Title: All Sins Cast Long Shadows (Irish Proverb)
Author: Eco Mistress
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Jak and Daxter characters that appear in this story, nor anything else that appears in this story that is from the Jak Series. I do however own any other characters featured in this story.
Rating: PG-13 A bit of course language and violence.
Summary: Follows the story of Keane Faolan, the Lieutenant of the Krimzon Guard under Erol, and the tribulations he faces that come with the position.
Pronunciations: Keane (KEE-in), Faolan (FWAY-lawn), Phelan (FEE-lin), Siofra (SHEE-fra).
Time: This chapter is set a few years before Jak and company arrive, which explains why Rayner is the Commander of the KG and not Erol.
Chapter One
The sky over Haven City was a brilliant crystalline blue color, and radiant beams of sunlight shone brightly upon the small city. In a small housing section located just adjacent to the Water Slums, a family of three was outside taking advantage of the gorgeous weather.
The father, a stocky man of great stature, with thinning brown hair and close-set blue eyes, was laughing jovially as his son charged at him in mock attack. The father sidestepped and avoided the boy's assault. He caught his son with an outstretched arm, and wrapped him in a 'bear hug'. The young boy struggled playfully, as his mother shook her head at the silly antics of the men of the family.
"Come now, Phelan, Keane, one of you is bound to be hurt if you keep at it like this."
Her voice was light and airy, and she chuckled softly as she stated this. She was tall and thin, her wispy frame giving her a somewhat elegant appearance. Her waist-length blonde hair had been swooped up in a tight bun, a few unruly tendrils framing her delicate face. Her luminous hazel eyes sparkled as she brushed off her long maroon dress and stood up.
The young boy, Keane, was finally able to escape his father's grip and ran over to his mother, eyes pleading. The boy had inherited his mother's good looks, with his bright green eyes and sandy blonde hair that hung messily in front of his eyes. But he had also inherited his father's build and strength. Even though he was only a young boy of ten, one could see the developing muscles, and how much taller he was compared to the other boys his age. His pale complexion, typical of those from Irish decent, was slightly flushed as he panted slightly from his successful escape and looked up at his mother.
"No we won't mum, besides I've got to continue training if I expect to be a great warrior one day!"
His voice was soft, still childlike. He pulled playfully on his mother's hand as he spoke and his father soon joined in as well.
"He's right Siofra, for how can he be a great warrior without the proper training?"
Phelan forced his normally gruff voice into a whiny tone, and pushed his bottom lip out at his wife. Keane immediately copied what his father did, and soon Siofra found herself submitting. She was thanked with a kiss on the cheek from the both of them, and a promise to finish by dinner time.
But none of them would make it for dinner, for as Keane and his father turned and started to head back to their playful spar, they were met by laser sights, pointing directly between their eyes. The laser sights belonged to ten officers of the Krimzon Guard, and it wasn't long before the Commander of the KG made his way through the circle of guards, halting before Phelan.
The Commander was a sleaze ball of a man, with no morality, who only cared about matters that concerned himself. He was considerably shorter than Phelan and much thinner as well. Wild tufts of black hair sprouted from his head, and it looked as if he had made some attempt to unsuccessfully slick them back. The Commander, known as Rayner, narrowed his dark brown eyes and let a smirk cross his lips.
"My, it certainly has been some time since our last 'meeting' hasn't it Phelan? Surely you haven't forgotten about it."
Rayner's voice was just as unpleasant and foul as himself, and as he finished speaking he pulled his pistol from its holster at his waist. Keane backed up slowly, and knocked into the guard standing behind him. Startled, he jumped in surprise and wheeled around to face the burly guard. His green eyes swelled with fear, and he looked away quickly, only to spy his mother surrounded by two of the KG. Her usual cheerful face was sullen, and she did nothing to attempt an escape.
"How could I forget, 'Commander'? I remember quite well the 'hospitality' you showed me as I was convicted for a crime I didn't commit."
Keane was surprised at how nastily his father spat out those harsh words, and turned back to look at him. The Commander had grabbed his father by the neck, and was shaking his pistol in his face. Phelan's face had flushed red with anger and he slapped the Commander's hand away from his neck.
"You can think whatever the hell you want now Phelan, it doesn't matter anymore. You were found guilty, and imprisoned as you should have been, and as you will be. By order of the Baron the two of you, Phelan and Siofra Faolan, are under arrest for the unlawful act of treason. "
Rayner snickered maliciously at the last part, and with a single wave of his hand, all ten Krimzon Guard Officers grabbed Phelan and Siofra and forcibly shoved them to the ground. Handcuffs were slapped across their wrists, and with the accompaniment of a few well placed smacks from the blunt end of the KG guns, they rose to their feet. Phelan's face was red with rage, and he began to scream obscenities at the Commander, livid at the thought of being arrested yet again, and for treason.
Keane gasped with horror at the events before him, and balled his fists with anger. He ran towards the Commander, his small fists flying, and landed one pitiful blow to the Commander's midsection. Rayne's response was a dark chuckle as he sneered down at the boy, grabbing him by the throat.
"Just look at what we have here, another delinquent, following in his father's footsteps. Phelan, I'm hurt, you never told me you and that wench had any offspring. And a son too. My, just look at him mock me, the Commander of the good Baron's forces, you must be so proud Phelan."
Keane struggled hard with the older man's tight hold, but soon found he was losing strength as Rayner tightened his grasp even more. Keane gasped for air, small hands clawing away at the Commander's. Suddenly he felt the pressure let up, and he watched through a haze as his father kicked the Commander away from him. He felt his eyes start to close, and he soon fell to the ground in a heap, unconscious. The last thing he remembered was his father yelling to leave his son alone, and the icy words of Rayner stating that his father would regret that.
Sorry for how short this chapter was.Reviews are welcomed and greatly appreciated! I'd love to hear any suggestions, constructive criticism, and comments you might have.
