Part 1

To leave my home was easy because it truly wasn't my home without Wes there. I walked into our stables, the stables used to have four horses. My father's gigantic war horse that was grey, with giant hooves, but with kind warm eyes. My mother's smaller brown horse. My own white mare that had been my friend through many years. In your world she would be a Lipizzaner and her name was Emma.

As I was putting her saddle on I turned my head to the left and saw the empty stall of my brother's horse Callisto. Callisto was a black Friesian mere. Her coat was black as night and her mane long and wavy. Wes had saved her out in the marches where she'd gotten stuck and she loved him at ones and was one of his best friends. When he left the second time he took her with him and now she was lost too.

I put on Emma's bridle and she gave me a look. She was asking where we were going, she always did. I just patted her side and then lead her outside. I could still here mom and dad argue and Emma snorted… she didn't like the rain and thunder. But I couldn't care less. I sat up and went through my checklist. I had my tent, my cot, extra blankets, food, a few clothes, my knife, my bow and my mission. Emma reared and then took off. As we galloped across the yard I saw our front door slam open and mom and dad running out.

"Mike!" dad yelled but I ignored him as I stormed by them.

"MIKE!" they both screamed but I didn't care. Soon I was out on the main road and was heading for our village. I had to pass through it to leave the area. I was prepared for people trying to stop me, but what I wasn't prepared for was a rider joining up with me. The hood on his tunic was up so I couldn't see his face, that is… if it even was a he.

We rode through the village and didn't stop for anything and soon we passed the border and were out on the big travelling road. We came to a crossroad and I knew the right lead towards the capital and the left out into the big unknown. I didn't even hesitate as I turned to the left and to my surprise… so did the other rider.

We galloped for quite some time and then stopped in a glade. I turned Emma to face the rider. The storm had ended and sunshine was finding its way down among the leaves and branches. The rider opposite me was riding a black horse and had the same packing I did. He didn't have a cloak like I did but he had a tunic with a hood and it was pulled up. He also had a scarf around his face. I was pretty sure it was a he and from our village because he had the same kind of eyes as me and everyone else. He looked smaller than me though and he had a sword at his side, but I saw a crossbow strapped to his packing.

"Who are you", I asked and he pulled down his hood first and I saw the short black hair. He then pulled his scarf down. The first thing that caught my attention was the black fang earring in his right ear and the second thing I noticed was that I knew this kid.

"Chris", I groaned. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going with you", Chris said stubbornly.

Chris Kim was an orphaned boy that lived in our village. He sometimes worked here and there and got food for his work. He had been part of our little school for about two days before his liveliness made the teacher crazy and she threw him out and forbid him from ever entering again. He made his weapons himself in the blacksmith when he worked there, but where he slept I have no idea. He was always dirty and when he was little Wes would take care of him when he and I weren't together. Chris was often seen around where he shouldn't be so he'd gotten beaten quite a few times, but that never seemed to dampen his mood.

"Where did you get the horse", I questioned.

"Nicked it from ol' Peng", Chris said with a shrug. "He already had five horses and this one he can't handle."

"And the rest of your stuff?"

"Made the weapons myself, clothes taken from here and there, same for boots and the blankets, tent and cot."

"Where are you going then", I asked and narrowed my eyes.

"With you of course", he said happily.

"Excuse me", I asked not believing my ears. I had never really cared that much about Chris. He was amusing as hell in school but he was a thief and I had no time for thieves… or kids.

"You're joining the rebellion", Chris said. "Everyone knows about it, except your parents. Well I guess they know about it now."

"You are not coming", I said and turned my horse around and started a slow trot.

"Yes I am", Chris said and urged his horse on so he was beside me. I noticed he didn't have a saddle or bridle.

"No", I said sharply. "I don't have time for kids."

"Then go home because I'm more of a man than you", he spat and I glared at him. He met my glare with one of his own.

"I'm 15", he continued. "And for 10 years I've been on my own, holding my own and figuring out how survive the day. You need me, I know how to hunt, to handle wounds and-"

"You're a thief", I cut in.

"Well excuse me for not having a home and a brother that loves me", he spat and I felt a little bit guilty. I sighed.

"Chris", I hesitated. "You… you can't come with me. I'm-"

"Going to join the rebellion to find your brother", he finished. "I know and I wanna help."

"Why", I asked feeling suspicious.

"Wes is like my brother too", he said and I looked at him with big eyes. "He always kept an eye out for me and always helped when I got in a pinch. On days you weren't able to be together he was with me, teaching me how to survive on my own. Did you know he asked your parents to take me in but they refused?"

I nodded. I did know that. Wes had been furious with them for weeks. Chris' parents, brother and grandparents had died in a fire when he was five and he'd been on his own ever since. Wes had asked mom and dad to take him in because we have such a big house and a third son could always be of use… but they refused. Why? Because there were rumors about Chris being the reason his family died, people actually believed he murdered them and dad didn't want a dangerous murderer in his house.

Wes never forgave them for that. I knew he snuck out at nights sometimes but he never told me what he did… but now I think I might actually know. I think he went out to be with Chris.

"I'm fifteen Mike", Chris then said again and looked at me with sad eyes. "Solider time… who cares for an orphan anyway? They'd take me anyway and force me to fight and I'd rather not face you in battle."

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"You're joining the rebellion… I don't want to fight against you but with you. I want to be on your side and I want to find Wes."

"No", I said. "Chris it's too dangerous."

"But you're doing it!" he yelled and we stopped our horses. "You don't even have to join the army because of Wes but you want to fight anyway. You choose to join the rebellion and I choose that too. The least we can do is travel together until we find the New Directions. Then I'll be out of your hair…"

"Chris you're just a kid", I tried. "Go home."

"Go where", he said and I saw the hurt on his face. "I have no home. I'm a thief and a 'murderer'. I have no home. I was gonna leave today either way, I am going to join the rebellion which wants to stop children from becoming soldiers. And I want to find my brother."

"Chris-"

"Wes is my brother too Mike", Chris yelled at me and I startled. He looked really upset. "He taught me how to use a crossbow, how to hunt, how to use a sword and knives, how to make fires, how to set up camp, first aid… he taught me everything he taught you. He's my brother too…" the last he whispered so low I almost didn't catch it and I sighed. What should I do? I couldn't return now and Chris would go on anyway, I knew he would. As would I.

"Fine", I said and he looked at me and I urged Emma into a steady walk. "But if you get us into trouble I'll kill you myself."

"I swear I'll be on my best behavior", he said happily and urged his horse up to my side. "Come on Belle." I smiled in spite of it all and looked at the road ahead. Hang on Wes, we're coming. Just sit tight and we'll be there soon. Because that's what brothers are for. We urged our horses into a gallop and left our village far behind us. We were doing what was right and not just for us, for the sake of everyone, because that's what brothers are for.

TBC I'm back :) Sorry for the long wait but I had quite a few stories to finish first ;)

Sarah - Why am I evil this time?