Chapter 1

The clouds were settled out, as the sun was slowly starting to rise over the horizon; it was a brisk summer morning. The sun, not quite risen yet, but the night is already fading from the sky. Alica sits cross-legged in the middle of a small garden on the other side of the fields by her house. Her warm breaths freeze in the crisp early morning air. It was these few fleeting hours that disappear in a wisp of time that she enjoyed the most; twilight is her favorite time of the day. She finds it the most relaxing, bringing peace to her mind, solace to her very soul.

She drew the air into her lungs in a rapid burst of three, and then exhaled it out again slowly over the next ten seconds. This was the meditation style she learned from her father at a very young age. She once again filled her lungs with the fresh air of her home village with the irregular rhythm. As the night finishes fading away and the sun finally rises her irregular breathing comes to a halt. She exhales the final deep breath she declares "Nothing beats the fresh air of the forest" to the little chicks that are pecking at the ground waiting for her to feed them. 

She loves the peace, beauty, and tranquility of her hometown. She once lived in the capital but doesn't remember it very well; vague memories from a time all but forgotten. She tries not to recall it very often, since that's the last place she ever saw her mother. Her father fled from the capital when she was pretty young  seeking more peace and quiet with his daughter, due to the circumstances of the move her father refuses to answer any questions on the subject, last time she tried to ask his face turned dark and grim, so she doesn't ask questions about that time of her life anymore in fear of causing her loving father more pain. 'Emerast is much better than the capital anyways.' She thinks to herself.

Emerast is a very remote village in the kingdom of Mirkwood, also known as the great Forest Nation. Emerast is on the border of the kingdom but still surrounded by forest, the village has very little farm land but with the abundance of the forest that is home to rare varieties of herbs they can get by just fine with trade from the many neighboring kingdoms. Mirkwood has always survived and developed trade with the many other nations in attempts to stay neutral since its founding. Claiming this land for themselves just 20 years ago, they are one of the younger nations in this world. 

Today's the day before Mirkwoods Founders day festival; the eve. Alica is extremely excited for the festival that gets held every year. This year is even more so since its the 20th anniversary, when her uncle Greycen promised to come. He was supposed to arrive yesterday from the capital but is late. ‘If he doesn't show up today I’ll get him good next time I see him’ She complained to herself. Sindarin the capital of Mirkwood is only a few days ride to Emerast. Well that's with her uncle’s steed that is. Since he is an expert in cavalry he rides through the forest like its flat ground.

Alica took the staff beside her foot and swung it fast across the air. The sound of the air being struck could be clearly heard. Striking it across the air once again she planted her feet into the ground to once again jump high and turned her body in mid-air and swung the staff down. In her mind, she was battling like her father was with the sharp and fast sword striking like lightning and thunder. 

She moved out of the garden into the open sandy area in the field nearby. There was a wooden target dummy on the far side of this sand arena. She moved gracefully yet fast across the arena pretending she was fighting against her father. He was the strongest person she knew and she dreams of surpassing him and becoming a hero of a story just like he is. She used both her feet to level her weight and jumped high, then struck down with the staff striking the head of the dummy. She knew in reality she would never defeat an expert with this move but still she smirked thinking that for her age she was talented. Putting away her staff she stands straight once again finally catching her breath from the early practice.

She grew up listening to the stories of how Mirkwood was founded and of the brave soldiers that helped build it. Her father Arsenio Ginlreiv  was a  great general who helped build Mirkwood strong and tall from the very start of the country. He fought in the war with honor and pride. His sword was sharp and his movements fast. He was like no other soldier, he was the greatest of the great, fighting for his people, his king, and his family. Loyal to the throne he was awarded the highest honors. But declined the rewards just happy that he was able to protect what should be protected, his loved ones.

She gasped after hearing the rooster crowing, "Father will be awake soon!" She whispered while prancing. Alica soon raced across the sand and mud filled field towards her home, not caring if her feet got dirty. She quickly hopped over the small sparkling stream that ran across her back yard and jumped the fence reaching the back door to her house. Just as her foot was about to touch the floor of her house a voice was heard.

"Don't even think about entering this house without washing your feet!" Arsenio Ginlreiv, or just Gin as he goes nowadays to avoid his many fans, stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, and a slight scowl on his face.

Alica giggled while standing with one foot in the air trying to hold her balance. Before she knew it she was waving her arms around like a manic trying to keep gravity from pulling her down, but it was too late. She fell backwards, luckily without a scratch. 

"Aye, balance is key. Without balance there's no effort in trying." He spoke. Gin always believed balance was the key to everything, be it in life or battle or training. Without balance, there's no beauty. Without balance, a life is no longer worth living.

Alica then rinsed her feet in the stream that ran through the backyard. Gin watched her from the kitchen window with a classic smirk on his face. “You know if you wore your shoe’s this wouldn't be a problem right?” He quipped at her.

“Yea yea yea.” She replied while rolling her eyes and scrubbing the mud out from between her toes. “All done!" She declared and marched into the house. Gin was setting the table with bowls and a plate filled with eggs, rice and potatoes. It was a simple breakfast with none of the garnishes of the noble life one would expect from a famous general. But these simple dishes were Alica’s favorites. They sat down at the table together to eat breakfast. “Dad, when will uncle be here? He is already late!”

“Hmmm. Well you know how he is. Traveling fast but easily distracted.” He told with an amused smile thinking of his old friend.

“But he promised to be here for the festival tomorrow!” She pouted slightly.

“When have you ever known your uncle to break a promise?” He raised an eyebrow at his daughter.

“Well never… Fine, I'll choose to believe in him. This time..” She smirked up at her father.

“After breakfast make sure to gear up we are doing real sparring practice today. Your form has been getting worse and worse lately. Do you even practice in the mornings before I get up?” He asked her.

“HEY! I practice every single day! Just because I'm little and can't do it right yet doesn't mean I am weak. I am strong! I can beat all the boys in town already, even the older ones!” She agreed, feeling a little annoyed.

“Sure sure my little warrior princess. Now finish your food before it gets cold." He smiled at her.

Alica proceeded to practically inhale what was left on her plate. She threw the dishes into the sink and ran into her room. Her father doesn't normally let her wear the gear he got her since its extra weight during practice.

However today he must have it in for her since he told her to fully gear up. ‘Ugh practice is going to be brutal today. But at least I know I will get stronger.’ She motivated herself, before she dressed into the gear.

She sighed already feeling the weight of it. Alica flipped around hearing the sound of a carriage pulling into the front yards of her home. She leaned over the window as she heard horses neighing. She gasped as she saw the face of her uncle come into view. 

Alica quickly was on her feet racing downstairs towards the front door, "Uncle Greycen is here! Uncle Greycen is here!" She yelled as she did. Her entire being filled with pure excitement to see her uncle Greycen whom she hadn't seen in a very long time. 

Gin chuckled following, "Sometimes I feel like you love your uncle more than you love me." He joked.

"I do!" She smirked. Gin raised his eyebrows in amusement and opened the door. Alica quickly ran out just as Greycen leaped off his carriage. "Uncle Greycen!" She exclaimed, opening out her arms for him.

Greycen laughed and picked her up into his arms, "My my hasn't the little princess grown!" He spoke as he squeezed her tightly in a bear hug. 

"That she has! And she has been looking for your arrival all morning!" Gin told him as he watched Alica try to squirm her way out of Greycens arms. 

"Well good thing I got here on time!" He chuckled at his friend as he finally let Alica taste freedom once more. Gin quickly hugged and greeted his old friend. Alica still red in the face and breathing heavily from the death hug was secretly squealing very quietly, trying to hold in her excitement.

Whenever her uncle visited neither of them could stop talking about the many battles and victories they had over the years and she was always intrigued in hearing every word of it. These wars are the only reason this country exists. The stories her father and uncle tell are so filled with action and excitement that she can't help but dream of being even better than her father, and defending the country, protect the people, and above all else make her father proud.

 Alica raced inside in hopes of hearing her favorite stories, if even just a moment sooner. Seeing her runs so fast inside Gin and Greycan gave each other a knowing look and laughed while holding their bellies. “Hey are you gonna come inside or what!?” Alica yelled through the window.

“Seems she missed me too much. Eh Gin?” Greycen said with a smirk.

“Well maybe if you weren't so late she would already have an earful of her favorite stories.” Gin quipped back.

“Aye Aye. You know it wouldn't be without a good reason.” Greycen whispered to Gin right before they entered.

“I'll tell you all about it after the lass goes to sleep.” he says in an almost inaudible tone. 

Alica is already placing snacks on the living room's small table “Well you hurry up and get inside already!”

Gin gestures for Greycen to enter first “Ladies first you know.”

“Well I'll take you up on that. You know you're just jealous of my beauty” Greycen replied while doing an imaginary curtsey. He then immediately plops down into his favorite chair.

The fur covered recliner is Gin’s spot usually but when every Greycen visits he insists on stealing the best spot in the house as he calls it. Grabbing a handful of the snacks and biscuits that Alica brought in. He reclines all the way and starts popping them into his mouth like some sort of game.

Alica giggles at the scene as her dad just stares at his sworn brother in awe of his shamefulness. Seeing Gin’s facial expression he says “Hey I am the guest you know. This is how it's supposed to be.”

Gin narrowed his eyes “So it would seem.”

As they had their staring contest for a minute the air seems to still, room filled with killing intent. Alica is used to seeing such scenes and wasn't faced at all just going to the kitchen to grab drinks as soon as she set them down.  They both bursted out laughing at themselves.

Alica climbed onto her father's lap eager to hear every word of the stories to come. The stories she has already heard thousands of times but never gets tired of. The stories that inspire and drive her to become just like her father one day; a true hero. 

She groaned in annoyance as her uncle was talking about his journey here and coming up with all the reasons he was late. She wanted nothing more than to listen to the great fables and tales of their past. Not what happened yesterday or anything about a sheep blocking the road! ‘I may be a child uncle but I’m not a baby’ Alica pouted in her mind while glaring at her uncle.

Seeing Alica’s pouting face Greycen chuckled, "Aye! I guess the little princess needs a story." He said amused, clearly knowing the truth behind her pout and death glare.

Gin wrapped his arms tightly around his daughter, "Alright then, story time it is." Alica squealed in excitement.

"How about the story of how our mighty nation Mirkwood came to be? Of how this land, you step on, came to be ours, after searching far and wide, past the oceans and mountains, to finally be called our home country?" Her uncle Greycen asked in a dramatic voice filled with hidden secrets. Alica clapped her hands with pure excitement quickly nodding her head, as her father chuckled while shaking his head.

“So it all started after the great tsunami. The storms were bad that year. But we never expected the waves to be that large. Our central trade seafaring hometown was destroyed in just one day. Wiped from the face of this world. The coasts of this land aren't very suitable to live on since it's mostly cliffs leaving very little area for sea trade. Losing our home, it was devastating. Our Leader, the current great King Mubal then who was town mayor, led us away from the coast in search of a home." He spoke and smiled watching as Alica eyes lit up  in curiosity as he continued.

"We had a sister tribe long ago that used to have a village near us that moved to a forest far away. We set that as our goal. Travelling like beggars we ended up losing almost half our population during that huge migration." He sighed, thinking of those grieving times, but he cleared his throat and continued.

"Upon arriving at Mirkwood we found our old relatives that branched off long long ago. They were spread out in these abundant woods with a few other tribes. All surviving very poorly while practically being slaves selling their goods from the forest to the surrounding nations."  Greycen said, then went into a deep frown.

Seeing his friend in a mind of his own Gin continued "Sansdaine, the only nation with an emperor, was the worst offender. Not even paying but just taking the resources saying it was a protection fee and if the tribesmen refused they would be beat and at times even killed." He sighed, but nevertheless continued. "We were appalled at this treatment but had no resources at the time. The only strong left, rallied with the Mubal to unite all the tribes in Mirkwood. So they could have leverage to negotiate terms with the surrounding countries." He said.

After composing himself, Greycen started once again, "The forest is treacherous to those that don't know it. So the surrounding countries thought using natives is far better than losing their own civilian lives. Using these woods we struggled against everyone trying to take advantage of us. Sansdaine was the one that didn't want to see this happen the most. So they bribed a few traitorous tribes to divide us." He said, shaking his head. 

Alicia's father once again spoke, "That's when the first truly bloody battles broke out. We fought the traitors in guerilla warfare in the depths of the woods. Greycen being an excellent heavy archer with the help of our relatives used jaguars as mounts and learned how to ride and shoot the bows we developed back home on the sea side. Using our new calvary combined with archery skills we defeated the traitors. But the wars were not over yet. We still had to defend against the surrounding nations. Sansdaine did not want to see us become independent. After uniting Mirkwood, Mubal first wanted a fortress. Thus Sindarin was born. Our now beloved capital in the center of the forest was our last defense against Sansdaine’s treachery. Using the fortress made out of the largest world trees we were safe from all attacks. The dangerous forest is hard to navigate and thus very hard to siege. Combined with our superior archery we were able to drive them off time after time. I, Your old man was an infantry general. Leading charges out and around our walls I bought time to collect precious arrows to restock our supplies. Once when Sansdaine somehow built a catapult to shoot flaming rocks at us I led my elite troops to destroy all the catapults! Single handedly I destroyed 10 of them!” Gin boasted.

“Oi it was only 8 you braggart” Greycen quipped. “Oi yourself, you blockhead it was 10!"Gin then noticed the shadows across the room meant it was afternoon already "Oh it's already past lunch time we need to train and eat still. We should resume our story later. On second thought I think our snacks were good enough for lunch. Let's head to the training area so you can show your uncle what you improved on!”Gin declared.

Instead of heading outside. They went into a double cellar door in the kitchen. After walking past all the pantry items they see a big heavy wooden door. “You still only train down here? Keeping your skills that big of a secret still, huh Gin?” Greycen mocked.

“You know I have my reasons” Gin calmly stated as he pushed open the heavy door. “Light it up Alica” Gin said in a serious tone.

“Yes father!” Alica herself went into serious mode, quickly doing as her father asked her to. The training center in the cellar was fully equipped, not like her play training areas outside. She walked to the side and lit a torch with some flint. After touching the torch to a bowl resting on the wall there was a channel of fire along the walls that quickly lit up the entire area.

The light revealed a massive space filled with weight equipment, a treadmill made of wood and strong hides, multiple wooden dummies, a training course for dodging/blocking, a obstacle course, and lastly a massive collection of weapons. This hidden underground facility of her father's was very large.

Gin had it secretly built a long long time ago. It was meant to help the village be a last stand in the war if they ever had to give up the forest and make due with the small village of Emerast. This was a secret mission given to him 25 years ago by the King Mubal. 

“Well what should we show off to your uncle this time?” Gin asked.

Alica pondered, “Hmm..I think uncle likes it best when I demonstrate agility and archery!” She claimed after a while “But Uncle don't THINK this means I prioritize archery! I’m going to be a brave warrior like my Father, not someone that hides behind the lines!”

Greycen just laughed and retorted “Well I think I would be stupid if I didn't figure out your goals by now, little lassy. But you need to know how to shoot while riding too. The forest allows for melees but why bother struggling to the death when you can snipe an enemy from a mile away!”

“Come lass show me what you can do''. Alica went to select a bow while Gin started winding up the training course.

This course contained 50 wooden dummies in it that all had 6 to 8 arms at varied heights and lengths the mechanisms make them spin at different speeds. To show off, she has to run through the course while shooting arrows at the targets 50 yards away from the course. This was considered a mediocre rank of training back when they were on the sea.

Greycen still gave his approval though since those rankings are only for men that were enlisted for several years. King Mubal always said quality over quantity so the training was very rigorous for their military. 

Alica picked her favorite bow off the rack along the far side of the room. As much as she didn't want to be an expert archer and truly wanted to dominate with a sword like her father, her family wouldn't let her forget about it, and it just so happened she was talented in it as well. She started off doing some light stretching.

Gin and Greycen were discussing in a low tone “How well has she been doing with this course?” He asked, wondering about Alica's improvement.

“Well I haven't watched in a few months but she moved the targets back another 20 yards so I suppose she improved a lot.”Gin replied speaking rather fondly of his daughter.

“Ah only 11 years old and she thinks she can be as good as a 5 year veteran from the coast? Lets see if she can really do it or is just trying to show off!"  Greycen smirked.

Alica finished her stretches oblivious to her uncle's harsh words. “I’m ready!” She shouted.

Gin pulled the lever to engage the course. A set of 50 wooden dummies started spinning. Alica observed the course ‘tch. Father must have changed the patterns. Here I thought I could be really impressive. Now my memorization of the route was for nothing.’ She grumbled in her mind.

Seeing her expression Gin smiled to Greycen “Looks like she had some tricks. Too bad I won’t let her get complacent.”

“Oh my, you're always like this.”Greycen laughed.

Alica took a sharp breath and darted into the course. Whirling wooden arms coming from all directions. From the start of the course to the targets was 70 yards. She had to hit all 10 targets from inside the course while dodging.

She moved swift and lightly using her smaller stature to sneak past the shorter arms easily. Seeing the opening with the shorter arms she fires two arrows quickly.

They both fall short of the targets by 10 yards. “Looks like she really has improved. With just a bit more arm strength she will be really formidable” Greycen said.

“Yes she is growing everyday.” Gin said with mixed feelings. A part of him was proud, the other part however felt sad seeing his daughter grow so quickly. 

Alica knew she couldn't be distracted so after firing those arrows she didn't even look to see if they hit the target. Hearing two puffs of dirt was enough to tell her she had missed. Not being disappointed in herself she looked for another opening.

Soon she spotted another opening that would be available in ten seconds on her left so she worked through the arms quickly towards the opening. This time she focused and only shot one arrow.

Soon after she heard a crisp clang of hitting a target with armor on. ‘Well he only said I had to hit all 10 targets not kill them...’ She thought to herself.

Instantly, she started to zigzag to the other side hoping to spot more openings. Weaving through the intersections of arms, sometimes filled with 20 at once, she finally spotted another opening.

Since it was closer to the end of the course she chose to shoot three arrows this time. Two loud clangs and one crisp crunch of the straw showed that she hit all three targets. One in the neck and two in the chest. ‘Almost halfway and it's only been 2 minutes.’ She congratulated herself.

“Well I wish she wouldn’t always loose multiple arrows like that just to get some lucky shots.” Gin grumbled.

“Luck is also a strength, you know” Greycen quipped.

Alica was looking for her next opening in the middle of the course. While searching for an opening she took an arm to the back. It wasn't a fully direct hit but she was still scraped.

“Keep your focus at all times.” Gin reminded her, his voice booming across the area.

‘You don’t think I remember that!’ She grumbled in mind, again. She then spotted a spot in the center that had a wide opening.

She swiftly reached the opening and loosed another three arrows. Three loud clangs rang out. She struck two targets, one was hit twice.

“See this is why it's better to get a sure kill rather than gambling with your life.” Gin reminded her again, raising an eyebrow.

‘Guess I didn't hit three targets again. Dad always berates me like this. Sigh sometimes being a famous general's daughter is hard..’ She hummed in her mind sorrowfully. “Ow!” She yelled as she got hit in the leg with a wooden arm.

“PAY ATTENTION” Gin yelled, his voice almost shook the dummies due to its force. 

Alica used her hand to pivot off the ground flying sideways through three wooden arms and barely escaping a beating by multiple arms.

The key to the course is to keep moving and always look for opportunities. This lesson has been beat into her time and time again.

Of course, she is the one that always asks for this training. After such a forceful reminder she swiftly found her rhythm again and looked for stable openings only shooting one arrow at a time.

After she hit the final target Gin pulled another lever and stopped the course. “Ah that's my girl. Strong and Steady wins the race!”

Alica was however, upset with her time of 42 minutes just for ten targets and had a somber expression on her face.

Slowly walked out of the course. Trying to figure out how she could have shot multiple arrow’s to hit all the targets faster.

Seeing her sour expression Greycen mentioned “You know for your age you are doing really well. And you don't even want to be an archer.” Trying to cheer her up.

“Alright that's enough of that let's go back upstairs. Alica, go wash up and change so we can have dinner and resume our story time.” Gin said while ending with a wink. 

*    *    *   *

Gin had the table prepped with a full course meal. They usually eat very simply but since Greycen is here, Gin felt like he had to show off. What better way to flex in front of a single man that can’t even make toast without burning his house down.

Alica came down from upstairs after taking a relaxing bath.

And then quickly found her seat at the table. She immediately started to devour her food in hopes of listening to more tales. “Woah lass,.slow down there! You're not starving are ya? Oi Gin! Don't you ever feed the poor girl? No wonder she is so scrawny!” Exclaimed Greycen.

“Your uncle is right. Eat like a proper lady. I raised you better then that.” He scolded, scowling at his daughter, with crossed arms.

“Sorry, I was just too excited.” She started to eat at a normal pace. Gin sighed in relief while thinking, ‘What kind of daughter have I raised. To think she could eat faster than ten men at the barracks...’ 

After finishing dinner Gin asked, “Alica can you clean up the table?”

“Sure father.” She first took all the dishes to the wooden sink. Washing them with soap she then took a rag to the table, to wipe it clean.

After making sure everything was put away and clean she smiled brightly and sprinted to the living room. ‘Finally I get to hear more about dad back in the day!' She thought excitedly.

Alica joined her father on the couch again sitting straight up at attention eagerly looking back and forth from her dad to her uncle.

“Alright where were we?” Gin asked.

“You were bragging about catapults!” Greycen bellowed while laughing.

“Oh yes yes. So after that siege where we had to fight out Sansdaine’s siege equipment, they dared not send such expensive equipment into the forest. We then slowly pushed them out of the forest extending our borders every day. Learning from our past mistakes and how we got pushed back to the fortress, we adapted to the terrain even better, battle after battle small win after small win. We finally took all of Mirkwood for ourselves. Mubal then declared that the entire woods was now the Forest Nation Mirkwood. We hail him now as King.” Gin smiled at his daughter.

Greycen tired of only Gin talking for this time interrupted,  “Yes yes. Now for my turn again. After we named him King, we then turned the fort in the middle of the forest into the capital! Oh, such a glorious project we did. Everyone was working hand in hand to build up the beautiful forest city." Greycen said.

"Mubal also thought ahead and planned out districts for schools and training areas for the military." Gin pecked in, which caused him to earn a glare from Greycen. Alica let out light giggle before subconsciously resting her head on her father's lap and listening to her uncle. His voice however, slowing fading out, as she fought a battle against sleep. 

 Gin simply rolled his eyes letting his friend continue,  "But his biggest achievement in my opinion was making sure we started a forest highway for fast travel in the woods and developing a carriage that can be transported through the rough trees and thick woods. These transportation highways are the lifeblood of our trade with the other nations. Our trade is what makes us strong…." He said eager to continue, but, "...What, she fell asleep already?” Greycen complained after noticing Alica’s head resting on Gin’s lap peacefully sleeping. Her eyes closed and her breathing steady.

“She is the little princess to us after all. You should have told a different story. You're so boring talking about trade and economics to a little girl.” Gin laughed at him. Gin slowly scooped Alica up, bringing her close to him and brought her upstairs to bed. “Sleep well. Tomorrows a big day after all my darling daughter....” He whispered kissing the top of her head and tucking her in.

Gin came downstairs and sat in a chair opposite Greycen “Alright! Now why were you late by two days? Your letter came a week ago.” He questioned Greycen.

“Yes....you should know of these things brother... It started with.…”