Nine years ago
Shadowdale, Gemageia
"Dawn, look what I found!" a little boy squealed from behind her. Before Dawn could get a chance to turn around, something heavy slammed into her, knocking her off her feet. Her forehead smashed against the rocky pavement, crumbly dirt sweeping into her mouth. She felt someone heavy lying on top of her, their knee digging into her thigh.
"Geroff me, Dusk!" she cried, her voice muffled. She felt her brother's hands pressing against her back, using her as a support to lift himself up. The pressure above her disappeared slowly as Dawn sighed in relief.
Her fingers scraped against the muddy ground as she climbed to her feet, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Glancing down at her clothes, she gasped. Her gray frock was patterned with mud splotches, the plain color hidden behind them. A deep gash ran down her right sleeve, exposing her pale skin.
Dawn turned towards the boy standing in front of her, glowering at him. "Look what you did to my dress, Dusk!" she whined.
"You were in the way!" Dusk said, pointing an accusing finger at her. He scratched the tufts of his light blonde hair. They were wearing the same clothes, the only difference being the tight trousers he wore under the tunic. "I even called out but you didn't listen." His gaze rose to her mouth as he erupted into a fit of giggles. He tried muffling it with his hand but wasn't able to.
"What's so funny?" she asked, scowlingat him.
He continued laughing, his face bright red. "You shouldn't eat dirt, Dawn," he spluttered, trying to keep his face straight. "It isn't good."
Taken aback by his answer, Dawn placed a hand on her mouth and breathed on it. The mucky smell of dirt contaminated her fingers as she scrunched up her face in disgust. She whirled away from him and spat on the ground.
Dusk didn't try hiding his amuse and burst into laughs, grinning at the sight of his sister. He doubled over, clutching his kneecaps. "This is so funny!" he howled.
Dawn's face flamed with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Her tiny hands balled into fists as she strode towards her brother. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could say something, Dusk shoved his hand into her face.
She found herself staring at several gleaming, golden disks, their surfaces shining in the pale moonlight. The face of a scowling man was stamped onto it, a crown sitting atop his head. Dawn's eyes widened as she snatched one of them into her hand. "Is that a raedo?" she whispered, examining the coin closely.
Dusk nodded, puffing his chest out in pride. "I found them on the ground!" he said and grinned, his front teeth missing. "Now father will be able to send those mean people away from our home! I don't like it when he's sad!"
Dawn gazed at her brother, awed by the deep concern he showed for their father. Her gaze flitted to the raedo in her hand and back to Dusk. She walked towards him as his smile disappeared, replaced by a frown. She raised her hand, her brother closing his eyes in anticipation of the blow. But it never came.
Dawn had pulled him into a hug, her arms wrapped around his back. He didn't respond for a moment before hugging her back. She pulled away and dropped the raedo into his hand. He stared at her open-mouthed, closing his fist around the jangling raedos. "Dawn..." he started.
She shook her head and sighed. "You are so nice, Dusk," she said in a low voice. "I wish I was like you and not so an-angry."
Dusk shook his head vigorously, his lips turning downward into a frown. "No, you're good! It's alright to be angry. We're twins," a skeptical expression came onto his face at the word, "so it's nice we are not the same. Mother wouldn't like that."
Dawn smiled briefly before her expression turned stern. "Maybe you're right. But no pushing me again."
With reluctance, Dawn noted, he nodded. "We should go back home and give this to mother." His fingers clutched the raedos tightly in one hand, the other grabbing hold of his sister's.
The twins walked slowly, savoring every detail of their surroundings. The Peasant region was never a looker but it was the first time they had ventured out without either one of their parents. The shabby houses were aligned in rows, fences creaking back and forth. The houses were identical, only their sizes differing. Some were the size of a cupboard while the others resembled a cottage. The moonlight was their only source of light, illuminating the brick path.
Dawn saw a few people milling around some distance away, dressed in the same drab outfits as theirs; a grey tunic that was common attire in Gemageia. The people were walking in a straight line, men, women, and children all included. Their gazes were downcast, hands hidden in the recesses of their pockets.
The one leading them all was an old man, his hand curled around a red spear. The armor plate and helm added to his heavy attire, Gemageia's emblem visible on both of them. He turned towards the people behind him and scowled. "Come along!" he said. "We need to reach the palace before midnight. Walk faster, filthy scum!" He prodded the person behind him with the butt of his spear, a garbled cry leaving the person's mouth. The man lay a hand on his chest for a moment, his breathing labored.
All of a sudden she felt Dusk squeeze her hand tightly as she looked at him. "Isn't that Adam?" he whispered, gazing at the walking people behind her. "And his family's there too!" She followed his gaze until her eyes landed on a familiar, young boy in the middle of the line. He walked with a slight lilt in his right leg, his clenched hands visible through the thin fabric of the tunic. His eyebrows were pinched together, amber eyes wide and alert.
Without thinking, she yelled, "Adam!"
Everyone's head swiveled towards Dawn and Dusk, staring at the sudden intruders. At the sound of his name, the boy instinctively took a step toward them. But before he could move away, a restraining hand was placed on his shoulder, squeezing it tightly. Adam winced at the guard's touch and went back to his position, staring at Dawn with half-opened eyes.
The guard stayed glued to Adam for a few seconds before he grunted. Reluctantly he left the boy and glanced at the end of the line. "Make sure that none of them move from their positions, William," he ordered the guard at the end. "If they do, you have my full permission to beat them."
"Yes, sir!" William said loudly, saluting at the guard.
The guard nodded before turning towards the frozen twins and scowled. He walked to them, his long strides transporting him in mere seconds. "Do you know that boy?" he growled, a white hair strand falling in his eye.
Dawn's gaze flitted to Adam, taking in his stunned expression. His eyes were wide in surprise, lips slightly parted. He mouthed 'No' and shook his head very slightly. She turned back towards the waiting guard and swallowed the rising lump in her throat. Why is he telling me to lie?
Perplexed at Adam's behavior, Dawn considered telling him the truth, if only to lessen the iron weight on her chest. Lying would only complicate matters and if she didn't do it properly, the guard would drag her to the palace without a second thought. But there was always the possibility that being honest could be more perilous than lying.
She resisted the urge to scratch her head in confusion and sighed. "I do..." she started but couldn't complete.
"Dawn! Dusk!" a melodious voice chimed from behind them. Dawn's eyes widened at its sound as she quickly turned around. A slender lady swooped down on them, clutching them close to her chest. "I was so worried about you two," the woman said, her voice muffled.
