Chapter One

  Power is neither good or evil, but its beholder makes it so. A weapon is mostly described as evil, however it can also save one's life. It is the user that decides whether it is used for good or bad.Power has the ability to produce an effect, to influence, to change. And without change, what was life anyway. 

  I had always lived my life as a simple young woman with no problem. Why wouldn't I? I had everything an average person should dream of having. My sister and I made an amazing team. I mean if you didn't compare her extremely tall and skinny physique to my petite shape. Or why we didn't shared the same long coal black hair that cascaded down her back every time she walked.

To be honest, she was the exact opposite of me. And I had always envied that part of her. But the two of us were inseparable.

Until all hell attacked. 

Life had always been all good to me. Our town was a small one compared to others, but it was a town where the little spirit called 'peace' reigned. The people of Beladonia made it so  peaceful. Various kinds of soul of generous, loyal and respectful people. From the old men and women, down to the little children. The kingdom feast held every year during the first week of winter was always a magical one. Foods and drinks from the nobles were always surplus, even enough for travellers from other kingdoms. We danced all day long as we celebrate the peacefulness of winter. It was always a day to remember because everyone of us usually had a role to play in the celebration. 

  The yearly winter celebration day was always fun not because of the drinks and foods we had, but because of the relationship that dwelled among the people of the community.

  Then there were the keepers. They claimed to be the keepers and restorers of peace for the town. But in reality they were just Bastards, reeked with authorities even greater than the royalties. They were the only part of Beladonia that needed to be wiped out. 

"We're out of food again." A voice echoed from the other room.

Typical.

We were always out of food. Who always wasn't? Curse the keepers! Storing every piece of foodstuff they laid their eyes on. And how do they do that? They had the power to of course. 'For the benefit of the people' they had said, but we never enjoyed any benefits. Hard labours of the poor industrious men were always in vein. Since all they produced for the mouth of they and their families all, went to the pockets of our so called leaders.

Ignoring the voice from the kitchen I miserably crawled out of what you can call a bed. But can it really identity as one when it gives absolutely no comfort? Still feeling sore from yesterday's own stress, I managed a stroll to the cup filled with water on the table slightly opposite me. I needed my strength, all I could get. I already knew what to do. We had to eat. We had to survive.

Upon stumbling on the pile of rubbish that was on the floor, I stretched my hands reaching for the cup of water on the wide table. 

"No water!" The words flew right out of my mouth without even knowing. I knew others shouldn't had been surprised but I was. Tara always filled that cup with water every morning - she was such a darling. But today it was empty. I hated the situation. No food, there always a quick fix for that but no water? That was worse.  I wobbled pathetically from the tiny room to question Tara who was humming quietly in the kitchen. 

"There's no water too?" I asked foolishly even when I already knew the answer.

 "No." She replied bluntly without even raising her head up.

I fixed my wide deep green eyes on her, already knowing something was wrong. The Tara I knew wasn't here. I slowly advanced towards her. 

"Tara?" I called, my hands reaching for her shoulder."Are you okay?"

Staring down as avoided my eyes she just smiled sheepishly.

"Yes." She managed to speak further just after she sighted. "Kerik." She said, finally staring directly at me."How long do we have to live like this? In fear. We know we're being treated like crap. Why isn't king Rowland even doing anything about this?" She paused, then continued as if answering her own questions."The keepers are even helping more than the royal family. The last time this happened they promised us free supplies of food. They even -" 

"And where's the food now darling,  Huh?" Frustration hitting me on all sides. I knew blurting out like that could start a fight, but nobody should be that blind.

"Why aren't you blaming the king? He is supposed to be our leader,our saviour. Why isn't he even trying?" 

"He doesn't have the authority to do so. He's like an ocean without the water in it. Useless!"

"Useless? How then can he be a king without power ? Its impossible kerik. Isn't that what makes him the king? The very first man in the whole kingdom." 

Impossible? I thought as I watched Tara chuckled after talking proudly at her statement. If only she knew truly who these keepers are. You don't necessarily need to wipe out a nation with a war, leaders who value their pocket more that the lives of the citizens do that everyday. But they do this with a big smile on their ugly faces, pretending to love and cherish you. With their huge influence they turn people to puppets, even the so called king. But why wasn't anyone else seeing that? 

I flashed a smile at her to avoid any sign of conflict.

"Tara?" I saw her focus all her attention towards me from those brown eyes of hers.

"I really understand you. You're right and I'm wrong,okay?"I lied. I was right and she was wrong.

"Okay then, of course." Smiling back, she held my hands softly.

"We should get going. You provide water, I get food." I went inside to get dressed.

"You know if others could hear you right now they'd think you were the eldest." I heard her said as she immediately cracked up like it was seriously amusing.

Pleased with herself for always finding means to show she was older. Eleven months wasn't really something to brag on about! She knew exactly what she'd done and collapsed into more laughter. Watching her happy had always made me happy. From nowhere I found myself dissolving into laughter too, and for a moment, nothing else mattered. No food. No water. But we had each other, and that was enough. 

Bang!!!

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard at the door and it made me nearly jumped out of my skin.

Who could that be early this morning?