It was not easy, being all alone. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He still had his parents, but his dad was never home, and his mom was sick. So, he felt like he was all alone. But he did have a few friends to play with, which was nice, until for some unknown reason, their parents started saying to not play with him.
The boy wandered the city day after day. He wasn’t proud of it, but he would often steal food from the market for himself and his mom. One day, while running from a vendor he’d just stolen some bread from, he heard the footsteps gaining on him. “Oh no. He’s going to catch me this time.” He thought to himself. Suddenly, a girl, looking like an orphan herself, came charging in from the opposite direction and tripped the vender.
“Come on, this way.” She called to him.
He turned and followed. They darted through the crowd, slipping past people left and right. Eventually, they found themselves at a dilapidated shack with a few other kids.
“Welcome back Kia.” One of the other kids said. “Who’s this?”
“Ren.” The boy said. “My name is Ren.”
“Welcome Ren.” The others introduced themselves in turn. But to be honest, he didn’t really pay much attention to the names. He was more interested in the girl who saved him. After the introductions were made, Ren learned some of the other kids had stolen candy, and water from the market as well, and it was all going to be divided up.
“It’s not fun being hungry. We try to get enough for us to enjoy. That bread you have will really help.” Kia said. “Happiness should be shared with everyone one of us.”
Ken felt a twinge in his heart. At nine years of age, he had to admit, he never really thought about girls, but this one might be worth thinking about. With just having known her for only maybe twenty minutes, she was a lot tougher than many grownups he knew.
The food was divided up and she disappeared. “Huh, where’d she go?” he mumbled.
“Kia? She usually hangs out out front.” One of the other kids said.
Ren didn’t really run, but he was quick with his exit. He took several steps out of the shack and looked around, but didn’t see anyone.
“Hey Ren. Whatcha doing?” came a voice behind him. Ren turned to look and saw Kia sitting in the tree that rose taller than the shack. She was on a branch that hung over the entrance. “You come looking for me?” she asked with a smirk on her face.
He was sure his face turned red in embarrassment. “tsk.” He crossed his arms and looked away. “And why would I be looking for you?”
Laughter came. “You’re weird.”
Now Ren was angry. “How dare you laugh at me.” Only for Kia to continue to laugh. “You’re the weird one. That takes a lot of nerve to laugh at me. I’m going to be a soldier one day. Then you’re going to have to take me seriously. Stop laughing at me.” Ren continued as Kia laughed.
Over the next few months, Ren stayed with the other kids, taking food from the market to ‘feed the family’ as the group called it. The group of kids grew to be more of a family than his own parents had been. At night though, he’d dream about his parents, but he never went back home to check on them, not that expected his dad to ever come home.
One day, while scouring the city streets, Ren, Kia, and a couple of the other kids came across a gathered around a couple war horses, or at least, that’s what they looked like to him, tied up outside a home. Apparently a resident had been recruited to join the army, and everyone was proud. Ren and the others watched as the young adult exited the home flanked by a couple soldiers. They looked so strong, like nothing could ever defeat them. As they passed by, Kia fainted.
The soldiers stopped and one kneeled. “My goodness young lady.” He reached out and felt her wrist. “You must be hungry. You’re nothing but skin and bones.” The soldier looked at Ren and the other kids. “You all must be.” The other kids ran off, but Ren stayed. “Here.” The soldier said, handing over a bundle. “It’s not much, but it should help. It’s a small packed lunch.”
“Sir, we’re running late.” Another soldier said tapping the kneeling one on the shoulder.
“Fine.” The one said rising to his feet. He looked down. Ren saw concern in his eyes. The soldiers then left.
Later that day, Ren, Kia, and some of the other kids began ‘training’ with sticks. Some were ‘swords’ some were ‘spears.’ But the training was serious. They were going to be soldiers. Like that kind one who gave some food.
Ren was proud to be one of the best, but for some reason, he could never land a blow on Kia. She was just too quick on her feet. Due to them being the best, the other kids were adamant that he and Kia should leave when old enough to go join the army. But Kia said she didn’t want to leave them.
***
A year passed, and a sickness had struck. All the kids had died except Kia and Ren. It had been especially hard on Kia, who it seemed had started the group. With the family gone, they decided to try their hand at being apprentice soldiers. So the two of them made their way to where they had met the solder a year prior. They asked around to learn who to talk to. Eventually they were told where to go.
It was almost nightfall when they arrived at the training grounds and found a hut where the training supervisor was stationed.
“Hello sir.” Ren called out. The soldier exited. “We’re here to join the ranks. Who must we talk to about that?”
The soldier looked them over. Ren was sure the guy disapproved of how they looked. “Be here in the morning. My superiors will be here then and they can go over everything with you then.” The two nodded.
The next morning, the journey to their future began, but it also began the journey to heartbreak.
Ren and Kia were allowed to join. Their journey was filled with much book learning and weapons training. They grew more and more able, but like a year prior, Kia’s abilities outshone his own.
One day, Kia missed a training session. After the class, Ren went looking for her. Eventually he did so at the barracks. She was surrounded by a group of nobles. Ren was frozen stiff at the looks in their eyes. The nobles looked determined, but Kia looked as though she was trying to hide depression. One of the nobles said, “We’ll be awaiting your answer.” Then the group left.
“What was all that about?” Ren thought to himself. So he asked Kia, that very question.
She bowed her head. “Apparently, they wish to adopt me into the family. With my abilities, they say, I wouldn’t draw much ire. Not only that, but with their connections, I could gain a post almost immediately.”
Ren was stunned. “That’s amazing. You should go for it! You’re so lucky.”
Kia didn’t look up. A tear could be seen dropping to the floor. She then rushed out of the room.
“Why was she crying?” Ren thought.
The next day he learned. Kia took the offer and was gone. He asked around, but was never told where she went.
He spent the next several months shirking his learning trying to learn where Kia was. He was beaten severely for it, and eventually was discharged. He didn’t care. He had to find Kia. Why was she sad?
It only took a couple months, but he had practically returned to looking like the orphan bum he was before his training. It took almost a further year, but he found where Kia was. He was sick, hungry, and cold, and the shoes he had had fallen apart. He was filthy, but he didn’t care. He had to see Kia again.
It took him all night, but he got to the home. But he was exhausted and had collapsed on the front steps of the residence.
“Ren! what are you doing here?” came a voice. Ren didn’t stir. “Ren! Wake up.” Kia knelt down next to him and shook him. He didn’t stir. “Ren! Wake up. Please wake up.”
One eyelid barely opened. A weak voice came through. “Kia. I finally found you.”
“What happened? I thought you were in training?”
“I couldn’t be without you.” Ren coughed several times. “But I’m afraid, I’ll be leaving you now. And after I finally found you again.” His eyes closed and his breathing shallowed.
“Ren.” She shook him. “Ren!” There was the sound of air passing softly. “Ren!”