Story in progress...

The idea of Hilda’s home being attacked worried her, and unfortunately, that fateful day came sooner than anyone expected. There was a dreadful noise coming from just outside the village and any man who could fight was being called to its defence. Horses were bridled and swords were drawn. Hilda was woken by her brother and ran outside to see what was happening. She saw many villagers who used to be soldiers in the old war preparing to ride once more. Among them was her father, and she ran to him as soon as she saw him. His sword was in its sheath, but he held another in his hands; it was the first he had ever owned. He gave it to her brother, who was fighting back tears, and said, “Go to the woods, hurry!” All the fierce noises of battle; of the weapons smashing against each other, of the yelling and things being set alight, felt like they were being poured into Hilda’s ears and flooding her mind. She grabbed onto her father’s boot and shut her eyes.

Chapter 2