Chapter 3

[fifteen years earlier]

"Father, father, look!" Evelyn came running around a corridor of the castle, holding up a newly strung bow triumphantly.

"Well, look at that." Kevin holds out his arms to congratulate his daughter on her first big accomplishment. Slinging the bow around her shoulder, she jumps gleefully into his arms.

"What'cha doin', father?" She chimed.

"Evelyn, mind your manners. It's not polite to speak in contractions."

Sheepishly, she looked up at him, then grinned broadly. "Ok! I apologize. You forgive me, do you not?" She proceeded to put on an adorable look for her father, while standing on the balls of her feet.

"Of course I do, Evy." He continues, on another note. "Come, I have something to show you."

Evelyn's father, Kevin Farsight, was a noble, who had gotten called to work in the castle during the disturbances and increased aggression of the guild wars. He was currently involved in organizing cencus information, to determine which houses would be able to contribute manpower to any effort needed to disband civil war units and restore peace to the nation of Ascalon.

He led her around a series of twists and turns, through a large hall, and down a narrow hallway, into a room filled with parchments. He marched up to a table, piled up with papers, and grabs one off the top. "Here. It's about your grandmother. Take a look."

Evelyn took hold of the old parchment, and read the top line. It was a cencus from 45 years ago. On the top, was the name of a woman whom Evelyn had never known. Kylin Farsight. Evelyn's grandmother. Kylin died before Evelyn was born, the casualty of local battle between guilds. Kevin had told Evelyn all about her grandmother's life, her heroic deeds as a healer, and how she sacrificed her safety regularly for others. Kylin was Evelyn's hero in more ways than one, even though she didn't know her at all.

"This is from before you were born, Father?"

"Yes, it is." Kevin replies. "It is from when your grandmother was very young. She hadn't married your grandfather quite yet. Her parents were no longer with her, and she was alone. That's why she showed up in this census."

"She was such a strong woman!" Evelyn chimed, face showing aw at her grandmother's legacy. "I wish I knew her!"

Kevin ruffled her hair, causing Evelyn to push his hand away and laugh delightfully. "She was quite amazing. And she looked just like you do, if my memory serves me well."

"Tell me more about her, Father. I want to know everything!"

Hand in hand, Kevin and Evelyn exited the small library and headed toward the castle garden as her father told her stories filling her heart with aw and admiration for her grandmother.