For years the people had suffered under the rule of the royal family. A cruel and disgusting bunch that only sought to bring pain and misery to the good people of Trovell. Suffering that appeared to have no end was all that many had to look forward to until the day when they were finally granted death. Peace and freedom from the world. A sad thing to look forward to, but when each and every day was one hell after another one could not be blamed for it.<br/><br/>Hopeless lives looking toward an end. These were the lives of the people that was until a group formed. Those who were tired of suffering and wanted to see an end to the pain. Who wanted to be free! Wanted to wake up to the morning and not just muddle through until death finally took them. These few became many and the many banded together. United and fueled by the same righteous anger and sense of justice, these rebels rose up to oppose the ruling family. Put an end to their tyranny and save the kingdom from a dark and dismal future. Within the Kingdom walls they were as ghosts, moving within the cover of darkness and through the crowded streets. Whispering and fanning the flames of justice to keep the hope of citizens alive, least it be extinguished. Snuffed out under the boots of their oppressors and their army.<br/><br/>It was a known fact that the woods were their home their territory. Vast and thick, they hid the heroes from the many attempts of capture and struck fear into the hearts of merchants and squads alike. For only the brave, or foolish, dared to travel the roads unless escorted by a full detail of armed men. Even then, the chances of escaping unmolested were slim to none. Which is what the current merchant had found out.<br/><br/>A tree, large and heavy laid along the path and blocked his way. The horse at the head of the cart pawed nervously at the ground while he cast weary eyes to the thick shadows of the tree line along the road. There was no way around the log, so there was only the option to move it or go back and try another route. Moving the log would require more strength that he had with him and unhooking the horse for such a task would leave them both vulnerable to attack. This left him with the only option to find another way.<br/><br/>“Come on, girl” the merchant clicked softly to the mare and tugged at the reigns. “Let’s go back and take another road.” Yet, just as the cart began to move again movement from the woods caught his eye and from behind his cart there came a voice.<br/>“I’m afraid that is not possible,” strong and confident. Even to the man at the head of the cart, the voice held a measure of authority that he was almost compelled to respond to. “We will be taking what you have hidden beneath the common wares you were going to<span style="font-style: italic">sell</span>in the market,” the word stressed made the man’s grip on the reigns tighten.<br/><br/>“I don’t know what you are referring to. I am merely a merchant trying to sell his wares within the Kingdom, nothing more.”<br/><br/>“I am no fool and I would like for you to not address me like I am one. But, we know you carry the gold of the Queen and we would have it from you. The wares that you say you planned to sell, you of course may keep, but the gold we will take.”<br/><br/>A soft chuckle left the man’s lips as he dropped the reigns and drew the knife he had hidden beneath his cloak. “You have said we many a time and yet you are alone,” from the seat he dropped to the ground landing on his with practiced ease. “So, maybe you are bluffing and do not know who you are dealing with?”<br/><br/>The hooded figure did not move, nor do much of anything and yet as the man with the knife thought to advance further toward them an arrow came from the wood and landed right where his next step would have been. “You must be a new mercenary. Confident in your skill and that the rumors are nothing but lies,” the hood was allowed to fall back and a woman met the eyes of the man. Hair bright and the color of fire with eyes that were as green as the leaves that surrounded them. Tall and confident, her head was held high and there was no fear there. This was not someone to underestimate or insult, not if you valued your life.<br/><br/>“I assure you they are not and you are in the presence of Ezra, leader of the Trovell rebellion. My men will not kill you unless I say so and I am rather itching for a fight, so if you think you can best me by all means attack. However, I should warn you that even if I lose you will also lose your life and the rebellion will continue on. You are but paid in Gold to protect the wealth of a cruel bitch who cares nothing for you or she would have sent an escort to meet you. So, tell me what shall it be? You leave with your life? Have a chance to earn more gold. Or, you fight for the gold of someone who probably would have killed you the moment you delivered the gold, so just that she could have it all for herself,” a pause there as the sword she held was brought into view from beneath the thick cloak she wore. “Make your choice and choose your path.”<br/><br/>Nothing moved in that moment, save for the swishing of the tail from the horse that waited by nervously to see what its master would do. The man and woman stared one another down for what felt like an eternity before he finally relented and sheathed his blade.<br/><br/>“Not worth it,” was all he said before he turned and continued down the road on his own.<br/><br/>“Disappointing,” the woman replied and sheathed her own blade. “I had hoped for a good fight today. All well,” a sigh and she brought two fingers to her lips and gave sharp whistle. Men appeared from the shadows, almost like they were melted from it, “Get the log and cart off the road. Take the gold and distribute most of it among the people. Keep what we need for food and supplies.”<br/><br/>“Yes, Ma’am.” Orders were rushed to be carried out as Ezra left the scene to disappear among the trees. Another day and another small cut along the beast that was the ruling royal family. Someday soon she would stab them right in the heart. She would not rest until that was done.