Side Story 1.10: Adam and Isabel Peerce
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A Recollection of Events From Their Perspective
The new children of Maya Village had slowly adapted to their newfound environment, though the memories of their sudden exodus from Kirka Village still lingered in their minds. Adam and Isabel often found themselves recounting the tale to one another as they adjusted to their new reality.
"It's been what, four months now?" Isabel whispered to her brother as they sat on a fallen log near the village perimeter.
Adam nodded, his gaze distant. "Four months since Father and Mother told us we had to leave."
The siblings had been too young to fully understand the politics of it all. They knew only that the lord of Kirka Village, a corpulent man with perpetually reddened cheeks, had made numerous false accusations against their family. Their father, a respected craftsman, had somehow fallen out of the lord's favor.
"He even threatened our family with expulsion," Adam said bitterly, picking at the bark of the log. "That pompous fool with his fancy clothes and fake smile."
Isabel nudged him. "But we showed him. Father said we left on our own accord, with dignity."
What the children remembered most vividly was waiting by the gatehouse with their mother and Uncle Christopher. Their father and Uncle Jonathan had gone somewhere first—likely to confront the lord one final time. The siblings exchanged worried glances as they recalled the shocking sight of their father and Uncle Jonathan returning to the gatehouse badly beaten, with wounds covering their bodies. Uncle Jonathan had suffered the worst, blood seeping through his clothing.
"I still remember Mother's face when she saw Father," Isabel murmured. "I'd never seen her look so afraid."
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The Escape Towards the Forest
Their escape had been chaotic. The entire group had fled in what seemed like a randomly chosen direction, only to find themselves venturing deeper and deeper into one of the famed great forests that bordered their former home.
The journey through the woods remained etched in their memories as a nightmare came to life. First came the encounters with a lone Grimfang—a massive wolf-like beast with silver fur and eyes that glowed like embers in the darkness. Its howls still echoed in the children's dreams. Then came the skitterpigs, wild boars that were mixed with a rat, it has razor-sharp tusks and a speed that belied their bulky frames.
"Remember how Father said skitterpig meat was a delicacy back in Kirka?" Adam mused. "I never understood why until we tasted it."
Isabel nodded. "The adults managed to kill them, but at what cost?" She frowned, remembering the injuries that had slowed their progress to a painful crawl.
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The Hopeless Journey in the Wilderness
After weeks of aimless wandering, the forest seemed endless, with towering trees blocking out most of the sunlight and unfamiliar sounds haunting them day and night. Hope had nearly abandoned them when they found themselves surrounded by a full pack of Grimfangs, the beasts closing in for what would surely be a final, fatal attack.
"And then they came," Adam said, his voice brightening at the memory.
As if summoned by some divine intervention, a group of children—no older than Adam and Isabel themselves—had appeared seemingly from nowhere. With skill and ferocity that defied their young age, these child warriors had dispatched the Grimfangs with practiced efficiency.
"I still can't believe how strong they were," Isabel said, shaking her head in amazement. "Almost like adults, but better somehow."
The greatest shock had been recognizing Angeline among these fierce young fighters—sweet Angeline who had once been their playmate in Kirka Village. The siblings had wondered for months what had become of her after her sudden disappearance.
"I thought she had moved away with Aunt Odessa," Adam admitted. "Not that she had become... whatever she is now."
Isabel nodded, remembering their confusion. Their childish innocence had prevented them from understanding the village politics that had driven Angeline's family away long before their own exile.
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In the Cave
The cave where Angeline's group had taken them provided their first real shelter in weeks. There, they had waited for the return of another child—August—who had pursued one of the larger Grimfangs deeper into the forest.
"Remember when August dragged that massive Grimfang back below the cave?" Adam asked, his eyes wide with the memory. "He was pulling it like it weighed nothing!"
Isabel nodded, recalling her disbelief. August had single-handedly killed a beast that would have most likely required several adult veteran hunters to take down in their Kirka Village or maybe a full town along with soldiers. The siblings had watched as Angeline rushed to check August for injuries, her concern obvious.
"I thought maybe they were... you know," Isabel said with a small smile.
Adam shook his head. "No way. They're too young for that."
The children had spent the night in the cave, grateful for the protection offered by Angeline's group. In the morning, they had been awakened by unfamiliar sounds—grunts, controlled breathing, and the rhythmic movement of bodies.
"I thought we were under attack," Adam admitted. "But it was just them doing their morning training."
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The Journey Back to Angeline's Village
The journey to Maya Village had been an education in itself. August had led the way, still dragging the enormous Grimfang carcass as if it were a child's pull-toy. Their father and the other adults had struggled together to carry the other two beasts that had been killed during the rescue.
Throughout the journey, they had been attacked by more skitterpigs, but August had dealt with most of them single-handedly, moving with a speed and precision that seemed impossible for someone his age.
"Did you see how he took down that biggest rat-pig?" Adam had whispered to Isabel. "One thrust, right through the heart."
Angeline and her group had formed a protective circle around the adults and younger children, efficiently dispatching any creatures that managed to get past August's initial defense.
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The Village of Maya
Maya Village had been a revelation—a small, enclave settlement that seemed to exist in defiance of the dangerous forest surrounding it. The siblings had been surprised to discover that Angeline's group comprised the village's entire population.
"I keep expecting to see adults," Isabel had confessed on their first night. "But it's just them."
Weeks had passed, and the siblings had gradually integrated into village life. They had begun participating in the morning training routines, determined to develop the same strength and skills as their hosts.
The vicious Grimfang attack on the village had been a terrifying setback. Uncle Jonathan had been seriously injured, left unconscious after the fierce battle. The siblings had huddled together in a storage cellar, listening to the sounds of combat above.
"I was so scared," Isabel admitted now, her voice small. "But also amazed at how everyone fought."
The greatest surprise had been the massive bird that had made its nest in the village—August's Guardian Beast, a creature of legend that explained his extraordinary abilities. The siblings had stared in awe the first time they saw the enormous bird spreading its wings protectively over the injured villagers.
"Nothing shocks me anymore," Adam declared, standing up from the log and stretching. "This is our normal now."
Isabel nodded, rising to join him. "We have to be strong to survive here. If Angeline can do it, so can we."
The siblings exchanged determined glances before heading to the village center for their morning training. They had survived the exodus from Kirka Village and the perilous journey through the forest. Now, they were determined to become as formidable as August, Angeline, and the others—true children of Maya Village.