A/N: This is my first fanfic ever, so helpful criticism would be wonderful. Thanks. On to the story. Oh, and it won't all be in first person view. This is just Kazendi remembering so you guys know a little about her. As a prologue thing.

Disclamer: I do not own Tortall or any of TP's characters. I do however own my OC's and this plot.

PROLOUGE

:Kazendi:

I will remember that fateful day every time I close my eyes. The images flash through my head like lightning; painful, and just as fast.

I had just come back from training in the woods and was relaxing with Zeki when our mother burst in: "Aderyn! Where is Aderyn!" she was frantic, eyes wide, although neither Zeki nor I knew why at the time.

"Mum? What's wrong? She went to the village center with Duani," although I used our Granma's humorous nickname, I was getting worried now. A steady uneasy feeling ate at the back of my mind.

Zeki opened his mouth to speak but the words died on his lips as screams pierced the air. He visibly paled a shade as we all turned toward the sounds. Right towards the village center." Oh Gods," he whispered, horrified.

Our mother immediately jumped to action, running out the door toward the commotion. Zeki and I were more logical thinkers and grabbed our preferred weapons before running out with a knife for our mum.

I had grabbed my previously used longbow and quiver and Zeki quickly snatched up his throwing daggers; attaching them to himself as he ran. We were silent as we caught up to Mum, not trusting our voices.

We lived on the outskirts of our village so it took us a minute to get there. And when we did we almost wished we hadn't. There were bodies everywhere and the villagers fighting off who I presumed were the raiders. Houses and stores and anything flammable was on fire, killing anyone who didn't make it out. As I was witnessing this only two things were running through my mind:

Aderyn and Granma, and revenge.

We ran through the wreckage as me and Zeki looked for anyone we knew while Mum screamed out,"Aderyn! Sophie! My baby where are you?" she sobbed. Sophie was our Granma.

Zeki, whose eyes were quicker than mine, spotted Aderyn first. ButDuani was nowhere to be found. But, before we could reach Aderyn's hiding place a raider got there first, reaching for her with greedy eyes. My training took over and, shutting off any emotions, I had brought up my bow, put an arrow to the string and shot. All in one swift motion before he could so much as touch her. I immediately put another to the string to ready it as he fell to the ground dead; an arrow in his throat.

I could tell Aderyn was terrified, but relief washed over her young face as she saw who her saviors were. She sobbed as we ran to her, oblivious anymore to the threat of danger as she threw herself at Mum.

"Mommy, mommy," she sobbed," D-Duani is dead. They killed her when they came after us when she tried to protect me. I didn't know what to do so I ran away," she wailed through her sobs.

The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up so I instinctively turned around. Only to meet the fist halfwaythat was coming for me. Still on my knees, I then fell backwards into Zeki and cried out in pain. He too spun and stopped the dagger that reached for me and threw his own at the raider while more swarmed around us.

My head was spinning as I stood, but Zeki steadied me. I put my longbow up as I tried to stop the nauseous feeling in my head. Zeki and I stood in front of Mum and Aderyn, trying to protect them although I had known it was futile.

Without warning one of them struck and slashed Zeki on the arm as Zeki plunged his own dagger into the man's chest. I too had brought up my weapon and shot another raider as the other fell. They started to attack us all at once and I had thought we were doomed. That is, until a clear, harsh voice called out from the gloom.

"Men! Stop this nonsense. We need more for the ship. Don't forget that!"

And with those words our lives were spared. If only to be brought to an even crueler fate. I soon learned we were to be sold as slaves to any who wished to buy. And that was only the beginning.

A/N Hey peoples. I'd really like it if you would review and give me helpful hints and tips and anything else you deem worthy of my attention. Tell me if you like it and all that jazz. Thanks bunches! Luv ya guys!

Zerrin