier with whom he fought the toughest battle in his fifteen years old life.


    After a brief search of corpses he found two purses and a few letters.


    "It must have been the commander of this group," - he thought.


    Pulling out his bloody sword from the group leader corpses, and picking up his second sword he wiped both of them on the clothes of the deceased and sheathed them.


    "Mom, dad, you see your swords saved my life." - He said gently smiling.


    After searching all attackers and Brum, Rakmir got seven pouches filled with money, but no additional letters. Hiding his spoils he counted: two purses from the commander of the group, one from the corpse of each killed soldier, and two from Brum''s body.


    Returning the tower entrance he sat on the ground leaning against the side of the building. Before him there were countless torches, he heard the shouts and sounds of fighting. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was an officer in Eri uniform with a group of soldiers coming in his direction.

 Chapter 3 - Broken hearts

    It was almost dawn when Sarah went out of the room and saw Wolf silhouette in front of the kitchen table. In front of him was a mug of water. Knowing their financial situation Wolf didn''t have the heart to use the money to buy ale. Walking slowly in her undergarments she hugged him from behind. She could feel her husbands depression.


    Wolf:¡° Sorry did I wake you up? ¡±


    Sarah:¡± No I couldn''t sleep. I have a bad feeling that doesn''t want to go away, so i woke up early."


    Wolf:¡° Yeah me too. Sarah how much money do we have left? ¡±


    Looking sad and thinking about it for a second she responded.


    Sarah:¡± If we use them just for basics then we can last for 3 to 4 days but not more. When will you sell the tools to the merchants? "


    Wolf:¡° They were suppose to come yesterday...¡±


    Sarah:¡± Don''t worry, I will find a job and we manage somehow.¡±


    Hearing this Wolf had a sad expression, he knew very well how much she was going thru every day in her workplaces. He blamed himself. ¡° If only I could turn back the time¡± he thought. But there was not much he could do now. They were still lucky, even in this kind of financial state.


    Sarah being thought financial management and all aspects of economy by the clan was managing all the money in their household. If you say that men in Warg clan were standing on the peak of military world, the women where train in managing the house and with this managing the financial assets as well as trade. For them their battlefield was wit merchants and and taxes. To tell the truth it was her who prepared the contracts and contacted merchants that wanted to buy good products for smallest price. Knowing all this one would think how did the clan with such a military and economic background fall? Well that''s pretty simple. The clan even if elite was not big. They put all on quality not quantity so there numbers were small. Second the simply didn''t have the political power as they never did have interest in the dirty games of nobles.


    Reassuring her husband a little more she finally went to change into her normal clothes and came back with a smile.


    Sarah:¡± I need to start preparing breakfast for children. Rakmir should be back soon from his watch. I know he doesn''t show it for our sake but hes hurting. 15 yo boy should not be burdened by his parents problems "


    Looking at her sad face Wolf responded


    Wolf:¡° You''re right but don''t belittle him. He''s stronger than you think. Physically I can''t even go easy on him now during our sparing matches. This little rascal is smarter than you think! "


    Sarah:¡± Oh shut it, don''t call my son a rascal, he just doesn''t want to disappoint you! "


    Smiling Wolf stood up and hugged his wife


    Wolf:¡° I know, we really have a good son don''t we...¡±


    In that small brief moment of bliss they just continued to hug and kiss each other.


    Wolf:¡° That sound?! "


    Hearing the alarm bells Wolf and Sarah separated and walked to the windows which where directed at the street. They could see city guards and regular soldiers running in the direction of the east wall.


    Sarah:¡± Oh no, they''re going in the direction of the east wall! "


    Wolf calming her down said


    Wolf:¡° Wait here ill go and find out whats going on "


    Walking out of the house he saw one of officers directing the troops movement, waling over he asked


    Wolf:¡° Whats going on?


    Officer:" Go back home everything is under control "


    Wolf:¡° Yeah I can see that but, sir please tell me what''s going on! My son is east wall guard! "


    Looking at Wolf serious and nervous face the officer didn''t have the heart to keep his high attitude, he had a father too. If it where him he would like for his father to know if something happened. Making a little gentler face he responded.


    Officer:" Sir I don''t want to lie to you, as I from your conduct I can see you used to be a soldier. The east wall was ambushed. They were fighting the attackers and thankfully sounded the alarm before the attackers managed to do more harm. When we arrive we pushed them back, but we lost a lot of good men. From what I heard about 250 guardsmen were dead, and another 200 wounded. They had hell of a fight. We still need to strengthen the wall and after we will start notifying the families.¡±


    Seeing Wolf depressed face he said


    Officer:" If you want to check on your son, go there, from what I know the casualties and the wounded were take down and placed next to the wall, and the wounded are in first and second guard station''s.¡±


    Hearing this Wolfs legs felt soft. ¡°His son! His only son! There''s no time to waist¡± he thought. Running back home he thought what to tell Sarah. ¡°There''s no use in lying. Shes too smart and knows me too good¡±.


    Seeing his white face she already knew something was wrong. Shes not naive so seeing fully armed soldiers directed by officers to the east wall she new that something bad happened.


    Sarah:¡± Whats going on?¡±


    Wolf:¡° First calm dawn, lets go inside¡±


    Now when she heard Wolf she was hundred percent shore the situation was not good. Walking inside the house she was waiting for her husband to explain.


    Wolf:¡° The east wall got attacked ¡­ There are casualties ...¡±


    Hearing this Sarah''s legs went limb. Now she was kneeling with her face looking at her husband with tears in her eyes.


    Sarah:¡± Rakmir! Rakmir, do you know if hes alright?"


    Wolf:¡° I don''t, there are about 1000 guards at night duty on the east wall... from what the officer said there are about 200 wounded... and 250 casualties.¡±


    Sarah face sank more, it was like all her beauty evaporated. Standing on her legs she went to take her body cover before walking outside. She went to Kiras room and woken the small girl up.


    Sarah:¡± Kira darling, mommy and daddy have to go out for a bit. We will come back as soon as we can. Sleep for now and if were not here before you wake up just wait for our return.¡±


    Kissing small Kira on the forehead she went outside.


    Wolf knew there''s now way to stop his wife, he saw her stubborn look, well that was one of the reasons he loved her so much. For her family she would do anything.


    Walking for 40 minutes they came in front of firs guard post.


    What the saw shocked them. Sarah not seeing ¡°war¡± before closed her eyes, but Wolf was shocked for a different reason. Seeing blood and gore was not new to him, but what shocked him was how a group of attackers managed to come on the walls without being seen.


    Sarah on the other hand saw human limbs lie around, soldiers holding their bloodied wound''s, some men were holding their guts with their hand''s preventing them from falling out screaming in pain.


    There mast be about hundred soldiers screaming from pain, some were missing limbs all were covered in blood. Some of the lucky ones had just light wounds like cuts. Those unlucky one were now laying on the ground covered with blankets and sheets.


    Walking past them they came to a person who was giving orders to the medics. What came as a surprise was that the commanding officer upon seeing Wolf saluted him. He felt warmth in his heart, after being ridiculed for 25 years he didn''t expect something like that.


    Captain:¡± General Warg what are you doing here?¡±


    Wolf:¡° Ohh? You recognize me? Its been 25 years I''m no general anymore¡±


    Captain:¡± Sir I was one of Rosen defenders back then. You maybe don''t remember but when we were almost overrun you and your troops came to save us. I was but a boy than but I remember it as if it was yesterday. And answering your question I don''t really care about all that was said about you. My father always told me stories about his old days, he said that its impossible for your clan to betray the king, so let''s leave it to the past. Even now the instructors in academy speak of your battles to young adepts!¡±


    What needs to be said is that in Eri the warrior clans taught their children about honor and duty. The clans like Wargs never gave much thought''s about politics, they spend all their times concentrating on mastering their art of war. That''s why even after all this time they recognized the Wargs as the best clan in history because of their power. Of course the nobles didn''t like it but what could they do? It was impossible to fight with all the warrior clans and soldier cast families.


    Wolf:¡° Captain thank you for your kind words. This is my wife Sarah Warg we came here to check on our son. He''s a guard here on east wall."


    The East wall was huge 50 meters high, divided on sections. Every section guarded by approximately 1000 soldiers during the night and twice as much during the day. Standing on end of it, even without all the guard tower and archer or alarm towers one could not see the other end.


    Sarah:¡± His name is Rakmir Warg he had night watch on the wall near the gate"


    Hearing Sarah captain eyebrows twitched. Looking at Sarah and Wolf worried expression the captain said.


    Captain:¡± General I think we should speak in private, maybe your wife can wait for us in my office."


    Hearing his words Sarah had bat premonition, even if Wolf would tell her to go she would not bulge. Her hart was more and more disturbed. Looking at her husband with pleading eyes she grabbed his arm showing that there''s no way she would leave. She was determined to know what happened to her son and even if the captain would tell his soldiers to escort her, she would not hesitate to put hell of a fight.


    Seeing his wife like this Wolfs expression got gentler. ¡°Hell how I love this girl!¡± he thought to himself.


    Wolf:¡° Captain there''s no need to send her, she will know one way or another. And I''m afraid that if we make her go by force, you will need a lot more medics than you have now.¡± he chuckled


    Captain with resignation on his face nodded. He just wanted to spear her the pain by sending her away but seeing the Wargs as they were now it was impossible.


    Captain:¡± General what I''m about to tell you only the higher ups know, if you repeat this, my head will be the least I would be worried about. From what I know the wall was attacked decisive and hard. The enemy wanted to take control of it in one clean and fast sweep. From our calculation there was a force of about four hundred attackers. We cant be sure because a lot of them escaped when we got the upper hand. The attack started ¡­ from the gate area and then spread in both direction of the section¡±


    Hearing this Sarah and Wolf got even more worried about their boy then before. Wolf tried to stay calm but looking closely you could see his arms tremble, on his right side Sarah had tears falling on her cheeks, she gasped for breath but her husband managed to calm her dawn. Seeing them coming back to their senses captain continued looking in Wolf''s eyes.


    Captain:¡± This must have been an elite force because even after hearing the alarm bells when we run up on the wall we had hard time subduing them and the effect you can see here. When we arrived we saw the stationed guards... all had been killed¡±


    It must be said that the real force paroling the sections of the wall was about 300 guards at the same time under the supervision of commanding officer and his subordinates. The rest of the section guards was at the guard post.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Wolf:¡° Captain is there a way to find what happened to our son? "


    Looking at the man in front of him Wolf said with worried pleading eyes.


    Captain:¡± Wait a minute I will get you a list of the wounded. We had it prepared by medics for later doctors to know the condition of the casualties. But if hes not on the list...¡±


    The captain hesitated for a moment but than continued.


    Captain:¡± ¡­ but if he''s not on the list, we still don''t have the dead guards names report because for now we need to concentrate on the wounded and straightening all the walls in case of next attack. If that''s the case you will have to look for him within the unfortunate ones by yourselves.¡±


    After saying this the officer shouted at one of his subordinates to bring him the casualties list.


    When the soldier with the list arrived the family got nervous, looking at the captain turning pages, with every turn of the page Sarah face got more white as if her heart would beat slower and slower, like her life would be in the officer hands and the pages that left would be her life force.


    For Sarah Rakmir was her little boy, her life joy. For 15 years she watched the young growth day by day. Seeing his warm smiling face gave her priceless happiness. When Ramir was taking care and teaching Kira how to read and write or just spending time playing with his sister, she felt a bliss and all worries vanished. And now she didn''t know what was going on with her boy, her heart was loosing all the power to continue living.


    With the last page turned she started crying, she waited for the captain to say that her son was alright, that he was well or with light wounds somewhere to be found. She looked at the captain face as she heard him saying.


    Captain:¡± I''m sorry general¡±


    In that moment she broke dawn, weeping on her knees while trying to catch a breath. She remembered Rakmir''s smiling face when he was walking out of the house just the evening the day before. Thru her tears she could see Wolf grabbing the name list and looking thru it by himself as fast as possible looking for his son name on in.


    The captain wanted to give them some privacy so he started walking away, for a moment he turned around and said.


    Captain:¡± I will send my aid to take you to the place the dead guards are. Sir I suggest you start with the guards here, but the ones from gate area are a little bit further. I''m sorry general, there''s not more I can do, my condolences.¡±


    Hearing him Wolf thanked him with a nod. That was about all that he could do at the moment. Shocked by the news and his wife breakdown. He finished checking the list in his hands, before he finished he still had hope, he still thought his only son''s name will be on the next page, next one , next one. But turning the last one all the hope was gone.


    After he finished he knelled before his wife and hugged her, now he as well was crying. Trying to calm her dawn he pet her hair and gently whispered to her ears.


    Wolf:¡° Calm dawn my love, we need to be strong. We need to find our boy and take him home. I don''t want him to lay on the ground in this dirt.¡±


    Wolf heart was bleeding, the events broke their will to live. The only thing keeping them from going crazy was Kira. The small girl was now the center of their attention and even while cursing at the gods for giving them so much pain they still needed to carry on.


    After they calmed dawn a bit Wolf could see a soldier standing near them not wanting to disturb them, he was calmly waiting.


    Wolf:¡° Lets go Sarah, lets go. I don''t wont our boy to wait for us. Lets take him home¡±


    As they stood up Wolf nodded at the young soldier and they started to follow him without a word.


    After confirming the bodies at the first sight to their relief Rakmirs body was not there. Even if he was dead which parents would like to see their child dead body? The whole way to the second place which was designated by the commander they walked in silence. Sarah with red eyes was walking like a living corpses. She was like an empty shell. Wolf moved slowly with his wife in his arms.


    Arriving the couple could see bodies laying under covers, the ground was red from the blood oozing slowly from their bodies. Next to the bodies were their swords with dog tags hanging from the swords handles. When they arrived the young soldier that was showing them the way said that all the bodies from the second guard post where brought here as well so Worg and Sarah didn''t have to go and check like in the first one. The reason for this was simple. The second aid station was closer to this place so the bodies where brought just after being diagnosed unlike the first place where they''ve been kept to be transported all at once.


    Looking at the view Wolf and Sarah hearts sank even more. They were walking slowly checking the dog tags one by one. They took their time, they still hold on to the small rays of hope that it all was a bad dream.


    After 30 minutes of checking Wolf saw Sarah suddenly stooping. Being behind he didn''t knew what happened, he could just see her body tremble all over while tears started flowing from her eyes again. Walking past her he saw what she was looking at, his throat tightened and all air from his lungs flew out as if he was struck by a war hammer in the chest.


    They felt like time stopped. What they both saw was a covered body with a pool of blood under it. But what made them feel this way was the sword with dog tags on it next to the body. Black handle, steel, curled sword with small engraving on it.


    They knew this sword. It was one of the two given to their son by them. With slow pace as if not wanting to wake up the body next to it Wolf walked in the direction of the sword. Being one meter away he looked at Sarah, she was looking at the body then at him and again at the body. She was hundred percent positive it was one of Rakmir''s swords, she didn''t need any verification she just knew. It was her boy in front of her.


    Standing stiff she watched her husband slowly walking to the sword. She felt on he knees not caring that the blood from the body dirtied her clothes. That moment she started repeating.


    Sarah:¡± No no no please God no no not my little boy, please God... ¡±


    That moment she saw Wolf garbing the sword and reading the engraving on the sword''s body.


    Wolf:¡° ... Luck ... Favors ... Brave ...¡±


    Hearing this words she couldn''t control herself anymore. She jumped and pushed Wolf to the side grabbing the sword from his arms. When she confirmed the engraving she keeled next to the guard''s body and grabbed on the blanked in the place where the body face was. She wanted to pull the blanked but if this was really her boy she would not have anymore hope. She wonted to cling to the feeling more. Maybe it''s not him, maybe its just a mistake. All would be known when she will take the blanked from the body, that''s what scared her the most.


    Slowly she took the cover of, in font of her was the face of her son...


    Started to weep uncontrollably she took the cover from her son body, and saw the wounds on his shoulder and leg. His violet now broken arm and right wrist. His cut clothes. While crying she started pressing her hands to his wounds. Sarah didn''t care about the blood staining her hands she was pressing as hard as she could to stop any more of the boys precious blood leaving his body.


    Seeing the worst scenario playing in front of him Wolf hart stopped, his wife was now crying in front of him while hugging the body of his dead son. He still could not believe it. His boy, his 15 years old boy dead. How could any parent deserve such a sight.


    Wolf:¡° You were suppose to live your life! You were suppose to go after us not before!¡±


    He shouted looking at his boy. Walking slowly he came next to his wife, she was caressing Rakmir''s cheek while saying.


    Sarah:¡± My little boy why are you sleeping here. Its cold so wake up. Why are you like this, wake up for mommy.¡±


    Still not knowing what to say to Sarah, to make her stop he looked at his boy and with falling tears why stroking Rakmir''s hair he said.


    Wolf:¡° My boy let your dad take you home¡±


    Taking Rakmir''s body into his arms he saw, Sarah picking up the sword that was laying next to him and the one with dog tags and hugged them to her chest. Slowly walking next to her husband they could see the familiar face of the captain walking in their direction.


    Captain looking at them felt remorse, who would like to see such a scene playing in front of him?


    Recognizing the body he walked to them.


    Captain:¡± I''m sorry about your loss... When we found this boy he was sitting at the floor leaning with his back at the wall of the alarm tower¡±


    Wolf and Sarah didn''t stop, walking next to them captain continued speaking.


    Captain:¡± The boy was the first one to sound the alarm, thanks to him we managed to protect the wall. From what I saw he had to fight four men to get to the tower. He gave his life protecting our city. Again my condolences general.¡±


    Saying this the captain walked away. He didn''t want to disturb graving of his raw model and his wife.


    Captain:¡± The world is too cruel for general and his family¡±- He whispered to himself before continuing to do his duty.


    Walking slowly in the direction of their house Wolf didn''t say anything, he was calm outside, maybe he just gave up. This was the feeling when you have all the knowledge but are still unable to change the events that unfold. He lost his two sons his heart sink in mourning. He could hear his wife speaking to his son on the way.


    Sarah:¡± Rakmir silly boy you''re 15 and your father has to carry you? Are you cold? Are you hungry? When we get home mommy will prepare good breakfast to you. Rest a little, you will have to play with Kira later. You know she thinks world of you. She always tell me that her big brother is the best but she''s too shy to say it in front of you!¡±


    Looking at the boy she continued


    Sarah:¡± Why are you not responding? Are mad about something? Did mommy do something that made you mad? Oh you''re just tired, then sleep my little boy, your mom and dad are next to you¡±


    It was already dawn. The news about attack already spread and families of guardsmen were walking fast in the direction of the east wall. People seeing Wolf whose body was now covered in his son leaking blood and pain on his and Sarah faces, had different emotions in their heart''s. Some had regret that they treated the boy and his family badly. He still lost his life while protecting them and the city, some didn''t care, some were happy.


    Just as they were about to get inside their home Wolf stopped. Seeing this Sarah thought that its because he didn''t want Kira to see her brother like this. She walked slowly to her husband and what she saw was shock on his face not knowing why, he was looking at his son''s body. She looked at the boy and rapidly stopped as well.


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    Rakmir:¡±......... mhh .......... d..ad ..... w..warr..ior..s ¡­..... d..o.n''t ¡­...... cry¡±

 Chapter 4 - New life

    Rakmir: ¡°F.ck it hurts...¡±


    Waking up he could feel something lying next to him. Bringing his head up he felt weak. Pain was spreading thru his body in fast impulses with every small move. He could see his sister Kira hugging his side while sleeping. Looking at her beautiful face he lightly smiled.


    Rakmir: ¡° So I''m alive... well that''s good to know¡± he mumbled under his nose.


    Not wanting to wake the small girl up he put his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. It was still night, he wondered how long was he asleep but that really didn''t matter, what was important was that he lived thru his first life and death fight. Thinking what happened back he remembered he lost consciousness near the tower. ¡°The gold and letters!¡± he thought but seeing his clothes and swords on the table near the bed he again regain his calm. Looking closely he saw he was in his room.


    ¡°What the hell happened after?¡± thoughts were going thru his head. After concentrating on his memories he remembered being transported back to aid station. Half conscious he could hear the voices of medics giving first aid to guardsmen. What broke his heart was one sentence said by the doctor.


    Doctor: ¡° He''s already lost too much blood I can''t loose time on those that I can''t save.¡±


    After this he felt his body was lifted again.¡°Those bastards didn''t even try to save me¡± he thought. Then nothing. He knew he probably lost consciousness again. Next thing that he remembered was a voice that wake him up. He heard his mother speaking to him. Feeling he was transported again, he could smell his father body odor he knew that it was his father carrying him. Being in Wolf''s arms made him calm. He again felt like a small child. Where''s the safest place for children if not in the loving arms of their parents. Feeling drops on his face he mobilized all the power in his mind to slightly open his eyes. After struggle between his mind and body he succeeded. What he saw broke his heart his father looked like a ghost. He cried and that almost never happened, at least not in front of his family but Rakmir sometimes could see old general shedding tears in his forge while looking at something, that something as now he knew where his two swords.


    Seeing his father red eyes looking at him he could only say one sentence


    Rakmir:¡±......... mhh .......... d..ad ..... w..warr..ior..s ¡­..... d..o.n''t ¡­...... cry¡±


    After that he again slip back into darkness.


    Little while from the time he had woken up he heard doors to his room opening, from footsteps he knew there were two people entering.


    Wolf: ¡° Look at her, she snicked again in his bed.¡±


    Sarah: ¡° Every time... ehh I told her not to because of his condition. The doctor said he should wake up but its been three days and this is the third night and still nothing.¡±


    While saying this Sarah went to pick up Kira to put her in her bed.


    Wolf: ¡± Let her sleep with him, she cried the most and never left his side, she wants to be with her big brother.¡±


    Sarah: ¡° And what if she hurts his wound''s more while sleeping? You know her sleeping habits! Doctor said that its a miracle he''s even alive!?¡±


    Rakmir: ¡° Ill be alright mom, don''t worry and let her sleep¡±


    He said calmly. Hearing this Sarah screamed while covering her mouth.


    Sarah: ¡± My baby you woken up! We were so worried! How do you feel? How''s your body? Do you need something? Want mom to call the doctor?¡±


    Saying all this she started hugging him. He felt slight pain but it was nice to feel his mother hugging him, she smelled nice. Looking at his dad who now looked like a lot of weight got lifted from his shoulders he said:


    Rakmir: ¡° Dad can you please take Kira to your room? I don''t want her to wake up and besides I want to know what happened after the attack¡±


    Hearing his son Wolf nodded and took the small girl into his arms to take her to their bed to sleep. After he left Sarah sit next to his bed while holding his right arm to her cheek and kissing it.


    Rakmir: ¡° Mom what happened after? How did you find me? ¡°


    Remembering the scenes of that day her expression got more serious and grim.


    Sarah: ¡° We heard the alarm tower and could see the soldiers running in the direction of east wall. Your father spoke to some officer and as we got worried we went to check on you. When we got there it was... it was really bad.¡±


    Hearing her he felt bad for putting them thru this but what could he do? It all came for him as part of a job, besides its not like he didn''t like the battle! The adrenaline pumping thru his body the feeling of concentration while fighting his opponents, every aspect of this life struggling battle was for him like a drug. Looking again at his mom he saw her trembling hands, trying to calm her dawn he smiled and asked her to continue as she did.


    Sarah: ¡° When we came to the first guard post your father spoke with the captain, it appears that they knew each other, at least the soldier knew your father so he helped us out. You''re name wasn''t with the wounded so we fear the worst. While looking thru deceased we found you lying on the ground covered in blood. Your father took you home but before you woken up we thought you were dead...¡±


    Looking at her Rakmir saw her guilt but he knew it wasn''t her fault. Probably because of the blood loss his heart slowed dawn, without specialist how could they know?


    Rakmir: ¡° Mom you don''t need to make that face, you were the one who brought me back. Before I woken up I could hear your voice so it was you really who I should be thankful to¡±


    Hearing his words Sarah beautiful smile came back. At the same time Wolf entered the room.


    Wolf: ¡° How do you feel boy?¡±


    Rakmir: ¡° Weak and hurt all over, and... hungry... While speaking to me you said something about breakfast?¡± He grinned


    While hearing this words his parents laugh, the bad feeling''s of those few days evaporated and again the happy atmosphere could be felt.


    Sarah: ¡° I''ll go prepare something for you¡±


    While she said this Rakmir could see on her face that something wrong. It was just a second but he could see his mother was worried about something else. When Sarah went to the kitchen Wolf sat at her place. Rakmir used this time to ask his father whats going on.


    Rakmir: ¡° Dad you know I''m not a child anymore, whats wrong with mom?¡±


    Wolf: ¡° Ehhh nothing gets past you right? Don''t worry just concentrate on healing¡±


    Rakmir: ¡°Dad! I almost died while trying to support our family, I killed and I don''t feel bad for it, but what I feel bad is you not telling me the truth and still treating me like a small child!¡±


    After few second of thinking Wolf said.


    Wolf: ¡° Alright, alright no more secrets from now on... For both of us! On the night of the attack when we brought you home we went to get a doctor, he didn''t want to come because of our ¡°reputation¡±. The fat pig even proposed to your mother that if she let''s him get his way with her then he will save you. The fat f*ck didn''t even care I was standing next to him, fu..ing pervert! But what could I do!? I wanted to cut him to pieces but you were more important than this so I backed dawn!¡±


    Rakmir felt his blood boil but what shocked him was that this boiling blood actually ease his pain. Even being angry as hell it had positive side to it. He looked at his father and told him to continue.


    Wolf: ¡° Well as your mother heard it she of course said no but I could see that for you she would not hesitate if there was no other option. Luckily the pig liked money as well so after giving him all we had he mumble a bit, but seeing I as i pull one of your swords to ¡°inspect¡± it he finally gave in. The problem is he took all our money so for now we don''t have anything to eat after we finish what we have. Don''t worry I take care of this, you just concentrate on regaining your health.¡±


    Rakmir hearing all the story started to laugh loudly. His father seeing him like this didn''t know what to do. He thought his son gone mad.


    Wolf: ¡°Calm dawn boy or your wound will reopen, whats gotten into you?¡±


    Rakmir: ¡°It''s all good dad, by the way can you bring me my guard jacket?¡±


    Wolf stood up and without questions took the jacket from the table, not knowing why his son asked him for it.


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    Rakmir: ¡° Dad inside the jacked is pocket, don''t ask why, take out what''s inside¡±


    The boy looking at his father face started to laugh again. Now his father was holding eight money pouches. His shocked expression made the boy laugh even harder!


    Rakmir: ¡° This are the money that I got from the guys attacking the wall, they liked my sword and spear skills so they didn''t mind me taking their money. Of course even if they mind they didn''t say, not sure why but maybe being dead had something to do with this.¡±


    The boy wholeheartedly laugh.


    Wolf: ¡° We spend for the doctor all our silver and here you have gold coins! With this we don''t have to worry about food and even can put some money for Kira''s school!¡±


    Each of the seven pouches had ten gold coins. One platinum coin was hundred gold coin''s, one gold was worth hundred silver, and one silver hundred copper. His family was really pour, you could say that they were at the bottom of all the classes in Sil, that''s why loosing all their money for Rakmir''s doctor heart a lot and posed a big problem but now? With seventy gold they didn''t have to worry about money anymore.


    Rakmir: ¡° Yeah, dad for now I need you to try and change the gold coins to silver. I don''t want anyone to know how much we have. For now use my pouch there''s some silver, not a lot but for the time before you change the gold it should be enough.¡±


    Felling more tired from laughing and the things his father told him he wanted to go back to sleep but there was still one thing left to do.


    Rakmir: ¡° Dad there''s more. Before the attack Brum killed all the guards near the gate. He tried to kill me but he bite more than he could chew. On the lieder of the party I found some letters to nobles. I think they wanted to divert the attention to the attack, maybe destroy granary or something I don''t know their plot. Hide the letters for now and don''t tell anyone. If Brum was involved then maybe others are as well. Call mom please.¡±


    Wolf was looking at his son with a big grin on his face. Not because of the money but because his small boy became a real warrior, even smarter than him. Fifteen years of age and such a talent in the bloody battle and in perception of the whole situation. ¡°I''m getting old, and this little rascal is the new hope of our clan¡± he thought walking out to get his wife.


    Sarah came into the room and could not understand the situation. She saw her husband grin but didn''t think much of it. She loved the man but thinking was not his strong side. Seeing her son smiling as well now she was intrigued, Rakmir is not a blockhead like his father, why is he smiling like that as well? With plastered smile on his face Rakmir started to speak.


    Rakmir: ¡°Mom, dad told me about the situation¡±


    Glaring at her now shaking in fear husband she didn''t say anything just listened.


    Rakmir: ¡°Mom stop glaring at dad or he will get a heart attack. ¡° he laughed again ¡°Mighty general! Yeah right! But well it''s not like I''m the one to talk¡± Rakmir didn''t fear any men! But well his angry mother made him shiver in fear as well.


    Rakmir: ¡° We decided to be honest about all our problems inside the family, I''m not a child anymore and as much as you want to protect me from all the bad things, I want to protect our family just like you. I ¡°requisite¡± some money from the attack, dad will explain how. For now please take them and please do what you''re best at. Manage them. I was thinking with dad about changing them on silver first before using them but its your decision how and what you will do with them mom.¡±


    After what her son said she understood everything. That''s why they were smiling like idiots. ¡°He takes too much after his father¡± she thought.


    Nodding to his request she thought how with this boost in their finances the situation is now solved. She already calculated how much was there. Thinking about what her son said she now knew that the burden''s of everyday life will be sheered on the three of them. She now looked at her boy who grown up to be a real man. Thinking about his future she clenched her fist''s. Her expression got grim again.


    What was the cause nobody new. Still shivering in the corner of the room Wolf asked.


    Wolf: ¡°Umm honey is everything alright?¡±


    Without any response Sarah took the money and fast paced went to the kitchen. Then after a wile they could hear hes talking to herself.


    Sarah: ¡° Like hell I will give my boy to some  tramp! ¡°


    Hearing this Wolf looked at Rakmir who still didn''t knew whats happening and thought ¡°I pity the girls who will want to court my boy.¡±


    Not understanding what happened but seeing his father relaxed face Rakmir didn''t think more about it. After a while his mom came back with some food. His father helped him up to and now sitting on his bed Sarah feed the boy slowly.


    Rakmir: ¡°Mom, dad I thought about one more thing. I don''t really think that we should stay here. With the money we can do something with our life''s and I don''t really want small Kira to experience the thing we have to go thru. I think that we should use the money to move out, I still don''t know where but staying here is not possible.¡±


    Hearing his words his parents expressions got serious. They lived in Eri all their lives they were loyal and couldn''t imagine how it would be somewhere else. But now... with all the hate directed at them and with their boy already grown up their obligation to stay in the country was nonexistent.


    Wolf: ¡°I know what you mean and I''m not saying it will be easy for us but we can think about it more.¡±


    Looking at Sarah he said


    Sarah: ¡°Question is where to go and what to do? We can''t just move out and hope for the best. I think we should try and buy some land near the borders. There''s a lot of problems with this but its possible if we do it slowly.¡±


    Rakmir: ¡° Alright so for now we will stay as we are and mom will check what we can do with this. Dad where was our clan located before the rebellion thing?¡±


    Wolf: ¡° We were located on the far north near the sea. Do you think of going there again, it might be dangerous with all the eyes on us.¡±


    Sarah: ¡° Not necessary, if we don''t use our clan name to buy the land and use a proxy we can do it slowly. I will think about it and if I find a satisfying solution I will get things started. But before that I think we should use the money we now have and make some investments. Bribing few people will not be hard in this nest of corruption. We should get some businesses to boost our income. We will need to proceed cautiously, and if the nobles find out we are dead.¡±


    Rakmir: ¡° Yeah but its still better than leaving like this, now we have the means to change it.¡±


    Looking at his father Rakmir saw the face of the man that screamed ¡°What the hell are you both talking about?¡± Doing thing''s with pure force was his father way of going. He remembered his father always saying ¡°If violence isn''t solving all of your problems you''re not using enough of it¡±. He liked the saying but knew that there are different situations that require different approach. That''s why Rakmir was glad for having a mom like that. She was the perfect half for his father. Smart, beautiful and cunning. She as all Warg''s never forget the good thing that were given to them but more importantly the bad ones. In their family she was the most level headed person but also the scariest of them all.


    Sarah: ¡°Alright for now leave it to me. We will continue the subject when I have all the information and you will get back in shape.¡±


    With this their conversation has ended. Right about this time the door to his room lightly opened and a small face could be seen peeking inside. After seeing her brother had woken up Kira run to him, just before jumping on to him she remembered what her mother had said about his wounds but it was to late to stop. With all her might because of the hesitation she bumped into the bed. Looking hurt she still smiled at her brother and slowly climbed his bed to hug him. She didn''t say a word just hugged him with all her might forgetting the pain from the crash with bed.


    Seeing all this and Rakmir''s tired face they all returned to their businesses. Rakmir with Kira by his side went back to sleep.