The Memory

How blessed are small children? They only have two ways of feeling: good and bad. They don't understand most of what is happening around them, or to them. And the things they can comprehend, they soon won't even remember.

Like almost everyone's, Nia's early memories are nothing more than a foggy haze of mornings spent by her mother's side. She could always remember the way that her parents' room looked, and felt. She remembers it always being sunny and warm, not only in the way of temperature.

But there is one particular morning there Nia could never forget. And didn't want to. It's her earliest clear memory…

Like every day, her mother, Queen Otta was brushing her long golden blonde hair. Behind her, a shape moved under the furry covers of the bed. Hearing a giggling sound the Queen turned around to see a little smiling girl peeking from in between the covers. That little girl with messy blonde hair and a warm smile was Princess Nia of Azgeda.

"Oh, no! What kind of monster is that in my room?" the girl's mother asked joking and walked over to the bed.

Nia immediately started giggling and then mimicked a growling sound.

"A wolf." the four-year-old yelled and then started growling again putting out her hands like paws.

"What am I going to do?" Otta started tickling Nia causing the little girl to squirm under the covers and scream out loudly.

"Mom, stop!" Nia made a run for it and hid under the bed.

Just as Otta was laughing King Theo entered the room in a hurry. He paid no attention to his wife, or daughter, he just started going through his things looking for something. The smile was immediately wiped of Otta's face.

"What is wrong?" she asked walking over to Theo.

"The Woods Clan is here. They want our army to get Polis from Rock Line." the King continued going through his belongings.

"Didn't you tell them you wanted nothing to do with choosing a Commander? We are fine on our own."

"I did. That's why they're here. To take our home." at that moment he drew out a long sword and headed for the door, "You have to get Nia and go with me. I need to know you're safe."

"Come on, Princess." Otta reached for her daughter under the bed. Soon the little girl was in her arms.

"Get her to the kitchens and lock yourselves in there." Theo stroked his daughter's head, "I will not let our home fall."

With that thought he leaned in to kiss his wife and then left the room.

Otta obeyed the King's command and soon her and Nia were in a locked room, all alone. The siege of the Azgeda capital lasted for hours. In that time Otta tried to calm her daughter by telling stories and singing songs, but nothing could numb the sounds of battle coming from outside.

In the end King Theo managed to defend Azgeda from invaders. For now. But every month, some other Nightblood was trying to win the Commander's Throne. And no matter what clan they were from, they never cared who they hurt trying to get it. Azgeda didn't care about Polis. They just wanted their kingdom to be left alone.

It was in that kitchen that Nia first discovered fear. Real fear. Fear that she'll very soon learn how to turn into hate. The most powerful weapon she ever wielded.