Swords Before Guns

Chapter One

     Imagine if it were you, one to keep care of your family and save them from the little they had. To some a family might be loving strangers you've known since birth. Maybe a family to you is two or more people that comfort you through the darkest of shadows. We all have different descriptions of family and it's true meaning whether weak as string or sturdy as rock. To me a family is looking out for the woman who once looked after me.
     From the day my father died and mom lost strength to take care of me I've been the one making sure she doesn't die. Not as early as father. She couldn't.

     Every other day, it is my job to find water for mother. Not just a cup, but gallons to last a while. It's been a tough job for many ever since we discovered Sinisteria. It is a disease you will mostly likely receive as you grow older. But it only appears to happen in places like Gold Castle and is more rare the closer you get towards the capital, Northern York. Rumors have spread of it being the Taskmakers keeping medicines and hiring people to work and learn to be doctors. I of course don't believe any of it. Taskmakers are simple people regardless of their arrogance.

     As I walk upon the woods of Gold Castle where the stream normally ran, I sat on a log waiting for something to happen. Whether it was the birds chirping or the roar of the stream this place felt safe and warm as if nothing could harm me. No deaths, poverty, diseases, nothing. Nothing at all to think about. Only how amazing life can be without having to worry about problems.

     "Hey" I heard a soft, feminine voice behind me say. I turn back to see who it was, knowing it was Sutton. "Hey" I said back as I looked down at the bucket in my hand and smiled. Sutton was a girl my age. She was my closest friend since young age and I have grown to be very fond of her. I love her a lot, like the sister I never had.

"How's your mother?" She asked me quietly with a slight smile appearing on her face. "She's well and your family?" She sat on the same log as I did and picked up a stick. She started drawing things in the dirt and came to say "Well, I've been trying to teach Christen what I know of reading. She's picking on pretty well". I looked up from the bucket and tried to break the silence "That's good". she looked up at me as well and for a second all I could see were her blue-grey eyes sparkle as her long hair gently followed the winds path.

"Maybe you could help". She stared away at the stream. I tried to grab her attention and talk to her without words but she wouldn't look my way. "With what?" I asked quietly. "With reading." She finally looked away from the stream and at me "Being it, that you're the only one around who probably knows how". I reached in pocket to see if I could find a small piece of paper I recently had with writing on it. I took out the old crumbled piece of paper and showed it to Sutton. Her eyes grew wide and she took the paper from me gently. Her smile grew wide " The... Funny... Uh" she paused and looked at me "Need help?" I laughed "Go ahead, Einstein" She said.

"The funny thing about chasing the past is that most people wouldn't know what to do if they caught it".

"Oh" Sutton said calmly yet seeming somewhat impressed. "I can honestly relate to this quote." She leaned on my shoulder and said "How so?"

     "Think about it, how many people complain about the Taskmakers? Many make it seem as if they're monsters when in reality they're just doing their jobs. I don't think they're that bad."

     She hummed and looked at me "I don't know Buddy, I mean what if all those rumors are true? They've left us in poverty for sthe last generations and haven't tried to help us".

     "How are you so sure they've never tried?" She grew quiet and motionless for a while. "I don't know" she potentially said and stood up with bucket in hand. "I'll just grab the water and be on my way, and think about it Buddy". She said sincerely "Huh?" I said in confusion. "Helping us read. It would mean a lot. I would really appreciate it."

     She said kindly and went off by edge of the stream gathering buckets and buckets of water. Once she was done, she drifted off into the woods and before I could even say the slight words "Bye Sutton" she emerged with the trees.

      I sat by the stream gathering my buckets of water with no rush. I took my time as I thought there was no hurry to getting the water right away since there had still been some left from two days ago. I just sat exploring and taking notice of my surroundings; green trees and blue waters which matched the breeze of the wind. It was all so perfect.