Chapter 2

It was a week since he started his journey and he was almost there. He just needed to get through this path. He looked at his daughter who had just fallen asleep. He gained courage as he watched her little face in a peaceful slumber, unaware of the situation. He hurried along and suddenly, he was ambushed. He pulled out his sword and put the baby down behind him. He counted about eight over them around him and attacked. He had killed 5 and was struggling to defend himself against two of them when he saw the eighth man about to kill his daughter. He strived to get to her, but there was dread in his heart. He knew he would never reach her in time. He could only watch hopelessly as the man swung his sword up and brought it down. Then suddenly, there was a clash of swords. Someone had jumped out of the trees and saved Selece. The man killed the man that was about to kill Selece and he killed off the two left with hiten misurugi style.
That man said "That was close Derian. At least I saved the little princess. But a waste of men." He looked around in distaste at the bodies strewn around.
Derian cleaned his sword of blood, resheathed it and picked up Selece who was still sleeping peacefully. He looked at her adoringly, knowing it might be the last time he would. He put a necklace on her. "My dear Selece, this is our family crest. When the time is right, you will use it to do what is right. I will love you always and forever." He handed her over to Hiko, along with two letters. Derian said, "In case I will not see her again, these are the letters you must give her. One letter is to be given to her when she is old enough to understand. The other holds a ring and a letter that will unlock her destined path. It is to be given to her when the time is right. And… Hiko, you know I would trust you with my life."
Hiko nodded.
Derian turned around. "Well, right of this moment, I'm trusting you with something more important than my life. I'm counting on you." With that, he walked away, until he was only a speck in the distance.
Hiko turned his face to the little bundle in his arms. She seemed so pure. He thought for a moment and started to walk toward his mountain home. Along the way, he said, "You need another name. A name which you will be able to walk the streets without hiding. Until the time is right, you will be… Joanne Kim." With that, he walked toward the mountain, fading away with the wind.