Night Like Any Other

         It was a night like any other.
         My father and two eldest brothers, as members of the Elite Guard, were stationed in the North at the capital. Our small city was fast asleep, cradled on the south and east by the sea, on the west by the forest. To the north, between here and the capital, were the lowlands.
         Yes, this night was a night like all the others, and yet I could not sleep. Over the past seven years, I had slept soundly, even with the knowledge that any moment I could lose my father or brother. And yet this night I knew that the safest place for them to be was at the capital.
         Why then did I fear?
         The enemy had been beaten back into their lands during the summer, and not even a fool would travel far from his hearth in the dead of winter.
         Yes, the capital would be safe from the enemy this winter.
         I continued staring out the window into the darkness, the stars offering little light. The sea washed methodically onto the shore, the sound lulling all creatures into a peaceful sleep.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned to find my mother holding baby Artemis in her arms.
         "You cannot sleep, either, Ari?" She joined me at the window.
         "No." I carefully lifted my brother out of my mother's arms. "Something doesn't seem right."
         "I feel it too." She squinted. "Is there something on the water?"
         I looked where she pointed. "It looks like a ship." I rocked Artemis gently. "Why would someone sail at night?"
         "It is a moonless night," she whispered. "Perfect for attacking a city and remaining unseen."
         The town bell cut through the silent night- the watchmen had seen the ship. Moments later, cannon fire erupted. Buildings went up in flames.
         My mother stepped away from the window. "Quick, get the children and take them to the lowest floor." The light outside grew brighter as more buildings caught fire. "Take them to the side away from the sea. I must get a few things and I'll meet you there." She turned and hurried down the hall.
         Trying not to wake the baby, I rushed to the bedrooms of my younger siblings. They were already awake, and huddling together in my room.
         My sister cried out when I came into the room, and buried her face in my side. I kneeled down beside her.
         "Shhh, Megan, don't cry. I need you to be strong for me, okay?" She nodded and I turned to Peter. I opened my mouth to speak, but an explosion drowned out my words. I glanced behind me through the door. We now had an open-air hallway. "Peter, take Megan downstairs. On the far side. I'll meet you there. I need to find mother."
         I stood as another explosion rocked our home. I stepped out of the room and paused in the hall, letting my eyes adjust to the lighting. My parent's room had a gapping hole. Smoke poured out.
         Carefully I made my way to their room, and pushed the door. It fell off its hinges and landed on the floor. Smoke filled the room. I pulled his blanket over Artemis's face. "Mother? Are you here?" I stepped into the room.
         The room had been reduced to rubble, charred. Glass and wood had been shattered on the floor. I saw something move beside the bed. "Mother?" I rushed across the floor, heedless of the pain in my feet, and knelt beside her. "Mother, are you okay?"
         I don't know why I asked, for it was obvious that she was not. I brushed away the dirt and blood from her face.
         She reached up a hand and grabbed my arm. "Keep the children safe," she managed to say. Slowly she reached up and pulled off her necklace. She opened my hand and closed my hand around it. "Take this. Keep it hidden. Let no one find it." She closed her eyes.
         Another explosion tore through our house, sprinkling dirt and debris on our heads. It felt like part of the second floor had collapsed. "Mother?"
         "Go," she whispered.
         "Mother?" I shook her shoulders. She didn't respond. I lowered my ear to her mouth, but no breath came. I stood and carefully picked my way out of the room.


*** To Be Continued ***