Ch1
“Steady... Steady... Steady... Now!” As William release the string of his bow his arrow was flying towards the wild rabbit that he was following for a while. “Gotcha.” He managed to hit right into its eyes, without damaging any part of its skin. He was a skilled marksman. He immediately rushed towards that rabbit to make sure it’s not suffering. It was not. He carefully took his arrow back, tied the rabbit and headed toward his home.
His dad and his childhood friend Maynard were waiting for him. He yelled “I hope you guys prepared the table, because we’re having a wonderful dinner tonight!” while running towards them. His old father was setting the table while Maynard cutting some firewood. Maynard was a big for a 16 years old kid. His body was in shape, his arms were muscular and his shoulders were wide. He looked like at least 20 years old. Compared to William, he looked like he was the bigger brother even though William is one year older than him. William was medium weight, short yet powerful enough to use the biggest bows in the town, also he was clearly smarter than Maynard who needs to spend 4 hours to set a simple trap that William can do it without one hand. That’s why Maynard was gathering wood while William was hunting. William handed the rabbit to his father and sat down with Maynard. Maynard was looking at the fire with empty eyes. William asked, “Are you thinking about that, again?” He responded without looking back at him, “It’s not possible to unthink about it.” William didn’t respond. What could he say to him?
10 years ago, one of tax collectors of governor arrived to their house with a small group of swordsmen. His mother gave the usual amount without causing any trouble. She knew that no one could piss with the governor’s men. Tax collector insisted that the taxes went higher even though it wasn’t. They didn’t have much money to give so they couldn’t pay the extra. Tax collector ordered his men to take his mother with them. His father tried to stop them by using force but it was useless. He managed to take one down with his small meat knife. Soldiers got pissed and captured him and killed his wife in front of his and Maynard’s eyes. They took him to fight in arena as a punishment. If someone’s fighting in arena, there are 2 possibilities; either you’ve punished by governor or you’re desperately need money. His father killed by a mercenary in there. Upon this, he sworn that he’ll take his family’s revenge and change that rotten system. William’s father took him and moved to suburbs. He was very helpful with chores and was pretty good at works that needs manpower. When he’s not busy with chores, he spends his every second training his sword skills to prepare for his revenge.
Maynard came back to reality when William’s father put the plate in front of him. They were eating together every day. Having chat and laughing like a family. They were happy with the life they’re living. They felt like it will last forever.
“Hello.”
“Long time no see, eh?”
“Right. Is this what you’ve been doing for the past 4 years?”
“Yes. I need money to be an aristocrat. Only then I can get into council, and start to change something from inside.”
“You didn’t had to do that.”
“I had to. I must avenge my family.”
Jester’s voice interrupted William and Maynard’s conversation. “Fight!” Neither him nor William moved or spoken for a moment. While William was going into a fighting stance Maynard started to cry.
“I know that I have to avenge my family, but I also know that revenge won’t return dead to alive. At least I can save you when I have a chance to save you. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to lose someone from my family. You have to live, William. Live. Revenge is not more important than my brother.” He dropped his sword and opened his arms. “Do it William. Make it quick for the sake of our friendship.”
William was about to lose his mind. He still wanted to run away. He was trying to find a solution. He was the smart one, so he should be able to find something, right? How are they both going to survive from that situation? He thought about suiciding, faking his own death, begging Maynard to kill him even though he knows that he won’t...
“Come on, William.”
“Alright.”
William slowly pulled an arrow from his quiver. Stretched his bow and aimed towards him. William walked a few meters and said “That’ll do.” The crowd was yelling at them to kill each other already. Even though William was aiming towards his head. He didn’t seem to looking at him. He went right and left, back and forth with his bow stretched for a while. Then he spoke:
“Do you know who is behind you?”
Maynard looked his right and left trying to find something. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what’s in William’s head. His eyes were wide open, he was clearly shocked.
“Do you think it’ll work?”
“Trust me. On my mark.”
“Alright.”
“Now!”
As William released the string of his bow, Maynard threw himself to the ground. The arrow kept flying upwards. The cold light of arrow was fading away from William’s sight, but it was getting closer for someone. For the governor. William had carefully calculated everything. His shot, governor’s balcony’s place. Everything. Governor couldn’t even react. No one did. No one in the arena was speaking. It was so silent that everyone was able to hear governor’s fall from his chair. William took a deep breath walked right at the middle and shouted.
“I, William the hunter, the peacebringer, am taking over the throne. I shall bring prosperity, peace and happiness to this town. From now on, no one will die for nothing in this arena. You shall get what you deserve!”
He asked Maynard to come closer.
“And he, my brother, Maynard the Mighty, will be my assistant, consultant and protector. Together we will wipe that rotten order which is left from the old governor.”
Everyone seemed so confused.
Some girl with red hair in the audience stood up and yelled:
“All heil governor William!”
It didn’t take so long for everyone else to join her.
“All heil William”
“All heil Maynard”
The revolution and the revenge that Maynard and William desired was finally succeeded and they will form a new order that no one has to die in the filthy corridors of the arena. FIN.
