Welcome To The Wind Blade...

I grew up by the sea. Surrounded by mountains and trees. The ocean was just down the pathway. My father’s farm was on hillside, a cliff to be precise. The animals were free to roam wherever they pleased. My life was good. I loved where I lived because it was so natural. We were never out of food, or warmth and clothes were free to us.

I lived with my family of five: my mother and father, my two brothers and my younger sister. It was usually just my mother and my siblings. Father was mostly out at sea, or abroad. I longed to ask him what the world was like out there, but Mother always told me to not to ask. I was unsure why she said this but I knew better than to ask questions. I was also unsure what Father did out at sea. He was not fishing, that I knew.

Anyway, today was like every other day. I got up early and fed the animals that could not fend for themselves. I collected fresh water and began to weave my baskets.

It was colder now that it was spring. Father was gone, soon to be home. It was sitting weaving baskets, teaching my sister, when we both heard voices. I told her to stay where she was. I ran to the edge of the cliff and looked over the edge, down to the sea below. I could see boats, but they were much different than our boats. I looked over to the beach and saw some fancy dressed men. They were all in red suits, and I could clearly see their small swords hanging by their sides. I got up quickly and ran back to the farm, pouring fresh water on the fire and ran inside our house to find Mother. She was cooking.

‘Mother!’ I cried.

‘Child!’ she yelled, ‘Why do you shout?’ she asked me.

‘Men, Mother! Men that have come on ships! Down at the beach! Oh, Mother, what shall we do?’ I asked.

‘Grab your sister, and as much of our possessions as you can, and run to the mountains. I will remain here with your brothers. Tonight I shall come to the mountains and collect you,’ she told me, throwing me a ragbag to put my stuff in. I grabbed some food and clothes, for my sister and I. I then ran outside and took my sister’s hand, dragging her up the mountains after me. Our dog ran after us. I let her, she could protect us.

Many of the sheep ran away from us as we climbed the mountains. It was hard climbing the mountains, because they were very steep and the ground was soft, so when you hung onto a handful of grass, it ripped away. It was also harder because I was holding onto Mary, my three-year-old sister. Mary was currently crying, not because she was scared but more confused. I was scared. Father had warned us about men like the ones I saw at the beach. He said they were dangerous and evil. I knew I probably wouldn’t see my Mother or brothers’ again.

I finally reached a safe place in the mountains and hid in a small cave. I left Mary there and crept to the edge of the mountain, so I could see our home.
Meg, my dog that had followed us, was sniffing near me. I shooed her away. I watched the soldiers throw my mother out of our house. My brother, Isaac, was still fighting, but I could see Edvard on the ground, not moving. I knew he was dead. I could not see Edmond, and I wasn't sure I wanted to.

One of the soldiers took out his sword. They had my mother back up against the house wall, pleading for her life. The soldier plunged his sword into her chest. I closed my eyes, a single tear trickling down my cheek. Everything seemed to go silent. I did not want to open my eyes, but I suddenly heard a shout. I opened them quickly and saw one of the soldiers pointing up the mountain. He was pointing at me. My heart stopped. It seemed that everything had slowed down. I quickly got up and turned the other way, shouting for Meg as I did. I heard a shot and tiny bits of the mountain fell on my. I put my hands over my head, sheltering me. I heard another shot and I gathered enough courage to run after my dog, back to the small cave. I ran through the soft ground, falling occasionally. I knew the soldiers would come after me. They had some horses, would that make it easier to get up the mountain? I doubted it.

I reached the cave and picked up Mary, who woke up. She moaned but I kept running, fleeing from the soldiers. Meg ran in front of us, soon out of sight. My sandals started coming off. I stopped and quickly threw them off my feet. I ran farther, then realised my mistake. My sandals would tell the soldiers I went this way. I carried on running. I saw a small forest ahead of me. I had never been so far up the mountain before; I had never been so far from home. I ran as fast as I could. I was almost there, when I heard horses and shouts. A bang told me that the soldiers were here. I glanced over my shoulder and saw them coming after me. I screamed as another shot rang out. I dived to the ground, Mary tumbling out of my arms. She cried, now scared.

I tried to reach for Mary, but a giant horse came between us. I looked up and the soldier. He held his gun handle to my face. I closed my eyes just as he whacked me with it. I fell back to the ground. Blackness surrounded me. I heard a scream, then nothing.

I awoke. It was now dark. I could see stars above me. I heard the ocean, but it sounded so near. I heard some voices saying that the girl was awake. The girl being me? I suddenly felt hands on my wrists, pulling me to my feet. I had a headache and didn’t want to get up, so I struggled. The arms where to strong and the hands had a tight grip. I couldn’t escape. My eyes began to focus. I saw a soldier dragging me somewhere. We were on a boat, and it was sailing. I screamed. I didn’t know where I was, or who these people were. The soldier was about to slap me, but someone grabbed his hand, just in time. My breathing got heavier. The man apologized to me about the other man’s behaviour. I just store at him. He asked me my name. I didn’t answer. He asked me again. The man who was holding me shook me.

‘Maria,’ I mumbled. He nodded. He said that he was Captain R DeAuge. I didn’t say anything.

‘Welcome to my ship, Maria. Welcome to The Wind Blade…’ he told me, his arms stretched out.