I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 1

"You've saved me how many times since we've met?" His grin was more relaxed now. "Every time Bale tried something, you distracted them or lured the captain over. I've never gone this long without injury before. You've done so much to protect me, let me return the favor this time."

"..."

"Please, I promise I'll be okay." He laughed. "I'll even come to visit sometime. But first, we need to get you out of here. Please."

It took a few minutes of his convincing, but slowly, reluctantly, I agreed to leave.

Luke let out a relieved sigh. "Good. Let's get you out." He took me to the rear gate. The guards were gone, replaced with two stony faced armed men I didn't recognize. They turned towards us as we passed them, only to move away as Luke waved them off.

I glanced at them from the periphery of my vision, but didn't ask who they were. I wasn't sure I wanted to know. As soon as we were out of the compound, I felt a tug on my arm. I stopped, thrown off balance, only to be wrapped in a large hug from Luke. Freezing in place for a moment, I awkwardly reached out and hugged him back. I felt slightly embarrassed, I had never been this close to him before, but even that confusion faded as I leaned into him. He let out a long sigh, still holding me against him.

"Fate isn't very kind sometimes."

He didn't explain his words. I didn't ask. He grabbed my wrist, gently putting on a bracelet of dark beads. Pausing for a moment, he stared at the jewelry on my wrist, a satisfied smile crossing his face. "To remember me by." I nodded, showing I understood. His hand felt blazing hot against my skin, and I felt torn between an embarrassed desire to pull my hand away, and a quiet wish that he would hold on longer.

Finally, he let me go. "Be safe."

I hesitated, staring back at him. "Be more worried about yourself. Promise to live through whatever plots and schemes you have to face and come visit?"

He paused at my words, a bright smile lighting up his face. "I promise."

And with that, we parted.

________________________________

I found my way to the cabin in the Eastern Woods. The huntress who lived there, a scarily tough older woman who went solely by the name of "Blade," took me in with a grim smile.

"You're Luke's friend?" She asked, looking me up and down, her gaze pausing on my wrist and the bracelet that Luke gave me.

I felt uncomfortable, but nodded. "Yes."

"You wish to live out in the middle of nowhere, and learn to hunt?" Her eyebrows raised as she asked. "Why?"

"I want to live a long happy life as no one important."

"..." She stared at me for a few moments before grinning slightly. "Good answer. Let's teach you how to hunt."

My new life started in the middle of nowhere. We came to a deal. I handled cooking meals and cleaning the small cabin, and in return Blade taught me to hunt with a bow and arrow, to make traps, and even trained me to fight with a sword. Despite her age she was fast and agile, and for the first year I spent most of our mock fights getting beat up. My days were filled with back-breaking chores and harsh training, but I enjoyed it, the peace and quiet of the Eastern Woods suited me well.

It was a little lonely. Blade didn't like to talk, limiting most of our interactions to meals and training. We settled into a routine over time, and it left me mostly to my own devices. I wondered often about Luke, hoping he made it out of the 9th Lord's household before the massacre. I asked Blade about it, but she would only shrug and say that he would show up when he could.