A/N: First things first, I'd like to clarify that Alice is 6 when Alfie finds her, so she is currently 8 :) Also this chapter is going to go back and forth through POV's. Enjoy!
"You cannot escape the inevitable," the Banshee breathed hoarsely. It shrieked once more, but that was cut off, by a gunshot ringing out.
Alice whimpered, upon hearing the gunshot. Her eyes widened in realization. He came back! He came back to save her. Oh how she wished that were true. The Banshee rose up, and disappeared in a puff of smoke. There, a mercenary stood.
Reaver arrived back at Bloodstone Mansion, heading straight to his study.
"Master Reaver!" Rose exclaimed, racing over to him. Reaver sighed exasperatedly, turning to face the blonde maid. "It's Alice, she's gone missing! I can't find her anywhere."
Reaver rolled his eyes and turned back to walk to his study.
"She dead," he said casually, keeping up his posh demeanor without fault.
Rose's heart skipped a beat, "W-what?"
"She's dead. Go, chuck her stuff out," he dismissed, taking a seat at his desk.
Rose's eyes began to water. She blinked once, cause a tear to fall.
"Y-yes, Master Reaver," she said quietly, choking on her words. She hurried upstairs to Alice's room, closing the door behind her. She looked around the room. She was here. Only hours ago she was talking to Alice about what they, and Alfie were going to do for Christmas. Then she left. And now…now she was gone. She'd only turned 8 the month before. Rose erupted into tears, sliding down the door to the ground. She hugged her knee's, sobbing hysterically.
"Here, drink this," the mercenary said, placing a cup of tea in front of Alice. She stared at it for a moment. The man did save her. And he led her through the marshes to a small cabin on the edge of Wraithmarsh. He'd been seclusive and distant. Alfie had always told her that Mercenaries can be aligned with good or evil. So far this one has done nothing to make her believe he's evil. Alice cautiously picked up the cup, breathing in the Jasmine scented aroma. She blew on it, before taking a small sip.
"So, where do you live?" the mercenary asked, poking the fire with a stoker.
Alice thought for a moment, then sadly, she mumbled. "I don't live anywhere."
The mercenary turned his head to look at her, furrowing his brows in thought.
Rose sniffled, clinging onto Alfie's hand with both of hers as if the world depended on it. They stood on the cliff, silently watching the violent waves, hearing them crash against the rocks. The sound, exactly like the waves that crashed against the ship the night Alfie had found Alice.
"I use to hear people say, 'Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.' And they were right. Because you did." Tears streamed down her face, pain enveloping her heart as she erupted in uncontrollable, heart-broken sobs. Alfie squeezed her hand in reassurance, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill from his own eyes. He had to be strong, for her. For Rose, and for Alice. In his free hand, he loosely held a basket, filled with many flower petals. A majority of them were Cherry Blossoms, Alice's favourite.
Rose kept crying, her hurt evident in her sobs. "I can't think of what to say. Except, Thank you. Thank you, for being you. For being that little ray of sunshine everyday. I love you." She choked on her words, her heart shattering in another wave of pain.
Alfie sniffled, releasing Rose's hand, and walking to stand on the edge of the cliff. He lowered his hand in the basket and carefully grabbed a handful of the flower petals, slowly, he threw them over the cliff. The sun was setting and as he watched, the blue-grey waves pushed the petals out to the sea, away from Alfie and Rose. He looked back at Rose, who was slowly walking over. Gently, she also, grabbed a handful of petals, and threw them over the cliff. Watching them float away as a fresh, thick wave of sadness surrounded them.
"Farewell, My Little Princess," Alfie whispered, choking on his words and fighting to restrain the tears. They watched as the sun set over the hundreds and hundreds of flower petals…before they disappeared over the horizon, along with sun. The rain and the darkness claimed the cliff, thunder resonated around them.
Alice trudged through the swamp, following the Mercenary through the marshes.
"Where are we going?" Alice asked quietly, trying her best to keep up with him.
"Bloodstone. We're taking a ship to Oakfield," he deadpanned.
"Do you live in Oakfield?"
"No. That's the closest port. From there we'll journey to Bowerstone."
Alice's heart jumped to her throat. Not there. Anywhere but there.
"D-do we have to go there?" she asked timidly.
"Yes," he said simply, getting a little irritated with her interrogation.
Alice sighed, and after a long silence, she started talking...again.
"Do you have a name?" Alice asked, as they reached the end of Wraithmarsh, and was now back in Bloodstone.
"Yes," was all he said.
"What is it?"
He sighed irritably. "Rhydian."
"Well I'm Alice."
"Great," He replied sarcastically. "Now can you stop the questions? I want to get out of Bloodstone as soon as possible."
Alice sighed, trudging after him.
Rhydian watched as Alice slept. They'd snuck onto a ship heading to Oakfield, and stayed in the depths of the ship, hidden in darkness. He had to bring her to an orphanage in Bowerstone, that was the only way. He didn't want to bring her into the life of a mercenary, even if he was aligned with good, and not evil. He couldn't take care of her. He was always on the move, and she'd only slow him down. What was she doing in Wraithmarsh anyway? he thought to himself. It was quite peculiar. A little girl being somewhere like Wraithmarsh. On her own, with no protection, not even some sort of weapon. It's strange, she claims she doesn't live anywhere and yet, she was wearing a fine silver necklace with a snowflake pendent, decorated with sapphires. Her clothes were clean, with the exception of dirt and moss, but were in good condition, and they looked beautifully crafted…she belonged somewhere. Unless. He sighed, dreading to think the possibility, that perhaps…she'd been abandoned in the depths of Wraithmarsh…just like he once was.
This changed things. Being aligned with good made his mind work in a very different way to many other Mercenaries, particularly those aligned with evil. He couldn't bring her with him though, that was no life for a child. He didn't trust orphanages either. From experience, he remember being beaten everyday. Being sent off to a cruel family, only to be beaten more, then sent back. He could train her. Train her to defend herself. Then maybe find her a loving home.
What did you guys think of that? How do you like Rhydian? Alice's farewell by Alfie and Rose? What did you guys think of Reaver's decision and attitude towards Alice's 'Death'? Review guys!