Seeing his brother falling unconsciously on the ground Aaron froze. The branch Nate was hanging on was now covered in red.

Blood pooled around his body which only brought the recent memories back to Aaron. He called out to Nate but there was no response. Being only 7 there was nothing he could do. In a state of panic, he paced around, eyes darting in every direction trying to think of anything to save his brother. The stench of blood was getting stronger making Aaron want to throw up, but he swallowed his disgust and picked up his brother. Nate even a kid was tall, so for little Aaron carrying him was a task which was extremally difficult.

He would fall every so often but got back up from the ground quickly enough to keep ongoing. His determination overruled his exhaustion and pain. He had to save his brother, somehow. His sadness disappeared. He had to control his powers otherwise, it would hurt them both. This was the first time in Aaron's life, he got a hold of all his emotions and turned them to anger. Which in return kept his powers at bay.

 His legs hurting, his arms exhausted he, at last, reached a small house in the middle of nowhere. He was covered in red as he sat Nate under a tree and went to knock on the doors hoping that goddess of luck will be on his side and someone will open the doors. Someone who is willing to help.

As if his wish was granted an elder lady opened the doors and stared at the little boy in front of her with shock. Her hair was tied in a neat bun on top of her head and she wore an old-looking dress decorated with flowers. Aaron looked into her eyes with tears. They, however, were not from sadness, but rather from the pain of carrying Nate.

He then pleaded "Help my brother, please..." He pointed at unconscious Nate under a nearby tree, and the lady followed his gaze.

Her face was already in a state of shock. It made the wrinkles stretched out and almost disappear. Then seeing the other boy she rushed to him without a second of hesitation.

The elder Lady dragged Nate back into her house, and as she dressed Nate's wounds she lied him in bed. Then turned to Aaron who was sitting in the corner of the room - trembling. She walked up to him and crouched down, asking "What is your name, dearie?"

Aaron looked up, mumbling "Aaron Ravenwood. And that is my brother Nathan."

The older lady turned to look at the bed and nodded "Ok Aaron. Do not worry about your brother. He will be alright. He is a strong one."

Aaron nodded and then realised that Nate's mark was visible. He stared into the lady's eyed in terror. His father always told Nate off for showing his mark to people. Saying that it will be his doom. Remembering those words Aaron's blood froze over at the prospect what could that mean.

Meanwhile, the Lady only smiled reassuringly and patted his head "Don't worry. He is just a kid like you. I don't judge by class." Aaron let out a sigh of relief and nodded while lady added "My name is Suzan. But you can call me whatever you like." She then stood up and offered her hand "Now, let's get you some food, and then you can sleep. It must have been a rough night."

Aaron looked outside realising the sun was getting up by then. He reached and took Suzan's hand. She didn't ask questions, she didn't judge, and she didn't refuse help. Aaron feeling overwhelming gratitude mumbled, "Thank you, grandma." He never knew his grandparents but he would imagine them to be as kind-hearted as Suzan. Meanwhile, she smiled satisfied with her new nickname making her face even more wrinkly than it already was.

*

Nate was unconscious for a long time. So as a payment for the help Aaron was helping Suzan around the house. He would go to a nearby village to get some food, help her with dinner, washed the dishes and cleaned the house. He did not have to do any of it but he felt like it was a must. Living as the young, unpredictable child no one told him to work in any shape or form back in his village, so at first, he was clueless and clumsy. However, Suzan was showing him everything slowly and soon Aaron was able to be independent to some degree.

Suzan never told him to do anything but he would insist nonetheless. During his stay there Aaron found out two things about himself. One was the fact that as long as he did not feel negative emotions - except anger - he didn't need to try to control his powers. They were asleep. Then two was that working around the house calmed him. He just had to do something with himself and his worries would subside.

One day Aaron was sweeping the floor in the living room. It was a small area, filled with wooden furniture. By the wall was a stone fireplace where he usually was in charge of setting up the flames. In front of it a comfy looking chair which was Suzan's favourite place to sit and read. The other side of the room had a couch which was under a window which had a view on the garden where Suzan had few patches of vegetables. She liked to tend to them.

As Aaron started to daydream, Suzan said happily "I will go check on Nate, dearie. You should take a break today."

Aaron looked outside and noticed it was getting darker, so he replied "Of course grandma. After I finish with the sweeping."

She smiled and left to the small separate room where Nate was. The house had only two bedrooms, Suzan's and the one where Nate was staying. Aaron, meanwhile, slept on the couch as there was no other option. However, he still prefers it to the caves.

Not too long after, Suzan came back from the room smiling. Aaron tilted his head while she said happily "Your brother is quite the fighter, dearie. He just woke up. Go and see him." Aaron dropped the broom from his hands and sprinted by the lady to his brother. Suzan chuckled seeing the distressed Aaron.

Once in the room, Aaron's face conveyed a mixture of fear, happiness and worry. While Nate tiredly turned his head towards his brother and smiled saying “Hey there lil bro. Did I sleep for long?” Aaron rushed to him and tried to hug him while Nate grunted: “I woke up, not recovered.”

Aaron moved away relief overtaking him “Sorry.”

Nate sat up using whatever strength he had “It’s fine, it hurts but I'll live. How long was I off for?”

Aaron frowned “A month.”

Nate’s eyes opened wide “What?!”

“Almost, three weeks and four days. Freaking scared the shit out of me you know.”

Nate chuckled “Sorry, sorry.” He patted his brother’s head “But I am back. And as soon as I'm better we will leave. That lady took us in but we can't bother her for too long. She is very kind to keep us this long anyway.”

Aaron nodded realising she must have talked to Nate before he rushed in “Yeah, but she is really nice. When I brought you in she panicked, even more than me. She really took care of us. And she ignored the fact I'm a wizard and you're an assassin.”

Nate touched his right brow “Good thing.” Then both boys sighed thinking about the future ahead.

*

Once Nate woke up the days started to go by really quickly. Due to Nate being an assassin he was up and about within a few days. He started to help around with whatever he could, his strength was not back yet so he was very limited.

One day while Aaron went to go shopping he noticed some people staring at him. He was visiting the town for a while now so people must have gotten suspicious. Then as he was leaving - shopping bags in hands - he heard whispers "Isn't that boy coming from old Suzan's house?"

"Yes, it seems like it... Let's hope that old hag did not involve herself with rouges again."

Aaron hearing it turned to the people and asked bluntly "What are rouges?"

The older man said, "Are you not one of them?"

To which Aaron shook his head. The two men looked at one another and then the younger one explained "Those are assassins without family. They are dangerous. Once they lose their family they don't have a leash to hold them anymore."

Aarons blood froze in his veins. He started to ask more questions, and the two men explained anything they knew about rouges. They probably felt sorry for the kid.

Then the older man said "Old Suzan was involved with a rouge once. Her husband was an assassin. He lost his family, however, and went crazy. Since he and she were not bonded by blood, but rather a marriage, she couldn't stop him. He killed half of the people in town until Suzan herself put an end to him. She used to be a guardian." Aaron's eye opened wide. He thanked the men and went back. He started to question his brother. A rouge sounded like a deadly creature from a nightmare, from what those two said. However, Nate was not like it. Which only made the whole situation more confusing. Then his thoughts went to Suzan questioning her motives. She was a sweet lady so for her to murder her own husband was beyond him to comprehend.

Once Aaron got back the first things he heard were words from Suzan “Oh thank you, my dearies. Now you can go and rest up. Both of you.” Aaron placed the shopping bags in the kitchen looking at Nate who put some wood into the fireplace.

Aaron's thoughts were still lingering on Suzan however he decided not to ask. She didn't ask them, he shouldn't ask her. He was still curious but it was better to leave it. So he said, “That is no problem grandma, you did a lot more for us.”

While Nate only nodded prodding the fireplace.

Suzan grinned “Oh no, I didn’t do anything. But I could do something.”

Both boys looked at the elder lady while she took out from her basket a black strap and she handed it to Nate saying “You are quite the unlucky, child. You were born as such a dangerous fighter and you cannot even hide it.”

Nate touched his right cheek trying to hide while she continued “It might not be the best solution but at least you will be able to show your face more, so take it.” Nate reached and took the strap from her while she smiled “I made this eyepatch when I had some spare time while you two were helping me out. So here, as a reward.”

She then turned around and looked at Aaron “I also got something for you, Aaron.” She reached back to her basket and brought out a black scarf. She handed it to Aaron saying “There you go, I know you get quite cold more often than not. I hope this will help at least a bit.” Aaron took it and thanked her, giving her a small smile. He decided to forget about what he heard.

Nate got up and said, “Thank you, grandma, it means a lot.”

Suzan patted his head “Do not worry dearie, it’s a thank you gift.” Nate smiled looking down at her, he lowered his head a bit so she doesn’t need to strain herself to reach to his head. Suzan was barely taller than Aaron. Which made the story of her killing her husband even less believable.

That night both brothers were lying down in the small room. Once Nate was better they moved the couch to the room Nate stayed in so they could be together.

“So does that mean you will come with me to town tomorrow?” Aaron asked as he rolled over to look at Nate.

“Yes, and it means we can leave soon. Grandma dealt with us for long enough, we need to let her be. I will find someone to take care of her.”

Aaron agreed and sighed “I must admit I will miss her.”

Nate grinned “Me too, this peaceful life is nice, but we must remember we are ‘wanted’ we can't endanger grandma.”

“That’s true.” Aaron's thoughts went back to the two men. Nate was an assassin and those two seemed very hateful. It was much safer for Suzan if the brothers left as soon as possible. Aaron eyed his brother and decided to tell him about the fact Suzan's late husband was an assassin. He missed the fact that she killed him and about the rouges. There was no need to talk about it.

The next day Nate went with Aaron to do the shopping and while at it they also found someone who was willing to help old Suzan in her day-to-day life.

While they were returning Aaron asked shyly "Nate, do you know what rouges are?" He decided it will be better if he spoke about it. It did involve Nate after all.

Nate nodded indifferent, while Aaron continued "Well I heard some stories. and this won't happen to you will it?"

Nate looked at his younger brother, who was full of worry and said "It won't as long as you are around. Rouges go crazy only when their family by blood is gone."

Aaron nodded saying "Is that why assassins are hated?"

"Yes." Nate's gaze dropped to the ground.

"But you are not rouge, people shouldn't hate you, right?"

Nate patted his brother's head with a smile "Unfortunately they will. People are scared of what they don't understand. And assassins are one of those things." He sighed looking up "Besides, without parents, it is hard for an assassin to stay conscious, even with a sibling. But I promise I won't go, rogue. I will stay sane."

Aaron frowned "What do you mean without parents?"

Nate looked down, something flashed in his gaze which looked like regret "Father is dead. And our mother is very far. It is like I do not have a connection with them anymore."

Aaron nodded, content with the answers he got. It must have been already tough on Nate so he swore to himself he would never let anyone hate his brother purely for being an assassin. Nate took care of him, protected him, he was his brother. He wasn't some evil being that others make him be. With that resolve, they headed back.

The next day brothers told Suzan about the fact they will be leaving. After breakfast, they gathered themselves and were ready to go.

Suzan stopped them in the doorways saying “My dearies, I will miss you.” She looked at the boys with sadness which was extremally rare on her face.

Nate smiled “Don’t worry grandma we will be alright. As soon as we do whatever it is we supposed to do we will visit you.”

She smiled and patted his head affectionately then Aaron added: “Yes, it was very pleasant here.”

Suzan hugged the little boy who started to suffocate “You are such a darling Aaron.”

Aaron trying to breath mumbled quietly “Sure…”

She let him go and said “Watch out you two. Be very careful. This world can be dangerous.” Both boys nodded, knowing that first hand and were about to walk away but Suzan grabbed Nate’s arm. Aaron walked a bit ahead but heard them.

“Have this my boy.” She gave the older brother a silver ring. Nate looked at it and was about to ask but Suzan beat him to it “It is a ring which was left by my husband. He was an assassin just like you so you will be a better owner of it than me. Besides if you are ever in trouble you can sell it and buy some food. Take it as a reserve.”

Nate looked at the silver hoop. His eyes teared up and he hugged Suzan saying “Thank you, but I will look after it rather than sell it. I don’t like the idea of it.”

Suzan grinned “You are also a darling Nate.” He let her go and after exchanging a smile with her he caught up to Aaron who waited not too far away smiling sadly.

*********************************************************************

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