War of the Heart

Kaya

Kaya frowned at the piece of silver cloth around her arm. Already, they were mortal enemies; it itched, hurt her eyes, kept sliding around and had some meaning she couldn't get Hjalmar to share with her. Every few hours she threatened to rip it off. Hjalmar responded by saying that if she wanted to be denied the right of entry and be heckled and insulted, she could go right ahead.

It was ridiculous. A piece of tacky cloth should not carry so much meaning. Also, why did only the women have to wear the cloth? Of course Hjalmar saw nothing wrong with that. He claimed it was respectful towards women. The full meaning of the cloths were only known to them, allowing them to share information without indulging the male sex.

Kaya stared at him. 'You mean, you have no clue what this means. I could be going around saying I'm a drunkard or something!'

'Don't worry, it doesn't mean that.'

'How do you know that? You're just trying to convince yourself!' Kaya said, desperately trying to loosen it.

Hjalmar pulled her hand away. 'Stop that right now! I know for a fact that it means nothing of the sort.'

'What does it mean then?' Kaya really hated the height difference. She had to crane her neck to give him a death glare.

'You don't want to know.'

She grabbed his arm, twisting it behind him. The wince it induced vindicated her. 'Tell me.'

'What difference does it make?' he said through gritted teeth.

'A great deal.'

'Let me go and I'll tell you,' he sighed, watching her cautiously. Once she unleashed him, he took a few steps back, then sheepishly said, 'There are only a few reasons I could justify bringing someone without papers into Kraspos. I... I know from a friend since unfortunately this is something that... happens sometimes and is credible for Surtren—I wish it weren't. As far as people here are concerned, we're engaged.'

No hesitation whatsoever, Kaya went for the punch. Hjalmar quickly dodged, but she wasn't giving up so easily. She jabbed towards his stomach, but he caught her wrist.

'Listen, I hate this just as much as you do, but we don't want to make a scene,' he grunted.

Too late, might as well make it a scene worth watching. She nodded innocently and slid out of his grip, then kneed him where the sun don't shine. He doubled over groaning, his face ending up right in front of her knee. The temptation was too great, she went straight for his nose.

Someone grabbed her for behind, and rough hands drew her wrists together. She bent forward, hoping to topple them, but whoever had grabbed her was strong.

Panic widened her eyes while someone announced something she couldn't understand. She looked towards Hjalmar, desperate for help. Maybe she should have thought ahead before beating him up. Then again, the red flood running from his nose ignited satisfaction within her. He was a Surtrenan who seemed to want to seduce her or something; he'd deserved it.

She was steered away, hands pushing her off the street. She struggled of course, crying at them to let her go in Soustrenan.

'You are to face consequences for causing civil unrest,' responded the person pushing her in Surtrenan. At least, she assumed that's what it was.

That couldn't be good. What were Kraa laws like? Would she have to go to court? She mused with the idea of accusing Hjalmar of kidnapping her but then she'd probably be sent back to Cines with no way to leave again.

They pushed her towards a dark building, built from some sort of dark stone. The sun reflected from its polished almost black wall. Kaya tried to shield her eyes, but her hands were trapped in a firm grip. Instead, she was forced to squint to avoid being blinded.