It was a poor part of some unknown country. The lands were not owned by any man, so the people were not penniless through over taxation or overseers who stole away their hard earned pay. No, they were just poor. They made very little money, ate very little food and kept very little possessions. Yet they were very happy. People here were gracious and did not fuss over proper etiquette. Never was it necessary for one to apologize over a misspoken word nor did they spend half their lives bowing to those in higher positions and greater status. Here they were free of social obligation, the people like family, their world a peaceful one. 

Then the Collectors came.

Two children, one boy, one girl; woke to the sounds of the early morning birds chirping outside the window of their one roomed home. It was a hovel of a house; the wooden floor warped and cracked with only a small rug that sat near the open fireplace where a rusted old pot hung. Light flooded in from the single paned window hitting their eyes as they slept on the large wool mattress they shared with their parents. Dew that snuck in through the cracks in the wood paneled walls stuck to their clothing and blankets. Fighting off the morning’s call, they snuggled into their mother’s side.

There was a hard rap at the door causing the mother to shoot up in bed. Her green eyes were wide with horror, her dark brown hair rising a little at its roots. Stiff and sullen she rose to answer the door, her children watching with wonder. 

“Suka Fallenheart?” the shadowy man at the door asked as it opened.

The woman’s face was bleak, her thin frail body quivering as she faced him.

“Yes,” she answered simply knowing a lie would only cause more harm.

The man sneered with satisfaction. He wore a long black cloak that covered his largely built frame. Stroking the short black beard on his pointed face he peered past her and into the home where the two children sat shaking on the bed. Grimacing, he turned back to Suka. 

“Their father?” he asked.

“He is to return today,” she announced her face lightening as though hope had just pulsed through her.

“Ah,” the man said in an indifferent tone, “then they shan’t be alone for long, shall they?”